Bob Dold

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs annually from September 15 to October 15. During this month, we celebrate the culture and heritage of Hispanic Americans and their many historic contributions to our Nation. In the 10th Congressional District of Illinois, we are fortunate to have many community and business leaders with Hispanic roots. Take, for example, Luis Fuentes, a community leader who helps families in Mundelein, and Esteban Montes de Oca, the owner of multiple bakeries in my district. Mr. Speaker, I also had the amazing opportunity not long ago to bring Erika Martinez, a DREAMer from Round Lake, to the State of the Union Address. Mr. Speaker, until we pass immigration reform, families like Erika's are forced to continue to live in fear of being torn apart. We need to act now. So, this month, please join me in recognizing the important contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to our country, and let's redouble our efforts to uphold our long and proud history as a nation of immigrants.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the North Shore Senior Center's 60th anniversary. Since 1956, they have been a vital part of our community. I am proud to have one of the largest senior centers in the entire Nation in our community. We have seen their impact firsthand on thousands of our residents. Our seniors benefit from the many services and activities they offer, providing help for all who need it, regardless of social, physical, or economic hardships. Mr. Speaker, the organization has won countless awards throughout their 60 years of service, and I would like to acknowledge them once again. I offer my most sincere congratulations to the executive director, Jordan Luhr, and president emeritus, Joan Golder, and everyone else who has helped make this center grow over the years. Moving forward, I remain committed to working with the leadership at the North Shore Senior Center to continue their strong legacy of providing a positive and healthy community for seniors in the 10th Congressional District.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Additionally, according to the AARP, 56 percent of all tax returns claiming this as an expense are seniors, have a senior in the household making that claim. Fixing this counterproductive tax puts in place, I believe, the right message that we want people to be able to pay for their medical expenses. Ultimately, what we are doing is we are seeing these costs continue to rise. I know I am not the only Member of Congress that hears it from their constituents. In talking to my colleagues, frankly, on both sides of the aisle, I know they hear it. The costs are going up, premiums and deductibles. Ultimately, we want to provide good, quality coverage and health care to families, hardworking taxpayers, and seniors all across our country. This is a commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to step forward and support this legislation.

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for yielding the time. I also want to join him in saying to my colleague and good friend from Oregon that I welcome the opportunity to try to dive in to the Affordable Care Act to make it better, and I look at the legislation that is in front of us as a step to be able to do some of those things. Now, again, this is just one step, so I don't believe that it is cotton candy because, as we look at premiums that are going right through the roof, deductibles that have gone sky high, hardworking American taxpayers are looking and saying: What is going on? Mr. Speaker, the debate today, which I am pleased to join, about H.R. 3590, the Halt Tax Increases on the Middle Class and Seniors Act, is a commonsense piece of legislation and a bipartisan piece of legislation that actually is talking about rolling back a tax that was put into the Affordable Care Act. What is interesting is that this tax, in essence, enabled people to be able to deduct expenses that were over 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income. Think about that. That is a pretty sizeable amount of resources. So as of 2013, Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Care Act raised the floor of this 7.5 percent to 10 percent. They raised it on individuals-- hardworking American taxpayers--that are out there that are trying to get by and make ends meet to provide a better life for their family. Currently, seniors age 65 and older still are able to deduct those that are above 7.5 percent of the adjusted gross income. But that is not going to be for very long because, beginning in 2017, they are also going to lose that ability, and it is going to go up to 10 percent. Here is why that seemingly very small change is a big problem. Individuals, families, and seniors claiming this deduction are already spending a large amount of resources of their personal income on medical bills. Those who depend on this deduction most often have complex, high-cost health conditions. The bill in front of us today will fix the Affordable Care Act's counterproductive tax increase that has already been imposed on individuals and families, and it will protect seniors from facing the same tax increase by permanently allowing everyone to deduct qualified medical expenses above the pre-ACA level, the Affordable Care Act level, of 7.5 percent. This isn't cotton candy, I hope. I certainly hope this isn't cotton candy, as my friend from Oregon said. This is a meaningful and, I do believe, important piece of legislation as families all across our country are looking at healthcare costs that are going through the roof, and they are saying: Wait a second; can I please get some relief? According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, 40 percent of those who would receive immediate relief from this piece of legislation, from this bill, make between $40,000 and $75,000 per year. This is not millionaires and billionaires--$40,000 to $75,000 a year.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, September 11, is a day that will live in our memory forever. For those old enough to remember Pearl Harbor, that was a day that was seared into their memory. For those in the early 1960s, November 1963, the day that President Kennedy was shot will live in their memory forever. Everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news. But September 11, 2001, was a day that changed our world forever. Ultimately, we know that on that day, as the first plane hit the World Trade Center, we thought it was a terrible accident. When the second plane came in and hit that tower, we knew that it was something vastly different. We were under attack, and, frankly, our way of life was under attack. We are trained, Mr. Speaker, as young children to run away from danger, but our first responders are trained the opposite--to run towards it. And so that fateful day, as people were exiting the World Trade Center, we had our first responders who were running in to try to save as many people as possible. What was also interesting is that on Flight 93, we had citizens on that plane who realized what was going on as they got word to their loved ones and put the lives of Americans in front of their own. That plane was coming, most likely, to this building right here, Mr. Speaker. So on the day after September 11, I want to make sure that Americans realize that we thank our first responders, and we thank those who are in uniform, those in our intelligence community who are trying to protect and save the United States of America from ever experiencing that type of attack again. Again, God bless America. God bless our first responders and those in uniform.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career and contributions of Prospect Heights Fire Chief Donald Gould, Jr. The Prospect Heights Fire Department made great strides under Chief Gould's leadership. When he took over as chief, there were no full-time firefighters in the district. The Prospect Heights district only consisted of volunteers and part-time staff. As of today, there are 15 full-time firefighters and 35 part-time members. Chief Gould leaves Prospect Heights with an outstanding professional fire force that continually seeks to meet the community's public safety needs. Mr. Speaker, along with the citizens of Prospect Heights, it is an honor today to express our deepest appreciation to Fire Chief Donald Gould, Jr. for his 49 years of service with the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because this week is National Suicide Prevention Week. Studies have shown that roughly 90 percent of people who commit suicide struggled with mental illness. In July, with enormous bipartisan support, the House passed the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act to tackle our Nation's mental health crisis. In recognition of this week, I believe the Senate should immediately take up this very important piece of legislation. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, veterans who have served our Nation are even more at risk. The disturbing reality is that far too many of our veterans who fought for our freedom are not truly free when they return home. We cannot be bystanders as our Nation's heroes struggle with mental illness and suicide. That is why we passed and signed into law the Clay Hunt SAV Act, which prioritizes mental health care for our veterans. But there is still so much work to be done to reach out to those who may need our help. Together, we can and must erase the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center and the groundbreaking ceremony of their new Healing Garden. Since its opening in 1987, the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center's mission has been to provide a protective environment for child victims of abuse. In addition to sensitively approaching these victims in a respectful, thoughtful manner and helping them to recover from their traumas, the Center investigates and prosecutes their abusers in partnership with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office and local Lake County police departments. One of the most effective services the Children's Advocacy Center offers is the opportunity for the victims to interact with their veteran comfort dog, Mitchell, who gives them compassion and solace throughout their entire recovery process. The Healing Garden is another creative initiative by the Children's Advocacy Center that will aid children and their families throughout the healing process by creating a safe place to interact and reflect, as well as gain strength and hope for the future. The Garden is assured to be a cornerstone of healing at a Center that facilitates that precious help for so many of the hurting children in our community.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize six talented young women from the Illinois 10th Congressional District, who have been selected to represent our country in the rhythmic gymnastics group competition at the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Monica Rokhman, Jennifer Rokhman, Natalie McGiffert, Kiana Eide, Alisa Kano, and Kristen Shaldybin will be departing for Rio de Janeiro this August to compete for Team USA. Our community is very proud of their hard work as members of the North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, and I commend them on all of their recent achievements. Mr. Speaker, I am excited to watch this dedicated group of young women compete and look forward to celebrating all of their success.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize six talented young women from the Tenth Congressional District of Illinois who have been selected to represent our country in the rhythmic gymnastics group competition at the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics. Monica Rokhman, Jennifer Rokhman, Natalie McGiffert, Kiana Eide, Alisa Kano and Kristen Shaldybin will be departing for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this August to compete for Team USA. Our community is proud of their hard work as members of the North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, and I commend them on all of their recent achievements. Mr. Speaker, I am very excited to watch this dedicated group of young women compete and look forward to celebrating all of their success.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 417, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Himes

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, today, there are over 11 million Americans struggling without proper treatment and care for mental health illnesses. Our system is riddled with inefficiencies, as various agencies patch together different programs with little to no coordination. Because of this massive failure, patients far too often end up in the criminal justice system or on the streets, because the services are just not available. This week, Congress took decisive action to fix this problem by passing a bill that I helped introduce with Representative Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, 422-2. Our bill will genuinely save lives and improve the quality of life for families all across this Nation. The bipartisan Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when we set aside partisan differences and get to work for the people that we represent. This bill prioritizes treatment to proactively prevent tragedy, emphasizing programs and resources that focus on getting patients the care they need. In short, Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill takes mental illness out of the shadows of ignorance, because we know that where there is help, there is hope.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 1,050th Anniversary of Poland's Christianity and founding as a nation. I want to recognize the group of Polish organizations and leaders, which include the Polish American Congress, who are a cornerstone of our community in the Tenth District of Illinois. These groups organized a celebration of this Anniversary, which along with other celebrations, will bring communities together to commemorate this important time in Poland's history. I wish the Polish-American community all the best at their celebration, and I look forward to continuing to work with our Polish American community to amplify their voice in the United States Congress.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Lake Forest Police Chief James Held. Chief Held's career is a testament to his hard work. He rose through the ranks from being a student at the College of Lake County and a security guard in 1984 to being police chief thirty-two years. His creation of the Bike Rodeo and the twenty-year-old Citizen's Police Academy programs helped increase community outreach and education on behalf of local police forces. Chief Held leaves behind a legacy of outstanding leadership at the Lake Forest Police Department, where he connected with his fellow officers and innovatively engaged with the community. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to express my gratitude to Police Chief James Held for his thirty-one years of laudable service.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank my good friend from Indiana for yielding and for his work on this important legislation. I also want to thank my good friend from Maryland, who has also put a lot of work into what I think is really a unique piece of legislation. I want to make sure that I rise in support of the Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act. This reform-minded legislation, Mr. Speaker, is so important because it offers a fresh approach for the way that the Federal Government assists those who are truly in need. It focuses our efforts on evidence-based reforms. How refreshing is that? We spend a tremendous amount of money, Mr. Speaker, trying to make sure that we are giving people an opportunity to get out from being impoverished. We have too many people today, Mr. Speaker, around the country who are fighting poverty. This actually brings entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and the government together to actually solve these problems. The Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act is a bipartisan solution that rewards and promotes programs that actually help individuals achieve positive outcomes. It actually helps and relieves the taxpayers a tremendous burden. No longer are the taxpayers on the hook for failed programs. This actually is providing the opportunity for entrepreneurs and those who are in the nonprofit sector to also play a role in trying to actually come up with unique solutions in very different ways in State-by-State outcomes. This innovative piece of legislation will give the States more flexibility to be creative with TANF dollars and establish approaches that will uniquely address the problems facing local communities. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will also serve as an extension of the TANF program to make sure that we continue to provide necessary assistance to individuals looking to achieve self-sufficiency through job training and education. The challenges we face in fighting poverty are clearly steep. We know that in the War on Poverty, we have spent over $22 trillion to move the needle from 15 percent in poverty to 14.6 percent in poverty. We need to start thinking creatively about how can we focus on outcomes, how can we get more people off of the unemployment rolls, how can we get more people off the TANF rolls, off the welfare rolls. This is a program, this is an idea, a bipartisan reform that is going to focus on outcomes and will help start solving the problem. It does require meaningful action. I believe that the American Dream revolves around the idea that each and every one of us has something positive to contribute to our great Nation. This legislation is a step in the right direction in helping individuals reach their full potential, and gives States flexibility. Again, I want to go back and I want to thank my good friend from Maryland for his work on this and my friend from Indiana for, again, working in a bipartisan way to start thinking outside of the box. The government doesn't always have the solution, and we need to leverage nonprofits. We need to leverage those who are working out there and bringing unique ideas to the fold.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. More than 80,000 Americans die as a result of Alzheimer's each and every year, which makes it the sixth leading cause of death among our Nation's senior citizens. With over 5 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer's, research toward finding a cure, as well as the rehabilitation of patients, is crucial to eliminating this debilitating disease. That is why I am a cosponsor of the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act, which will increase access to care for those with Alzheimer's and ease the burden on their families. Mr. Speaker, Alzheimer's and dementia have affected everyone in this country, in every congressional district across the country, in some way, shape, or form. A strong congressional response is critical to helping those struggling with this disease as well as their family and friends. This month, I call on my colleagues to pass the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act, and I ask them to join me in raising awareness for this very important issue.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because thoughts and prayers are not enough. It is time for action. The hateful terrorist attack targeting America's LGBT community in Orlando is another reminder to come together and work across party lines to root out terrorism, prevent gun violence, and put an end to bigotry of all kinds. An attack on one American is an attack on all of us. We cannot allow partisanship to define this debate. We must take decisive and united actions to ensure that nothing like the attacks on Orlando, Paris, Newtown, or San Bernardino ever happen again. Congress should immediately move forward and pass the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act. This commonsense bill would prohibit suspected terrorists from possessing guns or explosives. Keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of people who wish to do our country harm is a solution that we should all be able to get behind. The hateful attack in Orlando also reminds us once more of the growing threat of ISIS-inspired radical Islamic terrorist on U.S. soil is real and cannot be ignored or downplayed. Congress must reassert leadership in the fight against ISIS by passing legislation to hold the President accountable for developing a comprehensive plan to destroy ISIS. Through congressional oversight hearings, we must also ensure that Federal agencies and local law enforcement are effectively communicating with each other to identify international and homegrown terror threats through both traditional security approaches and social media. Internationally, Congress must act to cut off sources of funding to other radical Islamic terror groups by restoring crippling sanctions on Iran. The recent agreement, which, frankly, shipped billions of dollars to the world's largest state sponsor of terror while helping finance organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, is simply unacceptable. At home, we cannot allow the tired, partisan bickering to distract us from the difficult but necessary work of preventing gun violence. We need to bridge the partisan divide and put the best interests of our country before politics. A good first step is the legislation that I helped introduce with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords to require universal background checks on firearm purchases. The vast majority of the American people support this commonsense idea, and it is past time Congress moves forward with this proposal that will keep more people safe. We also need to improve communications so that local law enforcement is notified when someone attempts to purchase a gun and fails a required background check. My colleague, Congressman Mike Quigley, introduced a commonsense bill to make this fix, which I strongly support. Other important efforts to prevent gun violence include my bill with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to prevent domestic abusers from being able to purchase weapons. This proposal would help, again, prohibit firearm trafficking used to evade background checks, and also, a long- overdue increase in mental health resources. In short, there are numerous commonsense proposals, Mr. Speaker, that will keep guns out of the hands of those that should not have them while protecting our Second Amendment rights. It is time that we take action. Mr. Speaker, there is no quick and easy solution to all the problems underscored by the Orlando terrorist attack, but if we are able to set aside partisan differences and unite in the best interests of our Nation, we can make serious strides in the ongoing efforts to keep Americans safe and prevent future atrocities.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to recognize Roman Mazur on bringing his dance company's annual dance festival, this year entitled, ``Melodies from My Grandmother's Chest'' to the Theatre of Buffalo Grove Community Art Center on the weekend of May 28th. I'm excited to convey my support for a vibrant cultural event hosted in the center of my district. The tenth congressional district is a hub of cultural diversity, and events like Mr. Mazur's Dance Festival encapsulate this. The Festival highlights the hard work, creative endurance, and dedication of veteran dancers as they bring the rich tradition of 1930s and 40s dancing and music to the audience. It is truly my pleasure to commend Mr. Mazur on many years of outstanding work with the Mazur Dance School. I congratulate him and his company on the Festival, and wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. I, certainly, thank my good friend from New York for yielding the time. I thank my friend from Mississippi, who talked a little bit before about the bill that we are working on together, that being the FASTER Act, which I do believe is a step in the right direction. Mr. Speaker, I represent a district just north of Chicago, so the airport that I go in and out of right now is Chicago's O'Hare--the busiest airport in the country. In fact, we believe about 77 million passengers are going to go through O'Hare this year--77 million. It is not uncommon, obviously, for me to go there and have extremely long wait times at the TSA. Unfortunately, what we have seen more recently is these wait times continuing to build--to build so much that, actually, the wait time is longer than the flight, itself, which, to me, is completely unacceptable. Frankly, the American public deserves a little bit more accountability. Over the past few weeks, these long wait times, obviously, have been exacerbated, so we have put on a Band-Aid--a patch--to try to make sure that we have a little bit more staffing at some of these busiest of airports around the country, and we have seen those wait times come down. Yet what we do know is that people are missing their flights. People who have missed their flights, at least in the last couple of weeks, have been able to be put on flights without too much inconvenience. If this were to happen this summer, the chances are, at least from the airlines, they wouldn't be able to get on their flights for a week or more, which could completely disrupt family vacations and the like. The current screening procedures need to be updated to ensure that we protect passengers from terrorist threats and to make sure that passengers are screened in the most efficient manner possible. This is, really, a two-pronged approach. In one, my friend from Mississippi talked about the FASTER Act, which is, again, trying to make sure that the resources that passengers pay are actually going toward the TSA to make sure that it has the manpower necessary to do the screening. Today's bill, the Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act, will go a long way towards ensuring that the TSA updates the screening procedures to improve customer service at the Nation's busiest airports. This bill will ensure that TSA position screeners are where they are needed most, which, I think, is absolutely critical. The bill will allow the TSA to reallocate K-9 teams to the Nation's busiest airports or where they are needed. K-9 detecting teams are a vital tool in ensuring the quick and effective screening of passengers. Mr. Speaker, just this last week, I was at O'Hare. I went down and had an opportunity to talk with some of the K-9 screeners in Chicago. One actually came from Fairbanks, Alaska, and the other one came in from Cincinnati. There is no question that there was a huge issue at O'Hare that needed to be rectified, and what this legislation does--and the gentleman from New York proposes--will allow that flexibility to happen. Finally, I want to just talk about the TSA's Federal Security Directors and making sure that they are placed at the busiest airports and have some of the flexibility that they need to make the staffing decisions that are best for the people. The bill today, I believe, will go a long way toward alleviating the crisis at our busiest airports around the country and will help make sure that our hours-long wait times will be reduced and diminished. I certainly hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this legislation.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ray Chevrolet and their President, Ray Scarpelli, who are celebrating their 25th Anniversary of doing business in Fox Lake. Starting with a small inventory of cars in 1991, Ray Chevrolet now has over 130 employees and is one of the top-selling auto dealerships in Illinois. They have won numerous customer service awards, including the 2016 Customer Satisfaction Award from DealerRater, a dealer review website. Part of the success of their business has been the dealership's commitment to give back to the community. Each year, Ray Chevrolet partners with the USO of Illinois to put on a BBQ for the Troops event to thank our local service members and their families. I am proud to have been able to join Ray and his team for this program. Since 1991, they have also been supporting area high schools and new drivers by donating cars to their driver's education departments. Ray has attributed Ray Chevrolet's success to their dedication to treating customers with respect, ``the way you'd like to be treated.'' Their 25 years in business proves what small business owners across the 10th Congressional District of Illinois know to be true: customers stay loyal when you treat them with respect. Mr. Speaker, I offer my sincere thanks to Ray, and the Ray Chevrolet team, for all they do for our local economy and our community.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Joyce Toan, who has taught the children of Joseph Sears School as a kindergarten teacher for nearly two decades. First arriving at Sears in 1997, Mrs. Toan has positively shaped the lives of hundreds of students. Personally, she has had an undeniably positive impact on my family, teaching my three children, Harper, Bobby, and Honor. Each is better off because of her guidance and teaching. Our family and community will be forever indebted to her for the kindness she has shown all of our children. Mrs. Toan always went out of her way to recognize what makes each of her students unique. She taught her students not what to think, but how to think, a skill that will be useful for the rest of their lives. Despite her career at Sears coming to an end, the lessons and memories that she has imparted upon Harper, Bobby, Honor, and all of her students will last a lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I offer my personal thanks to Mrs. Toan for all that she has done and wish her well in her retirement. She will be deeply missed.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as American Stroke Month. 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year, with more than 300,000 stroke survivors living in Illinois today. Stroke research and rehabilitation plays a critical role in helping these 300,000 survivors return to work and lead fulfilling lives. A strong congressional response to stroke is crucial for the hundreds of thousands of stroke victims, their families, and their friends each year. My friend and colleague Senator Mark Kirk overcame unbelievable adversity and returned to work representing Illinois in the United States Senate after suffering a life-threatening stroke. His perseverance has been a personal inspiration, and through his Battle Buddies group, he has become an inspiration to countless stroke survivors in Illinois and around the country. Senator Kirk's Battle Buddies group is raising awareness of the fact that nearly 80 percent of all strokes can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices and maintaining low blood pressure. By simply recognizing the signs of stroke and taking action, people can save a life and greatly minimize long-term damage. This month, I ask all my colleagues to join me in raising awareness for this important issue and ensuring that stroke survivors have the absolute best quality of care possible.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Chair, I rise today to highlight the importance of my amendment to extend the authorization of a Naval construction project located at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois for one year. In 2013 the installation at Great Lakes reached out to request funds for the construction of a new unaccompanied housing building on the base for recently enlisted individuals. The current housing building is suffering from ongoing maintenance issues making the building unsuitable and inadequate. Mr. Chair, this year's NDAA represents a renewed investment in our soldiers with a pay raise, increased access to health care, and a number of other positive steps to support our fighting men and women. My amendment represents another positive investment in our troops. These men and women deserve to be housed in good conditions. This amendment does not add any cost to the legislation, and simply extends the authorization of this already appropriated for construction project for Fiscal Year 2017.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend for yielding. I want to thank my friend from Massachusetts for her work on this legislation. Representative Clark sharing that story is extremely powerful. In the suburbs of Chicago, Mr. Speaker, somebody dies from using heroin every 3 days. Nationally, that statistic is 1 every 19 minutes. Every single one of them leaves behind a family in grief. Today, Mr. Speaker, I am joined in the Chamber by Chelsea Laliberte, Jody Daitchman, and Gary Laliberte, the family of a young man from Buffalo Grove named Alex. Alex graduated from Stevenson High School. He played sports. He got good grades and made a lot of friends. He was a typical teenager who had his whole life ahead of him. But behind his happy exterior, Alex was sick. He was struggling with escalating drug abuse. During Alex's sophomore year in college, he came down with an unknown illness. He would go to the hospital, and he would get better--at least for a while. But then a few months later he would get sick. He would be admitted to the hospital and again would repeat the cycle. His family didn't know it then, but Alex was dependent on prescription drugs and was suffering from withdrawal. Alex continued this pattern until just a few days before his final exams. At that point in time, Alex actually overdosed on prescription drugs and heroin and, at the age of 20, passed away. His family never even had the chance to seek help for his dependency. Unfortunately, this story is far too common across our country. As a father, I can't even imagine the pain of losing a child to a drug overdose; but sadly, too many families like the Lalibertes have experienced this loss. Heroin and heroin abuse have become an epidemic in our country. During my work as the co-chair of the Suburban Anti-Heroin Task Force, I have met countless families who have been affected by drug abuse--literally torn apart. This is not an isolated issue. It affects every community, every ZIP Code, regardless of your socioeconomic status, regardless of your educational status. I talk to parents who say, ``It is not in my community.'' It is. It is in your community, let me just assure you. My work with Live4Lali and the Lake County Opioid Initiative inspired me to introduce this law with Representative Clark. Our bipartisan bill is named in Alex Laliberte's memory. Lali's Law increases access to a lifesaving antidote called naloxone, which, in Lake County, Illinois, has already saved nearly 100 lives since first responders and the police force requested the opportunity to be able to use this lifesaving antidote. The police officers actually would respond, would get there before the paramedics--often 5 to 7, sometimes 9 minutes faster--and refused to sit by idly as they watched these young people die from an overdose. When used properly, naloxone helps restore breathing that has been stopped by an overdose. You have heard the statistics, but the World Health Organization predicts that increased access to naloxone could save another 20,000 lives each and every year. Lali's Law is a decisive step to not only save young people like Alex Laliberte from falling victim to drug abuse, but also to help those in our communities struggling to get their lives back on track. Our bill-- and, frankly, the work that has been done here in this body today, and I think we have got some 18 different bipartisan bills coming together to try to solve this prescription drug epidemic, this heroin epidemic that is sweeping our country--is proof of what is possible when we set aside partisanship and get to work for the people that we all represent. Lali's Law has already brought Alex's story to the United States Congress and has amplified the lifesaving benefit of Live4Lali's amazing work. Now, by passing this overwhelming bipartisan bill, we can ensure that Alex's lasting legacy includes helping countless others get a second chance at recovery and saving their families from the unbearable heartbreak. Mr. Speaker, together, we truly can save lives. Again, I want to thank Representative Clark. I want to thank the Laliberte family. I want to thank the first responders, the stakeholders back in Lake County, and all those here in this body who are working to try to create an environment, create the opportunity for us to be able to take a huge step forward in combating this prescription drug and heroin epidemic. I thank the gentleman for yielding the time.