Ralph Norman

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service and accomplishments of Dale Watts, a resident of Tega Cay, South Carolina. Dale and his wife, Barbara, and family have been a part of the greater Fort Mill-Tega Cay community for over 40 years. Dale began his career in medical sales, and after retiring after 30 years, he entered the field of real estate with his wife, Barbara, where he successfully owns and manages commercial and residential properties. Dale's involvement in the community is legendary, as he has volunteered for numerous groups and civic organizations, including joining the Tega Cay Fire Department No. 56, where he became a certified firefighter; joining the Tega Cay Lions Club, where he served as president for three terms; his tireless work with the Lake Wylie Lutheran Church Community Cafe; his activities as a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, where he was active with the Meals on Wheels program, the Senior Citizens Christmas Party, the International Student Exchange, and the Tega Cay Community Service Committee; and the list goes on and on. As a result of his tireless efforts, he received numerous awards, including Firefighter of the Year in 1990, Tega Cay Voluntary Fire Department Officers Award in 2009, the Fire Chief's Award in 2010, and the Melvin Jones Fellow Humanitarian Award in 1995. He was inducted into the South Carolina Lions Hall of Fame in 2018 and was named the Tega Cay Citizen of the Year in 2005-2006. Dale has been married to his wife, Barbara, for 41 years and has five children and five grandchildren. In the words of many friends in the Tega Cay-Fort Mill community, ``If you need something done, just call Dale.'' Dale Watts has dedicated his entire life in service to others and exemplifies the slogan ``Service Above Self.'' As a result of his tireless work, the community, the State, and the Nation are a better place to live and raise a family.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of a true American, Frederick Del Buono, who was born on July 4, 1940, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Fred attended trade school, and after completing his education, he entered the United States Navy in 1961. After boot camp, Fred was assigned to the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, where it was ultimately deployed to Vietnam. During Frederick's time aboard the carrier, the ship crossed the equator, where he joined King Neptune's motley crew, making him an official Shellback. Fred was honorably discharged in 1965 and continued to serve his country by joining the Navy Reserves. After 30 years of service in the United States Navy, Fred retired from the Navy Reserve Readiness Command on March 1, 1994. Fred's work career as a civilian began with being hired by the U.S. Post Office, where he was a tractor-trailer operator for over 21 years. Fred and his family moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 2007, where he joined the esteemed group of patriots known as the Rolling Thunder Chapter 1, where he served as chairman of the board for over 10 years. This group of men and women offer comfort and aid to local veterans and their families as they become integrated into their respective communities. Fred has continued his service by becoming a member of the American Legion Post 34, where he has served as chairman of the board for the last 10 years. Fred Del Buono is a shining example of the motto ``Service Above Self,'' and his willingness to help others will long be remembered for many years to come.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support a lifeline for our small businesses, for our first responders, for our hospitals, but I also rise today to say now is the time to stop writing checks on money we don't have that is mortgaging the future of this great country. I was not sent here to bankrupt this country. Secondly, we need to get our businesses to open the doors and do what Americans have always been allowed to do, which is go to work. Now is the time. There is one person who can do that, and that is the Speaker of the House. I urge her to get us back to work. We are getting paid; many Americans are not.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, during times like this, it brings out the best and the worst. The best has been a President who is working nonstop. The best have been those businesses that are producing the masks and the things that we need, and the best has been the churches that are praying nonstop. Now, the worst has been the price tag, and the worst has been the things that were added to this that had nothing to do with the coronavirus, the $25 million for the Kennedy Center and $75 million for the national arts. This has nothing to do with the coronavirus. This Nation shall survive. In the words of Winston Churchill: There are times when doing our best isn't good enough. We will do what is required in spite of this.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two heroes of my local police department in Rock Hill, South Carolina. In May of last year, Sergeants Cedric Stokes and Bruce Haire demonstrated the meaning of compassion when they used unconventional means to save the life of another man. That day, the police department heard reports of a man seeking to commit suicide while streaming it live on social media. Without a moment's hesitation, these officers used social media to identify the man online and, upon identification, coordinated rapidly, with the help of Facebook employees, to ensure that the man was found and promptly cared for in a medical facility. Ours is a brave new world, and the implications of new technology cut both ways. On this day, it was at once a morbid display of pain, but also a beacon signaling for help. A quote came to mind when I read of these officers' heroic responses. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt: Do what you can with all you have, wherever you are. On behalf of the Fifth District, I commend the officers of the Rock Hill Police Department for their unwavering and adaptive dedication to protect and serve. Without officers like Sergeant Cedric Stokes and Sergeant Bruce Haire, we would be one beautiful life shorter and our community all the lesser for it. I think of the words of Winston Churchill, who said, when Great Britain was under siege by Germany: There will be a time when doing your best isn't good enough. We must do what is required. These officers did what was required. God bless.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Budd, and I appreciate this bill. I rise in strong support of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act. It is high time the United States Congress address the dangers of sanctuary city policies. I think it comes at a very important time, as we are suffering or could suffer from a pandemic that we are facing. To have open borders and let anybody in doesn't make sense now, nor does it make sense in the future. I commend my colleagues, Representatives Ted Budd and Bradley Byrne, for their leadership in holding sanctuary cities accountable to the law. Make no mistake, sanctuary cities kill by offering safe havens to some of the most violent and reckless criminals residing in this country. Sanctuary cities put American lives at risk every single day. Only a few months ago, an illegal alien, Nemias Perez-Severiano killed a 67-year-old Vietnam war veteran, U.S. Marine, Samuel W. Jackson, inside a sanctuary county in Pennsylvania. Jackson risked his life to defend a country that now refuses to protect his life. Counties like Montgomery in Pennsylvania are an insult to patriots like Jackson. My district has no sanctuary cities, but that does not guarantee our safety. In Lancaster, South Carolina, just a few miles from where I live, Charlie Byrdic, an innocent and law-abiding citizen, was killed by an illegal immigrant who had hidden from authorities for years. Without the cooperation of sanctuary cities with law enforcement agencies, more families will lose their loved ones because criminals are allowed to roam our Nation without consequences. That is why we need this legislation. This bill will offer a measure of justice to the victims of those violent crimes by allowing victims and their families to sue the cities that house these assailants. Enough is enough. No American should lose his or her life, liberty, or property, because the government refuses to act against known criminals, immigrants or not. The choice is ours; do we want to be the kind of country that protects the victims of crime or the perpetrators of crime? I know where I stand. It is time to fight against this thing that is plaguing our country of opening up our borders to anyone.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exemplary citizen, Ms. Crystal Skidmore of West Virginia. Between 2000 and 2001, around 127,000 children were adopted in the United States, one of whom was Crystal's son whom she gave up for a better life. That same year, only 44 percent of the 3.1 million unintended pregnancies ended in birth. Instead of giving up hope and having an abortion, Crystal looked to Jesus and chose life for her child. To this day, she protects her son's name when she shares her story. But by the grace of God, she still has a close relationship with him and his adoptive family. Isaiah 40:31 reads: ``. . . but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not grow faint.'' She has described the miracle of her son in a poem she wrote, titled, ``Precious Little Son.'' It goes like this: Today's the day that you were made A new life has been begun Within the womb inside of me My precious little son. From this first day you changed me Now through your eyes I see Do I want your eyes to look at The same things that I see? I look around at this world of mine In a way I have never done I think . . . Is it safe here For my precious little son? Sadly I know The answer is no So I drop down to my knees I cry as I ask Jesus Please help you and me. Where are the smiling faces For your new eyes to see? They are not here in my world If I die, they may never be. I can only protect you for a while While you are safe inside of me So I search for smiling happy faces For your brand-new eyes to see. Again I ask Jesus To help me find someone To love this life inside of me My precious little son. I know someone is waiting. God has chosen them To give you all the love you need And make you part of them. How I know you need them How they have prayed for you to come So they can share a part of their world with Their precious little son. I found the happy smiling faces That I want you to see And they can't wait to meet their son Who lives inside of me. Their world is so much brighter So I share my love for you With lots of happy smiling faces And they will let me love you too. I will always love you I want you to know You are in my heart forever You are everywhere I go. Now we wait on your arrival We can't wait for you to see How good it feels to share a love That only through God can be. Our happy smiling faces Stand together now as one To love this life inside of me Our precious little son. May God be with you.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances directly related to the betterment of the community I serve, I had to miss voting on H.R. 5678 and all accompanying amendments. Had I been present, I would have voted Nay on Roll Call No. 52; Yea on Roll Call No. 53; and Nay on Roll Call No. 54

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the exemplary leadership and career of Sergeant John Aiton, a native of the Palmetto State, born and raised in my hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Upon graduating from Rock Hill High School, John Aiton attended East Coast Bible College, where he received a bachelor of arts in pastoral ministries, later earning a master's degree in biblical interpretation from Pentecostal Theological Seminary. After a brief teaching and coaching stint at the Heritage Academy in Fort Mill, Sergeant Aiton joined the Rock Hill Police Department. John always had a special place in his heart for helping the community, so after 2 years of patrol work, he left to join the juvenile division as a DARE instructor. During his work early on, he was promoted to special investigator, and was selected to serve on the police force's first crisis negotiating team, forming the department's neighborhood watch program. Because of his dedication to the local community, he began to serve as the department's chaplain and continued work with the Worthy Boys and Girls Camp. This ultimately led him to his best-known role, a school resource officer for 22 years; 11 years at Northwestern High School, followed by another 11 years at South Pointe High School. Throughout his distinguished career, Sergeant Aiton went above and beyond his job to protect and serve the community. Due to his service, he was promoted to sergeant of the Community Service Division, but because of his commitment to student safety, he relieved himself of those duties. John is a truly inspirational citizen and a community servant whose pride and joy is found in protecting students. After a distinguished career, Sergeant John Aiton retired from the force in June of 2019. It is truly an honor to recognize and congratulate Sergeant John Aiton on his well-deserved retirement. Rock Hill could not have asked for a better, selfless role model for our community. In the words of Winston Churchill, who made famous a quote when Great Britain was about to be under siege, he said: There will be a time when doing your best is not good enough. You must do what is required. Sergeant Aiton did what was required to make a true difference.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for his leadership on this issue and for what he has done over a long period of time to help this all-important issue. Let me just echo what has already been said. I am a real estate developer. I have felt the effects of the bureaucratic overreach of the Endangered Species Act. I have seen where a heelsplitter snail can slow up projects for as many as 4 to 5 years. I have been watching from a distance, and now, finally, we have decided to take action. I rise in support of the long-overdue efforts to modernize the Endangered Species Act and specifically my bill that would help continue protections for species while, more importantly, protecting the rights of individual property owners. My bill, the Property Rights Protection Act, would do just that. Everyone agrees that it is important to protect these species that are threatened or endangered, but far too often, it comes at the expense of the constitutional rights of landowners. This vital piece of legislation would ensure that we achieve both goals. We protect species, but we also protect our rights as property owners. If the Federal Government deems land to be critical habitat because a species is endangered, then they ought to compensate the landowners, plain and simple. I believe that there needs to be a more equitable way to treat property owners who far too often find themselves in this type of situation. This legislation will be an excellent step in that direction. Many landowners cannot afford the litigation costs that so many of these groups put before the landowners to get the rights that they deserve. I really hope that all of my colleagues can come together to support this important piece of legislation to protect our rights and species and, more importantly, come together to update an antiquated law that is the Endangered Species Act that has been in need of modernization for far too long.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize and nominate today's guest, Father Jeffrey Kirby, to serve as guest chaplain for the noon prayer. Father Kirby, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in South Carolina and the adjunct professor of theology at Belmont Abbey College, is a devout follower of Jesus Christ and lives his life as a light unto others. Father Kirby received his bachelor of arts and master's degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville before receiving his doctorate in moral theology from Holy Cross University in Rome. His selflessness led him to enlist in the National Guard during his studies, and he even served on a relief effort for Hurricane Mitch. In 2002, he entered seminary in Rome and was ordained a Catholic priest. He has since served parishes across South Carolina, from Clemson to Walhalla to Seneca to Columbia and now Lancaster. Governor Nikki Haley selected him in 2016 to receive the Order of the Palmetto, our State's highest civilian honor. In His word, and one that exemplifies Father Kirby's life, the Book of Malachi 2:7 reads: ``For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.'' In light of his many years of ministry, it is my honor to welcome Father Kirby as the guest chaplain of the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for his hard work and for what he does on a daily basis to protect the lives of the unborn. Mr. Speaker, I solemnly stand before you today on the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a decision that has corrupted the very foundation of our unalienable right to life as citizens of this great country. Life is a precious gift from our creator, from conception to natural death. I have been dedicated to protecting the rights of the unborn since the day I was sworn into Congress. It is a fight that I vow to continue until the last day that I serve in this body. As a proud grandfather of 17 beautiful grandchildren, the sanctity of life is cherished and personal. Let me give an example. Just a few months ago, September 25, our 17th grandchild was born 3 months premature. His name is Warren, and we were unsure if he would survive. But it is by the grace of God, the love and support of family and friends, and the heroic work of the great doctors and nurses that Warren is still with us today. After more than 100 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, Warren was finally able to leave the hospital last week. Each moment we spend with him is a true miracle that I will never take for granted. Warren was, to give an example, 1 pound, 15 ounces when he was born. You could see the elements of his personality from the very beginning. He was a fighter. It is a daily reminder that the lives of millions of other children, the same size as Warren when he was born, have been allowed to be cut short due to the ruling of Roe v. Wade. It is truly unfathomable to think that the rule of law in this great country permits the intentional killing of the most vulnerable population. While most Americans agree it is morally wrong to end an unborn human life by abortion, it is also morally wrong to take taxpayer dollars to promote abortion at home or abroad, as has been stated. Yet in their recently released annual report, Planned Parenthood boasts spending $617 million on the mass murder of over 345,000 children in this country in just 1 year. That is roughly 947 premeditated killings each day by the billion-dollar abortion business. These statistics are not only alarming but, quite frankly, they are grotesque. They are among the many reasons why I will not only continue to support commonsense pro-life legislation, such as the bipartisan Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, but will also march in solidarity with millions of Americans nationwide and hundreds of South Carolinians from the district I serve in honor of those who weren't given that chance that so many of us have been given. On this dark anniversary, let us unite and rededicate ourselves to protecting the unborn.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I oppose this resolution, and I include my statement in the Record. Madam Speaker, Today I have heard my Democratic warn that our Republic is in a constitutional crisis. Yet the only crisis I see is the crisis of one party unable to accept its defeat. When you lost, you called for the abolishment of the Electoral College, to redraw the electoral map, and now for impeachment You claim to be the Defenders of our Constitution, but is there any article you would not shred to gain power? But if we pretend for a second that you are sincere about the dangers to our Republic, I am left wondering: Why would you not follow the historical precedent of impeachment processes? Why would you not have an open and fair investigation? Why would you rush through the entire process? In other words, if you are so concerned with the fate of our Republic, why on earth would you play politics with it? The truth is, yours words do not match your actions. As you pretend to cry about the state of our Republic, save a few tears for the state of your own party.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, on roll call no. 685, I mistakenly voted NAY when I intended to vote YEA. Also, on roll call no. 686, I mistakenly voted NAY when I intended to vote YEA.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I missed votes on Thursday, September 26th, due to a family emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted on NAY on Roll Call No. 549; NAY on Roll Call No. 550; YEA on Roll Call No. 551; NAY on Roll Call No. 552; NAY on Roll Call No. 553; YEA on Roll Call No. 554; and NAY on Roll Call No. 555.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I missed a vote on the Rule yesterday. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 684.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I missed the first vote series on Wednesday, December 11th, due to a groundbreaking ceremony for a business in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 668; NAY on Roll Call No. 669; NAY on Roll Call No. 670; and NAY on Roll Call No. 671.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic actions by members of the Newberry Fire Department. On March 1, 2019, the alpha shift, comprised of Captain Andrew Morris, Lieutenant Brian Beck, Senior Engineer Benjamin Dukes, firefighter Richard Doran, and volunteer firefighter Barry Brown, were working a wreck on Third Street when they received an urgent call of a hit-and-run incident on Louis Rich Road. The firefighters responded to the call and found the victim of the hit and run completely unresponsive. The firefighters immediately performed CPR on the victim and as a result of these actions, the person gained a pulse and began breathing. The brave actions of these dedicated public servants resulted in a life being saved, and in the words of the late Prime Minister of Great Britain Winston Churchill, who said the following: There are times when doing one's best is not good enough. One must do what is required. The brave firefighters of Newberry Fire Department's alpha shift did what was required, and as a result, a life was saved.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that September 10, 2019, was a very special day for an infant child who had been severely neglected by her mother. And had it not been for the quick action by members of the Tega Cay Police Department located in South Carolina, the abuse would have continued. Four officers--Sergeant Vince Holland, Officer Matt Boyd, Officer Matt Connolly, and Officer Billy Donahue--responded to a call at 6 p.m. from employees of the Tega Cay Walmart who were concerned about a mother who was with an infant who, in the words of the officers, was ``filthy'' and in dire need of help. The officers immediately reacted to the situation by cleaning the infant and giving food, diapers, and other aid to the child. The officers stayed with the child while the South Carolina Department of Social Services was notified and the child was taken into emergency custody by the agency, along with two other children who were removed from the home. The mother was charged with three felony drug charges, shoplifting, and cruelty to a child. In the words of Chief Steve Parker, ``That little baby did nothing wrong.'' Because of the action of these brave officers who showed compassion and empathy, three children are now out of danger and living in a safe environment. The four officers of the Tega Cay Police Department lived out the words of Winston Churchill, who said, there are times when doing your best is not good enough; we must do what is required. Sergeant Vince Holland, Officer Matt Boyd, Officer Matt Connolly, and Officer Billy Donahue are shining examples of the saying, ``to live is to serve.''

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I came to Congress to vote on legislation and basically go to work. What have we done for the last couple of weeks? Nothing. Instead of concentrating on things that matter to this country, their intent is to reverse the election in 2016 of President Donald Trump. In America, when you commit a crime, you get the evidence and then you have a verdict. What the Democrats, Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, are doing now, they have got the verdict. They are trying to get evidence, and then they are going to try to fish for a crime. Madam Speaker, the public deserves better than this. We are better than this. And this sham process, as has been done in the Soviet Union, should not be done in the Halls of Congress.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I arrived yesterday, as all 435 Members did, to hopefully do the work of the people in the United States Congress. What did I find? No legislation to vote on this week. We are basically not doing anything other than listening to secret testimony about impeaching this President who was duly elected in 2016. Here are some questions for the American people: Why are we not voting on lowering prescription drug prices? Why are we not voting on USMCA, which will help every manufacturer and every business in this country? Why are we not voting on securing our border? Why are we not having a budget? Why are we not reducing regulations to help this great economy? Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve better than this. I will sign the censure to hold Adam Schiff accountable, which should be done. I urge my other colleagues to do the same.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor many Americans who are forgotten: those who have gone through difficult times that are now on a path of recovery. Substance abuse disorders are running rampant throughout our communities all over America. They have crossed borders of race, ethnicity, gender, and politics. This crisis knows no bounds, and we are here to bring awareness to the fact that there is a way forward for each of these individuals. I have hosted substance abuse awareness roundtables all across my district regularly and have heard from folks who have family, friends, or are themselves dealing with substance abuse. Many of these people you would have no idea they or people they knew were struggling. But they were, Mr. Speaker. And this is why I rise with my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican alike, and wear the color purple today, to show that through love, care, faith, family, and community, we can help those walking through a very, very lonely valley. We can uplift those who need it the most. We are all here to help our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a man who is part of the Greatest Generation, Tom ``Pinky'' Funderburk of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Mr. Funderburk has been awarded the French Legion of Honor. Pinky flew B-17 bombers, known as the Flying Fortress, with the Mighty 8th United States Air Force during World War II. The Legion of Honor was established by Napoleon in 1802 as the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits. The first dangerous missions for which Pinky was awarded the Legion of Honor took place on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of April 1945 over Royan, France. His crew's mission was to bomb the 30,000 encamped German troops concentrated around Royan on the coast of France. One day, they approached their target from an altitude of 25,000 feet and noticed an absence of antiaircraft activity in the skies, so they dropped down to 17,000 feet. The formation circled three times to drop their bombs more accurately when a small flare used to follow bombs to their targets ignited in their bomb bay, filling the aircraft with thick, sooty smoke that covered all the windows. Fearing they were hit by ground fire, the crew grabbed their parachutes and prepared to abandon their plane over enemy territory. Before jumping out, the crew made one last check to see if the pilots were able to make it out safely. They yelled through the intercom to see if they were coming but received no reply. Just as they were ready to bail out, copilot Funderburk yelled out, ``Wait.'' The smoke was so thick that the pilots were worried about crashing into the other planes in the formation and were too busy flying the plane and clearing the smoke to worry about bailing out. The pilots were able to clear the smoke and fly the airplane and crew safely back to their home base. The final mission took Pinky deep into enemy territory into Horsching, Austria, where French prisoners of war had recently been liberated from a POW camp. Pinky's crew reconfigured their B-17 bomber to carry 31 prisoners of war back to Paris and their homeland. Mr. Speaker, for these heroic duties and his selfless service, Pinky Funderburk honors all South Carolinians, and I am proud to recognize him today for receiving the prestigious French Legion of Honor.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Corporal William ``Bill'' McMillan, III. Corporal McMillan was a combat medic serving in Iraq when he lost his life in an IED attack on July 8, 2008. The death of Corporal McMillan prompted his father, Lloyd, and Brad, his older brother, to write a poem about his sudden death entitled ``The Medic's Last Patrol.'' It goes like this: As your Stryker rolls, you remember many missions through this long, tough fight. You know the last task will come, last work be done, then home. All right! You will mount up to take that last patrol with fellows all well tried; That honor roll of troopers you have come to know with love and pride. You have all talked, laughed, wept, and fought hard, side by side. Many times before, you've watched them play, work, fight, and bleed. You've patched them up, cheered them on, and sent them back to lead. You've been there for them in the dust of day and in the cold of night. Then on to the next patrol, with that honored roll. Back one more time to fight. You remember. The report was out. They were all about, and they had planted one to three. On late guard, near break of day, an IED you see they start to lay. You call Sarge, ``Hey! Look close over there. Can you see?'' Sarge runs right out, and starts to shout, ``That's it!'' And you do the follow me! Later, you patch the enemy then work smart, fight tough, to get yourself free. You ask, ``Is this the last patrol? Is this it for the Sarge and me?'' Experience kicks in. You both fight hard and win. Clearly, the last patrol it's not. You and your team will see lots more patrols, as that's the soldier's lot. As you're grouped the next day, the General praises your brave acts. You and Sarge got four, and the team got nine more, in those all-out attacks. Your team did its job. They fought hard and did so very well. You've sent the enemy on their last patrol, their justly deserved death knell. Now, you are rolling on this new daytime mission. The light is oh so bright. Your patrol is off to guard the convoy, checking all that is in sight. You laugh at stories told as along you roll and grab a snack. All right! Then that flash of light, that blast of might, your eyes they see now closed so tight. For four, the last patrol has come. The rest for a moment numb, a truly terrible plight. Later, the caisson rolls. The cannons boom. Overhead, the Blackhawks fly. We honor you as we stand in place. But we ask, O God! Tell us why. We find some comfort as we hear ``Amazing Grace,'' our eyes very far from dry. It was a one-way ticket, but we know you're in a better place. Now, you are with our dear Lord and holy master. You have passed from last patrol to honored guard of God's most holy pasture.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for their support of this all-important bill. I rise in support of H.R. 617, the Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act. This legislation authorizes a partnership between the Department of Energy--the DOE--and the Department of Veterans Affairs--the VA--to conduct collaborative research in computing, artificial intelligence, and big data science in order to improve healthcare for all of our veterans. The VA hosts one of the largest and most valuable health datasets. Through its voluntary data collection program, entitled the Million Veterans Program, MVP, the VA has collected detailed health information and genomic data volunteered by over 600,000 veterans. But the VA simply doesn't have the computing power or expertise to analyze all of this complex data. In order to learn from their data and provide better healthcare for veterans, the VA needs access to more advanced computing capabilities, expertise, and infrastructure than is currently available at the agency. As a world leader in high-performance computing, the DOE is an ideal partner to help the VA meet this need. In its national laboratory system, DOE hosts 5 of the world's top 10 fastest supercomputers, including the fastest supercomputer in the world, Summit, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The DOE also funds research and computational sciences and data analytics, which can be used to solve a range of complex big data challenges in the physical sciences. The interagency partnership between DOE and the VA authorized by my bill is necessary to analyze this data and ultimately provide better care for our Nation's veterans. DOE has the capability to securely store, using supercomputers at the national labs, and analyze the VA's health data to look for patterns. Learning from these patterns can help us improve the medical treatments for heart disease, traumatic brain injury, and cancer. I think we can all agree that we should be taking any steps possible to improve the medical care of our men and women who have answered the call to serve. Not only does this bill take that step, but it has benefit in giving our scientists the ability to analyze complex data that will help America remain the world's leader in advanced computing. The bill also requires the DOE to establish data storage facilities to securely transmit and store data that the VA provides. This will make certain that privacy and security are maintained for veterans who volunteer for the programs. I am grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have been able to come together and move this bill forward. Providing better care for our veterans is a place where we can find common ground, especially since America's veterans fought to keep us all safe, regardless of our political party. In closing, I would like to thank my fellow Committee on Science, Space, and Technology members who cosponsored this legislation and the many veterans serving in the House who supported my bill. I also want to thank Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, who has been a strong advocate of this partnership. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' in favor of improving healthcare for veterans.