Neal Dunn

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 36, the Pain- Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. As a father of three, a grandfather of three, and as a man of faith, I firmly believe that life begins at conception. As a surgeon and a scientist, I know that unborn children feel pain at 20 weeks, at the very latest at 20 weeks. Scientific studies have found that a baby's first sensory receptors for pain are developed in the first 7 weeks. By 20 weeks, an unborn baby is so developed that they can hear music and respond to sounds, but, most importantly, a substantial body of medical evidence shows that he or she can feel and respond to pain. Let there be no mistake: late-term abortion practices are gruesome and painful. These babies are dismembered limb from limb, yet the United States is one of only seven nations in the world that allows for elective late-term abortions. We are joining nations like North Korea and China that allow for elective late-term abortions. It is shocking to the conscience. By passing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and banning late-term abortions after 20 weeks, we stand up to protect the innocent and the defenseless. The Psalm says: ``Children are a gift from the Lord.'' If we here today do not protect this gift, who will? If we do not shield unborn Americans from a death so painful and unimaginable, who will? The responsibility falls to us. Let us embrace this solemn duty. I spent my medical career doing everything I could to save the lives of the patients in my care. Now, as a legislator, I can help save people with my vote. I invite the entire House to be a voice for unborn Americans and pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 27th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. The Act stands on the principle that no matter one's disability, whether it be visible or invisible, the Constitution and laws of the United States protect us all. Personally, I appreciate and support how this law protects the rights and opportunities for our wounded warriors. I welcome my colleagues to join me in marking the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its contributions to equal rights in the United States.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a prime example of how needless government regulation is wasting both taxpayers' time and money. In my district in Florida, on the beautiful Gulf Coast, we are susceptible to hurricanes with damaging winds and flooding. Sometimes roads get washed out. Back in November of 2014, Panama City Beach applied for a Federal grant from FEMA to improve drainage and alleviate flooding of Front Beach Road. The project involves the installation of just two culverts under the road for storm runoff. This is not building the pyramids. Three years later, local officials have submitted more than 900 pages of paperwork and spent countless hours working on this application. All this is for a project that will take just 1 week to construct and involves a grant of only $170,000. Mr. Speaker, this is exactly the kind of crushing red tape that our constituents face on a regular basis, and this is what we are working to fix.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, throughout the country, there are remote areas where the men and women of our armed services prepare for war in order to protect the peace. Although these places are often overlooked, our investments in military test and training ranges are returned to the Nation many times over in the projection of American military supremacy around the globe protecting the homeland and preserving international order. In the Southeast, the Joint Gulf Range Complex facilities are for testing and training of supersonic and hypersonic weapons systems, including combat training and live-fire exercises of the frontline fighters like the F-22 and F-35. The 325th Fighter Wing and the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group at Tyndall Air Force Base, the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, and the Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field make extensive use of the Joint Gulf Range Complex. There is no comparable area in the United States near an established base with instrumentation infrastructure that can support advanced testing and joint training exercises like this. However, deployment of the instrumentation necessary to collect the data during the training on these fifth- and sixth-generation weapons systems is not in keeping with the U.S. Air Force needs. Instrumentation limitations have restricted the F-35 and F-22 training missions to the northernmost portion of the range. According to a study by the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, this limitation causes congestion and has obstructed at least 80 missions per year. This amendment, which I am offering with my Florida colleagues, Mr. Tom Rooney, Mr. Matt Gaetz, and Mr. Francis Rooney, will accelerate investments approved by Congress to deploy new infrastructure along the Joint Gulf Range Complex. The amendment will maximize the utility of this vast range, which is a true national treasure for combat training and advanced testing and evaluation. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mr. DUNN. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz), my colleague and friend.

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Chair, I have no further comments or remarks; however, I would like to encourage my colleagues to support this amendment to enhance military readiness and national security. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Captain Phillip Dawson on his retirement from the United States Navy. On Friday, Captain Dawson will complete a nearly 4-year tour as the commanding officer of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City, Florida. A 1988 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Captain Dawson first served on the USS Tattnall as the antisubmarine warfare officer and, later, on the USS Harry E. Yarnell as the fire control officer. Captain Dawson assumed command of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in 2013, where he led the center in a wide array of missions, including littoral warfare, coastal defense, and special missions. This base is also home to the U.S. Navy Dive School, where all of the divers from all of our services are trained. Captain Dawson's selfless sacrifice to this country and dedication to our Navy is truly inspiring. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Captain Dawson, his wife, Belinda, and their three children for their years of service and sacrifice, and wish them luck as they enjoy a new chapter in life.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2781 is a commonsense solution to a complicated problem. I am proud to sponsor it with my good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta). Over the last 10 years, Congress gave veteran and veteran service- disabled veteran-owned small businesses the highest preference to compete for VA contracts. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled in the Kingdomware case that this preference applies in all situations, even when VA uses contracts awarded by other agencies. A loophole has emerged in a group of contracts called the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative run by the General Services Administration. Currently, the VA uses the GSA to connect them with suppliers of certain goods and services that they need to purchase. All too often, the GSA is not connecting the VA with enough small businesses that are owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans. The law requires that the VA look for these companies and buy from them when it can, if they are competitive; but when the veteran businesses are not on the GSA list, the VA can't find them or use them. Because of the loophole, well-qualified veteran-owned companies are being passed over. In some cases, VA disregards the GSA contracts and finds veteran-owned companies elsewhere on their own, but this wastes resources by creating contracts similar to what the GSA already has in place. This bill simply directs the VA Secretary to determine whether veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses are sufficiently represented on the contracts for VA to follow the law. If not, the VA must consult with the GSA to increase the representation on all the contracts and their subcategories. Should this not be possible on a particular contract or subcategory, the VA must stop using it. I am honored that this bill has earned the support of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National Veteran Small Business Coalition. We need to hold the VA accountable to the veterans it serves, including our veteran and service-disabled small business owners. It is the right thing to do, and I urge all Members to support it.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Marion Walsingham, a pillar of the Bay County, Florida community who recently passed away at the age of 94. Marion and her husband, Alvin, opened ``Alvin's 5 and Dime'' in St. Andrews in 1950. The store later became ``Alvin's Island Stores,'' with locations on Panama City Beach, Destin, Fort Walton, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach, Alabama, and Gulf Shores, Alabama. Marion was an active member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, the founding member of the Panama City Beach Women's Club, and a member of the first Library Committee to bring a Public Library to Panama City Beach. She was instrumental in starting the first Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Panama City Beach, working her way through the leadership within the Chapter, and eventually serving as the Chairman of the Cancer Fund from 2009 to 2010. Aside from her work in the community, Marion enjoyed spending time traveling with her grandchildren and supporting her great-grandchildren at local events. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring a life well-lived. Marion Walsingham dedicated her life to the Bay County community and we will forever be grateful.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2210) to designate the community living center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butler Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the ``Sergeant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Center''.

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2210, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Living Center in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, as the Sergeant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Center. Sergeant Kusick, a native of Bruin, Pennsylvania, served in the United States Special Forces during the Vietnam war. During a combat mission, deep in hostile territory, on November 8, 1967, Sergeant Kusick was seriously wounded during an ambush by enemy forces. Wounded, yet refusing aid and initial evacuation, he remained in the midst of battle to help secure emergency extraction for his fellow soldiers. The helicopter that Sergeant Kusick finally boarded was shot down by Viet Cong fire and Sergeant Kusick's life was lost. He was just 22 years old. Sergeant Kusick was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for `` . . . gallantry in action, at the cost of his life . . . in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.'' It is only fitting and appropriate that we honor Sergeant Kusick's service and sacrifice by naming the VA Butler Healthcare's Community Living Center after him. H.R. 2210 is sponsored by Congressman Mike Kelly, from Pennsylvania, and I am grateful to him for introducing it and allowing us to honor and forever remember this great American hero. This legislation satisfies all of the committee's naming criteria and, as such, is supported by the entire Pennsylvania congressional delegation, as well as by many veterans service organizations. Once again, I thank Congressman Kelly for sponsoring this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly).

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman--our colleagues--for his kind comments, and also especially Representative Kelly for bringing forward this outstanding bill. I encourage all Members to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an exceptional member of the United States Navy on the event of his retirement, Commander Doug Huggan. On Friday, July 14, Commander Huggan completed his tour as the commanding officer of the Naval Support Activity Florida. This caps a long and distinguished career. His service to the Navy started as an E-6 airborne command pilot and has taken him around the world, from the European Command to Japan, and finally to Panama City. While at NSA Panama City, Commander Huggan led over 3,000 Active-Duty and civilian personnel in performing critical missions, including surface warfare training, explosive ordnance disposal, salvage training, and experimental diving. His leadership over the last 2 years in the Second District is a testament to the core values instilled upon all those who serve in the Navy. Mr. Speaker, please join me in saying thank you to Commander Huggan and his family for their years of service and sacrifice, and wish them luck as they move on to enjoy a new chapter in their life.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a tragic incident that occurred today in the Second District. Early this morning, a man drove his truck into the side of the Bay County Government Center and caused a fire that resulted in his death. My district office has an office in that building. Thankfully, no workers or visitors were injured in the incident, and all of the district staff are safe. It is a sad day to witness someone so troubled take such an action and, ultimately, their own life. While there is still much to learn about this person's motivations and the reasons behind this attack on a public building, we should all remember that, no matter how inflamed our passions, violence is never the answer. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking the first responders and the law enforcement officers who are addressing this incident, and please join me in a prayer for the Bay County community as they come together to respond to this tragedy.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bravery and the ingenuity of more than 80 beachgoers in Panama City Beach last weekend. As many were enjoying the crystal blue waters of the Gulf, a family of six and four others became caught up in a riptide. Losing strength to fight their way back to shore, the swimmers screamed for help and faced a tragic fate. Thankfully, ordinary citizens did something extraordinary. One of them was Jessica Simmons, who noticed the struggling swimmers from a nearby sandbar. She said to herself: ``Those people are not drowning today.'' Jessica helped coordinate dozens of others to form a human chain from the shore all the way out to the distressed swimmers, ultimately bringing all of them to shore and saving their lives. It is a testament to the generosity of the human spirit to see complete strangers quite literally join hands to help those in need. On behalf of the Second District, I thank Jessica Simmons and all who fought the churning currents of Panama City Beach on Saturday. May we all learn from their example.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding member of the United States Air Force, Colonel Joe ``Solo'' Kunkel. Solo has been selected for reassignment from Tyndall Air Force Base in the Second District of Florida, where he served as the vice commander of the 325th Fighter Wing. He will continue his service at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho as commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, the ``Gunfighters.'' Colonel Kunkel has been an exceptional leader at Tyndall, where he oversaw more than 4,000 people who train and support F-22 Raptor pilots and crews. He has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his officers, airmen, and their families. He improved mission performance, facilities, and family programs at Tyndall. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending congratulations and gratitude to Colonel Kunkel; his wife, Jenny; and their children, Madeline, Drew, Riley, and Brayden. May God continue to bless our Nation with his kind of exemplary patriotism and service.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Hearing Officer and Former Gilchrist County Court Judge Edward Philman, who passed away on May 17th. Judge Philman was a pillar of the community and served the citizens of Gilchrist County as their County Court Judge for 24 years before his retirement in 2012. He then went on to work as a Senior Judge and as a Civil Traffic Hearing Officer for the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida. His achievements were many during his lifetime. He served his country in the U.S. Army infantry and was a combat veteran in Vietnam. He was named the Gilchrist County Citizen of the Year in 1989. Judge Philman was an involved member of the Trenton Rotary Club and served as district governor from 2012 to 2013. Judge Philman also instituted the Fifth-Grade Mock Trials in Gilchrist County. Since it began, the Mock Trials have taught hundreds of local students how the judicial system actually works. Judge Philman earned his Juris Doctor from Mercer University in 1981 with honors and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida in 1978. He also attended Lake City Community College and Lake City Forest Ranger School, after graduating Bell High School. He has been quoted saying, ``Let my life and the work I have done speak for me.'' Mr. Speaker, Judge Philman's life and work have truly spoken to the character of the extraordinary man we lost last month. Please join me in honoring a man who dedicated his life to the letter of the law, the late Judge Edward Philman.

Mr. DUNN

Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. Congress has a responsibility to protect the rule of law in our country and to provide for the safety of our citizens. The American people overwhelmingly oppose sanctuary cities and believe that we should be doing more to enforce our Federal immigration laws. The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act clarifies the authority of the Department of Homeland Security to order the detainment of illegal immigrants arrested for crimes until they can be processed for deportation. It also cuts off certain Federal grants to cities and States that violate Federal immigration law. It is simple: If you don't comply with the Federal immigration law, you are not eligible for certain Federal grants. It is time for us to enforce our immigration laws. National attention was brought to the consequences of the sanctuary city policies by the death of Kate Steinle, who was killed by an illegal immigrant who had previously been convicted of seven felonies and deported five times. If the city of San Francisco had worked with the Federal Government to enforce the Federal immigration law instead of releasing this criminal, Kate Steinle would be alive today. Our current system of laws failed Kate and all those who have died at the hands of convicted felons in this country illegally. The people who I am honored to represent do not understand why some American cities get to flout the law and not cooperate with Federal officials. This legislation makes it clear that they don't, that sanctuary cities are illegal. By holding these jurisdictions accountable and stopping sanctuary cities, we will make Americans of every background safer on our streets. 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 memory of Florida Highway Patrol Master Sergeant William Bishop of Lake City. Sergeant Bishop was killed last Saturday while working a traffic accident on I- 75 in Alachua County, Florida. Sergeant Bishop is a 30-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol, and he dedicated his life to law enforcement. He truly loved his patrol family. He also served in the United States Army, serving on the front lines all his life. That is a calling, not a job. Many of Bishop's colleagues remember him as someone who exhibited compassion, honesty, and faith. He loved watching football, but his greatest love of all was his family, especially his son, Trampas. His service and sacrifice to the State of Florida is a debt we will never be able to repay. Please join me in honoring Florida Highway Patrol Master Sergeant William Bishop and all of our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our safety.