Derek Kilmer

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, the date was October 4, 1957, and the time was 7:28 p.m. when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1. It was a wake- up call to the United States, and it was perceived as an existential threat. The reaction to that was a focus by our Federal Government on national research, on basic research to drive innovation, to step up to that perception of threat. The outcome of that was extraordinary scientific breakthroughs. I often point to the cell phone in my pocket. A lot of the technologies in that cell phone, from the lithium battery that powers it, to the touch screen that allows me to navigate on it, to the Internet that helps me find a delicious Chinese restaurant to go have dinner, to the GPS system that helps me navigate my way to that restaurant--all of those innovations, the basic research behind it was funded by the exact same venture capitalist, Uncle Sam. Part of the American Prosperity Agenda that the New Democrat Coalition has put forward is focused on redoubling our investment in basic research, because the reality is that we don't have Sputnik being launched by the former Soviet Union. The reality is we face a Sputnik moment every single day with the threat of new innovation happening someplace else and jobs being created someplace else. You heard my friend suggest that research and development, as a percentage of gross domestic product since the early 1960s, has declined by nearly two-thirds just in these last four decades. In contrast, you have seen China substantially increase its investment in higher education. In fact, according to the National Science Board, by 2022, China will invest more in research and development than the United States of America. China has now surpassed the United States as the world's largest exporter of high technology. So every single day we are facing a Sputnik moment. And the reality is, while the 20th century was defined by an arms race and a race for military might, the 21st century race is for brains and for research and development. So that downward trajectory of investment in Federal research is something that, as part of the New Democrats' American Prosperity Agenda, we are seeking to stem. We want to revitalize investment in basic research and reauthorize what was known as the America COMPETES Act, which was passed by this body in a bipartisan form less than a decade ago. That came out of a report by The National Academies called ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' that suggested that, if the United States was going to compete as a Nation, we had to significantly increase America's investment in research and development. Unfortunately, since the passage of that act, you have not seen Congress keep up with that. On the wall of my office and on the wall of the office where I worked when I worked in economic development professionally, we had a sign up that said: We are competing with everyone, everywhere, every day forever. That is true not just when you look at folks working in local economic development in Tacoma, Washington. It is true with regard to our Nation today. We are in a global competition. Steve Jobs before he passed said: ``Innovation distinguishes between a leader and follower.'' I think it is important that the United States maintains its economic leadership and its leadership in innovation. Lord knows, there are extraordinary challenges that still need to be tackled. Climate change could be 2016's Sputnik moment. Investing in breakthroughs in green technology. Increasing energy independence. Not only will those innovations lead to solving our world's problems, they will create jobs here in the United States of America. Paul Otellini, who was the former CEO of Intel, said: Without raising our game in Federal research, the next big thing won't be invented here and the jobs associated with that innovation won't be created here. I think we can do better, I think we need to do better, and I think the American Prosperity Agenda that the New Democrat Coalition has put forward suggests a better path.

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak further to some of the issues and ideas laid out in the New Democrat Coalition's American Prosperity Agenda. I think one of the things I appreciate about the approach is it understands that there is not a silver bullet to getting this economy moving again. It is more like silver buckshot. Frankly, there is a whole bunch of things that we have to do to get our economy ready for success in the 21st century and have it be an economy that works for everybody. One of the things when I am home in Washington State that I hear quite a bit about is adequate investment in our roads and our bridges and our basic infrastructure, everything from transportation infrastructure to energy infrastructure. I know this is not always the most exciting subject. I have often pointed out that infrastructure is a Latin word, ``structure'' meaning structure and ``infra'' meaning boring, but it is actually incredibly important. We know that when we saw a bridge actually go down on Interstate 5 over the Skagit River just a couple of years ago. We know that when, in many parts of my State and, frankly, in many parts of this country, speed limit signs are only there for nostalgic purposes because we are simply sitting in traffic and not able to get our goods to market. So the New Democrat Coalition has called for an approach to modernizing our roads and bridges, but also modernizing our communications networks and our power grid to help drive economic growth and make it easier for everyone to do business in the United States. The reality is there are too many parts of this country where it is either too difficult to get goods to market or, in a 21st century economy where one of the most important ways of connecting people is through technology, where people simply lack access to high-speed Internet. I represent an area where about a third of the district I represent is rural and we continue to see folks who don't have access to high- speed Internet. It makes it much more difficult to start a business or for students to do research on a project. As a consequence, it makes it much more difficult for our country to compete. It is why the American Prosperity Agenda calls for a new approach of making smart investments in that basic infrastructure. I actually wanted to speak to one more issue that is part of the American Prosperity Agenda. That is a focus on small-business ownership, and there are a number of pieces as part of that. Congresswoman DelBene, also of my State, has a bill that is focused on women's small-business ownership. Congressman Himes of Connecticut is focused on issues around cybersecurity. I have been working on legislation, along with Congressman Hanna of New York, focused on providing resources to small businesses that are working to combat cyber attack. The reality is we know that small businesses are a key part of our economic future. You often hear that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. I like that saying. I think that is a good saying. I always say that small businesses are our star running backs. They are Marshawn Lynch. They are who we should have handed the ball off to at the end of the Super Bowl a couple years ago. I say that because, if you look at how the United States has generally made it out of recessions, it is not our largest employers that are the ones who are pulling us out of recessions. It is our small businesses that are racking up the tough yards and scoring the touchdowns. I think one of the fundamental roles of the Federal Government, at the very least, is to get out of the way of our star running back, but, ideally, to do some blocking for them and to call some plays for them and enable them to score some touchdowns. So a lot of the focus of the American Prosperity Agenda is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to succeed, whether that be to raise capital or to start a business or to combat hurdles that might present barriers to their business's success, like potential cyber attacks. That is an important part of this agenda, and I think it is important to speak to that. Because, again, as we look at how to grow this economy, I think the small businesses of our country that already exist and those that are yet to be created are going to be an important part of that solution.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, at the end of last year, Congress put aside political grandstanding and actually made some progress: a budget agreement that was supposed to be a framework for 2 years. It wasn't a perfect agreement, but it kept us from going off a cliff. It did some good for the folks we represent. It set aside much of the damaging across-the-board cuts and gave Federal agencies, businesses, and workers some certainty and predictability. Congress simply passing a budget at this point is a bit like a dog playing the piano. The song may not sound perfect, but it is a dog playing the piano. Congress actually passed a budget. But here we go again. As I stand here, we, once again, don't have an annual budget. I struggle to explain to my constituents how Congress is, once again, snatching defeat from the claws of victory and how this dysfunction remains the norm. The solution here is simple. Let's stick to the compromise made just a few months ago. Let's stick with what a majority of the House and Senate actually backed just a few months ago. Let's avoid shutdowns and dysfunction and get to work on moving this economy and this Congress forward.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the William Fenton Howe family for their contributions to the history of the Pacific Northwest and to recognize their 125th anniversary of calling the city of Port Orchard, Washington, home. In 1888 the William Fenton Howe family migrated from Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Tacoma in what was then the Washington Territory. On March 6, 1891, William Fenton Howe moved his family to the town of Sidney, now known as Port Orchard, on the shores of the Sinclair Inlet of Puget Sound. The family, which consisted of his wife Emma and children Harry, William, Edwin, Roy, and Edith, moved into the house located at 307 Cline Street, which remains standing today. At the time of the Howe family's arrival, Sidney was becoming known for its lumber industry, pottery works, small business, and agricultural opportunities. In 1890, Sidney became the first town in Kitsap County to incorporate and was chosen as the county seat, and later renamed Port Orchard. The Howe family was a leader in the business community and contributed to the town's growth by establishing Howe Hardware, the first hardware store in the community. In 1895 the Howe family suffered a devastating year with the death of Emma Howe and a fire at Howe Hardware. After the losses, William Fenton Howe left his children with various families in the community and headed north to Alaska to pursue opportunities to provide for them. William Fenton Howe, a savvy businessman, set out to make his mark in Alaska's booming mining industry. Not only did Mr. Howe know how to manage a hardware store, but he was also a skilled tinsmith and built stoves for the miners while they looked for gold. One of his sons, Edwin Scott Howe, joined in the pursuit of ``mining the miner'' as they built stoves that prevented the miners from facing certain death in the Arctic wilderness of Nome, Alaska. In Port Orchard, William Fenton Howe's children continued their father's legacy in the business community. After the death of William Fenton Howe, sons Edwin and Harry opened Howe Brothers Hardware as partners. The family also owned and operated Howe Oil Company and Howe Motor Company, a Ford dealership still in operation after 103 years. Deeply embedded in the community, members of the Howe family served on town council, were engaged in civic organizations, and rallied the community to bring electric power to Port Orchard and the Washington Veterans Home Retsil to Kitsap County. Mr. Speaker, the Howe family has a long lineage of public service in the business community as well as in local government and local organizations. In 2013, the Howe family was one of five families to be recognized for their contributions to Port Orchard and the surrounding area by the Kitsap County Historical Society. I am honored to recognize the Howe family's contributions to the community of Port Orchard and recognize their 125th anniversary on this past Sunday, March 6, 2016.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, in the region I represent, tragedy struck the close-knit community of Belfair. A shooting took the lives of a family and a neighbor. All the victims were taken too soon from this world. Right now, in their place, is heartbreak. Since this happened, we have been thinking of the friends and family impacted by this shooting. Pastors from North Mason have gathered mourners together to offer support and prayers. I want to make sure we note the courage of local law enforcement and other first responders who came to the scene. The Mason County Sheriff's Office, among others, deserves praise for putting their lives on the line in confronting the person responsible for this violence and responding to an awful situation. As a dad of two little girls, it pains me that so many communities like ours are faced with tragedies like this. I am hopeful we can come together to find ways to stop them. The words of Jamie McCallum, a pastor at Belfair Community Baptist Church, ring true as we pick up the pieces from this incident. Pastor McCallum said: Violence and pain may have the strongest voice for the moment, but love and life have the final say.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. I think it drives the importance of some of the change that we are talking about here tonight. Certainly, the Government By the People Act is a key part of that, trying to get the deep pockets and special interest influence away and actually empower the everyday American and millennial voters. There are other things we have to do as well. You see this problem exacerbated by the Citizens United decision. Many of us are cosponsors of a constitutional amendment to undo that Supreme Court decision. You have seen efforts focused on trying to at least shine a bright light on where some of this dark money is coming from. There is a bill called the DISCLOSE Act that at least tries to focus on that issue. Then the other thing that I have worked on is trying to put the teeth back into the watchdog of our campaign finance system. So, after Watergate, you saw the Federal Election Commission established. That was really meant to be the watchdog to make sure people weren't violating campaign finance law and that they were playing by the rules. Unfortunately, as time has passed, the Federal Election Commission has almost become as dysfunctional as the United States Congress. The consequence of that is people are playing fast and loose with the rules. You see the rise of super-PACs and this whole question of coordination, particularly in the Presidential campaigns, and it is a real problem. So we put forward a bill that is called the Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act. Very simply, it tries to put teeth back into the Federal Election Commission. So there are all sorts of things that we have got to do on this front to try to reduce the role of money in our politics and to try to restore the people's power back. Because, if you look at some the extraordinary things that have happened in this country, whether it be the civil rights movement or advances made in environmental protection or any number of things, they have happened when everyday Americans, citizens, are able to take hold of their government and to actually make a difference in their government. I think each of us is trying to do that, certainly from a policy standpoint. Next week I am doing seven townhall meetings in my district to try to make sure that everyday Americans have a voice in their democracy. But you look at charts like that and I think it makes it very hard for people to feel any sense of impact and efficacy and feel like their voice is being heard. I think it is an important conversation for us to be having because we need to change that.

Mr. KILMER. I think that is pretty consistent with what we hear in our neck of the woods. You saw in the last election season two-thirds of Americans cast a no-confidence vote by not voting at all, and those numbers are even worse when it comes to millennial voters. I think as Mr. Sarbanes said, it is not that they don't care, there are a lot of things that they care about. But it is, I think, out of a fair belief that there is too much money, too many deep pockets, and too many special interests that are driving our democracy. This week Politico came out with a report that the 100 biggest donors of the 2016 cycle have spent $195 million. That is more than the combined total of 2 million small donors. So I think it is fair to say that millennial voters see that dynamic and believe that their voice is getting drowned out in the process.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Dung Xuan Nguyen of Tacoma, WA. Dr. Nguyen has served his community with dedication and compassion through his medical practice and his outreach and support to local immigrant families. Dr. Nguyen has practiced in the Lincoln District of Tacoma for forty years, offering medical service and strong advocacy for the uninsured and homeless in Tacoma's Vietnamese-American community. Mr. Speaker, for the past seven years, Dr. Nguyen has served as the President of the Vietnamese-American Community of Tacoma-Pierce County, which provides information and advocacy to the Vietnamese-American community in the Tacoma region. Dr. Nguyen's office is often a clearinghouse for ride-share services, community outreach and gatherings, and other essential services for new residents of the neighborhood. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Nguyen has even dedicated his time to help create public art to memorialize the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam War--both U.S. and South Vietnamese servicemen. He designed and donated a black monolith memorial to the Vietnamese Cultural Center in Seattle in 2012 with the inscription ``The Nation Will Always Remember Those Who Sacrificed.'' Dr. Nguyen has shown dedication to community and advocacy for those who need it. He has lived up to the values of our nation, welcoming immigrants to his community and honoring his adopted home through his work in the Tacoma community. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to express my gratitude for Dr. Dung Xuan Nguyen's inspirational medical care and volunteerism to the lives of Tacoma's citizens and their families today in the United States Congress.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nathan Gibbs- Bowling of Tacoma, WA. Mr. Gibbs-Bowling has been an intrepid leader in the Tacoma community, where he grew up, through his excellent instruction of AP Government and Human Geography at Lincoln High School. I am proud to offer my sincere congratulations on behalf of my district's constituency to Mr. Gibbs-Bowling for the recent announcement of his selection as a finalist for this year's National Teacher of the Year Award offered by the Council of Chief State School Officers. For 10 years Nathan has exceeded expectations as an instructor and has become known as the ``cheerleader, college professor, and drill sergeant'' for Lincoln High's student population. His dedication to his craft and his student's success has set him apart more than once in recent years. Mr. Gibbs-Bowling has already received accolades for his teaching. He received the Washington State Milken Foundation Educator Award for 2013, and was named the Washington State Teacher of the Year by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2015. Yet, if you ask him, he will insist that he is not even the best teacher in his own household--his wife Hope also teaches at the high school. Mr. Speaker, I have had the pleasure of attending Nathan's classroom to visit with his students. He has consistently impressed me with his control of the classroom and the respect that his students show him-- it's clear that he is loved and appreciated within the halls of Lincoln High. Nathan's service extends to efforts outside of the classroom, as well. He is the co-founder of the school's Professional Leadership Development Team, has created Teachers United--a research and advocacy group that engages with local community leaders and elected officials on important issues--and has helped develop curriculum on both Tacoma and Washington State history. Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor to represent a man of this caliber here in our nation's capital. I am truly humbled to be able to speak in recognition of the many achievements of Nathan Gibbs-Bowling today in the United States Congress.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew McClintock, a fallen hero who answered the call to serve his country. Last week I had the solemn honor of joining his family--his wife, Ali, his 3-month-old son, Declan, his parents, and others--at Dover Air Force Base for Sergeant McClintock's final trip home. It was an experience I will never forget. It is important that his service and the sacrifice that he and his family have made be acknowledged here in the House of Representatives. Sergeant McClintock joined the Army in 2006, and he served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. On his most recent deployment, he was serving as a citizen soldier in a National Guard Special Forces unit. Not only will he be remembered as a Green Beret and as a hero, he will be remembered as a loving son, husband, and father who was so proud to welcome his son into the world. That world is stronger and better because of his service. Nothing we can say can ease his family's pain, but I can promise that the service of this hero and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. It will live on in the memories of those he called comrades and in the memories of his commanders, who routinely cite the example he set. It will live on in the gratitude of this Nation. Most importantly, it will live on with his wife, son, and other family members, who knew better than anyone else his love for his country and for the people in his life.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight some progress being made to improve health care. Right now, in my district in Pierce County, Washington, we have a startling shortage of beds for folks who are suffering from mental illness. It is a problem. It has led to overcrowded jails, it has led to people who are in severe mental crisis ending up in emergency rooms, it has led to people not getting the treatment that they need, and it has led to there being desperate families. Folks in our region have decided to do something about it. Together with the two largest healthcare providers, our community has formed the South Sound Behavioral Health Coalition, which is comprised of healthcare experts, social service providers, local elected officials, law enforcement, business, labor, and faith leaders. We have come together with a plan to build a new facility that includes 120 beds and that bolsters local behavioral health care. It is an extraordinary contrast to the action this week in this body in which the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act for the 62nd time. Leaders shouldn't be stripping away care. They should be coming together. They should take a page from my community, where folks are coming together and are moving forward together.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, right now, representatives from 195 nations are gathered in Paris to talk about the future of this planet. I am hopeful that these climate talks produce a strong commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change, because the impacts of climate change have moved from theory to fact. Now, there are some in this building who still want to debate this. For those who want the Paris talks to fail, I have a simple request: Come. Come visit my region. Come to the Pacific Northwest. I would ask them to visit a tribal village a stone's throw away from the Pacific Ocean where water continues to rise toward homes, cultural centers, and sacred sites. I would ask them to come and visit with shellfish growers whose futures and the jobs that are tied to them are at risk because of changing ocean chemistry. I would ask them to talk to folks who are threatened every single year by wildfires. And I would ask them to talk to military leaders who view climate change as what they call a threat multiplier. For a brighter future for my daughters and for all of our children, it is a good thing that the United States and the rest of the world are taking steps to confront this challenge.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 20th anniversary of PeaceTrees Vietnam and their continued service to help heal communities affected by war. PeaceTrees Vietnam's tireless work alongside the Vietnamese people honors those who have given their lives in service and fosters trust and collaboration between our two nations. The story of PeaceTrees Vietnam began on January 6, 1969, when US Army Helicopter Pilot Lt. Daniel Cheney sacrificed his life in the Vietnam War to save the life of a fellow pilot. From this profound loss, his mother Rae Cheney, sister Jerilyn Brusseau and her late husband Danaan Parry vowed to find a way for families like their own to reach out to the Vietnamese people, to honor losses on all sides of the war, and begin building bridges of friendship and understanding. On November 12, 1995, a group of inspired Washington state citizens joined the three founders and pledged their support to launch an organized effort to clear the land of bombs and landmines and plant trees where landmines used to be. That day, PeaceTrees Vietnam was born. Since 1995, PeaceTrees Vietnam's steadfast humanitarian service has removed more than 89,000 landmines and dangerous weapons from over 846 acres of land, starting in the former ``DMZ'' on the site of the former US Marine Combat Base at Dong Ha. As the first international nongovernmental organization to be permitted to conduct humanitarian demining work in Vietnam, PeaceTrees has ushered in a new era by bringing together American and Vietnamese people, including veterans from both sides, to work, play, and plant trees as a means of promoting peace, friendship, and renewal through mutual understanding and respect. For two decades, PeaceTrees' expansive service in Vietnam has gone beyond landmine removal to include building sustainable communities by enhancing education and economic opportunities. Hand-in-hand with the Vietnamese people, PeaceTrees has invested in a safe and healthy future in the poorest and most war-torn regions of Vietnam through the construction of homes, libraries, and schools. Mr. Speaker, PeaceTrees Vietnam's work has restored land, assisted communities, and created opportunity in partnership with the people of Quang Tri Province of Vietnam. Making the land safe, returning the environment to its natural beauty, and creating new educational and economic opportunities collectively heals the enduring wounds of war that linger for both the Vietnamese and American people. I am proud to recognize the 20th Anniversary of PeaceTrees Vietnam and thank the family of Lt. Daniel Cheney, the founders, and all those in the United States and Vietnam who have worked to restore the land, build community and heal the wounds of war.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in standing up today for a true American hero, Billy Frank Jr. For Billy, protecting our natural world and everything that depends on it wasn't a political issue; rather, it was an innate calling. Folks responded to that. They followed his fearless protests by standing up for civil rights. They followed his example by becoming fishermen themselves in places like South Puget Sound. They followed his lead in championing clean water and fish runs and protecting Puget Sound. They listened to his ideas about keeping communities vibrant by building tribal youth centers. In the marble Halls of Congress, he convinced so many that tribal treaty rights could not be held back and that we can't keep damaging our environment, that we have got to stand up for extraordinary bodies of water like Puget Sound. He left tracks all across our State and our Nation, and his advocacy will live on. To help honor this legacy, I encourage my colleagues to vote for this bill sponsored by Congressman Heck that I was proud to cosponsor, renaming the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge the Billy Frank Jr. National Wildlife Refuge. It is the right thing to do to honor all the work that Billy did for all of us. It should serve as a reminder that we need to keep fighting for all of those things he fought for.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. I thank the gentleman from Washington's Tenth District. In my neck of the woods, we take pride in the Puget Sound and we understand that it is in danger. That is why I join my colleague today to talk about the treasures the Sound holds: the water, the salmon, the oysters, the orcas, an entire ecosystem that is currently under attack. This is a threat that happens every time a thunderstorm or a rain strikes cities like Tacoma. When heavy rains hit, that water will wash toxic mixtures of oil and heavy metals off of our city streets and highways and into waterways like Puget Sound. The Seattle Times recently wrote about a new study that found some runoff was so toxic that it killed Coho salmon in 2\1/2\ hours. It is something we don't often think about, but this storm water mix creates a pollution that lingers. Folks in the region I represent are doing groundbreaking work putting in green storm water infrastructure to capture this runoff before it hits our waters. These are projects like rain gardens, green roofs, and natural drainage swales. Instead of letting storm water slide along and collect more dirt and grime and end up in our bodies of water, it captures it. Our amendment would encourage the growth of these projects. It would give our local governments and places like Tacoma and Puyallup and elsewhere a clear playbook on the most effective ways to implement green storm water infrastructure. It demonstrates that the Federal Government and local stakeholders can be partners in cleaning up our waters. This matters. It matters to Tacoma and other cities. It matters to bodies of water like the Puget Sound. Storm water runoff may be hard to spot, but it is taking a toll on Puget Sound and other bodies of water. That is why this amendment is important. That is why I encourage my colleagues to vote for this amendment.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, folks in the rural communities of my region don't want our top export to be our kids. With that in mind, we are working to make sure that the timber industry can grow in a way that doesn't put conservation at odds with job creation. Earlier this week, I joined a summit on the Olympic Peninsula to talk about and strategize with regard to cross-laminated timber and other mass timber products. As local businesses and government and community leaders, we discussed how these mass timber products can utilize an abundant and sustainable resource while building on a workforce and infrastructure that set our region apart and can give the Nation greener buildings. Construction sites around the country could soon use sturdy, innovative, renewable wood products that are grown and manufactured on the Olympic Peninsula. As Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said at a sawmill in Aberdeen recently: ``This is how we've got to do business. Working together and finding common ground is the only way forward.'' In working together, we can develop timber 2.0, innovate, and build opportunities in rural communities and make sure that Washington State leads the way.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to Amash amendment that would undermine our domestic maritime industry and its workers. The Pacific Northwest has a proud maritime tradition that supports quality jobs and keeps our economy moving. The Maritime Security Program ensures that we have the ships and mariners to support our local, regional, and national economy--to keep folks employed and get goods to market. Having worked in economic development for a decade I believe the MSP is the kind of program we ought to back, not completely scrap. Let's not turn our back on the hard-working men and women that are out on the sea. I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, it looks like Congress will narrowly avoid another costly and unnecessary shutdown. That is the good news. The bad news is that Congress will have the same fight again just before the holidays start. Why does this place keep playing the same dysfunctional record over and over? In my region, the last shutdown cost furloughs at our military installations; Olympic National Park closed its doors, hurting local employers; tribes and social service providers and others faced painful disruptions of funding. I don't want to see that happen again. This place is spending a lot of time and energy obsessing about who the next Speaker will be. That is one job. We should be more concerned about the thousands of jobs we need to grow and keep not just in my region, but all around this country. Congress needs to end the grandstanding and sit down at the table. Let's hammer out a budget agreement that finally ends the across-the- board sequestration cuts and focuses on this Nation's economy and its long-term growth.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and commitment of Patty Rose of the Pierce County Central Labor Council, who is receiving the distinguished Star of Destiny Award at the 9th Annual Destiny Dinner hosted by the Tacoma Historical Society. Patty has provided unmatched leadership and commitment to the organized labor community and the greater citizenry of Tacoma-Pierce County in her 13 years guiding the Pierce County Labor Council with a firm commitment to improving the lives of working families in our region. She has provided sound advice and mentorship to fellow labor leaders, local elected officials, and rank-and-file union members throughout Pierce County. In addition to her day job, Patty serves her community on the Board for the United Way of Pierce County, which provides opportunity and resources to families in need. Even in the face of personal struggles, Patty has continued to serve in this capacity for the betterment of those less fortunate. Her contributions to our region's history included spearheading the recent 125th anniversary celebration of the Pierce County Labor Council, which highlighted the many ways that this organization has helped to shape our community. Patty uses her leadership position to remind the public why basic protections and workers' rights exist today--due to the advocacy and sacrifice of labor leaders before her. Mr. Speaker, her influence on our region's proud organized labor history is exemplified by her receipt of the Tacoma Historical Society's Star of Destiny Award. This very special designation is reserved for those who show an ``unwavering commitment to the dignity and welfare of the working men and women of Tacoma and Pierce County.'' Patty Rose is certainly deserving of this award and will be in good company. She joins my predecessor Rep. Norm Dicks in receiving this important recognition on behalf of the citizens of Tacoma. I join their voices in thanks for her continued leadership and perseverance in helping to better the lives of working families in our community. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Patty Rose my friend and I am privileged to stand on the floor of the United States Congress today in recognition of her many accomplishments and leadership that will continue into the future.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and cofounder of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, Representative Heck, for his partnership on the Puget SOS Act. As you heard from him, the Puget Sound is truly a gift that we need to restore and protect. Generations have enjoyed the ability to swim, fish, and dig for clams in this iconic body of water. They have built lives and made livelihoods on the Puget Sound. But for the millions of residents that call Puget Sound home and for future generations, we absolutely have to take action to fight for the Sound. That is why I invite my colleagues to sponsor the Puget SOS Act. This bill raises the profile of Puget Sound by naming it a nationally significant body of water. It enhances the Federal Government's coordination in addressing these issues. It respects tribal treaty rights. This bill is an important step. I look forward to continued work for Puget Sound. Our kids, including my two little girls, are counting on us.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a member of the Safe Climate Caucus to note the extraordinary damage done by wildfires in Washington State this summer. It is a fact that our climate is changing. We just had one of the driest springs and summers in more than a century that led to trees and vegetation becoming kindling for the massive fires that we have seen. The largest wildfire in our State's history hit central Washington, forcing thousands to flee and putting firefighters in harm's way. We have a wildfire that continues to smolder in Olympic National Park, a rain forest. From Washington to California, brave emergency responders have spent this summer on the front lines, battling flames, with no signs of abating. I believe it is time we pay attention to these warning signs. If we want a better future for our kids, if we want to protect the communities in which we live, then we need to confront the threats of climate change.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedicated service of Captain Stephen F. Williamson. CAPT Williamson has served as the 48th Commanding Officer of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility at Naval Base Kitsap. Since June of 2012, his steadfast leadership has helped guide the civil servants and sailors at PSNS & IMF through periods of tumult and uncertainty, unprecedented growth, and continued strife around the world. In addition, his positive influence has gone well beyond the fences of Naval Base Kitsap and into the surrounding communities of the Kitsap Peninsula. Prior to assuming the role of Commanding Officer at PSNS & IMF, CAPT Williamson served as Business & Operations Officer, Production Resource Officer, and Operations Officer within the Command. Using experience from these roles, his stellar educational background, and multiple waterfront maintenance and surface warfare tours, CAPT Williamson was well-prepared to take on the challenges that the PSNS & IMF Command can present to its Commanding Officer. To meet challenging expectations to maintain the fleet and support changing deployment schedules, CAPT Williamson made great strides in growing civilian employment at PSNS & IMF to meet readiness standards and help replace an aging workforce. In addition to hiring thousands of new employees, CAPT Williamson has built on the strong tradition of the PSNS & IMF Apprenticeship Program to help grow the necessary expertise and future civilian leaders at the Shipyard. Outside of the deployments and work schedules, CAPT Williamson was forced to deal with a number of external factors that put his true leadership skills on display. Congressional dysfunction and budget uncertainty during his tenure as PSNS & IMF Commander forced CAPT Williamson to make difficult decisions in times of uncertainty. Regardless of what needed to be done, CAPT Williamson proved to be an open and effective communicator to the entire Command and ultimately put the needs of our Service Members and the Country first. Mr. Speaker, CAPT Stephen F. Williamson's leadership was not only exhibited within the gates of PSNS & IMF, but outside of the fence line in communities like Bremerton, Silverdale, and Port Orchard. CAPT Williamson was a regular participant in community events like Armed Forces Day and Whaling Days and rarely missed an opportunity to join a fun-run or service oriented 5K Race. He invested his time in building strong relationships with local service clubs and support organizations like the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Navy League and the Puget Sound Naval Bases Association. On behalf of the residents of the 6th Congressional District of Washington State I stand today, proudly, to honor the service of CAPT Stephen F. Williamson as Commanding Officer of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. His recent nomination for the rank of Rear Admiral by President Obama is well-deserved and represents his impact on this community and our Country. Mr. Speaker, I humbly offer Admiral-Select Williamson and his family my sincere gratitude, and wish them fair winds and following seas.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, older Americans want to spend their golden years living in dignity. For many, that means being able to stay in their own homes. In concert with the White House Conference on Aging, this week I met with a group of home care workers that turned that wish into a reality. They work tirelessly to cook meals, help with therapies, make sure medication is taken properly, and help people live under their own roof. The work of caregivers is so valuable, so I want to call on this Congress to actually value them. What does it say when the people who care about our most vulnerable--our parents and our grandparents--are so poorly compensated? One of the caregivers I met with expressed that her pay was so low she wasn't building up enough in Social Security to retire, herself. We need to work for better wages and for the notion that, when someone works overtime, they get paid overtime. We need to expand training and apprenticeship opportunities so those working hard in these demanding positions can move up. Mr. Speaker, I have a grandmother who is now 105 years old. I want the caregivers taking care of her and her generation and future generations to know that we respect what they do, not just with words, but with policies and pay that supports them.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, before I speak to this amendment, I actually wanted to start by expressing my appreciation to the chairman for his work on this important legislation. I grew up in Port Angeles, Washington. I saw firsthand how a downturn in the timber industry impacted our region's economy and the livelihood of families who lived there. Those experiences were a major influence in my decision to pursue a career in economic development and now in public service. It is a big reason I have been working on harvest issues that impact the region that I represent. On the Olympic National Forest, I have been proud to help stand up a collaborative, bringing together a group of stakeholders from all across the spectrum to figure out how we can make real progress to rebuild the trust that we need to restore our forests and to promote harvest levels and to support our local communities. We have begun to see some successes come out of that. I am sure committed to working to help take actions that lead to better outcomes for our forests and for the local economies that rely on them as an important asset. I think the bill that is before us today is an honest effort to address the real challenges that are facing our Federal forests. Importantly, the underlying bill includes language that would make real progress toward ending the harmful practice of fire borrowing. Now, I have got some concerns about this bill that are going to keep me from supporting it today, but I am very hopeful that this is just a first step in a process that leads to compromise legislation that we can send on to the President and get signed into law to help our forests and to help our communities. I would welcome the opportunity to be a part of that process. Mr. Chair, the amendment that I have offered today is focused on an initiative that would support innovative wood products, including cross-laminated timber. CLT products offer increased use of responsibly harvested wood that could mean more jobs in rural areas of Washington State and all other States. These are renewable resources, rather than steel or concrete, that would make our buildings greener. These new wood products are strong and fire resistant and may actually be safer in an earthquake than nonwood alternatives. We can change the way our Nation constructs buildings by utilizing these new sturdy wood products. More importantly, we can lead the way on a global timber revolution that can bring lower costs, environmentally friendly building materials to market, providing more job opportunities in rural America. My amendment is pretty simple. It would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a significant forest restoration project with the goal of generating the kind of material we can use for these advanced wood products. I would urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.