Carlos Curbelo

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the passing of one of Monroe County's most respected and decent public servants. Richard ``Dick'' Ramsay, a former Marathon mayor and city councilman, small-business owner and airplane pilot, passed away on June 2nd at the age of 74. A true visionary that worked tirelessly to better his community, Mayor Ramsay played a pivotal role in the incorporation of Marathon, FL. He possessed a genuine passion for the Florida Keys, passion that was reflected in his dedication to public service. When Dick moved to Marathon, he purchased Surfside gas station near the Vaca Cut Bridge. Upon retirement is when Dick decided to become active with municipal issues. Dick's contributions to Marathon are both significant and extensive. He served three two-year terms on the City Counsel and expressed great interest in issues concerning Marathon Florida Keys International Airport. One of his many successful projects was the newly installed U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facility, which now allows international flights to clear U.S. Customs in Marathon for the first time in decades. Beloved by his family, his friends, and his community, Dick Ramsay will be dearly missed by all. I am honored to have been able to call him my friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Ramsay family and the Florida Keys for the loss of such an active and caring member of the community.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss one of the most serious issues facing the United States: the staggering national debt of over $19 trillion. This equates to $59,409 for every person living in our country. While the national debt has grown almost $9 trillion since President Obama was sworn in, here in Congress, we must work together to debate solutions that will address our country's debt and get our fiscal house back in order. Every day, families in south Florida sit around the dinner table and make tough decisions on how they will spend their money. They stick to their budgets, and their government should be no different. Last October, I was proud to support a 2-year bipartisan budget agreement that implemented new caps on discretionary spending for both fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Too often, enormous sums are wasted due to unpredictable budget cycles and government shutdown threats. With the adoption of this 2-year budget, Congress was able to reduce wasteful government spending by providing certainty to agencies as they plan for the future. The budget also contains reforms to entitlement programs. It is important that we protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid--the invaluable safety net for those who need the help--while working to implement reforms to make these programs solvent for future generations. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance solutions that will rein in our national debt. It is our duty as elected officials to leave our children and grandchildren the same economic opportunities as previous generations had. That is my highest priority in Congress. Recognizing Joseph Gebara

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joseph Gebara as he retires from his post as president of the Miami-Dade County Council PTA/PTSA. Mr. Gebara has been integral to the organization's mission of unlocking the potential present in every child. Mr. Gebara, who held his post since 2014, has always maintained an unwavering focus on his goals, and has used his position to effectively serve our community. For years he has been at the helm of a movement which seeks to engage with south Florida families and provide them with the tools necessary to empower their children and set them on a path towards success. Mr. Gebara has been firmly rooted in the south Florida community, which is evident through his service as board member of The Children's Trust as well as chairman of the Miami-Dade Public Schools Title I District Advisory Council. In those roles, Mr. Gebara worked tirelessly to facilitate collaboration between educators and families as well as increasing inclusivity so that every voice was heard, respected, and taken into consideration. I commend Mr. Joe Gebara for his service to the south Florida community, and congratulate him on a job well done. Mr. Speaker, I can personally attest to the fact that he is the most passionate advocate for children and families in our schools that I know. Homestead Veterans Clinic

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my strong support for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in allocating funds to create a new VA medical clinic in Homestead, Florida. As it currently stands, the Homestead Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic rents a medical office that does not meet the needs of military members and veterans in our south Florida community. With the establishment of a new clinic, Homestead would be able to serve more than 10,000 military personnel, veterans, and eligible family members in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, which would be a substantial improvement from its current capabilities. Though this new clinic would be a step forward, there is still significant work that must be done to help our veterans and servicemembers living in the Florida Keys. They do not have a local clinic and must travel up to 4 hours to reach the nearest VA facility. These brave men and women deserve more easily accessible options, and I will continue fighting for them. Supporting our troops and veterans is essential to paying our profound debt of gratitude to the very people who have put their lives in danger to defend our freedoms. It is because of brave people like our veterans that America continues to have the strongest military in the world, and we must always honor them.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of H.R. 5278, the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, or PROMESA. I want to thank Chairman Bishop and Representative Duffy, who have shown steadfast leadership in finding practical solutions to address the fiscal crisis in Puerto Rico. The situation in Puerto Rico is urgent and so is the need for a responsible reform agenda. Hundreds of thousands of citizens have left the island--many have come to Florida--to find better opportunities as a result of the deteriorating economic conditions. Our friends in Puerto Rico, our fellow American citizens deserve a better future, one that gives them the chance to achieve prosperity on the island. This legislation is an important step forward in helping the island mitigate the existing humanitarian and economic emergency in a responsible way. The bill also allows the congressional task force to look at impediments to economic growth and poverty reduction, including equitable access to Federal healthcare programs for the island's residents. Serious challenges remain in the healthcare sector--like the impending Medicaid cliff--that could have a detrimental impact on the future of the island. I also urge my colleagues to vote in favor of my amendment with Mr. Jolly which will guarantee that addressing the nearly 60 percent of children living in poverty on the island is a top priority. As we work to achieve economic stability on the island, we must also ensure that the mechanisms in this bill benefit the extremely vulnerable child population. Congress has an important interest in ensuring that Puerto Rico not only survives the current crisis, Mr. Chairman, but that it is able to build a better and more sustainable future. Again, I am very supportive of the bipartisan solutions in H.R. 5278, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill and of my amendment which addresses child poverty on the island.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on June 7, I missed votes on account of a flight delay from Miami to Washington, D.C. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 269: I would have voted YEA: H. Con. Res. 129--Expressing support for the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust victims live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years, and urging the Federal Republic of Germany to reaffirm its commitment to this goal through a financial commitment to comprehensively address the unique health and welfare needs of vulnerable Holocaust victims, including home care and other medically prescribed needs. Roll Call: 270: I would have voted YEA: H.R. 4906--To amend title 5, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility of employees of a land management agency in a time-limited appointment to compete for a permanent appointment at any Federal agency, and for other purposes. Roll Call: 271: I would have voted YEA: H.R. 4904--MEGABYTE Act. Roll Call: 272: I would have voted YEA: H.R. 1815--Eastern Nevada Land Implementation Improvement Act

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on May 23, I missed votes on account of a family commitment in the district. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 229: I would have voted Yea: H.R. 4889--Kelsey Smith Act. Roll Call: 230: I would have voted Yea: H.R. 3998--Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on May 17, I missed votes on account of attending a family event in the district. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 196: I would have voted YEA: Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 732--the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4909-- National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 Roll Call 197: I would have voted YEA: Adoption of H. Res. 732--the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4909--National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 Roll Call 198: I would have voted NAY: Esty (D-CT) Motion to Instruct Conferees on S. 524--Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 Roll Call 199: I would have voted YEA: H.R. 897--Zika Vector Control Act

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Key West Fire Department on their Class 1 Insurance Service Office rating, the highest achievable rating that a fire department can attain. They are 1 out of fewer than 200 departments in the Nation to receive this score, which is based off of a multitude of factors, including training, response time, and how well they are equipped. This rating also helps by providing residents with the lowest fire insurance rates possible, something I am sure that all Key West residents appreciate. I commend Fire Chief David Fraga and the entire Key West Fire Department on their diligent work and their devotion to keeping everyone in Key West safe. We are very fortunate to have a strong team of firefighters protecting us. Recognizing Florida Keys Marathon Airport

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Florida Keys Marathon Airport for officially becoming an international airport on April 20, 2016. For 8 years the staff has worked to attain this clarification. It comes as no surprise to me that they were able to achieve this feat. I commend the Florida Keys Marathon Airport on receiving this well- deserved designation. This airport will provide additional travel options for the families living in our community and the millions of tourists who visit south Florida every year. Congratulations to Mayor Senmartin, Vice Mayor Kelly, council members Zieg, Coldiron, and Bartus, and city manager Chuck Lindsey and, also, former Mayor Ramsey and former city manager Mike Puto, all who worked very hard to make this a reality. Recognizing Officer Mario Gutierrez

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Miami- Dade Police Department's own Officer Mario Gutierrez, who received the Medal of Valor, the highest decoration of honor given to public safety officers in the United States. In 2013, Officer Gutierrez was on a routine call when he noticed an individual exhibiting strange behavior at a gas station near Miami International Airport. As Officer Gutierrez approached, the man attempted to light a gas pump on fire. In an attempt to disarm the assailant, who was holding a knife, Gutierrez received several stab wounds that nearly cost him his life. Had the assailant been successful in causing a mass fire, many lives may have been lost on that day. Officer Gutierrez went above and beyond the call of duty to protect the members of our community. We thank him for his service, his selflessness, and his bravery in the face of danger. Officer Gutierrez, thank you. You are a true hero. Recognizing Mr. Brian Reedy

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Brian Reedy, a seventh grade visual arts teacher from Zelda Glazer Middle School in my south Florida congressional district. In 2014, Mr. Reedy became the visual arts instructor at Zelda Glazer and, in only 2 years, has propelled the program to national recognition. Mr. Reedy has received numerous accolades for his work at Zelda Glazer, with his fellow teachers referring to the work of his students as magnet quality. His classroom, however, does not require an application to enter like many art magnet programs in south Florida. Any student can register. Students have had their art pieces showcased from local shows in Miami all the way to the New York Scholastic Art Awards. What is even more impressive is that Mr. Reedy works with a wide range of talents, including those just getting started to people who have been painting for many years. As a former Miami-Dade County School Board member, I always appreciate and support teachers who encourage our youth to explore their passions in life, and Mr. Reedy does just that. It is an honor to recognize Mr. Reedy for his great work at Zelda Glazer. I look forward to both his and his students' future successes.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Harry Friedman from Key Largo, Florida for earning the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Boy Scouts which takes years of dedicated effort. Community service and leadership are the most important tenets of being a Boy Scout and Harry has proven to possess both. Harry's service project involved constructing a community garden located at the Keys Jewish Community Center in Tavernier, FL. Harry then arranged for the harvested vegetables to be donated to the Burton Memorial Church for their Food Bank Program. This program has assisted in feeding the homeless by adding locally grown, fresh vegetables to their diet on a regular basis. Many of my district's constituents have already been positively affected by Harry's contributions to our community. We are all grateful for his dedication to service and know he will go on to accomplish great things. On behalf of the Twenty-Sixth Congressional District of Florida, congratulations again on becoming an Eagle Scout.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4957.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4957), to designate the Federal building located at 99 New York Avenue, N.E., in the District of Columbia as the ``Ariel Rios Federal Building.''

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 4957 would designate the Federal building located at 99 New York Avenue, N.E., in the District of Columbia, as the Ariel Rios Federal Building. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this legislation, along with the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management--my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta) and my colleague from Indiana (Mr. Carson). Special Agent Ariel Rios joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 1978, where he became one of the most effective agents who was assigned to then-Vice President George H. W. Bush's task force. Special Agent Rios worked as an undercover agent as part of the task force. During his undercover assignment in 1982, he and another agent arranged to meet two suspects at a motel in Miami, Florida, to purchase large quantities of drugs and machine guns. A confrontation ensued and, during a struggle, Special Agent Rios was shot and was seriously wounded. He died shortly after in the hospital on December 2, 1982. Special Agent Rios received a number of posthumous awards, including the Secretary of the Treasury's Exceptional Service Award and a Meritorious Service Award from the Dade County Chiefs of Police Association. The previous location of the ATF headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue bore his name for 27 years. During that time, the ATF relocated to a new headquarters building, and the old building was occupied by another agency and was renamed. H.R. 4957 would appropriately name the current location of the ATF headquarters after Special Agent Rios. I am very proud to recognize this American hero who so sadly perished while protecting the people of Miami, my hometown, from crime and drugs. As a Member with the honor of representing south Florida in Congress, I thank Special Agent Rios for his service to our country, and I thank his family for their sacrifice of such a brave person on behalf of all of us. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleague from Indiana (Mr. Carson) for his leadership on this issue. This, of course, is a simple naming bill, but it honors one of the many men and women who paid the ultimate price to keep Americans safe. This has a special place in my heart, obviously, because this took place in my community where Special Agent Rios lost his life. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize this week as National Teacher Appreciation Week. This is an opportunity to demonstrate our heartfelt gratitude to all the exceptional men and women who dedicate their life's work towards the education of our youth. As a former member of the Miami-Dade County's School Board, I know firsthand the commitment and sacrifices our teachers make to ensure that our students have a solid educational foundation. Our teachers are the key to guiding our students in becoming the productive citizens and future leaders of our nation. With each lesson they teach, they bring wisdom, instill growth, inspire love, and enlighten the path for our youth. It is with profound honor and humility that I thank teachers universally for being mentors and motivators.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Bob Epling as he retires from his post as Chairman and CEO of Community Bank, a bank created with the intentions of being owned and operated by the community. Mr. Epling, who held his post since 1977, has always pushed the limits of what it means to be a business owner, and has used his means to serve the community. He has been acknowledged countless times for his service to the South Florida community, including his most recent recognition for excellence in community service by the Dade County Farm Bureau. Mr. Epling has always been firmly rooted in the South Florida community, evident through his role as President of the Florida Bankers Association and Orange Bowl Committee, as well as Chairman of the 1996 South Florida Olympic Soccer Organizing Committee. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of the International Hurricane Research Center for 20 years. In that role, Mr. Epling worked tirelessly to advance research for mitigating storm damage, which he witnessed firsthand when assisting with rebuilding efforts in Homestead after Hurricane Andrew. It is an honor for me to recognize Mr. Bob Epling on the occasion of his retirement for all of his service to the community of South Florida for more than three decades.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, I visited U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, a critical military national security asset serving key roles in the war on terrorism, drug and migrant interdiction, and as a strategic forward base for the Atlantic Fleet. Every day, approximately 7,000 U.S. military personnel and contractors go to work at GTMO to keep our country safe and to advance our national security interests in the Americas and throughout the world. I had the privilege of meeting with Captain Culpepper, the base commander, who briefed us on the base's preparedness to assist with major migrant events in the Caribbean. This is important, considering the significant increase in Cubans fleeing the island over the last year. I also met with Rear Admiral Clarke, who serves as Commander of the Joint Task Force Guantanamo. The JTF is working professionally and diligently to provide safe, humane, legal, and transparent care and custody of detainees. I was able to inspect the detention facilities, and I was impressed with efforts to treat the detainees with dignity and respect. Our brave young people in uniform do an extraordinary job of representing our country, sometimes under very difficult circumstances, in this theater. Mr. Speaker, the men and women of Naval Air Station Guantanamo, the Joint Task Force, and the Marines who protect the base perimeter deserve the admiration, appreciation, and support of the American people and this Congress. I thank my colleague from south Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for leading our visit to GTMO. I urge all of my colleagues to work to protect and strengthen this critical military asset. Zika Eradication and Good Government Act

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Zika virus has wreaked havoc throughout Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. We have seen countless pregnant women infected, resulting in devastating fetal brain defects on their newborn children. As of mid-April, 87 cases of Zika have been identified in Florida, and another 380 cases have been reported across the country. We must be prepared for the first domestic transmission of the virus, especially as the summer mosquito season begins and international travel is more frequent. For these reasons, I have filed H.R. 5031, the Zika Eradication and Good Government Act. This bill will ensure no new funds are made available for Zika until all unspent Ebola money is disbursed, which the President already said he would do in early April. This bill will also direct all Federal agencies that receive funds to combat Zika to work in collaboration and share best practice methods. Finally, this bill will require a report from the President to Congress each month when any future funds are appropriated for Zika, detailing the obligations, expenditures, and effectiveness of the program. Mr. Speaker, I support the President's call for funding emergency legislation to ensure Zika is eradicated. I also want to make sure the funds are spent wisely and effectively in fighting this virus. This bill is an important first step forward. I strongly urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Zika Eradication and Good Government Act. Criminal Justice Reform

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the need to improve our prisons and criminal justice system here in the United States. Currently, there are more than 2 million individuals who are incarcerated in our country, the majority of whom committed nonviolent offenses. Last December, I had the opportunity to visit with over 20 inmates at Dade Correctional Institution in south Florida. These individuals were visibly moved that someone had taken the time to speak with them and learn about their struggles. I felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to hear their stories. Criminal justice reform is desperately needed in our country, and it is vital that we break the school-to-prison pipeline and ensure that those who have served their time have a second chance at success. For all these reasons, I signed the Second Chance Petition, to allow nonviolent offenders to recover with dignity and become active members of their communities. With this week's Criminal Justice Summit taking place at the White House, I call on all of my colleagues to build on this momentum and meet with inmates to learn from their experiences. I am a cosponsor of bipartisan bills focused on criminal justice reform and look forward to working with my colleagues to get these bills signed into law.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1684.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, following the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska in 1989, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA. The basic premise of OPA is that the party responsible for the spill is responsible for all of the costs of cleaning up the mess. The Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 reminded us of the impact a spill of its size can have on waters, coastlines, people, and our economy. It is important to note that these offshore facilities, as defined by OPA, are limited only to the navigable waters of the United States, and foreign rigs cannot be designated as responsible parties. Therefore, if there were an oil spill originating in foreign waters, the most the responsible party would have to pay to clean up American waters and shores is $150 million. This issue is of particular concern to Gulf States. Mexico, Cuba, and the Bahamas are actively looking at expanding their offshore drilling operations. Of particular concern is Mexico, which is looking into ultradeep wells, exceeding 6,000 feet in depth. In 2012, Mexico's top oil regulators said they were not prepared to handle a serious accident or major oil spill. But it is not just the Gulf States that could be negatively affected by a spill. On the Canadian side of Lake Erie, offshore energy exploration is being conducted for natural gas. While Canadian law prohibits oil extraction from the Great Lakes, the risk of a spill persists. Again, under current law, the responsible party would only have to pay a maximum of $150 million for cleanup. In response to these concerns, my friend from Florida, Representative Patrick Murphy, and I introduced the legislation that is being considered here today. The bill ensures that the responsible party, regardless of origin, pays for all American cleanup costs by applying OPA. This will also apply Clean Water Act penalties to the responsible foreign party. I am proud that this legislation has broad bipartisan support and has been endorsed by environmental fishing and other groups that depend on the water for their livelihoods. Our coastal communities need peace of mind that if they are harmed by a foreign spill, resources are available to clean up their shores and help them recover. American taxpayers should not have to foot the bill to bail out the mistakes of foreign companies. I would like to thank and commend the Coast Guard and the majority and minority staffs of the committee, particularly John Rayfield and Dave Jansen, for their work on this important legislation. H.R. 1684 is a very straightforward bill that looks to hold the party responsible for a foreign oil spill that affects U.S. waters or lands accountable. I urge all Members to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1684) to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to impose penalties and provide for the recovery of removal costs and damages in connection with certain discharges of oil from foreign offshore units, and for other purposes, as amended.