Bill Huizenga

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 3658, the Monuments Men Recognition Act of 2013, introduced by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger). This bill authorizes the minting and award of a single gold medal collectively in honor of the heroic role played by the men and women of that group in ensuring the preservation, protection, and restitution of monuments, works of art, and artifacts of cultural importance during and following World War II. The medal would be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it would be available for display or loan as appropriate. Mr. Speaker, even before the stain of World War II began to spread across Europe, priceless cultural objects were being damaged or appropriated from their rightful owners by corrupt governments. When the horrific carnage of war descended over the continent, many other works--paintings, monuments, cathedrals and other buildings--were threatened, damaged, or destroyed, marring or obliterating centuries of incredibly beautiful handiwork. Recognizing this disaster, President Roosevelt formed the American Commission for the Protection and Salvage of Artistic and Historic Monuments in War Areas in 1943, and the Commission facilitated the formation of the monuments, fine arts, and archives section under the Allied armies. The men and women who worked tirelessly at the Commission, at home but mostly abroad, were empowered by General Dwight D. Eisenhower to carry out their work throughout Europe, even on the front lines, and became known as the Monuments Men. As I had noted earlier as we were talking about one of the other medals, my father happened to serve in Italy during World War II. I know that was one of his concerns as he was going around seeing the damage and the carnage that had happened there, what had been lost to that war. Of course some of those artworks were irreparably damaged or some never even recovered. As we have seen in headlines as recently as the last couple of weeks, some are still even being recovered. Without the heroic work of the Monuments Men, much of Europe's cultural heritage would have been lost or forever remain hidden after it was stolen. After the war, many of the Monuments Men stayed in the business of preserving and displaying art. Many became renowned directors and curators of preeminent international cultural institutions, professors at institutions of higher education, and founders of artistic associations. If we did not know this story before, most of us now know the outlines thanks to a pair of books by Robert Edsel detailing the Monuments Men's work and, of course, the George Clooney film of the same name released earlier this year. Some of us may have seen a documentary on their work produced about a decade ago, called, ``The Rape of Europa.'' I do want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for hosting a screening of that movie that I think sort of brought that to the attention of many here in Washington a few months ago. Mr. Speaker, of the 350 Monuments Men, two of whom died in actual combat, only a few of the men and women we know today as the Monuments Men are still alive. We and the world owe them an incalculable debt. One way we can acknowledge their contributions is to award them the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their work. The bill has 297 cosponsors in the House, and a companion bill introduced by Senator Blunt has 77 cosponsors. I ask for immediate passage of this important legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials for the Record on H.R. 3658, currently under consideration.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3658) to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the Monuments Men, in recognition of their heroic role in the preservation, protection, and restitution of monuments, works of art, and artifacts of cultural importance during and following World War II.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks), the lead Republican cosponsor on this legislation.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise today in support of H.R. 2939, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Shimon Peres, introduced by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy). This bill authorizes the minting and award of a single gold medal in honor of this brave man. Shimon Peres was born on August 2, 1923, in Wiszniew, Poland. The Peres family immigrated to Tel Aviv in 1934. All of the family's relatives who remained in Poland were murdered during the Holocaust during World War II. Before Israel gained independence, Shimon Peres earned the respect of senior leaders in the independence movement in Israel, most notably David Ben-Gurion. In 1952, he was appointed deputy director general of the Ministry of Defense, and the following year, he became director general. At age 29, he was the youngest person to hold this position. He was involved in arms purchases and established strategic alliances that were important for the State of Israel. He has served in numerous high-level cabinet positions and ministerial posts in Israel, including head of the Israeli navy, Minister of Defense, Foreign Minister, Prime Minister, and President, among others. Mr. Peres has honorably served Israel for more than 70 years, during which he has helped harmonize the foreign policy interests of Israel and the United States. He played a pivotal role in forging the strong and unbreakable bond between our two countries. Mr. Speaker, the founding generation of Israel was central to the development of that country, and Shimon Peres was the only surviving member of that founding generation. By presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to Shimon Peres, the first to be awarded to a sitting President of Israel, Congress proclaims its unbreakable bond with and its continual support for Israel as we commemorate the 65th anniversary of its independence and the 90th birthday of Mr. Peres. Maintaining the strong mutual relations between the United States and Israel has been a priority of Shimon Peres since he began working with the United States in the days of John F. Kennedy. Mr. Speaker, this honor is richly deserved. The bill has 294 cosponsors in the House, and a version introduced by Senator Ayotte had 81 cosponsors when it passed the Chamber on March 13. I ask for immediate approval of this important legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials for the Record on H.R. 2939, as amended, the bill currently under consideration.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2939) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Shimon Peres, as amended.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2203, a bill to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Jack Nicklaus, in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy, introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi). This bill authorizes the minting and award of a single gold medal in honor of the life and work of the immensely well- known golf champion. Mr. Speaker, Jack Nicklaus--nicknamed the Golden Bear--is a world- famous golf professional, a highly successful businessman, executive, prominent advertising spokesman, a passionate and dedicated philanthropist, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a man with a common touch that has made him one of the most popular and accessible public figures in American history. He is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished professional golfers of all time. And I might add, on a personal note, his design up at the Grand Traverse Bay Resort this past summer humbled me in my golf game personally. Mr. Jack William Nicklaus was born to Charlie Nicklaus and his wife, Helen, on January 21, 1940, in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington, Ohio. Young Jack took up golf at the age of 10, scoring a 51 at Scioto Country Club for the first nine holes that he ever played. I suspect that there are more than a few Members here that wouldn't mind carding a 51 right now. Nicklaus amassed 120 victories in professional competition of national or international stature, 73 of which came on the Professional Golfers' Association Tour. His record 18 professional majors, the first of which he won 50 years ago with his win at the 1962 U.S. Open as a 22-year-old rookie, remains the standard by which all golfers are measured. He is the only player in golf history to have won each major championship at least three times and is the only player to complete a career Grand Slam on both the regular and senior tours. He also owns the record for the most major championships as a senior, with eight. Jack Nicklaus has been the recipient of countless athletic honors, including being named Individual Male Athlete of the Century by Sports Illustrated, one of the 10 Greatest Athletes of the Century by ESPN, and Golfer of the Century or Golfer of the Millennium by every major national and international media outlet. He received the Muhammad Ali Sports Legend Award and first-ever ESPY Lifetime Achievement Award. He became the first golfer and only the third athlete to receive the Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence. He is also a five-time winner of the PGA Player of the Year Award. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at the ripe old age of 34. But Jack Nicklaus is much more than a golf champion. His magnetic personality and unfailing sense of kindness and thoughtfulness have endeared him to millions throughout the world. He has also received numerous honors outside of the world of sports, including several golf industry awards for his work and contributions as a golf course designer, as I noted earlier, such as the Old Tom Morris Award, which is the highest honor given by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and both the Donald Ross Award given by the American Society of Golf Course Architects and the Don A. Rossi Award given by the Golf Course Builders Association of America. Golf Inc. magazine named him one of the Most Powerful Persons in Golf for a record 6 consecutive years due to his impact on various aspects of industry through his course design work, marketing and licensing business, his ambassadorial role in promoting and growing the game of golf worldwide, and his involvement on a national and global level with various charitable causes. Mr. Speaker, everyone knows Jack Nicklaus, and most of us at least wish we had half the golf ability that he has, but it is important to remember his charitable and leadership works as well. The bill has 304 cosponsors in the House, and a companion bill introduced in the other body is being championed by Senator Portman. I ask for unanimous approval of this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials for the Record on H.R. 2203, as amended, currently under consideration.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2203) to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Jack Nicklaus, in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to reflect the comments of my colleague from Financial Services, as we have. As the son of a disabled World War II veteran myself, I certainly know what that Greatest Generation had done. No matter where they geographically came from, they fought for that flag that is behind you today, Mr. Speaker, and we appreciate the work that was done by them and by any of those colleagues that are here, and to my colleague from New York, especially her uncle in the service that he had to this fine Nation, and we want to say thank you for that. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge rapid passage of this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Chair, I am prepared to close and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I now yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey), the sponsor of this great legislation.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1726, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers, introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey). The bill authorizes the minting and award of a single gold medal in honor of this brave regiment. The medal would be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it would be available for display or loan, as appropriate. Mr. Speaker, in 1898, the United States acquired Puerto Rico in the Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American war. The following year, Congress had authorized raising a unit of volunteer soldiers in the newly-acquired territory. In May 1917, 2 months after President Woodrow Wilson signed into law legislation granting United States citizenship to all individuals born in Puerto Rico and 1 month after the United States entered World War I, the unit was transferred to the Panama Canal Zone. United States Army policy at the time restricted most segregated units to noncombat roles, although this regiment was otherwise combat-ready and could have contributed to the fighting effort. In June of 1920, the unit was redesignated as the 65th Infantry Regiment, United States Army. It would serve as the United States military's last segregated unit composed of Hispanic soldiers. In January of 1943, 13 months after the attack on Pearl Harbor that sparked the entry of the United States into World War II, the regiment again was deployed to the Panama Canal Zone, before being deployed overseas in the spring of 1944. Despite the regiment's relatively limited combat service in World War II, the unit suffered casualties in the course of defending the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the isthmus against enemy attacks. Individual soldiers earned one Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, and 90 Purple Hearts; and the unit received campaign participation credit for its service in the Rome- Arno, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe theaters. The story of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean war has been aptly described as ``one of pride, courage, heartbreak, and redemption.'' Arriving in Pusan, South Korea, in September 1950, the regiment was assigned the mission of destroying or capturing small groups of North Korean soldiers. Its success led General Douglas MacArthur, commander in chief of the United Nations Command in Korea, to observe the regiment was ``showing magnificent ability and courage in the field of operations.'' Fighting as a segregated unit from 1950 until 1952, the regiment participated in some of the fiercest battles of the war. Its toughness, courage, and loyalty earned admiration of many who had even previously harbored reservations. Mr. Speaker, the service of the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment is emblematic of the contributions to the Armed Forces that have been made by hundreds of thousands of brave and patriotic United States citizens from Puerto Rico, over generations, from World War I to the most recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and in many other overseas operations. This honor is richly deserved. The bill has 301 cosponsors in the House, and a companion bill introduced by Senator Blumenthal in the Senate has 63 cosponsors. Mr. Speaker, I ask for immediate passage of this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials for the Record on H.R. 1726, as amended, currently under consideration.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1726) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers, as amended.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. I. Justin Kleaveland on his 90th birthday, which he celebrates on April 11, 2014. A resident of North Muskegon for over 60 years, Dr. Kleaveland has been an integral part of our community. In 1951, Dr. Kleaveland joined the Army in the Doctor's Draft of the Korean War, serving for two years in Stuttgart, Germany. Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Kleaveland and his wife, Rosemary, settled in Muskegon, Michigan. Upon returning from Germany, Dr. Kleaveland served as an internist at Hackley Hospital and Mercy Hospital until retiring in 2003, at the age of 79. Dr. Kleaveland has been an active contributor to local and state politics, with special interest in both health care and education reform. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Second District of Michigan, I congratulate Dr. Kleaveland on his milestone 90th birthday and thank him for his service to Western Michigan and to our nation.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today regarding one missed vote on February 28, 2014. Had I been present for rollcall 86, on the amendment offered by Mr. Cummings of Maryland to H.R. 899, striking the requirement that independent regulatory agencies comply with Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, tonight the House passed legislation addressing an issue that is near and dear to my heart and very important to Michigan involving Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. For years, there has been a back and forth between the community surrounding Sleeping Bear Dunes and the National Park Service over the best way to make sure that this pristine treasure is accessible to the public. I have personally been involved in this process for over a decade, and I am glad to see my friend and colleague, Dr. Dan Benishek, who now represents the area, pick up the legislative torch that my friend Pete Hoekstra and I--we introduced bills to protect the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Dan has finally been able to take it across the finish line. This bipartisan and bicameral solution ensures that beaches will remain open, public roads can be improved, hunting and fishing will continue to be allowed, and private property rights are actually protected. Tonight's legislative achievement would not be possible without the hard work and tireless efforts of local citizens, local business owners, and local advocacy groups such as the Coalition for Access to the Lakeshore. I look forward to President Obama signing this much-needed piece of legislation and the benefits that there will be for the visitors to the park, the local residents, and small businesses throughout northern Michigan. Most importantly, let's see Sleeping Bear Dunes preserved for generations to come.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, if you thought the Obama administration's rollout of www.healthcare.gov was bad, believe it or not, it got worse for another section of our citizens. Back in Michigan, the Second District is home to a higher number of Latino citizens than any other congressional district in the State of Michigan; and like thousands of other residents across Michigan, Hispanic Michiganians are forced to deal with higher costs, the potential loss of their doctor, and canceled insurance policies all because of ObamaCare. These citizens are in need of the same information that we are all in search of. Well, after being delayed for more than 2 months, the administration finally unveiled its Spanish language Web site, cuidadodesalud.gov, that contained an embarrassing amount of Spanglish. Even I couldn't come up with that much Spanglish. Frankly, it is insulting that the administration would simply make up words, rather than provide an accurate translation of the President's signature achievement. One friend made the humorous observation that it is just as bad in Spanish as it is in English, and nobody can work with it in Spanish either. Well, Latinos are more adversely impacted in many ways by soaring premiums because the median age of the Hispanic population is actually 10 years younger than the national average; therefore, they are seeing these premiums soar, as it shifts those costs to younger Americans. It is predicted that younger citizens are the very folks who are needed to sign up for this program in order to make it actuarially sound, but these are the same folks who are not doing so right now. The focus of the debate, instead, needs to be on patient-centered solutions that not only lower costs, but deliver high-quality care to more citizens, none of which, unfortunately, ObamaCare actually does. I believe it is time to repeal and replace this failed policy. You know, Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have led with numerous options, such as the Patient OPTION Act, as Dr. Broun was just talking about; Dr. Price of Georgia; Dr. Benishek of my home State of Michigan; the Republican Study Committee plan--a number of plans are out there that have been proposed that I think would be a far better solution to those things that we can all agree on: having greater access for more people at a lower cost. But I think one thing we can all agree on in any language is that ObamaCare is off the mark.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. I appreciate the gentleman from New Jersey and the leadership that he has provided all of us in the Pro-Life Caucus. I am looking here at my phone. I wish I could share this on TV with everybody and everybody up in the gallery and with my colleagues. It is of someone very special named Sloan, and I am going to tell a story about her a little later. It is of someone very special named Sloan, and I am going to tell a little story about her a little later. This is an inspiration as I am coming up here today to talk a little bit about this issue. The numbers, the statistics have been shared, and sometimes they ring hollow--it is just numbers. We have to attach the lives that have been affected by that, not only those children whose lives were lost, but the mothers, the fathers, the grandparents, those that lost that and have that void in their families. So, of course, we must continue to fight for the unborn. There is another story to be told, as well. That story is about those children that we cannot forget who need permanent, loving homes. Each year there are about 120,000 families--120,000 families--that navigate the adoption process and welcome new children into their lives. I am pleased to report that adoption rates in west Michigan where I represent are among the highest in the country. Bethany Christian Services is located in Grand Rapids. It is the largest adoption agency in America. I have a personal connection with the Lake Shore Pregnancy Center. My wife serves on the board of that fine organization, and there are so many others out there trying to provide those services. Our own church this past Sunday set up a Pack 'n Play. The challenge to all of us at the church was let's fill it. In fact, let's fill two of those Pack 'n Plays with all the needs that these mothers and these children have so we can provide the alternative to those young ladies oftentimes who are desperate and are looking for a way out. They are looking for an answer, and they don't know where to turn so often and have crisis pregnancy centers there to offer alternatives to death and destruction. It is something that we need to take very seriously, and I take seriously as a believer. The right-to-life groups where I served as my church's right-to-life representative for over 10 years, and was proud to do that, was able to be that voice and tirelessly promote the culture of life and strong families. I think that is something that we need to continue to do. I am struck by families in my own church, the Holwiendas and the Meyards, who have done not just one international adoption, but multiple international adoptions. Friends from school--my roommate in college and best friend from high school was adopted through Bethany Christian Services very early on. I think we cannot forget those faces and those lives that have become so productive and have changed our culture. I was especially touched this year--and this is where Sloan comes in--I was especially touched this year as I watched the life of a member of my own staff change when she and her husband adopted a little baby girl. She sent me this photo just a couple of minutes ago. The caption was, ``need some inspiration?'' And the photo of Sloan came up--yes, I think she has Spaghettios smeared on her face and all kinds of great stuff--as she is sitting in her highchair. But those are the things that we need to keep in mind when we are talking about life and the culture of life that we have. Let's change those statistics. More stories like this one can be told. More stories about Sloan and Steve and others that have been in our lives. These are stories that change lives, not just of those children, but it changes the lives of those adoptive parents, the grandparents, the aunts and the uncles and the friends. We are thrilled and celebrate those families that have made that choice, and we pray that the work that we do here can continue to help them make that choice. I thank my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey, for allowing me to be a part of this.