Jim Cooper

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, the opening prayer today was given by Rabbi Mark Schiftan of Nashville, the senior rabbi of the oldest and largest Jewish congregation in middle Tennessee. The congregation dates back to 1851, when the Vine Street Temple began worship services in downtown Nashville, even before the Civil War. Rabbi Schiftan has led today's temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom, for nearly 20 years and is well known and beloved in our community. His family escaped the Holocaust from Vienna, Austria, fleeing first to Shanghai, China, and then to San Francisco. Rabbi Schiftan was educated at San Francisco State University, the Hebrew Union of Los Angeles, and then was ordained at the Hebrew Union of Cincinnati. Under Rabbi Schiftan's leadership, the temple has been the indispensable religious and cultural institution for all of middle Tennessee. I would like to personally thank the rabbi for his strong leadership in our community, for our personal friendship, and for opening the House with prayer today.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the wonderful small town of Old Hickory, Tennessee, on its Centennial Celebration. Old Hickory's history is unique. When the United States entered World War I, our soldiers needed gunpowder, and lots of it. The U.S. government asked a giant American company, E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co., to build and operate a gunpowder plant on federal land near Nashville on the Cumberland River. Within months, 5,600 acres of land near Hadley's Bend were transformed into a self-sufficient village housing 56,000 workers and the largest factory the state had ever seen. After the War, DuPont's chemical production continued for decades. If you came across someone on the street, chances are they worked for DuPont. Old Hickory was a ``company town'' with homes of similar designs, each one well-maintained. It was and is a model community with incredibly talented, hard-working, patriotic residents. Although the factories and their owners have changed over the years, their footprints remain. Old Hickory remains one of the most storied towns in the South. Come visit and you will see the original mill town homes, friendly stores, and markets. It is a place where people know their neighbors, and where newcomers are welcomed with open arms. The hallmarks of hard work, faith, family, friends, and patriotism are just as important today as they were a century ago. Old Hickory is truly one of Nashville's and the nation's ``best kept secrets,'' and I know it will remain a treasure in Middle Tennessee for the next 100 years.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with members of the Tennessee delegation and with the Congressional Black Caucus to honor the victims of a deadly mass shooting at a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee, early on the morning of Sunday, April 22. The four young, promising lives that were lost were Joe R. Perez, DeEbony Groves, Taurean C. Sanderlin, and Akilah DaSilva. Fortunately, James Shaw, Jr., was also in the restaurant to confront the shooter and to take away his weapon with his bare hands, probably saving the lives of 16 other people. Let us honor all of the victims and our hero, James Shaw, Jr., with a moment of silence.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the victims of a deadly mass shooting at a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee, early on the morning of Sunday, April 22. Four young, promising lives were lost: Joe R. Perez, DeEbony Groves, Taurean C. Sanderlin, and Akilah DaSilva. They crossed paths at the restaurant expecting nothing more than good food. Now four young lives are lost, and we mourn with their families and friends. I would also like to recognize Mr. James Shaw, Jr., a native Nashvillian and an American hero. Mr. Shaw bravely stopped this attack from being even worse. His courageous and decisive action saved many lives. Now, Mr. Shaw doesn't consider himself a hero, but his actions clearly prove that he is a hero. He gave us hope on one of our darkest days. We are heartbroken for the tragic loss of life, but we are heartened and proud of our hometown hero. May we remember Mr. Shaw's words: I hope that we can bring violence to an end in all facets, not just gun violence, but all violence. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the victims of a deadly mass shooting at a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee, on the morning of Sunday, April 22. Four young, promising lives were lost, and two other people were injured. Today we mourn Joe R. Perez, 20 years old, who moved to Nashville to live with his grandmother and work at his brother's business; DeEbony Groves, 21, a senior at Belmont University who was weeks from earning a degree in social work; Taurean C. Sanderlin, 29, a Waffle House employee who was outside on a break; and Akilah DaSilva, 23, a student and aspiring musician. They crossed paths at the Waffle House, expecting nothing more than good food. Now, four young lives are lost. We mourn with their families, friends, and the Antioch community. I would also like to recognize Mr. James Shaw, Jr. a native Nashvillian and an American hero. Mr. Shaw bravely stopped this attack from being even worse. His courageous and decisive actions saved many lives. In Mr. Shaw's own words, he ``saw an opportunity and took it.'' Later Sunday morning, after receiving treatment for his own injuries, Mr. Shaw went home to see his family. He is a loving father to his 4- year-old daughter, Brooklyn. He then went to the church he has attended since he was a baby. Mr. Shaw's greatest concern is for the other victims, and he has organized a fund to support them. Mr. Shaw doesn't consider himself a hero, but his actions clearly prove otherwise. Mr. Shaw gave us hope on one of Nashville's darkest days, and he embodies the very best of our community. We are forever grateful for his bravery and his willingness to put his own life at risk in order to save others. We are both heartbroken for the tragic loss of lives but proud of our hometown hero. This tragedy will not define our city. We are grateful to people all across America who have supported our community with prayers and financial support. May we all remember Mr. Shaw's words: ``I hope we can bring violence in all facets--not just gun violence, but all facets of violence--to an end.''

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend, John A. Hobbs, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. He is simply one of the most amazing men I have ever known. A native Nashvillian, John A. has lived a life for the storybooks and he's still going strong. He's worked hard all of his life, for example delivering telegrams to the Tennessee Governor's Mansion when he was just a young man during the Depression. I am confident that there was never a better delivery boy than John A. Hobbs. That's why he was chosen to go to the Governor's residence. As an adult, he saw Nashville's promise long before anyone else, and understood the impact that country music, Opryland, and tourism could have on our city. He has invested his heart and soul into helping Nashville and Middle Tennessee live up to its potential. Nashville is now one of the hottest cities in America due, in part, to John A.'s foresight and energy. You can read about many of the extraordinary things John A. has done for Middle Tennessee in the excellent book, ``The Life and Times of Music Valley's Visionary.'' John A. is a devout Catholic and dedicated family man with a large and talented extended family. He built many businesses with his four sons and grandsons over the years, and has developed some of Music City's most iconic attractions for both tourists and lifelong residents. Despite John A.'s success, he never lost touch with his roots, his childhood friends, and his neighbors. Nobody loves Donelson and its people more than he does. I particularly love John A.'s lively monthly breakfasts that bring the whole community together and where Nashvillians go to be seen. Where are they held? At the night spot named ``John A.'s,'' of course. You simply cannot win an election in Davidson County unless you are a regular attendee. I wish John A. Hobbs the happiest of 90th birthdays. He is a truly kind, generous, and wise man. The United States of America, the greatest nation on earth, was built by men like John A. Hobbs, members of the greatest generation. I am proud to call him my friend.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Smith, Chairman Thornberry, Chairman McCain on the Senate side, and Ranking Member Reid. It is very important that Congress continue this great tradition of passing a Defense Authorization Act. This will be the 57th year. My constituents back home want nothing more than for us to cooperate in a bipartisan fashion for the good of the country. This bill, H.R. 2810, does that. In particular, I would like to thank the Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Mike Rogers, who has been a great partner, as we do several very important things: Number one, modernize our nuclear forces and keep the effort going on nuclear nonproliferation; we fund critical missile defense needs in the face of rising threats from North Korea and other countries; we support U.S.-Israeli missile defense; and we also strengthen, dramatically, our capabilities in space. This Defense Authorization bill takes a decisive first step to address the fragmentation and lack of focus on national security space issues that the Air Force has shown by reorganizing space within the Air Force and within the Department of Defense. While it does not create the Space Corps that we preferred, it achieves many of the goals that we set out to achieve. Notably, it consolidates acquisition, operations, and training of space forces under the Air Force Space Command and eliminates ineffective or redundant authorities across the Department. Our assets in space, unfortunately, are increasingly vulnerable to attack. This reorganization will begin to provide the focus and coordination necessary to effectively address these growing threats. I thank the chairman of the subcommittee for his strong leadership in this effort and for making this a bipartisan process. I would also like to thank the Deputy Secretary of Defense for his engagement on this important issue. We will continue to hold the Department accountable during this transition period. I am also pleased that the bill begins to counter the vulnerability of our GPS systems in space which underpin many defense and civilian systems. We increase the resiliency and alternatives to GPS, including thinking outside the box, by relying on our allies and perhaps even exploiting Russian or Chinese signals as a means to deter attack on our systems. The conference also dropped restrictions on extending the new START Treaty, which verifiably limits the number of nuclear weapons that Russia or the United States can deploy. The bill, more effectively, holds Russia accountable for violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty by imposing increasing sanctions related to those violations rather than prematurely nullifying the treaty. The conference report also encourages a dialogue with Russia and China to reduce risks of miscalculations that could lead to an unintended nuclear war in a crisis. Pressuring Russia, while avoiding an unnecessary nuclear arms race or a precipitous nuclear war, should be top priorities for our defense in the current, more volatile environment. In this context, I support the increased focus on modernizing our nuclear command and control system, which has been too long over-cost and delayed. Finally, the bill ends years of wasteful spending on the unaffordable and failed MOX project in South Carolina by allowing the Department of Energy to terminate it and move to a solution at a fraction of the cost. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tennessee State University for its 45 years of participation in the Federal Depository Library Program. Tennessee State University and its renowned library are not only invaluable to the Middle Tennessee community, but to America. Tennessee State University has been a staple of the community for more than a century. Its library is unique and filled with knowledge. In 1945, Ms. Lois H. Daniel was appointed the director. She led the library for 31 years, reaching new heights and creating the Library Service Program to train school librarians. She also ushered in a new partnership in 1972 when Tennessee State University joined the Federal Depository Library Program. Through the Federal Depository Library Program, Tennessee State University helps maintain access to government documents for the entire nation. It preserves history by storing and providing public access to our laws, rules, research, and other documents. The Library Service Program has thrived at Tennessee State University, and now it is leading the way in transitioning to the digital age. It is fitting that a historic university with a bright future should be a caretaker for our government's documents. I would also like to honor the countless people that have helped grow the Library Service Program, including Dr. Evelyn Fancher, Dr. Yildiz Binkley, Dr. Murle Kenerson, Ms. Laverne Walker, Ms. Jessie Hughes, Mr. Crayton Dudley, Ms. Sharon Johnson, Ms. Saundra Peterson, Ms. Anita Etheridge, and Ms. Angel Sloss. I am proud to celebrate Tennessee State University's Martha M. Brown/ Lois H. Daniel Library. It has served our nation well during its first 45 years of public service as a Federal Depository Library.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 165th Anniversary of The Christian Recorder. As the oldest periodical continually published by African-Americans in the United States, The Christian Recorder is the heart of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Originally founded in 1848 as The Christian Herald, the publication has been a leading voice for African-Americans ever since. It relocated to Nashville in 1852 with a new name, The Christian Recorder. Twenty- one editors have led The Christian Recorder including John Thomas III, the current leader and the first layperson to serve in this prestigious role. The Christian Recorder is a reputable news service for religious news. It serves as the voice of two million members of the AME Church in thirty-nine countries around the world. Its reach extends far beyond the Sunday School Union in Nashville where it is headquartered. From offering guidance to slaves during the Civil War to the battle for voting rights and fighting segregation, The Christian Recorder has been a pioneer for Civil Rights and equality for African-Americans. I am proud to salute The Christian Recorder for its courageous efforts and its more than 165 years of service to the community.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nashville Public Library as the 2017 Library of the Year. This national honor, awarded by Library Journal and Gale Cengage Learning, recognizes public libraries for their commitment to excellence, innovative programs and services, and dedication to the community. Nashville Public Library is awesome, and unlike any other in America. It is also the location of my district office, perhaps the only congressional office in America located in a public library. The Library partnered with Metro Nashville Public Schools to create the Limitless Libraries initiative, which allows students and teachers to order and borrow books, movies, laptops, iPads, and more. The Limitless Libraries program is a national model for getting library materials into students' hands every day, and this partnership has also helped turn several school libraries into exciting, interactive hubs for students. Nashville Public Library reaches students outside the classroom, too. Teenagers can work with professional mentors to create art or new inventions, work with robotics, and produce music and podcasts through the Library's unique Studio NPL program. The Library also engages children though its Bringing Books to Life! program, putting on productions at the Library's Children's Theater, and its well-known Puppet Truck. Puppeteers perform 20 shows a week at the theater, but also use the Puppet Truck to reach children and adults throughout Davidson County. Most importantly is Nashville Public Library's Civil Rights Room. This chronicles Nashville's place in the Civil Rights movement, telling the stories of the heroes who fought against segregation and for equal rights. Last year the Library and the Nashville Public Library Foundation named our friend and colleague John Lewis their Literary Award Honoree. Congressman Lewis' book, March, was also this year's selection in Nashville Reads, the Library's city-wide reading campaign, where everyone is invited to read a book and discuss it at libraries in the community. Mr. Speaker, the writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges said, ``I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.'' I agree. Nashville Public Library is more than books inside a beautiful building. It is even more than Paradise. It is the heart of our community.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, I regret that my good friend from Colorado has offered this amendment. It was not voted on in either subcommittee or in full committee. It should be rejected by this House, and rejected overwhelmingly. Why? We need to make sure that our missile defense works. This is not a vote on whether we are for or against missile defense. I am strongly for missile defense. I just want to make sure that it works. In the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, there is a strong section in that act that requires that it work. The gentleman's amendment is not supported by the Missile Defense Agency, it is not supported by the Pentagon. What it is is a vendor's dream, what it is is a defense contractor's dream, because it would enable them to sell stuff to us, the American taxpayer and to the citizens of this country, promising national defense, but not proving it. We need to fly it before we buy it. We need to test it before we invest in it. We need to make sure that it works before we fork over the dough. If this loophole were to be established into law, allowing missiles to be flown through this loophole, it would delight the defense contractor industry. This is an amazing breach of what really, I think, has been American law for 150 years. Back during the Civil War, there was a law passed called the Lincoln Law. And because so many Americans were outraged that the bullets sold to the Union soldiers did not work and the cannonballs did not work and the boots didn't last in the rain, they passed one of the toughest laws ever passed by this Congress, to penalize defense contractors who sold us stuff that did not work. We need to make sure these missiles work. The gentleman is absolutely correct. The threat from North Korea is real, the threat one day from Iran could be real. We need to make sure these missiles work. And to short-circuit, to obviate a testing requirement would be an appalling thing for us to do. This has been law since 2015. It is working, it works fine, the Missile Defense Agency is all for it. Let's keep it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And to allow contractors to sell us stuff that is unproven, that is not tested, that has not flown before we buy it, oh, my gosh, I wouldn't want to be on that side of that transaction. So the gentleman is an outstanding Member, he does great work. As I say, this was not voted on in either subcommittee or full committee. It would be a mistake for the full House to support this amendment at this time. So I would urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, this Congress in 2015 passed this requirement because it made sense. Institutional memory can be short. The MDA is already exempt from normal Pentagon acquisition processes. No one in this body should think that MDA is subjected to the DOD 5000 regular acquisition rules. What this amendment would do would be to short-circuit that process. And which Member of this House in either party would want to admit to the constituency that they represent that they voted to allow missiles to be purchased by this country before we knew they would work? The threat is real, and we need to be prepared for that threat and we need defense missiles that work. Already the shot doctrine is several to one. We have to shoot up four missiles and hope that we can stop the one from coming over. We need things that actually work better than that. We need to make sure this equipment that the U.S. taxpayer is buying functions correctly. We have already expedited the acquisition process for the MDA. Let's not expedite it further. If our missile defenses don't work, we are all in trouble. The Congress decided wisely and rightly in 2015. The MDA, as I say, does not support this amendment. They have had ample opportunity to come to us and say that they want more flexibility, more freedom, they want things that work too. This House should want things that work. So I urge my colleagues to support what works and oppose this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, I know this amendment comes late in the process and my colleagues are tired of hearing all these National Defense Authorization Act amendments, but this one is really important. Already the North Koreans threaten the United States. Other countries could do so. We need to make sure that our missile defense works, and our constituents will not accept excuses. Now, as I say, defense contractors love this approach if they can sell us something that is not proven to work, but this equipment must work. This Congress got it right in 2015. The MDA is on board with the testing that they have to do. The process now works. Let's not change it, and this amendment would change it for the worse. It would be a defense contractor's dream. Let's not cave in to the lobbyists, let's not give away the American taxpayers' money, and let's make sure that the defense equipment we buy works. By stopping this amendment, we will do so. This amendment would be a giveaway to the defense contracting industry. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, Admiral Syring has been a great leader of MDA. He did not request this change. Admiral Syring has done a great job. Let's follow his lead, and let's reject this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. I thank the gentleman from Iowa for yielding. Permission to Revise Remarks on Amendment No. 15

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may be permitted to revise my remarks, made during consideration of amendment No. 15 in the Committee of the Whole earlier today, beyond technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections.

Mr. COOPER. I thank my friend from Iowa for yielding.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Whitland Avenue neighbors. The Whitland area is one of the most historic--and beautiful--neighborhoods in Middle Tennessee. Built in the earliest days of the 20th century, this relatively small neighborhood has more historical markers than any other in Davidson County. In 1976, residents vowed to hold an annual party on the Fourth of July to celebrate our nation's birthday and keep our patriotic spirit alive. The celebration was conceived to include a number of timeless activities such as a bicycle parade for neighbors of all ages; performances of patriotic tunes by a band of local musicians; enthusiastic singing by all in attendance; a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence; recognition of veterans for their service; speeches by elected officials and other local dignitaries; and a covered dish picnic lunch. The Whitland Avenue Fourth of July Celebration has become one of Nashville's most festive events. The neighborhood invites the entire city to join in a family-friendly parade and gathering to celebrate our great nation. The neighbors start planning months in advance, and each year's event is bigger and better than the last. On July 4, 2017, the neighbors at Whitland Avenue will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this beloved event. It is an honor to recognize the community, their spirit, and their patriotism. Whitland Avenue is the heart of Nashville, and I hope the community spirit lives on for generations to come.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge Todd J. Campbell on his retirement from the federal bench. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee College of Law, Judge Campbell started his legal career in private practice. After the 1992 election, he joined President-elect Bill Clinton's transition team and later became counsel to Vice President Al Gore. In 1995, President Clinton nominated Judge Campbell to fill a vacant seat on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Judge Campbell was confirmed the same year by the U.S. Senate, becoming one of America's youngest federal judges in modern times. He eventually was elevated to chief judge, serving many years in that role. Judge Campbell has led a distinguished career on the federal bench, and he is a pillar of our community. For example, he has led more than 100 naturalization ceremonies, often relating his own family immigration history to Middle Tennessee's newest citizens. Federal Public Defender Henry Martin best captured Judge Campbell in a recent letter to the editor published in The Tennessean newspaper: Judge Todd Campbell's announced retirement as a United States District Judge last week was sad news to anyone interested in justice in this community. I am confident that every lawyer and litigant experienced what I saw there for 20-plus years: an exceedingly well- prepared judge who favored neither side, but treated all who appeared before him with respect, courtesy and usually a smile. I always warned lawyers about to appear in Judge Campbell's court for the first time to be prepared: ``he will have read every case you cited, that your adversary cited and ask you about cases you missed that he had found. Then he would listen.'' The challenge of determining what the law is in a particular situation and then applying it fairly to complex facts, where the outcome has a life-changing impact on the people in the case is not only intellectually demanding, but emotionally and physically exhausting. It can also be lonely and thankless work And yet, Judge Campbell always took the time to thank the lawyers who took indigent defense appointments and was quick to proclaim how important their work was to the preservation of constitutional liberties. The founders of this country knew that the viability of a society operating under the rule of law depended on the selection of judges who had the intellect to decipher the law, the common sense to shape it to fit human behavior and the courage and integrity to decide controversial issues regardless of popular sentiment. For better than 20 years Judge Campbell gave exactly that to this community. We are the better for that service and owe him our utmost gratitude. Henry A. Martin, Federal Public Defender, Nashville 37203. Judge Campbell has dedicated himself to the federal bench every day he has served. I want to thank Judge Campbell, his wife, Margaret, and their children, Seth and Holt. Judge Campbell represents the very best of our judicial traditions, and I thank him for his long and patriotic service.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, we are here tonight to pay tribute to a truly remarkable man. I was privileged to attend the memorial service in Falls Church. Mr. Tiberi delivered an awesome eulogy on that day. The synagogue was full. What was perhaps most remarkable was that there was almost an equal number of Republican Members and Democratic Members. That is indeed rare, and it is sad that it is rare in this day and age. We all respected, admired, and loved Steve LaTourette because he was a great Member. Eighteen years of service is a good long time and he did wonderful things, I am sure, for Ohio. We heard from Marcy Kaptur about many of the projects he was involved in, but I want to reflect for a moment on a project that I think could have and should have benefited the entire United States. It was a huge lost opportunity, but he put body and soul into it in 2012, which turned out to be his last year in Congress. Back then, there was a bipartisan commission appointed by President Obama, headed up by Republican Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming and also by the former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. It was called the Simpson-Bowles Commission. It was tasked with finding a bipartisan solution to our Nation's debt and deficit problems. Back then, in 2012, we thought the debt was astronomical. It was $15.6 trillion. Now, 4 years later, it is $19.6 trillion. It is $4 trillion higher, $4 trillion of extra burden on future generations, including Steve's own children. The irony of the Simpson-Bowles package is that it was about a $4 trillion package to reduce our debt by about $4 trillion. Steve had the courage to engineer a plan to bring it to the House floor. We got it to the House floor. We had, according to Steve's estimate, almost 100 commitments for support. We didn't expect to win, but we thought we would at least put up a good showing. When the votes were counted, we had a whopping 38 Members who were willing to stand up for bipartisan debt and deficit reduction. Thirty-eight Members out of a body of 435. I am not faulting people who didn't vote for it that day, who reneged on their commitment to Steve. I am proud of those--sometimes called the brave 38--that stood by that commitment. There was plenty in that bill to hate. It is easy to criticize, but it is hard to perform. But Steve LaTourette was a rare Member who was interested in being brave to help his country, and he was willing to sacrifice to do it. I admire that. I admire that because it takes courage and I admire that because it is increasingly rare. Too many members are only looking to be popular and perpetuate their career instead of putting their country first. Steve LaTourette put his country first. I hope that people will learn from his example. I hope they will follow his example. I hope they will do it in the wonderful, humorous style that he had where he could be serious as all get out, but also have that twinkle in his eye. He made friends, he made alliances, but he also built a bridge to the future for us all. It is not too late to pay attention to deficit reduction. Sadly, it was largely ignored in this most recent Presidential campaign by both candidates, but there are plans now to make our debt $5 trillion and $10 trillion worse even than it is today. So we are not going in the direction of Simpson-Bowles or Cooper- LaTourette, as the legislation was called. We seem to be going in the opposite direction. I don't want interest on the Federal debt to be the largest, fastest-growing new Federal program, but that is the way it is headed, especially if interest rates tick up. We have got a lot of work to do in this body. The next Congress we will have to tackle these Steve LaTourette problems that he was not willing to duck. I hope that this coming Congress will not duck them. He was a brave man and a good man and we need to learn from his example.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute to Fisk University on its 150th anniversary. Fisk is a national treasure with a deep history and sense of purpose. Established months after the end of the Civil War, Fisk was founded to educate all students, regardless of color. Over the last 150 years, Fisk has become one of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation and is synonymous with academic excellence. Fisk's alumni, leaders, and scholars have played prominent roles in the civil rights movement, changed how we think about science, landed in Hollywood and on Broadway, and sat on the Supreme Court. Notable alumni include NAACP founder W.E.B. Du Bois, celebrated dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison, and Nikki Giovanni, an award-winning poet. And, of course, our good friend and civil rights hero, Congressman John Lewis, is also a Fisk alumnus. From the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee singers, to the countless contributions made by scholars and leaders, to the many students with bright futures ahead, Fisk has always been committed to excellence and remained at the forefront of making the world a better place. I join my fellow Tennesseans in honoring Fisk University for the indelible mark it has left over the past 150 years, and for what it has in store in the years to come.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Maj. Raymond Windmiller on his retirement from the United States Army. Ray enlisted in the Army in 1989. After completing Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training and Airborne School, he was stationed with the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, NC. Ray has served our nation honorably over his long and distinguished career spanning numerous assignments here and abroad, most notably two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. A decorated combat veteran and infantryman, Ray has earned dozens of awards, including a Bronze Star. I was fortunate to have Ray on my staff as an Army Congressional Fellow in 2012. His hands-on field and training experience and in-depth knowledge of national security affairs assisted me greatly in my role as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. Mr. Speaker, Ray has dedicated himself to the United States Army every day for 27 years. I want to thank Ray, his wife, Amy, and their children, Hailey and Alex; they have served our community and made many sacrifices for our country. Ray represents the very best of our Armed Forces, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Vanderbilt University and two of its physics professors, Dr. Joseph Hamilton and Dr. A.V. Ramayya. Their research with an international team led to the discovery of element 117, tennessine, a new addition to the periodic table. Their work was a collaborative effort by Vanderbilt, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, the Flerov Laboratory for Nuclear Reactions in Russia and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. The name was chosen to honor the contributions from our region; Tennessee is only the second U.S. state to have a namesake element. After spending decades studying superheavy element research, the team's discoveries provide new evidence for the ``island of stability.'' Tennessine will join three other newly discovered elements to fill the seventh row of the periodic table. Drs. Hamilton and Ramayya are the best of the best, and they have made the Volunteer State proud. Their discovery will live forever in textbooks, and they have proven once more that science is a never- ending frontier.