Jeff Miller

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition, even though I do not oppose the amendment.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, this is a very worthy cause that is due our respect, as we often forget the veterans that have been wounded, disabled for life in battle. I was proud to attend the dedication of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial service just a couple of years ago right outside of this Capitol Building, and I want to thank Representative Frankel and urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition, even though I am not opposed. The Acting Chair. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida?

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, this, in fact, would make it easier for VA to recruit and retain its VISN directors. It is a legislative proposal of the Department of Veterans Affairs included in the committee-drafted H.R. 5526, sponsored by Mr. Wenstrup. I am grateful to Representative Gallego. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition, even though I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chair, I do want to thank Mr. Keating for coming up with this outstanding amendment to our bill. It does require VA employees to receive continuing education and courses on pain management, safe prescribing practices, disposal of controlled substances, and addiction treatment. It is critical for VA providers to know the best practices for pain management and substance use disorder. I want to thank Mr. Keating for his words tonight, and Mr. Rothfus, and I my colleagues in supporting this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition, even though I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chair, I want to thank Mr. Lowenthal for his very simple, nonpartisan amendment that has been provided tonight requiring political appointees at VA review whistleblower complaints at every level. I am grateful to him for bringing this forward. I urge all of my colleagues to support his amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and provide any extraneous material.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5936) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with certain health care providers to furnish health care to veterans, to authorize the Secretary to enter into certain leases at the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California, to make certain improvements to the enhanced-use lease authority of the Department, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5936, as amended, the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016. I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Price for his tireless efforts in working with our committee on scoring that was associated with this particular piece of legislation. Without his cooperation, we would not be poised to pass this bill today. This bill would authorize VA to carry out certain leases on the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System West L.A. Medical Center Campus in Los Angeles, California, in accordance with the draft master plan. Leases that would be considered allowable under this language include: an enhanced-use lease for the purpose of providing supportive housing, any lease lasting less than 50 years to a third party to provide services that benefit veterans and their families, or a lease lasting less than 10 years to the University of California if the lease is consistent with the master plan and the University's activities are principally focused on providing services to veterans. Any land-sharing agreements that fail to provide additional healthcare resources or to benefit veterans and their families in ways other than generating additional revenue would be prohibited, and any funds received from leases credited to the West L.A. VA Medical facility would be required to be used exclusively for renovation and maintenance. The bill also includes numerous reporting requirements to ensure that the VA is fully transparent with Congress and the American people regarding the management use and operations of the campus. I was honored to visit West L.A. and their medical center campus earlier this year and witness firsthand the enormous promise it holds for our veterans, especially our homeless veterans. This historic site has suffered from many years of neglect, misuse, and mismanagement; but, with passage of H.R. 5936, as amended, today, I am confident that it will finally be on the path to preservation, revitalization, and the fulfillment of its mission to serve and to provide for veterans in need throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. I am grateful to my friend and colleague, Congressman Ted Lieu, from California, for joining me in sponsoring this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to join us in supporting this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this time, so we are prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this piece of legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the McLaney Family of Laurel Hill for being selected as the 2016 Okaloosa County, Florida, Outstanding Farm Family of the Year. Although Joel McLaney was previously an electrician by trade, farming has been a part of the McLaney family for three generations. When Joel transitioned into farming full time, he purchased 83 acres of land from his grandfather who was involved in the poultry industry. For many years, Joel raised poultry in five chicken houses, and today on 300 acres, the McLaneys raise cattle and grow a variety of crops, including: cotton, peanuts, and hay. Joel and his wife Gena of 25 years have two children, Josh, who is a senior at the University of West Florida, and Kaylyn, a senior at Laurel Hill High School, within whom they have instilled the value of hard work and to whom they plan to pass on the farm to continue the McLaney family farming tradition. Aside from their time on the farm, Joel is a bus driver and Gena is a teacher. The McLaneys are also active members of Auburn Pentecostal Church and the Farm Bureau. Mr. Speaker, the Okaloosa County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year Award is a true reflection of the McLaneys' tireless work and their dedication to family and farming. On behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my congratulations to the McLaney family for being outstanding in their field. My wife Vicki and I extend our best wishes for their continued success.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to recognize the life and dedicated service of Brigadier General Thomas ``Mark'' Stogsdill, USAF retired, who passed away on July 19, 2016. General Stogsdill was a devoted family man, Vietnam veteran, and decorated warrior who proudly served our country as a member of the Armed Forces for over 35 years. I am humbled to rise and pay tribute to his life, his unwavering commitment to service, and his dedication to our Nation's heroes and their loved ones. General Stogsdill was born in Wellington, Kansas, to Betty (Montgomery) and Dale W. L. Stogsdill on September 8, 1947. His love for our country was strong and evident early on when he commissioned in the United States Air Force in the fall of 1969. He became a master navigator and earned his wings in 1970 at Mather Air Force Base, California. He completed more than 6,500 flying hours including 450 combat hours flown in AC-130 Spectre gunships during the Southeast Asia conflict. After six years on active duty, General Stogsdill joined the Air Force Reserve in 1975. He assumed command of the 919th Special Operations Wing in 1998, which had recently transitioned from the AC-130A Spectre gunship to the MC-130E Combat Talon and MC-130P Combat Shadow. His leadership and dedication to those under his command helped ensure a successful transition. General Stogsdill was constantly looking for new ways to improve his beloved 919th SOW. It was his innovative thinking and driven persistence that enabled the Total Force Integration between the Air Force Special Operations Command's 5th Special Operations Squadron and 9th SOS at Eglin Air Force Base, and the Air Force Reserve Command's 711th SOS and 8th SOS at Duke Field. Moving reservists to Eglin and active duty members to Duke Field created a long-standing cohesion among the Special Operations Squadrons. Many will remember General Stogsdill for his courage and resolve following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our homeland. General Stogsdill led his unit through numerous combat deployments. Extremely successful in their missions, the 919th SOW became known as one of the most highly decorated wings in the United States Air Force Reserve. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 2006, General Stogsdill remained dedicated to those who serve and their families along with the community of Northwest Florida. He was an active member of both the Crestview Military Affairs Council and Emerald Coast Military Affairs Council and was a board member of the Fisher House. During his distinguished career, General Stogsdill was greatly regarded within the Air Force and Northwest Florida communities, and, to many he will be remembered for his devotion to his country and fellow man. To his family and friends, he'll be remembered as a loving family man with a great sense of humor. Without question, General Stogsdill lived a life full of service and has earned our Nation's highest respect and gratitude. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is a privilege for me to honor Brigadier General Mark Stogsdill's lifetime of service. My wife Vicki and I extend our prayers and sincere condolences to his wife and best friend, Jan; two daughters--Sarah and Emma; and the entire Stogsdill family.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3471) to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the provision of automobiles and adaptive equipment by the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3471, as amended, the Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2016. This bill is sponsored by my friend and committee member, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski from Indiana, and includes a provision from H.R. 353, the Veterans' Access to Hearing Health Act of 2015, which is sponsored by Congressman Sean Duffy from Wisconsin. I am very grateful to both of them for their efforts. H.R. 3471, as amended, would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy regarding quality standards for providers who dispense modification services to veterans under the Automobile Adaptive Equipment program. VA's current handbook governing the Automobile Adaptive Equipment program has not been updated since it was released in 2000, despite being scheduled for recertification in 2005. Allowing the handbook for this important program to get so outdated is troublesome to me, given that improperly installed automobile adaptive equipment carries risks for our disabled veterans and for all those sharing America's roads. The bill would also authorize VA to hire and prescribe qualified qualifications for hiring hearing aid specialists. One of my highest priorities as chairman has been ensuring that our Nation's veterans receive timely access to quality care. That is why I was so frustrated by an audit issued by the VA inspector general in 2014 which found that VA took 17 to 24 days to complete hearing aid repair services and that, nationally, 30 percent of veterans waited more than 30 days from the estimated date that the VA medical facility had received the hearing aid from a vendor to the date the medical facility actually issued the hearing aid to the veteran themselves. Too many veterans relying on hearing aids cannot wait for weeks or months for VA to make repairs, and I am hopeful that, by authorizing VA to hire hearing aid specialists to assist with basic hearing aid repairs, they will no longer have to wait. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski). She represents the Second Congressional District of Indiana, ``Gin Town.''

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this piece of legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5937) to amend title 36, United States Code, to authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to acquire, operate, and maintain the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous materials to H.R. 5937, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5937, as amended. I want to thank Chairman Ed Royce of the Foreign Affairs Committee and his staff for their assistance in expeditiously scheduling this bill. My bill would ensure that the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial located outside of Paris, France, will continue to be cared for in a manner that honors America's servicemembers who fought in World War I. Before the United States entered World War I, 269 brave American volunteers flew in combat missions in the French Air Service. These Americans were referred to as the Lafayette Escadrille after Marquis de Lafayette, the Frenchman who was instrumental to America's victory during the Revolutionary War. Unfortunately, 68 members of the Lafayette Escadrille lost their lives during the war, and the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial contains a crypt that serves as the final resting place for 49 of these brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Since 1928, the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial has been operated by the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Foundation. The foundation is running out of funds that are needed to maintain the memorial. H.R. 5937, as amended, would authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to acquire, operate, and maintain the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, which would guarantee that the memorial receives the care it deserves as a final resting place for Americans. The ABMC, a Federal agency, currently operates numerous American military cemeteries and memorials in foreign countries. The ABMC is well equipped to ensure that the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial continues to stand as a reminder that Americans fought all around the world in the name of freedom. So I would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5937, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I too would urge all colleagues to support this piece of legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.