Buck McKeon

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Armed Services, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 4310) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to the conference requested by the Senate.

Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional officer in the United States Army, Colonel Theodore C. ``TC'' Williams. Throughout his 27 years of distinguished service, COL Williams has personified the Army values of duty, integrity and selfless service across the many missions that the Army provides in defense of our Nation. As the Chief of Programs Division in the Office of the Secretary of the Army, many of us on Capitol Hill have enjoyed the opportunity to work with COL Williams on a wide variety of Army issues and programs. It's my privilege to recognize COL Williams and his many accomplishments. COL Williams, the son of the late Theodore C. Williams, Jr and Phyllis Kane Williams of Potomac, Maryland, attended Winston Church Hill Senior High School in Potomac, Maryland, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry in 1985 after graduating from The Citadel in South Carolina. He served from 1986 to 1989 as a rifle platoon leader, company executive officer, and reconnaissance platoon leader in 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry ``Wolfhounds'' at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. From 1990 to 1993, he served as the battalion assistant operations officer then commander of Bravo Company in 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Cotton- Bailers during the Persian Gulf War and at Fort Stewart, Georgia. From 1993 to 1994, COL Williams served as a Senior Infantry Trainer in the 24th Infantry Division Resident Training Detachment assisting the 48th Brigade, Georgia National Guard. From 1995 to 1998, COL Williams was a small group instructor for the Infantry Officers Advanced Course and tactics team chief in the Tactics Department of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. From 1999 to 2001, he served as operations officer and then executive officer in 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry ``Tomahawks'' at Fort Lewis, Washington. From 2001 to 2003, COL Williams was an Army Congressional liaison in the Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison where he was principally responsible for overseeing the efficient operation of the division and managing the Army's legislative portfolio on the Chem-Bio Defense program. In 2003, LTC Williams left OCLL to take command of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry ``Gators'' during Operation Iraqi Freedom and at Smith Barracks in Germany from June 2003 to June 2005. For twelve months, Force Gator conducted combat and stability operations in southeast Baghdad. In April 2004, while conducting transfer of authority to the follow-on unit, the tactical situation in Iraq deteriorated and the battalion task force was alerted to conduct combat operations in Najaf and Al Kut. Following decisive combat operations in south-central Iraq, the task force was extended in Iraq for three months to conduct combat and stability operations in the infamous ``Triangle of Death.'' For operations conducted April to July 2004, the battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation as part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. Upon redeploying to Germany after fifteen months in Iraq, the battalion conducted reset and full- spectrum operations training in preparation to deploy again in late 2005. From 2005 to 2007, LTC Williams returned to the Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison to serve as the Legislative Assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff, Army (VCSA). He stood out amongst his peers and made himself an indispensible part of the VCSA's personal staff. From 2007 to 2009, he was promoted to Colonel and led the division within OCLL that develops the congressional engagement strategy for the Secretary, Chief of Staff, Under Secretary, Vice Chief of Staff, and Sergeant Major of the Army. He performed exceptionally. He personally improved the Army's strategic communication with the Congress, and developed the engagement strategy and legislative objectives for the Army's Senior Leadership. From 2009 to 2012, COL Williams performed duties as the Chief of Programs. He expertly led the planning of the Army's congressional engagement strategies between senior Army Staff leaders and Members of Congress, leading directly to a defense authorizations bill that enhanced the Army's ability to recruit, retain, and reset the world's premiere fighting force. Through these varying assignments, COL Williams provided outstanding leadership, advice, and sound professional judgment on critical issues of enduring importance to both the Army and Congress. On behalf of Congress, I thank COL Williams, his wife Helen, and his entire family for the commitment, sacrifices, and contribution they have made throughout his honorable military career. Congratulations on completing an exceptional and successful career.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the National Security and Jobs Protection Act offered by Mr. West from Florida. I have the privilege of serving on the Armed Services Committee with him, and I thank him for his leadership in bringing this important bill forward at this time. It boggles my mind, Madam Speaker, that we are standing here ready to wipe out our national defense at a time when we turn on the TV in the morning and see the Middle East erupting, when we see Iran moving forward on their plans to achieve a nuclear weapon, when we see China increasing their defense spending while we're cutting ours. People need to understand that we have cut $487 billion starting October 1 over the next 10 years out of our defense. And on top of that, we have added this problem of sequestration, which adds another 500, $600 billion over the next 10 years starting January 2. The first $487 billion, some thought was put into, and plans. Even though we had to adjust our strategy that we've had since World War II, we've had to cut back. We know that we won't be able to carry out the missions that we've been called on to do in the future, but we will be able to survive, according to our military leaders. But the sequestration--we held five hearings last September with all of our former military leaders, our current military leaders, former chairmen and Secretaries of these committees, and to a man, every single one said that the sequestration would hollow out and wipe out our national defense. We would take the Navy back to the size it was in World War I, the Armed Forces, the ground forces back to the size they were in 1940, and the Air Force back to the smallest it's been since it was created. How does anybody think that given these times that is not a stupid thing to be doing? The way the sequestration would take effect is you just pull out the budget and take a percentage--the administration hasn't told us yet what percentage; it's probably going to be about 15, 20 percent--off of every single line item. So mowing the lawn at Fort Dix will have the same priority as ammunition for the troops in Afghanistan. How can anybody think that that is a smart idea? You know, we have a Constitution of the United States, and it tells us how we should operate here in this Congress. It says one body passes a bill, the other body passes a bill, a conference is formed, you work out your differences, you take it back for final passage, and send it to the President to be signed into law. The House has acted. We took tough votes. We accomplished our objective of paying for the first year of sequestration, not just the defense cuts, but all of the cuts across the board, to move it back, pay for the first year, move it back into a time where we're less stressed with the election upon us, where we could do it in a less political environment, and the Senate hasn't acted. In 126 days, the Senate hasn't acted. Excuse me. The other body hasn't acted. Madam Speaker, they don't like our bill; I understand that. All they have to do is pass another bill, get it to conference, and then we'll work out the differences. We accomplished ours through cuts, they can accomplish theirs through increasing taxes, and then we can work out a difference. All the gentleman on the other side says is, They've presented a plan and we don't like their plan. Well, a plan is nothing. What they have to do is pass a bill. Show us. Get the votes, pass a bill, and then go to the conference. It's in the Constitution. That's how we operate. And it's important enough that we should all act like adults and follow the Constitution and get it done. Our Nation, our security depends on it, and we don't have much time left to do it. Madam Speaker, I think it's very important that we pass this bill. I encourage my colleagues to vote for it. Let's act like adults. Let's earn our salaries here. Let's get this job done. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the National Security and Jobs Protection Act offered by Mr. West, whom I have the pleasure of serving with on the Armed Services Committee. We all know that in less than 4 months, the automatic across-the-board cuts known as sequestration will go into full effect, significantly reducing funding for our national defense and vital domestic programs. Mr. West and members of our committee understand just how much these draconian cuts will undermine our constitutional obligation to provide for the common defense. They will result in the United States having the smallest Army since World War II, the smallest Navy since World War I and the smallest Air Force in U.S. history. That is why President Obama's own Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, has said the pending sequester is devastating and akin to shooting ourselves in the head. So the natural question is--what is our government doing to stop sequestration? On May 10, 2012, the United States House of Representatives passed a measured and responsible proposal to deal with this impending threat, H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012. Yet, 126 days later the Senate has not acted. The President has not acted. Madam Speaker, the House is prepared to work with the President and the Senate on alternatives to sequestration. We urge them to come to the table. That's what Mr. West's legislation does. Our colleagues in the Senate tell the press that they are negotiating a deal. Well they have been talking about that for a year now. It is time to put something down on paper and get it passed. We must not allow the well being of our troops and our national security to be used as a bargaining chip in this debate. Just this week we were reminded at how unstable and dangerous our world is. The killing of Americans in Benghazi on the anniversary of Sep 11th is a reminder and a challenge to every member of this body that we must put our national security and our national interests first. As one senior military official recently told me, America's inability to govern ourselves past sequestration plays directly into the hands of those who spread a narrative of American decline and will ultimately thrust us into a more dangerous world. This legislation will require President Obama to live up to his obligation as Commander-in-Chief and submit his alternative plan to replace sequestration, while encouraging the United States Senate to do the same. Let us also not forget that it was the President who put defense ``squarely on the table'' last summer in the negotiations for the Budget Control Act. Madam Speaker, we are running out of time before the draconian cuts in sequestration take effect. There are 111 days remaining. We need to work together to find a solution. I urge members to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. McKEON. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. McKEON. You presented something that I said when I was asked after a speech what I would do, given two bad choices. But you don't have anything on the floor yet. You haven't passed a bill, so I don't even have the opportunity to vote for increased taxes because you haven't passed a bill yet. Thank you.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2467, the Bridgeport Indian Colony Land Trust, Health, and Economic Development Act of 2012. I want to thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey, as well as subcommittee Chairman Young and Ranking Member Lujan, for giving my legislation a fair hearing and moving the bill through the committee. Mr. Speaker, the Bridgeport Indian Colony is a Federally recognized Indian tribe with a reservation located near the town of Bridgeport in Mono County, California. The tribe's reservation is approximately 40 acres and was established by Federal law in 1974. However, the size of the current reservation is insufficient for the tribe's housing and community development needs. In order to create space for economic development and housing, my legislation proposes to transfer from the BLM to the BIA to hold in trust for the tribe one parcel of land contiguous to the tribe's existing reservation, totaling approximately 31 acres. On this parcel, the tribe plans to construct an RV park, gas station, convenience store, and residential housing for tribal members, as well as a recreational center to serve the greater community. Mr. Speaker, many tribal members have expressed interest in moving back to the reservation if housing and job opportunities can be made available. And this bill will create jobs in a part of my district where unemployment is over 10 percent. Additionally, my legislation would promote the health care of the tribe and community by taking into trust a 7-acre BLM parcel where the Toiyabe Indian Health Project previously served the community, allowing the clinic to be reopened and returned to service. Currently, members of the tribe have to drive 90 miles to Bishop to obtain health care services. In the 1980s, the tribe applied for and received a community development block grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in order to build a health care facility in Mono County. With Toiyabe Indian Health Project directing the project, the Camp Antelope Health Clinic was built on a 7.16-acre parcel of Federal land one mile north of Walker, California, approximately 30 miles from the tribe's reservation--60 miles closer than the Bishop health clinic. Unfortunately, the Toiyabe Indian Health Project closed the Camp Antelope Health Clinic in 2006. The tribe and the Toiyabe Indian Health Project have agreed that the health clinic needs to be reopened, and the investment of the Federal funds in the development of the health clinic from the CDBG grant adds to the importance of maintaining the parcel under Federal ownership. Mr. Speaker, throughout the process of developing this legislation, I worked closely with the tribe and the Bridgeport Public Utility District to mitigate any concerns that the utility district had regarding the rights of way of an easement which crosses the first parcel proposed for transfer from the BLM to the BIA in trust to the tribe. The services provided by the utility district, both to the community of Bridgeport as well as to the tribe, depend on the infrastructure where this easement is located. Currently, the easement is managed by the BLM and is subject to periodic renewal. I clarified in my legislation that this easement should continue to be managed by the BLM, as this has proven successful. The Mono County Board of Supervisors voted to support the land transfer in October of 2009 and agreed unanimously in April of 2010 to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the tribe, thus supporting the tribe's efforts to have these parcels of land transferred into trust. Additionally, there is language contained in my bill that clarifies that there will be no new gaming on lands that are acquired by the tribe. Mr. Speaker, thank you for giving my bill time on the floor. The additional land will be greatly beneficial to the Bridgeport Indian Tribe, and I urge Members to support this vital legislation.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I rise with great pride to stand with Chairman Young in order to reaffirm my commitment and the commitment of the members of the Armed Services Committee to the dignified and respectful transportation of the remains of our war casualties to their final resting places. The current process of airlifting our fallen warriors was initiated by the Committee on Armed Services and legislated in 2006 following a series of unfortunate cases in which the transfers of remains simply did not meet the high standard that the people of our Nation demanded. As awareness grew, it was very quickly clear that the routine treatment of our warriors on their returns home was not meeting the expectations of families and communities across the Nation. Without this law, the Department of Defense would be required to transport them by the cheapest means, in other words, to transport remains without an escort and in the cargo holds of commercial airliners along with the suitcases and FedEx packages. No one wants to see that. That is not how the American people wish to treat those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. The soul of a nation can be measured by its commitment to honor those who have sacrificed all to defend that nation. If a nation takes a bookkeeper's approach to measuring that commitment, then, in this Nation's case, the cost of Arlington, of all the national cemeteries, of the cemeteries we maintain overseas, of the efforts made to account for our war dead and missing is too high. When it comes to upholding the traditions so intrinsically linked to the values treasured by the American people, our Nation will never be accused of possessing a bookkeeper's mentality. There is only one standard for the treatment of our fallen heroes, and the American people will demand that the standard will be met in the most dignified and respectful manner possible. I commend the gentleman from Florida for taking a moment to reaffirm the commitment of the Congress and the American people on this important issue. I cannot understand anyone who would challenge him on his devotion to our servicepeople. He and his wife both have dedicated the ultimate measure to seeing that our servicepeople are given the respect and the things that they need. I don't know anyone who has visited the hospitals more or who has really cared about our people. I commend the chairman for this, for his devotion to those who wear the uniform. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him and Chairman Ryan for bringing this bill to the floor. It is greatly needed. Barring a new agreement between Congress and the White House on deficit reduction, over $1 trillion in automatic cuts, known as sequestration, will take effect. Although the House has passed a measure that would achieve this necessary deficit reduction to avoid sequestration for a year and give us time to work on it outside of election-year pressure, the Senate has yet to consider any legislation. Now, I hear a lot of good ideas from the other side and they talk about increased revenue. All I'm saying is put it down on paper. We have a process by which we work. It's outlined in the Constitution of the United States. One body passes legislation, the other body passes legislation, a conference committee is formed, and the differences are resolved. It goes back to the bodies for final passing and then goes to the President for his signature. We have taken action in the House. We're waiting for the other body to take some action. The President weighed in on this. He submitted a budget. His budget sought $1.2 trillion in alternate deficit reduction. He followed the process. That budget was defeated in a bipartisan, bicameral manner. Now, we need another bill that we can work on. This impasse and lack of a clear way forward has created a chaotic and uncertain budget environment for industry and defense planners. Compounding the issue is a lack of guidance from the administration on how to implement sequestration. We just held a hearing in the Armed Services Committee where we had industry leaders come in to tell us the problems they're having on getting guidance. You know, I come from a small business background, nothing like building planes or ships or boats or the other things that our warfighters need to carry out their mission. And I might remind people that we are at war. We do have warfighters going outside the wire, as we speak, every day, putting their lives on the line, and they're watching this. They're watching what we're doing. They're wondering if they're going to have the things that they need to carry out this mission and to return home safely. My business, as I said, was a small family business. We were in the western wear business. We sold boots and hats in a retail way. And we would go, my brothers and I, family business, would go to the market in January. We would buy for our needs for the next 6 months. We would buy shirts, hats, jeans, boots. And then our suppliers would go to their suppliers and buy the things they need to make those things, and then they would ship them to us in an orderly manner, and then we would be able to have the product on the shelves when our customers came in in February, March, April, May. These industry leaders are asking for a little guidance. All they know is the law, as we have it now, kicks in January 2, says that there will be no thought, no planning, just we take out the budget and cut every line item by a margin, 8, 12, 20 percent, whatever it is, realizing we're already a quarter of the way into the year. One of the leaders gave us this quote in this conference. This is Sean O'Keefe, president and CEO of EADS North America and chairman of the National Defense Industrial Association. And I quote: Most immediately, the administration must communicate today its sequestration implementation to the public, our Armed Forces, and to industry. The current uncertainty has effectively put sequestration and its consequences in motion. In the absence of any guidance, industry is already holding back investments, questioning the fairness of ongoing competitions, doubting the viability of existing contracts, and starting to trim capacity. In the absence of definitive guidance from the DOD, the OMB, and the Defense Contract Management Agency, we feel compelled to act in the spirit of this law and, in all likelihood, will issue WARN notices to those employees engaged in ongoing Federal contract activities. We are going to put thousands of people in jeopardy of their jobs between now and when sequestration should kick in. This is already in motion. Madam Speaker, I ask that we come together on this issue, that we solve this issue. I ask the President to put forth some leadership. As Commander in Chief, he has the obligation to help us solve this problem. I ask our colleagues to please support this legislation and to bring transparency.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Santa Clarita and its residents on the recent annexation of Elsmere Canyon. This annexation completes a 25-year journey to protect a beautiful canyon that provides outstanding recreation opportunities to residents of the Santa Clarita Valley and visitors from surrounding areas. Elsmere Canyon serves as an important wildlife corridor and is an integral part of the City's greenbelt. The Canyon is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and greatly enriches the recreational opportunities available in our area. I am proud to have fought for, and won inclusion of, a legislative provision that was written into law which will forever protect Elsmere Canyon from being developed as a massive landfill. In February of 1995, I introduced H.R. 924, legislation that would prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from transferring any part of the Angeles National Forest from federal ownership to be used as a landfill. This language was included in the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, which was signed into law that year. I would like to recognize the efforts of the Santa Clarita City Council, Supervisor Antonovich, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for working together to purchase the land in 2010, which helped to pave the way for annexation into the City this spring. It is my sincere hope that Elsmere Canyon serves as a reminder that when residents, elected officials, and community organizations come together, we can create great opportunities for the residents that live in our beautiful valley.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Colonel Todd P. ``Sledge'' Harmer on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Air Force. I have had the pleasure of working with Sledge on a number of occasions during his tenure in the Air Force House Liaison Office, and greatly appreciate his professionalism, knowledge, and dedication, which has benefited me personally, as well as numerous other Members and staff. Colonel Harmer has given much to this Nation through his dedicated and selfless service. His Air Force career started the day he arrived at the U.S. Air Force Academy in June of 1982. He established himself as a serious student with a great aptitude for flying. Upon graduation on May 28, 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering, Lt Harmer was competitively selected among pilot training selectees to attend Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Lead-In Fighter Training, and F16C Operational Course, excelling in each course. He was assigned to the 14th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Misawa AB, Japan where he started flying combat training missions and preparing for greater aerial tasks. His superiors rated him the ``best wingman in the squadron'' and recognized him as a gifted fighter pilot. As a new Captain, he was upgraded to instructor pilot (IP) and mission commander in absolute minimum time, then selected to be a Standardization/ Evaluation Flight Examiner because of his great flying skill and leadership. He was reassigned to the 69th Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB, GA as an IP and Chief of Weapons and Tactics. He was certified as combat-ready, and qualified in air-to-surface, air-to-air and nuclear roles. To no one's surprise, he was selected to attend the coveted F 16 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, and completed it with honors. He went on to complete Squadron Officer School, again completing it with honors and the designation of Distinguished Graduate. He returned to the 69th Fighter Squadron for a few years to train and evaluate pilots, and contributed greatly to the success of this important fighter squadron. Captain Harmer was reassigned to the 23rd Operations Support Squadron at Pope AFB, NC where he was responsible for planning and coordinating F 16 employment supporting contingencies, exercises and readiness inspections. After serving as a flight commander and IP, he was sent overseas to serve in the 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea. He was hand-picked to command a flight of fighter pilots flying wartime taskings in a upgraded F 16C. His superiors identified him as an ``aviator without peers'', and the ``greatest contributor to the combat readiness of the most forward deployed fighter squadron in the Air Force.'' He was promoted to the rank of Major and give greater responsibility as the Assistant Operations Officer, and later the Aide-de-Camp to the Seventh Air Force Commander, Lt General Joseph Hurd. General Hurd recognized his superior airmanship and trusted counsel and called him the finest aide he had ever seen. Sledge was sent to the U.S. Naval War College and earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, then went on to the Air Force's School of Advanced Airpower Studies and spent a year excelling in a rigorous curriculum. Following this, newly promoted Lt Colonel Harmer was assigned to the prestigious Checkmate Division at the Pentagon to lead the European Command Pacific Command Branch. There he continued to contribute, lead and inspire his research teams through keen analysis and writings. Senior Air Force leadership had been impressed with his papers and reports over the years, but his writings would receive special recognition while in Checkmate and would help shape the employment and advancement of air and space power. Perhaps more importantly, however, Lt Colonel Harmer would become an impact strategist and leader in the days following 9 11. He led teams developing Air Force position on Grand Military Strategy, air and space operations plans, combat search and rescue, and the air attack plan for Operation Enduring Freedom. His years of training, education and performing every mission in a superb manner would help him to continue on the track to senior leadership. He was assigned as the Commander, 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ and given the difficult task of commanding in the Air Force's largest fighter wing. He did not disappoint. He set the benchmark for training and air operations. Following this assignment, Lt Colonel Harmer would attend National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, DC and receive a Master of Science in National Security Strategy, and the designation of Distinguished Graduate. He would spend the following year in Turkey as an Executive Officer to the Commander of CC Air and 16th Air Force, and, U.S. Senior National Representative, Allied Air Component Command HQ Izmir. He was promoted to Colonel and assigned as the Vice Commander to a very demanding and active fighter wing, 388th FW, Hill AFB, UT, and to prepare him to later command his own wing, the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, FL. His boss, Lt General Gary North, tasked him to direct important sorties such as protection to POTUS, space shuttle and several deployments at home and abroad. General North also hand-picked Colonel Harmer for a demanding position in Iraq's Ministry of Defense where he led a highly specialized planning and training team, and advised the U.S. Forces-Iraq leadership on sensitive Arab- Kurd issues. Upon returning to the U.S., the Air Force continued to challenge Sledge by assigning him to one of the most demanding positions within the Air Force, his current job as the Chief of Air Force House Liaison. Since June 2010, Sledge has advised the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Director of Legislative Liaison, and numerous other senior military and civilian leaders on issues of the greatest concern to HQ Air Force and the Congress. He has more than served as a liaison between the Pentagon and the Hill, he has developed and improved key relationships that help us make better decisions about the Air Force. He is extremely intelligent and articulate, and has helped shape my thinking and influenced many Members of Congress. Simply, we trust him! Colonel Harmer is a command pilot with over 3,300 flying hours primarily in the F 15 and F 16. He is the recipient of the following major medals and decorations for his service and accomplishments: the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the NATO Medal. Throughout his distinguished career he has represented our country and Air Force with dignity and honor, and this is why I am so privileged to pay tribute to this fine Airman. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Congress and the United States of America, I thank Colonel Todd Harmer, his wife Stacie and their daughters, Jordan, Leigh and Erika, for their service and sacrifices over the past 26 years. I wish them Godspeed, and continued happiness as they start a new chapter in their lives.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chair, I submit the following exchange of letters: House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC, May 10, 2012. Hon. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Washington, DC Dear Chairman McKeon. I write to confirm our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. This legislation contains subject matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. However, in order to expedite floor consideration of this important legislation, the committee waives consideration of the bill. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform takes this action only with the understanding that the committee's jurisdictional interests over this and similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. The committee also reserves the right to seek appointment to any House-Senate conference on this legislation and requests your support if such a request is made. Finally, I would appreciate your including this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 4310 on the House Floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Sincerely, Darrell Issa, Chairman.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to H. Res. 661, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I urge the committee to adopt the amendments en bloc, all of which have been examined by both the majority and the minority. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleague and friend, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen from Florida, for agreeing to allow amendment No. 114 to proceed on the NDAA in the en bloc package, a matter that is within the rule X jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Colleagues, we've had a good couple of weeks. We've had some late nights. We've addressed hundreds of amendments in committee and in the House. This is a joke. For them to come down to the floor and talk about jobs, when they're cutting defense to this degree, taking all of the jobs out of the military, I don't even know where to begin. So what I'm going to say is thank you for your help and for your support. Let's go home and go to work in our districts. I oppose this motion to recommit, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. McKEON. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill, H.R. 4310, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, cross-references, and the table of contents, and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in amending the bill.