Sam Graves

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Linda Judah of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Linda is active in the community and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award: Woman in the Workplace. Ms. Judah has served as Director of Buchanan Child Support Enforcement, a hospital and school nurse, and is currently the Executive Director of the Social Welfare Board. Linda has grown to have a compassionate understanding of the specific health challenges faced by low-income patients and has worked aggressively to overcome those challenges. Through her hard work and dedication to ensure that the Social Welfare Board achieve the highest level of care, the clinic now serves as a standard for others seeking to provide high-quality care. In addition to serving as a leader for several overseas medical trips, Ms. Judah has worked diligently to secure funding for the free clinic through a period of economic uncertainty and has earned such a respect among nursing students and interns that she was invited to be the commencement speaker at graduation. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Linda Judah. She has made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Sara Summers Stein of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Sara is active in the community through her work and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Emerging Leader. Sara is an intelligent and highly motivated young woman who is considered a sparkplug wherever she happens to be serving. During an outstanding college and post-graduate career, Sara demonstrated strong leadership both in her personal work and her ability to head up major University programs. Since graduating with a PhD in Education Leadership, Sara has used her considerable talent to improve the lives of others. Sara has worked with the youth through EmpowerU and has been pivotal in the success of the parent-child reading program Read from the Start. Sara is currently working to bring awareness to Clean Air St. Joe while being a wife and a mother of two. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Sara Summers Stein. She has already made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Morgan Brand of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Morgan is active in the community and in her school and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Future Leader Award. Leadership is a hallmark of Morgan's high school career. While earning high academic honors each semester, she remained involved in Student Council and was a delegate to the Missouri Association of Student Council Summer Leadership Workshop. Morgan's leadership extends to the broader community where she has worked part-time and was essential to the organization of the Senior Citizen Prom. She is often seen at athletic events supporting her peers, and is a member of the varsity tennis team as well as a gifted actor and singer. Morgan was also named to the Scholastic Honor Society at its May induction ceremony. Morgan is a natural tutor and mentor, leading activities for struggling students. Those who work with Morgan describe her as highly organized and able to win the participation of others though her own example and dependability. Morgan Brand has a bright smile and a bright future both in terms of personal success and community. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Morgan Brand. She is an amazing individual and a tremendous asset to our community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Lori Prussman of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Lori is active in the community and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award: Woman in Volunteerism. Lori Prussman is a valuable volunteer leader and has provided faithful services within the PTA for nearly 20 years. Ms. Prussman has served two terms as the St. Joseph PTA Council President. In that capacity, she has worked tirelessly promoting new schools and new technology and has patiently addressed hundreds of questions from concerned citizens. Ms. Prussman has been actively involved in leading PTA projects like the Character and Spiritual Scholarship and has worked to keep the organization solvent through the Major Savers Fundraisers. Thanks to Lori Prussman, the PTA manages to keep attention focused on advocating for children in the St. Joseph community. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Lori Prussman. She has made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Christi Norris of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Christi is active in the community through her work and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Woman in Support Services. As the Communications Manager for the Social Welfare Board, Christi's influence extends far beyond the organizing and daily operations responsibilities of her job. Christi has been responsible for developing successful fundraisers, putting together a quarterly newsletter, and promoting a cheerful atmosphere in the organization through birthday celebrations and productive staff functions. Christi's faith influences her work attitude and she is recognized as one who interacts with people of every age and socio-economic level with consistent charm and effectiveness. Christi demonstrates the high character coupled with high work standards which constitute a career worth imitating. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Christi Norris. She has made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Leechia Jones of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Leechia is active in the community through her work and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Woman in the Workplace. Leechia is humble regarding her numerous accomplishments she has earned through her leadership and dedication, which include the Communicator of the Year award from Southwestern Bell; the Sullivan Award from Catholic Charities, and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association for Community Leadership and from Leadership St. Joseph. Often called upon to help with new initiatives, Leechia extended her wisdom and leadership as coordinator for the St. Joseph Youth Alliance during its beginning phases, serving there as a loaned team member from Family Guidance Center for three years. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Leechia Jones. She has made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Diane Watson of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Diane is active in the community and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Woman in Volunteerism. Diane's recent retirement from the St. Joseph School District Board of Education ended more than 40 years of total service to the public school system as a teacher and volunteer, including 12 consecutive years as a Board Member. During her first term on the board, she helped lead a $36 million bond project for school improvement. In her later term, she helped with the establishment of personal computers for students. Diane's volunteer career extends across the community, including roles as a docent at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art; Chapter and Reciprocity President of P.E.O.; and an elder, deacon and committee member to the First Presbyterian Church. As Area Coordinator for Phi Delta Kappa, she traveled the western part of Missouri encouraging quality education. She has also contributed her time and talents to the Calla Varner Board, the Junior League, the Flower Society, the St. Joseph Symphony, and the Performing Arts Association, among others. With an enthusiastic personality and a ``can-do'' attitude, Diane Watson has become an outstanding community volunteer and an admired friend to many--all of which she humbly attributes to ``going wherever the Lord leads.'' Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Diane Watson. She has made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Susan J. Campbell of Susan J. Campbell Copywriting Solutions of Saint Joseph, Missouri. This business has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Employer of Excellence. Susan J. Campbell is passionate about her work and she takes every opportunity to ensure those who work with her are able to break into a similar passion. Balancing work and family is perhaps the greatest stand-out feature within the company. Susan sets the pace by working hard to build the company, encouraging co-workers, and reaching out in service to the community. Susan is involved in many service opportunities and invites co- workers to join in. Each year, Susan and her co-workers volunteer at the Royal Family Kids Camp, and Susan is always asking what more can she do to help. She goes above and beyond in her community and in her workplace allowing every employee and independent contractor to set his or her own work schedule. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Susan J. Campbell Copywriting Solutions. This business is a tremendous asset to the St. Joseph community, and I am honored to represent this business in the United States Congress.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 2, 2012, I missed a rollcall vote. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on No. 377.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 378, the Broun of Georgia Motion to instruct, I voted ``yea'' when I intended to vote ``nay.'' I apologize for any confusion and ask that the Record reflect my true intention.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, it has come to my attention that my amendment has a typo in it. It reads 2102 as the date. I ask unanimous consent that that be changed to 2012.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. I yield to the gentleman from Alabama.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment which would prohibit funds from being used to enforce a rule proposed by this administration. Under current law, certain spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens who are in this country illegally are not eligible to apply for a green card without first leaving the United States. These immediate relatives must travel abroad to obtain a green card from the Department of State and must also request from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services a waiver to the 3-year or 10-year ban that they received as a result of their unlawful presence. The DHS-proposed rule would allow illegals with U.S. citizen relatives to stay in the United States while the Federal Government decides on their waiver requests. Specifically, the rule allows illegals to apply for and receive a provisional waiver to the 3-year or 10-year ban they received. The rule would simply allow them to remain in the U.S. illegally. I'm a strong proponent of enforcing our current immigration laws, and this proposed rule allows illegals to circumvent Federal statutes that govern admission. It makes it easier for illegals to stay in our country unlawfully. The core impact of the proposed rule will be to encourage relatives of U.S. citizens to come to the U.S. illegally. All an illegal individual needs to do is apply for a provisional waiver from the 3- year or 10-year ban and then apply for a green card. What's even worse is if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services denies an application for a provisional waiver, ICE will not prosecute that illegal for being in the U.S. unlawfully. In fact, ICE announced in August 2011 that it would seek to dismiss the prosecution of cases of illegals who have applied for a green card. My amendment is going to block this proposed rule, known as the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. I think it's going to send a strong message to illegals that are in our country unlawfully, you're not going to receive any form of benefits or leniency from our government. My amendment also sends a message to this administration to start enforcing our current immigration laws, to support all efforts to control and defend our borders, and to stop giving breaks to those who have come to this country illegally. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, with that, I would urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment, which modestly reduces funding for the Missouri River recovery program. Since 2006, the Federal Government has spent more than $468 million on the Missouri River recovery program. This program is primarily intended to improve the ecosystem for the piping plover, the least tern, and the pallid sturgeon within the Missouri River basin. Projects funded through this program include shallow water habitat creation, land acquisition, and emergent sandbar habitat. It also supports unknown numbers of positions and departments within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Fish and Wildlife Service, generates thousands of pages of documents, and pays for numerous conferences and conference calls. Many of my constituents along the Missouri River have been flooded for the last several years due to mismanagement and misplaced priorities in the Federal Government. Congress practically writes a blank check for the Missouri River recovery program while providing far less than sufficient funds for levee maintenance and repair. This is unacceptable. It is also important to note that many projects funded by the Missouri River recovery program increase the chance of flooding by weakening flood protection systems. Further, a recent independent review of major initiatives of the Missouri River recovery program concludes that the current mitigation strategy does not mitigate losses of the pallid sturgeon, the least tern, and the piping plover, or the degradation of their habitats. So Congress is essentially spending millions of dollars on projects that are unproven. And at the very least, these funds are diverted away from critically important and proven flood mitigation projects. My amendment won't prevent future floods, but it will show those located in the Missouri River basin that Congress is serious about getting its priorities straight. My amendment does not gut the Missouri River recovery program--it's only a small reduction from the amount provided in the underlying bill. The underlying bill provides $71 million and my amendment reduces that to $50 million, which is consistent with the level of funding provided in 2008. I believe conservation is important, but we should not overlook what it is we sometimes sacrifice to achieve conservation. In this case, it is the livelihood of businesses, farms, and families. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, as I stated before, we are not gutting this program, we are just reducing the funding for it. For that matter, I might add that even if we zeroed this program out, it would have absolutely no effect on power intake systems, on power generation systems, on navigation whatsoever. But the fact of the matter is, and I've seen it, this money is spent to dump sand in the river so it can create more sandbars, to try to create more sandbars. It's used to buy more land, which takes land out of production. The fact of the matter is when we have trillions of dollars worth of deficits each year and trillions and trillions of dollars worth of debt, the last thing we need to be doing as the Federal Government is buying more land and dumping dirt in the Missouri River to create habitat. That's the bottom line: it's unacceptable, and this program needs to be reduced. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the rule, House Resolution 661, which allows for full and fair debate on the National Defense Authorization Act. Given that the Federal Government spends over half a trillion dollars each year through contracts, the Federal procurement market is incredibly important to small businesses. Improving small business opportunities for Federal contractors is a triple play. Small businesses win more contracts, workers win more jobs, and taxpayers win because small businesses bring competition, innovation, and lower prices to save the government money. H.R. 4310 ensures that small businesses have greater opportunities to compete. It increases the small business goal from 23 percent to 25 percent, which could mean up to $11 billion in new small business contracts. It improves the quality of the Federal contracting workforce. It cracks down on deceptive entities hiding behind small businesses, making it easier to catch fraud and abuse. It simplifies the rules for small businesses, and it addresses the top complaint I hear more than anything else, which is unjustifiable contract bundling. These reforms reflect the work of the Small Business Committee, which held 10 hearings and two markups on these issues, and the Armed Services Committee's own efforts to do better by small contractors. Over 20 trade associations have offered their support to the changes. I want to thank Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith, Mr. Shuster, Mr. Larson and their staffs for the assistance of bringing these provisions to the floor. While the House is seeking ways to expand opportunities for small businesses, the administration issued a statement opposing the bill's modest increase in small business goals in the bill's bundling provisions that make it easier for small businesses to compete. Ironically, this opposition came the same day that the administration issued a report seeking ways to move America's small businesses forward. The best way to move small business forward is to give them opportunities to succeed. Supporting this significant legislation will create jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and put small businesses back to work. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the pro-jobs, pro- competition, and commonsense reforms in this bill.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, tax season reminds us that small businesses are disproportionately affected by tax compliance and high tax rates. The Small Business Administration reports that the average tax compliance cost per employee for small businesses is almost three times the cost of larger firms. And according to the NFIB, tax issues are the single most significant set of regulatory burdens for most small firms. The Small Business Tax Deduction Act is simple, fair, and gives small businesses access to badly needed capital to invest in their companies while providing a little more certainty to help them plan for the future. As chairman of the Small Business Committee, I hear from small business owners every single week about their regulatory and tax burdens. Through our interactive Web page, ``Small Biz Open Mic,'' we have heard that tax policies may drive some small firms out of business. On Tuesday, Wendy Koller, owner of Koller Moving and Storage in Fort Smith, Arkansas, said: We are hesitant to hire new employees for fear of what new tax burdens await us with the expiration of the older tax law and the new health care laws coming. We are concerned that these new issues may be the ones that push us out of business. Last Saturday, Debbie Peacock, owner of a fabricating distributor in Mesa, Arizona, wrote: Any additional taxes will only stop any chance of a recovery, and the government needs to realize we need every penny to increase staff, which puts people back to work. I can go on and on and on with examples like these. Yesterday, our committee held a hearing on the flood of new taxes that are just around the corner, such as new taxes from the health care law and the massive tax increase that's going to occur if the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire. All of these measures could send the economy into a tailspin, costing thousands of jobs. That's why the Small Business Tax Deduction Act is necessary and is going to provide that tax relief for America's most robust job creators. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues support this bill.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to recognize the outstanding service of Jim Cole on the occasion of his retirement after 23 years of service to the State of Missouri and our veterans. Jim began his career as a Local Veterans Employment Representative for the Missouri Career Center in 1989, and in the 23 years that have passed since then, he has worked tirelessly to help our veterans find employment. Jim helps coordinate the largest career fair in the northwest region of Missouri, which is held in St. Joseph every year. In 2006, Jim was able to visit Washington, D.C. to receive the State Veteran Services Award from the Department of Labor for his hard work. Jim is also a veteran himself. Before he began his work for the Missouri Career Center, he served in the United States Navy two different times, first serving from 1972 1976, then again from 1977 1981. Jim worked as an Aviation Structural Mechanic repairing A-7 aircraft carrier planes. His life's dedication and hard work should serve as an example of how we can better serve each other and our great nation. Now that Jim will be retired, he will have more time for his other passions in life, namely, motorcycles. The biker dude will finally be able to ride into the sunset on his new Harley Softail, and take long camping trips with his wife, Elizabeth. As I understand it, Jim was hit by an older driver while driving a motorcycle as a teenager, and thought it would be funny to pretend to be in serious pain to scare the old man. Now that he will be the retired driver, I send him best wishes on avoiding a replay of that day. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in commending Jim Cole for his dedicated service to Missouri's veterans. I know Jim's colleagues, family and friends join with me in thanking him for his commitment to others and wishing him happiness and good health in his retirement.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Dr. Dennis Fisher on his retirement as the Superintendent of the Park Hill School District in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Fisher started his career in education as a Junior High Social Studies teacher in Papillion, Nebraska. He also served as the interim Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services at the Liberty School District in Liberty, Missouri. He began his time at Park Hill in 1999 as the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services before becoming Superintendent in 2005. Dr. Fisher has a total of 36 years of experience in education. Under Dr. Fisher's leadership, the Park Hill School District has achieved many awards. They became the first school district ever to receive the Missouri Quality Award and continues to receive the Distinction in Performance Award from the State of Missouri each year. Park Hill is one of the highest-achieving districts in the state, but Dr. Fisher has still pushed for continuous improvement through the years. Dr. Fisher has received many acclamations personally also. In 2011, he was named the Missouri Superintendent of the Year and received the Pierce Award, the Missouri Association of School Administrators' highest honor. In 2005, Dr. Fisher received the Missouri School Business Official of the Year award. He leads not only 10,292 students, 1,400 staff members, and an annual operating budget of $120 million, but also many organizations of his peers. He has served as President of the Missouri Association of School Business Officials, the Kansas City Association of School Business Officials, and the Greater Kansas City Administrators Association. He is also very dedicated to helping the community and has served on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Securities Investment Program, Synergy Services Inc, the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Platte County Economic Development Council, and the Parkville Economic Development Council. I have had the honor of working with Dr. Fisher over the last few years and have seen first hand his dedication to the education and development of students in the Park Hill School District. His commitment to the students, staff, and community is all-encompassing. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating Dr. Fisher on his retirement and in wishing him the best of luck in the years to come.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize Dr. Ed Golden for his outstanding service to his nation and his community. Dr. Golden has truly dedicated his entire life to serving others. He served in the United States Navy for ten years, where he served aboard four ships and two shore stations, and became a Vietnam combat veteran. After battling an addiction to alcohol, his two sons motivated him to turn his life around. He earned his Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, and a Doctorate in Theology from Southwest University. Dr. Golden became a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, as well as an ordained Unity Minister. He currently serves as Chaplain for the Inter- City Fire Protection District in Kansas City, the Blue Springs Police Department, and the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. He also serves as CEO of Operation Thermal Reunion, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that raises funds to purchase thermal imaging cameras for fire fighters. Dr. Golden has been nominated twice for Citizen of the Year by the local Chamber of Commerce, and twice for Volunteer of the Year by the Blue Springs Police Department. He was named Civic Leader of the Year in 2010 by the Missouri Municipal League, and has received two Lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Awards for his work in the community. Dr. Golden has served more than 38 years as a speaker in the field of Addiction Recovery throughout the United States, and he helped to write and teach the ``How to Cope'' program for families with an active substance abuser. He is the Founder of Celebration of Life Counseling & Consulting, and the author of The Unhooked Celebration, a book on nicotine addiction recovery. He has also been published in magazines and other periodicals. Incredibly, this is only a fraction of Dr. Golden's accomplishments. However, the accomplishment that he is perhaps most proud of is one for which he has never received recognition. During his time in the Navy, Dr. Golden moved up quickly in the ranks and eventually became the leading petty officer in the communications division for the USS Vermillion. Being the only person in the division who knew how to work the new electronic equipment, Dr. Golden spent two years writing a training program on shipboard electronics. Under his leadership, 13 of 14 of the radiomen who took the exam for the next rate had the highest scores in the fleet, and they received a nearly flawless inspection. He is extremely proud of the work that he did for the Navy, and he had expected to receive a commendation, as well as a Radioman First Class rating for his work. Unfortunately, he ended up receiving an honorable discharge and never received the honors that he had earned. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in applauding Dr. Ed Golden for his commendable service to the United States Navy. He poured his time, skill and heart into building a program that would serve his division well, and he deserves our gratitude. I also ask that you join me in recognizing the lifetime of service that he has demonstrated throughout his career. It is an honor to serve a man like Ed Golden in Congress, and I know his colleagues, family and friends join with me in thanking him for his commitment to others and wishing him happiness and good health in his future endeavors.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Zachary Michael P'Pool. Zachary is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 247, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Zachary has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Zachary has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Zachary has earned the Arrow of Light, 2011 Chieftains Award, Coup of the Long Trail Award and the God and Country Award. Zachary has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Zachary planned, managed and assisted in creation of a walking path 350 yards long, requiring 300 man hours, from Northview Elementary School to the school's nature area nicked named Coughlin's Corner. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Zachary Michael P'Pool for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.