Daniel Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, here we are just a few days short of the end of the 113th Congress, and this Congress has yet to take up the big questions facing the American people. We are 10 days away from a budget deadline, and there is still talk among some on the other side of using the sanctity of the budget--the economy of this country--as a tool to fight against actions taken by this President that the Congress, itself, is unwilling to take up. Rather than taking up unemployment insurance, for example, despite the fact that we have seen a significant reduction in unemployment across the country--in my home State, unemployment is still above 7 percent--we haven't taken that up. Instead of taking up the jobs program, like our Make It In America agenda, which would reenergize our manufacturing sector, we have set that aside and haven't taken it up. Instead of taking up the very subject that has driven some to threaten to shut down government--comprehensive immigration reform--we haven't even seen a bill come to the floor of the House--not the Senate bill, not another bill--that even the Republicans, themselves, could put together. While we talk a good game about being willing to take on these big questions, when it comes time to put something on the floor for us to legislate, to vote on, we see no action at all.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Dr. Shafi Ahmed, President of the Genesee County Medical Society, for his outstanding service and unwavering commitment to community. Dr. Ahmed lived in several countries before moving to the United States of America, where he now practices internal medicine at Court Street Family Medicine. Dr. Ahmed is a kindhearted individual who has lived a broad life. After graduation from medical school, he worked in the capital of Bangladesh and completed two years of surgical residency. He then went to Algeria to practice in a government clinic for four years. He was recruited to Saudi Arabia, Libya and Iran but political chaos eventually landed him in Algeria. Dr. Ahmed's wife, Ruqsana, became pregnant while the Ahmeds were living in Algeria. She returned to Bangladesh to stay with his parents and joined Dr. Ahmed eight months later in the United States where he had begun studying for Masters in Public Health in Dallas. Dr. Ahmed then switched to a research associate position in a cancer research institute in Dallas for three years. His ``big break,'' as he refers to it, occurred when Dr. Norwood Hill took him under his wing along with a Pakistani oncologist, Dr. Amanullah Khan, helped him get a permanent visa and a residency at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, MI. Dr. Ahmed decided to stay in Michigan to raise his family and make a living practicing medicine. He is honored to be a resident of Genesee County, and we are grateful to have him. Our community is made better because of people such as him. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Dr. Shafi Ahmed for his resilience, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment to our community.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Donald Riegle Community Service Awards. For the past 25 years the Flint Jewish Federation has utilized this event as a vehicle to recognize individuals in the Flint area who have displayed an exceptional commitment to community. As Michigan's former senior United States Senator, Donald W. Riegle, Jr., retired after three terms in the U.S. Senate, and ten years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout his federal legislative career, Senator Riegle served as a champion of Soviet Jewry. In addition, he co-sponsored major legislation pertaining to freedom of immigration issues and personally intervened with the leadership of the former Soviet Union on behalf of Jewish Refuseniks. This year's award recipients, Debra Golden-Steinman, Philip Shaltz and Ernelle Taylor, have worked hard to make our community a better place. The proceeds from the event will provide funding for the necessary acculturation of social programs, as well as the continuation of services, such as transportation, interpreters, meal services and citizenship preparation for Genesee County residents. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Flint Jewish Federation for upholding the life, legacy and leadership of Senator Donald W. Riegle, Jr. and applaud them on this milestone celebration.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint as they celebrate 70 years of dedication and service to children and families in Genesee County. Since 1944, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint has provided a no-cost mentoring program to thousands of youth and families facing adversity. To celebrate 70 years of service, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint will hold a Platinum Jubilee--Royal Gala. The anniversary celebration will honor the volunteers that have helped shape this institution throughout the past 70 years and highlight the future direction of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint as they provide life-changing relationships through mentorship. Chris Broussard, American sports analyst for ESPN will also join in the celebration as a celebrity guest. For 70 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation's largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, one-to-one, monitored matches between adult volunteers (``Bigs'') and children (``Littles''), ages 6 through 18, in communities across our great country. Their presence in our community is invaluable. Genesee County, as well as the entire State of Michigan, is better because of this agency. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint for 70 years of quality mentoring services, fulfilling their mission of creating relationships that change lives for the better, forever.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Austin, Sr., a spiritual pillar in the city of Saginaw, with more than 60 years of dedicated service to his community. Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Austin served as Pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Saginaw for 44 years. He has also served as Interim Pastor for St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Saginaw, Foss Ave. Baptist Church in Flint and Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Flint. Rev. Dr. Austin received his primary education in Opelousas, Louisiana. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Theology from McKinley Roosevelt College in Chicago, Illinois; a Master of Theology from Ohio Christian College in Columbus, Ohio; a Doctor of Divinity Degree from American Divinity School in Chicago, Illinois; and a Doctor of Humanities from Saginaw Valley State University. Rev. Dr. Austin is a vital voice that has embraced our community through the spirit of service. He has served through many entities, some including Saginaw City Council, Opportunity Industrial Center, Pastors Concern for the Poor, Saginaw Public Schools, and as member of the Board of Directors for Citizens Bank. Rev. Dr. Austin also holds the honor of Past President, Saginaw Valley District Congress of Christian Education; Past President, Michigan Wolverine State Congress of Christian Education; Seminar Leader, National Congress of Christian Education; and Moderator for the Saginaw Valley District Association. Now retired, Dr. Austin enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Nurame Austin, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Austin for his strong leadership and unwavering commitment to our community.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing and congratulating the National Job Corps Association on their 50th Anniversary. Over the course of 50 years, millions of at-risk youth have been forever changed by Job Corps' comprehensive residential, academic and career preparation programs. In my hometown, the Flint Genesee Job Corps Center provides a vital service to our community by serving hundreds of disadvantaged youth between 16 and 24 years of age, inclusive, by providing high school diplomas and career technical education to young men and women. In addition to academic and employment training, these Job Corps Centers throughout the country provide social skills training and other services to empower young men and women to obtain and hold a job, enroll in advanced training, attend college, or enter the Armed Forces to defend the interest of the United States around the world. It is timely and appropriate that we join Flint and Genesee County in celebrating the National Job Corps Association and its accomplishments, including reducing the cycle of poverty, strengthening our local community, and improving the quality of thousands of lives. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the National Job Corps Association, and the Flint Genesee Job Corps Center, for their unwavering commitment and service to our great country.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent and would ask my friend to allow the bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill, H.R. 15, to be considered. It is a bill that I proudly cosponsor, and it would more than adequately address this humanitarian crisis at the border.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to immediately bring up H.R. 377, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would jump-start the middle class, instead of this partisan lawsuit attacking the President of the United States.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, so there are just 3 legislative days left before we go on recess, and the most pressing issue that the House Republican leadership has decided that we need to devote our legislative time to is a resolution to sue the President of the United States. Not to bring up a jobs bill, not to deal with comprehensive immigration reform, not to extend emergency unemployment benefits for the millions of people who have lost their benefits, but to debate a dangerous and unprecedented lawsuit with the House of Representatives suing the President. What is next--the Senate suing the House? I mean, this is really ridiculous. And after all that is done, what we are going to do is recess for 5 weeks. Instead of taking up the issues that the people have sent us here to deal with, we are going to leave for 5 weeks after taking action--presumably, the majority will vote to sue the President of the United States. It is a waste of our time. It is a horrible waste of money. It is unconscionable. We ought to stay here and do the work of the American people that we were sent here to do.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, creating opportunity for hardworking American families and reigniting the American Dream should be the top priority of this Congress, but instead, we are about to embark on a 1- month legislative recess as the House Republican leadership continues to block action on legislation to create jobs and to grow the middle class. Legislation awaiting action in an up-or-down vote is piling up: legislation to raise the minimum wage; to renew emergency unemployment insurance; to pass comprehensive immigration reform; to rebuild our crumbling roads, bridges, and ports; enacting a manufacturing policy so that we can make things in America; and voting on paycheck fairness to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. Passing all these policies would jump-start the middle class and expand opportunity for all Americans. But instead, instead of taking those up, we are about to leave town for a month of undeserved time off. We should get to work on the work of the American people. They expect that from us, and they deserve nothing less.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend Matthew Schramm, Pastor of Bay City's Westminster Presbyterian Church in my district, who delivered this morning's opening and very inspiring prayer. I am pleased to welcome Pastor Schramm and his family to the U.S. Capitol, and to thank him for his continued service to our community. Westminster Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest churches in Bay City, helping to share love, faith, and hope with its congregants and others across Michigan. In addition to serving his congregation, Reverend Schramm served as the youngest-ever chair of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, the ministry agency and the board of trustees for the Nation's largest body of Presbyterians. Reverend Schramm not only serves at the church altar, but also in the community as well. He serves on Bay County's Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Board, the Do-Care Family Enrichment Center advisory board, and the McLaren Bay medical region's Medical Ethics Advisory Board. Pastor Schramm, on behalf of the U.S. Congress, thank you for being here today. I hope that your uplifting words that you shared with us will give us the courage to work together in pursuit of the common good for all Americans.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today, millions of Americans across the country need emergency unemployment insurance to support their families--to provide for their very basic needs--as those hardworking Americans have lost their previous jobs and are simply in search of their next opportunities, through no fault of their own. Somehow, this issue has been turned into a partisan issue. It is not a partisan issue back home. There is no such thing as a Democratic or a Republican unemployed person. They are unemployed, and they are looking for all the help they can get. The week before last, I and three of my Democratic colleagues and Mr. LoBiondo--a Republican--and three of his colleagues introduced a bipartisan unemployment insurance extension. It is a mirror image of the language that has been introduced by Mr. Reed and Mr. Heller in the Senate. This is a bipartisan bill. We can take this up right now. Is it the bill that I would have written by myself? No. In fact, I did submit an extension of unemployment that the House has not taken up, but we have compromised. We ought to do the work of the American people. We have a bipartisan bill to extend unemployment insurance. The House should take it up immediately. Millions of Americans need it, and it is upon us to take this action.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mrs. Lucetia Manwaring as she embarks upon 20 years of service as a congressional staff member. As a Senior Constituent Services Representative in my office, Mrs. Manwaring has established herself as a distinguished professional with a demonstrated record of achievement. Lucetia holds a unique blend of experiences having also served in the U.S. Navy from 1989-1993. During this time, she served on the U.S. Navy Submarine Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Nuclear Repair Division; Served honorably in U.S. Desert Storm Campaign; and was a member of the U.S. Ready Reserve from 1993-2000. In addition, she has received several awards, including the Navy Wide Command Award, the National Defense Service Medal for Desert Storm, and a Naval Citation. Lucetia received her Master of Science in Human Services from Capella University, and her Bachelor of Business Administration from Davenport University. She was a member of the Dean's List upon completing both degrees. Since 1994, Mrs. Manwaring has displayed leadership and commitment, engaging with thousands of constituents throughout the State of Michigan. Her tenure began as a staff member for my uncle, retired U.S. Congressman Dale Kildee. She met Dale Kildee while serving in the Navy, and began her career as a staff member shortly thereafter. Upon his retirement, I was grateful to have her join my staff as well. I am grateful to be represented by such dedicated employees who work hard to make our community and nation a better place. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Mrs. Lucetia Manwaring for her unwavering commitment and extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to her for her years of service to our great country.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am calling, again, on the House to introduce a dose of democracy into this body. For months, since December 28, millions of Americans have lost their extended unemployment benefits. We were elected to represent the will of the people, to chart a course for this country, and to deal with the exigent needs of those Americans who are struggling. A majority of this House is ready to do that. A majority of this House would vote to extend Federal unemployment benefits to prevent people who have worked hard for their entire lives from losing everything that they have worked for because this body fails to act. A majority is for it--a majority of the people and a majority of this House. The Senate will pass unemployment extension. They did once already. The President will sign it. It is incumbent upon us to do the will of the people. If we do not do this, we bear responsibility for the fact that, for generations, poverty could be inflicted upon people who have worked hard their entire lives and stand a chance of losing everything simply because we won't act.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk

Mr. KILDEE. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. KILDEE. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Chair, this is an amendment that is actually quite simple. I will only take a moment to explain it. It simply requires that the use of funds in this legislation not be utilized in contradiction to existing U.S. law. Let me specifically point out the problem that I am trying to make sure is very clear. As Members of Congress, we are elected to represent our constituents. That includes our constituents that serve in the Armed Forces, so I have been very concerned about reports and experience within my own office that some in the military have reacted unfavorably when servicemembers reach out for assistance from their Member of Congress, and as I said, we have experienced this in my own office. I know that this is not Department of Defense policy, and I know and am certain that this behavior is being exercised by a very small minority of staff people, but it is entirely unacceptable. I know for me, if somebody in government--any department--has a problem with me and the communications I have with my own constituents over issues they are having navigating the bureaucracy of government, if anybody has a problem with that, they can talk to me directly. My office is listed. They can call me. I just want to make sure that this amendment makes it clear that no money can be spent in violation of 10 USC 1034. This is the statute that specifically makes it illegal to retaliate against members of the military for speaking to their Members of Congress. I want to just reiterate this is based on real experiences that I am having in my office. I have talked to other Members. There have been similar experiences. I don't think it is pervasive, but I want to make the message clear that members of the military and any other constituent has an opportunity to reach out to Members of our Congress. It is important for our constitutional role, our oversight role. I think this amendment, while perhaps redundant, would speak to that directly. I hope the House would consider it.

Mr. KILDEE. Reclaiming my time, I thank the chairman and the ranking member. I know when to quit when I am ahead. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Dr. Richard Shaink, Mott Community College's longest serving president, as he prepares to retire after 14 years of leadership and service. Mott Community College is a multi-campus institution serving Flint and Genesee County, Michigan. He possesses a unique blend of business, community, economic development and educational experience having served as a former college campus president, multi-campus vice president, instruction dean, college business/industry director, shopping center general manager, industrial sales representative, production line supervisor, full-time high school vocational teacher, and an adjunct instructor at Michigan State University, Ferris State University, and Lansing Community College. He received his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University, but affirms that he is most proud of the Associate of Arts degree he earned at Jackson Junior College. In 2010, Dr. Shaink received the Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Office of the Year Award from the Association of Community College Trustees, a national organization of governing boards representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the USA and beyond. Moreover, under his leadership, Mott Community College was also the recipient of the 2011 Aspen Institute's College of Excellence Award designating MCC as one of the ten best community colleges in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Dr. Richard Shaink for his exemplary leadership in Genesee County and congratulate him on his retirement.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Chief Master Sergeant Willarvis ``Dee'' Smith, who, this week, will be retired after an illustrious 28-year career in the United States Air Force, a career that spanned many decades and took him to many continents across the globe. I am personally honored and grateful that Chief Smith is here in the House gallery today as we celebrate his outstanding career and service and congratulate him on his retirement from the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Speaker, Chief Smith was born and raised in the district that I now have the privilege to represent. In fact, he was raised in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, graduated from Northwestern High School, the school just to the north of Northern High School, my high school. Shortly after graduation, he entered the Air Force in 1986, where he completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Upon graduation from his technical training as an aircraft maintenance specialist for the B-52 in Texas, he was assigned to many stations, including New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Hawaii. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he was deployed in Saudi Arabia, afterward also serving 2 years at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. In 1991, Chief Smith held the rank of staff sergeant. Over his 28-year career in the U.S. Air Force, he was promoted five times: first, to technical sergeant; then master sergeant; then senior master sergeant; and lastly, in 2010, he was promoted to chief master sergeant, the highest ranking enlisted position in the Air Force. As the chief enlisted manager of the Directorate of Communications of the Air Force District of Washington, Chief Smith served as senior adviser to the 844th communications group, which is made up of more than 900 military personnel. In this highly important and visible position, he helped to provide cyber support to the President of the United States and also to other senior officials at the Pentagon. During his 28 years of service to our country, Chief Smith's commitment and excellence as an outstanding airman did not go unnoticed. In 1989, he was recognized as the Air Mobility Command Student of the Year. In 2001 and 2003, Chief Smith earned the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Information Management Senior Non- Commissioned Officer of the Year Award. In 2005, he was named Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year and Air Force Communications and Information Professional of the Year. John Rogers, the deputy director of the 844th Communications Group, summed up Chief Smith's career by saying: ``He took care of our airmen and he was phenomenal. He embodied our core value of service before self.'' Chief Master Sergeant Smith, on behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District, on behalf of the Congress of the United States, thank you for your admirable service to our country. The motto of the Air Force is ``Aim High . . . Fly-Fight-Win.'' Chief Smith, throughout your career, you have aimed high and truly represented the best of the U.S. Air Force, and you have represented the best of our shared hometown of Flint, Michigan. On behalf of my constituents in the Fifth Congressional District and on behalf of my colleagues here in Congress, congratulations to you on your outstanding career in the Air Force and your outstanding service to our country.

Mr. KILDEE

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

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would appropriate $10 million to fund an amendment passed unanimously in the 2015 NDAA that allocates additional financial literacy training programs for incoming and transitioning servicemembers. This $10 million will be spread equally among the service's operation and maintenance accounts. This increased financial literacy training would be funded by allocating $10 million from the Navy's $14 billion aircraft procurement account, which includes nearly $1 billion in funding over the Navy's request to purchase 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft. The Navy actually requested none of these 12 aircraft. The problem we have is that far too often servicemembers have inadequate training or experience. We are often talking about young people who have yet to really fully have their feet underneath them. When a servicemember has financial difficulty, often they are preyed upon by unscrupulous lenders, payday lenders, often. In fact, in some cases--this was reported widely recently--offering and executing loans at up to 400 percent interest rates, often targeting these young servicemembers. While this has an effect clearly on the financial condition of servicemembers, it also can have an effect on readiness, in that many servicemembers require a security clearance to perform their duties, and financial difficulties and the loss of a clearance can have an enormous impact on readiness. All that being said, I will be withdrawing my amendment. The offset that we offered, according to CBO, would require a $50 million offsetting cut to raise $10 million, and I will certainly yield to anybody who would like to explain to me the mathematics behind some of the scoring that comes up. Hearing none, I will move on. This is an important area. It is an important question. The House has already unanimously acted in the NDAA to support this program. While it is my intention to withdraw this amendment, what I would ask, if the chairman and ranking member would engage and work with us on this--and certainly engage the Department of Defense--to find the financial resources to support this expanded literacy program, it would be of great benefit to our servicemembers, and it would be of tremendous value in terms of our readiness. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.