Ted Deutch

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring up H.R. 851, the Bring Jobs Home Act, to jump-start the middle class, instead of this partisan lawsuit against the President.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, thanks to the GOP majority, our immigration system is still broken, offshore tax loopholes are still open, criminals can still buy guns on the Internet, and corporations can still pay workers poverty wages. When you have no record to run on, when you have destroyed what little faith Americans have left for this institution, what do you do? You sue the President for doing his job, when the problem is that you refuse to do your own. Mr. Speaker, the GOP is guilty of recklessly abandoning 3.5 million job seekers who need unemployment insurance to feed their families, guilty of putting gun industry interests ahead of public safety, and guilty of willfully neglecting the priorities of the American people. Mr. Speaker, in the condominiums of south Florida, my constituents sometimes turn to Yiddish to find the perfect word. They have a message for the GOP majority: Stop this mishegas--craziness--and do your jobs.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my friend from New York (Ms. Meng). I appreciate very much your dedicating this hour to this important topic. I appreciate your leadership. I am proud to be here with you. I am proud to be here with my friend and my neighbor from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), a powerful and eloquent spokeswoman on these issues that means so much not just to the Jewish community but to all of America. And I am glad to be here with you to condemn the increase of anti- Semitism around the world. Anti-Semitism isn't a new issue faced by Jews. For centuries, Jews have been targeted, persecuted, sometimes by their governments, sometimes by their neighbors, used as scapegoats for economic downturns and disasters, and commonly accused of being disloyal to their home country. But this hatred, unfortunately, is far from gone. It continues in a range of manifestations, from Holocaust denial to suspicion of Jewish influence over international affairs and, tragically, even in the shooting of innocent Jews. In recent days, we have seen a new face on this age-old bigotry. We are seeing demonstrations around the world that claim to be protesting Israel's actions against Hamas but too easily and far too often, political opposition to Israel's policies and actual hatred toward Jews are conflated and are indistinguishable. It is clear, unfortunately, that many people are using the current conflict, a facade of anti-Zionism, or anti-Israel sentiment, as a thin veil to cover up a much more deep-seated hatred toward Jews. Let me be clear. It moves far beyond a political statement when your intention is to incite--incite violence and to incite violence against Jewish targets especially. Since the military operation began on July 8, over 100 anti-Semitic incidents have been reported in the United Kingdom alone. On July 18, four teenagers assaulted a rabbi in Gateshead, and separately, in Belfast, a synagogue was damaged when bricks were thrown through the windows. France has also experienced a significant number of incidents across the country. In Sarcelles, a kosher store was the target of a Molotov cocktail, and last month, two Jews were sprayed with teargas. In Paris, two synagogues were attacked on July 13 while the mob chanted ``death to the Jews.'' In Toulouse, Molotov cocktails were thrown at a Jewish community center, but thankfully, the attacker missed the target. Particularly in Toulouse, these incidents evoke memories of the awful shooting that happened 2 years ago when three Jewish children and a teacher were shot and killed at a Jewish day school. In Germany, long touted--appropriately so--for its extensive protective policies against anti-Semitism, Jews are witnessing anti- Semitic slogans and chants that now seem so out of date and out of place. Only a few days ago, a Jewish man wearing a yarmulke was assaulted on the streets in Berlin and hit in the face. In Essen, a group of anti- Israel protesters, reportedly on their way to attack a synagogue, were arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime--and the statements, the screaming, in Frankfurt, ``You Jews are beasts;'' in Paris, ``Death to the Jews;'' Gelsenkirchen, Germany, chants of ``Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas.'' All over the world, not just statements, but the vitriol found on social media as well is not only abhorrent, it is chilling, but these incidents, as my colleagues have described, are not taking place only abroad. Just this past weekend, as my friend from Florida related, a synagogue in her district was vandalized with the words ``Hamas'' and swastikas spray-painted on the front column. Nearby, a Jewish family woke up to find one of their cars completely covered in eggs, and on another car was written ``Jew'' and ``Hamas.'' Yesterday, outside my own office in Boca Raton, Florida, during a rally, a few angry individuals screamed, ``Throw the Jews into the sea.'' A former employee of mine recently posted a story of an occurrence that happened to him last weekend. He said: Today, I was walking home alone from synagogue, minding my own business. When I got to the crosswalk, I waited for the light to turn, so I could cross safely. While waiting, a car pulled up in front of me where a young man rolled down the window and yelled, ``Jew, Hitler was right,'' and then drove off. I remind you this was not at a rally. I was wearing a yarmulke and was walking from synagogue, and I was enjoying Shabbat. There are many more examples domestically, including a Jewish summer camp in California where graffiti was found that read, ``Jews equal killers,'' and ``Jews are children killers.'' It is unacceptable that radical groups have used the conflict between Israel and Hamas as pretext for their own anti-Semitism. Last month, I proudly joined my colleagues in a letter to Secretary Kerry, urging the State Department's continued focus on combating anti- Semitism worldwide. I applaud the statements of condemnation by European leaders, including those in France, in Germany, and Italy, and their stated commitment to ensuring the safety of their own communities is to be admired, but there is more that needs to be done to rid societies of this baseless hatred toward Jews. A number of Jewish leaders in the U.S., Europe, and Israel have expressed serious concern about the rise in the number of incidents in hate speech and violence, and many believe that this animosity has risen to the worst level seen since the Holocaust. We must continue to speak out on these issues, which is why I am so grateful to have this opportunity tonight. We have to use this opportunity to educate and to combat anti-Semitism in all of its forms. When we combat anti-Semitism, we stand not just against hatred for the Jews, we stand against hatred, and it affects not just the Jews, but when we stand against anti-Semitism and we speak out against hatred, ultimately, every minority group that is the target of hatred-- every one of those groups benefits from our willingness to speak out. I am glad to have that opportunity to do that here on the floor tonight, and, with that, I, again, would like to thank my friend, Ms. Meng, for bringing us together today.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Laura Scher of Delray Beach, who turns 90 years old on August 2, 2014. Laura Frankel Scher was born on August 2, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrant parents. Along with her three siblings, she was raised to understand the value of hard work and education. After her high school graduation Laura began working as a legal secretary and married Seymour Roy Scher in 1944. Laura and Roy soon welcomed three daughters to their family--Carol, Judy, and Sandy--and raised them in East Meadow, Long Island. After a successful career working as the Executive Assistant to the president of Hofstra University, she retired and moved with Roy to Florida in 1986. Today, Laura lives in Abbey Delray South, a community where she has had the opportunity to be involved in some of her favorite hobbies, including gardening and painting, and enjoy the fruits of a full and wonderful life. Laura is truly an exceptional woman whom I am proud to represent in Florida's 21st District. I join her friends and family in celebrating this wonderful milestone, and I wish her good health and continued success in the coming year.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, which began a conflict that continues to this day. Since July 20, 1974, Turkey has occupied the northern territory of Cyprus, denying thousands of Greek Cypriots the right to return to their homes and imposing severe restrictions on their property rights and religious freedoms. They continue to block the exhumation of mass graves, even under UN supervision, leaving hundreds of cases of missing people unresolved. Cyprus should not be expected to accept anything less in terms of fundamental democratic rights than any American would accept. A final resolution must be determined by the Cypriots and for the Cypriots. I am encouraged that both parties agreed to a Joint Statement which lays the foundation for future resolution talks, and I applaud President Anastasiades' proposed confidence-building measures as helpful ways to facilitate the negotiating process. I also wish to recognize the incredible achievements by Cyprus despite the ongoing conflict. Cyprus has flourished as a nation and grown as a democratic stalwart in the eastern Mediterranean. This ally of the United States has helped progress U.S. interests in the region, including their integral role in the removal of chemical weapons from Syria. As a member of the European Union, they helped push the body to designate Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Their recent discovery of offshore natural gas will not only provide a significant revenue stream for the country, but also creates opportunities for cooperation with Israel and offers an alternative energy source for the EU. As a co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic-Israeli Alliance Caucus, I will continue to promote greater collaboration between Congress, Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. This conflict has continued for far too long, and I call on both parties to resume negotiations and work toward a permanent resolution.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, just to respond to a couple of points, the Judiciary Committee may have waived jurisdiction. As my friend knows, there was no vote to waive jurisdiction. Had there been, I would have raised this very issue then, as a member of the Judiciary Committee. Secondly, if the purpose of this legislation is to streamline lawsuits--and that was the whole idea behind the legislation--then having language that requires these to be heard as expeditiously as possible and not more than 180 days, that does that. That is in the bill, even after this amendment passes. I can't believe that it was the intention of the drafters of this legislation to put these oil and gas disputes ahead of cases that involve plots to kill Americans, as is the case with the mastermind of the Benghazi attack, individuals who have important civil cases, important criminal cases. I just can't imagine the dispute between the House GOP and the Justice Department over Fast and Furious--clearly, it wasn't the intent to say that the oil and gas companies are more important than seeing that case through. Mr. Chairman, I hope that this amendment will pass. We don't need to fine-tune the bill. It is clear enough already. I ask my colleagues to support this. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, it is no surprise that I oppose H.R. 4899. However, my amendment is not an attempt to sabotage the bill. It is an honest attempt to fix a major drafting error within this legislation that could have drastic consequences on our Nation's district courts. My amendment would strike section 10702(a)(3) of the bill, which mandates that cases involving oil and gas leases ``take precedence over all other pending matters before the district court.'' I am grateful for the opportunity to explain the serious implications of this provision. The provision seems to be directed at concerns that individuals and communities, small businesses, other interests that are not party to the production of an oil and gas lease may file lawsuits to prevent or delay an oil and gas lease from moving forward. Now, I believe that people have an important interest in the production of oil and gas leases that could impact public health, property, and environmental injuries in the area of release. I don't support the principle of locking people out of the courtroom. In our Nation, where the courts protect and ensure that individual rights and private property rights are not violated, this provision eliminates court protections of these most basic rights. The bill, as drafted, is so broad that it does so much more than that, and here is where I hope that opponents and supporters of this bill can come together to fix this error. As drafted, this language requires cases involving oil and gas leases to skip ahead of ``all other pending matters before the district court.'' That means everything--all pending cases, even cases already on the dockets of each of the judges sitting on the district court. Because it was so broadly drafted, it contains no language to ensure that the case involving the production of oil and gas leases only receives precedence over pending matters before the district court judge who has been assigned to the oil and gas case. Is it really the intention of Congress to mandate that legal disputes over oil and gas leases take precedence over every single case already pending in our district courts, including national security cases and high-profile criminal and civil cases? Surely not. H.R. 4899 already lets oil and gas companies choose between the local district court that oversees Federal property for the leases in question or the District Court for the District of Columbia. This section, therefore, allows oil and gas cases to bump some of the most important legal cases in the Nation off of the D.C. district court's dockets. Do the oil and gas industries get to butt in line ahead of victims of massive Ponzi schemes? Do they get to bump ahead of litigation over drone strikes? Do oil and gas companies get to jump ahead of litigation, like the dispute between the House GOP and the Department of Justice over Fast and Furious? Clearly, that is not what my friends on the other side intended. Do oil and gas companies get to jump ahead of the prosecution of terrorists, like the mastermind of the appalling attack in Benghazi that claimed the lives of brave and dedicated Americans? I just cannot fathom that that is the intent of my colleagues, and the implication of this poorly-drafted addition goes beyond the D.C. district court. The Eastern District Court of Virginia's recent hearing in the case of the individual who plotted to bomb the U.S. Capitol should remind us that, across this country, there are district court hearings--important cases that shouldn't be put on hold because Congress wants to please Big Oil. Even with my amendment, H.R. 4899 still includes language that requires cases involving oil and gas to be resolved as expeditiously as possible and not more than 180 days after the claim is filed. Isn't that enough? Mr. Chairman, my amendment would strike this poorly-drafted provision from the bill. We shouldn't let oil and gas litigation skip ahead of some of the most important national security cases, civil cases, and criminal cases of our time. At the very least, I would urge my friend, Chairman Hastings, to revisit this provision to ensure that it is consistent with the intent of the overall legislation. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, this year we mark the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Freedom Summer, when hundreds of Americans traveled to Mississippi to fight discrimination and advance voting rights and equality under the law. Today I rise to recognize three Americans who gave their lives in that struggle: James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman. On June 21, 1964, these three activists--one African American and two Jewish--were kidnapped and murdered for working to register Black voters. Their lives, the lives of James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman, were claimed by hate, yet their faith in equality and justice and the right to vote lives on today through the historic Black-Jewish alliance born out of the civil rights movement. I proudly support honoring these three activists with a Congressional Gold Medal and would like to thank the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding for championing this cause. For 25 years, the foundation has advanced the values shared by the Jewish and African American communities, including tolerance, equal rights, and justice. As a Jewish American, it is an honor to fight for these values here in Congress today and every day.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Shannon Mathew, a graduating senior from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who has received the Miami VA Healthcare System's James H. Parke Memorial Fund Youth Scholarship for her commitment to the veterans of South Florida. As a public servant and the son of a World War II veteran whose bravery motivated me to serve in Congress, I am so proud of Shannon's dedication to our community. Shannon has devoted every summer of high school volunteering at the Physical Medicine and Rehab Unit of the William ``Bill'' Kling VA Clinic. In addition to providing encouragement, emotional support and a warm smile to all the veterans receiving treatment at the clinic, Shannon also assists administratively in keeping the physical therapy department running smoothly. Her supervisors describe her as spirited and helpful and veterans seeking treatment at the center have said that her presence encourages them to push through their pain. Shannon will begin her undergraduate career at the University of Florida this fall and plans to volunteer at the VA clinic in Gainesville in her spare time. Representing a district home to veterans of every major conflict since World War II, I know very well the sacrifices that our military men and women and their families have made for our country and the importance of honoring them. Shannon Mathew's passion for serving our veterans is an inspiration to me and my district, and I have no doubt that she has a bright future in store.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, there have been 74 school shootings since the Sandy Hook tragedy: Apostolic Revival Center Christian School; Taft Union High School; Stevens Institute of Business; Hazard Community College; Chicago State University; Lone Star College; Price Middle School; Morehouse College; Indian River State College; Hillside Elementary School; Henry Grady High School; the University of Central Florida; Davidson Middle School; New River Community College; Elizabeth City State University; Grambling State University; Stillman College; La Salle High School; Santa Monica College; Alexander Dreyfoos School of the Arts; Northwest High School; Ronald McNair Learning Academy; Westside Elementary School; North Panola High School; Carver High School; Savannah State University; New Gloucester High School; Agape Christian Academy; Lanier High School; Sparks Middle School; Algona High School and Middle School; North Carolina A&T; Stephenson High School; South Dakota School of Technology; West Orange High School; Arapahoe High School; Edison High School; Liberty Technology High School; Berrendo Middle School; Martin Luther King Elementary School; Delaware Valley Charter High School; Widener University; Purdue University; South Carolina Staten University; Tennessee State University; Eastern Florida State College; Cesar Chavez High School; North High School; Bend High School; Salisbury High School; Brush High School; Union University; Raytown Success Academy; McDaniel College; Madison High School; University of Wisconsin; University of Delaware; Savannah State University; Kent State University; Eastern New Mexico University; East English Prep Academy; St. Mary Catholic School; Provo High School; Iowa Western Community College; Marquette University; Horizon Elementary School; Paine College; Georgetown College; Georgia Gwinnett College; Clark Street School; Seattle Pacific University; and Reynolds High School.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 22 outstanding teachers from my district who have been selected Teachers of the Year. Through their incredible devotion to their students, these exemplary teachers have displayed a level of commitment to public service that can be admired by all. The Teacher of the Year Award is presented to teachers who have been recognized by their principals for excellence in teaching. These teachers not only excite their students in the classroom but help them make connections to the real world and prepare them to move forward successfully in their education. As a parent and a public servant, I understand the need for a commitment to a globally competitive education for all of our nation's children. Congratulations to District 5 Teachers of the Year Agnes Nemeth, Jasmin Deboo, Rachel Bennett, Bethany Garena, Allison Bradley, Fara Krinsky, Sue Mochtak-Heller, Katie Schmidt, Marisa Schweder, Twila Saupe, Renee Frias, Nora Buck, Evelyn Temple, Nirmala Arunachalam, Sue White, Michelle Gunning, Charles (Kevin Turner), Allison Lazarus, Judith Schachleiter, Bonnie Sonenson, Maria Aparicio, and Lisa Finn. I am proud to honor them as a sign of my appreciation for these outstanding teachers and the countless other dedicated teachers across the country. I hope that they can continue to inspire South Floridians to live by their example.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my friend, the gentlelady from Texas. Mr. Speaker, we have learned a great deal, since the allegations surfaced, that IRS officials discriminated against political-leaning groups that were seeking tax-exempt 501(c)(4) status. I joined with many of my Republican colleagues in condemning the notion that politics in any way influenced the behavior of the IRS. We learned that the IRS kept a list of key words that triggered extra review, a misguided practice that we are grateful has since stopped. We also learned that the IRS targeted more liberal-leaning groups than conservative ones, meaning there was no conservative witch-hunt. What my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have apparently failed to learn, however, is that the clear solution to this problem is to get the IRS out of the business of evaluating political conduct. I wholeheartedly agree with my colleagues that the IRS has no business meddling in our elections, but we don't need a special counsel to make this stop. Applications for 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status exploded after the Citizens United decision because special interests found a new way to secretly funnel money into our elections. Let me tell you how it works. Because these groups aren't required to disclose their donors, wealthy special interests that are bent on influencing the political process for their benefit anonymously give to the 501(c)(4). The 501(c)(4) then funnels the money to the super-PAC; and, voila, there are millions of secret dollars influencing our elections. We ought to be working together in a bipartisan way to get secret money out of our elections. I asked the Treasury Department to review the murky regulations on the books, to revise the rules to restore integrity to 501(c)(4) status and to ensure that taxpayers are never again forced to subsidize blatant political behavior. I would have hoped that my colleagues in the majority would have joined me in that effort. Instead, Republican leaders responded by attempting to block Treasury from fixing these broken rules and from forcing these secret givers to tell us who they are and what they want from this Congress. I am afraid there is only one explanation for this latest partisan resolution. I hope I am wrong. I hope I am wrong in that my Republican colleagues don't actually want to protect secret money in our elections. I hope I am wrong in that the GOP does not want to protect the billionaires and the corporations that want to conceal themselves from the American people and believe that they have the right to funnel millions of dollars through 501(c)(4)'s into super-PACs in order to corrupt our elections. I ask my colleagues to prove me wrong. Prove me wrong by working in a bipartisan way to protect the American people from helping sham special interest groups influence elections on the taxpayers' dime. Let's bring transparency and accountability back to our elections. Reject this sham resolution, and prove me wrong.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Broward County District 7 School Board Member Nora Rupert, a devoted teacher and mother and a dedicated community advocate. Her hard work improving our county's schools and bettering the futures of our children is an inspiration to education leaders in South Florida and across the country. After Nora graduated from Florida Southern College and the Star Program at FAU for alternative education certification, she served as a substitute teacher with the School Board of Broward County and taught Language Arts and Reading at Piper High School for four years. She was elected in 2010 to serve as School Board Member for District 7 and has been a champion of education reform ever since. After adopting three children, she has gained invaluable experience advocating on their behalf through Exceptional Student Education and gifted issues in public schools. Finally, among many other organizations, Nora is a Broward School Board representative on the Council of Great City Schools, National School Board Association, and Council of Urban Boards of Education and serves on the boards of the Coconut Creek Elementary School Advisory Form and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Education is fundamental to the long-term success of Florida and our nation. As a parent and a congressman, I understand the need to make an unwavering commitment to the education of our children. Nora Rupert has demonstrated this commitment through decades of compassion for the children of South Florida, and she inspires all of us to live by her example.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 17 high school seniors from Palm Beach County who plan to enlist into the military after graduation this spring. Their maturity and courage are a testament to their dedication to our country, and they rightfully deserve our recognition and admiration. I am proud to represent a district that is home to such a large number of men and women in the military, veterans, and their families. I feel tremendous gratitude to those who fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and to a new generation of heroes from the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. My father, Bernard Deutch, volunteered to fight in World War II as a teenager where he earned a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge. It was his example of service to our nation that motivated me to serve in Congress. Congratulations to Christopher Barnikel, Arturo Ipina Jr., Jose Pascual Tomas, Justin Grad, Adam Pendleton, Jason Marlin, Charles Green, Alexander Costello, Marc Velazquez, Sumer Boardman, Mauricio Alvarez, Trystan Anderson, Aprilday Lytal, Samuel Steinhouse, Elyzae Reina, Shereek Powell, and Rebecca Gonzalez for their service.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 16 high school seniors from Palm Beach County who plan to enlist into the military after graduation this spring. Their maturity and courage are a testament to their dedication to our country, and they rightfully deserve our recognition and admiration. I am proud to represent a district that is home to such a large number of men and women in the military, veterans, and their families. I feel tremendous gratitude to those who fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and to a new generation of heroes from the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. My father, Bernard Deutch, volunteered to fight in World War II as a teenager where he earned a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge. It was his example of service to our nation that motivated me to serve in Congress. Congratulations to Christopher Barnikel, Arturo Ipina Jr., Jose Pascual Tomas, Justin Grad, Adam Pendleton, Jason Marlin, Charles Green, Alexander Costello, Marc Velazquez, Sumer Boardman, Mauricio Alvarez, Trystan Anderson, Aprilday Lytal, Samuel Steinhouse, Elyzae Reina, and Shereek Powell for their service.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 11 outstanding seniors from my district that have been selected to be part of the Broward Senior Hall of Fame. Through the generous donation of their time and resources, these exemplary seniors have displayed a level of commitment to public service that can be admired by all. The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County offers this annual distinction to seniors who have dedicated themselves to improving their community in South Florida. From ordinary citizens and businesspeople to public servants and advocates, they have gone above and beyond to serve both the elderly and those in need. The amount of time, money, and effort these individuals have expended for the betterment of their community is truly admirable and exhibits a level of passion worthy of recognition. Congratulations to Margaret ``Marnie'' Allen, William Edelstein, Rose Manni, Rita Martin, Carmen Morales, Anthony C. Musto, Soutien Peng, Jackie Rosen, Joseph ``Joe'' Schwartz, Lucy Stevens, and Ilene Weisberg on their election to the 2014 Senior Hall of Fame. I hope that by honoring them in the Congressional Record that they can continue to inspire South Floridians to live by their example.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Anthony P. ``Tony'' Reardon, Deputy Director of Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. A command navigator from West Palm Beach, Florida, with 1,700 flying hours in the RF-4C, Tony Reardon has excelled both in the cockpit and at the Pentagon. I want to offer him my congratulations on his recent selection as Director of Strategy, Resources and Integration for the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs. This recent promotion is no surprise to anyone who knows Tony. Throughout his life, he has displayed exceptional leadership and judgment. He graduated in 1977 from Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach, and even then he was known for his intelligence, his loyalty, and his integrity. He was a drummer in the marching band, a pitcher for the baseball team, and a participant in the American Legion Boys State program, which encourages young people to grow into engaged and responsible citizens. After graduating from Florida State University in 1981, Tony was selected to attend undergraduate navigator training at Mather Air Force Base in California. He quickly garnered the role of RF-4C instructor weapon systems officer in the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas. Tony's talents were needed on the front lines of the cold war, and he was reassigned to Zweibrucken Air Base in Germany. Following the end of the cold war, Tony was transferred back to Bergstrom, where he continued to pass his wealth of knowledge and experience on to the next generation of weapon systems officers. Realizing his talent for leadership, his commander transferred him to Air Combat Command Headquarters at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, where he excelled in the Plans and Programs Directorate. After a successful tour, he was once again sent overseas, this time as an air liaison officer at Camp Red Cloud, Korea. Later, he was assigned to Pacific Air Forces Headquarters, returning to the Plans and Programs Directorate at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. After 3 years in Hawaii, he began numerous assignments at Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon. As Deputy Director of Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Tony has supported Air Force leadership by engaging Congress on programs and weapon systems authorizations, constituent inquiries, and other congressional interests. Among some of his more notable accomplishments during his tenure as Deputy Director, Tony prepared the Air Force team for confirmation hearings for the Air Force Secretary, Under Secretary, Chief of Staff, and the Vice Chief of Staff, all in an unprecedented 2-year time frame. He also supported more than 1,500 Air Force senior leader visits to the Hill as well as over 1,000 wing commander Hill visits, more than 450 congressional delegation and congressional staff trips, over 200 congressional hearings, and countless other Air Force Hill engagements. Today, I would like to wish Mr. Anthony P. ``Tony'' Reardon good luck and Godspeed in his next assignment as the Director of Strategy, Resources and Integration for the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs. We know that this next chapter of his distinguished career will be one of even more success. On behalf of the Congress and of the United States of America, I thank Tony; his wife, Dee; and their children, Maggie and Trip, for their patriotism, commitment to country, and service to Nation.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mitchell Libman of Hollywood, Florida, who for more than five decades worked to ensure a dear friend received the recognition he deserved for his heroism and sacrifice during the Korean War. In 1951, Mr. Libman learned that his childhood friend, Private First Class Leonard Kravitz, lost his life during combat and received the Distinguished Service Cross for his service. After hearing about Private Kravitz's heroics from some of the soldiers who fought by his side in Korea, he was inspired to dig deeper into the circumstances of his death. Mr. Libman found that his friend's service was indeed extraordinary. During an ambush of Communist forces, Private First Class Leonard Kravitz sacrificed his own life when he took over a machine gun so that his platoon could retreat to safety. It became clear that Private Kravitz's heroism qualified him for the Medal of Honor and yet he never received one. During his years of research, Mr. Libman began to suspect that Private Kravitz could have been bypassed for the Medal of Honor due to possible prejudice in the military against his Jewish heritage. He decided to take the issue to Washington. As a result of Mr. Libman's heartfelt advocacy, Congress passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 requiring the Pentagon to undergo a review and determine if Jewish and Hispanic Americans serving in our Armed Forces could have been overlooked for the Medal of Honor due to bias in the military. The Pentagon's review did more than confirm that Private First Class Leonard Kravitz indeed fit the criteria for the Medal of Honor. It also revealed 23 additional cases of soldiers who went above and beyond the call of duty and yet never received the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary service. Last fall, I was pleased to pass H.R. 3304, an amended version of the National Defense Authorization Act ensuring that every soldier discovered during this review to be worthy of the Medal of Honor would finally be recognized. On March 18, 2014, Mr. Libman's decades of work culminated in President Barack Obama awarding all 24 soldiers with the Medal of Honor. Seeing the President finally issue these long overdue awards should remind us all of the power every American citizen has to make a difference, and I am profoundly grateful for Mitchell Libman's years of determination and love of country.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Autism Awareness Month, a special opportunity to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism and to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. Autism is a developmental disorder that by some estimates affects 1 in 88 children age 8. These rates mark dramatic increases from just decades ago, and I believe it is vital that more research be done to investigate the causes of autism and to determine prevention tactics, as well as treatments and possible cures for people already afflicted. As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Autism Research and Education, I have long supported increased funding for medical research to combat this unfortunate condition. I would also like to recognize Rising Tide, which will celebrate its first anniversary on April 1. Rising Tide embodies the spirit of National Autism Awareness Month. Founded by John D'Eri and his son Thomas to create a supportive environment for Thomas' autistic brother Andrew, Rising Tide is a carwash that employs forty-three men and women with autism. The mission of this company is to empower autistic individuals and inspire communities to redefine their perception of the capabilities that people with autism have. Rising Tide is the largest single store retail employer of individuals with autism in the United States. I am proud to recognize National Autism Awareness Month and the hard work that advocacy groups are doing in communities across the country to increase autism awareness in our community and make the world a better place for individuals with this diversity.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Private First Class Leonard Kravitz, who gave his life during the Korean War in an extraordinary act of heroism and posthumously received the Medal of Honor on March 18, 2014. PFC Leonard Kravitz fought valiantly to protect our country and rightfully deserves our recognition and admiration. I am proud to represent a district that is home to such a large number of veterans, and I feel tremendous gratitude to the heroes of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and to the new generation of veterans from the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. My father, Bernard Deutch, volunteered to fight in World War II as a teenager where he earned a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge. It was his example of service to our nation that motivated me to serve in Congress. PFC Leonard Kravitz sacrificed himself for his platoon when he took over a machine gun, fired into an ambush of Communist forces, and stayed behind so that his fellow soldiers could withdraw safely. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for his sacrifice. PFC Leonard Kravitz was also recommended for the Medal of Honor, but he never received it due to widespread prejudice in the military against Jewish and other minority servicemembers. His childhood friend, Mitch Libman, a resident of South Florida, worked tirelessly for decades to ensure that the courageous sacrifice of his dear friend would not go unnoticed. This heartfelt act of advocacy led to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 and H.R. 3304, a bill that I introduced, which ensures the recognition of all soldiers who never received the Medals of Honor they deserved. In this era of partisan vitriol and gridlock in Washington, our leaders can always look to veterans as an example of how individuals from all walks of life can put their differences aside in order to accomplish great things. PFC Leonard Kravitz has finally been recognized as the hero he is, and his friend Mitch Libman reminds us of the duty we all have to ensure that no soldier becomes a forgotten hero. I urge every citizen of this great country to live by their examples.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Despite facing enormous security challenges, our ally Israel has thrived as an open and free society with a vibrant economy, a strong democracy and as a global innovator in agriculture, energy, and countless other fields. The United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act reflects our bipartisan commitment to a safe, to a secure, and to a thriving Jewish State of Israel. I am deeply moved by the tremendous support for Israel in this Congress, with more than half of its membership signed onto this bill. But why should this be a surprise? The security of the State of Israel is important to our national security. A thriving economy in the State of Israel, with investments made by so many American companies, is important to our own economy. Most importantly, having an ally that shares our values, our commitment to democracy and to the rule of law is something of which the value cannot even be measured. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and to send the world a message that our bond with Israel will remain unshakable.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the 26th anniversary of Young Israel of Boca Raton, Florida synagogue. I would like to recognize them for their service to the Jewish community of South Florida and the local community as a whole. Founded in 1988, Young Israel of Boca Raton has served as a center of Jewish identity and education for the South Palm Beach County community. I want to particularly acknowledge Rabbi Mayer and Henna Englander and Yaakov (Jay) and Dr. Jorie Lyons, the special honorees during the anniversary celebration, for their dedication to the synagogue and its emphasis on prayer, study, and community service. I would like to congratulate Young Israel of Boca Raton synagogue, an extraordinary Jewish community of South Florida, on their 26th anniversary. Through their example, Young Israel's philosophy and spiritual guidance can extend far beyond South Florida.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 488, supporting the Democratic aspirations of the people of Venezuela. I would like to thank my friend, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership and for always fighting for democratic principles. I would like to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for working to bring this resolution to the floor. I strongly condemn the violence used by the Maduro regime: 17 dead and 261 injured in the recent protest. Peaceful assembly should never be met with the use of deadly force. This government has resorted to political intimidation and free media censorship to squash the voices of the people. I join my colleagues today in support of the people of Venezuela to determine their own political future. It is their democratic right to seek government policies that put their country on a path to democratic and economic prosperity for all Venezuelans. By passing this resolution, Congress will send a clear message to the people of Venezuela--and to all those around the world struggling to achieve true democracy and freedom--that we stand with you. We support your most democratic rights of free expression and peaceful assembly. Any true democracy must be accountable to its people. We call on the Maduro government to work with the people, not against them, to end the violence, and to find a political resolution. This resolution, Mr. Speaker, makes clear to the Venezuelan people and to the Maduro regime that the United States stands for freedom and democracy, and that the human rights of the Venezuelan people matter to the American people, and they must be defended. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.