Thomas Rooney

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support my amendment to H.R. 22, which would allow for States to give ranchers the flexibility they need in transporting livestock by truck. Today Florida is home to more than 1.7 million head of cattle. Of that, there are nearly 1 million head of beef cattle cared for by the 15,000 beef producers across the State. Nationally, Florida comes in ninth place in overall cattle numbers. In fact, the top three ranking counties for cattle in my State are in my backyard, Okeechobee, Highlands, and Osceola Counties. Florida is what is referred to in the cattle industry as a cow-calf operation State. This means cows are bred and calved in Florida, but the calves are then shipped out West for development and processing. Because of this, our cattle ranchers and beef producers rely on the shipping of cattle through the State and across the country in order to succeed. Unlike most goods shipped by truck or rail, livestock needs special attention. That is why shipments are carefully organized to consider the needs and welfare of the animals being shipped. The livestock industry's goal is to move the cattle between locations safely and as fast as possible to minimize the stress on the animals. Unfortunately, this is where Washington regulations get in the way. The current gross weight limit restriction for all trucks on Federal highways is 80,000 pounds, which limits how many cows can be hauled in one load. This restriction results in a partially empty livestock trailer, increasing the needs for more shipments, and ends up putting more trucks on the road. The patchwork of State and national truck weight laws creates inefficiencies and forces livestock transporters to take indirect and longer routes. For cow-calf operations that rely on shipping their hauls nationwide, these constraints reduce the efficiency of their operation and reduce the slim profits for our hardworking ranchers. My amendment allows States to issue special permits for the transportation of livestock on trailers for up to 95,000 pounds. Focusing only on livestock shipping and allowing States to opt in to this program, my amendment would greatly benefit not only ranchers, but all American producers and consumers. This amendment means fewer trucks on the road and lower costs for transporting livestock. I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment and take overly restrictive government red tape out of the equation of beef production. My amendment is supported by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the oldest and largest national trade association supporting America's cattle producers. I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment and make Washington work for America's cattle ranchers instead of the other way around. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I would just say in response that, yes, the amendment increases the cap of weight on these trucks; but if we look at it from the standpoint of each individual State, including my own, we have to think about things like trucks hiding on local roads, and some of those bridges you were talking about that are most vulnerable are on those local roads. We also allow for States to be able to charge a small yearly fee to livestock haulers so that they can more efficiently transport their loads. So when we talk about actually reducing the number of trucks on the roads, getting them from outside of the shadows of these small, local county and municipal roads so that they are avoiding the interstates, plus the fee that we will be able to charge, I think that the overall result will be actual safer roadways. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend Rod Cannon of Zolfo Springs, Florida. This afternoon, Reverend Cannon offered the opening prayer as the guest chaplain for the House of Representatives. I would like to thank Reverend Cannon for traveling to Washington for this honor and House Chaplain Father Conroy for providing this opportunity to a pastor from the 17th District of Florida. Reverend Rod Cannon is the senior pastor at New Vision Worship Center in Zolfo Springs, Florida. He comes from a family devoted to the Church of God, where both his father and his son have been influential pastors in that community. Reverend Cannon has been a leader in his church and the Zolfo Springs community since he arrived at the New Vision Worship Center in 2009. He has offered prayers across the State of Florida, and I am happy that he can add the House of Representatives to his extensive ministry. I commend Reverend Cannon's commitment to his ministry and wish to thank him for offering the opening prayer today. It was my honor to invite him to Washington as guest chaplain.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Albert ``Butch'' Arenal, retiring Chief of Police for the Punta Gorda Police Department in Punta Gorda, Florida. For the past three decades, Butch has been a pillar in our Florida community. Born and raised in Charlotte County, Butch has dedicated his adult life to the Punta Gorda Police Department. He has been with the Department for almost 30 years, and has served as Chief of Police for eight of those years. Under his leadership, the Department was awarded the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce Small Business award as well as a number of other well-deserved accolades. Additionally, he will be sworn in as the President of the Florida Police Chief's Association, which is but a small testament of his leadership ability. As a member of Congress, it has been my pleasure to work with Butch professionally and get to know him personally. Mr. Speaker, I speak for the Charlotte County Community as we say farewell to Butch and wish him the best of luck as he joins Coconut Creek Police Department, they are truly lucky to have him.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mrs. Gloria Galloway, a dedicated professional with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Congressional Liaison Service, on the occasion of her retirement. Gloria has been an exemplary public servant who has demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism on a daily basis. She has served with the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than 36 years and her career in public service has been a testament to the importance of unselfish devotion. As Gloria embarks on a new chapter in life, it is my hope that she may recall with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment the outstanding contributions she has made to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States House of Representatives and the people of the United States of America. I would like to send her my best wishes for continued success in her future endeavors, and may her life be filled with health and happiness.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Ms. Elaine Waldrop, a dedicated professional with the Department of Veterans Affairs' Congressional Liaison Service on the occasion of her retirement. Elaine has been an exemplary public servant who has demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism on a daily basis. She has served for more than 25 years and her career in public service has been a testament to the importance of unselfish devotion. As Elaine embarks on a new chapter in life, it is my hope that she may recall with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment the outstanding contributions she has made to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States House of Representatives and the people of the United States of America. I would like to send her my best wishes for continued success in her future endeavors, and may her life be filled with health and happiness.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, as we debate this bill today, hackers across the world are trying furiously to break into our cyber networks, as we all know. And as we have seen in recent weeks, they are occasionally successful, and the consequences are grave. These cracks in our cyber defense put our security at risk. They also threaten American businesses and the privacy and credit of individuals across this country. For the sake of our national security and our economy, we must work together to improve our cyber capabilities. This requires a stronger, more capable cyber workforce, which our bipartisan amendment will help facilitate. The Federal CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program gives scholarships to students who study in the cybersecurity field. In exchange, those students commit to serving in government cybersecurity positions after graduation. Leaders within the intelligence community and DOD have told us that they need to expand their workforce and want to hire graduates from this program. Unfortunately, outdated personnel rules and insufficient direct hire authority make it extremely difficult for them to do so. As a result, these students aren't able to fulfill their work commitment and we are unable to meet our workforce needs, and our cybersecurity suffers. We believe Congress should help remove those obstacles and make it easier to bring those graduates into the cyber workforce. Our amendment starts that process by requiring a report back to us on how many CyberCorps graduates go to work for the intelligence community and how these agencies recruit them. This information will help us determine how to streamline the hiring process so we are capitalizing on the best cybersecurity talent available. Mr. Chairman, this is a simple, bipartisan amendment, but it will pay dividends to improve and expand our cyber workforce and strengthen our national security. I would like to thank Congresswoman Sewell from Alabama for her assistance in this amendment. With that, Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Vic Story, Jr., on being named the 2015 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Florida Farmer of the Year. This is a tremendous honor and one he truly deserves. As the head of his family's citrus business, Mr. Story has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the citrus industry. He is not only a successful grower, but he is widely regarded as a leader in Florida agriculture. He has played a key role in educating the media, the general public, and elected officials like me about the importance of citrus to the State of Florida and this country. He has taught me a lot, and I am proud to count him both as an adviser and a friend. On behalf of the 17th District of Florida, Florida's heartland, I would like to commend Mr. Story for his contributions to the industry and to his community. I wish him the best of luck as he competes with other State winners in October for the title of Southeastern Farmer of the Year.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as National Foster Care Month. Before I came to Congress, I was the CEO of a home for abused, neglected, and abandoned children called HomeSafe. In addition to providing a caring home for children in need, our staff and volunteers helped connect them with foster families, whom we also helped certify. I saw firsthand the struggles that children face when they don't have a safe and permanent home. I saw what a remarkable difference it could make when they found a stable and loving family, and I saw the incredible joy that these children brought to the lives of their foster families, our staff and volunteers, and everyone who worked to support them. All children deserve a safe, loving, and permanent home. We must continue to work together to make that goal a reality for the 400,000 children in our foster care system.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Newsome High School softball team, from Lithia, Florida, for winning the Class 8A State championship title. With a 5-1 victory over Coral Reef on Saturday, the Wolves secured their first State title in the history of Newsome High. In the championship game, the Wolves were led by lockdown pitching and power hitting from Cassidy Davis, a clutch performance in relief from Claire Feldman, and runs from Maddy Lyn, Hannah Pridemore, and Livia Chandler. The Wolves worked hard all year, playing a tough schedule in Hillsborough County. That helped them prepare for the playoffs, and it showed them and their opponents that they had what it takes to win it all. I am proud to represent these great student athletes in Florida, and I look forward to watching them repeat again next year. Congratulations.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, last week, we saw disturbing news of two TSA screeners who allegedly conspired to sexually assault passengers. This was not the first we have heard about screeners exceeding their authority to abuse passengers. We have read about the pat-downs and strip searches of young children, senior citizens, and cancer patients. Instead of reining in screeners, TSA has unilaterally given them the appearance of even greater authority--metal badges, blue uniforms, and the title of ``officer.'' When you dress someone up like a policeman and call him ``officer,'' you are misleading passengers about his actual authority. Most people see a badge and a uniform, and they comply with the screener's demands even when those demands are abusive. That has to end. I have introduced the Stopping TSA Abuses Act to prohibit the TSA from giving screeners metal badges, police-like uniforms, and the title ``officer.'' It reserves those rights for sworn officers who have actually completed law enforcement training. When you see someone wearing a Federal badge and uniform, you should have the faith that he actually has received the proper training. This bill is an important step towards that goal.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commemorate the opening of BayCare Health System's St. Joseph's Hospital-South in Riverview, Florida. This $225 million project will forever change healthcare in South Hillsborough County, and I am excited to see the positive impact the hospital will have on the Riverview community. Community-owned BayCare Health System consistently upholds a standard of excellence in Florida. From private rooms with full bathrooms and in-room family areas to patient entertainment centers and Internet access, St. Joseph's-South is bringing the newest innovations in healthcare to South Hillsborough County. No detail was overlooked in the construction of St. Joseph's-South. Riverview is a fast growing community in Florida's 17th District, and St. Joseph's-South's 352,000-square-foot campus is not only an exciting new healthcare option but also a catalyst for hundreds of jobs in the community. Since the Franciscan Sisters of Allegheny came to Tampa from New York to open the first St. Joseph's Hospital in 1934, St. Joseph's has been synonymous with quality healthcare that focuses on the patients first. South Hillsborough County is thrilled that BayCare is bringing St. Joseph's outstanding reputation to Riverview. I would like to congratulate St. Joseph's Hospital-South president Scott Smith, his staff, and all the supporters of BayCare Health System on such a significant milestone in the history of South Hillsborough County. The hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the project made St. Joesph's-South a reality, and the new hospital will further highlight the great services that BayCare provides the community and lay the groundwork for a bright future.

Mr. ROONEY of Florida

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a member of my staff, Dean Lester, on his 20 years of service to the House of Representatives and the people of the United States. Dean came to Washington, DC in January, 1995 to work for his home state Congresswoman, Representative Helen Chenoweth-Hage of Idaho. He fondly remembers the ``united sense to accomplish things'' in the first 100 days of that year as the House embarked on a hectic schedule to implement the Contract with America. Dean must have enjoyed that fast pace, because even when Congress slows down or goes into recess, he maintains a full schedule. Over time, he began working for multiple House offices at once, and he now serves as office and financial administrator to eight different members of Congress. In total, Dean has worked for 20 members of Congress in 20 years. Dean is an irreplaceable member of every staff on which he serves. He tracks our budgets, manages our office moves, and ensures all of our equipment is working properly; in short, Dean makes sure the trains run on time. He knows every inch of this building and every trick of the trade. When a problem arises, we call Dean and we can always count on him to fix it. Dean is a mentor and guide not just to younger staff members but to senior staff and members of Congress as well. Through it all, he maintains a sense of humor, an upbeat attitude, and a positive view of what we can accomplish together. He reminds us of why we came here and what an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it is to serve. Dean, we could not do our jobs without you. For your tireless work ethic, your dedication to Congress and the people of this great country, and your 20 years of service, we salute you.

Mr. ROONEY

Mr. ROONEY. Madam Speaker, the Federal Government is attempting yet another power grab in our own backyards. A new rule proposed by the EPA will mandate the most significant expansion of Federal Government water regulation in more than a quarter of a century. In Florida alone, preliminary costs to projects in eight counties are estimated at over $182 million. In my district, all this rule will do is make it harder for farmers to grow food and more difficult for local businesses to thrive. Floridians understand and respect our waterways unlike any other State. Environmentalists, farmers, and businesses have all come together in Florida to protect our environment and eliminate water pollutants. And their efforts are working. The Obama administration, in its never-ending quest to bypass Congress and the States, is seeking to upend this functioning dynamic. Therefore, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support Congressman Steve Southerland's bill, H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act.

Mr. ROONEY

Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my old high school football coach, Ron Ream, who was recently voted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. I can't think of a man more deserving of this recognition. Coach Ream is going on his 38th season as the head coach of the Benjamin Buccaneers, my alma mater, making him the longest-tenured coach in Palm Beach County. The true measure of his legacy though is not in the record books, in championship games, or in winning seasons, but in the values and lessons he imparts on the young men that go through his football program. With his guidance, I was able to go on to play tight end at Syracuse University and then at Washington and Jefferson College. Coach Ream not only helped me succeed on the field, but he showed me the traits of a great leader and the value of hard work, which helped me succeed professionally well into my adulthood. I know that I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for Coach Ream. Congratulations, Coach. And go Bucs.

Mr. ROONEY

Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 371, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Ms. Hahn

Mr. ROONEY

Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lupus Awareness Month. As cochair of the Congressional Lupus Caucus, I am honored to help raise awareness of lupus throughout the month of May. Lupus is a painful and devastating autoimmune disease. It is estimated that 1.5 million Americans are currently living with lupus. This disease is unpredictable, difficult to diagnose, challenging to treat, and especially hard to live with. Unfortunately, I understand these challenges all too well as my cousin Kathleen Rooney was diagnosed with lupus and died of the disease in her early thirties. Years later, the cause of lupus is still unknown and a cure has yet to be found. With better understanding of the disease through recent research, we have developed new treatment methods that control symptoms and help to improve the quality of life for individuals living with lupus--but we still have a ways to go. On behalf of Kathleen and those with lupus and those who have yet to be diagnosed, I urge my colleagues to support investments in research towards a cure for lupus. I also ask my colleagues to join me in helping to educate and advocate and raise awareness for lupus during Lupus Awareness Month by wearing purple on May 16, ``Put on Purple Day.''

Mr. ROONEY

Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sergeant First Class Daniel Ferguson. Sergeant Ferguson grew up in Polk County, Florida, where he attended Mulberry High School and played tight end for the football team. He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. His classmates and teachers remember him fondly as a person of great character, kindness, and respect. After graduating, he joined the Army in 1993. He served with distinction in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait, earning a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, and five Army Commendation Medals, amongst many others. He returned from Afghanistan last year. Last week, on April 2, Sergeant Ferguson was shot and killed on Fort Hood in a tragedy that left three killed and 16 more wounded. On behalf of the people of the 17th District of Florida and Florida's heartland, I send my deepest condolences to the family of Sergeant First Class Ferguson as well as to the families of Sergeant Carlos Rodriguez and Sergeant Timothy Owens.

Mr. ROONEY

Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 159 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Israel

Mr. ROONEY

Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I was happy to see the President sign H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. This bill is an important first step in addressing affordability in the national flood insurance program, but we have a long way to go to put solvency back into the system. We are working hard not only through the appropriations process, but also with leadership and other Members in coastal districts whose constituents have been victims of the rate increases brought about by Biggert-Waters. H.R. 3370 has some great provisions, including: removal of the dreaded ``sales trigger'' that would have devastated the housing and real estate markets in Florida and other states. Perhaps most importantly, we were able to reassure FEMA of the importance of the affordability study. Mr. Speaker, the next step is to find new ways to stabilize NFIP and make flood insurance more affordable for homeowners and small businesses. I will continue working with my colleagues in Florida and across the country to put some stability back in this important system.

Mr. ROONEY

Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I honor one of the most respected dairy leaders in the State of Florida, Red Larson, as he celebrates his 90th birthday. In the 1930s, Red worked the local paper route, saving and investing his money until he could purchase his first dairy cow. By the time he graduated from high school, he owned six cows, rented eight more, and had 21 calves. After a half century of hard work, Red merged 37 dairies into the three that now make up Larson Dairy, Incorporated, which he and his two grandsons currently own and operate. Larson Dairy produces 120 million pounds of milk annually, making it one of the largest dairies in the United States. The Larson name is synonymous with Florida dairy. Truly a constant source of knowledge and experience, Larson served on the USDA Dairy Advisory Committee, and he has been inducted into both the Dairy Hall of Fame and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. I am honored to recognize Red Larson on his 90th birthday and to thank him for his longstanding dedication and contributions to the U.S. dairy industry.