Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my constituent, Jo Hodgin, on the occasion of her retirement after 21 years of service to the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Through her leadership of Wolf Trap's government relations program, and her coordination of a wide range of special initiatives for the Foundation, Ms. Hodgin, a resident of Annandale, has expanded upon Wolf Trap's success as America's National Park for the Performing Arts. Ms. Hodgin began her career by serving as deputy director for the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, now known as Culture Capital. In that role, she fostered cooperation among hundreds of regional arts organizations. She also launched the Business Volunteers for the Arts program, which forged connections between the arts and business communities in the Washington, D.C., region. The BVA program, featured in Washingtonian magazine, facilitated the completion of hundreds of arts projects, and it expanded the role of private business in the arts. When Ms. Hodgin became director of Foundation Grants at Wolf Trap, she increased annual grants income from $600,000 to $1.2 million. Based on her tremendous success, she was promoted into her current role as Director of Planning and Initiatives. A central achievement of Ms. Hodgin's tenure was the successful management of the organization's government relations program. She has engaged policy leaders and decision-makers at all levels of government, educating them about the broad benefits of Wolf Trap's initiatives across the country. Her outreach efforts not only have secured greater support for Wolf Trap, but also helped mobilize the larger arts community to advance their interests. In addition, Ms. Hodgin spearheaded a range of special initiatives for the Foundation. For example, she collaborated with former Wolf Trap Foundation President and CEO Terre Jones on the acclaimed Face of America series, which celebrated America's national parks through a variety of artistic mediums, including music, spoken word, and dance. The series reached a national audience on PBS, and one of its films, On the Wings of a Dream, won an Emmy in 2004. Ms. Hodgin's three-decades of service to the arts have helped to enrich the Wolf Trap Foundation, the Northern Virginia community, and our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Jo Hodgin for her service to our National Park for the Performing Arts, and in wishing her and her family all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients of the 23rd Annual Best of Reston Awards for Community Service. The Best of Reston Awards are the result of collaboration between Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith) and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and are presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses whose extraordinary efforts make our community a better place. I am pleased to enter the names of the following recipients of the 2014 Best of Reston Awards into the Congressional Record: Individual Community Leader: Carol Ann Bradley. Ms. Bradley has dedicated herself to service both locally and globally. She has worked with Global Camps Africa, the Friends of the Reston Regional Library, the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, the Southgate Community Center, the Reston Community Center, the American Association of University Women, The Links, Inc., and Educators, Then, Now and Forever. Individual Community Leader: Jerry Ferguson. Mr. Feguson uses his broadcasting skills to highlight local nonprofits. He is the director of Development and Outreach for Fairfax Public Access, which provides television and radio cablecasting services to the region. As a volunteer he has filmed and produced videos for numerous nonprofits and civic groups. Individual Community Leader: Cate Fulkerson. Ms. Fulkerson began serving Reston as an entry-level clerk at the Reston Association and climbed the ladder to her present role there, Chief Executive Officer. She also serves as the chair for the Reston Character Counts! Coalition, chairs the annual Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce's Ethics Day for South Lakes High School, and remains active in Leadership Fairfax. Individual Community Leader: Bonnie Haukness. Mrs. Haukness has given 40 years of service in many aspects of the Reston community. She is a board member of the Reston Historic Trust and Reston Museum, and she chairs its annual fundraiser, the Reston Homes Tour. She also co-chairs fundraisers for Cornerstones, helps organize the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, and also has led the Friends of Reston's fundraising event to send children to summer day camp. Individual Community Leader: Davida Luehrs. Ms. Luehrs is a champion for the visually impaired. She works with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the American Council for the Blind, and Visually Impaired People of Reston. She has assisted 14 Lions Clubs with hearing and vision screening programs for pre-school children, founded VisionWalk, and chaired Dining in the Dark fundraisers. She is also active in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school band boards, Reston Swim Team Association, parent teacher associations, blood drives, and meals on wheels. Civic/Community Leader: HomeAid Northern Virginia. Members of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association started HomeAid in 2001 to help the homeless gain stability by putting a roof over their head. It currently contributes resources to build and renovate homeless shelters as well as transitional and affordable housing. HomeAid has completed more than 70 projects and served more than 10,000 individuals, work valued at more than $10.5 million. Small Business Leader: Brennan & Waite, P.L.C. Founding members (and husband and wife) Matthew Brennan and Carol Waite have led their firm to support many local causes, including the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Habitat For Humanity, Let's Help Kids, the Mosaic Harmony Choir, FACETS, Cornerstones, and Leadership Fairfax. Mr. Brennan also developed a training program to help those interested in serving on county and nonprofit boards. Corporate Business Leader: Cooley, LLP. This law firm encourages employees to give back to the community by offering paid leave time to volunteer and providing matching funds for money raised by employees to support local causes. Last year the firm contributed more than $1 million to nonprofits around the United States. The company's pro bono efforts have led to contributions of more than 33,000 hours by 466 attorneys on more than 687 different pro bono projects per year. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 2014 Best of Reston honorees for their continued commitment to our community. I express my sincere gratitude to these individuals, businesses, and organizations for contributing their time and energy to the betterment of our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna, Virginia. The history of this school from its first days as a one-room schoolhouse for African American children to the present time with a diverse student body and advanced academic programs in many ways mirrors the history of the entire Northern Virginia region. The school is named after Louise A. Reeves Archer who was born on October 23, 1883. She grew up in North Carolina, attended Livingstone College, taught school in Southampton County, and moved to Washington, D.C. in 1922. Her life's work was the education of African American children. In 1922, Mrs. Archer became teacher and principal for a one-room, segregated school in Vienna known as the Vienna Colored School. Devoted to her students, she often transported children to school herself. She organized a Parent-Teacher Association to raise funds for supplies and a new building, which opened on its current site in 1939 with three rooms. In 1941 students, parents, and faculty raised $300 to pay for a music teacher, bus expenses, kitchen supplies, and electric lights. In addition to the academic curriculum, Mrs. Archer taught sewing, cooking, music, gardening and poetry to her students in fifth through seventh grade, which was then the highest level of public education available to African Americans in the county at that time. She was a highly respected educator who taught the value of discipline, respect, and other important life skills that would serve her students throughout their lives. Mrs. Archer was also active in the community at large. She served on the board of the Washington Conservancy of Music, participated in the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and established one of Fairfax County's earliest 4-H Clubs for African Americans, among other activities. After Mrs. Archer's death on April 1, 1948, the community felt the importance of having a memorial in her honor. In response to a petition, the school board changed the school's name to Louise Archer Elementary in 1950. Today, inspired by the school's namesake, the faculty and staff of Louise Archer Elementary School create an educationally stimulating, and supportive learning environment so students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally in preparation for becoming motivated, confident, and respectful members of the community. As part of the 75th anniversary events, the school will become home to a temporary historical museum containing artifacts from the school's founding as well as contemporary displays made by current students. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the commemoration of this significant anniversary and the contributions of Mrs. Louise Archer to the educational development of African American children in Fairfax County.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues, Representatives Wolf and Moran, to recognize Leo J. Schefer on the occasion of his retirement after serving more than 25 years as President of the Washington Airports Task Force. Mr. Schefer was a founding member of the Task Force, and during his distinguished career, both he and the Task Force have been instrumental in collaborating with the residents, employers, and elected leaders throughout the National Capital Region to promote growth at the two major airports and to foster economic development benefitting the entire region. A native of the United Kingdom, Mr. Schefer was trained as an aeronautical engineer with the well-known airplane manufacturer Vicker's Armstrong Aircraft. He also worked for the aviation company BAE, formerly British aerospace, and played a role in its growth here in the U.S. during the 1980s. Mr. Schefer also helped introduce the first jet service to some of our nation's smaller airports, to secure U.S. landing rights for the Concorde supersonic transport, and to facilitate Europe's participation in the NASA Space Shuttle program. Through his work with the Task Force, Mr. Schefer has worked tirelessly to promote the interests of Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport. Those efforts have supported increased competition among the airlines and a 50 percent increase in passenger trips at National Airport. The growth at Dulles, which had been underutilized, has been more dramatic during that time. When the Task Force began, total passenger trips totaled 2.6 million with just 362,000 international passengers annually. Thirty years later, international trips totaled nearly 7 million with total passengers topping 22 million. Without question the Task Force, and Mr. Schefer's dogged yet gentlemanly efforts, have played a key role in that success. During Mr. Schefer's tenure, the Task Force was actively engaged in fostering the bilateral Open Skies agreements with Canada and the European Union, which have increased international passenger travel and economic development opportunities. The Task Force also collaborated with the regional Congressional delegation and local leaders following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to re-open National Airport. It also worked with the Smithsonian Institution, the aviation industry, and regional leaders to lure the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the National Air and Space Museum's spectacular second facility, to Dulles International Airport. In addition, the Task Force and Mr. Schefer have been key partners in the efforts to build public support for and advance the Dulles Rail project. Washington, D.C., is the only OECD capital to not have a mass transit connection to its premier international gateway. We are pleased to report the first phase that project will open later this year, nearly 50 years after it was first envisioned, and we look forward to joining Mr. Schefer for its inaugural voyage. Mr. Schefer's many contributions to our region and the aviation industry have been recognized by the National Aeronautical Association, the Smithsonian Institution, the Top-Side Aviation Club, Aviation Week, and leading organizations from across the National Capital Region. Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in thanking Mr. Schefer for his invaluable contributions to the aviation industry and the National Capital Region and in wishing him well in his retirement. We have every confidence that through his leadership, the Task Force is well positioned to continue as a strong partner for the region's airports and our economy for many years to come.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 40th Anniversary of The Women's Center of Vienna, Virginia, and to congratulate the recipients of the 28th Annual Leadership Conference Awards. Founded in 1974, The Women Center initially focused on career counseling and seminars. Since then, the Center has expanded its services and become a counseling and resource center for financial, career, legal and psychological needs of women, men, and families, regardless of their ability to pay. The Center's staff includes more than 65 therapists and career counselors who provide a full range of services. In the past year, the Center served more than 4,200 clients and provided over 31,000 hours of counseling and services. For 28 years, The Women's Center has hosted an annual conference. This year's Leadership Conference celebrates ``The Power to Influence'' and will focus on women's ability to make a positive difference in their communities and their own lives. Six women who have made extraordinary contributions will also be honored, and I am pleased to enter their names into the Congressional Record. Maureen Bunyan is an award-winning, veteran television news broadcaster and anchor for ABC7/WJLATV. She is a founder and board member of the International Women's Media Foundation, a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists, a member of the National Advisory Board of the Casey Journalism Center on Children & Families, the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital Women's Advisory Board, the Advisory Committee of Women in Film & Video and Women of Washington. Susan B. Chodakewitz is a highly recognized and accomplished Senior Executive with a track record of turning around, building and growing businesses. Ms. Chodakewitz currently serves as President of Tetra Tech AMT (AMT), which specializes in aviation management and information technology. Under her leadership AMT was named the 2010 Large Business of the Year by the FAA. She received the SmartCEO's Brava Award in 2012 and was named one of the ``2011 Women Who Mean Business'' by the Washington Business Journal. Holly Petraeus is the Assistant Director, Office of Servicemember Affairs for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). An active- duty military spouse for over 37 years and a former Department of the Army civilian employee, Mrs. Petraeus has extensive experience as a volunteer leader in military family programs. In recognition of her expertise and contributions, Mrs. Petraeus has been awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the Department of the Army Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service, and the Oklahoma Medal of Freedom. Linda Singh is commercial director of Accenture Federal Service's public safety business. Her project management and implementation experience spans civilian, public safety, and Department of Defense organizations. Ms. Singh manages a second career as a brigadier general in the Maryland Army National Guard in which she has served for more than 32 years. Ms. Singh recently returned from a military deployment in Afghanistan, where she served as Afghan Security Forces operations chief with the 29th Infantry Division and now serves as the Director of the Maryland National Guard joint staff. Anne-Marie Slaughter is the president and CEO of the New America Foundation and the Bert G. Kerstetter '66 University Professor Emerita of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. From 2009-2011, she served as the director of Policy Planning for the United States Department of State, the first woman to hold that position. Prior to her government service, Dr. Slaughter was Dean of Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs from 2002- 2009 and Professor of International, Foreign, and Comparative Law at Harvard Law School from 1994-2002. Susannah Wellford is the founder of two organizations designed to raise the political voice of young women in America. Ms. Wellford founded Running Start to inspire young women and girls to political leadership and the Women Under Forty Political Action Committee (WUFPAC), which is the only political action committee in the United States devoted to helping young women of all parties run for elected office. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending The Women's Center for improving the psychological, career, financial, and legal well-being of women and their families, and in congratulating this year's honorees for their tremendous contributions to our community and the nation.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th Anniversary of America's first planned community, Reston, Virginia, and the 100th Birthday of Reston's Founder, Robert E. Simon, Jr. In 1961, Mr. Simon, a New York-based developer, sold his family's interest in Carnegie Hall to finance the purchase of 6,750 acres of farmland 20 miles west of Washington, D.C., and five miles east of Dulles International Airport, which was under construction at the time. Mr. Simon envisioned building a ``New Town'' based on the following seven principles: 1. That the New Town should provide a wide range of cultural and recreational facilities as well as an environment for privacy. 2. That by providing the fullest range of housing styles and prices, housing needs can be met at a variety of income levels and at different stages of family life. 3. That the importance and dignity of each individual be the focal point for all planning, and take precedence for large-scale concepts. 4. That the people be able to live and work in the same community. 5. That commercial, cultural and recreational facilities be made available to the residents from the outset of the development--not years later. 6. That beauty--structural and natural--is a necessity of the good life and should be fostered. 7. That Reston be a financial success. Mr. Simon and his team produced a plan considered quite radical at the time because it consolidated residences, industry, commerce, schools, places of worship, cultural institutions, natural resources, social, and recreational facilities in an integrated and independent community. Many of its features were inspired by great European cities and the Garden City movement of early 20th century America and serve as models for mixed-use development today. Indeed, the key innovation and lasting success of Reston lies in the way its buildings, infrastructure, and the natural environment have been arranged in ways that encourage a sense of community. Reston also became a pioneer for civil rights. Although racial deed restrictions were very common in Virginia in 1964, to Bob they were ``inconceivable.'' Many lenders refused to finance the first integrated community in the south, but he persevered despite tremendous personal financial risk. As a result, numerous African Americans and others seeking diverse neighborhoods chose to live in Reston in its early years. Today, Reston is home to nearly 60,000 people in approximately 27,000 households as well as 3,000 businesses, several non-profits, and numerous federal, state, and local government agencies employing approximately 60,000 people. People visit from around the world to tour Reston's public art, world-class architecture, festivals, and innovations in environmental stewardship. The socioeconomic diversity, vibrant aesthetics, economic success, and natural beauty we see in Reston today are direct results of the wisdom and courage Bob Simon brought to Northern Virginia 50 years ago. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this milestone for Reston and in wishing Robert E. Simon, Jr. a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Richard Alec Merski, a resident of Virginia's 11th District and the senior division winner of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's 2013 Making Democracy Work student essay contest. The Historical Society is a congressionally chartered educational organization founded in 1962. Its mission is to inform the public about the rich heritage of the Capitol and the Congress. This nationwide contest is open to all students in two categories: a junior division contest for students in grades 6-8 and a senior division contest for students in grades 9-12. The 2013 contest asked students to consider the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the corresponding duties that citizens owe to implement and protect those rights. Essays addressed questions such as how these rights and responsibilities affect students, their families, and the importance of being aware of one's own rights and responsibilities. Students were required to cite sources such as the U.S. Constitution, books, and articles from magazines and newspapers. Entries were judged on the depth of their content, the mastery of the topic, and the skill with which they are written. Mr. Merski is a senior at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, where he will graduate in June. An Honor Roll student, Alec previously attended the Nysmith School in Herndon and Landon School in Bethesda. An avid language student, Alec was one of two students at Landon taking two languages in addition to his courses. Alec spent two summers living with host families in Spain and China in an intensive language program to hone his language skills. He was also the recipient of the Excellence in Foreign Language Award. He served as the President of the China Roundtable of Washington, an annual forum held at the Chinese Embassy allowing experts on China to address current economic, cultural, and educational changes in China. Alec was an active member and officer of Model UN and served as the President of the Environmental Club. Last summer, Alec interned with the United States-Asia Foundation and the International Trade Commission. He plans to major in International Relations and Economics when he enters college this fall. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Alec Merski on this outstanding achievement and in wishing him all the best in his future endeavors. I am confident that this accomplished young man will be successful in whatever path he chooses to follow.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague. This budget--I am not going to call somebody Dracula. I am sure it is sincere--but it is all about cutting taxes at the public's expense. It disinvests in America. So we disinvest in R&D, we disinvest in our future. The gentlelady from Tennessee talked about children and the tax burden. What about their education? What about opportunity? What about the roads and bridges and tunnels and transit systems they won't have because they have crumbled because we have disinvested? That is what this budget is all about. It is absolutely on the wrong path and it is handing over our future to foreign competition. I urge defeat of this budget, and I urge more sensible solutions for the future.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleague, Mr. Royce, the distinguished chairman of our committee, once again for his bipartisan collegiality in the workings of our committee, especially on this important piece of legislation. I want to also rise in strong support of the Taiwan Relations Act Affirmation and Naval Vessel Transfer Act. I am proud to serve, Mr. Speaker, as the cochair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, which has worked to ensure the Taiwan Relations Act remains the linchpin in U.S.-Taiwan relations. I am also proud of the fact, I would say to my friend, the chairman of our committee, that, since 1988, I have actually been to Taiwan 23 times and have seen extraordinary change over those three decades. Since the signing of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, the U.S. and Taiwan have forged a closer partnership to improve cultural and economic relations between our nations. Our partnership has been instrumental in maintaining peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and throughout East Asia. While it is important to mark this historic anniversary, we also should take this opportunity to affirm our--that is to say the American--commitment. As a reflection of that, today's bill authorizes the President to transfer up to four surplus U.S. naval vessels to Taiwan. Taiwan has been a valued partner in combating global terrorism and delivering humanitarian relief when needed. China's recent declaration of an Air Defense Identification Zone and subsequent provocation toward other ships in the region has raised concerns about the possibility of escalation and provocation. That makes the security posture of friends like Taiwan even more precarious and more important and underscores the need for us to continue this defense partnership. The bill also, as the chairman indicated, authorizes the transfer of surplus naval vessels, two each to Mexico and Thailand, both critical defense partners of this Nation. These transfers will enhance the ability of those countries to collaborate with the U.S. Navy on joint or support operations. The bill also provides an overdue modernization of the congressional review process for the licensing of U.S. defense exports. Under the new criteria, congressional review will focus on major defense exports. The bill also will help advance the President's Export Control Reform initiative, which has long been a priority for the high-tech community which I am proud to represent in northern Virginia. I have been working with the House Foreign Affairs Committee for years to reform Federal export controls, which have stifled innovation in the American commercial defense industry and put U.S. exports at a disadvantage. Today's bill updates the process for congressional review of exports to reflect regulatory changes now being implemented by the Departments of State, Commerce, and Defense. As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Taiwan Relations Act, I look forward to working with other friends of Taiwan to reaffirm America's unwavering commitment to this partnership, including trade and investment activities that will benefit both of our nations moving forward. Over the past 60 years, the United States-Taiwan relationship has undergone dramatic changes, but Taiwan's development into a robust, lively democracy underpins the strong U.S.-Taiwan friendship we enjoy today. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join the chairman and me in supporting this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY

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

Mr. CONNOLLY. Let me just say, Mr. Chairman, that I have the utmost respect--and he knows it--of my friend from Oklahoma. No sarcasm was meant. But he might forgive me for being shocked at a speech I took certainly at face value about the need for full information and then a carve-out explicitly in the law, the draft law, that exempts all appropriations. Now, if my friend feels that it is too much work for the CBO with this threshold, then let's name a threshold. But his threshold in this bill is zero. There will be no dynamic scoring by CBO on any appropriations. I think that is not serving the American people well. I don't think that is full disclosure. I don't think that is transparency in government. I don't think that is good government. And I think that suggests we have something to hide around here. And I am sure that is not the message we intended to send. That is the spirit of my amendment, full disclosure. And I am sorry if this means that CBO has to work harder, but we need full disclosure for our citizenry. And that is what this amendment does. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. You know, I listened to my friend from Georgia, and Lord Almighty, do I agree with him. We should have all that information available to us on dynamic scoring, including--and I assume the gentleman will support my amendment--to correct what must have been a mistake in the Republican majority's bill on page 3. Because knowing my friend's commitment to full information available to the public and Members of Congress, I can't imagine line 16 got it right. It must have been a typo because it says here, yes, dynamic scoring by CBO, except--except the Committee on Appropriations of each house. Think about what that means, Mr. Chairman. Every single appropriations bill, the entire funding of the Federal Government, is exempted. I thought my friends wanted full disclosure. I thought they wanted full information. I heard my friend talk about the parallel with the medical profession. No doctor wants to be deprived of key information when making a key decision about a patient, a client. It could be life-and- death. Well, it is no less than here in the House of Representatives. Mr. Chairman, I would say that in response to my friend from Georgia, I have a simple but important amendment to ensure that the broader economic analysis required by the bill is applied equally to all congressional actions. The bill, as currently drafted, as I said, it exempts all appropriations bills. Now, I know some of my friends on the other side of the aisle don't want to acknowledge this, but funding basic research, making transportation improvements, and purchasing ships for the Navy, to name just a few examples in which we invest taxpayer money, have a stimulative effect on the economy. For example, it is estimated that 28,000 construction jobs are created with every $1 billion we invest in transportation infrastructure. In addition, the Federal Government spent $13 billion over the past 25 years supporting the Human Genome Project. That $13 billion Federal investment, it is estimated, had a receipt to it of $780 billion, and counting. We have arrived at the point, Mr. Chairman, sometimes in our debate here on the floor, where we know the cost of everything but the value of nothing. Investments have returns on them. Whatever the cost of the Internet, which originally started out as entirely a Federal investment, DARPANET, whatever that cost, it was worth every penny because the return on it has been transformative throughout the globe. Dwight D. Eisenhower's decision to invest in infrastructure in the interstate highway system, whatever it cost, is a gift that keeps on giving. Its returns continue to this day, and it has helped America. Let's not disinvest in America, and let's make sure we do have full dynamic scoring for all appropriations bills in the spirit that my friend from Georgia has laid down. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Maryland. Listening to the debate on the floor, one feels one is living out an ``Alice in Wonderland'' chapter. My friends on the other side of the aisle continue to repeat their orthodoxy that slashing taxes and slashing spending leads to prosperity. We went down that road in spades under the previous President's administration, President Bush's, and it led to the most ruinous economic performance since the Great Depression. Now they want to sell us a budget, once again, that slashes $5 trillion in this investment. This is actually disinvesting in America. It is disinvesting in research and development. It is disinvesting in human capital. It is disinvesting in education. It is disinvesting in infrastructure. We are handing over our future with this budget and this philosophy to our world competitors, and somebody is going to have to stand on this floor 20 years hence and explain to that generation how a great Congress handed over the country's future to foreign competition.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I am listening to the stories here on the floor. I must say I am a little surprised at this newfound commitment on the other side of the aisle to women. So how about raising the minimum wage for women? How about joining with us in extending unemployment insurance for women? How about the fact that 7.1 million Americans have enrolled in this program you don't like, that you want to call a failure? 7.1 million of our fellow Americans beg to differ, and a lot of them are women. It is not true what you are selling today on the floor, I would say to my friends, Madam Speaker. In fact, women will be the biggest beneficiary of ObamaCare, protecting their families, protecting their health care, protecting their reproductive rights, which you--I would say to my friends on the other side of the aisle, Madam Speaker--would deny. Other than that, yes, you are protecting women. If we are going to be serious about this, Madam Speaker, let's recognize the truth. The truth is this ObamaCare protects the interests of women. This bill would undo it. In fact, the biggest victims of legislative action, if we pass this bill today, will in fact be the very women some of my colleagues have been talking about today. I urge my colleagues who say they are committed to the interests of women to vote against this bad bill and to support the expansion of health care, especially for working women in America.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from New York. Let me begin first by thanking and extending my commendation to the distinguished chairman of our committee, Mr. Royce, and our distinguished ranking member, Mr. Engel. They have comported the Foreign Affairs Committee in a civil and bipartisan, collegial fashion that I think is a model for this Congress, and I wish we could emulate that in more of our committee work and here on the floor of the House of Representatives. They understand, both of them, that foreign policy has to be bipartisan, that the United States' interest must trump partisan issues and interests, and I thank them both for their leadership and their inspiration. I rise in strong support of these two bipartisan bills which contain provisions supported by our committee and the full House in recent weeks. The House initially passed a bill to provide loan guarantees to Ukraine on March 6, and with today's vote, the bill finally will go to the President for his signature. It authorizes $150 million in aid to Ukraine, and another $100 million for this fiscal year for increased U.S. security cooperation among NATO states in response to the situation in Ukraine. This compromise legislation will also codify and expand the sanctions imposed last month by the Obama administration against certain Russian and Ukrainian officials who have undermined the Ukrainian Government or committed human rights abuses. The second bill authorizes up to $10 million for Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty and the Voice of America to increase their broadcasts into eastern Ukraine--including the Crimea, Moldova, and other nearby ethnic Russian communities--consistent with the House-passed bill. As the ranking member just noted, the power of radio certainly was something we saw during the cold war era, where truth could be beamed into homes, people had the courage to listen, and it actually changed minds, hearts, and, ultimately, the politics of the entire Soviet- dominated region. Mr. Speaker, the United States and its allies cannot allow the flagrant violation of sovereignty that occurred by Russia in Crimea in violation of the international law, blatantly, to stand. Doing so would be an abrogation of our moral responsibility as a world power, and it would be turning our backs on the lessons we should have learned from the catastrophic events of the previous century. Mr. Putin's claims that Russian speakers in Crimea were in jeopardy is nothing more than a fabrication and a ruse. Russia's interests were never threatened in the Crimea after the revolution in Kiev. The current treaty with Crimea provided Russia with naval and military privileges and bases through the year 2042. That treaty was never threatened by Kiev. That treaty was never abrogated until the Russians' lower chamber of Parliament voted to abrogate that treaty, as a matter of fact. Putin has learned nothing from history and is, in fact, bent, apparently, on repeating it. Crimea was settled by Stalin to have a Russian majority. He expelled and executed much of the native population of Crimea. Mr. Putin seems to have learned nothing from that history, other than there is power at the end of the barrel of a gun. And the so-called referendum in Crimea was also, frankly, carried out with the assistance of bused-in thugs and at the end of the barrel of a gun. I guess, as I have said before with respect to Mr. Putin, once a KGB agent, always a KGB agent. If Mr. Putin's goal was to deter Ukraine and other former Soviet satellite nations from turning to the West, he has failed miserably. Ukraine and its neighbors are now looking at this aggression and turning even more to the West for their orientation and their support. As they do, the United States and its allies must be there to stand with them against this naked aggression, a raw and reckless act by the Russian Government. I urge my colleagues to support these two bills. Speak with one voice on behalf of the United States Congress, and send a decisive message to the aggressive Mr. Putin and his Russian Government.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend. I also congratulate the ranking member, Mr. Engel, and the chairman, Mr. Royce, for their bipartisan leadership on this critical, critical resolution. Mr. Speaker, apparently, once a KGB agent, always a KGB agent. Mr. Putin seems to have learned nothing from history other than that there is power at the end of the barrel of a gun. To cite the fact that there are Russian speakers in Crimea as a rationale for one of the most audacious power grabs of the 21st century--in Europe, no less--forgets history. Let us not forget that Crimea was settled by Stalin when he expelled and executed the native Tatars, and this recent so-called referendum in Crimea was also done at the end of the barrel of a gun. Russian interests were never threatened in the Crimea after the revolution in Kiev. The new government in Kiev never abrogated the treaty that allowed Russia naval privileges through 2042. The Ukrainians didn't occupy military stations in Crimea and around the region. It was the other way around. For the United States and its allies to allow this naked aggression to go unaddressed would be truly an abrogation of our moral responsibility and would be to turn our backs on the very lessons we should have learned from the 20th century's tragic history. Mr. Speaker, we need to stop talking about the he-better-not-go- further argument. I am stuck at Crimea, and I hope my colleagues are, too. It is wrong. It cannot be allowed to stand, and we must make him pay a price. The difference between now and Stalin's time is that his economy is integrated into the global economy. The ruble will fall. The stock market in Russia will pay a price, and investment will suffer because we will help make it so unless he relents, until they pay a price that is so great--systematic and comprehensive--that he will understand that we no longer operate by the rule of the jungle in Europe or, indeed, anywhere else on this planet, not with our blessing and not with our apology. So I strongly support the legislation before us and urge my colleagues to join with all of us in telling Mr. Putin we will not stand idly by with history doomed to repeat itself.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise, along with the other co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus--Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Representative Albio Sires, and Representative John Carter--to recognize the service of Taiwan's chief diplomat to the United States, Representative Pu-tsung King. During his tenure in our nation's capital, Representative King was an invaluable resource and dear friend to the Taiwan Caucus. We congratulate him on his next assignment as Secretary General of National Security Council for the Republic of China on Taiwan. Representative King earned a Ph.D. in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Communications from Texas Tech University. During his recent tenure, Representative King worked to resume negotiations for the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), turning a new page in trade relations between Taiwan and the United States. He and his team also worked toward passage of a bill which called for Taiwan to be granted observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization. President Obama signed the bill into law in July 2013. As co-chairs of the Taiwan Caucus, we would like to take this opportunity to commemorate the upcoming 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). The legislation established direct relations between Washington, DC, and Taipei. The 35th anniversary represents an important milestone in our long-standing relationship with Taiwan, serving as the foundation for our bilateral economic, security, and trade relations. In closing, we congratulate Representative King and on his successful tenure as Taiwan's top diplomat in the United States. We look forward to working with him in his new capacity and to his enduring friendship.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, this legislation before us today claims to resolve a local and narrow conflict over water rights between the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado ski industry. Unfortunately, this bill's scope and impacts have been expanded far beyond its originally stated intent. Under the guise of addressing a specific local water rights issue the Republican majority is once again trying to tie the hands of agencies across the government as they work to protect and restore our waterways, public lands, and watersheds by restricting all actions that require a federal permit. The deleterious effects, both intended and unintended, resulting from this deeply flawed bill will ripple far and wide across our country including in my region, most notably the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is a national treasure stretching more than 64,000 square miles, encompassing six states, 150 major rivers and streams, and is home to more than 17 million people. It is America's largest estuary. But the Bay is in need of restoration. Since 1983 federal, state, and local stakeholders have worked together to implement and refine the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. As a result we have seen significant improvements in phosphorus and sediment pollution reduction, better management of fisheries including the restoration of blue crab, and restoration of habitats and wetlands. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's 2012 State of the Bay Report, of the 13 indicators being monitored, improvements have been made in five and only one indicator declined. Of particular importance, habitat scores received a B+ and rockfish and crab fishery restoration received an A and B+ respectively. That progress has been achieved only by using all the tools at our disposal, including requiring conditional permitting for water rights. There is still more work to be done to get the Bay restored to full health. That is why I offered an amendment with colleagues from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania that would ensure that no provisions in the bill would affect water rights agreements within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Sadly, the Republican-controlled Rules Committee refused to allow a floor vote on this. One wonders about the true intent of this bill. Why didn't Republicans accept our amendment to protect the Bay? Why did they refuse similar amendments that would protect other local treasures including the Long Island Sound in the Northeast, the Puget Sound in the Northwest, and the California Bay Delta? All of these projects are threatened by this bill. Unless this bill is amended to address these discrete local issues, I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 3189, an overreach that will harm watersheds across the nation.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Principal of the Year Award nominees for Prince William County Public Schools. The Principal of the Year for Prince William County will receive the Distinguished Educational Leadership Award from The Washington Post. Among other skills, nominees must demonstrate the ability to manage effectively, demonstrate and encourage creativity and innovation, and foster a cooperative relationship with students, parents, faculty, staff, and the community. I would like to extend my personal congratulations to the 2013-2014 nominees for Prince William County Schools, Principal of the year award. Skyles Calhoun--Woodbridge Middle School, Robert Eichorn--New Directions, Anita Flemons--Old Bridge Elementary School, David Huckestein--Woodbridge High School, Kathy Notyce--Mullen Elementary School, Amy Schott--Rockledge Elementary School. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Principal of the Year Award nominees for Prince William County Public Schools and in thanking them for their dedication to leadership in our school system. Their continued service will ensure that Prince William County students are provided with a world class education in a more vibrant learning community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Prince William County Public Schools teachers who recently received certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The National Board is an independent nonprofit organization governed by classroom teachers, school administrators, school board leaders, governors, state legislators, higher education officials, teacher union leaders, and business and community leaders. The teachers have met the standards established by the National Board and have undergone a rigorous application process that required they demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and accomplishments that comprise teaching excellence. A Board Certified teacher supports a vision of teaching based on the following five core principles: 1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning; 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students; 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning; 4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience; and 5. Teachers are members of learning communities. I would like to extend my personal congratulations to the following National Board Certified Teachers for receiving their respective certifications. Salome Atkins--Battlefield High School (Renewal), Kellie Bernal-- Gravely Elementary School, Nicole Boissiere--Rosa Parks Elementary School, Sara Bosse--Pennington Traditional, Frantzie Cadet--Vaughan Elementary School, Carla Drew--Osbourn Park High School, Kristina Ferrell--Osbourn Park High School, Donna Garzione--Loch Lomond Elementary School, Erin Hart--Nokesville Elementary School, Mya Hatfield--Marumsco Hills Elementary School, Kelly Haynes--Ashland Elementary School, Anne Hicock--Woodbridge Middle School, Shana Higginbotham--Triangle Elementary School, Marjorie Lathers--Triangle Elementary School. Nicholas Maneno--Old Bridge Elementary School (Renewal), Bridget Mathwin--Coles Elementary School, Courtney McDonald--Bull Run Middle School, Melissa Miller--Ashland Elementary School, Janell Mills-- Featherstone Elementary School, Stephanie Richards--Tyler Elementary School, Melanie Riley--Signal Hill Elementary School, Teresa Shaffstall--Loch Lomond Elementary School, Carla Shaw--Glenkirk Elementary School, Katherine Sherman--Rosa Parks Elementary School, Jayne Sherman--Occoquan Elementary School, Margaret Stout--Antietam Elementary School, Kelle Stroud--Buckland Mills Elementary School, Tammy Vice--River Oaks Elementary School. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending these teachers for their commitment to education and professional development. Prince William County Public Schools delivers a world class education thanks to the tireless efforts of teachers who make excellence the standard.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the nominees for the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award for Prince William County Public Schools. The Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award program was established by The Washington Post to ``recognize excellence in teaching, to encourage creative and quality instruction, and to contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the Washington metropolitan area.'' The annual recipients include one representative from each of the nineteen metropolitan public school systems and a single representative from the area private schools. The winner selected from Prince William County Public Schools will also be named the Prince William County Teacher of the Year. Teachers who meet the criteria for the award are those who instill in students a desire to learn and achieve, understand the individual needs of students, and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and have the ability to share it effectively with students. I would like to extend my personal congratulations to the 2013-2014 Prince William County nominees for the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award: Peter Alouise--Battlefield High School, Barbara Babauta--Graham Park Middle School, Kimberly Black--Henderson Elementary School, Janine Byers--Patriot High School, Matthew Carbo--Brentsville District High School, Carlos Castro--Woodbridge High School, Dina DaSilva--Stonewall Jackson High School, Robert Donaldson--Stonewall Jackson High School, Frank Dunn--Potomac High School, Gerald Fowkes--Gar-Field High School, Frances Gabor--New Dominion Alternative Center, Sara Gill--Osbourn Park High School, Scott Howard--Hylton High School, Lynn Maletick--Bristow Run Elementary School. Ashley Meyer--King Elementary School, Jeanine Mitchell--Buckland Mills Elementary School, Donna Notarantonio--Pennington Traditional School, Matthew Piette--Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School, Kristen Putman--T. Clay Wood Elementary School, Jennifer Ramsey--T. Clay Wood Elementary School, Ramona Richardson--Coles Elementary School, Paul Rischard--Hylton High School, Bethany Robbins--Battlefield High School, Amanda Taylor--Gainesville Middle School, Alyssa Tice--Bel Air Elementary School, William Watts--PACE West School, Nancy Weaver--T. Clay Wood Elementary School, Dorothy Wright--Bel Air Elementary School. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the nominees for the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award in Prince William County and in thanking them for their dedication to our children. Their continued service will ensure that Prince William County students are provided with a world class education in a more vibrant learning community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the many contributions of Zeiders Enterprises in communities here and across the Nation since its founding 30 years ago in Prince William County, VA. The more than 1,000 staff members of Zeiders Enterprises serve in crucial roles as clinical counselors, victim advocates, new parent support specialists, personal financial counselors, transition specialists, spouse education and career counselors, and relocation specialists. Through these activities, Zeiders Enterprises has made a direct, positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, their communities, and the organizations in which they serve. Particularly noteworthy is the role that Zeiders plays in supporting the special needs of military servicemembers and their families. Zeiders Enterprises is a founding sponsor of The Quality of Life Foundation, whose mission is to honor and serve our severely injured combat servicemembers and their families by helping them face the life- changing challenges unique to their situations. Employees at Zeiders contribute outside the workplace through extensive volunteer service. They support the American Red Cross, Peace Corps, local schools, youth development programs, mentoring programs, victim advocate programs, youth sports programs, community orchestras, volunteer fire and rescue departments, and the National Guard and Reserve. Leading by example and helping to create a culture of public service is Mr. Michael Zeiders, CEO and founder. Mr. Zeiders has supported families of wounded warriors nationwide through the Quality of Life Foundation, served on the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board, and is working with the City of Virginia Beach to develop the American Dream Theater to foster emerging artists. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join with me to congratulate Zeiders Enterprises on its 30th anniversary and to pay tribute to the significant contributions its employees have made in improving our communities and the lives of our brave men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Samuel A. Simon on the success of his important one man performance, The Actual Dance. By creating and performing this moving and evocative show, Sam has helped to increase awareness about the lesser-known experience of spouses who have lost loved ones to breast cancer, a cruel and devastating disease that continues to affect far too many Americans. Mr. Simon, a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia, and a close family friend, was inspired to create his one man show when his wife, Susan, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. Sam used his family's personal struggle as a source of inspiration to create a one man drama, so that he could educate and mobilize audiences across the country. He first told the story of his spiritual journey at the 2013 Capital Fringe Festival, right here in Washington, DC. Since then he has performed across the Mid-Atlantic and in New York City, where his performance has earned the praise of audiences and critics alike. He was honored with the 2013 Northern Virginia Theater Alliance Award for Best Production of an Original Play, as well as Best Overall Production. The NVTA also nominated Sam for Best Actor, and in New York, the Midtown International Theatre Festival nominated Sam for Best Playwright. Clearly, Mr. Simon's show is an artistic success. But more than that, by sharing his family's personal experience with breast cancer, Sam has given voice to Americans all across the country who have battled this disease: mothers, sisters, spouses, even Members of Congress. In my home state of Virginia, the number of women diagnosed each year now tops 6,200. Advocates like Sam Simon, who are willing to share their experience and strength, give hope to all the families that suffer because of this terrible disease. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize the contribution of Samuel A. Simon, wish him heartfelt congratulations on his achievements, and urge him on to even greater artistic excellence.