David Jolly

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo for celebrating their 25 years in service on June 15, 2016. In 1991, the zoo opened up the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Hospital to provide for sick and wounded manatees. In the last 25 years, more than 400 of the endangered species have come through to receive treatment for boat strikes, red tide sickness, cold stress, or entanglement. The non-profit Lowry Park Zoo hospital is one of the three federally permitted rehabilitation facilities in the state and the Zoo also serves to educate the public on how to better protect manatees. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Lowry Park Zoo for their efforts to help save and protect these endangered species. Not only do they provide exceptional care, but also an invaluable education in preserving wildlife. I ask that this body join me in recognizing and thanking them for their efforts.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Indian Rocks Beach deputies and firefighters for their efforts in locating a missing girl, Emma, who was four years old. On April 23, 2016, Indian Rock Beach City Commissioner Cookie Kennedy and her family were enjoying themselves on the beach, when a man approached them asking for help looking for a little girl named Emma who was in town to visit and who was lost. No one knew where Emma had gone, but it was not long before the whole town joined in the search for her. The police and fire department worked tirelessly to find Emma, and with the help of the whole town, Emma was eventually found unharmed. Emma's mother, Jennifer Lewis, is extremely grateful to all of the residents of Indian Rocks Beach, and especially, the fast response of the police and fire departments. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the residents of Indian Rocks Beach for actively responding to their call for action. I am proud to serve as the Representative for this community and request that this body join me in recognizing their heroic actions.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the Largo KinderCare Learning Center for receiving national accreditation. The KinderCare Learning Center has recently been granted accreditation by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs, a leading professional organization in the early education industry for children, between two months old and five years old. Accreditation is distinct from licensing as the latter only ensures a basic threshold level of a center's ability to provide whereas accreditation enables the center to provide high quality early learning programs. Less than ten percent of programs receive accreditation in the nation, which makes this very important for Pinellas County. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the Largo KinderCare Learning Center for the education they provide to our children. A national accredited center is very important to Pinellas and I ask that this body join me in recognizing them for their efforts.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA) for continuing to help our veterans. The PCHA was formed in 1965 as an independent agency. They provide more than eight thousand people housing and rental assistance when they are most in need. Their current focus has been on veterans, ensuring that this important section of our community receives appropriate housing through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. The PCHA has a ``veteran's preference'' for veterans who are on the waiting list for regular vouchers which has helped them find homes for 63 local homeless veterans in partnership with the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the PCHA for their help and efforts to ensure veterans who offered their lives in service of our country can fully enjoy the homes that they truly deserve. I ask that this body join me in recognizing their efforts and accomplishments of the PCHA in serving homeless veterans in Pinellas County.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the Clearwater Aquarium for their new sea turtle habitat. Recently, the Clearwater Aquarium opened a new habitat designed for sea turtles. These animals are native to our community, but they are endangered animals and must be protected. The Clearwater Aquarium has one of the few sea turtle habitats in the world occupied solely by rescued turtles. Its residents are not able to be released back into the wild due to poor health or as a result of injuries they have sustained. The habitat is a large, spacious area that gives the turtles plenty of room to maneuver and not be confined to one area. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Clearwater Aquarium for their new exhibit that provides needed protection and a better way of life for these endangered creatures. I ask that this body join me in thanking the Clearwater Aquarium for their efforts.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Dobies and Officer Thanh ``Tommy'' Nguyen for their participation in the USPCA National Detector Dog Certification and Field Trials. The USPCA National Detector Dog Certification and Field Trials was held in Philadelphia and comprised of more than 100 police and K-9 teams throughout the United States and Canada that compete for national certification and individual awards. The team of Dobies and Officer Nguyen received stellar marks across the board. They finished in third for the Room Search, first for the Region Team, and took home the ``Top Dog'' award for first place in the nation of narcotics detection. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the Tarpon Springs team of Dobies and Officer Thanh ``Tommy'' Nguyen for receiving high honors in this national competition. It makes me proud to hear that our K-9 team is well trained and making Pinellas County safe, and I ask that this body join me in recognizing the efforts of Dobies and Officer Nguyen.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Stacy Shelton for being awarded Teacher of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Largo and Mid- Pinellas. The Largo and Mid-Pinellas Kiwanis, the largest and oldest leadership organization service for teens, helps teach graduating members of the Largo Key Club leadership skills, helps them with service projects, and also offers college scholarship money. Ms. Shelton was awarded Teacher of the Year on June 9th, 2016 by the Head of the Sponsored Youth Committee of the club, Dr. Regina Bennet. Ms. Shelton is a member of the club, a faculty adviser for the Largo High School Key Club and a special education teacher at Largo High School. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ms. Shelton for the work she does for Pinellas County students and for the Kiwanis Club. She is a valued member of Pinellas County and I ask that this body rise in recognizing her efforts.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Dawn Fountain for the care and kindness she provides to victims of domestic violence. Ms. Fountain is a founder of Purses and Love, a non-profit organization in aid of the victims of domestic violence; but first and foremost, she is also a survivor. Alongside her mother and other volunteers, she helps the victims and their children by providing them with essential items when they arrive at shelters after leaving their home. The sad reality exists that these victims often come to shelters empty-handed, as many have to flee their homes in a hurry. Ms. Fountain provides, among other things, clothing, kids' toys and medical supplies for the victims of abuse. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Ms. Fountain for the work she does for these survivors. I thank her for her efforts and I ask that this body join me in recognizing her for all that she provides to our community.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Christopher Fogarty for his service to Pinellas County as a Sunstar Paramedic. Mr. Fogarty has recently received the 2016 Commissioner Morroni Award of Excellence in EMS at the 21st annual Appreciation Luncheon for Emergency Personnel. Mr. Fogarty has worked with Sunstar Paramedics for 11 years and has been an emergency medical technician and a paramedic since 2012. Mr. Fogarty's recent actions won him this prestigious award when he saved the life of a Clearwater resident who went into cardiac arrest in his home. Thanks to Mr. Fogarty's decisive thinking and years of medical experience the resident's rare heart condition was quickly identified and the man's life was saved. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Christopher Fogarty's service and dedication to Pinellas County. He has saved one citizen, and I am sure he will save many more. I ask that this body join me in recognizing the actions of Mr. Fogarty for Pinellas County.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize James Previtera, St. Petersburg Assistant Chief of Police. Mr. Previtera is a St. Petersburg native and recently joined the local law enforcement division. In 1983, as a senior in high school, he went on a ride-along with local law enforcement, sparking his passion for police work. Subsequently he joined the force and in 1986 he became a deputy for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department where he would serve for 11 years. In 1997, Mr. Previtera left the Sheriff's Office and joined the U.S. Secret Service. He was a member for eight years and protected Vice President Dick Cheney from 2003 to 2005. In 2005, he returned to St. Petersburg and joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office where he served as a major in charge of the Training Divisions before becoming a colonel in command for the county's jail facilities. It was in this role within the jail facilities that Mr. Previtera observed first-hand how mental illness can induce criminal activity and how the justice system had previously neglected this reality. He started a program to transfer mentally-ill inmates from jail into treatment centers where they could be treated effectively. In 2014, when a new police chief in St. Petersburg gave Mr. Previtera the chance to join the police department as an assistant chief in charge of the Investigative Services bureau down there, he jumped at the opportunity. It gave him the chance to finally return to his home city and make a difference where it all started. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Previtera for the work he has done for Pinellas County and for our nation. I ask that this body join me in thanking Mr. Previtera for his continued outstanding service.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Brad Kendell for his tenacity and perseverance in the face of adversity. Brad Kendell is a Pinellas County native, from Clearwater. His passion for sailing with his father at the Clearwater Yacht Club began when he was just 7 years old. However, in 2003, his life drastically changed when he lost both his legs in a horrific plane crash with his father and flight instructor. Mr. Kendell coped with his injury by meeting with other disabled sailors and soon discovered that his disability could not stop him from pursuing his true passion of sailing. He began to sail competitively this year and has already won a world championship. This qualifies him to represent the U.S. in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio this summer. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge Mr. Kendell's courage after a horrific accident and ask that this body join me in wishing Mr. Kendell the best of luck in the games this summer.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Allen Baker for his commitment to the Rotary Club. This past month, Dr. Baker celebrated his 70 years of perfect attendance to the Rotary Club. He first joined the Rotary Club in 1946 in Illinois and has since attended more than 3,500 meetings over his 70 years of being a member. He has also attended 53 foreign Rotary Club meetings, the most notable of which was in Poland where the meeting was conducted in English in his honor. He joined the Belleair club in 1991 when he moved here and has since served as secretary and on the club's board of directors. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Dr. Allen Baker for his diligence and dedicated service to the Rotary Club. He has been a faithful member, wherever his life has taken him, and I ask that this body join me in recognizing Dr. Allen Baker.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of continued terror around the globe and here at home, the American people are rightfully asking what solutions exist within the Halls of Congress, and they are rightfully asking questions about national security and, yes, about the Second Amendment and about firearms. The numbers don't lie. Eighty-five percent of Americans believe that if you are being investigated for terror, you should not be able to purchase a firearm; but 88 percent of Americans also believe that this body should follow the Constitution. The congressional approval rating--not 58 percent, not 88 percent--is somewhere around 10 percent. Why? It is because the American people want to see a Congress that is governing, a Congress that is solving problems. We each run on closely held convictions, and we should honor those every day in the Halls of this body. The days of reaching consensus seem to be imperiled, seem to be just out of reach. We prioritize the politics of blame over the politics of governing. We prioritize the politics of November over the politics of now. In the past few weeks, this conflict has played out in very real time on very closely held issues, personal issues right here in this well. My friends on the left want to vote on a bill that will lose. It will lose. We on the right are often chastised for bringing up legislation that will be vetoed, with the question, ``Why even go down that road?'' The same questions can be asked about why do we demand a vote on a bill that will lose, and it will lose based on constitutional convictions about a lack of due process in the current draft of the no fly, no buy bill. Eighty-eight percent of Americans support the Constitution, and that includes due process. Current restrictions on firearm purchases are all post-adjudication--if you have been adjudicated mentally incompetent, if you have been adjudicated and convicted of a violent crime, if you have been adjudicated and separated dishonorably from the Armed Forces. But a no fly, no buy list with no process says there is no adjudication, and that raises constitutional convictions, which is why that bill would go down. My friends on the right are rightfully concerned over a slippery slope about the Second Amendment, a fundamental right to purchase and bear firearms. We can't let this debate end in inaction, which is the great fear of the next 2 weeks. The truth is we can protect the Second Amendment, we can protect due process, and we can protect communities throughout the country, which is why I have introduced H.R. 5544 as a consensus bill. Is it perfect? Perhaps not, but work with me to make it better. It says this: If you are being investigated as a terror suspect, you can't buy a firearm. But if your government denies you the right to purchase that firearm, your government has 10 days to notify you they did so because you are being investigated. You are then entitled to a due process hearing within 30 days at which the government has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to prove why you shouldn't be able to purchase a firearm. The individual is entitled to see all unclassified evidence, and the hearing remains private to protect the interests of the individual and the interests of government. My bill would also notify law enforcement if somebody who is the subject of a closed investigation later tries to purchase a firearm. We can probably make it better together. We can add reimbursement of court fees. We can allow a provision in the Collins bill that says law enforcement should be allowed to let a transfer go through if it helps an investigation as opposed to hindering it. To the left, it provides no fly, no buy with due process. To the right, it protects the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment is not infringed because someone is being investigated. It is infringed because someone is denied the right to purchase a firearm, which is why my bill finally provides due process and puts the burden of proof on the government if that right is denied. We can do this. We can actually do this. We can reach consensus on both sides of the aisle. The real scandal in this town right now is not about sit-ins. The real scandal is not about inaction. The real scandal is that this isn't that hard. This isn't that hard. Eighty-five percent of Americans say no fly, no buy. Eighty-eight percent say support the Constitution. So let's do that. Let's stand with those who support no fly, no buy. Let's stand with those who support the Constitution. And let's give some level of hope to cling to, to the 90 percent of this country who disapprove of what is happening in this Chamber right now. A demand for a bill that will go nowhere only promises inaction that makes its way into political commercials in November. Ignoring the fact that America wants no fly, no buy is also catering to the politics of November. Let's cast aside this current debate and recognize that the solutions are right in front of us if we extract the politics out of this.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, since the tragedy the Nation witnessed in Orlando about 10 days ago--a tragedy that struck at the heart of the American people, that struck at the heart of the LGBT community--we have a Nation that feels less secure, a Nation looking to Congress for answers regarding our national security posture, the policies of this administration's, of this Congress and answers, also legitimately, about how to protect our communities while also protecting the constitutional privileges of due process and the Second Amendment. They are very legitimate questions we cannot turn a deaf ear to. We answer to the American people. They entrust us to serve. I was in Florida on the weekend of the attacks. When I left Florida to fly up here, I left a State, a community, that was united in grieving, united in mourning, united in its resolve to do something about it. I arrived at an institution as divided as ever. It is not constructive to shout ``shame'' to your colleagues. It is not constructive to suggest that one side of the aisle is complicit in mass attacks on our Nation simply because some of us have had grave concerns about a proposal that, for 2 years, has been offered that we believe is flawed in recognizing constitutional protections; but it is also not acceptable to embrace inaction, and that is true on my side of the aisle as well. I have voted against the Democratic proposal in committee for a couple of years. Here is why--and this is important for the American people to understand. If you are on a watch list, you should not be able to buy a gun; but if you are wrongfully on that list and if you are a law-abiding American citizen, your constitutional protections should be provided for. You see, when an individual today is not allowed to purchase a firearm--the seven, eight, nine classes of individuals--they are all post adjudication. They have received a due process hearing and have been either convicted of a violent felony, have been adjudicated through a court of mental incompetence, or have been dishonorably discharged. In each case, there has been due process. Post adjudication is when the ban has been implemented. The proposal on the left says there is no due process. If you are on the watch list, you are banned. I think that is wrong, but let's lead on our side of the aisle. Let's lead as a body and figure this out together. Last week, I circulated a proposal. I didn't introduce it last week. I circulated it. I said to all of my colleagues: Help me make this better. So last night, with some changes, based on input from my colleagues, I introduced H.R. 5544. It makes changes. It accepts the proposal of no fly, no buy. It is common sense. If you are on a watch list, you shouldn't be able to purchase a firearm; but under my legislation, if you are denied, you must be notified not at the point of sale, but within 10 days by the government that you were denied because you are on a watch list. You are then entitled to a due process hearing within 30 days by a judge, not by a political appointee within the Department of Justice. The government must then demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence--a 51-49 burden--why you should be prohibited. If they can do that, you are prohibited. If they cannot satisfy that burden, your Second Amendment rights remain intact. Importantly, the individual is entitled to all unclassified information against him. The hearing is private so as to protect the privacy of the individual and the interests of government. As a result of circulating it, I have also added a provision by a colleague of mine in the Senate that, if a terror investigation has been closed and someone has been removed from the watch list and he later goes to purchase a firearm, the FBI should be notified. I think that is reasonable. That is H.R. 5544. I ask for your consideration. I ask for you to help make it better. The terror strike in Orlando struck at the heart of America. Yes, it struck in the name of ISIS--a terrorist who proclaimed he was doing it in the name of radical Islam. Those were his words. It also struck at the heart of an LGBT community that, for generations, has been fighting for freedom, and it saw that freedom attacked. Americans--all Americans--feel less safe now. Let's inject some radical common sense into this debate. We can ensure no fly, no buy while also ensuring due process and the Second Amendment. If we take the context of November--the narrative of a campaign--out of this, we can actually get this done. Let's listen to the 85 percent of Americans who disapprove of the job we are doing rather than go home and have a message of blaming each other. Let's go home and say we solved it together. If H.R. 5544 is not something you can support, let's talk about how to improve it. With regard to the proposal my friends on the left have had for 2 years, add due process, real due process. You will get the support. You will get the support on our side of the aisle if you add due process. I say to my friends on my side of the aisle, let's lead on this issue. The American people are begging for leadership. There is a community that is broken--a Nation that is broken--in the wake of Orlando. Let's honor the memories of those who are lost. Let's do right by the American people and do right by the surviving families. Let's do something.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a man who served his community of Clearwater, Florida for many years, former Clearwater Police Chief Willis D. Booth. Former Chief Booth is being inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Chief Booth was born November 12, 1924 in Safety Harbor, Florida and is the great grandson of the man credited to be the first settler of Pinellas County peninsula, Mr. Count Odet Phillipe. Chief Booth graduated from Clearwater High School in 1942 and started his career in law enforcement September 6th, 1947. It did not take long for Chief Booth to rise through the ranks. He was promoted to Sergeant on August 16th, 1949 and subsequently enrolled and graduated from the Southern Police Institute in 1953. Four years later, on July 28th, 1953, he advanced to the status of Captain. During this time, Booth was the man everyone could rely on filling in for any position when necessary, including as Senior Captain and Acting Chief when the acting officers were unavailable. Finally, when his predecessor, Chief Irving Dribben retired, Chief Booth was chosen to succeed him and became Chief on November 4th, 1957. While Chief Booth was the Chief of Police for 11 years, he was a member of numerous groups and committees. He was a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and was a part of the Public Relations Committee in 1963. Additionally, he served on the Membership Committee and on the Regional Committee on Education and Training for Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Florida Police Chiefs Association, Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association, and served as president for both. In 1968, Chief Booth retired from his role in the Clearwater Police Department to accept the position of Assistant Director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and to continue making a difference in communities around the state. I want to thank Former Chief Willis Booth for his years of service to our community as a member of Florida Law Enforcement. I ask that this body join me in recognizing his service and congratulating him on a distinguished career. He is an important part of the history of Pinellas County and is most deserving of his induction into the Florida Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Veteran 2nd Lieutenant Gerald ``Bud'' Berry for his actions during World War II and during D-Day, June 6, 1944. 2nd Lt. Berry was drafted in 1942 and signed up for the Aviation Cadet Program. It took him a year to complete the training and upon graduation, he earned his 2nd Lieutenant ranking. A couple months later, he was sent overseas to begin training for the Army Air Corps. There 2nd Lt. Berry was assigned a specialized flight plan to assist in the United States effort on D-Day. He was assigned to towing gliders to the front and flying the 91st squadron of the 439th troop carrier group. He was responsible for flying the paratroopers over their designated landing zones, and for capturing any gliders that were in good enough shape to reuse. On D- Day, 2nd Lt. Berry was prepared and successfully completed his portion of the mission helping the Allied forces begin their surge to victory in the War. I want to thank and acknowledge 2nd Lt. Gerald Berry for his honor, duty, and sacrifice for our country. He was a part of a mission that changed the course of history, and his efforts will be revered and remembered. I extend my deepest gratitude to 2nd Lt. Berry for his service. I ask that this body join me in recognizing him for his service.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize three members of our community, Mr. Dale K. Johnson, Mr. Randall Kahle, and Mr. Ronnie Bennett for being selected by the St. Petersburg Civitan Club as citizens of Pinellas whose work for the community exemplifies the club's pillars of service, fellowship, and knowledge. Civitan International is an association of volunteer service clubs that started in 1917 and now has more than 40,000 members across the country and internationally. The mission of this collection of groups is to build good citizenship by creating a volunteer network of service clubs that address individual and community needs. They specialize in serving people with developmental disabilities. The St. Petersburg chapter was established on April 12, 1921, and for the past 95 years it has been a part of many efforts to support children and adults who require extra assistance due to a disability. Since 1986, the St. Petersburg chapter has honored and recognized outstanding members of the Police and Fire departments of the area. This year, the three honorees are: Police Field Training Officer Dale K. Johnson, Fire Officer Randall Kahle, and Firefighter Ronnie Bennett. These three have exemplified the high standards of the Civitan Club, serving people across Pinellas who are especially in need of assistance. I am very happy to have them as my neighbors here in Pinellas County. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge these three exceptional individuals for their hard work. They are most deserving of this recognition from the Civitan Club and I hope they continue to support those in need within Pinellas County. I ask that this body join me in thanking these three exceptional individuals for their exceptional service.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, this is the week we mourn together. As one nation. This week we know no party, we know no prejudice. This is the week we all as Americans suffer loss together, come together, and resolve together that we will not fall to the architects of terror. Mr. Speaker, this is our Paris. The mass shooting in Orlando is now one more defining moment of our time. One more defining moment of terror. And one more defining moment in the fabric of modern America. Innocent brothers and sisters were targeted by evil, in the name of a radical Islamic jihad against America that despicably perverts religion to justify taking the life of innocent people. But this is the week we resolve to destroy terror forever, to destroy those who wish to destroy us. In an election year, its natural for anger to divide us, to draw us into a partisan divide. But let's rise above the politics of division and remain one united people. Let's not fall prey this week to politicians casting blame, seeking credit, or drawing division. The debate over national security, over guns and the constitution, over surveillance, over crimes of hate, these debates will rightfully occur over the coming weeks and months. And they should. We must defeat our enemies before they defeat us. We must protect our communities from violence of any kind, at the cause of any weapon. We must always vet those who come here legally and we must secure our borders. And we must ensure we apprehend homegrown agents of terror in all 50 states. But we do this together as a nation. United, not divided. Committed to the cause of freedom envisioned by our founders and granted by our Creator. We are one people. We stand with the victims of Orlando. They will forever be in our hearts. And in their loss, we resolve to honor their memories with vigilance, with fidelity, to make our nation safer, stronger, and forever united against hate, against evil, and against our enemies. May God bless the souls of our departed fellow Americans. May God hold close their families and loved ones. And may God forever protect our nation and forever preserve our freedom. Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old Amanda Alvear, 25 years old Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26 years old Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old Cory James Connell, 21 years old Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old Frank Hernandez, 27 years old Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old Kimberly Morris, 37 years old Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 years old Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old Martin Benitez Tones, 33 years old Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge two members of our community, high school student Konner Ross and her teacher Deborah Pettingill, for bringing light to the story of a fallen World War II soldier from our community. As a part of the Silent Hero Project, Ms. Ross recently wrote a eulogy for a St. Petersburg-native and WWII soldier, Private Leo K. Chalcraft. The Silent Hero Project is organized by the National History Day program. Fifteen teams of high school students and teachers research someone from their home state who is buried in Normandy, and Ms. Ross chose Private Chalcraft for her project. He was only 19 years old and was drafted to serve. However, in 1944 off the coast of France, he drowned after the boat he was on sank. While researching Private Chalcraft's life, Ms. Ross felt a personal connection to him because he was so young when he was drafted and when he was killed in combat. She felt it was her responsibility to honor this young man from our community. Her teacher, Deborah Pettingill, helped Ms. Ross with the project. Together, they have learned a lot about Private Chalcraft from military and burial records. They were also able to find his younger brother Albert, who had a lot of Private Chalcraft's mementos like a Purple Heart, flag, and telegrams. Eventually, the two will create a website honoring Private Chalcraft and the sacrifice he made for this country. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the work and effort of Ms. Konner Ross and Ms. Deborah Pettingill for bringing this memory back to our community and honoring Private Chalcraft's service to Pinellas County and to our country. I ask that this body join me in recognizing these two for the work they have done in honoring Private Chalcraft.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize our Seminole-area educators, who make a difference throughout our community every day. On May 17, 2016, educators from across Pinellas County gathered next to my office to be recognized for their efforts and the work they do for our Seminole community. While only a handful of teachers made it to the honoring ceremony, they represent the hundreds of teachers who change the lives of our youth daily. We all have had favorite teachers growing up, an adult other than our parent who saw something in us and wanted to make sure we would succeed. I come from a family of educators and I have personally seen the impact a good teacher can have on their students. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank and acknowledge the Seminole teachers for their hard work. They continue to better Pinellas County by caring for and working with our kids. I ask that this body join me in recognizing the service they do. We are very thankful for their hard work.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Mr. Kevin Hendrick for receiving the Governor's Shine Award. Mr. Hendrick is the principal of Northeast High School in St. Petersburg and received the award for his contributions to education at his school. Mr. Hendrick has been involved with schools for eighteen years, and is a past recipient of the Principal of the Year award. Mr. Hendrick utilizes Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), a program to help diminish the achievement gap for students who are the first member of their family to go to college. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Kevin Hendrick for his commitment to our community and for ensuring students can reach their goals. I ask that this body join me in recognizing Mr. Hendrick for his hard work and congratulating him on receiving the Shine Award. It is most deserving.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Jeremy Tinter and Nicholas Eberhardt who received the American Ambulance Association's Stars of Life Award. The National Award recognizes those professionals with outstanding service and dedication. Mr. Tinter is a paramedic and a clinical services coordinator. He oversees employee orientation and acts as the field training officer at Sunstar Paramedics. He has overhauled the orientation process to increase the capstone testing rates and onboard new paramedics more efficiently. Mr. Eberhardt is an emergency medical technician who has shown great leadership skills by mentoring new employees and providing excellent patient care. He was also a part of the team that started the Paramedics Plus' operation in South Dakota. He has previously received the Sunstar Paramedics' Care Plus award. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize these two exceptional individuals for the hard work and care they provide to Pinellas County. They give their time to help members of our community in life threatening incidents. I ask that this body join me in recognizing their efforts.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from Texas, and I thank the chairman for a very good bill that I intend to support. This is a strong bill. The chairman has done great work. But I do want to rise in support of the effort of my colleague from Texas. We do continue to hear about the excess capacity that each of the services have. And I ask the question: Should we really be paying for cement we don't need when we face end-strength needs, recapitalization needs, and other more important priorities than facilities? This is a hard issue, and the answer doesn't lie simply in today's amendment. But I think we should continue the conversation. That is why I rise to support my colleague; I rise to support the bill and my chairman as well, and to thank the gentleman for offering the amendment.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Phil Waldman for his induction into the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame of 2016. Mr. Waldman was a ferry pilot and the former President of the Florida Globe Aero. From 1975 to 1979, he ferried 400 planes a year and had 27 pilots on his payroll too. Mr. Waldman flew planes all over the world and a lot of the time, they were single engine planes. That means for 20 to 30 hours of flight time, he would be alone with an extra gas tank in the seat beside him. He crossed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans over 250 times in small planes, almost beating the standing record for this type of flight. Mr. Waldman is joining a rich history of aviation pilots in the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame and our community of Pinellas County is proud to have him as a neighbor. Although he semi-retired in 2008, he remains an active pilot. I respect Mr. Waldman for the work he put into aviation, and I ask this body join me in recognizing Phil Waldman for his accomplishments.

Mr. JOLLY

Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the efforts of the Florida Dream Center, an agency working to improve the lives of those living in our community. The Florida Dream Center was started in 2012 with the goal of helping victims of homelessness, human trafficking, and neglect. Led by Executive Director Geoffrey Rogers and President Bill Losasso, the Florida Dream Center is committed to their goal for Pinellas County which entails restoring dreams, renewing hope, and rebuilding lives. Most recently, The Florida Dream Center and the Pinellas County Human Services, partnered to make a dream become reality for a family of four through the Adopt-A-Block initiative. A single mom and her three boys, all of whom are under the age of 15, did not have a home to live in and were living in motels. Volunteers gave their time to remodel and restore a foreclosed property that the family will now be living in. Along with revitalizing our communities and neighborhoods, the Florida Dream Center works hard to help combat hunger. At the beginning of April, the organization and other members of our community helped hand out food to those in need and they also provided repairs and maintenance to the community where they saw it was needed most. Additionally, the Florida Dream Center aids human trafficking victims and survivors to ensure they feel safe in Pinellas County. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Florida Dream Center and Pinellas County Human Services and Fair Housing Assistance Program for continuing to aid and provide exemplary help to those in need in our county. Their acts of kindness are an inspiration and I ask that this body join me in recognizing them for the hard work they have done and continue to do for all of us in Pinellas County