Jeff Miller

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My bill provides all employees an appeal to the MSPB. Post- depravation is not an issue; and regarding pre-depravation due process, my bill provides the same protections as the Choice Act, which the MSPB has held does not, on its face, violate the due process clause. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen), a new member of our committee.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), vice chairman of the full committee and my colleague from the Second Congressional District of Florida.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 675, as amended. The bill includes several important provisions that would help our Nation's veterans, including the annual COLA increase, changes to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, requirements for VA to pay accrued benefits to the estate of a deceased veteran, improvements to claims processing, and would encourage Americans to observe 2 minutes of silence to honor our Nation's heroes on Veterans Day. Mr. Speaker, many disabled veterans and their families depend on VA benefits to pay for their housing, their food, and other necessities. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that VA benefits keep pace with the rate of inflation so that our Nation's heroes are able to make ends meet. The original text of H.R. 675, introduced by the chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Dr. Abraham, would authorize the annual COLA increase to veterans disability compensation rates and other benefits. The amount of the increase will be determined by the Consumer Price Index, which also establishes the COLA for Social Security beneficiaries. H.R. 675, as amended, would also incorporate legislation that was originally introduced by Representative Costello that would modernize our Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, or CAVC, to ensure that the CAVC is able to meet the anticipated increase in the number of appeals that are coming over the next few years. To address this problem, the bill would extend the temporary expansion of the CAVC from seven to nine judges through 2020. The bill would also authorize the chief judge to recall retired judges to serve more than 90 days, if necessary. These two changes would help ensure that the CAVC is able to continue deciding cases in a timely fashion. Additionally, H.R. 675, as amended, would revise the qualifications for the chief judge and make CAVC judges eligible for the same salaries, life insurance programs, and retirement service credit benefits that are offered to other Federal appellate court judges. H.R. 675, as amended, also includes provisions introduced by Representative Titus that would help veterans who seek disability benefits for more than one medical condition. VA would be required to make interim payments for disabilities found to be service connected while the Department makes determinations with respect to claims for individual conditions that have yet to be adjudicated. Additionally, this bill would require VA to establish a 2-year training program that would help ensure claims processors have the skills necessary to accurately decide claims for beneficiaries. The bill would also address another serious problem for veterans and their families, which is that many veterans die before the VA is able to decide their claim for benefits. Processing a claim for benefits can often take years, and if a veteran dies before VA completes adjudication of the claim, VA currently pays any accrued benefits to qualifying family members, such as spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents. However, if the veteran dies without any surviving qualifying family member, VA simply keeps the benefits. This legislation, however, includes language authorized by Representative Zeldin to fix this problem by requiring that VA pay any accrued benefits to the estate of the veteran, unless the estate would escheat. This would ensure that adult children and other beneficiaries of the veteran's estate will receive the benefits to which the veteran was legally entitled. Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill incorporates a bill by my friend Representative Lynch that would help remind the American public of the true meaning of Veterans Day. H.R. 675, as amended, would direct the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a 2- minute moment of silence in honor of our Nation's veterans' service and their sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the First District of the State of New York (Mr. Zeldin), another valued member of our committee.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 675) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2015, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am happy at this time to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello), from the Sixth District of Pennsylvania, who is a member of our committee.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I also urge the passage of H.R. 675, as amended. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the Fifth District of Louisiana (Mr. Abraham), the chairman of a very critical subcommittee on our Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to add extraneous material on H.R. 675, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to add any extraneous material that they may have on H.R. 1607, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 1607, as amended. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1607) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the disability compensation evaluation procedure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for veterans with mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge all Members to support H.R. 1607, as amended, which would help veterans who are seeking benefits for conditions that arose as a result of military sexual trauma, or MST. Tragically, MST has been a serious problem in the U.S. military; although, in recent years, the DOD has been taking steps to reduce these assaults. We owe it to our veterans who are subject to personal assaults during their military service to ensure that the VA expeditiously and accurately processes mental health claims for conditions related to MST, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Several factors complicate the process for veterans who seek disability compensation for mental health conditions that might arise from MST. The vast majority of sexual assaults in the military are not reported, and even fewer cases are actually prosecuted. As a result, many veterans find it hard to prove that the assaults actually occurred; therefore, service connection is often difficult to establish. H.R. 1607, as amended, which was introduced by Representative Pingree, would also express the sense of Congress that the VA should update and improve its regulations with respect to MST. Although current VA regulations purport to reduce the burden of proof for veterans who file claims for PTSD, in practice, the VA claims processors do not use the broader standard of evidence when adjudicating claims related to MST. Moreover, these regulations do not address mental health conditions, with the exception of PTSD, that might arise as a result of military sexual trauma. To help Congress conduct better oversight of the VA's processing of MST claims, H.R. 1607, as amended, would require the VA to submit annual reports through 2019. These reports would provide certain data, including the number of military sexual trauma claims approved. The VA would also be required to provide the three most common reasons the Department denies such claims. Until the VA updates and improves its regulations with respect to MST claims, the Department would be required to provide each veteran who has submitted an MST claim or has been treated for MST with a copy of the report most recently submitted to Congress. The VA would have to provide monthly updates on the status of the changes to the regulations to both Congress and the veterans who are affected. Finally, H.R. 1607, as amended, would limit awards and bonuses paid to the VA employees who are members of the Senior Executive Service to not more than an aggregate of $2 million for each of the next 3 years. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Northwest Florida's beloved William H. ``Cotton'' Byrom. Cotton was a friend and a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast, a successful business owner, and a leader in civil society. All of Northwest Florida mourns his passing. Born and raised in Milton, Florida, Cotton graduated from Milton High School in the midst of World War II, and, at the age of 17, he answered the call of duty, serving with honor and distinction in the Navy during the war. Following his military service, Cotton attended Florida State University, cementing a passion for FSU football that would continue for the rest of his life. At FSU, Cotton displayed the leadership skills that would come to be a hallmark of his service to Northwest Florida, serving as founding president of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. After receiving his degree in finance, Cotton returned to his beloved Milton, starting the Byrom Insurance/Real Estate Agency, which he led for nearly four decades. Despite the rigors of running a successful small business, Cotton was also dedicated to serving the people of Milton, and this commitment to service saw him elected to various important positions. Among the many offices he held, Cotton served as Mayor of Milton, City Police Director, and City Judge, and he also served a term in the Florida Legislature. Cotton also served in many other capacities, including more than 30 years on the Board of Directors for SunTrust Bank, nearly 20 years as Chairman of the Santa Rosa Beach Administration, and more than a decade as Santa Rosa County Civil Defense Director. In addition, Cotton was a member of the ``Coffee Crew,'' which gathered at 9:00 a.m. each morning in Milton to discuss politics and current affairs. When I attended, I always enjoyed visiting with Cotton and was deeply humbled to receive his counsel and guidance. Cotton was also a deeply religious man and a longtime member of First United Methodist Church. In fact, as a child, Cotton began saving the money that he earned to help rebuild the church following a fire that destroyed the church in 1932. To some, Cotton Byrom will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and patriot, who answered the call during one of our Nation's toughest hours and came back home to continue leading and serving the people of Northwest Florida; to others he will be remembered as a successful businessman and civic leader; to his friends and family he will best be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize the life and legacy of William H. ``Cotton'' Byrom. My wife Vicki and I send our deepest prayers and condolences to his wife Geraldine ``Geri'' Byrom; four daughters: Priscilla (Pete) Sanstead, Barbara (Terry) Johnson, Jennifer (Alan) Byrom; Julie (Guy) Byrom; grandchildren: Betsy Cooley, Leslie (Josh) Sparr, Tyler Sparr, Caroline Sanstead, and Gracie Stewart; great-grandchildren: Sarah Cooley, Brooke Baker, William Baker, Ben White and Jayden White; stepchildren, Matt (Tonya) Lawrence and Laura (Shaine) Garrison; step- grandchildren: Seth Lawrence, Grant Garrison, Colin Garrison and Emma Garrison; nephew, Jack (Betty) Williamson; special relative, Paul (Laurie) Green; and the entire Byrom family.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Northwest Florida's Marion Clifton ``M.C.'' Davis, who lost his battle with lung cancer on July 11, 2015. A longtime resident of Walton County, Florida, M.C. had an abiding love for Northwest Florida. He dedicated much of his life to preserving the Gulf Coast's natural beauty for current generations and future generations to come, and the Northwest Florida community mourns his passing. Born October 18, 1944 in Douglas, Georgia, M.C. graduated with a Political Science degree from the University of North Carolina in 1970 and his J.D. from Samford Law School in 1973. After an immensely successful business career, which saw him pursue many different career paths, M.C. decided to use his success to help restore and preserve the land that he loved. Northwest Florida is blessed with immense biological and ecological diversity, with a high concentration of plants and wildlife alike, and in 2000, M.C. purchased more than 50,000 acres of land in Walton County to create the Nokuse Plantation, the largest privately held nature preserve east of the Mississippi River. As a result of his dedication to conservation, M.C. has helped lead efforts to restore several native plant and animal species, including longleaf pine, which once blanketed millions of acres in the Southeast, and gopher tortoises, which are listed by the state as a threatened species. In addition, countless plants and animals from diverse parts of nature can be found on Nokuse Plantation, including eagles, ospreys, bobcats, foxes, raccoons and armadillos, among others. Indeed, M.C. has called this project a 300-year effort to help restore the full biological wealth bestowed on Northwest Florida. Nokuse Plantation also sits in a critical area of Northwest Florida, serving as a link between several important sites, including Eglin Air Force Base Reserve, Blackwater River State Forest and the Conecuh National Forest. By helping to preserve this critical resource, Nokuse Plantation also helps ensure that sufficient base buffering exists to support critical military missions at Eglin Air Force Base. In addition to his work establishing Nokuse Plantation, M.C. also founded the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. Located on the Nokuse Plantation, the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center provides students in the 4th through 7th grades, as well as their teachers, the opportunity to study in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the United States. Each year, more than 5,000 students from across Northwest Florida study at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, which helps integrate into the State of Florida's curriculum, particularly in the important Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Throughout his life, M.C. touched the lives of many and without question, his generosity and commitment to nature will be felt in Northwest Florida for many generations to come. While many will remember M.C. for his dedication to preserving Northwest Florida's natural beauty, to those who knew him best, M.C. will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. On behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize the life of M.C. Davis. My wife Vicki and I extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his wife and high school sweetheart, Stella; his children Crystal, Lisa, and Wendy; his granddaughters, Claire, Alex, Julia, Mary-Shelton; and the entire Davis family.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Pensacola Chief of Police Chip W. Simmons on the occasion of his retirement after nearly 30 years on the force serving the people of Florida's Gulf Coast. Shortly after his graduation from Pine Forest High School, in Pensacola, Chief Simmons started his career in law enforcement at the Escambia County Sheriff's Department as a Corrections Officer. Upon his graduation from the Pensacola Police Academy, Chief Simmons joined the Pensacola Police Department in October 1986. Like so many other dedicated law enforcement officers, he entered the force looking to serve the community that he loved, and after less than 10 years on the force, during which Chief Simmons served on numerous state and federal task forces and completed both Bachelors' and Masters' degrees, he received a promotion to Sergeant. This promotion, a reflection of Chief Simmons assiduous work ethic and unquestioned commitment to excellence, would portend many future promotions to come. In 1997, Chief Simmons was appointed the city's SWAT Commander, a position he held for four years, and in 1998 he received yet another promotion to Lieutenant. During this period, Chief Simmons also graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, while also serving as a member of the U.S. Customs Blue Lighting Strike Force. In 2002, Chief Simmons was promoted to Captain, before being appointed Assistant Chief of Police in 2005. Following the retirement of his predecessor, Chief John W. Mathis, Chief Simmons was nominated and chosen to serve as the Chief of Police for the Pensacola Police Department. During Chief Simmons' years at the helm, the Pensacola Police Department has worked tirelessly to protect and serve the local citizens, and Chief Simmons has overseen several impressive accomplishments. Most importantly, under his leadership, the City of Pensacola has recorded the lowest crime rate in recorded history, while also pursuing a rigorous accreditation process from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. certifying the department's professional excellence. Given Chief Simmons' dedication to his community and the department, it should come as no surprise that he is one of the most decorated officers in Pensacola Police Department history. While his full list of awards and commendations is too numerous to mention, he has received the department's highest award for heroism--the Gold Medal of Valor-- and numerous merit awards from both the department and the city. In addition, Chief Simmons has been recognized by state and local law enforcement bodies on several occasions, receiving both the Drug Enforcement Administration's Achievement Award and induction into the Police and Firefighters Heroes Hall of Fame. Chief Simmons is also a true leader in the Northwest Florida civic community, and, in addition to his service as a police officer, he has also served in many leadership capacities at civic organizations. Among these positions, he currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Pensacola State College, a position appointed by the Governor of Florida, and he has served on the Board of Directors of Ronald McDonald House, Favorhouse of Northwest Florida, the Community and Alcohol Commission, as well as the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee. As a former Deputy Sheriff, I understand the important and sometimes underappreciated role of law enforcement officers. Each and every day, dedicated law enforcement officers put themselves in danger to protect and serve their community as an officer of the law. Chief Simmons exemplifies all of the qualities of a world-class law enforcement officer, and his decades of service are a testament to his commitment to our Nation and the law enforcement community. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Chief Simmons for his service to the people of Northwest Florida. My wife Vicki and I congratulate him on his retirement and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Northwest Florida's beloved Clarence Olin Marler. On July 9, 2015, Destin, Florida--the ``World's Luckiest Fishing Village''--and the recreational boating community suffered a great loss with his passing. Olin Marler was born in Destin on October 10, 1934, to the late Clarence L. Marler and Gladys Marler. A proud Northwest Floridian, he also pursued his higher education in the area, graduating from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Management. It was during his time working as a defense contractor with Vitro Services, now known as BAE Systems, that Olin began his career as a Charter Boat Captain, purchasing his first charter boat in 1965. As a result of his dedication and hard work, what began as a small weekend business, Olin Marler Charters would flourish into one of the oldest and most successful charter boat operations in the State of Florida, and over the years, Olin helped thousands of locals and tourists experience the God-given natural beauty of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. To some, Olin Marler will be remembered as a legendary boat captain; to others, he will be remembered for his great stories and his love of fishing. To his friends and family, however, he will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather. While fishing and the smiles on his customers' faces brought Olin great happiness, his greatest blessing and love was his family. On behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize the life of Clarence Olin Marler. Without question, his contributions to the Northwest Florida economy will be felt for years to come; however, more important was the joy Olin brought to his customers, friends, and family, and the legacy he leaves behind. My wife Vicki and I extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his wife, Donna; sons, Greg and Andrew; daughter, Hannah; grandchildren, Caden Lee Olin Marler, Mallisa Marler Scott and Jacob Marler; great- grandchildren; and the entire Marler family.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, due to being unavoidably detained, I missed the following rollcall votes: No. 424-No. 426 on July 9, 2015 (today). If present, I would have voted: rollcall vote No. 424--On Motion to Adjourn, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 425--Ordering the Previous Question on the Motion to Refer H. Res. 355, ``aye;'' rollcall vote No. 426--On Motion to Refer H. Res. 355, ``aye.''

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on July 31, our Nation's veterans will lose one of their strongest advocates when Joe Violante retires as the National Legislative Director for the Disabled American Veterans at DAV's National Service and Legislative Headquarters here in Washington, DC. A New Jersey native, Mr. Violante joined the Marine Corps in 1969. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines and Battalion Landing Team 2/4 in Southeast Asia where he was injured. After being discharged in 1972 with the rank of sergeant, Mr. Violante received a bachelor's degree in history and political science from the University of New Mexico, and eventually earned his law degree from San Fernando Valley College of Law, in California. Following private practice in California, Mr. Violante began working as a VA Staff Attorney at the Board of Veterans' Appeals in 1985. But Joe felt he could better-serve veterans by working for an organization that advocates for veterans. Leaving the VA, Mr. Violante joined DAV's professional staff as Staff Counsel/Judicial Appeals Representative at the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in 1990. Following his time at the Board, Mr. Violante was appointed Legislative Counsel for DAV in 1992 and was later promoted to Deputy National Legislative Director in 1996 and Legislative Director in 1997. In addition to his work at DAV, Mr. Violante has served on numerous boards and committees. Mr. Violante served as a member of the Board of the National Foundation for Women Legislators from 2001 to 2009 and a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Circuit Bar Association from 2001 to 2004. Additionally, Mr. Violante co-hosted ``Veterans' Forum,'' a local cable television program dedicated to veterans' issues from 1991 to 1994; chaired the Veterans Appeals' Committee and Legislative Committee of the Federal Circuit Bar Association from 1992 to 1996 and 1997 to 2001, respectively; was vice-chair of the American Bar Association Coordinating Committee on Veterans Benefits and Services from 1991 to 1994; and at-large member of the Board of Governors of the Veterans' Law Committee of the Federal Bar Association from 1992 to 1993. Mr. Speaker, it would be a challenge to find someone who has done more as an advocate for veterans than Mr. Joe Violante. So, in the long-standing tradition of the Navy and Marine Corps, I wish Joe and his family fair winds and following seas. Bravo Zulu Marine.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chair, due to being unavoidably detained, I missed the following rollcall votes: No. 392-No. 409 on July 8, 2015 (today). If present, I would have voted: rollcall vote No. 392--On Agreeing to the Resolution, Providing for further consideration of H.R. 5, the Student Success Act and H.R. 2647, the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015, ``aye;'' rollcall vote No. 393--On Agreeing to the Amendment, First Garamendi of California Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 394--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Capps of California Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 395--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Sablan of Northern Mariana Islands Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 396--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Castor of Florida Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 397--On Agreeing to the Amendment, First Grijalva of Arizona Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 398--On agreeing to the Amendment, First Tsongas of Massachusetts Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 399--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Second Grijalva of Arizona Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 400--On Agreeing to the Amendment, First Polis of Colorado Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 401--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Edwards of Maryland Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall No. 402--On agreeing to the Amendment, Lawrence of Michigan Amendment No. 13 to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 403--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Second Polis of Colorado Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 404--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Second Tsongas of Massachusetts Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 405--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Third Grijalva of Arizona Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 406--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Beyer of Virginia Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 407--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Blackburn of Tennessee Amendment No. 6 to H.R. 2822, ``aye;'' rollcall vote No. 408--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Pearce of New Mexico Amendment No. 13 to H.R. 2822, ``aye;'' rollcall vote No. 409--On Agreeing to the Amendment, Hardy of Nevada Amendment to H.R. 2822, ``aye.''

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, due to being unavoidably detained, I missed the following rollcall votes: No. 390 and No. 391 on July 7, 2015. If present, I would have voted: rollcall vote No. 390--Authorizing conferees to close meetings for H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, ``aye,'' rollcall vote No. 391--on motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 91--Veterans I.D. Card Act of 2015, ``aye.''