Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic acts of Christopher Mayhew who was recently awarded the Medal of Merit by the Boy Scouts of America for providing first aid to the victim of a car accident. A Medal of Merit, is presented for an outstanding act of service of a rare or exceptional nature that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well being of others. Since it was instituted in 1946, just 6,229 have been awarded. Christopher, who joined Troop 1131 in 2008, is currently a Life Scout and has been a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He was 15 at the time of the incident. On July 27, 2012, Christopher and his family were returning from Virginia Beach. Suddenly, a car in front of them swerved and went off the road, flipping over as it went down an embankment. Christopher immediately directed his mother to stop the car to help. He jumped out of the car, asked his mother to dial 911 and ran down the hill to the wrecked car, which was barely visible from the road. The car had landed on its wheels and the driver and passenger were able to get out of the car. The driver had numerous cuts from broken glass, some deep, on his arms, face and head. Christopher ran back to his own car and retrieved the only first aid supplies he could find--paper napkins and a bottle of water--and ran back down to help clean up the driver's cuts and apply pressure to one deep cut to slow the bleeding. He continued to provide first aid until the rescue squad arrived. For his actions Christopher received a letter of Commendation from the Chief of the James City County Volunteer Fire Department, whose EMT unit was the one on the scene. The Boy Scouts' Medal of Merit awards nomination process is a long and involved one. To determine if an action is worthy of special recognition, witnesses to the event must first contact the Unit Leader. The Unit Leader gathers facts and documentation to make a determination if the event warrants further attention. If so, he submits the information to an Area Council. If the Awards Committee at the Area Council decides the nomination is worthy of consideration, it conducts face-to-face interviews of the Scout and witnesses. The Awards Committee may then submit the nomination to the National Scout Headquarters in Irving, Texas. The nomination is then reviewed at the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and if approved, the National Court of Honor makes the award. In 2012, just 126 Scouts earned the Medal of Merit. Christopher's heroic actions exemplify the Scout motto: Be Prepared! The founder of the Boy Scouts in England, Robert Baden-Powell explained that to Be Prepared ``means you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.'' Christopher was prepared through his training to provide first aid, but technical skills alone could not have prepared him for the situation he confronted that day. More importantly, he was prepared mentally to react immediately and had the fortitude to risk his own safety in order to help others. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Christopher Mayhew of Fairfax County, Virginia, for the remarkable bravery and skill he demonstrated in this harrowing situation and in congratulating him on this well-deserved honor. I also thank the Boy Scouts for continuing to teach young men to be prepared to serve others in need.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding group of first responders and public safety officers who have been honored with the First Annual Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce ``Above and Beyond'' Award. These awards honor Fairfax County Firefighters, EMTs, Police Officers and Sheriff's Deputies who give back to the Greater Springfield area by providing service to the community outside their normal duties. In addition to the immeasurable contributions made every day in the line of duty, these men and women have distinguished themselves through their extraordinary efforts in the community, which largely go unseen. They willingly volunteer their personal time, energies, and support to activities for the betterment of our children, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life. It is my honor to enter the names of the following individuals into the Congressional Record: Captain II Fred Brandell, who is assigned to Company 5 at the Franconia Fire Station, has led his crew to become one the nation's top fundraising fire stations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and also in serving at the Central Virginia Burn Camp, where young people who have suffered a traumatic burn can have fun like every other kid. Detective Monica Meeks of the Fairfax County Police Department's Franconia Station is passionate about victims' rights and the prevention of domestic violence. She lectures at community events and organizes seminars at schools. She works closely with area abuse shelters whether she is on or off duty. During the holidays she arranges for truckloads of toys, supplies, and gift cards to be donated and transported to children's shelters throughout the county. Private First Class Omecihuatl Mann serves in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office's Records/Transportation Section. She also devotes hundreds of hours to the Fairfax County Public Library system as a weekly library volunteer and board member of the Friends of the Library. She has collected and distributed more than 10,000 books in the past four years. Beneficiaries include the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and NOVACO, which provides transitional housing and services for mothers and children, who have fled situations of domestic abuse. Private First Class James L. Thur is assigned to the Fairfax County Police Department's West Springfield District Station. Besides his own patrol officer responsibilities, he ensures his coworkers are well equipped and able to complete their duties. PFC Thur will drop what he is doing to assist with any cruiser issue, ranging from a burned out light bulb to a dropped transmission. In his spare time, he serves as a volunteer fire fighter. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and thanking each of the brave men and women who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve our community. They are part of The Bravest and The Finest who collectively ensure that Fairfax County remains one of the nation's safest communities in which to live, work, and raise a family. Moreover, the volunteer service exhibited by these honorees is one of the hallmarks of what has made Fairfax the thriving community it is today, and because of their efforts, that tradition will carry on for future generations.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Organization of Korean American Women (OKAW) on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Nearly 1 out of every 4 of the residents in the 11th Congressional District of Virginia is foreign born. Asian Americans comprise the largest ethnic group, including a large Korean American community. The transition to a new home country can be daunting; adapting to different customs and learning a new language are only two of the challenges that face every immigrant. OKAW has distinguished itself through its services to assist those adapting to their new home so they can become full participants in our American society. OKAW also supports The House of Hope and the Artemis Shelter which serve the needs of the most vulnerable immigrants--women who are struggling with poverty or are victims of domestic violence, abuse, or persecution. These organizations provide women with financial support, shelter, and legal assistance so they can gain the skills necessary to overcome language and cultural barriers and become self-sufficient. These efforts are truly commendable, but as activists and humanitarians, OKAW has again expanded its reach to address another need--support of our wounded warriors and their families. The upcoming anniversary gala will include a special tribute to veterans of the Korean War. In addition, OKAW will make a special contribution of $20,000 to two organizations which provide assistance to our wounded warriors and their families. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Organization of Korean American Women on the occasion of its 50th anniversary and in commending OKAW for its decades of service to our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John and Jeanette Mason, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this month. As John and Jeanette have discovered, the secret to a successful marriage is having a supportive partner. Interestingly enough, this same quality serves as the foundation for strong and vibrant communities. John and Jeanette's commitment not only to one another but also to our community has touched the lives of countless families in Fairfax City and across Northern Virginia, and I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this wonderful couple. John's public service began with the U.S. Army, where he served for 21 years before retiring as a Colonel. Any longtime resident of Northern Virginia is familiar with the tremendous work done during John's 14-year tenure as the Mayor of the City of Fairfax, where his leadership ensured adoption of the city's ``2020 Plan,'' which became the roadmap for Fairfax City's revitalization efforts. Moreover, John is responsible for spearheading the redevelopment of Old Town Fairfax, including the new City of Fairfax Regional Library that serves as the anchor for the area's redevelopment efforts. John and Jeanette were instrumental in the building of the beautiful Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax City and countless other community projects that have ensured Fairfax remains one of the region's top-rated communities in which to live, work, and raise a family. I have had the privilege of working closely with John on many of the issues he is most passionate about and dedicated to, including the future of transportation in Northern Virginia. After retiring from the Army, John was tapped by SAIC for his expertise on transportation issues, and with Jeanette's support, John's decision to enter public service once again ensured that Northern Virginia benefitted from his wealth of knowledge on transportation policy. Through John's tireless work on the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, he became the go-to elected official on regional transportation issues. Over the years, John became a force to be reckoned with. As many can attest, few individuals know more than John does about bus fleets, congestion patterns, Metro, or commuter delays in Northern Virginia. John's work on the Fairfax County-Fairfax City Interjurisdictional Committee and his belief in vigorous good neighbor policies elevated the relationship between the City and County to new heights. In addition, John worked to strengthen the City's ties with neighboring George Mason University, which would not enjoy the prominence it does today without John's advocacy for a robust relationship between the university and the surrounding community. More recently, John and Jeanette have made incalculable contributions to Fairfax's local arts community. John has served as the Chairman of the Arts Council of Fairfax County and as the President of the Fairfax Symphony. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, where he oversees all aspects of the art center's planning and operations. He is also the founder and president of Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts, an annual three-week festival that showcases artists in local venues. And of course, many of the region's music patrons are familiar with John and Jeanette's active support of the City of Fairfax Band Association, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, not to mention many other orchestras across Northern Virginia. John and Jeanette's marriage is a testament to the durability of a loving relationship, and our community continues to benefit mightily from the local contributions from their partnership. John would happily admit that his many accomplishments would not be possible without the love and support of Jeanette. Her care, love, and support during John's battle with cancer assured his return to vigor, ensuring a healthy retirement spent with their children, John Jr., Joanna, and Jeffrey, and their grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating John and Jeanette Mason on their 50th anniversary and in wishing them many more years of happiness.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michelle and Gil Trenum on receiving the Sports Legacy Institute's, SLI, Legacy Award for their role in improving programs for concussion management in Prince William County, Virginia. I also commend SLI on the occasion of its 3rd Annual Tom McHale Memorial for its commitment to improving the prevention and treatment of concussions. The Sports Legacy Institute is a non-profit organization that uses medical research, treatment, education and prevention to minimize the threat of concussions. Each year the Sports Legacy Institute sponsors the Tom McHale Memorial to benefit its efforts to lower the risks and end the tragic effects of brain trauma. Tom McHale was a collegiate and professional football player as well as a successful business owner. McHale tragically died at the age of 45 and later became the sixth former NFL player diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, CTE. CTE is a degenerative brain disease linked to a history of concussions and head injuries. Michelle and Gil Trenum have championed concussion management and CTE education within the Prince William County Public Schools. The Trenums became advocates for more comprehensive concussion education after losing their own son, Austin, to the effects of multiple concussions and CTE. In 2010, Austin was a mature, vibrant, charismatic 17-year-old student at Brentsville District High School. Everyone who knew Austin says that he loved his family, his friends, and football. He played fullback and linebacker on his high school varsity football team. After Austin's untimely death in September of 2010, his parents donated his brain to Boston University, where doctors discovered injuries consistent with CTE. Since then, Gil, a representative on the Prince William County School Board, along with his wife, Michelle, have pushed for urgent comprehensive changes to the parent and student concussion education laws. As a result of their advocacy, Prince William County Schools implemented concussion education policies an entire year earlier than originally required by the state. Concussion education in Prince William County includes a mandatory one-hour seminar for students trying out for sports and their parents. The policy also has strict return-to-play guidelines and thorough concussion education for school athletic trainers. I commend the Trenums for transforming their grief into an opportunity to achieve systemic changes that will help local athletes, coaches, and parents make better decisions concerning concussion management. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our appreciation to Michelle and Gil Trenum for making sports safer for our children. The Sports Legacy Institute chose deserving recipients for its Legacy Award. The Trenums have proven to be passionate and effective advocates on behalf of concussion prevention and treatment.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from California, Ms. Chu, for her leadership and my colleague, Mr. Polis, from Colorado. I couldn't be in more congenial company on an amendment that I think is very simple and straightforward. The American people are entitled to transparency. As Mr. Polis indicated, leaks are inevitable, and any pipeline corrodes. Especially with this kind of crude oil, which is highly corrosive, you're going to have leaks. The American people are entitled to know the cost of cleanup and the dangers to the environment. I think that's fairly straightforward. I know my colleagues share in the value of transparency in government, and I think that we should be doing that here with the pipeline. I support the amendment and urge its adoption.

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

Mr. CONNOLLY. I would simply say in response to my friend from Pennsylvania, for whom I have great respect, that this is not redundant because the review process looks at a lot of things--stress, corrosion, improper operation, weather-related disaster, even vandalism. It does not, however, address acts of terrorism. That is why I do not believe that my amendment is redundant. Frankly, in light of recent events in this country, we must double- check and be double sure that that which we build as sensitive as a pipeline is secure. I think Americans are entitled to that extra security. I don't consider it a redundancy, and I urge passage of the amendment. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this commonsense amendment that seeks to protect the pipeline from a possible terrorist attack and to ensure our national security. This simple amendment requests that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, consistent with its existing MOU, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place. Across the United States, more than a half million miles of pipelines transport natural gas, oil, and other hazardous liquids. Within this network, nearly 180,000 miles of pipeline carry hazardous liquids, including more than 75 percent of our country's crude oil and 60 percent of all of its petroleum products. This important network connects our power plants, ports, refineries, airports, and military bases. While these pipelines are no doubt critical to the U.S. energy supply, we must also recognize the potential threat. Sadly, as the recent bombing in Boston--my hometown--demonstrated, America must always be on the alert to a terrorist attack on our own soil, sometimes even a native-born one. All it takes is a few bad actors to inflict terrible damage. Unfortunately, our Nation's pipelines remain an easy target. Both domestically and globally, pipelines have been a favorite of terrorists. There have been attempted attacks on pipelines throughout the world, including in Colombia, Canada, London, Nigeria, and Mexico, to name a few. The Cano Limon oilfield in Colombia has been bombed more than 950 times since 1993, for example. Here in the United States, fortunately, we don't face that kind of threat every day, but the threat is still real. Since September 11, Federal authorities have continued to acknowledge that our pipelines are a possible target. In June of 2007, the Department of Justice actually arrested members of another terrorist group planning to attack jet fuel pipelines in storage containers at JFK Airport in New York; in 2011, a U.S. citizen was arrested for planting an improvised explosive device under a pipeline in Oklahoma; and in June of 2012, a man was arrested for trying to blow up a pipeline in Texas. Even a single individual with a grudge can wreak havoc with a pipeline and cause substantial harm. In 2001, a vandal armed with a high-powered rifle shot at a section of the trans-Alaska pipeline, causing extensive economic and environmental damage. Recognizing that this threat is real, my simple amendment asks that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration work with Homeland Security to study the vulnerabilities of the Keystone pipeline and certify that protections are put in place to withstand such attacks. If constructed, the Keystone will represent a 1,700-mile target. The very least we can do, if we're going to do that, is to ensure we have protections in place to protect both the source of our energy and our national security. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. I thank my friend from Massachusetts. I've got to say, listening to my friends on the other side of the aisle, they give revisionist history a bad name. They want us all to somehow forget how the recession began and on whose watch. It began under George W. Bush, not Barack Obama. It ended under Barack Obama. My friend from Texas talks about the job loss. That was on George W. Bush's watch, when we were losing almost 700,000 jobs a month. On average, this year, we've been creating 208,000 jobs a month--and it would be more but for the Republican gutting of public sector investment that's already cost us 600,000 jobs and shaved a full point off unemployment. In other words, unemployment would be one point lower than it is today but for their efforts. They want you to forget the Wall Street meltdown that required TARP-- on their watch. Now they decry Dodd-Frank as if it caused the meltdown, that it is this hobnail boot on the jugular of the poor banking community and investment community and Wall Street, which, if removed, would unleash unparalleled economic activity--the consumer and the investor, not so much. Let's call this bill what it is--a naked attempt to undermine the investor and consumer protections of Dodd-Frank and tilt the table once again in favor of Wall Street, at the direct expense of Main Street investors. This bill would render what should be the SEC's primary focus-- investor protection--an ephemeral objective at best. Why else would this bill codify some of the best practices of the executive order, but then conveniently omit any assessment of the benefits accrued by greater investor protection? They want you to believe the narrative that regulation only involves cost. But regulation also includes benefits to protect investors, to protect homeowners, to protect senior citizens. That's why AARP has expressed concern about this bill. That's why we should defeat the rule.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's latest forecast says this year's Federal deficit will shrink by 41 percent compared to last year's. That point bears repeating. The deficit is shrinking--and dramatically--thanks to the bipartisan actions taken by this Congress earlier this year. The CBO now projects a deficit of $642 billion, which is $200 billion less than projected just 3 months ago, the lowest level since 2008. Just 4 years ago, the deficit was over 10 percent of our GDP. This year, it's projected to fall below 5 percent-- half of what it was just 4 years ago. Now, I understand that this news may not fit neatly within the narrative of our friends on the other side of the aisle, who, just as they did in the summer of 2011 unfortunately, tried just last week to manufacture yet another debt crisis where none exists. I would note that it was only a few months ago that we worked together in a bipartisan fashion to suspend the debt limit. On the heels of our New Year's Day compromise on the tax portions of the fiscal cliff, my Republican colleagues recognized the dangers of yet another debt showdown on the markets and on the possibility of downgrading U.S. creditworthiness; but rather than build on that rare moment of bipartisan comity and work with Democrats on a balanced plan to put our Nation back on the path of fiscal responsibility, House Republicans doubled down. They pushed ahead with their ``cut spending at any cost'' agenda. They pushed through a continuing resolution that baked in the harmful cuts of sequestration, which is a self-inflicted wound on our economy. Ironically, House Republicans just last week pushed through on a party-line vote a bill that claims to protect the full faith and credit of the United States when, in reality, it would only place it more at risk by suggesting we won't be good for our debt. Furthermore, many of my Republican colleagues have relied on this debt crisis research done by two economists, Messrs. Reinhart and Rogoff, who have suggested that high levels of public debt always lead to lower rates of economic growth. That research has been the foundation of Republican austerity proposals in America, including the last three versions of the Ryan budget, which decimate public investments in our communities and the economy in the name of deficit reduction. It turns out the researchers aggregated the data incorrectly. They couldn't even read the Excel sheets properly, and that dramatically shifted the findings to show growth for high debt countries was more than 2 percent higher than they said it was, and it turns out there is no magical threshold of 90 percent that always leads to, in fact, economic contraction. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Raising the debt limit is not a license to spend more money. It simply ensures that America will be good for its current debts and obligations. We've been good for that since Alexander Hamilton established the U.S. Treasury in George Washington's first Cabinet. The bipartisan agreement to suspend the debt ceiling expires this weekend, but with this latest forecast, the CBO now says that that limit probably won't be reached until October or November of this year. Most news reports suggest this will reduce the political pressure to achieve a bipartisan deal on further reducing the deficit in a balanced way. I'd argue the urgency still remains and that this window of time presents us with a perfect opportunity for bipartisan negotiations to resume without the specter of that sort of debt ceiling limit over our heads immediately. I am dismayed that my Republican friends continue to shun their own party's heritage for making strategic investments in infrastructure and innovation in favor of a blind adherence to slashing government spending with no acknowledgment for the consequences. I've consistently said that Federal spending must be reduced, but I've also said that it must be done in tandem with maintaining strategic Federal investments in things that create jobs, like R&D, infrastructure, innovation. I would suggest that my Republican friends look no further than the GDP growth from the last two quarters, showing it's not the Federal debt but their meat-ax approach to cutting those Federal investments that, in fact, has created what drag there is on the U.S. economy. The last time Republicans played games with the debt ceiling we registered the lowest monthly job growth in 3 years; the stock market tumbled; and the S&P, for the first time ever, downgraded U.S. debt. The latest jobs numbers show we've been adding 208,000 jobs a month on average since November, prompting a surge in confidence reflected by the market's climb to record levels. I implore my friends on the other side of the aisle to use this time to work with us on a balanced approach to deficit reduction and economic growth.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the extraordinary life of one of Fairfax County's more iconic figures, Mayo Sturdevant Stuntz, who passed away May 9, at the age of 97. Mr. Stuntz not only witnessed the historical events that shaped our community, but he and his family also dedicated themselves to documenting, sharing, and preserving that history for future generations. A native of Vienna, Va., Mr. Stuntz spent his early years serving his country. After graduating from Cornell University, he served with the U.S. Army for five years during World War II, where he was a member of the renowned Alamo Scouts reconnaissance unit based in the South Pacific. He went on to serve 25 years with the Central Intelligence Agency. Those accomplishments alone merit our great praise and thanks, but it was what Mr. Stuntz did during his retirement that will leave a lasting imprint on our community. Mr. Stuntz inherited from his parents an interest in history that grew into a hobby and ultimately became his true passion. His family is steeped in Fairfax County and our nation's history. He was a descendent of a Hessian soldier who came to the colonies during the Revolutionary War to fight for the British but wound up switching sides once he learned the impetus for the war. Mr. Stuntz also was a descendent of the Fitzhugh family, which traces its roots in America to the early 1600s. The family owned a large tract of what later became Fairfax County. At one point, the Fitzhughs were close family friends of George and Martha Washington, who had settled in eastern Fairfax, and another Fitzhugh descendant married Robert E. Lee. Concerned with the disappearing character along the main street in Vienna that he recalled from his youth, Mr. Stuntz set out in the 1960s to photograph every house on Route 123 between Tysons Corner and Oakton. His wife, Connie, was soon pulled into the project, which eventually led the publishing of three books: ``This Was Vienna,'' ``This Was Tysons Corner,'' and ``This Was Virginia.'' It was also during the mid-1960s that Mr. Stuntz was recruited to join the Fairfax Landmarks Preservation Committee, which would serve as a precursor to the Fairfax History Commission. In a 2005 oral history interview, he said his initial goal was to create a book of historical buildings and homes similar to one he had seen done in neighboring Arlington County. ``I didn't realize Arlington is about one-tenth the size of Fairfax County, and I bit off a great deal to chew . . . and I'm still chewing.'' All told, Mr. Stuntz spent 47 years on the Commission, chronicling and preserving our community's rich history and culture. In addition to the books he and his wife published, he regularly lectured in local classrooms and community centers. He readily acknowledged that he was not a trained historian, but his local knowledge went back a piece, and he understood the value in connecting the past with our present. It was those connections that continued to drive him, even in his later years, when he lost his sight. I had the great pleasure of collaborating with Mr. Stuntz on Civil War preservation and a number of historic marker dedications during my tenure on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. You could not help but get carried along by his vast knowledge and passion for our local history. I was able to spend time with Mr. Stuntz earlier this spring when we celebrated the Freeman Store, a local Civil War landmark, being added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was particularly poignant for him as he was the first chairman of the Freeman House ad hoc Historical Commission. His daughter, Anne, is now president of the Commission's successor, Historic Vienna. As we reflected on this latest addition to his historic tally, he pulled me aside to ask me if I had purchased my plot at Flint Hill Cemetery. It is believed to be the oldest cemetery in Fairfax County, and Mr. Stuntz had served as president of the cemetery association for 50 years. He had long encouraged me to get a plot before they were all gone, and even now was still trying to close the deal. He was truly a character. Mr. Stuntz is survived by his wife of 66 years, Connie, their three children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and in commemorating the remarkable life of Mayo Stuntz for his tremendous service to our country and community and in extending our deepest sympathies to his family. His strong connection and commitment to our community became a lifelong passion that has preserved milestones in our history for future generations and inspired others to pick up where he left off. He also was my friend, and I shall miss his smile and warm presence terribly.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate the participants and winners from the Council for the Arts of Herndon's Ninth Annual SAIC Technology and the Arts Competition. The Technology and the Arts program grew out of a desire to offer computer savvy teens a way to showcase their abilities in an artistic format. The innovative program challenges students in all Fairfax and Arlington county high schools to create works of animation, digital art, digital music, and digital photography by blending technology and artistry into one cutting-edge masterpiece. Students submit entries at their schools, and teachers are tasked with selecting which works will be entered into the contest. Works are judged by professionals and experts in the field, and awards are given for first place through honorable mention in each category. This program also showcases how creativity extends beyond the arts into a crucial component of our local and national economies. Technology has been the driving force behind Fairfax County's economic expansion for the past two decades. Knowledge-based enterprises directly employ more than 140,000 people in Fairfax County and some of the world's leading technology firms are headquartered here. America remains the world's leader in technology innovation primarily because of the creativity and ingenuity of these companies. This event is not just about art, it is also about laying the foundation for America's competitiveness in a global market place. I am pleased to congratulate the following winners of the Technology and the Arts Competition and to enter their names into the Congressional Record: SAIC Sponsor Award: Briana Bui--Taken By The Wind. CAH Board of Director's Choice: Dean Dickinson Effects of Music. Digital Art: 1st Place, Kelly Park--Bottle Memories, 2nd Place, Marvin Funes--Untitled, 3rd Place, Aileen Kenny--Bite Your Lip and Tell a Lie, Honorable Mention, J Lash--Found, Honorable Mention, Lauve Gladstone--Feather Brush, Honorable Mention, Dylan Staniszewski-- Painting with Poison, Honorable Mention, Heather--Pham Dream, Honorable Mention, Kevin Jo--Jazz Player, Honorable Mention, Roya Sodeifi-- Fourth, Honorable Mention, Tony Lunsford--Ticking Transformation. Digital Photography: 1st Place, Dakota James--Spring Snow, 2nd Place, Wray Sinclair--Photography, 3rd Place, Kyle Kirkpatrick--Hit the Nail on the Head, Honorable Mention, Marisa Ross--Dryer. Animation: 1st Place, Max Johnson--Dispense, 2nd Place, Samuel Eddy-- Neerstorten, 3rd Place, Ian Jelliffe- Fat Lady Sings, Honorable Mention, Kevin Dang--A Day in the Life of a Pencil--Falls Church High School. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this year's winners and thanking SAIC, the Council for the Arts of Herndon, as well as the educators, parents, and community partners for their support of these students and this competition.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, it was seven years ago today that two Fairfax County police officers were killed outside the Sully District Police Station in a tragedy that galvanized our community. I was Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at the time. Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino and Detective Vicki Armel showed tremendous courage, heroism, and self-sacrifice in protecting their fellow officers when a troubled young man launched an assault on the station with an arsenal of high-powered weapons. They were the first officers to be killed in the line of duty in the Fairfax County Police Department's 72-year history. MPO Garbarino, 53, had just returned to the station and was sitting in his cruiser, preparing to go off duty, when he was shot. Detective Armel, 40, was at her car nearby, preparing to respond to a report of a carjacking. We later discovered that the shooter, 18-year-old Michael Kennedy, had a history of mental illness. The assailant stole a van and drove to the station armed with two rifles and five handguns. Detective Armel immediately returned fire, but she was fatally wounded when a high-powered round pierced her protective vest. She died on scene. Despite his injuries, MPO Garbarino was able to use his police radio to call for assistance and provide tactical information to responding officers that led to the killing of the shooter and prevented further casualties at the Sully Police Station. In standing their posts, they saved other lives. MPO Garbarino was transported to the hospital in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries nine days later. He was a 23-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department. He was a mentor to many young people in our community and regularly volunteered at one of the local alternative high schools. He is survived by his wife, Susan, their two children, his parents, and a sister. Detective Armel was a 17-year law enforcement veteran. A graduate of Fairfax High School, she spent eight years with the Fairfax Sheriff's Department before transferring to the Police Department. She was active in the Mountain View Community Church in Culpeper, and she is survived by her husband, Tyler, who also serves as a detective in Fairfax, and their two children. This tragedy was a grim reminder that we can never take for granted the outstanding work of our men and women in blue who put themselves in harm's way every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. The remarkable heroism and bravery displayed by MPO Garbarino and Detective Armel exemplifies the valor of all our public safety personnel and first responders and reflects their commitment to our community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the memory of these outstanding police officers and extending our condolences to their families. They and their brothers and sisters in the public safety community are deserving of our highest praise and appreciation.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the sixteen fallen law enforcement officers who lived or served in Prince William County, Virginia, between 1922 and 2012. I commend the Prince William County Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (PWCCPAAA) for their memorial and tribute service for these fallen heroes. The PWCCPAAA was founded in 1993 under the leadership of former Police Chief Charlie Deane. The Association hosts a National Police Week and facilitates citizen training programs to promote interaction between the Police Department and county residents. I would like to join the PWCCPAAA in memorializing the law enforcement officers who lost their lives protecting the public from harm and danger. It is my honor to enter into the Congressional Record the names of the fallen law enforcement officer who lived or served in Prince William County between 1922 and 2012: Justice of the Peace Thomas Semms Meredith; July 22, 1922; Prince William County Circuit Court, Virginia. Trooper Jackie M. Bussard; May 5, 1970; Virginia State Police. Officer Paul T. White Jr.; October 27, 1973; Prince William County Police. Investigator Claude Everett Seymour; April 25, 1975; Virginia State Police. Trooper Johnny R. Bowman; August 19, 1984; Virginia State Police. Sergeant John D. Conner, III; July 24, 1988; Manassas City Police. Officer Philip M. Pennington; November 22, 1990; Prince William County Police. Trooper Jose M. Cavazos; February 24, 1993; Virginia State Police. Special Agent William H. Christian, Jr.; May 29, 1995; Federal Bureau of Investigation. Detective John M. Gibson; July 24, 1998; United States Capitol Police. Officer Marlon F. Morales; June 13, 2001; Washington D.C. Metropolitan Transit Police. Second Lt. Francis Joseph Stecco; October 25, 2008; Fairfax County Police. Special Agent Chad L. Michael; October 26, 2009; Drug Enforcement Administration. Special Agent Forrest N. Leamon; October 26, 2009; Drug Enforcement Administration. Officer Paul Michael Dittamo; October 30, 2010; Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Officer Chris Yung; December 31, 2012; Prince William County Police. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring these sixteen fallen law enforcement officers. I extend my personal appreciation to the Prince William County Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association for their continued dedication to strengthening the relationship between the Police Department and county residents. With this tribute, we honor the memories and lives of the officers and the sacrifices made by them and their families to keep our community safe.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize George Lizama as this year's Northern Virginia Family Services Community Champion and also to honor Earle and June Williams who have been named the 2013 Northern Virginia Family Services Legends of Northern Virginia. Since its founding in 1924, Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) has addressed the growing needs of families throughout our region. NVFS works to improve its clients' lives through a variety of programs in five mission initiatives: housing, child and family enrichment, health access, emergency assistance, and workforce development. Today, 33,000 individuals and families receive assistance each year. The Community Champion Award is a recognition given each year to someone who has made immeasurable contributions to children and families in Northern Virginia. More than 25 years ago, George Lizama founded Production Solutions and PS Digital, one of the country's largest mail and digital marketing firms providing services to numerous nonprofit organizations, such as the American Heart Association, Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, Capital Area Food Bank, and Human Rights Campaign. Whether he's in a march for the homeless or cleaning up a park, George carries a strong sense of duty and gains a great deal of reward in volunteering. He embodies passion around the clock. In fact, one cannot distinguish the ``business George'' from the ``volunteer George.'' During his 14-year involvement with NVFS, George served on the Board of Directors for 11 years and chaired the Gala Sponsorship and Auction Committees. George is receiving NVFS' Community Champion Award this year in recognition of his unwavering sense of excellence in service to his company, his industry, his community, but most of all because George is ``passion personified'' and one of the most dedicated volunteers you will ever encounter. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have lived in Northern Virginia since 1970 when Earle's company, BDM International, Inc. relocated to McLean. In 1972, he became President and CEO of BDM, where he served until his retirement in 1992. Under his leadership, BDM's employment grew tenfold to 4,300 and annual revenue grew 550% to $424 million. Earle is an Emeritus Director and Past Chairman of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Emeritus Director and Past Chairman of the Business/Industry Political Action Committee, past Chairman of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, past Chairman of the Naval Research Advisory Committee, a Permanent Director and Past International Chairman of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, and former member of the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges. In addition to being involved in her husband's work at BDM, June became deeply involved in the community. She participated in a major way in the George Mason University annual Arts Gala, joined the Capital Speakers Club, became involved in P.E.O. (a philanthropic educational women's organization), joined Achievement Rewards for College Scientists, and served on the Board of the Fairfax Symphony. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending NVFS for 89 years of service to our region's most vulnerable families and congratulating this year's deserving honorees. I also thank the staff, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners for their dedication and ongoing support of NVFS.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as the Direct Deposit and Direct Payment via ACH Month. Administered by NACHA--The Electronic Payments Association, and governed by the NACHA Operating Rules, the ACH Network facilitates direct account-to-account consumer, business, and government payments, and links virtually every one of the more than 13,000 financial institutions in the country. I commend NACHA's commitment to consumers and to providing a safe, secure, and reliable network for direct account-to-account consumer, business, and government payments. The California, Georgia, New England, and Upper Midwest ACH Associations formed NACHA in 1974 to establish uniform operating rules for the exchange of Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments among ACH associations. With the aid of ACH, financial institutions located anywhere in the United States have been able to exchange ACH payments under a common set of rules and procedures since 1978. Annually, the Network processes more than 21 billion Direct Deposit and Direct Payment transactions totaling almost $37 trillion. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing May as Direct Deposit and Direct Payment via ACH Month.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Reverend Dr. Eugene Johnson on his 20th Pastoral Anniversary at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centreville, Virginia. Mount Olive Baptist Church has served the spiritual needs of those in the Centreville and Northern Virginia communities for nearly 120 years, and Dr. Johnson's leadership has positioned this institution for another century of success. Rev. Dr. Eugene Johnson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in nearby Oakville. His father was a minister and his mother worked avidly for the good of the community. Dr. Johnson received a Bachelors of Architecture Degree from Southern University, Baton Rouge, in 1970. He earned his Master of Divinity Degree at Howard University in 1989, and in 2006, the Richmond Virginia Seminary conferred on him the prestigious Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree for his exemplary leadership and service. Before assuming full time pastoral duties at Mount Olive, Dr. Johnson was known as a national expert in design, art, and architecture. He served as the principle Resident Architect with the Federal Highway Administration and was credited as being the first African American in many of the agency's national accomplishments. Dr. Johnson has been recognized for his efforts that resulted in the designation of ``All- American Road'' to the historic Selma-to-Montgomery March for Voting Rights route. This march, led by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., began on March 21, 1965 with 3,200 marchers. Four days later, on March 25, 1965, 25,000 marchers had joined. In 1992, Dr. Eugene Johnson assumed the leadership of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Under his guidance, the Church has experienced unprecedented growth in not only the number of members, but also in its activities and influence. Membership has increased nearly ten-fold from 250 members in 1992 to more than 2,000 today, including many young people. Dr. Johnson has led efforts to expand the Church's influence in the larger community, creating ministries to encourage health and physical fitness, provide tutoring, SAT/PSAT prep, and computer skills training, and serve the spiritual needs of others in our community, including seniors and those who are incarcerated. He has also established partnerships with local schools to foster the academic achievement of minority students. He is an active supporter and participant in foreign mission programs, and under his leadership, Mount Olive has extended its outreach activities around the globe. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Rev. Dr. Eugene Johnson on this momentous occasion, and in commending him for his contributions and service to Mount Olive Baptist Church and our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 2013 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards. The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line everyday to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. The individuals we honor with these awards have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to public safety. It is with great pride and honor that I submit the recipients of the 2013 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards into the Congressional Record: The recipient of the Hillary Robinette Award: Master Detective David Abbott, Manassas City Police Department. The Silver Valor Award recipients from the Prince William County Police Department: Officer Joshua Boughman, Officer Luke Dean, and Officer Michael Scarsella. The Bronze Valor Award recipients from the Manassas City Police Department: Officer Chris Golick and Officer Adam Plourde. The Bronze Valor Award recipients from the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue: Captain Erik McCoy, Technician I Raymond Sanez, Technician I Cager Mackaravitz, Lieutenant Walter Hunt, Technician II David Thomas, and Technician II Samuel Kaye. The Bronze Valor Award recipient from the Provost Marshal Office, Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA: Officer Michael Rivera. The Lifesaving Award recipient from the Manassas City Police Department: PFC Dann Villanueva. The Lifesaving Award recipients from the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue: Technician II Christopher Gant, Technician II Matthew McClurg, Technician II Chanse Twyman, Technician II Luke Deatley, Technician I Michael Hendrickson, and Technician I Keith Kraus. The Lifesaving Award recipients from the Prince William County Police Department: Officer Michael Pope, Officer Jonathan Zarkauskas, Officer Dirk Jan Cumings, Officer Trevin A. Frame, Officer Daniel C. Guinn, Officer Gary Brunelle, Officer John G. Franklin, Officer Robert J. Davis, Officer Eric J. Garecht, Officer Kelly R. Anderson, TCIV Tracy Zingg, and Sergeant Jeff H. Good. The Lifesaving Award recipient from the Provost Marshal Office, Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA: Officer Bradley J. Montoya. The recipient of the Investigative Merit Award from the Prince William County Police Department: The Special Victims Bureau. The recipients of the Investigative Merit Award from the Joint Task Force of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, Prince William Police Department, the Commonwealth's Attorney Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Lt. Dave Cooper, Lt. Brad Miller, Lt. Angel Tyson, Special Agent Chad Campanell, and Special Agent Paul Parisi. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men and women of our public safety community. Their efforts are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable individuals.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Today, we passed a fix for the FAA and for air traffic controllers because of a problem created by sequestration. But we only have 10 fingers. There are many more holes in the dike than 10. We've already plugged the hole on the Pentagon. We've already plugged the hole on food inspectors at USDA. Today, we plug another one. Sooner or later, we have to recognize the dike itself is being undermined by something called sequestration. The time has come for Congress to put aside partisan wrangling. It's time for the majority to show leadership and appoint conferees to a budget so we can actually work this out in a sensible way, not a meat-ax, reckless way, and get things done for the American people. Sequestration is not rocket science, but it will remain beyond us if we continue the partisan fighting we've had in this House.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. I thank my dear friend from New York, the ranking member of the Rules Committee. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleague to oppose the previous question so we can bring up a proven jobs bill for consideration, rather than rehash the same old critiques for the 36th time on the Affordable Care Act. Just last week, the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston warned that if job creation doesn't pick up soon, we run the risk of long-term unemployment becoming a structural rather than cyclical problem within our economy. Despite more than 6 million new jobs being created in the last 4 years, the lingering effects of the Great Recession continue to be a drag on the labor market. Unemployment in the construction sector, particularly, is nearly double the national rate, with hiring down 2 million from its peak in 2006. I have introduced the Put America Back to Work Act, H.R. 535, which would permanently reauthorize the successful Build America Bonds program at a more revenue-neutral rate. In just 2 years, that program, Madam Speaker, supported $181 billion in community infrastructure projects in every State of the Union and created thousands of new jobs. Every dollar of Federal investment leveraged $41 in private sector funds to help our State and local governments recover and construct the needed infrastructure throughout the country. Local governments issued more than $275 million in new bonds, with one of the largest projects completing a missing segment of a cross-county parkway in my district that now links major employment centers. Reauthorizing Build America Bonds is part of the President's Rebuild America Partnership initiative, and it is part of the Make It In America agenda put forth by Steny Hoyer, our minority whip. More important, it has the strong support of investors, local governments, State governments, and construction companies throughout the United States. Build America Bonds helped provide 36 percent of all municipal bond sales back in 2009-2010 when, literally, municipal bonds had stopped being issued. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in opposing the previous question so we can bring up H.R. 535. Let's do something for America, its localities, its States, its crumbling infrastructure. These investments reap large and long-term returns. Look at the interstate highway system, a gift that keeps on giving 65 years later. Defeating the previous question will allow us to come together finally on a bipartisan basis and do something for our country. Build America Bonds is an idea whose time has arrived.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to my distinguished colleague and our friend from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chairwoman, I just want to thank the distinguished chairman and the distinguished ranking member of the committee for their leadership and for their cooperation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger).