Tom Emmer

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Xcel Energy's Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant for receiving the Above and Beyond Award from the U.S. Department of Defense. This award recognizes employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of supporting Guard and Reserve employees, often by giving nonrequired benefits. The role of a Reserve member is critically important to national security, but it is a job with an uncertain future. Thankfully, the Monticello plant fully welcomes the work ethic, leadership, and applied knowledge veterans can bring to a position. Those who serve and sacrifice to keep our Nation safe not only deserve our respect, but also our help when they come home. That is why Xcel's commitment to hire our veterans is so important. I commend the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant for hiring our veterans and for assisting employees who are serving in the Guard or Reserves. Congratulations and thank you to Xcel Energy for your well- deserved award.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address a national epidemic: opioid addiction and abuse. Addiction is a disease that does not discriminate based on age, education, or wealth, and it even happens in small town Minnesota. Recently I learned firsthand that addiction knows no bounds. Unfortunately, like too many people today, I have seen the danger and the devastation caused by addiction up close and personal. I come from a small town in Minnesota with a population of, approximately, 5,000 people. We pretty much know everybody. I have had the great fortune to raise seven kids in this great little town, and as a youth hockey coach for almost 20 years, I have had the opportunity to work with and to get to know many of the kids in our community--kids who have big hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, because of the opioid and heroin crisis in this country, two of them left us way too soon. Today, nearly one person dies every 12 minutes of a drug overdose. This must stop. It is going to take more than government policy to fight this epidemic, but I am so grateful for the efforts here in Washington, on both sides of the aisle, to take on this epidemic. I just want to thank my colleagues for all of their work on this important issue.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate National Police Week, a time when we remember the men and women in blue who paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect and serve our great Nation. The great State of Minnesota is home to many phenomenal law enforcement officers--men and women who put their lives on the line each and every day to ensure the safety and security of our communities. They live their lives to serve, and some tragically lose their lives in the line of duty. These are the true heroes. Just this past year, an officer named Deputy Steven Sandberg was shot and killed in the line of duty in St. Cloud, Minnesota. While his death was both senseless and tragic, today we remember the courageous way that he and many other fallen police officers chose to live and serve their communities. This week, in honoring fallen officers like Deputy Sandberg, we remember and we honor their service and their sacrifice. Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor one of the great families in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District, the Bernicks, and their business that is celebrating an incredible 100 years of operation. Bernick's was founded in 1916 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, by Elizabeth and Charles Bernick. Originally a soda pop bottling company, Bernick's used to deliver their products in a horse-drawn wagon. The company has come a long way since then. Over the past century, this family-owned company has passed from generation to generation, expanding into a booming business with more than 650 employees. Today, Bernick's provides full beverage, vending, and food services to the central Minnesota area while maintaining its family roots in St. Cloud. Running a business is no small feat. Running one successfully for a century is something that we can all be proud of. Congratulations to the Bernick family for their five generations of success. Thank you for all you do for our community. Remembering Fallen Officers

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate April Meyers for being named the 2016 Citizen of the Year in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. The Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year was created by the Sauk Rapids Chamber and is meant to recognize individuals who have impacted the community for the better. Meyers, who was unaware that she had even been nominated, was selected by a committee made up of city staff, local businesses, and previous Citizen of the Year recipients. Since 1992, April has been involved with the Great River Rotary, the Living Waters Lutheran Church, the Sauk Rapids School District, and she is also the director of housing for the Good Shepherd Community. Thank you, April. Thank you for your dedication to the less fortunate, to our children, and to the elderly. Thank you for being an inspiration to others. Thank you for making Sauk Rapids such a great city in the Sixth Congressional District. It is because of people like you that Minnesota is such a great place to live and raise a family. A 100-Year Celebration

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to celebrate Calvert County, located in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District, for being named the healthiest county in Minnesota. This is the fourth consecutive year that Calvert County has received this impressive ranking. These rankings are completed by the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program and are based on multiple factors, including: health, social, and economic factors, as well as clinical care, physical environment, and quality of life. We are incredibly proud of the people, businesses, and healthcare providers in Calvert County for working to ensure that everyone in our community has the ability to lead a healthy life, for encouraging our many local leaders to implement change, and for constantly striving to influence health in a positive way. It is because of the residents' hard work and determination that Calvert County is the wonderful community that it is today--and for that, we all say thank you.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Michael-Albertville superintendent Dr. Jim Behle whose approaching retirement will mark the end of a 39-year career in education. In addition to his time as superintendent, throughout the past four decades Dr. Behle has served as a teacher, principal, guidance counselor, and associate superintendent. Dr. Behle is one of the most beloved and revered members of our community because of his dedication to our children. Under his strong leadership, the district had many achievements, including ranking among the top 15 percent in the State for reading and math scores. As a testament to Dr. Behle's hard work, the school board reluctantly accepted his resignation before making the statement: ``This is a great loss to the district, and if at any point you change your mind, don't hesitate to let us know.'' His service to our community will surely be missed, and we thank him for his years of commitment to generations of St. Michael-Albertville students and their parents. Enjoy your retirement, Dr. Behle.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the four businesses that received MetroNorth Chamber's 2015 Excellence in Business Awards last month. Stepping Stone's Emergency Housing in Anoka received the not-for- profit award, Essentially Massage in Blaine received the 2015 micro- business of the year award, Schaaf Floral in Fridley received the small business award, and Walters Recycling and Refuse in Blaine received the general business award. Opening and running a business is not an easy task, but it is definitely a worthwhile venture. One of the reasons Minnesota is so incredible is because of these types of award winning businesses. Not only do they bring commerce, jobs, and a great product or service to their area; but they also add a unique touch to the community. I thank each and every one of the owners of these businesses for everything they contribute to our community, and I wish them nothing but success in the future.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate three educators from Minnesota's Sixth District who have been selected as finalists in the 2016 Teacher of the Year Program for our great state. There are currently eleven finalists that have been chosen from the 115 original Teacher of the Year candidates. The finalists are Julie Beaver, a math teacher at Zimmerman Middle/ High School, Joe Lawrence, a language arts teacher at Delano High School, and Erin Rehnblom, a teacher at Otsego Elementary School. A good teacher opens doors, inspires curiosity and positively affects a child's life forever. They provide students with all tools necessary for them to reach the highest levels of success. That is why I am so grateful that there are awards like Minnesota Teacher of the Year, which guarantees that these individuals hard work does not go unnoticed. Our children are this nation's future, and I thank Julie, Joe, and Erin for helping to ensure a bright one.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise Amber Eckstein, who has been selected as the 2015-2016 ACT College and Career Readiness Campaign state exemplar in Minnesota. In order to receive this prestigious honor, an individual must prove their strong effort towards college and career readiness, and Amber certainly embodies these requirements. Education is the key that opens all of life's doors. In the United States today, a college degree has become more necessary than ever before, with the majority of jobs requiring some sort of post-secondary education. That is why it is imperative that students across the nation strive to achieve academic success and earn a higher education. I would like to commend Amber for working so hard to earn a better future; her impressive efforts make her a leader among her generation and lead me to believe that she is a young woman who we will see great things from. I would also like to commend the ACT organization for working to promote higher education among our nation's students.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the fact that we just experienced yet another tax day in America, I rise today to discuss a Federal agency that the American people have become extremely disenchanted with, the Internal Revenue Service. Over recent years, Americans have watched information coming out detailing the inappropriate and unfortunate conduct by the IRS playing politics rather than implementing policy. The American people should not fear that a government agency will make decisions based on partisan politics, which is why it is crucial Congress address this problem now and not in the future. This is why I cosponsored H.R. 1798, which will prohibit the Department of the Treasury from assigning a tax status to organizations based on their political beliefs and activities. I thank my colleague, Congressman Randy Neugebauer, and Senator Ted Cruz for their efforts in this initiative to restore some of the faith and trust the American people have lost in its institution of government.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two young men from my district, Riley Tuft and Nick Althaus; Nick Althaus for his memorable performance at the Minnesota High School State Hockey Tournament last month, and Riley Tuft for his performance on the hockey rink all year. Riley Tuft of Blaine has been named Mr. Hockey, an award given to the best high school senior hockey player in our great State of Minnesota. This season alone, Tuft scored an incredible 49 goals and had 36 assists for 85 points in only 31 games. That is an amazing 2.74 points per game. Nick Althaus of St. Cloud won the Frank Brimsek Award, an annual award given to Minnesota's top senior goaltender. In Minnesota, hockey is not just a sport, it is a way of life. Many young men and women work and train to win and participate in the best State hockey tournament in the country. Congratulations to Nick and Riley for their hard work and incredible success this year, and best of luck in the future, both on and off the rink. A Strong Woman--Inside and Out

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the strength and endurance of St. Cloud native Laura Knoblach, who just, last month, became the youngest woman to finish a double triathlon. Laura finished the Double ANVIL Ultra Triathlon, a rigorous event that consisted of swimming 4.8 miles, biking 224 miles, and running two consecutive marathons. She finished all of this in less than 36 hours. Not only did Laura complete an arduous triathlon, but she did so for a good cause. She created a GoFundMe page titled ``A Tri to End Trafficking,'' which raised money to help educate South African girls and prevent them from becoming victims of sex trafficking. Laura Knoblach is currently a junior at the University of Boulder in Colorado, where she studies secondary education and majors in English and Spanish. She hopes to one day teach English as a second language. I have no doubt that Laura will accomplish all of her goals and more, as she is the perfect example that anything is possible if you work hard enough. A Coach Remembered

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the astounding life and legacy of Coach Dean Taylor, who recently passed away. Coach Taylor founded the football program at Sartell High School and built it into the powerhouse program it is today. From Sartell, he went on to become an assistant coach at St. John's University for eight seasons and then became head coach at St. Cloud Cathedral from 2009 to 2012. Coach Taylor's impressive football resume ultimately led to his induction into the Minnesota State Coaches Association Hall of Fame. However, it is not just the X's and O's of coaching that we will remember about Coach Taylor. Coach Taylor will also--and maybe even more importantly--be remembered for the incredible impact he made on the lives of all the student athletes he touched. Condolences to his wife, Kathy; his children, Steve and Kristi; as well as his many friends and loved ones. I thank you for sharing your husband and father with our community. Restoring Americans' Trust in Government

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague from California, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Ed Royce, for offering his amendment to the FSOC Reform Act. As we have seen time and time again, our government needs to improve security procedures in order to protect the privacy of the American people and integrity for business. The burden, Mr. Speaker, is on the Federal Government to provide a plan and to be transparent about what it does with the information it collects. This amendment accomplishes both of these goals at the Office of Financial Research. By mandating OFR to submit an annual work plan and allow for public notice and comment, the American people will have a greater voice in shaping the objectives of OFR. Perhaps most importantly, requiring Federal regulators to collaborate on data security will make the personal and financial information of all Americans more secure. Again, I want to thank Chairman Royce for offering this amendment. I urge all my colleagues to support it.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. I thank my colleague from Texas, Chairman Hensarling. Mr. Speaker, I am a believer in a transparent and accountable government; and if a Federal institution is failing to meet these fundamental criteria, Congress needs to act. Unfortunately, the Financial Stability Oversight Council, more commonly known in Washingtonspeak as the FSOC, and the Office of Financial Research, more commonly called the OFR, currently operate in the shadows, outside of congressional oversight and the democratic process. This has led to nonsensical and heavy-handed abuse by the government of numerous financial companies that had absolutely nothing to do with causing the 2008 financial crisis. While I strongly believe that those who created the crisis must be punished, I can't stand by while businesses that had nothing to do with the crisis are being unjustly burdened with new regulations that force American consumers to pay higher prices for essential financial products like home mortgages and student, auto, and business loans. That is why I have introduced the Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act. Not only will the bill reduce mandatory spending by $1.3 billion over the next 10 years, it will make the FSOC and OFR accountable to the American people through their elected representatives. Over the years, Congress has given much of its power to unelected bureaucrats. This legislation returns the constitutional power of the purse back to Congress by subjecting FSOC and the OFR to the appropriations process. As you know, FSOC is authorized to identify risks to the financial stability of the United States. This authority allows the FSOC to designate nonbank institutions as systemically important financial institutions, or SIFIs, which, in turn, increases supervision and regulation of these firms by the Federal Government. The Office of Financial Research was created to provide the research and analysis necessary for the FSOC to carry out this statutory mandate. In a classic Washington fox-guarding-the-henhouse scenario, the FSOC and OFR are currently funded through taxes or assessments, as we prefer to call them, that they collect from the very SIFIs they designate. These unelected bureaucrats then set their own budgets without any oversight or approval by Congress. Is it any surprise that the FSOC budget is already five times larger today than it was in 2010. Senator Dodd and Representative Frank both have acknowledged that they never intended that insurance companies be designated as nonbank SIFIs. Despite the stated intent by the authors of the Wall Street Reform Act, FSOC has already designated three insurance companies as nonbank SIFIs. Unfortunately, further complicating the problem, FSOC has failed to create a viable off-ramp for designated companies and has not shared with Congress how they make these designations in the first place. OFR has received its fair share of criticism, too. In 2013, their asset manager report wasn't only condemned by the industry, but the Federal Government Securities and Exchange Commission also expressed concerns. According to a Reuters report, the SEC was concerned that the people who conducted the study at OFR ``lacked a fundamental understanding of the fund industry itself'' and ``the Treasury's research arm failed to take a number of the SEC's critical feedback into account.'' Thus, the SEC created its own comment period for the report. Better Markets, a group that regularly advocates for increased government regulation, actually criticized the OFR for the inexplicably and indefensibly poor quality of the work presented in the report. Despite all of this and the fact that Congressman Frank has also condemned the idea of designating asset managers, many fear the FSOC will move next with an asset manager SIFI designation. For these reasons, I believe it is absolutely critical that we pass the Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act. It is crucial for the FSOC and OFR to be more transparent and accountable to the American people. Subjecting these entities to the congressional oversight process, enhancing OFR quarterly reporting requirements and allowing Americans to weigh in on OFR rules and regulations gives Congress the tools it needs to provide the proper oversight of FSOC and OFR. Now, some may argue that Congress should just trust these bureaucracies. But our Constitution makes it abundantly clear that Congress and Congress alone has the power of the purse. And like one of our great leaders once reminded us: ``Trust, but verify.'' I want to thank Chairman Hensarling for his leadership on this issue. I urge all of my colleagues to support the Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act. Ms. MAXINE WATERS from California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Heck), a member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Blandin Foundation for their dedication to strengthening rural communities in Minnesota. One such way they are making a difference is through various programs, including their outstanding program which aims to increase access to high-speed broadband internet. I am happy to support the Minnesota Broadband Coalition's vision: ``Everyone in Minnesota will be able to use convenient, affordable world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and thrive in our communities and across the globe.'' Like the Blandin Foundation, I too believe that increasing and expanding broadband in Minnesota is of the utmost importance. Back in February, I had the opportunity to voice my support for broadband expansion at the Minnesota Broadband Conference. Over the past several decades we have seen the rise of internet and technology due to its ability to improve people's lives. As a result of internet access, more businesses are emerging, new jobs are being created, and more educational opportunities abound. However, many rural communities in Minnesota do not have consistent access to broadband, preventing their communities from thriving and keeping them at a competitive disadvantage. I commend the Blandin Foundation for their efforts to ensure that all communities have the opportunity to prosper and grow.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Gretchen Ness, Naomi Thoelke and Liliana Schroedl, all students from Delano, Minnesota who have received national recognition for producing a documentary on water pollution. These incredible seventh grade students entered their documentary into C-SPAN's national StudentCam competition, which is meant to highlight issues students hope to see the candidates discuss during the Presidential election. All of the girls are pet owners and thought of this project because they were deeply concerned with how water pollution negatively affects animals and the environment. Among the thousands of documentaries that were submitted, their documentary was one of fifty chosen for a prize-- true testimony to a job well done. I thank Gretchen, Naomi, and Liliana for taking an interest in our country and the environment. Our students are the future of this nation, and these three young girls make me believe that the future of this nation is a bright one.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I rise today to celebrate an inspiring woman who now has a permanent spot in Minnesota's history books. Last week Sandra Best became the first female Brigadier General in the Minnesota National Guard. General Best was a 20-year-old college student when she joined the Air National Guard in 1984. During her 32 years of service, Best has proven her dedication to this Nation and to Minnesota through a variety of leadership positions. In her new position as Brigadier General, Best will serve as the chief of staff for the Minnesota National Guard and will be in charge of the 133rd Airlift Wing and the 148th Fighter Wing. General Best is a true trailblazer. She has broken down barriers and forged a path that other women are sure to follow. It is with great respect and great pride that I recognize her today.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Washington County Commissioner Ted Bearth, who passed away last week. Ted was elected to the county board in 2012 and was reelected in 2014, representing Washington County's Second District. However, Ted's long record of public service began more than 40 years ago, when he was elected to the Oakdale City Council in 1974. He spent an impressive 26 years of service as a city council member and mayor. Ted's commitment to Minnesota and his community goes well beyond elected office. As a Marine Corps veteran, he was also involved in the Oakdale Veterans Memorial Committee. Ted Bearth was a beloved member of our community and a dedicated public servant. Despite his declining health, he stayed involved and in touch with county staffers and fellow commissioners. He was known for his strong leadership and ability to forge lasting connections. I wish Ted's family peace during this difficult time and assure them that he will be greatly missed by many Minnesotans.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tom Ardolf and Avant-Garde Technology Liberation for the recent win at the International Consumer Electronics Show. The group earned the Health and Wellness Project of the Year from the Consumer Technology Association. Ardolf and his group designed an impressive home automation system for a woman who is a quadriplegic. Originally, they were asked to create a system that would allow the woman to easily change the volume on her television. Instead, they went above and beyond, creating a system that allows her to control her entire media center, unlock her door, adjust her lighting, and even place phone calls. Technology's role in the world is rapidly increasing. With the increase, many new frontiers have been discovered and explored. I am proud to represent a State and district that is home to medical innovation. I am constantly amazed by how technology has the capacity to improve and even save lives. That is exactly what Tom Ardolf and his team demonstrated with this automation system. I applaud their ingenuity.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of fallen St. Joseph, Minnesota, police officer Brian Klinefelter. It has been 20 years now since Brian was killed in the line of duty, and this loss is still felt in our community today. On a cold night in January, Officer Klinefelter was nearing the end of his shift when he heard of an armed robbery over the radio dispatch and decided to help his fellow officers pursue the robbers. Not long after, Officer Klinefelter was tragically shot and killed in his brave attempt to protect his colleagues and the community he loved. The men and women in blue are some of the finest this Nation has to offer, and Officer Brian Klinefelter is proof of that. Every morning they put on their uniforms, not knowing if they will safely return to their loved ones at the end of the day. The sacrifices they make are done because of their selfless love of country, community, and neighbors. The night Brian was killed, he left behind his wife, Wendy; his newborn daughter, Katelyn; along with numerous family members and friends. Wendy and Katelyn, we haven't forgotten you, and we have not forgotten Brian--the incredible life he lived and the brave sacrifice that he made.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the need to control our Nation's debt. Due to a rapid and unsustainable expansion of the Federal Government, the Obama administration has racked up $8 trillion in new debt, pushing the national debt to more than $19 trillion. If we continue down this reckless path, the Congressional Budget Office projects a return to $1 trillion annual deficits by 2022. Today, the House of Representatives is working toward returning to a more fiscally responsible nation by voting on the Debt Management and Fiscal Responsibility Act. This legislation will begin to restore fiscal discipline by requiring the U.S. Treasury Secretary to appear before Congress at least 21 days before hitting the debt ceiling to present the administration's plans to reduce the national debt. While more work needs to be done, this legislation is one step closer to financial sanity and security. I want to thank Representative Marchant for his hard work on this bill. I urge all my colleagues to support it.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mike Miron of Hugo, who recently won the Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agricultural national competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting. Mike is the fifth generation to work in his family's dairy and crop farm. In addition, he is also a high school teacher and Future Farmers of America adviser in Forest Lake, Minnesota. Agriculture is one of the more important sectors of the American economy. Thanks to farmers who are educators, like Mike Miron, my State of Minnesota is a national leader in agriculture. We need to celebrate the hardworking men and women who contribute to agriculture in Minnesota and all across this Nation. Thank you, Mike, for what you have done and what you continue to do for agriculture today and tomorrow, and congratulations for your Excellence in Agriculture.

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota

Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are critical to job creation and sustainable economic growth in America. In my home State of Minnesota, 1.2 million workers--nearly half of our State's private workforce--is employed by a small business. When one of the more than 500,000 small businesses in Minnesota contacts our office, it is most often about how well-intended, yet short-sighted, regulations are inhibiting their ability to utilize the financial products they rely on. In order to ensure the creation and growth of small business, it is imperative that we do our job in Washington to make certain they have access to the capital they need. Since 1980, the Securities and Exchange Commission has been required to conduct a government-business forum each year to present and discuss ways to improve small business capital formation. However, the SEC is under no legal obligation, as we have heard several times today, to respond to any of the findings or recommendations that come out of these forums. That is why the Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act is so important. The proposed legislation will require the SEC to respond to the findings and recommendations made at these annual government- business forums. This will ensure that the ideas formulated at these government-business forums will be carefully considered at the SEC and possibly even implemented. I want to thank Representatives Bruce Poliquin and Juan Vargas for their hard work on behalf of consumers and small business. I urge my colleagues to support the Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act.