Joe Donnelly

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to solemnly remember and honor the life and dedicated service of Specialist Robert J. Tauteris Jr., a native son of Hamlet, Indiana, and a proud member of the 713th Engineer Company based in Valparaiso and assigned to 81st Troop Command. Specialist Tauteris died along with three of his fellow soldiers on January 5, 2012 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when their vehicle was hit by a roadside improvised explosive device as they scouted for bombs and potential problems along a major supply route. The state of Indiana mourns the loss of the four brave men who took on this dangerous mission to ensure the safety of their fellow soldiers. Specialist Tauteris died with his fellow National Guardsmen, Specialist Brian Leonhardt, Specialist Christopher Patterson, and Staff Sergeant Jonathan Metzger. Private Douglas Rachowicz was severely injured in the same incident. Robert graduated from North Judson High School in 1986 and had worked in manufacturing at Faro Corporation in Plymouth. Robert Tauteris served one tour in Afghanistan with the National Guard and volunteered for his second deployment when his son Robert Tauteris III enlisted. Father and son left together for Afghanistan in the fall of 2011; Bobby III accompanied his father's body home to Dover Air Force Base. Robert's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Posthumous; Purple Heart, Posthumous; Army Good Conduct Medal, Posthumous; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with the Bronze Service Star; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Combat Action Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge; Combat and Special Skill Badge; Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge; and the Overseas Service Bar. Robert will be remembered by his friends, family, and fellow soldiers as a dedicated, reliable, and hard-working man who cared deeply for his family. He is survived by his sons Robert J. III and Matthew, his father, Robert J. Tauteris, his sister, Tammy Tauteris Smith, brother, Thomas, half-brother Darrel Ray Minix and step-mother Nichelle as well as extended family and friends who are left to treasure his memory. It is my solemn duty and humble privilege to honor the life, service, and memory of Specialist Robert J. Tauteris Jr. He is a testament to the great honor possessed and sacrifices made by our men and women in the armed forces. We mourn his passing and offer solemn gratitude for his service and sacrifice.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today because it has been weeks since the bipartisan majority in the Senate passed legislation to take on currency manipulators. Weeks have passed, and House leadership has refused to allow a stand-alone up-or-down vote on currency manipulation legislation right here in the House of Representatives. Legislators from both sides of the aisle talk about the importance of creating jobs every day. Why wouldn't we take this opportunity to work together to not only create jobs but to also protect the good-paying jobs we already have here in America? Recently, the Peterson Institute for International Economics concluded that China's currency is undervalued by 24 percent against the dollar. That means that America's manufacturers are competing with Chinese manufacturers who are enjoying a permanent 24 percent off sale. Isn't it time to do something about these problems, problems that are damaging the U.S. economy, and to stand up for American manufacturers? When countries are allowed to keep the values of their currencies artificially low and, in turn, the price of their exports into the United States, American companies face an unfair disadvantage. American companies are currently playing on an unlevel playing field where their competitors are able to maintain a permanent sale on all the products they sell. As our trade deficit increases with countries like China, we lose American jobs. In fact, the Economic Policy Institute released a study this fall showing that, between 2001 and 2010, the U.S. lost 2.8 million jobs, including nearly 62,000 jobs in my own State of Indiana, as a result of the expanding trade deficit with China. The Senate has already acted on this issue. It passed the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act in October. The passage of this bill assures that correcting unfair trade practices is not a Democrat or a Republican issue--rather, it's an American priority. Sixteen Republican Senators joined 47 Democrat Senators in voting for this bill to counter the currency manipulation that is damaging our economic recovery. In a time of too much partisan bickering, we need to take the opportunity to work together and stand up for American businesses and American workers. That's what we were sent here to do. In addition to the Senate-passed bill, we have a piece of legislation, which is waiting for a vote right here in the House, with 225 cosponsors of both Republicans and Democrats. That's more than a majority. The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act would allow the Department of Commerce to counter imports, made cheaper by currency manipulation, with a corresponding tariff. A nearly identical bill passed the House last year with 348 votes. The support is here. We just need to take this vote. When I travel around north central Indiana, I often hear from small businesses and manufacturers on this issue, and they never ask that Congress guarantee their success. They simply ask for a level playing field and to have the rules the same for everybody. All they want is a fair fight. So, today, I echo my request from 2 months ago to the House leadership: It is time. It is time for bipartisan legislation that addresses currency manipulation and to have a vote on it here in the House of Representatives--a stand-alone up-or-down vote. As I said then and as I'll say again to our House leadership: Who do you stand with, the Chinese Government or the American workers? It is time to stand up for our country--for all of the people who work in our country and for all of our citizens. Let's have a vote.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the John Glenn High School Spell Bowl team of Walkerton, Indiana for winning the Class II Indiana Academic Spell Bowl held on November 12, 2011 at Purdue University. Their score of 84 out of a possible 90 far surpassed runner up Plymouth High Schools' score of 75. The spellers practiced three times a week in preparation for their fifth consecutive state championship. The team consisted of Elly Alexander, Ariel Clark, Jake Coday, Ann Heckman-Davis, Cole Jacobson, Miranda Kafantaris, Kim Lord, Chris Mahank, Gabby Marek, Erin Patterson, Maddy Piedra, Paige Reed, Holly Rowe, Rebecca Shoue, J.J. Silvey, Justina Weiss, and Karena Weiss. The team is coached by Paul Hernandez who has led the school to 16 state titles in 25 years. This outstanding achievement was recognized by the Indiana Association of School Principals who named Mr. Hernandez the 2011 Academic Coach of the Year. The only coach to win state Spell Bowl Championships in two different divisions, he is the English Department Chairman, tutors the Academic Decathlon Team and supervises the nationally recognized high school literary magazine, ``Aerial.'' Again, I rise to offer my congratulations to the members of the John Glenn High School Spell Bowl team and their dedicated coach for their extraordinary accomplishments throughout the competition.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. The fact is for too long Washington has not made the necessary and tough decisions that need to be made to get our budget deficit under control. Working families in Indiana know all too well the importance of balancing their budgets even when times are tight. Just as Hoosier families must make tough decisions about how to manage their budgets, so, too, must we in Congress make those tough choices about where to invest and what to cut. I have always supported a balanced budget amendment because it is another important tool that can be used to help get our fiscal house in order. Having a balanced budget amendment in place is crucial to the country going beyond speaking about tough decisions and actually making them. I am aware this will not be easy and that tough decisions that affect many people will have to be made to match our revenues with our spending priorities. We have to live within our means. We are facing significant fiscal challenges, and the American people expect us to come together on a bipartisan basis and to do something that will more effectively deal with them.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Marian High School girls' soccer team of Mishawaka, Indiana. The Knights competed in the Indiana High School Athletic Association state championship on October 29, 2011 at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis, with a tough 1 to 0 loss to first place Providence in a shootout following two overtime periods. The Knights worked tirelessly this season, garnering an 18-3-1 record with half of their victories captured with more than five goals. Leading scorer, Junior Gabby Veldman, scored thirty-two goals during the season. A testament to the character of the Marian team, Senior Lauren Garatoni received the Mental Attitude Award from the Indiana High School Athletic Association. The Marian team consisted of twenty-two young women, including: Liz Naquin, Brittany Payne, Denise (D.J.) Veldman, Gabby Lucchese, Lauren Wade, Tracy Scott, Shannon Hendricks, Madeline LaDue, Jen Smith, Josie Cressy, Gabby Veldman, Melissa Cunningham, Lauren Garatoni, Carson Ludwig, Claire Griffith, Maggie Wanecke, Maggie Hartnagel, Bridget Doyle, Cassie Sloma, Emma Capannari, Makaela Douglas, and Devon Smith. I also congratulate the dedicated coaching staff of Head Coach Djamel Charmat and Assistant Coaches Erin Shindledecker and Jim Douglas, who helped guide the Knights to the state championship game. The coaches developed a team with depth, talent, a strong defense, a high scoring offense, and most importantly, good sportsmanship. I offer my congratulations to the members of the girls' soccer team of Marian High School, the coaching staff, the school administration and community for their accomplishments this season including their second place finish in the IHSAA 1-A State Soccer Tournament.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the veterans from my State of Indiana and across the United States for Veterans Day. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service to our country and for their selfless devotion. They put their lives on the line to defend our freedom, and there is no way that we can ever thank them enough. Over 52,000 veterans live in the congressional district that I am honored to represent, Indiana's Second District. Meeting them is an inspiration because of their humility and professionalism. When you thank them for their service, they usually modestly say, Sir, I was just doing my job. Veterans embody the definition of patriot--selfless sacrifice in order to defend the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States. Veterans such as Mr. Marion Minks from Logansport, Indiana, who served as a PFC with the U.S. Army during World War II. My office was honored to represent Mr. Minks and also to present him with the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and other military service medals that he earned. Veterans such as Mr. Gary Whitehead from Elkhart, Indiana, who served in the Navy for more than 20 years and then served his fellow veterans as the Elkhart County Veterans Service Officer. For over two decades, my office was honored to work with Gary to open a VA clinic to serve veterans in north central Indiana in his own county, something he had fought for for years and years. Veterans such as Rich Mrozinski from La Porte, Indiana, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and later became commander of his local VFW post. I had the honor to interview Rich for the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the veterans of Indiana's Second Congressional District. It is incumbent upon us to see that our veterans receive the best quality care and the benefits that they have earned through their sacrifice to our country. We must see that those services are provided to our veterans with the promptness and the respect that they deserve. That's why, while in Congress, I've worked on legislation relating to veterans health care, educational benefits, life insurance, and the disability claims process. We still have much more work to do on behalf of our veterans. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass the RAPID Claims Act, H.R. 2377, which I introduced to take commonsense steps to improve the benefits system and to provide our wounded warriors with a faster response on their disability claims. It's the least we can do. I also urge the House to pass the E-SERV Act, H.R. 2470, which I introduced to improve the efficiency of the current electronic health record system for military personnel and veterans. We must seek to make the VA system work better for our military personnel, for our veterans, and for their families. This Veterans Day, I want to say thank you again to all of our vets and to all of our servicemembers for their sacrifices for our freedom and our security. They always deserve the very best. God bless our veterans. God bless our servicemembers. God bless Indiana. And God bless the United States of America.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to an outstanding citizen of South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Steve Lueke, who devoted his life to the service of our community. Raised in Freeport, Illinois, Mayor Lueke made South Bend his home over 30 years ago after graduating from Fordham University. He and his beloved wife, Peg, the marketing director for the South Bend Museum of Art, have four children they are so proud of. Steve has been South Bend's 31st and longest-serving mayor in the city's history. He took office in 1977, succeeding Joe Kernan, who became the lieutenant governor. Now in his fourth term, Mayor Lueke has championed the development of a city in which all residents can be proud to live and work. Previously Steve served 9 years as a member of the South Bend Common Council, including two terms as president, representing the First District on South Bend's northwest side. South Bend under his leadership has become a hub of technological diversity. Mayor Lueke spearheaded the demolition of nearly 4 million square feet of obsolete buildings in the former Studebaker Corridor and strengthened partnerships with leading community institutions, including the University of Notre Dame. These efforts have come together as South Bend created Indiana's first dual-site, State-certified technology park, consisting of Innovation Park at Notre Dame and Ignition Park on the grounds of the former Studebaker Corporation. In addition, South Bend became the first U.S. city to create a broadband network, the Metronet, using its own traffic conduit. As the owner of a small construction company, Steve took interest in neighborhood restoration, infrastructure improvements, and the revitalization of our city. Among other projects, he fostered the public-private restoration of the Morris Performing Arts Center, the Palais Royale ballroom, the Northeast Neighborhood revitalization, and the renovation of the former Engman Natatorium into the Indiana University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center. Under his leadership, South Bend received a White House designation in 2008 as a Preserve America Community. He also directed the completion of the riverwalk along the St. Joseph River and added 50 miles of bicycle lanes and routes throughout our city. He has served on the advisory board for Indiana University South Bend during a period of expansion and growth that positioned it as an active participant in the economic development of our region. Enrollment growth at Ivy Tech Community College has exploded and has led to a partnership between the city's Redevelopment Commission and the college as the commission acquires and relocates businesses to help expand the campus of Ivy Tech even more. With concern for the future, Mayor Lueke's vision has helped provide the spark for several environmental efforts that led to South Bend's designation as Indiana's Green Community of the Year in 2009. Our city has developed into an innovative, dynamic and progressive place, and in 2011 it was named an All-America City. Mayor Steve's progressive vision, collaborative leadership, and passionate advocacy for good government earned him the 2011 Association of Cities and Towns Russell G. Lloyd Distinguished Service Award. He is also the 2011-2012 IACT president. So today, on behalf of all the citizens of South Bend, Indiana, I want to thank Mayor Steve for his unselfish years of dedication to the city and to its people. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for everything. Thank you, Mayor, and God bless you, Peg and your family.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. I thank my esteemed colleague, who also serves in the Naval Reserves. We thank you for your service to our country in that role as well. This is an extraordinary bill that is about jobs, jobs, jobs, energy independence, and a stronger America. It cuts across party lines and solves so many problems that we face, including assisting in bringing our deficit down. It is a commonsense piece of legislation that puts the United States first. We have vast energy resources, and we should be utilizing them. Instead of sending $500 billion a year overseas to other countries that, as my friend from Minnesota said, we don't have to pay them to make sure they like us, they'll just not like us without any payment at all, what we need to do is stand up for America, to not worry about whether or not we can keep other countries happy in order to obtain their oil. We need to stand up for America--our own natural gas, our own ethanol, our own biodiesel, our own nuclear, our own wind, our own solar. In doing that in all of these areas, you put other people to work. In the steel mills of northern Indiana, where I live, these mills are pumping out product for the oil patch. They're pumping out product to make the wind turbines. Across the board, you see jobs created in Indiana. But that applies to all 50 States. You have almost a trillion dollars for roads and bridges that will be built throughout our country. And when you look at this, this answers the call. When folks say how can we get America to work together, how can we get America to stands up for itself, this answers the call: people going back to work; the deficit being reduced; manufacturing here in the United States. Across the board, it strengthens our Nation. So instead of wondering about how we can move forward, we have an answer as to how to do that. I'm thrilled to be working with my colleagues to work together to strengthen our Nation, to reduce our deficit, to make it in America, and to become energy independent. We have enough natural gas in this country--just natural gas alone--to run our vehicles for the next hundred years. If we go across the spectrum, we can create incredible wealth and an incredible future for our Nation.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the bipartisan majority in the Senate for passing legislation to take on currency manipulators, and to urge our House of Representatives and our House Republican leadership to do the same--to allow a stand-alone, up- or-down vote on currency manipulation legislation--here in the House of Representatives. In a period of congressional gridlock, we must seize every bipartisan opportunity available to us not only to create jobs, but also to protect the good-paying jobs we already have. As the Senate demonstrated this week by passing the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act, the time is now to take advantage of bipartisan cooperation. Sixteen Republican Senators joined 47 Democratic Senators in voting for this legislation to counter an unfair trade practice that is hampering our economic recovery. In February, Congressman Sander Levin, Tim Ryan, and Tim Murphy introduced the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act. H.R. 639 has garnered 225 bipartisan cosponsors, more than enough secure House passage. This would allow the Department of Commerce to counter imports made cheaper by currency manipulation with a corresponding tariff. A nearly identical bill passed the House of Representatives last year by a strong, overwhelming bipartisan vote of 348-79, both Republicans and Democrats. When countries are allowed to keep the value of their currencies artificially low and, in turn, the prices of their exports into the United States, American companies and American workers face an unfair disadvantage. Forced to compete on an unlevel playing field where competitors are able to maintain a permanent 30 to 40 percent-off sale on their products, American jobs are lost and our trade deficit grows with countries like China. The Economic Policy Institute recently released the study, and it showed that in the last 10 years the U.S. lost 2.8 million jobs, including nearly 62,000 jobs in my home State of Indiana as a result directly of the expanding trade deficit with China. Many experts agree: Countries like China that manipulate their currencies are damaging the U.S. economy. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke recently expressed concern ``that the Chinese currency policy is blocking what might be a more normal recovery process in the global economy,'' and he stated that ``it is to some extent hurting the recovery.'' Chairman Bernanke is tasked directly with the responsibilities of serving and protecting America's economic interests. He recognizes the impact that Chinese currency manipulation is having on our economy. It is long past time for this House of Representatives to do the same. After the Senate expressed interest in considering S. 1619, China immediately went on the offensive, issuing threats and saying such legislation could spark a trade war. Though China's comments are disappointing, they are not unexpected, and Congress should not shy away from doing what is in America's best interests. That is our job. China's unfair currency policies have cost millions of Americans their jobs, and I believe inaction on this issue is dangerous to our economic recovery and continues to put at risk hundreds of thousands of additional American jobs. When I travel around my district, I hear from small businesses and manufacturers on this issue. And they never ask for Congress to guarantee their success. All they want is a fair fight, for the rules to be the same. And I believe given a level playing field, American businesses will win every single time. Once again, to our House leadership, please allow bipartisan legislation addressing currency manipulation to come before the full House of Representatives for a standalone, up-or-down vote. Who are you going to stand with, the Chinese government or American businesses and American workers? The American people want a vote now and deserve a vote now.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to solemnly honor Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) George Andrews (``Andy'') Howes for his dedication and service to the United States of America. CW3 Howes was listed as missing in action on January 10, 1970 when the helicopter he was co-piloting disappeared in Vietnam. He was just 19 years old. The remains of CW3 Howes were returned in 1988; however, they were not identified until 2010 through an advance in DNA technology. Nearly 41 years after his disappearance, CW3 Howes' surviving family was notified that Andy was found at last. He could finally receive the honor and recognition he earned for his service and for his ultimate sacrifice. Andy Howes was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1950 and his family moved to Knox, Indiana in 1956. He graduated from Knox High School in 1968 and enlisted in the U.S. Army that September. He received his wings in August 1969 and was then deployed to Vietnam. CW3 Howes flew helicopter gunships while assigned to the 71st Aviation Company, 16th Aviation Group and America Division. He flew with the Firebirds, a distinguished and decorated gunship unit based in Chu Lai, South Vietnam. On January 10, 1970, a helicopter piloted by Capt. Herbert Crosby and co-piloted by CW3 Howes disappeared while flying in extreme weather conditions. In addition to Capt. Crosby and CW3 Howes, crew members SFS Francis Graziosi and SFS Wayne Allen were lost in the helicopter's disappearance. All of Andy's crew mates have been previously identified, making Andy the last of the crew to return home. Marine Cpl Michael L. Bleeker, his great-nephew, is escorting his remains from Hawaii to Knox, and then to Arlington National Cemetery for burial. CW3 Howes has been awarded the following medals to honor his service and sacrifice: Air Medal with Numeral Two, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with ``60'' Device, Basic Aviation Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Purple Heart. Andy is survived by his brother, Robert Lloyd Howes of Wichita, Kansas, in addition to many cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom have kept his memory alive and faithfully waited for the day he would come home. Andy's parents, Robert Lindell Howes and Bonnie Andrews Howes have passed away, as has his sister, Valerie Pulver Larew. It is my solemn duty, and humble privilege, to honor and remember CW3 George Andrews Howes and a life cut tragically short. Andy stands as a testament to the great honor possessed, and sacrifices made, by our men and women in the armed forces, and their families. Those who were fortunate enough to know him were blessed by his presence--and we are all diminished by his loss. I and the grateful citizens of Indiana's Second District are deeply grateful that Andy is back home. We mourn his passing and offer our solemn gratitude for his service.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to an outstanding American citizen who has made significant contributions to northern Indiana's economy through his work on behalf of the recreational vehicle industry, Gary LaBella. For more than three decades, Mr. LaBella was instrumental in enhancing the recreational vehicle (RV) industry's image, contributing to the RVIA and the industry's success. The efforts he led in the marketing of RVs has helped unify this industry and transformed the way consumers think about RVs in this country, now and for the future. Known for his creativity, Mr. LaBella launched an aggressive industry-wide marketing program that earned high acclaim throughout the travel and recreation communities. Under his direction, RVIA and industry partners launched the Go RVing national advertising program in the mid 1990s, which is often referred to as one of the most successful programs in the industry's history. In 2010, Mr. LaBella organized a celebration for the RV industry's Centennial, culminating with a widely attended June party on the grounds of the RV/Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, Indiana. Elkhart is often referred to as the heart of the RV manufacturing community and the RV Centennial Celebration focused on saluting the workers who made the industry great. RV Business, an industry trade journal, saluted Mr. LaBella in 2010 as one of the industry's 100 most influential executives of all time. Mr. LaBella received a similar honor in 2005, the year he was inducted into the RV Hall of Fame. At a celebration of his career on December 1, 2010, many of the speakers echoed the sentiment that Mr. LaBella perhaps is one of the most influential individuals in the industry's history. Mr. LaBella, a graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University who joined the Reston, VA-based RVIA in 1978, has received an ``Outstanding Achievement Award'' from RVIA, and in 2010, he received both the Chairman's Award from the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association and the prestigious Spirit Award from the RV/MH Hall of Fame. In his farewell to the industry before an appreciative audience of 1,200 at the Louisville, Kentucky trade show, Mr. LaBella said he was leaving the stage with ``two overriding emotions--pride in what we all accomplished together to elevate this industry's image, and happiness that I leave RVIA with only friends.'' Today I rise on behalf of the citizens of Indiana's Second District, to salute his character, his personal achievements and his contributions to the RV industry.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of South Bend, Indiana, which was named a 2011 All-America City Award winner. South Bend received the honor for a second time, having previously won the award in 1967. The city was also a finalist in 2009. South Bend was one of ten cities receiving the honor, after a delegation from the city told their stories of successful change, innovation and community pride. Highlights included the revitalization of the Northeast Neighborhood, a $215 million mixed-use development and new housing partnership between Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame, the redevelopment of a former hospital site, and the dedication of the Indiana University-South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center. In addition, South Bend was honored for 212 Degrees Stars, a program in which teens influence their peers to stay in school and strive for excellence. The All-America City competition was created in 1949 by the National Civic League (NCL), which is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that focuses on building healthy and prosperous communities. The competition recognizes cities for civic achievements. A national panel of jurors who are local government, business and nonprofit experts, recognizes the cities that effectively engage their residents, demonstrate environmental stewardship, and encourage job creation. Once again, I offer my congratulations to Mayor Stephen Lueke, the members of the delegation team, the citizens of this fine city, and all those who have supported South Bend on the road to becoming an All- America City.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the DeLauro amendment. The underlying bill slashes Commodity Futures Trading Commission funding to levels well below what is needed to implement the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Dodd-Frank will ensure the CFTC receives information on swap trading and it also directs the CFTC to set position limits on swaps and futures. These provisions are crucial to monitoring and understanding the role of speculation in the energy commodity markets. Oil rose above $140 per barrel in the summer of 2008, only to fall below $40 per barrel six months later. The prices of commodities rise and fall; however, it is difficult to explain a 70 percent price drop without wondering about the role of speculators. Just 10 years prior to that oil shock, in 1998, hedgers--producers or commercial users of commodities who use the markets to offset price risk--outnumbered speculators by a ratio of three to one. Now speculators outnumber hedgers by a ratio of four to one. CFTC Commissioner Barton Chilton feels that the increased amount of speculation in the market is a reason to put limits on speculation. CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler has stated that it is necessary to ``address excessive speculation through aggregated position limits.'' Even Goldman Sachs reported that speculators could be driving up oil prices by up to $27 per barrel, saying that there was an eight to 10 cent increase in the price of oil for every million barrels of oil held by speculators. With all this in mind, I cannot understand why Congress would move to handcuff the CFTC. Earlier this year, oil topped $110 per barrel and gas prices hit $4 per gallon. Previous oil price spikes have come in the summer, and already in April working families had to make tough decisions as gas prices approach the all-time high. While speculators may not be the single driving force behind dramatically increasing oil and gas prices, I do believe their role is not insignificant and that we must ensure the CFTC has the resources it needs to keep speculators in check. I believe it is unconscionable that while Americans face the prospect of a summer of record-high oil prices, this bill would deny funding to the CFTC for putting in place position limits that could help deter, detect, and measure any inappropriate speculation that might drive up the costs of oil.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, as Memorial Day approaches, I rise to commemorate the men and women in the Armed Forces of the United States who have died in the line of duty to our country. This past year, three sons from the Second District of Indiana lost their lives to preserve and protect the American ideals that have made this country great. To honor the legacies of these men, I would like to share with this body and with the American people a little bit about our Hoosiers. Staff Sergeant Kenneth McAninch, of Logansport, Indiana, a proud member of the United States Army, died on October 21, 2010, in Afghanistan from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by small arms fire. Kenneth attended Lewis Cass High School and enlisted in the United States Army in 2003. He was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. For his service, Kenneth was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Joint Service Achievement Medal in addition to many other commendations. His loved ones remember Kenneth as a hardworking man and dedicated son, husband, father, and friend. Kenneth was an avid artist and also enjoyed fishing and hunting. He is survived by his wife, Shawnna; four sons, Jeremiah, Braxton, Brayden and Colby; one daughter, Shyanne; his mom, Cheryl, and her husband Richard; his dad, Marvin, and his wife Regina; his three sisters, Kayla Ann, Katie Lee and Brianna; two brothers, Jason and Briar; and his extended family and friends. He is missed by all. Sergeant Marvin Calhoun, Jr., of Elkhart, Indiana, a proud member of the United States Army, died on September 21, 2010, in Qalat, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his Black Hawk helicopter crashed during combat operations. Marvin died alongside eight fellow soldiers who were also his brothers. Marvin attended Elkhart Central High School where he played football and enlisted in the Army in 2006. He was assigned to B Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was on his second tour of duty as a gunner on the Black Hawk helicopter. Marvin's awards include the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal in addition to many other commendations. Marvin's English teacher told folks that he exhibited leadership qualities in the classroom, and if any of his peers needed help, he would jump right in for them. He was a happy man who always wanted everyone else around him to be happy. He leaves behind his wife, Yamili; his daughter, Yohani; his dad and stepmom, Marvin and Susan Calhoun; his mom and stepdad, Shirin and Michael Reum; his sister Shanon; his brothers, Travis, Marcus, Sydney, Jermael and Zachary; and his extended family and friends. He is missed by all. Specialist Justin Shoecraft of Elkhart, Indiana, a proud member of the U.S. Army, died on August 24, 2010, in Kakarak, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his Stryker vehicle was hit by a roadside improvised explosive device. Justin was only 5 weeks into his first deployment. Justin graduated from Elkhart Memorial High School in 2001 and worked for UPS for 7 years before enlisting in the Army. He was assigned to B Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment out of Vilseck, Germany. His regiment had assumed control of Tarin Kowt in July of 2010. Posthumously, Justin was promoted to the rank of Specialist. His awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and many other commendations. He enjoyed working on old cars and motorcycles, and stock car racing. He had always wanted to drive tanks for the U.S. Army. Justin will be remembered by his friends, family and fellow soldiers for his generosity, work ethic, and sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Jessica, whom he married the day before he left for basic training; his parents, Carroll ``Blue'' and Donna; his brother, Michael, and sister, Sherry; and extended family and friends. He is missed by all. We owe a debt of gratitude to these three great Hoosiers and to all the sons, daughters, moms, and fathers who have fallen while serving our country. It is our duty to honor and remember their sacrifice, patriotism, and virtue. Let us also remember those brave Americans who are serving right now both here and at home. On behalf of a grateful Nation, we want to thank our three heroes and all of the people who serve our country. God bless Indiana, and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Chair, on February 19, 2010, a constituent of mine, Marine Lance Corporal Joshua Birchfield of Westville, Indiana, was shot and killed while on patrol by a local Afghan security contractor who had been hired, with six other colleagues, to guard a nearby construction project and road. The construction project and the security contractor were funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. While the shooter was immediately apprehended and would later admit to the shooting and be sentenced to 15 years in prison by an Afghan court, I am deeply troubled by the fact that insufficient contract oversight by our government may have lead to this tragedy. According to NCIS documents obtained by the Birchfield family through a Freedom of Information Act request, the seven Afghan guards taken into custody were found in possession of five ounces of opium and some of them were presenting symptoms of opium withdrawal. Several of the guards admitted that they had little to no training, and most of them stated they had none of the permits required for their jobs. Their employer, a subcontractor providing security for the project, admitted his employees were not properly licensed and that he did not know where he was supposed to obtain licenses. Last month, the Department of Defense confirmed to me that the project these security guards were subcontracted under was funded by U.S. funds known as Commander's Emergency Response Program funds, or ``CERP.'' It appears clear that proper oversight of these security contractors paid by our government did not happen. These private security contractors were operating without the licenses that are required of private security contractors in Afghanistan, they were not properly trained, and several of them were drug users. I cannot say that had there been better oversight by our government this tragedy would have been avoided, but we owe it to our service men and women in harm's way to get this right. I believe DoD must significantly improve their oversight of private security contractors. According to the Congressional Research Service, right now the DoD relies on 19,000 private security contractors in Afghanistan, a force equal to almost 20 percent of all U.S. military personnel in that country. Not only is the ratio of armed contractors to U.S. forces higher in Afghanistan than it ever was in Iraq where we had many more troops, 95 percent of the security contractors in Afghanistan are Afghans, a much, much higher reliance on local security contractors than Iraq. Meanwhile, the performance and reliability of Afghan security contractors is spotty and continues to be. If we are going to continue to rely on local security contractors in Afghanistan, we must make oversight a top priority. And that means ensuring that rigorous oversight on the ground is getting done. The Congress and GAO have been critical of DoD's security contract oversight for years. In the 2008 NDAA, Congress directed DoD and the State Department to prescribe regulations for the use of private security contractors in an area of combat operations by May of 2008. In 2009, GAO recommended specific steps that DoD implement to satisfactorily comply with Congress' directive on security contractors, including the screening, training, equipping and oversight of contractors. Currently, the GAO considers all of these recommendations as either only partially implemented or not implemented at all. Further, the DoD has acted to try to improve oversight, but the fact is, I don't think they are focusing enough properly trained personnel on oversight maintenance. Many contract officers are not even in the same country as the project they are responsible for managing. And often the responsibility for on the ground oversight falls to a service member designated as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) whose primary responsibility likely has nothing to do with contracting and who may have had only minimal contract oversight training before arriving in the field. DoD needs to do more than come up with plans and guidance, they need to ensure that sufficient personnel who are adequately trained are in place and actually doing their job, especially when the contracts involve paying and arming Afghan security personnel in a theatre of combat. My amendment to H.R. 1540 does two things which I believe are crucially important but also should not be difficult for DoD to comply with. First, my amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan which would set uniform standards for contract oversight plans for all private security contracts funded by DoD in Afghanistan and in any future contingency. Beyond just ensuring that paperwork is in order, all security contracts would require a plan clearly laying out an oversight strategy and designating sufficient personnel to exercise necessary oversight to ensure contract performance and reliability. Second, my amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to designate a single official in the country of operations with the responsibility of reviewing private security contracts to ensure compliance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. Further, this official must certify that they have reviewed the oversight plan for a security contract, that the oversight plan is appropriate for that contract, that there is an appropriate number of appropriately trained personnel available to oversee that contract, and confirm that any and all licenses and permits required of a security contractor and its employees have been reviewed and verified as current and authentic. The Congressional Budget Office has reviewed my amendment and has advised me that it does not affect direct spending or discretionary authorizations. Mr. Chair, if we have the time, money and resources to bid and hire private security contractors, and if these private security contractors are essential to successfully executing military operations and reconstruction in Afghanistan, then we should make sure that we've clearly planned how we will maximize contract performance and ensure safety and reliability, and make sure someone is held accountable for seeing that this is actually carried out.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mock Trial team of Adams High School in South Bend, Indiana, winners of the 2011 National Mock Trial Competition. Adams High School once again displayed its superior Mock Trial skills in its second national title and tenth time placing in the top ten nationally. The competition, held in the Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. District Courthouse in Phoenix, Arizona on May 6 and 7, 2011, featured 48 teams from 43 states, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, South Korea and Australia. Each team competed in four rounds before the final deciding match. Adams defeated the Missouri state champions to cap its remarkable season which included winning the Indiana state championship in March. The team, nicknamed ``The Ruckus,'' practiced 40 hours each week leading up to the national competition. The team members include seniors David Kern, Matt Caponigro, Toby Stoner, Peter Doyle, Geoff Burdell and Czesia Eid, and junior Jeremy Doyle. The team was coached by Adams teacher Heath Weaver with the assistance of Coaches John Scanlan, Erin Linder, Andrew Jones, Lucas Burkett, and timekeeper Maria Caponigro. Mock Trial competitions require research, mastery of legal issues, honing of courtroom tactics, and strong teamwork. Each team is called on to prepare a legal case from the perspectives of both the plaintiff and defendant and assume the roles of lawyers and witnesses at trial. Peter Doyle was recognized as Best Witness in the national competition, an honor reflecting his extraordinary contribution to the victory. Again, I offer my congratulations to the members of the team, the coaches, Adams High School, and members of the community who supported the team throughout their training. The Adams Mock Trial team has represented Indiana, the City of South Bend, their school and themselves with excellence and distinction.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on H.R. 1. Access to an affordable, quality education is part of the American Dream. In our competitive global economy, a college degree is more important than ever. With annual tuition hikes outpacing inflation, the cost of attending college is increasing just as quickly as the importance of attending. Making college more affordable has been one of my top priorities and should be a top priority for this Congress. Unfortunately, this bill sends the opposite message. This bill threatens to cut Pell Grants by over $5.6 billion, denying millions of Americans, including over 20,000 students in my district, the chance to attend and graduate from college. The number of my constituents receiving Pell Grants has increased by over 6,000 people over the last school year. This is possible, in large part, by efforts that have been supported in Congress to make college more affordable and provide our students with the skills needed to compete in a 21st century global economy. Access to Pell Grants is often the deciding factor for a family when contemplating whether they can afford to send their son or daughter to college. It is often the deciding factor on whether or not a displaced worker can afford to go back to school to get retrained. It is often a deciding factor on whether or not a potential student will have access to the world of opportunities that come with a college education. We need to do fiscal belt-tightening, but cutting over $5.6 billion in financial aid for Americans seeking higher education so that they may better equip themselves for the jobs of tomorrow is a self- destructive act. Simply put, investing in education is an investment in our future. Cutting Pell Grants is detrimental to that future. We need to stand up for America and make good financial decisions. We need to tighten our budgets, but Pell Grants should not be one of them.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise before you to congratulate the University of Notre Dame Women's soccer team. The Irish won the NCAA National Championship for the third time with a 1 to 0 win over top-ranked Stanford University on December 5, 2010. The game, played at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC, capped a successful 22-2-2 season. With the spectacular victory, Notre Dame became just the second school in the 29-year history of the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship to win three titles, having also won in 1995 and 2004. The 2010 season was one of many successes for the team. Aside from capturing the championship trophy, Head Coach Randy Waldrum was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Mondo Division I National Coach of the Year. This was the third consecutive season that Coach Waldrum has been recognized for a national coaching honor. In 2008, he was named the Field Turf Tarkett Division I National Coach of the Year and in 2009, he was awarded the Soccer America Division I National Coach of the Year. In his twelve years as coach at Notre Dame, he has posted a 253-36-11 record and has led the team to five national championship games and seven Big East titles. Coach Waldrum was assisted by Coaches Dawn Greathouse and Ken Nuber and volunteer Assistant Coach Jeannette Boudway. However, Coach Waldrum credits the successful season to the dedication and skill of his players. The 2010 Fighting Irish included: Seniors Rose Augustin, Lauren Fowlkes, Erica Iantorno, Julie Scheidler, and Nikki Weiss; Juniors Courtney Barg, Ellen Bartindale, Molly Campbell, Haley Chamberlain, Brynn Gerstle, Melissa Henderson, Ellen Jantsch, and Jessica Schuveiller; Sophomores Lindsay Brown, Jazmin Hall, Liz McNeil, and Jordan Snyder; and Freshmen Mandy Laddish, Adriana Leon, Kecia Morway, Elizabeth Tucker, Tayler Turner, Rebecca Twining and Elizabeth Wilson. Coach Waldrum noted after the victory, ``To me, we're the best team in the country . . . I'm really proud of the girls.'' The players had many personal successes as well as team victories. Junior All-America Forward Melissa Henderson was named first runner-up for the coveted Hermann Trophy, soccer's national women's player of the year award. She also won the Honda Sports Award given to the nation's top player and was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year. Senior defender and co-captain Lauren Fowlkes, senior forward/midfielder Erica Iantorno and junior midfielder Molly Campbell were ESPN Academic All- District V selections. Lauren was then named to the 2010 ESPN Academic All-America Women's Soccer Team and was chosen in the first round of the 2011 Women's Professional Soccer Draft. Senior Rose Augustin was chosen in the third round of the draft. The team members worked hard on the field, in the classroom and in service to the community. I offer my congratulations to the coaches, the players, members of the university administration and the Notre Dame community for their accomplishments this season on the road to the NCAA National Championship.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. On behalf of all of the people of northern Indiana, we want to express our prayers and thoughts for the victims and the families of those killed and injured in Arizona. To the staff of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, we want to thank you for your service to our country and for your sacrifice to our country. To my friend Gabby Giffords, who I came into Congress with in 2006, we love you and Mark. We miss you and Mark terribly. We are praying for your recovery. We know you are getting stronger every day, and we can't wait to see you back here in the House again in the very, very near future. May God bless you, and may God bless our beloved country.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. ``In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls and those in which a State shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.''

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1746) recognizing and supporting the efforts of Welcome Back Veterans to augment the services provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs in providing timely and world-class care for veterans and members of the Armed Forces suffering from PTSD and related psychiatric disorders, as amended.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. 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 House Resolution 1746, as amended.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, before I talk about the importance of the resolution before us today, I want to thank the Committee on Armed Services for working with us to bring this resolution to the floor and would ask that the exchange of letters waiving jurisdiction between the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services be inserted into the Congressional Record. Mr. Speaker, we are all aware that post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, is one of the signature wounds of Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom. Countless reports and studies bear out this statement. Most significantly, a 2008 study released by the RAND Corporation reported that one in five veterans of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan are suffering from PTSD. Studies by other experts and by the VA itself demonstrate how widespread and serious PTSD is; and as more servicemembers return home, the problem will only grow larger. VA has made important strides in the treatment of PTSD. They boast providers throughout the Nation who offer excellent care for PTSD and researchers who have found innovative, ground-breaking new treatments as well. But VA cannot combat PTSD alone. Dedicated advocates and organizations throughout the country are committed to doing their part to help provide care for our veterans. Welcome Back Veterans has answered this call to service. The partnership between Major League Baseball, the McCormick Foundation, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the university hospitals at Weill Cornell, the University of Michigan, Stanford University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have already made tremendous accomplishments on behalf of our veterans. They have raised over $15 million for PTSD treatment and research and are working closely with hospitals in Massachusetts, New York, Michigan, and California to help provide care to over 5,000 servicemembers. But for all the great things that Welcome Back Veterans has accomplished, I know they are poised to do so much more. They are continuing to work hard to care for our veterans, and I look forward to watching them continue with these efforts. Welcome Back Veterans deserves our formal recognition for the great work they have done. I urge you to join me in offering my gratitude to Welcome Back Veterans by supporting House Resolution 1746. House Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, December 7, 2010. Hon. Bob Filner, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Filner: I am writing to you concerning H. Res. 1746, recognizing and supporting the efforts of Welcome Back Veterans to augment the services provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans' Affairs in providing timely and world-class care for veterans and members of the Armed Forces suffering from PTSD and related psychiatric disorders. This measure was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Our committee recognizes the importance of H. Res. 1746, and the need for the resolution to move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over this legislation, the Committee on Armed Services will waive further consideration of H. Res. 1746. I do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the resolution, the Committee on Armed Services does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the resolution which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. Please place this letter and a copy of your response into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. Very truly yours, Ike Skelton, Chairman.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my good friend and colleague from New York (Mr. Israel).