Jim Cooper

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Command Sgt. Maj. Tonia Tuwarne Walker on her retirement from the United States Army. Tonia is a native of Columbia, S.C., and enlisted in the Army in 1987. Tonia has served our nation honorably over her long and distinguished career spanning numerous assignments, most notably two deployments to Iraq. A decorated combat veteran, Tonia earned dozens of awards, including a Bronze Star. In 2012, Tonia joined the Pentagon as a Congressional Legislative Liaison. I was fortunate to have her on my staff as a Department of Defense Fellow. Her hands-on 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, Tonia has dedicated herself to the United States Army every day for nearly 30 years. I want to thank Tonia, her husband Ray, and their beautiful family for serving our community and country and for the many sacrifices they have made. I also want to thank Tonia for her friendship, and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Washington. I thank also the chairman of the full committee from Texas and my particular friend, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers). All the members of the subcommittee contributed greatly to the final product. It is not to all of our liking, but we are making progress. We agree on so many of the fundamental provisions having to do with national security. For example, I am thankful that our safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent is fully funded and we are also providing full support for our nuclear nonproliferation efforts as well as providing for nuclear cleanup. Those are all very important efforts. The bill also provides a very robust missile defense, including not only protecting the homeland, but also our allies and partners, such as the $600 million for Israeli missile defense. The mark fully funds national security space programs and makes some very important adjustments, including ensuring that we adequately support acquisition of satellite communication services. There are a few provisions in the bill that I strongly oppose, such as restricting dismantlement of obsolete and unneeded nuclear weapons. Also, I think it was a mistake to mandate a poorly-thought-out, unaffordable, and unrealistic missile defense policy, including plans for a space-based missile deterrent. I also plan to continue to oppose these provisions in conference. I would like to reiterate my thanks to Chairman Rogers, my friend from Alabama. It is a pleasure to work with him and our other subcommittee members.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chair, I think most of us are very interested in supporting the MSE portion of this. I just worry about the offset. It is very important that we make sure we do not raid the nonproliferation account in order to pay for what may be a very worthy priority. You remember that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates didn't even allow an unfunded request to be transmitted to Congress. That removed a certain temptation from us. We all know there are a number of these requests, and some of them should be funded, but to raid the nuclear safety account--because that is basically what nonproliferation is--is a very dangerous precedent. I would urge the gentleman to reconsider. We hope to work on this amendment in conference, but this is not a piggy bank we are raiding. This is not a slush fund. This is an account that could keep America safe from a nuclear attack. I would urge the gentleman, as he pursues his very worthy priorities, to not pursue an offset in this area. I thank the gentleman. He is an excellent Member, but I think that we should all be very aware of the importance of the nonproliferation account.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chair, I appreciate my friendship with the gentleman from Alabama, but I think this amendment goes way too far. To fence half the funds of the Office of the Secretary of Energy is overkill. Secretary Moniz has done an excellent job. This is really a punishment, though, that will go to the next Secretary, a man who is not in any way responsible for this delay. Has there been a delay? It is my information that the chairman of the full committee has had access to this report. Access to this report has been offered to the gentleman from Alabama and to myself. Without having read the report, we do not know what issues of classification or bureaucracy are involved in this. But this is among the Nation's most precious and most classified secrets. To me, to use a sledgehammer like this against a good person and against that good person's successor, whoever that may be, is really a crude way to handle a breakdown in communications. Surely there is a better way to solve this problem. His office is just down the street. We get along with him just fine. He has been fully communicative and extremely able in every aspect. But to have a delayed report merit a sanction like this is pretty extraordinary. So I would urge my friend, the gentleman from Alabama, to reconsider and not have what I consider to be a staff-driven tiff escalate into something much greater than it should be. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Alabama. I would just urge that both he and other Members not use this in any way as a precedent. It is one thing to fence an appropriate amount of money over a worthy disagreement, but this is overkill in this case, at least in my opinion. So we probably will not prevail on the vote, but we need to establish precedents that will work for the strongest possible defense for that country, and a minimum of bureaucratic conflict. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee lost a civic giant earlier this month, banker and philanthropist Edward G. Nelson. Ed Nelson was not only a pillar of the community, he was our foundation. He financed much of the growth of Nashville and imagined the `It' city before we became one. Ed's expertise and skill in banking, finance and international relations shaped the economic development of Middle Tennessee, and his philanthropic efforts have touched countless lives. Serving on dozens of local, national and international boards, Ed had the vision and will to make things happen. His success and leadership were notably recognized when the Bank of China invited him for a formal visit shortly after diplomatic relations were established in the 1970s. Ed's service as a U.S. military intelligence officer in Japan led to his insatiable desire to foster U.S.-Japan relations. Because of his tireless work, Nashville is now home to a Japanese Consul General and many Japanese businesses. In 2008, the Japanese government awarded him one of its most prestigious awards--the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Mr. Speaker, the city of Nashville is forever grateful to Ed Nelson for his service. Ed was a kind and wonderful gentleman and the best of the South.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, the city of Nashville lost one of its finest citizens last week. Nashville Scene editor and Middle Tennessee native Jim Ridley was a true talent--an exceptionally gifted journalist and critic, a gracious and humble leader and a champion for our great city. Just as much as he was known in Music City and beyond for his matchless wit and intelligence, he was known for his generous spirit, his earnestness and his enormous heart. Jim was widely respected for his work with the Scene, where he was a writer and editor for well over two decades--nearly since the publication's inception--and that respect brought him accolades and offers alike. But he never wanted to leave his beloved alt-weekly newspaper, or his beloved town. Jim's passion for music and film is what drove our arts community to greater heights. His honesty and diligence shone a light for his fellow journalists and the city's leaders. His kindness, patience, guidance and love for his friends and family continue to set an example for what it means to be a truly good person, a truly good Nashvillian. Jim Ridley made our city better, and it will not be the same without him.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, America and the Owen School of Management of Vanderbilt University suffered three devastating losses just during the month of March. The Shults family, which has already been mentioned, were a model American couple, but the first victim of terrorism with ties to Owen School of Management was Taylor Force, a young man who was raised in Lubbock, Texas, went to a military academy in New Mexico, was an Eagle Scout, and then attended and graduated from West Point Academy, served in the U.S. Army, did two tours in the Middle East, emerged as a captain, and then chose the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt for his business education. The young man was on a school trip to Tel Aviv in Israel, and he was murdered in a random knife attack by a terrorist. It is hard to think of a sadder end for a great and promising young life. The young Shults couple--my colleague Mr. Roe from Tennessee has already mentioned them--outstanding young people, probably no finer couple ever, and a couple with a sense of adventure. They went skydiving, they ran with the bulls in Pamplona, they saw the Eiffel Tower, and then as they were saying good-bye to her mother at the airport, were killed in the terrorist attack. So let us pay tribute to these three outstanding young people. Let's use their lives as models, and let's not be daunted by terrorism. We have to meet and beat this threat.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the town of Kingston Springs on its 50th anniversary. In December of 1965, a group of residents sought to incorporate and form a new municipality for this tight-knit community in Cheatham County, Tennessee. The original town serviced 290 residents with an annual budget of just over $2,000. The very first election produced the town's first group of commissioners, Raymond Mays, John Frey and Terry Moore--who remained public servants in the community for decades to come. Today, Kingston Springs is home to 2,771 residents and is thriving. With a walkable and historic downtown, 173 acres of parks and trails, a vibrant business community, adventurous outdoor recreation and a highly-rated fire protection service, its charm and character appeal to both residents and the entire Middle Tennessee community. In fact, Kingston Springs was recently named one of the safest cities in Tennessee and one of the top Nashville suburbs. It's a privilege to represent the people of Kingston Springs. I congratulate the entire community on a successful 50 years, and wish them even more success to come.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville's Supervisors on Site and the impact they make on affordable housing in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1985, Nashville leaders decided to be a part of the extraordinary ministry of the national Habitat for Humanity movement. With only a handful of volunteers, it often took up to a year to complete one house, but the positive effects were clear and the volunteer passion was unwavering. Now, in its 30th year of service, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville annually completes more than 30 new home construction projects in Davidson, Dickson, Cheatham and Wilson counties. This would not be possible without the dedicated corps of Habitat's Supervisors on Site. The Supervisors on Site are not just volunteers who come out to swing a hammer. They are leaders who guide more than 6,000 volunteers each year and provide hands-on training to help them build quality affordable homes alongside the Habitat Partner Families The Supervisors on Site are the spirit of the volunteer corps and the backbone of the volunteer experience, having helped change the lives of more than 675 hardworking, low-income families through the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program. And so, Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to salute the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville's Supervisors on Site for their dedicated service as champions of affordable housing. They effect true change in the lives of not just the Habitat homeowners, but the entire community. They make our district and the state of Tennessee proud.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 486, I was unavoidably detained in DC traffic while returning from a meeting at the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 486, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I stand second to no one in my dislike of Vladimir Putin. I think most everyone in this body hates Vladimir Putin. We despise his territorial aggression vis-a-vis Ukraine, but this is not the right way to get back at Putin and Russia. The gentleman is a very senior and distinguished member of the committee. He is my friend. I don't recall the gentleman offering this amendment in the Armed Services Committee markup. Did the gentleman offer this amendment?

Mr. COOPER. I yield to the gentleman from Colorado.

Mr. COOPER. May I ask why?

Mr. COOPER. But we spent some 18 hours in committee. We considered hundreds of amendments. But the gentleman did not offer our committee, the Armed Services Committee, the opportunity to discuss this amendment.

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would call this amendment by my friend from Colorado the boomerang amendment because it does not hit the intended target. Instead, it comes back and hits us. How does it do this? His amendment, as proposed, would amount to a unilateral U.S. treaty violation. This would effectively blind the United States when it comes to looking at things like the number of Russian nuclear weapons on deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, the number of deployed submarine-launched ballistic missiles, counting nuclear weapons onboard or attached to deployed heavy bombers, and confirming weapons systems conversions. These are the things that the New START treaty allows us to do with Russia. We need the continued ability to look at those Russian weapons systems. By cutting off funding for these essential national security activities, the gentleman has hit the wrong target here. That is why this is the boomerang amendment. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman pointed out that Russia is despicable in so many ways. They probably violated the INF Treaty, the CFE Treaty, and the Budapest Treaty. But the gentleman is using the New START treaty to get back at those violations. He has picked the wrong target. So I have the highest regard for the gentleman, but he proposed this last year, and it was dropped in conference. Instead, it was substituted. We had an inquiry to the Pentagon to get their opinion on this, and they wrote us back, and they said that the New START treaty facilitates conditions to make the United States more secure, and its continued implementation remains in the national security interests of the Nation. The Pentagon went on to say that the New START treaty sustains effective deterrence and increases stability in the U.S.-Russian nuclear relationship at significantly lower levels of strategic delivery systems and warheads. Finally, the report said that the New START treaty provides the United States a vital window into the Russian strategic nuclear arsenal. Let's not blind the United States. The gentleman had a chance in the committee to offer this. The gentleman offered this last year, and this is the response of the Secretary of Defense, who is strongly against the gentleman's amendment; the Joint Chiefs of Staff are strongly against the gentleman's amendment. And I would suggest that, Mr. Chairman, this amendment is not in the national security interests of the United States. For the gentleman to propose a unilateral treaty violation, a solemn obligation of this country, is a serious undertaking, and we need more than 10 minutes to debate such a serious breach. This is a treaty, after all, only entered into in 2010, but it was entered into by a solid vote of the United States Senate, 71-26. I know many of us here wish that we were Senators, but we are not. The Senate entered into that treaty solemnly. This would be a grave mistake for this body to accept the gentleman's amendment. So, Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose the Lamborn amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, with all due respect to my distinguished friends and colleagues, this should have been offered in committee where Members are more conversant with these issues. This is not the right way to get back at Putin and Russia, for the United States to commit a unilateral treaty breach. The gentleman has not even alleged that the Russians have violated the New START treaty. This is one treaty that they actually seem to be adhering to. Now, we may question the wisdom of that treaty, but the Senate voted to confirm it, to ratify the treaty. It would be a grave mistake for this lower body to challenge that judgment. The key point is this: Why blind the United States to counting the number of Russian nuclear weapons? Why defund those activities? Don't we want to know how many ICBMs are in their silos, how many nuclear armed submarines they have? Why don't we want to know what is really going on in Russia? I think the gentleman is mistaken by proposing this as an appropriate way to get back at Putin. We need more insight into what the Russians are doing, not less. This is a boomerang amendment; it attacks the wrong target. In fact, it comes back and hits us. I would urge the defeat of the Lamborn amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to salute Mrs. Dot Ponder, a devoted Nashvillian and this year's Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee honoree. I also have the great privilege of calling Dot my friend. For more than thirty years, Dot devoted herself to the Girl Scouts. She registered with ten troops and served hundreds of girls as troop leader, instructor and camp director. From sharing her love of the outdoors to teaching financial literacy, Dot's energy is endless. But her contributions didn't end when troop meetings were over. She taught civic responsibility and, through her example, she encouraged Girl Scouts to actively engage in their communities. She inspired girls to pursue the highest accolades in Girl Scouting, including the Gold and Silver Awards. It is an honor to commend Dot Ponder for her contributions to the advancement of girls in our community through her tenure of devoted and humble service to the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Belmont University and its men's basketball program, the Belmont Bruins, led by Coach Rick Byrd. Under Coach Byrd's leadership, Belmont's basketball program has flourished. Belmont is consistently among the top Division I teams and has made it to seven NCAA tournaments. But its most prestigious accomplishments are not on the court. The USA Today said it best: ``Belmont wins where it counts: In the classroom.'' Thanks to its perfect score from Inside Higher Ed's rankings, Belmont won the national championship for academics for the second time in three years. Every single player graduates. The team's cumulative grade point average has been above 3.0 for fourteen consecutive seasons, and no Belmont player since 2003 has left the basketball team for any reason other than graduation. Belmont's successes both on and off the court have separated the Bruins from the rest of the pack. Today, I join my fellow Tennesseans in honoring Coach Rick Byrd and the Belmont Bruins for their vigorous commitment to the highest standards in academics and athletics. They make our district and the state of Tennessee proud.

Mr. COOPER

Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 1041.