Patrick Meehan

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Chair, my amendment seeks to transfer $3 million from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation salaries and expense account to the Federal Railroad Administration to fund the use of a second car to support the inspection of crude oil routes covering more than 14,000 miles of track nationwide. This funding would also be available to expedite implementation of a remote automated track inspection capability to increase inspection mileage while reducing costs. For more than 30 years, the Federal Railroad Administration's Automated Track Inspection Program has provided accurate track geometry data, as well as other track-related performance data, to assess compliance with the Federal track safety standards. Currently, FRA is operating only one ATIP car for inspections. My amendment would enable the FRA to add an additional car to support safety inspections. Mr. Chairman, I realize you're in the unenviable position of allocating the difficult funding level given to you. I would like to be clear that I think you and your cohorts have done a tremendous job in crafting a bill which truly does more with less. My amendment seeks to match what is included in the Senate FY15 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill for the Automated Track Inspection Program. According to data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, more than 1.15 million gallons of crude oil were spilled from railcars in 2013. Last year's total spills of 1.15 million gallons means that 99.99 percent of shipments arrived without incident. But recent derailments in my home State of Pennsylvania, including one in Westmoreland County and one in my district of Philadelphia, have made us all keenly aware of the dangers that train derailments can pose to a community. Just yesterday, a train carrying crude oil derailed on a bridge outside Pittsburgh. At this moment, it is dangling off the track and over the water. Derailments are fairly uncommon. The sober truth is that people's lives are at risk, and we must do everything in our power to ensure we continue to transport this crude in the safest manner possible. Track data collected by ATIP is used by FRA, railroad inspectors, and Federal railroads to assist in assured track safety. Oil has been moving by rail through populous areas for decades, and industry is responding by improving safety measures. It is time the Federal Government do its part and increase our investment in the safety inspections of our rail lines. Mr. Chairman, this program produces results. It is not just people on one side of the aisle that recognize this, but Congress as a whole does. Why not take a modest increase in the funding of the FRA to double their capability in performing safety evaluations? This amendment would make our rail lines safer while reducing costs. I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the American Society of Clinical Oncology on 50 inspiring years of innovative cancer research and treatment. Many Americans have a close connection to this terrible disease, whether they have survived it themselves or cared for a loved one who suffered through cancer. It galvanizes all of us to push for new early detection methods as well as new treatments. In 1964, the seven founding physicians who created the American Society of Clinical Oncology came together with a vision for a professional society that would educate other physicians on treatment methods. At that time, cancer was largely untreatable and only a handful of hard-to-tolerate therapies were available. Fifty years later the American Society of Clinical Oncology has almost 35,000 members worldwide. The number of drugs available to treat different types of cancer has steadily increased over the years thanks to some of these physicians. Today more than two-thirds of patients with cancer are alive five years after their diagnosis. This is a true testament to the groundbreaking research and diligent work of so many in this field. Mr. Speaker, I commend the American Society of Clinical Oncology for their leadership in the fight against cancer. It is my sincere hope that this and other research avenues will lead to new discoveries to better detect cancer and save lives.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor eight Pennsylvania veterans of the Second World War who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. These brave and heroic gentlemen are members of the Delaware County #288 and General Smedley D. Butler #741 Marine Corps League Detachments. Although many of their brothers in arms died in the midst of battle or in the years since, these Marines and Sailors continue to carry the legacy of their brothers' sacrifices for the security of our nation and defense of freedom for all of us in this world. Let us forever remember and be grateful for the sacrifice of these heroes of the Second World War. Please join me in recognizing the following gentlemen for their service to our country: Louis Camilli, Jack Depew, Cliff Doud, George Edelmann, Joseph Hinderhofer, Alan McCauley, Walter Tallamage and Donald Walz.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of National Animal Advocacy Day. National Animal Advocacy Day encourages citizens to speak up to help secure meaningful protections for animals at the federal, state, and local levels. On this National Animal Advocacy Day, I want to speak up for the humane treatment of our nation's horses. I ask the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 1094, the Safeguard American Food Exports Act, or SAFE Act. This bipartisan legislation, which I introduced with my colleague from Illinois, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, bans horse slaughter for human consumption and the export of horses for the same. Until a ban is in place, every horse is just one bad sale away from being sent to slaughter. I've seen this happen in my own district, and it must be stopped. Horses are not bred for human consumption. Unlike dogs or cats, horses are routinely treated with drugs that can be toxic to humans. Horses are often transported without food, water, or rest in dangerously overcrowded trailers to endure an inhumane slaughter process. Passage of the SAFE Act will not only protect our nation's horses. It will also protect consumers from exposure to the toxic chemicals found in horsemeat. Horses have a special place in our nation's history. Surveys show that 80 percent of American voters oppose the slaughter of horses for human consumption. It's a bill whose time has come. The SAFE Act will help to ensure that our horses get the protection they deserve. Mr. Speaker, on National Animal Advocacy Day I applaud 170 of my colleagues in the House who are cosponsors of the SAFE Act, and encourage the rest of my colleagues to support it as well.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Allow me to express my appreciation to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed) for your leadership in putting together this very important opportunity for us to talk to not just our colleagues, but citizens all across this country, as we jointly focus on this issue of sexual assault and domestic violence. I am moved by my colleagues who are telling stories from so many different perspectives. Many of them are personal. I think that is really the way we have to explain these kinds of circumstances, through the personal stories in which it is driven home, because you can understand how it affects real people on an everyday basis. I was a former prosecutor before I came here to Washington, D.C., and while this story is about 20 years old, it defines a particular problem at a particular point in time. I remember distinctly engaging with a young woman. She had been the victim of a sexual assault. She met a young man at a party. She returned to a dorm room, believing that everything was going to be safe. He sexually and violently violated her. This was a very prestigious school in New England. She reported it later that week to the school authorities, but they took a position that, since she really hadn't reported it immediately and she didn't have any other kind of particular evidence, it was her word against his word, and they took no further action. This young woman was completely abandoned on this campus, but worse yet, her perpetrator used that opportunity thereafter to jeer at her and to taunt her, and not only was she the one who was violated, but she was the one who was finally driven to a point where she was so uncomfortable, having to confront this guy each and every day, she is the one who had to leave her college. She had to go home and start to heal and try to start a life all over again and a whole new experience. I ran into her because, 2 years later, she came to my district in Pennsylvania. She came there as a witness because, only weeks before she had arrived, there was another party on a college campus nearby me and this same perpetrator happened to come to that college, visiting a friend, where he met a woman. He went back to that woman's dorm, and another woman was violently raped. Fortunately, this victim, for the first time, was able to testify against him. We used pattern evidence to give her her first chance to hold him accountable. Based on that rape that we were able to prosecute, I think he may still be in jail. But her life didn't get put together immediately by virtue of that. In fact, she represents a story that is too infrequently understood, as has been demonstrated by some of my colleagues. One in five women on college campuses today will report being victims of an attempted or actual sexual assault, yet only about 5 percent of those are being reported to law enforcement, so we have got this huge disconnect. While it is 20 years after the incident that I experienced and a great deal more work has been done on college campuses, many of which have taken prudent steps to deal with this issue, we have to do a lot of more. I am encouraged. Just recently, President Obama--and this demonstrates the bipartisan nature of this effort--has appointed a White House task force to protect students from sexual assault. I am pleased to be able to be participating with some local folks in my community to help advise that committee. We are using the experiences that we have from experts at local colleges like Drexel, Villanova, and Penn State and campus experts who have worked in this area on the campuses. We are seeing some issues that need to be addressed. We are looking at issues like reporting procedures that require victims of sexual assault, once they report the story, to sometimes have to retell it two and three different times, in order for them to fulfill the requirements of reporting either at colleges, rape crisis centers, or with law enforcement. We are violating these victims again and again with procedures like that. We are seeing women who are subjecting themselves to rape kits. It is appropriate and may be necessary for the collection of evidence, but we are finding, a year later, they haven't even taken the time to process the rape kit. How many years do we have to continue to deal with dramatic backlogs in just the identification of straightforward evidence that would help us put some of these perpetrators in jail, where they belong? We are examining the convoluted patchwork of Federal rules and regulations that, while well-intentioned, often work at cross-purposes. We are trying to strengthen the way partnerships can be generated between victims' services groups, college representatives, and among law enforcement. The biggest challenge we face from the victims is the confusion about the process. They don't know who to turn to or who to report to. That is why we must continue to work together as colleagues to help clarify the rules and regulations that we are creating to send the kinds of signals so there is certainty and the ability of these victims to reach out for help. I thank you, Mr. Reed, for your leadership on this. I pledge my intention to continue to work with you and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to assure that we are making not only good, sound law, but making the procedures work for the benefit of the victims.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to address our colleagues for 1 minute on behalf of the Congressional Hockey Caucus and our colleagues from both sides of the aisle who now, for the sixth year, have participated in what we call the Congressional Hockey Challenge. This is the game for charity in which we have Members of Congress who play hockey and three of our friends from the Parliament in Canada, representing the lawmakers, play against a team of lobbyists. The game specifically supports hockey for children in underprivileged communities who would not otherwise have access to the game. In addition, it has raised dollars for scholarships for children from underprivileged communities to go on to play hockey in college. This was the sixth annual game, and to date, we have raised over a $500,000 for that charity. Let me just close with this observation. In addition to being able to play with our colleagues and the lobbyists, we were joined on each side by very, very special guests. They were members of the Wounded Warriors ice hockey team. The lobbyist team was privileged to have retired Army reservist Joseph Bowser, who lost a leg in Iraq, playing on their team. Our side was joined by retired Army Captain Mark Little, who lost both legs in Iraq. I might tell you that there is no more inspirational thing than to see the courage of two young men who have found hockey as a way to find continued aspiration and accomplishment. I will close my observations by saying that the winning goal--and this was no giveaway. This was a remarkably competitive game. The winning goal was scored by Captain Mark Little. So on behalf of my colleagues, I am pleased to report that the pride of the institution is intact. Congress won 7-5. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The Renfrew Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been a leader in the education on eating disorders and the treatment of women since 1985. Its clinical excellence and supportive environment has empowered women to change their lives. More than 8 million people in the United States suffer from eating disorders. Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder. Unfortunately only one in 10 people with an eating disorder receive treatment for their disease. The theme of this year's National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is ``I Had No Idea.'' Since symptoms can be different for everyone, it's not always easy for friends and families to tell when a loved one is suffering from bulimia or anorexia. For someone suffering from one of these diseases, it can take over their life. The Renfrew Center is the nation's first residential eating disorder facility. Renfrew has helped more than 65,000 women with eating disorders and other behavioral health issues in their 13 locations around the country. Renfrew offers help to women suffering from bulimia, anorexia, binge eating disorder, and related health problems. Renfrew empowers women with the tools they need to succeed in their recovery and in their lives. The stigma that comes with suffering eating disorders can often lead to other illnesses both physical and mental, and sufferers need and deserve the strong support of their family, friends, colleagues and health professionals. This is where Renfrew excels, and I am grateful for the staff and supporters of The Renfrew Center for their dedication to this important effort. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Renfrew Center and all health professionals across the country for their dedication to treating those suffering from eating disorders. In recognition of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, it remains important today and every day to educate those in our lives about eating disorders and provide them support and hope for a better path.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the skaters and families, current and past, of the Wissahickon Skating Club in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania and the Merritton Athletic Association in St. Catherines, Ontario. This third weekend in February marks the 50th anniversary of the Wissahickon Skating Club--Merritton Athletic Association Hockey Exchange. For five decades without interruption, the organizations have taken turns hosting players and even entire families in their homes for a long weekend of festivities. The exchange culminates in a youth hockey tournament for which trophies are awarded to the victorious teams. It is understood to be the longest uninterrupted exchange of its type in international competition. This tournament would not be possible without the vision of former Wissahickon hockey coach Walter Jewell and Merritton Athletic Association President, Walter Baum. Walter Jewell had been taking hockey teams to Canada since 1962. Looking to start his own tournament with a team from Canada, the Merritton Athletic Association was recommended to him. In November of 1964, the Merritton Athletic Association and Walter Baum received a letter written by Walter Jewell from the Wissahickon Skating Club seeking to arrange an exchange trip between the two organizations. In March 1965 two teams from the Wissahickon Skating Club arrived as guests of the Merritton Athletic Association. The first games were a Pee Wee-Bantam double-header, taking place at the Thorold Arena in St. Catharines, Ontario, the home of the Merritton Athletic Association. The tournament trophies for this exchange were donated by the Wissahickon Skating Club for the Bantam level and the Kaupp Electric Trophy for the pee wee level. Each organization was victorious that weekend with the Merritton Pee Wees accepting the Kaupp Electric Trophy and the Wissahickon Bantams taking home the Bantam Trophy. No one had any idea at the time that 49 exchanges were to occur without ever missing a single year. Mr. Speaker, this tournament brings back special memories for me. As an 11-year-old I can recall the adventurous bus ride, for the first of numerous visits to Canada, and the warm hospitality of the Greenough and Isherwood families who welcomed my older brother Mike and me into their homes. We visited Niagara Falls, learned how a cargo ship navigates a river lock and walked the floor of a paper mill, all the while growing closer to the same boys we would be skating against that evening. Lifetime bonds were formed. It was then and still remains so much more than a hockey game. It represents the warm and genuine affection Americans and Canadians have for each other and it is expressed through the rich tradition of friendly competition and the great game of ice hockey. The friendship endures through generations as fathers are reunited watching their sons skate on the same ice they remember playing on as children. The 50th anniversary of this very special engagement of camaraderie and sportsmanship will be celebrated the weekend of February 13-15, 2014 in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. The two ``Walters'' would be proud of their legacy. I hope that this wonderful tradition can continue for the children of the children who will compete on this special 50th anniversary.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the skaters and families, current and past, of the Wissahickon Skating Club in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, and the Merritton Athletic Association in St. Catherines, Ontario. This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Wissahickon Skating Club--Merritton Athletic Association Hockey Exchange. For five uninterrupted decades, these organizations have taken turns hosting players and families for a weekend of festivities surrounding a youth hockey tournament. It is understood to be the longest uninterrupted exchange of its type in international competition. Mr. Speaker, this tournament brings back special memories for me. As a youth, I can recall the bus rides to Canada and the warm hospitality of the families who welcomed my brothers and me into their homes. It was and remains more than a hockey game. It represents the genuine affection Americans and Canadians have for each other, expressed through the rich tradition of friendly competition and the great game of ice hockey. Mr. Speaker, the 50th anniversary of this very special engagement will be celebrated this weekend in Philadelphia. I hope this wonderful tradition continues with similar enthusiasm for the children of the children who will compete.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the family of Sergeant Brian LaLou from Chester County, Pennsylvania. Tragically, in the summer of 2012, Sergeant LaLou took his own life while he was at his duty station at the U.S. Embassy in Greece. What happened next was unconscionable. During the course of an autopsy performed by Greek authorities, his heart was removed and not returned to his body before it was sent home to his family for a proper burial. When the Greek Government finally sent the family a heart, it was not their son's. The DNA testing revealed that it belonged to someone else. Mr. Speaker, I wrote to the Commandant of the Marine Corps in December seeking answers for this young man's family. The response from the Pentagon so far has been silence. The LaLou family deserves answers. They deserve peace of mind. It is time for the Greek authorities and the Pentagon to tell Sergeant LaLou's parents what happened to their son's heart, because we know what happened to his family's.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate math professor Dr. Andrew Woldar and Villanova University for winning a research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Professor Woldar's project on algebraic graph theory was recognized by the NSF for its important contribution to the mathematical sciences. This grant will support a conference at Villanova University in June 2014, which will bring together experts, researchers and students to discuss recent advancements in mathematics. Professor Woldar and Villanova University's dedication to the field and leadership in teaching continue to prepare students with the technical background they will need for successful careers. The NSF is a leading, independent national academy promoting the progress of science through research programs and education projects. NSF grants help recognize individuals for their contributions to the mathematics and science communities. I commend the NSF for its continued support of innovative research. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Professor Woldar for his hard work and wish him the best of luck with the conference.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the name of the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen) be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1094.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to a condition that is sadly misunderstood. Breath-holding spells occur when a young child stops breathing for up to one minute, generally as a response to stress or emotions like fear and frustration. Sometimes, these spells cause the child to pass out. However, it is important to note that breath-holding is an involuntary reaction, and not something the child can control. While most children do not need treatment for breath-holding spells, they can be a difficult and scary experience for both parent and child. Jennifer Horne of Prospect Park, PA, in the 7th district of Pennsylvania, is the founder of BHS Awareness. Ms. Horne's son, Brayden, suffers from BHS. Founded in 2013, the group is dedicated to providing medical facts and personal experiences from parents. BHS Awareness recently supported an effort in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass legislation officially recognizing July 14 as Involuntary Breath Holding Awareness Day. Mr. Speaker, I honor BHS Awareness for its bravery and leadership regarding breath-holding spells. Ms. Horne and BHS Awareness are helping parents and children understand and cope with a difficult condition. Their hard work on this little-known condition is raising awareness for the children who experience these spells and the parents who care for them.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the young men and women from the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania who have been nominated to attend a service academy. These men and women will honor a commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. They have been nominated because they have displayed character traits such as leadership, service and dedication both inside and outside the classroom. I am confident that their parents and teachers have prepared them well for this world-class educational opportunity and extraordinary service to their nation. The following individuals have been nominated for academy appointment: Evan Allen, Valley Forge Military Academy, United States Naval Academy; Zachary Assenmacher, Haverford High School, United States Naval Academy; Bret Beebe, Twin Valley High School, United States Naval Academy; Troy Bergwall, Bayard Rustin High School, United States Naval Academy; Nicholas Bologa, Pequea Valley High School, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Matthew Brecht, LaSalle College High School, United States Military Academy; Steven Bushold, LaSalle College High School, United States Military Academy; Julia Clements, Downingtown High School, United States Naval Academy; Cole Drahus, Twin Valley High School, United States Naval Academy; Jonas Fiant, Governor Mifflin High School, United States Air Force Academy; Daniel Geibler, Ridley High School, United States Military Academy; Chasan Hall, Coatesville Senior High School, United States Air Force Academy; William Higgins, Penncrest High School, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Phillip Ianozi, Springfield Township High School, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Matthew Jones, Malvern Preparatory School, United States Naval Academy; George Keating, North Penn High School, United States Naval Academy; Ethan Klabunde, Unionville High School, United States Naval Academy; Heather Laudermilch, Westtown School, United States Air Force Academy; Justin Lee, Upper Dublin High School, United States Military Academy; Kiersten Martin, Cardinal O'Hara High School, United States Naval Academy; Catherine McCarthy, Upper Darby High School, United States Naval Academy; Jacob McCubbins, Methacton High School, United States Air Force Academy; James McWilliams, Haverford Senior High School, United States Military Academy; Ross Obenschein, Twin Valley High School, United States Air Force Academy; Christopher Paolantonio, St. Joseph's Preparatory School, United States Naval Academy; Matthew Prestia, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, United States Naval Academy; Charles Rossino, Haverford High School, United States Naval Academy; Thaddeus Schlamb, Downingtown West High School, United States Naval Academy; Andrew Schutta, LaSalle College High School, United States Naval Academy; Zachary Smith, Cardinal O'Hara High School, United States Naval Academy; Olivia Tierney, Villa Maria Academy, United States Naval Academy; George Ulrich, LaSalle College High School, United States Naval Academy; Madeleine Wawrzyniak, Hatboro-Horsham Senior High School, United States Air Force Academy; Kyle Werner, Kennett High School, United States Military Academy; Dalton Wolfe, Oxford Area High School, United States Naval Academy Again, Mr. Speaker, congratulations to all of these outstanding nominees. I wish them nothing but the best in all their endeavors.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. I thank the gentleman from Ohio. Section 106 of this bill requires that the owners and operators of facilities holding certain quantities of materials that are included on the Department of Homeland Security's Chemicals of Interest list report those materials to their State emergency response commissions. And while it is absolutely imperative that State and local authorities are properly informed about potential hazards in their communities, we have to be sure to communicate this information in the most secure, responsible, and effective way. As chairman of the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, this provision concerns me for two particular reasons. First, the President has already specifically asked several Federal agencies--this is the Department of Homeland Security; the Environmental Protection Agency; and ATF, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms--to assess the feasibility of sharing this kind of information with the emergency response commissions while they are actually engaged in this activity. Section 106 effectively mandates that they share this information immediately--before the President has had a chance to make his determination. And with sensitive information about the amount, variety and location of potentially dangerous materials at issue, this directive raises serious security concerns. Second, the DHS Chemicals of Interest list is specific to the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards program. CFATS has in place a required practice of sharing information in a way that ensures facility security. I have serious reservations about whether this sensitive information could become compromised or subject to broad dissemination if section 106 were to become law. Chemical security is the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security, which is specifically equipped to protect it. Because these concerns have yet to be addressed, I request that the committee revisit section 106 during conference with the Senate.

Mr. MEEHAN. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).

Mr. MEEHAN. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I want to join the gentleman and my colleagues not just from Pennsylvania but from across the Nation as we challenge this problem that has emerged. Once again, it is symbolic of a number of things--of when we heard the mantra: just pass it, and we will find out what is in it. We have found out what is in it more and more frequently; and once again, we are beginning to see the implications of a law that was not understood when it was passed and that is now becoming worse as it is being implemented. As my colleagues have stated, it begins here in this particular circumstance with the IRS and the determination that volunteers are going to be considered to be employees of municipalities. In places like mine, the impact of this is very severe because, if this kind of thing happens in the first place, think of the concept of a volunteer. These are the guys who are getting up at 2:30 or 3 o'clock in the morning on these cold evenings like this and answering the call and going out and putting out the fires in homes in neighborhoods like ours. They are going to be considered to be employees under this law, but that means that the municipalities are going to be fined if they choose not to supply the kinds of medical that will be required under the Affordable Care Act, under ObamaCare. Then, if they do pay for it, what is going to happen in communities like mine is that that cost is going to be passed through. I sat and I asked the mayor--and I have five separate volunteer fire companies just in my own township--and he estimated that it would cost about $4 million a year to provide that kind of health care coverage to the members of the volunteer fire departments who were there. Now, where do you think that $4 million is going to come from? It is going to come from the homeowners and the taxpayers in our districts, who are going to see their taxes raised to pay for this service for volunteers. This is how insane it is. The second part of what is so frustrating is the difficulty of dealing with this bureaucracy because, some 3 months ago, like many of my colleagues, I wrote to the IRS and asked for a simple clarification: Why can't we just have a clear signal sent to these departments which rely on this kind of certainty to be able to make decisions as they move forward on the utilization of their resources? These are the guys who are holding bake sales to be able to find the money to put together the equipment and other kinds of needs that they have, and they have got to worry about whether they are going to be encumbered by this kind of a bill. So, for so many reasons, we need clarification and we need action. Once again, this is symbolic of the particular problems that are faced by this interpretation, which is affecting communities all across the Nation. When I say ``all across the Nation,'' that is 750,000 volunteers in fire departments and some 25,000 fire companies that are volunteers all across this Nation. It is touching every community in America. I join my colleagues in the hope that we will be able to get some action from the IRS and this administration so we don't have to rely on the passage of the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act to get the clarification that we need. I thank my colleague for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Anthony Grisillo, who was honored by Governor Tom Corbett as Pennsylvania's 2014 Teacher of the Year. Mr. Grisillo has been teaching in the Rose Tree Media School District for 15 years and works with academically gifted students in kindergarten through 5th Grade. A winner of numerous other teaching honors, Mr. Grisillo has brought innovative teaching methods to bear to help our students excel, including movie-making, robotics lessons and simulated NASA space missions. His students noted that Mr. Grisillo is a great teacher because he believes in his students and serves as a mentor to them. When asked to describe Mr. Grisillo in one word, students said he was ``inspirational,'' ``extraordinary'' and ``fun''--just what our teachers ought to be. Mr. Grisillo is a graduate of West Chester University and holds a Master's Degree from Widener University. Mr. Grisillo was one of four finalists from schools in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. Tracey Fritch of Rose Tree Media School District, Lori Gallagher of Hatboro-Horsham School District and Nicole Miletto of Hatboro-Horsham School District were also finalists for Pennsylvania's 2014 Teacher of the Year award. Mr. Speaker, I honor Mr. Grisillo, Ms. Fritch, Ms. Gallagher, Ms. Miletto and all our educators for their dedication to our children and their tireless work to prepare them for the future.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Chairman, on amendments to the Innovation Act (H.R. 3309), I intended to vote ``yes'' on the Rohrabacher amendment (rollcall No. 627), but inadvertently voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Conyers

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Upper Darby High School cheerleading team on winning the 2013 Varsity Brands' National School Spirit Day. The Upper Darby Cheerleaders collected hats, gloves and other warm clothing items for survivors of domestic violence throughout the month of October. Varsity Brands' National School Spirit Day began in 2009 as a way to honor the efforts of cheerleaders and dancers around the country who are making a difference in their schools and communities. Over the past five years, cheerleaders and dancers have pledged more than 500,000 community service hours as a part of National School Spirit Day. The Upper Darby High School Royals won first place in this nationwide contest. As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Royals honored survivors with their warm clothing drive. The Upper Darby Police Department learned what the cheer squad was doing and decided to join in the effort. During a home football game, the Chief of Police joined the Upper Darby High School cheerleaders in presenting the warm clothing items to women and children. By the end of October, the Upper Darby Community had helped the cheerleaders donate more than 1,000 items of warm clothing. Congratulations to the Upper Darby High School Royals on their first place finish in the 2013 Varsity Brands' National School Spirit Day, an honor that recognizes the cheerleaders' great leadership, community service and compassion.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues Mr. Gerlach and Mr. Pitts to recognize Mr. Blair Mahoney for his distinguished leadership as Executive Director of the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau (CVB), and to congratulate him on his retirement. For the past five years, Mr. Mahoney has helped make Chester County a destination for visitors from across the Commonwealth and the nation. He instituted strong leadership, sound fiscal planning, a historic office renovation and relocation, and an award-winning branding campaign. Through these efforts, Mr. Mahoney helped communicate Chester County's cultural, natural, and historic treasures to many and draw new visitors and economic development to our region. Mr. Speaker, we recognize Blair Mahoney for his excellent service to the Chester County community and wish him well in his retirement. He takes with him the gratitude and respect of his staff, Board of Directors, peers and the people of Chester County.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the country's finest early childhood educators. Ms. Jamie Roshon is a preschool teacher at the Pottstown KinderCare Learning Center in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Jamie is being honored this year with the Knowledge Universe Early Childhood Educator Award. She is one of only 10 preschool educators in the nation being honored with this award. At the Pottstown KinderCare Learning Center, Jamie is dedicated to teaching children aged two and three years old. Throughout her thirteen year tenure at the Pottstown Center, she has become an invaluable asset to her students, their families, and her fellow faculty members. This honor testifies to how Jamie's efforts each day in the classroom are making a profound difference in our children's lives. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Jamie Roshon for her excellent work enriching the lives of young children, and I congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the thousands of Pennsylvanians from my district who are going to lose their health care coverage because of the rules and regulations of ObamaCare. I invited a number of them into my office, and their stories were both revealing and heartbreaking. A small business woman from Newtown Square shared her story of shopping for a new plan after her policy was canceled. She must now pay more each month for a plan she doesn't like and coverage she does not want. Yet another is losing her doctor after more than 20 years because she was forced to switch insurance companies. Her long-term doctor isn't covered under the new, more expensive plan. And one constituent received this letter from her insurance company, informing her that she would have to pay as much as $3,500 more. It has higher deductibles and higher copays. Madam Speaker, Americans are already struggling in this economy. Tomorrow the House will vote to ensure that the families that like their plans can keep them. President Obama and Senate Democrats should keep their promise to the American people and do the same.