Hal Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Gardner).

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Transporting displaced students is an allowable purpose under the social services block grant, and I encourage HHS and affected States to work with affected school districts and promptly provide any reimbursements for these critical services.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo).

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I yield myself 3 minutes, Madam Chairman, and I yield to Mrs. Lowey, the ranking member of the committee--who, by the way, this is her first appearance on the floor as the new ranking Democrat on the full Appropriations Committee. I want to initially congratulate her on that position. I look forward to a good working relationship with her. I yield to the gentlelady.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I yield myself an additional 30 seconds. I believe we can and should attempt to budget for disasters, as we did under the BCA. There are times when a disaster simply goes beyond our ability to offset. Hurricane Sandy is one of those times. I urge a defeat of the amendment. I now yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I yield myself 3 minutes. Our people in the Northeast are facing a struggle of historic proportions. Many have seen their homes, their livelihoods, and their communities decimated beyond belief. It is the Federal responsibility-- and in fact our responsibility as human beings--to help those victims in this unexpected catastrophe. In doing so, we must expend some Federal dollars. I don't take spending this money lightly. Our country faces a deficit crisis, as the gentleman from South Carolina has said, a deficit crisis of huge proportions, with an economy that's fighting to recover; and any expenditure must be weighed against all other needs facing our Nation. Now, I don't take a back seat to anyone when it comes to cutting spending. Since I've chaired this committee the last 2 years, we've cut $100 billion off of discretionary spending, 2 years in a row, going on a third. That's not happened since World War II. So I know whereof I speak. In this case, Madam Chair, the needs are very desperately clear. We must provide this emergency funding, as we are allowed by law, without the devastating slash-and-burn cuts elsewhere that this amendment would cause. The amendment before us would slash nearly $20 billion from discretionary spending this year alone, totally indiscriminate, unspecific, cutting the good and the bad, completely abdicating the responsibility of Congress to determine where spending should or should not occur. To put this in perspective, this amendment contains a cut to regular discretionary spending that is about the size of the entire agriculture discretionary budget for the year. It is about the equivalent of eliminating all discretionary funding for the Department of Transportation or the full annual budgets of the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol combined. As written, this amendment is an across-the-board cut that holds no program safe from harm. Defense spending, which is already facing potentially devastating sequestration cuts, is cut by another $10 billion. It would cut war funding by $1.6 billion, directly affecting our troops who are putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan and other areas of conflict. This amendment also cuts funding for our veterans by $200 million, potentially endangering the quality of their care and making a statement that Congress is willing to go back on commitments to our vets. And the list of other unwise cuts and side effects go on. Finally, this amendment goes against the precedent of previous emergency supplementals, which did not contain these extreme offsets.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. First, I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado for his work on the Emergency Watershed Program. I am aware of the need for this assistance not only in Colorado but in other parts of the country, and I look forward to working with you and others to address this important funding in future legislation.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey, a member of our committee who has been unceasing in his efforts to aid the people of his home region, Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. May I inquire, Madam Chair, of the time remaining?

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of the Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Mary Blas Pablo for her extraordinary dedication to duty and service to the United States of America. Mrs. Pablo will retire after 27 years of distinguished service to the Nation as an Army Civilian. Ms. Pablo began her service in the Pentagon in 1985 with the Department of the Army's Military Operations, Training Directorate. She relocated to Guam in 1986 as part of her husband's military reassignment where she worked for the Naval Supply Depot from 1986- 1988. Mrs. Pablo returned to the Washington, DC area in 1988 where she began her 24-year tenure with the Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison in the Congressional Travel Office as a Travel Staff Assistant. During this time, Ms. Pablo coordinated and arranged travel for Members and employees of Congress averaging 450 Congressional trips annually. She played a key role and contributed to several successful and flawless missions. In 2002, Ms. Pablo became the Chief of the Army Congressional Travel Office where she served as the Army's subject matter expert on Congressional travel and was responsible for the administration and management of the Army's Congressional Travel Program. Her expertise and selfless dedication to Congress and the Army ensured support and assistance for delegations traveling domestic and abroad, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ms. Pablo was always willing to do whatever it took to accomplish the missions vital to Congress and the Army. Ms. Pablo has continued to remain passionate about Soldiers, their Families, and ensuring the quality of life for Service Members matches the quality of their service. Through her numerous contributions, she has made a real and lasting impact towards gaining Congressional trust, confidence, and advocacy for the Army. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation, I ask my colleagues to join me today in saying thank you to Ms. Mary Blas Pablo for her extraordinary dedication to duty and service to this country throughout her distinguished career as an Army Civilian and we wish her, her husband, Army-retired Ben Pablo, their children and grandchildren, Lisa, Todd, Brian, Talan, Landon and Addisen all the best in her well deserved retirement.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my dearest friends and a jewel of southern Kentucky, the late Helen Hansford. Helen was a staunch Republican since the day she was old enough to officially register, at the age of 21. From then on, she stood firm on conservative principles with her sweet southern charm. Helen became a member of the Republican Women's Club in 1966, served as an executive committee member of Kentucky's Republican Party for more than 20 years, and attended every Republican National Convention since 1984, until news of a malignant brain tumor interrupted her plans in 2011. Helen's husband, the late Sherman Hansford, served as Pulaski County Sheriff for many years. During his service, Helen was right by Sherman's side, serving as a deputy sheriff and office clerk. She had a passion for public service and believed in being a part of transforming her hometown and helping others succeed. In fact, Helen's heartbeat raced for the children in Pulaski County Schools. As the Executive Assistant to the Pulaski County Schools Superintendent and a member of the Pulaski County Board of Education, Helen never hesitated to take on the reins of responsibility when action was needed. Yet, she was always a true lady, winning over hearts with her generous spirit and words of encouragement. When Helen believed in a cause, she invested herself into its success with every ounce of energy she had to offer. She devoted more than 50 years to numerous boards and agencies, including the Order of the Eastern Star, Kentucky Public Retirees, along with local, state and national Republican politics. In honor of her tireless dedication, Helen was recently inducted into the Pulaski County Lincoln Club Hall of Fame and the Republican 5th District Hall of Fame. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring an irreplaceable friend to southern Kentucky, the late Helen Hansford.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Suzanne C. McCollum for her extraordinary dedication to duty and service to the United States of America. Ms. McCollum will retire after 28 years of distinguished service to the Nation as an Army Civilian. Ms. McCollum began her service as a Clerk Typist, GS-1, at the Soldier Support Center-National Capital Region. In 1989, she went on to serve as a secretary and Congressional Liaison Clerk for the 6th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Wainwright, Alaska. When she returned to Washington, DC in 1992, she briefly worked for the Acquisition Management Branch, U.S. Total Army Personnel Command, before accepting a position in the Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison (OCLL), Congressional Inquiry Division. During this time, Ms. McCollum was assigned to ever higher levels of responsibility as her experience and reputation as a skilled action officer grew. Ms. McCollum received a promotion in the Congressional Activities Division, where she was responsible for ensuring that Army Senior Leader written testimony was provided to the Defense Oversight committees in a timely manner. She published a key tool for the Army in responding to Congress: the Congressional Actions Responsibilities Standard Operating Procedures. Within a year, she was promoted again and asked to become the Legislative Assistant to Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston, becoming his sole advisor for all congressional affairs matters. In that role, Ms. McCollum was responsible for preparing the SMA for congressional testimony, providing analysis on Congressional interest items and legislation related to Soldier and Family issues, and keeping him informed on Members and Staff in preparation for numerous Congressional office calls, events, and trips. This was critical to ensure he was able to provide Members of Congress and their Staff with the most current information on Army Programs. Ms. McCollum most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Support Operations Division, Army Legislative Liaison. Ms. McCollum has continued to remain passionate about Soldiers, their Families, and ensuring the quality of life for Service Members matches the quality of their service. Through her numerous contributions, she has made a real and lasting impact towards gaining Congressional trust, confidence, and advocacy for the Army. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation, I ask my colleagues to join me today in saying thank you to Ms. Suzanne C. McCollum for her extraordinary dedication to duty and service to this country throughout her distinguished career as an Army Civilian and we wish her, her husband, Army-Retired Colonel Douglas McCollum and her daughter, Brennan NoeIle Rozmeski; stepdaughters Brooke Ashley and Brittany Kay McCollum, all the best in her well deserved retirement.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Teresa Vanzant, in honor of her retirement after dedicating 31 years of public service to Kentucky's Rockcastle County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Teresa's passion and commitment to public service was inspired by her father and my dear friend, the late Denver Miller, who also served as Circuit Court Clerk in Rockcastle County for three terms. Denver instilled in his family, the value of being an engaged citizen and giving back to the community. Denver's service as Clerk and Administrative Assistant to the Administrative Office of the Court also influenced his son, James Miller who serves as Rockcastle County's Jailer. The tireless dedication of this entire family will be a legacy long admired in our region. Teresa Vanzant is also a role model for women in public service in our rural communities. In addition to her role as Circuit Court Clerk, she has volunteered for the Kentucky Women's Missionary Union, the Mt. Vernon Elementary Family Resource Center Council, President of Kiwanis Rockcastle, the Education Chair of Kentucky's Circuit Court Clerk's Association, Secretary of the Trust for Life, and a board member of the anti-drug Rockcastle County UNITE Coalition. Teresa works diligently, to not only serve her county, but to be a voice for opportunity and vision for generations to follow. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a leader and dear friend of southern and eastern Kentucky, Teresa Vanzant, on her retirement. My wife, Cynthia and I wish Teresa and her family all the best in the years to come.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, while the impending fiscal cliff is on our minds, I rise to alert my colleagues to another end-of-the- year deadline with potentially deadly consequences. If the FDA fails to act, on January 1 our streets could be flooded with cheap, crushable prescription painkillers ripe for abuse and misuse. After OxyContin came on the market 15 years ago, a wave of overdose deaths devastated entire towns in my region of Appalachian Kentucky before spreading like wildfire to the big cities and suburban communities across the country. By crushing these 12-hour-delay pain pills, abusers can experience a euphoric, and sometimes deadly, high. But today, the FDA has an opportunity to keep these crushable pills out of our children's reach. A number of prescription medicines already on the market use tamper-resistant technologies that can cut back on abuse. No generic pill should come to market without these live-saving features. The FDA must take the necessary steps to keep us from careening off this pain-pill cliff.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Tom Vicini, for his tremendous leadership and tireless dedication to inspire young people in southern and eastern Kentucky live a drug-free life. In recent years, Tom has witnessed the devastating effects of the prescription drug epidemic in his hometown of Lynch, Kentucky and across our rural region. Rather than quietly standing by, Tom has committed his life to making a difference both as a selfless community leader and a compassionate little league coach. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky, Tom returned to Lynch where he worked in the private sector and served as Mayor for 13 years without taking a salary, due to tight budgets. He is now a Coalition Coordinator for Operation UNITE, a non-profit organization designed to combat substance abuse through law enforcement, treatment and education, serving the Fifth Congressional District of Kentucky. Through his work with UNITE, Tom helps coordinate community anti-drug events and reaches out to families and individuals grappling with addiction on a daily basis. For the last 34 years, Tom has spent his evenings and weekends coaching little league baseball, a lifelong passion. Tom is more than a successful coach, however. He is also an excellent mentor and role model, encouraging players to stay off drugs, make healthy life choices, and never give up. Tom makes sure that every child gets to play, regardless of talent. All he asks for in return is that they give their best effort on the field. Additionally, Tom organizes free baseball camps for youth and assists with various drug-free programs, including Shoot Hoops Not Drugs and Hooked on Fishing--Not on Drugs. In honor of his contributions to the sport of baseball, Tom received the 2012 Major League Baseball Commissioner's Play Healthy Award through the Partnership at DrugFree.org in conjunction with MLB Charities. Tom's talents far exceed his boundaries, yet he is determined to help transform his small community and our rural region of southern and eastern Kentucky. As some of those same little league players have grown up, Tom has encountered a few in handcuffs during drug roundups, but his immediate response is to kneel down beside them in prayer, offering words of encouragement. It is his courage of conviction and steadfast resolve to help those in need that drive his unwavering kindred spirit. His message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity is manifested every day through his tireless effort to encourage the youth of his community to reach for a brighter future. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Tom Vicini for receiving the MLB Commissioner's Play Healthy Award, and for his unwavering commitment to the youth of Harlan County.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have the distinct honor and privilege of representing the Kentucky delegation as we welcome our newest member, Tom Massie from Lewis County, Kentucky. Thomas earned two engineering degrees from MIT. He founded SensAble Technologies, Inc., based on his invention that made computers easier to use, raised over $32 million of venture capital, created 70 jobs, and obtained 24 patents. Then he came home to a farm in Kentucky to raise his family. Ten years ago, he and Rhonda, his high school sweetheart, moved back home to Kentucky to raise their four children where they live on a farm in rural Lewis County, Kentucky. But you can't keep a good man down. He wanted to be of service to the public, and he ran for the county executive's job in Lewis County on the Ohio River, and, of course, won that race. That was in 2010. Now we are honored to present to you, in a minute, the newest member of the Kentucky delegation representing the Fourth Congressional District. Before I introduce Tom, let me turn to my colleague, Mr. Yarmuth, from the Third District.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. It is now my great pleasure to recognize and yield to the new member of the Kentucky delegation, Thomas Massie.