Blaine Luetkemeyer

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the ``Peace Memorial Monument Committee'' of the Gokasho region of Japan which, since 1995, has honored the lives of a World War II U.S. Army Air Corps crew that perished near the local town of Takachiho. On August 30th, 1945, an American B-29 Bomber with twelve Army Air Corps crew members on board clipped the peak of the Oyaji mountain in Takachiho. The bomber was on a mission to the Allied POW detention center at Kaitanko of Miyawaka, Fukuoka to air drop relief supplies. The ensuing crash left no survivors. The crew members' bodies were retrieved by the U.S. military with the help of the citizens of Takachiho. The names of the flight crew members that perished are Alfred Eiken of Missouri, Henry Baker of Tennessee, Jack Riggs of Kansas, George Williamson of Pennsylvania, John Cornwell of Texas, Henry Frees of Illinois, Solomon Groner of New York, Walter Gusteveson of Pennsylvania, Norman Henninger of Ohio, John Hodges, Jr. of Virginia, John Dangerfield of Utah, and Bob Miller of Utah. In 1995, the ``Peace Memorial Monument Committee,'' which is organized by the people of the Gokasho region of Japan, constructed the Peace Memorial Monument to honor this Army Air Corps crew as well as that of a Japanese Army Fighter jet ``Hayabusa'' which crashed in a nearby mountain town. A memorial ceremony has been held each year since 1995 to commemorate these two tragedies and pray for continued peace and friendship between the United States and Japan. The ceremony is held on the Saturday in August nearest to August 30th, the date of the American crash. Mr. Speaker, I am humbled to have the privilege of recognizing these fallen warriors, as well as the act of commitment to peace and friendship by the people of the Gokasho region that has flourished from this tragedy. In closing, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the Gokasho ``Peace Memorial Monument Committee,'' and the twelve American Air Corps crew members whose lives they have not forgotten.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mrs. Eloise Bronak on her 100th Birthday, which she will be celebrating on July 28, 2015. Eloise Bronak was born in Decatur, Illinois. She has lived in Texas and Michigan, and eventually settled in St. Clair, MO. For the past seven years, she has lived at Willow Brooke Assisted Living Facility in Union, MO. Eloise served our nation during World War II as a Navy nurse. In 1944, Eloise joined the Navy as a registered nurse, but was unable to serve overseas due to her height. ``They wouldn't let me go overseas because I was too little--I couldn't stretch enough,'' she joked. ``I was to take what was left over.'' During her service of three years in the Navy, Eloise took care of wounded soldiers who returned to the United States. After her time in the service, she continued to serve in the medical field by working in public health, at the medical department at Chrysler in St. Louis, MO, and in health care in St. Louis County. Eloise had the opportunity to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. with the Franklin County Honor Flight. Birthdays are a very special time. It's a time to come together and celebrate your life and accomplishments and recognize the impact that you have had on the lives of those around you. I ask you in joining me in recognizing Eloise Bronak on this momentous occasion.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent of mine, Dr. Ron Kruse. He retired as Executive Director from the Developmental Services of Franklin County on June 8, 2015. Dr. Kruse has contributed to the county for 28 years. Dr. Kruse was the first employee and executive director hired in 1987, and under his leadership DSFC expanded to a team of 142 employees. He served 38 years in the field, 28 of those serving the people of Franklin County with developmental disabilities. His work provided case management at the local level by developing the Franklin County Dental Network, Behavioral Services Early Intervention programming, and by partnering with county agencies to meet the residents' transportation needs. This showcases his ability to make a positive impact and leave behind a strong legacy with an organization that provides quality, innovative services. DSFC enhances employment opportunities, educational and developmental programs, family support programs, and community living options. The organization also promotes public awareness and community collaboration to serve individuals with developmental disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Autism, or a similar condition diagnosed before the age of 22. Thanks to Dr. Kruse's efforts, Franklin County will continue to move in the right direction for people with development disabilities. With this retirement, Dr. Ron Kruse can now spend more time with his family which includes: his wife Pamela, daughters Jill and Kate, and grandson Ellis. I ask you to join me in recognizing Dr. Ron Kruse on his retirement after 28 years of commitment to his community.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the text of H.R. 2722, as proposed to be passed under suspension of the rules, be modified by the amendment that I have placed at the desk.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Guinta).

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 251, the Homes for Heroes Act of 2015. This bill, introduced by my colleague from Texas, Congressman Al Green, would establish the position of special assistant for Veterans Affairs within HUD to coordinate services provided to homeless veterans and to serve as HUD's liaison to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, State and local officials, and nonprofit service organizations. The position is currently in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs. This transfer highlights the importance of this issue. H.R. 251 would also require HUD to submit a comprehensive annual report to Congress on the housing needs of homeless veterans and the steps undertaken by HUD to meet these needs. Previous iterations of H.R. 251 have garnered broad support in the past. In 2013, the bill passed by a vote of 420-3; in 2012, by a vote of 414-5; in 2009, by a vote of 417-2; and in 2008, by a vote of 412-9. Our servicemen and -women continue to bravely serve our country both here and abroad. The least we can do is ensure they have proper access to the services offered to them. This bill represents a step in that direction. I urge my colleagues to again support this worthy endeavor. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 251) to transfer the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs in the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Office of the Secretary, and for other purposes.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, just to reiterate and, again, congratulate and associate our remarks with the fine gentleman's from Texas (Mr. Al Green), one can see that his hard work and advocacy and his passion for this issue is unparalleled. We certainly want to continue to support him, and we urge the support of this body for his fine bill here, H.R. 251. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Just to reiterate, the gentleman from Texas and the fine ladies from New York and California have really done a good job of explaining this bill. The importance of this, the fact that we are going to try and go after one of the Nation's leading killers, a disease that has claimed many lives, I think it is important to show that the bipartisan support here and the well wishes and good intentions of the group are something where it is nice to see something like this happen in Congress. I urge support of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

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

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions), the distinguished chairman of the Rules Committee.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. 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. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2722) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition of the fight against breast cancer, as amended.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Blair Oaks High School on its Bronze Medal Award as a top Missouri High School from U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing Blair Oaks High School for a job well done.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Chamois High School on its Bronze Medal Award as a top Missouri High School from U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing Chamois High School for a job well done.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ft. Zumwalt South High School on its Bronze Medal Award as a top Missouri High School from U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing Ft. Zumwalt South High School for a job well done.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Fatima High School on its Bronze Medal Award as a top Missouri High School from U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing Fatima High School for a job well done.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating New Haven High School on its Bronze Medal Award as a top Missouri High School from U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing New Haven High School for a job well done.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Seckman Senior High School on its Bronze Medal Award as a top Missouri High School from U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing Seckman Senior High School for a job well done.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Timberland High School on its Bronze Medal Award as a top Missouri High School from U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing Timberland High School for a job well done.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Francis Howell Central High School for its placement in the top 25 Missouri high schools as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout this past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing Francis Howell Central High School for a job well done.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Clair High School on its Bronze Medal Award as a top Missouri High School from U.S. News and World Report. This school's administration, teachers, and students should be commended for all of their hard work throughout the past year and for their commitment to education. I ask you to join me in recognizing St. Clair High School for a job well done.