Fred Keller

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as an emerging technology, quantum computing holds great promise and potential peril for our Nation. It has the potential to exponentially increase computing power and processing speeds, which will mean technological leaps for American research activities and business sectors. While such major advances are likely decades away, there is a clear risk that foreign adversaries like China are using early developments in quantum computing technology for malicious purposes. One immediate risk is that our foreign adversaries may use the first quantum computers to unlock data that has already been stolen from U.S. Federal agencies. Current data encryption methods protect the privacy, security, and integrity of underlying data and are nearly impossible to decrypt with today's computing capabilities. The computations required to unlock encrypted data require computing resources that we do not currently possess. However, as quantum computing matures, so does the possibility that sensitive information could be unlocked. This is a clear national security threat. The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act will require a governmentwide strategy to better secure valuable government data. While the Federal Government already has initiatives underway to address such emerging threats, including the development of post- quantum cryptography standards and a recent Presidential national security directive, H.R. 7535 makes this a clear congressional priority. The bill requires a governmentwide review of vulnerable agency information systems and consistent guidance to Federal agencies, and it seeks to ensure proper congressional oversight. Advancing a strategic approach to evaluating quantum computing risks to Federal IT and network cybersecurity is important given the significant potential risk to our public-sector data. And since this bill only requires centralized guidance and reporting, the Congressional Budget Office found it would cost American taxpayers less than $1 million over 5 years. This is a reasonable investment. Mr. Speaker, I thank my House Oversight and Reform Committee colleagues, Representatives Ro Khanna and Nancy Mace for their work on this important bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Ms. Mace).

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill that addresses an emerging national security issue. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, our Federal law enforcement and safety officers should not have to risk losing their retirement benefits if they are disabled in the line of duty. Likewise, Federal agencies should not lose talented employees who could otherwise continue their service in an alternative capacity. Fortunately, this narrowly tailored bill fixes a technological flaw for Federal law enforcement officers who are injured on the job. The First Responder Fair RETIRE Act gives disabled public safety officers the option to continue serving their country in a different capacity. This bill covers first responders, including special agents, Customs and Border Protection officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear materials couriers, CIA agents, and members of the Capitol Police and Supreme Court Police. To be clear, H.R. 521 only applies to injuries sustained while on duty and as a direct result of the performance of such duties. Moreover, it only applies to officers who choose to continue Federal service and continue to pay into the accelerated annuity system as they did prior to their injury. If they leave Federal service, they are not eligible for this benefit. In conclusion, the First Responder Fair RETIRE Act ensures that our Federal law enforcement officers are not penalized when they make sacrifices in service to our Nation. H.R. 521 will also ensure the Federal Government agencies who employ these American heroes are able to retain their talent and skills for continued public service. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to support this bill, I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Government Accountability Office serves a vital role in examining agency spending and advising lawmakers and Federal agencies how to make government work better for the American people. GAO makes many recommendations regarding specific actions executive branch agencies should take to save taxpayer dollars. It also suggests legislative actions Congress could take to improve government performance. Despite GAO's successes, there are more than 100 actions executive branch agencies could take to be more effective and achieve greater efficiency. H.R. 7331 will consolidate open GAO recommendations for review by congressional leadership and the appropriate committees of jurisdiction. It will annually highlight the congressional oversight and legislative actions suggested to address these recommendations. In doing so, the bill will help ensure that Congress has the tools it needs to pass needed legislation and spur executive agencies to implement needed reforms. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7331 will help Congress address specific--but fixable--issues across our sprawling Federal Government which are causing waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. This bipartisan legislation will help improve the functioning of the American people's government and ultimately save taxpayer dollars. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 203, which names a Houston post office for Benny Martinez. Mr. Martinez was a native Texan and attended segregated schools in his hometown of Goliad before moving to Houston with his family in the pursuit of greater opportunities. He served in the U.S. Army and was deployed during the Korean war. After he was honorably discharged, Mr. Martinez went back to school at Houston Community College and the University of Houston. He recognized the importance of education and became an associate teacher in the Houston School District and raised money for student scholarships. Most famously, Mr. Martinez worked with the League of United Latin American Citizens to organize a gala for President Kennedy held the night before his assassination during his trip to Texas in 1963. This was the first time a sitting President met with a Latino civil rights group. Mr. Martinez was a leader in the civil rights movement and is deserving of this honor. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology to all Americans. Access to computers and computer technology is necessary for success in the modern world. This became even more critical during the height of the pandemic when many Americans struggled to juggle Zoom meetings and help their children with remote school. That is why this bill is important. It will help Americans get the access they need. H.R. 3544, the Computers for Veterans and Students Act, will repurpose surplus Federal IT equipment to help American veterans, students, disabled individuals, low-income households, seniors in need, and educational institutions of all kinds. H.R. 3544 requires the General Services Administration to transfer computers and tech equipment in need of repair to nonprofit computer refurbishers. These third-party refurbishers will then repair and distribute the IT equipment directly to veterans, students, and others in need. The bill also obligates these third-party refurbishers to offer training programs on the use of the technology being distributed. Those with access to computers and an understanding of how to use technology can enjoy many benefits, but a lack of such access and understanding presents significant challenges. Americans need to be able to conduct online research for a school project, connect with loved ones, or find and keep a steady job. I appreciate Representatives Abigail Spanberger and Rob Wittman for their leadership on this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to help our Nation's veterans and students by supporting H.R. 3544. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I note that Congress is expected to pay tribute to veterans when we honor retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel ``Woody'' Williams. Woody, the last surviving World War II veteran who received a Medal of Honor, will lie in honor this week in the U.S. Capitol. In the spirit of that event, let us pay tribute to all those who have served our Nation and all those who will serve our Nation in the future. Instead of letting technology that American taxpayers have already invested in go to waste, the bipartisan Computers for Veterans and Students Act will get such repairable government technology into the lives of Americans in need. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5794 which honors Sergeant Leonard Funk. Sergeant Funk was a paratrooper who served in some of the most critical campaigns during World War II, including the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He became one of World War II's most decorated paratroopers. Notably, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the government's highest and most prestigious military decoration, as well as the Distinguished Service Cross. Sergeant Funk exemplified what it means to be an American patriot. I am proud to say that following his military service, Sergeant Funk returned to the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where he continued his public service with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Pittsburgh area. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5659, which honors John R. Hatcher III. Mr. Hatcher was born in Birmingham, Alabama, during the Jim Crow era. He spent his lifetime fighting for equality. He was a longtime member of the NAACP and spent nearly 40 years as president of the Ventura County Chapter and an additional 6 years as the NAACP southern area president. Mr. Hatcher was also a United States Air Force veteran and served more than 22 years in the military before working as a civil servant for the Department of the Navy. He was honored with the African- American Achievement Award at California State University, Channel Islands. He also aided in the establishment of the Ventura County African American Chamber of Commerce, the Tri County Sentry newspaper, and the naming of the Thurgood Marshall School in the Oxnard School District. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1095, which names a Compton, California, Post Office for Private First Class James Anderson, Jr. PFC Anderson grew up in Compton where he attended Centennial High School and later Los Angeles Harbor College. During college, he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps and serve the United States in the Vietnam war. While deployed, his platoon was ambushed, and an enemy grenade landed near him and his fellow soldiers. Without hesitation, PFC Anderson threw himself on the grenade, sacrificing his own life to save those of his fellow marines. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill which honors an American war hero, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5271, which honors former Tennessee State Senator Thelma Harper. Senator Harper was the first African-American female elected to the State senate and the longest- serving female State senator in Tennessee history. Prior to this, she served as the grand jury foreman for the Davidson County Fifth Circuit Court as a representative of the Metropolitan Nashville Council. Throughout her time in public service, Senator Harper championed children's issues and has been recognized with numerous awards for her public service. She worked to create a safe haven law to save abandoned babies and establish a fee waiver to provide low-income students with school supplies and lunches. Senator Harper was a dedicated public servant, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5809, which honors marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui. Lance Corporal Nikoui was born in 2001, the same year that the war in Afghanistan began. Last year, he was killed by a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He had gone back inside the Kabul airport to guide children to safety when a suicide bomb went off. While only 20 years old, Lance Corporal Nikoui served America with dignity and courage while fighting to protect those seeking refuge and freedom in our great Nation. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill honoring a true American hero, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. I support the bill and would encourage all my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 2472, honoring John Armor Bingham. John Bingham served in this Chamber from the 34th through the 38th Congresses, representing the great State of Ohio. After losing election in 1862, President Lincoln appointed Bingham as judge advocate of the Union Army. He presided over many significant military trials and also served as a prosecutor for the military tribunal of the Lincoln assassination conspirators. He was then reelected to the House, serving in the 39th through the 42nd Congresses. He is most notable for having authored Section 1 of the 14th Amendment to our Constitution. Over his years of public service, John Bingham loyally served his country. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill honoring a former Member of this Chamber. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4622, which honors Ronald Rosser. Mr. Rosser served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. He received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the war. While acting as a forward observer in an artillery unit in a region known as the Iron Triangle, his unit came under heavy fire. Mr. Rosser led the charge forward up a hill when he suddenly realized he was alone. His colleagues had all been injured or shot, but Mr. Rosser kept assaulting enemy positions. When he ran out of ammunition, he exposed himself to enemy fire to obtain more and resumed the fight. When he ran out of ammunition again, and despite being injured, Mr. Rosser made several trips across open terrain to help other wounded soldiers get to safety. He passed away in August of 2020, leaving a legacy of bravery. He was a true American war hero, and I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson).

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 228, which names a post office in Anderson, California, for Norma Comnick. Ms. Comnick owned and operated an insurance agency, from which she retired in 2004. She also served the Anderson community for more than 20 years, including five terms as mayor. She was a dedicated citizen and local public servant to her community. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, after nearly 25 years of service as President of the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour is retiring. During her accomplished tenure, Dr. Gilmour has guided Penn College through challenges, growth, and innovation, ultimately shaping the institution into a national leader in applied technology education. Penn College has stepped up in a big way to develop Pennsylvania's workforce and close the skills gap, largely due to Dr. Gilmour's vision and commitment to giving students the tools to excel in high demand fields. Dr. Gilmour and I share that vision, and I have enjoyed working with Penn College in Congress to develop policies that bring job creators and the workforce closer together, expand opportunities for career and technical education, promote economic development, and spur job creation. I thank Dr. Gilmour for her service, vision, and tireless commitment to Penn College's important mission. I wish Dr. Gilmour all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5407, the bipartisan Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act. The mental health of our Nation's students is on the minds of many Americans. According to a study by Boston University, mental health issues increased steadily over the past 8 years among college students. In fact, 60 percent of students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 25 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds surveyed in 2020 had seriously considered suicide. Unfortunately, these issues were made only worse by the pandemic. Clearly, something needs to be done. That is why I joined my Pennsylvania colleague, Representative Wild, in introducing H.R. 5407. This legislation will encourage institutions of higher education to develop comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans to support college students. H.R. 5407 directs the Secretary of Education to encourage institutions of higher education to develop and implement comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans. The bill also directs the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to work together in a way that will allow the institutions to draw from existing evidence-based approaches and programs enacted by the 21st Century Cures Act, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, as well as other existing Federal and State programs. We all want to see our Nation's students thrive and succeed. Yet, many students are battling severe depression and contemplating suicide. We must all come together to prevent such tragedy. The best way to do this is to ensure that students know safe resources are nearby, so they can get the mental health support they need. It is time to break down barriers to mental health access. This means breaking down the stigmas and the practical barriers associated with seeking mental health services. That is what this bill seeks to do. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 5407, and I reserve the balance of my time.