Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to just clarify that it was really the task force chairman, the gentleman from the State of Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), who set the tone for the bipartisan work between Members on both sides of the aisle. That has really carried the day and, I think, resulted in some very strong and effective legislation that came as a result of the work that many of the Members on both sides of the aisle here--Mr. Pittenger especially, and Mr. Fitzpatrick as well, and Members on our side--in dealing with a lot of the governments in the Middle East, some of the financial intelligence units that operate in Lebanon, but also in Jordan, in Turkey, in various countries in Africa, as well as some of the countries that my colleagues visited in South and Central America. So this is a global effort and, like I say, it is a bipartisan effort. I rise today in support of H.R. 5606, legislation offered by my colleagues, Representatives Pittenger of North Carolina and Ms. Maxine Waters of California, that will enhance and promote the timely sharing of information among financial institutions and government agencies in order to more effectively thwart illicit finance. In recent years, government officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of strengthening and clarifying the information sharing provisions under current law. Expert witnesses before our committee have also echoed these sentiments over the course of the Financial Services Committee's Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing hearings. The legislation before us today that I am proud to cosponsor will facilitate more effective information sharing in a number of ways. First, the legislation provides assurances to financial institutions that they may report suspicious transactions without risking being exposed to civil litigation for simply complying with their obligations under Federal law. Although FinCEN, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which is our FIU in the United States, has already specified that financial institutions have complete protection from civil liability for all reports of suspicious transactions made to appropriate authorities. Some court rulings have cast doubt on the level of certainty a financial institution must have before reporting suspect transactions. H.R. 5606 eliminates this uncertainty in an effort to ensure the continued reporting of suspicious transactions. Secondly, the bill seeks to enhance cooperation among financial institutions, also regulatory authorities and law enforcement, by expanding the range of counter-illicit financing information shared with financial institutions for the sole purpose of allowing such financial institutions to identify and report specified illicit activity. Thirdly, H.R. 5606 expands the existing safe harbor for sharing information related to terrorist acts and money laundering to include a broader range of information related to illicit activity that is connected to money laundering and terrorist financing. In doing so, financial institutions and the government can more effectively connect the dots that are involved in mapping illicit financing networks. Finally, the bill includes a study to assess the appropriate levels of information sharing between U.S. and foreign financial institutions, between U.S. financial institutions and their foreign subsidiaries, and between U.S. subsidiaries of foreign financial institutions and their parent institutions. This cooperation is ultimately necessary. Given the central role of the U.S. financial system within the global economy and the sheer volume and diversity of transactions that pass through U.S. institutions, it is increasingly clear how essential it is to have a strong, coordinated U.S. Government and private sector response in the fight against terror finance. H.R. 5606 will help promote the type of enhanced coordination that is needed to stay ahead of illicit behavior through the exploitation of our financial system. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of our Members on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 5607, entitled, Enhancing Treasury's Anti-Terror Tools Act. Again, I would like to thank my colleague and the vice chair of our task force, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Pittenger), for his great work on this and for introducing this bill. I am proud to serve as the lead Democratic cosponsor on this most important legislation. This bill will enhance tools available to the Department of the Treasury in its efforts to combat the financing of terror, money laundering, and related illicit finance. This legislation is one of a package of bills that reflects the culmination of 11 hearings in the Financial Services Committee's Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, which explored a wide range of vulnerabilities in the global financial system. Over the course of the task force hearings, Members learned that there are relatively few full-time Treasury attaches at our embassies. At one point I know that members of the task force met with our Treasury attaches in the Middle East, and they are so thin on representation there that several of them have multi-country responsibilities requiring them to hop around and deal with several high-risk locations and countries. So we obviously need to get them some more help. They do a tremendous job. Don't get me wrong. I am extremely pleased and proud of the work that Treasury does, but I think they could use some more resources, and this bill aims at that vulnerability. Over the course of the task force hearings, Members learned that there are relatively few full-time Treasury attaches at our embassies around the globe to lend their expertise and to help them eliminate terrorism and money laundering vulnerabilities in the global financial system. The bill before us today takes welcome steps to help us better understand how to improve coordination between the Department of the Treasury, foreign financial ministries, and foreign central banks in an effort to block the financing of terror, money laundering, and related illicit finance. The legislation also addresses gaps that the Treasury Department has identified in its efforts to compel reporting of information on transactions that present elevated anti-money laundering risks, which may not be captured by broad-based anti-money laundering program requirements. Additionally, the legislation takes steps to address longstanding humanitarian concerns resulting from the private sector's increased unwillingness to serve higher-risk areas like Somalia. With few global banks willing to keep remittance channels open, diaspora communities here in the U.S. have been left with few safe and legitimate channels to get critical funds to their families back home. The bill seeks to address this growing concern by directing the Treasury Department to review and report on the viability of creating a pilot program aimed at helping banks and credit unions become more comfortable offering account services to countries that facilitate remittances to high-risk locations. Finally, the bill would promote the importance of America's international engagement by encouraging the Secretary of the Treasury to work with finance ministries around the world to spur the integration of intelligence authorities with ani-money laundering and counterterrorism finance efforts. I am extremely pleased with this legislation, and I would like to commend all of my colleagues on the task force for their efforts to help counter the financing available to terrorist groups. Our work on the task force has been a truly bipartisan effort, it has been a pleasure, and I look forward to the opportunities to build on this good work in the future. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking House Financial Services Committee Chairman Hensarling of Texas and Ranking Member Maxine Waters of California for creating the Financial Services Committee's Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, which is a 21-member bipartisan group charged with ensuring that our government is using every tool at its disposal to deprive groups like the Islamic State, Boko Haram, and other terrorist organizations of the funds they rely on to advance their destructive ideology. I would also like to thank our chairman, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick); our vice chair, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Pittenger); and the rest of my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee for their work to improve our efforts to halt terrorist financing. The bill I introduced that is before us today expands the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's ability to collect information under geographic targeting orders. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle, including Mr. Peter King of New York, Ms. Maxine Waters of California, Mr. Michael Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gregory Meeks of New York, Mr. Steve Stivers of Ohio, Mr. Bruce Poliquin of Maine, Mr. Robert Pittenger of North Carolina, Mr. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Mr. Andy Barr of Kentucky, Mr. Bill Foster of Illinois, Mr. Brad Sherman of California, Mr. French Hill of Arkansas, and Mr. Al Green of Texas, joined me in cosponsoring this important legislation. During congressional delegations to foreign countries to deal with the central banks in other countries and also financial intelligence units from very difficult locations, we made it a priority to meet with regional financial intelligence units to get updates on efforts to combat terrorist financing. Witnessing the important work of the FIUs around the globe demonstrates the need for the United States to continue to support efforts to develop robust legal, regulatory, and operational frameworks to combat terrorist financing and money laundering. In line with that, it is crucial that we work to strengthen the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, FinCEN, the U.S. financial intelligence unit. By sharing financial intelligence with law enforcement, private industry, and its foreign counterparts, FinCEN supports financial crime investigations throughout the world. Terrorists' proven ability to move money through innovative means necessitates continued progress in this critical counterterrorism area. The smart, brave Americans who serve at FinCEN work tirelessly every day to track and stop the flow of proceeds of crime and funds that would otherwise be used to aid terrorism in order to safeguard our financial system from evolving money laundering and national security threats. FinCEN's critical role is evidenced through its recent support to the Paris and Belgium terrorist attack investigations, where FinCEN's expertise assisted in quickly identifying links between those two attacks. FinCEN published 51 intelligence reports related to the Paris attacks and two intelligence reports related to the Brussels attack. Moreover, FinCEN's financial intelligence played an important role in identifying potential Islamic State foreign terrorist fighters. With increasingly complex and rapidly evolving terrorist networks, we need to ensure that we provide FinCEN with all of the tools and resources it needs to fight evolving terrorist threats. The geographic targeting order expansion is a new device in the counterterrorism financing toolkit to catch bad actors that are adapting to our countermeasures. If enacted into law, this legislation will allow us to identify wider networks of terrorist financiers and their enablers. We introduced this legislation because the experts at FinCEN told us they need it to stop bad actors. So on behalf of Representatives Peter King, Maxine Waters, Mike Fitzpatrick, Greg Meeks, Steve Stivers, Bruce Poliquin, Bob Pittenger, Keith Ellison, Andy Barr, Bill Foster, Brad Sherman, French Hill, and Al Green, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank Chairman Crenshaw and Ranking Member Serrano for including my amendment into the en bloc amendment to H.R. 5485, the FY2017 Financial Services Appropriations Act. I offered this amendment to increase the funding provided to the Treasury Department's Office of Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by $3,300,000. By sharing financial intelligence with law enforcement, private industry, and its foreign counterparts, FinCEN supports financial crime investigations throughout the world. Terrorists' proven ability to move money through innovative means necessitates continued progress in this critical counterterrorism area. The $3,300,000 is needed to enhance FinCEN's supervisory strategy of Money Services Businesses and to meet the growing demand for FinCEN's expanded national security response efforts. The amendment would offset this necessary increase through corresponding decreases in the funding provided for the ``Rental of Space'' account within the General Services Administration. Through my work as Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee's Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing and the Co- Chair of the bipartisan Task Force on Anti-Terrorism & Proliferation Financing, I witnessed the vital work that FinCEN engages in to safeguard our financial system from evolving money laundering and national security threats. By analyzing financial intelligence and sharing it with law enforcement, private industry, and its foreign counterparts, FinCEN supports financial crime investigations throughout the world. At this time, FinCEN needs additional funding to enhance its supervisory strategy of Money Services Businesses (MSBs) and to establish a specialized response team to focus on high priority threats. This is important because banks are increasingly derisking by exiting the MSB market due to the high risks associated with MSB customers. For example, this is making it nearly impossible for families, charities, and businesses to send remittances to people in Somalia. A specialized response team will encourage banks to more consistently service the financial needs of the MSB market that is seen as higher risk. In addition, FinCEN could use these additional funds to meet the growing demand for its expanded national security response efforts. FinCEN continues to support the broader Department of Treasury efforts by identifying sources of revenue for organizations such as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and their attempts to access the international financial system. However, without adequate funding FinCEN will be unable to meet the demand for expanded intelligence reporting and increased investigations into terrorism finance. As evidenced by recent support to the Paris and Belgium terrorists attack investigations, FinCEN's expertise assisted in quickly identifying links between the two attacks. FinCEN published 51 reports related to the Paris attacks and 2 reports related to the Brussels attack Many of these reports were generated through engagement with financial institutions by FinCEN, which resulted in increased reports from U.S. financial institutions. Moreover, FinCEN's financial intelligence has played an important role in identifying potential foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs). With today's increasingly complex and rapidly evolving terrorist networks, we cannot risk our national security by not adequately funding this important Department.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary and to congratulate Business Manager Peter Gibbons as he leads the Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, into their second century of excellence. Mr. Speaker, on June 17, 1916, United Association General President, John R. Alpine, had the foresight to move the Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, toward independence from one of the several auxiliary locals, to their now sister local Road Sprinkler Fitters, Local 669. During the United Association General Convention of 1946, the Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, were awarded their autonomous status. After significant debate, the delegates voted to give the auxiliaries their independent status and made that status retroactive to the signing of each charter. In the case of Local 550, their status was retroactively dated on June 17, 1916. Until 1993, Local 550 had offices at various locations in Boston and monthly union meetings were hosted in several different locations. On November 1, 1993, Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, moved into their newly reconstructed home at 46 Rockland Street in West Roxbury, Massachusetts; a building which was large enough to house a union meeting hall. Ironically, the building was destroyed twice by fire damage during previous inceptions as the Leiderkranz German Club, and the Roberts Post, before Local 550 purchased the land and commenced renovations that included the installation of a working fire protection system. The purchase and renovations were overseen by the late Brother George McCarthy, who served as Business Manager for 30 years from 1974 until 2004 when current Business Manager, Financial Secretary, Peter Gibbons took office. The Rockland Street location also served as the original home to the Local 550, Apprenticeship Training Facility until 2014 when, under the direction of Business Manager and Joint Apprenticeship Coordinator Peter Gibbons and the entire Joint Apprenticeship Committee, the apprentices were relocated to a new, state-of-the-art training center in Weymouth, Massachusetts. At present, apprentices are now trained in all aspects of the installation and inspection of fire protection systems, while capably providing the future workforce of Local 550. Among the many skills they learn, apprentices of Local 550 are provided with hands-on training using actual working fire pumps that flow water to facilitate training in the installation and inspection of all aspects of fire pumps. Included in the new training facility is a mock two-story house constructed within the training center where apprentices learn to plan and implement sprinkler installations. This hands-on approach fully prepares apprentices for real life situations that often arise on the job. Mr. Speaker, there have been many changes in the industry since the Local's inception 100 years ago, but the one thing that has remained constant is the bond of the Union Brotherhood and Local 550's commitment to the communities they serve. Not only are there nearly 650 Local 550 hardworking brothers and sisters quick to lend a hand to fellow members, they are also known for their tremendous acts of selfless charitable giving to the many communities throughout the state. Local 550 members have donated their time and resources to many important community efforts. These projects include the Gavin Foundation, Chez-Vous Roller Rink, and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, Local 550 members sponsor a golf fundraiser; most recently benefitting the Phoenix Society, which supports burn survivors. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, 100th Anniversary Gala weekend held June 24 through June 26, 2016 in Boston, I rise to extend my congratulations and appreciation for Local 550's 100 years of service to the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I look forward to continuing my work with the outstanding men and women of Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, and wish them nothing but success for the next 100 years. Congratulations on this momentous occasion.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Jerome Edward Gaff, May 30, 1946, in recognition of his outstanding service to the United States Army. Jerry is the son of John M. and Dorothy A. Gaff who raised Jerry in Chelsea, MA. Jerry grew up alongside his brothers Harold, Jack, Tom, and sister, Loretta. Jerry and his family relocated to Everett MA, where he made his residence from 1950-1969. He graduated from Everett High School in 1964, and soon after, began working at General Edwards Inn Restaurant in the Point of Pines Section of Revere with his brothers and sisters. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on April 19, 1969, where he served his tour of duty in Vietnam from September 1969 to November 1970. While serving in the Army, he served with the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) Sept. 1969 to Mar. 1970 and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Black Horse) Mar. 1970 to Nov. 1970. He was stationed at the U.S. Army base located in Lai Khe, northwest of Saigon. During his time in the Army he was active in the major battle of the Cambodian Incursion from May to June, 1970. He received several medals for his Army service including: National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Although Jerry is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam Conflict he seldom spoke of his distinguished military career, and upon returning stateside focused his attention to raising his family, but never forgot those who served with him, and stills serves as an advocate for all veterans today. When he returned from the war, he continued to work at the General Edwards Inn. He attended college before and after the war, studying education and Spanish. In 1972, he was married and had four daughters, Nancy 42, Shannon 41, Lauren 39 and Marybeth 38. Jerry and his family moved to Sandown, NH in the summer of 1978, just prior to the opening of his restaurant The Village Square Inn, located in Hampstead, NH. Jerry was owner/chef at the restaurant through the early 90's. He continued to be a well-respected chef in the southern New Hampshire area until his recent retirement. In his retirement, Jerry enjoys his summers at the lake and spending time with his friends and family, including his girlfriend Gail and his nine grandchildren. Jerry is an avid sports fan, who excelled in hockey as a young man, is an outstanding horseshoe player, excellent cribbage player, and fisherman. Jerry has positively influenced everyone in his lifetime and is the definition of what it means to be a Father, Grandfather, and Friend. Mr. Speaker, Jerry is a true gentleman and is known for being funny, kind and caring. He continues to support his fellow veterans by meeting with others at his local Veterans hospitals/clinics. His dedication to those he served with is only exceeded by his dedication to his family and friends. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate Jerry on the occasion of his 70th birthday. I find it only fitting that we honor Jerry's lifetime of accomplishments as a testament of his excellent military service, outstanding character, his positive influence on all those who have met him, and his commitment to his family and community.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, first, I would like to commend Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Mr. Sensenbrenner, as well as Mr. Conyers and Mr. Johnson, for their effort in bringing this important bill to the floor. I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016. Mr. Chairman, my amendment, if adopted, will allow grants authorized under the underlying bill to provide for developing, implementing, or expanding programs to ensure security and custody of opioids at medical facilities. The issue of abuse of prescription painkillers is not a new one, but the rise of this epidemic has really been fueled by the increased strength of and proliferation of these addictive drugs. It is well documented that the road to the use and abuse of an illicit opioid drug like heroin frequently begins with the legitimate use or diverted use of prescription opioid painkillers like OxyContin or Vicodin. Through a variety of ways, these powerful drugs end up in the hands of individuals struggling with their disease. One of the most frequent ways that these drugs make it to the street is after they have been stolen from a medical facility in which they are stored for legitimate use. In the wake of our nationwide prescription drug abuse epidemic, these drug diversion crimes have increased across the country. I will give you a few examples, but there are many. At a Georgia hospital, according to the Georgia Board of Pharmacy consent order, a theft scheme lasted for more than 4 years and diverted more than 1 million doses of controlled drugs. In my own district at home, two nurses at the Massachusetts General Hospital diverted nearly 16,000 pills, mostly OxyContin, resulting in the hospital paying a $2.3 million fine. In New York, a doctor stole 200,000 pills of oxycodone with a $5.6 million street value. In Utah, at the Utah VA, a pharmacist there stole 7,000 units of prescription drugs for sale on the street. I am not criticizing these institutions. I am merely underscoring that the addictive nature and the power of these drugs is really driving these crimes. I am just trying to underscore that there is a need to address the drug diversion issue. The Controlled Substances Act requires that registrants notify the Drug Enforcement Agency in writing of a theft or significant loss of any controlled substance, but we need to try to prevent the diversion of these drugs and work together to improve and strengthen the systems in place to deter the thefts that put these addicts in this position and put the addictive drugs on the street. If adopted, my amendment will help do that. My amendment will give States and local governments the resources to work with their hospitals and community health centers, physician clinics, and treatment facilities to identify areas in which they can improve the security and custody of these prescription drugs. By regularly reviewing best practices and updating protocols and existing systems, we can keep these drugs secure and save some lives in the process. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the cities I represent and others across the country are combating this effort from all sides. My amendment is another tool in the toolbox. Quite simply, we need to do everything we can to keep these drugs off the street. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I have great respect for the gentleman from Virginia, and I applaud him on the great work he has done here. However, I started up an adolescent rehab center because of the huge problem I have got in my district with young people. I understand this bill is focused on veterans as well. That is another very vulnerable population, with our folks coming back after multiple tours, but I really feel strongly about the need for securing these opioids. I have got a lot of hospitals in my district. We are having problems with the clinics and hospitals. This is really a problem that we all own and not just the DEA. So I would have to insist on my amendment and ask Members to support it. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. LYNCH. In closing, Mr. Chairman, there is a gap out there in terms of the security and custody of these opioids within medical facilities. I am trying my best, just as the chairman is trying his best, to address the problem that we have in our districts. It is a real problem. So it is a great bill. There is just this one gap, and I am trying to close that. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in calling on President Obama to finally declassify the 28 pages of the Joint Congressional Inquiry into Intelligence Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 2001. This year will mark 15 years since the horrific September 11 attacks that struck at the heart of our nation, and shook us to our core. The United States suffered an immeasurable tragedy that day, but for the victims and their families, their loss is beyond words. They lost sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sisters and brothers. These families' lives were forever changed, and their road to healing is made all the more difficult by the questions that remain unanswered. These classified pages in the 9/11 joint congressional inquiry contain vital information about the circumstances surrounding the attacks, and can provide crucial guidance for our future counterterrorism policies. I have personally read these pages and am confident that they can be released without compromising intelligence- gathering sources and methods. The Obama Administration is currently undertaking a review and is expected to announce its decision in the coming weeks. I strongly urge it to complete its review as soon as possible and declassify the 28 pages. I am pleased to be part of this bipartisan effort to give the families the answers they deserve. Together with my colleagues Congressman Walter Jones and Congressman Thomas Massie, we introduced H. Res. 14 urging the President to release the pages. I want to thank Congresswoman Gwen Graham for organizing these speeches that are bringing renewed attention to this matter. I also want to acknowledge and thank former Senator Bob Graham for his hard work as Chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence when the Joint Congressional Inquiry was written, and his steadfast advocacy for making these pages public. Mr. Speaker, the victims' families and our nation experienced a profound personal loss and after 15 years they deserve to have their questions answered. The declassification of the 28 pages will be an important step in that direction.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for her kind words in support of this bill. And I want to thank Mr. Brady, the ranking member on the House Administration Committee, for his support as well. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1670, the National POW/MIA Remembrance Act. Before I begin, I want to thank House Administration for their great support and staff support as well. Mr. Speaker, this bill actually comes from the recognition we all share that, in our country, oftentimes the families of POWs and MIAs suffer alone. And it is through the efforts of groups like Rolling Thunder and other veterans' groups who have brought to the forefront the fact that we should carry more immediately the memory of the sacrifice of those families. In my own life, I came to know a man named James Fitzgerald, who was a member of Operating Engineers Local 4 in Boston. I worked on a job with him. I remember at noontime, when everyone would go off to lunch, he would go off into his pickup truck and eat his sandwich by himself. Day after day in his lap he would have a tri-corner flag that this country gave him in remembrance of his son, who went down as a result of enemy fire in Vietnam in the early 1960s. It was not until the late 1980s, early 1990s, that his son was actually recovered, returned to his family, and buried in Massachusetts. For many, many years, the Fitzgerald family carried that burden by themselves. They carried it alone. I had a chance to travel with JPAC, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, to Vietnam, to Korea, and to the South Pacific, the Philippines. We have 83,000--83,000--men and women from this country that died in the Second World War, in Korea, and in Vietnam who are still there. About 1,000 remain in Vietnam. About 5,000 remain in North Korea up around the Chosin Reservoir. And then the great majority of those MIA are buried at sea as a result of the great naval battles in World War II. They are buried in place, and their resting places are our sacred ground. We have an opportunity here to place within the Capitol a remembrance, a shrine, in effect, to their sacrifice in remembrance of their service to this country. H.R. 1670 would honor them by authorizing a placement of a POW/MIA Chair of Honor on the grounds of the United States Capitol. That chair will forever stand unoccupied as a solemn reminder of the over 83,000 brave Americans from as far back as World War II who are still waiting to be brought home. Chairs of honor carrying the POW/MIA insignia have already been placed in public spaces in cities and towns around the country. It is only fitting that the Capitol, the seat of the U.S. Congress, should do so as well. Mr. Speaker, when our fellow Americans go to war, we make them a promise never to leave them behind. That vow is sacred. When we pass this chair every day, we will be reminded of our commitment to our POW/ MIAs and their families that we have not forgotten them, we will never forget them, and we will not rest until they all come home. I want to take a moment to thank Joe D'Entremont, who first approached me about undertaking this initiative a couple of years ago. He is a past president of Rolling Thunder of Massachusetts Chapter 1 and is now a Rolling Thunder, Incorporated, National member. I want to thank all the members from all the chapters of Rolling Thunder from across the country who have kept this idea alive. Joe D'Entremont is a passionate advocate on behalf of our veterans and our POWs and MIAs. Joe has worked with my office from the very beginning on this effort. I also want to thank Gus Dante, also with Rolling Thunder National, who has worked steadfastly at Joe's side to see this through. Finally, I want to thank the members of Rolling Thunder Massachusetts Chapter 1 and all of the Rolling Thunder chapters around the Nation. Their efforts were integral to bringing us here today. After today, H.R. 1670 will move to the Senate for its consideration. I want to recognize and thank my Massachusetts colleague, Senator Elizabeth Warren, for introducing her Senate companion bill and for making this truly a bicameral effort. I look forward to continuing to work with her to get this past the finish line and have the National POW/MIA Remembrance Act signed into law. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me just say, in support of H.R. 1670, I do want to share in the acknowledgment of Sam Johnson's service and sacrifice on behalf of this country. In fairness, I have to say that, when we went to the Hanoi Hilton, they did have a reconstructed version of what Senator John McCain went through in Hanoi. It is a sanitized version of what he suffered there, but I also want to recognize his service. He is truly an American hero as well. I thank my Republican colleagues on the other side of the aisle for their support. I am glad we can work on this together. I think we owe it to all our MIA and POWs and their families to get this done. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1670. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Domenic Lalli in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, Massachusetts, and to commend him for forty years of dedication to the education of young men. An accomplished athlete, Mr. Lalli excelled in football at Watertown High School, and was inducted into the Watertown High School Hall of Fame. He served as football coach there as well. Further, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Lalli was captain of the football team at Boston University, and he was the USA Natural Bodybuilding Champion in 1991. He went on to win the Mr. Massachusetts Master's Division in 2004. Mr. Lalli received a Bachelor of Science in Human Movement Health and Leisure from Boston University and earned a Master's in Education from Boston State College. He is also a graduate of the Catholic Schools Leadership Program at Boston College. Mr. Lalli began his career at Xaverian in 1976, teaching Physical Education and coaching track and football. In 1984, he was appointed as the Administrator of Students. Mr. Lalli was appointed Principal of Xaverian in 1991, the same year that Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X. became Headmaster. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Lalli has influenced several generations of young men and is beloved by countless alumni, parents, and trustees. An outstanding leader, he has shaped a strong community where respect for everyone, no matter their differences, is the norm. He has served as an extraordinary role model in his care and concern for all. Throughout his tenure at Xaverian, Mr. Lalli has touched the lives of 7,951 students, in addition to the current student body of 950. Mr. Lalli was born and raised in Watertown, MA where he lives today with his wife Lydia. They are the proud parents of two children, Daniel, a graduate of Xaverian, and Victoria, and they are blessed with two grandchildren, Connor and Colbie. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take the floor of the House today to join with Domenic Lalli's family, friends, and contemporaries to thank him for his forty years of remarkable service to Xaverian Brothers High School.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of John E. McDonald, Jr., First Justice, East Boston Municipal Court, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to his hometown of Braintree and commend him for being named to the Judges Wall at The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. John Jr. is the son of John E. and Patricia M. McDonald who raised John Jr. in the Town of Braintree. John relocated to South Boston where he made his residence from 1984-2011, there he met and married his lovely wife Melissa, and had three children, Andrew 13, Jack 5, and Kathryn 4, before moving back to Braintree in 2011, where he and his family now reside. John attended Boston College High School graduating in 1984. Upon graduating Boston College High School, John was accepted to Boston College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, in 1988. John was then accepted at prestigious Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 1991. Upon his passing the Massachusetts Bar Exam, John worked in the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General as a Law Clerk. In 1991, John joined the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney where he served from 1991 until 1994. In 1994, John went into private practice by opening the Law Office of John E. McDonald, Jr., focusing on his practice as a Sole Practitioner of Criminal and Civil Litigation from 1994-2008. Upon completing his successful private practice, John was named Assistant Clerk Magistrate, Boston Municipal Court, Central Division, where he served until his appointment by Governor Deval Patrick as an Associate Justice of the Central Division of the Boston Municipal Court in May of 2013. In February 2014, John served as the Presiding Justice of the Dorchester Division Drug Court until his appointment as the First Justice of East Boston Division Drug Court where he presently serves. John E. McDonald, Jr., has dedicated his entire professional career to the field of Law. His reputation is impeccable as a judge who goes above and beyond in helping others. John's commitment to the East Boston Community is only exceeded by his love for family, and the betterment of those less fortunate. John has served as the keynote speaker at the Norfolk County Bar Association, The Salvation Army Recovery Program, The East Boston Chamber of Commerce, and has volunteered his time in speaking at many Boston area schools on the issue of substance abuse, and the law. In addition, The Honorable Judge John E. McDonald was also named as a panel member of the highly prestigious ``Panel on Recovery'' and was asked by Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh to speak before the City of Boston ``Recovery Forum.'' Mr. Speaker, John is known for his quick sense of humor, and is a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He has earned the respect of his peers, and when people look back on Judge McDonald's legacy they will remember him as a person who was there for those struggling in the most difficult circumstances. Although the honor of being named to the Judges Wall will be one highlight of many in John's career, he will most assuredly be known for his caring and positive impact on the families of East Boston, South Boston, and Braintree. Mr. Speaker it is my distinct honor to take the floor of the House today to join with John E. McDonald's family, friends, and contemporaries to thank him for his remarkable service and to commend him for the difference he has made to the families of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. It is very rare that I get to speak in opposition to such bad legislation, but not only do we have a single bill that is bad legislation, my friends across the aisle have packaged five bad bills and put them all together. My only regret is that I only have 3 minutes to speak about these bills. Let me single one out, the Encouraging Employee Ownership Act of 2015. Currently, employee benefit plans must disclose information to employees who invest in those plans if the plan's assets are above $5 million. H.R. 1675, the Encouraging Employee Ownership Act of 2015, now 2016, modifies SEC rule 701 by allowing private companies to compensate their employees up to $10 million, indexed for inflation. So they can pay their employees in stock, basically. But the key here is that they don't have to provide the same information that they would to outside investors in that same stock. Therein lies the danger here. This means that employees in smaller companies, start-ups, especially--small drug companies, small software companies--those employees with smaller plans, oftentimes those companies are more subject to, more vulnerable to, the ups and downs of the economy. These are the most vulnerable. So the employees in those small plans that are paid with company stock would be less protected as to how their stocks are performing. Last Congress I voted against a similar bill, H.R. 4571, when it was marked up in our committee. I also spoke in opposition to this bill when it was included as title XI of H.R. 37. This bill uses the veneer of job creation to provide special treatment for well-connected corporations, mergers and acquisition advisers, and financial institutions, while doing very little for and probably doing much damage to employees and working families. I strongly support employees receiving equity. I think that is a good deal. If employees can receive stock options and, importantly, if they can know about the value of those stocks and know about the condition of these companies, that can be a huge advantage. Employees will buy into the company, but they have to have the information about what the stock is worth. This bill allows them to be denied that information. They are buying a pig in a poke. They don't know what the stocks are worth. So it puts them at a tremendous disadvantage. And, again, these companies are the ones that are most vulnerable to ups and downs in the economy going forward. I agree the remarks of Professor Theresa Gabaldon from George Washington University during our April 29 Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee hearing. During her testimony, the professor expressed opposition to this bill for the very reasons I have stated.

Mr. LYNCH. She opposed this bill because employees deserve the same protections, she said, as investors. This makes sense. This is easy. We should be able to do what we want to do here and stimulate the economy, yet, at the same time, allow these employees to have the information that they need to know what the value of the stocks they are being paid with are worth. It is as simple as that. I thank the ranking member for her indulgence.

Mr. LYNCH

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment would improve title II of H.R. 712 to ensure that the effectiveness of agency regulations are not solely evaluated by the basis of the cost to industry. Rather, the primary importance of agency rulemaking to the improved health, safety, and security of the American people demands that we also consider the significant benefits of agency regulations in analyzing whether or not they contribute to protecting the public and promoting the general welfare. In particular, my amendment would require Federal agencies to provide an estimate of the individual benefits of a proposed regulation, just as H.R. 712 currently requires them to report individual regulatory costs. This amendment would also require the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to include the total benefits of proposed and final agency rules in the annual report that it would be required to issue under H.R. 712. In its current form, the underlying bill expressly provides that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs must publish only the total cost of all proposed and finalized agency rules without reducing the cost by any offsetting benefits in its calculation of the cumulative cost of agency regulations. Not surprisingly, the Coalition for Sensible Safeguards has issued a formal opposition letter to the language that is included as title II of H.R. 712. The Coalition is an alliance of over 150 businesses, consumer protection, labor, environmental, and good government groups that includes the American Sustainable Business Council and its 200,000 member businesses. According to the Coalition: ``This bill's one-sided focus on regulatory costs provides a highly distorted picture of the value of critical safeguards that all Americans depend on . . . By focusing exclusively on regulatory costs, this bill gives the misleading impression that regulations are an inescapable drain on the American economy.'' The recent draft report of the costs and benefits of major Federal regulations issued by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in October 2015 serves to further illustrate the transparency that is lacking when we only consider the costs associated with an agency regulation. Among its principal findings, the report provides that, from October 2004 through September 2014, spanning both Republican and Democratic administrations, Federal agencies estimated the aggregate benefits of major Federal regulations to range between $216 billion and $812 billion. In stark contrast, the approximate annual cost of major Federal regulations ranges between $57 billion and $85 billion. Importantly, several Clean Air rules promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Air and Radiation have significantly high estimated benefits that are attributable to the reduction in public exposure to air pollutants. According to the report, the Clean Air Fine Particle Rule of 2007 had benefits ranging from $19 billion to $167 billion per year. These regulatory benefits would not be considered under H.R. 712. Other health and safety rules were similarly identified as having a sizable benefit on the American people. Patient safety rules that address dietary supplement oversight, medical error, and safety requirements for long-term care facilities had estimated benefits between $13 billion and $17 billion per year. Transportation-related safety rules designed to reduce the risk of injury and death associated with airplane, vehicle, and train travel had estimated benefits of between $16 billion and $28 billion per year. These regulatory benefits would not be considered under H.R. 712, as currently drafted. Mr. Chairman, if our goal is to maximize transparency in the regulatory process, we can't simply give the American people and this Congress one side of the story. Rather, full transparency and informed decisionmaking require that our analysis does not only include the regulatory costs, but also the extent to which an agency bill improves and protects the health, safety, and security of the American people. My amendment would ensure that this was the case. Mr. Chairman, it is the primary mission of every Federal agency to protect the American public from harmful and developing situations, whether we are talking about a new prescription painkiller on the market that the FDA finds to be highly addictive, or an emerging financial practice that the Securities and Exchange Commission determines is predatory on American consumers, or dangerous materials that the Environmental Protection Agency deems to be an imminent public hazard. That public mission is severely undermined if the merits of an agency regulation are evaluated solely on the basis of costs to the industry and at the expense of the significant benefits to the American people. Again, in closing, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.