Christopher Gibson

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. I thank my friend for yielding, and I am honored to join with him in support of this amendment. And I would say to my good friend from Pennsylvania, absolutely, and I believe I speak for my friend Mr. Garamendi as well, we think the program is working very well. We think it can work even better. We've got land trusts in my area of upstate New York that are highly confident. In fact, you know, I'll tell you that they played a major role in preparing me for this farm bill. I'm thinking of Teri Platchek out in Washington County, and Peter Paden from Columbia County at the Columbia Land Conservancy, and Ned Sullivan and Andy Bickening with the Scenic Hudson, Becky Thornton, Duchess Land Conservancy. These are folks that are passionate about finding that nexus between agriculture and tourism where conservation plays a key role; and, you know, their insight to me helped me influence this farm bill. They're ready to step up and be more involved. That's going to help. As my friend from California said, it's going to help us use our money in even a more efficient manner and to reach out more in this program. So I urge support of this amendment. This only allows States the authority. You know, it really empowers States to make this decision. I think it's a good choice, and let's do it.

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This is a bipartisan amendment addressing some underlying language in the bill pertaining to olive oil advanced by my good friends from California and Georgia who are here today to defend and to advance their olive growers. They are very proud of them. I just want to say how proud I am of their olive growers, as well, and also to address fraud. I want to also express my commitment to combating fraud as well. Regrettably, this underlying language misses the mark. In fact, it is going to significantly drive up costs. It is going to cost hundreds, in fact thousands, of jobs across America, including hundreds of jobs in my home State. I think it is important to focus in on what this underlying language does. We should face the facts that at least at the moment 98 percent of the olive oil that we consume in America is imported from overseas. In fact, we've got hundreds of jobs in New York State that deal with that. But 98 percent of the olive oil is imported. The underlying language will require 100 percent of that 98 percent to be chemical- and taste-tested at the port. Now you have about 5 to 8 percent that's spot checked. We're talking about going to 100 percent. I don't even think the United States Government has the capacity to do that. I certainly would fear if it ended up with the capacity to do that. Look, the way that we should deal with fraud is strike this language. We should look to the FDA for standards. We did this in New York. We have standards in New York. The olive oil distributors are certainly complying with it. They were part of making it come about. But what we've done in this underlying bill, I want to make sure it is very clear that this is going to drive up costs for all of our consumers, millions of dollars according to the CBO, and we are going to end up crushing jobs. With that, I want to reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. GIBSON. At this time, I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hanna).

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. GIBSON. I yield my last minute to my good friend from New York (Mr. Grimm).

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. I thank the gentleman from Washington. I am honored to be offering this amendment with him. From our Bill of Rights, the Fifth Amendment: no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process. From our Sixth Amendment: the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial. That is the supreme law of the land. Evidently, we have some ambiguity based out of the 2001 AUMF. So, clearly, we need to offer this amendment here today, and I rise in strong support of it. We think about the founding in that period, shortly after the Revolution, and remember the fact that we had Americans who at the time did not support the Revolution. There were a lot of hard feelings in the immediate aftermath of the war, but the one thing that united everyone was the way that we arrayed our institutions--to check absolute power--and, further, to check the power between the Federal and the State governments. Of course, underpinning all of that was the Bill of Rights, the Bill of Rights that unites all of us--united us then, unites us now. That's why I think it is very important that we bring clarity to this matter, that we pass Smith-Gibson and that we ensure that we bring clarity to the situation, which is that our Bill of Rights is the supreme law of the land.

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is very simple. It strikes the language in section 1251, which pertains to Syria--a very serious subject that's been talked about here this evening. In my view, we should be debating this in regular order, and there should be a stand- alone resolution that deals with Syria. You know, this language that we have in the underlying bill, the intent of it I understand, it was supposed to deal with the weapons of mass destruction in Syria, the control of them. That would be one thing. But I just want every Member to understand what's in the underlying language. Subsection b, subsection 1: President Obama should fully consider all courses of action to remove President Assad from power. That sounds a lot like unilateral action for regime change to me. Subsection 5: The United States should continue to support Syrian opposition forces with nonlethal aid. I don't remember authorizing any aid to begin with, much less continuing. Subsection 8: Should the President decide to employ any military assets in Syria, the President should provide a supplemental budget request to Congress. Well, yes on the supplemental budget request if it ever comes to it. But should the President decide to employ any military assets, that's for us to decide, not for the President. So, Mr. Chairman, I have concerns. I certainly understand the initial intent. It is my strongest recommendation that we strike this language, that we work together on language that is more suitable for an NDAA, and then, if desired, to have broader discussion with a separate resolution if somebody wants to move forward with regard to action in Syria. I would say that I oppose military action in Syria, but I certainly think there should be voices. We should have Representatives speaking for their people. And I hope that we learn. You know, in 2011, I came here very concerned about Libya. I spoke out against military action. We ended up taking military action. I was concerned that we would empower forces hostile to us. And I regret to say on September 11 of last year, we ended up with a situation in Benghazi that we all are very saddened by. I want to see us learn from this, and I certainly want to see us strike this language. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Chairman, I'll yield myself about 20 seconds, and then I'm going to yield to my good friend from California. I just want to say in response that, with regard to planning, absolutely. I know our military forces are always in the process of planning. Standing with Israel, absolutely. But I just would remind my colleagues to read the language in here. This is inappropriate for an NDAA. It is not in our interest to be affirming this language. At this point, I'd like to yield to my good friend from California (Mr. Garamendi).

Mr. GIBSON. I would like to yield my remaining time to my colleague from Minnesota.

Mr. GIBSON. Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GIBSON. I thank the chairman. And I thank the gentlelady from Alabama (Mrs. Roby) for bringing the bill. I have an amendment, but I first want to say that I support the underlying bill. I take a look at the fact that almost 30 years ago, right here in these halls, in bipartisan work, Democrats and Republicans worked together here, led by the Democratically controlled Congress, and worked with the President--then President Reagan--to provide comp time for State and local workers. What we're doing today is taking that same concept and extending it out to the private sector. I reflect on my constituents. I think about the busy lives that all our workers have, and I think about how challenging it is to bring balance to those lives. I think this is an important concept to bring forward, to think about those who are pursuing higher education, mothers and fathers that are looking to bring balance to the workplace, but also to raising their children, and how important that is for our families, for individuals, and for our country. So I think it's important that we extend this concept to the private sector. Now, I have friends who have concerns, and we've heard some of the concerns here today. I have reflected very extensively on those. I will tell you that what I see in this bill--and the chairman actually, I think, summed it up very well just moments ago--is, first and foremost, that this is a choice for the worker on whether or not they want to join this program. I recognize that there are arguments that are concerning on that score. But also, if the worker decides to enter the comp time program and decides to take comp time and then something unexpected happens where they choose to change their mind, there are provisions in this bill where the individual can notify their employer, and within 30 days the business needs to pay the employee. So as I reflect on the wording in this bill, I think there is a balance. But I also recognize that there are still concerns out there, and I want those voices to be heard. So this is the purpose of my amendment. I think we should hear from our government, hear from the GAO to talk about the implementation on how well it's going. This amendment says that after 2 years of implementation of this law, that the GAO would report out to us on how well that's going, and also provide us data if there are abuses and what's being done about those abuses. So I see this as yet another protection to ensure that as we look to extend this concept from the State and local governments, that we have protections in there to ensure that our workers are having justice. So I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBSON. I just want to say that the gentleman from Connecticut is somebody whom I've very much enjoyed working with. I think he is a very thoughtful Member. I consider him a friend. I have listened very carefully to his comments and certainly will give him further consideration. I still believe that this amendment will be helpful. At this point, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Alabama (Mrs. Roby).

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

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the start of Building Safety Month, specifically in recognition of the expertise, leadership, and influence of the International Code Council (ICC). The ICC develops and publishes the building safety, energy efficiency, and fire safety model codes used throughout the United States, as well as in many other nations. Over the past year, we have had several sobering reminders about the effects of properly-enforced building codes. When Hurricane Sandy devastated New York, New Jersey, and several other states, we were reminded of how much we rely on these vital safety standards in mitigating damage and loss of life. Reports after Sandy and other natural disasters show that the loss of life and property damage would have been considerably worse had modern building codes not been in place and enforced. For these reasons, I want to congratulate the leaders of the ICC who sponsor Building Safety Month. These leaders include Ronald Piester, the Director of New York State Division of Code Enforcement and Administration, Stephen D. Jones, Construction Official for Millburn Township, New Jersey, and Guy Tomberlin, Code Specialist for Fairfax County, Virginia. These professionals also act as the President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer of the ICC's Board of Directors. ICC's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims will join them in Washington, DC this week to discuss the critical need for the adoption and enforcement of current building codes in order to maximize our safety. I would also like to thank the thousands of men and women who work every day to make sure our buildings comply with building and fire codes. Their work, largely unseen and often unnoticed, is critical to keeping Americans safe. The model building codes, produced by ICC, allow every community in the United States to share the advantage of building codes that are adaptable to local conditions, but at the same time incorporate the very latest research, materials, and building practices. This is achieved in a private-public partnership, saving local jurisdictions from bearing the significant cost of code revision, updating and coordination. These model codes are produced with the input of thousands of local officials as well as the building industry and represent a consensus on what the minimum safety requirements are for various building types, all developed without using federal taxpayer funds. In fact, the Architect of the Capitol maintains the safety of this building, and all congressional office buildings, following the requirements in the current International Building Code. During May's Building Safety Month, I recommend that all of my colleagues aim to reach out to building code and fire officials from their districts to learn more about the great work they do in ensuring the safety of the American people and infrastructure through building code compliance and enforcement. Thank you again to the hard working members and leadership of the International Code Council.

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. And it's a great privilege to rise today in support of this bill. I'm proud to represent Cooperstown in upstate New York, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Baseball, America's pastime, is something that unites us and I think also something that engenders hope throughout our country, the feeling that we all have in April, the possibility that our team could go all the way and win the World Series, something, indeed, that unites us. A coin is a fitting way to honor the Hall of Fame and also help our efforts for tourism in central New York. And this bill and this coin are able to do all that at no cost to the taxpayer. I might also say that this competition where we now have children from across the country that are involved in this competition to provide the best design is, I think, going to kindle even more support for baseball. And so I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I thank Mr. Hanna for his leadership and the chairman for the opportunity to speak this morning in support of it.

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents in New York's 19th Congressional District to commemorate the life and work of John W. Jackson or, as he became known, Bud Fowler. Bud was born in Fort Plain, NY in 1858 and grew up in the famous baseball community of Cooperstown, NY. As an African American in a segregated America, his race often prohibited him from participating in the same leagues as his white counterparts. Despite this challenge, he made a name for himself as the first African American baseball player to participate in organized leagues. Beginning as a pitcher, Bud soon excelled in all positions of the game, most notably at second base, which he preferred. He played in several leagues in the second half of the 19th Century and the beginning of the twentieth. This included playing, coaching, or organizing for Binghamton in the International League, Keokuk in the Western League, Lansing in the Michigan State League, and various black ball clubs, including the Page Fence Giants, Cuban Giants, the Smoky City Giants, and the All-American Black Tourists. Bud is recognized as having the longest professional baseball career for an African American prior to Jackie Robinson. He is an incredible role model for all Americans, displaying what can be accomplished beyond all hurdles faced in life. I am proud that I will have the opportunity to attend Cooperstown's upcoming recognition ceremony of this great American on Sunday, April 21, 2013, when a street leading up to Doubleday Field will be renamed ``Fowler Way.''

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Team Leader Captain Benjamin Harrow of The United States Army, 7th Special Forces Group, Green Berets. On May 15, 2012 while out on patrol, an IED explosion almost left Benjamin mortally wounded. Losing both of his legs and sustaining numerous other life threatening injuries he has come back from the dead. Already in such a short time his recovery is at full speed ahead. With the help of his and her family and his lovely wife Gina and son Peyton, he has found the strength and inspiration to heal. Spend a little time with Ben, and you will understand why he became Team Leader of one of our Nation's elite members of The Special Forces Group 7. Ben is a graduate of The United States Military Academy at West Point. He was a star lacrosse player for Army. I submit this poem penned in his honor by Albert Caswell. Harrowism! A hero! And from where do they all so come? Men of honor, who so walk upon battlefields of death . . . as Thy Kingdom Come! And all of those who from out of the ashes, rebuild their lives with not much left who have begun . . . As when they come back home all in this most magnificent quests! Indeed, these are but America's most heroic of all sons who so bless! Who so go off to war where angels so fear to tread . . . Who for all of us heroically have so died, and bled! And come back home so very close to death! To somehow lift up their fine heads! All in what their most magnificent hearts have so said! Armed, with but only their Harrowism which so beats within their chests! As from out of all of this darkness, they must now so pass that test! To so summon up, all of the courage and the strength To But Be The Best! Oh what A Special Force this is no less! As they come back home so cheating death! As we so watch all in such awe as we lose our breath! As they rise up to so teach us all about Harrowism no less! As high above all others they now stand so yes! Heroes! Because, Heroes come in all shapes and sizes! But, it's what's within their great hearts that which so comprises! But who they are! Moving all out into that darkness of death all at light speeds, as their fine hearts so crest! As out across a nation, a mother now so weeps in her sorrow . . . All because for us, her most precious son gave up his tomorrow's yes! For they lead! And we will follow! And ah yes, for these are but such a special breed who in pity will not so wallow! And then there is a special breed, The Special Forces! A SPECIAL FORCE of nature so complete! As all throughout their veins their most heroic blood beats! The ones who the enemy so fears, and so heed's! Who upon battlefields of honor bright, come all at them fast breaking all at such speeds! The ones who can not so be checked, by any enemy! Whose most selfless souls, now so make the angels weep! As we so pray to our Lord, to watch over them to keep! And for all of those ones, who must now come back home on this night . . . Who must now begin their new most gallant of all fights . . . All on that hard road to recovery, as we watch their brave hearts so ignite! Men without arms and legs, who so teach us all about faith! Whose families, so give to them the strength to meet each new coming day! Who now so stand with tears in eyes! As before them all in pieces their loved ones lie! As these Heroes so touch our hearts and souls, with but all of their most amazing grace as we behold! To so show to this our world how Angels are made! For these are men of such courage and conviction! And of such undying faith we are so witnessing! Rising up from the ashes, Who All In The Game of Life so lead the way . . . All in what their most precious lives have to say! And, from out of all our Nation's Academes . . . But, have come our Nation's very best! Magnificent men and women, who all so live and die to so make a difference no less! Fast breaking on battlefields of honor and in hospital beds, all at light speeds with their fine hearts and heads which can not so be checked! Whose Harrorism, our hearts so bless! And whose fine families must bare the greatest of all burdens so yes! Because, The Special Forces . . . are but everything that Superman so wishes he could be! Who come back home without arms and legs, to so teach us how men of honor behave! As we so watch them rebuild their lives, when they but lie just moments away from the grave! As ever onward they so stride, with but tears in their eyes! As their gaits have gotten stronger, as their days have gotten longer! Reaching for the highest of all heights, as do they! Benjamin, an American Harrow! And as a Captain and a Team Leader of Special Forces, whose heart and soul runs so very deep as through him so course's! A man who is Army Strong! Whose fine life is but like a song! A song of God and Family, and all about his beloved Country Tis of Thee . . . To a place where valor and faith all so meet! As West Point, would so anoint such a hero who lives on! The kind of man that General Mahollen, would so love to march along! Whether, on fields of green . . . or as a lacrosse player you were seen! Or on battlefields of honor bright, Big Ben would always lead! For he was built for honor, and he was built for speed! As a winner In the Game of Life, and in all of his deeds! The kind of man that even General MacArthur, as a hero would so concede! As Big Ben, America's son you live by such a fine heroes creed! A Real American Harrow, who upon all of us your light we so see . . . As it was on that fateful day, when IED Ben almost took your most heroic life away . . . As when you awoke, as what to your most heroic heart spoke! As upon your face, your most heroic tears were invoked to fight on that day . . . All for the love of your life . . . your lovely devoted wife Gina, and that future lacrosse player son Peyton you chose to stay! Rising up from the ashes as would you so Green Beret! As once again, your strong heart is leading out in front the way! All out on that rocky road to recovery! All in what your Harrowism has so to say! To So Teach Us! To So Beseech Us! To So Reach Us, and Grab Our Hearts in every way! Because, Real Heroes Hearts Never Fade! Oh, what a Special Force Ben you are in so every way! And if ever I had a son, I wish he could be as half as courageous as this one . . . Who so stands more than a man in today! Because Big Ben you've got the ball, and you are fast breaking to recovery . . . So we better clear out, and get out of your way! As we so watch this Special Force called Harrowism, and so see of what you are made! Showing us all, that arms and legs we all need! But, we can get by! But, without a most heroic heart we will so surely die! Better To Die For Something, or lose your strong arms and legs . . . Then, live for nothing in regret in your last days! Better To Be An American Harrow In Life, and Lead The Way! Because in Heaven, you need not arms or legs . . . And that's where Big Ben you are going one day! In these, the moments of our lives . . . what have we've so done and so strived? Will we be the ones to courage find? Will we have the right stuff to go so very deep down inside? To walk through the valley of death, or come back home with but not much left . . . And somehow new mountains so climb! Could we be a Hero's Hero? And be the ones to such Harrowism find? As Big Ben, an American Hero who so shines!

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Epilepsy Foundation and two remarkable constituents of New York's 19th Congressional District. Recently, Fiona Carroll of Averill Park and Angelina Dutcher of Glasco had the distinction of being named Northeastern New York's Winning Kids of 2013. This is a noteworthy accomplishment and shows their dedication to fighting epilepsy. Every year, the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York names two individuals to represent all of the children throughout our region who suffer from epilepsy. Through this designation, Fiona and Angelina will attend special events and fundraisers to raise awareness of and to fight this terrible disorder. Additionally, both will receive a scholarship to the summer camp of their choosing. These two young ladies are incredible individuals and should serve as role models for us all. Fiona is an avid recreationalist and nature enthusiast. She also participates in the Girl Scouts of America, the Averill Park Youth Soccer League travel team, and uses her spare time to try to help others who are less fortunate, including recently cutting and donating her hair to the charity Locks of Love. Angelina is also an unbelievably driven and hardworking individual. She plays various sports and trains in martial arts while attending the 4th grade at the Windham-Ashland-Jewitt School. I am very proud to have such extraordinary individuals as constituents of the 19th Congressional District. Congratulations Angelina and Fiona. I look forward to working with you both and the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York to combat epilepsy.

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. Madam Chair, I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Schrader, for offering this amendment. I rise in support of it. Madam Chair, we're only about 3 weeks away from the specter of sequestration, always meant to be a forcing function for us to come together to get a grand agreement. And what this amendment says is the President should use the framework, the Simpson-Bowles framework, as a starting point to get that conversation going. You know, the President said, when he initiated that fiscal commission: For far too long, Washington has avoided the tough choices necessary to solve our fiscal problems, and they won't be solved overnight. But under the leadership of Erskine and Alan, I'm confident that the Commission I'm establishing today will build a bipartisan consensus to put America on the path toward fiscal reform and responsibility. Madam Chair, last year, Cooper-LaTourette--we offered a bipartisan budget that was inspired by Simpson-Bowles, although we modified it some. What I'm asking the President to do is to come forward, to recognize this commission as a starting point, so that, once again, we can come together so we can address these unsustainable deficits. So I'm proud to support this amendment, and ask my colleagues to support it.

Mr. GIBSON

Mr. GIBSON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the legislation. Indeed, as was intimated moments ago, in the summer of 2011, my district was struck by Hurricanes Irene and Lee. We came together as a body to support my constituents; and with that assistance provided, we are in the process of rebuilding--and still rebuilding, I might add. Now we come together in the wake of this devastating natural disaster, Sandy. My State, along with our neighbor States, was struck again. Making certain that our communities have the resources they need has brought me to the floor today again to advocate for New York families, businesses, and farms. Today's vote is a step forward, the National Flood Insurance Program exists for circumstances like this, but more remains. We must come together at the outset of this legislative session to address both the immediate recovery needs and the longer-term rebuilding efforts. I'm committed to this recovery effort. I'm proud of the work our delegations have achieved to date. We need to continue that. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for bringing this bill to the floor today, and I urge my colleagues to support it.