Colleen Hanabusa

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2888 establishes the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park in the State of Missouri. Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, is a small town on the banks of the Mississippi River that was established by French settlers in the mid- eighteenth century. Due to its unique collection of French vertical log architecture, the town was designated as one of the Nation's first National Historic Landmarks in 1960. In 2016, the National Park Service completed the special resource study and determined that the area exemplifies an important aspect of American history not adequately represented and protected elsewhere, therefore, meeting the suitability criteria for inclusion in the National Park System. This site went through the process and has fulfilled all the criteria for becoming a new unit of the National Park System. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out something that we do not normally see in the Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee of Natural Resources, and that is the people of Ste. Genevieve feel so strongly in what they do that they actually came to support those testifying in time-sensitive dress. As we looked at the various photographs of what they do to preserve their town, they were there before us in those same costumes. This is how serious the people of Ste. Genevieve are of the preservation of their site. Mr. Speaker, for those reasons, I urge my colleagues to please support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2371, the Western Area Power Administration Transparency Act will help foster greater transparency and promote public confidence in the Western Area Power Administration, also called WAPA. WAPA is a critically important Federal agency that helps deliver power to nearly 40 million Americans across 15 States. This bill would establish a 7-year pilot project requiring WAPA to publish information online detailing the rates charged to customers for power and transmission service. The legislation would also require WAPA to publish a detailed accounting of all expenditures, capital costs, and staffing costs by region and at WAPA's headquarter office. Finally, the legislation directs WAPA to publish information on the amount of unobligated balances the agency retains each year. For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to send my warmest aloha to Admiral Lloyd R. ``Joe'' Vasey who turned 101 years old on January 31, 2018. Admiral Vasey was born on January 31, 1917 to Commander R.C. Vasey, USN, and Mabel Anderson Vasey in Vallejo, California. A graduate of Belmont High School in Los Angeles, California, he was an Apprentice Seaman in the U.S. Naval Reserves in Los Angeles when he secured an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Admiral Vasey subsequently received a Master of Arts from Stanford University and an honorary Doctorate from the University of Hawaii. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Vasey joined the Navy's submarine service. During World War II, he served aboard the USS Gunnel where, in his own words: After successfully attacking a convoy of enemy ships in theYellow Sea between Korea and Japan, the American submarine USS Gunnel was worked over by Japanese anti-submarine warships during a 36-hour ordeal, with explosions from depth bombs periodically jolting the submarine severely. After surfacing at midpoint during darkness to replenish the foul air, Gunnel was sighted and attacked by gunfire from the three warships. While submerging again, Gunnel torpedoed one of the three warships which was rapidly closing at close range. Several hours later with depleted air and battery power and no other option but to surface, the Commanding Officer, Lieut. Commander John S. McCain, Jr., USN, called his officers together and all agreed to fight it out in a surface gun battle with the enemy warships rather than surrender. While climbing the 22 foot vertical ladder to the bridge hatch while surfacing, Vasey thought to himself ``there has to be better ways to resolve international disputes'' and he vowed that if he survived, he would one day strive to do something about it. In 1972, Admiral Vasey retired from the U.S. Navy after serving as chief strategist (J-5) under Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., then Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command. In 1975, in support of his initiative to identify better ways to resolve international disputes, Admiral Vasey sought to establish a forum in the Pacific under the auspices of the private sector for a continuing trans-Pacific dialogue and consultation among the developing and developed countries of the Pacific area. Later that year, the ``Pacific Forum'' was formally incorporated as a non-profit think tank and Admiral Vasey toured the Pacific seeking support for the forum. Over the next 14 years, Pacific Forum was instrumental in proactively identifying emerging issues and facilitating dialogue between and among U.S. officials and Asian leaders. In 1989, Pacific Forum merged with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), one of the nation's most influential foreign policy think tanks. Admiral Vasey retired from Pacific Forum CSIS in 1990, and today he still serves as a Senior Adviser for Policy and Vice Chairman of the Pacific Forum. Admiral Vasey is truly a shining example of''the greatest generation.'' Although Admiral Vasey accomplished more than most in life, his work to remind us of our past in order to inform our future remains unfulfilled. For years, Admiral Vasey has advocated for the establishment of a memorial at Pearl Harbor to honor service members who lost their lives throughout the Pacific during World War II. In his words: There is no recognition of the brave Americans who were lost in the Pacific War . . . They are resting on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean somewhere, or their remains are scattered across the South Pacific islands. We need to honor them, and their families need a place to mourn. From 1941, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, through 1945, our nation suffered over 150,000 casualties in the Pacific. Last year, Congressman Rob Bishop and I introduced H.R. 4300, the Admiral Lloyd ``Joe'' Vasey Pacific War Commemorative Display Act, which would realize Admiral Vasey's vision. This bill would establish a Pacific War memorial at Pearl Harbor, nearby the USS Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri. H.R. 4300 passed the House a few weeks after introduction by unanimous consent with 89 bipartisan cosponsors. It is my hope the Senate passes H.R. 4300 very soon. Admiral Vasey's endless patriotism, devotion to duty, and desire to promote peace continue to be an example for us all. Happy 101st birthday, Admiral Vasey, and may you continue to have fair winds and following seas.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I am closing by asking that our colleagues support this great bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2897 authorizes the District of Columbia and the National Park Service to enter into cooperative management agreements for the operation, maintenance, and management of the National Park System units in the District of Columbia. Cooperative management agreements are effective tools used throughout the National Park System that lead to creative partnerships that enhance programming and management capacity. As we will hear from Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia and the National Park Service have worked out an agreement to update Franklin Square that will revitalize an area in an important quadrant of downtown. This bill simply provides the city with authority to execute the agreement. In addition to Franklin Square, H.R. 2897 has the potential to foster cooperation that will enhance many of the small urban parks found throughout our Nation's capital. Mr. Speaker, this is a win/win, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I just would like to ask all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1532, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Land Reaffirmation Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized Tribe in Alabama. The Tribe was administratively recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1984 and, thereafter, acquired trust land in both Alabama and Florida. However, like other Tribes recognized post-1924, the status of Poarch Band's trust lands have been under legal attack due to the ramifications of the 2009 Supreme Court Carcieri decision. The Tribe currently maintains several facilities for use of its members on its trust lands, as well as owning and operating two casinos. H.R. 1532 would simply ratify and reaffirm this trust status of the Poarch Band's lands, protecting the lands against further litigation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support adoption of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I am just going to close by saying that I request that all of our colleagues vote to support H.R. 1107, Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1107 is a bill cosponsored by the entire Nevada delegation that will enhance both economic development opportunities and the conservation of public land in Pershing County. First, I want to mention that this bill will designate over 130,000 acres of wilderness. This is a significant conservation victory and I would like to congratulate everyone who has worked on making this a reality. In addition to the wilderness designation, this bill establishes a process to exchange or sell up to 400,000 acres of Federal land throughout Pershing County. I understand that the BLM and other interested parties have raised some concerns with the appraisal process set up in the bill. Unfortunately, we were not able to address these concerns at markup, but I hope we can continue working with our colleagues in the Senate to make any necessary changes to the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 117 designates a peak in the Beaverhead National Forest as the Alex Diekmann Peak. Alex Diekmann was a renowned conservationist who lived in Bozeman, Montana, not far from the Beaverhead National Forest and the peak that will soon bear his name. As a senior project manager for The Trust for Public Land, Mr. Diekmann dedicated his professional life to protecting the natural and scenic resources of the northern Rockies. His conservation legacy is apparent throughout Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, where he was directly involved in the conservation of more than 100,000 acres of public and private lands. At the age of 52, Mr. Diekmann lost a heroic battle with cancer on February 1, 2016. To honor his enduring legacy, this bill renames a peak in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness in Montana as the Alex Diekmann Peak. This is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by encouraging my colleagues to vote in support of the naming of Alex Diekmann Peak in S. 117. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the passage of H.R. 3979 extends the authorization of volunteer and educational programs on the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service. This bill highlights the importance of community partnerships and volunteers and the value they bring to our public lands. In 2016, refuge volunteers donated 1.3 million hours, which equals $30.6 million of labor value. Volunteers are critical for the daily operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System and other Federal lands. I know, in many cases, visitors would not have access to these unique places without the participation of volunteers and other partners. I serve as ranking member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, where we held a hearing on this bill in November and heard testimony from the National Wildlife Refuge Association about the importance of sustaining the volunteer program. I am pleased we can work in a bipartisan fashion to move this important message through the House. I commend the sponsor, Representative Jeffries of New York, for his hard work and dedication to this issue. This is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries).

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Hawaii and the veterans of the Pacific war, I speak today in support of H.R. 4300, the Admiral Lloyd R. ``Joe'' Vasey Pacific War Commemorative Display Establishment Act, which will establish a Pacific war memorial at Pearl Harbor. Pacific Historic Parks, a nonprofit organization based in Honolulu, will design and build the memorial in coordination with the National Park Service. The project will not require Federal funds, and I am grateful for their partnership. My sincere thanks to my friends and colleagues, Congressman Rob Bishop, for joining me in introduction of this bill, and working with Ranking Member Raul Grijalva to ensure its swift consideration by the Natural Resources Committee. ``Thank you,'' ``mahalo,'' to our over 990 cosponsors who built bipartisan support for this measure. I understand it will pass by unanimous consent later today. Seventy-six years ago today, Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, pulling our country into World War II in the Pacific. The Pacific Theater was the scene of fierce fighting, and more than 150,000 U.S. casualties on the Philippines, Guam, the Solomon Islands, and many places in-between. Brave Americans lost their lives in defense of our Nation. Today, at Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona symbolizes the start of the war, and the USS Missouri marks its conclusion. But there is no memorial recognizing the experiences and sacrifices of those who fought in the Pacific. Admiral Vasey served on the USS Gunnel during the Pacific war, and it is his vision that we are realizing with this memorial. After fighting for his country, he dedicated his life to the pursuit of peace in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to his service in the U.S. Navy, he founded the Pacific Forum Center for Strategic and International Studies--CSIS. Admiral Vasey served as the Senior Adviser for Policy, Pacific Forum CSIS; the former chief of strategic plans and policies for the U.S. Pacific Command; and the Secretary to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Admiral Vasey is 100 years old, and he will turn 101 on January 31, 2018. He carries with him the memories of those lost in combat and the honor and responsibility of the veterans who survived. Hopefully, with passage of H.R. 4300, Admiral Vasey and the remaining survivors will find some peace, knowing that the fallen soldiers will be properly honored and future generations will visit the memorial and learn of the battles that they fought. We must share their stories of sacrifices in the hopes that we prevent future generations from waging war and participating in the historical racism that resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans, including both of my grandfathers. This spirit of American history must not be forgotten. The lessons were hard, but they helped shape a better nation. This country owes Admiral Vasey and the members of the Greatest Generation a heartfelt ``thank-you,'' ``mahalo.''

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2611, introduced by Representative Hill and cosponsored by civil rights pioneer and legend, Representative Lewis of Georgia, amends Public Law 105-356, which established Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. H.R. 2611 would modify the park's boundary and expand the park's authority to enter into cooperative agreements. The proposed boundary modification would include seven privately owned residences on South Park Street, consisting of 1.47 acres. The cooperative agreement authority provided by the bill will allow the National Park Service to give financial and technical aid to the property owners to preserve the facades and maintain the ambience of a 1957 historic scene. Images of the South Park Street properties are inextricably associated with the 1957 events. As images of the Little Rock Nine, crowds of protesters, the public, and the National Guardsmen appeared in newspapers across the Nation and were broadcast live through the emerging media of television, the neighborhood became as recognizable as the high school itself. Because South Park Street in front of Central High School retains a high degree of historical integrity, this legislation would provide a unique opportunity to preserve a setting that will allow visitors to more accurately visualize the events that occurred there in 1957 when the Little Rock Nine attempted to attend Central High School. In 1996, the surrounding neighborhood, including these seven privately owned homes, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Central High School Neighborhood Historic District. The designation recognized the neighborhood's association with the significant events of 1957 as well as the architectural characteristics and qualities that remain relatively unchanged from that period. All the property owners and several community members have expressed their support for this proposal, including Central High Neighborhood, Inc., and Preserve Arkansas. As we move forward in these turbulent times, it is important that we do not forget the struggles of the Little Rock Nine and the neighborhood that moved America forward towards an integrated education system. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor at this time to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), a civil rights pioneer and legend.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chair, thank you for this opportunity to highlight my amendment, floor amendment Number 58 to H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Among the battles fought by the United States (U.S.) during World War II were many battles throughout the Pacific, sometimes referred to as the Asia-Pacific. From 1941 through 1945, U.S. service members fought on land, in the air, and at sea through numerous South Pacific islands to secure peace and defend our democracy and freedom. Our nation suffered over 150,000 casualties in the war. My amendment recognizes that while Pearl Harbor memorializes the beginning of the Pacific War (the USS Arizona) and the end of the Pacific War (the USS Missouri), there is no memorial honoring our service members who defended our country and gave their lives during the Pacific War. As such, my amendment expresses the sense of Congress that there should be such a memorial established at or near the Pearl Harbor site of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Honolulu, Hawai`i. The idea for a Pacific War Memorial originated with Admiral Lloyd ``Joe'' Vasey, who turned 100 years old earlier this year. Admiral Vasey served aboard the submarine USS Gunnel in the Pacific during World War II, under John S. McCain, Jr., father of U.S. Senator John McCain. During a fierce battle aboard the Gunnel, Admiral Vasey thought to himself, ``There has to be a better way to resolve international disputes.'' Years later, Admiral Vasey put that thought into action and founded the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), also known as the Pacific Forum, to promote peace in the Asia-Pacific. In the words of Admiral Vasey: ``There is no recognition of the brave Americans who were lost in the Pacific War . . . They are resting on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean somewhere, or their remains are scattered across the South Pacific islands. We need to honor them, and their families need a place to mourn.'' I wholeheartedly agree with Admiral Vasey and feel strongly that the location of such a memorial should be in Hawai`i, preferably at Pearl Harbor near the USS Arizona and USS Missouri. It would be fitting to share the stories of the brave service members who fought and gave their lives in the Pacific War alongside sites that commemorate events and other U.S. service members of the Pacific during World War II. I thank my House colleagues for supporting Admiral Vasey's idea and my amendment to H.R. 2810. I look forward to continuing my work with my colleagues to make Admiral Vasey's desire for a Pacific War memorial a reality.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the TrumpCare Act. I am fortunate to have been born and raised in Hawaii where we are taught to never forget our seniors, our kupuna. AARP, with a national membership of 38 million and over 150,000 in Hawaii, remains steadfastly opposed to TrumpCare. The amendment proposed today makes the bill worse. And for our kupuna in Hawaii and nationally, they will have no relief from the age tax. This chart shows how much more at age 64 a person will pay in premiums, almost $6,800 in Hawaii where we have one of the best health cares. A 55-year-old will see a premium increase of almost $3,600 a year. Why? What did the seniors do that TrumpCare wants to penalize them and pay such a premium when they are moving towards retirement? TrumpCare is out to get those 50 to 64 with this terrible age tax. Vote against H.R. 1628. These numbers will not be different in your districts.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Save Medicaid in Schools, a coalition of dozens of organizations. This letter states that this bill jeopardizes health care for the Nation's most vulnerable children: students with disabilities and students in poverty. May 2, 2017. Re The American Health Care Act Vote Hon. Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Speaker Ryan, Minority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader Pelosi: The undersigned member organizations of the Save Medicaid in the Schools Coalition are concerned that the American Health Care Act (AHCA) jeopardizes healthcare for the nation's most vulnerable children: students with disabilities and students in poverty. Specifically, the AHCA reneges on Medicaid's 50+ year commitment to provide America's children with access to vital healthcare services that ensure they have adequate educational opportunities and can contribute to society by imposing a per-capita cap and shifting current and future costs to taxpayers in every state and Congressional district. While children currently comprise almost half of all Medicaid beneficiaries, less than one in five dollars is spent by Medicaid on children. Accordingly, a per-capita cap, even one that is based on different groups of beneficiaries, will disproportionally harm children's access to care, including services received at school. Considering these unintended consequences, we urge a `no'' vote on The American Health Care Act (AHCA). Medicaid is a cost-effective and efficient provider of essential health care services for children. School-based Medicaid programs serve as a lifeline to children who can't access critical health care and health services outside of their school. Under this bill, the bulk of the mandated costs of providing health care coverage would be shifted to the States even though health needs and costs of care for children will remain the same or increase. Most analyses of the AHCA project that the Medicaid funding shortfall in support of these mandated services will increase, placing states at greater risk year after year. The federal disinvestment in Medicaid imposed by the AHCA will force States and local communities to increase taxes and reduce or eliminate various programs and services, including other non- Medicaid services. The unintended consequences of the AHCA will force states to cut eligibility, services, and benefits for children. The projected loss of $880 billion in federal Medicaid dollars will compel States to ration health care for children. Under the per-capita caps included in the AHCA, health care will be rationed and schools will be forced to compete with other critical health care providers--hospitals, physicians, and clinics--that serve Medicaid-eligible children. School-based health services are mandated on the States and those mandates do not cease simply because Medicaid funds are capped by the AHCA. As with many other unfunded mandates, capping Medicaid merely shifts the financial burden of providing services to the States. Medicaid Enables Schools to Provide Critical Health Care for Students A school's primary responsibility is to provide students with a high-quality education. However, children cannot learn to their fullest potential with unmet health needs. As such, school district personnel regularly provide critical health services to ensure that all children are ready to learn and able to thrive alongside their peers. Schools deliver health services effectively and efficiently since school is where children spend most of their days. Increasing access to health care services through Medicaid improves health care and educational outcomes for students. Providing health and wellness services for students in poverty and services that benefit students with disabilities ultimately enables more children to become employable and attend higher-education. Since 1988, Medicaid has permitted payment to schools for certain medically-necessary services provided to children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through an individualized education program (IEP) or individualized family service program (IFSP). Schools are thus eligible to be reimbursed for direct medical services to Medicaid-eligible students with an IEP or IFSP. In addition, districts can receive Medicaid reimbursements for providing Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment Benefits (EPSDT), which provide Medicaid-eligible children under age 21 with a broad array of diagnosis and treatment services. The goal of EPSDT is to assure that health problems are diagnosed and treated as early as possible before the problems become complex and treatment is more expensive. School districts use their Medicaid reimbursement funds in a variety of ways to help support the learning and development of the children they serve. In a 2017 survey of school districts, district officials reported that two-thirds of Medicaid dollars are used to support the work of health professionals and other specialized instructional support personnel (e.g., speech-language pathologists, audiologists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses) who provide comprehensive health and mental health services to students. Districts also use these funds to expand the availability of a wide range of health and mental health services available to students in poverty, who are more likely to lack consistent access to healthcare professionals. Further, some districts depend on Medicaid reimbursements to purchase and update specialized equipment (e.g., walkers, wheelchairs, exercise equipment, special playground equipment, and equipment to assist with hearing and seeing) as well as assistive technology for students with disabilities to help them learn alongside their peers. School districts would stand to lose much of their funding for Medicaid under the AHCA. Schools currently receive roughly $4 billion in Medicaid reimbursements each year. Yet under this proposal, states would no longer have to consider schools as eligible Medicaid providers, which would mean that districts would have the same obligation to provide services for students with disabilities under IDEA, but no Medicaid dollars to provide medically-necessary services. Schools would be unable to provide EPSDT to students, which would mean screenings and treatment that take place in school settings would have to be moved to physician offices or hospital emergency rooms, where some families may not visit regularly or where costs are much higher. In addition, basic health screenings for vision, hearing, and mental health problems for students would no longer be possible, making these problems more difficult to address and expensive to treat. Moving health screenings out of schools also reduces access to early identification and treatment, which also leads to more costly treatment down the road. Efforts by schools to enroll eligible students in Medicaid, as required, would also decline. The Consequences of Medicaid Per Capita Caps Will Potentially Be Devastating for Children Significant reductions to Medicaid spending could have devastating effects on our nation's children, especially those with disabilities. Due to the underfunding of IDEA, districts rely on Medicaid reimbursements to ensure students with disabilities have access to the supports and services they need to access a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Early Intervention services. Potential consequences of this critical loss of funds include: Fewer health services: Providing comprehensive physical and mental health services in schools improves accessibility for many children and youth, particularly in high-needs and hard- to-serve areas, such as rural and urban communities. In a 2017 survey of school district leaders, half of them indicated they recently took steps to increase Medicaid enrollment in their districts. Reduced funding for Medicaid would result in decreased access to critical health care for many children. Cuts to general education: Cuts in Medicaid funding would require districts to divert funds from other educational programs to provide the services as mandated under IDEA. These funding reductions could result in an elimination of program cuts of equivalent cost in ``non-mandated'' areas of regular education. Higher taxes: Many districts rely on Medicaid reimbursements to cover personnel costs for their special education programs. A loss in Medicaid dollars could lead to deficits in districts that require increases in property taxes or new levies to cover the costs of the special education programs. Job loss: Districts use Medicaid reimbursement to support the salaries and benefits of the staff performing eligible services. Sixty-eight percent of districts use Medicaid funding to pay for direct salaries for health professionals who provide services for students. Cuts to Medicaid funding would impact districts' ability to maintain employment for school nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech- language pathologists, school social workers, school psychologists, and many other critical school personnel who ensure students with disabilities and those with a variety of educational needs are able to learn. Fewer critical supplies: Districts use Medicaid reimbursement for critical supplies such as wheelchairs, therapeutic bicycles, hydraulic changing tables, walkers, weighted vests, lifts, and student-specific items that are necessary for each child to access curriculum as closely as possible to their non-disabled peers. Replacing this equipment would be difficult if not impossible without Medicaid reimbursements. Fewer mental health supports: Seven out of ten students receiving mental health services receive these services at school. Cuts to Medicaid would further marginalize these critical services and leave students without access to care. Noncompliance with IDEA: Given the failure to commit federal resources to fully fund IDEA, Medicaid reimbursements serve as a critical funding stream to help schools provide the specialized instructional supports that students with disabilities need to be educated alongside their peers. We urge you to carefully consider the important benefits that Medicaid provides to our nation's most vulnerable children. Schools are often the hub of the community, and converting Medicaid's financing structure to per-capita caps threatens to significantly reduce access to comprehensive health and mental and behavioral health care for children with disabilities and those living in poverty. We look forward to working with you to avert the harmful and unnecessary impacts the AHCA would impose on Medicaid, which has proven to benefit children in a highly effective and cost-effective manner. If you have questions about the letter or wish to meet to discuss this issue further, please do not hesitate to reach out to the coalition co-chairs: John Hill, Sasha Pudelski and Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach. Sincerely, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, Accelify, American Civil Liberties Union, American Dance Therapy Association, American Federation of Teachers, American Foundation for the Blind, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Psychological Association, Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs, Association of Educational Service Agencies, Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Center for American Progress, Center for Public Representation, Clearinghouse on Women's Issues, Colorado School Medicaid Consortium, Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf, Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Administrators of Special Education, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund. Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC), Health and Education Alliance of Louisiana, Healthy Schools Campaign, Healthmaster Holdings LLC, Higher Education Consortium for Special Education, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, LEAnet, a national coalition of local education agencies, Learning Disabilities Association of America, Lutheran Services in America Disability Network, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, Michigan Association of School Administrators, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of School Nurses, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), National Association of State Head Injury Administrators. National Black Justice Coalition, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Disability Rights Network, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Education Association, National Health Law Program, National Respite Coalition, National Rural Education Advocacy Collaborative, National Rural Education Association, National School Boards Association, Paradigm Healthcare Services, School Social Work Association of America, School-Based Health Alliance, Share Our Strength, Society for Public Health Education, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, The Arc of the United States, United Way Worldwide.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Punahou School's win in the Hawaii Regional Science Bowl and for earning the opportunity to compete in the National Science Bowl for the second year in a row. Created by the Department of Energy's Office of Science in 1991, the National Science Bowl is one of the largest and most prestigious academic competitions in the United States. Over 265,000 students have participated throughout the National Science Bowl's 26 years. This year, over 14,000 students competed for a coveted spot in the National Science Bowl. Each team completed a series of daunting hands-on challenges that tested their knowledge. This meeting of some of the brightest student minds has encouraged thousands to expand their understanding of mathematics and science and pursue careers in such fields. This week, Punahou School will compete against 62 other high schools in the National Science Bowl. To the Punahou School team--John Winnicki, Andrew Winnicki, Anna Kimata, Deborah Wen, Conrad Newfield, and Coach Warren Huelsnitz--all the best in this year's competition. They are a great example to their peers and I wish them continued success in their education and careers. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent these students and their families in the United States Congress and I know all my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating them on competing in the National Science Bowl Finals 2017.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I remember the first time I met Eni. It was in the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii. As the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Chair for the Hawaii State Senate, I was speaking on behalf of a Circuit Court Judge, the first of American Samoan ancestry who was confirmed by the Senate and there to receive his oath of office. Eni was there, the Delegate to the Congress of the United States from American Samoa, to show his support for the Judge. Eni was so proud, as if he was being sworn in. I do know that American Samoans in Hawaii looked up to Eni as if he was their ultimate role model. I was fortunate to serve four years in the House of Representatives with Eni. I learned from him how we each represent a constituency that deserves our advocacy, albeit that we may come from islands in the vast Pacific Ocean. I learned that our voices are equal to our colleagues and it is up to us to ensure that we are heard. My favorite memory of Eni comes from 2012 when he performed the formal Samoan dance with his niece to honor the retirement of our much beloved and respected Senator Daniel K. Akaka. Eni told me Senator Akaka was his friend and his Senator. Eni proudly showed me his tattoos, made the traditional way. I was in awe of his strength and perseverance. Most importantly, I will never forget the friendship of Eni and his wonderful smile and big bear hug I was so fortunate to receive whenever I saw him. Upon my return to Congress, my first questions were about Eni and if anyone had seen him. I will miss you my friend. My condolences to his wife, Hinanui Bambridge Cave, and their five children. Mahalo (Thank You) for sharing him with us for all these years.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak on my amendment to ensure certain types of information are added to the Department of Veterans Affairs survey data that this bill requires the Department to create and report to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. This bill instructs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and carry out a standardized exit survey to be voluntarily completed by career and noncareer employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs who voluntarily separate from the Department. The bill currently requires the Department to report to Congress the following types of information on an annual basis: first, an analysis of the most common reasons employees choose to leave; second, steps the Secretary is taking to improve retention; third, the demographic characteristics of employees choosing to leave; fourth, the legislative barriers to improving employee retention; and, fifth, the number of employees who took the survey. Mr. Chairman, there is important information missing that must be gathered by the Department: one, the total number of employees who voluntarily exited the Department during the reporting period; and, two, the percentage of those employees who actually responded to the survey. Without this critical information, Congress will be unable to assess the value of the reported data relative to the total number of employees who departed the Department. Mr. Chairman, I am asking that we get a full picture, and my amendment will help us do that. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak on my amendment to strike Section 6, Reemployment of Former Employees. Mr. Chairman, I understand the value of rehiring competent and capable former employees who left and want to return to serve our veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, the current text would allow the Secretary to rehire a former employee without the former employee going through any competitive process. And the current text allows the Secretary to hire them at a grade higher than when they were previously in the department. So, I asked my colleagues, what about the hardworking, competent employees who chose not to leave the Department of Veterans Affairs and who dedicated their lives to serving veterans? Is it fair to them for former employees to reenter civil service without going through the competitive selection process and be rewarded with an automatic pay grade increase? My amendment supports the retention of a Federal hiring process that is fair and time-tested. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.