Erik Paulsen

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, sex trafficking is a modern-day slavery that violates the human rights of nearly 21 million victims every year. It is a rampant crime, committed around the world, but what many don't realize is that human trafficking is unfortunately a big problem right here in the United States. Online trafficking is booming because there are no serious legal consequences for the websites that exploit or profit from the exploitation of innocent and vulnerable young children. Websites like backpage.com are able to evade responsibility for their role in trafficking in this industry as they continue to profit from ads selling girls for sex. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, bipartisan legislation that will give Federal, State, and local prosecutors the tools that they need to hold websites accountable for supporting this horrendous industry and help put an end to the online sale of trafficking victims.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina for recently receiving the 2018 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence from Healthgrades. Fairview Southdale was also named one of the country's top 100 best hospitals for cardiac care, coronary intervention, and pulmonary care. Distinguished hospitals are determined and measured by whether they achieve outstanding outcomes in at least 21 of 23 common conditions and procedures. Patients who are treated in these hospitals, on average, face a lower risk of death than if they were treated in hospitals without this designation. These hospitals also achieve better clinical results than 95 percent of hospitals across the country. Mr. Speaker, the doctors, the nurses, the staffs at Fairview do incredible work, and I know they deserve this recognition, and we also know their patients are in good hands.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gregory Olsen from Chaska who was recently appointed to serve on the National Honey Board by the Secretary of Agriculture. Greg will serve a 3-year term alongside 19 other members as the importer-handler representative. The National Honey Board is one of the 22 industry-funded boards authorized by Congress under USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service. Its purpose is to expand domestic markets for honey and honey products. The National Honey Board is responsible for research and development, advertising and promotion, consumer education, and industry information of the honey industry. Madam Speaker, Greg brings important industry experience to the table and will assist the National Honey Board in their mission of successful innovative research, education, and promotional work for honey products that many people rely on in Minnesota and across the world. Congratulations again to Greg Olsen.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson, who recently announced his retirement. Sheriff Olson began his career with the Carter County Sheriff's Office 31 years ago. He was elected to his first 4-year term in 2010 and was reelected in 2013. Olson led law enforcement operations during a time when Carver County surpassed a population of 100,000 people, making it one of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota. He oversaw major public safety operations during the aftermath of Prince's death as well as the Ryder Cup in 2016. He is well respected in our community and is involved in community outreach, raising public awareness of mental health resources, educating the public about the role of the sheriff's office, and supporting the Hope House, a youth homeless shelter in Chanhassen. Mr. Speaker, I thank Sheriff Olson for his many years of service and dedication to keeping the residents of Carver County safe. We wish him the best of luck in the future. He will be missed.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my strong support for the Medicare Advantage program. I recently led a bipartisan letter with 298 Members of the House to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, urging them to preserve and strengthen Medicare Advantage. Millions of seniors rely on Medicare Advantage, and they need access to the high-quality healthcare plan choices that Medicare Advantage plans provide. CMS will soon be issuing final policy and payment updates. These changes will have widespread implications on Medicare beneficiaries throughout the country. Our letter calls on CMS to preserve the program's integrity and existing incentives for MA plans that will offer high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered coverage options for consumers. Mr. Speaker, the Medicare Advantage program covers nearly 19 million seniors across the country and provides care coordination, disease management programs, out-of-pocket spending limits, access to community-based programs, and additional supplemental benefits like vision, dental, and even prescription drug coverage. We need CMS to continue to strengthen and enhance Medicare Advantage for our seniors.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize four athletes from Minnesota's Third District who will be competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Three are representing the United States on the women's ice hockey team: forward Kelly Pannek, from Plymouth, graduated from Benilde-St. Margaret's and is a senior now at the University of Minnesota; forward Dani Cameranesi, also from Plymouth, graduated from Blake and is also from the U of M; defender Sidney Morin, from Minnetonka, graduated from Minnetonka High School and also the University of Minnesota Duluth. On the men's side, forward Ryan Stoa is representing the United States on the men's ice hockey team. He graduated from Bloomington Kennedy and, also, the University of Minnesota. These four athletes join 16 other Minnesotans and the 238 other United States athletes as they compete in Pyeongchang, South Korea, later this week. Mr. Speaker, these athletes go day in and day out with dedication, hard work, and commitment to achieve their dreams of competing in the Olympics and bringing home a medal. So, to Kelly, Dani, Sidney, Ryan, and all of our Olympians, we wish you good luck, and we are cheering you on.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for his leadership as well as the author, Mrs. Brooks, for her leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act. In the wake of the horrendous revelations of sexual abuse brought to the forefront by the recent USA Gymnastics case, it is clear that measures do need to be put in place to protect young athletes and keep them safe. No child should ever be put in the position of having their innocence robbed from them, which is why we need to have the highest protections of the law from those looking to exploit them and take advantage of their vulnerability. I would encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill which will require amateur athletic-governing bodies to immediately report sex abuse allegations to local or Federal law enforcement and also to make it safe and easy for victims to report that abuse. As the Olympics approach, there is no doubt, we will all be reminded, unfortunately, of the recent sexual abuse case that took place with the gymnastics team. But this is our opportunity to take action, to do everything in our power to make sure that this does not happen again, and to protect all of our young and future athletes, giving them the confidence that they will never be put in a situation where an adult or someone who may have inappropriate intentions does not have the ability to do so.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Beau Allen, a Minnetonka High School graduate and defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, who is now on his way to play in the Super Bowl after a strong performance in the NFC Championship Game just a week ago. Beau graduated from Minnetonka High School in 2010, and he is the only Minnetonka student in history to start all 4 years. After graduating, he went on to play for Wisconsin and didn't miss a game in his 4 years on that team. And then, in 2014, Beau was a seventh-round NFL pick and joined the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a key member of the team's defensive line rotation. The Eagles' defense is now ranked first against the run, the fourth in the points allowed, and fourth overall. As a Vikings fan, I was crushed that our season ended the way that it did, but it is exciting to see someone from our community now being able to play in the Super Bowl. I look forward to seeing Minnetonka represented on the field this Sunday. Good luck, Beau.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. With as many as 25 million people enslaved worldwide, human trafficking is an abhorrent practice that has become one of the most important human rights issues of our time. Here in the United States, there are an estimated 100,000 minors at risk of being trafficked. We have taken positive, bipartisan action on a number of bills--18 this past year, Mr. Speaker--to combat trafficking, fight child abuse and exploitation, support and protect victims, and strengthen law enforcement's ability to go after the traffickers. While we can be proud of the progress we have made, clearly there is more that needs to be done, including cracking down on the demand side of the equation and holding websites accountable for advertising sex with juveniles. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to make this effort a priority and work with law enforcement, victims service groups, and other stakeholders to end human trafficking.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Wayzata High School on being named Minnesota's best public school by USA Today. Strong public schools are the foundation of our community, and while Minnesota has many great public and private schools, Wayzata does stand out among them. The schools are evaluated on standardized test scores, student-teacher ratios, graduation rates, Advanced Placement enrollment, and more. Wayzata High School has over 3,200 students, a student ratio of 17 to 1, and an average SAT score of 1420. Across the Nation, 80 percent of students graduate from high school. In Minnesota, 88 percent graduate, and in Wayzata, 93 percent of their students graduate. Their Advanced Placement enrollment is high, Mr. Speaker. Over 25 percent of 10th graders, 36 percent of 11th graders, and 34 percent of seniors are enrolled in AP classes at Wayzata. Mr. Speaker, Principal Scott Gengler, all of the teachers and staff, students and parents, and the Spartan community deserve this recognition. Congratulations to Wayzata High School.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, January 9, is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It is a time to celebrate everything that our law enforcement men and women do for our communities. While it is important to appreciate their courage and bravery, it is also a time to honor them and thank them for their service. Every single day, police officers go to work not knowing what dangers may lie ahead of them while on the job. They put their lives on the line with a mission to both serve and protect. By the way, these law enforcement personnel are our friends, our neighbors, and even family members. Last year, 128 police officers lost their lives defending the thin blue line. One of them was Officer Bill Mathews of Wayzata, Minnesota. He was certainly well known and part of the fabric of the community. He is missed not only by a loving family--his wife, Shawn, and son, Wyatt--but also by those he worked with and the residents he served while on patrol in neighborhoods. Mr. Speaker, those who serve in law enforcement will often say it is a calling, and we honor that calling of service on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. One of my predecessors--a good friend and mentor--was Bill Frenzel. He was the last Minnesotan to serve on the Ways and Means Committee when tax reform was passed. It was 1986. In the 31 years since then, our Tax Code has been one of the most complicated, unfair, and most uncompetitive in the world. It has led to a stagnant economy with sluggish growth, with America losing our manufacturing, our jobs, our innovation, and our headquarters overseas. But today, that all changes. Today, we will pass and give Minnesota employers the confidence and the capital that they need to grow their businesses, to hire more workers, and to give their employees a raise. This provides middle-income families with tax cuts they need to save for their future and improve their standard of living. This helps real people with real needs. Mr. Speaker, tax reform for me is about one thing and one thing only: it is about restoring the hope for a prosperous future for ourselves, our parents, and, most importantly, our children. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the report.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, the National Park Foundation was established by Congress and President Johnson. The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and the nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. For 50 years, they have raised funds, private funds, to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts. The National Park Foundation has helped safeguard our heritage and engage that next generation of national park enthusiasts by connecting us to the parks right in our own backyard. Although they haven't been around as long as the National Park Service, they have played an important role in strengthening and enhancing our parks. So, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to thank the National Park Foundation for its work to help protect and preserve the crown jewels of America, our national parks, monuments, and battlefields. Our country looks forward to another 50 years of your great work.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor and supporter of the bipartisan Dialysis PATIENTS Demonstration Act, which provides better care for patients who are suffering from end-stage renal disease, also known as kidney failure. Currently, there are about 9,000 Minnesotans who suffer from end- stage renal disease. Many of these patients spend hours and hours enduring multiple hospital visits each and every week to treat this disease; and, on top of that, they oftentimes also have to travel to a different location to get treatment for other health conditions they may have as well. This legislation will allow dialysis centers to provide integrated care for patients by bringing in providers so that people can receive comprehensive treatments all in the same place. These patients will also be able to see additional benefits, like transportation services, dental care, and vision care. Mr. Speaker, let's pass this bill so we can improve the quality of life for this vulnerable patient population by coordinating the care system and making it easier for them to receive their treatments.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act. This bill would strengthen States' abilities to combat pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths. Unfortunately, the number of these deaths in the United States has increased, according to the CDC. We also have the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed country, and we are the only country where maternal deaths continue to rise. That is why this bill is so important: It helps States establish and support maternal mortality review committees to examine the causes of these deaths and then identify solutions that fit their community. It addresses disparities in maternal health outcomes and offers these committees the tools to collect the data they need to address--and, hopefully, to eliminate--the causes of these unnecessary tragedies. Minnesota's committee has already shown promise but would benefit from the additional resources this legislation provides. Mr. Speaker, this bill enjoys bipartisan support and could reduce the number of unnecessary pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths. By taking this important step, we can and will save lives.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jack Hong from Edina High School who won this year's Congressional App Challenge in Minnesota. Every year, the Congressional App Challenge encourages students to create an original app by writing computer code. The competition inspires students across the country to explore computer science and STEM fields, fosters innovation, and promotes involvement by some who are historically underrepresented in tech fields. Jack won this year's competition by designing an app called Pomo Timer that blocks distracting websites on the user's computer for short periods of time. I would also like to recognize Madiha Rizvi of Brooklyn Park who won runner-up for creating an app called Jobscope that helps young adults find jobs in their communities. Zara Thomas and Omar Elamri from Minnetonka Middle School were also both honorable mentions for their apps. Mr. Speaker, these students have shown ingenuity, imagination, and intellectual curiosity, and their inventive talent will take them far. I congratulate them on their achievement and wish them the best in future academics.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, when one thinks of poverty, it is likely they envision poverty in an urban or maybe a rural setting; and it may come as a surprise, but poverty in suburban communities is on the rise. In fact, the number of people living in poverty outside of the Twin Cities' urban core in Minnesota increased 93 percent between 2000 and 2015. The suburbs are often thought of as places of comfort, if not wealth. However, when considering suburban areas, it is estimated there are more than 187,000 people in poverty in the Twin Cities. Organizations within our community, like People Reaching Out to People, PROP; the Lakewinds Food Co-op; Southwest News Media; and Chanhassen DECA students, Mark Self, Brian Taylor, and Alex Walther, are shedding light on the issues of suburban poverty and making a difference. Mr. Speaker, the holiday season that we are in now is a time to come together and think about others who may need a little extra help and generosity. It is the perfect time to start helping neighbors and friends in our communities who are struggling. Awareness is just the first step. Taking action should follow.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, November is National Adoption Month, which is an opportunity to remember the more than 400,000 children across the country who are waiting for a family to provide them with a loving home, one they can call their own. The backbone of American society is the family unit. The children in foster care systems around the country deserve to know the love and warmth of a supportive family, and more and more across the country are promoting awareness of adoption and the children waiting to be shown support by adoptive families. The best way to help children grow up to be good citizens, hold jobs, invent new technologies, discover cures for diseases, and become role models for other children is to provide them leadership, love, and support as they grow up. Mr. Speaker, adoption brings so much joy to so many children as well as their new families. During National Adoption Month, let's continue to devote resources to ensure we can continue spreading this joy.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak in opposition to this legislation, and here is why: it threatens Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area; it stops the scientific environmental review that is going on right now; it weakens the Antiquities Act; and it singles out Minnesota's national forests as not being allowed the same environmental protections that national forests in every other State receive. Now, northern Minnesota has a rich history of taconite mining. But the mine that is being proposed on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters, America's most-visited wilderness, is a massive copper-sulfide mine, something we have no history of in Minnesota. It would threaten some of the cleanest and most pristine water and lakes in the country. Today, there is a 2-year review going on of the mining leases to analyze the risks of copper-sulfide mining in the watershed of the Boundary Waters. It is based on science. It is supported by Secretary Perdue. It is supported by Secretary Zinke. And I should note that Secretary Zinke is supporting a similar review of a proposed mine in Montana that borders Yellowstone National Park. But this bill halts that scientific review and automatically grants the leases for the mine. If this becomes law, Minnesota's land and water would be singled out as not worthy of the exact same environmental review and protections that exist in every other State in the country. It carves out a special exemption for Minnesota from the Antiquities Act, which has been used on a bipartisan basis by 16 Presidents as a conservation tool to protect America's history for future generations. And why should the land and history in Minnesota be less worthy of protection? There are the public comments from more than 100,000 people, Mr. Speaker, that would be tossed aside. Mr. Speaker, the Boundary Waters is Minnesota's Yellowstone. Hundreds of thousands of people canoe and fish there annually every year. It is a national treasure. Some of the best memories of my life have taken place in the Boundary Waters as I grew up or, now, with my daughters. We owe it to future generations to understand the impact that copper-sulfide mining poses to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area; and that is why I am voting ``no'' on a bill that undermines science and puts Minnesota's water at risk.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Eden Prairie boys football team for winning their 11th Minnesota State championship this last week. The Eagles prevailed 38-17 in the championship matchup. They finished their 2017 season with an undefeated 13-0 record. Eden Prairie was led by senior running back Solo Falaniko, who rushed for 90 yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown, as well as senior all-purpose Antonio Montero, who had 58 yards rushing with three touchdowns. Mr. Speaker, it takes commitment, perseverance, and hard work to become State champions. It is even more impressive, considering that these team members and student athletes consistently and successfully balance schoolwork and other extracurricular activities with their athletics. That is why I commend these athletes. Congratulations to the players, the coaches, the parents, and all the fans of the Eden Prairie football team on your State title. Our entire community is very proud of your accomplishment. Go Eagles.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, for the first time in a generation, middle- income and hardworking Americans are closer to a Tax Code that works for them rather than against them. It has been 31 long years since we last reformed our broken tax system, and, in that time, our Tax Code has become one of the most complicated, unfair, and uncompetitive in the world. It has led to a stagnant economy and sluggish growth. American businesses of all sizes have some of the highest tax rates in the world, sending our jobs, our manufacturing, our research, and our headquarters overseas. And you know, the economic recovery hasn't been all that great since the Great Recession--not that great for a lot of Americans. Half the population is living paycheck to paycheck. Many either have or are at risk of having a lower standard of living than their parents. Young people, like my daughter's generation, will go backwards if this country is not fundamentally more competitive. And then seniors and those baby boomers preparing for retirement, who have a lifetime of savings, are now at risk without a growing economy. The reforms in this bill today will help real people with tax cuts aimed to help middle-income families that want to save for the future and improve their own standard of living. The bill focuses on helping small businesses, Main Street Minnesota businesses with a simpler, clearer, and fairer Tax Code that is critical for job creation. It lowers small business rates to 25 percent and even provides a 9 percent rate for the smallest Main Street startups. Modernizing the Tax Code is essential to allowing American businesses of all sizes to compete around the world and bring those jobs home. We need to be able to sell where the customers are, and 95 percent of the world's customers are outside the United States. The international reforms in this bill will incentivize businesses to bring their money home to invest in our communities. And importantly, this bill includes bipartisan legislation that I authored, the Empowering Employees through Stock Ownership Act, which helps those entrepreneurs and startups attract and retain talent. Hardworking taxpayers, Mr. Speaker, deserve a Tax Code that is simpler, flatter, and fairer so that every American family and employer can file their taxes without having to hire an Army of lawyers and accountants. Mr. Speaker, we have a choice. The choice is Americans. We can either truly grow the economy and put ourselves back on the path to real prosperity, or we can continue the actual trend we have right now of weak economic growth, which only benefits the few and the privileged and will do nothing for regular folks when the next economic downturn hits. Tax reform for me is about one thing and one thing only. It is about restoring hope for a prosperous future for ourselves, our parents, and, most importantly, our children. I want to thank the chairman for his guiding leadership through this effort.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to the Wayzata girls and boys cross country teams, who both won Minnesota State high school championships this season. The Wayzata girls' team was led by sophomore Emma Atkinson, who finished in third place overall at State. Three of their runners placed in the top 10, which helped them beat second-place Edina by 19 points. Dave Emmans, who was the 2014 Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year, did an outstanding job leading the Trojan girls' team. On the boys' side, Wayzata senior Khalid Hussein, led the boys' team to victory after coming in first place at State. Six of Wayzata's runners placed in the top 25. This was the Trojans' 10th State championship in 25 years, and Head Coach Mark Popp has now led the team to victory in two of the last three seasons coaching. Mr. Speaker, cross country takes an immense amount of dedication, passion, and endurance, and it was evident that these Wayzata teams have worked so hard. Congratulations to the runners, the coaches, and the families for their success this year of the Wayzata cross country boys and girls teams for becoming State champs.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Paul Fogelberg from Orono, Minnesota, on receiving the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Disease's RareVoice Abbey Award from the EveryLife Foundation. No one, Mr. Speaker, deserves this recognition more than Paul because of his tireless work on behalf of those suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that stiffens and scars the deep tissue in the lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breath until eventually you die. Every year, more than 14,000 people die from the disease, essentially the same number of people who die from breast cancer. Paul himself has pulmonary fibrosis and is a strong advocate for research, for awareness, and for more clinical trials to help those who have contracted this deadly disease. There is no known cure for pulmonary fibrosis, yet Paul is a fighter, a leader, and a great advocate who is doing all he can to find one. Congratulations again to Paul Fogelberg for being recognized as the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Disease's RareVoice Abbey Award.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Edina Girls Tennis Team on winning the Minnesota State Championship Title. The Hornets won the state finals with seven wins in seven contests. Sophomore Nicole Copeland and Senior Sophia Reddy both beat their opponents in two straight matches, clinching the victory for Edina in a decisive fashion. This was a big year for the Hornets. Edina has won the state championship in girls tennis in 20 out of the last 21 years, a tremendous feat by any standard. Many of the matches in this year's tournament were decided by one point. They know what it's like to play under pressure and still clinch a victory. Mr. Speaker, the Hornets' victory is a tribute to their hard work throughout the season and their ability to play under pressure. And most importantly, I commend these student athletes, who have also excelled in the classroom and our community. Congratulations again to Coach Steve Paulsen and the Edina High School Girls Tennis Team. Their families, teachers, friends, neighbors, and our entire community are very proud to call them state champs.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to the Wayzata High School Boys Soccer team on winning the Minnesota State Championship Title. The Trojans topped off their incredible 20-0-2 season by coming home with the state championship trophy. It is inspiring to see a team that shows up with their best every day, and consistently comes out on top. After losing in the championship last year, they came back stronger than ever to win the state title in 2017. After a scoreless first half, sophomore Patrick Weah netted a goal that eventually decided the match. The Wayzata keeper, Daniel Weshons delivered a shutout after facing thirteen shots. Just before the buzzer, Ethan Wagner put a second goal in the net to secure Wayzata's victory. Mr. Speaker, the championship title earned by the Trojans shows how hard work throughout the season and the ability to play under pressure always pays off. These outstanding student-athletes have lived up to their obligations in the classroom and in the community. Congratulations again to the players, coaches, and parents of the Wayzata High School Boys Soccer team on becoming state champs. Go Trojans.