H. Griffith

Mr. GRIFFITH

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

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's comments and recognize that they did plus it up a little bit. But when you look at the folks that I represent and the thousands of folks who have lost their jobs in the mining industry, we have to do more. We have to do more. Everybody likes to talk about we are going to help, we are going to transition. But some of my counties, quite frankly, what are you going to transition them to? There are no great roads. We should work on that as well. Frankly, we have got trees and mountains. Recently, one of my counties had to build a new high school because all of their high schools were in the floodway. We had two pieces of land that were flat enough to build the high school on in the entire county. So when people say transition, I always say: What are you going to do when you don't have the land to build factories and you don't have the resources to do something else? They have always done mining. They can continue to do mining. Let's meet and compromise here and put research money in so that they can continue to mine, continue to have jobs, and we can have a cleaner burning fuel, but still use our coal. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, this is a fairly simple amendment, and it is a commonsense amendment. While the technologies could also be used that this amendment will plus up for natural gas or oil, I will focus my attention on coal because that is what happens in my district predominantly. Over the last several years, as many of us know, there have been numerous burdensome regulations on the coal industry and industries that burn coal. The very least we can do is to make sure that coal-fired power plants and others dependent on coal, among those most heavily targeted, have the technologies necessary to meet the standards being imposed on them. In recent months, I have had many conversations and discussions with a number of folks in southwest Virginia, but also folks at the Department of Energy, about ways that we can better do the research necessary to make clean coal technology available. One thing is very clear. There is a future for coal, and it lies in many ways in the technologies being researched and supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy Research. We would love to get parity. This amendment doesn't bring us to parity, but it gets us a little bit closer. My amendment would simply add $45 million for fossil energy research and development from the energy efficiency and renewable energy account for the purpose of aiding clean coal technology. Now, just so you understand, the research money for energy efficiency and renewable energy would still be at $1.775 billion and the research money for fossil fuels, including coal, would only get plussed up to 690. So you still have a greater amount of money by a little bit more than 2 to 1 going to other energies besides the fossil fuels. Some of the key power providers in Virginia have made it clear that coal will continue to be a part of their strategy for a long time to come. Dominion Power, at a recent conference that we had, indicated that, by 2030, they expect that about 30 percent of their energy production will be from coal. American Electric Power indicated that about half of theirs in 2030 would still be from coal. Now, what we have to do is we have to make sure that we get our technologies in line to make sure that we can continue to burn coal, but burn it in a cleaner fashion. While there are various clean coal technologies currently in development, they will not be ready for commercial use for years to come unless we change the timeline. So my amendment would change that timeline. It will shorten that time by putting more money into research for clean coal technologies. So we have two intersecting interests here. Let's figure out a way we can keep the jobs, particularly in southwest Virginia and central Appalachia, and also burn coal more cleanly. My amendment gives us a ray of hope, a step forward, to keeping those high-paying coal jobs, at least some of them--we have lost thousands in the last few years--but keeping those jobs while also finding ways to burn the coal more cleanly. This amendment will support both of these goals by ensuring additional funding for clean coal research. That research can also be used in natural gas. My favorite is chemical looping. This is a reasonable approach, and I hope that the body will adopt this amendment. I appreciate that the underlying bill does provide a slight increase in fossil fuel energy research over last year's level. But when you are losing as many jobs as my district has, you have to fight for everything you can get. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to honor the life of Thomas ``Tommy'' Baker Jr., who passed away on April 15, 2016. Tommy was born on October 3, 1956 in Radford, Virginia He graduated from Radford College and the Washington and Lee School of Law. He served as the town attorney in Dublin, Virginia, and ran his own law practice there for many years. Additionally, Tommy served in the General Assembly from 1990 to 2000. Dublin Mayor Benny Skeens, a friend of Tommy's since both were in high school, told the Roanoke Times, ``[Tommy] had probably one of the brightest minds, as far as municipal law goes, of anyone I've known. . . . He taught me so much.'' Mayor Skeens also said, ``Anything that's happened in the town of Dublin in the past 20 years, Tommy had his hand in it.'' I went to law school with Tommy, and also served in the Virginia House of Delegates with him. Tommy's son Jefferson told the Roanoke Times that his father's love of Pulaski County and of public service transcended party politics. I would agree. Additionally, Tommy was a fun-loving practical joker, and he kept the entire House entertained. As Mayor Skeens said, Tommy ``. . . was one of those people, when he walked in the room, the atmosphere changed. . . . He brightened people up.'' I am saddened by Tommy's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Tommy's parents, his son Jefferson, and the rest of his family.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday, April 18, 2016, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Tom Bowers. Tom is a Commonwealth attorney for the city of Salem, Virginia, who today, in a formal award ceremony at Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters, is receiving the Richmond FBI's 2015 Director's Community Leadership Award for his efforts to organize a Heroin Prevention Initiative in the Roanoke, Virginia, area. Regrettably, the growing epidemic of heroin use is a plague on communities throughout the United States. Addressing this nationwide problem will require expanded coordination and involvement by local, State, and Federal governments, as well as law enforcement agencies and healthcare professionals. I applaud Commonwealth Attorney Bowers and those working for him on the Heroin Prevention Initiative for their efforts to combat the heroin epidemic by bringing awareness to the pervasiveness of prescription drug and heroin use among youth in our area and helping to alleviate the damage to our community. Others involved in this important work in this initiative include the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, the Prevention Council of Roanoke County, the Virginia State Police, the City of Roanoke Police Department, the Vinton Police Department, and the Roanoke County Police Department. I also would note, of course, that Tom Bowers represents the city of Salem, and the city of Salem folks are involved as well. Congratulations to Commonwealth Attorney Bowers on being presented the Richmond FBI's 2015 Director's Community Leadership Award.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in recognition of Tom Bowers, Commonwealth Attorney for Salem, Virginia, who today in a formal awards ceremony at Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters is receiving the Richmond FBI's 2015 Director's Community Leadership Award for his efforts to organize a Heroin Prevention Initiative in the Roanoke, Virginia area. According to the Washington Post, in the first three quarters of last year, 244 people in Virginia died of heroin overdoses. This is an increase from 239 deaths the year prior. More locally, in a study by the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition of middle and high school students, one in 14 students admitted to using heroin. Regrettably, the growing epidemic of heroin use is a plague on communities throughout the United States. Addressing this nationwide problem will require expanded coordination and involvement by local, state, and federal governments as well as law enforcement agencies and health care professionals. I applaud Commonwealth Attorney Bowers and those working with him on the Heroin Prevention Initiative for their efforts to combat the heroin epidemic by bringing awareness to the pervasiveness of prescription drug and heroin use among youth in the Roanoke area and helping to alleviate damage to our community. Others involved in this initiative include the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, the Prevention Council of Roanoke County, the Virginia State Police, the City of Roanoke Police Department, the Vinton Police Department, and the Roanoke County Police Department. Congratulations to Commonwealth Attorney Bowers on being presented the Richmond FBI's 2015 Director's Community Leadership Award. I commend him and others on the front line of the ongoing fight against heroin and prescription drug abuse in our community.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, this bill, like the others before it dealing with dams, deals with a dam in Alleghany County, Virginia, the Gathright Dam project. It, too, was given a license. It, too, for various reasons amongst the agencies in the company seeking to build a hydroelectric dam or add to the project there, has not met the time constraints. This bill would extend that for up to 6 years. I would ask that we adopt it. I would point out that this project would be a run-of-river project. In other words, it is not going to change the flow of the river in any way. With that being said, Mr. Speaker, I ask that this bill be passed by the entire House.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, like the previous bills, this is a dam project in which the license was issued, but for various reasons, the timeline has expired or is about to expire, and this would give it up to an additional 6 years in which to get the project completed. This, like the other one I mentioned, is also a run-of-river hydroelectric project, which means it won't change the flow of the river. None of the sports and recreational activities will be affected negatively in any way. This is located in Dickenson County. It is the Flannagan project. I ask the House to approve this extension.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I have to tell you that I am really surprised that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle aren't supporting this civil liberties amendment. Clearly, they have misinterpreted the amendment. First of all, it only applies if somebody is lawfully transporting a gun--where it is lawful in State A to another State where it is lawful. If you are going to be on a trolly car or on a cable car, you have to be transporting that gun from one State to another and it has to have been lawful to begin with and lawful at the terminis. It is only in the interim that that would be an issue. I would say to the gentleman that this is not about any kind of personal lawsuits against law enforcement officers. It says the court shall award attorneys' fees against the local government or the State that is prosecuting the individual. I would also say to the gentleman that it is only for wrongful arrest. I practiced criminal law for 28 years. There is a huge difference between detention, which my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have alleged this bill would affect, and arrest. This bill does not do one single thing. They are simply mistaken on detention. It doesn't do anything. If you want to stop somebody, if you want to investigate, he may miss his flight. Arrest means one has been placed into custody, has been taken down to the station, has been booked, and is having to post bond. That is what this bill deals with. When someone is wrongfully arrested, when he has been following the Federal law, he should, in fact, have his attorneys' fees restored to him. It is reasonable attorneys' fees. It is not whatever--the sky and the Moon--the attorney might ask for. A court determines if they are reasonable attorneys' fees. This is just a small measure to make sure that when somebody makes a mistake and a local government goes forward with a prosecution, that you get some of that back. We are not paying you for being in jail. We are not paying you for being arrested. We are not paying you for having your rights taken. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, this is a civil liberties amendment. It clarifies and strengthens existing Federal law. The amendment is necessary, unfortunately, because while the underlying law protects a traveler who is transporting a firearm under the Federal regulations that the firearm has to be locked in a proper container and out of the reach of the person if he is in a car, et cetera, in one's traveling from State A to State B, sometimes on the way from State A, where the gun is lawful, to State C, where the gun is lawful, one must pass through State B, where the gun may or may not be lawful. What we have found is that, notwithstanding the fact that it is lawful in State A and is lawful in State C and is protected by Federal law while being transported, some State and local governments have decided that they are not going to follow the Federal law, and they end up arresting the otherwise law-abiding traveler. We have examples of this. It is not just that they are out and are necessarily looking for the traveler, but there are circumstances that occur. One example that happens fairly frequently is that an airline passenger has done everything he is supposed to have done in that he has followed all of the security rules. Then, for reasons beyond his control, his flight in State B is missed. So he has traveled lawfully and he has checked his gun lawfully, he has done everything he is supposed to have done, but when he gets to the layover terminal, his flight is either already gone or it has been canceled. In one case in particular, the gentleman was told ``you need to go a hotel. Take your bags. Come back the next morning.'' When he went back the next morning, he was arrested by State law enforcement individuals because his gun was not legal, notwithstanding the fact that he had done everything he was supposed to have done. In another very tragic situation, a gentleman was traveling from New Jersey to South Carolina. He was a veteran, so he stopped off in Washington, D.C., at Walter Reed, to see one of his doctors. He was lawfully transporting the firearm under Federal law and he was arrested. Now, while most of these cases end up getting worked out either as a misdemeanor or by some other arrangement, it is still a great impediment on the traveler to use the Federal law lawfully. This amendment says if that happens, if one is stopped by the State or the local government, that the prosecutor in that State or local area must prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt that this individual was not following the Federal law. It sounds like a pretty reasonable American principle. If it is determined that the traveler was lawful and was actually arrested and has to go to court to defend himself, the court will award attorneys' fees to that individual. We are just trying to make him whole. We are not paying him for the time he served in jail. We are not paying him for the fact that his vacation plans or his travel plans were disrupted. We are just saying that there ought to be something that tells the local and State governments that you ought not do this again or you are going to pay this gentleman or this gentlewoman her attorneys' fees. To me, that is taking care of civil liberties and is making sure that the people who are following the law are not wrongfully arrested without their having any recourse. I see this as a civil liberties amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of Mr. Madison Marye, who passed away on February 23 at the age of 90. Madison was a longtime state senator from Montgomery County, and I had the honor of serving in the Virginia General Assembly with him. Though we disagreed from time to time, he was always a gentleman and a person I liked very much. Madison loved the communities of Shawsville and Elliston where he grew up. Madison joined the United States Army, and served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War before he retired as a major, which he said is further than he ever expected to have advanced in the military. He returned to Elliston to farm, and he opened a gas station as well. In 1973, Madison ran for and was elected to the Virginia Senate. While in Richmond, he served on various committees but was most proud of his seat on the Senate Finance Committee as well as his service on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Without a doubt, Madison, for decades, was a feisty legislator and fierce advocate for his rural constituency. Madison is survived by his wife Charlotte; his daughter, Charlotte Hawes and husband Michael; his son, James; four beautiful grandchildren, Madison Tyler, Jim, Julia, and Emily; and one great-granddaughter, Romina. Madison was a great, memorable personality and a good man. He will be fondly remembered and missed by many in Shawsville and the greater New River Valley. While I note with great sadness Madison's passing, I am confident that his legacy will live on. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of Abigayil Clark, a Bland County High School senior who has also been with the Bland Fire Department for a little more than two years. Remarkably, this young woman recently saved the life of a fellow firefighter, Zeke Harman. The Bland County Messenger newspaper reports that around midnight on January 21, the two were among a group of firefighters responding to a fatal house fire. Harman began attacking the fire with the heavy fire hose, with Clark close behind. All of a sudden, Clark says, Harman abruptly turned off the hose before stumbling a few steps and falling directly into the fire. Clark attempted to help Harman out of the fire, but quickly realized he was not going to get up on his own. She then picked him up and carried him approximately 15 feet before taking off their masks. Upon doing so, she observed that Harman was unconscious and not breathing. She was preparing to begin performing CPR when Harman regained consciousness. Harman and Clark then recognized they were close enough to the burning residence that, if it were to collapse, they both would be injured. Clark again picked up Harman and helped get them both to safety. ``If it wasn't for her, I don't know what I would have done, honestly,'' Harman said. ``I'm grateful, very, very grateful.'' The newspaper reports Harman's tests at the Wythe County Community Hospital came back normal, and that both returned to running calls as members of the Bland County fire and rescue squads the very next day. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Abigayil Clark for her bravery in this situation. It is clear this young woman responded in fine fashion, and truly rose to the occasion. I thank her for her efforts, and also thank Zeke Harman, their fellow firefighters, and other emergency personnel for their important work to help keep safe those in their communities.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Coach Frank Beamer on the occasion of his retirement as the head football coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University--more commonly known and fondly known as Virginia Tech--located in Blacksburg, Virginia, as Coach Beamer concludes his highly successful career. For almost three decades, Coach Beamer has been a tremendous leader in Virginia and a mentor to hundreds of student athletes. In 29 seasons under Coach Beamer's leadership, Virginia Tech football has enjoyed unprecedented success, notching 237 wins, three Big East championships, four Atlantic Coast Conference championships, and the opportunity to play for a national championship. His ``Beamer Ball'' style of play has led Virginia Tech to become one of the Nation's most respected college football programs. In 1999, Coach Beamer was named the consensus Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year. Coach Beamer's first postseason berth as head coach at Virginia Tech was a trip to the 1993 Independence Bowl game, which resulted in a victory for the Hokies. It was only fitting that Coach Beamer ended his coaching career with a 55-52 victory over the University of Tulsa in the 2015 Independence Bowl, capping off a school record 23 straight postseason bowl games. Raised a short drive from Blacksburg, in Hillsville, Virginia, Coach Beamer graduated from Hillsville High School, where he earned 11 varsity letters as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He went on to attend Virginia Tech as an undergraduate and started 3 years as a cornerback, playing on the Hokies' 1966 and 1968 Liberty Bowl teams. While attending Radford University to receive his master's degree in guidance, he began his coaching career in 1969 as an assistant at southwest Virginia's Radford High School. From there, he went on to work as a graduate assistant at Maryland for 1 year, followed by the Citadel for five seasons, where he was defensive coordinator for two of those. In 1979, Coach Beamer joined Murray State University as defensive coordinator and was named head coach in 1981. In 1987, he made his way back to his native southwest Virginia to take the reins at Virginia Tech. He has brought honor to southwest Virginia and Virginia Tech by always being the consummate Virginia gentleman and a darn good football coach to boot. He has devoted his time and passion to the teams he has coached as well as the greater southwest Virginia community. In fact, in 2004, he was presented with a Humanitarian Award by the National Conference of Community and Justice for his contributions to fostering justice, equity, and community in the Roanoke Valley. As evidenced by his incredible success, Coach Beamer has much to be proud of and can look back on an honest and accomplished career. His passion for coaching led him to achieve what many coaches only dream of. He has positively shaped the futures and touched the lives of the Virginia boys and girls that he has dealt with--particularly, the boys on his football team--and has made us a better State. This is truly the great measure of a great coach. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to help commemorate the career of a remarkable man. After 29 years of dedicated leadership to Virginia Tech and the greater community, I would like to thank Coach Beamer for his service. I wish him and his family all of the best in his retirement.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Coach Frank Beamer on the occasion of his retirement as the head football coach of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), located in Blacksburg, Virginia, as he concludes his highly successful career. For almost three decades, Coach Beamer has been a tremendous leader in Virginia, and a mentor to hundreds of student athletes. In twenty nine seasons under Coach Beamer's leadership, Virginia Tech Football has enjoyed unprecedented success, notching 237 wins, three Big East championships, four Atlantic Coast Conference championships, and the opportunity to play for a national championship. His ``Beamer Ball'' style of play has led Virginia Tech to become one of the nation's most respected college football programs. In 1999, Coach Beamer was named the consensus Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year. Coach Beamer's first postseason berth as head coach at Virginia Tech was a trip to the 1993 Independence Bowl game which resulted in a victory for the Hokies. It was only fitting that Coach Beamer ended his coaching career with a 55-52 victory over the University of Tulsa in the 2015 Independence Bowl, capping off a school record 23 straight postseason bowl games. Raised in Hillsville, Virginia, Coach Beamer graduated from Hillsville High School where he earned eleven varsity letters as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He went on to attend Virginia Tech as an undergraduate and started three years as a cornerback, playing on the Hokie's 1966 and 1968 Liberty Bowl teams. While attending Radford University to receive his master's degree in guidance, he began his coaching career in 1969 as an assistant at Radford High School. From there he went on to work as a graduate assistant at Maryland for one year, followed by the Citadel for five seasons, where he was defensive coordinator for two of them. In 1979, Coach Beamer joined Murray State University as defensive coordinator and was named head coach in 1981. In 1987, Coach Beamer made his way back to his native Southwest Virginia to take the reins at Virginia Tech. He has brought honor to Southwest Virginia and Virginia Tech by always being the consummate Virginia gentlemen and a darn good coach to boot. He has devoted his time and passion to the teams he has coached as well as the greater Southwest Virginia community. In 2004, he was presented with a Humanitarian Award by the National Conference for Community and Justice for his contributions to fostering justice, equity, and community in the Roanoke Valley. As evidenced by his incredible success, Coach Beamer has much to be proud of, and can look back on an honest and accomplished career. His passion for coaching led him to achieve what many coaches dream of. He has shaped futures and touched lives in Virginia and the nation that extend generations. This is the true measure of a great coach. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to help commemorate the career of a remarkable man. After twenty nine years of dedicated leadership to Virginia Tech and the greater community, I would like to thank Coach Beamer for his service. I wish him and his family all of the best in retirement.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and Representative Bob Goodlatte, I submit these remarks in honor of the life of Mamie Vest of Floyd and Roanoke, Virginia. Mamie was born on August 9, 1938, and was the youngest child of Deputy Sheriff William Lewis Phillips and Cordova Quesenberry Phillips. Though a native of Floyd County, Mamie's career in art was launched by an internship in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Delmar Studios photography business. She returned to Roanoke, where she went on to enjoy her career in advertising, design, and public relations. She also married the love of her life, Earl Stewart Vest. Mamie worked as a graphic artist for Roanoke Engraving, became director of art services at Brand Edmonds Advertising, and--by the age of 28--founded her own independent business, Mamie Vest Associates. Additionally, Mamie also served as a legislative aide in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, as well as a long-time advisor to Representative Goodlatte. Between the 1970s and 1990s, Mamie created and directed advertising for over 80 local, state, and federal Republican campaigns. She was a talented and fierce trailblazer and, in recognition of her work in advertising, Mamie won the American Advertising Federation's Silver Medal Award in 1982. In addition to being politically active, Mamie was an active member of our community. She was an active member of the Roanoke City Sign Ordinance Committee, served as Chairman of the Roanoke City Arts Commission, and served as the Roanoke Valley Coordinator for the Virginia Bicentennial Commission. Mamie also was appointed by Governor Linwood Holton to the Consumer Credit Study Commission, by Governor John Dalton to the Advisory Committee on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, and by Governor George Allen to the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Regrettably, Mamie passed away on November 17, 2015. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, her granddaughter Sedona Marguerite Hanks, as well as her sister and brother-in-law, George and Ruth Heafner of Greensboro, N.C., Helen Mabry of Cherryville, N.C.; sister-in-law, Barbara Vest of Maryland. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Mamie Vest was dedicated to her work and her family. She had a tremendous impact on our community and, though she will be greatly missed by many, she will long be remembered. We are both honored to have called her a friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mamie's family and loved ones. May God give them comfort and peace.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, today I commend Regina Meredith, Salem High School's counseling coordinator, who was recently named Counselor of the Year by the Virginia Counselors Association. Regina studied at Radford University, where she earned her bachelor's degree as well as two master's degrees. She began her career at Carroll County High School, where she taught English. Regina also worked in Hillsville, Roanoke, and Christiansburg as a special education teacher. She began her counseling career in 2000 in Christiansburg, where she also taught English, prior to joining the staff at Salem High School in 2005. In 2012, Regina was named Salem High's teacher of the year, and in 2014 she was named the Roanoke Area Counseling Association's Member of the Year. ``Regina is an exemplary educator and her work ethic, her professionalism, her innovation and, most importantly, her love for and service to others are models for both students and her colleagues,'' said Salem High School principal Scott Habeeb in the Roanoke Times. ``Without a doubt, we meet the needs of Salem's young people more effectively as a result of Regina Meredith's influence on our school.'' I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Regina Meredith for her years of dedication to our nation's young people. I appreciate her hard work, and congratulate her for this tremendous accomplishment.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to commend the Radford High School girls volleyball team, which recently captured the Virginia High School League 1A state title. The Bobcats rallied from behind for the win, sweeping the last three games in order to beat a valiant team from Auburn High School in Montgomery County by one game. According to the Roanoke Times, this is Radford's first volleyball state championship since it won the AA title in 1984. I applaud the hard work by all members of this year's Radford High School girls volleyball team, and congratulate the administrators, teachers, coaches, parents, students, and fans. In particular, I would note the efforts of coach Robert Morris, who announced after the match that he is resigning with the completion of this season. Congratulations on a great end to this season.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam, who was recently approved by the Virginia Municipal League to serve as its president for one year. ``My theme as president is `Live Local,' '' Rordam said in a statement released by the Virginia Municipal League. ``This means everyone should support our local businesses, schools, and neighborhoods. It's how we support our citizens. And, within that broad concept, I will focus on ways we can influence education affecting our youngest citizens to give them every advantage to succeed in the future. To have strong communities, we must have a work force that is flexible and nimble. Early childhood education is one of the most important keys to ensuring that our localities can compete for those future jobs.'' I congratulate Mayor Rordam on this accomplishment, and look forward to continuing to work with him and other local officials in an effort to further the growth of our area's economy and improve its quality of life.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 639) to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to drug scheduling recommendations by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and with respect to registration of manufacturers and distributors seeking to conduct clinical testing, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to congratulate the 2016 Virginia Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Natalie DiFusco-Funk. She is a fifth-grade teacher at West Salem Elementary School in Salem, Virginia, where my two sons attend school. According to press reports, DiFusco-Funk earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education and her Master of Education at Boston College, and in 2013, earned her National Board Certification in Literacy. She is a 12- year veteran of the classroom who has been teaching in Salem City Schools for five years. Previously, she taught in Botetourt County as a reading specialist and also taught in schools in Massachusetts. ``Natalie is an exceptional teacher and a consummate professional who positively changes the lives of young people and facilitates the growth and development of her colleagues,'' said Salem Superintendent H. Alan Seibert. DiFusco-Funk, who has said she felt called to teach since she was in fifth grade, is the first Salem City Schools teacher to have earned this recognition. She will now compete to be the National Teacher of the Year. She said, ``I told my students--like Spider-Man says, `With great power comes great responsibility,' and so it is my responsibility to represent the field of education well and to speak on behalf of all the teachers of Virginia, and take it to the White House.'' On behalf of many in the district, I thank Mrs. Natalie DiFusco-Funk for all she has done for our area, and congratulate her for this hard- earned recognition and praise. Best wishes for many more years of success.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I would ask that members of the Virginia congregation join me here in the well. Madam Speaker, colleagues, along with my fellow members of the delegation from the Commonwealth of Virginia, I rise today with a heavy heart. On the morning of August 26, we were shaken by a tragic incident during which WDBJ7 journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward were killed in an act of senseless, heartbreaking violence. Vicki Gardner, head of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, was seriously injured in the shooting. She has recently been discharged from the hospital and continues her recovery. Alison Parker was 24 years old. She graduated from Martinsville High School, attended Patrick Henry Community College, and went on to James Madison University's School of Media Arts and Design. After she graduated, Alison joined the news team at WCTI 12 in North Carolina before, last year, landing a job reporting for the Mornin' Show at WDBJ in Roanoke, where she worked on the news team with Adam. It is a TV station that broadcasts into her hometown and into Adam's hometown. Adam Ward was 27. He grew up in Botetourt, but was described as ``truly a Salem Spartan, born and bred.'' He started attending school at Andrew Lewis Middle School in the seventh grade, later playing football for Salem High. Adam fulfilled another dream by attending Virginia Tech and becoming a proud member of the Hokie Nation. Alison and Adam were cheerful, hardworking, exuberant, and much-loved members of the WDBJ family who are and will continue to be missed. Our community is grieving and coping. We are asking for comfort and healing. We are reflecting on Alison's and Adam's lives while also praying for Vicki's ongoing recovery. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my colleagues from the Commonwealth, and our community in a moment of silent prayer.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of Grayson County Administrator Jonathan Sweet, who was recently named 2015 County Leader of the Year by Penton Media's ``American City and County'' magazine. As is noted in the magazine's story, ``Sweet started his professional career as the Director of Economic Development of Carroll County, Va., and then served Danville, Va., in their office of economic development. Sweet then moved to Bland County, Va., to become County Administrator at the age of 24--one of the youngest in the state to hold that position. However, he was tied to Grayson [County], where many of his friends and family lived. It's where he felt most at home.'' Jonathan returned to Grayson in 2009 to serve as County Administrator and began addressing several difficult challenges, among them returning financial stability to the county and encouraging the growth of jobs and the economy. ``As the furniture industry shrank and textile jobs moved overseas, the county really began to suffer, ultimately hitting an unemployment rate of 14.6 percent,'' Derek Prall wrote in the magazine. ``By the time Sweet came on board, the county had taken on $18.3 million in debt, and was relying on credit to stay afloat.'' He immediately began working at the tasks at hand. In part because of Jonathan's efforts, ``Grayson county went from one of the most financially challenged and distressed counties in Virginia, to becoming one of the most financially stable and well managed in the region,'' David Sexton, Chairman of the Grayson County Board of Supervisors, told the magazine. Further, the magazine notes, ``The unemployment rate now stands at 6.9 percent, less than half of what it was at its peak.'' Jonathan Sweet is a hardworking, dedicated, and passionate public servant, and I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating him on being named the 2015 County Leader of the Year. I commend Jonathan for his accomplishments and for his ongoing efforts to make Grayson County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.