Neal Dunn

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. This important legislation will streamline the arduous process to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for poor performance, negligence, or misconduct. We all know the list of scandals: veterans dying on wait lists, intoxicated surgical staff, armed robbery, grossly mismanaged construction projects. Yet the civil service rules allow bad VA employees to stay on the public payroll. Our veterans deserve better. Today we take a bold step toward reversing that failure. This legislation will allow Secretary Shulkin to immediately remove bad employees as he works to restructure and improve veterans' care. It also ensures that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation. The bottom line is that it implements real accountability at the VA, accountability to the men and women who have bravely served this country. The Veterans Affairs Accountability Act is an important first step in addressing poor performance and misconduct at the VA, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this much-needed legislation. I thank the chair and the ranking member very much for their work on this.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an industry that is recognized nationwide during the first full week of May, but recognized locally in my district by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce during the entire month of May: travel and tourism. If tourism is the body, then our visitors are the blood sustaining life. From our award-winning restaurants and warm and welcoming hospitality businesses, to our entertainment events featuring world- renowned artists and the alluring charms of small town life, each and every member of the tourism industry is critical to making our communities thrive. I commend you for your work and am thankful for your contributions to making our communities an incredible place to call home.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of James Edwin Gasper, who today celebrates 90 years on this earth. James, or ``Jimmy'' as his friends know him, moved to Washington County, Florida in 1932 with his mother, father and brothers and, with the exception of his time serving our nation during World War II, has lived there ever since. In 1945, Mr. Gasper enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was assigned to 1223 Military Police Company in Bad Kissingen, Germany--ultimately completing his tour of duty in 1947 as a member of the newly-minted United States Air Force in Furstenfeldbruck, Germany. Mr. Gasper's service earned him the WWII Victory and Army Occupation medals, and he was qualified as Marksman for both Pistol and Carbine. After returning home from his time in the service, Mr. Gasper married the love of his life, the late Nellie Gasper, and raised a family that has grown from four children to include six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr. Gasper also went on to dedicate 40 years to the Florida Department of Transportation and served Washington County by setting up voting machines for all local elections. Mr. Gasper is a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the VFW Military Order of the Cootie, Disabled American Veterans, the DAV National Order of the Trench Rats, and above all else, is a devout member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring a great American of the Greatest Generation on his 90th birthday, James Edwin Gasper.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2288, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. This important legislation will update and streamline the bureaucratic nightmare that is the disability appeals process. This bill breaks appeals down into three lanes to expedite decisionmaking and improves the ability of veterans to offer new information about their condition. The bill requires Secretary Shulkin to provide a comprehensive plan of how he plans to implement the crucial changes which are supported by both the VFW and the American Legion. Our men and women in uniform served with the assurance that they would be well treated when they came home. They earned and they deserve timely service from their government. Instead, veterans wait years to hear from an out-of-date, backlogged appeals system. Sometimes that process takes 5 years--5 years. That is an insult to their service, and it is an insult that we cannot tolerate. Our veterans fought for their country abroad. Now it is our job to ensure that they don't have another fight when they come home. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the promise we made to our veterans and introduce the Veterans Increased Choice for Transplanted Organs and Recovery Act of 2017, the VICTOR Act. The VICTOR Act will allow veterans who live more than 100 miles from one of the Nation's 14 VA transplant centers to receive care at a local, federally certified facility. From Florida's Second District, the closest VA facility which performs heart, lung, and liver transplants is in Nashville, Tennessee. A veteran in Ocala would have to travel more than 600 miles to receive a new liver, despite there being seven federally certified centers in Florida. As a surgeon, I know that timely organ transplants can make the difference between life and death, and yet our veterans sit on waiting lists for organs they may never receive. Government bureaucracy should not hurt our Nation's veterans when they are in desperate need of care. The VICTOR Act will give those who fought for our freedom a fighting chance here at home.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of fallen Taylor County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Scott Williams. On the morning of October 31, 2016, Deputy Williams put on his uniform and climbed into his patrol car, heading to the job he loved. He was tragically killed in a collision that morning. Deputy Williams joined the Taylor County Sheriff's Department in May of 2015, and was promoted to officer in charge, serving as his sergeant's second in command. He dedicated his life to law enforcement. For him, it was not just a job; it was a calling. Friends and family described Deputy Williams as a quick study and an experienced lawman who loved to make people laugh. This week, Deputy Williams was honored at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service in Washington, a fitting reminder that his heroism will not be forgotten. Please join me in honoring Deputy Michael Scott Williams and all of our fallen law enforcement heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our safety.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Sheriff Tommy Ford and the Bay County Sheriff's Office for their service and for holding a memorial for those who lost their lives in the line of duty. The brave men and women of law enforcement put their lives at risk every day. They run into danger so that others can escape it, and they are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities. In 2016, our country lost 145 law enforcement officers in the line of duty, and so far this year, 50 law enforcement officers have died on the job. We owe these officers and their families a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay. Leah and I are eternally grateful to the Bay County Sheriff's Office, and indeed, all who wear the badge, for what they do to keep us safe, and to honor their brothers and sisters who have fallen.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Thin Blue Line Act, which will make murder or attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, or first responders, an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations. The officers of the thin blue line put their lives at risk every day and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we can rest easy at night. Our law enforcement and first responders run into danger so that others can run away from it. They do this despite the rise in violence against them. We have witnessed a 167 percent increase in ambush-style killings of police officers in 2016 alone. This is tragic, and it is unacceptable. The Thin Blue Line Act will hold cop killers accountable and seek justice for those murdered in the line of duty, and it will show our resolve as citizens to protect the officers who have sworn to protect us. During this week, National Police Week, we can also show our gratitude to law enforcement and their families by passing the Thin Blue Line Act. It is an honor to represent them in Congress.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, once again, in support of the American Health Care Act. I do this as a doctor for the good of my patients. We are here today to repeal ObamaCare, to take healthcare decisions away from Washington bureaucrats and give them back to the people. The American Health Care Act will create a patient-centered system that will lower the cost of health care and serve patients. This act eliminates ObamaCare's taxes, subsidies, and mandates. It defunds Planned Parenthood. It puts Medicaid on a budget, and it is the largest entitlement reform in a generation. Without Washington mandates driving up costs and limiting access to care, Americans will have the freedom to obtain quality healthcare plans that fit their needs at a cost they can afford. All this talk about preexisting conditions, this bill provides guaranteed issuance. Let's not break our promise on repealing ObamaCare. Let's be true to our word. We owe it to the people who sent us here. I support the American Health Care Act, Mr. Speaker, and I urge all Members to do the same.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish Mr. Ryan Ziem's American Government students at Arnold High School the very best luck in their upcoming advanced placement exam. I visited these students last fall, and I was impressed by their articulate questions and commitment to understanding our system of government. Of course, understanding our system of government means understanding the U.S. Constitution. It is the greatest gift left to us by the Founders, and it has stood the test of time. The success of the Constitution is due to its carefully designed system of checks and balances. By separating the powers of government into separate but equal branches and guaranteeing individual rights, the Constitution has been, as James Madison suggested, ``the guardian of true liberty.'' Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing these bright young students good luck on their AP exam and in their college applications.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Arthur C. Butler, Sr. of Lake City, Florida who turns 100 years old today. Mr. Butler has led a life of service to this country and represents the best of America. He served as a Technical Sergeant in the 10th Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 2015, Mr. Butler was awarded the French Legion of Honor for his role in the liberation of France and the Battle of Rhineland. During his tour he witnessed General Patton and troops march through his base outside Paris on their way to the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Butler is also a Knight Chevalier in the French Legion of Honor. Mr. Butler has been a pillar of the community and a member of the Lake City Lions Club for over 60 years. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Mr. Arthur C. Butler a Happy 100th Birthday and thanking him for his service to our great country.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize three outstanding young people from Florida's Second Congressional District who will be continuing their education serving our country next year at the Naval Academy and at West Point. Sean Moriarty and Zachary Moser will be attending the United States Naval Academy. Sean plays football at Arnold High School, and Zac is on the swim team at Rutherford High School. Shane Ferry will be attending the United States Military Academy, West Point. He attends Mosley High School and is a member of the wrestling team. The bar is high and the competition is stiff to earn entry into our service academies, and it should be. I am confident that each of these young men possess the character, ability, and determination to excel at Annapolis and West Point and to earn the privilege to do extraordinary things for our Nation and for those who they will one day command. As they join their Federal fellow cadets and midshipmen, they also have our support and our gratitude for choosing this life of service. Thank you and good luck.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to repeal ObamaCare by supporting the American Health Care Act. We are here to take health care back from the bureaucrats and give it to the people. The previous administration enacted ObamaCare, and we saw its effects: higher premiums, less choice, lost coverage, and broken promises. The deductibles are so high it is like not having insurance at all. The people who sent me to Congress sent me with strict orders: End this law. And on the American Health Care Act, I can report, it does. With this bill, the Federal Government no longer forces you to buy a product you can't use and don't want. The individual mandate is gone, so is the job-killing employer mandate. Gone are a host of taxes on prescription meds, over-the-counter drugs, insurance premiums, and lifesaving medical devices. It ends ObamaCare's Medicaid expansion, and it puts Medicaid on a budget and focuses State efforts on those people truly in need. This is the biggest entitlement reform in a generation. Of course the bill is not perfect. There is more to do. But I spent 30 years as a surgeon. In medicine, as in life, you do not get to choose the perfect option. You learn not to make perfect the enemy of great. With this vote we decide whether ObamaCare is our healthcare future or not. We can live with its failures and broken promises or create a market-based system that actually lowers the cost of health care and serves patients, not bureaucrats. So I support the American Health Care Act, Mr. Speaker, and I urge that all Members do the same.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Alabama, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1101, the Small Business Health Fairness Act. As a surgeon in north Florida, I witnessed, firsthand, the disaster that is ObamaCare. After ObamaCare was passed and implemented, small medical practices across the country were faced with new, crippling regulations that threatened their very existence. I ran a small urology practice in Panama City and faced the very devastation that these new regulations on small business imposed. Thankfully, I was able to work with several other small practices to create the Advanced Urology Institute, a 45-physician practice with over 400 employees and offices throughout north Florida. Cooperation and pooling of our resources allowed our practice to reduce costs and to better serve our patients. My experience underscores why the Small Business Health Fairness Act is so crucial. The Small Business Health Fairness Act allows small businesses to operate under the same principle when purchasing health insurance for their employees. By joining together across State lines through associations, small businesses can achieve the economies of scale enjoyed by big businesses and unions when purchasing health care. It will empower small businesses to purchase better plans at a lower cost, which means working families can get the care they need at a price they can afford. It is time to put small business employees on a level playing field with those of large businesses and those in unions. The health insurance market and this bill does just that.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1259, the VA Accountability First Act of 2017. President Lincoln reminds us of our duty ``to care for him who shall have borne the battle,'' and, frankly, our government has done a miserable job of it. While a large number of VA employees honorably serve our veterans, that is not always the case. In the real world, if you don't do your job, you get fired. Yet we have employees at the VA who are guilty of gross misconduct, even major felonies, and they are still on the job. ``Why is this?'' you ask. Because the process to fire them is too arduous. The VA system that lives up to our veterans' sacrifices starts with personnel. The VA Accountability First Act is a great first step in addressing poor performance and misconduct at the VA. It will allow Secretary Shulkin to make substantive changes as he works to improve veterans' care. We need to make the VA work for our veterans instead of our bureaucrats.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor George ``Boogie'' Cochran, Jr., who passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on March 1. Mr. Speaker, Chief Cochran lived a life in full, one of family and of service. As a 17-year-old Leon High School student, he enlisted in the Navy in 1944. He served bravely aboard Navy destroyers in the Pacific campaigns. He participated in America's nuclear weapons testing after the war, and in the action surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1963, in recognition of his dedicated and courageous service in the Navy, Chief Cochran was awarded the first annual Commander Ernest Evans Memorial Award aboard the USS Johnston. He loved his family, his country, and his community. He represents the best of America. Boogie, you will be missed by many, and may you rest in peace.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Madam Speaker, when I ran for Congress, I made a promise to hang my family's Revolutionary War musket in my office as a steadfast reminder of the reason I am here in Washington: to support and defend the Constitution and to honor those who have fought for the Constitution and those who continue to fight for our freedom. We must never forget how precious our constitutional rights are, and the right to bear arms is one of the most important because that right ensures our ability to defend all of our rights. As a veteran of the United States Army and as a life member of the NRA, I will fight in Congress to defend our right to bear arms. It is a special honor to represent the great people of the Second District of Florida and to fight for their conservative values in Congress.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. ``If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.''