John Mica

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Jay Pierson and his 34 years of dedicated service to the House of Representatives. I have had the privilege of serving in this institution since 1992 and for all of those years I have served with Jay. During that time I have come to know him for his graciousness, patience and helpful nature. His historical expertise and institutional knowledge will sorely be missed. I would like to thank Jay for his friendship and wish him the best in his retirement. We have all been better served because of his commitment to the House of Representatives and the American people. The American people will never know the work of individuals like Jay Pierson, who has toiled long hours making certain the Congress and U.S. House function every day for our federal legislative branch. I especially want to thank Jay who has stayed many nights with me, often until midnight and long after the House had completed its regular business, while I presented my special orders speeches. The United States House of Representatives will hold a better place in history because of Jay's dedication and long tenure.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes the afternoon of Thursday, December 20, 2012 due to my attendance of a funeral and a delayed return flight. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcalls 639, 640, 641 and 642.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to members of my 7th Congressional District of Florida United States Service Academy Board Members. These are wonderful Americans who have provided voluntary service to assist in the nomination and selection of young men and women who will attend our nation's military academies. Each of these individuals has faithfully worked to help our country choose the very best of our youth to train for leadership positions in our military branches. The United States Army, Navy, Air force and Marine Corps each owe these board members special thanks and recognition for their years of work and efforts. They have not only interviewed hundreds of students applying to the academies, but also provided invaluable counseling and support in their important life and career choices. On behalf of all the people of the 7th Congressional District I salute and honor LTC James T Marino (Ret.) of St. Johns, Mr. Derek Hankerson of St. Augustine, Dr. Dan Kelso of St. Augustine, Col. Douglass Wood (Ret) of Palm Coast, Mr. Dan Quiggle of Ponte Vedra Beach, Col. Frank Farmer, Jr. (Ret.) of Ormond Beach, Col. Charles Early, Jr. (Ret.) of DeLand, Mrs. Mary Ann Welsh of Ormond Beach, Mr. Dan Hughes USMC (Ret.) of Palm Coast, Capt. Bill Knehans, DC, USN (Ret.) of Ormond Beach, LTC Al Peterson (Ret.) of Welaka and Mr. Tony Papandrea of Palm Coast. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking the Military Service Academy Board Members of Florida's 7th Congressional District.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American patriot, an accomplished state and national leader and a wonderful personal mentor and friend, William C. Coleman, Jr. passed away on December 13, 2012. With the passing of Bill Coleman, the Central Florida community and our country has lost one of the outstanding figures of our time. Born in Tennessee, Bill was first introduced to Central Florida when he would frequently visit his grandparents who lived in Lancaster Park. Hours after graduating High School, Bill enlisted in the United States Army. During World War II, as an Army Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, he landed in France in June of 1944 during the Normandy Invasion behind enemy lines. After his capture and survival as a Prisoner of War, he returned to civilian life. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and POW medal. His passion to aid those who served in our nations military never faltered. Bill would make two more jumps into Normandy; one in 1994 and another in 2004 to mark the 50th and 60th Anniversary of D-Day. Bill enjoyed a successful real estate career and also taught the subject to many at Rollins College as well as launching what has been decades of community service. He was an active member and leader in numerous organizations including the University Club and Republican Party of Florida. In Central Florida, he was a Charter Member of the Tiger Bay Club, a founding Member of the Central Orlando Kiwanis Club and President of the Central Florida Veterans Council. In addition, Bill served as Chairman of the Orange County and Orlando Mayor's Advisory Council as well as serving as the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation's first President. Countless community organizations and events were successful because of his tireless work and support. Bill Coleman was elected to the Florida State House of Representatives in 1955 and later served as Florida's first Secretary of Transportation. At the national level, he was selected by President George W. Bush to serve as United States Commissioner of Public Buildings. Bill Coleman's tireless efforts to aid American Veterans were instrumental in securing a new VA Hospital and extensive medical complex in Central Florida scheduled to open next year. To honor the service and memory of our veterans and military, Bill also helped to lead and support memorial projects to commemorate and recognize their contributions to keeping America free. While Bill's family has lost a loved one, I have lost a wonderful friend and mentor. From my very first days in Central Florida 40 years ago, Bill Coleman never stopped assisting or inspiring me. He, more than anyone in the community, helped me be part of numerous civic endeavors, veterans' programs and Republican Party and leadership positions. For this special guidance, assistance and friendship I will forever be grateful. As we honor and recognize Bill Coleman's many life achievements, our sympathy is extended to his wife, Toni, and family. Bill's passion for our veterans was only exceeded by his love of his wonderful wife and children. They include his sons Kevin and Billy and his daughter Kim as well as eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In closing, my colleagues, I ask you to join me in both paying tribute and recognizing the life and service of William C. Coleman, Jr.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank him for his leadership. Particularly, I want to thank Mr. Kelly for his perseverance, his introduction and sponsorship of H.R. 6016, and encourage my colleagues to support that legislation today. Most often when you hear about scandals in the Federal Government, there's a little bit of a flurry and then not much is done. Mr. Kelly has stepped forward and introduced legislation that will correct one of the most egregious actions against the Federal taxpayer that we've seen. Our committee, the Transportation Committee, does oversee the General Services Administration. Within that agency, we heard about the conduct of one senior executive employee, the Senior Executive Services, one of the highest levels of administration in our government. That person thumbed his nose in a hot tub at the taxpayers, at the Congress, and at everyone else. Today, this is taxpayers' revenge. This is a little gift hopefully we can put under the Christmas tree for the taxpayers so that people in those positions will not receive their pay and can be removed from office. We had to change the law--and we will change the law--to make certain that people who are supposed to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars are held accountable. So I thank everyone in a bipartisan manner in bringing this legislation forward and strongly support its adoption.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes the evening of Wednesday, December 19, 2012 due to my attendance of a funeral. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcalls 637 and 638.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege and honor to recognize James W. Coon, who is retiring after 25 years of distinguished service to the United States House of Representatives. As the Staff Director of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jim's leadership, knowledge and counsel have been invaluable to me and other Members of the Committee and this body. Over the years, he has helped guide important pieces of legislation through Congress and to the President for signature, including a major surface transportation bill that will reform and improve our Nation's highway and bridge programs, a long-stalled and critical aviation reform bill, legislation to authorize the programs of the United States Coast Guard, a bill to improve federal pipeline safety programs, and a measure to protect U.S. sovereignty from a European Union attempt to unlawfully tax our domestic air carriers and operators. Jim regularly and expertly navigated a difficult political atmosphere and helped ensure, through his untiring efforts and excellent leadership, that good, sound legislation was passed for the benefit of the American people. His in-depth understanding of the legislative process and ability to work with those of all political stripes are unique and respected here in the Congress. Before I asked Jim to become the Committee's Republican Staff Director in 2006, he also advised me and other Members of the Committee in his capacity as the Subcommittee on Aviation Majority Staff Director. In addition, Jim served as a Professional Staff member on the Subcommittee on Aviation from 1995 to 1998. Prior to his work on the Transportation Committee, he served as the Legislative Director to Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) from 1989 to 1994, and he was a Legislative Assistant to Representative Robert F. (Bob) Smith (R-OR) from 1983 to 1989. Jim's illustrious career also includes experience in the private sector where he held positions as director of government affairs for both The Boeing Company and the Air Transport Association, where he helped develop legislation to stabilize the airline industry following the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. His service to his Country goes beyond the halls of Congress and includes 12 years as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves and the Virginia Army National Guard where he attained the rank of Captain. But of all Jim's accomplishments, I know he would tell you that he is most proud of his family--his beautiful wife Sara and their three children, Harrison, Caroline, and David. Jim and I often spoke about our families and the importance of faith, family, and Country, which were values instilled in him by his parents, David and Maureen. In January, Jim will be ending a remarkable career here in the House and will be joining the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) as Executive Vice President. Jim has an even brighter future ahead of him, and I know he will be just as successful as he has been here in the people's House. He can be proud of his achievements and the commitment he has shown to public service. Above all, he has been a true and loyal friend and I will miss him very much. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and all of our colleagues to join me in thanking Jim Coon for his 25 years of service to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Congress, and the Nation.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Sharon A. Barkeloo upon her retirement. Sharon has provided outstanding professional service as a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure staff since 1999, serving each of the past four Chairmen in a bipartisan manner. During this time, her expertise in budget issues has been instrumental to achieving the Committee's goals, especially with regard to the budgetary treatment of the transportation trust funds. In addition to her Full Committee assignments, Sharon also served on the Subcommittee on Aviation staff during my chairmanship of that Subcommittee, assisting in the development of the nation's legislative response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as other aviation legislation. Sharon is one of the most talented and knowledgeable people in the United States when it comes to navigating the complicated and cumbersome federal transportation budgeting processes. I know I speak for several of my colleagues when I say that we will miss her expertise, her guidance, her counsel and her smiling face. Prior to her tenure with the Committee, Sharon also served for eight years in the Office of Management and Budget's Transportation Branch, and four years with the Department of Justice Budget Staff. I thank Sharon for her assistance to me and our Committee, her commitment to good government, and her professional work over the past 25 years. I know her parents, Ed and Mary Ellen Barkeloo, are very proud of Sharon, as are we all, and I wish her every future success as she retires from Federal service and returns to her home State of Ohio.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. First, I want to take a moment to thank Mr. LoBiondo for his outstanding leadership of the Coast Guard Committee, and also Mr. Larsen, the ranking member from Washington. I know Frank LoBiondo has a great love for the United States Coast Guard. He has worked diligently, long, and tirelessly for one of our most important branches and most historic branches of government over the years and dedicated part of his time, but a full commitment, to the United States Coast Guard. As we take up H.R. 2838 today, as we consider that reauthorization for the United States Coast Guard--and Congress must authorize every program. We create the Coast Guard by law. We must also set the policy and the programs and the funding levels through our committee, an important responsibility. Now, we have an important responsibility, but we're reminded again, even in the last few days, of the death of one of our Coast Guard officers, Chief Mate Terrell Horne. He was killed protecting the United States. I think it was drug smugglers who took his life in southern California while a small boat was trying to stop their activities. Here again we are painfully reminded of the sacrifice of those men and women in service to the United States. So this morning, I really would like to dedicate this reauthorization to his memory and the memory of all the men and women who have served in the Coast Guard. I had lost one young lady from St. Augustine in the Arctic. I remember that tragic loss of her life and so many others who have served us well in the United States Coast Guard, an important national security and safety agency that protects us day in and day out, 24/7. So we are reminded of their sacrifices and, today, of our responsibility. To succeed at the many jobs that we assign members of the Coast Guard, they must have the resources on the water and the docks to complete their important mission. This bill authorizes the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. It's a total of $8.6 billion. Of course, when you talk about trillions in our Federal budget and activities, it's a small amount for the more than 50,000 Coast Guard men and women and for the programs that they undertake again each day. One of the things we've tried to do is make the regulatory burden on fishermen more reasonable by extending some of the time they undergo to have dockside examinations. Again, in addition to serving national security purposes and maritime safety, we also serve an important economic activity, and that's the fishing community. This bill also looks towards helping others that we're responsible for in the maritime industry. One of the problems we've had is in developing a TWIC card. A TWIC card is a Transportation Worker Identification Credential. We've had great problems with trying to get that installed so that we could find out who is entering our ports and to ensure that is done safely and securely, particularly with the threats that we face, the huge coastline of ports, the exposure that we face from maritime threats. And I think we've, hopefully, lessened some of the burdensome time required by multiple trips to get folks that need these cards to go to these enrollment centers--again, trying to help those who we're supposed to serve and to help them do their job in an expedited fashion. As you know, our committee published a report. When we were in the minority, we helped author it. The title of the report was, ``The Federal Government Must Stop Sitting on Its Assets.'' And in each of the categories and areas we're responsible for in the Transportation Committee, whether it's empty public buildings that have sat there, properties underutilized, we want to make sure that taxpayers' resources are used in the best possible way. So this bill follows up our report by requiring the Coast Guard, which has currently sidelined one of our heavy icebreakers, to make a decision on either being reactivated or decommissioned. Again, we can't sit on valuable assets in any of our agencies. Finally, this bill restricts the use of post-construction of future National Security Cutters until our National Security Cutters meet long-promised mission performance capabilities. We started producing a small number of National Security Cutters--bigger than 100-plus-foot cutters--after 9/11. We've had some problems with that program. It's our responsibility to straighten out those problems, to make certain that the long-promised mission performance capabilities are met, and this bill hopefully leads us in that positive direction. Unfortunately, the bill does not restrict the ability of foreign seamen injured outside the United States on non-U.S.-flagged vessels from suing in United States courts, paid for by United States taxpayers. It was something we had hoped to achieve. We couldn't put it in this bill. There are some other measures I would have liked to have had in this bill. It does not, unfortunately, establish--but we passed in the House--a uniform national standard for ballast water discharges. And that provision is supported by many in the House and by the U.S. and international maritime industries. So we've done a good part of the job. I think we've met our responsibility, and I am pleased that we are here to authorize, for a period of 2 years, the United States Coast Guard, its operations and its programs, and support the men and women who support us. So, with that, I urge the passage of H. Res. 825.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of Joyce Rose, who is retiring after 25 years of service to the United States Congress. Joyce has worked for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since 2001, and has served as the staff director of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials since 2008. Prior to her service with the U.S. House of Representatives, Joyce worked for 13 years on the U.S. Senate's Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. Joyce began her career on Capitol Hill as a staff assistant, and through her energy, inquiring mind, and hard work, rose to positions of greater responsibility. She has worked for a total of 11 different committee and subcommittee chairmen and ranking members, and has given each her total loyalty and professional expertise. For her entire 25-year career, Joyce has worked on transportation policy and funding issues. Over the years, she has become a true subject matter expert, particularly in the areas of rail and transit policy. Joyce has worked for me directly since I became the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in January 2007 and, subsequently, became Chairman last year. She was instrumental in helping me and my constituents in Central Florida get a new, 61-mile commuter rail system called Sun Rail approved and under construction. She has advised me on legislation ranging from the 9/11 Implementation Act in 2007, to the 2008 Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, to this year's MAP-21 surface transportation bill. I will miss her can-do attitude and deep knowledge of rail and transit issues. Joyce was born on December 22, 1960 to Mary Jo and Joseph Comer in Leonardtown, Maryland. Her parents instilled a love of God and country, and strong commitment to public service--though Joyce's original plan was to teach music, and in fact, her college degree is in music education. I'm told that Joyce ``keeps her hand in'' music by volunteering to direct her church choir. Joyce has been married for 29 years to Dale Rose, a mechanical engineer, and they have two children, Brian and Beau. Beau has Autism, and their experience as the parents of a disabled child has given Joyce and Dale the gift of advocating for those who can't speak for themselves. Joyce is leaving us to take on a new position as President and CFO of Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a national, non-profit safety education group whose goal is to eliminate deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad rights of way. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and all of our colleagues to join in thanking Joyce Rose for her years of service to the U.S. Congress and our Nation. We wish her well in her new career at Operation Lifesaver.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1956) to prohibit operators of civil aircraft of the United States from participating in the European Union's emissions trading scheme, and for other purposes.

Mr. MICA. First of all, 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 materials on S. 1956.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, and welcome back. The Congress is back in session today, and I guess all people's property and welfare and everything else is now at risk. But I'm pleased to be here to help lessen some of that risk that is a threat which has been offered to the United States in the form of a European Union emissions trading scheme. The bill that I propose today is S. 1956, which replaces the bill that was passed a year ago in October of 2011, and that's H.R. 2594. That's legislation which I authored which basically does the same thing, again, giving the authority to prohibit the United States aircraft and operators of commercial aviation from participating in the European Union's emissions trading scheme. Let me take just a minute and explain what this is. Several years ago, the European Union and some of the folks that are honestly concerned about emissions that come from aviation, commercial aviation in particular, decided to come up with a scheme or a plan to impose a tax on all aircraft. Now, if this had been done within the confines of the European Union, I don't think we would be standing here. But what they did is really go beyond the borders of the European Union and say that any aircraft entering the European Union from another nation will be subject to an emissions tax--and not when it reached the borders of the European Union or their states, but from where it departed. So this would be, first of all, counter to international agreements. It is also a tax that they propose to impose on us that is unfair in every way, violates national agreements that we've had, and it unilaterally imposes this emissions trading scheme on all of the countries, including the United States. It would have a very damaging effect, first of all, because it does not do what it was set up for. The purpose of this was to try to limit or even compensate for emissions; and the scheme, as proposed, did neither. First of all, it would impose a tax on the airlines, which would be passed on to consumers, so we would have higher aviation taxes. Secondly, when they collected the money, the plan was flawed in that the money was not in fact directed to compensate for emissions. It was basically a money-and-tax grab by European powers and not really accomplishing it. So they put a nice title on it and imposed a tax-- again, unfair--against and in total violation of international law and U.S. sovereignty. So we have tried to work with the European Union. As the chair of the Transportation Committee, we led a meeting here in Washington with EU officials and sat down one floor below where I'm standing in March of 2011 and tried to resolve the differences. We actually led a delegation and went to Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union; met in Brussels in June and July of 2011 and further discussed trying to come to some agreement to resolve differences on this matter. And then we took our case, as Members of the United States Congress, to the International Civil Aviation Organization, which is located in Montreal. That's the international civil aviation group that sets some of the policies and the standards for international and national aviation around the world. In fact, in October, a year ago, before we introduced this legislation, we convinced I believe it was some 27 or 28 of the 35 of their governing body to vote in favor of a position we held, which other nations also held. And I think only a small minority of some of the European Union core nations, in fact, prevailed in that vote. So we succeeded in garnering international support because this isn't a tax that affects only the United States, but it affects countries around the world. So we had many international partners who said this is unfair, it's not properly crafted, and it lacked transparency and definition. In fact, when we sat with the European Union counterparts, parliamentarian to parliamentarian, they could not define exactly what they were doing or how they were going to impose this. And I think they're still at a loss because they don't have it completely settled. So there is some good news on the horizon. Yesterday, the EU announced the postponement of imposing the Emissions Trading Scheme to international flights until 2014. Now, that's a temporary delay of imposition. They have said that they'd leave some of the decision up to ICAO, but ICAO does not set policy for the United States of America. We are a sovereign Nation, and we must, again, I think, defend the position, our position, our sovereignty and concurrence with international trade agreements that have previously been agreed on. We've got to hold people's feet to the fire and respect also U.S. sovereignty. So that's how we have gotten ourselves into this fix. We have a temporary delay; maybe that's because of this legislation that's up today. But we must move forward, I think, in giving the Secretary of Transportation and our officials the ability to thwart this kind of unfair tax imposed on our carriers, and that's exactly what this legislation does. We're not doing it by ourselves. We have dozens of other countries that expressed their opposition. So we join our colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, in the committee in bringing forward this bill. It is modeled after what the House passed in October of 2011. And by passing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation that the Senate has now passed, we are notifying the European Union that we are not going to support the scheme and that, in fact, we want a positive outcome. We want a long-term solution, but we will not allow the United States to be held hostage. The European Union or any other nation or group of nations cannot hold us hostage on these tax and international flight issues. So we'll work with ICAO, and we'll continue to work with the European Union and others. And in the meantime, I ask my colleagues to support Senate bill 1956. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 6 minutes at this point to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), who chairs the Aviation Subcommittee in the House.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, might I just inquire as to how much time remains on both sides?

Mr. MICA. I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I have the greatest respect for Mr. Waxman and his leadership on many issues. Some of them we agree on--we're both art lovers and we both have great wives--but I have to disagree with him on a couple of points. First, I'd have to disagree with him on some of the climate statements that he made. I could spend the rest of the time debating that, but that's not what is before us. What is before us is legislation that actually gives the administration and the Secretary of Transportation the authority and also the discretion to work on this issue. If you don't have the backing of Congress, how can he negotiate? He wouldn't have the authority or the discretion to impose some difference with the European Union. You can't fold the United States' tent here. The other point that was made by Mr. Waxman was that we aren't working with them. Well, we hosted them right here. We sat and talked to them. Then we went to Brussels. We sat and talked to them. Then we went to Montreal with the ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, which helped settle some of these matters and set the standards. When we left, they voted 26-36 to agree with the United States. So, in the international body, they were defeated. This does impose a penalty and a tax on the United States. It's unfair. If it's within the European Union, that may be within their discretion to do it, but not from the point of departure in the United States into the European Union or, for that matter, from any sovereign nation. The money doesn't go to clean it up. I know Mr. Waxman loves the environment--so do I--but this money doesn't go for that purpose. It can be used for anything. It's not for engine technology; it's not for the restoration of the environment; and it doesn't stop emissions. So this bill does represent a bipartisan, bicameral compromise, but it gives us the authority to hold their feet to the fire and get a solution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, we don't have any further speakers on our side, and I reserve the balance of my time to close.

Mr. MICA. I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, again I'd urge my colleagues to pass S. 1956. This does represent an honest effort to find a solution to deal with global emissions. They are a problem. We have tried to work with our European Union counterparts. Again, we've had meetings nonstop. When some of this issue began, we went there and talked. We took it to the international body of ICAO. They voted 26-36 to side with the United States' position; but sometimes in this business, you have to bring things to a head. We passed this legislation a year ago with bipartisan support--Mr. Costello, Mr. Rahall, our side of the aisle. It was a little bit tougher measure than what has come from the Senate. The Senate did give discretion to the DOT Secretary and the administration so that they had both the authority and also the discretion to act. I don't think yesterday that the European Union would have deferred to ICAO for a year if we hadn't pressed this; but we do need to bring folks together of goodwill, find a solution, something that is fair. And if we do want to clean up the environment and we want to have people pay a penalty for polluting, then we should ensure that that money goes back into cleaning up the pollution or at least developing the technology or offsetting the damage that's being done. The current scheme--and it is a scheme, which I have a definition of ``scheme'' here. A scheme is a systematic plan of action, a secret, or devious plan, a plot. That's not what we need to do here. We do need to work together, find a solution that's fair for sovereign nations and also accomplishes the laudable goal that we all set out to do. I'm glad I helped force the issue. I appreciate my colleagues joining in this effort, and I think this is a reasonable bipartisan, bicameral solution that will accomplish the goal we set out. Again, I ask my colleagues to vote in support of S. 1956, and I'm pleased to yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Central Florida Veterans who will be participating in the Volusia Honor Air flight to our Nation's capital on Saturday, September 29, 2012. Over the past five years, the Volusia Honor Air program has provided an opportunity for our World War II Veterans from the Central Florida area to travel to Washington, DC to visit the memorial built in their honor. That one day event for these World War II heroes is one of the most special in their lives and is certainly well deserved. Since the first flight in 2008 the program has accommodated more than 1,000 veterans in hosting a special visit to their memorial. This flight marks the 10th and final flight for the program. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize each veteran of this final Volusia Honor Air flight. The veterans of Volusia Honor Air, Flight-Ten are: Edward Achatz, Floyd Adams, Charles Anders, Edward Bachman, Raymond Banas, Frederick Baum, Angelo Bellanco, Robert Bernacchi, Daniel Bernstein, Frank Bonomo, Herschel Brohinsky, Herbert Brucker, Kenneth Burgess, Edd Byrd, George Carter, Vincent Cascioli, Patricia Chambliss, Henry Cleaveland, Irwin Cohen, Thomas Cook, Albert Covello, Robert Curboy, Thornwell Davenport, Virgil Davis, George Desotle, Walter Dickey, Anastasia Domaszewski, Charles Eamshaw, Chauncey Elkins, Howard Genser, Kenneth Gildersleeve, Douglas Hallahan, Charles Hargrove, George Hatzenbuhler, Arion Hinckley, Arthur Hobbs, Charles Hoeck, George Holm, Harold Johnson, Glenn Jones, Clayton Kaster, Earl Killian, Charles Kitching, James Kraker, Walter Lambert, Ernest Laquerre, Leslie Lee, Evelyn Leonard, James Long Jr, Louis Lorenzo, Delia Majure, Eugene Makowski, Harold Marine, John Marshall, Rene Mauboussin, Robert McAlpine, Francis Micara, George Murphy, Edward Obremski, Garlan Odor, George Ottendorf, Donald Palmiter, Loucious Pancoast Jr., Pandi Pani, Joseph Parise, Nathan Polinsky, Paul Pratt Jr, William Rhoads, Gerald Roberts, Charles Robison, Alexander Roskoski, Charles Rowell, Joseph Schmidt, Thomas Schultz, William Seitz, Samual Shoup, Henry Slager, Stanley Sowinski, Levis Swallows, John Temple, Lonnie Terrell, Forrest Thomas, James Trott, Edward Vaissiere, Henry Vendryes, Anthony Visco, Harold Williams, Murray Zealor, Peter Zeiger, Theodore Zrinyi. I would like to salute them, their chaperones, the Volusia Rotary Clubs and other sponsors who helped make these flights possible. It has been my honor and pleasure to accompany our veterans during most of these trips to Washington, and I will always remember the satisfaction, joy and solace I have witnessed in these remarkable men and women and often their family members as they visited our most cherished memorials in our Nation's capital. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and congratulating the Volusia Honor Air program and the service of these World War II Veterans.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Volusia Honor Air program. This program is designed to honor and recognize the veterans we often refer to as the ``Greatest Generation.'' Over the past 5 years, the Volusia Honor Air program has provided an opportunity for our World War II Veterans from the central Florida area to travel to Washington, DC to visit the memorial built in their honor. That one-day event for these World War II heroes is one of the most special in their lives and is certainly well deserved. Since the first flight in 2008, the program has accommodated more than 1,000 veterans in hosting a special visit to their memorial. The flight on September 29, 2012, will mark the 10th and final flight for the program. I would like to first recognize the Volusia County Rotary Clubs who helped arrange and underwrite this program. Let me also pay special tribute to Volusia Honor Air Chairman Bill Mancinik for his leadership and the countless others whose services and donations have been essential to making the program such an overwhelming success. While it is impossible to list every guardian who accompanied the veterans, I would like to thank each and every one of them for their time and dedication in honoring these heroes. However, I would like to specifically name the leaders of each flight and those committee members whose tireless efforts in organizing these intricate trips to Washington have made the events go so smoothly. The leaders of the ten flights are Chairman Bill Mancinik, Ray Heffington, Mike Hill, Bernadette Britz-Parker, Brad Strickland, Roger Baumgartner, Morgan Gilreath, Mike Brooks, Geof Felton and Wayne Gordin. Serving on the Volusia Honor Air Committee are Chairman Bill Mancinik, Jeff Bumb, Mike White, John Cheney, Gloria Denston, Paul Goldberg, David Brannon, Russell Kelton, Andy Grose, Bob Lloyd, Mary Kay Everts, Judi Whitaker, and Jack Ross. As we all know, it takes more than just the dedication of those who volunteer; specifically it takes a lot of money to make these events happen. Thankfully, the Volusia Honor Air program has had a host of generous donors over the years helping to underwrite the expenses for our WWII Veterans to make their trip to Washington. These generous donors include the County of Volusia, Florida, the Paul B. and Constance D. Hunter Charitable Foundation, Inc., Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University, Cambata Aviation International, LLC, Florida Game Promotions, LLC, Coggins Auto Group, American Legion Posts and Auxiliaries, VFW Posts and Auxiliaries, the Rotary Club of Daytona Beach, the DeLand Breakfast Rotary, R. Michael Hill, Staed Family Associates, Steve and Bernadette Parker, the Rotary Club of DeLand, the Rotary Club of Downtown DeLand, Daytona State College, Morgan and Beth Gilreath, Meeting Matters Plus, Inc., TD Bank, Wayne Gordin, Homewood Suites by Hilton, the DeLand Elks #1463, Conrad Yelvington, Majors Medical Supply, Inc., Sweetwater Medical Central, Halifax Hospital, and Florida Hospital in Ormond Beach. It has been my honor and pleasure to accompany our veterans during most of these trips to Washington and I will always remember the satisfaction, joy and solace I have witnessed in these remarkable men and women and often their family members as they visited our most cherished memorials in our nation's capital. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and congratulating the Volusia Honor Air Program and the service of all of our World War II veterans.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Chloe Zulcosky, a recent graduate of Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida. There are some people in our lives that inspire us to be better, to reach for every opportunity, and, when we fall down, to brush ourselves off and continue pushing ahead. Friends, Chloe was one of those people. She served as a role model in her community, and shone through to all as a fun-loving and courageous young lady. Chloe showed the community of Seminole County how to live life as a kind, genuine and beautiful person. Chloe was the Senior Captain of her cheerleading team at Seminole High School. While at cheerleading camp at the beginning of her senior year, Chloe started having terrible migraines. After weeks of continuous pain, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer which usually occurs with patients older than 55. Chloe underwent surgery in early September to remove the brain tumor. She was scheduled after the surgery for one year of chemotherapy to diminish any of the tumor that was not removed. She was able to experience a senior year full of love and support from the Seminole County community. Chloe received the honor of Homecoming Queen at Seminole High School, attended her prom, and graduated from high school. On Wednesday July 25, after a long and courageous fight, Chloe passed away. While it is with a heavy heart that I report to Congress that Chloe passed away today, I am confident that her life and memory will remain with not only those she knew, but all those who knew of her. I again ask we remember the life of this wonderful young woman and pray for the family and friends who are grieving her loss. May Chloe inspire us all.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of legislation that will provide greater transparency within our Federal Reserve System. H.R. 459, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, requires an audit of that agency. As a cosponsor, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this crucial piece of legislation. In order to get our financial house in order, we must take all necessary steps to ensure the Federal Reserve, which sets the conditions for the free market to thrive; is operating in the most efficient manner possible. The auditing of the Federal Reserve is the first step in inspecting this important level of government for financial and regulatory waste and inefficiency. It was recently revealed that the New York District Federal Reserve had previous knowledge of dangers threatening our financial markets before the financial market collapsed in 2007. The New York Fed, led then by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, had knowledge that certain rates were being manipulated but failed to act. Auditing the Federal Reserve will pinpoint responsibility, foster accountability and provide Congress and the American people with transparency over this powerful Federal entity. Our Nation's central bank should not be exempt from financial audit, especially with the immense financial power it controls. In its hands lies the fate of our country's financial stability. As I have worked to uncover waste throughout government as Chairman of the House Transportation Committee and as a senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I must insist that our Nation's financial operators be subject to the same level of scrutiny. An audit is the first positive step in that direction, and I will continue to work for passage of the Federal Reserve Transparency Act.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize Officer Zach Hudson of the Lake Mary, Florida Police Department. Officer Hudson has dutifully served the citizens of Florida for ten years and the Lake Mary community since 2007 as their Community Relations Officer. His dedication to public safety serves as an example to his fellow officers and neighbors. Shortly after joining the Lake Mary force, Officer Hudson was dispatched to a residence that housed two elderly ladies. Upon arriving, he realized the home contained no food and had no electricity. The little money they did have, they told Hudson, was alternated each month between food and medicines. He had seen instances such as these on his beat in the past, but he decided, in his own words, that ``I'd had enough and I realized something had to be done.'' Soon after, Hudson started the Seniors Intervention Group in Lake Mary. With the help of Hudson and hundreds of volunteers, this program provides seniors with essential assistance such as food, money, transportation, vehicle maintenance and help around the house. From helping change doorway illuminating light bulbs to fixing leaky sinks, tasks we can perform easily, no job is considered too small when the safety and well-being of our seniors is concerned. In early 2010, Hudson's vision had become so popular, it became a non-profit and expanded to all of Seminole County and continues to this day as a crucial resource for hundreds of elderly seniors in Central Florida. Officer Hudson's contribution is not merely recognized within his community, but the nation as well. Earlier this month, CNN recognized his good work by naming him one of their CNN Heroes of 2012. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Officer Zach Hudson's service to his community, I have asked the Architect of the Capitol to fly an American Flag over the U.S. Capitol Building. Officer Hudson represents the very finest of our nation's law enforcement. I am honored and humbled that he has served the district I represent. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the heroic duty of Officer Zach Hudson.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my personal appreciation to the dedicated staff in the Office of Legislative Counsel here in the House of Representatives for helping us to write important legislation reauthorizing surface transportation programs. In addition, I would like to thank the staff of the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for providing us with their technical assistance and expertise. In particular, I would like to thank the following individuals for their work on this legislation: From the Office of Legislative Counsel Transportation and Infrastructure Attorneys Curt Haensel Rosemary Gallagher Tom Dillon Kakuti Lin Tim Brown Clerks Nancy McNeillie Debra Birch Ramseyer Team Craig Sterkx Thomas Meryweather Pamela Griffiths From the Federal Highway Administration Tim Arnade Andrew Wishnia Jennifer Steinhoff Steven Frankel Carolyn Edwards Todd Kohr Kimberly Monaco From the Federal Transit Administration Rich Steinmann Kate Webb Bonnie Graves Rita Maristch Thanks to the dedication of these experts we have achieved a major accomplishment in the passage of H.R. 4348.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I have a parliamentary inquiry.