Mark Meadows

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1391, introduced by Representative Stivers of Ohio and which would designate the postal facility located at 25 South Oak Street in London, Ohio, as the London Fallen Veterans Memorial Post Office. Our Nation's veterans have served our country and many have made the ultimate sacrifice for our defense and our freedom. Three years ago, a young marine from Mr. Stivers' district, Corporal Joshua McDaniels, was tragically killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand province in Afghanistan on June 12, 2011. A native of Dublin, Ohio, he was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was only 21 years old. Men and women like Corporal McDaniels put their lives on the line every day so that we can enjoy the privileges of living in the United States of America. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should thank and honor them, their families, and all the members of the Armed Forces across this great country. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to stand before this body and pay tribute to Corporal McDaniels and all the brave men and women of our armed services. Once again, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 1391, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1391) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 South Oak Street in London, Ohio, as the ``Lance Corporal Joshua B. McDaniels and Veterans Memorial Post Office Building''.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, at this point we have no one else to speak on this particular bill, so I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 43, introduced by the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann), to designate the postal facility located at 14 Red River Avenue North in Cold Spring, Minnesota, as the Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Post Office. Officer Decker served for 6 years with distinction as a member of the Cold Spring, Minnesota, police department. On November 29, 2012, at just 31 years of age, he was tragically killed while trying to prevent a suicide. He is survived by his wife, Alicia, and their children. It is clear that Officer Decker touched many lives during his career. He received numerous awards and commendations for his hard work on the police force. At his memorial service, more than 3,000 police officers, friends, and members of the community gathered to honor his legacy. Mr. Speaker, Officer Tommy Decker made the ultimate sacrifice by trying to help and protect the residents of Cold Spring. He is a true American hero. It is my honor to ask my colleagues to support H.R. 43. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 43) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14 Red River Avenue North in Cold Spring, Minnesota, as the ``Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Post Office''.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support passage of H.R. 2112, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1865) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 35 Park Street in Danville, Vermont, as the ``Thaddeus Stevens Post Office''.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chairman, I have a very simple amendment. Currently, there are negotiations going on with the USTR. This amendment would prohibit funding to have any of the negotiations to enter into a trade agreement that would establish a limit on greenhouse gas emissions. The 110th Congress--Democratically-controlled Congress--rejected the cap-and-trade in 2009. It would be very clear in supporting this amendment that we would carry on the will of the House in terms of making sure that we wouldn't use any funds to circumvent the will of Congress. Additionally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce came out recently with proposed rules from the EPA, which are set to come out next week, that would indicate that these types of rules could cost anywhere in the neighborhood of 3.5 million jobs over the next 15 years. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the North Carolina Troopers Association and North Carolina State Highway Patrol Caisson Unit for their dedicated service to North Carolina. The Caisson Unit supports families in a time of need by honoring those who have bravely served our nation. Established during the Civil War, Caisson Units across the country are called upon to transport fumeral caskets of those fallen service men and women, most famously at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. Since 2006, North Carolina's Caisson Unit has been called to honor not only fallen military servicemen, but also emergency personnel, North Carolina Governors, and other elected officials of the state. Owned and supported by the North Carolina Troopers Association and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the unit is not reliant on state or federal funds, but donations from the community. Often times the unit has been activated with less than 24-hours' notice to fulfill their duties, even helping to serve surrounding states. Recently, the Caisson Unit honored U.S. Forest Service Officer Jason Crisp, who was killed in the line of duty in Burke County. The unit's service to Officer Crisp is just one example of the many times it has helped to honor the lives of those who have served North Carolina. The North Carolina Troopers Association and Highway Patrol Caisson Unit's commitment to excellence and service to the community should be commended. It is my honor to recognize the North Carolina Highway Patrol Caisson Unit.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership and truly for this time where we have come together to not only celebrate the 66th anniversary of Israel, but a time of remembrance. As important as a celebration may be each and every year, we must reflect back on what brought this Nation to be. It was really rooted many years prior to its birth in unbelievable tragedy, grief, oppression, when almost 7 million Jews--moms, dads, sons and daughters, husbands and wives--were killed and terminated in a way that many of us can only try to grasp why that could have possibly happened in this world. Yet today, we see that the antisemitic rhetoric throughout much of Europe has grown to levels that we have not seen since those days of Hitler. So we must take this day and every day to make sure that we voice not only our support for Israel, but our support for a Jewish nation in which America enjoys a great partnership and friendship, but truly an unyielding resolve of brotherly affection. So today, I thank the gentlewoman for her time and allowing me to speak on this particular issue. But it is important that we remember that even though there was years ago a great tragedy, that today if we do not speak up that things can continue to happen and be a downward spiral, for right at this moment as we speak there are some 100,000 missiles aimed at Israel. We can live in relative peace and comfort here in America, yet in cities and neighborhoods all across Israel they have to live in fear of a siren going off and a missile perhaps coming in. Yet, it is this partnership and friendship that we have with Israel that must remain solid and be strong. We have a country that is some 10,000 square miles in Israel, surrounded by 5.2 million square miles of oil-rich country. Yet Israel has no iron, no gold, no silver, no lead, no oil to speak of, and yet over and over again she is attacked. And so you have to ask yourself, why? Why is it that so many people call Israel the aggressor when the missiles are aimed towards her? I stand today to not only thank the gentlewoman for her time, but also to acknowledge the greatness of Israel, our friendship that is unyielding, and to say Happy 66th Independence Day.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, which established the Cooperative Extension Service. The Cooperative Extension Service is a state-by- state network of educators who research and provide educational outreach to farmers and local communities. Today, it continues to address a wide range of agricultural issues in both urban and rural areas. North Carolina's agricultural industry is very diverse and poses a unique set of challenges to our farmers. The Cooperative Extension Service's educational programs have been essential to addressing these challenges by providing the necessary research to assist farmers across the state. Their research has increased the productivity of farmers, and has allowed rural and family-owned farms to keep up with changing technologies across the industry. The Cooperative Extension Service has also been active in land-grant colleges and universities throughout the nation. Its work promoting agricultural knowledge in young adults will help the entire industry continue to thrive. Mr. Speaker, as the centennial date is celebrated on May 8, 2014, we should all be thankful for the resources that the Cooperative Extension Service has provided our farmers and our communities. I am proud to congratulate the Cooperative Extension Service, and wish them many more years of success.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brooke, Adam, and Holland Burleson of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. The Burleson family has inspired a community and proven that we all can make a difference. On April 26, 2014, the Burleson family organized the first-annual Run for Holland 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run. They organized the race to raise funds and awareness for families with children who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome and other special needs. There was overwhelming support in the small community of Spruce Pine, with over 290 participants and more than 8,000 dollars raised. Inspired by the birth of their daughter, Holland, on August 2, 2013, Brooke and Adam Burleson have gone above and beyond in shining light on this issue. Just months before Holland was born, Adam and Brooke found out their daughter had a very high chance of having Down Syndrome. In the months after, they found strength from other parents in their community. The Burleson family is now reciprocating those efforts. This family is a true inspiration for us all. They have not only faced adversity, but conquered it by helping other families going through similar situations. They have taught us that no matter what situation God gives you, He can give us the strength to overcome it. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate the Burleson family and the Spruce Pine community for their commitment to helping others. It is truly an honor to represent them in Congress.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Mr. Harold Corbin and thank him for his service to the 11th Congressional District. This last Saturday marked 50 years of continued service to this great district. It was the first district meeting that he had missed. Mr. Corbin is a lifelong resident of Franklin, North Carolina, which is a testament to his commitment to our community; and from 1980 to 1989, Mr. Corbin served as the Republican chairman of the 11th Congressional District. As chairman, Mr. Corbin made important contributions that have had a lasting impact on western North Carolina. In 1981, his activism led to the election of the former Representative Bill Hendon, who was the first Republican Congressman to represent the 11th District in over 100 years. From 1982 to 2002, Mr. Corbin served as the chairman of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. His leadership and inspiration to his son led his son to get involved in politics. He now holds that same position. It is both of them that have set a tremendous example for our Nation. I will close with this. All of us in Washington can learn a lesson from Mr. Corbin, who has long said that, once elected, Representatives serving constituents ought to leave their politics at the door and truly serve the citizens.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my support for the people of the Island of Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots have agreed to come to the table and begin negotiations with their Turkish counterparts. The United States stands by its commitment to peace in the Eastern Mediterranean. While this is merely the beginning of what could be a very long process, it deserves our commendation. A peaceful resolution would set an example of stability in a region beset by turmoil, tumult, and upheaval. The Turkish Cypriot people have been isolated for too long. They have desired a unified island for nearly half a century and this new start is a significant step towards their reinstatement into the political, economic, and social structure of not just the Island of Cyprus but also of the entire world. Mr. Speaker, I restate my resolute support for the start of talks between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. It is important that we encourage both sides to remain at the table and negotiate in good faith. I also implore our State Department to continue to be resolute in supporting these talks. The power of diplomacy is strong. The world is watching and waiting with hopeful anticipation.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. I thank the gentleman from Georgia for this commonsense piece of legislation. Mr. Chairman, to hear the debate on the floor this morning about Mr. Ryan's budget, you would think that we are arguing about increases or decreases in taxes, but indeed, we are debating more information to make informed decisions, Mr. Chairman. It has nothing to do with those. There will be a time to debate the new budget, but this is about job creation, Mr. Chairman. This is about the CBO and the flawed method-- many times--that they use in preparing documents for us to make informed decisions. I will give you a prime example. We had CBO come in and talk to us about energy policy. I said: Well, if we start to tax some of our natural resources so that we can lower gas prices for those people that are having to fill their tanks and having to make decisions between food on the table and gas in their tank, if we tap that, what would be the impact? They say: Oh, well, you would get a negative CBO score. I said: Well, how could that be? Because, if we had revenues from that, it would create $1.7 trillion over 10 years; and yet what we have somehow is a justification. He says: Well, we are making the assumption that you have already tapped that. As a business guy, when you have that kind of logic, you can't make correct decisions. This is about job growth, Mr. Chairman. We lost 400 jobs in the last 48 hours in my district. That is 400 families that are going to have to start to worry about putting food on the table. Mr. Chairman, we need to get behind this and have informed decisions so that we can make good decisions on legislation going forward.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and thank the leadership of my good friend and colleague from California (Mr. Hunter) on his recognition that we need to go forward with this Coast Guard reauthorization. Not only does it put in good reforms and continues to work in a real way to support our men and women who serve in the Coast Guard, but it does so in--quite frankly, in a very streamlined way, so I thank the leadership of Congressman Hunter. I want to go on further and recognize a gentleman from North Carolina, the dean of the delegation, Congressman Howard Coble. Not only is Howard a good friend, but he has served with distinction for more than 30 years here in this House. Being an active member of the Coast Guard, it was his leadership and truly his work with Congressman Hunter that really set this in motion. Having, at the age of 83, decided that it is time for him to retire from representing the people of the great State of North Carolina, I just want to acknowledge this particular day, Mr. Speaker, on a great statesman, truly a gentleman. When you look up ``gentleman'' in the dictionary, it should have Howard Coble's picture right beside it. He is the epitome of what it is to not only represent the people of North Carolina in such a fine fashion, but he works across party aisles. He works with his colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to make sure that our country is served in the best way possible. It is with great pleasure that I get to speak on behalf of this bill and, in doing so, honor a man who knows the Coast Guard well and knows that the men and women who serve there serve our country in a the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer).

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Amos Rutherford on his 100th birthday, which he celebrates today, March 14th, 2014. Mr. Rutherford is an exemplary citizen and lifelong resident of Caldwell County. Born in Morganton in 1914, Mr. Rutherford joined the military in 1942. As a medical aidman in World War II, Mr. Rutherford was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, and a Victory Medal. These awards reflect Mr. Rutherford's character and the incredible size of his heart. Returning to Morganton in 1946, Mr. Rutherford worked for Mullis Motor Company, and then spent 30 years at the Esso Exxon station in Lenior. I am proud to honor Mr. Rutherford today, as he has shown time and again an unwavering commitment to our district. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the entire 11th District of North Carolina, I congratulate Mr. Rutherford on his milestone 100th birthday and thank him for his service to Western North Carolina and to our nation.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for his leadership and for his passion. This is one of those areas, quite frankly, as we look at unfunded mandates, that is taking the power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to the elected officials in our States, our county governments, and our cities. The gentleman from Virginia, from the other side, earlier said that certainly he supported this when he was a local official elected there in Virginia, and rightly so. Because I can share a personal story, Mr. Chairman, from a senator, Jim Davis, from my home State who was a county commissioner and now a State senator. I asked him, why do you have such a hard time balancing the budget here in the State? And he gave me two words: unfunded mandates. Why is that? Because we continue to pass regulation after regulation after regulation, send them down to the States and ask the States to deal with them. The States say, well, we don't have money to implement this. They send it even further, to the county governments. So what happens is that property taxes go up at the local level, State income taxes go up there, all because we believe that we know what is best here in Washington, D.C., on how to implement rules and regulations. Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that during the first term of the Obama administration we saw a 10 percent increase in regulatory budgets. Now, that is a 10 percent increase in regulatory budgets when the average American hardworking taxpayer saw their budgets go down. There is something wrong with this, Mr. Chairman. And as we start to look at this, there was a study in 2011--a study in 2011--that said, with each 5 percent reduction in regulatory process, you can create 1.2 million jobs. Well, Mr. Chairman, we have a problem with creating jobs here, and this is a commonsense solution to rein in what is happening here in Washington, D.C., and allow that control to go back to the States and local government. So the bottom line, Mr. Chairman, is this: to vote against this is a vote that says that we know better how to do business here in Washington, D.C., than the elected officials in State, county, and local governments. I can tell you that the best decisions are made at those local and State levels. I think it is high time that we come back and roll it back in this simple process to make sure that these regulatory reforms and the unfunded mandates that accompany them truly are not a burden on those hardworking American taxpayers.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Richard Robb on his 90th birthday, which he celebrated on January 19th, and to thank him for his tireless service to our nation. During World War II, Mr. Robb served in the U.S. Navy at Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Marshall Islands. He was a crew member on the USS Stockton, a destroyer that sunk the Japanese I-8 submarine which was responsible for numerous war crimes and atrocities. Following his military service, Mr. Robb continued to devote himself to defending the lives of others. He served 22 years as a sergeant and later a detective in the Sarasota Police Department in Sarasota, Florida. Since moving to Western North Carolina, Mr. Robb and his wife, Cate, have been active participants in the Macon County Republican Party. They still attend every event and have served crucial roles in Election Day operations to serve the voters of the 11th District. In 2012, they received the ``Golden Elephant'' award for their exemplary lives of service. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the entire 11th District of North Carolina, I congratulate Mr. Robb on his milestone 90th birthday and thank him for his service to Western North Carolina and our nation.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. I thank my colleague from Tennessee for her leadership on this particular issue. For far too long, Madam Speaker, I was silent on this particular issue. Some 22 years ago, as we were expecting our first child--my wife was pregnant--I began to talk to her about this particular thing. There my son was kicking in his mother's womb, and as we started to see this, I realized very profoundly that not only was it life but that it responded. My son was responding to my voice and to my touch, and as we saw that, I realized that I had been silent for far too long. Regardless of where you are on this particular issue, we must say something today--the many of us who find this just appalling that it is even legal today--in allowing taxpayer dollars to be spent. This is something on which we must stand together. So, for those who can't speak for themselves, I stand here today, and I urge my colleagues to support this particular legislation.