Tom Reed

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. I thank the gentlelady for her comments and joining us in this effort to say ``no more.'' The gentlelady's comments about the use of alcohol and other intoxicants being a part of, sometimes, these situations, I can't express enough how many times I hear that story and how we need to make sure that we are talking to our kids, we are talking to folks as they are going off to college or in our high schools about the danger associated with the use of alcohol and being put into this situation. Just be honest, just be honest and just say with that decision comes risk, and with those risks are often horrific events such as what we are talking about tonight, young men and women being sexually assaulted, domestically abused by partners, people that they know. It is time we raise this in a way that we speak openly and honestly about this issue. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to be joined by a new Member of the House, my good friend from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis), and I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. REED. I thank the gentleman from Illinois for those very good and eloquent remarks on this important issue of ``no more.'' Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be joined by a Member from the great State of Indiana (Mrs. Walorski), and I yield to her.

Mr. REED. I can't agree any more with my colleague from Indiana. ``No more.'' It is time. No more excuses. No more across America. Madam Speaker, I am honored to be joined by a great friend from our State of New York (Mr. Gibson), one of the leaders down here in the House, and I yield to him.

Mr. REED. I thank the gentleman from New York for joining us tonight, and I appreciate the friendship and the support for the NO MORE campaign tonight. Madam Speaker, one of my best friends here in this great Chamber, my fellow member of the Ways and Means Committee, the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black) is joining us this evening, and I yield to her.

Mr. REED. I thank the gentlelady for her remarks and comments. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. Reichert), our great sheriff and cochair of the Law Enforcement Caucus.

Mr. REED. I thank the gentleman from Washington State, the sheriff, for the words and the experience and sharing tonight in our efforts to say ``no more'' to sexual assault. Madam Speaker, I know we are coming to the end of the Special Order this evening. So I will just close with a few words. Madam Speaker, I stand in this Chamber today joined by my niece, who is with us this evening. I can't tell you how impressed, how proud I am of that young lady who has now turned one of the most negative experiences, horrific experiences in her life and is doing something positive about it. It is her voice that has moved me to stand with my colleagues, to work across the country, to work with organizations like NO MORE and Sexual Assault Awareness Month to say, I am going to do my part, Madam Speaker. I am going to do my part to make sure that we scream from the mountains, across this land, that sexual assault--be it man, woman, child, adult--we have heard the stories all night tonight. But in the great land of the United States of America, we are going to say ``no more'' because it tears lives apart. Victims are not only victimized by the perpetrators who do these horrific acts, but they are revictimized over and over again. And it is time we, as a Nation, come together and say, you know what, we are going to stand with the victims. We are going to educate and make people aware of this issue so that we can empower people--our law enforcement agencies, our prosecutors, the people that do God's work and tending to the people when they need the services that rape victims and sexual assault and domestic violence victims need and turn to in their time of need. So we are going to continue this battle. We are going to continue this fight. And I just have to applaud the efforts of the men and women across the country that are coming together to say in one voice, ``no more.'' All 300-plus million people in America need to come together to highlight this issue. And I can tell you, if we unite as a Nation, we can bring to an end sexual assault and domestic violence. And to my niece, I just say, I will always have your back. I will always stand with you shoulder to shoulder. And to anyone who wants to say she deserved it or she wanted it or that she was drinking and it was the alcohol that caused it, ``no more.'' She is not the person that is responsible for this. As I said on March 14, when I asked her what I should tell the American Nation on her behalf, say ``no more'' because there are no excuses. I appreciate my colleagues, my friends and the folks from the other side of the aisle coming together tonight to talk about this, which is such an important issue that we need to talk about and to, for once and for all, say ``no more.'' I ask every American, have a conversation with your daughter, your spouse, your son, your mother, your father, your aunt, your uncle. Speak about this issue. Empower each of us, as individuals, to say, we are not going to accept this in our midst any longer. I am confident, Madam Speaker, if we do that, that we won't have to say in the last 60 minutes that we have joined here together, that 30 more of our fellow American citizens have just suffered from one of the most horrific crimes on the face of the Earth, and that is sexual assault. It is time to say ``no more,'' and I ask everyone to join us in that campaign. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary. Over the past 100 years, the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce has successfully provided small businesses and local entrepreneurs with the resources, expertise and advice needed to succeed. The Corning community is stronger and more vibrant because of the Chamber. The Chamber has proven to be an invaluable resource in promoting business in our community through a powerful, united voice--a voice that successfully advances opportunities for growth time and time again. Due to the Chamber's unrelenting work in promoting and assisting commerce, local businesses continue to provide well-paying jobs and high-quality products and services to our region. In addition to helping established businesses, the Chamber has a strong history of providing grants to organizations that assist local entrepreneurs in starting new businesses in Corning. The Chamber continues to give Corning citizens the tools necessary to succeed. Once again I wish to congratulate the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce on 100 successful years of service and wish them another hundred prosperous years in the beautiful city we call home.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. I thank Chairman Brady for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the very important issue that this bill is here to address. We have at the end of the month a cliff where our providers under Medicare are going to be looking at a 24 percent cut in their reimbursements for caring for our seniors. What are we doing today? The other side is engaging in political theater rather than deal with the issue at hand. We have an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to fix a problem out of Washington, D.C., that has repeatedly been coming up since 2003--and do it on a long-term, permanent basis. We have spent $150 billion in minor patches to the doc fix over that period of time. Today, we have an opportunity--through the bipartisan work on the policy that will resolve this issue once and for all--to do it at a cost of $138 billion. That would take care of this threat to our seniors and to the doctors that are providing for them on a permanent basis. That is the right thing to do. So what is the argument over? Well, how we are going to pay for it? My friends in the other Chamber on the other side of this esteemed building here feel we should continue the status quo of Washington, D.C., and not pay for our policy decisions that we decide here in Washington. We have put forth a proposed solution on this side of the aisle to say, Look, let's take what you are doing to the employer mandate under the Affordable Care Act by extending a delay for the employer mandate that they have already done for the White House to the individuals who are subject to the Affordable Care Act. Doesn't that make sense? Isn't that the fair thing to do? Isn't that the right thing to do? If you are going to delay it for Big Business, why don't you delay it for moms and pops and sons and daughters across America and use that money in savings to pay for a permanent solution here in Washington, D.C., when it comes to paying for our doctors as they care for our elderly and our seniors? That is a commonsense proposal, and yet we play political theater on this important issue. We can't do that. Our hardworking taxpayers back home, Mr. Speaker, deserve better. I came here to Washington, D.C., to do something: to change the status quo. We have an opportunity to take an issue that has been pending ad nauseam since 2003 and get it taken care of permanently and give that certainty, that ability for our providers, for our seniors, to know what they are going to get paid and to make sure that our seniors have the comfort of knowing that their doctors are going to have their doors open to take care of them when they need them the most. That is what we should be focusing on, Mr. Speaker. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation and get this permanent solution in place.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me time to address the Chamber today. I rise today to talk about the NO MORE campaign. NO MORE is the first unifying symbol meant to express support for ending sexual assault and domestic violence, similar to the Pink Ribbon campaign for breast cancer. Mr. Speaker, next week, March 17-21 is NO MORE week. This symbol will be active throughout social media, ad campaigns, and throughout our country, to highlight for men and women across the country to come together to stand up to end sexual violence by saying ``No more.'' This proliferation is supported by organizations, such as the Avon Foundation for Women, Mary Kay, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, the YWCA, and Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. Mr. Speaker, I come here today to say no more because of something very personal to me. Within the last year, my family experienced firsthand the issues of sexual assault. My beautiful niece, 18 years old, was raped. We saw that event impact a young life--our family--in a way that I cannot express, Mr. Speaker. I come here today to say, ``No more.'' Last night, I had an opportunity to speak with my niece. I said: If you had an opportunity to address the country and to address the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, what would you say? How would you answer the question ``no more because''? Essentially, what she said was: ``No more because'' there are no excuses. No one can make an excuse as to why sexual assault is acceptable. No one should offer an excuse that a woman wanted it, that a woman asked for it. Mr. Speaker, we need to change the culture in our country as we are afraid to talk about this issue. So many women have been impacted. Men across the country have not been taught how to deal with this issue in an open and honest fashion. March 17 to 21 is an opportunity for us as a nation to say, ``No more.'' We are going to come together in a national effort and say: Sexual violence is not acceptable; domestic violence is not acceptable. We are going to discuss it openly and amongst our country and fellow countrymen in a way that ultimately will lead to there being no more. In having had to experience this firsthand for the last 12 months, I can tell you that it is time. On behalf of my niece and my family, Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members and all people across the country to look at the NO MORE campaign and to look at this symbol and to discuss it with your sons, your daughters, your sisters, your brothers, your mothers, and your fathers and say: We can't accept this any longer. Then we end sexual violence once and for all, because now is the time to say, ``No more.'' God bless my niece. God bless my family. God bless this great country.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Edmond Lewis, Chief of the Monterey Volunteer Fire Department in Beaver Dams, New York. Mr. Lewis has served as a member of the Monterey Volunteer Fire Department for an impressive 36 years. He assumed the position of Chief last year and was faced with the enormous task of overcoming a dire financial situation which nearly forced the fire department into bankruptcy. In addition to the financial challenges, when he began his tenure as chief, the department had fewer than twelve members and no junior recruits. Chief Lewis has never stopped fighting for the department or his community throughout the recovery process. His leadership has been vital in restoring the integrity, financial solvency, and strength of the Monterey Volunteer Fire Department. Through his guidance, the department has increased its ranks to 54 members, including 14 junior firefighters. The hard work and dedication of Chief Lewis has restored the fire department to a position of capably protecting public safety in the community. Edmond Lewis exemplifies selfless service and true leadership. His generosity and willingness to assist anyone in need has earned him the highest level of respect throughout Schuyler County. Mr. Lewis regularly extends a helping hand beyond his duties at the fire department by volunteering at a local food bank and preparing meals at the Office for the Aging. I commend Mr. Lewis for all the great work he has done, and will continue to do, at the Monterey Volunteer Fire Department and in our community. He is a selfless and generous individual who has made countless positive contributions to New York's 23rd Congressional District, and I am proud to recognize him today.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor the long and successful public service of Tompkins County Legislator Frank Proto. Having served since 1985, Frank will be leaving office after nearly three decades. Mr. Proto chaired numerous committees during his tenure and played a leading role in shaping our community. Mr. Proto's impact on our region is truly difficult to quantify as he has influenced countless aspects of the community. As Chairman of the Solid Waste Committee, he oversaw the growing emphasis that was placed on recycling and the area's diminished waste production. He fought for the distinct needs of our rural communities as Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee and promoted public library reading rooms in small municipalities. Outside of his legislative service, he spends his time assisting others through organization such as BOCES, the Cayuga Medical Center, and the Brooktondale Fire Commissioners. Despite leaving his legislative post, Frank will continue serving the community in a variety of roles: as board member of both the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Tompkins County Soil & Water Conservation District and with Slaterville Ambulance. His passion for public service and his dedication to the community are unmatched and it is with great pleasure that I honor Frank here today.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th Anniversary of Tioga State Bank. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the hard work and commitment displayed by the Fisher family, which has operated the bank for five generations since its inception in 1864. Over the past 150 years, Tioga State Bank has been a beacon of excellence in our community. It has continuously displayed steadfast dedication to providing financial services, creating local jobs and contributing to a vibrant economy while faithfully serving the needs of its constituents. The bank has also embraced community service, demonstrated by a recent $20,000 donation to local food pantries in New York's 23rd Congressional District. A core principle contributing to the success of Tioga State Bank is the commitment to ``fiscally conservative'' banking practices. This standard has enabled Tioga State Bank to stand the test of time through changing cultural and economic conditions. The business's proven track record of local job creation and economic impact has enabled Tioga State Bank to open new branches and expand into neighboring regions. I once again congratulate Tioga State Bank on achieving 150 years of banking, service and commitment to caring for the local community. The bank is a strong example of entrepreneurial spirit and a small business's ability to blossom into an established and respected institution. I am proud to recognize this great achievement and I look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of Tioga State Bank.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a team from Alfred State College of Technology and Alfred University selected to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015. The team will complete a series of projects and initiatives, culminating in the construction of an energy-efficient, solar-powered house. Selection for participation in this event is a remarkable honor, with positions awarded to only 20 collegiate teams from across the country and around the world. Throughout the competition, students will develop energy-efficient designs, products, and technologies. The Solar Decathlon will provide students with practical training in engineering and architecture fields while allowing them to gain real-world experience. Students will gain valuable skills, enabling them to pursue careers in the expanding clean energy industry. The availability of renewable energy is essential in today's world. Energy-efficient designs and technologies reduce costs and energy consumption while protecting local communities and facilitating economic growth. As the need for energy continues to grow it is critical that we develop new methods for producing sustainable sources of renewable energy. Solar Decathlon 2015 will encourage a new generation of young engineers and entrepreneurs to face this challenge. I am confident that these students will develop innovative solutions and new technologies that will benefit families and businesses in my district and across the country. I once again congratulate the team of students from Alfred State College of Technology and Alfred University on their participation in Solar Decathlon 2015. I am proud to recognize this great achievement and I look forward to witnessing the great things that these students will accomplish.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Westfield Academy and Central School educator, Kent Knappenberger on receiving the Music Educator Grammy Award. Mr. Knappenberger, a middle school and high school music teacher in Westfield, New York, was recently announced as the inaugural winner of this prestigious award. Mr. Knappenberger, who holds a Master's Degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, accepted the award on January 25th in Los Angeles, California at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Nominees Reception with his wife, Nannette, and children in attendance. Kent was selected from over 30,000 initial nominations from all 50 States. The Music Educator Award was created this year to bring attention to the lasting impact that teachers can have on their students both in and out of the classroom. Mr. Knappenberger is a world-class example of an educator whose 25 years of experience has had profoundly positive impacts on students' lives. In fact, Kent was nominated for this Grammy Award a total of three times--twice by former students and once by a former student's mother. This is a fitting example of the impact he has on the local community and his students' lives. I once again congratulate Kent Knappenberger on receiving this Grammy Award and wish him continued success at Westfield Academy for many years to come.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I am writing to inform you that I was detained on December 5, 2013 and was unable to be on the House floor for votes related to H.R. 3309, the Innovation Act. Had I been there, I would have voted as follows: rollcall vote 623: Goodlatte Amendment for H.R. 3309: ``yes''; rollcall vote 624: Watt Amendment for H.R. 3309: ``no''; rollcall vote 625: Massie Amendment for H.R. 3309: ``no''; rollcall vote 626: Jackson Lee Amendment for H.R. 3309: ``no''; rollcall vote 627: Rohrabacher Amendment for H.R. 3309: ``no''; rollcall vote 628: Conyers Amendment for H.R. 3309: ``no''; rollcall vote 629: On Final Passage of H.R. 3309: ``yes.''

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight yet another of the unintended consequences of the Democratic health care law. Because of the employer mandate in ObamaCare, our volunteer fire departments and emergency response organizations are at risk of having their volunteers be considered employees and are, therefore, being forced to choose between retaining those volunteers and using their precious resources to comply with this mandate or cutting those volunteers and the vital services they provide to our communities. As I have heard from people in my district, Cattaraugus County Office of Emergency Services, the impact would be absolutely detrimental to critical services in rural areas like Cattaraugus County. I ask Congress to fix this unfair burden on our emergency volunteers and support H.R. 3685, the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act, introduced by my good friend, Representative Lou Barletta.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, we're here today because of a heinous act that took place in Webster, New York on December 24th, 2012, when a group of volunteer firefighters responding to a fire was ambushed by a gunman who had deliberately set the fire. Two firefighters were killed and two others were injured. While donations for the firefighters and their families were made to the West Webster Fire Department, a 501(c)(3) organization, the rules governing non-profit groups prevent the funds from being distributed in a way that does not further the organization's exempt purpose. In this case, these rules prevented the donations from being distributed as intended to the victims and their families. I am proud to stand here today in support of the ``Fallen Firefighters Assistance Tax Clarification Act of 2013,'' introduced by my colleague from New York Rep. Louise Slaughter to address the error and help care for these firefighters and their families. With the anniversary of this terrible act approaching, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the memory and sacrifice of these volunteer responders and approve this common sense legislation.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Ways and Means be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 3458) to treat payments by charitable organizations with respect to certain firefighters as exempt payments, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m., Monday, December 16, 2013.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the William Smith College soccer team, which recently won the 2013 NCAA Division III National Championship. On December 7, 2013, the Herons concluded their record-breaking season with a 2-0 victory over Trinity University, successfully capturing their second national championship title in program history. Setting new standards for the William Smith soccer program, the Herons completed their season with a record of 23-1-0. Their impressive winning streak of twenty-three games broke the previous school record. Remarkably, twenty-one of those games were complete shutouts, including all six victories in the NCAA tournament. The Herons have now competed in the Final Four ten times in the past twenty-five years and have won the Liberty League title in seven consecutive seasons. Following the championship game, five players from this incredibly talented squad were named to the NCAA Women's All-Tournament Team. Forward Kara Shue, midfielder Zoe Eth, and goalkeeper Chelsea Dunay were among those who were recognized. In addition, forward Krista Longo and defender Olivia Zitoli were respectively named Most Outstanding Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. This gifted team was led by their accomplished and experienced coach, Aliceann Wilber. As the only head coach that the William Smith Herons have ever known, Coach Wilber's 34th season proved to be her most successful yet. The national championship marked Wilber's 480th career win, making her the winningest coach in Division III women's soccer history. She also became the first female collegiate soccer coach to earn more than 400 career wins. The 2013 William Smith College soccer team demonstrated that hard work and dedication truly pay off. I have no doubt that under the leadership of Coach Wilber, the Herons will continue their extraordinary level of success in the years to come.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a framework I have designed which will begin to address the challenging fiscal issues we face as a Nation. This proposal is to deal with the impending debt ceiling crisis that will be coming upon us in February or shortly thereafter. I am pleased to hear recent news today of a budget agreement dealing with a potential government shutdown resolution that avoids governing by crisis, but we have the debt ceiling issue right behind. What I have put forth, Mr. Speaker, is an honest, sincere proposal consisting of three steps to reduce our spending on the Federal level, address our Nation's broken Tax Code, and ensure the solvency of Social Security and Medicare. Mr. Speaker, I outlined the proposal in a letter sent to the President on November 15 of this year, and that letter reads: Dear Mr. President, It is time. As I have expressed before in writing to you and members of your administration, I am very interested in working with you in a bipartisan manner to implement long- term solutions to America's debt problems. Our impending debt crisis and threats to the solvency of Social Security and Medicare must be solved now before they reach catastrophic levels. I urge you to work with Congress to achieve a long- term solution. As such, I would like to take you up on your public offer to discuss ideas and implement solutions that will no longer force us to govern through crises, cliffs, or shutdown deadlines. On October 16, 2013, you stated you are ``Willing to work with anybody . . . Democrat or Republican, House or Senate Members on any idea that will grow our economy, create new jobs, strengthen the middle class, and get our fiscal house in order for the long term.'' To that end, I submit the following honest proposal which I truly believe will take a small but significant step forward toward more responsible governance. Also, I hope it might change the culture of Washington, D.C., to an environment where good policy triumphs over politics. As you can see, the honest proposal is a multistep vision and plan summarized as follows: Step 1, raise the February 7, 2014, debt ceiling limit in an amount equal to the total CBO score of spending reductions, reforms, and removal of waste, fraud, and abuse within government operations that have already been identified and supported on a bipartisan basis. Attached, please find a list of $573 billion of such government reforms and spending reductions already identified to date. Step 2a, upon completion of step 1, we will then move to step 2. In step 2, what we would propose is votes in the House and Senate on their respective visions for comprehensive tax reform and also for reform of our entitlement programs to ensure their solvency for another generation would occur. If those votes occur in the House and Senate, there would be automatic relief of the debt ceiling cap for an additional year. And then we would move to step 3, Mr. President. Step 3 would essentially say, if in the House or the Senate we enact either one of those long-term solutions through our Tax Code or through our entitlement crisis with our Social Security and Medicare insolvency coming down on us, we would immediately, in step 3, relieve the debt ceiling for an additional 2-year period of time. This would mean, Mr. President, the debt ceiling restraint would no longer impact your administration as it would be automatically extended beyond the end of your administration's term. I kindly request you review this proposal and then meet to discuss how it can be improved and implemented. To me, this is an honest proposal which will put Americans first and begin to address the pressing issues of our day. We have major debt issues that cannot wait any longer. Our arcane Tax Code stifles economic growth, and the fiscal health of Social Security and Medicare is worsening beyond control. If we solve these two challenges, we will place our children and grandchildren and our Nation's finances in a far better position than where they are now projected to be. To me, this adheres to a fundamental rule that we must pass America on to our next generation in a better condition than which we found her. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and working with you to prevent the dire consequences of failing to address these challenges. Mr. Speaker, I have yet to receive a response from the President, not even a courtesy response so I know it was received and not lost in the mail between my office in the Longworth Building and the White House, less than 2 miles away. So I take to the floor of the House today to have my proposal officially recorded and to lay out this framework to get our Nation on a path of fiscal sustainability, to get our American fellow citizens back to work by fixing our Tax Code, and solving the entitlement crisis that is impending upon us. With that, I ask us to join in this proposal and ask the President to join us in a bipartisan manner to address these concerns.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, service, and sacrifice of a constituent, Corporal George Conklin. Mr. Conklin of Phelps, New York, enlisted in the United States Army in 1949 at the young age of seventeen to answer our nation's call to service during the Korean War. Tragically, it took sixty-four years for him to return home. George Conklin was serving in the 7th Infantry Division's 31st Regimental Combat Team as a Private First-Class in Korea when he disappeared on December 2, 1950. Wounded in the leg, he was loaded onto a transport truck for evacuation, but soon thereafter, he and his colleagues went missing. It was not until the conclusion of the war in 1953 that Corporal Conklin was formally classified as ``Killed In Action.'' The U.S. Army posthumously promoted him to the rank of Corporal and awarded him the Purple Heart. Corporal Conklin's family never gave up hope that one day he would return home. The family waited for over sixty years until this past September, when his niece, Karen DesCamp, finally received the news that she and George's other relatives had waited a lifetime for. After one of George's brothers donated a DNA sample to the Pentagon, Corporal Conklin's remains were positively identified at a laboratory in Hawaii. It is with humble appreciation that I acknowledge Corporal George Conklin's return home to Ontario County. Hundreds of civilians and military veterans joined a military honor guard to give him a final welcome home as the plane carrying his casket touched down in Rochester. He was then laid to rest next to his predeceased parents and two brothers in upstate New York. I cannot begin to imagine the feelings and emotions that have afflicted his family over the past six decades, but I am relieved to know that Corporal Conklin is finally back where he belongs, resting peacefully beside his loved ones. His ultimate sacrifice for the good of our nation and preservation of our freedom will never be forgotten.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to recognize the month of November as National Diabetes Awareness Month. It is observed every year in November to raise awareness of diabetes across America; but I am here to tell you, Mr. Speaker, diabetes is a 365-day, 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week disease that kids and adults that deal with the disease have to attend to. Mr. Speaker, how do I know that? Well, this is personal to me. My son Will was diagnosed at age 4 with type 1 diabetes. He is 13 now, Mr. Speaker, and he has grown up with this disease. I can tell you that we get up every night, my wife in particular, as I stay down here in Washington, D.C., still monitoring his blood sugar by poking his fingers and taking his blood at 2 a.m. every time he eats just to see where his sugars are going to be. This is a disease that has not been cured, but I tell you I am confident, Mr. Speaker, that we will find a cure. We need to find a cure. We work in our household with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, JDRF. It is a great organization that dedicates a significant majority of its funds to research for a cure for type 1 diabetes. Just last week, Mr. Speaker, at a town hall that I held at Fayette, New York, back in upstate New York, I had a young lady 5 years old come and speak before us and talk about diabetes and how it impacts her since she was diagnosed at the age of 3. This is a disease, Mr. Speaker, that we have the ability, in my opinion, to find a cure. We need to work together in a bipartisan basis. I am vice chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. It is the largest caucus here in Washington, D.C. The focus on education and awareness of diabetes cannot just occur in November, but it must occur every day. I urge everyone to be aware of the risk factors and discuss your individual risks with your doctor, your health care provider. And my heartfelt thanks go out to all the providers and the parents and the caregivers of each and every person associated with somebody with this disease. Working together, my son, Will, in his lifetime, will have a cure and won't have to deal with this disease every day. Please, take a moment, recognize this disease, and in November, in particular, be aware of what diabetes is all about.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment made in order under the rule.

Mr. REED. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that amendment No. 3 printed in part B of House Report 113-271 be modified by the form I have placed at the desk.