Ann Kuster

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Collins as she retires after 18 years as the State Director of the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center. In this position, Mary oversaw the Center's statewide, regional, and satellite offices, educational programs, and economic development initiatives. Mary was a dedicated leader and instrumental in ensuring the success of small businesses in the Granite State. Her commitment to New Hampshire small businesses has had a deep impact on our state. The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) assists approximately 3,000 small businesses across the state each year through advising and education programs. New Hampshire's economy depends on a strong commitment to providing support for these small businesses. As State Director, Mary had a deep understanding of this and made sure the NH SBDC was a widely available resource for Granite State small businesses. With years of dedicated service as State Director, Mary has positioned the NH SBDC well for a future of continuing to assist small businesses in our state. In addition to her position at the NH SBDC, Mary has also served on many boards and as a member of many organizations across the state and in her hometown community. She was on the board of directors of the New Hampshire High Technology Council, New Hampshire Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, and New Hampshire International Trade Advisory Board. In addition, she served as a member of the Nashua Chamber of Commerce's Advocacy Committee, the Legislative Committee for the National Association of Small Business Development Centers, and the New Hampshire Legislature's Business Regulation Commission. Mary has received recognition on several occasions for her great service to our state and community. She received the Business Excellence Hall of Fame Award from the NH Business Review in 2007, the NH Business & Industry Award in 2009, and the Citizens Bank Good Citizens Award in 2010. This year, Mary received the Mary Dumais Memorial Fund Award, in honor of her dedication to working with women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to work alongside Mary over the past few years. I look forward to continuing to work with the NH SBDC and on behalf of small businesses in the Granite State. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's Second Congressional District, I thank Mary for everything she has done for small businesses in our state making it a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I am honored to recognize and congratulate Mary on her retirement and wish her the best of luck on her next steps.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the achievements of an extraordinary educator from my district. Michael O'Malley will retire next month after 40 years of service, 30 of which he spent as a social studies teacher and soccer coach before becoming principal at Newfound Regional High School in Bristol, New Hampshire. Under his leadership, the school has been named the New Hampshire Secondary School of Excellence in 2010, and the State Association of Secondary School Principals twice honored Mr. O'Malley as an ``outstanding role model.'' Even Education Week took notice, recognizing the school for its accomplishments under Mr. O'Malley's guidance. Mr. O'Malley has made a difference beyond Newfound High School as well, through his work with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Center for Secondary School Redesign. Every student deserves a principal like Mr. O'Malley, one who is passionate about learning and committed to building relationships with students, while maintaining a focus on educational innovation at the same time. As we continue our efforts to increase access to high-quality education, let's look to educators like Mr. O'Malley as examples of what dedicated schoolteachers can accomplish.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to commend Congressman Pittenger and Congressman Heck for their tireless work on this bill. The three of us arrived in Congress at the same time, just over 2 years ago, as part of a very large freshman class. Republicans and Democrats alike, we were all sent here by constituents frustrated with the gridlock and partisanship who want their Representatives to work together to solve problems. In that spirit, I appreciate the bipartisan work that went into this bill, which addresses a noble goal: ensuring that the voices of small businesses are heard by Federal regulators making important decisions across our entire economy. I share that goal. Indeed, I have worked across the aisle to bring regulators like the FDA and the SBA to my district in New Hampshire to ensure that they listen to our small businesses and family farmers. Unfortunately, this bill before us today falls short of what our constituents expect and deserve, and contains a last-minute, partisan amendment to undermine funding for consumer protection. Regardless of one's position on the bill, however, I believe we should all work together to improve it. Thus, I offer this amendment to help protect veterans and military servicemembers from unscrupulous business practices. This bill authorizes several advisory boards to ensure that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau consults with small businesses and community financial institutions. My amendment is straightforward, simply stating that no person shall be eligible to serve on a CFPB advisory board if they or their company has committed unfair, abusive, or deceptive business practices against veterans or military families. We can all agree that men and women in uniform should not have their homes foreclosed, their cars repossessed, or their families evicted when they are fighting overseas to protect our freedom. Likewise, military families should not be targeted by predatory interest rates and other abusive lending practices. That is not just wrong; it is illegal. My amendment is straightforward. If a business violates protections for military families, they should not have a seat at the table when new rules are being written for the financial services industry. This amendment is pro-veteran. It supports our military families. And it makes sense. So, I ask all of us, Republicans and Democrats, to support this amendment. Send a message to our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KUSTER. I am opposed in its current form.

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk, amendment No. 1, and I offer that amendment at this time.

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Chair, my amendment is straightforward. The underlying bill encourages but does not require the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to include women-owned small businesses and minority-owned small businesses in the membership of the small business advisory board. The bill also encourages the Director to include financial institutions predominantly serving traditionally underserved communities in the membership of the Credit Union Advisory Council and the Community Bank Advisory Council. My amendment would simply change the underlying bill to make the inclusion of these groups a requirement, to ensure that a broad and diverse range of voices are included in these bodies. Federal regulators should listen to stakeholders when writing new rules for our economy, and this amendment will help ensure that these advisory boards are more representative of the American people. I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk, amendment No. 2. I offer that amendment at this time.

Ms. KUSTER. Madam Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Maxine Waters).

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Chair, the underlying bill before us today authorizes a small business advisory board to advise the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on small business concerns and practices. I agree that small businesses must have a seat at the table when Federal regulators make decisions with wide-ranging consequences for our economy, and I appreciate that this legislation already encourages the participation of women-owned and minority-owned small businesses on the board. Women and minority entrepreneurs often have unique perspectives and concerns, and the CFPB would be well served by seeking and heeding their input. Similarly, as a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I believe that veteran entrepreneurs have unique perspectives and experiences in the economy, and I believe that the small business advisory board would be strengthened by the inclusion of veteran small- business owners. To that end, my amendment simply encourages the CFPB Director to also include veteran-owned small businesses in the membership of the small business advisory board. After fighting to protect the American Dream for all of us, many veterans have realized that same American Dream by starting their own business upon their return to civilian life. We owe it to our returning heroes to support their success. I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Adele Woods from New Hampshire's Second Congressional District, who is retiring after 33 years of service at Coos County Family Health Services. Adele has been instrumental in growing CCFHS from a small organization helping low-income women and their children into a comprehensive Federally Qualified Health Center serving the primary care needs of the Granite State's Androscoggin Valley. After joining CCFHS in 1981, Adele became the director for their Women, Infants, and Children Program, which provides health services and helps meet the nutritional needs of women with young families. In 1989, as Executive Director, she managed a staff of 32 people on a meager budget. Under her guidance, CCFHS successfully applied for federal funds that enabled the agency to become a Federal Community Health Center and to begin hiring physicians to provide full scope primary health services. Approached by the Androscoggin Valley Hospital in 2002, CCFHS soon acquired their outpatient services operation. CCFHS now has a staff of 125 people working from three offices in Berlin, one medical office in Gorham, and a RESPONSE outreach in Groveton providing sexual and domestic violence services for New Hampshire's North Country. Under Adele's leadership, CCFHS is now recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home and meets the highest standards of quality patient care. CCFHS became a founding member of the North Country Health Consortium, a rural health network addressing common health issues in the region. CCFHS become an Accountable Care Organization and one of the first in the country to receive funding from the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services. Adele is a valued member of numerous commissions and committees at both the state and national level. I am honored to recognize Adele Woods' leadership and service to her community, the Granite State, and the United States of America.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of a Granite Stater who played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement: Jonathan Myrick Daniels of Keene, New Hampshire. During his studies at the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Daniels' faith inspired him to travel to Alabama, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had sought to help the fellow clergymembers in registering African Americans to vote. Along with other students, including our esteemed colleague, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, Jonathan spent the summer and spring advocating for civil rights, standing guard during the march from Selma to Montgomery, and even helping to integrate an Episcopal church in Selma. While many of his fellow students ultimately traveled back north, Mr. Daniels chose to indefinitely remain in Alabama and continue to fight for equal rights. Sadly, on August 20, 1965, Mr. Daniels was walking with fellow students when a sheriff's deputy happened upon the group and threatened them with his gun. Seeing the weapon pointed in their direction, Mr. Daniels placed himself in front of a 17-year-old girl and took the bullet that was meant for her. Friends of Jonathan had noted that he was ``willing and prepared to die to help others,'' and tragically, that is indeed what happened. Jonathan Daniels would have been 76 years old this Friday. He left this world far too soon, and he died fighting for the values he held dear: justice, equality, and human dignity. As we celebrate this year's 50th anniversary of the landmark Voting Rights Act, we honor the memory of Jonathan Daniels and those like him who fought for the essential rights of every American.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize International Women's Day. This day is celebrated across the world in different ways to honor the role of women throughout history. Here in the United States, we celebrate this day during Women's History Month. Since 1913, March 8 has been marked as a day to honor the economic, political, and social achievements of women. International Women's Day serves as a reminder of the steps we have made towards equality in the United States and internationally, and honors the women who worked to make these steps possible. As a Member of Congress from the only state in the country to have had an all- female delegation, I am proud of how far our country has come towards equality for women. But we cannot recognize these accomplishments without also mentioning the work that still needs to be done. While we have come so far, women still face political and economic obstacles. Women are still not equally represented in small business ownership or in the technology sector. I have been working to build support and encouragement for more women small business leaders and women in technology. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to congratulate eighteen female high school students on completing the BAE Systems Women in Technology Program, which encourages young women to consider pursuing careers in technology. As a country we need more programs like this to encourage our young women to pursue their interests and become future leaders, and to discourage them from thinking that certain careers are strictly for men. In New Hampshire, women make up half of the state's population and about a quarter of our businesses are owned by women. It is clear that the success of women in business is vitally important to New Hampshire's future, and the same can be said for the rest of our country. On International Women's Day, I ask my colleagues to recognize not just the progress we have made, but also how much work remains to be done. As a country we must promote the success of women. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in recognizing International Women's Day and the women who are continuing the fight to ensure there is equal opportunity for women in the present and future.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Homeland Security is charged with safeguarding our Nation from acts of terrorism, drug trafficking, and many other serious threats. Whether they serve in the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, or elsewhere, the men and women who work for the Department of Homeland Security in my home State of New Hampshire and across this country play a vital role in keeping our families safe; yet Congress is poised to shut down DHS this Friday for partisan political reasons. This would undermine our security and impact hardworking men and women from across my district, like Darrell, from Groveton, New Hampshire, who serves in the Coast Guard, and Lee, another Granite Stater, who works for Customs and Border Protection. She wrote to me recently and said: ``No one wins if this political standoff continues.'' I agree. We were elected to work together in the best interest of those we represent, not to play partisan political games. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 861, the clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would keep the Department of Homeland Security open so it can carry out its mission of keeping the American people safe.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Alex Ray, a Granite Stater who has made significant contributions to our State's identity and our economy. When you ask most people in New Hampshire what restaurant captures the essence of our State, they will say the Common Man. Alex built the Common Man family of restaurants from the ground up, expanding from one location in Ashland, New Hampshire, in 1971 to 16 eateries around the State. He has also given back a great deal to communities across New Hampshire and has been involved with a wide array of philanthropic endeavors over the years. Alex's motto for the Common Man family is simply, ``Do Good,'' which he seeks to instill in his staff and live by in his own life. He is currently in the process of completing two beautiful new rest areas off Interstate 93. These new facilities are great examples of the public-private partnerships that have been so successful in New Hampshire. Alex's creative and community-oriented approach to both business and philanthropy has had an incredibly positive impact over the last four decades. I am honored to count Alex as a good friend, and I would like to express my appreciation for all his wonderful work on behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to again partner with my colleague Jackie Walorski from Indiana to reintroduce legislation to extend veterans' travel benefits to veterans who are traveling to seek treatment for injuries resulting from sexual trauma in the military. It is an honor to serve with Mrs. Walorski on the Veterans' Affairs Committee--one of the most bipartisan committees in the House--and it is a privilege to work with all of our colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, in service to our Nation's veterans. We must ensure that victims can access the high-quality care that every veteran is guaranteed when he or she joins the military. The occurrence of sexual trauma in the military is outrageous enough, but it is something our brave servicemen and -women should never be forced to experience. What is even worse is that many survivors of military sexual trauma have trouble accessing the physical and mental health services they need when they return home because the VA does not provide travel benefits to all victims of MST. This legislation is a great first step in further protecting the thousands of servicemen and -women who are survivors of military sexual violence. I urge its swift passage.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the lives of Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle, two members of the United States Ski Team who were taken from us far too soon by a tragic avalanche while training in Austria in early January. These two young men dedicated themselves to representing our country with skill and dignity as members of the national ski team. They were both very talented. But, sadly, we will never know how high their stars may have risen. Ronnie and Bryce touched many others with their love of life, their drive to compete, and their commitment to their teammates. Ronnie was a native of Franconia, New Hampshire, the same town that produced skiing great Bode Miller. He started skiing at Cannon Mountain before attending Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont and coming into his own as a talented ski racer. Bryce spent most of his childhood in Utah, where he spent weekends skiing with his family at Alta and Snowbird. They first met while competing against each other in FIS races, before training together last summer and becoming great friends. In the wake of this horrible tragedy, everyone who knew these two young men has spoken to their integrity, their adventurous spirits, and their big, big hearts. They spent their lives working hard at the thing they loved the most. My heart goes out to their family, their many, many friends, and the entire ski racing community.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Thank you, Judge Poe, and to my dear colleague, Ann Wagner, and to all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for tackling this issue. I am proud to join my colleagues in passing these six commonsense bills which I have pushed for across the aisle to strengthen protections for victims of sex trafficking, and Judge Poe has done a great job setting the stage here for the child who is the victim of sex trafficking. I think we all need to work on our language and our understanding. He is absolutely correct. I look forward to passing more of these reforms tomorrow and to continuing our bipartisan work together. It saddens and astonishes me that in today's world, human trafficking remains such a serious problem both here at home and abroad. Throughout the world, thousands of women and underage children are being trafficked and forced to commit sexual acts against their will. As Judge Poe so eloquently stated, rape, that is what we are talking about. It is sickening that individuals advertise and promote this heinous practice in order to make a quick profit. Representative Wagner's legislation, the SAVE Act, which I helped to cointroduce, would penalize individuals who knowingly host and sell advertisements for the commercial exploitation of minors and trafficking victims. Last Congress, as she eloquently stated, I was very proud to reach across the aisle and join Representative Wagner to lead all House women--every single House woman Member, Republican and Democrat--in urging the Obama administration to push the United Nations Security Council to add Boko Haram to the Al-Qaida Sanctions List, following the abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls threatened to be sold into sexual slavery by this terrorist group. The horrific kidnapping of the female Nigerian school students captured the world's shock and horror; however, human trafficking is not just a foreign issue. Together, we can be a powerful bipartisan voice against the horrors of this and other instances of human trafficking. Both Democrats and Republicans in the House understand the importance of working together to protect women and girls, and they know that trafficking isn't just a political issue, it is a human issue. I have organized discussions on this topic back home in New Hampshire where I have heard from community leaders, law enforcement officials, academic researchers, advocates, and--most importantly and, frankly, most eloquently--the trafficking victims themselves about the ongoing occurrence of human and sex trafficking taking place right here in our own backyard. Domestic child sex trafficking is a serious problem in the United States, with an estimated 293,000 American youth at risk of commercial sex trafficking and exploitation. It is imperative that we pass these bills to help law enforcement rescue domestic victims, track down their exploiters, provide additional tools for prosecutors to treat trafficked minors as victims instead of criminals, and ensure access to protective services. Again, I commend Judge Poe for his eloquent description. I applaud the House leadership for bringing to a vote these bipartisan bills to prevent trafficking and provide support to victims. As a mother, I honestly cannot even imagine the anguish and the pain that these families go through as they fight to bring their loved ones back home. It is essential that we pass these bills and, moving forward, that we do everything together to support States' and countries' efforts to eliminate human trafficking. Thank you, Representative Wagner, and to all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for organizing this worthy effort.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Lieutenant Colonel Stephanie Riley of the New Hampshire National Guard, a courageous Granite Stater who recently passed away after a long battle with cancer. In addition to her work as an occupational nurse for the Army and her dedicated service to the National Guard, Steph touched so many lives with her energy and compassion. Steph leaves behind a wonderful husband, Shawn, and two terrific kids, Shane and Sammie, as well as countless friends and admirers all across New Hampshire. She was a tireless advocate for veterans, serving as secretary of our State's Veterans Advisory Council. She was devoted to the next generation of leaders. When Steph was diagnosed with cancer, she refused to be discouraged. She was open about her disease, fighting on behalf of cancer research. I had the honor of walking with her on her team, Steph Strong, in an event to raise cancer awareness. As always, she was kind and vivacious, joking with friends and family. I consider myself very lucky to have been her friend. Steph was a wonderful, brave Granite Stater.

Ms. KUSTER

Ms. KUSTER. I am opposed in its current form.

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. Mr. Speaker, we can all agree on the importance of revitalizing the American manufacturing sector. We need to work across the aisle, Republicans and Democrats, to support manufacturing workers and businesses, so that more products across this planet can be stamped ``Made In America.'' That is why I am a proud supporter of the Make It In America agenda. We need to pass this agenda which will help more businesses manufacture goods in America, so more families can make it in America. For example, we need to work with the Senate to permanently extend the research and development tax credit. This tax credit will help companies like Airmar in Milford, New Hampshire, a world leader in ultrasonic sensor technology. We need to expand Trade Adjustment Assistance and invest in workforce development, like the $2.5 million Department of Labor grant recently awarded to Nashua Community College. This funding will help teach students the skills needed for advanced manufacturing careers, so that a graduate with a 2-year associate degree can leave school and walk into a good job that pays $45,000 a year. We need to pass long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, to help companies like Boyle Energy in Concord, New Hampshire, ship American-made products around the world. These are the policies that will promote new manufacturing jobs, and they deserve bipartisan support. Unfortunately, the bill before us today is not a commonsense bipartisan proposal for strengthening manufacturing; instead, it would tie the hands of our public health officials and make it harder to advance lifesaving rules to protect our air and our lungs from pollution. That is why I am offering my motion, which would provide two exemptions from this bill. First, my motion would exempt rules that protect children and seniors from cancer-causing pollution within 5 miles of a school or nursing home, and second, my motion would protect small businesses from any job losses or increased costs resulting from this bill. Whether you support or oppose the underlying bill, every Member of this body should be able to vote to protect the health of children and seniors and to protect small businesses. I urge support for my motion. I urge my colleagues to move on from these partisan proposals and instead work to find bipartisan ways to strengthen American manufacturing without putting our air quality or public health at risk. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.