Doug Collins

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of ``Gainesville High School's biggest fan,'' Walt Snelling, who recently passed away at the age of 81. For over 30 years, Walt announced ball games for his alma mater, Gainesville High School. Having played for the Red Elephants as an offensive lineman, he fostered a passion for sports early in life. Before Walt became ``the voice of the Red Elephants,'' he graduated from the University of North Georgia with honors in 1959. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as an officer for 12 years before returning home to manage the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department. The children in the community were the ones who inspired him to participate in the local sports scene. He proudly announced games from the loud speaker because he wanted each player to hear his or her name called and understand how special they are. Walt's memory will endure in the hearts of Gainesville residents. I stand with many others today to mourn the loss of this legend, and I ask us all to remember the Snelling family in the weeks ahead.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Georgia's legend in many ways, Zell Miller, who spent the last few years of his life, as he spent all of his life, in Young Harris in my district. Zell Miller helped shape Georgia into one of the strongest States in the Union. He was a national giant from northeast Georgia, and I looked up to him as a leader who never blinked in the face of a challenge or let politics eclipse his principles. I will always remember the ways he encouraged me and supported me through many seasons. My family knew and admired and will miss Zell as a true man of the mountains. In 1932, Zell Bryan Miller was born to a mother who single-handedly built her family's first home with rocks from a nearby stream, which he lived in until his passing. Zell attended both Young Harris College and Emory University. He put his education on hold in order to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 1953. One year after he joined the Marines, he married Shirley Carver, and they had two sons, Murphy and Matthew. A few years later, Zell enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in history. His education earned him a teaching position back home at Young Harris College in 1959, and in the same year, the town elected him as their mayor. After one mayoral term, residents sent him to the Gold Dome as their State senator. In the years following, he worked for Georgia's Governor Maddox, Georgia's Democratic Party, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, and, in 1975, he became Georgia's Lieutenant Governor. In 1990, Zell became the Governor of Georgia, and his positive influence on our State's education system has characterized his tenure. His vision for brighter futures came to life when voters ratified the State lottery on the 1992 ballot, creating a new fund to support the State's education needs. One year later, the H.O.P.E. Scholarship was created, making higher education accessible for nearly 2 million Georgia students. In 1999, Georgia Senator Paul Coverdell passed away while in office, and then-Governor Barnes appointed Zell to fill the vacant seat, and Zell came to Washington. Georgians will remember Zell Miller as one of the State's strongest advocates, a leader who never chose ideology over his duty to the people who elected him, and, in this time of loss, our prayers are focused on his loved ones and the millions of people whom he served. Zell Miller was an example of a true man of the mountains who was willing to take stands, many times not popular, but he was always willing to take a stand for those that mattered. Zell Miller will be someone who is missed, whether it be in Atlanta, whether it be in Washington, D.C., all across this country, or basically back home in the Ninth District of Georgia. Zell Miller is someone who we all can look up to and respect. He led in a way that we can try to lead as well. Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Reserve

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I today rise to recognize the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force Reserve, created by President Truman on April 14, 1948. As a member of the Air Force Reserve, I have been privileged to minister and work with airmen since 2002. I can attest to the courage exhibited by my fellow airmen both here at home and while serving abroad in Iraq together. Since our country's founding, citizens have awaited and answered the call of duty, accomplishing each mission with valor. Air Force reservists, known as Reserve Citizen Airmen, perform leading roles in military operations, humanitarian crises, and disaster relief across the globe. The distinguished group of more than 69,000 Citizen Airmen consists of enlisted military troops, officers, and civil servants tasked by law to support our Armed Forces in the defense of our freedom. The Air Force Reserve traces its roots back to the aeronautical division of the United States Army's Office of the Chief Signal Officer, which took charge of military balloons and air machines in 1907. Ten years later, the first two Air Force Reserve units were deployed to France, as the United States entered World War I, providing the war effort with around 10,000 trained pilots. With 1,500 Reserve pilots and 1,300 nonrated officers and 400 enlisted airmen, reservists later played a critical role in World War II. The legendary Jimmy Doolittle was among the soldiers in this force and, in response to Pearl Harbor, went on to lead the Doolittle Raid, the first bombing attack on the Japanese mainland. In wars and in combat operations that followed, Citizen Airmen have supported the core function of the United States Air Force, as well as providing for disaster relief after events like hurricanes and wildfires. When terrorists attacked our country on September 11, 2001, Air Force reservists responded in full force to protect American cities and assist in the security efforts. Spanning seven decades, the Air Force Reserve has fulfilled the promise of the early air pioneers and exceeded their expectations. I want to join all of my fellow Citizen Airmen, past and present, in celebrating the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force Reserve. No matter where you go in the world, you will find an Air Force reservist and the flag flying high and the sound of freedom in the air.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Tripp Halstead, a young Jefferson native who passed away on March 15. For five and a half years, millions of Americans have followed Tripp Halstead's journey after a tree limb injured him when he was two years old. There wasn't a hospital visit or surgery that the Halstead family had to endure alone. Instead, friends and followers showered them with love, supporting the family during the years of recovery that followed. Bill and Stacy Halstead used their story to encourage others and reach out to families experiencing similar hardships. Tripp leaves a lasting impact on the hearts of many. The optimism he and his family exhibited illustrates the courage needed in difficult times. Mr. Speaker, I stand with many others today to mourn the loss of Tripp. I ask us all to remember the Halstead family in the weeks ahead, and I wish them comfort in this season of loss.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Stanley Henson of Blue Ridge, Georgia. After serving Fannin County for years as a volunteer fireman, he tragically passed away on Monday, March 12. In his career, Stanley committed his life to helping his small northeast Georgia community. Friends described him as a ``brother,'' someone they could always rely on. Even in the hours leading up to his death, he showed his servant's heart by assisting victims of a car crash. Because he never hesitated to help someone in need, the Fannin County Fire Department made plans to promote Stanley to the rank of lieutenant to honor his service. Stanley's kindness and courage has left a lasting impact on our corner of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask that we all continue to pray for this hero's loved ones in the coming days.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Frances Norris, a neighbor from Dawsonville who celebrated her 100th birthday on January 31. Originally from the state of Kansas, Mrs. Norris lived there with her family until the Dust Bowl hit in 1939, forcing them to make a new home in southern California. Five years ago, Mrs. Norris moved to northeast Georgia with her son and his family. Mrs. Norris built a rich career that included managing both a school cafeteria and a construction company. In her spare time, she loves to garden, a hobby that stemmed from her childhood on a farm. In her 100 years of life, Mrs. Norris has seen America change and grow. She's experienced two World Wars and seen the fall of the Berlin Wall. According to her, the secret to a long life is ``walking and playing bingo.'' I can imagine how wonderful it has been for Mrs. Norris' friends and neighbors to learn from a woman with her wisdom. As loved ones continue to celebrate a new year of life, I join them in wishing Mrs. Norris a very happy birthday.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize two Gainesville students, Hannah Stewart and Rasmit Devkota, who recently earned the title of the area's top spellers after competing in the local spelling bees. Hannah Stewart, a fifth grade student at Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy, won the Gainesville City School System's elementary spelling bee competition, clinching the victory by correctly spelling ``infraction.'' Rasmit Devkota, a seventh grade student at Gainesville Middle School, triumphed in the middle school spelling bee competition. Overcoming thirty of his peers through seven rounds, the word ``ricochet'' delivered Devkota the championship title. Devkota went on to represent the city of Gainesville at the Georgia Association of Educators Regional Spelling Bee, which determined who would compete at the state-level. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Hannah Stewart and Rasmit Devkota for their academic achievement and wish them well as they move forward in their education.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize three northeast Georgians whom neighbors recently honored at the 2018 Gainesville American Values Dinner: Tommy Aaron, Tony Herdener, and Ben Lancaster. Tommy Aaron graduated from Gainesville High School, where he won the 1955 state title in golf. After joining the Professional Golfers' Association Tour, he won the Master's Tournament in 1973. Tony Herdener has served the people of northeast Georgia as the Chief Financial Officer of Northeast Georgia Health System for 23 years. In his position, Herdener grew the organization into one of the largest health systems in Georgia. Ben Lancaster serves as an officer at Crystal Farms. Members of AgriTrust of Georgia appointed him to their Board of Trustees, where he has helped steward a workers' compensation insurance program to assist agribusinesses across the state. These three men have inspired their neighbors through their leadership, and I'm thankful for their example.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Thursday, March 1, 2018, it adjourn to meet on Monday, March 5, 2018, when it shall convene at noon for morning- hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 748 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring forward this rule on behalf of the Rules Committee. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. The rule also provides for a motion to recommit. In addition to an amendment offered by the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the rule makes in order amendments offered by Mrs. Mimi Walters of California and Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas. Yesterday, the Rules Committee received testimony from numerous Members, including Mr. Marino, Ms. Jackson Lee, and the legislation's sponsor, Mrs. Wagner. In addition to consideration at the Rules Committee, the legislation was marked up at the House Judiciary Committee last year. Mr. Speaker, I cannot think of any crime more debased than when one person forces a fellow human being into sexual slavery. Through many pieces of legislation that the House considered this year, we have been fighting to rid our communities of sex traffickers and the anguish they leave in their wake. Today, we have the opportunity to pass an important piece of legislation that will further this fight by ensuring that we hold websites that turn a profit by aiding sex traffickers accountable. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the committee for its hard work on this legislation, but also, more, importantly, I would like to thank the legislation's author, Mrs. Wagner, for her tireless efforts in championing this bill, which extends both compassion and justice to trafficking victims. As a result of her efforts, the legislation we consider today will empower law enforcement, State attorneys general, and, most importantly, victims to fight against the sex trade and its predators. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would give Federal, State, and local prosecutors the tools they need to hold websites and their operators accountable for supporting the sale of sex trafficking victims. Specifically, it would create a new Federal statute with increased penalties for promoting sex trafficking online and would amend section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to permit State authorities to prosecute operators of trafficking websites for criminal acts. In consideration of this legislation, we must also reflect on why this legislation is necessary. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act was created to ensure that websites would not be considered the publishers of, and thereby held responsible for, the content that actually originated with a third party. The statute was never intended to shield websites that profit by creating a marketplace for sexual slavery, like Backpage.com, from facing the legal consequences of their criminal enterprises. Nevertheless, some websites have successfully invoked the section 230 immunity provision despite engaging in actions that venture far outside the scope of those envisioned by the statute. The authors of the Communications Decency Act did not imagine that wicked men and women would turn vulnerable young people into sexual commodities and then say, ``Let's protect those predators.'' Mr. Speaker, no law condones such sexual exploitation, and no law should be manipulated to condone such abuse. With the addition of Mrs. Walters' amendment, this legislation strikes the important balance of preserving section 230 of the Communications Decency Act for law- abiding websites, while ensuring that bad actors can no longer hide behind a misused statute. This legislation will ensure that our society continues to protect the innocent and punish those who seek to profit from their sexual enslavement. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, I am proud to support H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017. This legislation will prevent websites like Backpage from hiding behind section 230 of the Communications Decency Act while simultaneously empowering law enforcement, State attorneys general, and victims to fight against the sex trade and its predators. I look forward to supporting this rule and the underlying bill.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), my friend, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), the sponsor of this legislation and a tireless advocate for this issue.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 748, currently under consideration.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow for morning-hour debate and 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 736 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I think the interesting thing is, as has been expressed by a couple of our speakers, especially on the Financial Services bills, these are bipartisan pieces of legislation that have come back. They have been vetted. They came before not only this body, many of them through the CHOICE Act, previously, but also have been coming back. And something that is really interesting is the bicameral, bipartisan process of making sure that capital and these Financial Services bills are actually something that we can move and can improve. But I do, again, take a little bit of exception. And look, rhetoric is rhetoric, but deceit is also deceit in the sense that we don't talk about, especially in this ADA--I am not sure how opposing a bill that is designed to make improvements for folks and in protecting trial lawyers who can get people who do not even have disabilities to sue or to send a demand letter to get money without ever requiring that the business actually solve the problem. That is what has been missing in this debate today. They can actually send a letter, say: Here is where our problem is. We are going to sue you, but if you send us X amount of dollars, that will do away with it--never concerned at all if the decision is actually making a difference in the business or the location. They don't care. And, in fact, if you want to oppose this, then you are just actually, frankly, saying: That is a good idea. I like that. Let's just pick on businesses, and at the end of the day, you know those folks with disabilities, they are just our key to making more money. That is wrong. My daughter is not a money-making proposition. That has got to cease. We can disagree on ways about this. My friend from Rhode Island and I have talked about this a great deal. We are of the same mind and same agreement. We may disagree on somehow this is it and how to get there, but at the end of the day, the ADA is still there. The ADA is not going away. The ADA is not being gutted, and nobody is asking folks with disabilities to get law degrees. A lot of them have, and they are making a difference. But one of the greatest emphases to a business that may have an impediment, they may have put something in the way, is for somebody with a disability to say: By the way, I can't get in here. And most every business on Earth does not want to stand at the door and say: I don't want disability folks in my business. No. They want to fix it because they want to do business. To say anything else is simply, unfortunately at times, tending to scare people for the wrong reasons. If you want to defend trial lawyers and others who are willing to sue with nondisabled people, to sue businesses taking Google photographs of Google Maps and saying, ``This is a business that we are going to extort something from,'' then vote against this bill, but then explain to somebody in a wheelchair why you are using them and allowing these folks to use them for their profit motive. That is wrong. We can find a lot of ways to find agreement here, but let's at least look at the situation on how it is. So, with these Financial Services bills, they provide regulatory relief. They reduce unnecessary burdens. They are bipartisan. I am urging my friends and colleagues to take a look at the amendments because there are a lot of amendments that are going to come forward on these, especially the ADA bill and others. Look at that. Listen to it. Talk about it. But at the end of the day, never forget what is actually happening here, and what we are actually seeing is something that we can make a difference in and we are looking to make a difference in. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this rule and the underlying bill.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from Arkansas (Mr. Hill).

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 736, currently under consideration.