Bob Goodlatte

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I would just like to say congratulations and good work to the gentlewoman from New York and the gentlewoman from New Hampshire. This is a good bill, and we should pass it right now. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6431) to ensure United States jurisdiction over offenses committed by United States personnel stationed in Canada in furtherance of border security initiatives.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, this is important legislation. I commend my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, as well as Members on this side of the aisle, for their bipartisan spirit in passing this. This will only do a small thing relative to trying to right the wrongs of the history of the Nazi regime, but it is an important step in that process. I strongly support the bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 6130, currently under consideration.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6130) to provide the victims of Holocaust-era persecution and their heirs a fair opportunity to recover works of art confiscated or misappropriated by the Nazis.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. From 1933, when Hitler took power in Germany, until 1945, when the Allied Forces liberated Europe, the Nazis and their collaborators stole countless works of art and cultural objects from museums and private collections throughout Europe. Indeed, according to the American Alliance of Museums, the Nazi regime orchestrated a system of theft, confiscation, coercive transfer, looting, pillage, and the destruction of objects of art and other cultural property in Europe on a massive and an unprecedented scale. Millions of such objects were unlawfully and often forcibly taken from their rightful owners. This systematic looting and confiscation of the cultural property of the Jews and of other persecuted groups has been described as the greatest displacement of art in human history. In order to provide the victims of the Holocaust and their heirs a fair opportunity in our courts to recover artwork that had been confiscated or misappropriated by the Nazis, Representative Nadler and I, along with several other bipartisan cosponsors, introduced the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, or HEAR Act. Companion legislation has been introduced by Senators Cornyn and Schumer in the Senate. Since World War II ended, the United States has pursued policies to help Holocaust victims reclaim artwork and other cultural property that was unlawfully taken. In recent years, the United States has joined with other nations to declare the importance of restoring Nazi-looted and confiscated art to its rightful owners. For instance, in the 1998 Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art, the United States and 43 other nations declared that Holocaust victims and their heirs should be encouraged to come forward and make known their claims to art that was confiscated by the Nazis and not subsequently restituted and that steps should be taken expeditiously to achieve a just and fair solution to such claims. In 2009, we joined with 48 other countries in declaring that governments should ensure that their legal systems facilitate just and fair solutions with regard to Nazi-confiscated and looted art and make certain that the claims to recover such art are resolved expeditiously and based on the facts and merits of the claims. The enactment of the HEAR Act is an important step in following through on these principles. The vast majority of victims whose property was misappropriated during the Holocaust simply lacked the information, resources, and sometimes wherewithal to pursue litigation to recover their property. Even for those with the resources, locating and proving ownership of Nazi-looted art proved to be extremely difficult. Moreover, the psychological trauma of the Holocaust often prevented victims from pursuing lost property. Those who have seen the recent movie ``Woman in Gold,'' which tells the story of Maria Altmann's arduous legal battle to recover her family's possessions that were seized by the Nazis, including the famous portrait of her aunt by Gustav Klimt, can understand just how difficult litigation to reclaim Nazi-confiscated art can be. Ms. Altmann was in litigation for many years before her family's artwork was recovered from the Austrian Government in 2006. At least in Ms. Altmann's case, litigation was successful. However, as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has observed: ``Many obstacles face those who attempt to recover Holocaust-era art through lawsuits,'' including ``procedural hurdles, such as statutes of limitations'' that prevent the merits of claims from ever being adjudicated. Given the unique and horrific circumstances of World War II and the Holocaust, State statutes of limitations can be an unfair impediment to the victims and their heirs and contrary to the stated policy of the United States. Accordingly, the HEAR Act's uniform, 6-year Federal limitations period is needed to ensure that the United States fulfills its promises to ``facilitate just and fair solution with regard to Nazi-confiscated and looted art'' and to ``make certain that claims to recover such art are resolved expeditiously and based on the facts and merits of the claims.'' I urge my colleagues to support this legislation so that cases involving Nazi-confiscated artwork are resolved in our courts in a just and fair manner on the merits of those claims. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chief sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers other than myself, and I believe I have the right to close, so I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I would say to my good friend from Texas, and he is my good friend from Texas, that I know that he loves people with developmental disabilities, people with Alzheimer's, families that face the challenge of autism, and I know that his heart is in the right place. But I also know that we have just an honest difference of opinion about what we are doing here and the best way to save the lives of people when they are lost. I know in my community of Roanoke, Virginia, that we have people, both with Alzheimer's and with autism, who wander off. Sometimes families are able to provide other means of keeping them safe, and sometimes they are not. But I would argue to you that a tracking device that is not federally administered, that does not have data that is stored by the Federal Government, that is simply a program that already exists and is simply being changed to allow it to apply to families with autistic members of the family who want to voluntarily participate in this, and is something that not only saves lives but also creates more freedom, not more government surveillance or more government intervention in people's lives, as the gentleman is concerned about, but actually more freedom, more freedom so that people can move about a little more freely, and others can know, family members can know where they are. I think that this is an important change in this law that is going to make life better for families and give them peace of mind, more freedom of movement, and the ability to find them if they do wander off, as has happened so often, as happened in the case of Kevin and Avonte, the children for whom this legislation is named. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his hard work over a long period of time on this. I think the Judiciary Committee has done good work to improve this. I want to thank the ranking member. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas. I want to thank the staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work to make this bill, a good bill, even better. To address the concerns raised by the gentleman from Texas, again, this is voluntary. We are not starting a program. It already exists. And the authority of the Attorney General, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, because it is primarily a training and education program to State and local law enforcement, so that when first responders and law enforcement personnel and so on are called to look for someone whose life is endangered, as it happens every day, unfortunately, somewhere in this great country, they will have a new, good, noninvasive tool to help protect the lives of the innocent, the lives of those who don't know where they might be headed or where they might be and, therefore, can help families find them, help first responders find them, bring them back to safety, save their lives. That is what this bill is about. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4919) to amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, to reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, and to promote initiatives that will reduce the risk of injury and death relating to the wandering characteristics of some children with autism, as amended.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 4919, currently under consideration.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, Members have different opinions about what to do to address the allegations of misconduct against IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. Some would impeach him; others would censure him. Still others would impose no penalty. To address these differences of opinion and to ensure this body administers due process in these deliberations, I recommend that the House refer this matter to the House Judiciary Committee. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the motion to refer. The previous question was ordered. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, nearly two weeks ago, our nation lost another dedicated public servant committed to protecting our neighborhoods from criminals. Deputy Commander Pat Carothers of the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force died in the line of duty while executing an arrest warrant for a fugitive wanted for attempted murder of police officers and domestic violence. Deputy Commander Carothers served in the U.S. Marshals Service for 26 years. He was a native of Luray, Virginia, in the Sixth Congressional District which I represent, and spent his career serving the Northern District of Georgia. For over a quarter of a century, he risked his life every day to arrest fugitives of the law and see them brought to justice for their crimes. In addition to wearing the badge, Deputy Commander Carothers was also a family man. He was married to his wife Terry for 30 years and was a loving father to five children. As the Carothers family mourns their devastating loss, we pray that God would comfort them and give them peace. The murder of Deputy Commander Carothers reminds us once again that law enforcement officers face danger every day while on duty, whether simply knocking on a door or pulling someone over. In 2016 alone, 132 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty. Attacks on those who protect our neighborhoods from criminals and keep the peace are not to be tolerated. I--and others in Congress--stand shoulder to shoulder with our nation's law enforcement officers and remain committed to finding solutions to reduce violence and aggression towards them. In the Gospel of John, we are told that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. And this is true of Deputy Commander Carothers. Every day he risked his life so that others would be safe from harm. He is a hero and deserves to be recognized and honored for his service to our country.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 122) supporting efforts to stop the theft, illegal possession or sale, transfer, and export of tribal cultural items of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians in the United States and internationally, with the Senate amendments thereto, and concur in the Senate amendments.

Mr. GOODLATTE

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

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman for his kind words and for taking the time to share them with us this evening. I yield now to the gentleman from the Ninth Congressional District of Virginia (Mr. Griffith), my friend and neighboring Congressman. He served in the Virginia General Assembly with both Randy Forbes and Robert Hurt and was elected to Congress the same year that Robert Hurt was. He knows all three of these individuals well, and I appreciate him taking the time this evening to participate as well.

Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman for his kind remarks as well. Does the gentleman have any further remarks? I want to thank all of the Members who took time this evening to honor these three colleagues. I know that there are many more who wish them well. The Record is open, and I know some additional Members will put remarks into the Record, but I just want to close by saying that I was proud to serve with all three of them. They are strong advocates for their constituents. They have a strong love for their country, and they are fighters for limited government and individual responsibility and the free enterprise system. They believe very strongly in lower taxes and less government regulation. They work hard for their families in passing legislation that strengthens American families and, most especially, they are all strong believers in a strong national defense and have worked hard for their Nation in this body. They deserve all of the accolades they have received this evening and many, many more. I wish them Godspeed and great futures with their families and their future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his kind remarks about all three of these fine Representatives. I yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski), who knows them as well.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King), another valued member of the House Judiciary Committee who has served literally alongside Congressman Forbes. I think you have sat next to him, if not close to each other, for many years on the committee.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for sharing his personal experiences, his friendships with these three outstanding Members of Congress. I turn to the other neighboring Congressman, the Congressman from the Third Congressional District who has served with me for many years on the House Judiciary Committee until he went to become the ranking member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee and has served here as long as I have. He has much knowledge about that part of the world and about these three gentleman. I thank him for taking time this evening. I yield to Congressman Scott.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, today I and other Members of the House, most especially members of the Virginia delegation, but other House Members who served with three of our Virginia colleagues, are here to express our thanks and pay tribute to their service, to the people of Virginia, and the people of the United States of America. We are saddened to lose three members of our great Virginia delegation, but we have the utmost regard for all of them, and we wish them well in their future endeavors. I am going to start by recognizing my dear friend and colleague on the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Randy Forbes. I remember when Randy arrived here. I had known him many years before he was elected to the House. I was, frankly, thrilled when he decided to run for the House of Representatives and got elected. Of course, his first priority, representing the Fourth Congressional District, was to get on the House Armed Services Committee. Once he secured that, he was looking for a second committee. I encouraged him to seek a position on the House Judiciary Committee and helped him in his effort to do that. He is a fine attorney and someone who was a great value to me and my predecessors who have had the honor of chairing the House Judiciary Committee. Born and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia, Randy Forbes has never forgotten who he is or where he came from. Growing up as the son of a World War II Normandy veteran, Randy was raised on the values of duty, hard work, family, and faith. He carried those principles with him to Randolph-Macon College, where he graduated as valedictorian of his 1974 class, and throughout his years at the University of Virginia School of Law. Since first elected to Congress in 2001, Randy's highest priority has been to protect and defend our Nation, the fundamental freedoms it was founded upon, and the men and women who fight for those freedoms. As chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, Randy is one of the Nation's forceful advocates for a strong national defense. As a result of his dedicated efforts, Chairman Forbes is one of the few individuals to be honored with the highest civilian awards offered by both the United States Army and the United States Navy. He is also a senior member, as I mentioned, of the House Judiciary Committee where he serves as a member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, as well as the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. And he is the founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus and the Congressional China Caucus. Randy began his career in private law practice, ultimately becoming a partner in the largest law firm in southeastern Virginia. From 1989 to 2001, he served the Commonwealth of Virginia in the General Assembly. He and his wife, Shirley, have four children and three grandchildren, which Randy personally regards as his greatest achievement. And, no doubt, as a grandfather myself, I understand well that sentiment, and I wish him very well with his family and hope that he has much time to enjoy with them, but not too much time because he is too valuable to our country not to be afforded another opportunity to serve our country in some great capacity. Congressman Robert Hurt also served with distinction in the Virginia General Assembly, and then a little over 6 years ago came to visit me and my wife, Maryellen, in our home to talk about his possibility of seeking election to the Congress. We encouraged him to do just that, he did, and was successful. Robert Hurt is a member of the Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over all aspects of the Nation's financial and housing sectors. Within the committee, he serves as the vice chairman of the Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee, and serves on the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, as well as the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. A native of Pittsylvania County, Robert began his time in public service in 2001, as a member of the Chatham Town Council. From 2002 to 2007, Robert served in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing parts of Pittsylvania County, Henry County, and the city of Martinsville. Starting in 2008, Robert represented the 19th district in the Senate of Virginia for 2 years, which includes the city of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Franklin County, and part of Campbell County. He received his college education at Hampden-Sydney College in the district that he now represents in 1991. He obtained his law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law in 1995. From 1999 to 2010, Robert was engaged in a general law practice in the courthouse town of Chatham, where he lives with his wife, Kathy, and their three sons-- Charles, Clement, and John. Scott Rigell also was elected to Congress in the same year that Congressman Hurt was, and we were delighted to have him come and join us as well, being another strong advocate for our Nation's defense. He serves on the House Committee on Appropriations. Since taking office in January 2011, Congressman Rigell has made creating jobs, strengthening our military, controlling Federal spending, and changing Congress his most urgent priorities. In representing the Nation's largest military district, Congressman Rigell is working to preserve our region's unique military assets and to support our men and women in uniform. He was instrumental in the successful effort to keep all East Coast aircraft carriers based in Norfolk, and he introduced language that improved the maintenance of military housing, including in the fiscal year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. With strong bipartisan support, the House and Senate passed Congressman Rigell's Drywall Safety Act of 2012, which was signed into law by the President in early 2013. This legislation sets chemical standards for domestic and imported drywalls, establishes remediation guidelines for the disposal of all drywall, and expresses a sense of Congress that China must be held accountable for the damage this product has already caused in our community and across America. Prior to his election to Congress, he was a successful entrepreneur, businessowner, and community leader--the founder of Freedom Automotive. Congressman Rigell and his wife, Teri, previously owned automobile dealerships in Chesapeake, Hampton, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. He served 6 years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and rose to the rank of sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge. He earned his BBA from Mercer University and an MBA from Regent University. He and his wife are the proud parents of four children and four grandchildren. They are competing well with the Forbes family in the grandchildren department, and I know they also will enjoy more time with those grandchildren; but I hope we see Congressman Rigell serving his country in another capacity in the future as well. At this time, I am delighted that we have Members whose districts adjoin Congressman Rigell's, Congressman Hurt's, and Congressman Forbes'. I know that Congressman Rob Wittman, who served on the Armed Services Committee with Congressman Forbes, has to be somewhere else; so I am going to turn to him first, and then I will turn to Congressman Scott. I am happy to yield to the gentleman.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Iowa for that heartfelt appreciation of these three Members. I yield to the gentleman from the great State of Maine (Mr. Poliquin). He represents my alma mater, Bates College. He is just about to start his second term in Congress, but he makes friends fast. So I am delighted that he is here to say a few words about these three outstanding individuals as well.

Mr. GOODLATTE. 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 the subject of my Special Order.