Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chairwoman, this amendment represents a commonsense improvement to H.R. 624, which I support, that simply narrows the scope of the authorization for the intelligence community to share classified--I stress, classified--cyber threat intelligence with private sector entities and utilities. As my colleagues are aware, the administration and some leading voices from the civil liberties and privacy rights communities have raised serious concerns with CISPA as reported out of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. These concerns revolve around the fact that many provisions of CISPA are perhaps perceived as overly vague, or outright silent, with respect to limiting the scope of information sharing and mitigating the risk of unintended consequences. For example, section 2 of CISPA, titled ``Cyber Threat Intelligence and Information Sharing,'' is silent on what specific purposes classified cyber threat intelligence may be used, retained, or further disclosed by a certified entity. As reported, section 2 only requires that the DNI's procedures governing the sharing of classified cyber threat intelligence between the intelligence community and private sector entities be ``consistent with the need to protect the national security of the United States'' and used by certified entities ``in a manner which protects cyber threat intelligence from unauthorized disclosure.'' In this particular instance, I believe the concerns raised over the potential unintentional consequences from vagueness are real, valid, and ought to be addressed. I also believe it's a false choice that we must somehow choose between effective cybersecurity initiatives on the one hand and preserving the sacred civil liberties and privacy rights we hold so dear as a Nation on the other. In many cases, defining or limiting the scope of authority would go a long way toward addressing the privacy concerns that have been raised with respect to this legislation. To be clear, I want to recognize that the sponsors of CISPA have already engaged in good faith efforts to incorporate and address outstanding concerns with respect to the legislation that were held by the administration and other stakeholders, and I think that needs to be recognized. On that note, I am pleased that my amendment that was made in order represents a straightforward improvement, I hope, to CISPA that's consistent with the sponsor's stated commitment to enhancing cybersecurity, safeguarding privacy rights and civil liberties, and ensuring oversight of activity. The amendment simply establishes that, with respect to CISPA's requirements, the DNI establish procedures to govern the sharing of classified cyber threat intelligence--that this classified cyber threat intelligence may only be used, retained, or further disclosed by a certified entity for cybersecurity purposes. As noted by the ACLU in its statement of support for the amendment, it's consistent with similar restrictions limiting the scope of other information sharing activities addressed in other parts of the bill. The straightforward enhancement will be one of many needed improvements to the bill that will ensure it is a targeted, well-defined bill that directly--and only--strengthens our national cybersecurity. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. I would inquire of the Chair how much time is remaining.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate W.T. Woodson High School on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. Since the school opened its doors in September of 1962, W.T. Woodson High School has been known for being one of the top public high schools, not only in Virginia but also in the nation. The school was named for Mr. Wilbert Tucker Woodson, who served as superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools from 1929 to 1961. Woodson excels in every area including academics, athletics, music, and student clubs and activities. Year after year, Woodson is featured in the top 100 list of U. S. public schools in Newsweek and U. S. News & World Report, and it continually ranks near the top in Fairfax County in the numbers of National Merit Scholars. Academic awards have included grand prizes at the county Science Fair, and numerous scholarships. In 2011, teacher Sam Gee led his team to the first ever win on ``It's Academic.'' A recent study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that Woodson's students outperform students in every country and region in the world except Shanghai-China in reading. In the 1980s, Woodson received The Washington Post Athletic All- Around (all sports) Award. Athletics continues to be a part of the ``Woodson Way''--the school has won 177 District Titles, 65 Regional Titles, and 30 State Titles in all areas of athletic competition. Music has also had a strong tradition at Woodson. The choral music department presents a mammoth production each February known as ``Dessert on Broadway.'' The Cavalier Band has won top honors in national competitions. The orchestra is renowned for its talented musicians. The choral group traveled to Vienna, Austria, and Paris, where students performed at Notre Dame. In 2011, The Chamber Ensemble had the honor of being chosen to perform at the White House. The Cavalier (yearbook), The Cavalcade (newspaper) and the P.A.G.E. Literary Magazine annually take top awards in state and national publications competitions. Finally, Woodson's vision includes academic excellence for all members of the community. Woodson is now home to a center for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and a center for students with emotional and learning disabilities. The building is one of the most used in Fairfax County, as it houses both Adult Education and Night School. On a personal note, as the father of a Woodson graduate, I can speak firsthand to the high-quality educational experience and supportive atmosphere cultivated by the Woodson staff and community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise to join me in congratulating W. T. Woodson High School on its 50th Anniversary and in thanking the dedicated educators, administrators, and families for their shared commitment to our youth.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. It will conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests commensurate with the risk posed to agency information systems and collaborate with OMB and appropriate public- and private-sector security operations centers on security incidents that extend beyond the control of the agency to require that security incidents be reported through an automated and continuous monitoring capability to the Federal Information Security Incident Center, appropriate security operations centers, and respective agency Offices of Inspector General. Mr. Speaker, I join the distinguished chairman and ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee in urging all Members to support this critical bipartisan cybersecurity legislation that is urgently needed to provide Federal agencies with the necessary tools to effectively secure our Federal information systems. With that, I thank them both for their leadership on this critical matter.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished ranking member, my friend from Maryland, and I also thank the distinguished chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. I proudly join them in cosponsoring this legislation and rising in strong support of H.R. 1136, the Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2013. The chairman and ranking member of the full committee have worked in a bipartisan fashion to advance this bill to the floor today, and they deserve great credit. H.R. 1163 is desperately needed to address a looming and critical threat to our Nation's economic and national security. As the Government Accountability Office testified before our committee in its 2013 High Risk Report, the number of cyber incidents has grown exponentially among Federal agencies and, for that matter, in the private sector. Specifically, in the year 2006, they reported 5,503 cyber incidents to the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team. Six years later, that same number was 48,562, which is an astounding 782 percent increase in just 6 years. According to the Government Accountability Office, cyber attacks involving Federal systems and critical infrastructure, Mr. Speaker, could be devastating to the country. Yet, its audits have consistently revealed information security deficiencies in public and private, financial and nonfinancial systems. More troubling, despite producing hundreds of recommendations over the past 2 fiscal years that would address security-control deficiencies, the majority of GAO's recommendations have, in fact, not been fully implemented. Unfortunately, vital Federal assets and missions will remain at high risk for fraud, misuse, and disruption unless agencies fully implement the literally hundreds of recommendations made by the GAO and various offices of the inspectors general aimed at strengthening the security of critical information systems. The sophisticated and rapidly involving cybersecurity threat has outpaced the security framework established by the former Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002. FISMA's static, compliance-based framework, as noted by both the ranking member and the distinguished chairman of the committee, must be enhanced. It can't be used as a substitute for developing strategies to counter this threat. I believe this bipartisan legislation will accomplish that goal by enhancing FISMA to promote a more dynamic, risk-based approach that leverages current technology to implement continuous monitoring of networks and systems. Specifically, the Federal Information Security Amendments Act will direct agencies to test and evaluate information security controls and techniques and conduct threat assessments by monitoring information systems and identifying potential system vulnerabilities.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the volunteers of the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna and to thank them for their many contributions to the Northern Virginia community. Organized in 1997, the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna is a non-profit that provides services to help older adults continue living independently, and it offers programs that supply opportunities for enrichment, learning, and socialization. The center works to support older residents who want to age in place in their homes and to engage them in social activities. Every year, approximately 200 volunteers for the Shepherd's Center serve as medical drivers, companion drivers, friendly callers and visitors, health and wellness counselors, fundraisers, and grant writers. These volunteers run programs such as Lunch n' Life, Adventures in Learning, trips and outings, special events, and caregivers' support groups. Services are available free of charge to anyone age 50 or older who resides in the local community. The Shepherd's Center has also been recognized as ``One of the Best'' 2012-13 by the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington and the 2012 Nonprofit of the Year award from the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce. The services and programs offered by this extraordinary organization help to ensure that our seniors stay connected to the community through promotion of active lifestyles, ongoing social integration, and availability of resources for older residents to use their experience, training, and skills in significant roles in society. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the Shepherd Center of Oakton-Vienna for the services which enable older adults in our community to age in place and enjoy their golden years with dignity and independence. I thank the many volunteers who generously dedicate their time and efforts to the welfare of our neighbors. The value of their contributions cannot be overstated and are deserving of our highest praise.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Fairfax County resident Anne Altman, who is being honored with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute for Excellence in Sales & Business Development, IES&BD. The IES&BD was created to demonstrate excellence in business sales and development and to help organizations maximize their efforts. The IES&BD Excellence in Sales & Business Development Awards recognize Greater Washington teams and organizations who demonstrate exemplary performance through leadership, risk taking, innovation, vision, and customer development. Anne Altman is General Manager, IBM Global Public Sector based in Herndon, Virginia. Her portfolio spans global government, including U.S. federal government, state and local agencies, as well as education, health care, life sciences and pharmaceutical clients. Ms. Altman's career at IBM has spanned three decades, and she previously served as General Manager for IBM's Public Sector with responsibilities for global government, state and local agencies, as well as education and health care. Ms. Altman is a recipient of the prestigious Eagle Award, one of the highest honors issued to technology partners serving the Federal market. In addition, her many other accolades in the IT sector include: Federal Computer Week's Top Federal 100, Washingtonian Magazine Top Tech Titans, Washington's 100 Most Powerful Women, the AFFIRM Leadership Award for Industry, the CIO Council's Azimuth Award for the Industry Executive of the Year, and a Lifetime Achievement Heroines award from the March of Dimes and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. She is a recognized authority on federal IT matters and has testified on behalf of IBM before congressional committees on a range of topics including national security, technology in the military and intelligence communities, ``smarter'' government, intelligent transportation, cloud computing, business analytics software, and the role of innovation to drive economic growth and government R&D. Her work has been featured in leading industry and national news publications, including The Washington Post, Associated Press, Federal Computer Week, Business Week, The New York Times, Washington Technology, Government Computer News, InformationWeek, among others. Ms. Altman also has contributed to key government-related review boards for organizations such as the National Academy of Public Administration, the National Science Academy and the Private Sector Council. Ms. Altman also has established a strong record of community engagement, serving on the executive committees of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, National Symphony Orchestra, and National Kidney Foundation. She also serves on the executive council for the Dean of George Mason University's School of Management. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Anne Altman as the IES&BD's 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and for her many contributions to the federal IT procurement field and our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, the DRCC, for its ongoing dedication to local businesses and our community and to congratulate the 2013 ``Stars Over Dulles'' Award recipients. This year, at the 18th Annual Stars Over Dulles Award Gala, the DRCC will honor those extraordinary businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizens in our region who enhance our economy and quality of life through their excellent vision and initiatives. The gala will also raise money for the USO Metropolitan Washington as well as two organizations which serve the homeless: Final Salute, Inc. whose mission is to provide homeless female veterans with safe and suitable housing, and the Fairfax County Public Schools Homeless Liaison Office which assists homeless students in the county. Finally, many wounded warriors will attend as special guests. As the former Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and now as a Member of Congress representing much of this community, I have been proud to partner with the DRCC on promoting the region's pro- business climate and celebrating the service so many individuals and businesses provide to our community. I am pleased to join the DRCC in congratulating the following recipients of the 2013 Stars Over Dulles Awards: Large Business of the Year: Cardinal Bank, Reston. Mid-Sized Business of the Year: Exhibit Edge Inc., Chantilly. Small Business of the Year: Xango, Oak Hill. Small Non-Profit of the Year: Final Salute Inc., Haymarket. Large Non-Profit of the Year: FACETS, Fairfax. Business Citizens of the Year: Justin Exner, Vice President, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp., Gainesville and Robert Kessler, President, Systems Furniture Gallery, Chantilly. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 2013 Stars Over Dulles Award recipients and in thanking these businesses, non-profits and individuals for their many contributions to our regions' economic success and quality of life. I also commend the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, its member businesses, and the sponsors of this event for their support of at-risk veterans and children in our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients of the 22nd Annual Best of Reston Awards for Community Service and the Robert E. Simon Lifetime Achievement Award. The Best of Reston Awards are the result of collaboration between Reston Interfaith and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and are presented to individuals, organizations and businesses that have put forth extraordinary effort in service to our community and improving the lives of others. Founded in 1970, Reston Interfaith is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing social services to vulnerable individuals in Reston, Herndon, and the surrounding area. Its mission is to ``promote self-sufficiency through direct support and advocacy for our neighbors in need of food, immediate shelter, affordable housing, quality child care, and other human services.'' Reston Interfaith has reached out to 250,000 neighbors-in-need, helping them overcome tough economic times in an already high cost-of-living region. I am pleased to submit the names of the following recipients of the 2013 Best of Reston: Individual Community Leader: Doug Bushee, founder of the CORE Foundation, which assists individuals and groups in raising money for nonprofits such as Reston Interfaith and the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation. Doug has also served on the boards of the Reston Association and Leadership Fairfax, Inc. and has coached youth sports in the area. Individual Community Leader: Ed Robichaud, for his years of volunteering with many diverse organizations including the Reston Museum, the Reston Bicycle Club, RA Bike Rodeo for children, Reston Community Orchestra, Travelers' Aid at Dulles Airport, and Wolf Trap. Civic/Community Organization Leader: Friends of the Reston Regional Library, for 40 years of support of the public library in its efforts to improve its collections, service, and programs offered to patrons and for sponsoring book sales which generate nearly $100,000 annually for the library. Civic/Community Organization Leader: YMCA Fairfax County--Reston, for its efforts in fostering the spiritual, mental, and physical development of youngsters, adults, families, and communities, including afterschool programs and summer camps for at-risk youth. Small Business Leader: Mayflowers, a flower shop in Reston Town Center whose owner has donated floral designs to many charity events in support of worthy causes such as the National Institute of Health Children's Gala, IPAR, Camp Sunshine, Best of Reston, and Feed the Hungry. Corporate Business Leader: John Marshall Bank, a community bank being honored for its encouragement of volunteerism and philanthropy. In 2012, the bank raised $30,000 for charity though its annual golf tournament, and bank employees donated hundreds of hours volunteering in the community. Recently the bank expanded its philanthropic efforts to include support for wounded warriors and holiday gifts to children of the incarcerated. Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriguez Young Leaders--Entrusting our Community's Future Award: Amanda Andere, who is the executive director the nonprofit FACETS, which helps low-income Fairfax County residents in need. Amanda also serves as a deacon at Reston's Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church, a board member of Reston Association, an adjunct professor at George Mason University, and as Chair of the Steering Committee of Nonprofit NoVa. Robert E. Simon Lifetime Achievement Award: William G. Bouie, for 25 years of serving the community in ways too numerous to list. Notable examples include serving as Chair of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, Chair of the Reston Community Center Board, President of the Friends of Reston, Vice Chair of the Board of the Initiative for Public Art--Reston, Reston YMCA Board, Vice Chair and Secretary of the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts Associates Board, President of Reston Youth Baseball, assistant district administrator for Little League Baseball of Northern Virginia, and the United States Olympic Committee. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Reston Interfaith and its 2013 honorees for their continued commitment to our community. I express my sincere gratitude to these individuals for contributing their time and energy to the betterment of our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Associations and the honorees of its 63rd Annual Awards Banquet. The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations is a coalition of civic and homeowners associations from across Fairfax County. Each year, the Federation honors a select few individuals for their extraordinary contributions to our community. Five individuals are being recognized for their dedication and years of service to the residents of Fairfax County. As a former two-term President of the Federation, as well as the former president of my own civic association in Mantua, I understand that those who volunteer their time, energies, and talents to civic activities play a role in why Fairfax County is ranked as one of the best communities in the nation to live, work and raise a family. I am honored to recognize the following individuals for their service to the community: 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award: Katherine Hanley for nearly 40 years of tireless efforts at every level of public service ranging from her local homeowners association board, to Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, to Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Ms. Hanley's leadership has been pivotal in transforming Northern Virginia into a community that is envied and used as a model throughout the country. She has devoted herself to causes such as human services, homeless prevention, education, health care services, arts, education, and reduction of gang activity. She has also been a leader in the areas of transportation and the transformation of Tysons. Under her leadership as Chairman, Fairfax County was named ``Best Managed County''. Ms. Hanley was also named a ``Washingtonian of the Year'' in 2000 by Washingtonian Magazine; and in 2002, she received the ``Distinguished Service Award'' from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. 2012 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year: Peter Murphy for his 30 years of service on the Fairfax County Planning Commission, 25 of which he has served as Chairman. During this time Mr. Murphy has been responsible for overseeing enormous growth and development and implementation of management policies and procedures. In recognition of his contributions, Mr. Murphy has received numerous awards including the Department of the Army Commander's Award (Medal) for Public Service (2009); the 2007 Lawrence V. Fowler Award, the 2006 Katherine K. Hanley Public Service Award from Leadership Fairfax, Inc.; and the Times Courier Citizen of the Year Award. 2012 Citation of Merit: Rose Chu for her decades of service in the areas of health care, senior citizen assistance, and issues of importance to the Asian community. Since 1987, Ms. Chu has served on the Fairfax County Health Care Advisory Board. Ms. Chu is also Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Community Advisory Committee for the Community Health Care Network which provides primary health care serves for 20,000 Northern Virginia residents. In addition, Ms. Chu is one of the founders of the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans of Virginia, CAPAVA, and currently serves as its Secretary. 2012 Citation of Merit: Phyllis Payne for her fervent work as an advocate for our children. Ms. Payne is a co-founder of Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal, SLEEP, which she represents on the Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition and the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax. She is a founding member in the Fairfax Education Coalition and has served with PTA and PTSA/PTSO organizations. Ms. Payne was an at-large representative for the Fairfax County Public Schools, FCPS, School Health Advisory Committee, and a member of the FCPS Transportation Task Force. All children who have attended public school in Fairfax County have benefited from her efforts on their behalf. 2012 Special Gratitude Award: Kyle Talente for his dedication and contributions to Fairfax County's community revitalization efforts. Mr. Talente served on the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, SFDC, Board of Directors for eight years, the final three as President. After stepping down in 2012, he continued to serve the SFDC on the Advisory Committee. Mr. Talente has also served on the Fairfax County Community Revitalization and Reinvestment Advisory Group and on the Hopkins House Academy Budget and Personnel Policy Committee. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these incredible individuals and in congratulating them on being honored by the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations. Civic engagement is the root of a community, and due to these individuals, Fairfax County residents can enjoy an excellent quality of life. The contributions and leadership of these honorees have been a great benefit to our community and truly merit our highest praise.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2013 recipients of the Dale City Multicultural Achievement Awards sponsored by the Dale City Christian Church. The Dale City Multicultural Achievement Awards began in 1984 to educate youth about the achievements of African- Americans under the adopted motto, ``For if a man does not know his history, he cannot know his future.'' Currently in its 29th year, the Dale City Multicultural Achievement Awards banquet is an annual event honoring individuals who show an exceptional devotion to their community through service. The purpose of the event is two-fold: To highlight the extraordinary work of individuals who are improving the lives of people within the local community and to offer scholarship assistance to high school seniors pursuing higher education. The banquet promotes higher education and independence by providing guidance and financial assistance to students, which helps instill the honorees with national, community, and family pride. The 2013 recipients are graduating high school seniors, public servants, business leaders, local church leaders, and members of the Dale City Christian Church congregation. It is my honor to enter into the Congressional Record the names of the recipients of the 2013 Dale City Multicultural Achievement Awards: Pastoral Leadership Award: Dr. Derek Grier. Religious Leadership Award: Rev. Morris Bussie. Educational Leadership Award: Ms. Anita Flemons, Mr. Terrence Davenport. Professional Leadership Award: Dr. Kiana Rene Trent. Community Service Award: Dale City Sports Club, Cecil and Veronica Anderson. Business Achievement Award: Ms. Michelle McKinney. Christian Service Award: Ms. Marguerette Swift, Mr. Thomas Martin. Faithfulness Award: Deaconess Edna Fulcher, Trustee George Boggs. Dedicated Christian Family Award: Deacon Bedford, Deaconess Karen King and Family. Senior Leadership Award: Miss Tyra Bland. Senior Christian Service Award: Miss Dene Middleton, Master Latrell Riley. Junior Leadership Award: Master Kyle Stokes. Junior Christian Service Award: Miss Faith Leftridge, Master Samuel Thomas. 2013 High School Senior Scholarship Recipients: Miss Tyra Bland, Miss Marquetta Inabinet, Miss Dene Middleton, Master Latrell Riley. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the 2013 Dale City Multicultural Achievement Awards recipients for their dedication to building and maintaining a thriving community. Each recipient has made an impact on Dale City and with these awards we hope to show them how much their contributions are appreciated.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Cate Fulkerson of Reston for her recognition as the Reston Citizen Association Citizen of the Year for 2012. The Reston Citizens Association was founded in 1967 to promote and protect Reston's founding principles by serving as a non-partisan forum for all residents and as an advocate for the community with County and State governments. The RCA Citizen of the Year award dates back to 1976 and is awarded to someone whose actions are consistent with the goals of Reston and the RCA. Recipients are recognized for contributing to the quality of life in Reston and for helping people in need. Cate Fulkerson, a Reston native, is best known throughout the community for her various roles on the staff of the Reston Association, where she has worked since 1991 and now serves as second in command of an 80-person staff. Countless Restonians have benefitted from her outstanding customer service, efficiency, and professionalism. Cate insists that no one who contacts her organization with a problem or question is ever told to ``call someone else.'' Cate's service also extends deep into the community and she is well known as a ``powerhouse of enthusiasm'' in many endeavors. She has led the effort to bring the Character Counts program and Ethics Day to Reston schools, helped plan Reston's annual Martin Luther King Day celebration, organized walks to help the homeless, collected Christmas presents for needy kids, and served as Board President of Leadership Fairfax. Her dedication to Reston has been recognized by multiple community organizations, including the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, which presented Cate with its Volunteer of the Year for 2012. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise to join me in congratulating Cate Fulkerson for this award and thanking her for her committed and selfless service to our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe that all Americans, particularly Federal workers, should pay their taxes in full and on time, period. Fortunately, according to the most recent tax compliance statistics from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the vast majority of Federal workers, more than 96 percent, pay their taxes in full and on time. This admirable compliance rate is especially impressive when considering that the Nation's overall compliance rate is approximately 83 percent. Further, with an average delinquency rate for Federal employees of 3.3 percent, compared to an average delinquency rate of 7.4 percent for all American taxpayers, it is clear that our dedicated civil servants take their tax obligations seriously. In addition, for the small minority of Federal employees who fall behind on their taxes, the causes of financial hardship are not unique to Federal workers, but similar to the challenges and circumstances facing many middle class American families who find themselves temporarily unable to meet their tax obligations as a result of life-changing hardships, such as a divorce, serious illness, or a spouse losing a job. Simply put, H.R. 249 is a solution in search of a problem. The Congressional Budget Office cost estimate found that implementing H.R. 249 will cost taxpayers $1 million in 2014 and about $500,000 in subsequent years, since it will not enhance revenues. Although it may seem counterintuitive that the so-called ``Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act'' would increase the deficit, it is logical when one considers current law. Presently, the law provides for a hierarchy of penalties based on the seriousness and willfulness of the offense related to improperly filing a tax return, and it provides IRS the authority to garnish wages to recoup owed taxes from employees. H.R. 249 would replace this system with an inflexible mandate to fire any Federal employee with an outstanding tax debt to the Federal Government for which a public lien has been filed. If my Republican colleagues are so concerned about tax delinquency, then why not use the $1 million cost of this legislation to hire additional IRS enforcement agents to chip away at our Nation's net tax gap of approximately $385 billion? We recently held a hearing where the head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office stated that the tax gap is the single largest item we can address to achieve savings. Could it be that actually recognizing such valuable work does not fit neatly with their negative narrative of the Federal workforce? Spending more than $1 million to implement H.R. 249, which only targets our country's civil servants and does nothing to address our Nation's $385 billion tax gap, is neither a prudent nor wise policy response. I urge all Members to oppose this legislation.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies and their commitment to the community. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will recognize 36 individuals in a variety of categories including: the Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze or Silver Medal of Valor. Five members of the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I submit the names of the following award recipients: 2013 Silver Medal of Valor Recipient: Master Deputy Sheriff Curtis A. LeMay 2013 Life Saving Award Recipients: Correctional Technician Mark J. Richey, Private First Class Brandon A. Pitts, Private First Class Morgan R. Walker, and Master Deputy Sheriff Dwight D. Greear. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2013 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, which is hosting its 65th Annual Installation of Officers Banquet, to thank its volunteers for filling an essential role in keeping the community safe. The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was founded in January 1948, and for 65 years has provided lifesaving, fire suppression/prevention and emergency medical/rescue services to the residents of Burke, Fairfax County, and the surrounding communities. It also provides, houses, and maintains firefighting and emergency medical equipment; provides opportunities for professional growth and development for the membership; and maintains and fosters a strong viable organization. As one of the most active volunteer fire and rescue departments in Fairfax County, the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department works in cooperation with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department to serve the community. Last year alone, the Burke station handled 3,384 incidents and 4,881 unit responses. For 2013, the following dedicated men and women deserve special recognition for stepping up to become officers and members of the board of directors: Chief: Thomas Warnock. Assistant Chief: Lawrence Bocknek. Deputy Chiefs: Tina Godfrey and John Hudak. Captain; Melissa Ashby. Lieutenant: Keith O'Connor. Sergeants: John Rose and Jennifer Babic. President: Patrick Owens. Vice President: John Powers. Secretary: Larry Barnett. Treasurer: Sheryl Gilhooly. Board Members: L. Joseph Dumas, Crystal Eden, and Alisha Sunde. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the department for 65 years of service and in thanking all of the brave volunteers who do not hesitate to drop everything when the community calls in need of help. To all of these men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect our residents I say: ``Stay safe.''

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my dear friend and mentor Jean Packard on her 90th birthday. Jean, who moved to Fairfax County in 1951, got her start in public life the same way I did--as president of her neighborhood civic association. She likes to say that her first ``win'' was convincing the county to pick up trash--a humble start to what would become five decades of community leadership, particularly on the environmental. Jean was unabashed environmentalist long before most people knew the meaning of that word. Jean's activities soon branched out beyond her neighborhood, and she was elected president of the Fairfax Federation of Citizens Associations. She was elected Chairman of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, serving from 1972 to 1976. During that time, she also served as chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. She later became the first woman in Virginia elected to serve on a regional soil and water conservation district board, a post in which she still serves today. She has held numerous other positions including: the state Soil and Water Conservation Board, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, the Fairfax Land Preservation Trust, and the Sierra Club's national board. For her extraordinary service to the citizens of Fairfax County, Jean has received many well-deserved awards and honors including Fairfax County Citizen of the Year, Fairfax County Conservationist of the Year, and the Architecture Medal for Virginia Service from the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects. In 2010, I was honored to present Jean with the Fairfax County Park Authority's Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award, which is named in memory of our dear friend and fellow community leader. In further recognition of Jean's contributions to environmental causes, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust's lifetime achievement award was renamed the Jean R. Packard Award in her honor in 2011. It is no exaggeration to say that without Jean's dedication and passion for our community and the environment, Virginia would have more erosion, dirtier water, and fewer trees. Fairfax County in particular would not be the green, nationally-recognized environmental steward it is today. Mr. Speaker, I asked my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jean Packard on her 90th birthday and thanking her for her decades of service to our community and future generations through her environmental stewardship and example of civic engagement.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize and give thanks acknowledge and give thanks to Volunteer Fairfax and the extraordinary honorees of the 21st Annual Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards. Volunteer Fairfax matches the skills and interests of volunteers to the needs of local non-profit organizations. Volunteer time and services valued at nearly $1 million are contributed annually to more than 900 public and private non-profit agencies, which enables these organizations to meet crucial community needs. With great pleasure, I submit the following names of the Service Award honorees into the Congressional Record: Community Champions: Amy Gould, Braddock District; Bill Sudow, Dranesville District; Stuart Rakoff, Hunter Mill District; Suzette Kern, Lee District; Ken and Camille Mittelholtz, Mason District; Shep Crow, Mount District; Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Providence District; Cherilyn Murphy, Springfield District; Yom Chu Kim, Sully District; Stella Koch, At-Large. Adult Volunteer 250 Hours & Over: Hazel Poole. Adult Volunteer 250 Hours & Under: Robin Falci. Adult Volunteer Group: Gracing Spaces. Corporate Volunteer Program: Balfour Beatty Spirit. Fairfax County Volunteer: Bobbi Cippel. Fairfax County Volunteer Program: Stronger Together Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program. Family Volunteer: The Jenkins Family. Lifetime Achievement: Irma Clifton. Integrate Individual: Alcira Pernot. Integrate Group: Centreville Immigration Forum. Rising Star: Mike Sneed. Senior Volunteer: Ann Marquis. Volunteer Program: Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Youth Volunteer: Benjamin Roodberg. Youth Volunteer Group: Messiah in Mission from Messiah United Methodist Church. Youth Benchmark 100 Honorees: Sandhya Chandar, Laura Kidd, Aiden Levy, Gabrielle Levy, Christopher Marty, Erin McFarland, Abrar Omeish, Timothy Pham, Katherine Rohloff, Benjamin Roodberg, Madeline Roodberg, Zack Sanders, Zoe Smith, Leilani Wolf. Benchmark 250 Honorees: Jael Abdelwahed, Terry Angelotti, Kathi Baker, Maureen Barrett, Leona Bates, Ruth Benker, Charles Camp, Mark Cohen, Robert Dutrow, Denise Echols, Leslie Fetty, Anne Fogle, Emilie Gillanders, Johan Glembocki, Richard Goehner, Ginger Higgins, Debra Hoeg, David Kline, Cathy Lanni, Melissa Lopes, Michelle Lord, Ludeane Maughan, Bev Morse, Peter Mory, Alcira Pernot, Jane Perry, Helen Repasy, Sarah Samuel, Ruth Schrott, Vince Sescoe, Mike Sneed, Emily Ward, Grace Wolf. Benchmark 500 Honorees: Mary Anne Cummins, Don Di Spirito, Mary Lee Di Spirito, Mary Ann Lecos, Andrew Levy, Ann Marquis, Diane Sandford. Benchmark 1000 Honorees: Mohammad Alam, Naila Alam. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues and I join in acknowledging Volunteer Fairfax for 37 years of outstanding community service and in thanking the 2013 Service Award honorees for their incredible contributions to our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies and their commitment to the community. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will recognize 36 individuals in a variety of categories including: the Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, the Bronze Medal of Valor, and the Silver Medal of Valor. Twenty-six members of the Fairfax County Police Department are being honored for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I submit the names of the following Valor Award Recipients: 2013 Silver Medal of Valor Recipients: Second Lieutenant Erik H. Roads, Officer First Class Eric W. Crago, and Police Officer First Class Thomas R. Divers. 2013 Bronze Medal of Valor Recipients: Police Officer First Class Luis A. Castellon, Police Officer First Class Matthew W. Stanfield, and Officer Kenneth I. Hunt, III. 2013 Certificate of Valor Recipients: Police Officer First Class Sean P. Corcoran, Police Officer First Class John R. Diffley, Police Officer First Class Peter E. Focazio, Police Officer First Class Michael R. Row, Police Officer First Class Anthony P. Stancampiano, and Officer Bradley E. Chiz. 2013 Lifesaving Award Recipients: Officer Kristen M. Bennett, Police Officer First Class Kenneth M. Bridgeman, Police Officer First Class Alan C. Cordray, Police Officer First Class Timothy S. Evans, Police Officer First Class Dana V. Ferreira, Police Officer First Class Brooks R. Gillingham (2 Lifesaving Awards), Police Officer First Class Christopher B. Hutchison, Police Officer First Class Richard A. Juchnewicz, Police Officer First Class Christopher W. Munson, Police Officer First Class Brendan T. Murphy, Police Officer First Class Ali Sepehri (2 Lifesaving Awards), Police Officer First Class Robert E. Welch, Master Police Officer Maureen M. McKeon, and Detective Annie R. Mack-Evans (Retired) Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2013 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies and their commitment to the community. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will recognize 36 individuals in a variety of categories including: the Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze or Silver Medal of Valor. Five members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I submit the names of the following award recipients: 2013 Bronze Medal of Valor Recipients: Captain II Jerome Williams, Technician Rudy Iturrino, and Volunteer EMT Brandy L. Walker. 2013 Certificate of Valor Recipients: Captain I Timothy O. Barb and Captain I William S. Moreland. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2013 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Asian-American Chamber of Commerce and the recipients of the 2013 Asian-American Chamber Awards. The Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, AACC, is dedicated to improving economic development for Asian Pacific American Owned businesses in the Washington, DC region. The 11th District of Virginias is blessed by its diversity. Roughly 1 in 4 residents are foreign born and approximately 40 percent are minorities. Half of our foreign-born population emigrated from Asia and more than 80,000 of our neighbors speak an Asian language at home. Northern Virginia has a robust international business community and is home to the largest concentration of minority-owned technology firms in the nation. The AACC and its members contribute greatly to our economic strength and stability; Asian-American businesses generate more than 52 percent of total revenues generated by all minority owned businesses in this region. Each year, the AACC recognizes businesses and non-profits in the Asian-American community for their outstanding contributions to the Metropolitan Washington community and economy. I congratulate the following individuals and businesses for receiving one of the 2013 Asian-American Chamber of Commerce Awards: Asian Business Excellence Award: Pragmatics, Inc. Small Business of the Year: APS Pest Services. Asian Business Leader of the Year: S. Tien Wong (Lore Systems, Inc.). Outstanding Corporate Partner Award: Wells Fargo. Non-Profit of the Year: Becky's Fund; Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Fairfax Region. Volunteer of the Year: Le Ha Anderson, Andrew Bittan. Government Agency of the Year: Fairfax County Economic Development Agency. Emerging Business of the Year: The W Salon. Next Generation Investment Award: Erie Insurance. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the honorees of the 2013 Asian-American Chamber of Commerce Awards and in commending the Asian American Chamber of Commerce for its work to support Asian- and Pacific Islander-owned businesses throughout our region.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize this year's recipient of Leadership Fairfax's Katherine K. Hanley Public Service Award. This year's award goes to Walter Alcorn, whom I had the great pleasure of working with during his sixteen years on the Fairfax County Planning Commission. Leadership Fairfax is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to finding, training and growing leaders in Northern Virginia. Leadership Fairfax seeks to build leaders who raise the tide not only in their organization or local community but in the whole Northern Virginia region. Graduates from its programs become part of and stay connected to a fast growing number of civic leaders. I've always said, ``When you walk into a crowded room it's easy to spot the graduates of Leadership Fairfax--they just stand out!'' Northern Virginia is blessed with many leaders who have given their time and service to make a difference in our community. To recognize these outstanding leaders among us, Leadership Fairfax instituted the Katherine K. Hanley Public Service Award. This annual award honors an individual for his or her outstanding accomplishments in the areas of public service employment or service on a public board, authority or commission and for lasting contributions to the quality of life in the community. Walter Alcorn has stood out in our community for many years. After graduating from the University of Virginia, he began his career as a policy aide to then-Supervisor Kate Hanley, who was my predecessor as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Kate appointed him to the Fairfax County Planning Commission in 1996, and I had the honor of reappointing him three times during my tenure as Chairman. As Chair of the Planning Commission's Tysons Corner Committee, Walter oversaw revisions of the comprehensive plan for Tysons that will allow what is known as the downtown of Fairfax County to be transformed from an area filled mainly with strip malls, car dealerships, and office buildings into a vibrant, walkable, sustainable, mixed-use community. Many people said that was impossible, but Walter displayed the patience and persistence of an owl in finding a way to lead a wide variety of stakeholders to forge the compromises necessary to move forward. The result of that effort, the Tysons Plan, received the 2011 Daniel Burnham Award from the American Planning Association. That prestigious award recognizes only one urban plan in the nation each year, for advancing the science and art of planning, and Walter deserves much of the credit. Along with his service to the county, Walter has been an enthusiastic little league baseball coach and serves on the steering committee of his Sunday School class at the United Christian Parish in Reston. When not volunteering, he is Vice President of Environmental Affairs and Industry Sustainability at the Consumer Electronics Association, where he leads environmental policy and electronics recycling efforts as well as legislative initiatives impacting electronic product design, eco-labeling and hazardous materials restrictions. Prior to CEA he was a consultant on electronics recycling issues and co-founded the National Center for Electronics Recycling in 2005. From 1992 to 2003 he worked at SAIC, where he left as Deputy Division Manager in the Technology Research Group. He resides in Reston with his wife, Kristina, and their two children, Ryan and Delia. He also enjoys a large circle of friends, of which I am proud to be a member. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Walter Alcorn for receiving of the Katherine K. Hanley Public Service Award and in thanking Leadership Fairfax for continuing to develop leaders for Northern Virginia.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. During the past 2 weeks, I met with local employers and constituents who expressed continued frustration with the negative effects of sequestration in our community. Republicans and Democrats alike spent most of the past year warning of the dire consequences these cuts would have on our economy, and yet the recently adopted continuing resolution for the rest of the fiscal year bakes in those very harmful cuts. I share my constituents' frustrations, which is why I voted against the self-inflicted wound on our economy. Every community in America will feel the ripple effects of sequestration, but my northern Virginia district will be disproportionately impacted because of the high concentration of military facilities, Federal employees and businesses that partner with the Federal Government. We do cybersecurity, custodial services, and everything in between. I met with a number of these employers. They expressed real concern that the lingering uncertainty over sequestration threatens job security and the ability to remain competitive economically. I fear the consequences of sequestration and what that will mean to small businesses that don't have the same resources as their larger counterparts to weather these steep cuts. I visited one company with 200 employees who are developing a laser-based flight guidance system for NASA through a Small Business Innovation Research grant. Just recently, it announced that their technology is being deployed through a contract with the Defense Department to assist with remote detection of explosives to better protect our troops in the field. They're worried about cutbacks. The Small Business Administration's fiscal '13 budget will be reduced by more than $92 million as a result of sequestration, and more than one-fourth of those cuts will come from the Small Business Loan Program, directly affecting small businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and female- and minority-owned businesses in their ability to hire. As my colleagues know, the Federal Government has a small business contracting goal of 23 percent. We have fallen short of that goal in the last 6 years, and sequestration will actually make it harder to ever achieve that goal. I also met with my local chamber of commerce to discuss its desire to expand the regional Metro system here in the Nation's Capital to accommodate future growth and development throughout the region. The most recent census data says our community has the highest concentration of mega-commuters in the country. There is no question we need to invest more in our regional transportation network. This particular proposal enjoys bipartisan support, but yet, under sequestration, it's headed nowhere because the New Starts program, under the Federal Transit Administration, will be cut by as much as $100 million because of sequestration. Whether it's cuts in small business assistance or in transportation, sequestration is reducing our investments in the very things that create jobs and provide for our competitive advantage in the future. Local realtors I met with expressed concern about the uncertainty of sequestration putting the brakes on sales just as regional and national housing markets are finally showing signs of a robust recovery. The slow-down in Federal spending is already creating a drag on local economies. A 22 percent drop in defense spending shaved nearly 3 points off economic growth in the last quarter, and the CBO projects it could be half of the growth otherwise projected in all of 2013 because of sequestration. Madam Speaker, I don't argue that cuts are needed, but sequestration uses a mindless, meat-ax approach in which nothing is spared and nothing is differentiated. I've long called for Members of the House to work together in a bipartisan fashion and in a balanced way--balanced between revenue growth and discrete spending cuts--to move forward and reduce the debt. This week's delivery of the President's budget is a heartening sign because he does just that. I hope we will heed his budget. I hope we will try to work with the President to achieve a balanced approach that replaces this mindless sequestration.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from Maryland for his leadership on these very difficult issues. Mr. Chairman, if you like sequestration that cuts $1.2 trillion in discretionary domestic spending, you're going to love the Republican budget which actually quintuples that. And then there's the RSC budget that goes even further. So while the Ryan budget cuts almost $6 trillion over the next 10 years in investments, this budget, the RSC, cuts $7.7 trillion. Yes, it cuts funding, as the last speaker just said, but at what expense? At what cost? We are, with this budget and with the underlying Ryan budget, we are disinvesting in America. We are walking away from research and development investments. We're walking away from infrastructure investments. We are walking away from STEM and education investments. Those are the three legs of a stool that makes a great country great. George Washington understood that and was a big champion of infrastructure investment and education. Abraham Lincoln understood that in the midst of the Civil War when he invested, and this Congress invested, in the Transcontinental Railroad, in the Land Grant Research College System, in the Homestead Act, yes, and even completing the dome of this building, because they understood it was important to invest in the future of this country. These two budgets walk away from that future. In fact, they almost guarantee a bleak future for America with respect to the competition. The Chinese aren't making these kinds of mistakes, we should not either. I urge defeat of both the RSC budget, Mr. Chairman, and the Ryan budget when it comes up.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, the demand for employment services and skills training continues to grow. In my Northern Virginia district, the local Workforce Investment Board fielded nearly 90,000 requests for job search assistance last year, and those requests have increased 170% since 2007. During my tenure as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I served as the Chief Local Elected Official on the Workforce Investment Board and witnessed firsthand the collaboration among local businesses, community colleges, universities, nonprofits, governments and other community organizations to offer valuable skills training and workforce support in our community. The federal Workforce Investment Act was enacted 15 years ago, and its authorization expired 10 years ago. Thankfully Congress has continued to fund these vital services to help job-seekers access the training they need to find work and help employers find the skilled workers they need to operate. While the Workforce Investment Act is long overdue for modernization, the bill before the House today, H.R. 803, falls short of the mark. Under the guise of efficiency, it eliminates 35 workforce programs currently serving low-income adults, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and youth. By converting to block grant funding, it shifts too much authority to the states at the expense of local jurisdictions. That is why organizations like the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the National Association of Workforce Boards oppose H.R. 803. In fact, my local workforce board estimates that local governments will face an additional financial burden under this legislation at a time when their budgets can least afford it. In addition, this bill sets an arbitrarily low level of funding and freezes it for the next six years. These investments are creating a more skilled and productive workforce. We ought to be investing more not less in this effort, yet workforce funding has been cut in half over the past decade. And lastly, this bill unnecessarily changes the makeup of local workforce board membership at the expense of local community organizations, which is why groups like the Easter Seals, Goodwill, the National Disability Rights Network, the National Coalition for Literacy, the United Way, and others oppose it. The Workforce Investment Act has until recently been a bipartisan effort, and I urge my colleagues to pursue reforms that will renew that tradition to better serve those seeking work assistance in our communities.