Jeff Miller

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I, too, urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 4757, as amended. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge all of our colleagues to support H.R. 4757, as amended. This bill would expand two different honors for our Nation's heroes, guaranteeing that their service would never be forgotten. First, the bill would expand eligibility for a Presidential Memorial Certificate to members of the National Guard or Reserve. Mr. Speaker, Presidential Memorial Certificates are engraved certificates that are signed by the President and sent to a deceased servicemember's family, honoring their loved one's service and sacrifice to our country. My bill would ensure that all service is recognized and cherished because all servicemembers take the exact same oath to support and to defend the Constitution of the United States. Second, H.R. 4757, as amended, would allow the VA to furnish a headstone, marker, or medallion signifying that the deceased was awarded the Medal of Honor. We all know that veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor, deserve to have their service recognized both in life and after they pass. This bill would make it easier for visitors at any cemetery to pay their respects to Medal of Honor recipients by allowing them to quickly identify our national heroes. Moreover, these headstones, markers, or medallions will also continue to inspire the next generation of Americans who will be serving our country. I hope that in 100, 200, or even 1,000 years from now future Americans will still take the time to find the graves of these incredibly brave men and women and give thanks that they are living in the greatest Nation in the history of this world. This legislation would help us fulfill our duty as a nation to encourage continued respect and admiration for those that have gone on before us. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 4757, as amended. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4757) to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for deceased individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor and are buried in private cemeteries, as amended.

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

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on H.R. 4757, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize Addison Russell for his incredible athletic talent and honor him for Addison Russell Day at Pace High School. His natural ability to lead by example both on and off the field has distinguished him among his peers and built the foundation for his successful career. Born and raised in Pace, Florida, Russell began his freshman year at Pace High School in 2009 where he became the 5th freshman in the school's history to play on the varsity baseball team. In 2010, he led Pace High School to a class 5A Florida High School Athletic Association baseball state championship and again as runner-up in 2012. In 2011, Russell was selected to be a member of the USA Baseball 18U National Team at the COPABE 18U/AAA Pan American Games. Russell hit a grand slam in the Championship game against Team Canada, allowing his team to take home the gold medal and Russell to be named at the First-Team All- Tournament as Shortstop. Upon graduating from high school, Russell was drafted by the Oakland Athletics with the 11th overall pick of the first round in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. He was then traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 4, 2014 and on April 21, 2015 Russell made his major league debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Russell represented the Cubs in the 2016 Major League Baseball All- Star Game as the starting shortstop for the National League. Then, during game six of the 2016 World Series, Addison hit the 19th grand slam in the history of the Series and also tied the Major League Baseball record for six RBIs by one player in a game on a team facing elimination from the fall classic. Mr. Speaker, Northwest Florida is proud to honor Addison Russell on November 29, 2016 with Addison Russell Day at Pace High School. My wife Vicki and I extend Russell, wife, Melisa; and children, Aiden and Mila; our best wishes for their continued success.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5600) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide access to magnetic EEG/EKG- guided resonance therapy to veterans, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. 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 material on H.R. 3286, as amended.

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 add extraneous material on H.R. 5166, as amended.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5047) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor to provide information to veterans and members of the Armed Forces about articulation agreements between institutions of higher learning, and for other purposes.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

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

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 on H.R. 6323.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6323) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system in Long Beach, California, the ``Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center''.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Northwest Florida's beloved Lloyd Hinote, who passed away November 13, 2016. A longtime resident of Milton, Florida, Lloyd had a deep love for his family and for his community and his continued efforts to make Milton a more beautiful place has left a lasting impact that will be remembered for years to come. Born on January 22, 1938, in Alflora, Florida to James and Verble Hinote, Lloyd spent his first eight years in nearby Indian Ford, before moving to live the remainder of his life in his beloved Milton. Lloyd graduated as 1 of 56 students in the Milton High School Class of 1956, and after high school he matriculated to Florida State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in management and finance. Lloyd continued his education, completing The School of Banking at the University of Oklahoma, and then embarked on a successful private sector career, working as the vice president of a local bank for over twenty-four years and as a private business owner for over eighteen years, before serving almost ten years as the executive director of the Pace Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, Lloyd decided to serve his community in local government by serving on the Milton City Council. On the Milton City Council, Councilman Hinote represented Ward IV for over 15 years. It was his leadership as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee that initiated the improvements at Sanders Street Park and Russell Harbor Landing. He was fully dedicated to bettering Milton, as evidenced by his work on the council to build a new city hall, fire station, wastewater treatment facility, and build and maintain countless recreation facilities. On behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize the life of Lloyd Hinote. My wife Vicki and I extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his daughter, Lisa; and grandson, Skylar.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the John Davy and Glen Strange Families of Allentown for being selected as the 2016 Santa Rosa County, Florida, Outstanding Farm Families of the Year. Both John and Glen developed a love of farming from watching their fathers. In 1986, the two purchased a small 10 acre tree farm and became business partners when they founded Panhandle Growers, Inc the following year. The farm grows specimen trees between 2"-4" in diameter for landscaping purposes. Now, 30 years later, the farm has grown to 350 acres and supplies trees throughout the Southeast. John and his wife Sara have two children; Elizabeth, who graduated from Auburn University in 2015, and Emmett, who is a junior at Pace High School. Sara works as a pharmacist; and John, who enjoys growing enjoys growing camellias at home, has served three terms as president of the Pensacola Camellia Society. Glen and his wife Janet have three children; Ali, who has two children with her husband Ben; Nicole, who is a senior at Troy University School of Nursing and Thomas who is a sophomore at Pensacola State School of Business. In addition to running the farm, Glen also serves as the Director with Farm Credit of Northwest Florida. It is his hopes that the tradition of farming will continue with his children and grandchildren. Both families are active members of the Olive Baptist Church. The Davys are parent volunteers with World Race Adventures in Missions and the Stranges participate in local and international missions. Glen serves on the missions board. Mr. Speaker, the Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year Award is a true reflection of the Davy and Strange families' 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 Davy and Strange families 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, I rise today to honor the life and dedicated service of Annie Carter Savage of Century, Florida who passed away on October 25th, 2016. Annie was a remarkable public servant who cared deeply for those in the community she served, and I am humbled to commemorate her life. Annie Carter was born to Thomas and Rosa Bell Carter in Wilcox County, Alabama on February 16, 1941. She attended Snow Hill Institution Normal and graduated Industrial Institute in Snow Hill in 1960. Following her graduation, Annie went on to pursue a cosmetology license in Birmingham, Alabama. From there she began her career with Mutual Savings Insurance Company, where she spent more than twenty years before retiring as a district manager. In 2011, Annie was appointed to the Century Town Council. Annie was a dedicated and effective public servant, and she won the confidence of her constituents, as evidenced by her election to serve a second four-year term as a councilwoman. In addition to her service to the Northwest Florida community, Annie was also a leader in the civic and religious community. For over sixty years, Annie remained a loyal and active member of the First Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Century, Florida. She served as church clerk for 28 years and in the church's senior choir for 19 years. She also served as the district missionary for the First West Florida District Association, corresponding secretary for the Evergreen District Congress of Christian Education and remained a faithful member of the Eastern Star. Caring for the community was more than a passion for Annie. In 2009, she and her husband opened their home as an outreach ministry for those in need of hot meals, transportation and spiritual guidance. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to honor the life of Annie Carter Savage. She will always be remembered by all of us in Northwest Florida as a true community leader. My wife Vicki and I offer our prayers for her husband, Deacon Lloyd Savage, three daughters; Lomonica Savage-Shoemo, Tarrant Savage, and Melody Trice; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and the entire Savage family as we remember and honor the life of Annie Carter Savage.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Ms. Beverly ``Joy'' Bunning as the Hurlburt Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter 398 Elementary School Teacher of the Year for 2016. Ms. Bunning was selected for this esteemed honor for her inspiring efforts to bolster her students' interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) education; I am pleased to honor her outstanding achievements. In her three years in the Santa Rosa County school district, Ms. Bunning has earned the reputation as an outstanding 2nd grade teacher among her students and peers in the education community. She teaches her students crucial problem solving skills through innovative and creative hands-on learning experiences, and her passion for teaching has helped spark her students' sense of wonder and interest in the world around them. Ms. Bunning's contributions to producing the next generation of active participants in our society cannot be overstated. Her dedication to her students has earned her local and national recognition. Ms. Bunning was featured in 850 Magazine, ``The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida,'' because of her passion for shaping our Nation's young minds and providing a 21st century learning lab classroom for her students to learn and grow. In addition, her classroom has also been identified as a ``Model STEAM Classroom'' within the Santa Rosa County community and by the digital learning enhancement service, Discovery Education. Ms. Bunning is a leader in early childhood education and is to be commended for the solid foundations she has built for her students. One of four STEAM Leaders at her school, she has written and received numerous grants and coordinated training sessions for the X-STEM USA, solidifying Holly-Navarre Primary School's status as a truly innovative school. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Ms. Bunning on this well- earned achievement of Hurlburt Air Force Association Chapter 398 High School Teacher of the Year for 2016 and thank her for her commitment to service and dedication to the Northwest Florida community. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing Ms. Bunning all the best for continued success.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Ms. Erin Cosky as the Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter 398 High School Teacher of the Year for 2016. Ms. Cosky was selected for her dedicated efforts fostering her students' interests and education in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) education; I am pleased to honor her outstanding achievements. Teachers are amongst our most valuable public servants as they are responsible for educating the future of our country, and Ms. Cosky's selection as Teacher of the Year is evidence of assiduous work ethic and unwavering dedication to her students. As an earth, space science, and biology educator at Gulf Breeze High School, Ms. Cosky's energy and enthusiasm radiates from her classroom, inspiring her students to learn and volunteer in STEAM related areas. One of the best ways to solidify a lesson is for the student to teach someone else, and Ms. Cosky builds on the STEAM curriculum by coordinating events where high school students teach kindergarten, first, and second graders interesting science. As a club sponsor of the Science National Honors Society, she also facilitates volunteer programs with MESS Hall, Navarre Beach marine Science Station, Gulf Breeze and Holley-Navarre Intermediate Science Nights, and tutoring programs throughout the science community in Northwest Florida. Ms. Cosky's tireless and dedicated efforts to educate our Nation's youth does not stop at her classroom in Gulf Breeze High School. Once a month, Ms. Cosky teaches important STEAM foundational skills to kindergarten and 2nd grade students at West Navarre Primary School. She truly understands the value of math and sciences and sparks her students' interest early in their education with hopes of continuing a lifelong passion. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Ms. Cosky on this well- earned achievement, and I thank her for her commitment to service and dedication to the Northwest Florida community. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing Ms. Cosky all the best for continued success.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Mr. Chris Johnson as the Hurlburt Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter 398 Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2016. Mr. Johnson was selected for all that he does to motivate and inspire his students to learn more about science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) education; I am pleased to honor his outstanding educational achievements. As an educator at Sims Middle School, Mr. Johnson strives to make lasting impressions on his students. During his three years at Sims Middle, he has created an innovative learning environment that captivates his students, motivating them to learn, build, test, and rebuild projects as they utilize the scientific method to meet their goals. These important life lessons allow his students to understand and put into practice key concepts for their continued success. His dedicated service to shaping the minds of our Nation's youth is invaluable. In order to foster an innovative learning experience, Mr. Johnson provides his students with loose parameters for their experiments, forcing them to think outside the box to solve the problem at hand. His classroom is known throughout Sims Middle school for being exciting and engaging. He guides his students through interactive science experiments that reinforce educational concepts and deepen their curiosity to learn. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives I am pleased to congratulate Mr. Johnson on this well-earned achievement, and I thank him for his commitment to service and dedication to the Northwest Florida community. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing Mr. Johnson all the best for continued success.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 1004) to amend title 36, United States Code, to encourage the nationwide observance of two minutes of silence each Veterans Day, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on S. 1004.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to support Mr. Newhouse's piece of legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from the Fourth District of Washington State (Mr. Newhouse), the sponsor of this piece of legislation.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 3216, the Veterans Emergency Treatment--or VET--Act. It should be common sense, if a veteran is in need of medical attention and arrives on the grounds of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility, that veteran would be seen, assessed, and treated immediately. However, recently, a veteran who experienced a medical emergency in Washington State traveled as far as the parking lot of his local VA emergency room before finding he could go no further, and he called the VA and asked for help in making it through the doors. He was told by the VA staff who answered his call that he should hang up and dial 911. To hear the VA staff express an unwillingness or an apprehension about assisting a veteran in the midst of his having a medical emergency in its own parking lot is not only unacceptable, it is emblematic of how much the VA has lost its way. H.R. 3216 would require the VA to determine whether a medical emergency exists among any enrolled veteran who presents at a VA facility and would prohibit the VA from transferring a medically unstable veteran unless the veteran submits a written request to be transferred or it finds that it is clinically unnecessary. It would also prohibit the VA from taking an adverse action against any employee who refuses to authorize a transfer or who prevents the VA from delaying needed care by inquiring about payment method or insurance status. This legislation would help ensure that, in the case of a medical emergency, a veteran's health remains the number one priority, which is where it should always belong. This bill is sponsored by my friend and colleague, Congressman Dan Newhouse from Washington State. I am grateful to him for sponsoring this measure, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I, too, urge all of my colleagues on my side of the aisle to please join me in supporting this particular piece of legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.