Evan Jenkins

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, one of the most effective tools in fighting the drug crisis is the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program. It is also known as HIDTA. This program works at Federal, State, and local levels, bringing together law enforcement to stop drug trafficking in our communities. In my district, the funding is to provide necessary resources to local police departments and county sheriffs' offices to help facilitate efforts to stop drug trafficking. It teams up with local law enforcement, the FBI, and the DEA to get drugs off our streets and lock up traffickers. The police chief in my hometown of Huntington, West Virginia, says HIDTA is critical to the success of their counterdrug mission. They rely on HIDTA funding to support training and operational activities. The amendment I offer today is straightforward and completely offset. It will increase funding for the HIDTA program by $2 million. The increase will go a long way in ensuring our sheriff and police departments can continue making strides in combating the drug crisis. I want to thank Chairman Crenshaw and the committee for their tireless efforts to fund programs making a difference in our communities. His work on this bill and continued support of HIDTA are truly making a difference in combating the drug epidemic. Mr. Chairman, while I have only served on the Appropriations Committee for 2 years, it has been a pleasure working with my colleague from Florida, Mr. Crenshaw. Again, thanks to the chairman, Chairman Crenshaw, and I ask for support for my amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, West Virginians are facing tremendous hardship from devastating floods we experienced nearly 2 weeks ago. In a matter of hours, more than 20 people were killed, hundreds of homes destroyed, and thousands of residents' lives were turned upside-down. Through the heartbreak, stories of heroism have emerged. Neighbors have offered a helping hand to strangers. Our churches and schools have opened their doors to people in need and those who have lost their homes are still volunteering at our command centers and food lines. This is what makes West Virginia special. When things get tough, we get working. We band together and we are stronger together. I have traveled throughout our flood-ravaged communities doing what I can to support our recovery. Along the way, I have met brave people, selfless people, and some of the kindest people you would ever get a chance to know. In the basement of the Summersville Baptist Church, thousands of family photographs from just one family lay on tables curled and soaked in floodwater. Church youth group members worked to take each picture out of its frame or album and spread them out to dry. This parishioner may have lost her home, but this spirit of community is helping preserve her memories. In Rainelle, I met an 18-year-old who had just joined the volunteer fire department. His job after the floodwaters receded was to recover and retrieve bodies and then stand guard over them in the fire department. He has seen and done things that no one should have had to experience, but he kept doing his job as a volunteer for his community, serving his community. I met a lady sheltered the first night in Ansted who was rescued after hours in her one-story home that had filled with 4 feet of water. She survived the horrific event by relying on her deep faith, knowing she was in God's hands. The road ahead will be tough. We have a very long way to go. We will always remember and honor those whom we lost, and we will offer our love and support to those rebuilding their lives. I know we will rebuild. We will repair our schools, restock our library shelves, repave our roads, and reconstruct our bridges. We will be there for each other. We are West Virginians, and it is our home.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the House will vote this week on a resolution of disapproval on a carbon tax, a new tax that would greatly hurt my State of West Virginia. West Virginia is the second largest producer of coal in the United States. The coal mined in West Virginia made this country what it is today. It made the steel that built skyscrapers and the ships that won world wars. If a carbon tax would be imposed, all of this would change. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, a carbon tax would hurt our economy. It would raise prices and diminish people's purchasing power. It would reduce the number of hours people worked, resulting in lost wages. It would also disproportionately hurt low-income families and raise energy prices for seniors and families. West Virginia already has one of the highest unemployment rates in the Nation. What we need are policies that create more jobs, encourage companies to expand and hire, diversify our economy, and reinvest in our people. Our coal miners and our coalfields have suffered enough. They can't afford a tax on the very energy West Virginia produces. The message is clear: West Virginia needs more jobs and reinvestment, not a carbon tax. Implementation of New Ozone Standards

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the EPA is at it again. It is writing yet another rule that will hurt our economy and could make it harder for us to build new roads and create jobs. In this economy, when West Virginia has one of the highest unemployment rates in the Nation, the last thing we need is more red tape. We don't need more bureaucrats getting in the way of our State's ability to develop our resources. The new ozone standards the EPA wants to impose on States would hurt manufacturing, drilling, mining, and agricultural operations, hurting the families who depend on these jobs. The EPA is ratcheting up its ozone standard on States. Most States and counties haven't even met the 2008 ozone standard, and now the bar is being raised again. This is unrealistic. Counties not in compliance with the new standard could find it even harder to attract and build new developments. In southern West Virginia, that means we might not be able to redevelop our former mine sites to their full potential. It could even halt the much-needed Hobet mine redevelopment. Noncompliant counties also might not be able to build new highways. For southern West Virginia, that could mean long planned highway projects are put on the back burner again. This week, we will vote in the House on a bill to put the brakes on the EPA's latest actions. We will give the States time to catch up before the EPA tries to impose yet another standard. We will protect public health while ensuring implementation of new ozone standards that don't cripple our economy. This is a commonsense bill that deserves bipartisan support.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart and with profound sadness to remember West Virginian Ben Hatfield, who we tragically lost last Sunday. Born and raised in Williamson, Ben knew the value of hard work. He went into the mines to help pay for college and then continued his work in mining for the rest of his life. He was a mentor to so many in the coal community who remember him as a friend and as a brother. Ben cared deeply about giving back, donating anonymously to many charities and causes. He was also a man of deep faith, attending River Ridge Church and supporting the Ambassador Christian Academy in Williamson. Ben lived for his family. For more than 12 years, he stood by his wife Debbie as she battled cancer. You might say he never left her side and was with her to the very end, where she lay waiting for him. I send my prayers to his children, his mother, his brothers and sisters, and everyone who called him a friend. Ben will be laid to rest this weekend. We will miss him. May he rest in peace.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, West Virginians are struggling right now. Our State's unemployment rate is one of the highest in the Nation. Our coal mines are closing, and so are our schools and mom-and-pop businesses throughout our State. There is a lot of uncertainty. Families are wondering how they will make ends meet without our coal jobs. Tammy Lambert is from Raleigh County, and her family is one of those who are worried about her family's future. Her son-in-law is considering moving out of the State just to find work; her daughter doesn't know if she will have the money to finish college; and her husband's mine has gone through periods of being idled. She is a West Virginia coal voice. Here is what she said: ``My daughter has worked hard to get this far and was just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now, she may not be able to ever get that degree. ``It is a shame when young people who try can't get ahead. It is even sadder when a man who has worked as a coal miner for 36 years can't feel secure in his job.'' What our families need is not just hope; they need jobs that give them a good paycheck. We can make that happen in several ways. We can diversify our State's economy to attract new employers. We can expand retraining programs to help prepare the workforce. But most of all, we can get Washington off the backs of our miners. Let West Virginia miners get back to work, put food on their tables, and mine the coal that has powered our Nation.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we hold so dear. Those who serve this great country deserve not only our respect but our deepest gratitude. I stand here today to honor West Virginia's veterans who are visiting Washington, D.C., with the Always Free Honor Flight on May 18, 2016. These veterans served honorably in times of war and times of peace, and they deserve to be recognized and thanked for their service to our nation and their efforts to secure the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. As a country we must never forget the costs of war, the costs to the families of our service men and women, and the costs of protecting our freedom, especially when there are so many in this world who seek to destroy our way of life. I want to thank all those who came with this Honor Flight, and I extend my sincerest appreciation for what they have done for West Virginia and for this country.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, as you have just heard, every 25 minutes in this Nation a baby is born who was exposed to drugs during pregnancy. This is called neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, and it is a devastating way to begin one's life. Today before the House is the Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act. I am proud to sponsor this bipartisan legislation that will expand our knowledge of care for babies born with NAS. Hearing the sounds of babies crying as they experience drug withdrawal is heartbreaking. We can only truly address this crisis by working together. For the past 5 years, I have worked tirelessly in my hometown of Huntington, West Virginia, to help those treating newborns with NAS and to help find new and innovative treatment methods. This firsthand experience highlighted the many challenges facing hospitals, doctors, nurses, and others seeking to treat these babies, and it has shown me the suffering these babies experience and just how much we need to help them. This bill will bring much-needed information on best practice models of care to our healthcare providers for the most vulnerable impacted by this drug crisis. Through this bill, we will also learn more about just how many newborns are suffering from withdrawal and more about the Federal obstacles to treating them. This bill will bring us closer to guaranteeing a healthy and happy start to life for every newborn. I thank the Energy and Commerce Committee's chairmen, Chairman Upton and Chairman Pitts, for their tireless work to find solutions to the drug crisis and to help NAS babies start their lives healthy and happy. I thank Congresswoman Cheri Bustos for joining me in cosponsoring this legislation. We are making progress. We must continue to strive for solutions to this tragic epidemic.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the United States is in the middle of a drug crisis that is ravaging urban and rural communities alike. We have seen the overdose rates skyrocket in the United States in recent years. My home State of West Virginia sits atop the list, and I have seen firsthand the destruction that the disease of addiction has brought to our cities and towns. But imagine for a moment actually starting your life in the throes of withdrawal. This is the tragic reality for thousands of newborns nationwide. During pregnancy, a baby is exposed to any drugs the mother takes. As soon as they are born, their bodies begin going through withdrawal from heroin, opioids, and other drugs. Not even babies are immune from the effects of this drug epidemic. Until you see these babies going through withdrawal yourself, you cannot imagine their suffering. Their bodies shake with tremors. Their cries are heartbreaking. They are sensitive to noise, to light, and even to touch. No baby should have to go through withdrawal in their first hours, in their first days or weeks of his or her life. We in the House are working together on this critical issue. We are passing much-needed legislation to create a path to recovery and a path to a healthy start in life for every child. I am honored to have legislation included in this package of bills this week. The Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act will expand our knowledge of coverage and care for newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, babies suffering from withdrawal after birth from the exposure during pregnancy. The dramatic increase of NAS, the challenges to developing new models of care, and breaking down regulatory barriers are things I know all too well. I helped start Lily's Place in my hometown of Huntington, West Virginia, which treats NAS newborns in a stand-alone facility. The care given is complementary to the traditional hospital setting. Lily's Place offers clinical care by doctors and nurses, as well as social workers for families. Hearing the cries of these newborns will forever change you. We owe it to each and every child to make sure they have a chance to start their lives healthy and happy. I wish to thank Congressman Guinta and Congresswoman Kuster for their leadership on the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. By working together, we can find solutions and build a brighter future.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, many people have unneeded or expired medications in their medicine cabinets. It can be hard to know how to dispose of these medications properly. On Saturday, April 30, we have an opportunity to safely dispose of unused, expired, or unwanted prescription medications. Saturday is National Drug Take-Back Day, where you can take medicines to an official drop- off site to have them disposed of responsibly. This is a no-questions-asked chance to clean out your medicine cabinets and improve the safety of your own homes. West Virginia and this Nation are in the grips of a drug epidemic, and it will take all of us working together to solve this problem. Each one of us can do our part. While it may seem like something small, safely disposing of unused medicines and medications is one of these measures. Drug Take-Back Day is a chance for our communities to come together and show that we are united in combating the drug epidemic. Small efforts can make a huge difference. Please go to DEA.gov and find a local Drug Take-Back Day location near you.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the war on coal is a reality in West Virginia. Let me introduce to you Kevin Altice of Mount Hope. He describes himself as a former coal miner. Why? Because he lost his job just a few months ago. He is now going back to school, but he worries about his fellow miners trying to find jobs. Kevin is a West Virginia coal voice. Here is what he wrote to me: ``A lot of coworkers have had to move out of State for employment, a sad trend that needs to stop. ``Luckily, my wife is a schoolteacher, which helps on our income, but we have seen how the downturn in the coal industry has even impacted our education system. ``We, as West Virginians, are in dire times, and something needs done to protect our futures.'' That is Kevin's story. As we work to diversify our State's economy, we cannot forget about providing education and retraining for these miners. My bill, the Assisting America's Dislocated Miners Act, will help provide retraining opportunities for more miners like Kevin. Our coal miners are hardworking, determined, and proud to provide for their families. All they need is a chance.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the players and coaching staff of the St. Joseph Central Catholic High School men's basketball team in Huntington, West Virginia, for winning the West Virginia Class A men's basketball championship on March 19. Lead by Head Coach Ross Scaggs, the Irish completed an amazing run in the state tournament with a thrilling 67-65 overtime win over Wheeling Central Catholic. This is a remarkable accomplishment for St. Joseph Central in its first state tournament appearance since 1989. I would also like to recognize the parents, teachers and others that volunteered their time to help achieve this remarkable honor. Congratulations and Go Irish.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, West Virginia's families are struggling to make ends meet due to the war on coal. As coal mines close due to crushing regulations from this administration, families are forced to make tough choices to survive. Heidi Lawrence lives with her family in Cyclone, West Virginia. Her husband lost his coal-mining job more than 5 months ago. Here is her story: We are doing everything we can do to pay our bills and raise our three kids. We have already lost vehicles because it takes everything that he gets in unemployment to pay the house payment and power bill, two things that we have to try to keep, not to mention all the other bills that just don't get paid because we can't afford them. My husband is a hardworking man. He has worked for 8 years in the coal mines for what we have, and we are now losing it. Mr. Speaker, Heidi is a true West Virginia coal voice. Her family is an example of what happens when Washington regulates our coal jobs out of existence.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, every West Virginian knows about the consequences of the war on coal. We see it everywhere we go: mines are closing; school districts are laying off employees; county commissions are forced to lay off deputy sheriffs; retailers are going out of business; mom-and-pop stores are struggling, barely able to hang on. A pink slip doesn't mean just a loss of a job. It means a loss of a way of life; it means hard choices; and for some it means having to leave West Virginia entirely to find work elsewhere. The war on coal is killing West Virginia jobs. Tammy Bateman and her family had to make a difficult decision. It changed the life of every member of her family, in particular that of her daughter. Tammy is a West Virginia coal voice. This is her family. Here is what Tammy wrote to me: ``My husband worked for Cecil Walker Machinery for over 20 years at the Logan branch in West Virginia. We have lived here for all of our lives. ``Due to the declining coal industry, we had to move to another State and move our daughter from the school that she loves. ``We have a lot of friends and family that have either had to pack up and move away also and some that have stayed and have been laid off and are suffering. ``This is all due to Obama's war on coal. You see, when coal is affected, so are small businesses, schools, and much more, especially people's livelihoods.'' Mr. Speaker, the people of my district want to work. They want a paycheck to provide for their families. They want a better future for their children. Thanks to the war on coal, thanks to the EPA's regulations putting coal mines out of business, West Virginians are suffering. This administration needs to put West Virginians back to work, not put West Virginians out of work.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the war on coal hurts every family in West Virginia. A local small-business owner affected by the war on coal is Teresa Haywood, who owns a floral shop in McDowell County. She is a true West Virginia coal voice. She writes to me: Our business has dropped majorly, and I am struggling day to day to just try to decide to pay the bills or to restock. People keep asking if I am going to keep my business open. It has gotten hard to survive, much less stay in business, when we have to cut on groceries just to make the bills so we can have a home to live in. And then us losing our only Walmart in the county has just been another kick in the teeth. I have a teenage son who worries about finding a job every day because he doesn't want to move from home and a college senior who won't come back here because he knows there is nothing for him here. Mr. Speaker, these are the true West Virginia coal voices. The war on coal must stop.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the war on coal touches every family in my home State of West Virginia. Whether you are a miner or not, you feel the consequences of this administration's regulations that are shutting down our coal mines. Closing a coal mine doesn't just affect a miner and his family. It affects everyone in the community, from the small town mom-and-pop stores who depend on customers, to our schools that depend on tax revenue. A decline in coal hurts us all. Stacie Walls contacted me. She is a wife of a coal miner and a mother in Boone County. She sees the consequences firsthand. Here is what she wrote me: ``My husband has been laid off four times since last April. ``Because of the war on coal, my county is closing my son's school due to not having the coal tax to help keep it opened. ``My son's education is now going to suffer because of the war on coal. I've watched many families leave the State because they must find work. ``There are more `for sale' signs up than there are kids riding their bikes.'' This, Mr. Speaker, is Stacie. This is Stacie's family. These are the true faces of the war on coal. West Virginia's families deserve peace of mind. It is time for the EPA to get off the backs of West Virginians and let them do the work that powers our Nation and puts food on our tables. I am working every day in Congress for our coal families, for all families. I believe in the future of West Virginia coal. President Obama must stop his war on coal, and we must pass policies that create jobs to ensure a future for West Virginians in West Virginia.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the war on coal touches nearly every family in southern West Virginia. President Obama and his EPA regulations don't just close mines. They put families out of work. Coal miners call it job scare. Every time miners go underground, they don't know, when they come up, if they will receive a WARN notice telling them that they are going to be laid off. Families worry about making ends meet or moving to find work someplace else. Businesses that depend on coal are suffering, too. CSX recently announced it is closing its Huntington division and moving its jobs to another State, in part because of the decline in coal shipments. Norfolk Southern in Bluefield is also moving jobs out of Bluefield, West Virginia. Shops and restaurants are closing their doors, as families leave town and have less disposable income. Walmart in McDowell County has recently shut its doors, and the residents in the area have to drive to another State just to get groceries. The uncertainty can be paralyzing. This is reality for so many of my constituents like April Brooks of Princeton in Mercer County. April writes me: ``My husband has worked in the mining industry for the last eleven years, and my dad was a coal miner for over thirty years. ``Like every family that depends on coal for a living, we live day to day worrying about what will happen tomorrow. You can't plan for the future because of the uncertainty. ``I went back to work several years ago so that we would have supplemental income in case of layoffs. We love our State, but how does one stay here and survive if the jobs aren't there?'' Mr. Speaker, President Obama's job-killing overregulations are having real consequences for real West Virginians. We need to pass policies that create jobs and ensure a future for all West Virginians, all West Virginia families, so they can stay and work and live in our great State.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. I am proud to celebrate his achievements with my friends at Marshall University and the city of Huntington as they commemorate Dr. Carter G. Woodson Day. Dr. Woodson, a former Huntington, West Virginia, resident, is known as the ``Father of African-American History.'' He believed in the importance of education, and early in his career served as principal of Douglass High School, his alma mater. Dr. Woodson then became one of the first African Americans to earn a doctorate in history from Harvard University. Dr. Woodson also pioneered the observation of Black History Month each February and devoted his life to documenting the important contributions African Americans have made to our nation's history. I would also like to congratulate Marshall University's Carter G. Woodson Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications, Burnis Morris. He was recently honored as a 2016 History Hero at West Virginia History Day in Charleston, West Virginia. Mr. Morris' extensive research on Dr. Woodson has helped preserve Dr. Woodson's legacy and ensures that future generations have the opportunity to learn about the legacy of this remarkable historical icon. I extended my wishes for a successful event celebrating the life of Dr. Woodson and all that he has achieved--he is one of Huntington's greatest icons and contributed greatly to ensuring that the stories of African Americans continue to be honored by all Americans.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, a lifelong West Virginian. When the freedom of the United States and the world was in peril during the Second World War, he gallantly heard the call to defend our nation and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943. After finishing his training in California, CWO4 Williams was stationed in the Pacific Theater and bravely fought in the Battle of Guam in 1944. What truly distinguishes CWO4 Williams is the exceptional bravery he demonstrated during the battle of Iwo Jima. When tanks became ineffective on the beaches, he fought his way to destroy seven Japanese pillboxes while covered only by four riflemen. His bravery in taking out the pillboxes in the battle of Iwo Jima was a determining factor in turning the tide of the battle in favor of the Americans. Mr. Hershel ``Woody'' Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman in 1945. The Medal of Honor was ``For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945.'' Mr. Williams is the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima. Known by all as Woody, he had a distinguished career in the military and has spent his life tirelessly helping veterans and their families. His service to America and West Virginia is unparalleled. I have known Woody for decades and am proud to call him not only a constituent but a friend. On January 14, 2016, Woody Williams receives another honor: a ship in the United States Navy will bear his name. I congratulate and commend Mr. Williams on a remarkable and admirable life. Woody Williams serves as a pillar for all Americans to aspire to, a brave man who put his fellow Americans before himself.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, a lifelong West Virginian. When the freedom of the United States and the world was in peril during the Second World War, he gallantly heard the call to defend our nation and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943. After finishing his training in California, Cpl. Williams was stationed in the Pacific Theater and bravely fought in the Battle of Guam in 1944. What truly distinguishes Cpl. Williams is the exceptional bravery he demonstrated during the battle of Iwo Jima. When tanks became ineffective on the beaches, he fought his way to destroy seven Japanese pillboxes while covered only by four riflemen. His bravery in taking out the pillboxes in the battle of Iwo Jima was a determining factor in turning the tide of the battle in favor of the Americans. Cpl. Hershel ``Woody'' Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman in 1945. The Medal of Honor was ``For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945.'' Cpl. Williams is the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima. Known by all as Woody, he had a distinguished career in the military and has spent his life tirelessly helping veterans and their families. His service to America and West Virginia is unparalleled. I have known Woody for decades and am proud to call him not only a constituent but a friend. On January 14, 2016, Woody Williams receives another honor: a ship in the United States Navy will bear his name. I congratulate and commend Cpl. Williams on a remarkable and admirable life. Woody Williams serves as a pillar for all Americans to aspire to, a brave man who put his fellow Americans before himself.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Dr. Jerome ``Jerry'' Gilbert as the 37th president of Marshall University in my hometown of Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Gilbert has decades of experience in higher education. He comes to Marshall from Mississippi State University, where he served as provost and executive vice president for 6 years. I have no doubt that Dr. Gilbert will carry on the legacy of the beloved late Dr. Stephen J. Kopp, whose vision for Marshall University has helped transform it into the tremendous institution that it is today. He will also build upon the work of interim president Gary White, who has faithfully guided Marshall through a difficult time in the institution's history. I am sure Dr. Gilbert and his wife, Leigh, and his family will see the Huntington community is one that they will be proud to call home. As the university continues to capitalize on recent successes, including the new Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex, I look forward to working with Dr. Gilbert during this exciting new chapter for Marshall University. Welcome to Huntington. Welcome to Marshall University, Dr. Gilbert. Go Herd.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. I thank the chairman. I rise today in support of the pending legislation, H.R. 1644, the STREAM Act. Appalachia is suffering. Years of burdensome regulations from this administration have had a devastating impact on coal. West Virginia miners, families, and businesses are paying the price. Since 2012, according to The Wall Street Journal, 27 coal mining companies in Appalachia have filed for bankruptcy. In just the past 4 years, we have seen 7,000 coal miners lose their jobs in West Virginia. Why? Because each and every day, President Obama's EPA and the Office of Surface Mining are regulating coal mines out of business and putting miners on the unemployment line. Coal miners are the heart and soul of communities in West Virginia, and the significant layoffs we are experiencing are simply heartbreaking. The President, the EPA, and the OSM continue to ignore the economic pain they are inflicting. The stream buffer zone rule, which the STREAM Act would halt, is yet another example of unnecessary regulation, one that will increase energy costs for American families and businesses. The OSM's new stream buffer zone rule will lead to thousands more job losses in West Virginia and across the Nation. An independent study found it would eliminate at least 40,000 direct coal mining jobs on top of the 42,000 indirect jobs and other jobs that have been lost just since 2011. Even OSM's own analysis estimates that this rule would result in the loss of thousands of jobs. That does not include the thousands of jobs that depend on coal indirectly: our Nation's small businesses, equipment manufacturers, transportation, and others. Mr. Chairman, this is unacceptable. It is also the reason why I helped secure a provision in the omnibus that mandates that OSM work with the States. I support the STREAM Act, and I encourage its passage.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, with the recent announcement of new policies to restrict firearms, President Obama has yet again used executive overreach to force his agenda on the American people. Congress has already rejected these policies in a bipartisan fashion, and this action is another example of the President overstepping his constitutional authority to circumvent the people's voices in Congress. The administration's assault on Americans' constitutional rights must stop. Time and time again, our courts have defended the Second Amendment, and Congress has voted repeatedly to reject new restrictions on our constitutional rights. For more than 200 years, the Second Amendment has been protected and championed by Americans, the courts, and Congress. We must stand together to defend and protect our constitutional rights. As a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, I am outraged by President Obama's actions and will fight to stop this executive order. In my home State of West Virginia, using guns for sport and hunting is a way of life. We respect firearms and are taught at an early age how to use them. In many families, fathers and mothers teach their children how to hunt and, when they are old enough, they receive their own gun as an important coming-of-age tradition. West Virginians are not alone. Families across this country have these same traditions and sports. As West Virginians, we know that law-abiding citizens are not the problem and our country was not founded on the principles of taking away rights from the people. Our rights cannot and should not be taken away. This administration is determined to attack our way of life, our traditions, and our constitutional rights. I wish I could say this is a surprise, but time and time again, this President has used executive actions and regulations to eliminate policies and rights he disagrees with. Sadly, we have seen this far too often with the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, which has aggressively--aggressively--used regulations and rules to destroy our coal-mining communities, in particular, in my State of West Virginia. I have fought to stop the EPA and will fight to stop President Obama's executive actions on gun control. As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I will use the power of the purse to eliminate funding for these new actions. As a Member of Congress, I am dedicated to working for our State and doing what is right for the people of West Virginia. I will continue to support our constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment, and push back on the administration's overreach into our lives, businesses, and communities.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Will the gentleman yield?