Darin LaHood

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I missed Roll Call No. 338 today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 338. Stated against:

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I had to miss votes today to travel back to Illinois. Had I been present, I would have voted: AYE on Roll Call No. 327, AYE on Roll Call No. 328, NO on Roll Call No. 329, NAY on Roll Call No. 330, YEA on Roll Call No. 331, NAY on Roll Call No. 332, YEA on Roll Call No. 333, NAY on Roll Call No. 334, and YEA on Roll Call No. 335.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment. The longstanding U.S. military investment for the independent Lebanese Armed Forces has worked to support U.S. security interests in the Middle East for over 15 years. Discontinuing this funding now will only serve to embolden Hezbollah on Lebanon's southern border. I am proud to represent over 8,000 Lebanese-American families in my district in Peoria, Illinois. As the co-chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Congressional Caucus and a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I work closely with the brave men and women in the U.S. military and intelligence community to ensure robust and stringent oversight of U.S. investment into the Lebanese Armed Forces, including our Special Forces members embedded with the LAF. Let me just repeat that: Every day, we have 30 U.S. military Special Forces embedded with the LAF. There has not been one piece of evidence presented today from our U.S. military that, in fact, any of this money goes to Hezbollah or anybody else. Given the ongoing tension between Israel and Hezbollah, this is the wrong time to prohibit this funding. It would only serve to strengthen Hezbollah on the battlefield against Israel. The stability of the LAF is imperative to the region and serves as an important counter to Hezbollah's damaging presence in Lebanon. The LAF, the Lebanese Armed Forces, stands as an independent, secular force in Lebanon, preventing terror attacks by ISIS, countering the actions of Hezbollah, fighting against weapons and drug smuggling, and maintaining internal stability. They are the glue that keeps the country together. I agree with my colleague that we must be responsible stewards of taxpayer money spent abroad and continue to ensure necessary oversight mechanisms are in place to prevent money from falling into the wrong hands. However, we must not make decisions based on generalities, misinformation, or conspiracy theories but, instead, trust the U.S. military experts on the ground who provide oversight and serve our national security interests. The LAF remains one of the strongest functioning partners the U.S. military has in the Middle East, and destabilizing the LAF will only strengthen Hezbollah and further provoke instability with Israel. I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to commemorate the life of Akiko Soellner of Harvard, Illinois who sadly passed away on June 10, 2024. Akiko was born on October 14, 1965, in Hamamatsu, Japan to parents Toshio and Makie Tomida. She married Peter Soellner on June 25, 1994 in Japan, and they have resided in Harvard since 2018 following Peter's retirement from the Illinois Air National Guard. Akiko is survived by her husband Peter; her cherished daughter Mica; and their loving cats Zippo and Q. She was preceded in death by Toshio Tomida, as well as longtime family pets Bailey, Boots, and cousin Sookie. I join our Illinois community in mourning the loss of Akiko and send my condolences to her family and loved ones. May Akiko's memory be a blessing.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and congratulate Scott Wheeler on his retirement from Midwest Communications' Peoria stations after 46 years in the industry. Scott Wheeler was hired as a radio personality and promotions director by the Top-40 radio station KZ93-FM in 1987. During his career, he worked as a director of production, promotions, programming, and operations. Wheeler also held the positions of Morning Show Host, Brand Manager, and Air Personality. In 1997, he launched Big Oldies 93.3 which received the top ratings throughout its 10-year duration. During his time as a radio personality, Scott Wheeler has been recognized with numerous accolades for his exemplary professional performance. He was recognized as one of Radio Ink Magazine's ``Top Ten Best Small Market Program Directors in America'' from 1999 until 2003. Wheeler was known for his tremendous contributions to the radio community, as well as his success at CHR KZ93 and Big Oldies 93.3. Scott Wheeler has always been committed to his work and his community. It is my privilege to congratulate him on his accomplished career as a radio personality. We have all been blessed to have Scott Wheeler on our radio. The City of Peoria is a better place because of his airtime presence.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the primary sponsor of H.R. 1402, a bill originally introduced by Representative Higgins of New York, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I had to miss votes today to travel back to Illinois. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 218.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of National Police Week, a week we set aside to thank more than 800,000 police officers who put on the badge and risk their lives to protect our communities. We thank them for their brave service. Our police officers play an essential role in our community, working to keep us safe, upholding the rule of law, and responding to emergencies. Illinois is home to many upstanding, honorable, courageous, and self- sacrificing police officers, including Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria and the village of Durand Police Chief Michael Reiman, who are on this poster. Mr. Speaker, we also take the time to mourn the loss of our fallen officers whose lives were lost in the line of duty. On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 61 hours. We must never forget their sacrifice. Lastly, I thank the law enforcement support network--their families, parents, wives, husbands, and children--for the sacrifices they make when their loved ones serve as police officers. At a time when our law enforcement is constantly under attack, Congress must continue to stand with the police and back the blue.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on the warrant amendment and a ``yes'' vote on our underlying bill.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this bill. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act. Over the past year, I have led the Intelligence Committee task force on FISA reauthorization, working with my colleagues to find commonsense reforms to the processes under section 702 to create a balance between protecting national security and preserving constitutional liberties afforded to all U.S. persons. It is important to state at the outset that section 702 is used only to target bad actors overseas and our adversaries who are not protected under the Fourth Amendment. It is not used to surveil or target Americans. Throughout our process, we regularly engage with national security leaders, former Trump administration officials, and our colleagues both on the Judiciary Committee and throughout the Conference. This bill before us makes targeted, meaningful changes to FISA and section 702 without upending the statute in a way that will lead to unintended consequences resulting in the United States being less safe. Prior to coming to Congress, I served as an assistant U.S. attorney and chief terrorism prosecutor. I witnessed firsthand the valuable use of FISA. Section 702 is a critical tool that helps the IC defend the United States against the malign actors we worry about daily, and the value of what 702 has done for our country over the last 15-plus years is immense. I will mention four existential things that have happened in the last 9 years: the taking out of bin Laden; the assassination of Soleimani, the Iranian leader, by President Trump; the taking out of al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS; and last year, the taking out of al-Zawahiri. The use of 702 in all of those cases was definitive in the taking out of those terrorists. I also say, with this bill, it institutes the largest reform of the FBI in a generation. It makes the necessary changes to prevent potential bad actors from improperly utilizing FISA from anything other than its intended use, protecting Americans from foreign threats. Particularly, in this day and age, with China, what is going on in the Middle East, and the nonenforcement at our southern border, it is now more important than ever that we have a vibrant, robust 702 in place. Lastly, I include in the Record a letter from Mike Pompeo, John Ratcliffe, Devin Nunes, William Barr, and Robert O'Brien, former Trump administration officials that worked in national security, where they specifically support our bill and express grave concerns about the warrant amendment that will be brought up today. December 7, 2023. Hon. Mike Johnson, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, As former officials who have either worked for or with the Intelligence Community, we write today with serious concerns that a critical tool to keep Americans safe will cease to be available to the men and women who protect the United States each day. At the end of this month, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will sunset. This is one of the most critical tools the Intelligence Community has at its disposal. Section 702 must be reauthorized and, as evidenced by the FBI's prior flagrant abuses, FISA must also be reformed. Those reforms should focus on concrete improvements--including congressional oversight of and access to FISA Court transcripts--rather than a warrant requirement that may not achieve its intended objectives and could hinder current national security efforts. We urge you to support the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence's bipartisan bill sponsored by Chairman Mike Turner and Ranking Member Jim Himes. Respectfully, Mike Pompeo, Former Secretary of State, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. William Barr, Former Attorney General of the United States. John Ratcliffe, Former Director of National Intelligence. Robert O'Brien, Former National Security Advisor to the President. Devin Nunes, Former Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge Chairman Westerman for his leadership on the Committee on Natural Resources. I am honored to be here today. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in strong support of my bill, H.R. 6233, the Community Reclamation Partnerships Act. This legislation, which previously passed the House in the 115th Congress, will help address the complex legal and funding-related challenges for abandoned mines that we have across Illinois and the Nation. The Community Reclamation Partnerships Act amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to enable States to partner with nongovernmental entities to reclaim abandoned mine sites and facilitate acid mine drainage cleanup across the country. Nongovernmental entities, such as Trout Unlimited, have recognized the need for reclamation in coal communities and are willing to contribute their resources and expertise to address this problem. Unfortunately, liability and regulatory concerns have discouraged them from partnering with the States on reclamation projects. This legislation enables NGO participation in State reclamation programs by minimizing undeserved liability and codifying proven practices established by State reclamation agencies. This legislation also addresses a frequent problem that States experience in addressing water pollution at abandoned mine land sites. States must choose between risking noncompliance under the Clean Water Act or foregoing acid mine drainage abatement projects altogether. Some States, for instance, like Pennsylvania, have successfully addressed this problem by establishing their own guidelines for the treatment of water pollution at abandoned mine land sites. These State- specific strategies have resulted in successful water treatment projects and a significant reduction in acid mine drainage. Currently, State reclamation activities have been funded solely by fees levied on the coal industry over the past four decades. These fees have resulted in the reclamation of approximately $4 billion of abandoned mine land liabilities. However, according to the Department of the Interior and EPA, the estimated remediation costs exceeds $15 billion. The cost of reclaiming these sites will continue to strain State resources in the coming decades, and the condition of these sites will only worsen over time. In short, this bill empowers State and local community leaders who want to assist in abandoned mine cleanup efforts so that future development can occur in these areas. No group should be punished for wanting to help their community in a responsible way. H.R. 6233 brings more resources to bear on this considerable challenge. I urge adoption of this bill.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for negotiating this good, monumental tax bill. I particularly want to highlight the inclusion of two affordable housing provisions in the bill. They are provisions that stem from my bill, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which has garnered the support of 212 cosponsors in the House equally divided between Republicans and Democrats. We are facing an affordable housing crisis in this country, and strengthening the low-income housing tax credit, LIHTC, established by Ronald Reagan is key in this and will be very successful to bridging the gap to more affordable housing in this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this very good tax bill.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and congratulate Mark Tresnowski on his retirement following an exceptional legal career. An accomplished and highly respected attorney, Mark served as a founding member of the American Investment Council. Upon his retirement from Madison Dearborn and his term of leadership of the Council, I recognize Mark for his service to the Council, his professional contributions, and his support to his community. Mark has dedicated much of his career to helping people achieve their personal and professional dreams. Throughout his distinguished career, he has served as a mentor to countless attorneys who have valued his wisdom, work ethic, and experienced perspective. He also serves as a faculty member in the Practicing Law Institute seminars and has published articles in Venture Capital Journal, Buyouts, and the M&A Lawyer. Mark is also very involved in his local community and is a leader in supporting children and their families as a trustee of Children's Home & Aid in Chicago, Illinois. Mark exemplifies the values of dedication and leadership. I want to express the utmost gratitude to Mark. I am certain that my fellow Illinoisans feel the same pride and respect towards him that I do. Congratulations Mark, and best wishes for a happy and relaxing retirement.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Jim DeRose on his retirement as Bradley University's Men's Soccer Coach after 28 successful seasons. Beginning his career in 1996 at the age of 28 as the youngest coach in NCAA Division I men's soccer, Jim quickly emerged as a dominant figure in the soccer community. Jim guided the Braves to the regular- season Missouri Valley Conference title in 1998, followed by the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2000. Under Jim's leadership, Bradley's soccer program reached new heights and resulted in a 2007 run to the NCAA Elite Eight, where Jim was chosen as the Soccer America National Coach of the Year. Jim's record speaks volumes of his commitment and dedication to the game. During his tenure as head coach, Bradley held a 267-227-66 record with seven NCAA tournament appearances, the highest for any coach in Bradley University Athletics history. Jim finishes his career as the second-winningest coach in Missouri Valley Conference soccer history and coached the only four-year all-Americans in MVC men's soccer history. In addition to his accomplishments on the pitch, the accomplishments of his players in the classroom and post-graduation are a testament to his ability to grow his players into successful young men. Six former assistant coaches have gone on to become NCAA Division I head coaches, sixteen players have been selected for all-American academic awards, and nine have been selected in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Jim has been an integral part of growing the game of soccer throughout central Illinois and his legacy will last for years to come. It is my privilege to congratulate Jim DeRose on his retirement after 28 years with Bradley University Men's Soccer and wish him, his wife Robin, and his two children, Raleigh and J.R., all the best.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Jim DeRose on his retirement as Bradley University's men's soccer coach after 28 successful seasons. Beginning his career in 1996 at the age of 28, and as the youngest coach in NCAA Division 1 men's soccer, Jim quickly emerged as a dominant figure in college soccer. Under Jim's leadership, Bradley's soccer program reached new heights and resulted in a 2007 run to the NCAA Elite Eight, where Jim was chosen as the National Coach of the Year. During his tenure as head coach, Jim held the record of 267 wins, 227 losses, and 66 ties, with seven NCAA tournament appearances, the highest of any coach in Bradley University athletics history. In addition to his accomplishments on the pitch, the success of his players in the classroom and postgraduation are a testament to his ability to grow his players into successful young men. Jim has been an integral part of the growing game of soccer throughout central Illinois and in college soccer, and his legacy will last for years to come. It is my privilege to congratulate Coach Jim DeRose on his retirement after 28 years with Bradley University. We wish him, his wife, Robin, and his two children, Raleigh and J.R., all the best.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I had to miss votes today due to travel from Illinois to Washington. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 599 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 600. personal explanation

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I had to miss votes today to travel back to Illinois. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 593, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 594, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 595, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 596, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 597, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 598.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I would like to honor and congratulate Gary Kroeschen on his retirement as Marshall County Board Chairman. Gary Kroeschen has devoted almost two decades to serving the people of Marshall County. From his early efforts as a Bennington Township Board trustee and Toluca Park District trustee, Gary established himself as a strong advocate for the people with a keen eye for the future. In 2007 he was appointed to the Marshall County Board, a position he would go on to be elected to five times. It was on the Marshall County Board that Gary would demonstrate his strong leadership skills and fiscal conservatism. His peers elected him as Chairman of the Board in 2012. Under his leadership, Marshall County was able to navigate the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Citizens and constituents lauded Gary's twenty-four hour a day availability. As a fiscal watchdog, Gary pushed for an expansion of the County's efforts to secure grants for modernization projects, including but not limited to the Marshall County Courthouse parking lot. In addition to serving the people of Marshall County as an elected official. Gary thrived as a small business owner. Under his leadership, Kroeschen Plumbing and Heating Inc. in Toluca was lauded for its outstanding customer service and reliability. Much like he treats his constituents, employees were treated like members of his family. I want to express the utmost gratitude to Gary for his two decades of public service. He is the epitome of a great public servant and his absence on the Marshall County Board will be felt for years to come. Gary has left a legacy which will live on for decades for those who follow him in service to Marshall County. I wish Gary the best as he begins his retirement.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor a remarkable company, Etnyre. Etnyre is a familyowned business which manufactures road equipment in Oregon, Illinois. After many years of successful product innovation and superior customer service, Etnyre is celebrating their 125th anniversary. Founded in 1898, ED Etnyre & Co was established by Edward Daniel to produce thresher tanks and water tanks. Over the years, ED Etnyre & Co expanded to manufacture road equipment including the bituminous distributor and street flusher that were utilized by our Army, Navy, and Air Force in World War II. In the 1950's, Etnyre expanded to a new location where they continue to operate today as a family-owned business employing four hundred individuals. These individuals, called members, work hard to support, and serve Etnyre's mission, values, and the surrounding region's vitality. Etnyre has a lengthy history of contributing to the betterment of their community and others in the area. In 2018, the Etnyre Foundation was established. The goal of the Etnyre Foundation is to give back to communities that have contributed to Etnyre's success by providing grants to organizations in the Etnyre International Footprint. The Etnyre Foundation has provided $300,000 in grants since 2018. I commend Etnyre for their innovative product development, community philanthropy, and successful company growth in Illinois. I extend my sincere congratulations to Etnyre for a successful 125 years in business, and I wish them continued success.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chair, I am proud to represent over 8,000 Lebanese- American families in my district in Illinois who care deeply about our U.S. national security. The longstanding U.S. military investment in the independent Lebanese Armed Forces, known as the LAF, has worked to support U.S. security interests in the greater Middle East for over 15 years. As the co-chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus, we work closely with the brave men and women in the U.S. military to ensure robust and stringent oversight of the U.S. investment into the LAF and any other U.S. foreign military funding abroad. The stability of the LAF is important not only to the security of Lebanon, but also to their neighboring countries, and the United States. The LAF works to prevent the furtherance of terrorist and extremist groups like Hezbollah and ISIS in the region. It fights against weapons, drugs, and human smuggling, and maintains stability in a country that is a ripe target for terrorists and malign actors. I agree with my colleagues that we must be stewards of taxpayer money and reduce wasteful government spending. However, we must also support successful policies that continue to return on our investment in protecting the long-term U.S. security interests here at home. That investment in the LAF has helped to promote U.S. interests in the greater Middle East and in Lebanon. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the unveiling of a new Bureau County monument dedicated to the contributions of the 45 African American soldiers who served honorably in the Civil War, and whose service, up until now, was not recognized alongside other soldiers from Bureau County who had their names listed on the Bureau County Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Located in the historic district of Princeton, Illinois, this new monument pays tribute to Civil War Veterans from Bureau County who were members of the 29th U.S. Colored Infantry and 8th and 13th U.S. Colored Artillery units. The contributions made by these units supported military efforts in multiple battles, including but not limited to the Battle of Appomattox. These men include-Jack Allen, Robert Atkins, George Baker, James Blake, Robert Bland, Horan Brown, William Cofield, John Coleman, John Connor, John Cummings, Joseph Davis, John Edwards, Abram Harrison, Thomas Heckley, James Henry, Thomas Houston, King Howard, Henry Jackson, Thomas Jackson, Dennis Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Samuel Johnson, John Jones, Franklin Lindsay, Andrew Manly, Lewis Masters, Charles Moses, Wesley Patterson, Henry Prosson, Robert Rhodes, Joseph Sanders, Jesse Smith, Richard Smith, Hamilton Stokes, Alexander Thomas, Libby Thompson, Washington Turner, William Washington (Concord Township), William Washington (Westfield Township), Aaron Wellcome, Charles West, John Williams, Thomas Williams, James Wilson, and James Winson. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the service and sacrifices of these 45 Civil War soldiers from Bureau County and expressing my thanks to those who made it possible for this monument and long overdue recognition to happen.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and congratulate Gary Kroeschen on his retirement as Marshall County Board Chairman. Gary has dedicated much of his career to serving the people of Marshall County. Throughout his incredible career. Gary served on the Marshall County Board, Bennington Township Board, and Toluca Park District Board. Serving on the Bennington Township Board and the Toluca Park District Board for nearly 20 years, Gary also served on the Marshall County Board for 16 years and 11 of those as Chairman. He retired from this role on September 14, 2023, marking the end of his exceptional tenure serving the Marshall County area. Like his work serving the people of Marshall County. Gary was a small business owner of Kroeschen Plumbing and Heating Inc in Toluca, Illinois. Gary exemplifies the values of public service and hard work. I want to express the utmost gratitude to Gary. I am certain that my fellow Illinoisans feel the same pride and respect towards him that I do. He has undoubtedly improved the lives of Marshall County residents and Central Illinoisans more broadly. Most importantly, Gary accomplished all this while being a loving husband, father, and family man. I congratulate Gary, and wish him happiness and relaxation in retirement.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Village of Capron, Illinois, for celebrating their 150th anniversary. On December 3, 1873, the Village of Capron was established in Boone County, Illinois. The Village of Capron was named after Colonel Capron who purchased the land from Nancy Scott and Nathan H. Wooster served as the village's first president. Today, the village serves as the third largest municipality in Boone County with a population of 1,400 residents. The village celebrated significant achievements throughout its history, such as the drilling of its first municipal well in 1881, the building of its original water tower in 1900, and electricity coming to the village in 1911. We are grateful for Capron's commitment and investment in agriculture and business development in northern Illinois. The Village of Capron is known throughout northern Illinois for the services that it has provided for the community over the last 150 years. Today, we celebrate the village and their residents for their dedication to their community. I extend my sincere congratulations to the Village of Capron, Illinois for a successful 150 years, and I wish them even more success going forward.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize World War II Veteran, Dean A. Preston for receiving the French Legion d'honneur, which honors World War II Veterans for their service as they fought to secure France's liberation. The National Order of the Legion of Honour was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and serves as the highest order of merit awarded by the French government for military and civil honors. The Legion d'honneur has been awarded to Veterans from various countries for their bravery and service during D-Day military operations who assisted in the security of France. Dean A. Preston graduated from Pekin Community High School and enlisted to serve his country. He attended an advanced radio repair school which equipped him with a skillset to manage wireless radio networks following his completion of basic training. Dean was inducted into the United States Army on March 20, 1943, and served as a member of 927th Signal Battalion, Separate, Tactical Air Command. Dean earned several distinguished honors throughout his service including the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle East Campaign Medal with 5 Campaign Stars, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Dean's strong communication, bravery, and commitment to service distinguishes him as a recipient of the French Legion d'honneur. We live in the greatest country in the world because of men and women like Dean. Dean is proud to have served and contribute to liberty and freedom. I extend my sincere congratulations to Dean A. Preston for receiving the French Legion d'honneur.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor a remarkable organization, the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System. The Veterans Affairs Illiana expands across central Illinois and is a vital organization that provides care to Veterans in Illinois and Indiana. After many years of success and service, the Veterans Affairs Illiana is celebrating their 125th anniversary. The Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System has united Veterans in the area since 1898 to successfully provide primary and specialty care to Veterans. Originating in Danville, Illinois, Veterans Affairs Illiana serves as the 8th oldest Veterans Affairs facility. The Veterans Affairs Illiana expanded services across central Illinois beginning in 1977 with outpatient clinics targeted to serve Veterans residing in rural areas. Today, the members of the organization work hard to support, serve and care for the Veteran community throughout 34 counties in Illinois and Indiana. Illinois has become a state of advocacy for Veteran groups like Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System that come together and enhance opportunities for Veterans, their families, and the community. I extend my sincere congratulations to Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System for a successful 125 years, and I wish them continued success.