John Carter

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the gentlewoman's concerns about providing adequate funding to address veterans' mental health needs is shared by every member of our committee. We are pleased that the bill provides $8.6 million for mental health programs, including $196 million for suicide prevention outreach. We will certainly try to maintain these substantial levels in conference. Mr. Chairman, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it. The Acting Chair. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, we understand the gentleman's concerns, and we will keep in mind this concern during our conference. I have heard from veterans in my district about the concerns, and, in fact, sat down with some last weekend, and this was one of their number one concerns. So this has a health impact. These burn pits are something we really need to get into, and we will have this in mind in conference. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the bill provides $1 million over the President's budget request for the Adaptive Sports Grant, ASG, program for equine-assisted therapy, as our 2018 bill did also. We understand the gentleman's concern in further increasing this funding and will keep it in mind during conference. In my congressional district, we also have equine therapy, and I am very familiar with it. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee do now rise.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the extraordinary work and legacy of Colonel Ron Perry, USA, Retired. This Texas native's life has been one of continual service and he has made lasting impacts on our brave warriors at Fort Hood and across the Army. After receiving his commission in the Infantry in December 1974, COL Perry served his beloved nation and Army at installations around the world. His nearly three decades of honorable service saw him excel at some of the most challenging duties anyone in the military could shoulder. COL Perry's work didn't go unnoticed as he received numerous awards and decorations saluting his efforts. Following a brief stint in the private sector, COL Perry returned to the Army to serve as the civilian Deputy to the Commanding General, Ill Corps and Fort Hood. In this critical role, COL Perry called on his decades of expertise to support The Great Place as it continues to be one of the world's premiere military installations. His institutional knowledge and efforts toward championing the base, the thousands stationed there, and the community that supports them cannot be adequately quantified, nor equaled. COL Perry's commitment to investing his gifts, talents, and abilities to ensuring the Army remains the world's greatest military force is a deeply held creed that speaks to the generosity and activism of a true and devoted public servant. As he begins the next phase of his life, I salute his decades of work and proudly join his colleagues, friends, and family in wishing him nothing but success in the future.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 50th anniversary of El Amistad, a non-profit civic organization dedicated to inspiring the leaders of tomorrow. Through a half century of remarkable work, El Amistad has helped make Central Texas a great place to live and work. Founded in my home town of Round Rock, TX, El Amistad is dedicated to education, community service, recognition of veterans, and promotion of Hispanic cultural awareness. By utilizing the talents and skills of its diverse membership, it has supported various youth development activities throughout Central Texas. Since its inception, El Amistad has awarded millions in scholarships to thousands of high school graduates seeking to take the next steps in their educational development. Honoring our brave warriors remains a driving force among El Amistad members. The organization led the charge to dedicate Veterans Memorial Park in Round Rock, TX to Robert P. Hernandez, who died in the line of duty while serving in Vietnam. It's the devotion of committed activists like El Amistad members that help remind all of the invaluable and lasting contributions veterans make to keep our nation safe and free. Fifty years after its creation, El Amistad has touched countless lives for the better, and continues to make positive impacts on those it's dedicated to serve. I celebrate its half century of dedicated civic involvement and join all Central Texas in wishing this great organization nothing but the best in the decades to come.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday, May 21, 2018, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, I am honored to fight for the veterans in my district and throughout the Nation. In return for their service and sacrifice, we owe them the best medical care that can be provided. I am proud that the House of Representatives has passed the VA MISSION Act to address these critical concerns. I commend Chairman Roe, Ranking Member Walz, and the members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for their work on this issue over the last year. This legislation will provide better community-based care without detracting from the outstanding medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, such as the Central Texas Veterans Health Care Center in Temple, Texas, in my district. While I believe veterans are best served by the VA, there are also those who live too far from a VA facility, cannot afford a long wait period, or have very specific medical services that are best provided outside the VA system. The VA MISSION Act provides this community-based care option, and it pays for it with discretionary spending, which means Congress has more control, more oversight, and more responsibility. The VA MISSION Act includes a provision for a bill I authored, the Veterans Transplant Coverage Act, to ensure that no other American hero is denied organ transplant coverage again through the VA. This was inspired by the Nelson family of Leander, Texas. Mr. Nelson, a veteran, required a transplant. His son was a matching live donor. However, the VA would not cover medical costs for the donor, Mr. Nelson's son, even though this was a lifesaving transplant for Mr. Nelson. I am sorry to say that Mr. Nelson had to liquidate almost everything he owned to pay for the medical expenses. We could not help Mr. Nelson's family, but his story inspired me to work towards changing the law. When the VA MISSION Act is enacted, it will ensure future generations of veterans will have their transplant medical expenses, along with the donor's expenses, covered by the VA. We must do the right thing for our veterans who need these lifesaving procedures, and I am honored that the VA MISSION Act includes language I wrote to do just that. I want to publicly thank several of my colleagues on the committee: Dr. Neal Dunn, Dr. Brad Wenstrup, and Gus Bilirakis, my neighbor, all of whom championed transplant care for veterans and worked extremely hard to ensure this language was included in the bill. The VA MISSION Act is a step forward towards the goal of caring for our veterans. The Senate must pass this legislation, and I urge President Trump to quickly sign it into law. I can think of no better way to celebrate Memorial Day than enact the VA MISSION Act, which will ensure our heroes receive the best medical care available.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation, I wish III Corps a happy birthday for its first century of brave service. Since its birth in 1918, `America's Hammer' has never faltered in defending freedom and upholding the U.S. Army's reputation as the world's elite fighting force. From day one, this historic corps has been comprised of brave men and women who have selflessly devoted themselves to a greater good. When forces of tyranny threaten the world, when the oppressed are in danger of losing hope, when duty calls, the Phantom Warriors of III Corps stand ready. Over the decades, their mission has remained the same: be prepared to rapidly deploy and conduct the full spectrum of military operations to defeat any adversary. I am proud to stand alongside III Corps as they continue to defend freedom, accomplish any mission, and leave a legacy for future generations to follow. III Corps' 100 years of excellence represents America at its very best.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I salute the extraordinary career of Frank Leffingwell as he retires from a lifetime of civic involvement. Along with his many contributions to Central Texas, Frank's outstanding work as a councilman for the City of Round Rock, Texas has helped make my hometown a great place to live and work. Frank's commitment to investing his gifts, talents, and abilities to improve his community is a deeply held creed that speaks to the generosity and activism of a true and devoted public servant. His resume tells the story of a man unafraid to contribute both his time and energies to a multitude of organizations that rely on volunteerism and social engagement to make good communities great. His tenure on the Round Rock City Council is marked by his tremendous efforts to support his growing town's long-term vitality through economic development. Frank's worked tirelessly to ensure residents have a rich quality of life that includes access to water, energy, and cutting-edge health care while supporting the arts, our first responders, and the most vulnerable. His legacy speaks to the highest values we Texans hold dear. Frank Leffingwell's retirement is the richly-deserved beginning of an exciting journey. I join his colleagues, family, and friends in honoring his career, commending his commitment to public service, and wishing my friend nothing but the best in the years ahead.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate and recognize the work of an exceptional citizen, Dr. Gopal Guttikonda, who dedicated himself to helping the residents of Central Texas by founding the Temple Community Clinic. His commitment to public service represents Texas values at their very best and he is a fitting recipient of Leadership Temple's prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. During his career, Dr. Guttikonda saw many hard-working Texans who did not have access to proper healthcare due to their ineligibility or lack of financial means. Seeking to ensure the healthcare was available for those in need, he made the selfless decision to create the Temple Community Clinic to improve the quality of life for all citizens in Central Texas. What started as a 1,300-square foot space in the Jeff Hamilton Community Building grew substantially to what is now a world-class health resource for the underserved population in Central Texas. Elite physicians have volunteered their services to those who had no insurance or the financial means to afford treatment for themselves and their families. Dr. Guttikonda's dream of accessible healthcare has been impacting lives now for twenty-six amazing years. Dr. Guttikonda's devotion to his community doesn't stop when his shift at the hospital ends. This married father of two, whose great work has been honored by his colleagues on numerous occasions, keeps busy with a variety of civic organizations that work to bring positive change to a variety of areas. His commitment to investing his gifts, talents, and abilities to improve his community is a deeply held creed that speaks to the generosity and activism of a true and devoted public servant. Dr. Gopal Guttikonda's vision, dedication, and commitment to the health of all has made a real and lasting difference in lives of Central Texans. I'm both proud and humbled by his achievements and wish him continued success in the future. I join his family, colleagues, and friends in saluting his tremendous work as he is richly honored with Leadership Temple's Distinguished Alumni Award.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mrs. Karen Sheldon for her sixteen years of service on the Georgetown, TX Chamber of Commerce. Karen's untiring commitment to making Georgetown a great place to live and work represents Texas values at their best. After joining the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce in 2002 as Administrative Assistant, it was clear that Karen's hard work and dedication to the Chamber were unmatched. During her tenure, she served in many roles including Director of Development, Vice President, and Executive Vice President before being named Chamber President in 2014. Her time as President was focused on guiding the success and growth of her beloved community through advocacy, education, and civic engagement. Karen's work in public service wasn't confined to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. She has continuously strived to make Georgetown a better city by serving on multiple boards and volunteering with numerous organizations. When she is not working for her community, Karen is a loving sister and proud mother of two daughters. Retirement is meant to be celebrated and enjoyed. It is not the end of a career, but the beginning of a new adventure. Mrs. Karen Sheldon has left big shoes to fill as she has gone above and beyond the expected duties of a public servant. I thank her for her dedication to her community and proudly join her family, friends, and colleagues in wishing nothing but the best for her richly-deserved retirement.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of devoted educator Robin Battershell as she retires after nearly four decades of incredible service. With her ``can-do'' spirit and high-minded vision, she has made Central Texas a model for innovative, child-focused education. A native of Robinson, Texas, Robin's resume tells the story of a life devoted to education, starting as a third grade teacher in Houston and culminating with stints as superintendent of both Salado and Temple Independent School Districts. The hallmark of Robin's career is her unwavering devotion to prioritizing children in education. ``If you didn't think about a particular child today, then you have lost the reason you entered education in the first place,'' Robin says, noting it is the job of educators to determine ``where the child needs to go, and do everything in our power to help the child . . .'' As a wife and mother of three, Robin's commitment to her community doesn't stop when the school bell rings at the end of the day. She teaches at both the University of Mary Hardin Baylor and Texas A&M University Central Texas as well as serves on the Board for the Temple Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Texas. Her generous activism speaks to the very best values of our nation. Robin Battershell's retirement is the richly-deserved beginning of an exciting journey. I salute her work and commitment to ensuring the children of our beloved home state receive the education they deserve. I join her colleagues, family, and friends in honoring her career and wishing her nothing but the best in the years ahead.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to celebrate and recognize the heroic work of an exceptional citizen of our district, Sergeant Major Juan J. Martinez, USMC, Retired. Throughout his extraordinary military career and beyond, he has dedicated himself to a life of service to both Central Texas and this remarkable country. SgtMaj Martinez 1972 enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1972. Since then he has spent every waking day displaying Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment as he worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant Major in 1997. Throughout his thirty years with the USMC, SgtMaj Martinez displayed outstanding leadership and selflessness, resulting in numerous awards and commendations, including the prestigious Meritorious Service and Marine Corp Commendation Medals. SgtMaj Martinez's work was not limited to military service alone as he took it upon himself to be a role model and instructor in Texas schools. Central Texas has been blessed to have SgtMaj Martinez teach the MCJROTC at Round Rock High School for the past ten years. His encouragement and passion for the Marine Corps has instilled in our youth a sense of duty and shown them the fruits of a lifetime of service. SgtMaj Martinez has gone above and beyond the expected duties of a Marine and has led our youth to new heights. We are grateful for each year he has dedicated to our country. He has blessed Central Texas with his hard work, valor, and I am proud here to congratulate him on his retirement after decades of service.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today is a special day as we celebrate and recognize the work of an exceptional citizen of our district: Mayor Danny Dunn of Temple, TX. Throughout his life, he has dedicated himself to the residents of his beloved hometown. His commitment to public service represents Texas values at their best. Mayor Dunn has spent the past eight years devoting himself to make the city of Temple a great place to work and call home. Under his steady and forward-looking leadership, Temple has seen exponential changes, ranging from new public safety initiatives to large improvement projects to restore the city. His commitment to smart, lasting, and strategic development has improved the quality of life for all citizens of Temple and put the city on the track for continued growth in the future. Mayor Dunn's public service doesn't end at 5 p.m. during the week. He is continuously trying to make Temple a better city by volunteering and working with numerous civic engagement groups such as museum committees, veteran research, and children hospitals. His great work has not gone unnoticed as Mayor Dunn has been the recipient of countless awards and recognition. While Mayor Dunn has been honored to serve Temple, he knows that everything has its season and that it is time for him to allow the next generation of leaders to take the stage. Retirement from office does not mean that Dunn is finished improving and inspiring the city. He plans on continuing to work, volunteer, and be an active citizen of the city of Temple while pursuing graduate school and spending time with his family. Mayor Dunn has left big shoes to fill as he has gone above and beyond the expected duties of a public servant. He has led Temple to new heights and positioned his hometown to be one of the best in Texas. I salute his leadership, congratulate him on his retirement, and wish him nothing but the best in the years to come.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant Colonel William Thomas Slye, Jr., USA, Ret., who became an angel on February 28, 2018. LTC Slye's dedication to the United States Army, his nation, and his beloved family mark a man whose life was devoted to service to others. A native of Washington, D.C., LTC Slye enlisted in the Navy in 1953, where he served as an aircraft engine mechanic and found his passion for aviation. While the Navy could not offer him a venue to progress in his flying aspirations, he soon enlisted in the Army to pursue their flight training program. LTC Slye's skills did not go unnoticed and he was assigned to the Presidential Flight Detachment where he flew in the Presidential Helicopter unit for both Presidents Johnson and Nixon. His valiant efforts to keep our nation's leaders safe during tumultuous times were next to none and will never be forgotten. Following a 28-year Army career that included three tours in Vietnam, LTC Slye retired in 1981 and settled in Belton, Texas. Along with being a skilled and decorated pilot, LTC Slye was a true family man. He married the love of his life, Wanda Rose Bridges, in 1957 and went on to raise three beautiful children: Mike, Teri, and Sandie. He lived a full and inspirational life and was actively involved in his church, Knights of Columbus, and community. LTC Slye's dedication to both nation and family reflect the best values we hold dear in Central Texas. I salute his devotion to our highest ideals and join his loved ones in mourning his loss.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. The Homeland Security division of this bill contains $47.7 billion to fund the Department of Homeland Security. This bill provides strong funding to help Americans recover when disaster hits; ensures the security of our air, land, and sea borders; and protects our local communities from outside threats. This bill provides more than 90 miles of barrier fencing, to include 33 miles of new fencing in the Rio Grande Valley. It includes $284 million for inspection equipment to combat drug trafficking, to include $71 million to specifically target opioid detection. It sustains ICE detention activities and provides additional funding to hire more agents. It funds the vessels and aircraft our Coast Guard needs to protect our coastline. It also fully funds activities to combat cyber attacks. Mr. Speaker, this last year has been a tough year for Texans, who suffered from our most ruthless hurricane season. I saw the devastation firsthand. This bill will go a long way to help those folks and their homes. This bill includes $7.9 billion for FEMA to continue to respond to this and future disasters, and $249 million for grants to prevent future storms from causing damage like this again. I would like to thank very much my colleague, Ms. Lucille Roybal- Allard, the ranking member on my committee. She is a dream to work with, and we are great partners in this process. I would also like to thank the majority and minority staffs for their hard work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to take a moment to say farewell and thanks to a member of our Homeland Security Subcommittee team. Christopher Romig is leaving our committee at the end of April, after 30 years of service to our Nation. He spent 27 of those years in our great Army as a helicopter pilot. He brought his military background to our Homeland Security Subcommittee team, and we benefited from his experience and sharp mind for the past 3 years. Now we wish him well on his next adventure. I also would like to take a minute to thank the FBI and the ATF for the great work they have done in the central Texas area for the person we call the Austin bomber.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our fine Secretary of Defense this morning testified before the Committee on Armed Services. He remarked that if the military is forced to continue to operate under a continuing resolution for the rest of the year, it will be unable to provide pay to our brave men and women in uniform, unable to recruit personnel we need, unable to maintain our naval ships, unable to maintain our aircraft, unable to supply our troops in the theater of combat, and unable to strike contracts critical toward modernizing our force. Unable, unable, unable. As Congress, it is our responsibility to make our military force the most able in the world; able to keep our country safe and able to promote the ideals of freedom across the globe. It would be deeply irresponsible for Members of this House to vote against providing full-year funding to the Defense Department, which addresses the needs of today and tomorrow, not last year. The Secretary was on the Hill to discuss something very important: The Department's National Defense Strategy, which seeks to address the significant challenges we face with rising adversaries in China and Russia, along with enduring threats of a nuclear-armed Korea, a terrorist state in Iran, a terrorist network like ISIS. And he said: ``I regret that, without sustained predictable appropriations, my presence here today wastes your time because no strategy can survive without funding necessary to resource it.'' Mr. Speaker, this bill funds our military for the year with funding that addresses the challenges we face today and separates this critical funding from the political fights here in Washington, D.C. Our troops need our support for this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, they need what this bill provides. Because of that, I support the bill and I urge its passage.

Mr. CARTER of Texas

Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Defense Appropriations bill which will provide full-year funding for the Defense Department so they can continue to effectively defend our country from an ever-expanding threat which exists in the world today. This bill ends uncertainty and ineffectiveness of a continuing resolution, allows the DOD to plan and execute on the things they need to do today, not last year. Our military needs to modernize to face new threats it will face in this world, and they can't do that with a CR. This bill also lifts sequestration caps which have, to paraphrase Secretary Mattis, caused more harm to our military than any enemy. Lifting these caps for FY18 is essential towards improving the readiness of our force. The world is changing rapidly and so is the nature and threat to our military forces and what they face day and night. We owe it to our servicemen and -women to give them the resources to modernize their capabilities so that they can best face this threat. Mr. Speaker, our military is the greatest natural resource in the country. I am reminded of this every time I visit The Great Place, Fort Hood, in my district. The troops at Fort Hood are currently leading the fight against ISIS and will benefit from this bill, and we owe it to them. We sleep every night under the blanket of freedom they provide through their sacrifice. I am proud to support them and hopeful that we will pass this bill so we can give them what they need right now so they won't face the uncertainty of endless sequestration and CRs. I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to support it. And it is a current event. Last night, as I flew into Washington, D.C., we carried the remains of an American warrior. It is a current event. We are all responsible for it. We need to get this job done.