Doug Lamborn

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. I thank the chairman of the committee for his great work on this bill and for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016. This is an important bill that provides funding and authority for the men and women in uniform who are willing to go in harm's way to keep our country safe. This bill takes some of the important steps to reform the Department of Defense, both in acquisition and in retirement benefits. It includes a number of provisions that I worked on regarding military space, missile defense, and tunnel detection, to name just a few. This is a bipartisan bill. Dozens, if not hundreds, of provisions were authored by Democrats. It came out of committee by a vote of 60-2. Only one Democrat voted against it in committee. Nothing substantive has changed; only now Nancy Pelosi is calling the shots, and Democrats have flip-flopped. I understand that Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats want to increase taxes and increase spending on domestic programs, but that debate should not be fought on the backs of our troops. If you vote against this bill, it is a vote to cut our defense budget. It is even a vote against President Obama's requested defense budget. Today we have troops doing humanitarian relief in Nepal, dropping bombs on ISIS, fighting the Taliban, deterring Iran in the Straits of Hormuz, and supporting our European allies in the face of Russian aggression. Now is not the time to cut the defense budget. Let's support our troops, not Nancy Pelosi's partisan agenda. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1735.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Scientific evidence has demonstrated that by 20 weeks, unborn babies are able to feel pain; and thanks to ongoing medical improvements, premature babies at this stage are increasingly able to live outside the womb. This bill will protect unborn babies 20 weeks and older from having to suffer the excruciating pain of an abortion death. Abortions are brutal and extremely painful, where the child is either dismembered or poisoned. H.R. 36 will punish abortionists who violate the law, while adding important additional protections for unborn children and their mothers. Every life at this stage is a precious gift from God, and we, as Americans, should continue to protect life. This bill will do just that. Madam Speaker, I urge full support of the rule and for this legislation.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 43, which will stop the so-called Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act. This bill, passed by the D.C. City Council, discriminates against religious and pro-life advocacy groups in the District of Columbia. The D.C. government forces employers to provide abortion coverage for their employees. This law represents a flagrant disregard for the conscience rights of all D.C. employers. Madam Speaker, I urge my fellow Members of the House to vote ``yes'' on this important resolution of disapproval.

Mr. LAMBORN

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

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The purpose of this amendment is to increase the funding for the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation program from the current $2 million to $4 million. This critical program allows companies across the U.S. to develop cutting-edge technologies with new partners in Israel in order to advance America's energy goals. Furthermore, the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperative Agreement facilitates greater cooperation and sharing of knowledge between American and Israeli universities on alternative energy. Collaboration between the American and Israeli private sector and academia will significantly enhance U.S. efforts to develop alternative technologies and increase energy efficiency to the benefit of our national security, our economy, and the environment. Let me be clear, this is not an aid program, but instead a cooperative agreement designed to connect the U.S. and Israeli private sectors in the development of innovative technologies to strengthen our energy security and independence. Reauthorized in 2014 through 2024, the cooperative energy program mandate was expanded to cover collaborative research and development into renewable technologies, natural gas, and water--key areas of interest for the United States. The program is also designed to leverage matching contributions from both the Israeli and American private sectors; thus, for every dollar Congress appropriates, $3 are invested, contributing to our economy in addition to our energy security. The program has already leveraged over $27 million in private sector investment. This is an excellent way to leverage a modest investment into critical energy innovation to the benefit of both countries. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this amendment to make a greater investment in America's and Israel's energy future and to support an important bilateral energy cooperation agreement with one of our Nation's closest allies. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to VFW Post 101 in downtown Colorado Springs on the occasion of their 95th Anniversary. As the oldest and friendliest post in the city, Post 101 has positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of local veterans and their families. The post helps welcome home troops, attends memorial services, hosts retirement and promotion parties, provides scholarships to local students, advocates for our veterans, promotes patriotism, and supports family members during difficult deployments. Please join me in wishing VFW Post 101 a happy anniversary and thanking them for the tremendously important services they provide to our military community.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Republican Study Committee budget. It is a conservative, progrowth document that balances in 6 years, that repeals ObamaCare and replaces it with a patient-centered solution, that stops the President's lawless executive amnesty, and that simplifies the Tax Code. The budget also offers commonsense reforms to strengthen America's entitlement programs. The RSC budget accomplishes all of this while still fully funding our national security commitments by providing $570 billion in base defense spending, not through budget gimmicks. In a time of weak and uncertain White House leadership on national security, bad actors are given incentive to be more aggressive. We must not underfund our military at this time. I encourage all of my colleagues to support the RSC budget and return America to a position of fiscal strength and stability.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. I thank the chairman for his hard work on this budget. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the House Republican budget with the defense fix. Our country needs to get back on a responsible financial path, a path that protects our national security, repeals ObamaCare, and reforms our entitlement programs so they are sustainable. Mr. Chairman, I want to remind us of the rapidly deteriorating security situation we face. Russia has invaded Ukraine. ISIS is spreading. Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles while actively supporting terrorist organizations around the world. North Korea is pursuing a submarine-launched ballistic missile capability to go with its nuclear weapons program. China is threatening our friends and allies in Asia. This is just a laundry list of bad actors that threaten the very safety of our Nation. Meanwhile, President Obama's foreign policy is a disaster, which puts us at even greater risk. Shockingly, the President is even turning his back on Israel, damaging our partnership with our closest ally in the Middle East. Our military has already faced drastic cuts. The Air Force is the smallest it has ever been. The Army is on a path to being the smallest since 1940. The Navy will soon be the smallest since 1915. Mr. Chairman, I firmly believe most Americans agree that now is not the time to cut our national security spending. Russia isn't cutting its military budget. Iran isn't cutting its military budget. ISIS certainly isn't cutting its military budget. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this budget by voting ``yes'' on Price 2. This is a vital step in keeping our military strong in the face of dangerous threats around the world.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, in a few short weeks an inspirational military leader will retire after serving his country proudly for over three decades. Today I recognize and commend Colonel R. Scott Jarvis for his exceptional leadership over those 30 years, most recently as the Deputy Director for Installations and Mission Support, and Command Civil Engineer at Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The son of a career Air Force officer, Colonel Jarvis graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and was commissioned a Civil Engineer officer in the United States Air Force in 1985. Throughout his career, he earned additional Masters degrees in International Relations, Military Operational Art and Science, and National Security and Strategic Studies. An outstanding leader throughout his distinguished career, Colonel Jarvis' service has spanned the country with assignments in North Dakota, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Alabama, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC, and stretched across the world with tours in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. He commanded at the squadron and group levels at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and Kadena Air Base, Japan, respectively. Additionally, he commanded a 13-person deployed Civic Action Team in the remote location of Chuuk, Micronesia, with politico- military responsibilities. Early in his career, Colonel Jarvis also deployed to Turkey and northern Iraq as commander of a 19-person well- drilling team supporting Operation PROVIDE COMFORT I. Colonel Jarvis has served at both major command and Air Force levels in the programming and housing arenas. Most notably, as Chief of the Unaccompanied Housing Program for the Air Force Civil Engineer, he was one of the original architects of the Air Force Dorm Master Plan, which served as the foundation for the Air Force initiative to replace or renovate every dorm in its inventory. The program vastly improved quality of life for over 70,000 Airmen living in 875 dorms throughout the Air Force. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Jarvis served as the Deputy Director for Installations, Logistics, and Mission Support, and Command Civil Engineer, at Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. In that capacity, he was responsible for all civil engineering activities for over 9,000 civil engineer personnel operating and maintaining USAFE's $15.7 billion physical plant at 10 major installations and numerous smaller installations. Colonel Jarvis has been recognized for excellence at all levels in the Air Force, to include accolades at the Squadron, Group and Wing levels. In addition to numerous military decorations, his significant recognition includes the 2008 Air Force Major General Robert H. Curtin Award for Most Outstanding Large Civil Engineer Unit, the 1996 Air Force Civil Engineering Staff Action Officer of the Year, and the 1991 Third Air Force Civil Engineering Military Manager of the Year. Additionally, Colonel Jarvis was recognized for invaluable contributions to the engineering profession in 2013, when he was named to the Society of American Military Engineers Academy of Fellows. This honor is bestowed to a select few engineers each year for dedication to mentorship and outstanding service to the Society and the military engineering profession. Colonel R. Scott Jarvis epitomizes excellence, integrity and commitment to service. He has dedicated his life to serving our nation and advancing the engineering profession. I join my colleagues today in honoring his admirable service to our nation and all the Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and civilians who have served alongside him. We offer our heartfelt appreciation to Scott, his wife Meg, and their daughters, Maddie and Lucy, and hearty congratulations on his retirement from the United States Air Force.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, Jim began his journey by enlisting and attending basic training December 1, 1972, assigned by the Army to a region in Alaska September of 1973, and left active duty December 22, 1978. Arriving in Colorado in 1983 with his wife and two sons, Jim dabbled in car sales. He joined the Colorado National Guard in 1987 and stayed in until his retirement in 2002. His adventures with the Department of Veterans Affairs began as a work-study student at Fort Carson in March 1986 and then hired by El Paso County February 22, 1988 as an Assistant Veteran Service Officer to assist veterans and surviving spouses with completing disability claims. During Jim's 27 years of service to veterans with the El Paso County Veteran Services, he received numerous awards for his outstanding efforts to serve local veterans and became a part of the community that he worked so tirelessly to help in any way he could. Jim has also been an invaluable advisor to me on all topics related to veterans' affairs. I greatly appreciated his service when he was a member of my Veterans Advisory Board for 8 years. In 1999, Jim collaborated with local veteran organizations to create the El Paso County Homeless Standdown Committee. He served on the standdown committee for 15 years and helped coordinate the annual Standdown event to assist homeless veterans. Since 2000 Jim has served as President of the Colorado Veterans Resource Coalition, a non-profit organization to assist with veterans' homeless issues, which is operated in collaboration with numerous other veteran service organizations. As part of this Coalition, Jim has provided executive oversight of the purchase and operation of the Crawford House, two transitional housing buildings, and an apartment complex, which provides services such as safe emergency housing for veterans who are homeless, receiving mental health care, and/or safe transitional low income housing. From 2003 to 2008, Jim served on the Executive Board and as the Vice President of the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers. During this time Jim ensured numerous Colorado County Veteran Service Officers were accredited through the National organization. Jim played a critical role in the planning of the new national cemetery in southern Colorado. In 2006, Jim was appointed to the Pikes Peak National Veterans Cemetery Committee and has been instrumental in the upcoming construction of a Veterans Cemetery in El Paso County that is anticipated to be open in 2018. Jim also served on a joint committee to name the new Colorado Springs VA Clinic. Jim was appointed as the El Paso County Veteran Service Officer in 2008, and immediately began an expanded outreach program to ensure El Paso County veterans are aware of local veteran services and programs. Since this program, the Veteran Service Office has almost doubled the yearly office visits which has resulted in a 190 percent increase in the number of claims for veterans and their dependents, and has made the El Paso County Veteran Services Office one of the most active offices in the United States. In 2014, Jim served on my Veteran Affairs Clinic Naming Committee which honored our local hometown hero, WWII Medal of Honor recipient, PFC Floyd Lindstrom. He also served on the clinic's Grand Opening Committee to open one of the largest VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in the United States. During this year, Jim also coordinated with Home Depot to construct a Veterans Memorial at Bear Creek Regional Park that honors El Paso County Veterans and their outstanding service. Jim is one of the most intelligent, highly respected and dependable service officers in the great state of Colorado. He has given every bit of his heart and soul to the Pikes Peak community and he remains one of the most influential community leaders. I am very proud and grateful for his selfless service to the veterans in Colorado's 5th Congressional District.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 42nd anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which legalized elective abortion in the U.S. Elective abortion is an abhorrent practice that tragically remains a common medical procedure performed in the U.S. Every year, over 1 million abortions are performed here. Since 1973, when Roe v. Wade was decided, 57 million babies have been lost to abortion--57 million, Mr. Speaker. To put this in perspective, according to the last census numbers, 57 million is about 18 percent of the U.S. population. This staggering loss of children's lives is unconscionable. My wife, Jeanie, and I have been blessed with five children and two grandchildren, with one more on the way. I firmly believe that every life is a precious gift from God, and I am wholly committed to protecting the sanctity of life. One critically important step towards protecting life is the Pain- Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that we will be voting on tomorrow. I am a proud cosponsor of this bill that will prohibit anyone from performing an abortion on an unborn child that is 20 weeks or older. Medical research has shown that at least by the 20th week of a pregnancy, unborn babies can feel pain. Polls have consistently shown that a majority of Americans support banning abortions after 20 weeks. Abortions after the 20th week are painful, violent, and harmful, even to the mothers. It is time to end this horrible procedure. This week, we will continue to mourn the lives cut short in the inhuman wake of Roe v. Wade. We pray for God's continued comfort, grace, and mercy to those touched by abortion. Every life has value, and we have a duty to protect the lives of those who are the most innocent among us. I will continue to be among those fighting to do just that.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, it is the most wonderful time of the year, a time when millions of Americans gather together to celebrate Christmas. For many of us, Christmas is a time to remember the humble birth of our Savior on a holy night more than 2,000 years ago in the town of Bethlehem. We give thanks for Jesus' message of love and peace and remember the sacrifice He made for us all. It is a season of giving, of love, and of joy. According to a recent poll, 9 out of 10 Americans celebrate Christmas. Sadly, however, there is a troubling effort in America led by a vocal minority to remove the symbols and traditions of Christmas from the public arena. There have been many examples of atheist groups working to remove public nativity displays and other decorations. Just last year in my home State of Colorado, an anti-religious organization filed a lawsuit against school officials for their support of student-led involvement with Operation Christmas Child. Mr. Speaker, these petty efforts by groups offended by the religious significance of Christmas violates the freedom of religion our Founding Fathers provided for us in the Constitution. This Congress and in Congresses past, I have introduced a resolution to protect the symbols and traditions of Christmas for those who celebrate the holiday. The resolution also disapproves of efforts to ban references to Christmas. We must not allow those who chose to take offense to shut down the religious celebration of every other American.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague from the State of New Mexico for his leadership. I rise in support of H.R. 2366, which I introduced with the help of my colleague, Representative Emanuel Cleaver, which would require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of World War I. The year 2018 will be the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice with Germany, marking the end of battlefield hostilities in World War I. During the war, more than 4 million men and women from the United States served in uniform, and more than 100,000 gave their lives. To honor their service and sacrifices, Congress created the World War I Centennial Commission in 2013 and tasked them with planning and executing activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I through the use of private donations and coin sales. By requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins to commemorate this centennial, this bill would allow us to honor the memory, service, and sacrifices of the brave veterans of World War I, while also providing the means to pay tribute to the end of World War I battlefield hostilities. Other great conflicts, including the Civil War, World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war, have all been memorialized on United States commemorative coins, but no such honor has been extended to the brave veterans of World War I. This year, 2014, as has been said, is the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, making it a very fitting tribute that we pass the measure for this year. It is my pleasure to offer H.R. 2366. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with both Representative Emanuel Cleaver and Senator Roy Blunt on this important bill. Together, we have gathered 300 cosponsors in the House for this patriotic bill. It will not cost the U.S. Treasury anything, as has been said, but, on a voluntary basis, will actually raise money. It is no coincidence that Representatives and Senators from the State of Missouri are helping on this effort. There is a wonderful memorial to World War I in Kansas City, Missouri, with an adjoining museum that is a world-class museum. For those who haven't had the opportunity to visit that museum and learn about this chapter in our Nation's history, I would strongly urge them to do so. I thank Chairman Hensarling and the Financial Services Committee for their support of this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the brave veterans of World War I by supporting this bill.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Thank you so much for your remarks. You have helped enlighten everybody on how important it is that we not have a bad deal with Iran. The President has said that no deal is better than a bad deal, and yet I am afraid that is what we are tiptoeing to. And in 6 days, if we don't have a deal, I have no doubt that there will be a request for an extension of time. But I haven't seen up to now, and there are only 6 days left, that this joint plan of action has materialized, has produced any kind of solid deal, and that is very troubling. Representative DeSantis made a good point about Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, in fact, the leading worldwide state sponsor of terrorism. That is very troubling. For that reason Congress in the past and the Security Council have said, Iran, you must stop your state sponsor of terrorism. Both the Security Council of the United Nations and Congress have said that you need to stop your ballistic missile program. Also the Security Council and Congress have said, ``You need to stop your nuclear enrichment program.'' Those three elements are not something that are snatched out of thin air. They have a history. There is a reason why those three things are so troubling to Congress and to the Security Council of the United Nations. For that reason, I offered an amendment during the discussion of the National Defense Authorization Act on the floor here in the House this summer saying that those three elements need to be part of a comprehensive agreement with Iran. The House went along with that, totally agreed with that. I want the Senate to act on the NDAA. I hope that they can adopt that same language because, once again--and I will just repeat--that is language that has already been agreed to by the House, by the Senate, by Congress, as well as by the Security Council of the UN. I want to see, in 6 days, an agreement with Iran where those three elements are dominant, where we have stopping of their nuclear enrichment, stopping of their ballistic missile program, and stopping their state sponsor of terrorism. Anything short of that is going to be very troubling, Mr. Speaker. I am concerned that we may have an administration that does not enforce those three vital elements of a deal, but they need to be part of a deal. Our hearts really go out to the families of those who were killed in that sad and tragic terrorist attack in Jerusalem earlier today. It just shows that the Middle East is a very troubled place. There are those who do not want peace, and they will resort to violence and death and destruction. That is a very sad and tragic thing. When we look at Iran--and we know that Iran wants to destroy Israel-- and yet Israel is only the Little Satan, the United States is the Great Satan--so when we look at containing Iran, it is not just to protect Israel--although that is important and vital as far as it goes--but also Iran is a threat to Europe, to the United States, to the whole Western World. Iran has a set of values, at least up until today, where they call Israel the Little Satan and the U.S. the Great Satan. Just recently, the President of Iran came out with a plan how he would go about destroying Israel. This kind of rhetoric is just unacceptable and tragic. I find it very hard, Mr. Speaker, to trust Iran with a negotiated agreement that doesn't have those verified elements, those three vital elements: stopping their nuclear enrichment, stopping their ballistic missile development, and stopping the state sponsorship of terrorism. Mr. Speaker, if we don't have a good agreement in 6 days, I am just afraid that we need to reimpose the strong sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place. I know that if the majority leader of the Senate who will be in office for the next 6 weeks or so--Harry Reid--if he were to allow a vote of the Senate, there is no doubt they would agree to stronger sanction language. The Kirk-Menendez language would do just that. The House previously had passed almost identical language establishing the same doctrine, that if Iran leaves the negotiating table and does not have an acceptable deal with the U.S. and the rest of the P5+1, that we will reimpose tough sanctions. That obviously was having an effect because that brought them to the negotiating table. We need to have tough sanctions waiting in the wings, waiting in reserve, if Iran does not do the right thing. I don't understand why the administration is fighting and resisting a vote in the Senate and saying that that will somehow offend or humiliate or drive away the Iranians. It is what brought them to the negotiating table in the first place. They understand strength and force. Mr. Speaker, there are some people in some countries in this world that view weakness as provocative and they move in and take advantage of that. Iran is one of those countries, history has shown. If we show strength and resolve and decisiveness to them, then they are more likely to respond in the right way. If we show weakness, then they are more likely to take advantage of that. I think we show strength to Iran during this time of negotiation--we have 6 more days before the deadline--by making a statement that, ``Hey, if you don't back off, then we are going to reimpose these tough sanctions, sanctions that have bite to them.'' That is what brought them to the negotiating table, and it has to be part of what we do going forward. Mr. Speaker, it is just really important that we show strength to Iran, and we only have 6 days left. We don't want a bad deal, no deal is better than a bad deal, but I am very apprehensive. You have heard from others as well. Up until now, the prognosis hasn't been good. We haven't heard of breakthroughs or concessions in the negotiations. Mr. Speaker, with those things in mind, I think that we just need to urge the administration to show resolve, to show strength, to allow Congress, especially the Senate which hasn't yet taken a position because they have been denied the ability to vote, although we have done it here in the House, to say, ``Iran, you have to come back to the table and have a serious negotiation where you do agree to stop enrichment, stop ballistic missile production, and stop state sponsorship of terrorism, and if you don't do those things, we will have tougher sanctions come back in force.'' We shouldn't deny the Senate that chance for a vote. We should allow them to have that vote. We have taken that position here in the House. It is the right position. Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank my colleagues for this time that we have had. We are going to be watching for the next 6 days. I think that it is one of the most vital issues that is hanging out there in world politics today. It affects Israel, but it affects even so much more. I think the Western World will be totally affected in a negative way if Iran doesn't come clean and have a concession on nuclear enrichment, on state sponsorship of terrorism, and on ballistic missiles. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMBORN. Well, I appreciate your comments and thank you for saying that. Also, let me ask you one further question. You talked about Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and you touched on the fact that they contributed to the death of some of our finest young men and women in this country who died in Iraq. Can you elaborate on that?

Mr. LAMBORN. It is interesting, it was tough sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place. Now the administration had to be drug kicking and screaming to have tougher sanctions that Congress initiated and pushed for. They ultimately relented and enforced those, and I approve of that. But it was not their initiative. It was Congress's initiative. Today, as you just said, Ron, Congress is pushing once again, and the administration for some reason is digging in its heels, and yet tougher sanctions is what brought Iran to the table. If Iran is serious about having a deal, what is wrong with saying if it falls apart we will reimpose tougher sanctions, but if you do do an acceptable deal, nothing happens along those lines?

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the gentleman what would happen over in the Senate if Harry Reid were to allow for a vote on, let's say, the Menendez-Kirk language on tougher sanctions if Iran leaves the negotiating table?

Mr. LAMBORN. I thank the gentlelady. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to invite another Member to speak. Ron DeSantis represents part of the State of Florida, and I am privileged to call him a colleague and a friend. I now yield to Mr. DeSantis.

Mr. LAMBORN. Egypt would want its own bomb. Turkey would want its own bomb. And others. Others would aspire, but they would have the money and possibly the technology to actually achieve that, or buy it from another country.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with some other colleagues to talk about the important issue of Iran. As you may know, on November 24, a mere 6 days from now, the Joint Plan of Action expires. And what that means is that the United States and the other P5+1--and that means the permanent members of the Security Council plus another country, six countries--have been negotiating, with the U.S. taking the lead, with Iran to come to some kind of agreement if perhaps Iran would stop its mad quest to develop weapons of mass destruction. Many of us are concerned, Mr. Speaker, here in Congress that we may not end up with a very good negotiated settlement. Now, the President has said that it is better to have no deal than to have a bad deal, and Secretary of State John Kerry has said the same thing, and that is exactly what we want to see happen. I am joined tonight by several colleagues who will be talking about this important issue. So I would like to just move right now and yield to a good friend and colleague, a member of the Armed Services Committee, Jackie Walorski of Indiana.

Mr. LAMBORN. I appreciate that, and I think we would agree that of the other countries in the region almost without a doubt Saudi Arabia would want its own bomb.

Mr. LAMBORN. I would like to ask the gentlelady, you mentioned an important point. You talked about what would happen if Iran did, God forbid, achieve the ability to have a nuclear bomb. What would other countries in the region do? What are some of the countries you feel would be compelled to have their own version of a nuclear weapon?

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Eduardo Eurnekian, a truly remarkable man. As Chairman of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation (IRWF), Mr. Eurnekian has made a significant contribution to preserving and promoting the extraordinary legacy of Raoul Wallenberg, the WWII Swedish diplomat who is credited with saving scores of Jews in Budapest from the horrors of the Holocaust. Raoul Wallenberg disappeared on January 17, 1945 when he went to meet with members of the Soviet Army to discuss the future of the Jewish refugees in Hungary. Imprisoned by the Stalinist regime along with his loyal driver, Vilmos Langfelder, his fate and whereabouts, now 70 years later, remain shrouded in mystery. In 1981, our nation honored Raoul Wallenberg by making him an Honorary Citizen of the United States, only the second person to be so honored (following Winston Churchill). More recently, on July 9, 2014, the U.S. Congress presented him the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his humanitarian service. Under the leadership of Mr. Eurnekian and in collaboration with IRWF founder Baruch Tenembaum (who was honored by this House on September 10, 2003), the IRWF has worked tirelessly to preserve and promote the legacy of the hero who became a victim himself. It has been reaching out to tens of thousands of young people around the world, instilling Raoul's spirit of civic courage and solidarity in their hearts and minds. Just recently, Mr. Eurnekian spearheaded the events celebrating the award of the Congressional Gold Medal to Raoul Wallenberg. Dozens of Members of Congress had the opportunity to learn about the IRWF and to pay tribute to its outstanding work at a luncheon ceremony prior to the moving award presentation in the Capitol Rotunda. Mr. Eurnekian was there presented with the ``Guardian of the Rescuer's Legacy,'' a magnificent statue symbolizing peace and solidarity that was created by the renowned artist Frank Meisler. In an effort to raise global awareness of Raoul Wallenberg, and to pay tribute to world leaders who treasure the values of the Swedish hero, Mr. Eurnekian and Mr. Tenembaum have bestowed the Raoul Wallenberg Centennial Medal upon many distinguished individuals throughout the world. These include the former British PM Gordon Brown, the former President of Slovakia Ivo Gasparovic, the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, the former Secretary of Pope John XXIII Cardinal Loris Capovilla, the legendary British savior Sir Nicholas Winton, the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, the Former Minister of Justice of Canada and long-time Wallenberg supporter and prominent human rights activist Professor Irwin Cotler. The IRWF strives to raise awareness of Raoul Wallenberg's legacy and fate, urging international leaders to raise their voices. President Obama did so in his video address of April 19, 2012 entitled ``Remembering and Honoring Courage.'' Similarly, former Australian PM Julia Gillard paid tribute in a video address devoted to the Swedish diplomat. Under Mr. Eurnekian's leadership, the IRWF has not shied away from difficult legal challenges. On August 5, 2014, after a protracted five- year-long battle, the Argentinean Supreme Court overturned a lower court judgment in favor of the grandson of an Argentinean diplomat, Luis Hernan Irigoyen, who had been stationed at the Argentine Embassy in Berlin during the Nazi regime. After the IRWF accused the diplomat of letting Argentine Jews die, the diplomat's grandson sued IRWF for damages. The high court decided that the IRWF will not have to idemnify the diplomat's grandson and that ``even the harshest criticism has Constitutional Protection.'' Years before this unprecedented ruling, following a campaign by the IRWF, the then-Foreign Minister of Argentina, Mr. Rafael Bielsa, ordered the removal of a plaque that was placed inside the Argentine Chancellery in homage to 12 Argentine diplomats (Irigoyen was among them) that allegedly worked in favor of persecuted Jews. The IRWF proved that this honor was undeserved. Mr. Eurnekian is an internationally recognized entrepreneur. He is CEO and President of Corporacion America, whose diverse holdings include management of more than 50 airports, infrastructure development, mining, financial services, energy, agricultural, wine and nano-technology and microchip production. He serves as First Vice- President of the Argentinean Chamber of Commerce and is a Member of the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce. His work has earned him a variety of prestigious awards and prizes, including the following: ``Businessman of the Year'' from (Argentina 1995); ``Leonardo Award'' from the Italian Government (1999); ``Man of the Year'' from the Armenian General Benevolent Union (2010); ``Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin Order'' from the Catholicos of all Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II (2011); ``Certificate of Appreciation'' from UNDP for his role as an ``advocate for sustainable development'' in Armenia (2012); ``Business for Peace Award'' from the Oslo Business for Peace Foundation (2012); ``Businessman of the Year'' from CAMACOL--Latin Chambers of Commerce and Industry (2012); and ``Businessman of the Year--Services Category'' from the Argentine Businessmen Association (2012). In spite of his many commitments, Mr. Eurnekian did not hesitate for a single moment when offered the challenge to lead the IRWF--and he has led with tireless commitment, passion and ingenuity. Now 82 years old, Eduardo Eurnekian continues his activism with passion and vigor. Although he has never received any compensation for his work on behalf of the IRWF, he has generously contributed his own funds to the mission of this important organization, whose membership includes more than 300 heads of state, Nobel Prize laureates and accomplished individuals from all walks of life. Indeed, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, joined its ranks many years ago, and the IRWF is honored to include him, now known as Pope Francis, in its membership. Together with Baruch Tenembaum and in the spirit of the IRWF, Mr. Eurnekian is now working to create an Armenian cultural center in Yerevan, which will highlight the unparalleled contribution of the Armenian diaspora to the world during the last century in the fields of arts, science, culture, social welfare and business. I am honored to pay tribute and express my gratitude and appreciation to Eduardo Eurnekian, and I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on his outstanding achievements.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. I thank the chairman for recognizing me and for his contribution to energy and other policies of our country over many years. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the bipartisan H.R. 2, the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. I am pleased that this package of energy legislation includes legislation I introduced and that has previously passed the House, H.R. 1965, the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act. H.R. 2 will help ensure the successful production of onshore and offshore energy and provides the regulatory certainty energy producers need to produce American-made energy. This creates American jobs, increases revenues to State and local governments, and promotes economic development across the economy. H.R. 2 promotes an all-of-the-above energy strategy, streamlining regulations and expediting the production of both conventional and renewable energy. It will ensure that the Bureau of Land Management has the resources they need to expeditiously process permits for all energy projects on Federal land. The Obama administration has made energy production on Federal land so burdensome and so uncertain that conventional and renewable energy producers are avoiding Federal lands in favor of State and private lands. That is where permits are approved in a timely fashion and are not subject to burdensome and obstructionist lawsuits, and projects can move forward in a stable environment. In my home State of Colorado, a permit for an energy project can be approved in 27 days for State land projects. For a project on Federal land in Colorado, the Obama administration takes nearly a year to approve the same permit. This delay in approvals not only delays energy production, it delays job creation and revenues to State and local governments. Energy producers should not have to choose between whether to produce energy on Federal versus State land just because of permit timelines, lawsuits, and regulations. This legislation injects much-needed certainty into every step of the energy production process. It will ensure timely permit approvals, allow Bureau of Land Management field offices to have the resources they need for energy permits, open up offshore areas for energy production, and ensures that our Nation has a plan for our future energy needs. I urge my colleagues to join me in strong support of this critical legislation.