Paul Gosar

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I am fully in favor of this bill. Particularly, last week, when my colleague Andy Biggs and I took a bunch of our colleagues down on the border, we were assailed by our Border Patrol not having adequate weapons and not having enough bulletproof vests and light armor. A lot of times, these guys are carrying shielding that is 35 pounds. In the hot summer, your body temperature can rise very quickly above that. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill. It is a good bill. I encourage my colleagues to vote for it.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to remember the 29th anniversary of what is known as Black January. This month, 29 years ago, the Soviet Union sent its Red Army into Azerbaijan to violently put down a growing independence movement. The 26,000 Red Army troops attacked peaceful demonstrators in the capital city of Azerbaijan, Baku. The attacks killed more than 130 civilians, left over 700 wounded, and another 800 people were imprisoned. The U.S.S.R. had hoped the sudden strike and violence of action would send a message to not only the Azeri people but to millions of others under the oppressive Soviet thumb. The message was clear: dissent will not be tolerated. The Soviets underestimated the resolve of the freedom-loving Azeri people, and their actions galvanized the population. The people would continue to push for freedom and democracy, and the Parliament formally declared it on August 30, 1991. Since then, Azerbaijan has been a crucial ally of the U.S. in the region, even providing troops to serve with U.S. forces in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Azerbaijan plays a key role in Europe's energy security by shipping natural gas to Europe. I urge my colleagues to recognize the 29th Anniversary of Black January and the sacrifices of the Azeri people.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman said, we had a tour this weekend in which eight other Members plus Andy and I had actually gone on this 2- day border tour. We spoke with the Border Patrol agents, ranchers, and law enforcement officials; and during our tour, we heard, firsthand, the destruction and the dangers that came with open borders and loopholes in our immigration laws. Ranchers told their stories about the day-to-day reality of illegal aliens using their land as drug and human trafficking routes. They walked us through how these criminal organizations used their open borders and their land to make billions. Now, let's look at the statistics. In 2017, more than 49,000 Americans died from heroin and opioid- related overdoses. And we are just startin to see the intrusion of the synthetic fentanyl for which you don't get second chances. It is so toxic, that even a dose as small as a grain of salt given to somebody can kill them. Ninety percent of the heroin in our country comes from the southern border. This weekend, I stood on the soil that thousands of illegal aliens walk to smuggle these deadly drugs into our country. We also spoke with Border Patrol, who shared their stories detailing changes that have occurred, particularly in the last 10 years. They noted that one of the biggest changes they are seeing is the shift in the illegal aliens' attitude. Instead of fleeing, they are fighting. Illegal aliens have become emboldened by the advocation of open borders the Democrats have promoted. Now, over the last 5 years, we have seen a 2,000 percent increase in the asylum claims. We have seen a 50 percent rise in family units coming to our southern border. Ninety-eight percent of those family units will stay in our country. Think about this. They will be turned in to our country; they will never come back to a court order, staying in our country. So it is very important to hear that 98 percent of these family units will stay in our country. This isn't just lawmakers in Washington saying they have a crisis at our southern border; this is people who live the reality of this every day. These are the ranchers and individuals whose livelihood has been taken from them because open border advocates have chosen to protect illegal aliens instead of the citizens they represent. Republicans have taken action and provided a solution; Democrats have not. Ignoring this crisis diminishes the Americans and migrants who have fallen victims to the crimes committed by illegal aliens or are harmed because of illegal drugs flowing across the border. Our job is to protect our own citizens, our country. The President's proposal echos the very need Border Patrol agents tell us firsthand they need: We need a wall, and we need it now.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, oh, absolutely. The ranchers told us over and over again. One of the ranchers was working on one of his backhoes on his property. He turned to look and a well-armed illegal is sitting there with an automatic weapon. Over and over again we see this, time and time again. We have the Border Patrol telling us, over and over again, that what they see is they will see a mass of undocumenteds that are family units or undocumented children. They have to take their resources and attach them to those people, allowing the drug cartels to swiftly move in another point of reference. It is big country, as the gentleman from Virginia got to see. There is lots of space, that goes north and south that have the advantages of cover. In fact, if I am not mistaken, the gentleman can actually tell the story of our last stop in Nogales and what happened right in front of us over the border.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Phoenix, Arizona and Taipei, Taiwan. Additionally, I would like to congratulate Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-Je on his successful reelection. For the past 40 years, Taipei and Phoenix have shared a commitment with the goal of promoting cross cultural understanding along with municipal and technical cooperation and business opportunities. This bond has enabled people-to-people relationships between the residents of Phoenix and Taipei. The program has also offered opportunities to our youth who want to broaden their knowledge of different cultures. Taipei's Mayor Ko Wen-Je has been a strong advocate of the program and I commend him for his continual support. I would like to take the time to show my appreciation to the Sister City Program for its positive impact on Arizona's economy. The program has helped to form international understanding and goodwill between our two nations. I look forward to continued dedication between these great cities. It is my honor to wish these two cities a happy 40th anniversary and congratulate Kon Wen-Je on his victory.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for yielding. Mr. Speaker, a study came out earlier this year that said the opioid epidemic today is deadlier than the Vietnam war in 1968. That study found that opioids had cost our country more than 1.7 million years of life. Those are moments of joy, family, and community that are lost irrevocably. And as we move into the Christmas season, it is worth thinking about the millions of American families dealing with addiction and overdose tragedies. We have done a great deal in Congress to try to fight the epidemic, from beefing up grants, to tougher law enforcement, to fixing the pain medication guidelines, to cracking down on bad actors in the pharmaceutical industry. But we have not addressed the immigration issue, which is central to the crisis. The book, ``Dreamland,'' written by veteran L.A. Times Reporter Sam Quinones, provides one of the most definitive accounts of how we got to this grim place we are today. It details how Mexican nationals south of Arizona pioneered a new model of drug distribution, decentralized and customer centric, that successfully flooded our towns and cities with black tar heroin just as the availability of prescription opioids was ebbing. Our porous border was the lynchpin of that model in two ways: One, it allowed traffickers to be caught by police, to be deported, and to reenter the country, ensuring an unbroken stream of illegal labor for trafficking organizations; Two, it allowed drug dealers to display their ill-gotten gains at home in Mexico, gaining status in their towns by poisoning our people. That is above and beyond the simple fact that an insecure border allows massive amounts of drugs to be smuggled into our country. Make no mistake, we are under chemical attack. Fentanyl is so potent that even a small amount, the equivalent of a few grains of salt, can be lethal. Earlier this year, police seized enough fentanyl to kill 26 million Americans. Securing the border is a matter of life and death. We have got to build the wall. This amendment that we are talking about here would provide the $5 billion that the President has asked for and ensures that he has the legal authority he needs to get it done. Let's back the President and the American people here in the House today and put the wall money in the funding bill. It is not going to happen under Nancy Pelosi, that much is certain. Now is the time. This is the bill, and this is the body, and we are at the right place. The American people can't afford any more delay.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Abraham Lieberman, who just recently announced his retirement. Dr. Lieberman has been a practicing neurologist for over 50 years, working at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, for much of his career. Dr. Lieberman dedicated his life to the treatment and eradication of Parkinson's disease, treating over 40,000 patients, including Muhammad Ali. He wrote six books on Parkinson's, including ``100 Questions & Answers About Parkinson's Disease,'' the best-selling book on that disease. His work has done an immeasurable amount of good in furthering the treatment of Parkinson's and to help create a much greater quality of life for those who have the dreaded disease. I am pleased that the Barrow Institute has created a way that people can honor Dr. Lieberman by setting up the Lieberman Legacy Fund so individuals can donate money towards Parkinson's research and treatment. I wish Dr. Lieberman a long and happy retirement with his wife of 50 years, Ina, his 4 children, and 10 grandchildren. Dr. Lieberman's pursuit to conquer Parkinson's has endeared him to his patients, with his personalized touch to each and every one of them. He has become an iconic pillar of excellence in medicine. Your patients are so grateful. Thank you, Dr. Lieberman.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Harvey Skoog of Prescott Valley, Arizona, who will be retiring next month after a long career of public service. Mayor Skoog has served the community of Prescott Valley for almost three decades on the city council, 19 years of which he served as mayor. Along with his many years of public service, Skoog is known for his pride and appreciation for his family. He moved with his family from the Valley of the Sun to Prescott Valley in 1982. He and Edna, his wife of 60 years, have 9 children, 61 grandchildren, and 43 great grandchildren. During his time as mayor, he has received many honors, including serving on the League of Arizona Cities and Towns executive board and as the chairman of the Greater Arizona Mayors Association. He was also appointed by Governor Jan Brewer to the Homeland Security Senior Advisory Committee for the State of Arizona. Outside of public service, Mayor Skoog has been a successful small- business owner, developing three accounting practices in the Prescott Valley area. Mayor Skoog has been a shining example of a true public servant and an outstanding friend to me and my staff over my years in Congress. I wish him well in his retirement and thank him for his service to the Prescott Valley and the entire State of Arizona.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge support of H.R. 6784. Our Federal wolf policy has gone rabid. From a policy standpoint, we are foaming at the mouth. As chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I have been trying for years now to return some sanity to the way the Fish and Wildlife Service classifies and manages our wolf populations on Federal lands and otherwise. Make no mistake, everyone who votes for Mr. Duffy's bill are big supporters of making sure wolf populations are robust, sustainable, and healthy for the next century and more. This bill is about fixing a Federal failure. Wolf populations across the country have made impressive gains and recovered quite nicely despite Federal involvement rather than because of it. I have seen this firsthand, whether it comes to specific habitat listing decisions, or the rate at which the government adapts and responds to new situations on the ground. The Federal Government has been sluggish and out of touch when it comes to managing and recovering wolf populations. But the wolf has, nevertheless, persevered. It is now considered recovered by all relevant measures and metrics evaluating its status. As a consequence, this bill makes necessary adjustments. It removes the species from the endangered list, as required by the statute for any recovered species, but empowers States to manage their unique habitats and populations in accordance with their storehouse of expertise and local knowledge. State management plans developed for wolf populations are the antidote to repeat Federal blunders, both for this species and quite a few others. But for now, we are talking about the wolf and the fact that this bill will put States at ease. We need to stop jerking their chain and hand them the reins. If we do, the wolf will have the best chance of continuing to make steady gains range-wide. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H.R. 6784.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan).

Mr. GOSAR. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6666, introduced by Congressman Daniel Donovan, is an essential piece of legislation that will protect human life and property in coastal New York from devastating hurricanes and storm surges. Hurricane Sandy was one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in our country's history, tragically killing 162 people and causing $70 billion in damage. Staten Island, New York, was especially hard hit. H.R. 6666 seeks to ensure this type of devastation does not happen again. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue an easement across the Gateway National Recreation Area for the construction of a seawall to protect coastal residents and infrastructure. The plan for this seawall was developed by the Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the State of New York as part of a coastal storm risk management plan. The National Park Service, which operates the recreation area, supports this necessary project. I thank Congressman Donovan for his good work on the bill, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6666) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to grant to States and local governments easements and rights-of-way over Federal land within Gateway National Recreation Area for construction, operation, and maintenance of projects for control and prevention of flooding and shoreline erosion.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5706 will bring increased recognition to two important World War II sites in Hawaii. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, will never be forgotten. Over 2,300 sailors, soldiers, and civilians lost their lives that fateful day the United States entered World War II. Five sites in Hawaii have been designated memorials, including the USS Arizona, the USS Oklahoma, and the USS Utah. Receiving over 1 million visitors each year, these serve as places of reflection and remembrance as well as tombs of honor for the crew members who remain there. The creation of the sweeping World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in 2008 incorporated the five Hawaii sites, along with three locations in Alaska and one in California. H.R. 5706 would establish the areas in Hawaii as the Pearl Harbor National Memorial as a distinct unit of the National Park System, giving it the full recognition this hallowed site deserves. This new designation will not affect the existing management of the area in any way. H.R. 5706 would also redesignate Honouliuli National Monument as a National Historic Site. This site was the largest and longest used World War II confinement facility in the Hawaiian Islands. By war's end, over 2,000 people of Japanese ancestry were interned there--the majority of which were American citizens. The boundaries and management of the site will not change with the enactment of H.R. 5706. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5706) to establish the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in the State of Hawai'i and the Honouliuli National Historic Site in the State of Hawai'i, and for other purposes.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo).

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2615, introduced by Congressman Steven Palazzo of Mississippi, authorizes the National Park Service to convey to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5699 1.54 acres located within the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Jackson County, Mississippi, in exchange for a 2.16-acre parcel of land owned by the VFW Post. This bill benefits both the VFW Post and the Park Service. It provides the VFW Post with permanent access to their building via a long driveway currently owned by the Park Service, while also adding land to the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Like many of my colleagues from Western States, I represent rural counties that are growing quickly but are hitting roadblocks due to the large amount of Federal land in them. Yavapai County in my district is no different. My bill, the Cottonwood Land Exchange Act, is a commonsense land exchange between the Forest Service and Yavapai County that would allow the county to expand a park by adding new trails and bridges for the residents of Cottonwood to enjoy. In exchange for 80 acres in the Coconino National Forest, the county has offered to the Forest Service nearly 370 acres of land adjacent to the forest. This land is habitat for the endangered Arizona cliffrose, and the exchange will allow for better protection and conservation of the rose and other sensitive species. H.R. 6146 is truly a win-win for both the residents of Yavapai County and the Federal Government at no cost to the taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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