Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. It funds and controls terrorists groups like Hezbollah. Its tentacles stretch all over the world, far beyond the Middle East. Many of its activities are done through the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has funded, planned, and executed terrorist attacks in the United States and elsewhere for decades. The IRGC is the parent organization of the Quds Force and is directly responsible for its terrorist activities worldwide. But somehow this group has managed to escape repercussions, and the United States has never recognized it as a terrorist organization. I am working to change that. This week I introduced the IRGC Terrorist Sanctions Act. This bill will require the President to designate the IRGC for its terrorist activity and levy the relevant statutory sanctions against it. It is time to close loopholes like these that allow terrorist- affiliated groups to continue their reign of terror. Designate and sanction these terrorist groups that are sponsored by the number one world state sponsor of terrorism, Iran. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, recently in Sacramento, California, Uber driver Keith Avila picked up three passengers. They were two women and what looked like to him to be a very young girl, about 12 years of age. The ride would be short. The total fare was only $8. The young girl, sitting in the front seat with him, was dressed inappropriately in such a short skirt. Here is what he said about her: You could see all of her legs, and it struck me as odd because she was so very young. What happened next was even more disturbing to him. One of the women passengers in the vehicle said to the young girl in a controlling, coaching voice: First thing you do, you ask this question: Do you have any weapons? When you're hugging him, just ask, ``Do you have any weapons?'' Pat him down. Pat him down while you're hugging on him. Get the money first. Before you start touching him, go in there, get the money first. Avila, a father himself, knew something was not right about that conversation. The two older women taking a girl inappropriately dressed to a hotel, talking about exchanging money, did not make sense to him. This had the hallmark of sex trafficking. He later said to police: I was 100 percent sure I knew what was happening. So Avila dropped off the three individuals at the Holiday Inn Express and immediately called the police, even though he didn't have to. He alerted them that there was a child sex trafficking occurring right under their noses. The two alleged women traffickers were later identified as 25-year- old Destiny Pettway and 31-year-old Maria Westley. They now have been charged with pimping and threatening a minor. The buyer, 20-year-old Disney Vang, was also arrested and charged by the police with soliciting a child prostitute. Mr. Speaker, this girl turned out to be 16 years of age, but her life was saved because of this individual, Mr. Avila. Elk County Police Officer Chris Trim said it best: He could've said nothing, went on his way, collected his fare, and then that child victim would have been victimized again by who knows how many different people over the next days, weeks, or even months. Mr. Speaker, America cannot ignore sex trafficking in this country. Individuals, citizens, no matter who they are, need to be able to recognize what is taking place amongst sex trafficking. What happened in Sacramento with this child is not an isolated incident. This incident just happened to end well because someone saw something and said something. Last Congress, we took the historic step of passing several pieces of comprehensive, bipartisan trafficking legislation, supported by most Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. One of those bills was my own and Carolyn Maloney's, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. This bill did a number of things, but most importantly, it went after the root problem: the demand, the customer that buys minors on the marketplace of sex trafficking. The bill did a lot of other things to help promote the enforcement of the sex trafficking laws in America. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act also went after the trafficker as well as rescuing the victim, and, of course, it prosecuted the buyers. The bill also set up a fund to pay for grants to help the victims and victim shelters and to educate police. The fund is funded by money that goes into that fund by fees, ordered by Federal judges. In other words, let the criminals pay the rent on the courthouse and pay for the system that they have created and help fund shelters and police training to recognize the trafficking that takes place. The enforcement of the bill is taking place throughout the country. Going after human sex trafficking is something that this country needs to recognize, and we need to be able to recognize it when we are individuals, law enforcement, and Members of the House of Representatives as well. Sex trafficking takes place not only on the individual basis, but at big events such as the Super Bowl and the Final Four. Just this week, the Department of Homeland Security had a briefing for Members of the Texas delegation on the Super Bowl, talking about the security that will be implemented in Houston. It was quite impressive. But during that briefing for Members of Congress--and I see two of them here, Mr. Al Green and Mr. Farenthold, who were at that briefing--they talked about how probably sex trafficking will be at that location, and how they are going to try to prevent it. It is quite impressive, the Blue Campaign that is taking place by the Department of Homeland Security. We are going to be ready for those people who want to try to promote sex trafficking in Houston because of the Super Bowl, making sure that there is not going to be sex trafficking in our town, in our country, and that our children are not for sale. So it is important that we recognize it when we see it, and it is because of awareness of citizens like Mr. Avila that America is turning the tide and making sure that we enforce our sex trafficking laws. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Americans nationwide are interested in watching the Supreme Court at work, but only a handful on any given day are allowed to have access to the courtroom. The courtroom is small and seating is limited. Well, why not give the public the ability to view the proceedings in their entirety on television or through live streaming? Public court hearings are the bedrock of American justice. Americans want to know what is going on behind those closed doors. A simple nonintrusive camera would allow for greater transparency and greater faith in the decisions made by the most powerful Court in the world. I was one of the first judges in Texas to allow cameras in the courtroom. All the naysayers said: oh, it won't work. But it did. It benefited everyone. The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) and I are once again cosponsoring a bill to allow cameras in the Supreme Court. It is better to show all of the proceedings to the public than to rely on a 30- second sound bite from a news reporter on television during the 6:00 news. It is time for cameras in the Supreme Court. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, January 17 marks the fourth anniversary of the death of Victor Lovelady from Atascocita, Texas. Mr. Lovelady was killed by al Qaeda terrorists in Algeria while he was working at a BP gas facility. I rise to tell his story again, as I have done on this floor before, because it is a story that reminds us about what it means to be a true American hero. You can learn a lot about a man when trial comes. The trial that came upon Victor Lovelady on January 16, 2013 told us a lot about who Victor was. Victor had been on the job in Algeria only about a week when terrorists stormed the gas plant where he was working. Victor was in a break room when one of his coworkers burst through the door, bleeding from a gunshot wound in the stomach. Seeing the man in need, Victor jumped into action, dressing his wound and caring for him. Knowing the terrorists were working their way through the plant, Victor helped hide the wounded man in a food container. The gunshots grew closer. Victor selflessly first helped other coworkers in the break room climb up into a false ceiling. Only after they had climbed into the ceiling did Victor try and do the same but fell. Before he knew it, terrorists stormed into the break room and took him hostage. They tied up his hands and feet. The next day the terrorists placed a ring of explosives around his neck before loading him into a vehicle to take him to another part of the gas plant. Victor never made it--the terrorists blew him up along the way. We may like to think so, but none of us really know if we would put others before ourselves if we were faced with a life or death situation like Victor was. But we know what Victor did. We know what he chose. In all, Victor's quick thinking and acts of selflessness helped save the lives of four of his coworkers. Selflessness wasn't something that all of a sudden came upon Victor in this moment either. It marked him as a man, a brother, a husband, and a father. Selflessness was a part of who he was. No, this ultimate trial simply exposed what was already there. Victor was a man who lived his life serving others. So it was only fitting that in his final hours, we were blessed to see one last and heroic act of selflessness in Victor's life. Victor is survived by his wife, Maureen, and his two children, Erin and Grant. To his family I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with you on this painful day. We have not forgotten your heroic husband and father. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, human trafficking victims are slaves living in fear, totally losing their identity. On this National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, it is time to publicly expose the traffickers. As a former judge in Texas, I used public punishment to keep criminals from returning to my courtroom and to discourage other criminals from committing more crimes. This form of public shaming can be successful in combating human trafficking. That is why, today, I introduced the SHAME Act. This bill will give Federal judges the ability to publish the names and photographs of both convicted human traffickers and the buyers of trafficked victims. Buyers will no longer be able to hide in plain sight under a cloak of anonymity. My hope is that the SHAME Act strikes fear in those who think about purchasing young women for sex. Perhaps the thought of having their face on a billboard will make the scoundrels think twice about participating in the modern-day slave trade. It is time to shame these horrible humans out of business. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this week, North Korea declared that it can launch an intercontinental ballistic missile at any time that it wishes. Even our own Deputy Secretary of State recently warned that Little Kim's weapon capabilities have shown qualitative improvement within the past year resulting in ``unprecedented level of activity.'' Why is that? Well, because this administration has done little to stop Little Kim. Instead, the administration has naively pursued a strategy it calls ``strategic patience.'' Strategic patience is a fancy phrase for ignoring the obvious. There was a time when we kept North Korea on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. They came off the list because they have made promises that they have clearly broken. Mischievous Little Kim's threats continue to grow bolder and bolder, with no repercussions. We cannot afford to risk the security of our citizens for the sake of diplomatic strategy that has proven to be a failure. This week I will reintroduce legislation to put North Korea back on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List because Little Kim is a terror to world peace. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Qian Wu was held up at knifepoint and brutally assaulted. Her attacker, a Chinese citizen who was illegally in America, was captured and sent off to prison for the assault. He should have been deported as soon as he finished his sentence, but China would not take back the outlaw. So, under American law, the attacker could not be held indefinitely in our prison and was turned loose on American streets. As soon as he was released from prison, he tracked down Qian Wu and murdered her. Mr. Speaker, the law requires that a person who illegally enters the United States and is ordered deported must be repatriated to their native country. The lack of cooperation from countries that refuse or delay repatriation allows criminals like Qian Wu's killer to remain in America and commit more crimes. My bill, the Timely Repatriation Act of 2017, restricts diplomatic visas to countries that deny the repatriation of criminal aliens deported from the United States. Countries like China must take back their lawfully deported criminal citizens or pay the price of losing diplomatic visas. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. The recent stunt at the United Nations targeting Israel is the latest effort by this administration to cement a legacy of foreign policy that has failed, especially with our trusted ally Israel. It has been U.S. policy to veto any U.N. resolution dictating parameters on the Israeli- Palestinian peace process. The reason is simple. True peace can only be achieved at the negotiating table between the Palestinians and the Israelis, not at the United Nations. The one-sided, anti-Israeli resolution will only make peace harder. The U.N. adopted 20 anti-Israeli resolutions last year, while passing just 4 for the rest of the world. The U.N. is not fair and unbiased. While pointing the finger solely at Israel, the recent resolution did nothing to point out the Palestinians' lack of progress towards peace. The Palestinian Authority has failed to stop violence against Jews. It continues to--get this, Mr. Speaker--make payments to jailed Palestinian terrorists who have harmed or killed Jews. Over the years, Israel has traded land for promised peace. They have no peace. And soon, if the United Nations gets its way, they will have no land. Despite the administration's policy of abandoning our trusted ally Israel, the United States Congress must stand with our ally Israel. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have traveled to the southern border dozens of times over the years, and the problem is always the same. The people who defend our border--really, defend our country--do the best they can with what they have got, but they are outmanned, outgunned, and outfinanced by the drug cartels and the people coming across from the other side. The continued failure to protect our border threatens our national security and the sovereignty of America. The reality is that the majority of the southern border territory is controlled by someone other than the United States. Why? Because there is no workable plan. Also, there is no moral will by this administration to protect our border. My bill, the SMART Border Act, outlines a robust border protection strategy that includes achieving operational control of the border within 1 year, provides smart border technology, and mandates more boots on the ground, including 10,000 National Guard troops at the request of the four border State Governors. Mr. Speaker, we must have the moral will to protect our borders. All types of people are crossing the border into the United States illegally--the good, the bad, and the ugly--and those days need to end. No one should come into America without America's permission. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the anti-Semitic United Nations has struck a new low, demanding that Israel prohibit Jews from settling in the West Bank. Guess who was supportive of this absurd resolution in betrayal of our closest ally? The United States. Once again, this administration is on the wrong side. It has alienated what few international friends we have. Secretary of State John Kerry arrogantly declared: ``Israel can either be Jewish or democratic; it cannot be both.'' Mr. Speaker, let's think about that statement. The United Nations' mandate separating Jews from Palestinians in the West Bank is segregation. Segregation is not democratic. The United States and the U.N. have no legal business telling a sovereign nation where people should live or shouldn't live in that country. Who in the world do we think we are? Would we approve of the U.N. telling us that one race or ethnic group could not live in one region of the United States? Absolutely not. Thankfully, this State Department will soon be clearing their desks at Foggy Bottom--and good riddance. It is time for a new State Department that supports America's friends and not our enemies. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Dave Ward is your father, brother, trusted friend. If you're from Houston, he's been with you most, if not all, of your life. He's the person the city turns to when they need straight talk, or when they want the no-spin facts, in times of national tragedy, or when they want to relish the success of the country's most diverse city. The longest running TV anchor in history will close his last 6 pm newscast on KTRK Channel 13 tomorrow. He will move on from the only TV station he's ever worked for and he's still at the top of his game. This year he marked the 50th anniversary of his first day on the job at KTRK Channel 13. It's the longest run at the same TV station, according to Guinness World Records. He arrived at Channel 13 in the 1960s and took the station from third place to the top of the ratings into the 70s and beyond for the next 45 years. Dave joined KTRK-TV in 1966 as an on-the-street reporter and photographer. The next year he was assigned to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7 am newscast. In 1968, Dave was assigned to anchor the weekday 6 pm and 10 pm newscasts where he has remained one of Houston's most experienced news professionals. Born in Dallas and raised in Huntsville, Dave's broadcast career began in radio with KGKB in Tyler. Then to WACO radio in Waco, Texas, then a stop in Houston and KNUZ/KQUE. He started out as a reporter known for his grit and determination and for talking directly to Houstonians to see what they're thinking. During his career with 13 Eyewitness News, Dave has reported on everything from presidential elections to space walks, and even the Vietnam Peace Talks. He's covered fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes throughout Texas and the region. He's interviewed heads of state and traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Colombia on numerous stories. He's also covered several national political conventions and worked extensively with NASA on Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle missions. Dave also landed a special one-on-one interview with President Barack Obama. In 2007, Dave was awarded an Emmy and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Broadcast Emmys presented by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In addition to his extraordinary broadcast career, I will always remember Dave for his role in the establishment of Houston Crime Stoppers, which has become the model of excellence for similar programs across the nation. As a judge on the bench during this time, I remember his iconic tagline, ``Crime Stoppers will pay a one thousand dollar cash reward this week for information leading to the arrest and grand jury indictment of the person responsible'' and that it led to thousands of tips coming into the Crime Stoppers hotline, hundreds of thousands of dollars in rewards, and millions in recovered property. Just a day after celebrating his 50th anniversary on air, the first-in- the-nation Dave Ward Crime Stoppers Headquarters broke ground in Houston. The new facility will be the cornerstone of Houston's first Public Safety and Crime Prevention Block. When asked to reflect on his career, Dave told his colleagues at KTRK, ``I am very proud of my work here at Channel 13 over the past 50 years. I will always cherish having witnessed firsthand the transformation of this great city,'' said Mr. Ward. ``I leave Channel 13 with a lifetime's worth of memories, having reported on some of Houston's greatest moments of triumph and tragedy, including the Moon landing in 1969, the first and last space shuttle launches and many in between, and the recovery efforts following Hurricane Ike in 2008. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to my loyal viewers, my friends, without whom my extensive career would not have been possible. My 50 year tenure at Channel 13 represents the hallmark of my career, and I look forward to the next chapter.'' We look forward to Dave's next chapter too. Today in his trademark down-to-earth style, we will hear Dave begin the 6 pm newscast with ``Good evening, friends,'' for the last time. We will say goodnight to the most trusted newsman in Houston. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the sun was lazily rising on the horizon over the islands of Hawaii. It was around breakfast time on a stunning Sunday morning. It was quiet, peaceful, calm. People felt secure. There was a small tropical breeze as the American flag was being raised on a nearby flagpole. On December 7, 1941, America was at peace and unprepared for war. Suddenly, large formations of aircraft swarmed the blue Hawaii sky. The rising sun was darkened by hundreds of Japanese planes as they strafed and bombed Pearl Harbor. The Japanese unleashed a fury of deadly, devastating bombs and torpedoes on the small island. The first attack of the Second World War on American soil was underway. It was 75 years ago today when Luke Trahin, a 22-year-old sailor from Beaumont, in southeast Texas and his fellow sailors, soldiers, and marines saw war unleashed upon America. Until that moment World War two was a far-off conflict. America watched silently, abstaining from the violence. But the days of innocence were over. America was under attack. The Japanese had caught America by surprise and took advantage of an unprepared nation. And after the smoke cleared on that morning of madness, 98 Navy planes and 64 Army aircraft were destroyed. Luke's unit, Patrol Wing One, lost all but three of its 36 aircraft. 2,471 Americans, servicemen, and civilians were killed by this unwarranted invasion of terror from the skies. The pride of the United States Navy, the battleships--West Virginia, California, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Maryland, Nevada, and Arizona-- were trapped in the harbor. They made easy targets for the Japanese pilots. The sailors onboard these battle wagons fought with the courage of entire legions of warriors when they were attacked by a skillful, fanatical, and tyrannical enemy. All of these fierce U.S. Navy battleships were sunk or damaged. Their guns, Mr. Speaker, are now silent. The hull of the USS Arizona became the sacred graveyard in the peaceful Pacific for more than 1,177 American sailors and marines. Luke Trahan and his Navy buddies in Patrol Wing One quickly got organized, prepared, and waited for two days for the expected land invasion of the Japanese. It never came. But America was at war. World War II had long been raging before America officially entered into the conflict. Spreading from the Pacific to Europe all the way to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The Japanese, then the Nazis; seemed undefeatable. But even the Japanese were concerned about the spirit of America. The Japanese commander of the Pearl Harbor invasion remarked that what Japan had done was wake a sleeping giant. Millions served in uniform overseas; millions served on the home front; all sacrificed for the cause of America. The nation woke from a somber sleep of neutrality and, with our allies, defeated the tyrants that would rule over the world. That was a time when Americans put aside all differences and united to defend freedom in our Nation. When the war was won, over 400,000 Americans had given their lives for this nation. Until September 11th, this was the deadliest attack on U.S. soil. ``December 7, 1941, a date that will live in infamy,'' were words spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that became forever embedded in the minds of patriots across our land, igniting and launching a nation into the fiery trenches of battle throughout the world. Those of that Greatest Generation proved that when the peace of this nation is threatened, our people will stand up and fight back, bringing the thunder of God upon our enemies. Defending freedom and liberty was the battle cry of the sailors and soldiers that died 75 years ago at Pearl Harbor. We must continue to remember December 7th, 1941 and the Americans who stood tall and kept the flame of America glowing brightly. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the name Sam Rayburn of Texas is well known to this House. It can be found identifying portraits and busts just outside this Chamber. It is the namesake of meeting rooms and offices throughout the Capitol complex. I, along with many of you, work in the Rayburn office building. I hold conferences in the Rayburn meeting room just across the hall. The name of Sam Rayburn is synonymous with statesmanship and devotion to public service at its finest. His importance to the tradition and legacy of this place can be summed up in the fact that at one time this chamber was referred to as ``Sam's House.'' Rayburn earned the admiration of even his rivals. Joe Martin, after losing the election for speaker to Sam Rayburn, said of his colleague ``he is a man of great ability, of rare political acumen, and skillful in debate.'' He gained that reputation during a tenure in Congress that lasted almost 49 years, and a record long Speakership of 17 years. His leadership was vital, and well timed. He served this country during the critical years between the beginning of World War II and the Kennedy administration. It was the strike of his gavel that entered America into the war, and it was he that administered the oath of office to Vice President Lyndon Johnson. As a leader, he always preferred persuasion and good-humor to coercion. Following this philosophy, he used the influence of the speakership only sparingly and with subtlety and cunning. His authority, therefore, came from the general respect of his peers for the character of the man, not the power or prestige of his title. He was known for his unwavering integrity, his loyalty to friends and colleagues in both parties, his fairness, and his disdain for pretension. Rayburn once made the following remark, explaining his philosophy on leadership: ``You cannot lead people by trying to drive them. Persuasion and reason are the only ways to lead them. In that way the Speaker has influence and power in the House.'' Sam Rayburn would become one of the most powerful individuals in the United States, but all this was preceded by humble beginnings. Rayburn grew up working on his father's cotton farm in North Texas. Even as a boy, he dreamed of becoming the Speaker of the House. He left the farm to seek out that dream, working his way through East Texas Normal College, which would later become Texas A&M University. He then taught school, and was eventually elected to serve in the Texas House of Representatives. While there he pursued a degree in law. In 1912 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and remained there for almost half a century. He was a life-long bachelor, some say that this House was his love, his passion. Appropriately, then, perhaps, Sam Rayburn died in office. Despite knowing that his cancer was terminal, and several moments of unconsciousness at the Speaker's chair, he insisted on seeing the Kennedy New Frontier program through. Sam Rayburn served his country well, so well as to become a fixture of this institution, and remains so today. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, sweet tea, BBQ, and football--these are just some of the things Texans love dearly. From high school football to college football, Texans will come out to every game no matter what the temperature and weather are. Our commitment to our football teams is so strong that preachers will find a way to mention the local team in their sermons and make sure you get home just in time to watch the game with friends and family. Football is a very special part of the culture in Texas. From the stadiums to the food to the different student clubs that gather in the stadiums, football games unite Texans. The bands, the drill teams, the cheerleading teams, the students that form it all--they are an extraordinary group that make the culture and character of Texas so unique in the United States. More than just uniting families and friends, football allows our community to share in the joy of victory and the sadness of temporary defeat; it teaches our children to keep working hard for their goals both individually and with their teammates. Although professional and college football receive the most national attention, high school football is just as important in Texas. I still remember going to my son's football games, from his start at pee-wee leagues to his career playing for my alma mater, Abilene Christian University. Those memories make me even more proud to say that two high schools in my district have met their goals and broken records this season. Atascocita High School is fighting for a chance to compete in the state championship. Last year they had a record-setting playoff run, reaching the Region II-6A Division I final. This year, they raised the bar even higher. With the outstanding sportsmanship of their players, the football team of Atascocita High School has exceeded expectations. I know how proud the players, their parents, and their school must be. Ranking at Number 18 in the state, the Eagles have some of the most promising players on their team. Quarterback Daveon Boyd, now a senior, has received four awards throughout his high school football career. He has surpassed the national average in number of yards, yards per game, touchdown passes, completion percentage, attempts, and interceptions. This season alone, he's had a 63 percent pass rate for 4,139 yards and 46 touchdowns. But Boyd is not the only outstanding player in Atascocita High School. Samuel Cosmi, the offensive tackle, is a University of Houston pledge. Defensive tackles De'Marius Brooks and Kendrix Burford, along with defensive backs Justin Campbell, Alerick Soularie, and Travian Blaylock give the Eagles an edge in size and speed. Another high school in my district, Klein Collins, won its first regional semi-finals at Baylor's McLane Stadium in the Division II Region II-6A playoffs. While all the players have done outstanding work, senior running back D'Anthony Doyle rushed 167 yards and got a couple of touchdowns, making him the hardest working player that game. His teammate, Josh Powell, also earned the team two more scores. At the end of the game, the team's hard work left the team with a 54-16 victory over John Tyler. As a proud dad who beamed in the stands watching his son play, I know how thrilled their parents will be watching them play against Spring Westfield on December 2. I am incredibly proud of the students of the Atascocita and Klein Collins High School football teams for their successes this season. It is great to see students in my district represent us so well with their hard work and talent. I look forward to their upcoming games and seeing them succeed and exceed expectations for years to come. Best of luck at State Semi-Finals. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our men and women in blue are the best we have. They are the thin blue line between good and evil. Each day these men and women head out into the field not knowing what they will face, not knowing if their day will be filled with routine traffic stops, or extreme dangers. Our peace officers face the unknown and stand up for the rest of us. Reginald ``Jake'' Gutierrez was one of these men. Gutierrez was responding to a domestic violence call in Tacoma, Washington after a woman approached animal control officers claiming her husband had locked her out of the house and taken her cell phone. Gutierrez and his partner entered the home. Shots rang out as he proceeded up the stairs to speak with the suspect. Two young children were held hostage inside the house, being used as human shields. His partner returned fire, taking the wife to safety. Gutierrez was shot multiple times, his life taken away by a vicious criminal. Gutierrez gave his life to protect the young and innocent. As a veteran of the Department since 1999, 45-year-old Gutierrez was a model police officer. Each day he got up, put on the uniform and badge and dedicated himself to his profession and community. He is now the 132nd officer to die in the line of duty this year alone. At least eight of these deaths occurred while responding to reports of domestic disturbance and violence. Hundreds of individuals came to honor Gutierrez as he made his way from the hospital to the medical examiner's office. The hospital was surrounded by fellow officers standing in support of their fallen brother. The King County Sheriff's Department ordered all Deputies to wear mourning bands in honor of the fallen peace officer. The needless murder of our officers is absolutely unacceptable. These men and women work tirelessly, day in and day out trying to make a difference. It is time to put an end to the needless murder of our peace officers. Congress must stand up for those who work to protect the rest of us. The men and women behind the badge are some of America's best. Officer Reginald ``Jake'' Gutierrez's life may be gone, but his memory serves as a reminder of all those who gave their lives for the thin blue line. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for six months, the U.S.-backed troops of the interim Libyan Government of National Accord has been fighting street by street to retake the ISIS stronghold of Sirte on the Libyan coast. ISIS seized control of the city in early 2015 and extended its control along about 155 miles of Libya's coastline. That means that ISIS wields its influence over a territory roughly the distance from Houston to San Antonio. How did the U.S. get here? How did Libya become an incubator for all stripes of terrorists? In 2008, U.S. military leaders were calling Libya a top U.S. ally in combating international terrorism. Qaddafi realized that his regime was the target of terrorism, and he changed course from supporting terrorists in the 1980s to siding with the U.S. against the terrorist threat. However, in 2011, in the midst of a rebellion against the Qaddafi regime, the U.S. decided to intervene and establish a no-fly zone to aid the Libyan rebels. Under the safety of the no-fly zone the U.S. imposed, Islamist terrorist groups long subdued under Qaddafi's regime sprung up and amassed weapons, training, and military training. Qaddafi was ultimately killed in October 2011. Within days, NATO and U.S. forces packed up and left Libya to its own devices. America's only Libya policy at the time was to remove Qaddafi--there was little planning regarding what to do the day after. The U.S. opened the Pandora's box and looked away. Almost immediately after Qaddafi's ouster, Libya spiraled into chaos. Long simmering political, regional, and ethnic divisions suddenly emerged and set Libya on a path towards disaster. The country has never recovered. Even the Administration has admitted its role in Libya's failure. Earlier this year, the President admitted that there was no plan for post-Qaddafi Libya, describing it as his biggest regret as President. Libya has become a regional and international security threat due to this Administration's lack of planning. ISIS and al-Qaeda are the main beneficiaries. Al-Qaeda's Libyan affiliate, Ansar al-Shariah, emerged shortly after Qaddafi's death and has since become deeply entrenched in the country. They have successfully filled the void the U.S. helped create by providing social services--building schools and providing medical care. But they did not stop there. They recruited, armed, and trained terrorist fighters intent on carrying out the group's ultimate goal: imposing Islamic law on the country. Ansar al-Shariah fighters were among those who ultimately attacked the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi in 2012, killing Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his colleagues. Since then, things have gotten worse. ISIS announced the establishment of a Libyan affiliate at the end of 2014 and soon began consolidating its power around Sirte and expanding east, west, and south. America should not fool itself into believing that once Sirte is liberated the ISIS threat is over. For close to a year now, ISIS has been redirecting recruits and even senior leaders to Libya. It has been laying the seeds for what many have called a ``fallback Caliphate,'' where it could retreat to in case it is pushed out of Syria and Iraq. Pentagon estimates from earlier this year suggested that the group's ranks in Libya have swelled to nearly 7,000 fighters. Liberating Sirte will simply transform the ISIS threat in Libya from a concentrated one to a dispersed one. They have fanned out throughout the country and will continue to exploit the political mess in Libya. Libya will unfortunately remain a terrorist foothold for years to come. This is the legacy of the current Administration in North Africa. The mess the U.S. have left there has spread throughout the region. It endangers Egyptian allies to the east, and the weapons unleashed with Qaddafi's fall have fueled terrorism in places like Syria, Nigeria, and the Sinai Peninsula bordering Israel. The United States' airstrike campaign in support of the Libyan forces retaking Sirte is only a small step. Until the U.S. can devise a truly comprehensive long-term strategy to stabilize Libya and defeat the terrorist groups hiding there, Libya will continue to threaten regional and international security. Treating the symptoms while ignoring the underlying disease will not solve the problem. The U.S. forcibly overthrew a regime in Libya, creating chaos that led to a failed state where terrorists flourished and thousands of Libyans died. The U.S. now has a responsibility to work towards a stabilizing solution in Libya. Going forward, the U.S. should be much more cautious before it helps overthrow another regime.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 4, 2016, a military base in Jafr, Jordan was attacked. A hail of gunfire suddenly rang out while three American soldiers were returning to base. The reason for the shots fired is still publicly unknown. Three Green Berets from the 5th Special Forces Group were killed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. One of these heroic men was Staff Sergeant James ``Jimmy'' Moriarty (27). SSgt. Moriarty was a Texas native, one of Houston's own. He was scheduled to come home to spend the holiday season with his family. His chair was empty at the Thanksgiving table this year. His voice was missing from the conversation. But he will not be forgotten. Jimmy was unquestionably one of the best. Growing up in Houston, he earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas and spoke fluent Arabic. As part of the 5th Special Forces Group, based out of Fort Campbell, Ky., he was more than three months into his third tour in Jordan. Upon graduation from the University of Texas, Jimmy made the choice to serve his nation in the United States Army. Jimmy was a proud member of the United States Army Special Forces. He was a special breed, one of the few who met the requirements to be among the highest ranked military professionals in the United States, the Green Berets. During his service, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon and an Army Service Ribbon. The brave men of the Green Beret are our nation's warriors. They take on the toughest missions that our nation faces. They are the absolute best that America has. These men are the forces who deter enemies who seek to harm the United States. They respond to terrorist activities to keep the United States safe. Proudly wearing silver wings on their chests they are without question America's finest. Mr. Speaker, in the words of Marcus Luttrell, ``In times of uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation's call; a common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America's finest special operations forces to serve his country and the American people, and to protect their way of life.'' Jimmy Moriarty was one of these men. Jimmy's father, U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran, James R. Moriarty wrote, ``This is a young man who loved serving in the Army, was where he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do.'' Moriarty was loved by his two sisters who incessantly saw to it that their younger brother would be a well rounded young man. It is without a doubt that this distinguished soldier will be missed by his family, friends, and community. We grieve the loss of this American warrior, but we celebrate and honor his life and his service. We are fortunate to have a Green Beret like Moriarty standing in support of our country. We are fortunate that a man like Jimmy served our great nation. He stood for the best of those American ideals and values exemplified in Special Forces. He is a son of liberty. He epitomizes everything that America stands for. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. At noon on December 5, 2016 taps will be played for the last time as Staff Sergeant James Moriarty is surrounded by his family and friends and will be buried in Arlington National cemetery next to thousands of other warriors who died for America. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Laura was a middle school counselor who noticed that one of her students had begun to act strangely. Laura's instincts were right. Out of the classroom, her student, Alyssa, had started to frequently flee her foster home and was often found in random locations with adult strangers. After some investigation, Laura learned that Alyssa had been lured into the business of having sex with adults. Traffickers did what they do best, identified a vulnerable young woman and lured her into the sex trade. Laura immediately contacted the National Human Trafficking Hotline, reported what had happened to her young student and they were able to advise her on how to proceed and what social services and law enforcement agencies to contact. Because of the hotline, Laura was able to save Alyssa's life. The National Human Trafficking Hotline serves as an essential lifeline to victims of trafficking, but it also serves as an important source of information to those who suspect they have encountered a victim of trafficking and don't know how to help. This hotline is an essential tool in the fight against human trafficking in the United States. H.R. 5422 is a bipartisan, non-controversial bill that makes a small technical fix to allow the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue funding the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH). In the House, I introduced this bill with Representative Carolyn Maloney. I would also like to thank Senator John Cornyn and Senator Amy Klobuchar for sponsoring this bill in the Senate. Without the National Hotline's guidance, Laura may never have known how to help that poor child escape her traffickers. The hotline provides trafficking victims and survivors with access to critical support and emergency services, collects tips about potential trafficking situations and disseminates training and informational materials to help raise awareness in our communities. HHS created and currently oversees and funds the NHTH. As it stands today, the funding for HHS's annual grants has been appropriated to the Department of Justice. This bill is a simple technical fix to codify the hotline within HHS and to help continue the important work being done by our nation's anti-human trafficking hotline. Having the hotline under the jurisdiction of DOJ creates an unnecessary and unhelpful additional layer of bureaucracy. It forces HHS to be dependent on funds from DOJ to run the hotline. It is more efficient and effective for HHS to continue using its own finds to operate the NHTH. I urge the House to pass this simple bipartisan measure to ensure the continued ease of funding to the National Human Trafficking Hotline through the Department of Health and Human Services.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the year was 1836. To many, this year does not signify much. For Texans everywhere, 1836 shaped the course of our history and spirit. In February of 1836, the troops of General Santa Anna invaded the Alamo where many Texians gave their lives in the struggle for independence. General Santa Anna and his troops numbered between 1,800 and 6,000 men. The 200 Texians occupying the Alamo stood ready to defend their country. All of the men in the Alamo would give their lives for Texan independence that night. General Santa Anna had ordered his men to take no prisoners. Among the few that survived were Susana Dickinson and her daughter, Angelina. Susana Dickinson and her daughter had moved to San Antonio because her husband, Almeron Dickinson, had wanted them close to him. When the Mexican troops arrived in San Antonio, Almeron Dickinson moved his family into the Alamo. Although Susana and Angelina survived the siege of the Alamo, Almerson and the rest of the men did not. Susana was found hiding in the powder magazine by General Juan Almonte and sent to General Santa Anna, where she found her daughter sitting on his lap. General Santa Anna released her with the condition that she go to Camp Gonzalez and warn the Texas troops that he would kill them as he had killed the men in the Alamo. However, in accordance with true Texas spirit, it is believed that instead of delivering a threat, she delivered a war cry for the Texans. As a result of the siege and her husband's death, Susana was forced to live in poverty for years. She faced multiple unsuccessful marriages and a difficult life but her spirit remained strong. As a survivor of the Alamo, she lived to tell about the heroic fight for freedom against an oppressive and cruel dictator. The Alamo stands as a pillar of hope and is the single most significant structure in Texas history. Susana Dickinson's story of the brave, heroic men who drew a line in the sand and fought for Texas's freedom will live in the history books, reminding future generations of Texans just what this great state stands for. Her spirit and bravery will live on in Texas history. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I urge the House to pass the Justice for All Reauthorization Act to improve crime victims access to justice, support law enforcement, exonerate the innocent, and strengthen and improve our criminal justice system. In the House, I would like to thank Representative Jim Costa for joining me in introducing this important legislation. I would also like to thank Senator John Cornyn and Senator Patrick Leahy for sponsoring this bill in the Senate. The Justice for All Act of 2004 enhanced protection for crime victims, provided resources to expand the use of DNA and forensic technology to capture and convict criminals, and established safeguards to reverse wrongful convictions. This legislation reauthorizes these important programs and also increases crime victims access to restitution and improves housing protections for domestic violence victims. Under this legislation, states will be encouraged to test unexamined DNA evidence in criminal cases to ensure that innocent people are not imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. But one of the most important things this law will do is tackle the national rape kit backlog by providing critically important resources to forensic labs. A victim of rape is sentenced to a lifetime of mental turmoil, but as rape victim Debbie Smith can attest, also knowing that your attacker is still on the streets is far worse. Debbie was at home doing laundry one afternoon in Williamsburg, Virginia. Suddenly, a masked intruder walked through her backdoor and dragged her outside into a wooded area where he raped her repeatedly. Her attacker told her that if she called the police, he would return to her house and kill her. She was lucky to escape with her life. It was only after her husband begged her to contact the police that she agreed to take a forensic exam. Even though the police had a DNA sample, they didn't test her rape kit. Debbie was left in fear that her rapist would return to her home and kill her for reporting her rape. Finally, after six and a half years, the police tested Debbie's kit and put her attacker behind bars. Debbie has since become a fierce advocate for the elimination of the rape kit testing backlog that occurs all across the nation, and she has been a loud supporter of the Justice for All Reauthorization Act's provisions to address this issue. As Debbie has said, I know that DNA testing gave me peace, and I want to make sure that other victims have that same opportunity. The Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016 is supported by over a thousand victim advocacy groups from around the country. I urge my colleagues to vote to pass this important, bipartisan piece of legislation.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, one hot summer day in Houston, a single mother (we will call her Amy) met a man. At the time, Amy was lonely and struggling to make a life for her young children. He was charming, funny and a talented member of the music industry. He told her he loved her and it made her feel valued and safe. This man promised her a better life, saying that with her help, the two of them would start a thriving record label together, but in order to do this they would need to move away for awhile. He said this would be good for her future and, more importantly, her children's future. She was vulnerable, financially hurting, looking for a better life, and she trusted him. The plan was to move away for three months, and so they went. Once they moved, the man immediately changed his tune. He isolated Amy from her family and friends and became hostile and abusive. It quickly became clear to Amy that that there was no record label. Instead, she had found herself in a dangerous situation. She spent her days trapped in a dark room where men would come in one by one. She was used and abused, treated like a prostitute. She was no prostitute. She was a victim of human trafficking being held against her will. The ``appointments'' with men continued to increase. It became clear quickly to this mother that she was now a sex slave. One day, one of Amy's fellow captives being held by this man had a nervous breakdown to the point where she could no longer be physically controlled. She was a threat to his secretive business. The trafficker became distracted, and Amy was able to escape back to Houston. Her family picked her up and she returned home, but she was not the same woman that left months before. Her life was forever changed. Amy was one of the lucky ones who got away, but her story of captivity is all too common in America. Traffickers prey every day on vulnerable women, from the insecure teenager at the mall to mothers like Amy looking for a better life for their children. This modern-day slavery happens right here in Texas in plain sight at our motels, cantinas and massage parlors. The victims live among us in our communities, but behind closed doors, they are slaves living in fear. They totally lose their identity. Meanwhile, their slave traders are able to keep their lives, committing this horrendous crime anonymously and continuously. Buyers and sellers of humans want to remain anonymous because they can. Those days need to end. As a former criminal court judge in Texas, I successfully used public punishment for two purposes. First, I wanted to make sure defendants did not end up back in my courtroom. Second, I wanted to instill fear in would-be criminals to deter them from committing crimes in the first place. I believe this form of public shaming can be successful in combatting human trafficking. That is why I have introduced The SHAME Act in Congress. This legislation will give federal judges the ability to publish both the names and the photographs of both convicted human traffickers and buyers of trafficked victims. The second part of that is important--in order to effectively combat trafficking, we must go after the customers. The bill is designed to allow the public to easily access the pictures and information of those living among them in society who have purchased sex from victims. That way the buyers will no longer be able to hide in plain sight under the cloak of anonymity. Furthermore, I hope the SHAME Act strikes fear in those who think about purchasing young women for sex. Perhaps the fear of having their face on a billboard will make them think twice about participating in the modern day slave trade. Traffickers and sex abusers run a global business second only to the slave trade. Like any business, this trade is successful because of its customers and the continuous demand they provide. It is time to SHAME these horrible humans out of the business. Our children are not for sale.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Texas Ranger Dallas Stoudenmire stepped out of the stage coach and stood in the street of the rough, remote, boomtown of El Paso, Texas in 1881. This wasn't the first lawless town the 6'4" tall Ranger had seen. El Paso was looking for a town marshal, an outsider with a ``rough reputation.'' Stoudenmire was the man for the job. He would be the town's sixth marshal in eight months. El Paso--called ``Hell Paso'' by some--had a reputation as a wild and violent town was about to end. As a former Judge, I was known for handing out unique public punishments, and it seems that Stoudenmire employed a few shame tactics of his own. As he began his tenure as Marshal, he was asked to relieve the deputy marshal and town drunkard, Bill Johnson, of the city jail keys. It is said that Stoudenmire approached a rather intoxicated Johnson and requested the jail keys. Johnson mumbled under his breath and attempted to give him the runaround. Stoudenmire became impatient and demanded Johnson hand over the keys immediately. Johnson still demurred, and the marshal took matters into his own hands. He picked Johnson up, flipped him upside down, grabbed the keys, threw him to the ground and walked away. Public humiliation goes a long way, Mr. Speaker. Stoudenmire was revered as a strong shot, deadly and fast. His service began as a young boy in the Confederate Army. At 15 years of age, he volunteered in the 45th Alabama Infantry Division and left the war with two bullets embedded in his body that he carried inside him for the rest of his life. When the war ended, he moved to the Great State of Texas and originally settled in Columbus, where he was said to have killed a number of men. On April 14, 1881, three days into the job in El Paso, Stoudenmire became party to one of the most legendary gunfights in the history of the old Wild West, famously called ``Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight.'' A group of heavily armed Mexican cowboys rode into town in search of 30 head of rustled cattle and two Mexican vaqueros that had gone looking for them in Texas. But the vaqueros had been murdered. The bodies of the two men were found out near Johnny Hale's ranch about 13 miles northwest of El Paso. Two outlaw cattle rustlers, Peveler and Stevenson, who stole the Mexican cattle and took them to Hale's ranch, were foolishly overheard bragging about murdering vaqueros. They were charged with the homicides. Chaos broke out in the streets of El Paso after the Mexicans showed up for the trial. Animosity and worries from the Americans about the heavily armed and enraged Mexicans spread a heavy tension over El Paso. Constable Krempkau was fluent in Spanish and was required to interpret for the town judge. Peveler and Stevenson were officially charged with murder but found not guilty. After the trial, Constable Krempkau made his way from the courthouse to the saloon to retrieve his rifle and pistol. Marshal Stoudenmire was enjoying his dinner at the restaurant across the street. He was known in Texas as a handsome man, a sharp dresser and a gentleman around the ladies. Despite his outward appearances, he had a deadly reputation and was involved in more gunfights than most of his better-known contemporaries, including Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson or John Selman. He was known for his habit of wearing two guns and being equally accurate with either hand. That evening an argument erupted with George Campbell over comments he allegedly made about Krempkau. Crooked as the Brazos, and heavily intoxicated John Hale snatched one of Campbell's two pistols and shot Krempkau who fell to the floor, wounded. Hale scurried to a post in front of the salon as Stoudenmire seemingly flew to the scene, pistols raised. The marshal's first shot went wild, accidently hitting an innocent Mexican bystander. His second shot hit Hale dead center. When Campbell saw Hale fall, he ran from the saloon waving his gun and shouting ``Gentlemen, this is not my fight!'' However, wounded Krempkau was out for vengeance and fired at Campbell, striking him. Marshal Stoudenmire spun around, firing three bullets straight into Campbell's stomach. As the dusty street of El Paso cleared, four men lay dead. The Hollywood style series of events took place in less than five seconds. The gunfight was so well publicized that newspapers in cities as far away as San Francisco and New York, making Stoudenmire a living legend. Despite Stoudenmire's success in drastically dropping the crime rate in El Paso, he had an extremely bad temper, especially when intoxicated, which ultimately led to his downfall. After a series of events that led to Stoudenmire drinking heavily, he was asked to step down as town marshal. He infamously confronted the town council while inebriated, and dared them to take his guns or his job. The fearful council quickly backed down. However, two days later a sober Stoudenmire offered his resignation and began running the Globe Restaurant. Later that July, he accepted an appointment as a U.S. Deputy Marshal. He continued to use his remarkable marksmanship skills to settle arguments. Stoudenmire was killed during his ongoing feud with the Manning Brothers when he was shot during an argument. Even during his final moments, he continued fighting for his life. Doc Manning pulled his gun and fired first, hitting Stoudenmire in the left arm, causing the gun to fall out of his hand. Doc's second shot hit the marshal's pocket filled with papers. The wild shot didn't break through the skin, but forced him backward through the saloon doors, into the street. Stoudenmire pulled his second gun and shot with his other hand, hitting Doc in the arm. Doc's brother Jim followed and fired, hitting Stoudenmire behind the ear, instantly killing him. The brothers had ended the feud, killing one of the most impressive gunslingers of the day. Stoudenmire was honored with a funeral at El Paso's Masonic Lodge before his wife had his body shipped to Columbus, Texas for the burial. Marshal Stoudenmire was a member of the thin blue line, the line that keeps us safe from evil doers and outlaws. His success in taming the wild and violent town of El Paso was truly a credit to his outstanding marksmanship. 6'4" Dallas Stoudenmire was a larger than life Texan who kept other Texans safe from harm. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, after four productive years in Congress, my good friend and colleague, Representative Janice Hahn (CA), will retire from the United States Congress. She will continue her passion for public service, pursuing her lifelong dream of serving on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, just like her father did before her. Janice was born to work in public service, and it seems that public service is in her blood. Her father was one of Los Angeles County's Supervisors for 40 years, and her brother was the Mayor of Los Angeles from 2001-2005. It was no surprise that she ran for--and won--a seat onto the Los Angeles City Council in 2001, where she would sit for the next 10 years. Then, in July of 2011, Janice won a special election to serve in the House of Representatives. As the only two alumni of Abilene Christian University to ever serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, Janice and I became quick friends. Our friendship brought us back to our alma mater to talk about bipartisanship and the importance of working across the aisle to find workable solutions to many of the problems that our communities face. Janice has become a positive role model for young women who want to succeed in public service. Our ACU connection also led us to talk about the importance of ports to each of our respective congressional districts and to found the Congressional PORTS Caucus to advocate on behalf of our nation's ports. Our work through the PORTS Caucus brought Janice to the Port of Houston to learn more about one of our nation's busiest export ports and brought me to the Port of Long Beach, one of our nation's busiest import ports. We stood together to introduce legislation and amendments to ensure that our ports had more resources to help their critical missions. During her tenure, she has been an outspoken advocate and champion for her district and for the many different issues she holds close to her heart. Though we don't always agree on every policy matter, I have the utmost respect for the work my good friend has done for our nation. Though I will miss serving alongside another ACU Wildcat, I have no doubt she will continue her excellent work back home in Los Angeles taking care of people. Because taking care of people is what Janice Hahn does. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as a former prosecutor and county Judge, I am very concerned by the press conference held on July 15th the Director of the FBI, James Comey. The press conference was carried live on many news channels, and Director Comey spoke in great detail (over 2,300 words), regarding procedures in her use of a personal email server while working as Secretary of State. During this press conference, Director Comey stated: ``Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case.'' Not only did this press conference likely violate FBI procedure, such a public accounting of alleged misdeeds while not recommending charges made it nearly impossible for the Department of Justice to do their job in this case. The FBI is an investigating agency, not a prosecuting agency or a judge and jury. Such a public determination of a case is unprecedented and highly prejudicial. The FBI should investigate and research the facts; determining whether or not those facts constitute a crime is not their job. It appears that Comey's statement was a violation of internal DOJ procedures. Per DOJ regulations, in federal cases, the prosecutor's decision to bring criminal charges is governed by the United States Attorney's Manual. USAM 9-27.000, titled ``Principles of Federal Prosecution'' contains the DOJ's written guidance to prosecutors about decisions to initiate or decline prosecution. Specifically, 9-27.220(A) instructs prosecutors to file criminal charges in all cases where there is a violation of federal law and the evidence is sufficient to obtain a conviction, unless one of three grounds exist: Lack of a substantial federal interest; The defendant is subject to prosecution in another jurisdiction; or The existence of adequate non-criminal alternatives to prosecution. It is not clear from the Comey statement which of these exceptions he thinks applies in this case. Regardless, the determination of whether or not to pursue charges in the case does not reside with an investigative agency like the FBI. By publicly making this statement, Director Comey made it practically impossible for DOJ to fully fulfill their duties under 27.220(A). There is no provision or practice that permits the FBI (or any other federal law enforcement agency) to make recommendations to the prosecution in such a public manner. This statement violated practice and procedure and further shows that this investigation was flawed from the beginning. Secretary Clinton received different treatment than any rank and file employee at the State Department would have received in such an instance. A rank and file employee would have, at the very least, lost their security clearance had they engaged in conduct similar to that of Secretary Clinton. In the FBI ``Manual of Investigative Operations and Guidelines'' section 1-2, a number of policies and procedures are laid out for how the FBI should behave and conduct criminal investigations. Specifically, section 1-2 (1) states: ``The FBI is charged with the duty of investigating violations of the laws of the United States and collective evidence in cases in which the United States is or may be a party in interest''. In addition, section 1-2 (3) states: ``Results of investigations are furnished to United States Attorneys and/or Department of Justice.'' There is not a section in this manual that permits or directs the FBI to publicly state that the facts they investigated were not sufficient to warrant prosecution; in fact the manual clearly indicates that these facts should be turned over to either a US Attorney or the DOJ when there is sufficient evidence that a crime occurred. Director Conley stated that ``there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information''. Despite this finding, Director Comey appears to have veered from FBI procedures to make a public statement that no prosecution was warranted. It is unclear what legal standard was used to make this determination and appears to be far outside what is permitted under the policies and practice of the FBI. There was a time when the FBI was known as ``The Untouchables'' because they were above politics; those days are over. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, fifteen years ago, on September 11, 2001, our country was instantly transformed. Three thousand Americans and people from other nations were murdered at the hands of evil, malicious terrorists. A few weeks ago Congress granted the families of these victims their basic right under the Constitution of the U.S., to their day in court, the right to sue the perpetrators. President Obama disagrees. He vetoed the bill. Based on the 28 pages held secret for years, there may be evidence that the country of Saudi Arabia and their officials may have had some involvement in planning the elements of that attack. As a former judge I am a strong believer in the jury trial to solve such disputes. That is what the courtroom is for. However the administration seems more interested in diplomatic niceties with foreign nations than the victims of 9/11. Congress must override this veto. The truth needs to be known about who was responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The families of the 9/11 victims deserve to pursue justice because Mr. Speaker, justice is what we do in America. And that's just the way it is.