David Joyce

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Bill Gaskin of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, who for the past forty years has committed his life to growing manufacturing in Northeast Ohio and around the country. Having worked at the Precision Metalforming Association, based in Independence, Ohio, since 1977, Bill has spent the past seventeen years as its President, and helped guide the metalworking industry through some perilous times and lately, through significant growth. Manufacturing is the backbone of our economy, not just in Ohio but throughout the country. Businesses like those in my district are providing family-sustaining careers to more than 12 million Americans now working in manufacturing. Upon his retirement this year, Bill will leave the metalworking industry in much stronger shape than when he first became involved forty years ago. The industry is more vibrant than ever, in part due to the efforts of Bill and others who have committed themselves to strengthening manufacturing in America. I hope that Bill's dedication will serve as an example to future generations of manufacturing leaders.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. ``. . . nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.'' Section 2: ``Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.''

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today in support of H.R. 2713, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act. First, I want to thank my good friend and co-chair, Lois Capps, for her hard work on this legislation. As a husband of a nurse, I know how important nurses are to their patients and all aspects of care. Their leadership, compassionate care, and team approach to healthcare delivery is why nurses are the most trusted profession in America. This legislation specifically helps sustain a nursing workforce with sufficient numbers to keep America's healthcare system running smoothly. It strengthens nursing education at all levels, from entry- level preparation through graduate study, and provides support for institutions that educate nurses for practice in rural and medically underserved communities. Reauthorizing Title VIII programs ensure that these key initiatives have an authorization for funding through fiscal year 2021. I believe Title VIII is a long-term investment which will help propel the nursing profession forward to meet the changing healthcare needs. We must recruit, support, and train a strong nursing workforce, and this bill will ensure that happens. So, please, stand with me today in support of our nurses and this vital legislation.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Chabot very much for the opportunity to be here. It is a pleasure to see in the gallery tonight Steve's loving family: his beautiful wife, Jennifer; Emma; Henry. And for those who are at home: Sarah, Sam, and the twins. You need to know one thing very clearly: your father loved you very much. I had the pleasure of first meeting your father in 1988. I was appointed the prosecutor in Chardon in Geauga County. He was running for election in Lake County. His favorite saying was: no muss, no fuss. Don't worry about this, Davie. We have got this. We worked together for many years, and I can tell you just a few things because I will be brief. Your father cared. He cared deeply about you, he cared deeply about his friends and his family. Whenever you would run into him, he would always ask about the family, the kids. If he knew someone was ill, he always inquired about how they were. He always inquired about people first. The job came later. Secondly, he was loyal. He was somebody you could always count on. If he gave you his word, it was money in the bank. And the beauty of that, no matter what was going on in his life, he made you feel like you were the only one there and your issues were so important to him. Believe me, he was competitive. Whether it was in a courtroom or in the Halls of Congress, he was one who would fight for you day in, day out. He cared deeply about his country and wanted only the best for it. That is why he fought for it. But remember one thing: when it came to softball, your father was something else. We have our annual summer prosecutors' softball game and his team was, unfortunately, defeated 2 years in a row. Then he made it part of his hiring practice that anybody who was coming into the prosecutor's office also had to excel as a softball player because he was not going to let a loss like that occur a third year in a row on behalf of his beloved Lake County. I know you have many fond memories of him. I do, too, but I think the most important part is to remember how much he loved his country and that he was one person you could truly call a legislative gentleman and a scholar.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment. I would like to start today by thanking Chairman Shuster, subcommittee Chairman Gibbs, and the rest of the members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the committee's thorough review of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; here and after, GLRI. The GLRI ensures we work together as a country to protect and preserve one of our most important national treasures and economic assets, the Great Lakes. According to recent estimates, if the Great Lakes region were a country its GDP would be the third largest in the world. The Great Lakes currently generate 1.5 million jobs and $60 billion in wages annually and provides the foundation for a $30 billion tourism economy. Whether it is manufacturing, mining, engineering, agriculture, or fishing, the Great Lakes support a wide variety of jobs and industries, but the Lakes' importance doesn't stop there. The Great Lakes does not just provide jobs; it provides a resource. You see, the Great Lakes holds 6 quadrillion gallons of fresh water. They contain 95 percent of the surface freshwater in the United States and more than 20 percent of the world's surface freshwater. It provides drinking water to 46 million people. The text of this amendment is the same as the text of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016, which just passed this House unanimously on April 26, 2016. I offer my amendment today in hopes that it will finally pass in the Senate, which overwhelmingly passed a similar provision in their WRDA bill. The difference between the House and Senate versions are small but they are important. This amendment includes important changes to current law that reflect feedback from the Government Accountability Office and key stakeholders. My amendment enhances the non-Federal stakeholder outreach the EPA is required to conduct to ensure regular consultation with States and tribes and better communication with NGOs. This amendment also includes a coordinator to address harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie which reduces duplication and increases transparency. It requires more robust, adaptive management by the EPA and the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force to update the GLRI action plan every 5 years. None of these changes were included in the Senate bill. Adding them to the House WRDA bill will make sure these thoughtful provisions, which enhance transparency, accountability, and local planning, are maintained as we fight to get this bill passed. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), who has also been very active in this campaign.

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Chairman, when it comes to the Great Lakes, I know I can sound like a broken record. In fact, some have recently called me here the Great Lakes guy. I am proud of that, and I am proud to support this amendment, proud to stand up for one of our country's greatest natural resources and economic powerhouses. I hope you all join me in support to protect and preserve our national treasure, the Great Lakes. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5338, the Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016. Every week, when I come and go from the Cleveland airport, I worry about the chaotic lines and the long wait times in security. I am glad for the opportunity to speak in support of legislation that intends to alleviate this ever-growing problem. I am increasingly hearing from constituents about the frustration of subjecting oneself to air travel. Traveling with children is even more stressful, as my wife and I can empathize with. Missing a flight because of ridiculously long lines at security is unacceptable. At the same time, we need a system that guarantees passenger safety. It is all of our jobs here in Congress to ensure that our constituents are safe, and it is the responsibility of TSA officers to ensure travelers are thoroughly screened. This legislation will boost their efficiency in doing so. Reviewing the TSA's staffing model is necessary to determine best practices and implement them as soon as possible. This legislation increases transparency and accountability. Examining big-picture problems with the current system and tackling the issues at the source will help to reduce passenger wait times and will ensure the safety of all of our constituents. This legislation presents a commonsense approach in addressing the airport wait times issue, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5338.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5243, the Zika Response Appropriations Act of 2016. I would like to acknowledge the thoughtful leadership of Chairman Rogers on this matter. The bill provides $622.1 million for the Department of Health and Human Services, the State Department, and USAID, to fight and prevent the spread of the Zika virus. This funding will be available immediately. This funding is for this fiscal year only, available September 30, 2016. This funding is entirely offset. Finally, the bill contains strong oversight measures to ensure responsible and effective use of taxpayer dollars. The resources provided in the bill are in addition to the $589 million the Obama administration has already identified to repurpose to fight Zika. In other words, $1.2 billion will be in place to combat the virus. Please stand with me today in support of H.R. 5243.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 223, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016. First, I want to thank my good friend, Bob Gibbs of Ohio, for helping me to shepherd this legislation through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I also want to thank Chairman Shuster for lending a hand and providing guidance on this. Now, I know I may sound like a broken record, but one of the greatest natural resources and economic powerhouses we have in the United States and the world, for that matter, is the Great Lakes. I think the resource is incredibly important because, in the future, freshwater is going to be the new gold. And, if you believe that like I do, you understand why the Great Lakes are so important. Let me give you a few quick facts about this treasure. The Great Lakes contains one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water. The Great Lakes contain about 85 percent of the fresh surface water in North America. In the U.S., the Great Lakes account for 95 percent of the fresh surface water. That is a lot of fresh water. If you took the water and spread it evenly across the Continental United States, the Great Lakes would submerge our country under 9\1/2\ feet of water. These lakes provide more than 35 million people with their drinking water. These Great Lakes support more than 3,500 species of plants and animals. Studies have shown that more than 1\1/2\ million jobs are connected to the five lakes, and they generate $62 billion in wages. Now, I know I have uttered those facts around the Capitol like a broken record since I got here, as have others, but these are powerful in telling our story. An investment in protecting this national treasure is a small down payment in protecting the drinking water for millions of people. This legislation will continue to make sure that we look at these Great Lakes as a national treasure and coordinate our investment in protecting them. Please stand with me today in sending a message to protect and preserve our Great Lakes.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 46, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Samuel Sell of Bainbridge Township, Ohio for his heroic actions on September 13, 2015. Samuel was fishing with his cousin at the LaDue Reservoir when he observed an occupied vehicle go into the water, trapping the driver inside. When no one got out of the car, Samuel swam 100 feet toward the car while he asked his cousin to call 911 immediately. He brought a fishing knife out with him to help free the passenger, which he then gave to the emergency responders when they reached the car. Due to his quick thinking and heroic bravery he helped save a man's life. Along with all of the residents of the 14th Congressional District, I commend him for his actions and wanted to record his feat so that it is enshrined for all future generations.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Chairman, I would be concerned about the unintended consequences of the amendment. We don't know all the potential impacts of this amendment, from safety to capacity to local economics. While I sympathize with both these gentlemen and I pledged to work with the gentleman and his community and the FAA to find a resolution, we have made an effort in this bill not to legislatively direct specific flight restrictions on flight paths. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. JOYCE. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. JOYCE. I oppose the gentleman's amendment. This amendment has far-reaching implications, and it would shut down 9 of 15 long-distance routes. I do not believe that an appropriations bill is the place to do this. This would need to be carefully debated and discussed by the committee of jurisdiction. For these reasons, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Amendment XXIV: Section 1: ``The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.'' Section 2: ``The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.''

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my full support for H.R. 5764, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2014. The reason is simple, Mr. Speaker: the Great Lakes are a national and economic treasure in the U.S., which contains one-fifth of the world's freshwater supply. The GLRI is the most important, significant, and productive effort to date to protect these five lakes that provide drinking water and jobs for millions of people. It is crucial that the GLRI be formally authorized at $300 million for the next 5 years to ensure that the great work already done is not lost. This does not add any new spending and will continue to make sure necessary resources are available. GLRI is an action-oriented, results-driven initiative targeting the most significant problems within the basin, including invasive species like Asian carp, toxins and contaminated sediment, nonpoint source pollution, and habitat and wildlife protection and restoration. The programs are working, and the GLRI will ensure we have healthy Great Lakes, while boosting the economies in this vast region. The Great Lakes are one of the jewels of the United States. When I talk about the Great Lakes to people who are not from the region, I make sure to point out their benefits are twofold: economic and environmental. Let me give you a couple of statistics that will illustrate how important it is that we make this critical investment. Six quadrillion. We are not talking about a little freshwater here. There are six quadrillion gallons of water in the Great Lakes basin. Let's let that number soak in. $62 billion. The Great Lakes basin supports a diverse range of industries and small businesses, and that is how much is generated by wages in the industry in the Great Lakes region. Thirty million. That is the number of people who live within the Great Lakes basin and rely on them for safe drinking water, transportation, and recreation. $14 million. That is how much money in GLRI funds that was spent to clean up the Ashtabula River, in the heart of my district. Because these programs are working, I was able to see the Ashtabula River taken off the EPA's designated list of places that are ``areas of concern'' a couple of months ago. That is a really big deal for northeast Ohio. 1.5 million. That is how many jobs are directly related to the Great Lakes. 3,500. That is how many diverse species of plant and wildlife call the Great Lakes home. Finally, the last and most telling statistic for you today is the number three. Three is the number of days that residents of Toledo in my home State of Ohio were unable to drink the water in their homes because of the harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. The water in Lake Erie was literally green. That is unacceptable. This is a clear reason why we need to pass this bill and authorize GLRI--with bipartisan support--because no American should ever be afraid to drink the tap water in their own home. Supporting this bill will lock in the programs that work to ensure our Nation's largest bodies of freshwater are protected and will continue to be protected in the future. Before I close, I want to thank Chairman Shuster, as well as my colleague and dear friend from Ohio, Representative Gibbs, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their help on this bill. We have spent a lot of time working on this issue, and I am very grateful for their assistance. I would also like to thank Majority Leader McCarthy for scheduling this important bill for floor consideration. I am very excited the GLRI enjoys so much bipartisan support from Great Lakes Members here in Congress. When we make these investments in our Great Lakes, results are produced for our constituents, the environment, and businesses throughout the vast region.

Mr. JOYCE. It is critical we formally authorize GLRI so that people who live in Toledo or Mentor or Conneaut in my district don't have to worry about days ahead without fresh drinking water.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, Spirit of America is a not for profit public service organization established in 1995, in Mentor, Ohio. Spirit of America exists primarily to serve our nation's youth with America's Premier Youth Boating Safety Education Program. Spirit of America combines the resources of traditional and non- traditional education activities to provide a place and a way for students to learn, react, and develop lifelong learning skills and ambitions. They empower our youth to develop responsibility, confidence, self esteem, teamwork, and safe boating practices. Furthermore this organization proves that advancing community boating where Spirit of America programs are located spurs other economic and social benefits, while continuing to provide a resource for the marine industry. Future Boaters = Future Business The Spirit of America Foundation has placed and graduated tens of thousands of young people over the past 19 years. In recognition of their efforts and to promote awareness, Spirit of America has coined and created the ``National Take Our Youth Boating Week''. This special event will be held/ celebrated annually the second week in July, beginning this July 4th- 12th. There will be a great deal of promotion amongst their partners including the United States Coast Guard (USCG), manufacturers of the marine industry, and other educational non-profit organizations whose mission is similar to theirs. The Spirit of America Foundation would like to have the event recognized on the national level by July 2015 but appreciates our acknowledgment for 2014 in the mean time. The plan is that all interested parties will participate in the mission of getting more youth on the water. No Child (will be) Left on the Dock Education and safety are of the utmost importance and Spirit of America is changing the way that the world views boating, in particular with young people. In 2013 the lowest number of fatalities were recorded since the USCG has been recording data. They plan to have this program available in all 50 states in the future. Please get involved by visiting the website for a location to participate, or contact them directly for information about opening a program in your area. www.SpiritofAmerica95.org

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate Stow Police Chief Louis Dirker on his retirement following 40 years of service in Ohio law enforcement. Chief Dirker is an outstanding leader, father, and public servant who dedicated himself to serving the people of Northeast Ohio as well as our nation. Prior to his career in law enforcement, he served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. In 1974, Chief Dirker started with the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, retiring as chief in 2001. He then served for two years as deputy director of safety and security for Cleveland Municipal Schools before he was hired in February 2003 as chief of police for the City of Stow. In addition to earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Akron, Chief Dirker graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2000. He was named a certified law enforcement executive by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police in 2006 and has served as board president for Metro SWAT since 2005. As an instructor at the University of Akron and Kent State University, Chief Dirker has shown a dedication to training the next generation of law enforcement leaders. Chief and Mrs. Dirker have six children, several of whom have also pursued their own careers in law enforcement. Chief Dirker remains an active member of Rotary, Fraternal Order of Police, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 14th District of Ohio, I congratulate Chief Dirker on his well-deserved retirement and thank him for his lifelong service to Northeast Ohio and our nation.

Mr. JOYCE

Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, Independence, created by a glacier on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River first sheltered Indians, then became a settlement, grew with the Ohio and Erie Canal, expanded into a stone quarrying center, then slumbered along as a farming community until urbanization of Cuyahoga County which resulted in its growth as a suburban city. Independence was organized as a Township in 1814. With the opening of the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1827, Independence Township became accessible to trade and settlers. Centrally located at the crossroads of Interstate 480 and Interstate 77, Independence is widely known as the ``Heart of Cuyahoga County'' and the region. With approximately 7,133 residents in 9.73 square miles, the City of Independence exhibits all the character and charm of a small town community that embraces family values and its rich history, while maintaining a robust commercial setting as well. The community boasts of a great school system, excellent city services and a diverse residential and business population. It is my honor to recognize their Bicentennial celebration and wish them all the best for their next 200 years.