Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 100 years ago, on November 11, 1918, the war to end all wars came to an end. Over 4 million American doughboys went off to fight on the battlefields and in the brutal trenches of Europe. Mr. Speaker, 116,000 of America's sons and daughters were killed in combat, and 200,000 more were wounded. All the survivors of the great World War I have since died. They are no more. We must never forget their selfless sacrifices to make this world a freer place. Last year, our country finally broke ground in Washington, D.C., on a memorial to honor their service to our country. I am privileged that Representative Cleaver and I helped make this memorial a reality. Forever their sacrifice for this Nation and this world will be preserved in bronze and stone in the heart of this city. May our country never forget their sacred pledge, recited in George Cohan's song: We'll be over, We're coming over, And we won't come back, Till it's over, over there. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, America's Peace Corps volunteers are our angels abroad. They represent the very best about America. They give years of their lives to help people they have never met in some of the most remote areas of the world. Often this means putting their own safety at risk, expecting the United States to have their backs. But right now we are not doing enough to protect them while they are overseas. This will change with the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act sponsored by myself and Joe Kennedy of Massachusetts. Many returning volunteers, like Sara Thompson, struggle to receive the medical care they need while they are in a foreign country. Sara's troubles began when the Peace Corps prescribed a medication called mefloquine to protect her from malaria. But during her service in Burkina Faso, she began to have horrific nightmares and struggled with her mental health. When she turned to the Peace Corps for help, the medical officer excused her symptoms by simply saying: You are not adjusting well. The nausea and nightmares continued. With no support from the Peace Corps, she started to research the problems. It was then she realized the malaria medicine the Peace Corps had given her was making her sick. But today she still deals with these medical issues and feels abandoned by our Peace Corps. Peace Corps volunteer Nick Castle died in rural China after an inefficient, under-equipped, and unresponsive Peace Corps-led medical team made gross mistakes in treating his illness. The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act establishes criteria for in-country medical doctors and ensures that they have the resources they need to take care of our volunteers. Giving our volunteers the best medical care possible is an absolute necessity when they are serving America. There is more. A brave volunteer told me recently about the daily sexual harassment she experienced while she served overseas. In broad daylight, men would grope and threaten her as she walked home from school. One afternoon at the market, the cashier threatened to break into her house in the middle of the night and sexually assault her. So she reported this to the Peace Corps, and they assured her that these men were just joking. No surprise, the harassment continued. Finally, she made the decision to return to America. She could no longer bear the constant hostile environment. The Peace Corps recorded her reason for leaving as difficulty in adapting to the culture. In other words, the sexual assaults were her fault. Are you kidding me? Sexual assault and harassment should never be excused as joking and should never be brushed off as a cultural norm. Mr. Speaker, as a former judge and co-chairman of the Victims' Rights Caucus, I would point out that sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. This bill creates new trainings and safeguards to protect volunteers from sexual assault and harassment. It also makes the Office of Victim Advocacy a permanent establishment. Then there is Peace Corps volunteer Jennifer Mamola. Early one morning, Jennifer was walking with two friends to a bus stop. Out of nowhere, a drunk driver ran into them. One volunteer was killed. Both of Jennifer's legs were broken. So she returned home to America still bedridden and loaded on pain medication. She faced an uphill battle of endless bureaucracy to receive treatment and surgeries. After months of fighting government bureaucrats, she was finally granted treatment. Far too often volunteers fall between the cracks and are forced to pay exorbitant medical bills out of pocket until the Department of Labor decides to cover their medical situation. So this bill would provide medical coverage to returning volunteers while they wait for the Department of Labor to give them the medical benefits they deserve. The changes in this bill will go a long way in keeping our volunteers safe. The bill provides Peace Corps volunteers critical information regarding the country that they are going to serve in. It also requires the Peace Corps to provide volunteers with access to medical doctors while they are overseas. And it makes the Sexual Assault Advisory Council and Office of Victims' Advocacy permanent. It also extends volunteers' medical benefits upon their return home until their coverage kicks in from the Department of Labor. Mr. Speaker, we must not continue to send our volunteers out into the world without adequate protections against harm. Give them a qualified medical doctor, and we must have an effective healthcare system to take care of them when they return. Our government should fight for our Peace Corps volunteers, not fight against them. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this week President Trump will join our allies for the important NATO summit. At the top of this list must be countering Russia's aggression and imperialism against our allies and the U.S. But to achieve this, everyone must contribute to the cause. Of the 29 nations within NATO, only 8 members--including the United States--are meeting the 2 percent of GDP pledge for defense spending. For years, there has been a historical problem of excuses made for noncompliance by some of our NATO allies. President Trump is right to bluntly encourage our friends to meet their obligations to deter Czar Putin. Neighbors in Texas ask me: Why does the United States spend more money defending some European countries than the countries do themselves? Fair question. Mr. Speaker, I support NATO, but our NATO allies would do well to stop criticizing the U.S. commitment to NATO and, rather, fully fulfill their commitment to our mutual defense. It is time to belly up to the bar and pay their share. And that is just the way it is. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the 29 countries and whether they are meeting their 2 percent guideline or not. NATO Members Meeting 2% Guideline 1. United States 2. United Kingdom 3. Greece 4. Estonia 5. Poland 6. Lithuania 7. Latvia 8. Romania NATO Members Not Meeting the 2% Guideline 1. Albania 2. Belgium 3. Bulgaria 4. Canada 5. Croatia 6. Czech Republic 7. Denmark 8. France 9. Germany 10. Hungary 11. Italy 12. Luxembourg 13. Montenegro 14. Netherlands 15. Norway 16. Portugal 17. Slovak Republic 18. Slovenia 19. Spain 20. Turkey

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2259) to amend the Peace Corps Act to expand services and benefits for volunteers, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for marking up the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act. This act is named after two former Peace Corps volunteers. Sam Farr served with us here in the United States Congress. I also thank Representative Kennedy from Massachusetts, who was also a Peace Corps volunteer several years ago, for his cosponsorship of this legislation to protect our Peace Corps volunteers. I call them our angels abroad. Recently, I have heard too many stories of young, eager volunteers who selflessly give away years of their lives to help other people in foreign countries, countries that many Americans have never even heard of, but sometimes these Peace Corps volunteers are let down by the organization that they gave so much to. Jennifer Mamola was hit by a drunk driver while serving in Uganda. She was at a bus stop with another volunteer, who was killed by the drunk driver. Jennifer had both of her legs broken. When she returned home, still bedridden and loaded on pain medication, she faced an uphill battle to get medical treatment and endless bureaucracy from our own government. After months of fighting the system, she was finally approved for medical treatment, only to have her case continuously reopened. Others tell of their struggle to receive quality medical care and protection while they are abroad in foreign countries. Sara Thompson suffered for months from terrible nightmares and nausea. When she turned to the Peace Corps doctors, they attributed her symptoms to ``not adjusting well'' in the foreign country. Not until Sara conducted her own research back in the United States did she realize that the malaria medicine the Peace Corps had prescribed for her was the thing that was making her sick. Her doctors never recognized the symptoms. Sara still suffers from these symptoms and this misdiagnosis and feels that the Peace Corps abandoned her. Another brave volunteer told me about the sexual harassment she experienced while serving overseas in a foreign country. During broad daylight, men would grope and threaten her as she walked home from school. This harassment went on for months and months. When she reported this to the Peace Corps, the Peace Corps assured her that the men were just joking. Are you kidding me, Mr. Speaker? When she could no longer bear the harassment, she returned home, and the Peace Corps recorded her reason for leaving the Peace Corps as ``difficulty adapting to the culture.'' Sexual assault and harassment should never be excused as joking. It should never be brushed off as a cultural norm. And, Mr. Speaker, sexual assault is never the fault of a victim. As a former judge, I can tell you that it is our duty to do everything within our power to protect these ambassadors, these angels abroad. The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Enhancement Act of 2018 builds on and extends protections for our volunteers which became law as a result of the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011, which I introduced, and it finally became law in 2011. H.R. 2259 protects volunteers at every stage of their service with the Peace Corps: The onboarding process, their time in-country, and when they return home. During the onboarding process, this bill requires the Peace Corps to provide information on health risks and crimes to volunteers up front so that they can be informed and make a good decision on where to serve. Sometimes Peace Corps volunteers have no idea about the assaults that take place in these foreign countries. Those days will be over. While they are deployed in the country, this bill requires the Peace Corps to make sure volunteers have access to qualified medical doctors. These doctors must consult with outside experts and the Center for Disease Control on best practices, particularly on mental health and malaria medications. We also added important provisions on protection from sexual assault and harassment recommended by the Office of Special Counsel in a report that was released by them this year. H.R. 2259 extends the Sexual Assault Advisory Council for an additional 5 years. It makes the Office of Victims Advocacy permanent. Both of these valuable resources for volunteers who have been assaulted or harassed would have expired this year. And finally, when volunteers return home from their service with illnesses and injuries that they received overseas, they should not have to spend months dealing with bureaucratic red tape so that they can get medical care. This bill will ensure that they immediately receive the medical care and mental healthcare that they need and deserve. Peace Corps volunteers, Mr. Speaker, are the face of our country in places where America's shining beacon of hope and liberty has not always shined so bright. They promote goodwill and a better understanding of the United States. This helps to ensure an enduring partnership with our Nation. But most of all, they do good things. They do good because they are good. They change lives every day in the local communities that they serve; and we, at home, must ensure we are doing all we can to minimize unnecessary dangers for these volunteers. The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Enhancement Act of 2018 is a crucial step. So I thank the Speaker for bringing this bill to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to support this critical bill, and the Senate to take it up as soon as possible. I also would like to thank my staffers, Oren Adaki, Patrick Megahan, and Luke Murry in the Majority Leader's office. Peace Corps volunteers, Mr. Speaker, are the best that we have in this country, and that is just the way it is. I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC, June 12, 2018. Hon. Edward R. Royce, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I write concerning H.R. 2259, the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018. This bill contains provisions within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. As a result of your having consulted with me concerning the provisions of the bill that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forgo consideration of the bill, so the bill may proceed expeditiously to the House floor. The Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 2259 we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and we will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward so we may address any remaining issues within our Rule X jurisdiction. Further, I request your support for the appointment of conferees from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform during any House-Senate conference on this or related legislation. Finally, I would appreciate a response confirming this understanding and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the bill report filed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as well as in the Congressional Record during floor consideration thereof. Sincerely, Trey Gowdy.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, when I travel overseas in foreign countries, I, like many of the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, try to meet with our Peace Corps volunteers. Most of those volunteers are in Third World countries, and I have had the honor to meet with them. They have come down from the mountains in Peru to meet with me and other Members. One thing is universally true about all of them: They love being a Peace Corps volunteer. They love working in that country and doing things in that country most of us would never do, but they do it because they are good, and they do good. And when the Peace Corps volunteers came to me first a few years ago about some of the things that were happening in the Peace Corps, they all made it clear to me that, even though these bad things happened to them while they served in the Peace Corps, whether it was being assaulted overseas, lack of medical attention by the Peace Corps, whatever, they all still supported the Peace Corps. They were not bitter about the Peace Corps. They weren't mad at the Peace Corps. Many of them said they would volunteer again if they could. They are remarkable individuals. They are the best that we have in this country who represent us all over the world doing good things for people. Of course it helps the United States politically, but, more importantly, it helps these people in these countries to have things that they would never be able to have without these Peace Corps volunteers working with them and helping to make a sanitary environment, helping them to market such things as guinea pigs, as I learned in Peru. They are remarkable individuals, and I want to make that very clear that the Peace Corps volunteers support making the Peace Corps better, but they support the Peace Corps most of all. Let me just mention this about Nick Castle. He died while he was in China. He died because he did not get adequate medical attention, medical attention that the United States was responsible for making sure that he got that he did not get, and because of that, he died in- country. So this bill is named after Nick Castle, and it is named after Sam Farr. I want to also say again how much I appreciate Joe Kennedy from Massachusetts being the cosponsor of this, him being a Peace Corps volunteer, his family being supportive of the Peace Corps. One of the best things the United States ever did was when John F. Kennedy invented the Peace Corps. We should continue to send our angels abroad, representing the United States, representing what is good, and we should support them when they are overseas, when they return home, and after they have even left the Peace Corps. Our government should work to help the Peace Corps, not work against the Peace Corps. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, Pakistan continues to be an unreliable partner in the fight against terrorism. For two decades, we have hoped that Pakistan would clear the terrorist safe havens along the Afghan border and end its support for terrorist groups with American blood on their hands. We have paid them $30 billion to do this over the past 16 years, but Pakistan still has proven it is not serious about combating terrorism outside its borders. Despite our efforts, such groups as the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, and al-Qaida continue to survive because their leaders live in Pakistan. Pakistan accepts no responsibility for terrorists in Pakistan. Instead, it condemns us for pursuing terrorists living on its soil. Pakistan does fight terrorist groups that threaten Pakistan, but does not fight those groups that attack its neighbors. In many cases, it actually supports those groups. The group behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks known as LeT received support and instruction by Pakistani intelligence. Pakistan extremist views are common in the nation. Pakistan actually holds multiple centers of indoctrination that radicalize Pakistani youth by the thousands. One of these centers has so many terrorist graduates that it has earned the name the University of Jihad. So Pakistan is not just supporting terrorists; it creates terrorists. The fact that we call Pakistan a major non-NATO ally boggles the mind. This is nonsense. Pakistani sponsorship of terrorism goes back for decades. It has proven a safe haven and supported the Haqqani Network since the 1980s, allowing the group to become one of the largest killers of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. It has supported terrorist groups of all stripes, including in Kashmir in its proxy war with India since 1990. Beginning in the 1990s, Pakistan reportedly provided training, intelligence, and material support to the Afghan Taliban. Pakistani nuclear scientists even met with senior al-Qaida leaders in 1998 to discuss nuclear technology. After 9/11, Osama bin Laden and his men fled, guess where. To Pakistan, where he was eventually killed 10 years later by the Americans. Pakistan has moved quickly to revive the Taliban after its defeat and has facilitated arms purchases for al-Qaida. Mr. Chair, Pakistan's behavior has never changed. Just a few weeks ago, the new commander of the coalition forces in Afghanistan told Congress, my committee, that Pakistan is the biggest obstacle to stabilizing Afghanistan, and the U.N. Ambassador from Afghanistan told the U.N. that the problem in Afghanistan is Pakistan. We have fooled ourselves into thinking Pakistan is a partner. We poured billions of dollars into Pakistan hoping and praying they will change, but they have not. We are continuing to pay them for bad behavior. That is why I have introduced amendment No. 20 to the underlying bill, to cut $200 million of coalition support that we give Pakistan. If it were up to me, I would cut all $700 million, but $200 million is a good first step. We should not pay Pakistan to betray us, Mr. Chair. They will do it for free. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I come down here every year on this type of amendment. When I came to Congress 14 years ago, I went to Afghanistan and I went to Iraq. I visited with our troops. Since that time, I have on my wall 40 Americans of all races and most branches who have been killed in Afghanistan or Iraq. When I was there in Afghanistan, I was down on the border with our troops and the British troops. They are on the border to protect Afghanistan from the terrorists coming in from Pakistan. I don't understand why we continue to pay Pakistan money. This legislation doesn't cut the whole fund. It cuts $200 million of the $700 million fund to get the attention of the Pakistanis so that they can't keep playing it. I am sure the Pakistanis are glad that I am leaving Congress. I won't be back here next year to offer this amendment. But really, I have great respect for the chairwoman and the ranking member on this issue, but I think that we should not pay Pakistan to continue to hate us because they will do it for free. I think we should do it to protect our troops that are on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. And that is just the way it is. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the rain came down, the bayous and creeks rose, and the wind blew. It was as if it would never stop raining. It was Hurricane Harvey last September. After it was over, 55 inches of water had hammered the Houston area. But in the rainy haze, Officer Norbert Ramon appeared. But Officer Ramon, a 55-year-old officer of the Houston Police Department, was sick. He had stage IV colon cancer. He was undergoing treatment, and doctors said that he had only a few years to live. However, the 24-year veteran of the Houston Police Department jumped into the flooded aftermath of the hurricane despite his cancer. Officer Ramon sloshed through bacteria-filled waters, putting his own life at risk. Over the course of 4 days, he rescued 1,500 Houstonians stranded in the flood. He said: ``My main concern was to help the citizens. Nothing else was on my mind. I didn't worry about me or anything.'' As the waters receded and the Texas Sun came out through the blue sky, Mr. Speaker, Officer Ramon headed back to the hospital, returning to his treatments. Despite a hard-fought battle, Officer Ramon lost his fight against a cancerous invader. Taps sounded today, Mr. Speaker, as hundreds of peace officers and citizens of Houston honored the life of one of Houston's finest. Officer Norbert Ramon stood Houston strong. Mr. Speaker, they don't make `em like him anymore. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Texas has a proud history, and the names of Texas heroes--Sam Houston, Juan Seguin, and, my hero, William Barrett Travis--are still remembered and venerated by Texans. Two names that are often unjustifiably left out of this group are James and Jane Long. A veteran of the War of 1812, Dr. James Long was a doctor living in Natchez, Mississippi, in 1819. In that year, the United States and Spain agreed on the Adams-Onis treaty, in which Spain relinquished control over Florida and the United States rescinded claims to the land west of the Sabine River in Texas. Long and his friends didn't like that they no longer had access to a land they considered their birthright. They decided to take action. Dr. Long proposed the establishment of Texas as an independent and sovereign nation. Together with eighty of his friends, as well as his wife, Jane, and their newborn infant, Long rode to Nacogdoches. By the time his group reached the Texas settlement, they were over 300 strong. Internal resistance and uncertainty had plagued Spanish Texas, and so Long's party easily took control of Nacogdoches. They then gathered for a solemn convention. On June 23, 1819, under the heat of the Texas sun, the group proclaimed Texas a free and independent nation and elected Dr. Long as its first president. They became the first to champion the Lone Star. Indeed, the Lone Star featured prominently on their flag, which adopted the 13 red and white stripes of the American flag and placed a single star in the top left- hand corner. The fate of Long's new Texas Republic was cruel and short-lived. Spanish forces, upon hearing of Long's presence in Nacogdoches, marched east from Bexar (modern-day San Antonio) and drove Long's forces out, killing his brother in the process. Long traveled with his young family to New Orleans, and, determined not to give up on his dream, attempted to stir up support for a second expedition. He found a willing partner in Don Felix Trespalacios, and in 1829, the two departed by sea, bound for the Texas coast. After landing at a place they named Point Bolivar, in honor of the South American revolutionary, Long took forces inland while Trespalacios sailed onward to spread revolution elsewhere. When his forces took La Bahia, however, Spanish troops struck back and forced their surrender. Long became a captive and traveled to Mexico City to await his fate. Amid mysterious circumstances, Long was shot and killed while in Mexico City, leaving his young wife and two children alone to fend for themselves at Point Bolivar. Texas women are fiercely courageous, and Mrs. Long was no different. Though she was just twenty-one years old, she was determined not to become a victim of her own circumstances. She fended off would-be Indian assailants while wintering in Galveston Bay, and in the spring, she traveled on horseback with her two young children and an enslaved woman to Bexar and then to Monterrey, hundreds of miles across the open, rugged Texas landscape. She was determined to bring her husband's murderer to justice, but even her indomitable spirit could not overcome a turbulent political climate. Unsuccessful but not unbowed, she rode back to Mississippi with her children. She later made her way back to Texas, settling at Richmond near the coast, and died on Texas soil in 1880. Mr. Speaker, James and Jane Long are vital to the history of Texas. These two individuals helped sow the seeds of independence in the minds of Texans. Members of Long's expedition, in particular Ben Miram and Jim Bowie, later played integral roles in winning Texas independence from Mexico. While their contribution has often been overlooked by history, their names should live beside those of Houston, Seguin, and Travis as true Texas heroes. And that is just the way it is

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the year was 1787. The American experiment was in trouble. After the Revolution, the colonies came together to draft the Articles of Confederation, which enumerated the powers of the new government. This document, however, left the government unable to regulate interstate commerce, raise revenue through taxes, or support a national defense. Many of the colonists had become restless, and some like Daniel Shays even began openly revolting against the newly founded government. It was time to act. Fifty-five men from around the colonies made the arduous trek to Philadelphia, where they crammed inside Independence Hall, the same venue where, just eleven years before, many of the individuals present hammered out and ratified the Declaration of Independence. Under the leadership of the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. George Washington, the delegates debated a new direction for the fledgling government. The document that was finally agreed upon by the delegates was what we know today as the United States Constitution. The document outlined a federal government made up of three branches that could each check and balance the powers of the others. After much debate, it was up to the delegates to gain the ratification of their respective states. They returned home and attempted to whip up support for the Constitution, needing nine states out of thirteen to successfully bring the Constitution into law. Some went to great lengths to promote the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay published the Federalist Papers under pseudonyms, a series of essays that highlighted the advantages of the document. Slowly but surely, the ratifications trickled in. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut were the first to support the document. Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina followed suit, and finally on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire provided the ninth and decisive ratification. The Constitution was adopted by the U.S. government on March 4, 1789, and the other colonies soon ratified the document, successfully uniting the nation. More than any individual or group, the documents drafted and adopted by our Founding Fathers shaped who we are as a nation. The Constitution provides us the structure to defend, govern, and implement the beliefs and freedoms enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. It establishes that we the people, not a king or tyrant, would govern our nation. Mr. Speaker, George Washington hailed the Constitution as ``the guide in which I will never abandon.'' Today, on the occasion of the 230th anniversary of the ratification of this document, let us remember the oath that we took before taking office to support and defend this guide, the very essence of our democracy. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the world today is in a new era of great power rivalry. Resurgent Russia and China are challenging U.S. interests across the globe. Both are rapidly modernizing their militaries to directly challenge America's dominance on the battlefield and to undermine our alliances around the world. The potential for major conflict is closer now than it has been since the Cold War. China and Russia's rising power has huge implications for how we trade, how we target rogue regimes, and how the entire international system works. While we often focus on Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs, we tend to overlook the two atomic arsenals that pose the greatest danger to our security. But with Russia and China's aggressive behavior in places like Ukraine, Georgia, and the South China Sea, we are forced to rethink our deterrence against such threats. Comparing our nuclear arsenals, it's clear China and Russia have been intent on challenging U.S. dominance and coercing our friends for some time. While we have barely upgraded some of our nuclear systems since they were first deployed in the early 1980s, China and Russia have introduced new weapons. We may be reluctant to maintain and upgrade such devastating weapons, but our strategic rivals are not. If we allow Russia or China to achieve nuclear superiority over us, the results will be dire for our allies and for the international order we have spent decades building. Just in March, Vladimir Putin unveiled several new nuclear weapons intended to make our missile defenses ``useless.'' They include a new heavy ICBM, a nuclear-powered cruise missile with ``unlimited range,'' and a nuclear-powered unmanned submarine designed to sneak into coastal cities and explode. Such a heavy investment in nuclear arms is concerning and demonstrates Putin's priority is not disarmament but strategic dominance. However, Putin left something out of his threatening display. He did not include the new ground-launched cruise missile which the State Department has said for years is violating the INF Treaty. This missile undermines years of arms control negotiations and the good faith we have hoped to build with the Russians since the end of the Cold War. With the New START treaty expiring in 2021, the INF violation casts real doubt on continued strategic arms limitations with the Russians going forward. If the START treaty expires, the Russians will be completely free to expand their nuclear stockpile to what it was during the darkest days of the Cold War. This will likely force others-- including ourselves--to also build more bombs. Worse, now that China is a major rival, we could be pushed into a situation more dangerous than the Cold War. We have been fortunate that China has kept its nuclear stockpile relatively small, focusing on minimal deterrence. But China is building new delivery systems to match our own and is not restrained to arms control agreements like those between the U.S. and Russia. China is rapidly building new ballistic missile submarines and mobile ICBMs which will further strain our military's ability to track. Beijing is also making advances in hypersonic missiles that will make early warning systems ineffective. Yet, the major concern with China is its willingness to proliferate nuclear technology to rogue regimes. Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan have all benefited from Chinese assistance. In many cases, China has directly sold nuclear and missile technology to these terrorist regimes. China's low regard for non-proliferation standards has been irresponsible and created increased instability around the globe. For too long we have not addressed the source of these rising threats. North Korea and Iran are major problems, but they would be far more isolated and far less dangerous if they did not have backing from Russia and China. Even our need for missile defense--which China and Russia claim is so destabilizing--would be unnecessary if these rogue regimes did not have help from Moscow and Beijing. As we think about the future of our nuclear forces and the future of arms control, we must have a clear view of the threats we face. China and Russia are capable adversaries. Left unchecked they will surpass us and make the world less safe. Therefore, we must continue to engage them to restrict the number and capability of these terrible weapons while making clear we will not allow them to gain the nuclear advantage. Ronald Reagan once said, ``a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.'' We must continue his legacy by seeking a world without nuclear arms. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important values that we strive to teach our children is to give back to others. Well, it's time for us adults to go back to school, as 13-year-old Mickie May Levin is teaching us a thing or two about generosity. This year, Levin had her bat mitzvah, and in preparation for this rite of passage, she decided to undertake a service project that would give back to her local community in the spirit of Jewish tradition. In brainstorming ideas, she kept returning to soccer, a sport that she had already fell in love with. She played on her school team, and she enjoyed how the sport brings people together from a variety of backgrounds. From her own time on the field, she understood the importance of having a good pair of cleats on your feet during a game, particularly when the rain started to come down. She also knew that she and many of her friends had pairs of gently used cleats piling up in their closets and garages--at that age, kids outgrow clothes and shoes very quickly. An idea was thus born: she would collect these cleats and donate them to kids who couldn't afford to buy them. Levin started out small, asking around her friend group and eventually placing yellow cardboard boxes labelled ``Cleats for a Cause'' around her school and elsewhere in her community. She then started reaching out to individuals and organizations, asking if they had any shoes to spare. Her donations soared after Tarik Guendouzi, the director of the boys' teams for Rise FC, responded and told her that his club wanted to help. Although Levin provided just one cardboard box, the families of the club brought so many shoes that she had to utilize her mother's pickup truck to transport them all back to her house. Levin then gave the hundreds of shoes she had collected to the All Nations Sports Academy, an organization in Houston that provides underprivileged children opportunities to play soccer. The young kids received them jubilantly, taking the field with new shoes on their feet and a noticeable swagger in their step. Mr. Speaker, Mickie May Levin has a heart of gold, and she leads by example in making an impact in her community. It is because of the generosity of individuals like Levin that our country is what it is today. Young and old, we can all learn something from her about kindness. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Harvey pushed Houston first- responders to the limit. While groups like the Cajun Navy and other private citizens provided invaluable support to the Houston community in helping with emergency relief, peace officers and firefighters were underequipped to deal with the massive flooding that displaced thousands from their homes. With only old and decrepit boats at their disposal, they were forced to conscript canoes and kayaks. To put it simply, they needed more boats. The Houston Fire Department requested 20 boats from the city to help bolster their water rescue fleet, but the city was strapped for cash and could not feasibly pay for 20 boats on their own. Luckily, one group decided to step up and help. The 100 Club donated 14 new rescue boats to first responders in Houston and Harris County. The group gave the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff's Office five boats each and the Houston Fire Department four. This will provide a much-needed boost to the fleets of these departments, who are now only in need of just a handful of boats from the city. The 100 Club has a history of helping Houston's finest. The organization has provided millions of dollars in financial aid to the families of fallen officers, scholarships and grants to officers and fire fighters, and equipment for first responders. After observing the water rescue efforts during the hurricane, the group began conversing with the authorities in Houston, who all highlighted the need for more rescue boats. Mr. Speaker, our first responders provided invaluable assistance to the Houston community during and after Hurricane Harvey, despite their lack of equipment. After all, the tools do not make the man. But the gracious donation by the 100 Club will allow these selfless individuals to serve their communities more effectively. The generosity shown is just another example of why the greatest people on earth live in America: they will always help each other. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 2018 marks the 19th year since the Communist government in Beijing banned the practice of Falun Gong. We must remember how the Chinese government has purposefully denied the human rights of so many over the last 20 years. The Falun Gong movement stands for some of mankind's most respected virtues: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The Chinese government saw this peaceful movement growing, and rather than embrace it, they have taken every possible step to destroy it. So the Communists took away Falun Gong's most basic human right: the right to live and worship freely. The Chinese government's top priority is not its citizens, but staying in power at all costs, even if it means persecuting the most peaceful among them. Beijing's evil knows no limits. We know they murder many Falun Gong practitioners and harvested their organs for profit. We know this shameful practice is going on, because brave men and women have come forward, including family members, practitioners, and even victims themselves. The evidence is undeniable. This practice is a billion dollar business for the Chinese government. Organ harvesting is the number one source of revenue for Chinese medical centers. The Chinese government makes a profit while silencing a group it sees as threatening. They think they cannot lose. But they can't silent us. We know what is going on behind closed doors. And we will not remain silent. Recent reports suggest that tens of thousands of transplants annually are funding the construction of new hospital wings devoted solely to these illicit procedures. The Chinese government recognizes only a fraction of these transplants, they claim most of their transplant organs come from prisoners on death row. The report verified that 712 medical institutions perform transplants in China, but estimates from the Executive Chairman of the China Organ Transplant Alliance are well over 1,000, many of which are undocumented. According to their own staff, some of these hospitals perform thousands of transplants every year. Obviously, the Chinese Communist Party is lying. Dishonesty is standard practice for the CCP. And yet, we will keep fighting back. This fight has not been easy. Many have loved ones in jail right now. Others have been tortured. Others have simply disappeared. I applaud all who continue to stand up for what is right. Their presence is a testament that no matter how hard Beijing tries to eliminate the Falun Gong, they will fail. I am proud to stand with them after all they have endured. As a former judge from Texas, justice is of the utmost importance to me. I feel a duty to speak out against the most egregious wrongs committed against innocent people. The world must recognize China as an enemy of human rights. The Falun Gong practice peace. We must protect the rights given to all of us by our Creator. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Lieutenant General Austin Miller, the nominee to lead our forces in Afghanistan, testified before the Senate that the biggest obstacle to success in Afghanistan is Pakistan. He echoes the same frustrations the President expressed earlier this year and what others in this Chamber, including myself, have said for years, that Pakistan is providing safe havens for terrorists and playing both sides. Terrorist leaders even arrogantly make public appearances in Pakistan, with the knowledge of the government. When we take action against terrorists in Pakistan, Pakistan officials typically condemn us, rather than take steps to improve counterterrorism efforts. President Trump and the incoming commander for U.S. forces in Afghanistan hold a realistic view of Pakistan. Pakistan is the problem with success in Afghanistan. There should be no American money sent to Pakistan until they stop their treacherous ways. Otherwise, the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan may never end. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 100 years ago this month, American marines forged their legend as the world's most effective fighting force as they halted the German advance in France at the Battle of Belleau Wood. Less than 6 months later, World War I came to an end, and this year we mark the centennial anniversary of the conclusion of the planet's first global conflict. There was nothing like it before its time. It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month that all of the guns fell silent. After 4 years of war, 18 million people laid dead, 23 million others were wounded, and many of the old empires of Europe crumbled. Often called the War to End All Wars or the Great War, the First World War left a long shadow over history which we can still feel today. But none experienced the horror of this war more than the 4 million Americans sent to fight over there in Europe and the families they left behind. Their lives were immediately changed forever. The United States came late to the war, but when we arrived and restored hope to our European allies, we reached a defining moment in our history and world history. Until that time, America was not a great power as we are today, but with the arrival of our doughboys, they ushered in a new era of freedom in Europe. This was the beginning of the American century, the New World superpower, the United States. Our military saw that it was their duty as champions of liberty to help our allies in need and to make the world safe for democracy. They went to liberate, not to conquer. Our enemy was shocked. Our allies were stunned by the tenacious doughboys. The American doughboys changed the course of the war forever. Here in this photograph, we have Americans going over the top, as they say, over the top of the trench, charging into the guns of the Germans. When the Americans arrived, the Axis powers were slowly gaining power. With Russia's premature exit from the war, German troops from the Eastern Front were able to be redeployed to the Western Front. In the Spring Offensive of 1918, the Germans threw everything they had at our British and French allies, hoping to end the war before the Americans entered that war. But they were too late. The U.S. troops rushed to the front, relieving their battle-weary comrades and stunning the Germans with the American fighting spirit. World War I is often considered the first modern war. Military technology made rapid advances, making the battlefield more dangerous than ever in history. The trench warfare was horrifying and brutal. Despite the dangers, our boys were eager to get into the fight. In June of 1918, the feared German Army was approaching Paris, France, but then they met the United States Marines at Belleau Wood. Mr. Speaker, when the Americans, the Marines, arrived on the battlefield, they encountered retreating French troops. A French colonel ordered the Marines to retreat as well, but the American captain commanding the 51st Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment made it clear they weren't there to experience defeat. He responded: ``Retreat, hell. We just got here.'' The battle was costly for our Marines, but it broke the German Army's advance and its will to fight. From then on, the Germans only lost. The Allies quickly mounted a successful counteroffensive to push the Germans back into Germany, and the war was over, 100 years ago this year. We must not forget those who sacrificed so much to make the world a better place. During the war, 116,516 Americans were killed. Another 200,000 were wounded. Thousands more died when they returned to the United States with the Spanish flu that they contracted when they were over there. While none of the 4 million courageous Americans who answered the call are with us today, their legacy lives on. I am pleased that last year we finally--finally, after 100 years--broke ground on a new memorial here in the Nation's Capital to honor all of those who served in the great World War I. Mr. Speaker, I commend the World War I Centennial Commission on which I once served for their highlighting of our World War I troops. Now, after 100 years, the memorial will be built in D.C. for those who served, those who returned, those who returned with the wounds of war, and those who did not return. We are giving these great Americans the honor they rightfully deserve here in Washington, D.C. There are no more of the battlefield-weary troops that served in the great World War I. The last one was Frank Buckles, who died at 110, a friend of mine, and it was his desire to see a memorial built here in Washington for all of those friends of his who served in World War I. So, finally, we are doing that, and the sacrifice of those Americans for this Nation will be preserved in bronze and stone in the heart of this city; for the worst casualty of war, Mr. Speaker, is to be forgotten. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the past month, four deputies of the Harris County Sheriff's Office saved two lives. On a Sunday morning in early May, Deputies Jesse Leal and Rebecca Cruz were driving along I-45 when they came upon a man dangling from an I-45 overpass, apparently attempting to take his own life. Covered in mud, oil, and water from a previous call, Leal pulled over and dashed to the side of the bridge. He and Cruz then leaned over the edge of the overpass, risking their own wellbeing, and began heaving the 21-year- old back onto the road. Leal injured his knee in the process, but the two successfully pulled the young man to safety. In June, Deputy Blake McElhaney was driving home, exhausted after having worked the night shift. On his way, he noticed an accident, a nasty one, on the side of the road. Although he was no longer on duty, McElhaney pulled over and jumped out of his car to help the victims. Upon his arrival, he discovered an infant, just seven months old, trapped under a dashboard. He called for backup, and then proceeded to shield the helpless baby from glass. Backup came in the form of Deputy Joe Leal. Leal rushed to the side of his partner and lifted the dashboard enough to take pressure off of the infant. The two continued to protect the small girl until the Spring Volunteer Fire Department arrived. With their assistance, Leal raised the dashboard high enough to pull the baby out of the wrecked car safely. The girl was then life-flighted to a nearby hospital. For their exceptional performance in the line of duty, these four members of the Thin Blue Line were awarded Deputy of the Month Awards by the HCSO for the months of May and June respectively. In true blue blood fashion, the deputies deflected credit of their heroic efforts to save the lives of two Houstonians, instead highlighting the assistance received from other first responders and ordinary citizens on site during both events. Mr. Speaker, the men and women who wear the badge are a cut above the rest. Our peace officers protect us from harm, and these events further demonstrate how lucky we are to have such men and women as Deputies Rebecca Cruz, Jesse Leal, Joe Leal, and Blake McElhaney looking out for us. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in Austin, Texas there is a beautiful community with pets, rooms for arts and music, and beds for 48 young girls. No, this is not a sorority house, rather it is a safe haven for victims of domestic sex trafficking. Known as The Refuge Ranch, this community is designed to assist girls that have been rescued from the evils of sex trafficking and will open its doors this coming August. When the first girls arrive at the ranch, they will have access to a school, counselors, and different types of therapy including art, garden, and music therapy. Not only will these girls find an abundance of resources on the grounds, they will also each be able to create a unique plan of restoration known as the Refuge Circle of Care. While volunteers have been working tirelessly to build these facilities and bring in furniture, girls all over America have been raising money for the cause. One organization of passionate college-aged women known as ``Pedal the Pacific'' will be cycling 1,700 miles down the west coast to raise $250,000 for the ranch--more than double the $60,000 they raised last year. It is through people such as these that communities like the Ranch are able to be built and provide victims a home where they can heal. Such spaces are necessary, as today in my home state of Texas there are almost 79,000 minors that are victims of sex trafficking. Yet, even though child sex trafficking is the fastest growing crime in this country, there are not even 600 beds offered nationwide for child sex trafficking survivors to be able to recover long-term. Organizations like Refuge Ranch have the right idea in creating more communities and offering more beds to victims of this horrific crime. When it opens in August, the Refuge Ranch will be the largest live-in rehabilitation facility for rescued victims of minor sex trafficking in the United States. Those at the Refuge Ranch have the right idea and I am certain that they will provide 48 young girls with not just a safe place to sleep, but a home in which they can heal. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Turkish President Erdogan will stop at nothing to spread instability and chaos across the globe. He is funding mosques around the world as a means of supporting Islamic extremism. These mosques are helping to indoctrinate an increasing number of radicals. These are the very same radicals who have gone on to commit terror attacks in other countries, like France, Belgium, and elsewhere. In an effort to keep their citizens safe from terrorists, Austria has begun to fight back. Austria closed seven Turkish-funded mosques and expelled several dozen imams from their country because they are a national security risk. This is just the first step in putting the brakes on the new Ottoman Sultan: Erdogan. Unfortunately, Erdogan has already turned his own country into a full-blown Islamist state. Now he is trying to radicalize other nations by supporting clandestine insurgent extremists. The Sultan of Turkey has gone rogue. The United States should not sell new F-35s to this dictator until he changes his ways. And that is just the way it is.