Steven Palazzo

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was Veterans Day, and I just want to say thank you to my fellow Americans who took the time to celebrate it. You see, Veterans Day is where we have an opportunity to thank the few who have answered their Nation's call to defend us from enemies at home and abroad. These are the men and women who will walk through the gates of hell to stand up against evil and danger so we do not have to. Veterans don't ask for much, so it is not a hard holiday to celebrate. A simple ``thank you'' will do just fine. But I want to ask the American people to never forget the sacrifices that these fine men and women and their families make for us. And as a Nation, we must keep our promises we made to these defenders of freedom. Veterans love our American flag. It represents the greatest Nation in the history of mankind. Fly it proudly. Simply put, be proud to be an American. For a veteran, that is thanks enough.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Judge John C. Gargiulo for being appointed to serve as a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi. John graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi as a U.S. Army ROTC Graduate and was ranked in the top 10% of candidates nationwide. Upon his graduation, John was commissioned into the active military as an Intelligence Officer in the 24th Infantry Division. While serving during Operation Desert Storm, John was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his participation in the first combat dismounted patrol into enemy territory, as well as receiving the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor of the State of Mississippi for his voluntary service during Hurricane Katrina. After serving on active duty, John graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate, and was the recipient of the James Alexander Scholastic Scholarship, as well as serving on the Moot Court Board. Upon graduation, John began his legal practice at an insurance defense firm, serving the Gulfport and Mississippi Gulf Coast region. In 2000, John was appointed as an Assistant District Attorney where he was lead prosecutor for all felonies with emphasis on cases involving high-profile sexual and violent crimes. While serving as an assistant DA, John successfully tried two of America's Most Wanted criminals, resulting in guilty verdicts. In 2009, the Governor of the State of Mississippi appointed John as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit Court District. He was reelected in 2010 and served in this position until his appointment as Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi in August 2014. I would like to send Magistrate Judge Gargiulo my best wishes in his future of continued service to our Nation.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor a hallmark industry in South Mississippi's Fourth Congressional District, Yates Construction, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. In 1960, Bill Yates began managing small construction projects for Central Construction while attending classes at The University of Mississippi. While working for Central Construction during college, Bill was able to learn how to develop the skills that would lay the foundation for starting a construction company of his own. In 1963, Bill led his first significant project under the name of W.G. Yates, General Contractor, and in 1964 W.G. Yates & Son Construction Company was formed. Later that year, the company was incorporated as Yates Construction, and has been family owned and operated ever since. As Yates Construction began to grow, they developed the company motto to be: ``On time, within budget, to your satisfaction'', which was cultivated as the company's reputation for all of those who have had dealings with Yates Construction over the 50 years of their existence. In 1977, Yates Building Supply was formed and opened their first location in Philadelphia, MS, providing building supplies and home improvement products. In 1978, Yates Heavy Division was formed to accommodate larger projects, helping meet the needs of their clients on a broader scale. In 1986, Yates Engineering Corporation was established, and has been dedicated to provide total performance and management service as well as related support-services to their clients. In 1997, The Yates Companies was incorporated and expanded, opening locations across the southeast region of the country and North America. In 2002, Yates Services was formed. In 2009, Yates Construction's mission statement and core values were formally recognized as ``to provide value to our clients'' and ``Safety, Integrity, Passion, Commitment.'' Now, with William G. Yates, III in the President's seat, it is easy to see why this company is a respected part of our local, state, and regional economy. It is my privilege to recognize the 50th anniversary of Yates Construction, and wish the Yates family success for many generations to come.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, while I originally intended that the Hon. Donna Edwards and the Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson be added as cosponsors to my bill, H.R. 4412, the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2014, due to an error they were not added prior to the engrossment of the bill. This statement is intended to demonstrate their position as cosponsors of this measure.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to en gros the bill, H.R. 4412, in the form I have placed at the desk.

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous material.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, events in Iraq over the past week serve as a chilling reminder of the fact that the world is not getting safer. I am disturbed by these events, but I am not surprised. Over the past few years, my colleagues and I have warned against our Nation's weakening foreign policy and the devastating defense cuts this President insisted on making on the backs of our men and women in uniform. The result is a strained military and a world where our enemies don't fear us and our friends no longer trust us. On Monday, the USS Mesa Verde, one of our Navy and Marine Corps' amphibious warships in the LPD class, entered the Persian Gulf with 550 marines onboard. These ships have a long history of supporting our missions and responding to numerous threats all around the world. This LPD ship sitting in the Persian Gulf full of marines sends a clear message: we will not waiver in defense of American interests or protecting American lives. I believe we need to keep sending that message. We must adequately fund our Nation's military, and we must provide for more ships like the LPD class amphibious warships so we can ensure the safety and security of our Nation and those who defend it.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for the time. I want to echo the words of Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. This is truly a bipartisan bill. The House should be proud of the work the committee has done to be inclusive of Members on both sides of the aisle. The authorization levels are responsible and consistent with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014. In a time of increasing partisanship on Capitol Hill, both Republicans and Democrats came together on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to craft legislation that moves beyond congressional districts and parochial interests. This bill provides a clear mission and the resources necessary to support that mission. It also continues looking to NASA to provide a strategic roadmap. Space Subcommittee Ranking Member Donna Edwards and I worked long days to put this legislation together. While Ms. Edwards and I don't always agree, we are united in our unwavering support for NASA and space exploration during this crucial time in our Nation's history. We are committed to once more launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil. I know many of our colleagues agree that American leadership in space is a matter of both national pride and national security. Yet over the last decade, the human exploration program at NASA has been plagued with instability from constantly changing requirements, budgets, and missions. Since President Obama canceled the Constellation program in 2010, NASA's human spaceflight program has been adrift. We cannot continue changing our program of record every time there is new President. We must be consistent in our commitment to human exploration. That commitment is reflected in today's bipartisan bill, and I am confident it will continue into the future. The bill before us today requires NASA to develop a human exploration roadmap and provides a framework to build an executable plan for future exploration efforts. The plan required in this bill will serve as a pathway to Mars, with multiple missions or mission sets that may be used to demonstrate those technologies and capabilities necessary for deep space exploration. NASA must use this plan as an opportunity to utilize assets from all the mission directorates to find the most efficient and effective ways to build technologies and capabilities within constrained budgets. Both the Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule are reaffirmed in this bill, consistent with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, which laid out very clear guidelines and direction for the development of these systems. This bill authorizes ample funding for the Commercial Crew Program to ensure safe and on-time development of domestic access to the international space station. There are also oversight provisions to ensure transparency in the contracts and processes used to develop these systems. This agreement represents an understanding that both our commercial crew partners and those developing SLS and Orion have a crucial role to play in ending our reliance on Russian rockets. A concrete plan for the future of human exploration beyond the Earth- Moon system must be developed if we have any hope of ensuring America's leadership in space. While this bill does not require NASA to return humans to the Moon, current Federal law is still in place that provides guidance on the best path forward into our solar system. As a recent study from the National Research Council pointed out, ``a return to extended surface operations on the Moon would make significant contributions to a strategy ultimately aimed at landing people on Mars.'' This bill is not perfect. I will continue to raise questions and concerns over NASA's budgets: increases in Earth sciences funding at the risk of space exploration budgets, costly and complex distractions such as the proposed asteroid retrieval mission, and maintaining adequate funding for the Space Launch System as the next generation of deep space exploration rockets and vehicles. Our bill represents a serious bipartisan commitment to space exploration at a serious time in our Nation's history. American leadership in space depends on our ability to put people and sound policy ahead of politics. That is what we have tried do with the House bill. I urge our friends in the Senate to move forward with us by adopting our commonsense compromise and passing the House bill. Our Nation's space program needs this legislation. Space exploration has always had its challenges, but the United States has always risen to the occasion. This country was built by people who dream big and do the hard things. I believe the decisions we make today will determine whether the U.S. maintains its leadership in space tomorrow. That is why I am proud to stand by this responsible proposal, alongside Chairman Smith and Ranking Members Johnson and Edwards, in support of this bill.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, this week, our Nation observes the 63rd National Day of Prayer. Leaders have been gathering in our Nation to recognize this day since Congress recognized it in 1952. We have always been and still remain a nation under God. This week, I will continue to pray for our Nation. I will pray for my colleagues who serve with me here in Congress. I will pray for the people I serve in south Mississippi. I will pray that God Almighty continues to watch over our people and that he will continue to bless this land. Also, my prayers and my thoughts are with all those in my home State of Mississippi and throughout the country who were affected by this week's storms. I want to thank my colleagues who have reached out to my office and to our delegation. This week, as we bow our heads once more to observe the National Day of Prayer, we also remember the 35 lives lost, the loved ones who mourn them, and the hundreds of communities who are picking up the pieces to rebuild their lives.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and honor Walt H. Keck, Jr., on his retirement after 55 years of public service. Mr. Keck joined the United States Air Force in 1961. Throughout his 27-year military career, he rose through the ranks to master sergeant before retiring in 1988. In 1989, Mr. Keck began his law enforcement career as an officer with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department. Nearly 10 years later, he assisted the city of D'Iberville in creating its own police department while continuing to work for Harrison County. Sworn in as D'Iberville police captain in 2008 and deputy chief of police in 2012, Mr. Keck retires on May 6, 2014, with over 28 years of law enforcement service. Mr. Keck has been described as a man of integrity, intelligence, dedication, and compassion, and as a man who truly cares about the citizens he serves. Mr. Keck, on behalf of the United States Congress, thank you for your hard work and commitment to the citizens of the United States and south Mississippi. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Biloxi, Mississippi on the occasion of its 315th birthday. In 1699, the first permanent settlement in French Louisiana was founded at Fort Maurepas and referred to as Old Biloxi. Following the Seven Years War, Great Britain took control of the city, ruling until 1779, before the Spanish took over for the next nine years. The city came under the control of the United States in 1811 as part of the Mississippi Territory, and finally under the State of Mississippi in 1817. Over the last 315 years, Biloxi has grown and prospered. It quickly became a tourist destination, famous for the Biloxi lighthouse that is a beacon of the Gulf Coast. The addition of Keesler Air Force Base during World War II was the beginning of Biloxi as a true military town, a tradition that continues to this day. Most importantly, Biloxi is a community in every sense of the word. Despite being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and again by the BP oil spill in 2010, Biloxi came together as a community and is stronger than ever. Today, Biloxi is well-known for its beautiful beaches, world-class seafood, thriving gaming industry, and wonderful people. I am proud to call the City of Biloxi my home. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to honor the City of Biloxi and its citizens for its 315 years of community and citizenship. May God continue to bless it for many years to come.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, our bill is the result of extensive bipartisan, bicameral work over the past year. This bill is both compassionate and fiscally responsible. From the start, my priority has been to ensure that flood insurance remains available and affordable not just in Mississippi, but all across the country. Our bill meets those goals. Many of the people who are now facing unrealistic, overnight increases followed all the rules. They went to great effort and expense to build back to FEMA standards after storms like Hurricane Katrina. Congress never intended to punish responsible homeowners, yet that is exactly what FEMA is doing, as it implements the law with flawed maps and procedures. These actions are threatening individuals and entire communities. I am not talking about wealthy waterfront homeowners. In south Mississippi, I am hearing from teachers, veterans, fishermen, people who work at the shipyards in support of our U.S. Navy, many 100 miles inland. Our bill holds FEMA accountable. It provides real responsible relief and lasting reforms. I urge my colleagues to join me in strong support of this bill.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Major General Cathy Lutz, the first female Major General of the Mississippi Air National Guard, who went to be with the Lord on January 18, 2014. With over 30 years of military service, Major General Lutz broke ``glass ceiling'' barriers, while maintaining civility and humility. She lived her life in service to friends, family, and country and professed ``military and nursing'' the means in which she served God and man. Called ``one of our nation's premier advocates for better health care for . . . soldiers and servicemen,'' Major General Lutz coordinated retrieval efforts of wounded servicemen following the terrorist attack against the USS Cole and led a medical squadron based out of Saudi Arabia. In all, Major General Lutz commanded three squadrons in the National Guard and received eight military awards, including the Legion of Merit for ``exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.'' While serving the Mississippi Air National Guard, Major General Lutz involved herself in the Mississippi art community. She showed her work with the Mississippi Art Colony and established an art farm in Flora, MS, along with her husband, retired Major General William Lutz. Mississippi lost a dear daughter with the death of Major General Cathy Lutz. On behalf of the United States Congress and the people of Mississippi, we recognize her life and service.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work and unparalleled service of Ms. Myron Webb, a 28-year NASA veteran who devoted her time at the agency to Stennis Space Center, and was recently awarded the prestigious NASA Distinguished Service Medal. The Distinguished Service Medal is a rare honor, recognizing individuals who have made a profound and indelible impact on NASA mission success. Ms. Webb joins such luminaries as Neil Armstrong, James Webb, and John Glenn. Ms. Webb's profound commitment to Stennis, NASA, and her community are exemplified throughout her distinguished career and volunteer accomplishments. Among her incredible achievements, Ms. Webb is responsible for instituting viewing of the Space Shuttle Main Engine tests at Stennis, marketing and expanding Mississippi's Travel Attraction of the Year, the StennisSphere, and serving on the Board of Directors for both the Gulf Coast and Hancock County Chambers of Commerce. The success of Stennis Space Center is inseparable from the leadership and service of Myron Webb. Her extraordinary contributions to NASA and Mississippi deserve this highest recognition of the Distinguished Service Medal. Myron, on behalf of the United States Congress, I thank you for your remarkable contributions to our national space program.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, as he is being called today, Colonel Perry, for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, the recent comments by Army leadership are as ridiculous as anything I have seen in quite some time. In a transparent effort to protect their own, they have effectively thrown the men and women of the National Guard out with the bath water. It is a fact that the average National Guardsman costs one-third of what his Active Duty counterpart does. Now, I ask the American people, what is the better investment here? Giving these brave citizens soldiers a pink slip is not only ridiculous from a readiness standpoint, but it amounts to throwing away billions of dollars and hours of training. Here is your pink slip. Thanks for all your hard work, but we won't be needing you anymore is basically what they are saying. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the men and women of our National Guard are not only the smarter financial decision, but they have also earned their stripes over the past 12 years at war. As a current member of the Mississippi National Guard, I know that the men and women I serve with and those who come from all over the United States and the territories to train at Camp Shelby before deployment are some of the most professional and most capable soldiers and airmen that our Nation has ever produced, regardless of what General Odierno has said. These men and women are the best-trained, most battle-hardened force that the Guard has seen in their 377-year history. These men and women have fought side by side for over 12 years with the men and women of our Active Duty. To put them back on the shelf will not only waste that experience, but it does nothing to deal with what many military leaders have said is the biggest threat to our national security, and that is our national debt. Meanwhile, some Members of this body are content to watch our national debt climb on the back of runaway entitlement spending that continues to suck away resources from every sector. We are cutting right to the bone from our best capabilities. I honestly have trouble believing that Army leadership truly thinks the best way to handle budget pressures is to gut our military capability, but that is exactly what they are doing. Mr. Speaker, I promise that if the Army and the President bring this half-baked idea to us here in Congress, I will do everything, along with my colleagues, in my power as a Member of this House and as a member of the House Armed Services Committee to ensure that it is soundly defeated. Congressman, thank you very much for putting on this Special Order.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Smith and Chairman Rogers for their work to put this bill together. This is a product of months of work on the part of our appropriators, under regular order, to give us the framework for this bill. I have the pleasure of serving as chairman of the Subcommittee on Space, as well as being one of the lead sponsors on the underlying indemnification bill. This is a simple, yet crucial, policy that allows our space industry to remain globally competitive as they support and service satellites Americans rely upon every day. I welcome this 3-year extension, and I also appreciate the consideration this package has given my NASA reauthorization bill. The larger package also begins to address issues facing homeowners across the Nation, not just in coastal areas, by including the Palazzo- Cassidy-Grimm-Richmond amendment that has received wide bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. This provision halts all FEMA work through the end of this fiscal year to implement rate increases on some of those homeowners affected by flood map changes. This provision sets the stage for broader reforms that we are working towards later this month or the next. With this bill, we also maintain our commitments to our men and women in uniform by restoring damaging defense cuts. We address cost-of- living adjustments for 63,000 medically retired military personnel and survivors receiving those benefits. I plan to continue working to address cost-of-living increases for all of our military retirees. We provide for a well-deserved 1 percent increase in troop pay, and it also provides funding for homeland security priorities, such as the seventh and eighth National Security Cutters for the Coast Guard. Finally, this bill continues the pattern of responsible cuts to government waste, fraud and abuse. It represents $165 billion in total discretionary cuts since 2010, and is part of our commitment, as House Republicans, to continue cutting spending responsibly. Again, I thank my colleagues for their work on this bill.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Thank you, Congressman, and thank you so much for putting this Special Order together this evening for us to talk about the devastating effects the Biggert-Waters Act is going to have on flood insurance premiums just not along coastal areas, but all across America. For more than 40 years, residents who have lived in flood-prone areas have paid into the National Flood Insurance Program because virtually no private flood insurance market existed. The issues I and my colleagues have spent so much time addressing over the last year affect these 5 million NFIP policyholders. What many Americans do not realize is that they could be the next flood victim, and they could be the next victim of these drastic flood insurance hikes and flawed FEMA policies. According to FEMA Director Craig Fugate, 40 percent of the U.S. population lives in counties that border the ocean or the Great Lakes and are directly or indirectly affected by flood risk, and most U.S. counties contain rivers and streams that present flood hazards. Forty percent of the U.S. population--that's more than 126 million Americans--could be affected by these issues in the coming years. This map shows exactly where you can find NFIP policyholders. We are not just talking about a few people living in coastal areas. This isn't just Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, or Florida's problem. This map hasn't even been updated to include those affected by the recent flooding in Colorado. We are talking about millions of people across America in every single State and just about every single congressional district who will be impacted by these drastic rate increases. The Biggert-Waters Act of 2012 was passed with the intention of insuring that the program remained solvent for these policyholders to ensure that it is there for the people who have paid into the system when a disaster strikes. It was never intended to make rates so unaffordable that flood insurance is no longer attainable for these policyholders. Yet when you look at what is happening now and the way FEMA is implementing the law, that's exactly what we are seeing. There are those who have said these people are just a bunch of wealthy waterfront homeowners. That is simply not true. I can tell you that's not the case in my district. I am hearing from teachers, veterans, fishermen, people who work at the shipyards in support of our Navy. These are everyday Americans, some of whom live 50 or 100 miles or more inland. These are folks who have been responsible in maintaining flood insurance policies for years and sunken untold thousands of dollars of their own funds into their community's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. They built back to higher FEMA standards, many of them invested in mitigation against future risk. They used every tool at their disposal and went to great lengths and great costs to comply with the law and do their part. Now they are being punished for doing that. They are being hit with astronomical rate increases overnight, or worse, they are unable to get straight answers from FEMA or from their flood insurance agents who are looking to FEMA for answers. Many are retirement age. One bank in my district has estimated that at least 400 elderly homeowners are facing rate increases that are so drastic that it could force them into foreclose. Take Cheryl, a retired special education teacher married to Gerald, a retired aluminum plant worker and a Navy veteran. She says: Please don't think that we live in a waterfront home. We live in an older neighborhood, miles inland. She tells me that for 11 months they lived in a camper while working to rebuild, taking ``extra precautions'' and meeting the demands of inspectors and permits throughout the process. ``We felt proud to be part of the rebuilding of the Mississippi Gulf Coast'' she says. But she also tells me, ``A large increase could bury us.'' Another military retiree couple on fixed incomes writes that their flood insurance rates have been estimated to rise from $400 a year to at least $4,000 a year. He says: ``Despite doing our `homework' prior to purchase, putting a considerable down payment on the home, doing due diligence following the storm by repairing our home'' that flood map changes and increasing flood insurance rates have put them in the position to possibly lose their home with no fallback. Linda, a 65-year old single woman, tells me she hopes to retire after 40 years working as a teacher. She says: Like so many others, I rebuilt my home after Katrina following the guidelines of then current flood maps. If the flood rates go to the proposed levels there's no way I can afford to keep my home. I have worked all of my life, contributed to the community I live in, followed the rules, paid my debts. Now I am faced with losing my home, my retirement, and my sense of security. These are just a few examples of how these rate increases are affecting everyday Mississippians. Millions more like them are all across the Nation, and some don't even realize the storm that is coming. We are not just talking about a few folks along the coast. We are not talking about wealthy, waterfront homeowners looking for a taxpayer handout. Anyone who says otherwise is incredibly misinformed or blatantly misleading the American people. These people, they are the reason we are here today. They are the reason that Republicans and Democrats from every corner of the country are supporting our efforts. We all share the same goal of ensuring flood insurance remains affordable and available to those who need it. In this body, we have acted to make compassionate reforms, while keeping this program fiscally sound. We have worked to halt rate increases, address unintended consequences, and hold FEMA accountable for questionable methods and flawed implementation. We will continue this fight for those who have been caught in the cracks through no fault of their own, for hardworking, everyday Americans who have followed all the rules and tried to do everything right. Now, we have a responsibility to make this right, and we will not stop until the job is finished.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a group of young men from Picayune, Mississippi who have fought tirelessly at reaching their goal of becoming Mississippi's 5A State Champions. I'm referring to Picayune Panthers High School football team. The leadership of a dedicated coaching staff paired with the commitment from tremendous student athletes, the Panthers overtook their opponents with a final score of 42-35, earning them the state title and ending their winning season with a record of 12-2. This team calls themselves ``The Maroon Tide'' and for good reason. These student athletes face hardships, physically and mentally, in balancing their school work, attending countless practices, and spending time with their families. As a student athlete, I remember how exhausting it was to come home late from a long day of practice, but only the best memories come to mind when the hard work paid off, as it has for this team. All tides rise and fall, all leaders face hardships. But no matter how far a tide strays from shore, it always rises to the occasion, just as this team has done. It is a privilege to represent these young men in the House of Representatives and my pleasure to congratulate them on their outstanding accomplishment of bringing home the state title. The Picayune High School Varsity Football team is the epitome of a successful team.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize an organization that has been serving our Greatest Generation since 2011. I'm referring to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight. Under the leadership of Kimberly Foster Moody and a dedicated team of board members and volunteers, our Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight has taken almost 600 veterans to Washington spread among seven trips and I was proud to be there to meet every single group. They did it all free of charge, using private donations. For many of these veterans, it was their first and only time to visit the nation's capital, or the World War II Memorial. On Tuesday, November 5, 2013, this organization completed its work with a final flight carrying more than 70 veterans to Washington. These veterans live among us as our friends and neighbors. They made huge sacrifices protecting the very freedoms that we enjoy today. They fought in some of the most hostile environments, and against some of history's most formidable foes, so that the world can be what it is today. It has been a privilege to be able to join our Mississippi World War II veterans during these flights and see the look on their faces when they see their monument. As a Marine veteran of the Persian Gulf War, I feel a special kinship to these men and women who served so long ago. They also remind me of my own grandfather, who served in the Pacific on Guadalcanal during World War II. Of the 16 million Americans who left their farms, fields, shops and families to fight evil half way around the world, 400 thousand Americans never returned home. Those who did, asked for nothing in return when they hung up their uniform and returned to their families, jobs, and normal life. I have asked many men and women over the years why they did it and almost all of them have said for God, Family, and Country. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation, I want to say thank you to so many in the South Mississippi community who volunteered for and supported this organization with its service to our veterans. I also want to once again thank all of our nation's World War II veterans. Truly, these veterans are our Greatest Generation.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work and determination of a group of fellow soldiers who served during World War II during the liberation of France. The following men from my home state of Mississippi deserve the highest honor for their service: Thomas Creekmore of Ocean Springs; Gerald Campbell of Gulfport; Jack Carver of Belzoni; William S. Fuller of Vicksburg; Edsol C. Wells of Lauderdale; Joseph J. Coscia of Southaven; Joseph R. Johnson of Columbus; James F. Robinson of Aberdeen; Malcolm L. Jones of Hazlehurst; and Harry C. Quinn of Madison; and William W. Correll of Madison. These brave men risked their lives for the hope of bringing liberty and freedom to the people of France, and they went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure their hope became a reality. Without their efforts, our mission of winning World War II would not have been possible. On September 24th, the Consul General of France, Denis Barbet, will present the French Legion of Honor Award, France's highest military honor, to these worthy veterans. Our soldiers deserve the utmost respect from all of those they protect. I ask that my colleagues here in Washington and the American people take a moment to thank these selfless men and women and continue to keep all of the brave men and women serving our nation in their thoughts and prayers.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate John R. Parker on his retirement and honor his thirteen years of service as Chairman of the Jones County, Mississippi Republican Party. Mr. Parker began his Chairmanship in 2000 and has since worked diligently to protect and to promote conservative ideals and values in South Mississippi. He has proved to be not only an outstanding Chairman, but also an asset in helping to grow the Republican Party. From local elections to the Governor's race, Mr. Parker is well known throughout the State for his key involvement and noteworthy enthusiasm. Outside of his political work, Mr. Parker is notorious within his community for his continued support of local charities and willingness to lend a hand to those in need. Mr. Parker is a true public servant and strong community leader dedicated to providing a better future for our country. He has been an invaluable part of the fabric of the Jones County Republican Party, and his leadership will be truly missed. Mr. Parker, on behalf of the United States Congress, thank you for your hard work and commitment as Chairman of the Jones County Republican Party. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I'm not a fan of government mandates, and neither are my constituents in Mississippi. There is one mandate that the people of Mississippi sent me to Washington with: to repeal, replace, dismantle, delay, and defund ObamaCare. I've heard from families, small businesses, and hardworking Americans across my district who all have the same message--this law is a train wreck. That is why one of my very first votes in Congress was to repeal ObamaCare. That's why I've voted to repeal it nearly 40 times over the last 3 years. That is why I introduced a constitutional amendment to restore the right of the American people to refuse this bad law. That is also why I firmly believe we must defund ObamaCare in a continuing resolution this body will take up later this year. I believe this is a fight worth fighting for Mississippi, and I believe it's a fight worth fighting for the American people. I'm calling on my colleagues to join me in this fight to stand strong, to stand together, and let's defund ObamaCare.

Mr. PALAZZO

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

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment is very simple. It prohibits the Air Force from making changes in fiscal year 2014 until 60 days after Congress hears from the Commission we established to report on the global structure of the Air Force. Over the last two years, Congress and the Air Force have engaged in numerous discussions about the future of our forces. I've had an opportunity to engage in many of those conversations about what the Air Force can afford, what provides us the greatest capability, and what ensures that our men and women get home safely. These discussions have included decisions the Air Force has made regarding the realignment of forces. Some of these decisions made a lot of sense. Some of them did not. But as we've had these conversations as these decisions are being made, I can't help but feel like I'm listening to the Air Force play the same broken record over and over again. What I see happening, Mr. Chairman, is the Air Force continues to talk about cutting costs. They talk about mission capabilities and readiness. And then they turn around and spend millions upon millions of dollars re-basing planes and uprooting personnel all over the Nation, only to reevaluate and move them again just a few years later. And in the end, it seems like the Air Force isn't making smart financial decisions, and some of these moves don't even make sense from a mission perspective. Last year, my colleagues and I addressed some of these issues during the National Defense Authorization Act process. We included language in the House version of the bill that would have stopped movement of some of these planes until the Air Force could provide better answers for their decisions. I was disappointed that the final version of the bill omitted this amendment. Instead the final bill established a National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force for the very purpose of reevaluating these basing decisions and reporting back to Congress. Specifically, we are looking for that Commission to tell us if or how the current Air Force structure should be modified to best fulfill mission requirements in a manner that is consistent with our available and limited resources. The Commission was also given several considerations to keep in mind while completing this study. They wanted to ensure structure meets current and anticipated requirements of the combatant commands, achieve the appropriate balance between Active Duty Air Force and reserve components, provide sufficient numbers of active Air Force to ensure we can recruit from the pool for reserve components, and make sure that we maintain an adequate peacetime rotation force. I am encouraged by the formation and the progress of this Air Force Commission in last year's NDAA. In fact, I went and testified before this Commission earlier this afternoon. I think they have some valuable contributions to make in these discussions. But I am still disappointed that the Air Force is still determined to enact those questionable decisions before hearing from the Commission. If this body doesn't act, those decisions will go into effect in October of this year--moving hundreds of planes, uprooting families, transferring units, modifying missions, spending millions of dollars possibly to rethink it all and re-base again in a few short years. Yet the commission's report is only a few short months away. Am I the only one who thinks this doesn't make much sense? We're making bold decisions on the structure of the Air Force without waiting for the recommendations of the study that we mandated. This is a plain-as-day example of putting the cart before the horse. My amendment would simply call for a temporary freeze on Air Force movements until we can review the findings of the report. I feel like this is a pretty reasonable amendment given that we asked for the study in the first place. At a time when our military is already under incredible strain, when budgets are already tight, it is imperative that we get this right. My amendment may even save us money in the long run. I ask that my colleagues support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.