Robert Latta

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Matthew Butson of Metamora, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Matthew's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Naval Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Matthew brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio, Matthew was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as serving on student council and as class vice president his senior year. Throughout high school, Matthew participated in football and basketball, serving as co-captain of the football team his senior year. I am confident that Matthew will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Naval Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Matthew Butson on the offer of his appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Matthew will excel during his career at the Naval Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Abigail Yeager of Holland, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Abigail's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Abigail brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending Springfield High School in Holland, Ohio, Abigail established a tutoring program at Holland Elementary School, received a Youth Jefferson Award for Public Service, and was ranked third in her class. Throughout high school, Abigail participated in soccer, cross- country, track and field, and swimming, earning multiple varsity letters. Abigail also served as a Student Ambassador to the Springfield Local Schools Board of Education. I am confident that Abigail will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Abigail Yeager on her offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Abigail will excel during her career at West Point, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Elizabeth Shaffer of Hicksville, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Elizabeth's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Elizabeth brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending Hicksville High School in Hicksville, Ohio, Elizabeth was a member of the National Honor Society and class president. Throughout high school, Elizabeth served as team captain on the basketball, track, and volleyball teams, and participated in the marching band. I am confident that Elizabeth will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Air Force Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Elizabeth Shaffer on the offer of her appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Elizabeth will excel during her career at the Air Force Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Allena Rose of Toledo, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Allena's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Allena brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio, Allena was a member of the National Honor Society, student council and was ranked in the top five percent of her class. Throughout high school, Allena participated in varsity and club volleyball, including serving as a floor captain. Allena also participated in the Spirit Club and Mu Alpha Theta honors society. I am confident that Allena will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Allena Rose on her offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Allena will excel during her career at West Point, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my Ohio colleagues to congratulate our colleague Steve Stivers on this great momentous occasion of being promoted to brigadier general. I have known my friend since our days in the Ohio General Assembly. I remember when he was deployed for his service that he so unselfishly gave to his Nation in uniform. With Steve, you can go back in history. It was 242 years ago last week, on April 18, 1775, that Paul Revere, Dawes, and Prescott rode across the countryside and said that the regulars were out. It was on the morning of April 19 that men left their shops, left their plows, and went to that call. It was that citizen soldier that went out there to make sure that this Nation attained the freedom that we have today. From the National Guard and all of our men and women that are serving in uniform across all the services, it is because of them that we have the right to stand here today. I applaud Congressman Stivers on his promotion to brigadier. And we, along with our colleagues in the Senate, congratulate him. Mr. Speaker, I thank him very much for his service.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution and want to address an issue created by the Federal Communication Commission's misguided privacy rule in a recent Ninth Circuit case. For decades, the Federal Trade Commission has been the privacy cop on the beat for most industries, including the technology sector, protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The Federal Trade Commission has brought over 500 privacy and data security cases to protect consumers. These include cases against internet service providers and some of the largest edge providers. The Federal Communications Commission is a regulatory body focused on regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The Federal Trade Commission's work in privacy and data security has long been held up as a model by both parties, praising the agency for strong enforcement without overly burdensome regulations. During negotiations with the European Union to finalize the U.S.-European privacy shield, the Obama administration held up the Federal Trade Commission as the premier privacy enforcement agency. Unfortunately, in a midnight action, the Federal Communications Commission jammed through its own privacy rule that is very different from the framework that the Federal Trade Commission has been enforcing for decades. While we can reverse the poorly constructed FCC rule today, we must still address a recent court ruling. The Ninth Circuit recently ruled that the common carrier exemption in the Federal Trade Commission Act exempts an entity in its entirety from the Federal Trade Commission's jurisdiction if it engages in any common carrier activities, even if the company also engages in non-common carrier activity. I have introduced legislation to address the court's ruling with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson). It is my hope that our colleagues will join us. S.J. Res. 34 makes clear that the Federal Trade Commission has authority over common carriers when they are acting outside the scope of the common carrier. The repeal of the Federal Communications Commission's misguided privacy rule in the Ninth Circuit's opinion creates a gap and an irrational approach to privacy for consumers and would leave portions of the internet ecosystem completely outside the Federal Trade Commission's jurisdiction. This bill makes clear that the common carrier exemption is important to ensure that no duplication regulation occurs. At the same time, there are no loopholes left for certain companies to be outside the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission. We need to be consistent in our approach to privacy and focus on consumer-oriented enforcement. This approach has been the foundation not just of Silicon Valley, but innovators across the country; and the S.J. Res. 34 sets right the decades of innovation that has spurred job growth in the United States and greater online services for consumers.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize WTOL's Emmy Award-winning anchor, Jerry Anderson, for his election to the Ohio Associated Press Hall of Fame. For more than 40 years, Jerry has served Northwest Ohio as a valued and trustworthy face on the local news, and this honor is well deserved. In 1974, Jerry Anderson started his career in Bowling Green on the radio airwaves for WFOB. Jerry began his television news career in 1980, and he has become one of the top media members in the region. Jerry was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding News Anchor in the NATAS region in 2001. With a career that has touched on local, regional, and national news, Jerry covered countless important events to the people of Toledo and surrounding areas. So far in his career, Jerry has brought four national political conventions, the inaugurations of three presidents, and Pope John Paul II's visit to Detroit into the living room of families in Northwest Ohio. A proud Ohioan, Jerry should also be celebrated for support of local charitable efforts, including earning his certification as an auctioneer so he may volunteer for more than 20 charity auctions annually. Jerry also donates numerous hours as an emcee at community events to help raise funding for local schools, disadvantaged families, and individuals with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, the Ohio Associated Press Hall of Fame recognizes broadcasters that have ``served with exceptional distinction and honor in the field of journalism.'' When you think of the upstanding work he has done for over four decades, it's clear those words describe Jerry Anderson. Once again, congratulations to Jerry on this high honor.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate a treasured institution in my hometown of Bowling Green, Ohio, the Sentinel-Tribune Newspaper. The Sentinel-Tribune, a staple of Wood County has provided news coverage for the local community for 150 years and continues to be a must-read six days a week. The Sentinel-Tribune began as just the Sentinel when it was originally established in 1867. The Sentinel served the people of Bowling Green and southern Wood County who sought to change the county seat from Perrysburg to Bowling Green. In 1906, a merger with the Tribune was initiated, becoming the publication we recognize today. While the newspaper business has changed drastically since the 1800's, the Sentinel-Tribune has kept pace. Advances in technology have allowed anyone to share information at the push of a button and news travels quicker than ever. The Sentinel-Tribune continues to adapt to serve its readership through daily circulations and a growing digital presence. The Sentinel-Tribune has proven that it is an indispensible source for its readers that want to know what is happening in their community, their state, and their country. It's a testament to the leadership, the reporters, and the staff at the newspaper that they have been so successful for a century and a half. Mr. Speaker, a news publication that continues to serve the public interest as well as the Sentinel-Tribune deserves to be celebrated and honored. The paper remains a trusted and valued news publication that has served the people of Ohio for 150 years. I want to recognize the Sentinel-Tribune for its years of service to the people of Ohio and the local community.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the City of Findlay, Ohio for being named a 2016 Top Micropolitan Community in the United States. This is the third year in a row that Findlay has been selected by Site Selection magazine for this honor. Site Selection ranks micropolitan areas, which have populations ranging between 10,000 and 50,000, by evaluating different sets of criteria for opportunities to provide proven sustainable success. Findlay, once again, ranked highest out of these cities with 22 projects that secure and grow the local economic growth of the community. Findlay has made quite a name for itself by focusing their efforts on steady economic development. Site Selection has deemed this the ``Findlay Formula,'' the building of strong, reliable partnerships from the local government arena to both business and nonprofit organizations. Mr. Speaker, the success in Findlay is a testament to the strong leadership and tight-knit community that exists in Hancock County. I'm excited about potential future development and the benefits it will bring to residents and businesses that are proud to call Findlay home. Congratulations once again to the City of Findlay for being named a top Micropolitan community.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, again, I am pleased to support another resolution from our colleagues from across the aisle. Broadband and the Internet have become nearly indispensable parts of our 21st century economy. Whether it is bringing the world's information to your fingertips or connecting you to people around the world, it is increasingly clear that improved access to the Internet is a vital part of our digital future, and particularly so for our Nation's children. This resolution affirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to ensuring all Americans, particularly students, have the tools they need to succeed. As members of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Democrats and Republicans alike firmly espouse the goal of bringing broadband access to all children of the United States. I thank the gentleman from Vermont for shining a light on this important issue, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 939. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 939) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that access to digital communications tools and connectivity is necessary to prepare youth in the United States to compete in the 21st century economy.

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 insert extraneous materials in the Record on the resolution.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentleman from Vermont. I know we have worked for well over a year now on rural issues on the committee, and I appreciate his leadership on that. I also thank the gentleman for working across the aisle with us to highlight this important need. American students must have every tool to prepare themselves for an increasingly competitive future, and I hope that my colleagues will join me in support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6394) to require the Federal Communications Commission to submit to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans.

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 insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6394, the Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2016. Our veterans face unique and difficult challenges upon their return home from service, but access to broadband Internet service should not be one. Broadband access can help equip our veterans with the tools necessary to be successful in today's 21st century economy, and that is why I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense, nonpartisan bill. H.R. 6394 simply requires the Federal Communications Commission to submit a report to Congress on ways to better improve access to broadband for our Nation's veterans; in particular, low-income veterans and veterans living in rural areas. We as legislators will be able to make better informed policy decisions based upon the recommendations made in the report and, thereby, help ensure our veterans have access to such a fundamental tool in today's economy. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6394. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, there are more than 20 million veterans across the Nation, and every single one of them deserves access to broadband Internet. This bill can help give Congress the information it needs to help improve the lives of our veterans, and I urge all of my colleagues for their support of the gentleman's legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 932) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to third-party charges on consumer telephone bills.

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 insert extraneous materials in the Record on the resolution.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of H. Res. 932, a sense of Congress offered by our colleague, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky). The use of third-party billing on consumer telephone bills can provide consumers with convenience. Unfortunately, this has also been an area that has resulted in consumer fraud. I agree with the gentlewoman that we should support efforts to provide consumers with tools to protect themselves from experiencing unauthorized charges on their phone bills. Though there are existing protections in place that prohibit so-called cramming, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that America's consumers aren't footing the bills for these unauthorized and illegal charges from third-party vendors. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 932, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This is another area where I am proud to join my colleagues in showing the bipartisan work that has been the hallmark of the Energy and Commerce Committee. I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois for her leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2234, the Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal Act, companion legislation I introduced earlier this Congress as H.R. 3929 to honor and recognize these brave veterans for their superior service and major contributions made during World War II. The Office of Strategic Services, the OSS as it is often referred to, was America's first strategic intelligence service during World War II and provided the basis for the modern-day American intelligence and special operations communities. Under the leadership of OSS founder, General Bill Donovan, the OSS conducted acts of great bravery during the war, and their efforts were another factor to the Allied victory in World War II. Let me name a few. These efforts included: Organizing, training, supplying, and fighting with resistance organizations throughout Europe and Asia; Engaging in successful guerrilla warfare deep in enemy territory; Establishing intelligence networks before the successful Allied invasion of French North Africa, known as Operation Torch; Rescuing more than 500 downed allied airmen behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia during Operation Halyard, one of the most daring and successful rescue missions of World War II; Conducting mercy missions at the end of the war that saved thousands of Allied prisoners of war; and Inventing and utilizing new technology, weapons, and revolutionary communications equipment never before seen. General Eisenhower said that if it did nothing else, the photographic reconnaissance conducted by the OSS before the D-day invasion in June of 1944 justified its creation. I am truly proud to be here today to honor these men and women who truly embody the greatest generation. Several members of the OSS came from northwest and west central Ohio, including Arthur Jibilian, who took part in Operation Helyard in Yugoslavia; Captain Stephanie Czech Rader; and another veteran who flew OSS missions in B-24s behind enemy lines into occupied France. They have earned and deserve this recognition. Congress and our Nation are proud of them, and we are grateful for their dedicated service. This Congressional Gold Medal is one way we can extend our gratitude. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Speaker Ryan, Leader McCarthy, and all of the leadership team, Senators Blunt and Warner, Chairman Nunes and Ranking Member Schiff, Chairman Ed Royce, Representative Marcy Kaptur, and all of my other colleagues, including the 320 Members that cosponsored this legislation, for their time, hard work, and support. I would also be remiss if I did not also thank the OSS Society and all those involved for their time and hard work in keeping the legacy of these OSS veterans forever alive. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of S. 2234 and bestow upon the OSS the Congressional Gold Medal. I thank the gentleman for yielding.