André Carson

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today, a vote in the House was held on an amendment to H.R. 5293, the Defense Appropriations Act for FY17, which was authored by Rep. Massie. The Amendment was defeated. I did not support this Amendment, and my intention was to vote ``no.'' However, I inadvertently voted ``yes''. The effect of the Amendment would have been to curtail the authority of intelligence officials to quickly query a database of information lawfully collected under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, using ``U.S. Person identifiers.'' Additionally, the Amendment would have blocked NSA and CIA from mandating or requesting certain assistance from individuals and companies, in the course of conducting electronic surveillance. While I was opposed to this amendment, I welcome a robust discussion to discuss the security and privacy implications of Section 702. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I look forward to participating in this debate ahead of its expiration in 2017.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Clowes Fund and family whose philanthropic contributions have positively impacted countless Hoosiers in my hometown of Indianapolis. Dr. George Henry Alexander Clowes, his wife Edith Whitehill Clowes and their two sons, Allen W. Clowes and Dr. George H.A. Clowes, Jr., incorporated The Clowes Fund in 1952 to support education along with literary, performing, and fine arts. Social services soon became another focus for support. A rare combination of scientist and entrepreneur, the senior Dr. Clowes was director of research at Eli Lilly and Company who in 1921 mobilized Lilly resources to mass produce and market an insulin treatment that would save the lives of millions of diabetics. Lilly's subsequent growth as a pharmaceutical giant contributed to Dr. Clowes' personal success, giving rise to the Fund, an extensive art collection and other philanthropic endeavors. Mrs. Clowes was actively involved in a variety of educational, cultural and social service interests in the community; she was a co-founder of the Orchard School and Planned Parenthood. Their story is told in The Doc and the Duchess, The Life and Legacy of Dr. George H.A. Clowes, written by their grandson, Dr. Alexander (Alec) Whitehill Clowes. Alec joined The Clowes Fund board at age 21 and served from 1967- 2015, and as president 2001-2015. Early in his tenure he was intimately involved in planning the Clowes Pavilion at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) for exhibition of the Clowes Collection on long term loan. Later, he helped guide the board toward a decision to transfer ownership of the Collection to the IMA, a process that will culminate by 2023 when Indianapolis celebrates the centennial of insulin. In the early 1990's, Alec was a uniting force that prevented the foundation from being divided by family branches. Unity is a legacy of his leadership as he made it a priority to recruit a fourth generation of family members to serve the foundation's mission. Since its founding, The Clowes Fund has awarded $37.3 million in funding to nonprofit organizations in Indianapolis. Recent grant gifts include more than $550,000 to local Centers for Working Families, a service delivery model designed to move families out of poverty and toward a more self-sufficient standard of living, and nearly $2 million to support services for immigrants, refugees and asylees in our community. The Fund has also transferred art valued at approximately $25.3 million from the Clowes Collection to the Indianapolis Museum of Art with another $25 million in support scheduled over the next few years to ensure the collection remains intact and in Indianapolis. In addition to grantmaking, The Clowes Fund has left a lasting legacy in Indianapolis by donating its grant files to the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Studies Library and Archives at IUPUI. The Clowes family also donated personal papers and mementos to the Indiana History Center. Our community continues to benefit from the foundation's mission to support organizations and projects that build a more just and equitable society, create opportunities for initiatives, foster creativity and the growth of knowledge, and promote appreciation of the natural environment. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing The Clowes Fund for its dedicated efforts to improve our community.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4465, the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016. This bill begins the process of reforming GSA's public building services. I would like to, first of all, recognize wholeheartedly my very good friend, whom I had an opportunity to travel with, my colleague from California (Mr. Denham) for his work in bringing this bill before the Transportation Committee and now the full House, and also my colleague Chairman Barletta. Today's legislation, Mr. Speaker, really has the potential to be a valuable tool in right-sizing our Federal footprint. It authorizes an independent board that could provide a source of revenue for the Federal Government to invest in its existing buildings and to better manage its real estate portfolio. The board would make recommendations to dispose of unneeded and underutilized real estate, and it would make recommendations to consolidate Federal real estate functions where appropriate. H.R. 4465 is consistent with several governmentwide memoranda issued by the President that ordered agencies to reduce and freeze their real estate footprints. These directives represent the administration's sustained priority of improving the management of Federal real estate. I believe H.R. 4465 dovetails well with the administration's priorities and begins to address the issue in very meaningful ways. Both the Transportation Committee and the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, have repeatedly raised concerns about the way Federal real property has been managed. The proposed board would be highly instrumental in reconfiguring, co-locating, and even realigning the Federal real estate portfolio with best practices. Although I believe the board can serve an important role in disposing of unneeded real estate, I also urge the board to not sell real estate assets in a soft market or sell properties that hamstring the government's ability to house Federal employees in the future. Expert and specialized skill is still very necessary to dispose of underutilized real estate assets while avoiding selling property the government could need in the future. Without this expertise, we could end up with transactions leading to future long-term leasing because of the haphazard disposal of underutilized real estate. It is very important to note that today's legislation contains several checks and balances. As a result of the concerns expressed on my side of the aisle, there were several changes to the bill while negotiating the final version. Instead of the bill requiring six annual recommendations, as originally proposed, the board will now make three sets of detailed recommendations over 6 years so that Congress can conduct oversight of the board's actions and properly gauge the alignment of the board's goals with congressional priorities. In addition, the aggregate value of transactions is capped at no more than $8 billion. Each potential real estate action with a value above $20 million will require an appropriation that will go through the normal GSA prospectus approval process. Now, Mr. Speaker, Federal agencies will be required to coordinate construction and alteration projects with GSA. I appreciate that the sponsors of this important legislation were willing to work with us to address these concerns, and we look forward to continuing this great work as it is being implemented In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I support today's legislation. It creates an independent board to make recommendations on how to meet the goal of right-sizing the Federal real estate portfolio and saving taxpayers millions of dollars. I intend to conduct vigorous oversight of this board and the actions taken by GSA in order to make it a success. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 3 minutes.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Barletta, Chairman Shuster, and Ranking Member DeFazio. I rise in support of H.R. 4487, the Public Buildings Reform and Savings Act of 2016. Mr. Speaker, this bill begins the process of reforming GSA, Public Buildings Service, and the Federal Protective Service. I would like to thank my colleagues, again, for being a partner in developing this very important piece of legislation directing GSA to improve the management of Federal real estate. The GAO has consistently listed the management of Federal real property an area of high risk. The provisions contained in today's legislation will address many of the concerns that GAO has documented. Specifically, the bill will direct GSA to reform the leasing process and tighten oversight of the construction program. The centerpiece of this legislation is a 5-year pilot program designed to streamline the GSA leasing procurement process. Mr. Speaker, by raising the threshold for simplified lease acquisitions, I believe GSA will be able to reduce their workload on smaller leases and focus their staff on the execution of larger leases that can provide even more savings to taxpayers. While owning is often the most cost-effective option for housing Federal agencies, there will also be a need for the Federal Government to lease space. The pilot program, and the GAO reports authorized by this bill, is expected to provide the Committee on Transportation with definitive data about the most efficient way to lease Federal office space. The interim reports on the pilot program and the effectiveness of GSA's use of commercial brokers will be instructive as to which new authorities Congress should let expire in 5 years and which we should keep. I am also pleased that today's bill includes several reforms authored in H.R. 1850, the Federal Protective Service Improvement Act of 2015. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the 1995 Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City, the Department of Justice, or DOJ, assessed the vulnerability of Federal buildings in the United States, particularly related to acts of terrorism and other forms of violence. The Department of Justice made several recommendations, including upgrading the Federal Protective Service and bringing each Federal facility up to higher minimum standards for its security levels. The reforms in today's legislation include creating a national framework for the 13,000 contract guards who protect Federal buildings, employees, and visitors each and every day. It mandates a minimum level of training for Protective Service Officers, or PSOs, while at the same time providing authority for PSOs to carry firearms and detain suspects accused of a felony on Federal property. As a former police officer, I can't overstate the importance of a strong training standard for security personnel at every Federal facility across our great Nation. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to study whether it has a sufficient number of law enforcement officers and inspectors necessary to regularly conduct security assessments of Federal facilities. Another provision requires a study of whether FPS' fee structure is sufficient to fund the strong law enforcement presence needed today. Mr. Speaker, I expect that when these reports are completed, they will help guide the Committee's efforts to address FPS' long-term funding and staffing issues. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is critically important that we do everything possible to protect the millions of Federal workers and daily visitors to Federal buildings. With increased oversight and additional legislative authority, I believe the FPS can fulfill its mission. I hope, in closing, that we can continue to work in a bipartisan manner on these matters. I thank the chair and ranking member of the full committee, who both cosponsored and supported this important piece of legislation. Together, we can put forth commonsense reforms that allow both GSA and FPS to be good stewards of our Nation's public buildings. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), who is an American icon and legend.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to pay tribute to a very special event that will take place later this month in my hometown of Indianapolis. On May 29, the world's finest automobile racing teams will compete for the very prestigious Borg-Warner Trophy at the 100th running of the Indy 500. Mr. Speaker, every Memorial Day weekend since 1911, with the exception of a few years during World War I and World War II, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the site of the greatest spectacle in racing. Over the last century, Mr. Speaker, the Indianapolis 500 has become the most attended single-day sporting event on the planet Earth, with estimated crowds of over 400,000 people. Now, these fans add nearly $500 million to the central Indiana economy each year. The race is also incredibly popular around the world, Mr. Speaker. With millions of fans around the world, they have been listening to the race on the Motor Speedway Radio Network and watching it on television. Now, what very few people realize is that the Indy 500 has been a very important influence in the development of passenger automobiles. Rearview mirrors, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, color warning lights, and the first mandatory use of helmets can be traced back to the great Hoosier State in the city of Indianapolis at the Indy 500. Now part of the excitement of watching the race every year, Mr. Speaker, is seeing how these high-tech automobiles have evolved and wondering which technology we will see on our roads in the near future. I stand here today as a very proud Hoosier who is proud of our State's long racing heritage. I ask my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to join me and to join the rest of the Indiana delegation in recognizing all of those involved with the race over the last century, from the staff to the pit crews, to the drivers, and especially the fans who come out to the track each and every year. So congratulations to all the folks involved. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I support S. 1492, which directs the GSA, on behalf of the Archivist of the United States, to convey 9 acres of property in Anchorage, Alaska, to the local municipality in exchange for its fair market value. The GSA and the Archivist of the United States have come to the conclusion that this property is underutilized and is no longer needed by the Federal Government. A House version of this bill was reported out of committee by a voice vote and was subsequently passed by the House. Selling this property to the city of Anchorage, Alaska, at its fair market value protects the interests of taxpayers who acquired the property. It also allows the Federal Government to shed the costs of maintaining and securing an unneeded property. Finally, I encourage the GSA to continue using its existing authority and expertise to identify and dispose of other pieces of underutilized Federal real estate as appropriate. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank Representative Curbelo. I am pleased that this bill is being considered by the House this afternoon during National Police Week. I also appreciate Subcommittee Chairman Barletta's support of this measure and the support of the other members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, who also agreed to be original cosponsors of this great bill, which would name the current headquarters of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or the ATF, after fallen Special Agent Ariel Rios. As was mentioned by my colleague, Agent Rios was born in 1954. He attended the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, and he graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 1976. Agent Rios immediately started his career in criminal justice by working for the Department of Corrections in both Washington, D.C., and in New York City. Later, he joined the ATF in 1978 and developed a reputation as an effective law enforcement officer. In 1982, Agent Rios was working as a member of Vice President George H. W. Bush's anti-drug task force. It was here that he was shot and killed while working undercover to unravel a drug ring in Miami, Florida. In 1985, Congress saw fit to honor the ultimate sacrifice that Special Agent Rios made. Congress acknowledged the fact that he was the first ATF agent to die in the line of duty by naming the headquarters of the ATF building the Ariel Rios Memorial Building. This name stood for nearly 30 years until the building was renamed for President Clinton in 2012 so as to reflect the fact that the old building now housed the EPA. Unfortunately, the ``Ariel Rios'' name was not transferred to the new ATF headquarters. This bill seeks to correct this omission and name the new ATF headquarters as the Ariel Rios Federal Building. As a former police officer, I have a special appreciation for the risks that face officers each and every day. Agent Rios' death serves as a reminder that when law enforcement officers walk out the door and leave their families for the day, they are putting their lives on the line to protect our communities. It is fitting that the House is considering this legislation during National Police Week, which is an annual event when thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in events that honor those who have been killed in the line of duty. By naming the ATF headquarters after Mr. Rios, a front line law enforcement officer, we offer a very public tribute to the commemoration of the sacrifices that too many officers have made. This legislation comes at the request of many current and former agents who would not rest until this recognition was restored to Special Agent Rios. Because of their tireless efforts, the House will vote today to restore the name of Special Agent Rios to the ATF headquarters. This is an overdue and well-deserved acknowledgment of both Special Agent Rios and of the nearly 20,000 law enforcement agents who have died in the line of duty in the United States of America. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that so many on both sides of the aisle from our committee have agreed to cosponsor this legislation. I am also honored that Mr. Rogers, the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, supports this bill. Former President George H. W. Bush has written Congress in support of naming this building after Special Agent Rios, as have several former Directors of the ATF and as have several organizations that represent law enforcement officers. I am very proud that this legislation is being considered today, and I urge my colleagues to support my bipartisan bill that honors Special Agent Rios. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on April 29, 2016, I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall votes 178 and 179. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall 178 and ``no'' on rollcall 179.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on April 26, 2016, I was unavoidably detained and missed roll call votes 164 and 165. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on roll call 164, the Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act, and ``yes'' on roll call 165, the Investor Clarity and Bank Parity Act. Despite missing the vote, I remain strongly opposed to H.R. 4820, the Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act. As a former Homeland Security official and a Member of the House Intelligence Committee, I understand the importance of a complete intelligence picture to counterterrorism operations. As this bill indicates, part of understanding threats to our homeland is receiving testimony from reformed terrorists. Responsible collection would involve looking at threats from every angle, including Islamic, right wing, environmental and other types of extremism. This bill fails in that regard, choosing instead to focus on those associated with foreign terrorist organizations. This bill also plays into a disturbing narrative that Muslims are the sole source of terrorism in the United States. The reality, supported by academic research and federal agency testimony, is that the threat from right wing extremism is even more pervasive. While the attacks in Chattanooga and San Bernardino were carried out by Muslim extremists, the attacks at a church in Charleston and a Sikh temple in Wisconsin were by right wing extremists. Extremism, regardless of ideological basis, is dangerous and must be countered. Further perpetrating a false narrative about the outsized threat posed by Muslims does nothing but promote fear of American Muslims and ostracize them in communities across our country. It is important for us to remember that an attack by a sovereign citizen or racial supremacist is just as devastating as an attack by a Muslim terrorist. If Congress hopes to strengthen our national security apparatus, rather than stoke fear, we should be looking for every possible opportunity to balance our counterterrorism efforts. We need to look at all threats, both foreign and domestic.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also support H.R. 4618, which designates the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Georgia, as the Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse. Judge Smith served as a Federal district court judge in the Northern District of Georgia and was a World War II veteran. Judge Smith graduated from Harvard University and the University of Georgia Law School. After graduating from law school, Judge Smith went into private practice, as was noted, and he practiced until 1962, and was later elected as a superior court judge in Georgia. In 1965, Mr. Speaker, Judge Smith was appointed as a district court judge and was later elevated to chief judge. Judge Smith stepped down from the Federal bench in 1974, as was noted, and returned to private practice as a partner at an Atlanta law firm. In addition to his very long and distinguished career, Judge Smith was an active member of the educational community in Georgia, serving as chairman of the Gainesville Board of Education, the chairman of the State Board of Regents, and as a trustee of Brenau University for 35 years. Judge Smith was well respected in his community. It is very appropriate to name the building in Gainesville, Georgia, the Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse. I also support this bill, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this important piece of legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my good friend from Maryland, Representative Hoyer, for introducing this resolution on behalf of the Washington regional delegation. This annual competitive event, Mr. Speaker, encourages boys and girls, ages 9 through 16, to construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. The event has become a great tradition in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area over the last 20 years. It provides a terrific opportunity for children to appreciate the workmanship that is necessary to build vehicles and to enjoy the thrill of competition. The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby organizers will work with the Architect of the Capitol and with the Capitol Police to ensure that the appropriate rules and regulations are in place and that the event remains free to the public. I support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation, because it is critically important for the future of our children. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Ariel Rios Federal Building Act'' which will name the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) headquarters in honor of its first special agent killed by hostile action. This bill will designate the federal building at 99 New York Avenue, NE Washington D.C. as the Ariel Rios Federal Building. Ariel Rios was a young ATF special agent murdered by drug traffickers in 1982 while assigned to then Vice President George Bush's South Florida Drug Task Force. In 1985, Congress designated the ATF headquarters building at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue as the Ariel Rios Memorial Federal Building. The designation honored both the personal sacrifice of Ariel Rios and served as an enduring reminder of the dangers that front line law enforcement officers willingly confront to keep the rest of us safe. For nearly 30 years, the original ATF headquarters building bore the name of Ariel Rios. In the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, it was determined that a new, more secure ATF headquarters would be built and shortly thereafter, Congress approved the construction of a new ATF headquarters at 99 New York Avenue NE. After the ATF vacated 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the building was repurposed as the headquarters for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Congress renamed the EPA headquarters building as the William Jefferson Clinton Building, but the designation in honor of Ariel Rios was not transferred to the new ATF Headquarters building. This legislation seeks to rectify that omission and is supported by six of the former Directors of ATF who served between 1982 and 2015. This legislation is also supported by former President George H.W. Bush, the surviving family of Special Agent Ariel Rios and the ATF Association which is comprised of current and former ATF colleagues who work in support of the ATF mission. Naming the ATF headquarters after Ariel Rios is an important symbolic reminder of risks faced by ATF's front line agents and their ongoing service to our country. As a former law enforcement officer, I believe this important recognition of Ariel Rios will serve as a tribute to every frontline law enforcement officer past, present, and future. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello); Chairman Barletta; and my good friend, Ranking Member Peter DeFazio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure today. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015 directs the administrator of FEMA to codify the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, commonly known as IPAWS. With IPAWS, Mr. Speaker, public safety officials are able to warn the public of impending hazards using multiple communications platforms, such as radio and television broadcasts, mobile devices, and other Internet services. These warnings, Mr. Speaker, can even be geographically targeted so that only those in harm's way will receive the messages. All of this leads to saving lives, Mr. Speaker, and reducing property damage. During the months of May and June, tornados are most likely to strike the great Hoosier State. Getting citizens to safety or even alerting them to shelter in place before a tornado strikes can ultimately be the difference between life and death. Success in that effort, Mr. Speaker, depends largely on access to timely and precise information. During 2011, a violent storm caused the sudden collapse of a concert stage at the Indiana State Fair. This tragic incident killed seven and severely injured dozens more. It could have been much worse. Timely alerts enabled fair officials to clear the midway minutes before the storm struck, potentially saving hundreds of lives. Our committee has primary jurisdiction over IPAWS, and we have worked hard, Mr. Speaker, on this issue for several Congresses. While this bill is similar to another bill--H.R. 1472--that the Transportation Committee reported last year, I am very disappointed that regular order was not followed in S. 1180. It should have been referred to the committee of jurisdiction so that the House of Representatives can do the job we were elected to do: consider the details and implications of all the different provisions and how they impact our alert and warning system. Despite the lack of regular order, Mr. Speaker, I still support this measure greatly. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), a good friend of mine and the ranking member of the committee.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time is remaining on both sides.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan measure before us today. H.R. 1471, the FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2015, as amended, contains several provisions important to State and local governments and emergency managers. I will only highlight a few of them. I also want to acknowledge Chairman Barletta and my good friend, Ranking Member DeFazio. Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, the most important aspect of this bill is that it clarifies compensation and liability issues for urban search and rescue team members. These members provide critical services and put themselves in harm's way to help others involved in a disaster. In Indianapolis, my city, our own urban search and rescue team, which consists of firefighters, paramedics, civilians, and others responded to Hurricane Sandy. They did so despite the uncertainties that they would be covered for any injuries. These protections, Mr. Speaker, are long overdue. Team members can now rest assured that they will be taken care of when activated for Federal service if they are injured. Another important provision grows out of the individual States' and local governments' need to know that they can rely on FEMA's decisions and reimbursement amounts. Local governments make major decisions during the disaster recovery phase in reliance on FEMA's initial approval. There comes a time, Mr. Speaker, when FEMA should not be able to reverse its initial decisions or award amounts. Statute of limitations protections for individuals, States, and local governments will provide peace of mind and certainty needed to go forward with the recovery process. Climate change, Mr. Speaker, is causing more extreme weather patterns. So in order for us to become more resilient, we must encourage more local governments, communities to undertake mitigation measures. Some communities may forgo mitigation actions because they do not have the capacity to administer the funds. Ensuring that local governments will be reimbursed for management costs should help us all obtain more resilient communities. Finally, Mr. Speaker, our subcommittee has embarked on discussions related to the trends and causes of rising disaster costs and losses. In furtherance of this discussion, the bill requires FEMA's National Advisory Council to study the issue and make recommendations to Congress and address causes and trends. Specifically, the bill requires the Council to examine mechanisms and incentives to promote mitigation and to make recommendations regarding the same. The last few years, Mr. Speaker, I have introduced a bill to reauthorize the disaster mitigation program. Mr. Speaker, mitigation saves taxpayer funds over the long haul. I look forward to any recommendations from the National Advisory Council on how we can strengthen this available and very effective program. I want to thank Chairman Barletta again and Ranking Member DeFazio for their leadership on this very important measure. As an original cosponsor of this measure, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 1471. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), my good friend and ranking member.