Hal Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of his amendment. The Paris Agreement is an unworkable, unrealistic policy solution to climate change. If implemented, as the gentleman has said, the Paris accord could cost as many as 2.7 million American jobs by 2025 and imposes no meaningful obligations on the world's leading polluters like China and India. I can't condone dedicating precious Federal funds to a half-baked solution. This amendment would strike funding provided for implementing that agreement, as well as language that attempts to prevent President Trump from withdrawing. I urge Members to support the gentleman's amendment, and I thank him for yielding.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would ensure that veteran- and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses are able to effectively compete for State Department contracts and grants. We have a moral obligation to help our veterans, and especially our wounded veterans, to live a fulfilling life after they have hung up that uniform. This is a worthy addition to the bill. I urge its support and thank the gentleman for bringing this amendment up. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

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

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chair, I thank the distinguished Republican ranking member on the committee for this time but also, more importantly, for her wise leadership of this committee. Mr. Chair, I rise in reluctant opposition to H.R. 2740, the first appropriations measure to be considered by the House for fiscal year 2020. In February, while completing the fiscal year 2019 appropriations process, I began my remarks by drawing attention to the crisis at our southern border. Four months later, the crisis is even worse, and the bill we have before us today would only throw fuel on the fire. Our committee prides itself on staying above the partisan fray, but this package significantly constrains the administration's ability to respond appropriately. The partisan policy riders are misguided and dangerous. In addition to these substantive problems, the bill before us today provides funding for numerous departments and agencies without a bipartisan, bicameral budget agreement supported by the President. Budget uncertainty is nothing new, but overall spending increases of this magnitude are neither realistic nor sustainable without a plan. While this package does provide modest increases for total defense spending, it is still $17 billion below the President's request, risking the great strides we have made to rebuild our military. Despite these challenges, Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger have worked hard to tackle many problems this year. Just yesterday, for example, we marked up the last two appropriations bills in full committee. As ranking member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I offer my thanks to Chairwoman Lowey for her collaboration. I am pleased that the chair decided to lead our subcommittee, in addition to her duties of chairing the full committee, given our long relationship. She cares deeply about these programs and, despite our differences, remains a reliable partner. Division D, the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020, includes $48 billion in base funding. That is nearly a 5 percent increase over fiscal year 2019. With the additional $8 billion in overseas contingency operations, OCO, the total is $56.3 billion. Within that total, this bill includes funding for many key priorities that are critical to our national security. Chief among them is $3.3 billion in foreign military financing for Israel. We don't need to look further than the recent headlines to understand how important and timely our support is for Israel's security. The bill also maintains funding at last year's level for other close partners in the region, including Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia. Another shared priority is the safety of our diplomats and development experts serving abroad. This bill supports those efforts with robust funding for embassy security. Funding is also included to strengthen our efforts on the international front to combat the flow of drugs into our country. Overdose deaths, Mr. Chair, from synthetic opioids like fentanyl jumped 45 percent in just 1 year from 2016 to 2017, increasing in all demographics and virtually every State. We should all be concerned that cocaine and methamphetamine use in the U.S. is climbing again at an alarming rate. Funding is provided in the bill to help Colombia better control its coca production as counternarcotics efforts are redoubled in the region. We need to get this drug epidemic, this calamity, under control, and I believe this funding is a step in the right direction. Despite these worthy investments, partisan policy riders included in this portion of the bill mean it has no hope of becoming the law of the land. Sweeping measures, like those that overturn the President's expanded Mexico City policy, go well beyond what was done previously. The bill also prohibits funds from being used to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and allows for a contribution to the unauthorized Green Climate Fund. The President is well within his authority to back out of this agreement that would cost billions of American jobs, harm domestic manufacturing, and damage our growing economy. I look forward to debating amendments on these and other issues in the bill. Therefore, without a budget agreement, in light of partisan riders blocking pro-life policies and overturning bipartisan agreements on climate change, as well as efforts to undermine an adequate response to the crisis at our southern border, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, May is National Drug Court Month, and I rise to recognize these remarkable facilities on their 30th anniversary. Since 1989, drug courts have provided countless addicted Americans referral to treatment and a lifesaving alternative to incarceration. When I first started Operation UNITE in my district in 2003, there were only five drug courts in the whole district of 30 counties. Today, we have one in all 30 counties, and those volunteer judges are changing more lives than ever before. At this moment, drug courts are providing a new lease on life to 144,000 Americans around the country. Thank you to the countless professionals who make up our 3,000 drug courts. We have got a long road ahead, but I look forward to ensuring drug courts remain a central part of that journey.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, on Monday, April 8, 2019, my flight was delayed and I was unable to make votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 157; YEA on Roll Call No. 158; and NAY on Roll Call No. 159.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Bishop for yielding me this time and mainly for his support of the Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Act, which is included in this great package before us today. And he did it the right way, Mr. Speaker. The nonprofit Mill Springs Battlefield Association has worked tirelessly for nearly three decades to preserve and maintain more than 900 acres to honor and commemorate the first major Union victory in the Civil War, even constructing a 10,000-square-foot visitor center and museum at the site where the national cemetery is located. I was proud to introduce legislation that would add this historic battlefield in Kentucky's Wayne and Pulaski Counties to the national park system. Enactment of S. 27 today will ensure that this national treasure is protected, preserved, and promoted well into the future. I, therefore, urge your support. And especially to Mr. Bishop, who, over the years, as chairman of the committee, worked with us in great detail on this project, I want to especially say my thanks to Ranking Member Bishop and the committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak for those who can't speak for themselves: the souls of our Nation's unborn and newborn children. I have long championed pro-life legislation and initiatives, but recent events have shaken me and millions across our country, compelling me to address this body. The act of abortion is tragic and heartbreaking; however, the termination of human life for abortion survivors is something worse-- criminal, subhuman. But proposals exist in our State governments that would allow just that. Allowing an infant to die or intentionally killing an abortion survivor is a disgrace and must not be allowed to happen in any circumstance. I echo the calls from Republican leadership to immediately pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to ensure the sanctity of life remains a fundamental principle in this country.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, but first, I want to congratulate our committee's distinguished chair and ranking member on their masterful work in shepherding this compromise to the floor. This is a historic dynamic duo that we have in charge of our committee, and they have produced the historic product that we have before us tonight. Mr. Speaker, we have a crisis at our southern border, period. There is no denying that our Nation's security is threatened by the seemingly unending flow of drugs that find their way into nearly every American community, as well as the violence of the brutal cartels that profit from this trade. Where does it take place? On that border. So we do have a problem. It is an emergency. President Trump is absolutely correct that we can't allow this ruthless criminality to continue unchecked. This bill takes important steps to secure this country: $1.3 billion for further construction at the border for a wall and additional resources for DHS to hire more personnel and deploy advanced technology in the region. In addition to the security crisis, there is also a very real humanitarian crisis that we simply can't ignore. Thousands of vulnerable women and children are seeking a better, safer life in the confines of this country. It is not the American way to turn our backs on these people, and that is precisely why we have processes under Federal law to facilitate legal entry into our country. This bill also takes important steps to enforce our current immigration laws. The bill funds an expansion of the Alternatives to Detention program. It also increases attorney and courtroom staffing to reduce the backlog of currently pending immigration cases. While the challenges at our border have rightly grabbed headlines, the bill also funds a number of other important Federal agencies through the end of the fiscal year. Importantly, it ensures that our dedicated public servants can continue to show up to work without fear of losing another paycheck. In my Kentucky district, for example, hundreds of Federal prison employees showed up to a dangerous, difficult, often thankless job for over a month, not knowing when the next paycheck would come, if at all. I thank them, and I am pleased to support this bill that will continue to support the Bureau of Prisons. Also for Kentucky, this bill continues our momentum in combating the opioid epidemic by fully supporting community prevention efforts and drug courts to get people into treatment. This bill also provides $115 million for the abandoned mine lands pilot program, which helps create economic development in Appalachian coal communities. Finally, Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I am especially pleased that this bill includes significant funding to secure our diplomatic posts and to support critical allies like Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Georgia, Ukraine, and others. The bill also continues vigorous oversight of U.S. assistance programs, prohibits funding for the Green Climate Fund, and respects the sanctity of life around the world. Mr. Speaker, this bill is not perfect. It is not everything we wanted, but it is a true product of compromise. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of Donald Wattenbarger of London, Kentucky, a retired Laurel County Sheriff's Deputy who dedicated more than 20 years as a bailiff for district and circuit courts. In addition to his commitment to serve and protect the people of Laurel County, Don had a generous heart for local youth. He was a former chairman and avid supporter of the local Shop with a Cop program, providing children in need with the opportunity to go shopping during the holidays with an officer or first responder from the Sheriff's Department. He and his wife, Virginia, were instrumental in bringing the program to London in 1996. As a result of their perseverance and fundraising efforts over the last two decades, Shop with a Cop has continued to grow and give hope to children who need it the most. Don was also a board member of the London-Laurel County DARE program for many years, where he tirelessly worked to prevent drug abuse through school education programs. Don was a faithful member of the Calvary Baptist Church and a member of the C.D. Ward Masonic Lodge and Oleika Shriners Temple in Lexington, Kentucky. He was also named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Paul Patton. In fact, Don was so beloved by his hometown, he was voted a ``London Living Treasure'' in 2018, an award presented to those who have given a lifetime of service to London and Laurel County. Don's commitment to Laurel County is a testament to the impact one person can have on a community. My wife, Cynthia, and I send our heartfelt condolences to Virginia and the host of family, friends and community members whose lives were affected by this great man. We deeply appreciate the compassion he shared and the service he gave to his community. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the late Don Wattenbarger for a lifetime of dedicated service in southern Kentucky.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleagues, full committee Chairwoman Lowey, and Ranking Member Granger. This six-bill appropriations package represents a lot of hard work for many of us on the Appropriations Committee. Broadly speaking, this package is a fine example of compromise--Members working across the aisle to do the important work of funding our government in an efficient and thoughtful manner. Our Appropriations Committee delivered. Nevertheless, while this legislation addresses many bipartisan concerns, I fear that it has no chance of becoming law in its current form without a compromise on border security. That is truly unfortunate. We are holding up the government, we are causing a lot of people a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering, and we need to get this done. Regarding funding for the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and other related programs; this portion of the bill provides important resources for our national security. It supports our allies and partners, including $3.3 billion in foreign military financing for Israel--a $200 million increase from last year, by the way. It also maintains funding at or above last year for Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, as well as countries facing Russian aggression, such as Ukraine and Georgia. In our own hemisphere, the bill supports programs to counter transnational criminal organizations and the flow of illegal drugs. I am pleased to say that in collaboration with Chairwoman Lowey, this bill also reflects a number of bipartisan priorities, including $800 million for basic education and important increases in global health, such as additional funds to combat tuberculosis. It also maintains current levels for embassy security during these dangerous times. Despite the strength of this division of the bill, Mr. Speaker, the larger package is regrettably incomplete. It is as if we worked together to carefully piece together a complex puzzle, and there, right in the middle, is a glaring missing piece. These six bills that we have worked through together are good bills, but we need to find that missing piece and reach a compromise that will fund border security, reopen the government, pay our faithful employees who are now struggling to make ends meet, and get back to the business of serving the American people.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my dear friend, Danny Howard, upon his retirement after dedicating 24 years of public service as Mayor of Harlan, a historic coal mining town in Kentucky's Appalachian region. Learning from his father, who served as a long-time magistrate and Sheriff for Harlan County, Danny wanted to serve the beloved small coal town where he was born and raised. Despite his father's warning that the ``spot doesn't pay,'' my friend moved forward with his courage of conviction to help the people of Harlan and was elected in 1993. It was not the first time Danny Howard chose Harlan. An alumnus of Harlan High School, he graduated in 1973 from Mercer University College of Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. At a time when many young people were moving away from small towns in the Appalachian coal fields, he and his wife, Debby Webb Howard, returned to Harlan to start their family. They raised two children, Seth Howard and Whitney Howard Mendiondo in the shadow of the mountains. Since then, the Howards have never had an empty nest, with Earl Raglin and Jordan Foster joining their family in 1995 and 2006, and generously opening their home to three other children over the years. Danny not only served people from his post at City Hall, but also as a practicing pharmacist. He is known for his personable style, often walking around the counter to give customers an entertaining dose of local tales and jokes that demonstrate his love for his small hometown. His genuine interest in others always shines through, winning people from all walks of life. As Mayor of Harlan, Danny has always faced a challenging economy with a small municipal budget strapped by a shrinking tax revenue and a deteriorating infrastructure. However, he has worked diligently for economic development projects, infrastructure improvements, flood control, environmental cleanups and much more. In fact, we became close friends through our work together for the Eastern Kentucky PRIDE program, removing illegal dumps from our hillsides, cleaning up litter along our roadways, and expanding access to clean water and sanitary sewer across the county. He has also been a trusted partner for first responders and Operation UNITE, supporting narcotics investigations, treatment and education efforts across the city to combat the drug epidemic. Additionally, Danny effectively boosted tourism and community development efforts, through the establishment of the Harlan Tourism Commission and construction of The Harlan Center in the heart of the city. Today, the tourism industry has an annual economic impact of approximately $18 million. Danny's expertise in both city management and pharmaceuticals have been highly coveted by numerous boards and commissions, including the Housing and Urban Development Board on which he served many years. He worked tirelessly, advocating for projects that would provide housing for those most in need. Without question, Danny Howard's loyal leadership will have a long- lasting impact in the City of Harlan and throughout the county. I wish Danny, his wife, Debby, and their family many blessings, joy and peace in the years ahead.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Eastern Kentucky's longest serving county clerks, Mr. James Lewis who was sworn into office as the Leslie County Clerk in January 1986. He is retiring after dedicating 33 years of public service to the people of Leslie County, including his oversight of nearly 60 elections. James has garnered the utmost respect of his peers and leaders across the Commonwealth of Kentucky for his astute knowledge, experience, and steadfast integrity in election operations. He has instructed election training for county clerks in Kentucky for more than 20 years, served as President of the Kentucky County Clerk's Association from 1999 to 2000, and has been Chairman of the Kentucky County Clerk's Association Election Committee from 1994 until his retirement this year. James has served as a guardian for commonsense election reform since 1986 and a staunch advocate for programs and policies that best serve Kentuckians. During his tenure as county clerk, James has sought out opportunities to offer compassion and additional support to those most in need. In fact, he co-founded the Help A Veteran Everyday (HAVE) Program to provide funding for Veterans programs across the state. The HAVE program repurposes license plates for bird houses that can be purchased at participating County Clerk's offices, offering 100 percent of proceeds to the Hope for Veterans charity. Aside from going above and beyond the call of duty in his role as Leslie County Clerk, James has been a loyal friend of the Republican Party who proudly works to uphold the conservative principles that he holds dear. James has participated in every election since turning 18 years old, has dedicated his career to administering six dozen elections, and been a valiant pioneer for election reform. He has served as a tireless member of the Republican Parties of Leslie County and Kentucky for many years and was inducted into the Kentucky Fifth District Lincoln Club Hall of Fame in 2010. James' leadership has been highly respected, reliable and resourceful for one of Kentucky's most rural and impoverished counties. He is a beloved friend to the people of Leslie County who has made a lasting impact through his devoted kindness and fortitude for a brighter future. I wish James and his wife, Betty, a retirement filled with joy and peace with their daughters, Danika and Wendy, and their grandchildren, Kelsey and R.J. May their gardening and fishing days together be fruitful.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Chief Ronald G. Ratliff, Jr., for his life of service to our nation in the United States Navy. Chief Ratliff, coming from a family of coal miners in Elkhorn City, Kentucky, raised his right hand to enlist in the United States Navy in 1995. For the last 23 years, Ronnie has served with distinction--both here at home and around the world, charging forward as his career in the Navy legal field took him from Kentucky to Rhode Island and California to Guam, with deployments in between. Following the completion of Navy legal training in Rhode Island, his first assignment was in San Diego, where he provided critical legal assistance to our sailors and marines. He was then sent to Guam, where he handled all military justice matters for the command. Chief Ratliff returned to San Diego to serve as a Discipline Officer and paralegal to the Commander of the Navy Region Southwest, before volunteering to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served two additional deployments, and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Given his great success, Chief Ratliff was given the opportunity to attend the United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer's Academy in California, representing the Navy and maintaining the strong relationship with the Coast Guard. He was then sent to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he served as Staff Judge Advocate LCPO and Discipline Officer. In 2014, Chief Ratliff was selected as the U.S. Navy's first enlisted member of its prestigious Defense Fellow program with the Office of Legislative Affairs. Chief Ratliff first served in the office of my friend from California, Congresswoman Susan Davis. During his time in Congresswoman Davis's office, Chief Ratliff provided critical counsel and assistance in helping Congresswoman Davis achieve her goals on the House Armed Services Committee. Upon completion of the fellowship in 2016, Chief Ratliff joined the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs as a Congressional Liaison Officer. In this role, Chief Ratliff has served as a critical resource, helping members of Congress and their staffs understand the critical issues facing the U.S. Navy and its sailors. He has also escorted countless Members of Congress, personal staff and professional staff on Congressional Delegations or Staff Delegations within the United States and around the world, advancing the mission of the U.S. Navy. As a fellow Kentuckian, I could not be more proud of the career of Chief Ronnie Ratliff. It is honorable servicemen like Chief Ratliff who inspire us each and every day, and I wish him all the best as he enters into retirement. Congratulations, Chief Ratliff, and God speed.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Virginia Combs, who is retiring as Deputy Director of the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) in Williamsburg, Kentucky after 16 years of service. Virginia has been a vital asset to the Department of State and the Kentucky Consular Center since taking on the role as Deputy Director in 2002, just two years after the center opened. When Virginia arrived, the facility had roughly 40 employees. Under her leadership and direction, more than 300 people now work at KCC, providing critical services for the State Department to process immigrant visa applications. The State Department's decision to locate in Williamsburg inspired leaders across Southern and Eastern Kentucky to dream bigger for high tech jobs and ramp up new industry recruitment. Year after year, Virginia has helped prove that we have the best workforce in the country and we can successfully meet federal government contract needs in our region. Prior to KCC, Virginia played a monumental role in economic development projects in the Cumberland Valley and Lake Cumberland areas. She served as Program Coordinator for the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation in its early years of business recruitment and strategic planning. Virginia was also an International Trade Development Specialist, promoting international commerce and job creation in four of our Area Development Districts. As Executive Director of Corbin Economic Development and the Chamber of Commerce, she paved the way for development of the 600 acre industrial site now known as the Southeast Kentucky Business Park, which boasts a regional partnership including Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, McCreary and Whitley counties. She sparked the vision for a broader industrial portfolio in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The magnitude of success throughout Virginia's career is matched only by her heart of service and compassion for our region. She is a past President of the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club and served as Lieutenant Governor for the Kentucky-Tennessee Kiwanis Division 6 from 2014 to 2016, playing an instrumental role in the growth of the civic organization and advocating for progressive community projects. I deeply appreciate Virginia's service and leadership in Southern Kentucky, as well as her sincere friendship and loyalty to the region. As she enters retirement, my wife, Cynthia, and I wish Virginia and her family tremendous joy and blessings in the years to come.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Chiswell D. Langhorne, Jr., in memory of his quiet support of Eastern Kentucky, where he made an invaluable impact in the lives of people living and working in the coalfields. Although he was not a native Kentuckian, Mr. Langhorne shared our Appalachian roots from Lynchburg, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia Law School. He also attended post graduate programs at Harvard and Sloan School at MIT. He was a trust officer at NS&T Bank for 15 years and maintained a successful law practice. Mr. Langhorne joined Kentucky River Coal Corporation's board in 1965, serving as an active board member, past chairman and as vice chairman, a role he held from 1983 until April 2018. He guided the company and its successor, Kentucky River Properties (KRP) through an expansion into Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia and western Kentucky. Mr. Langhorne had an innate passion for supporting job creation in Central Appalachia through the coal industry and silently invested in opportunities to improve life in the mountains. For example, he consistently insisted KRP contribute to local school systems to emphasize the importance on expanding educational opportunities in Appalachia. Refusing personal accolades for his philanthropic spirit, Mr. Langhorne advocated for Kentucky River Properties to invest in our greatest resource--our people. In an unprecedented move from the coal industry in 2010, KRP donated $500,000 to the Operation UNITE Foundation, Eastern Kentucky's first non-profit anti-drug organization, to pay for substance abuse treatment vouchers to be distributed over the course of five years. The vouchers were awarded to low-income individuals in a four-county area in Eastern Kentucky who otherwise could not afford a residential treatment program. Thanks to his support, countless lives have been saved from potential drug overdose deaths and families have been reunited through recovery. Mr. Langhorne's commitment to Eastern Kentucky through KRP has helped transform our region and pave a brighter path for future generations. My wife, Cynthia, and I send our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Langhorne's family and friends. We deeply appreciate the compassion he showed for fellow Appalachian families throughout his career.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation and to celebrate the thousands of jobs that have been created and retained in Southern and Eastern Kentucky as a direct result of their work. Kentucky Highlands is recognized as one of the premier business development organizations in the United States. It has been designated the Lead Entity of one of three Rural Empowerment Zones, one of eight Rural Tax Credit Community Development Corporations, a partner Community Development Corporation of Rural Local Initiative Support Corporation, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a Community Development Entity by the U.S. Department of Treasury and has received allocations of New Markets Tax Credits. Kentucky Highlands became the nation's first nonbank lender under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Business and Industry Loan Guaranty program and the first Small Business Administration guaranteed lender under the Community Advantage Program. Kentucky Highlands sponsors entrepreneur development programs and has developed the Kentucky Highlands Business Innovation and Growth Center. When you survey Southern and Eastern Kentucky, the footprint of Kentucky Highlands is abundantly clear. Countless businesses have been established in our rural, mountainous region that otherwise would not be here without the direct investments and support of Kentucky Highlands. This organization has coordinated, implemented and promoted business growth across its 22-county service area. The first venture capital investment that Kentucky Highlands made was in 1972 for Outdoor Venture Corporation (OVC) in McCreary County. Today, OVC is a thriving manufacturing company in Stearns, Kentucky that has won repeated successful bids for military contract work, employing over 200 people in our region. Our people take great pride in producing products for our U.S. warfighters, and we can celebrate their ongoing work as a result of the visionary seed funding that Kentucky Highlands made 46 years ago. In addition to its pioneering efforts in business development, Kentucky Highlands has also utilized its success to impact social development and improve the quality of low-income housing in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The Highlands Housing Corporation has helped over 150 families achieve the dream of homeownership, while other programs have been implemented to transform energy-efficient housing options where it's needed the most. Finally, I want to applaud the visionary leadership of Jerry Rickett, who was named President and CEO of Kentucky Highlands in 1989. He is a native of Southern Kentucky who was determined to make a dynamic change in his home region through economic development and improvements in housing. Rather than seeing challenges, he sees opportunities, and it's that same drive and determination that has guided this flagship organization to great success, benefitting families and businesses across our region. I'm incredibly grateful for the commitment that Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation has made in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and it is with great enthusiasm that I wish them many more years of success on their 50th Anniversary.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend, Mike Miller, on his retirement as Executive Director of the Kentucky River Area Development District (KRADD) and for his long-time public service in Eastern Kentucky. Under his direction, KRADD has been a dedicated service organization for local communities in the Kentucky River area, which serves Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe Counties. KRADD celebrated its 50th Anniversary earlier this year. I can't overstate the value of the partnerships and regional planning that have been cultivated by Mike and his leadership of this organization. The infrastructural footprint of KRADD includes 13 million linear feet of water lines and 1.5 million linear feet of sewer lines extended in its service area, as well as nine new water plants and eleven wastewater treatment plants. Those fundamental services have been critical for families and businesses alike. As the former Mayor of the City of Jackson, Kentucky, where he dedicated eleven years of service, Mike understands first-hand the economic challenges of local elected officials in our rural region. His experience as a chief city administrator undoubtedly drove his passion to help city and county leaders access grant opportunities and to work collectively as a regional hub for economic development. Aside from his career in public service, Mike owned and operated a local insurance company for 35 years. Mike's work ethic and success have garnered the utmost respect of his colleagues and multiple organizations across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He served as President of the Kentucky League of Cities for one year and as a board member and officer of the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts. He has also volunteered his experience and time to help countless local boards, including the Jackson Independent School System, the Kentucky River Authority, Kentucky River Community Care and many others. Outside of boardrooms and office buildings, Mike has dedicated several years on the baseball diamond, coaching local Little League teams and spending time outdoors as Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 91 for 12 years. Mike understands the importance of mentoring and investing in the lives of our future leaders. I have enjoyed working with Mike over the years to improve our infrastructure and economic opportunities in Eastern Kentucky. I wish Mike and his wife, Paula, many peaceful and fun-filled years of retirement together with their family.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I simply want to add my appreciation and thanks to the chairman and ranking members that you have just heard from for this momentous agreement before us today. And I would like to especially commend our big chairman, Frelinghuysen, for the work he has done on this bill, but, more importantly, the work he has done throughout his career in this body. Mr. Frelinghuysen, you are a great friend, a great Member of this body, a great leader, and you will be missed. Once again, we are demonstrating that the Appropriations Committee can and will do everything in our power to get the job done. I especially appreciate the committee's continued commitment to address the addiction crisis. This bill maintains a comprehensive focus on prevention, treatment, and education, following the holistic model of Operation UNITE in my congressional district, and it provides a record $6.6 billion toward those programs. You have all heard me talk endlessly, if you will, about the devastation brought by opioid abuse touching so many lives around the country over the last 20 years. Chairman Cole has been a truly incredible leader and partner in combating this epidemic, and I am confident that this bill will bring substantial relief to our communities in need. I would also like to thank the conference committee for their work to ensure that the Department of Defense not only receives the funding it needs, but that its funding is finalized before the beginning of the fiscal year to allow them to plan. For too long, some say 22 years, we in Congress have not delivered this bill in time to allow the Department to operate as it should with its full allotment of funding on October 1. When combined with the Energy and Water and MILCON-VA bills that are already law, this bill does exactly that and provides the Department of Defense with the funds it needs to defend American interests and values around the world, including a well-deserved pay raise for the men and women in uniform who serve bravely under our flag. Thank you again for your collective leadership. This is a great agreement, and I urge its support.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Kentucky Educational Television's (KET) 50th Anniversary. Since 1968, KET has impacted the lives of countless Kentuckians through its advocacy and broadcasting of educational programs. KET has long-served as a successful educational platform for the arts, theater, history, politics, health and STEM fields. In 1989 , KET introduced one of the first interactive distance learning program services, giving Kentuckians the opportunity to advance their education via network broadcasting. KET is now one of the largest public television networks in the country with more than 25 programs, reaching over one million people each week. I applaud KET's commitment to raise awareness of pertinent issues across the Commonwealth and challenges in our rural Appalachian region. While many media outlets have been slow to produce comprehensive coverage of the nation's deadly opioid epidemic, KET has led the way by shedding light on the long history of addiction in Kentucky and the multi-faceted pledge for rehabilitation and recovery. It is because of these efforts, including in-depth reports, community forums, and annual coverage of the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit, that KET recently received the national Mental Health America Media Award for its Inside Opioid Addiction Initiative. Thanks to KET's broadcasting efforts, more people across Kentucky have rallied together to become part of the solution to the drug abuse crisis and we are making significant strides to save lives across the state. As part of this Golden Anniversary celebration, I also want to commend KET for bringing Kentuckians together and promoting healthy debates about vital issues for the state. For decades, great journalists like Al Smith, Bill Goodman, Bill Bryant and many others have set the stage for state and federal legislators to discuss how key policies impact our daily lives, while also providing civic awareness during elections, spending countless hours on the air, sharing election results from all of our 120 counties. In addition to educational programming and news coverage, KET has also used its platform to extend immense compassion through local partnerships to benefit those most in- need. As KET celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first broadcast, I join my fellow Kentuckians in sharing my appreciation for every minute of broadcasting excellence that has been used to educate our children and our families. KET has made a significant impact in our state and it is an honor to support this organization's continued work.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dave Hopkins, for his years of invaluable service in fighting the opioid epidemic with the Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting System (KASPER). A true icon and pioneer in the world of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP), Dave has left an indelible mark on our Commonwealth--and indeed, the entire nation--for his leadership in fighting the scourge of drug abuse that has plagued far too many communities. His retirement on August 31, 2018 marks the end of a storied 13-year career with the Drug Enforcement & Professional Practices Branch in the Office of Inspector General; however, Dave will forever remain a part of the KASPER family. Dave joined the KASPER team as Grant Manager in 2005, and has since secured over $4.5 million in federal funding for this groundbreaking program. Indeed, in many respects, due to Dave's vision, KASPER has paved the way for successful implementation and integration of PDMPs in every state across our country. In particular, he was an integral part of the team that transitioned KASPER from a voluntary prescription drug monitoring system to a mandatory use system through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services; this modification has proved invaluable in engaging the medical community in our shared fight against the abuse of prescription medications. In his role, Dave has worked tirelessly to educate prescribers, dispensers, and law enforcement to use this system and to help fight the spread of opioid abuse in the Fifth District and across Kentucky. Since KASPER became one of the first mandatory programs in the country, the Commonwealth has seen a reduction of nearly 90 million dosage units of opioid painkillers--which is a tremendous achievement. Furthermore, Dave has worked on legislation and policy solutions, spoken at conferences across the country, and worked with state and international leaders to develop their own prescription drug monitoring programs. When I have had the honor of sharing the stage with Dave, he has been introduced by his colleagues and peers as ``Dave Kasper,'' a true testament to how he's become synonymous with Kentucky's premiere PDMP. Dave's commitment to fighting prescription drug abuse extends even beyond his career with KASPER. He is a member of the Kentucky Narcotics Officers Association and the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, and has held positions in many organizations, including the Alliance of States with Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, RxCheck Governance Committee, Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative, and Operation UNITE--which is near and dear to my heart. It is dedicated people like Dave Hopkins who will help us overcome the opioid epidemic facing our nation, and my wife, Cynthia, and I wish him all the best as he enters into retirement. Congratulations, Dave, and Godspeed.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Eastern Kentucky's greatest champions, my friend Sandy Runyon, who is retiring after 18 years of dedication as Executive Director of the Big Sandy Area Development District (ADD). She has been a staunch advocate for economic development and infrastructure enhancement in Kentucky's Appalachian region for many years. Throughout her life, Sandy has always selflessly served those around her, which has been overwhelmingly visible within the various positions she has held. Before Sandy was appointed as the Executive Director of the Big Sandy ADD, she was my first Field Representative in the Big Sandy area and an ardent campaign advisor. In fact, she helped manage my 1992 campaign in the Big Sandy region when the boundaries of Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District expanded to the state's West Virginia border. In a region where Republicans were few and far between, Sandy put her name on the line and introduced me to everyone she knew, and more. With several new counties joining the district, it proved to be the closest election of my congressional service, but I owe a great debt of gratitude to Sandy Runyon for that victory. After the election, I hired Sandy to open and run my new Pikeville office. In both the congressional office and the Big Sandy ADD, she has served the great people of Eastern Kentucky with tremendous compassion and vigor. She has proven to be a diligent advocate for infrastructure enhancement in our small, rural communities, and a trusted guide for local government leaders. In fact, she personally spent hours with the Bureau of Prisons to make the Big Sandy Penitentiary a reality in a region desperately in need of good paying jobs. Throughout her time as Executive Director, the Big Sandy region has experienced overwhelming economic progress and growth. She has demonstrated admirable leadership in trailblazing the way for new projects and partnerships that have tremendously benefitted the Big Sandy area. Sandy's love for Eastern Kentucky has been evident in her tireless dedication and adamant advocacy. Her service to our region has been nothing short of phenomenal. She is truly one in a million, and it is people like her who make Eastern Kentucky such an incredible place. I deeply appreciate Sandy's service, her leadership, her advice and most importantly, her loyal friendship. As she enters retirement, my wife, Cynthia, and I wish Sandy and her family tremendous joy and blessings in the years to come.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Geoff Laredo in recognition of his retirement after many years of dedication to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). I have come to know and respect Mr. Laredo through our shared mission to combat the nation's opioid epidemic. Geoff is a true leader in the field and has been a trusted advisor to his boss and my dear friend, Dr. Nora Volkow, but also to me and my staff. He has a wealth of institutional knowledge and his departure will surely leave a void in the heralded halls of NIDA. Mr. Laredo graduated with a degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and received his master's degree in Public Affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. He then began a storied career of dedicated public service with stops at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institute of Justice, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. During his time at NIDA, Geoff served as a liaison to state and local governments, ensuring NIDA research is used to inform local policies. Additionally, he served as the liaison to the Friends of NIDA organization, advocating for a level of resources for NIDA that reflects the tremendous personal, social and economic burden of drug abuse and addiction. Mr. Laredo has provided assistance to Congressional staff on legislative issues related to drug addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery research in response to the opioid crisis. He has also planned and coordinated hundreds of Hill briefings on a variety of topics, and is incredibly well known and well liked among members and staff alike. Geoff is one of the few who understood the urgency of the opioid epidemic early on and was a founding member of the planning committee for the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit that was jointly established with Operation UNITE, an organization I founded to help combat the drug epidemic in rural southern and eastern Kentucky. I am tremendously grateful for Mr. Laredo's many years of service to our great nation, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors. I hope that he and his wife, Donna, enjoy their many years of retirement together. Congratulations.