Ander Crenshaw

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I bring to the floor today a continuing resolution which is narrow in scope and allows the District of Columbia to spend their own funds. As some of the Members may be aware, some may not be aware, due to the city's unique status as a Federal city, Congress must appropriate their locally raised funds before the city can spend them. And despite the multiple attempts by the House of Representatives to fund the Federal Government, we're here in day one of a government shutdown. This continuing resolution provides that the District of Columbia, it gives them their funds through December 15, under the same terms and conditions that they have under the spending bill in 2013. So passing this bill today will allow the Appropriations Committee time to negotiate a full year's funding bill with the Senate. Now, the District of Columbia has passed their own fiscal year 2014 budget. The Mayor presented a budget to the city council. The city council debated that. The city council approved, and the city's independent chief financial officer certified the budget as balanced. So, therefore, the District's locally raised funds should not be withheld from them during this current Federal shutdown. This disagreement that the Republicans and the Democrats are having over Federal spending shouldn't stop the District from using its own locally raised funds like any other city in America. The District is currently using reserve balances to stay open. However, we can't expect the District of Columbia to deplete all of its cash reserves to make up for the Federal Government's inability to pass a Federal budget. We've got school teachers out there, we've got policemen, we've got firemen, we've got garbage collectors, we've got librarians, we've got all these city employees, and they're paid with D.C. local funds, and they should expect to be paid for their services. The citizens of the District of Columbia, they shouldn't suffer because Congress and the administration can't agree on a budget. So this continuing resolution fulfills our responsibility under the law to appropriate the District of Columbia their local funds. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Joint Resolution 71, District of Columbia Continuing Appropriations Resolution, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 71) making continuing appropriations of local funds of the District of Columbia for fiscal year 2014.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Thank you for yielding the time, Chairman Rogers, and thank you for your leadership in this very difficult appropriations process. Madam Speaker, I think everybody agrees that the appropriations process is one of the most important functions of this Congress, if not the most important. While we would all like to be here having finished all the appropriations bills, there just wasn't quite enough time. So all we're asking today is for the Members to adopt this continuing resolution. It will continue funding the government for the next 3 months at the same level it was funded last year. That will give us the time, as a body, to finish all the appropriations bills--some have passed the subcommittee and the full committee; some have passed this House. I know that the subcommittee that I chair, Financial Services, we had a number of hearings. Members worked hard to try to set priorities. It passed the subcommittee, it passed the full committee, and is ready to go before the House. There are some very important things in that bill. I think we've all heard the stories about the IRS and how they singled out individuals and groups based on their political philosophy and then subjected them to intimidation and bullying. We were all outraged. So in our bill, we make a provision to say: We're going to hold you accountable, and we're going to use the power of the purse and ask you to come clean. No more of this. We actually condition some of the funding to the IRS as to whether or not they will put in place the safeguards that have been recommended to make sure they don't continue this kind of outrageous behavior, and also make sure it doesn't happen again. So I think that we should pass this continuing resolution, fund the government for this short period of time, and put in place the spending bills that set priorities and that make the tough choices that we have to make in these difficult times. So I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this continuing resolution.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the valiant efforts of Hospital Corpsman Third Class Robert R. Ingram of the United States Navy. Petty Officer Ingram was awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in Republic of North Vietnam on 28 March 1966. Petty Officer Ingram accompanied a point platoon as it engaged an outpost of a North Vietnamese battalion. As the fighting moved from a ridge to a rice paddy, the tree line exploded with a hail of bullets from 100 North Vietnamese regulars. In mere moments, the platoon ranks were decimated. Oblivious to the dangers, Petty Officer Ingram crawled across the bullet-spattered terrain to reach a downed Marine. Ingram was injured, but he proceeded to collect ammunition from the dead and offered aid to the wounded. From 4 pm until just prior to sunset, Petty Officer Ingram pushed, pulled, cajoled, and doctored his Marines. Despite pain and the probability of his own death, Petty Officer Ingram's actions, initiative and dedication to duty saved many lives. In 2001, I was honored to be able to dedicate the Medical clinic at our local Navy base in honor of his courage and unwavering devotion to duty. In Jacksonville, he continues his work as a nurse and is considered a local hero. I am proud to recognize the bravery and heroism of Petty Officer Ingram. honoring master sergeant ronald e. rosser

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, as the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, my Subcommittee directly oversees the Internal Revenue Service's budget. And for the past 6 months now I have witnessed an arrogant and absolute abuse of power. Targeting groups based on their names and political beliefs is both chilling and outrageous regardless of their political affiliation. And then finding out of the flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars on conferences and videos, is just downright disheartening. Two weeks ago my Subcommittee Marked-up our Fiscal Year 2014 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill in the full Appropriations Committee. In my mark, I include this exact language of H.R. 2769, the ``Stop Playing on Citizen's Cash Act''-- common sense legislation prohibiting conferences until the IRS implement all of the recommendations from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. As the agency tasked with processing over 237 million tax returns that result in the collection of $2.5 trillion in taxes and $373 billion in refunds annually you would think they would have safeguards in place that treats all Americans equal and the hard-earned taxpayer dollars they send to Washington spent wisely, effectively and legally. This however, is not the case. Congress appropriates more than $10 billion in hard-earned taxpayer dollars each year for IRS operations. Before we spend one more dime on the IRS, we need to know how it spends the money it already receives. And, we need to know what safeguards the IRS plans to have in place to make sure the funds are used in a legal and appropriate way. These conferences and videos were a flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars. And, what is most disconcerting, the money came in part from unused funds from the IRS enforcement budget--at a time when they were asking for even more funding. Nonetheless, we need to fund this agency so that it can accurately answer questions from individuals and businesses about tax issues, produce tax forms and instructions that promote compliance, process tax returns in a timely manner, and investigate criminals committing tax fraud. However, we cannot in good conscience provide taxpayer dollars that are used to abuse the rights of American citizens, nor can we provide dollars that are wasted in such a flagrant manner as we have discovered. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlemen from Illinois for bringing forward this common sense legislation to the floor; a step in the right direction of accountability for an agency that receives such a large appropriation of taxpayer dollars. But I also hope we can bring forward the Fiscal Year 2014 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill to the floor for consideration. It is time to have a serious debate on ways to increase transparency and bring accountability to many agencies that have had a history of wasteful spending. Just last year we heard of the GSA scandal at their Las Vegas conference. This year we included instructions to make the GSA more transparent by requiring additional reporting, separating administrative funds from programmatic funds, and encouraging the better utilization of their space inventory. In addition, we make regulators such as the FCC and FTC do more with less. And in order to increase the transparency and accountability of agencies created by Dodd-Frank, the bill makes the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau subject to the appropriations process. I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2769 on the floor today. A voluntary tax system depends on a fair and impartial collection process because, as Chief Justice Marshall said, the power to tax is the power to destroy.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Chairman, I think most Members of this body know that every year for the past 12 years there has been a golf match between the House Republicans and the House Democrats. It has become known as The First Tee Challenge, because the money that is raised from this event goes to help The First Tee, as they reach nearly hundreds of thousands of young people across this country using the game of golf to talk about honesty, integrity, hard work, and discipline. It is patterned after the Ryder Cup. This year's competition took place last Monday. After the matches were over, the score was tied--10 points for the Republicans and 10 points for the Democrats. That is the ultimate in bipartisanship. But the rules of The First Tee Challenge Cup provide, just like the Ryder Cup, that the team that is in possession of the coveted Roll Call Cup, which I have right here in my hand, the team that is in possession of the cup must be defeated for the cup to change hands. So, therefore, the fact that the match was a tie this year, the coveted Roll Call Cup will stay in possession of the Republican team for 1 more year. I just want to thank all the members of the team for their hard work, their dedication, their fine play, and congratulate The First Tee for all the work that they do. And a special word of thanks to the sponsors, who have raised over $2 million over these years to help support The First Tee. I would like to yield to my Democratic counterpart, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth).

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2397, the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, for Fiscal Year 2014 and to recognize the important role played by management companies in the successful operation of the Department of Defense's Defense Personal Property Program, or DP3. I would like to thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Visclosky for including report language I submitted to the Subcommittee on Defense regarding the DP3 program. I am proud to note that one of the management companies that helps make this program successful is located in my congressional district. Both the Chairman and the Ranking Member have long standing commitments to improving the quality of life of military members and their families. Our members of the military are required to make countless moves during their military service. Providing high-quality moves that provide satisfaction to the service member and his/her family is important to morale, well-being and retention. The Department of Defense also understands the tremendous challenges associated with completing the countless number of defense personal property moves. Because of dissatisfaction and nightmares associated with previous military personal property movement programs, the Department of Defense adopted the Defense Personal Property Program with the goal of achieving efficient, satisfactory, and seamless military moves. My purpose in speaking today is to note the significant contributions that management companies are making to DP3 by assisting transportation service providers to reduce costs and improve the quality of each military move. While improving these critical moves, DP3 has improved the quality of life enabling higher levels of personnel readiness. Madam Chair, again, I offer my thanks to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Defense for their inclusion of this important language on the DP3 and for allowing me the opportunity to comment on the important role that management companies play in the success of this program.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer).

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Chairman, I remind my colleagues that we have already cut the defense budget pretty drastically, and nuclear weapons exist in today's world. I might not like it, you might not like it, we might wish they didn't exist, but they do exist. Because nuclear weapons exist in this world, we need to have the ability to defend against them and also deter their use. That is important to our national security. We do that through what we call the nuclear triad. We have the capability to launch nuclear missiles from silos that are based on land, we have the ability to launch nuclear-capable missiles from airplanes, we also have the ability to launch nuclear-capable missiles from submarines that are somewhere in these vast oceans. Of those three of the triad, the nuclear submarine, or the submarine with nuclear capability, is the most survivable because you can blow up a silo, you can shoot down an airplane, but it is almost impossible to find a submarine somewhere in the ocean that has this nuclear capability. Because it is the most survivable, then it is the best deterrent, because we know what it can do and our enemies know what it can do. Right now, we are planning to replace what is called the Ohio-class submarines to continue this capability. This is a capability that has kept us safe for the last 60 years. It is still important to our long- term national security. If we adopt this amendment, we will begin to cripple this capability, and that is bad for our national security. I would urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment. I would like to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

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

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. This seems to be one of the most straightforward, commonsense pieces of legislation that I have seen in a long time. As chairman of the subcommittee on Appropriations that overseas the budget of the SEC, we have hearings from time to time to make sure that the SEC is doing their job--that is to protect investors, to make sure that capital markets are fair and stable. Here we have a situation where a certain amount of instability has been created because you have two different agencies that are writing different rules about what's called the over-the-counter commodities market. That's a global market, and it is very important to an awful lot of people. It seems to me that if we're going to have that kind of regulation, you would think that the SEC would coordinate with the other agency, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and they would publish one rule that people can understand and live by. But that's not the case. You don't have the similarities that you need; you don't have them mirroring each other. All this bill does is simply say: Look, if we're going to ask for this kind of regulation, let's make sure that these two agencies publish the same rule. Otherwise you've got all kinds of uncertainty, all kinds of turmoil. If you're a regulated individual or entity or company, how do you know what to comply with unless this happens? Now, I don't want to have to put language in the appropriations bill that kind of encourages folks to do that. It's simple, just pass this bill. It sounds to me like we're going to. It's a bipartisan bill, and I encourage everyone to vote ``yes'' and move on.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. All this bill does is say--not as an afterthought, but as the cornerstone to the rulemaking process--the SEC simply understands the economic impact it's going to have and there's a cost- benefit analysis done. It's a good bill, and I urge its passage.

Mr. CRENSHAW. I thank the gentleman for the time, and I thank Mr. Garrett for bringing this important piece of legislation before the House today. As chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services, my subcommittee has oversight of the budget of the SEC. I think that Members would be interested in knowing that that budget has increased over 200 percent in the last decade and that the SEC this year is asking for a substantial increase, more than most agencies. So I think, if that is the case, then it's important that the SEC spends the money that they receive in the right way and that they set the right priorities. It seems to me that, if rules and regulations are important and if they're necessary, then the cornerstone of that rulemaking process should be: What kind of impact is that going to have on the people in this country? What kind of far-reaching impact is it going to have? How much does that cost? What are the benefits? So far, the SEC hasn't quite gotten that right. The inspector general has said that, courts have said that, and all this bill does is simply say to the SEC what we would all agree is common sense. It's not a partisan idea. It's not a Democratic idea. It's not a Republican idea.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the young men and women who will be graduating from the Duval County Public Schools and who have volunteered to enlist in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Florida National Guard. These young people are Our Nation's Future. Northeast Florida is proud of its military heritage and takes great pride in recognizing our youth who have stepped forward to carry on military traditions and take their turns at the watch, whether aboard a ship, on land or in the air. By joining the ranks of our Armed Forces, these volunteers have demonstrated leadership potential and perseverance while seeking to serve our country. They join a select team whose job is to protect our Nation. They have dedicated themselves to an awesome responsibility. Our area is home to The Players Championship and so it is fitting that the Our Community Salutes program has chosen to honor our newest military members on Military Appreciation Day at the home of the Tournament Players Championship on May 8, 2013. The world's famous golfers will all be assembled and the world will watch. But the accomplishments on the fairways and greens pale in comparison to the heroics of the small, elite group of Americans who protect our country every day around the globe. Becoming a member of the Armed Forces is a very impressive and important goal. I know I join other Members when I congratulate each of these young people on their commitment. Our communities and our country will be enriched by their service. As they proceed with their military careers, each will carry the valuable self-knowledge and discipline that they have gained from their families and our community and use these traits to continue to serve. It is my honor to bring these young people who have volunteered to serve our country in the Armed Forces and Our Northeast Florida Community Salutes program to the attention of the United States Congress and to invite Members to join me in extending our thanks and congratulations.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish Community Alliance in Jacksonville, Florida. During this period of time, the JCA has become a pillar of good works in the community and has enriched the lives of tens of thousands of people who have sought assistance in a plethora of ways. JCA has worked tirelessly fulfilling its mission to enhance the quality of life for those in need regardless of age, religion, race, financial capabilities, and physical and mental abilities. On April 20, 2013, the family of the Jewish Community Alliance will celebrate its positive impact on our community. Open to people--young and old--the JCA offers classes in fitness, gardening, and art. There are concerts for the young and the young-at-heart. You can learn chess or play sports in a family-friendly atmosphere. Summer days are filled with fun at a variety of youth camps, and kids and parents enjoy scientific discovery challenges together. The JCA is celebrating a quarter of a century of providing pre- school age children with an enriched start in life and of offering adults and teens ways to improve their health and to partake in enrichment classes. For the last 25 years the JCA has provided a place that benefits both young and old and has enhanced its participants' lives by allowing them to share intergenerational values. Children attend quality after- school programs that give comfort to their parents, and those with special needs, whether adults or children, are encouraged to reach their full potential with dignity. JCA has a rich history of making a difference in our Jacksonville community. The faces of the children and those who come to the JCA may change each year, but the mission remains the same--making a difference in the lives of those it touches. It is my honor to bring this historic commemoration of a quarter century of service to the community to the attention of the United States Congress and to invite Members to join me in extending our appreciation.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of the beloved visionary and advocate, Suzanne Rosenthal who passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2013. Suzanne was a fearless, determined and courageous woman who turned her diagnosis of Crohn's disease in 1955 into a legacy that has gone on to help hundreds of thousands of people over the years. She dedicated her life to spreading awareness about Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, supporting and educating patients and funding research to find cures. In 1967, along with her husband, Irwin M. Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, MD, she founded the National Foundation of Ileitis and Colitis, now known as the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Suzanne held many key volunteer positions at CCFA. She was a former president of the Greater New York Chapter and served as National Chairperson of the Board from 1987 to 1991. She served as Chairperson Emeritus of CCFA's Government Affairs Task Force and champion in all advocacy efforts of the Foundation. Suzanne received CCFA's distinguished Public Policy Pioneer Award for her tireless advocacy efforts on behalf of IBD patients everywhere. The award was presented at CCFA's First National IBD Advocacy Conference, held in Washington, D.C. in June 2003. Keeping in line with her tireless support of IBD patients and their families, as President of the Greater New York Chapter, she initiated the support group model that has since been implemented as CCFA's national network of support groups. Suzanne was also the Founder and past President of the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC). The DDNC comprises more than 32 patient groups and professional societies, representing the research and healthcare legislative interests of people who suffer from digestive disorders. In addition, she was an active leader in many digestive disease-related health forums and committees, holding the following positions: member of the Advisory Council, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health; chair of the Workgroup on Education of Public and Patients and Supporting Resources of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases; and member of the Advisory Committee and Executive Committee of the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse. Under Suzanne's direction, CCFA and DDNC have been consistent and effective voices for digestive disease research within the National Institutes of Health, including funding for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and other related institutes and agencies within the Public Health Service. She is recognized by the research community, CCFA and the DDNC as a loyal ally and a valuable resource in creating public awareness of digestive diseases, as well as a strong partner in the effort to develop new treatments and improve medical understanding of these conditions. Most recently, with Suzanne's guidance, I worked along with CCFA to establish the Congressional Crohn's and Colitis Caucus. In memory of Suzanne's contributions, CCFA and DDNC will continue to work together to improve the lives of patients with digestive diseases. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in this very special congressional salute to this leader and advocate, Suzanne Rosenthal.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 I unfortunately missed three votes on account of travel delays due to weather at Reagan National Airport. I realize the importance of the votes I missed and therefore would like to state for the record how I would have voted on the three bills that were before the House of Representatives on Tuesday. First, I would have supported S. 679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act. S. 679 would seek to reduce the burdens and improve the efficiency of the appointment process for executive branch officials. I would have supported H.R. 828, the Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act. H.R. 828 would prohibit individuals who have ``seriously delinquent'' tax debts from being eligible for federal employment in the executive and legislative branch. Lastly, I would have supported H.R. 3803, the DC Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. As a co-sponsor of H.R. 3803, I whole heartedly support this measure that would prohibit abortion within the District after 20 weeks fetal age, unless the mother's life is endangered.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Florida's brightest sons, Corporal Marcus W. Dandrea, United States Marine Corps, from Jacksonville. On February 24th of this year, CPL Dandrea, a member of Charlie Company, stepped on a pressure plate while patrolling a mountain top in Sangin, Helmond Province. His recovery has been fast and furious, as he is already moving to start the next phase of his already inspiring life. However, his U.S. Marine Corps active duty service will continue through his wife, Lance Corporal Victoria Dandrea. They have three children, Naomi, DJ, and Micah. I ask that this poem, penned in their honor by Albert Caswell, be placed in the Record. Intel Intel . . . In every battle . . . And in every fight . . . And in every war, there is but such need to so bring such insight! Intel . . . Intelligence, is what a war's life blood so ignites . . . leading us all to victory by shedding such light! To illuminate the darkness of war, to burn bright! For there are but only a few who so gather such insights . . . For there are The Ph.D's of the battlefield who fight . . . The men who are but armed with mind of might, and with heart's of steel in sight! Top Secret! The United States Marine! One of our brightest of all shades of green! Jar Heads, who with such Intelligence so fight . . . and so convene! Where Technology So Meets Might! Saving lives, but with all of the knowledge that they so provide . . . As from all of this, such battle plans are so devised! As many times, making the difference between death and life! Darkness or Light! So that out across a Nation, a mother will not have to so cry this night! As warriors drop in from no where, from out of sight! For they are both beauty and the beast, all at their height! Fighting with their brains and bodies, oh what an awesome sight! Putting, The Stealth in Technology! As how wars are won, all in the cover of day and or night . . . As when it all so depends on who lives or dies As is the high cost so compromised! As that's where you will find, all of their most magnificent of all silent battle cries! As it was out on such a secret mission, when this young Marine's life would almost not reach its fruition! As an IED went off, as so close to death he'd lie! As right there but on its very edge, as when Marcus so reached so deep down with something so left inside! To so cheat death! As from somewhere so deep . . . so deep . . . so deep . . . down inside . . . From this Marine's heart, but came his battle cry! To somehow stay alive . . . And from that moment on, he was gone! Moving up and moving on! As this Marine got up and ran towards recovery . . . For he had a life to live, and to this our world so much more to give . . . Oooh . . . Rahhhh! Jar Head! For, it's far better to die for something . . . than to live for nothing at all! And that's why you joined the Core And your fine heart so answered that most noble call! For some people are but put upon this earth, To So Teach Us! To So Reach Us! And So Beseech Us, with all of their fine worth! As this fine son from Jacksonville, gives us all of us such a thrill . . . As you has so shone us what so comes first! For this United States Marine, is one of the greatest things our nations has ever seen! The only secret he could not so keep! Is what so runs in your most magnificent heart so very deep! That which so out shines them all! For Marcus, you won't cry and he won't crawl! As he you can climb any mountain, of them all! And if I ever had a son, I'd wish he'd have a heart half as tall! Surely, Marcus you are but one of Florida's Most Brightest of All Son's! Because, up in heaven you need not arms nor even legs to run . . . And that's were you are going Marcus, one day my son! For you have so made our Lord so proud, with all of your inspiration and faith bestowed upon us all now! Maximus . . . Marcus . . . you've put the I in Intel this day! But, there are No Secrets . . . all in what you magnificent heart so says! For you are one of our Nation's, America's Best! Ooo . . . Rah Jar Head

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise in strong support of this legislation. Let me first say thank you to the chairman, Chairman Young, and Congressman Dicks, the ranking member. Thank you not only for your leadership in bringing this bill to the floor, but thank you for your spirit of cooperation, your spirit of bipartisanship, which has pervaded our subcommittee. As we bring this before the full House, I think there is great agreement among those that serve on the subcommittee. When you stop and think about the fact that national security is probably the number one responsibility of the Federal Government, the only way to keep America safe is to keep America strong, and I think this bill does that. Now, you'll hear people say, you just heard people say, why do we need to spend so much money on defense, the Cold War is over, we're pulling out of Afghanistan, we're no longer going to be in Iraq; why don't we just kind of pay a peace dividend? Well, as Chairman Young just pointed out, we are in the midst of a program where we are reducing spending on national defense. We looked at every agency. The Federal Government said you've got to do more with less, you've got to tighten your belt, and the Defense Department is no different. We're in the middle of actually reducing spending $487 billion over the next 10 years. Then, of course, we face this draconian cut of sequestration. I think that we have got to keep in mind that it is the number one responsibility. We ask our troops, ask our military to do things. We certainly have the best trained and the best equipped military in the history of this world. But you look at our Navy, for instance. We have half as many ships as we had 30 years ago, half as many, and yet we're asking them to do so many things. Sure, the ships are more technologically advanced. Sure, we've got better trained people. But stop and think about it. When you ask the Navy to go out and interdict drug runners in the Caribbean, and you say chase the pirates off the coast of Somalia and send a carrier into the Mediterranean, guard the Strait of Hormuz when Iran rattles its saber, conduct humanitarian missions down in Haiti, and, by the way, keep an eye on the Pacific Rim, because that's where China is flexing its muscle, remember, numbers matter. The world is no smaller. We still haven't solved the problem of how do you have one ship in two places at the same time. So it's important that we continue to provide the resources that we need to have a strong national defense. I think this bill does that. I think we should all support this.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Speaker and Members of the House, I've been asked to report the results of a competition that took place on Monday at the Columbia Country Club. The competition is called the Congressional Challenge Cup. It's an event where a team of golfers from the Democratic side of the House plays a team of golfers from the Republican side of the House. I wanted to report to the House that this year's winner of the Congressional Challenge Cup is the Republican team. Very briefly, I want to thank my teammates: Trey Gowdy, Mick Mulvaney, Jeff Duncan, Duncan Hunter, Tom Rooney, Reid Ribble, and Steve Southerland. I want to thank them for their dedication, their hard work, and, most of all, for just showing up. The big winner, Madam Speaker, is an organization called the First Tee. Over the last 11 years that we've had this competition, over $1.5 million has been raised for the First Tee. This is an organization that works with young people to try to touch their lives through educational programs that deal with character, honesty, integrity. They work in all 50 States. They've touched the lives of 4.5 million people over the years, and they do a lot of work in the inner cities and for the less fortunate. So it was a great day, and I want to thank everybody for their involvement. Certainly, I want to yield time to my Democratic counterpart, to the captain of the Democratic team, Mr. Yarmuth.

Mr. CRENSHAW

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate Ms. Suzanne Goss, Government Relations Specialist for JEA (Electric, Water & Sewer) on her recent election as the new President of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, NACWA. Ms. Goss is an accomplished leader and committed environmental steward who plays a prominent role in seeking a sound direction for the implementation of the Clean Water Act. Throughout her career in the water industry, Ms. Goss has exemplified what it means to be a public servant. Ms. Goss will continue to ensure that Florida's, and the Nation's, clean water agencies are sustainable, that the environment continues to improve, and that public health is protected. At JEA, Ms. Goss works for an advanced publicly owned water, electric, and sewer utility, providing invaluable services to approximately 420,000 people in Northeast Florida. Ms. Goss effectively engages in complex state and federal legislative and regulatory issues involving wastewater and drinking water with an in-depth knowledge of the affordability concerns of her community and the need for a partnership between all levels of government. She also manages JEA's Grant Program. A member of NACWA's Board of Directors since 2007, Ms. Goss has served as the organization's Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President, and has been a member of many NACWA committees and workgroups. She has played a leading role in NACWA's pretreatment program and is also one of the drivers behind the organization's funding efforts. In 2005 she received the President's Award for her work as Vice Chair of the Clean Water Funding Task Force. In addition to her work with NACWA, Ms. Goss is an active member of local, regional, state and national professional organizations. These include the American Water Works Association, the New Water Supply Coalition, the Florida Municipal Energy Association, the Florida Water Environment Association, the Florida Energy Coordinating Group, the Pinellas County Sewer System and the Advisory Council on Environmental Policy and Technology Sustainable Infrastructure. Ms. Goss has selflessly shared her time, passion, energy and ideas to carry out the objectives of the Clean Water Act. It is my sincere pleasure to congratulate Suzanne Goss on becoming President of NACWA. I am certain her actions will ensure continued water quality progress for the Jacksonville area, the State of Florida and the Nation.