Barbara Comstock

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and thank an extraordinary leader from the 10th Congressional District, Mayor Robert J. ``Bob'' Zoldos II of Lovettsville, as he completes 20 years of service to the town, first as a member of the Town Council and then as Mayor for three consecutive terms from 2012 to 2018. Incredibly, during the same time frame, Mayor Zoldos has excelled in his full-time job as Deputy Fire Chief with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department that has included international rescue mission deployments with Virginia Task Force One, Virginia's Urban Search and Rescue Team, to Kenya, Turkey, Taiwan, Iran, and Haiti. Most recently, he was Task Force Leader of U.S.A. Search and Rescue Team One's response to Japan's catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Inspired for a career in public service by his father, Robert J. Zoldos, who was a volunteer firefighter and town council member in Leesburg, Virginia, Mayor Zoldos has been an outstanding team leader in all that he has undertaken. Upon announcing his run for Mayor on February 6, 2012, he stated, ``While I don't covet the title of mayor, I feel the same need that many of you have expressed . . . that we must keep politics out of our Lovettsville and keep the `love' in it.'' Indeed, as an inspirational team leader for his colleagues in the government of Lovettsville and for the residents of the town, Mayor Zoldos has kept his promise to keep Lovettsville ``a wonderful and neighborly place in which to live and to own a business.'' No one has worked harder than Mayor Zoldos in championing town activities and events that have brought Lovettsville's creative initiatives regional recognition and have attracted participants from all over the East coast. In fact, the Mayor has often been seen climbing ladders, moving barrels, acting as master of ceremonies, setting up tents, installing decorations and cleaning up trash at the close of events. To create a stronger community, he also instituted a weekly email known as the ``Mayor's Message,'' writing more than 300 weekly messages in his unique conversational style, in order to keep everyone informed about what was happening in the town and the actions taken by the Town Council. As Mayor, he has understood that economic development is critically important to the enhancement of the quality of life of Lovettsville's residents, especially for the ability to provide community based services and generate additional revenue to support the town's infrastructure. For this reason, he worked diligently to attract and maintain businesses in the town, and is deservedly proud of the opening of the Lovettsville Town Center during his tenure. Mayor Zoldos also advocated the transition from outsourcing water and wastewater services in the town as well as the development of an in-house capability which included the hiring of skilled utility workers to operate and manage the town's water and wastewater treatment facilities, that has resulted in considerable cost savings and improved customer service for the town's residents. Mayor Zoldos also supported the establishment of Lovettsville's first Fiscal Policy Manual which provides professional guidelines for building financial reserves to meet future requirements and achieve financial stability. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in thanking Mayor Robert ``Bob'' Zoldos II, a gifted leader and public servant, as he completes 20 years of extraordinary service to the people of the town of Lovettsville and the 10th Congressional District of Virginia.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an extraordinary leader, colleague, and dear friend, Delegate Joe T. May, as well as his wife Bobby and their two daughters, Elaine and Beth. They are honored today for their incredible philanthropic contributions to Virginia Tech College of Engineering. Delegate May's life and legislative legacy is certainly one to be recognized as it is full of service to his constituents, commonwealth, and country. It was Delegate May's electrical engineering degree from Virginia Tech that jumpstarted his long and successful career as a businessman, engineer, and dedicated public servant. Delegate May's experience as only one of a few professional engineers in the entire General Assembly enabled him to play an integral role in passing numerous legislative initiates, including a bill to establish the House Science and Technology Committee, of which he would later serve as chair. When I served in the House of Delegates with Joe May, I was honored to serve on this committee with him. He was a trusted and valued colleague to all who worked with him. This year, Delegate May and his family have gifted his alma mater, Virginia Tech College of Engineering, with $5 million dollars for a pilot program to aid students who will be the first generation college students. His generous gift will inspire many hopeful students to pursue their dreams of a successful career, just as Delegate May did. With this donation, the college will be able to recruit 60 promising first-generation students from across Virginia into a four-year pre- college educational program in the field of engineering. The overall project is expected to provide 300 students with the gateway to pursue engineering degrees, as well as the monumental courage that will excel their careers for life. These students will experience an interactive engineering discipline, made possible through labs and a mentoring system. Delegate May is the true embodiment of a public servant and an accomplished engineer. This donation to Virginia Tech's College of Engineering will, in this important age of technology and innovation, provide students from across the state of Virginia with valuable educational opportunities and, without a doubt, will positively impact their lives. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Delegate May and the May Family Foundation for this extraordinary investment to future and prospective engineers, businesspeople, and leaders. This impact which will touch so many young lives will be forever valued as a selfless act meant to serve as a building block for a greater society. I look forward to Delegate Joe T. May's ongoing contributions to future generations of Virginia students, and I wish him and the entire May family the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Schenck Foods Company, located in the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, for 90 years of extraordinary success under the leadership of four generations of a family-owned and operated business. In 1928, the partnership of Bob Schenck and Howard Cahill founded the Valley Food Company, that manufactured Blossom Potato Chips. Thereafter, the company became the Schenck Cheese Company, distributing retail food items over a radius of 30 to 40 miles for Kraft Foods. And, in 1952, the company incorporated as Schenck Foods Company with a product line that included food service items to support institutional food customers. Like so many other great American small businesses, the company responded to situations of adversity, such as severe economic downturns and competition from large chain stores, by establishing a corporate culture based on an absolute commitment to excellence both in products sold and in customer service provided, which has generated a stellar reputation for the company and wide regional consumer loyalty. Offering more than 5,000 different products, Schenck Foods proudly serves more than 4,500 customers, within a 150-mile radius of Winchester, Virginia. The company's relentless commitment to innovation has resulted in important partnership initiatives with local, organic, sustainable and farm-to-table providers and a revamped and comprehensive walk-in ``warehouse store'' that includes a large professional kitchen where chef-created tasting dinners will be held and food vendors may demonstrate their products and buyers may learn to use them. The Schenck Foods corporate culture of excellence includes not only a strong commitment to its more than 100 employees but also an unwavering commitment to philanthropy and giving back to the Winchester and northern Shenandoah Valley community that it serves. On behalf of the people of the 10th Congressional District, I thank the leaders and employees of Schenck Foods for their compassion and generosity. In the invitation to its 90th anniversary celebration, current president and CEO, Jason Huntsberry, summed up the critical importance of the close relationships that have been established over the past nine decades, when he wrote: ``On behalf of my family and the entire Schenck Foods family, both past and present, we want to thank you for allowing us to serve this great community for the last ninety years. Without the dedication and loyalty of our employees, customers and partners, our near century of success would not be a reality.'' Mr. Speaker, as we reflect on the past and look to the future of this great company, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating Schenck Foods Company for 90 years of amazing success and in anticipating for the company, an exciting future of innovation and outstanding corporate citizenship in the community that it has served so faithfully.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Sacred Heart Academy, a Christ-centered school awarded the National Blue Ribbon of Distinction, on the occasion of its 60th year of excellent service to the people of Winchester, Virginia and the northern Shenandoah Valley. Sacred Heart Academy was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1957. From the beginning, it has been committed to providing for its students, a safe and nurturing environment that is conducive to academic excellence and guided by a strong set of morals and values. The school currently has 245 students enrolled in grades pre-K through 8 and although it is now staffed by laity, the school continues the tradition of teaching daily religion classes and guiding students in living a prayerful, spiritual life. Furthermore, the parish priests visit the school weekly to aid in the teaching of the faith, and the students participate in weekly Mass. During its 60-year history, Sacred Heart Academy has developed into a school with extraordinarily high academic standards. A milestone in the school's academic development was the completion, in 2009, of a 14,000 square foot addition to the school, that included a state-of-the-art science lab, media center, a music room, an art room, conference rooms and additional classrooms, as well as a peaceful courtyard that is conducive to meditation. This addition made it possible to house the entire student population under one roof, bringing social cohesiveness and a new vitality to the student population. Sacred Heart Academy prides itself on its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiative that included the acquiring of a 30-unit iPad2 mobile lab in the summer of 2012. With the use of digital responders purchased the year before, the mobile lab integrates many technological applications into the classroom and allows teachers to obtain immediate feedback on how well the students are understanding the scientific concepts being presented. The opening last year of the Rev. Stanley Krempa gymnasium, named after the longtime priest at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, marks another important milestone in the mission of Sacred Heart Academy to ``nurture the development of the whole child.'' With high standards in academics, the arts, and sports, the school offers a rich environment in which each child can excel and explore his or her unique potential. The award of Sacred Heart Academy with the National Blue Ribbon of Distinction in 2013 celebrates the extraordinary academic success of the wonderful students of the school. It also recognizes the extraordinary dedication of the administrators and teachers at the school to high standards of learning for all students, to data collection and honest analysis of their teaching effectiveness, and to staying at the forefront of best professional practices. The National Blue Ribbon of Distinction was also awarded to Sacred Heart Academy because of the faithful commitment and resourcefulness of the entire school community to overcome all obstacles that it has faced. The families of the school make up a close-knit community on which the school is heavily dependent. The volunteer in-service program asks that each family serves at least twenty-five hours a year performing volunteer tasks such as lunch and recess duty, chaperoning field trips and even assisting in the classroom. An active Parent Teacher Organization holds major annual fundraisers, without which the school could not function successfully. The generosity of other members of the Sacred Heart Parish and that of the Diocese of Arlington has also helped to accomplish important goals for the school. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our other colleagues in congratulating the entire ``family'' of Sacred Heart Academy on its extraordinary success over the last 60 years and wishing that, in the second half century of its existence, it continues to be a special blessing to the people of Winchester and the northern Shenandoah Valley.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the one-year anniversary of the death of Liu Xiaobo, Chinese writer, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Renowned as a freedom fighter, he is praised for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China. Mr. Xiaobo was instrumental in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, one of the most significant protests of communist rule in China. Throughout his life, his works were banned and censored by the communist Chinese government. Mr. Xiaobo drafted some of the most influential literature to protest Chinese communism including The Monologues of a Doomsday's Survivor and the October Tenth Declaration and created the Independent Chinese PEN Centre, a nongovernmental, nonprofit and nonpartisan organization offering free association for Chinese writers. Mr. Xiaobo was formally arrested four times by the Chinese government under such charges as ``inciting subversion of state power.'' His works were deemed subversive by the Chinese Communist Party and actively censored. On June 26, 2017, Mr. Xiaobo was released from his prison sentence on medical parole after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Mr. Xiaobo died on July 13, 2017 in Shenyang, China. Many believe his imprisonment greatly contributed to his deteriorating health. Throughout his life, his work received international recognition as a defender of freedom from groups such as Reporters Without Borders, the Nobel Prize Committee, Hong Kong Human Rights Press, and many others. As a Member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, I feel especially motivated to bring to light Mr. Xiaobo's work. Today, many others like Mr. Xiaobo are detained by their government as prisoners of conscience--a person who has been imprisoned for holding political or religious views that are not tolerated by their own government. We are grateful to live in a nation where our freedom of religion, press, speech, right to assemble and petition the government are protected at the highest level. With these remarks, I would like to commemorate a wonderful life dedicated to human rights and political freedom and bring attention to the many others who are threatened with becoming prisoners of conscience.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about our wonderful colleague, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and who I was first privileged to meet when I was a staffer here in Congress in the 1990s. She has gracefully served the people of Florida's 27th District since 1989, and she embodies the type of success story that people think of when they think of people, wherever they come from all over the world, who come here to the United States. At just 8 years old, she escaped the brutal regime of Fidel Castro with her family to come to America in pursuit of a better life, to a place where she and her family could find success, and certainly they have found that. But she has never forgotten where she came from and always fought for the oppressed all around the world and those less fortunate. So she was not only the first Hispanic woman in Congress who fought for all of the things that we have been illuminating here, but she was the first--she had many firsts here, but the first chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, where she was able to take that experience that she had at 8 years old and now, really, bring it all around the world and to be able to bring that kind of heart that we know Ileana has. Every bit of her heart is matched by a wonderful sense of humor. And you know when you see Ileana on the floor, or wherever you see her anywhere, she is cheerleading for everybody. She is fighting for everybody, and she is always happy. She is here with her grandchildren, and she is just a joyful person. We will miss that great smile of hers. She has been a mentor here to so many women. When she was first here in Congress, there were not many Republican women; and certainly as the first Hispanic woman, she was the first Republican Hispanic woman, also. So she was a great mentor for those of us who were staffers at the time, which is how I was first privileged to meet her. And she has taken this calling to heart as a public servant and has always done the best for her constituents. She is a woman of great honor, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She has changed this Congress and our colleagues for the better. She is someone for whom we join together in the Ileana Ros- Lehtinen fan club. And there are, I think, pretty close to 435 Members you could have for that fan club. We will miss her insight, her intellect, her graciousness, and, as I said, her sense of humor and her passion for representing her constituents, representing the oppressed, and representing human rights all around the world. Ileana, it has been a pleasure to serve with you--first as a staffer, now, for these past 3\1/2\ years as a Member of Congress where you were such a great mentor, and all of us know you will continue to serve your community even when you leave here in Congress. We know that is in your heart, and we know you will always be a woman who gives to others, and we are so proud to have been able to serve here with you in Congress. God bless.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone for their leadership in working with us on a bipartisan basis for this important package. We all know the stories and have heard the stories time and again from our businesses, from our schools, from families visiting us, and we know this epidemic is hitting everybody. So I appreciate the opportunity to join together with my colleagues today to address this important issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5473, the Better Pain Management Through Better Data Act, and I would like to thank Representative Ben Ray Lujan for joining me in making this a bipartisan effort as an introduction as it went through committee, and now here as we are continuing to address this on the floor. Opioid addiction we know is plaguing our communities all across the country, creating victims, devastating families, and creating economic ruin. Long-term solutions to combating this crisis depend upon safety with existing therapies and deployment of novel next generation therapies. We need to ensure the policy and regulatory environment allows for greater adoption and use of less addictive treatments. This legislation will facilitate better clinical data on nonopioid alternatives so that doctors have more prescribing options and fewer opioids are prescribed in the first place, lowering the risk of addiction. The FDA is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs, biological products, and medical devices. While there may be alternatives to opioids for certain patients and conditions, there is a need for additional clarity and flexibility regarding what drug developers need to do to help reduce the need for opioids as part of the pain treatment regimen. This bill directs the FDA to have public meetings and issue guidance to industry, addressing data collection and labeling for medical products that reduce pain and may replace, delay, or reduce the use of oral opioids. This is one more effort to remove the barriers to investment and unleash the full potential of biomedical expertise to address this growing crisis. This is the primary reason, I am pleased to say, our bill has the strong support of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, also known as BIO, which represents more than 1,000 businesses, academic institutions, State biotechnology centers, and related entities. The experts believe this bill will stimulate renewed research and development, and more effectively prevent abuse. This is a step in the right direction and allows doctors to better meet their commitment to their most vulnerable patients by giving them both diverse and better options for nonaddictive treatments for pain. Mr. Speaker, I thank the House today for addressing this issue, and really the ability to work together and find these solutions that we know are plaguing so many of our families. Everywhere we go we are all hearing about these stories, and I am heartened today we have joined together to provide more solutions.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the Members of this body to concur with the Senate amendment to my bill, the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018, so that we may send this bill to the President for his signature. I appreciate all the work that Chairman Goodlatte and the committee has done and the bipartisan nature in which they have worked with us, as well as the administration and the Attorney General. This bill will help address the problem of the rise of violence from gangs like MS-13 that have threatened my area in Northern Virginia, as well as the entire Washington metropolitan region and other places such as Long Island, Houston, and Los Angeles. MS-13 is actually active in 40 States and the District of Columbia, and their goal is to grow. Gangs like MS-13 have branched into human trafficking as well as drugs and, of course, their murderous rampages. In Virginia, we actually, several years ago, increased the penalties on any of these gang members involved with human trafficking, so we know we constantly need to change how we address these gangs. Now, let's just look at some of the recent headlines in The Washington Post, our local paper, which they have actually covered the violence, the murders, the trials and more of the approximately over 30 killings over the past several years, and that is the number according to the gang task force. Here are some of the headlines: ``MS-13 Is `Taking Over the School,' One Teen Warned Before She Was Killed.'' ``He Was Flashing Gang Signs on Facebook. It Got Him Killed by MS- 13.'' ``Heinous and Violent: MS-13's Appeal to Girls Grows as Gang Become Americanized.'' And finally, one: ``She Told the Girl She'd See Her in Hell Before Stabbing Her. Now She's Guilty of an MS-13 Murder.'' That particular murder was detailed about a young woman, Damaris Reyes Rivas, and her body was found here, this highway, which is just in Springfield, in Virginia, about a dozen, a little over a dozen miles here from the Capitol. You can see the MS-13 gang signs here, and that is where they left her body. At age 12, Damaris was brought to the U.S. by her mom to escape gangs in El Salvador. By 15, she was dead, killed by those very gangs, numerous gang members, who then sent a video of her killing back to El Salvador because that is one of their goals, to show what they have done here. Just to give you a little detail on this, Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Morrogh played the videos in court, saying he wanted to make clear for the judge the depravity involved in the horrific murder of the high school girl. Her mother was in the courtroom. The prosecutor said: ``Some kids are prodigies at the violin, and some kids are prodigies at violence. This is a prodigy at violence.'' The first video shows Damaris in the Springfield, Virginia, woods, being interrogated by the gang members, numerous gang members, all of whom were between the ages of 15 and 21. They shout at her as she gets up from the snow-dusted ground. At one point, they clicked a cigar cutter, threatening her that she could lose a finger. They made her take off her shoes and her shirt so she could feel how cold it was. They were interrogating her about a previous MS-13 murder. People were wielding knives, and they could hear, ``Just stick the steel in her,'' another one was telling them. They took her away to another area, then they took her back into the woods, forcing her to crawl through a 3-foot tunnel covered in MS-13 graffiti. Then they brutally murdered her, and they left her body, and then they came back that night to take the video of the murder to be able to send it back. As the prosecutor explained, those videos were taken so some of the MS-13 members could send it back to El Salvador to earn a promotion within the gang, which requires violence to move up the ranks. Now, these are The Washington Post stories, I should add, and they also have written stories about how gangs are a problem in our jails. This is in Maryland. It says: `` `Our incidents every month are predominantly MS-13,' said a jail investigator speaking on the condition of anonymity for his safety. `They are vying for the control of our jails.' '' So there is violence going on in our jails as a result of this also. We had another victim, Carlos Otero Hernriquez, in Leesburg, Virginia. His body was dumped in a quarry in West Virginia after a brutal murder. The acting U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Virginia said of the killing: ``The hallmark of MS-13 is extreme violence. . . . This brutal kidnapping and murder is a tragic reminder of the impact MS-13 has on communities here in Northern Virginia.'' MS-13 gangs prey on their own community, as the example of this young woman. Last summer, I went on a ride-along with the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, which is comprised of 13 local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies working together. They are going to be--they should be--some of the beneficiaries of the bill here today. I do want to assure everyone, they work very carefully with the community. What they do is--their projects are to educate, to prevent, to work with the children in schools. They have Spanish-speaking members of the task force so they can make sure they are working with the kids to keep them safe. In one case, they had an MS-13 member who was trying to recruit his brother to join the gang, and then when his brother would not join the gang, they put a hit out on the brother. Fortunately, the gang task force was able to intervene, protect that brother, sort of a Cai and Abel type of situation. Abel was protected. Cain, we were able to have the task force deal with him. But what I saw in working with the Task Force is their need for more technology, their need for resources. Whenever I talk to them, they talk about how they need to be out in the schools, at the fairs. At one local fair in Herndon, actually, I believe it was in Mr. Connolly's district, the task force told me, at a Labor Day fair, they identified up to about 200 suspected gang members, just in there, weaving about among the children. So when we went on the ride-along with them, in one night, they picked up four suspected gang members. One of them turned out to be somebody who, at 16 years old, had committed murder in El Salvador; and then he had already been deported from the country twice and was now back on Sterling Boulevard in Sterling, Virginia, about 25 miles or so from the Capitol. There he was, on a Friday evening, as children and everyone else were playing around. He was covered with gang signs when he lifted up his shirt. One of the tools that our gang task force needs more of is a little device that looks a lot like an iPad where, when you put the fingerprint of that gang member on the pad, his record then came up and we could see the entire record, and the gang task force members knew who they were dealing with. So it is clear that the resurgence of MS-13 is a multifaceted problem that needs a multifaceted solution, incorporating efforts from all levels of government, law enforcement, and communities. Passing the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Authorization Act of 2018 today, which the Senate has now already passed, will really get us back on the path to getting the resources that they previously had in our local task force. They called us today to let us know they aren't even getting the money that they used to get. Unfortunately, this was State money that they used to get that they aren't getting anymore that the State attorney general's office used to provide them, and now they aren't getting it. So this is needed more than ever in regions like ours. I know the gentlewoman in Houston, they have problems there, too, and the beauty of this program is they work with those communities that are being targeted. They work with those children. They protect them. They become their friends. But they also get the MS-13 gang members out. Now, we do have another bill that I know the chairman worked with us to get out, which would make sure that we don't have MS-13 gang members able to get in the country in the first place; and if they are here, we can remove them more quickly. That still needs to get through Senate passage also. But I am pleased that now, today, we have been able to make sure that we don't see this proliferating in our communities, this kind of gang activity, and to see these gang signs as we are driving home from work, going to a soccer game, you know, going to see our kids, and seeing that this is going on in our communities. This is something that cannot be happening in our communities. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important legislation to protect our communities and combat gang violence and provide more safe neighborhoods.

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I think when I was speaking about the ride along that I did with the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, someone said they thought they heard me say they had picked up 14 in one night. I just wanted to clarify. If it sounded like 14, I meant to say 4. So it was four in one night. Nevertheless, it goes to the problem of right in our communities there were four people there that they were able to pick up.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 10 Fairfax, Virginia area high school seniors who plan to enlist in the United States Marines after graduation. These students have excelled in their academic and extracurricular activities, and I offer my sincere congratulations upon their high school graduation. I commend these student leaders for their selflessness and courageous decision to serve their country as members of the United States Marines: David Kha; Luke Kim; Ismael Shehat; Zachary Torres; Alex Cundith; Jasper Allison; Joshua Adkins; Ian Framstad; Robero Fuentes; Jenish KC. These students will be honored by the Our Community Salutes Fairfax Chapter of Our Community Salutes at their Inaugural Military Enlistee Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in Sterling, VA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these young men and women and their families for their dedication to serving this great Nation. We owe them and the many Americans who have served and will serve a debt of gratitude.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 7 Fairfax, Virginia area high school seniors who plan to enlist in the United States Army after graduation. These students have excelled in their academic and extracurricular activities, and I offer my sincere congratulations upon their high school graduation. I commend these student leaders for their selflessness and courageous decision to serve their country as members of the United States Army: Jacob Ziemann; Kage Smith; Brian Letchworth; Nathaniel Brown; Izik Austin; Jamalia Richards; Eric Kim. These students will be honored by the Fairfax Chapter of Our Community Salutes at their Inaugural Military Enlistee Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, VA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these young men and women and their families for their dedication to serving this great Nation. We owe them and the many Americans who have served and will serve a debt of gratitude.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 4 Fairfax, Virginia area high school seniors who plan to enlist in the United States Air Force after graduation. These students have excelled in their academic and extracurricular activities, and I offer my sincere congratulations upon their high school graduation. I commend these student leaders for their selflessness and courageous decision to serve their country as members of the United States Air Force: Moon Kyung Cho; Jannela Lopez De Guzman; Gabriel Nicole White; Reynaldo Campos. These students will be honored by the Fairfax Chapter of Our Community Salutes at their Inaugural Military Enlistee Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, VA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these young men and women and their families for their dedication to serving this great Nation. We owe them and the many Americans who have served and will serve a debt of gratitude.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 35 Fairfax, Virginia area high school seniors who plan to enlist in the United States Navy after graduation. These students have excelled in their academic and extracurricular activities, and I offer my sincere congratulations upon their high school graduation. I commend these student leaders for their selflessness and courageous decision to serve their country as members of the United States Navy: Alexandra Villagomez; Rosanna Curiel; Cassidy Blefko; Carlos Castillo; William Labrecque; Ricardo Melendez; Elliot Gamby; Ryan Garnier; Hannah Hong; Cameron Woods; Myiam Anderson; Hyunsoo Hung; Omar Hedgespeth; Daniel Delabarra; Millad Zahedi; Carl Christensen; Edward Beaudoin; Tyger Leiva; Gad Baron; Jack Havens; Bryan Dann; Kevin Anderson; Michael Barnhouse; Marshall Wacker; Kenneth Abankwa; Yawo Afodagni; Marvin Castelo; Mukunda Adhikari; Dane Dailey; Dylan Griffin; Justice McManis; David Koroma; Karl Yao; Ryan Dixon; William Sherard. These students will be honored by the Fairfax Chapter of Our Community Salutes at their Inaugural Military Enlistee Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in Sterling, VA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these young men and women and their families for their dedication to serving this great Nation. We owe them and the many Americans who have served and will serve a debt of gratitude.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Mr. Chuck Weir, who recently passed away at the age of 86, just hours before his 87th birthday. As a resident of Leesburg, Virginia, Chuck devoted his life to his family and public service, living as a selfless community servant. He was dedicated to his beloved wife of 57 years, the late Darlene Weir and together they raised four children, Sue Ellen Jones, Maureen Kay Woods, Gregory Allen Weir, and Jeffery Charles Weir. Chuck was a respected leader in the Commonwealth who brought honor and integrity to everything he did. His deep passion for service left an impression on every person he met. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, receiving an honorable discharge as a Staff Sargeant. Chuck carried a passionate spirit throughout this world and always shared it unto his colleagues. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Chuck taught junior high school in Oregon. In 1957, he returned to service in the USMC with a commission as a Second Lieutenant. Chuck thoroughly enjoyed his 17 years as an officer in the Marine Corps. He retired as a Major in 1970 due to combat disability after he was seriously wounded during his service in Vietnam. Chuck was awarded a Purple Heart for his injuries. He also received his MPA in Computer Science from American University in 1970. His second career as a civil servant for the United States Government was cut short due to another injury that left him permanently disabled in 1976. Chuck then devoted his life as a citizen who profoundly impacted our community. He was selfless and dedicated to bettering the world around him. He served on the school board for the Falls Church City Public Schools. He was a member and President of the Homeowner Association boards where he lived in Oakton and Lansdowne, Virginia. Chuck had a drive and a passion to support the people and causes he held dear. He also served the youth of his community as a member and President of the Arlington Optimist Club. Chuck served as a member of the C&O Canal National Park Commission for 21 years, making sure that this hometown National Park was preserved and protected for all to enjoy. He was honored to serve veterans as a member and President of the board for the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Salem, Virginia. Chuck was an architect of the Republican party and we will forever be grateful for his service. He was a member of the committee for President Ronald Reagan's inauguration. Chuck was the Republican Party's 10th Congressional District Chairman in Northern Virginia. He was also a Virginia delegate to the Republican National Convention, and he served on the State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. In all passions, Chuck was enthusiastic about serving people. His presence was noticed by more than just his friends and family as he always displayed wisdom and strength and constantly mentored those around him. His heart was sincere, and his legacy serves as inspiration for others to also endure in public service. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me as we recognize the many contributions of Chuck Weir. The impact he has had on the Commonwealth of Virginia and to our country will never be forgotten, and I offer our deepest condolences to the Weir family.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Nicole Ann Clark for her strength and perseverance as a breast cancer survivor, as well as the dedication she has displayed by continuing to aid in the fight against breast cancer. She is a testament to the fact that hope exists for all cancer patients and their loved ones. Nicole's doctor found a tumor during a routine breast exam a little over five years ago. This was the beginning of a tough journey for her and her husband, guided by faith and support from family and friends. With the recent news of a local breast cancer walk discontinuing, Nicole wanted to start an event to help women with Breast Cancer and give women a reason for continuing to exercise and stay healthy. Thus emerged Walk 4 Mountains, an inaugural event to give peace and comfort to women. Walk 4 Mountains was held this past Saturday, May 5, 2018, with all proceeds benefiting the Loudoun Breast Health Network, Step Sister's and the Local Chapter of the American Cancer Society which will help to pay bills and take care of everyday activities for women diagnosed with breast cancer. I sincerely thank her for her efforts in this fight. She is an inspiration to men and women everywhere, and her actions are truly honorable. With the establishment of this event, Ms. Clark's achievements and leadership will continue to strengthen the fight against breast cancer now and in the future. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Ms. Nicole Clark's loyal and dedicated service in spreading awareness and funding for the fight against breast cancer. On behalf of Virginia's 10th District, I wish Ms. Nicole Clark all the best in her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor philanthropic and community leaders Carolyn and Milt Peterson, and their children, Lauren Peterson, William ``Rick'' Peterson, Jon Peterson and Steven Peterson of Fairfax, Virginia. This past Saturday, we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Life with Cancer Annual Lobster Extravaganza, which is an annual fundraising event supporting the nonprofit organization, Life with Cancer. Life with Cancer is a community support and education program for cancer patients and their families, offering creative, physical, and social outlets that improve quality of life for all those affected by cancer. Life With Cancer's mission is to help those affected by cancer. I especially would like to recognize Carolyn Peterson, the Chair Emeritus of the Life With Cancer. Through knowing Carolyn's story as a cancer survivor, we discover her love for life that can help each of us live a richer, more hope and love-filled life. With her strength and perseverance as a cancer survivor, Carolyn and her husband, Milt have opened their home for this annual fundraiser that celebrates joy of friendship and togetherness amidst a cancer diagnosis. I would like to personally commend Carolyn and Milt who inspire others through their dedication and generosity in service to their neighbors, friends, and even those they do not know. The Extravaganza is such a unique event, every year including a New England lobster bake dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing, all to benefit thousands of individuals. I very much enjoyed the friendship shared this past weekend. Carolyn, Milt and the entire Peterson family are friends to so many throughout our community. Through their love for each other, they have shared their love for service. This year, Carolyn and Milt Peterson celebrate the milestone of 60 wonderful years of marriage, turned into an amazing journey of service, positively influencing the lives of countless members of our community. I thank them for their work and I celebrate this year of many achievements, deserving of recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Carolyn and Milt Peterson and I sincerely hope that we all can live up to their tremendous example.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Chairman, I urge passage of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that my amendment No. 84 be modified in the manner that I have placed at the desk.

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Chairman, my bipartisan amendment reflects several policy recommendations that have been proposed in various forms over the last several years, including Representative Bridenstine's Space Renaissance Act. State spaceports have become increasingly important elements of our national space launch infrastructure, with States like Virginia, Florida, and Alaska contributing hundreds of millions in infrastructure improvements to launch sites to better support NASA, DOD, and commercial launch. State spaceports like the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island in Virginia, which launches Orbital ATK's Antares and Minotaur rockets, have provided new, low-cost capabilities for NASA, Defense, and commercial users, while also improving resiliency and responsiveness. The recent NASA Reauthorization Act, which passed the House Science Committee by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote last week, included language urging NASA to fully leverage such State spaceport investments to meet infrastructure demands to support national missions. As we now consider this FAA Reauthorization Act, it is also important to note that the FAA currently plays a critical role in licensing and working with these spaceports as they grow their infrastructure and capabilities to support a variety of missions. This amendment will help recognize the important role of these spaceports to our national launch infrastructure, establish an office of spaceports to better coordinate licensing, policy, and technical support for spaceports, as well as direct two important reports--one by the Secretary of Transportation and another by GAO--to address policy issues facing spaceports in our growing launch market. The amendment is supported by a bipartisan group of my colleagues from Virginia, Maryland, and Florida and is supported by Virginia Space, Space Florida, and the National Association of Spaceports, among others. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Mr. Sanford M. Saunders, Jr., whom we lost too soon at the age of 59. A constituent of McLean, Virginia, Sandy is survived by his wife of nearly 22 years, Beth Saunders and predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Paulette David. Sandy was loved immensely, sharing a special bond with his wife, Beth that came from his great heart and genuine nature. They had similar personalities and together sought the adventures of life, year after year finding the treasures of the world. Love is not an easy feeling to put in words but with Sandy, his love for Beth was revolutionary and he devoted himself to her. Sandy carried a joyous spirit throughout this world and always shared it unto others. He will be remembered affectionately as the ``Sand- man.'' A name given unto him to fit his calm and comforting personality. He was a supportive uncle and the oldest cousin among all family members. His wisdom and humor prevailed in every conversation. Above all passions, Sandy was enthusiastic about serving people. With over thirty years of representing his clients, Sandy every day pledged to arm them in his work. From a young age, Sandy understood the importance of a good education. He received his J.D., Cum Laude, from Georgetown University Law Center in 1983 and his B.A., with honors, from Johns Hopkins University in 1980. In addition to his time practicing law, Sandy also served as a Visiting Fellow at George Mason University's Center on Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption, imparting his decades of wisdom in these fields to the next generations. Sandy deeply loved life and this was clear to all those around him. Psalms 34:22 speaks, ``The Lord redeems the souls of his servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned. The dust returns to the earth as it was, but the spirit returns to God who gave it.'' Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring the extraordinary life of Mr. Sanford Saunders, Jr., and I ask that my colleagues join me in offering our deepest condolences to the Saunders family.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I was absent to attend a memorial service. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 148 and YEA on Roll Call No. 149.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a remarkable woman who has made an extraordinary contribution to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the people of the northern Shenandoah Valley. With the retirement of Tricia Stiles Simpson from her position as Legislative Assistant to Virginia State Senator Jill Vogel, those attending the 2018 session of the Virginia General Assembly experienced a clear loss of energy, enthusiasm, honesty and intelligence that constitute this extraordinary human being. A gifted speaker and writer, Tricia has always displayed natural leadership skills and has been highly sought after for a variety of boards and commissions. Over the years, she has generously given of her time, energy and money to a wide variety of organizations, serving as chairman or vice chairman of the following: Frederick County School Board, to which she was elected and reelected; United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley; Frederick County Department of Social Services; Winchester Branch of the American Association of University Women; Shenandoah Valley Private Industry Council; and Tri-County VA Opportunities IndustriaLization Center. As one who has consistently lived her life out of the conviction that each individual has inherent dignity and worth, Tricia Stiles Simpson's overriding passion has been to serve and advocate for the most vulnerable members of our society, especially disabled children. During her 35 years of service to individuals with disabilities, Tricia has been an award-winning Special Education Teacher in Clarke County; Director of Rehabilitation Services for Northwestern Workshop; National Project Director of the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities; administrator at Grafton School; and Executive Director of the Winchester-Frederick County Child Advocacy Center. In each of these positions, as well as during the 10 years she spent as Senator Vogel's Legislative Assistant, Tricia generously gave of her time and energies to those struggling with almost every challenge imaginable, treating each with honesty and compassion, so that they left her presence knowing that they had been heard and respected. Asked how she managed to deal so successfully with confused and troubled people, Simpson explained her simple three-part rule: ``Say what you mean and do what you say; be consistent; and love them absolutely.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in recognizing and thanking Tricia Stiles Simpson for her extraordinary career serving the people of the northern Shenandoah Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia and wishing her and her husband, HB Simpson, many years of continued happiness in their retirement years.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Arc of Loudoun, on its 50th anniversary of making immeasurable contributions throughout Virginia's 10th Congressional District. Since its creation in 1967, this foundation has advanced Rachel Paxton's dream to use her historic Leesburg property to support the ``needy children'' of Loudoun County, delivering care and services for people from infancy to adulthood, with differing abilities. The Arc of Loudoun has reshaped the quality of life for citizens, enabling thousands of people to live with greater independence and dignity by implementing one vision, to help members to live ``a life like yours.'' The Arc of Loudoun serves 3,125 people, with over 4,000 instances of services through their five programs on Paxton Campus. They provide an integrated and innovative environment in their services, all devoted to their mission to maximizing the potential of children while supporting families and individuals with disabilities so that they may thrive in Loudoun. These programs include the Aurora School. Founded in 2003, the School is a private day school for students with special needs and behavior challenges. Founded in 2010, the Open Door Learning Center is an inclusive preschool for children with and without disabilities. The Center provides daily care with onsite behavioral and music therapy provisions for young children, many with developmental disabilities. The ALLY ``A Life Like Yours'' Advocacy Center vvas founded in 2011 and serves as a community resource for information, advocacy and support for children with special needs, their families, caregivers, and the professionals who work with them. Founded in September 2017, the Ability Fitness Center is a therapeutic fitness and wellness center for individuals with neurological disorders including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy, and developmental disabilities. This past January, the Arc of Loudoun launched the Advantage Behavior Clinic. The clinic provides individualized behavior and verbal therapy, speech therapy, and social skills development for children with autism and other related disabilities. I am thankful for the leadership of the Arc of Loudoun management team: Melissa Heifetz, Denise Daffron, YaTonya Abdullah, Eileen Shaffer, Megan Allman, Kendra McDonald, Amy Metaxa, Helen Parker, Matt Smith, Morgan Payne, and the entire staff, volunteers, and supporters. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Arc of Loudoun on its 50th anniversary. May the Arc of Loudoun continue to assist in the cultivation of a better life for many years to come.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rabbi Amy R. Perlin for her 32 years of exceptional service to the Temple B'nai Shalom and the surrounding community of Fairfax Station. After decades of service, Rabbi Perlin will be retiring this July. Rabbi Perlin was determined to build a vibrant and meaningful Jewish life for families in Northern Virginia. In 1986, she founded the Temple B'nai Shalom congregation, becoming the first female rabbi in the United States to start a congregation on her own, bringing together the essence of Jewish spiritual life for about 100 families from several nearby communities in the fall of 1986. Under her leadership, the Temple has grown to serve over 500 families from throughout Northern Virginia, and earned a reputation as a values driven, welcoming, diverse, caring, and highly-participatory congregation. Nationally, Temple B'nai Shalom is known for retaining and inspiring generations of Jewish youth to continue practicing their faith through Confirmation and Post-Confirmation, posting one of the best post-Bar Mitzvah retention rates in the country. Additionally, the Temple has sent a record number of rabbinic students to Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Institute of Religion, with seven members of the congregation matriculating to the Institute since 2002. Having Rabbi Perlin's students named to these prestigious institutions is truly a testament to her resolute commitment to providing Jewish youth with a first-rate education. In recognition for her leadership and service, Rabbi Perlin received the Jewish Women International's 2012 Women to Watch award. In 2013, she was recognized as one of ``America' s Most Inspiring Rabbis'' by The Forward newspaper for her impact shaping 21st century Judaism. In addition to her faithful service to the Temple B'nai Shalom congregation, Rabbi Perlin is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Together with her husband of 41 years, Gary, she has been dedicated to social justice and philanthropy in the Washington area and worldwide. In honor of Rabbi Perlin's legacy, the congregation of the Temple B'nai Shalom is establishing the Rabbi Amy R. Perlin and Gary L. Perlin Endowment to commemorate the invaluable leadership and service she and her husband have provided to the Northern Virginia community. With the establishment of this endowment, Rabbi Perlin's contributions and leadership will continue to thrive and strengthen the Jewish faith now and in the future. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Rabbi Perlin's loyal and dedicated service to Temple B'nai Shalom. On behalf of Virginia's 10th District, I wish Rabbi Perlin all the best in her future endeavors.