William Keating

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Sharon, Massachusetts, a town whose slogan ``A Better Place to Live Because It's Naturally Beautiful'' is uncontroverted. Sharon's landscape represents a classic New England destination with its tree-lined streets, pristine white church spires encasing bells manufactured by Paul Revere, its forested high plains and the peacefulness of Lake Massapoag. First settled in 1637 as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Sharon was established as the 2nd precinct of its neighboring town Stoughton in 1740. On June 21, 1765, an act passed by the Council and the House of Representatives and signed by Governor Bernard incorporated the second precinct of Stoughton into the district named Stoughtonham. It was subsequently named after the Sharon plains in Israel due to its plentiful forests and greenery. Engrained in the history of Sharon is the strength of its townspeople who manufactured weapons for the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The heroism of the colonial townspeople of Sharon is exemplified by the historical figure Deborah Sampson, a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to display her patriotism by fighting for her country in the Revolutionary War. Present day Sharon has become a beacon for its thriving culture. Local artists and businesses have contributed to the unique character of this charming Massachusetts town. A boisterous population of 18,000 individuals inhabit Sharon, providing the town with diversity of race, religion, and personalities. But one thing is a constant in Sharon: the friendliness of its townspeople. As my hometown, where I resided for over half a century, I had the pleasure of a place that valued the meaning of friendship. The people of Sharon are kind, tolerant, spirited and it is due to their love of neighborliness that Sharon has been able to remain a steadfast community, truly representing the very best that our Commonwealth and our country has to offer. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 250th anniversary of Sharon, Massachusetts. May this beautiful Massachusetts town flourish for many years to come.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the twentieth anniversary of the Coalition for Social Justice (CSJ) based in Southeastern Massachusetts. For twenty years, the CSJ has been dedicated to the praiseworthy goal of building a grassroots movement for progressive social change, rooted in low-income communities and communities of color that have been excluded from the economic benefits of the current system. The CSJ has a dual focus: to recruit and develop its own leaders from low income backgrounds; and to organize effective campaigns to address the economic survival issues that low-income communities and communities of color face. CSJ's agenda includes: funding essential community services through progressive taxes, worker's rights, housing, health care, education, welfare, criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, and environmental justice. CSJ has actively participated in advocating for the needs of working- class families. For example, in 2014 CSJ helped increase minimum wage in Massachusetts, and also helped earn sick time for all workers in Massachusetts. In 2011, CSJ helped to restore the children's clothing allowance of $150 per year per child so children were able to start the school year with suitable clothing. These examples represent only a small fraction of CSJ's commendable work. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the CSJ on its twentieth year anniversary. It gives me great pride to recognize them for all of the admirable work they do for those in need.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I have another amendment at the desk.

Mr. KEATING. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, the recent events involving the plan of radicalized individuals in Massachusetts to target law enforcement officials--police, in particular--underscore the truth that protecting America will require the efforts of local, State, and Federal law enforcement. Since the Boston Marathon bombings, the FBI has made great efforts to improve their information-sharing efforts with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and other Federal agencies. With my work and the work of my colleagues on the congressional investigation of the Boston Marathon bombings through the Homeland Security Committee, I can attest to the seriousness in which the Federal Bureau of Investigation has set out to improve their information-sharing practices. However, the FBI's efforts to institutionalize sharing across law enforcement and intelligence are still a work in progress. The current version of this bill eliminates the requirement for the FBI to report to Congress on their progress to implement information- sharing principles. This is a reporting requirement that has kept Congress aware of the FBI's information-sharing practices since 2004, and it has been vital to understand what works and what can be improved. This amendment will reinstate that requirement, with the recognition that the FBI has more work to do on information sharing to better protect the American public. These necessary reforms include re-executing FBI current memorandums of understanding with local partners, improving training and accessibility for the eGuardian platform, and formalizing methods for disseminating intelligence to relevant consumers up- and downstream. Without information on the progress the FBI is making in these reforms, Congress is hindered in taking the critical steps needed to protect the American public. I would like to again thank Chairman Nunes and Ranking Member Schiff. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

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

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of Homeland Security for his leadership on this issue. We really have established a very strong bipartisan effort, putting our national security first and realizing what holes there are in our system, in our security for our country. Mr. Chairman, I yield 15 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I offer this bipartisan amendment with the support of Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul and Representatives Katko and Loudermilk to help Congress identify ways to improve intelligence sharing on the flow of foreign fighters around the world--with particular attention to their travel to and from Iraq and Syria. Already, this legislation that we are considering today makes substantial strides in ensuring that intelligence surrounding the flow of foreign fighters is shared with Congress. These continuous reports will shed light on the total number of attempted and successful fighters since the beginning of 2011. My amendment would require the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress on the intelligence community's progress in forging information-sharing agreements with foreign partners and help Congress identify the challenges impeding coordinated intelligence efforts. Over 20,000 foreign fighters have traveled to join rebel and terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria, including ISIS and al Qaeda affiliates like al-Nusrah. Their movements are proving increasingly difficult to track in our globalized world, particularly given the uneven or nonexistent tracking efforts from some of our foreign partners. As the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade and as a member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, I have engaged on the issue of intelligence sharing from two perspectives-- from our efforts to improve the intelligence community's coordination with State, local, and other Federal agencies and from our work to better improve our information-sharing practices with our overseas allies to prevent terrorist attacks and the flow of foreign fighters here at home. While the intelligence community has made improvements to the processes of sharing pertinent information with the relevant Federal, State, and local agencies, there still exists a blind spot in our intelligence-gathering efforts on foreign fighters. That blind spot stems from the failure of some foreign governments to take commonsense information-sharing steps, and it has made the task of tracking foreign fighters even more challenging. The inability or unwillingness of some foreign governments to pass along even the most basic information about these individuals represents a major risk to the safety of the American people. An additional threat looms when some of these individuals return to their homelands from Iraq and Syria, battle-hardened and radicalized. Once back home, some can travel between international borders with relative ease, which makes tracking them a truly difficult feat. This amendment will also provide insight into our current intelligence-sharing relationships and will give Congress the opportunity to highlight best practices while also revealing areas for improvement. I thank Chairman Nunes and Ranking Member Schiff for their cooperation. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of the Shelley I. Hoon Keith and John W. Keith Alumni House at Curry College. Curry College has, since its founding in 1879, been a beacon of higher education in Milton and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Curry College is known for pursuing a dynamic and diverse environment for its students. The College has focused its efforts to help students not just achieve successful careers but to be active and informed citizens. To that end, Curry College President Kenneth K. Quigley, Jr. is recognizing two of Curry College's most profound benefactors, Shelley Hoon Keith and John Keith, by dedicating the Alumni House in their names. John, a longtime member of Curry College's Board of Directors, spends his time and generosity on philanthropic efforts such as the Anti- Defamation League, St. Mary's Center for Women and Children and B'nai B'rith among others. John's deepest commitment to non-profit interests is Curry College. He has been a driving force for the College's success over the last 15 years through his leadership on the board. Shelley is a sought after not-for-profit advisor and leader in multiple charitable ventures. She too spends much of her energy working with many of the same organizations as John and has been honored with recognitions such as Bill Brett's Boston: Inspirational Women. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking Shelley I. Hoon Keith and John W. Keith for all their efforts at Curry College and congratulating them on having the Alumni House dedicated to them.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I apologize. We had moved this with a later change to the defensewide operations and maintenance fund for the pay-for for this; that probably explains this balance, but it is coming from that portion. The $1 million, I think, is in excess, if my memory is correct, of the $3.5 million that is already there. We are able to leverage this for a greater opportunity to move quickly on this. That is the rationale. That is where it came from. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his indulgence and patience and the good work he has done in this respect, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. I would just like to ask the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), the chairman, if that information is currently being analyzed now.

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to add an additional $1 million for research and development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common lethal genetic disorder affecting American children today. It is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that affects approximately 1 in every 3,500 boys or 200,000 babies born each year worldwide. Over time, patients experience severe loss of muscle strength and control. Most boys diagnosed with Duchenne lose their ability to walk by the time they become teenagers. There is no known cure for Duchenne, and life expectancies for individuals with this disease are significantly shortened. Many do not live past their 21st birthday. Like many of my colleagues, I have met with many Duchenne patients and their families and have seen the impact this disease has and what it imparts on their daily lives. There have been very promising advances in recent years, including development of a new drug which has achieved success in early clinical trials. I have had one child in my district confined to a wheelchair who, under this clinical trial, is able to walk by himself currently. However, much more work needs to be done to find a cure for this disease and to better understand what causes Duchenne in the first place. This amendment will directly benefit the thousands of Duchenne patients throughout the United States, as well as their countless loved ones who care for them every day. By increasing funding for peer- reviewed research, institutions across the country will have additional resources necessary to make progress on eliminating this devastating disease. We as a nation are on the cusp of historic progress in advancing critical research. Now is the time to recommit to robust support of our country's biomedical research for this disease. In closing, I would like to thank the countless physicians, researchers, and scientists who work tirelessly to find a cure for Duchenne. I would also like to thank the Jett Foundation, which has long been a national leader in increasing awareness and providing support for patients and their families. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I thank the chair and ranking member for their consideration. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. I thank the chairman for the effort he is going through and the consideration he is giving with this. Many times, we have the opportunity to talk to families and deal with issues. In this particular instance, we have an opportunity. As I mentioned, we are right on the cusp of very significant research. Leveraging a small additional amount now would have tremendous ramifications. I was just completely struck by the fact that I saw a person--a young boy in his teens, confined to a wheelchair, like so many of those afflicted with this terrible disease have had to suffer through, and as a result of those clinical trials, to see that person no longer in a wheelchair and up and ambulatory and walking, those are the type of dramatic improvements we are on the cusp of right now. That is why this amendment just seeks to get an incremental increase with that because I think it would be leveraged and have enormous significance as a result. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this time to thank the chair and ranking member for their willingness to engage in what really is an important issue. I look forward to working together with Chairman Culberson and Ranking Member Fattah on this issue.

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to offer and withdraw my amendment. I rise for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with the chairman and the gentlewoman from Maine. Since 1972, the National Marine Fisheries Service has utilized trained fishery observers to monitor and assess the health of fish populations along the coast of the United States, providing critical data gathered from commercial vessels that is then used to guide NOAA in determining best practices for conservation and sustainable management. The fishing industry is a willing and engaged partner in supporting the use of on-vessel observers. However, following a legal challenge, this August, NOAA will run out of funding to continue paying for this mandated program. I have heard from fishermen from the south coast of Massachusetts, to Cape Cod and the islands, to the south shore who are still struggling from the impacts of diminishing groundfish stocks and worry they will be unable to cover the burden of this cost. Our region is still reeling from the collapse of the groundfish industry that prompted Federal disaster relief. This is particularly true for some small fishing businesses, where this added burden can be the difference between success and failure as a business. I am working with my New England and Massachusetts colleagues and NOAA to find an interim solution. And as we look to 2016, I ask that we work to provide adequate funding for at-sea and dockside monitoring for fisheries with approved catch share management plans that impose observer coverage as a condition for new and expanded fishing opportunities. We also can use this time, I believe, to seek cost- effective technological alternatives, where appropriate. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms. Pingree).

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KEATING. I thank the ranking member and the chair. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment.

Mr. KEATING. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, my amendment builds off of years of efforts to reform the use of the asset forfeiture fund. During this time, NOAA has conducted internal reviews and audits for the use of asset forfeiture monies. Yet I believe it is important that we authorize specific uses to help our struggling fishermen and, at the same time, promote sustainable fishing. My amendment would ensure that forfeiture funds are used for five things: first, enhancing fishery research and stock assessments. This bill authorizes the use of State personnel and resources, things like cooperative research between industry and public science and use of vessels to serve a data-poor fisheries. My amendment expands beyond data-poor fisheries by authorizing broader use of forfeiture funds for research and independent stock assessments. This is particularly important in the Northeast, where timely information may be the difference between the success or failure of a small fishing business. Secondly, it deals with at-sea and shoreside monitoring. If there is one concern that I have heard consistently voiced from fishermen from New Bedford to the South Shore to Provincetown in Massachusetts, it is the transition of funding for monitoring from NOAA to fishermen. It has been nearly 3 years since the Department of Commerce declared a fishing disaster in the Northeast. As the fishing industry continues to face the long-term challenges coming back from this disaster, this is no time to switch the burden of the cost of monitoring onto them. Third, it advances conservation gear engineering. Additional funds will help fishermen develop and adopt new gear and technology to improve efficiency, reduce the impact on the marine environment, and promote sustainable fishing for future generations. Commercial and recreational fishermen use an array of gear to target their catch. An unfortunate and fatal consequence is the inclusion of untargeted fish, turtles, and marine mammals as bycatch. Fortunately, there have been efforts underway nationwide to promote sustainable means of fishing, like scallopers in New Bedford developing the turtle dredge to protect sea turtles from interaction during scalloping, and the New England Aquarium collaborative that has developed acoustic pingers that successfully warn marine mammals away from gill nets. Fourth, the amendment will help with additional research for fishery impact statements. Under the bill, councils are required to develop fishery impact statements that take into account the purpose of a proposed management plan and its potential impact on fisheries and fishing communities. In doing so, the bill shifts the responsibility from NEPA to the councils. And while I have concerns about how this will be implemented, I do believe it is critical that we provide councils with adequate resources. Finally, the bill and the amendment will help funding priorities of the regional fishery management councils, like efforts to rebuild or maintain sustainable fisheries and ensure healthy ecosystems. There is no doubt that additional funding for these efforts is a win for fishermen on all coasts of our country. With that, I yield the balance of my time to my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Moulton).

Mr. KEATING. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer an amendment.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jim Garrett, a dedicated leader in the fight against Alzheimer's. On Wednesday, June 10, 2015, Mr. Garrett will be honored by the Alzheimer's Association as Family Champion for his faithful leadership on the Association's Board of Directors, and for his continued commitment to supporting the advancement of research for the treatment of this terrible disease. The Alzheimer's Association is a tremendous organization that provides professionally staffed services and critical resources for Alzheimer's patients and their families. This organization is largely funded by the altruism of people such as Jim Garrett, who in addition to being a natural caregiver is also a successful businessman, acting as Chairman of a well-known New England company, Rapid Refills. Jim Garrett's public spirit can best be seen in his spearheading of the Purple Pump Up Program, which donates a certain percentage of Rapid Refills' earnings to the Alzheimer's Association, promoting the continuation of research and treatment, and making a difference in the lives of all those affected by this disease. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Jim Garrett on this day for his tremendous contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, and his efforts in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.