Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Larry Flynn for his contributions to the aerospace industry, General Dynamics and Gulfstream Aerospace, the largest private employer in the First District of Georgia. Mr. Flynn's career spans 33 years, beginning in 1982 when he joined what was then known as Combs Gates and served as executive vice president and general manager. He later served as regional vice president for Signature Flight Support. His experience in managing aircraft service facilities led to his position as vice president, Location Based Services, for Stevens Aviation, where he was responsible for managing six service facilities and overseeing service on various models of corporate jets. Mr. Flynn joined Gulfstream in 1995 as vice president and served in several key positions to include president of Product Support and senior vice president of Sales and Marketing. He became Gulfstream's president in 2011, and also served as a vice president of General Dynamics. During Mr. Flynn's tenure as president, Gulfstream achieved several significant milestones, including a seven-year, $500 million Savannah facility expansion; the entry into service of the G280, the market-changing G650 and its extended-range variant, the G650ER; the unveiling of the G500; the announcement of the G600; the opening of the Beijing service center and the expansions of Gulfstream service centers in Brazil; London; Westfield, Massachusetts; and Brunswick, Georgia. Mr. Flynn served on the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association as chairman of the Communications Committee. He also served on the Board of Governors of The Wings Club. After earning a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Kansas, he completed a master's degree in manpower management from the same university. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join Mr. Flynn's colleagues, family and friends in celebrating his many years of hard work and dedication to the aerospace industry and the community.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and celebrate my nephew, Canon Hutcheson, and his wife, Courtney, on the birth of their new daughter, their beautiful new daughter, Ella. Ella Brooke Hutcheson was born on June 9 in Warner Robins, Georgia. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 15\1/2\ ounces. I know from experience, the experience of having been blessed with three sons, that parenthood is the most incredible and rewarding experience in the world. I could not be more excited for Canon and for Courtney and their new addition. I would also like to congratulate Ella's grandparents: my sister, Cissie Hutcheson, and her husband, Craig, of Waycross, Georgia. Canon was named in honor of my sister, Cissie, and my mother, Zena Cannon Carter, who was born on October 16, 1937, and passed on June 21, 2008. I know that my mother is very proud of her grandson and her namesake. To the Hutcheson family, and especially to Ella, I wish you the very best, and I am so very proud to welcome a new member to our family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Joe Lombardo for his contributions to the aerospace industry, General Dynamics and Gulfstream Aerospace, the largest private employer in the First District of Georgia. Mr. Joe Lombardo's career in the aerospace industry spans over 40 years, beginning in 1975 when he worked two different program operations at Douglas Aircraft, a division of McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Mr. Lombardo's disciplined and systematic approach to aviation production operations led to his recruitment by Gulfstream in 1996. He started as vice president of Co-Production and was vital to the successful ramp-up and dual production of the Gulfstream IV-SP and Gulfstream GV. His visionary leadership and commitment to Lean practices transformed Gulfstream's Savannah-based manufacturing facility from a single to a dual production line, a practice that continues today. He served as the company's chief operating officer and then president from 2007 until 2011. Mr. Lombardo was instrumental in the development of the Gulfstream G650 and Gulfstream G280. Since 1997, he has also served as the executive vice president of the Aerospace Group for General Dynamics. Prior to his career at Gulfstream, Mr. Lombardo earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from San Diego State University and a master's degree in business administration from California State University Long Beach. Mr. Lombardo received the National Management Association's Silver Knight award and was recognized for his leadership in aviation when he was awarded the Cliff Henderson Trophy by the National Aeronautic Association in 2012. Mr. Lombardo served on the Corporate Angel Network's board of directors and as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Ocean Exchange. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join Mr. Joe Lombardo's colleagues, family, and friends in celebrating many years of hard work and dedication to our community and our Country.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 261 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. John Rabun for his absolute passion for child safety and his many years of service to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A graduate of Savannah High School, Mr. Rabun continued his education at Armstrong State University and earned his master's in social work from Mercer University. Following his degree, Mr. Rabun began his career in legal work for the ACLU of Kentucky where he helped ``deinstitutionalize'' children after their time in public homes for non-criminal activity and later worked as a chief probation officer for a county juvenile justice system. In 1980, Mr. Rabun and one of his colleagues formed a local exploited child unit, uniting social workers with police force during a season of high-profile cases of missing children. Mr. Rabun wrote about the need for a clearinghouse operation for missing and exploited children for the U.S. Department of Justice, and in 1984 wrote a grant that would become the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Mr. Rabun ran the center's operations, built up the staff and trained tens of thousands internationally on preventing abduction, all while continuing to rescue children. He served as the communication link between many government units and helped to reach the public through billboards and news media sources. After nearly 30 years as the executive vice president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Mr. Rabun now works part-time for the Alexandria, Virginia, office from his home on Tybee Island. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor Mr. John Rabun for his work that led to the rescue of 80,000 children. I am honored to join his colleagues, family and friends in celebrating many years of dedication to the safety of our children.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the 275th Anniversary of Bethesda Academy, Savannah's iconic boarding and day school for boys in grades six through 12. Bethesda Academy was founded in 1740 by Reverend George Whitefield as a home for boys, and it has the distinction of being America's oldest child caring institute. This values-laden educational institution has raised the bar when it comes to educating Georgia's young men, strongly emphasizing Whitefield's founding mission to teach ``a love for God, a love of learning and a strong work ethic.'' Today, Bethesda Academy is an AdvancEd accredited institute with 95 percent of its students graduating on time and 87 percent going on to higher education. Designing its curriculum around the way that the boys learn most effectively, Bethesda Academy features a wildlife management program, an on-site video production studio, an organic farming program and a nationally-ranked chess team. Bethesda does not receive any state funding to operate and depends largely on private donations, external scholarship programs such as the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, annual fundraising, and a collection of on-campus business enterprises that cumulatively help meet the school's annual budget. Though the school has faced many challenges over the years due to funding, Bethesda has evolved into a thriving and award-winning middle and high school. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to commemorate the 275th Anniversary of Bethesda Academy. With a wide range of academic, athletic, vocational and spiritual development opportunities, there is no doubt that Bethesda is preparing these young men for future success in life.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Sonny Dixon for his hard work and dedication throughout his broadcast career and public service. Mr. Dixon is a proud Savannah native, who has readily volunteered to help out in and around his community for decades, serving on numerous boards, including various Chamber of Commerce boards, the United Way of the Coastal Empire, American Cancer Society, Savannah Technical College, Boy Scouts of the Coastal Empire, and many more. Mr. Dixon was twice elected to serve on the Garden City Council before moving on to the Georgia General Assembly. Continuing his public service, Mr. Dixon was elected to five terms in the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served on the key committees of Appropriations, Rules, Transportation, and Interstate Cooperation, on which he served as vice- chairman. Mr. Dixon later retired from elected office in 1997. After 18 years on the anchor desk at WTOC, Mr. Dixon is set to retire on May 31, 2015. Mr. Dixon has been a fixture on the Savannah broadcasting landscape for decades covering various issues. He has garnered national attention through his appearances on CBS Evening News, the CBS Early Show, CNN, and the Montel Williams Show. Mr. Dixon has also been featured in Newsweek magazine and in other major newspapers. Mr. Dixon has claimed many awards and achievements, including the Edward R. Murrow Award, Georgia Associated Press Award for Best Documentary and Georgia's Best TV Anchor by the Associated Press. He has also received an Emmy for Best Anchor which distinguishes him amongst both large and small television markets. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join his colleagues, family and many friends in celebrating Mr. Sonny Dixon. He will always be respected for his civic service in assisting and informing our community and the State of Georgia.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, veterans continue to be one of the most neglected groups in our country. These men and women have sacrificed their lives to ensure that our values and principles remain true; yet we still have people within the VA system who neglect these sacrifices and who disregard these men and women. As my colleague from Arizona mentioned, this flawed guidance from the VA headquarters is wrong and completely disrespectful to our country's veterans. The memo that was issued by the VA, commonly known as ``Fast Letter 13-10,'' was a deliberate attempt to make VA bureaucrats appear as if they were delivering services and benefits to veterans faster than they really were. Through these internal actions, some VA offices were ``eliminating'' the backlog of benefit claims with a stroke of a pen. Just because you lie about the details does not make the problem disappear. With one memo, the VA managers disregarded every performance measure that had been put in place to protect our veterans and their benefits. Mr. Chairman, I believe this brings up a large point--the problems within the Federal civil service and, as an employee within the VA stated, the dysfunctional culture of management corruption. For the time being, we must address this issue. I join my friend from Arizona in offering this amendment. We must ensure that VA managers care for our veterans in a timely and effective manner. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Win Shaw for his long service to the country and to General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace, the largest private employer in the First District of Georgia. Mr. Win Shaw represented the hard working people of Gulfstream for 20 years beginning in March, 1993. Prior to his career with Gulfstream, Mr. Shaw graduated from Norwich University and was commissioned into the U.S. Army as an Armor officer. Dedicating 29 years of his life to military service, Mr. Shaw served two tours of duty in Vietnam and one tour in Korea. In his last active duty assignment, Mr. Shaw served as Chief of the Army's Senate Liaison Office for four and a half years. Mr. Shaw retired as a Colonel with many deserved decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Soldiers Medal and 3 Bronze Stars with the V device. He is also a graduate of the Army War College. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Mr. Shaw joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation for two and a half years. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join Mr. Win Shaw's colleagues, family and friends in celebrating many years of hard work and dedication to our community and our Country.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to the young women who died suddenly in Savannah, Georgia, yesterday. On Wednesday morning just before 6 a.m., three tractor-trailers, two pickup trucks, and two cars were involved in a chain-reaction car accident. Abbie Deloach of Savannah, Emily Clark of Powder Springs, Morgan Bass of Leesburg, Catherine McKay Pittman of Alpharetta, and Caitlyn Baggett of Millen were killed. I ask that a moment of silence be given to these young women and their families in the Eagle Nation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, national cybersecurity will be an issue this House will have to constantly address for the foreseeable future. To achieve a system that will protect our Nation's citizens and its infrastructure, we must create a public-private partnership between Federal agencies and American businesses. This partnership will allow Federal agencies and American businesses to share cyber threat information, vulnerabilities within our cyber network, and the creation of new systems to protect consumer information. However, private businesses need to be provided protections and incentives to ensure they are protected from government abuse and private legal proceedings meant to gain access to private security information. Mr. Speaker, one of our top priorities with these two bills should be to clearly acknowledge protections given to companies that engage in penetration testing and clearly state that company proprietary information is protected from nefarious legal proceedings and exempted from Freedom of Information Act requests. It is reasonable to think that individuals would actively pursue this sort of proprietary information for the sole purpose of accessing the vulnerabilities of private cyber networks if we do not clearly state that this information is protected and exempt from those actions. I believe we should consider these possibilities and ensure that protections are provided so our country and its citizens can fully benefit from these laws.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Seventh Annual NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill. This is a special day where we recognize pharmacy's contribution to the American healthcare system. This year's event, organized by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, takes place on March 25-26. Nearly 400 individuals from the pharmacy community--including practicing pharmacists, pharmacy school faculty and students, state pharmacy leaders and pharmacy company executives--will visit Capitol Hill. They will share their views with Congress about the importance of supporting legislation that protects access to community and neighborhood pharmacies and that utilizes pharmacists to improve the quality and reduce the costs of providing healthcare. Advocates from 45 states have travelled to Washington to talk about the pharmacy community's contributions in over 40,000 community pharmacies nationwide. These important healthcare providers are here to educate Congress about the value of pharmacists and protect access to the essential services they provide as part of our healthcare delivery system. And just as these providers travelled to meet with us, Members of Congress and their staff have toured retail chain pharmacies in our own communities more than 325 times since 2009. Patients have always relied on their local pharmacist to meet their healthcare needs. The local pharmacist is a trusted, highly accessible healthcare provider deeply committed to providing the highest quality care in the most efficient manner possible. As demand for healthcare services continues to grow, pharmacists have expanded their role in healthcare delivery, partnering with physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers to meet their patients' needs. Innovative services provided by pharmacists do even more to improve patient healthcare. Pharmacists are highly valued by those that rely on them most--those in rural and underserved areas, as well as older Americans, and those struggling to manage chronic diseases. Pharmacy services improve patients' quality of life as well as healthcare affordability. By helping patients take their medications effectively and providing preventive services, pharmacists help avoid more costly forms of care. Pharmacists also help patients identify strategies to save money, such as through better understanding of their pharmacy benefits, using generic medications, and obtaining 90-day supplies of prescription drugs from local pharmacies. Pharmacists are the nation's most accessible healthcare providers. In many communities, especially in rural areas, the local pharmacist is a patient's most direct link to healthcare. Eighty-nine percent of Americans reside within a five-mile radius of a community pharmacy. Pharmacists are one of our nation's most trusted healthcare professionals. Utilizing their specialized education, pharmacists play a major role in medication therapy management, disease-state management, immunizations, healthcare screenings, and other healthcare services designed to improve patient health and reduce overall healthcare costs. Pharmacists are also expanding their role into new models of care based on quality of services and outcomes, such as accountable care organizations (AC0s) and medical homes. Mr. Speaker, as we refine healthcare reform and seek new strategies to improve patient care, pharmacists will play a critical role. I believe Congress should look at every opportunity to make sure that pharmacists are allowed to utilize their training to the fullest to provide the services that can improve care and lower costs. In recognition of the Seventh Annual NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill, I would like to congratulate pharmacy leaders, pharmacists, students, executives, and the entire pharmacy community represented by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, for their contributions to the good health of the American people.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of the late Dr. Vicky Carol Persons who entered into eternal rest Monday, March 2, 2015. Dr. Persons was well known for the joy she got out of helping others, her love for gardening, caring for animals and cooking. A native of Bainbridge, Georgia, Dr. Persons received her PhD in Special Education from Florida State University and became a devoted educator of 15 years. Dr. Persons previously worked at McIntosh County Academy as a special education teacher, and in 2012, she decided to run for the McIntosh County School Board. In April 2013, Dr. Persons began her career at West Chatham Elementary School as a 5th grade special education teacher where many of the faculty and parents will truly miss her dedication to her school and students. Dr. Persons was also very involved in her community. She was a member of the Darien Rotary Club, Cairo Rotary Club, and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. Today, it is my privilege to recognize the life of Dr. Vicky Persons. As a wife, mother and friend, Dr. Persons will forever be remembered.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to commemorate the 80th birthday of the artistic and intellectual Mr. Mallory Pearce of Tybee Island. Mr. Pearce is a dedicated public servant and environmentalist. He founded the Tybee Land Trust which is dedicated to the preservation of Coastal Georgia's Natural Beauty. Mr. Pearce authored ``The Low Country,'' a guide to the natural history of Coast Georgia. He has served as a member of his local Georgia government for 10 years and has acted as ambassador for the Georgia Coast with this book, bird calls and caricatures. Mr. Pearce has maintained and protected his own unique Maritime Forest. While he is an artist, Mr. Pearce is also an educator having taught 18 years at Armstrong State University. Mr. Pearce continues to strive to make Georgia and the world a better place. Mr. Speaker, I join his family and friends in wishing Mr. Mallory Pearce a very happy and blessed 80th birthday. We thank him for his generous contributions to his community, the State of Georgia and our nation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the St. Simons Land Trust for becoming accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. The St. Simons Land Trust's accreditation status is the result of a rigorous and lengthy process, and I am proud of their efforts to meet such high standards for private, non-profit land conservation. Since 2001, the St. Simons Land Trust has acquired and permanently preserved close to 776 acres on St. Simons Island in southeast Georgia. Cannon's Point Preserve, which contains 609 acres of maritime forest, salt marshes, and tidal creeks, is one of the many successful preservation projects of the Trust. With its new accredited status, the St. Simons Land Trust may display with pride a special seal that shows it fulfills national standards for excellence in land conservation. The work of the St. Simons Land Trust helps to permanently protect wildlife habitat, water quality, green space, working farms and ranches, and healthy communities. By achieving accreditation, the Trust has demonstrated its commitment to conservation both today and long into the future. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to commend the St. Simons Land Trust for their latest accomplishment. I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of the St. Simons Land Trust to helping preserve the beauty of St. Simons Island and southeast Georgia. I would like to thank the Trust for their devotion to my district, and wish them the best with their future projects.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the 191st occasion of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah, Georgia. Among the largest Irish celebrations in the Nation, the St. Patrick's Day Parade is held in the downtown historic district and is always a meaningful occasion for the citizens of Chatham County and the State of Georgia. In 1824, the Hibernian Society of Savannah, which was formed to aid the early Irish immigrants, began what would become the second largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Nation. Peak years have estimated up to 400,000 visitors to the area for St. Patrick's Day festivities. Georgia is proud to welcome visitors from all across the Nation, and it continues to be successful due to the hard work and dedication of those working in Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize and honor the members of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, including Chairman Kevin Halligan and the Grand Marshal, Mr. Hugh Coleman, for their tireless efforts and outstanding commitment in organizing this year's parade. Thank you all for all you do in our community and the State of Georgia. I wish you much success in today's event.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and accomplishments of Major General Thomas R. Moore, Assistant Adjutant General of the Georgia Air National Guard. On March 7th, 2015, General Moore will celebrate his retirement after 33 years of distinguished service. In 1981, General Moore commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of South Carolina. Throughout his career, he has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. General Moore also served twice as the Commander for the 416th Air Expeditionary Group in Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan. A master navigator, General Moore has earned more than 3,500 flying hours. In his current role, General Moore serves as the Assistant Adjutant General of the Georgia Air National Guard at Clay National Guard Center where he acts as a direct supervisor over the entire Georgia State Air Guard staff. His duties also include the command of 2,900 Georgia Air Guard members serving in two flying wings, seven geographically separated units and the nation's first Air Dominance Center. General Moore's dedication and many contributions to our country, have been recognized with the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), the Air Force Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with ``V'' device, 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters). However, these medals do not stand alone. General Moore is an honored recipient of many awards and decorations. General Moore has earned a great deal of respect from his colleagues, and will always be noted for his outstanding character, commitment and allegiance. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor the many accomplishments of Major General Thomas R. Moore during his career and for his service to our country. I am pleased to join his wife, Paula, his two sons, Capt. Tyler Moore and Rhett Moore, family and friends in congratulating him in his retirement. I wish General Moore continued happiness in his future endeavors.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota for his work on this bill. It is a very important bill, and it is certainly very applicable to what is going on in our country right now. Mr. Chairman, Federal intervention in our Nation's classrooms is at an alltime high, and the Obama administration continues to believe that they think they know what is best for our children. However, despite the continued intrusion into our children's classrooms, student achievement remains stagnant. Out of 34 countries, students in the U.S. rank 20th and 27th in science and math respectively, so it is clear that our education system is not adequately serving our children, and it is not going to be fixed by Washington bureaucrats. Our education system can only be fixed by parents, teachers, aunts, uncles, coaches, and community leaders--the people who actually know what is best for our Nation's children. That is why I am supporting H.R. 5. I am supporting this bill to put some restraints on the administration, to rein in the Department of Education, and to put the keys to our children's educations and futures back in local control where it belongs. It repeals out-of-touch teacher qualification programs, and it allows State and local officials to determine who is qualified to teach their children. It also eliminates 65 programs and creates a grant program with greater flexibility for school districts. We all know that children learn differently and at their own pace, and without this bill, the Secretary of Education can prohibit funds from being sent to States unless they adopt certain one-size-fits-all standards, like Common Core. I will be the first one to say that additional reforms to our education system are needed. No, this is not the silver bullet, but it is a great start, and it is a great bill. I support this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding time and the work you have done on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1 to approve the Keystone XL pipeline after what has turned out to be an unacceptable 6-year delay by the Obama administration. Many have stated that this bill is about creating jobs. And guess what? They are right. The pipeline would create over 40,000 jobs without a dime of taxpayer funding, helping to pull eager American workers out of the unemployment line. Approval of the pipeline would also bring down energy costs here at home, lifting a huge burden on hardworking families, small businesses, and farmers. Moreover, clearing the construction of the Keystone pipeline puts us closer to North American energy independence to reduce our dependence on oil from foreign sources that are all too often at odds with America's interests and our national security. So the bill we debate today is about jobs. It is about making energy more affordable. But it is also about making our country safer. This bill will help us stop funding both sides of the war on terror. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of the late Mrs. Dorothy Barnes Pelote who entered into eternal rest Sunday, January 18, 2015. Mrs. Pelote, often described as a ``people's lawmaker'', dedicated her life to public service and to her community. As a native of Lancaster, South Carolina and graduate of Allen University, Mrs. Pelote moved to Savannah, Georgia over 50 years ago where she furthered her education at Savannah State University. In her early career, Mrs. Pelote dedicated more than 30 years of service to teaching in the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. Mrs. Pelote served in the Georgia General Assembly as a State Representative for the 149th District from 1992 until she retired in 2002. Mrs. Pelote also served as the Eighth District Representative on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to which she became the first of two women to ever serve on this panel. Today, it is my privilege to recognize the life of Mrs. Dorothy Pelote. As a teacher, an instrumental leader, and a friend, Mrs. Pelote will forever be remembered.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for her leadership in this very important issue. Once again, I want to urge all of my colleagues to support this strong, bipartisan piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 710) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a comprehensive security assessment of the transportation security card program, and for other purposes.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 710, the Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act. First, I would like to thank the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for reintroducing this thoughtful legislation and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) for her leadership in moving it through her subcommittee last Congress. Mr. Speaker, this legislation calls for a security assessment to determine the efficacy of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, commonly known as the TWIC program. This bill will help Congress better determine the value of the TWIC program and simultaneously allow the Department to proceed with finalizing the long-awaited card reader rule. I support this bill under consideration on the floor today because it responds to a key recommendation of the Government Accountability Office that the TWIC program should have a baseline security assessment before the program moves forward. I have several thriving ports in my district, such as Savannah, Brunswick, and Kings Bay. As many of my colleagues who also have ports in their districts know, TWIC is a port security program that has been wrought with constant delays and questions about its overall security value. Last Congress, the Border and Maritime Subcommittee held a hearing with the Coast Guard, TSA, and GAO on the TWIC program and the ongoing concerns therein, and this legislation is a result of that strong oversight. It may be hard to believe, but more than a decade after the legislation that required TWIC was first enacted, there has been no security or effectiveness assessment of the program to assess the underlying assumptions of the security and access control concerns the card was intended to mitigate. This bill seeks to answer the simple question: How, if at all, does TWIC improve maritime security? This should have been one of the very first things the Department did when it began to implement this program, and this bill ensures it is done. The TWIC card was initially designed to prevent terrorists from gaining access to sensitive parts of our Nation's ports through the use of biometric-enabled credentials. However, with no biometric reader regulations in place, the TWIC card is currently used as a flash pass since most facilities and vessels are neither currently required to nor voluntarily utilize biometric readers. The lack of biometric readers, therefore, limits the effectiveness of this program. For several years, members of the Homeland Security Committee have been calling on the Department to release the card reader rule to provide some certainty to workers and industry. The final rule to require TWIC readers to be used at the riskiest 5 percent of all TWIC-regulated vessels and facilities has not been issued. The notice of proposed rulemaking was posted almost 2 years ago which was nearly 6 years after workers were first required to pay for and obtain a TWIC card. The delays are so significant that workers have already had to renew their biometric credentials in the time it has taken to issue regulations on credential readers to actually utilize the biometric- enabled technology. This is absurd. While we all agree there is much room for improvement with the TWIC program, putting it on hold for several more years would do more harm than good. The business community has been preparing for this TWIC rule for several years. This bill would give them certainty about the requirements of the TWIC program. It also allows the Coast Guard and TSA to continue their efforts to deliver the port security program Congress expected years ago. Finally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 710 requires the GAO to perform consistent reviews of the TWIC program and to follow the changes the Department makes as a result of the required assessment. This added level of review will provide Congress with progress updates for future legislative action. The proposed rule and open GAO recommendations lead to some very basic questions about mitigating threat, risk, and vulnerability at our Nation's ports and how the TWIC program should be used effectively to prevent a potential terrorist attack. We have an obligation, Mr. Speaker, to get this right. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 710, and I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, February 5, 2015. Hon. Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 710, the Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act. This legislation includes matters that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 710, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will forgo action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill does not prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation that fall within the Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I request you urge the Speaker to name members of the Committee to any conference committee named to consider such provisions. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Sincerely, Bill Shuster, Chairman.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.