Robert Latta

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, as the minority has said, we need more spectrum, not less, and we have to win the race for 5G. We have seen, over time, as I have spoken with people across the country for years, it was like the United States was way ahead in 5G, but as time went by, then all of a sudden, we were just a little bit ahead or maybe we were even. If we are going to win this race, we have to have 5G out there. It is absolutely essential. During COVID, some of the things that happened have already been mentioned--telehealth services, the business side, education. For families to stay connected, it is absolutely essential that we have more broadband out there, not less. We need to keep our promise to those that won these auctions that these airways will be available to them. Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a member of my staff, Mike Davin, who will be leaving our office this week. Hailing originally from Philadelphia, Mike has dedicated his career to public service. Mike has worked on behalf of the people of Ohio's Fifth District for the past ten years, where he moved up through the ranks from Intern to Legislative Director. He has worked tirelessly to advance common-sense energy policies, recognize deserving veterans, and streamline government regulations. Recently, Mike was a critical part in ensuring members of the U.S. Army's 720th Military Police Battalion who served our nation in the Vietnam War received a Bronze Star for their service. As Legislative Director, Mike has instilled a sense of comradery in the office, showcasing the positive impact of working together. Mike is a loving father and husband, and I know that as he enters this next chapter in his career, he will have the love of his family supporting him along the way. I am eternally grateful for Mike's work on behalf of the District and our Nation, and I wish him and his family the best.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate a dedicated educator and public servant, Mayor Gregory J. Zilka, who will be retiring after twelve years as Mayor of the City of Avon Lake. Over the course of his career, Mayor Zilka's commitment and leadership to Avon Lake has shaped it into the city it is today. Prior to serving as Mayor of Avon Lake, Mayor Zilka worked as a social studies teacher at Avon Lake High School for thirty-five years. In 1985, he was appointed to the Avon Lake City Council where he served for twenty-six years, fourteen of which he served as President. Mayor Zilka was first elected mayor in 2012. Since then, he has performed over 200 weddings, applied for and received $4,000,000 in grants on behalf of the city, oversaw the construction of 600 new single-family dwellings, and saw the population of Avon Lake grow by over 3,000 people. Mayor Zilka also saw Avon Lake through many complicated issues, including the potential closing of the Ford Ohio Assembly Plant. In the end, the company remained open and announced a $1.5 billion expansion. To help Avon Lake gain more access to Lake Erie, the Mayor oversaw the closing of Avon Lake Power Plant which had dominated the shoreline and skyline for 100 years. Mayor Zilka has also helped organize and participated in Avon Lake's year-long Bicentennial celebrations which brought about the first beer festival as well as other events for Avon Lake's citizens. Mayor Zilka has also been an active volunteer throughout his entire life. In his early 20's, he served in the Peace Corps, where he met his wife of forty-five years. For the past fourteen years, he has been active within the Lorain County Office on Aging's Home Delivered Meals program. Additionally, he volunteers weekly for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lorain County and has served on the board of trustees for organizations including the Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ADAS), Cleveland State Leadership Academy, and the Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital Advisory Council, among many others. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Mayor Gregory J. Zilka of Avon Lake, Ohio. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I recognize the dedication and leadership that Mayor Zilka has shown through his service to his community. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember the life of a dedicated veteran upon his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Donald James Keehan, who sadly passed away last year, has been inducted posthumously after his years of service and contributions to his community and Ohio. Donald's leadership both in and out of uniform was exemplary, whether it was through his service to our nation in the Korean War or as founder and CEO of globally recognized Advanced Polymer Coatings. His work as an entrepreneur in the polymers and resins industry included numerous patents and the development of multiple companies that employed many Ohioans. It was Donald's philanthropic work with youth and military families that established him as a community leader when it came to support for military families, military transition issues, and the broader Northeast Ohio veterans' community. He was instrumental in providing housing for wounded warriors with his rental properties in northeast Ohio. He was also a tremendous mentor to both the professional business community and to the youth of the area. Passionate about philanthropy, Donald supported education by providing more than one million dollars to St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, where he served as a trustee, for students to study innovative engineering and entrepreneurship. He also supported and helped grow Young Men's Chance for Change whose mission is to help inner-city young men achieve better lives and opportunities. Donald's life also revolved around his family. He was married to his wife, Arlene, for 63 years. During that time, they raised six children and became grandparents and then great-grandparents. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the life and service of Donald James Keehan. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I recognize the devotion and compassion that Donald had for his family, community, and Nation. I applaud the special acknowledgment that accompanies his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mr. John Mullins of Ottawa, Ohio, who has been named Putnam County Veteran of the Year. Every year, the Putnam County Veterans Service Commission recognizes a veteran from their county who has been honorably discharged, embodies the spirit of professional excellence, and has significant off-duty community service. After reviewing all the nominees, Mr. Mullins was selected for the honor. Mr. Mullins first entered the U.S. Armed Forces in 1980 and served in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the Air Force in 1992, Mr. Mullins continued serving his community by joining the Ottawa Police Department. He served the City of Ottawa for twenty-five years as part of the police department, while also spending time as a volunteer firefighter for the Ottawa Fire Department. After leaving the police department, Mr. Mullins went on to become a deputy sheriff for the Putnam County Sheriffs Office where he is currently serving. Outside of his public service career, Mr. Mullins has been involved in the VFW, AmVets, and many other organizations that help raise awareness and fund veteran programs. He has helped with the POW/MIA programs for Putnam County while also organizing Ottawa Honor Guard for funerals and other events. Wherever it is possible to help a veteran in need, Mr. Mullins has dedicated his time to do so. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Mr. John Mullins of Ottawa, Ohio, on his selection as the Putnam County Veteran of the Year. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I wish John all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for service to Putnam County and our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Owens Community College's Findlay Campus in Findlay, Ohio. Throughout the years, Owens has been a comprehensive community college providing educational opportunities and training to the residents of our communities. The hard work and spirit shown by generations of students and faculty have made Owens an outstanding educational institution. Originally, Owens Community College was founded in 1965 in Wood County. The college was name after Michael J. Owens, a Toledo-based inventor of automated glass bottle-making technology. In 1983 Owens opened their Findlay Campus which occupies more than 60 acres. With their new campus, Owens was able to expand its coverage and continue to provide education to students from all walks of life. Currently, Owens's service district includes Lucas, Wood, Hancock, and parts of Ottawa counties. Owens Community College offers more than 160 programs and certificates to its students who are preparing for a career, retraining for a new career, seeking professional development, or obtaining credits to transfer to a 4-year college or university. Their dedicated faculty members bring industry knowledge, information, and ideas into the classroom to provide students with a better understanding, how studies will translate into careers. Outside the classroom, students can experience an enriching campus life through student activities, clubs and organizations, athletics, and volunteer activities. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Owens Community College and its students, faculty, and administration on this remarkable occasion. By celebrating the 40th anniversary, community members and Ohio residents recognize Owens's contribution to its students and the surrounding communities. Congratulations to Owens Community College on this significant milestone.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank our chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee for yielding. I rise in support of H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, which is legislation I co-led. California's Air Resources Board has made the decision to ban the sale of new internal combustion engines by the year 2035. This action was a major component in the State's radical climate agenda that is being forced on their citizens. Normally, the actions of one State would not require a Federal response; however, in this case, California's actions extend far beyond their State's borders and will have consequences for all Americans. This is because 17 other States follow California's standards, representing 40 percent of the Nation's car market. When Congress first set up this process, it never intended for California to be able to dictate to the rest of the country what types of vehicles they can purchase. Instead, Congress wanted to give California additional tools to combat smog levels. To make matters worse, California has not clearly considered the impact these actions will have on the Nation's electric grid. As officials from the DOE and FERC confirmed to me this week, we are going to need more power, not less power, in this country to meet consumer demand. If California's Governor is already calling on his residents to conserve energy now to avoid blackouts and brownouts, how in the world will the grid be able to handle the load with millions of additional electric cars? Additionally, the Biden administration is doing nothing to address the problem of accessing all the rare earth minerals that we need to manufacture an all-EV fleet. These materials are controlled by Communist China who will stand to reap the windfall of these policies. H.R. 1435 is a commonsense bill because it institutes a check on any State that seeks to exploit the Clean Air Act. The American people are the better arbiters of what vehicles will serve their families' needs, not bureaucrats with political agendas. Let me be clear: This legislation does not prevent California from being able to retain a waiver from the U.S. EPA to combat their smog issues, which was the original intent of the Clean Air Act. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the transformative innovation coming out of Ohio--innovation that saves and improves lives. For families in my district, this scientific ingenuity matters. I'm proud of the evolution of biomedical science and its application to drug development. To ensure this innovation will benefit our citizens, I encourage my colleagues to support a triad of legislative policies that will expedite market entry, identify patients, and remove barriers to patient access. In an era of government price controls, which are undermining previous congressional efforts to promote innovation, such policies are particularly essential to ensuring continued biopharmaceutical industry investment in new technologies to treat rare diseases. We can work to collectively pass legislative items to increase access to treat rare diseases, as well as enact policies that will improve newborn screening, better facilitate genetic testing, and enhance the level of care disease expertise and experience on Food and Drug Administration review teams to allow for more consistent application of benefit-risk, real world evidence, and patient experience data. I'd like to flag that gene therapy is the next evolution in treatment for rare diseases like hemophilia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria, hereditary angioedema, OTC deficiency, severe combined immunodeficiency disease, Pompe disease, and muscular dystrophy. It has the potential to be the first type of therapeutic intervention for hundreds of rare pediatric disorders that lack or had lacked any treatment option, including AADC deficiency, epidermolysis bullosa, metachromatic leukodystrophy, and adrenoleukodystrophy. The biopharmaceutical industry has invested billions of dollars in gene therapy clinical trials for such conditions at institutions throughout Ohio, including Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Cleveland Clinic, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Akron Children's Hospital, and Dayton Children's Hospital. Gene therapy is the focus of the nearly $100 million in grants that the National Institutes of Health has awarded in recent years to researchers throughout Ohio. For example, Dr. Krystof Bankiewicz from Ohio State has received nearly $15 million for researching a gene therapy to treat AADC deficiency, which is a fatal neurodevelopmental disorder with only 135 identified patients in the world. Due to an enzyme deficiency, ``children lack muscle control, and are usually unable to speak, feed themselves or even hold up their head,'' according to Dr. Bankiewicz. By transferring a functional copy of the AADC gene to allow for endogenous AADC enzyme production, clinical trial data have demonstrated that this gene therapy prevents oculogyric crises, allows the child to develop control, sit up, and walk, and generally improves quality of life. Our institutions and clinicians in Ohio are truly the leaders among peers in biopharmaceutical innovation for rare disorders. The development and commercialization of safe, effective, and durable gene therapy for these rare disorders is precisely what Congress intended when it enacted the 21st Century Cures Act (including the Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy program), the Orphan Drug Act, the Breakthrough Therapy program, and the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher program. The American people deserve a return on the biopharmaceutical industry investment in bringing gene therapies to patients, as well as the NIH support of basic research and early-stage clinical studies. If patients have an incomplete diagnosis or if diagnosed patients are subject to step therapy or other coverage restrictions or denials, gene therapy will not benefit those who need it.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Wood County Agricultural Society on the 150th Anniversary of the Wood County Fair. Since 1873, the Wood County Fair has been a proud tradition of Northwest Ohio and has served as an outlet for county residents to showcase their talents, skills, and benevolence. Over the course of 150 years, the Fair has continued to promote the county's heritage, bring the community together, and encourage friendly competition with the junior fair. The first Wood County Fair was held near the corner of today's W. Wooster and N. Grove Streets in Bowling Green, Ohio. Between 1851 to 1885, it was held in various locations around Wood County including Bowling Green, Perrysburg, Portage, and Tontogany. From 1882 to 1927, the fair was held in what is now the Bowling Green City Park. Although there was not an official fair between 1928 to 1950, events that highlighted and celebrated the county's agriculture base included Tomato Festivals, Harvest Festivals, and Fall Festivals. The fair has been held at the current location since 1951. Although the first fair wasn't held until 1873, Wood County's beginnings set the foundation for the agricultural spirit that is still felt today during the fair. Wood County was once home to the Great Black Swamp. This made settlement of the area extremely difficult, but the pioneering spirit of early residents produced an extensive system of ditches, which drained the swamp and revealed the rich farmland beneath. There are still more than 3,000 miles of drainage ditches keeping the county dry to this day, and agriculture continues to power Wood County's economy. Even after the population spiked due to the discovery of oil and natural gas in the late 1800s, agriculture continued to dominate Wood County's economy. The county supports the rural traditions and history of the area that fosters agricultural ingenuity, manufacturing developments, and educational success. All of these factors have contributed to a successful fair that highlights all aspects of the county. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Wood County Agricultural Society on this significant milestone. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I wish the Wood County Agricultural Society continued success on this 150th Wood County Fair.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1338, the Satellite And Telecommunications Streamlining Act, led by the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Over the last several years, the satellite marketplace has changed drastically. Every American now expects fast, reliable access to the internet no matter where they are, and satellite communications networks play an important role in bridging the digital divide. Today, new innovations in the satellite marketplace now enable speeds comparable to the other internet service providers. This new and enhanced satellite service is especially important in rural Ohio and other rural areas across America. For Americans who have never had internet, satellite broadband can enable families to connect with distant relatives, children to complete their homework and receive an education online, and users to access telehealth services. The new speeds and low latency provided by satellite communications networks are enabled by several advancements in technology. First, some new satellite communications networks operate in low- Earth orbit, which means their radio signals do not have to travel as far as other satellite communications signals. As a result, communications networks offering low-Earth orbit can provide lower latency services that can deliver a better experience for consumers. Additionally, some new satellite communications networks have more satellite radio stations in their network than satellite communications networks that were licensed many years ago. In some cases, there are thousands of radios, all of which work together in concert to provide faster, more reliable connectivity service. Finally, investment and innovation in new satellite communications networks have led to novel proposals to use electromagnetic spectrum in new ways. By their nature, satellite communications networks serve global markets and therefore share the use of electromagnetic spectrum. The complex design and architecture of these satellites, as well as how they utilize spectrum, has led to more advanced satellite service offerings. However, all of this change has amplified the challenges with the Federal Communications Commission's licensing process. A regulatory process that once contemplated only a handful of applications has seen dozens of applicants seeking new applications, modifications to existing applications, and new uses of spectrum that the old regulatory regime was not designed to address. To provide needed direction to the FCC and promote competition and innovation, the Satellite And Telecommunications Streamlining Act is the first legislation in decades to modernize the regulatory framework for licensing commercial satellite communications networks. H.R. 1338 would bring our licensing framework for satellite communications into the 21st century, especially as we compete against other countries like China that seek to dominate the United States. The legislation would establish a statutory framework at the FCC that provides a streamlined process for considering new satellite communications licenses, modifying existing ones, and facilitating the deployment of innovative communications technologies. In addition to bringing next-generation satellite connectivity to Americans and the world, H.R. 1338 would also promote U.S. technological leadership. By creating a regulatory environment that invites investment and rewards innovation, we can turn the United States into the destination of choice for licensing satellite communications systems for providers around the world. While the use of spectrum must be coordinated internationally, ensuring timely access to predictable, reliable use of shared spectrum in the United States will send a signal that the government wants to be a partner, not a roadblock, to deploying next-generation technologies. This is key as the United States looks to defend America's technological leadership against China. The Satellite And Telecommunications Streamlining Act will ensure the United States' regulatory process doesn't hold back American innovation. China can act unilaterally to approve changes to their satellite communications system and spectrum usage, which is a far cry from the competitive, market-based spectrum licensing system in the United States. In order for the government to be a partner and not a roadblock, it must make sure that innovative, new satellite spectrum technologies make it from the lab to orbit in a timely manner. H.R. 1338 will ensure that there is a fair regulatory regime built on an objective, performance-based system that facilitates the investment needed to maintain our technological leadership. Also, the FCC currently has authority under the Communications Act to attach conditions to licenses for satellite communications systems to ensure licensees are acting in the public interest. This authority has been upheld by the courts. The Energy and Commerce Committee wants to ensure that the FCC does not become a space traffic cop and try to manage space traffic management functions or provide space situational awareness information. We added rules of construction to clarify that the FCC does not have the authority to be that space traffic cop and to affirm that nothing in H.R. 1338 would expand the existing authority the FCC currently has regarding orbital debris and space safety. The rules of construction also clarify that nothing in H.R. 1338 grants the FCC the authority to carry out functions provided under 10 U.S.C. 2274 related to the provision of space situational awareness services and information. The FCC uses its current authority to attach conditions to spectrum licenses relating to orbital debris and space safety capabilities to prevent harmful interference among satellite systems and avoid granting licenses to potentially unsafe satellite communications systems that would jeopardize space safety and exacerbate orbital debris. This legislation is good government. It provides statutory direction and boundaries to the FCC rather than allowing it to retrofit old laws for the new marketplace. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1338, the Satellite And Telecommunications Streamlining Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn), from Florida's Second District.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1338) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide authority for certain licenses, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Fulcher).

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, we have heard from so many of our speakers this afternoon about how essential H.R. 1338 is to promote effective information sharing, collaboration, and response efforts to establish the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019. The legislation facilitates the public-private partnerships to develop and implement cybersecurity policies related to the communications networks. By encouraging this collaboration between the government agencies and stakeholders, we can all work together to address the cyber threats and vulnerabilities more effectively. Again, this piece of legislation passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. We worked together on this in a bipartisan manner, and with a vote of 44-0, that bill came out of committee. It is a good piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1338, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1345) to amend the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to establish the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity, and for other purposes.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis), the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1345, the NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act, led by the gentleman from Utah's Third District and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania's Seventh District. As our world becomes more increasingly digitized and interconnected, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. Cybersecurity threats, whether originating from State actors, criminal organizations, or malicious hackers, pose significant risks to our national security, economy, and the privacy of our citizens. The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks underscore the urgency of addressing this ever-evolving challenge. The NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act bolsters our Nation's cybersecurity posture by strengthening the coordination between the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, and other relevant Federal agency. The bill renames the existing NTIA Office of Policy and Analysis and Development to the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity and codifies the existing activities of the office. H.R. 1345 seeks to promote effective information sharing, collaboration, and response efforts established in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. Moreover, the legislation facilitates public-private partnerships to develop and implement cybersecurity policies related to the communication networks. By encouraging collaboration between government agencies and stakeholders, we can work together to address cyber threats and vulnerabilities more effectively. This bipartisan legislation passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 44-0, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1345. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Fulcher).

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman just stated, this bill encourages collaboration between government agencies and stakeholders so that we can work together to address cyber threats and vulnerabilities more effectively. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage by the House, and I yield back the balance of my time.