A. Ferguson

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, the Representative from Texas (Mr. Arrington), for highlighting this most important part of our American culture, the rural America. As you mentioned, I came from a small town, like many small towns across this Nation, and we have seen our area fall into decline, but we have seen what happens when you have a tremendous rebirth in your local economy. But there are so many parts of our great Nation in my great State of Georgia that simply don't have the opportunities that other areas do, and that is not necessarily new. It is something that we have faced in America before, and our country has always stepped up to find the right answers, to give access to success to the people in rural America and, in my case, rural Georgia. And if you think about that, we have done that in multiple ways. We have built infrastructure there that includes highways. We have built electric grids to the rural parts of our communities, telecommunications. It has been absolutely amazing to see what happens and the benefits to this Nation that come when we invest in infrastructure to rural Georgia and to rural Alabama and any other State in this great Nation. One of the things that we have got to recognize is all of the wonderful things that we have going on that have been highlighted by our colleagues here tonight, the agricultural industry that exists, from everything like our colleague from Louisiana talked about, my colleague from Georgia, the farming communities. In our area, we have a tremendous number of cattle farmers, dairy farmers, folks who grow pine trees. All of those things are important, but we have got to talk about enhancing that in a new direction for rural America. As has been talked about here tonight, a big part of that has to be new infrastructure and an information highway known as rural broadband that goes into America. We have companies right now throughout this great Nation that are wanting to invest in many areas. A lot of times all they are asking us to do is to get out of the way and let the private sector take over and do it. If we do that and we build that infrastructure but we fail to educate our children in a 21st century economy, then we have built infrastructure that will never reach its full capacity. So not only is building broadband to the rural community so vitally important, pairing our education system to that is vitally important, too. I believe in our rural communities there is a wealth of talent, people of all backgrounds, ages, demographics that have incredible talents that are yet to be tapped into. I believe that we can tap into those talents, and I believe that those talents can be highlighted, they can be brought out, and they can be enhanced by allowing our education systems to be adaptive, to be able to train these young people, young adults, the future of rural America, to give them the skills that they need so that they can become a competitive part of the 21st century economy. I think that many of our States that have large metropolitan areas like we do in Georgia with Metro Atlanta have a desire to tap into this wealth of talent in this workforce that exists in rural Georgia, and I believe that it gives families a chance to stay together because it creates economic opportunities for families in rural Georgia that simply do not exist right now. So think of a vision for rural America where we are connected with new infrastructure and information technology systems that allow the talent that we have congregated in rural Georgia, every small town across this great Nation, to be able to harness that power, to tie it back into our metropolitan centers, to create vibrant economic opportunities, let us figure out ways to harness that economic opportunity to be able to generate revenue to further enhance our school systems and enhance our communities in rural America. We have incredible talent, and we need to bring that talent to the top. We need to make sure that the talent stays in rural Georgia and all of our communities, and I believe that we can do that. We have got to make the commitment to build infrastructure across this Nation as we have in the past, and I believe the future of rural America is with rural broadband creating business and educational opportunities where we are going to harness tremendous talent and reap tremendous benefits. Rural America is so important to the fabric of our Nation. It is so important to the people, to the leadership, to our economy, to who we are. The greatness and the freedoms that we enjoy are exemplified nowhere better than in rural America. I am proud to be from rural America, I am proud to raise my family there, and I believe that the future is bright.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2353. Not only does this legislation authorize more available funding for CTE programs, it also gives States more freedom to support CTE activities in rural districts like mine. This bill also gives authority back to the States to approve CTE plans rather than require Federal approval. In the short time I have been in Congress, I have seen firsthand the unique differences across each of our States and districts. Increasing flexibility will enable States to have the flexibility to create and support programs that fit their unique workforce needs. I am excited to be an original cosponsor of this legislation and look forward to its passage later today. Helping our young people transition from school into meaningful careers is one of the best ways we can move our Nation into a vibrant 21st century economy.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the work of the Troup County Drug Court in LaGrange, Georgia. I had the opportunity to speak at their commencement ceremony last week while I was back in the district. This program holds offenders with substance abuse and mental health disorders accountable through strict supervision and treatment, and allows them to get their lives back on track. As a dentist, I have had the opportunity to work with those suffering from substance abuse problems through my work with Hope Harbor, a Christian recovery center in my district. I have seen firsthand that, for every addiction, there is a real human being behind the statistic. These men and women have the potential to live long, productive lives serving their families and communities, and programs like this help them do just that. The success rate of these programs speaks volumes about their value to the community and those that graduate from the program. Seventy-five percent of drug court graduates never reoffend. This is almost 2\1/2\ times higher than the 30 percent success rate of those who serve a prison sentence and receive no treatment. I commend the hard work of the men and women of the Troup County Drug Court.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. I thank Mr. Smucker for yielding to me. I, too, would like to express my appreciation for Representative Thompson for taking the lead on this on our side of aisle. He did a great job. I also appreciate Representative Krishnamoorthi from Illinois, who worked tirelessly to make this a real solid bill. So thanks to both of them. Thank you for taking time to lead these Special Orders tonight. In my district and throughout Georgia, our school systems, technical colleges, and communities are creating innovative career tech opportunities to help transition students into a workforce through dual enrollment with the Technical College System of Georgia, work-based learning apprenticeships, and Career Academies like the THINC Academy in LaGrange, the Central Education Center in Newnan, and 12 for Life in Carrollton, Georgia. These programs are helping our young people make the transition from high school directly into the workforce, and they are also helping adult learners transition into new careers. I visited these centers and learned about these education programs, and they provide a meaningful transition for these students. They rely heavily on the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Eduction Act. This is a pivotal workforce development tool. It enables our education leaders to develop tailored programs that reflect the workforce needs, leveraging small dollars for very large outcomes. Travelling throughout my district, the number one issue I hear from business and education leaders is workforce development. I have seen examples across the Third District of how community stakeholders are pulling together to do their part to develop career tech education and, in turn, create opportunities for young people to climb the ladder of success. I am so impressed by the emerging partnerships that have naturally come about as these groups work to close the skills gap that we have in this country. They know the urgent need we have to educate students and develop these skills to fill the demands of a 21st century job. This is a story of so many of our communities across the country and the reason why I support the effort to move forward and reauthorize the Perkins CTE. Reauthorizing Perkins CTE will upgrade the law and more accurately reflect the needs and work being done by States and local communities, providing flexibility, streamlined application processes, promoting partnerships, accountability, and a limited Federal role. It is time to make these reforms, and I proudly support H.R. 2353.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work of the students and faculty at Flat Rock Middle School in Tyrone, Georgia. Four years ago, Dr. Monica Reckley decided to found a STEM program at Flat Rock to give her students more than just a traditional classroom experience. She hoped to show them how science, technology, math, and engineering could lead to future careers. Today, the program has 150 students spread over 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, and it is helping students develop an interest that could lead them to new professional opportunities. The program introduces students to STEM, brings in speakers from these fields, and allows students to participate in related competitions. Last month, 10 students from the program participated in the Georgia Tech InVenture Challenge and had several inventions showcased. These inventions included a bulletproof vest designed specifically for female police officers, a wireless vital signs monitoring device for elderly patients, a dental floss guard to make flossing easier, and an extension cord and power outlet combination that reduces the number of electrical outlets needed in a home. I am so proud of these students and the opportunities this school district has provided to encourage young people to explore careers in the 21st century. I am a proud supporter of career and technical education programs because they prepare students and young people for work and careers in the modern workforce.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank the gentleman from Washington for organizing this event for us to thank the brave men and women who keep our community safe day in and day out. Like him, I have the honor and privilege of serving with Sheriff Rutherford and Chief Demings. It is quite an honor to be with both of them in the 115th Congress. The men and women of law enforcement are moms and dads, sons and daughters, siblings and friends to the very people who they serve. We ask these brave men and women to uphold the law, but so often this seemingly straightforward mandate sends them into the most difficult and tragic situations that our society faces: terrible accidents, domestic disputes, and the strife that threatens the hearts of our towns and communities. Their bravery and courage is unimaginable to someone like me. The complexity of their jobs and the tolls that it takes on their lives is often underestimated. Having a safe community offers our citizens more than just peace of mind. It offers them a place to live, grow their businesses, provide a living for their family, and to be not only economically secure but socially secure. Law enforcement officers play a very critical role in community development. Each generation of our law enforcement community evolves as society changes and their technology and training improve. This allows them to police our communities more responsibly, effectively, and sometimes even to right wrongs of the past generation. I want to highlight one specific example in my district, Georgia's Third District. Nearly eight decades ago, an African-American man named Austin Callaway was lynched in the town of LaGrange, Georgia. This terrible crime has been a dark part of the town's history for a long time. Recently, law enforcement officials have taken steps to begin the reconciliation process. LaGrange Chief Louis Dekmar partnered with the president of the county NAACP chapter, Ernest Ward, to facilitate an official apology to the Callaway family from the police force for failing to investigate the lynching nearly 77 years prior. I commend Chief Dekmar and Mr. Ward for their actions to begin to heal this old wound. I am proud to represent this community that has engaged in the hard work of reconciliation. Police officers like Chief Dekmar do so much more than enforce the law. They work actively every single day to bring the communities they serve together. I am so proud that there are such great examples of law enforcement in the Third District of Georgia. Law enforcement officers do more than just keep us safe. They help our communities, they show love and compassion, they bring us together. We owe them a debt of gratitude. I am proud that there are such brave men and women willing to serve in all of our communities and hometowns. I want to extend my deep gratitude for the hard work of these brave men and women and offer a special thanks and special prayer to their families.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 455) to designate the United States courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the ``R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse''.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 455.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 455 would designate the United States courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse. Mr. Brown, a native of Oklahoma, attended Illinois State University, Indiana University, and the Texas Southern University law school. In the 1960s, R. Jess Brown was one of only four African-American lawyers licensed to practice in Mississippi. In 1962, Mr. Brown took on his most famous case, where he worked on behalf of James Meredith, an African-American student who sought enrollment at the University of Mississippi. Mr. Brown's successful lawsuit broke the color barrier at the University of Mississippi and helped set the tone for future litigation in the civil rights movement. Although the Meredith case may be his most famous trial, Mr. Brown already had established a history of litigating for civil rights stretching back to 1948, when he sued on behalf of Black teachers in Jackson, Mississippi, who sought salaries on par with their White colleagues. R. Jess Brown helped to break down barriers and set historical precedent that has shaped our Nation for the better. It is only appropriate that we honor the work of Mr. Brown by naming this courthouse after him. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 35) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 35.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 35 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the annual National Police Officers' Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition. These events are held each year as part of Police Week to honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. This use of the Capitol Grounds is a worthy recognition of the honorable sacrifice of our Nation's brave first responders and their families. This year, 234 fallen officers will be honored, which is 100 more than last year. Ten of these officers are from my home State of Georgia, and 70 died from 9/11-related cancer. This year, we will also remember five officers of the Dallas Police Department for their courage in the line of fire while responding to the shootings in Dallas at last July's protest. This is a clear reminder of the sacrifices that our men and women in law enforcement make every day as they put their lives on the line to maintain safe communities for us and our loved ones. We must do all we can to support these brave men and women and their families. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 36) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H. Con. Res. 36.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. H. Con. Res. 36 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby in June. Since the first official All-American Soap Box Derby in 1934, the mission of the soapbox derby has been to build knowledge and character and to teach fair and honest competition. This tradition also allows children to demonstrate their dedication and creativity. Winners from this local competition will join those from other races, including from my home State of Georgia, in competing at the world championship in Akron, Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FERGUSON

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by saying that, for the last 25 years, I practiced dentistry in Georgia's Third District and I experienced a healthcare system that was broken and in desperate need of repair to reduce costs and increase access to care. After the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, I saw my patients, my friends, my neighbors forced away from doctors who had treated them for their entire lives. Instead of decreasing costs, patients saw their costs skyrocket and their access to care limited. As a medical practitioner, I want what is best for my patients. Those are the people that I am fighting for: my neighbors and constituents who saw their premiums skyrocket, their quality and access to care limited or determined by a government bureaucrat. I committed to them that I would repeal ObamaCare and undo the damage that it has done to our healthcare system. The legislation we are currently considering in the House, the American Health Care Act, is just the beginning of keeping that promise. This is not a choice between a broken healthcare system that existed before ObamaCare. It is a new direction that reflects an understanding of what works and what does not work. The legislation will enact many reforms that directly impact Americans by lowering costs and improving access to care. Tonight, my colleagues and I are going to share with you in great detail what that legislation does. We have all been very open in our opposition to the Affordable Care Act, but it is also important that we share with our constituents what we stand for and what we are working to do to reform this broken system. We stand for patient-centered health care that meets the needs of our constituents in an affordable way. We stand for market-driven healthcare solutions and an industry that prioritizes personal freedom over government mandates. We stand for the biggest entitlement reform in a generation to ensure that we protect our most vulnerable populations. This is just a short list of the goals we are working towards, and I am excited to be joined by a number of my colleagues tonight to help me explain more to the American people what is happening with our healthcare system. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington). He served in the George W. Bush administration. He has worked with the FDIC, and he has been a public servant in Lubbock, Texas, at Texas Tech University. He serves on the House Agriculture Committee, the Budget Committee, and the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Texas touched on some very important issues. One that he talked about was the process here, that this is just the beginning of a long journey that we must take to rebuild our American healthcare system. This has been an open legislative process. More than 8 months ago, even before I was a Member of this great House, the Republican caucus here released A Better Way agenda, which detailed a consensus vision for patient-centered healthcare reform. Our bill, the American Health Care Act, is built on that framework. These ideas are not new. They are not unvetted. They are a product of many conversations, debates, and work. Unlike the drafting of ObamaCare, we want our constituents to know what is in this legislation before we pass it. That is why every American can go to readthebill.gop and look at this legislation for themselves. In fact, I encourage anyone who hasn't taken time to look at this legislation yet to go to readthebill.gop and read more about the American Health Care Act. At no point in this process have I felt closed out of it. As a matter of fact, as a freshman, I can tell you that I have had my voice heard, I have been asked for input, and I have seen many of the ideas that I have spoken about be included in this bill. This bill has not been crafted behind closed doors. It has not been kept in the shadows. As a matter of fact, it has been just the opposite. As a freshman Member sitting in conference, leadership has been very straightforward about the intentions of the bill, the basic framework of the bill, and I am excited to see that, as this process has gone through regular order, we have seen many amendments added to it, and we are continuing that process. Regular order means that we have done something very unique here. We haven't just taken a bill and passed it and then get to read what is in it. We have taken a bill, and we have taken it through the committee process. Our colleagues on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and Committee on Ways and Means have worked through some many long nights debating amendments in an open process. Tomorrow the House Committee on the Budget will take up this business. I am a member on that committee, and I am looking forward to the process of going through the debate tomorrow. I am sure that it will be long, and I am sure many amendments will be debated; but I am excited about the opportunity that we have to move a piece of legislation forward, make it better, make it more conservative, but, most importantly, make sure that Americans have great health care, access to that health care at an affordable price. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for his remarks. He touched on something that is very important, and that is the driving down of cost and how this is accomplished. Truly, when the patient is in control of their health care, they are also in control of the cost. We are fighting for consumer choice in a patient-driven healthcare system. We understand, and I certainly understand, that patients and doctors need to be at the center of the healthcare conversation, not bureaucrats and not insurance clerks. Our plan includes provisions to expand choice and give consumers more control over their healthcare dollars. The American Health Care Act significantly increases the amount individuals and families can contribute to their personal health savings accounts each year, allowing them to save more to pay for future healthcare expenses and the flexibility to use their healthcare dollars as they choose. It also allows them to spend those healthcare dollars where they think that it will best benefit their families. It allows them to have the most intimate conversations with their healthcare providers and make sure that they are making the right decisions and using their dollars wisely. If the first question always is ``does my insurance company pay for it?'' you are always going to get the most expensive answer. However, if the patient has contributed to this process, the patient then will be able to make some informed decisions through good conversations with their doctors, and they can better manage their own health care. We are fighting for a system that puts patients first and allows Georgians in the Third District and all across this Nation to make their own healthcare decisions. That starts with a conversation between the doctor and the patient. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford). He is a former three-term sheriff from Florida, representing the greater Jacksonville area.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Florida touched on something that is very important, and that is fairness in the marketplace. I can tell you, as a small-business owner, I did not receive the same favorable tax treatment as the major corporations did under the Affordable Care Act. Once this bill took effect, I had to move into the individual market. I had to begin buying health insurance with post-tax dollars, and I was unable to afford the coverage not only for my family, but for the people that I had the pleasure of working with every single day in my business. What Mr. Rutherford talked about is leveling the playing field, and that is something that we need to do. It will increase innovation. It increases jobs. It increases success. It is so frustrating for Americans as they begin to build their small businesses and they begin to grow, and every single time that they take a step forward, the government takes more and more out of their pocket. Now we have a healthcare system that continues to rob them of their success. Make no mistake; the healthcare system that we had prior to the Affordable Care Act was certainly not successful and not headed in the right way, but we have made it worse with this. What we have done is we have not only disenfranchised many small businesses and people who are growing their businesses and finding success, but we have also, quite candidly, done a poor job of maintaining our safety net. What we are fighting for is to increase affordable health care for all Americans, and this has meant listening to a lot of the feedback from our families and our constituents back home. What we need to recognize is that, under our plan, dependents can continue to stay on their parents' insurance until age 26 and they are fully on their feet, if that is the right thing for their families to do. Americans told us that they like this flexibility, and we have listened to them. Our plan will also ensure that those who have preexisting conditions can't be charged more for the health coverage they need. It also includes incentives, not mandates, to encourage Americans to have continuous coverage. This is good for the marketplace, and it will keep costs down for all Americans. Our portable tax credits will also increase access to coverage by assisting lower income individuals to purchase the health insurance that they need. What is more, the American Health Care Act includes a Patient and State Stability Fund to help States expand the number of vulnerable patients who have access to health care. We know that States know how to best meet the unique needs of their citizens, and this is going to give them the flexibility to do that. Therefore, as these funds are flexible, they allow things like cutting out-of-pocket expenses for patients, promoting access to preventive services, or increasing available options in the marketplace--all things that are needed. These reforms will help drive down costs and increase access to care. This is good news for patients who are worried about affordable coverage. Unlike ObamaCare, though, it means that their coverage provides them with meaningful access to care. It does you no good to have an insurance plan that you cannot afford to use. Time and time again, I have patients, I have small-business owners, I have constituents from all over Georgia's Third District that come to me and say: Just because I have this new insurance plan doesn't mean that my family is getting better care. One such example was a gentleman that came into my district office just this past week. Three years ago, his health insurance for his family with four children was about $900, and he had a $3,000 family deductible. Last year, his premium had risen to $1,700 a month. And this year, he laid in front of me on my desk in the district office a bill for his health insurance that was $2,400 a month, and a $7,000 deductible. He is a small-business owner with nine employees. It is absolutely crushing his family expenses, and that is not fair. What we have done is we have created an environment where we have tried unsuccessfully to expand access; and in doing so, we have risen costs on men and women across this Nation that are trying to do their best to move into the middle class. We have seen it destroy family finances. We have seen it create a situation where many families now pay more for their health insurance than they do for their own homes. Mr. Speaker, in my case, that is the exact same thing. My insurance payment is more than my house payment, and that simply doesn't seem right. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney). She has proven to be a great Member of Congress. I have enjoyed working with her thoroughly. Ms. Tenney has some very revealing remarks going forward.

Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from New York for her very candid remarks. As you can see, she touched on many important issues--the unfairness of the system that we have now, but also the importance of protecting our Medicaid safety net. What we have seen under the Affordable Care Act is that we have seen our safety nets eroded. We are diverting resources away from the people that need them the most--the poor, the elderly, the blind, the disabled, children, and pregnant women--and we are pushing those resources to able-bodied men and women who do have the ability to work. It is important to recognize that our legislation is probably the largest entitlement reform program in a generation. Our legislation puts Medicaid back on a budget for the first time in history. It provides enhanced flexibility to the States to allow them to design effective and financially sound programs to meet their population's unique needs. Our plan also ensures that Medicaid prioritizes care for the most vulnerable, who it was originally intended for. We must do this because there are so many Americans, unfortunately, that have to depend on this safety net for their health care. I understand this. In my hometown, in my dental practice, I treated patients who relied on Medicaid for their healthcare coverage. It was an honor to take care of them and to have very real discussions about their healthcare needs. I understand this vulnerable population because they were a vital part of my practice, and it was truly my pleasure to take care of them. I understand the unique circumstances that cause many of these individuals to be on Medicaid and to need this valuable safety net. But we have to have an honest conversation about that. We have to be able to provide that safety net. And as we put more and more able- bodied men and women without children on that safety net, it is diverting resources away from those that need it the most. That is not right and that is not the American way. We are fighting to protect and strengthen this Nation's healthcare safety net. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall). Dr. Marshall knows firsthand about health care. He was a practicing OB/GYN, a board chairman of a hospital, and he has served our Nation in the United States Army.