Adam Kinzinger

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients of the 2017 Congressional Veteran Commendation from the 16th District of Illinois. The eight veterans receiving this commendation represent the best of the brave men and women who serve our country. These veterans answered their country's call during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. As a veteran myself, it is incredibly humbling to not only represent these heroes in Congress, but also to have the opportunity to honor them for their patriotism and sacrifices on behalf of our nation. After their military service to our country, these veterans came home to serve their communities. They are civic leaders, active citizens, and many continue to serve their military brothers and sisters through veteran service organizations. Although their mission has changed since returning to civilian life, their leadership and tenacity remains steadfast. It is truly an honor to recognize the recipients of the 2017 Congressional Veteran Commendation: Sergeant David S. Buennemeyer of Marseilles, IL; Private First Class William J. Butzen of Ottawa, IL; Captain Thomas M. Craig of Streator, IL; Chief Petty Officer Irving F. DeWald of Coal City, IL; Chief Warrant Officer Four John ``Jack'' A. Leininger of Marseilles, IL; Master Sergeant Ashley ``Dave'' C. Davis of Rockford, IL; Sergeant Kelly Frey of Kankakee, IL; Sergeant Steven M. Huettemann of Morris, IL; Staff Sergeant Wm. Walter Lochbaum of Streator, IL; Sergeant Alan D. Love of Morris, IL; Petty Officer Third Class James A. Rissman of Sheridan, IL; Petty Officer Third Class Robert T. Rogers of Morris, IL; Specialist Four Randal E. Rosengren of Ottawa, IL; Sergeant Eric W. Sampson of Morris, IL; and Airman Third Class Timothy K. Stratton of Poplar Grove, IL. Again, I am truly honored to be able to recognize these distinguished veterans from my district. I thank and acknowledge not only their service and sacrifice but also that of their families and loved ones. The recipients of this commendation serve as the embodiment of both military and civil service, and it is my hope they will inspire the next generation of great American leaders.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Josh Baggett for his years of service to the people of Illinois' 16th Congressional District. After ten years of working on the Hill, moving from intern to Legislative Director, Josh is now moving on to new endeavors. Josh Baggett has worked in my office for over six years. He is a valued member of my office, a mentor to staff and interns, and of course, an important part of the intramural softball team. While my staff and I are sad to see him leave, as well as his beloved dogs Magpie and Rooster, we know he'll always be a member of Team Kinzinger, and we look forward to seeing him excel as he takes this next step in his career. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 16th District, I would like to share my heartfelt thanks to Josh for his hard work, and wish him all the very best.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a constituent of mine, Blouke Carus of Peru, Illinois on turning 90 this month. Mr. Carus is Chairman Emeritus of Carus Corporation a Peru-based company that assists municipalities and industries with utilizing products for environmental cleanup. Before that, Mr. Carus served as the Chairman of Carus Publishing Company, which published educational magazines and books for children. Because of his lifelong interest in education, Mr. Carus served as a Presidential appointee on the National Council on Education Research, and continued his work as a community leader by helping to establish the Illinois Valley Community College. Mr. Carus obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1949, after having served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy. He is married to Marianne Carus, and they have three children and four grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Sixteenth Congressional District, I would like to sincerely congratulate Mr. Carus and the rest of his family on this amazing milestone and life achievement.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank you and the chairman. I want to commend the chairman. I want to commend Mr. Engel for his foresight in this bill and for bringing it to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I was just recently in Auschwitz. It was my first visit to Auschwitz and, obviously, seeing something like that is not something you are going to forget very quickly. Seeing something like that and an industrial machine put together to eliminate people is not something that people thought humanity was capable of until they found out that it actually was possible. So in preserving Auschwitz, the purpose was to say: Hey, this is possible. Never forget that this can happen again. Mr. Speaker, it was just recently that we learned about the crematorium that was built in the Syrian prison. Now, why was this built? It was built to hide the massive amounts of bodies coming out, tortured to death; destroyed the lives cut short in this Syrian prison. It was used to disguise that. It was used to prevent mass graves from being dug. I think that proves that Bashar al-Assad is actually a modern-day Hitler. In fact, if you look at when, as was mentioned prior, Caesar came to our committee and showed us the images of brutality--the government cataloging the victims of the Syrian regime with markers written on the body, a numbering system, and a catalog to say, in essence, document these massive amounts of death--it became very clear to us in a very visual sense what was going on in Syria. Mr. Speaker, oftentimes it is easy in the United States of America, where we have a lot of comforts and we have a lot of things granted to us that we take for granted, to look at a situation happening overseas and think it doesn't apply to us or doesn't affect us; and it is really tempting sometimes to get into that because it is easy sometimes to pretend something doesn't affect us. But it does. We see the massive amounts of migration from Syria, the young 7-, 8-, and 9-year-olds who are not going to school now because they have been disrupted and their lives have been disrupted, and in 5 or 6 years, if they don't get an education and don't get hope and opportunity, they will provide now the next recruiting ground for ISIS, or ISIS two, or al-Qaida three, because people without hope and without opportunity are easy to bring into a terrorist ideology like those. Mr. Speaker, the President rightly decided to enforce the red line in Syria when it came to the use of chemical weapons--something that the Western world has held very dear, that chemical weapons on the battlefield have no place--and he destroyed a Syrian airfield. It was the right move. It began to shift the balance of power in Syria, but way more needs to be done. I have called for action in Syria, as many on this committee have for a very long time, and this, the Caesar bill, is a fantastic first step to doing it. It would increase sanctions on the Assad regime and its supporters for continued atrocities committed against the Syrian people. It requires this administration and any future administration to stand up and impose costs on the Russians, on the Iranians, and on the Syrian backers for the barrel bombing and gassing of innocent civilians. Think about that, a barrel filled with explosives dropped indiscriminately on a population center intended to commit the largest amounts of casualties possible; a GPS-guided bomb, or a laser-guided bomb intentionally dropped into a hospital, and then a delay of 20 minutes so they can hit it again, or hit areas where first responders have responded to. Mr. Speaker, this isn't a legitimate way of fighting war, if there is a legitimate way of fighting war. This is brutality to the top level, and this is a great step for this Congress to take. We unanimously passed this the last time. I sure hope we can do that again. Again, I thank the leadership for leading on this. I thank Mr. Engel and Chairman Royce for their leadership. I ask my colleagues to join me and join us in supporting this very important bill.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the LaSalle County Historical Society's Museum in Utica, Illinois. The LaSalle County Historical Society was formed in 1907 and acquired their first building, the 1848 Canal Warehouse in 1967. Since then, the museum campus has grown to a one-room school house, a Heritage Center, a blacksmith shop, and a barn from 1875. Their mission statement says ``To search out, procure and preserve in permanent form, facts and data in the history of the County of LaSalle as related to persons, places and all objects therein. In order to meet said purpose, the primary duty of the Society shall be to discover, collect, and preserve any facts or relics pertaining to the history of LaSalle County and to encourage the study of LaSalle County heritage, its times and people.'' The Museum spans the long and varied history of LaSalle County, including artifacts from the Native Americans and earliest settlers of this region to the carriage that Abraham Lincoln used to travel to the famous Lincoln-Douglas debate held in Ottawa, Illinois. The building itself, a nineteenth century warehouse situated along the historic I&M Canal, served as a warehouse for the local cement mill and a general store before becoming Utica's first post office in 1849. The LaSalle County Historical Society saved the historic warehouse from destruction and now the region is one of the most popular Illinois vacation destinations with 2.2 million annual visitors. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 16th Congressional District, the citizens of LaSalle County, and the millions who have enjoyed learning about the history of LaSalle County at the Museum, I sincerely congratulate them on achieving this milestone. The importance of preserving and appreciating our history cannot be overlooked and the dedication of the LaSalle County Historical Society and all of their volunteers is a key part of this time honored tradition. I look forward to what they will accomplish in the next fifty years.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate William A. Scott of New Brunswick, New Jersey on turning 100 this May. Mr. Scott is the grandfather of my constituent, Michael Koolidge--a fellow veteran and syndicated radio host in Rockford, Illinois. When World War II broke out, Mr. Scott answered the call of duty and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. ``Scotty'' as his fellow sailors called him, was a Seaman Second Class and spent time working on torpedo bomber planes that were eventually deployed throughout the world in the Allied war effort. During his service, Mr. Scott was awarded the American Theater Ribbon and the World War Two Victory Medal. Following America's victory, Mr. Scott returned to work at the Calco Chemical Company in Bound Brook, New Jersey, working there for the next several decades as a Plastics and Banbury Operator. After retirement, Mr. Scott traveled with his wife, Betty to all 48 continental states in the same car, a Volkswagen Beetle to see everything this great country of ours had to offer. In addition to volunteering in his community for the Meadows Foundation historic preservation group, Mr. Scott has been a member of the American Legion Post 12 in Somerville, New Jersey for four decades, where he held several key positions, such as Sergeant at Arms and Honor Guard. He has continued to provide numerous memorial services for fellow veterans and servicemen during his time at the American Legion Post 12. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Sixteenth Congressional District, I would like to sincerely congratulate William, his grandson, Michael, and the rest of their family on this amazing milestone and life achievement.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a constituent of mine, Kelly Murphy, on her achievements as a member of the 2016 U.S. Women's Volleyball team. Volleyball runs in the Murphy family. Her mother, Sandy played volleyball at Illinois State University, and Kelly herself started playing at the age of 11. Prior to being confirmed on the team in July of last year, Kelly was a four-year varsity player at Joliet Catholic Academy from 2004 to 2007. During her four seasons there, she helped her team to a 133-31 record, winning four regional titles, three sectional titles and posting fourth and third-place finishes in state competition in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, Kelly was named the Gatorade High School National Player of the Year. Following her career at Joliet Catholic, Kelly moved on to the University of Florida, where she was the 2008 SEC Freshman of the Year and the 2010 SEC Player of the Year. Having started every match during her career at Florida, Kelly led her team to a 107-17 record, two Southeastern Conference titles, and she made the all-conference team four times in a row. In 2016, Kelly achieved the honor of being one of 12 players selected to represent our country at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Kelly and the team came home with the bronze medal after defeating the Netherlands in four sets. This accomplishment in Rio continued the tradition: marking three straight Olympics in a row where the U.S. Women's Volleyball team has won a medal. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Sixteenth Congressional District, I would like to sincerely applaud Kelly Murphy for her commitment to her sport, her team, and her country. We are all truly proud of her and her achievements.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, we woke up this morning to yet more horrific images of dozens of people killed by another chemical weapons attack in Syria. Mr. Speaker, this included children who were gasping for their last breath as they perished because of the brutal, murderous dictator Bashar al-Assad, who decided that chemical weapons would be used to extinguish their life. Mr. Speaker, for 6 years, we have failed in the Western world to address this horrific act. In fact, for the first time since World War II, we are accepting the use of chemical weapons as just a normal part of everyday life. Mr. Speaker, the Western world, the free world, needs to stand up, needs to make clear that Assad needs to go, and needs to stand up for humanity, lest we see these images again. We wonder how to defeat terrorism. Mr. Speaker, you do it by denying terrorists the recruits of the next generation, of which Bashar al- Assad is creating many.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, for today's vote series, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall 66 and rollcall 67.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding. I also want to thank Chairman Walden and Congressman Courtney for working with me to introduce this legislation and bring it to the floor for debate today. Additionally, I appreciate the willingness of the associations impacted by this legislation, both the CAI and the ARRL, for working with our offices last Congress in order to come to an agreement on where this legislation needs to be in order to move forward in a bipartisan and a positive manner. The legislation before us today is the same legislative text as H.R. 1301, which was able to gather over 100 bipartisan cosponsors and passed the House by voice vote in the 114th Congress. The intent of this legislation is to remedy current law which prohibits the use of any antenna for amateur radio operators in certain areas with no consideration for the emergency ramifications that come about as a result. For some, this is merely a nuisance, but for others--those who use their amateur radio licenses for emergency communications--a dangerous situation has been established by limiting the ability of hams to create effective communications for those in need. For example, during times of emergency service, such as following a hurricane or a tornado, amateur radio operators are able to use their skills and equipment to create a network of communications that are utilized by first responders when other wired or wireless networks are taken down or are otherwise unavailable. This is a vital and lifesaving function. Additionally, there are numerous hams that take their certifications even further by purchasing expensive equipment and going through extensive training to become part of MARS, the Military Auxiliary Radio System. I have personally used this system as a pilot in the military. What is amazing about MARS is that it gives our military members the ability to communicate both domestically and abroad when other systems are not available or are simply not able to establish communications the way that these hams are able to do. MARS members are able to accomplish this not only due to their extensive training and knowledge, but due to their commitment to this program. MARS members must not only have access to expensive high- frequency radio equipment, but they must also file monthly reports and participate in a minimum of 12 hours of radio activity each quarter in order to stay in compliance with the requirements of this program. This is a great service provided by these individuals, and it is my hope that we can get even more amateur radio operators involved in the future with the passage of this bill. Again, the purpose of this bipartisan legislation is to change current regulations hampering the ability of amateur radio operators to effectively communicate in certain areas, while respecting and maintaining the rights of local communities in which many of these hams reside. It is my hope that by passing this bipartisan legislation early in this session of Congress, that we will be able to get this legislation through the Senate and to the President's desk in short order. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I thank all my friends who helped work with me on this.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I was reflecting the other day. Last week, we all joined together in this Chamber, we held up our right hand, and we swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That is an oath I have taken both as a Member of Congress--now on my fourth term--and as a military pilot, something similar to that, talking about the importance of the military to protect and defend the Constitution. In both of these roles, I have seen firsthand the sacrifice that men and women of the military have been willing to make to defend their freedoms, to defend the Constitution, defend the country. This last month was especially tough for our Nation's security and for our foreign policy. The 8-year decline of American global leadership, under the President, came to a head. A sad trend built by the Obama administration continued as the White House worked with our enemies and abandoned our friends. For one, the recent ceasefire in Syria was reached without United States' input, ultimately empowering tyrants in Iran and in Russia. In fact, to think about the situation in Syria, I want to remind people there are half a million dead Syrians right now, innocent civilians. And I have heard people say, completely incorrectly, that it doesn't matter; they are all basically terrorists. Untrue. But let's say it is. There are 50,000 children in Syria that did not get an opportunity to go be a teacher or a police officer or a firefighter or a doctor because of tyrants in Iran, because of Bashar al-Assad and because of Russia empowering them and using precision-guided munitions to hit innocent civilians and take their life away. Last week, the U.S. abstained from a vote in the United Nations Security Council on the biased resolution targeting our ally Israel. Mr. Speaker, rather than turning on freedom-loving nations around the world, we must stand with them. Nowhere is this more important than in the fight against terrorism. Before the holidays, a list went out from ISIS accounts with the names of churches in the United States that should be attacked over the holidays. Then, an attack in Berlin took the lives of 12 innocent civilians and injured more than 50 in a Christmas market. On New Year's Eve, there was a savage attack at a nightclub in Istanbul, killing 39 revelers and injuring dozens. Both attacks were claimed by ISIS seeking to strike fear into freedom-loving people around the world. While we all must remain vigilant, we cannot give in to that fear, and we must continue to live our lives. What we need right now, Mr. Speaker, is a renewed American moment, renewed American leadership after 8 years of decline. We need a Churchill moment. I think about Winston Churchill after the bombs rained down in London, and instead of hiding and cowering and talking about how terrible it is, he goes out on the streets, rallies the people, and says that you cannot shatter us. And the people unite behind him. It is time for America to exhibit the same kind of leadership exhibited by George W. Bush in the bullhorn speech after the fall of the World Trade Center. He showed Americans unity, strength, resolve, and he reminded the world that our foundations will not be shaken even if you shake the foundations of our biggest buildings. And you can shatter our steel, but you can't shatter the steel of American resolve. I haven't heard speeches like that in quite a while from the oval office. Mr. Speaker, it has been a rough election cycle for our country. It has been a tough, very divisive, and difficult time, but now it is time to come together. We are going to have our partisan differences and battles, and that is fine. That is what we are out here for. But, Mr. Speaker, America needs to remember our mission, our God- given mission. I believe that is to be an example of self-governance to billions of people that don't have what we have, but are desperate for it. We used that kind of leadership in the cold war as millions lived behind the Iron Curtain and saw what freedom could be. And there are iron curtains that exist today; terrorism, strongmen, a resurgent Russia--an iron curtain of soft expectations and low expectations of people. For the last 8 years, we failed to articulate that mission. Mr. Speaker, we are a nation in need of remembering that mission, and it is my sincere hope that this will change very soon.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5732, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2016. In September, a trending comment on Twitter read: This is not Pompeii, this is Aleppo. Think about that for a minute. The death and destruction in Aleppo has reached such epic proportions that we are comparing it to one of the most deadly natural disasters in world history. The President and his administration have continued to highlight the horrors of Syria exhibited by Assad and Putin by using terms like ``barbarism'', ``beyond the pale'', and ``haunting''. I think the more apt term for this is ``a problem from hell.'' Yet, even as the President, Secretary of State, and Ambassador to the UN continue to talk about the carnage in Syria, there has been very little action to end the suffering of the people of Aleppo and across Syria. Mr. Speaker, it pains me every single time I come to the well of the House to talk about the atrocities in Syria. But we are failing the innocent people of Syria through our inaction. Rather than enforcing red lines for Assad's use of chemical weapons or enhancing sanctions against the Russians for their war crimes in the bombing of medical facilities and aid convoys, the President and Secretary of State focus their attention on sham ceasefires that are continually violated by the people with which we negotiate. They constantly worry about the Iranians walking away from flawed nuclear deals instead of leading the global community to end the atrocities in Syria. I have said it before, and I will say it again: Russia and Iran are not our allies. Their interests lie in destabilizing Europe and turning the Middle East into a wasteland of murder and chaos. Mr. Speaker, there needs to be a true cost for the complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. It's time that Russia, Iran, and Syria are held accountable. That is why this bill is so important. It would increase sanctions on the Assad regime and its supporters for the continued atrocities committed against the Syrian people. It requires this administration and any future administration to stand up and impose costs on the Russians, Syrians, and Iranians for the barrel bombing and gassing of innocent civilians. I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Engel and Congressman Royce for introducing this critical bill. We owe it to the innocent people of Syria to bring justice against the Assad regime, Russian military, and their allies and help the struggling people of Syria. If we fail to act, fail to lead--this Syrian Civil War will be the greatest humanitarian crisis of the 21st century.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5094. Ukraine continues to face significant challenges from Russian meddling and aggression. We in Congress are under no illusions when seeing Vladimir Putin's true intentions for Ukraine. Vladimir Putin and Russia are tearing Europe apart. Russian-backed separatists continue their shelling of Ukrainian military positions in Donetsk and Donbass, which in some cases has killed civilians. Additionally, Vladimir Putin and Russia are delivering bombs on medical facilities and on children in Syria. Further proof that they are no ally of ours. Rather than continuing to negotiate with Putin, we need to stand up to him. The best way to push back against Russia is to give the Ukrainians what they need to defend their sovereign territory, such as lethal weaponry to counter the Russian-backed ``little green men.'' This important bill does a number of things to continue to show American support for Ukraine, while also putting additional pressure on Russia for its continued violation of Ukraine's territorial sovereignty. Most importantly, this bill states that the United States will never recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea, which it illegally annexed in 2014. This bill would also enhance our sanctions regime on Russia for its ongoing illegal and destabilizing activities against Ukraine. In our history, we have always seen the impact that our nation has on others when we stand up and help them achieve a better tomorrow. It is imperative that we continue to help Ukraine achieve that better future for its citizens. Mr. Speaker, I was proud to work with Congressman Eliot Engel to introduce this critical bill. By reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine's self-defense, emphasizing that we never have nor will recognize Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, and by holding Russia accountable for its continued violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, we will `Stand with Ukraine' legislatively and most effectively.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Eight years ago this summer, Russia violated the sovereignty of our key ally in the Caucasus: the Republic of Georgia. It seems that nothing has changed with Russian behavior as South Ossetia and Abkhazia are still under Russian occupation as a result of its military aggression. As we are seeing around other areas of Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine, there is no end to the belligerence of Vladimir Putin. The development of Georgian democracy has served as a powerful example to the region and has drawn a stark contrast with a revanchist and increasingly authoritarian Russia. It is critical that the United States continues to stand with its democratic allies in the region in order to thwart further aggression from a ruthless dictator like Putin. That's why Congress must send this strong message: we will never recognize the occupation of Georgia and we will continue to urge Russia to immediately withdraw from South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this important resolution.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and Ranking Member Schakowsky for their work on this and their help. I rise today in support of H. Res. 835. It is a resolution adopting a national policy to promote economic growth and consumer access to financial tools through technology. I introduced this resolution with the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardenas) earlier this year to highlight the importance of supporting a growing industry at the intersection of consumer finance and technology, otherwise known as fintech. I would like to thank him for joining me to ensure that the United States is competitively positioned to leverage this next wave of technology for the economy and for consumers' benefits. Fintech is leading the charge in taking payments to the next level in terms of speed, convenience, efficiency, and accessibility, and is fundamentally changing the amount of transparency and control consumers have over their information. Fintech startups have created a surge in payment innovation, ranging from new mobile payment options to digital currencies outside of traditional government-issued currency. There are over 2,000 fintech startups, and more than a dozen that are currently valued at over $1 billion. Mobile payments revenues in 2016 are expected to surpass the $600 billion mark, and this year, 45 percent of consumers use some form of mobile payments. And with that investment comes new jobs and new opportunities. Given all of this, there is still a host of questions about these offerings that industry and government at all levels must continue to work through. Questions about security, privacy, and consumer protection are important and will guide how public and private entities continue to review and assess emerging technologies. However, potential risks and 20th century silos between government agencies should not hamper innovation in this space. In an age where mobile devices are ubiquitous, consumers are demanding a higher level of transparency and control over their financial information. Due to the proliferation of mobile devices, we have an opportunity to capitalize on an emerging technology that we cannot afford to miss out on. The only question is who is going to lead the way in this process. This resolution sends a clear message that it will be the United States, and that Congress supports continued innovation and consumer empowerment. Again, I want to just say thank you to my friends on both sides of the aisle for bringing this up, what I think is a very good bipartisan resolution and a good first step to doing what we need to do.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for yielding. I also want to thank Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Eshoo for working with me to get this legislation to a point where all interested parties are able to support its passage today. Additionally, I would like to thank the representatives from the ARRL and CAI for meeting with our offices time and again to come to an agreement that helps us move forward on this legislation in a bipartisan and very positive manner. Under current law, there is an outright prohibition on the use of any antennae for amateur radio use in certain areas with no consideration for the emergency ramifications that come as a result. For some, this is merely a nuisance; but for others, those who use their amateur radio license for lifesaving emergency communications, a dangerous situation can be created by limiting their ability to establish effective communication for those in need. During times of emergency service, such as following a hurricane or tornado, amateur radio operators are able to use their skills and equipment to create a network of communications for first responders when other wired or wireless technologies are down--a vital and lifesaving function. Additionally, there are some hams that take their certifications even further by purchasing expensive equipment and going through extensive training to become part of MARS, the Military Auxiliary Radio System. The purpose of MARS is to help our military patch through their communications to one another domestically and abroad, and I have personally used this system as a pilot in the military. What is so impressive about this group is what it takes to be part of this system. MARS members must have access to expensive, high-frequency radio equipment; it must file monthly reports; and they participate in a minimum of 12 hours of radio activity each quarter, all on their own dime and all on their own time. This legislation that is brought before us today would change current regulations hampering the ability of amateur radio operators to effectively communicate in certain areas while respecting and maintaining the rights of local communities in those areas where hams reside. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the willingness of all the interested groups in coming to the table with myself, with Chairman Walden, and Ranking Member Eshoo, in order to come to an amicable agreement on how to move this legislation forward. I urge support of this bill.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to tell you a story. There was a little boy named Ali Daqneesh, age 10, and his little brother is Omran. That is the boy you see in the photo here that was shared across the Internet, worldwide, 2 weeks ago. Ali was a really good big brother. He loved to play outside, and he was still at that age when kids really get to dream big and imagine their future. I can only imagine the life that Ali looked forward to. Maybe he wanted to be a police officer; maybe he wanted to be a teacher or a doctor. I really can't say for certain because, tragically, his life was cut short by an airstrike. Ali's death is an all-too-common fate for many of Syria's men, women, and children. These are the people who have lost their chance at life from the brutality of Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin. Of the over 500,000 dead Syrians, more than 50,000 are Syrian children who have been killed since the evil dictator Bashar al-Assad turned against his own people in 2011. Yet, even as the world continues to be outraged over these atrocities and pictures of dazed and bloody Syrian children like Ali's brother Omran, Assad and Russia and their Iranian backers are still barrel-bombing and launching chemical weapons against civilian targets. On a daily basis, we hear that Syrian and Russian fighter planes have launched attacks on medical facilities and hospitals across the country. When these facilities are bombed, it is the children who suffer. In fact, the regime's belief is don't target, necessarily, military assets because, when you target innocent civilians, you inflict more collective pain on the population of Syria; and in Assad's estimation, that brings the war closer to an end. At the end of July, a maternity hospital in Idlib was bombed. A recent story in The New Yorker highlighted the horror that comes with these bombings. In Aleppo, newborns in incubators suffocated to death because a Syrian or Russian airstrike cut off power to a hospital. Who is doing this? And why? Bashar al-Assad continued the legacy of brutality against his people from his father--his father, who had one goal, and that was to keep power. Power is a crazy motivator for some people. The people of Syria, in 2011, decided they wanted some freedom, as is humanity's right, and they stood up and protested peacefully against Assad. What did Assad do? Did he respond by saying: Well, let's talk and maybe find a way to have an outlet for your interests or your concerns? No. Assad rolled the tanks. Assad said he would kill his opposition. And what ensued after that was the incubation of a group we know today as ISIS, the opening of a civil war in Syria that is now spreading all over the Middle East, a massive refugee crisis around the world. I hear some people in political conversations today express admiration for Vladimir Putin. They express admiration for Vladimir Putin's strength, as if oppressing and killing people is something to be proud of. That doesn't show strength. That shows weakness. Mr. Speaker, Vladimir Putin and Russia are tearing Europe apart. Vladimir Putin and Russia are delivering bombs on medical facilities and on children in Syria. They are no ally of ours. Sometimes the enemy of our enemy is still our enemy. Mr. Speaker, I hear people sometimes say that dictatorships work in the Middle East. Sometimes they say that this introduction of freedom has somehow been terrible for people who just aren't ready for it. I agree. The introduction of freedom to a society that is not used to it can sometimes be very messy, and sometimes in the course of looking back over 20 years of history we see the success. That happened in our own founding. We went through the Civil War. We went through a bloody Revolution. We went through a time where we kept an entire race in chains. But, Mr. Speaker, when people say that dictatorships work, no, they don't. This kid, I always wonder what is going through his mind. Probably not much because he was stunned at the bomb that landed on his house and killed his brother.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2016 recipients of the Congressional Veteran Commendation in the 16th District of Illinois. The eight veterans receiving this commendation have served this country honorably and fought for the freedoms we hold dearly. These veterans answered their country's call during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and they served with honor and distinction. As a fellow war veteran, I thank them for their patriotism and sacrifices on behalf of our nation. After these veterans served their country, they came home to serve their communities. They are civic leaders, active citizens, and many continue to serve their military brothers and sisters through veteran service organizations. Although their mission has changed since returning to civilian life, their leadership and tenacity have not. The recipients of the 2016 Congressional Veteran Commendation are: Lance Corporal Glenn Borvansky of Marseilles, IL; Seaman Charles R. Brown of Diamond, IL; Sergeant John F. Duback of Ottawa, IL; Specialist Four Wayne A. Eichelkraut of Ottawa, IL; Sergeant Mervin Eutis of Grand Ridge, IL; Master Sergeant Glen Maubach of Blackstone, IL; Specialist Five Harold R. Olsen of Arlington, IL; and Specialist Five Richard Sanders of Dixon, IL. I am honored to be able to recognize these notable veterans. The recipients of this commendation serve as the embodiment of both military and civil service, and it is my hope they will inspire the next generation.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of amendment No. 74 in the en bloc, the Blumenauer Special Immigrant Visa amendment. I just want to speak to the program broadly and quickly. In Afghanistan, countless people put their lives on the line to serve as translators, basically being the middle person between American troops and the population we are trying to secure. Now, we promised them opportunity to come into the United States, but this process has been bogged down by bureaucracy. In fact, many have been in this process for years, and still in the first steps because of the bureaucracy on this. Unfortunately, today, actually, many Afghans are being killed every day by the Taliban, by ISIS, by al Qaeda, as a result of having worked with us. I want to thank Representative Moulton and Representative Blumenauer for their work on this. This is a bipartisan issue, and one that I think we ought to take very seriously, keeping our commitment to those that help us, because there will be a war again some day, and we ought to be able to maintain the trust of the population we are there to secure. So I thank Mr. Blumenauer for putting this amendment in, and I thank the chairman for accepting it.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Bill Clinton once said, when asked what his greatest regret was of his time in office, that his greatest regret was the failure to act on the genocide in Rwanda. Mr. Speaker, today, over a half million Syrians have been killed by a brutal dictator, Bashar al-Assad. What I think is important to note is that a lot of times when we talk about something happening somewhere that is not here, we think of it as something that doesn't affect us because these people may look different, maybe they speak a different language, maybe they worship a different God, and, frankly, it is oceans away. Mr. Speaker, right here is just a picture of a number of Syrian children. These are children who are having their lives torn up by war. It is children, in fact, just like these that in past years were gassed by Bashar al-Assad. I want you to imagine that, gassing. As you drown, knowing that you are taking among your last breaths; as your mom and dad sit there and are affected by the same chemical weapons and are watching their children die. It is tragic. That was done indiscriminately by Bashar al-Assad. But that is nothing new for him. Bashar al-Assad learned from the greatest man he knew--his father--who leveled cities and killed tens of thousands who dared disobey his will, the will of one man. So in 2011, these generations of repressed Syrians who do not like to live under dictatorships--humanity does not like to be oppressed and live under dictatorship--these millions of citizens rose up and began to peacefully protest their dictator. How did the dictator respond? Did he talk about reforms that could be done to government? No. He responded with tanks, with armies, and with murder. He responded with chemical weapons. The United States and other countries were rightfully concerned with what was going on, and a red line was placed by our President. That red line was not adhered to. Bashar al-Assad got away with using chemical weapons at no cost and no penalty. So this brutal civil war continues. Children and women are among the chief targets, by the way, of the regime because they believe it inflicts more pain per capita on the population than killing a man. So they target them specifically. They continue to die. The West thought they had negotiated--and the President thought he had negotiated--a cease-fire; but yet, in the end of April, a Doctors Without Borders hospital was bombed. Was it the one we hear so much about in Afghanistan, the mistaken bombing of a Doctors Without Borders hospital that was tragically done by the American military? No, not that one, as tragic as that is. But it was the regime of Bashar al- Assad that killed over 60 people in a Doctors Without Borders hospital, despite a cease-fire that is occurring. Now we are back at the table hoping to make this one cease-fire actually stick. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, in this campaign season people have been seductively lured into the idea that America's responsibility now is just to come home and lick our wounds. I believe that America has a mission that is a God-inspired mission. It is a mission to be an example to billions of people of self-governance and to be an example of human rights and dignity. But it is also in our self-interest to be involved. What has the brutal dictator Bashar al-Assad done besides tragically kill almost a half million people, as if that is not bad enough? Bashar al-Assad has created an area for ISIS to spawn and breed. ISIS wouldn't be in existence today if Syria was a stable country potentially under democratic rule because the people wouldn't turn to it. Bashar al-Assad created and incubates ISIS--fact. Bashar al-Assad brutalizes his people, and you can not fix the situation in Syria with Bashar al-Assad remaining in existence. It may not be popular to say. People may say: Do you want to intervene in another Middle Eastern war? No, I don't want to. But I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, America has a mission; and if we forget that mission, if we wake up and if the President some day in an interview says, ``My greatest regret was inaction in Syria,'' that is on all of us, too. These children want to be teachers, they want to be police officers, and they want to have kids of their own some day. Don't forget their voices.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. I appreciate the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act will help our veterans and our communities by assisting States in reducing burdens for military medics who want to become civilian EMTs. Emergency medical technicians are an important part of the medical workforce and, as first responders, are critical to our goal of combating the thousands of opioid overdoses each year. EMTs respond to hundreds of thousands of overdoses. In 2014 alone, EMTs responded to 240,000 calls at which naloxone was administered. According to the Department of Labor, the demand for EMTs and paramedics is expected to increase by 33 percent by the year 2020. This expected shortage is on top of some communities that are already reporting a shortage of EMTs. My legislation, H.R. 1818, the Veteran EMT Support Act, works to address this by helping States to streamline requirements and procedures in order to assist veterans who completed military EMT training in the Armed Forces to meet the certification, the licensure, and other requirements to become civilian EMTs. Although some service branches train military medics to EMT national certification standards, States generally have required additional training for State licensure. This creates a barrier for servicemembers who have received some of the best EMT training and have practiced their profession on the battlefield. The Veteran EMT Support Act is a commonsense way to help veterans transition into the civilian workforce, improve public health, and ensure communities have highly qualified, professional men and women to answer challenging emergency calls like opioid overdoses. I thank Congresswoman Capps for her strong support and advocacy of this legislation, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this legislation.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I thank the committee, and I thank the other side of the aisle. Even though this is something that we are going to put through and we would love to have a lot more support from the other side of the aisle, we do appreciate the working relationship. Mr. Chairman, let me just say that this is, in my mind, very simple. When the FCC, in essence, chose to reclassify broadband Internet access service as a common carrier, that gave them the classification and the ability to regulate rates of private companies. Understanding this, it was the concern, as we looked around, that we want to make sure that the FCC does not have the power to regulate the rates charged for Internet access. If you look back in the history of this country and, really, what technology and what the Internet has been able to do for jobs, for economic growth, and for everything along that line, it has all been because it is free of government regulation. So let's just put this into law, that the FCC shouldn't have the authority. In a couple of hearings, Chairman Wheeler, the chairman of the FCC, was asked: Do you believe you should have the right or the ability to regulate the rates charged for Internet, for broadband access? He said: No. I forbear that. In fact, I asked the chairman: What if we put into law a simple statement that said that the FCC shouldn't have that authority? Amen, basically, is what he said. Now, over the next year, we have run into some more issues. All of a sudden 3 weeks ago I asked the chairman the same question again, and he admits that, actually, the FCC should have the ability to regulate broadband Internet access. This is Congress simply doing its job. Congress' job is to determine what authority the FCC should and should not have. That is what we were invented for. That is what we were created for, to determine those laws and those rules. All we are doing is taking back a little bit of power from the FCC and saying: Look, let's keep the Internet free market. Let's keep broadband free market. Congress is going to have its say in this. I hope the other side of the aisle and my colleagues join me in supporting this measure. It is the right thing for our country, and it is a great first step in preserving the Internet as free for future generations.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the Rosecrance Health Network as they celebrate 100 years of serving children, adolescents, adults, and families in Northern Illinois and beyond. In 1916, Dr. James Rosecrance kept the memory of his late wife, Franny, alive by creating the Rosecrance Memorial Home for Children at the couple's homestead in New Milford, Illinois. Incorporated by the state of Illinois as a home for children on August 11, 1916, the staff continued to care for needy children from New Milford and surrounding communities before expanding and relocating to Rockford, Illinois, in 1953. Continually adapting to the changing needs of the community, in 1982, Rosecrance transformed into an innovative and groundbreaking chemical dependency treatment center for teens struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and abuse. In 1992, this mission expanded even further as Rosecrance began treating adults with substance abuse disorders. Today, their Harrison Campus in Rockford offers a number of substance abuse services including outpatient programs and maintains specialized units for young adults, veterans, firefighters, and paramedics. In 2011, Rosecrance merged with the Janet Wattles Center, a leading mental health service provider, to truly integrate substance abuse and mental health services and better serve patients at their many locations throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. Today, Rosecrance operates more than 40 locations and serves more than 22,000 people annually. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Sixteenth Congressional District, I would like to sincerely thank the hardworking men and women who have dedicated themselves to providing quality substance abuse and mental health care services. Without question, our communities and families are healthier and stronger thanks to the service and care provided by Rosecrance throughout their 100 year history.

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 44, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Personal Explanation

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to turn your attention to the crisis in Madaya, Syria. Since July 2015, this town has been under siege by the evil regime of Bashar al-Assad. It has deprived the citizens; it has starved them; and in the last month, at least 31 have died. Those who try to flee face indiscriminate barrel bombs and targets by the Assad regime. Bill Clinton once said that the greatest regret of his Presidency was inaction in Rwanda. Mr. Speaker, I fear that our greatest regret, both of this President and of this House, will be inaction in Syria. There are over 250,000 dead men, women, and children by the evil regime of Assad because they believed that to target women and children puts more collective pain than to target just fighters. Mr. Speaker, if we are going to destroy ISIS--and we all want to destroy ISIS--you cannot destroy ISIS with the existence of Assad. Assad is the greatest recruiter to ISIS that has ever existed. Whether it is ISIS today or the next iteration tomorrow, Assad must go for the sake of a free Syria.