J. Hill

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, over the past few weeks we have seen the unity, courage, and kindness the American people offered to those affected by the destruction caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and now Maria. Today I would like to take a minute and acknowledge the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, where employees extended help to assist with incoming calls from the VA in Houston, Texas. All calls were forwarded to Arkansas during the relief efforts. While the Little Rock VA usually takes in 200 to 300 calls a day, in the days following the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, our VA team in Little Rock averaged 2,900 calls a day from those seeking refuge and help. Employees worked 8-hour shifts to provide 24/7 service. I thank these Arkansans in the Central Arkansas VA for helping our neighbors in Texas in their time of need.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of a man who had an indelible impact on Arkansas and our Nation, Mr. Adam McClung, who passed away last month at 37 years young. Adam was a husband, a father, and a champion of the cattle industry in Arkansas while he served as the executive vice president of the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association. A graduate of Greenbrier High School in the beautiful Second Congressional District, Adam attended Oklahoma State University, where he studied agriculture, business economics, and animal science. In 2014, Adam was recognized by the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a ``Champion of Change.'' He was one of only 15 individuals from around our country to be recognized as a leader in his industry that year. Adam's passion and drive will be missed throughout Arkansas and the cattle industry. He is survived by his wife, Chantel, and a daughter, Maggie Blair. I extend my respect, affection, and prayers for the family and his loved ones. Remembering Melvin Pickens, the ``Broom Man'' of Little Rock

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Arkansas National Guard Staff Sergeant Tasheenia Wallace for becoming the first woman to ever complete the Arkansas National Guard Infantry Course. On July 26, Staff Sergeant Wallace graduated from the Infantry Transition Course, a 2-week residency training program at the Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock. She was 1 of 22 people to complete the program, which allows soldiers who are already serving to change their current military occupational specialty to infantry. Staff Sergeant Wallace now holds four different occupational specialties: administration, logistics, chemicals, and now hard-earned infantry. With this training, she is able to command a squad, usually composed of 7 to 10 soldiers. My congratulations and best wishes to Staff Sergeant Wallace and her bright future defending our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and come to the House floor to recognize the Girl Scouts of America, which recently announced that they are adding 23 new badges related to science, technology, engineering, math, and the outdoors. These new STEM badges come a month after Girl Scouts of the USA added cybersecurity badges to promote computer and internet literacy and cybersecurity. These new initiatives within the Girl Scouts were a reflection of its ability to adapt to the ever-changing skills essential to the development of our youth in this century. As an Eagle Scout, I understand the importance of values and skills acquired through scouting, and I commend the Girl Scouts for encouraging our youth to explore these innovative scientific fields. As a member of the Congressional Scouting Caucus, I will continue to support the good work of Girl Scouts of the USA, and I look forward to following its continued success for generations of young women to come. Recognizing the Life of Adam McClung

Mr. HILL. I thank the Chair for recognizing me for this Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, this week in Congress, we have considered in the House Financial Services Committee legislation that will increase and expand the sanctions against the government and the dictators in North Korea. Mr. Speaker, the north Asian region and our allies there are of critical importance to the United States economically. South Korea and Japan are major economic partners of the United States. Both countries represent a major partnership in our security interests in north Asia, and so it is fitting that we continue to work in Congress, along with the Trump administration, to increase the financial sanctions and economic sanctions on the rogue government in North Korea. For our citizens, it is important to trace back the history of U.S. sanctions and the relationship with North Korea. Going back four Presidents--Trump, Obama, Bush 43, and Clinton--we have been dealing with North Korea. President Clinton agreed to a ``freeze'' and ``dismantlement'' of the North Korean nuclear program, Mr. Speaker; and as a result, the North Koreans agreed to inspections, and the United States, along with its allies, agreed to $4 billion in payments to the regime. That was in 1994, Mr. Speaker. We don't have much to show for that effort. In January, in the State of the Union, 2002, President Bush 43 described North Korea as part of the axis of evil, including Iraq and Iran. Clearly, the North Koreans were not complying with Mr. Clinton's agreement, but the post-9/11 world of the United States had our government, our diplomacy, our military, our sanctions regime focused on the Middle East, focused on Afghanistan, Iraq, and, indeed, Iran. And then you come to the period of President Obama, where his strategy with North Korea was one of strategic patience. We have had 8 years, Mr. Speaker, of strategic patience, and what have we got to show for that? Unprecedented numbers of ballistic missile flights, unprecedented numbers of nuclear tests. So, Mr. Speaker, after over two decades, it was time for a change. Mr. Speaker, I want to take the floor of the House today and thank the leadership of President Trump and his very capable national security team, led by Secretary Mattis, Secretary Tillerson, for ending strategic patience and for taking our country and the world in a different direction to end the nuclear ambitions of North Korea. Now, the United States, on a bipartisan basis in this House and in the upper Chamber, in the Senate, along with the Trump administration, is fully onboard with using all the tools that we have to once and for all lead to denuclearization of the peninsula and end North Korea's rogue program to join the group of nuclear nations. They have taken themselves out of nuclear nonproliferation. They are a rogue nation. I am very pleased to see Secretary Mnuchin at the Treasury focus on what new financial sanctions under current law the United States can pursue by our Treasury Department. I am very pleased with Chairman Royce of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ranking Member Engel, and the Financial Services Committee for their collaboration on legislation on how we enhance sanctions that the United States can place on people doing business with North Korea and North Korea itself. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate our Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Haley, for not one, but two 15-0 votes in the U.N. Security Council on ratcheting up the pressure on sanctions. Those are important. But the most important thing is, Mr. Speaker, whether it is secondary sanctions and sanctions in the United States put on others by the U.S. alone or multilateral sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council, the secret is enforcement. We must have enforcement. When you look back over this two-decade period, you can't really come to the conclusion that we have ever seriously sanctioned the rogue government in North Korea, not to the extent that we have done with Iran, not to the extent that we did with Iraq, the two other partners in President Bush's axis of evil. So the time is now, Mr. Speaker, to use all of our skills and abilities: diplomatically, as led by Secretary Tillerson; economically, as led by Secretary Mnuchin and our worthy, great leader, our Ambassador at the United Nations; and in military strategy with our allies, under Secretary Mattis. We have the support of the world now, Mr. Speaker, and this is no time to not bear down and get that kind of enforcement. I was so delighted on behalf of the Congress and on behalf of the United States that, just yesterday, Prime Minister Modi in India and Prime Minister Abe, on a visit to India, reiterated their strong support for enforcement of the United Nations sanctions. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank this administration for taking a new look and taking North Korea's ambitions seriously and taking the issue of using all of our absolute capabilities, whether they are diplomatic, economic, or military, to end this rogue nation's nuclear ambitions. Girl Scouts STEM Badges

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and remember the unrelenting, optimistic world view of Melvin Pickens, a constituent affectionately known around Little Rock as the ``Broom Man.'' Mr. Pickens passed away at age 84 in June, after battling numerous health issues. The Broom Man earned his nickname over a 60-year tenure purchasing iconic, red-handled brooms at wholesale and selling them to passersby for $10. I remember Melvin fondly at my many breakfasts at the Ozark Smokehouse Restaurant in Little Rock, and including my past broom purchases. Through a never-ending battle with legal blindness, and an unexpected stroke, which made carrying brooms over his shoulder incredibly difficult, Melvin never ceased to retain a positive, hopeful attitude. His hard work, determination, and unyielding perseverance, and never quitting, enabled him to provide his late wife and four children a wonderful life. And all four of those children attended college. The Broom Man is an everlasting testament to the value of having a rigorous work ethic, an optimistic world view, and being genuinely a caring person. Recognizing Arkansas National Guard Staff Sergeant Tasheenia Wallace

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago today, all eyes were on South Park Street that fronts the beautiful facade of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Just days before, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus had called out the National Guard to prevent nine Black students from entering the school on September 4. Central High and its beautiful neighborhood had become ground zero in the march to end the five-decade legacy of Plessy v. Ferguson, ``separate but equal,'' to bring it to reality. Now, just over 3 years after the Brown decision, it was time for action. In a few days, on the 25th of this month, we will celebrate the successful integration of Central High School, when the Little Rock Nine entered the school escorted by the troops of the 101st Airborne. It is fitting today, Mr. Speaker, that we pay tribute to the Little Rock Nine, their defenders, and the successful end to separate but equal. We recognize this important milestone today on this House floor by passing a bill on the suspension calendar that expands the park boundary of the national historic site at Little Rock Central High School. This is a historic and important touchstone for all of those modern-day history travelers retracing the steps of the civil rights movement. The Little Rock National Historic Site Visitor Center was opened in 2007 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the integration of Central High. Today's measure, H.R. 2611, is a simple one: extending the park boundaries to take in the houses that fronted the school along beautiful South Park Street so that future generations will be able to picture this tranquil street, an architecturally significant facade of Central High, and reflect back on those 21 days of trauma in September 1957. I thank my colleague who is in our Chamber today, civil rights pioneer and courageous actor John Lewis, for his cosponsorship. I thank our majority leader, Chairman Bishop, and the Natural Resources Committee for their expeditious treatment of this important measure, and I salute Senator Cotton for his leadership in advancing this important legislation in the United States Senate. I look forward to President Trump signing this bill and again recognizing that we have to embrace our past and learn from our history. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Georgia Mjartan of Little Rock. She is the executive director of Our House and is stepping down after 12 years. During her 12 years at Our House, Georgia was named ``Nonprofit Executive of the Year'' in 2011 and Our House was named ``Nonprofit Organization of the Year'' in 2015. Under her leadership, Our House has seen extraordinary growth and plays an important role in our community, serving those who find themselves homeless or near homeless, while providing life skills, resources, and services to overcome their situation. Our House empowers residents to succeed in the workforce, in school, and in life through hard work, smart choices, and community involvement. Our House will continue to thrive. Georgia is a pillar of the community. She is a loving wife, mom, foster and adoptive parent of three beautiful children. I am proud to call her friend, and I wish her the best of luck as she relocates from Arkansas to South Carolina.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane's appointment as the new Arkansas Drug Officer. His experience and activism truly embody what all states need in the fight against illegal narcotics. Chief Lane is a graduate of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy and the FBI National Academy. After graduation, Chief Lane spent 20 years with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, where he served as the Captain of Criminal Investigations. Chief Lane has gone above and beyond his duty in the fight against illegal narcotics by participating in many organizations, including the Arkansas Drug and Alcohol Coordinating Council, the Arkansas Prescription Drug Advisory Board, and the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Board. As a recipient of the 2010 Benton Citizen of the Year Award and the 2012 Marie Interfaith Award, Chief Lane is recognized for his exceptional character and devotion to community. I'm proud of my friend Chief Lane, who has proven his devotion to law and order, and he will be a great addition to Arkansas's Drug Enforcement Agency to fight against narcotics and reduce the crime rate

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a hands-on mentorship program in my district created through a partnership between the Bryant Police Department and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bryant. The summer program entitled ``Fishing with a Hero'' pairs Boys and Girls Clubs students with local police heroes to bond over the longstanding, joyful pastime of fishing. Through a 2-day fishing instruction program, local police officers are able to build quality mentoring relationships with students in traditionally underserved or impoverished communities. Along with being one of the students' favorite programs, the established relationships aid in creating long-term bonds between our law enforcement officers and local youth. The stability and prosperity of our local communities hinges on mutual respect between our citizens and our law enforcement officers. The creation of genuine relationships at a young age ensures the longevity of that important respect. Honoring Robin Creole and Danny Revis

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of foster families around Arkansas and the organizations dedicated to their recruitment. According to recent Arkansas data, the number of foster youths has outpaced the number of spaces available in foster homes by 1,283. Many families have already stepped up to the plate to provide a loving home for children in the foster system. One such family, Andrew and Amy Baker of Searcy, Arkansas, was recently named Foster Family of the Year by our State's Division of Children and Family Services for their dedicated efforts to reunify foster children with their biological parents. In addition, there are organizations around our State that have been at the forefront of recruitment efforts for foster families, including 50 families in the month of April alone. One such organization is entitled The CALL, locally directed by Lauri Currier, who notes that a stable, loving home can make a huge difference in a child's life, specifically with regard to escaping the grasp of neglect and abuse. Today I want to emphasize Ms. Currier's statement that if one family from each of the 6,000 churches around Arkansas came forward to adopt, no more children would ever be waiting for a forever family. Fishing with a Hero Summer Program

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the proposed plans for a career and technical education center in my district. Lamont Cornwell of the Saline County Economic Development Corporation presented detailed plans to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission on June 8 for a center that is specifically aimed at training our State's skilled workforce community. The center would allow students to enroll in science and technology career preparatory classes, careers that will only become more invaluable as our Nation moves forward. The center will impact parents and children of all socioeconomic statuses and positively change our technical career education environment in central Arkansas. As co-chair of the Congressional Skilled American Workforce Caucus, I was encouraged to see the recent passage of H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act. I am encouraged to see leaders in Saline County step up and embrace a passion for our skilled workforce community. Honoring Foster Parents

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recent selfless actions of two extraordinary individuals in the Second Congressional District of Arkansas, Robin Creole and Danny Revis. Both men work tirelessly in the Benton School District transportation program.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize one of Arkansas' finest, Colonel Robert A. Ator, II, of Little Rock. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Colonel Ator retired on June 3, 2017, after proudly serving our country for 28 years. Before joining the Arkansas National Guard, Colonel Ator served 11 years on Active Duty with the United States Air Force. He is a veteran of several major combat operations, including Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Provide Promise, Operation Joint Forge, and Operation Noble Eagle. Ator is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he married Michelle, his wife of 28 years, just 3 days after graduation. Today, his son, Cadet Third Class Robert A. Ator, III, is a sophomore. Colonel Ator is the recipient of numerous awards and medals, including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. Colonel Ator is an example that all Arkansans and Americans can admire. I wish him and his family the very best in their future endeavors. Saline County Career and Technical Education Center

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recent selfless actions of two extraordinary individuals in my district: Mr. Robin Creel and Mr. Danny Revis. Both men work tirelessly for the Benton school district transportation program. Last month, about 40 students from Shelby County in Memphis piled onto a bus and began their journey toward the popular Magic Springs amusement park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Unfortunately, as they traveled down I-30, their bus broke down. Through the Arkansas State Police, word got to Mr. Revis that an entire busload of children was stranded. After discussion with officials of the Tennessee school district from which the students hailed, Mr. Creel volunteered to use a Benton school bus to quickly transport the Memphis students to Magic Springs, where, after a full day of enjoyment, a Shelby County bus would pick them up. Along with its well-known Benton Wave, a gesture of genuine friendliness noticeable throughout the city, Mr. Revis and Mr. Creel's commendable actions contribute to Benton's long-standing aura of friendship and compassion.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Greenbrier Middle School on being named one of 465 Schools to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform in 2017. By establishing organizational norms, structures, and arrangements, Schools to Watch achieve academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, and social equity. Those three characteristics are paramount to middle-grade success and young adolescent development. I am encouraged to hear of Greenbrier Middle School's unyielding sense of purpose and dedication to the success of their students; and, I am excited to personally congratulate their outstanding efforts during their visit to Washington this month. Our youth are our future, so I look forward to further Arkansas schools joining Greenbrier in the pursuit of excellence.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Little Rock's CHI St. Vincent for being named to the 2017 list of 100 Great Hospitals in America by Becker's Hospital Review. CHI St. Vincent Infirmary's history of excellence in patient care dates back to 1888, when it began as a 10-bed charity hospital and the first hospital in Little Rock. Over the years, to meet increasing demand for patient care, in addition to expansion for construction, the hospital has made four moves to larger facilities. In 1906, the hospital opened Arkansas' first nursing school, the St. Vincent's Infirmary School of Nursing. I am proud to have come into this world at St. Vincent, as did our two children. I would like to thank CHI St. Vincent for continuing its 129-year legacy of leadership in patient care centered on service and quality care in central Arkansas.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for his leadership in guiding the Financial CHOICE Act through the Financial Services Committee and the House. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record a letter from the Arkansas State Bank Department, and an article by the Arkansas Bankers Association entitled ``Disappearing Community Banks.'' Arkansas State Bank Department, May 1, 2017. Hon. Jeb Hensarling, Chairman, House Committee on Financial Services, Washington,

Mr. HILL. Mr. Chairman, in this debate today, let's hear what a commissioner of banking from Arkansas says: ``I am writing in support of H.R. 10, the `Financial CHOICE Act of 2017.' As a State bank regulator, I have seen the huge burden Dodd- Frank Act of 2010 has placed on community banks. Since the financial crisis, several community banks in Arkansas have curtailed or discontinued lending activities--particularly, residential mortgages-- which has been detrimental to the consumers they serve.'' That is a compelling endorsement of this bill from a regulator, Mr. Chairman, not from a Member of Congress. And when you look at working families in Arkansas, recently I was told about an Army National Guard member from north Little Rock, in my district, who was informed that he would not receive a home to purchase a manufactured home that would have been twice as large and less expensive than the 60-year-old house he was renting for his family. Or a hairstylist from Nevada County, who I received a letter from. She and her husband, a welder, were denied a loan to purchase a new home, despite having verifiable income. That is why we need to repeal, replace, and pass the Financial CHOICE Act.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the bravery and courage of so many men who sacrificed everything on D-day. At 5:52 in the morning on June 6, 1944, in a position about 4,000 yards from Omaha Beach, one of the oldest ships in the U.S. Navy, a World War I battleship, the USS Arkansas, opened fire on German positions at Omaha Beach in support of more than 30,000 American soldiers tasked with securing the beachhead. The countless heroes who stormed the beaches of Normandy on that fateful day 73 years ago will never be forgotten. I had the honor of visiting this hallowed ground over Memorial Day, and while I was paying tribute to the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, an older Frenchman by the name of Mr. Vonclair approached me simply wanting to honor his liberators. He said that he just wanted to thank an American. He was 10 years old when D-day occurred, and he will never forget how the United States of America came to his and so many others' aid in the liberation of Europe from the Nazi menace. Mr. Vonclair's love for America and our GIs speaks volumes about the goodwill and exceptional character of our great Nation. It is a privilege to offer my sincere tribute to the brave men who laid down their lives in the defense of those French and American shared convictions of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Recognizing Staff Sergeant Robert Dale Van Fossen

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Herman Higgs, a World War II veteran who celebrated his 100th birthday last month. Born in Calhoun County, Arkansas, Herman was drafted into the Army and served the entire span of World War II, including as a POW in the last year. He was a platoon sergeant of a transportation convoy that was captured in December 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. In the spring of 1945, Patton's army arrived, and Herman was freed, along with other American GIs and the Jewish prisoners who had survived the atrocities of the Third Reich. He was granted an honorable discharge a few months later and returned to Calhoun County, where he served 29 years as a police officer and 24 years as a U.S. marshal. The city of North Little Rock, Arkansas, dedicated May 13 as Herman Higgs Day. Herman's example is one that all Americans and Arkansans can admire, and I would like to extend my congratulations to Herman for his life of service and this remarkable milestone of a centennial birthday.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of a great Arkansan, a long-time Conway resident, and one of the pillars of the Conway Corporation, Mr. Richie Arnold. Mr. Arnold is retiring from his post as CEO after 39 years with the company. He hails from Harrison and is a University of Arkansas graduate with a degree in accounting. He joined Conway Corporation as a manager of data processing before becoming manager of finance and accounting and then ultimately the chief executive officer in 1998. During his tenure at Conway Corporation, he always worked to keep the company ahead of the curve and was responsible for transitioning the utility to full computerization. Mr. Arnold was instrumental in assisting Conway Corporation in leading a path to diversifying services by adding new services for the citizens, such as digital cable, internet, telephone, security services, and water. Mr. Arnold recently earned a national recognition after being listed in the ``Regional 50'' in Cablefax magazine. My congratulations and best wishes for Mr. Arnold's future endeavors. In Honor of the 100th Birthday of Mr. Herman Higgs

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, last month we recognized National Bike Month and the many bicycling benefits that we have as citizens. I rise today to recognize the city of Conway, Arkansas, for its installation of their successful public bikesharing program and to emphasize its leading example of advocacy for an active lifestyle. As a long-time biker, I am pleased to see the city work to provide an alternative and convenient source of transportation for residents of Conway to help relieve congestion and promote a healthier city. As a former board member of the Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas, I am glad to see Conway's bikesharing program as one more step on the path towards fulfilling the mayor's vision of a vibrant, healthy, and bike friendly city. Recognizing Richie Arnold on His Retirement

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of one of Arkansas' finest, Staff Sergeant Robert Dale Van Fossen of Greenbrier, Arkansas. On November 22, 1952, a Douglas C-124A Globemaster II took off from McChord Air Base in Tacoma, Washington, headed for Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage. Staff Sergeant Robert Dale Van Fossen, along with 51 others, was onboard. And near Middleton Island, in the Gulf of Alaska, the plane disappeared. Eight days after the plane's disappearance, part of the wreckage was located some 50 miles east of Anchorage. Unfortunately, a week into the search, the recovery team had to call off the effort due to weather conditions. The families of the victims were notified they would not have any remains to bury. Finally, in March 2016, after 64 years and extensive recovery efforts, Staff Sergeant Van Fossen's remains were confirmed found and returned to his home in Heber Springs, Arkansas. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Staff Sergeant Van Fossen and hope that they are now able to find peace that he is finally home and in his final resting place. Conway Bikeshare Program