Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 60th wedding anniversary of Loren C. and Elouise Collins Sutton. The Suttons met at Southeastern Bible College in September of 1953 and were married in Birmingham, Alabama on June 8, 1956. Loren and Elouise have been blessed with four children: Lorna Sutton Roberts and her husband Dr. Don Roberts, Elizabeth Anne Sutton, Timothy J. Sutton and his wife Glenda Houston Sutton and Dr. John Robert Sutton and two grandchildren: Dr. Michael Roberts and his wife Nicole Dunn Roberts, and Allyson Roberts Schnarr and her husband Brian Schnarr. Additional blessings include their four great-grandchildren: Austin and Luke Roberts and Livi Elise and Charli Delilah Schnarr. The Suttons have served in the ministry for 58 years. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 60th wedding anniversary of Loren and Elouise.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, as chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I understand that the responsiveness and distributed nature of our ICBMs are their most critical feature and their unique contribution to our nuclear triad. Without ICBMs, an adversary would only need to strike less than 10 targets to disarm our nuclear forces. With ICBMs, an adversary needs to strike hundreds of hardened targets deep in the American homeland. That is a much more difficult proposition and is at the very heart of deterrence. This is not a parochial issue or a political issue. This is a profound national security issue. De-alerting our ICBMs or unilaterally cutting their numbers is a terrible idea. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Tennessee, and I urge my friends in the House to vote ``yes.'' I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment, and I am as frustrated as anybody that we are having to be here today. Secretary Carter has often said, and I agree with him completely, that the nuclear deterrent priority is our number one national security mission. But, unfortunately, that rhetoric has not matched up with the decision on this issue coming from the Secretary's office. The UH-1N fleet that is used by the Air Force Security Forces for the ICBM field security consist of Vietnam-era helos. The UH-1N program is a case study in a failed DOD acquisition process: The first move to replace the helos was in 2004. The Joint Staff validated a military requirement in 2010; The Air Force canceled the replacement program in 2011; And the SecDef recently overruled the SecAF in conducting a sole source replacement program, proposing instead a competition in 2018. Admiral Haney, Commander, USSTRATCOM, stated in February, 2016: ``Maintaining the security of our nuclear weapons requires a modern helicopter with sufficient capabilities to counter both today's and future threats. The UH-1N does not fully meet the current ICBM complex security requirements as outlined by DOD and USSTRATCOM.'' We have been warned, colleagues. Let me be clear. This is the security of nuclear weapons here at home. There is no higher priority. If we are going down the path of competition, that is fine; but we have no more time to waste. I want to urge the gentleman's amendment be adopted.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my friend's remarks, and I agree. I like Mr. Moniz. I think the Secretary is a fine man and he is trying to do the right thing. I have had a conversation with the ranking member earlier today, but I haven't had a chance to follow up with him. I have been on the floor doing a lot. The only problem I have with withdrawing the amendment is we need this report between now and the time we go to conference to take what is yielded from it and visit with the appropriators. Just me reading the report with you in private would not give me the documentation to take what it says--what I believe it says--and produce some policy that will deal with what the report says is a threat to our country. For that reason, I would like to urge my colleagues to vote for the amendment, and reassure my friend and the Secretary that if, in fact, the report is forthcoming, and we are going to have a few months between now and the time we go to conference, I will be happy, in conference, to ask that this provision be withdrawn. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I offer a simple amendment to defend congressional prerogatives and ensure Congress is getting full information from the administration regarding one of our Nation's highest priority defense missions: nuclear deterrence. Several years ago the Secretary of Energy tasked the Nation's nuclear weapons labs to produce a study on the future of nuclear deterrence. That study was finalized in August of 2014, almost 2 years ago. The Secretary made a personal commitment to senior members of the Armed Services Committee that he would send over the report resulting from that study. Now, 2 years later, we still have not received that report. This amendment will ensure DOE acts to fulfill the Secretary's commitment to provide this report to Congress, ensure Congress can conduct appropriate oversight and has visibility into matters as important as the future of nuclear deterrence, which the Secretary of Defense has called the Nation's highest priority defense mission, and it fences only a couple million dollars in administrative funds within the Office of the Secretary. This will be enough to ensure we receive this report and will not impact the DOE's mission at all. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, this is about disarmament. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I strongly oppose the amendment, and so does the United States Air Force. The Air Force opposes the offset in this amendment, which would take $17.9 million from the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent, also called GBSD, program. I and the Air Force oppose the offset because the $17.9 million is already being used in a pending reprogramming action. Taking the money via this amendment would delay this program. This is what the Air Force says about taking this money: Removing these funds . . . would be a double-take to the program, hindering the GBSD contractors' ability to fully fund their Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase contracts. This would prevent the winning contractors from appropriately ramping up their efforts . . . and result in a 5-month delay. Furthermore, GAO does not support this reduction. The gentleman is basing his argument on GAO's initial draft budget fact sheet released over a month ago, which said that the $17 million offset may be available. However, in its final GAO budget fact sheet released today, GAO says: The Air Force's Fiscal Year 2017 request for GBSD could be reduced by a total of $17.93 million--as long as the funds are not reprogrammed. In their final fact sheet, GAO also said that the GBSD account for FY 2017 should only be reduced to offset the excess $17.93 million if the funds remain with the program and are not reprogrammed as currently planned. So both the GAO and the Air Force oppose the offset in this amendment. Furthermore, two successive Secretaries of Defense say that nuclear deterrence is DOD's most important mission. Here is Secretary Hagel: Our nuclear deterrent plays a critical role in assuring U.S. national security, and it is DOD's highest priority mission. No other capability we have is more important. And here is Secretary Carter: The nuclear mission is the bedrock of our security. It is what stands in the background and looms over every action this country takes on the world stage. It is the foundation for everything we do. In short, GBSD is the future of one leg of the triad and must remain on schedule. According to the Air Force and GAO, this amendment delays that schedule. Let's be clear. This is an antinuclear disarmament amendment disguised as something else. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentleman from Arkansas' amendment. The Army included Patriot MSE procurement as number 12 on its fiscal year 2017 UFR list to ``mitigate critical shortfall in Army war reserve requirements.'' The ballistic missile threat from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, and North Korea is growing. We owe it to our men and women in uniform to give them the tools they need to defend themselves when we send them into harm's way. I know that on the other side of the aisle they look at every dollar that goes to the defense nuclear nonproliferation budget as sacrosanct, but I know that the House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies mark also has skepticism about whether this technology is ready for prime time. As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, I urge the support of this amendment offered by the gentleman from Arkansas.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the distinguished chairman of the House Armed Services Committee for his leadership in bringing what I think is a very good NDAA bill to the floor. This is the 55th consecutive NDAA. This is not an easy bill to manage. We have a critical set of funding challenges as the administration's budget submission for FY 2017 broke the deal negotiated in 2015 to achieve the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. Because of this failure, we in Congress must exercise our constitutional duty to provide for the men and women in uniform and we must provide much-needed oversight of the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. This bill includes a number of key provisions that were authored by the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces that I lead, including: Consolidating and strengthening the Air Force's organization regarding our nuclear command and control and missile warning systems; It enhances the authority for the Department of Defense and, also, the Department of Energy to mitigate threats from unmanned aircraft at its most sensitive nuclear facilities; It prohibits the DOE funding for Russia and for Secretary Kerry's unilateral disarmament initiative concerning retired U.S. nuclear warheads; It tackles the significant and growing foreign counter space threat that our space systems are suffering by providing the necessary resources to build up our space security and defense capabilities and by ensuring the Department is organized properly and has the authorities it needs to maintain our space advantage long into the future; It makes clear that replacement of the RD-180 in a reasoned, prudent timeline is the primary goal of the Department of Defense to maintain assured access to space while protecting the taxpayers and ending our reliance on Russian rocket engines; It requires the Army to do a better job for its soldiers than delaying the procurement of a modern radar until 2028 at the earliest; and Most significantly to me, in this bill we have recommended to the chairman a significant increase of over $400 million for the Missile Defense Agency, focusing on R&D, and full funding of the request of our allies in Israel, $600.7 million, for codevelopment and coproduction of Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow 3. I want to thank the chairman for his leadership, and I want to thank my good friend and colleague from Tennessee, Mr. Jim Cooper, for his support, counsel, and thoughtfulness. I couldn't ask for a better ranking member. I urge support of the bill.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 40th Anniversary of the Easter Seals Camp ASCCA-- Alabama's Special Camp for Children and Adults. The mission of Camp ASCCA is to help eligible children and adults with disabilities and/or health impairments achieve equality, dignity and maximum independence through the camp experience including therapeutic recreation and education. The camp provides a safe and supportive environment for its campers and encourages each of them to meet and overcome new challenges. Camp ASCCA has been providing this camping and outdoor recreation experience since 1976 and is the only program of its kind in the great State of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 40th Anniversary of Easter Seals Camp ASCCA and thanking them for their service to these deserving individuals.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the 27th birthday of the late Alexandra Baker Patterson. On March 21, 1987, Alexandra was born at Arlington Hospital to Jim and Sheryl Patterson of Auburn, Alabama. Within minutes of birth, Alexandra was rushed to Georgetown University Hospital for surgeons to repair a complex cardiac abnormality. After surgery and an extended hospitalization due to complications, Alexandra lived at home with nursing care. She eventually attended public school. Alexandra was fascinated by photographs of eagles in flight and once told her father she wanted to grow up to be an eagle. Today would have been her 27th birthday. For her parents and brother, James, Alexandra is forever an eagle. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life of Alexandra Baker Patterson.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 75th Anniversary of the activation of the U.S. Army Air Corps 99th Pursuit Squadron. The first black combat aviation unit comprised of pilots and support personnel trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Tuskegee Airman Foundation is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to continue to build on the successes of the past, highlight the role models of today and develop the workforce of tomorrow. In 1940, the military selected Tuskegee Institute to train pilots because of its commitment to aeronautical training; its facilities, engineering and technical instructors as well as a suitable climate for year-round flying. In May of 1940, the first Civilian Pilot Training Program students completed their training. ``The Tuskegee Experience'' later grew to become a center for African-American aviation during World War II. These brave airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most respected fighter groups of WWII paving the way for full integration of the U.S. military. These men and women of the Tuskegee Airmen exemplify the State of Alabama's priority of Public Service Excellence. This commemoration of their legacy comes directly from the efforts and determination of over 16,000 courageous men and women and recognizes the fortitude of these individuals to stand strong in the face of adversity. Their accomplishments gave way to the continuation on a grand scale through the introduction of American youth to the world of aviation, technology, engineering and math through local and national programs and activities. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing today, March 22, 2016 as Tuskegee Airmen Foundation Day in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen Foundation 75th Anniversary.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the birthday of Olive Cecelia Bellmore Oldfield. She will turn 100 on March 18th. Olive was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on March 18th, 1916. She was the third of four children of Jesse and Laura Trudell Bellmore. Early in her life, Olive's family relocated to Detroit, Michigan where her family ran a confectionery store. She attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School in Detroit and went on to graduate from Visitation High School. After completion of school, she was engaged to her brother's friend, Alfred ``Al'' Oldfield, a new American citizen from Canada. They were married at Visitation Parish on November 16, 1935. After World War II, Olive gave birth to four children, John, Janine, Jerome and Mary. At this time, the family decided to venture into business for themselves and began Ecko Beer Distributorship. Olive and her late husband, Al, have 16 grandchildren and 21 great- grandchildren. Olive has spoiled each one of them with love and chocolate. She has survived breast cancer twice, both in the late 1960's and again in 2007. She was able to celebrate 59 years of marriage with her husband before his passing. Olive is young at heart and an inspiration. She still lives alone and never misses her favorite program, ``Jeopardy''. She always does for others before herself, and taught her four children to do the same. She is a patriot and thankful to be an American citizen of French ancestry. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life and achievements of Olive Cecelia Bellmore Oldfield and wishing her a happy 100th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I ask for the House's attention today to support H.R. 2406, the SHARE Act. As a lifelong gun owner and sportsman, I strongly support the SHARE Act. I believe it defends our Second Amendment rights. It also upholds our nation's heritage and history of hunting and shooting. The SHARE Act promotes the interests of hunters and recreational shooters in Alabama's Third District, and I offer my strong support.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the birthday of Rodger Williams. He turned 104 on October 15th. Rodger was born on October 15, 1911, to Carrie Lee Humphries and Frank Williams in Waverly, Alabama. He was the fourth of five children, William, Mary, Jack and Susie and was the youngest boy. Rodger served in the United States Army in World War II. In 1946, he married Bessie B. Caldwell and they were blessed with eight children. His children include: Eddie James, Dorothy Jean (deceased), Clarence (deceased), Joseph, Marguerite, Jenese, Jacqueline and Christine. Bessie died in 1989. He also had one daughter prior to marrying Bessie, Jean Knight (deceased). Rodger purchased over 100 acres of land after the war and much of his family still resides on the property. After the war, he worked in a steel mill in Chicago and returned to Alabama in 1955 working as a farmer. He also worked as a custodian at Auburn University for 17 years before retiring. Rodger only finished 6th grade, but believes strongly in education. His children and grandchildren have attended Tuskegee College, Miles College, Southern Union, the University of Alabama, Troy University, Faulkner University, Vanderbilt University, Howard College and Alabama State University. Rodger loves spending time with his family and enjoying fresh vegetables. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life and achievements of Rodger Williams and wishing him a happy 104th birthday!

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the birthday of Sallie Pauline Naugher Putnam of Piedmont, Alabama. She will turn 100 on March 28th. Pauline was born to Jennie Elizabeth Warren Naugher and William Morris Naugher. She had two brothers, both World War II Veterans, and one sister who married a World War II Veteran. She married Volyer C. Putnam (deceased), also a World War II Veteran, on March 2, 1940. She is the proud aunt of her nephew Michael Naugher and niece Susan Ponder. Pauline attended school in Oxford, Alabama until 7th grade and then finished 8th-12th grades at Piedmont High School. She was Salutatorian in 1934. She attended a year and a half at Jacksonville State University. After her time at JSU, she worked at Standard Coosa Thatcher, a cotton mill in Piedmont. There she worked as a spinner, in the lab and in the payroll department before retiring. She attends First Baptist Church of Piedmont where she has been a member since 1955. In the fall, she cheers on the Piedmont Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide. She still drives and goes to the beauty shop each week. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life and achievements of Sallie Pauline Naugher Putnam and wishing her a happy 100th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, President Obama has announced plans to use an executive order to implement new gun control measures. This plan is a complete overreach into the lives of the American people. Unfortunately, this President has spent his entire time in office expanding the size of our Federal Government and infringing on our constitutional rights. This disappointing news is just another example of his blatant disregard for the United States Constitution. As a gun owner myself, I will continue to fight to protect our Second Amendment rights. I remain completely opposed to any action that puts any level of new restrictions on our Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Pastor Raymond Cochran on his 80th birthday on December 13th. Raymond was born in Lee County, Alabama in 1935 to John and Lucille Cochran. Mr. Cochran found a passion for religion at an early age, having joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church at age seven. He holds Bachelors and Masters of Bible Theology degrees from the International Institute and Seminary in Plymouth, Florida, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree from Selma University in Selma, Alabama. He also holds two honorary doctorates, in divinity and law, from the Union Theological Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Cochran has received numerous awards in recognition of his long service, and is involved in numerous community groups. He served as the Pastor of seven different churches throughout Alabama and Georgia, before joining the Franchise Missionary Baptist in Phenix City, Alabama, where he has been the pastor for the past 47 years. Mr. Cochran and his wife Mary have six daughters, two sons, nineteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life and achievements of Mr. Raymond Cochran and wishing him a happy 80th birthday!

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to congratulate the Piedmont High School football team on their state championship win in the 3A class. The Piedmont Bulldogs defeated the Bayside Academy Admirals 44-7, on December 3 at the Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Taylor Hayes, Piedmont quarterback, and Darnell Jackson, running back, were the standout players of the game with a combined 124 yards on 18 carries and four touchdowns between them. Hayes also made the play of the game, with a 48-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Piedmont's coach Steve Smith said, ``Our kids played their best football when it mattered the most--at the end of the year.'' This victory marks the second state football title in the school's history, and set school records for wins in a season as well as points scored. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Piedmont High School on their achievement. Go Bulldogs.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 648 I was off the floor meeting with an Air Force General when this vote was called. By the time I reached the floor to vote, the gavel had fallen and closed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 90) directing the Secretary of the Senate to make a technical correction in the enrollment of S. 1356, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the 150th anniversary of the Montgomery community observing the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation which started on January 1, 1866. On January 1, 2002, a historic marker was placed at One Court Square in downtown Montgomery to help highlight Montgomery's first observance. On January 1, 2016, the Emancipation Association of Montgomery will once again celebrate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing the Emancipation Association of Montgomery as well as the City of Montgomery a memorable 150th anniversary celebrating the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.