Scott Rigell

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, before I begin my remarks, I want to just express my appreciation to our colleague, Mr. Fleischmann, and my respect for him and the eloquent tribute that he paid his father. Indeed, his father was a member of the Greatest Generation, and we thank him, his father, for his service to our country. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to talk about my number one priority in serving the Second District of Virginia and this incredible country that we have the privilege to live in, and that's jobs. That's the number one focus for our office. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 2231, Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, that will come before this House either today or tomorrow. That bill includes language that I authored and introduced, and it creates a clear path, an opportunity that can really change the lives of hardworking Americans. And I'm awfully proud of what the bill will do--ideally, when it's passed through the Senate and made into law by the President--in job creation. But before I share with this House what the bill actually does and what the language does, I want to make clear what it's not. It's not a bill that spends more money. In fact, it's just the opposite. It's a bill that actually creates Federal revenue. Here's how it works: Right now, there is a moratorium, a full stop, on offshore exploration of energy off the coast of Virginia. And what our bill does and what the language does is it breaks through that, and it opens up that tremendous job-creating potential of Virginia's offshore energy. The first benefit of this bill, of course, is jobs. Eighteen thousand jobs are estimated to be created by this bill, just in Virginia alone. And, Mr. Speaker, every one of those jobs is a life-changing job. I'm an entrepreneur in what I refer to as a season of public service, and I've had the privilege, hundreds and hundreds of times--perhaps thousands, I don't know--of being able to look at an applicant and say these incredible words, ``You're hired.'' And I know the person goes home and says, ``I got the job.'' That's what Americans are looking for is opportunity, and that's what this bill advances. And as we become more energy independent, what happens is we've reduced our need to have our young men and women around the world protecting our sources of energy. It makes America a safer country. Right now, more money than any one of us would like is going to countries like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. These countries don't share our values, and we're fueling their economies. We should be fueling our economy. It creates the revenue, Mr. Speaker, that we need. I'm a Republican who talks about the need for more revenue, but we get that by growing our economy. This is the way we can invest in our schools and have better roads, make the investments that we need to make into our infrastructure. And look, it fast-tracks a great renewable--wind. It has tremendous opportunity. Frankly, it's too expensive right now. But we're Americans. We're smart. We can innovate. We can think our way through this and find a way to make wind energy more affordable. In this very body right here, the President came in and he said, I'm all of the above with respect to energy. Mr. Speaker, that's common ground, and I'm delighted to say it's common ground. Right now, I'm having difficulty reconciling what he said with this full moratorium off the coast of Virginia, and this bill represents common ground. We've got the Governor of Virginia. We have our two U.S. Senators, interestingly, both Democrats, Senator Kaine and Senator Warner, both support, in principle, this same objective. In fact, they're introducing similar legislation in the Senate. The General Assembly of Virginia wants to move forward. There is a clear consensus in Virginia that this legislation ought to go forward. Right now, the only thing holding up these jobs, every one of these life-changing jobs, is the administration. We're not asking for a tremendous amount of money. As I mentioned, in fact, we're just asking for the administration to get out of the way. Mr. Speaker, I didn't mention what tremendous local support this bill has: We have the local NAACP behind the bill. The mayor of Virginia Beach, the largest city in our district, is behind the bill; Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council, the Virginia Port Authority. And we can do this, Mr. Speaker, while meeting the deep obligation that we have, the moral obligation to leave our children with clean air and clean water and clean soil. To those who put one against the other, that it's either jobs or a good environment, I reject that outright. Why? Because we're Americans. It's in our DNA to innovate and to think through these things. We can have a reliable source of energy. We can help right off the coast of Virginia. We can create the local jobs that we need to give our young people opportunity and our veterans that are exiting the military, so many of whom exit the military right there in Hampton Roads. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, these are very, very challenging fiscal times. Our deficit continues to grow, and that is putting pressure on every single line of our Federal budget, including defense. And yet the world has not become a safer place. So what's clear is we have a duty, an absolute duty, to invest each and every dollar of our defense dollars wisely, and that's exactly what my amendment does. It does that by eliminating a regulation that's holding back competition; and in doing so, it's hurting the American taxpayer. When it comes to understanding the value of introducing competition into things, the American people get it. From groceries to computers, we know when competition is introduced, good things happen. The prices go down and the quality goes up. The same is true, or it should be true, when it comes to the Department of Defense and the ability of the private sector and the public sector to compete. President Obama put it this way. He said: Taxpayers may receive more value for their dollars if not inherently governmental activities that can be provided commercially are subject to the forces of competition. In my service to my district, I'm always looking for commonsense ideas and common ground. On this particular issue, I see both in the President's statement. My amendment moves competition forward by eliminating a full moratorium that Congress has put in place. The Department of Defense said in 2011 that it wanted that particular moratorium removed so it could meet its statutory obligation. What is that statutory obligation? It's this, and this comes right out of their own report and recommendations: The Secretary of Defense shall use the least costly form of personnel consistent with military requirements and other needs of the Department. Well, we know that some activities are inherently governmental. For example, criminal investigations. My amendment has nothing to do with those types of activities. They should be performed by the Federal Government. But other activities, Mr. Chairman, for example, janitorial services, that's not inherently governmental and should be subject to competition. That's what this amendment opens up. It really isn't effecting what's known as the 50/50 rule and those core services that are provided by depots. I believe that the amendment represents both common sense and common ground. I urge my colleagues to vote for it. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman).

Mr. RIGELL. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just would respond to the gentlelady. I appreciate her comments. And I, too, am a strong supporter of our Federal workforce. I just believe that they can compete and should compete. This is good for America, good for our ability to defend our great country, and good for the American taxpayer. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, I just refuse to agree with the gentleman's proposition there about laying Federal employees off. This does not state that, has nothing to do with that, in fact. It just simply says that this is a tool for the Department of Defense to use. It does not require public-private competitions to go forward. I just believe in the Federal worker. I believe in the free market as well, that competition is a good thing, and it needs to be introduced, because this is how we will make our defense dollars go as far as they can possibly go. I see this as a duty to the American people to advance this amendment. I ask my colleagues to support it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, this morning I consider it a joy and really a special privilege to rise today to honor the 200th-plus anniversary of the Seatack community, the oldest African American community in the United States. The community, named for the sea attack of the coast by the British Navy, is a stalwart in Hampton Roads, steadfastly protecting civil rights and promoting the African American community. Throughout its proud history, the Seatack community has stood for doing what is right in the face of adversity. Going back to the early 1800s, Seatack fishermen braved the rough waters of the Atlantic to save the passengers of a ship that had wrecked off the coast. The men of Seatack have fought in every major American war, including serving as air raid wardens in World War II to protect the citizens of Virginia Beach from potential airstrikes. And when the Seatack community needed a fire department, the Seatack veterans from World War II came together to build the first fire department owned and operated by African Americans. Even in its early days, Mr. Speaker, Seatack has shown a commitment to educating its youth. In 1908, Seatack parents formed their first school at Mount Olive Baptist Church, and a few years later formed the Seatack Public School League. Later, the community provided the land for the Seatack Elementary School. And today, Seatack continues its commitment to education by providing funding for college students. Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored to represent this amazing community within my district. Their continuous hard work to promote education, civil rights, and a safe Hampton Roads community is nothing short of admirable. In October 2011 and October 2012, the community celebrated 200-plus years of being a vibrant, active, engaged, and historical community. Thanks to the contributions of the community historian, whom I have gotten to know and greatly respect, Sadie Shaw, a preeminent holder of all the history of the wonderful community, because of her and so many others, the legacy of the historical community of Seatack will continue to be perpetuated for generations to come. I congratulate them as the legacy continues. We ask that God continue to bless that wonderful community and this wonderful country that we're privileged to live in.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of United States Navy SEAL Lt. Jason Redman. In September 2007, while in the midst of an intense fire fight to capture an Al Qaeda High Value Individual, he was severely wounded. Shot in the face and other parts of his body, he came very close to death. With the help of his devoted wife Erica, Lt. Redman has made a miraculous recovery. The one word he uses which embodies his life and attitude is OVERCOME! He and his wife have started up a new company in Virginia called Wounded Wear. Through their company they are devoted to providing clothing and other gear for those injured in combat. Their goal is to help make the transition easier for American wounded warriors and their families. Lt. Redman and his family make us all so very proud to be Americans and I ask that this poem penned in their honor by Albert Carey Caswell, be placed in the Record. To Overcome

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter a statement into the Record on behalf of my constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman. Rabbi Zoberman is the Founding Rabbi of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is also the president of the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis and Cantors. Rabbi Zoberman asked me to enter the following remarks into the Record recognizing Elie Wiesel on the occasion of Yom Hashoah, the 65th Anniversary of the State of Israel, and the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Rabbi Zoberman's statement follows: Elie Wiesel, the most distinguished representative of the Holocaust survivors' generation, has risen from Auschwitz's hell which he entered at age fifteen, to become the world's witness to the human condition and humanity's prophetic voice of both sacred remembrance and chastising warning. He even admits to making enemies because of his steadfast stance against trivializing Auschwitz, protectively defining the Holocaust as ``the Event.'' The 1986 Nobel Peace Laureate--he deserves the literature prize too--and Founding Chairman of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, who as earned our nation's greatest honors along with foreign high ones, enjoys a special relationship with President Obama and is presently collaborating on a joint literary project. In the latest book of this prolific author, Open Heart, Wiesel opens his aching and grateful heart to us following the watershed impact of his open heart surgery on June 16, 2011, at age 82. He utilizes this trying medical and life-changing ordeal to teach us about life's demanding trials and transitions, courageously facing his own mortality at his ``greatest pain and darkest anguish.'' This master teacher who is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University is asking challenging questions: How well has he fulfilled his obligation as a survivor with a consecrated mission to tell a tale of woes without despairing of the Creator nor of a blemished creation, wrestling with a God who deprived him of so much but also blessed him beyond measure? Having contributed immeasurably toward a sane and sacred world, ever standing guard, Wiesel nonetheless doubts if he has done all he could and should have in his struggle against evil. He and fellow survivors believed that the world would change for the better, never allowing for genocides again, and how painful it must be for heart-broken Wiesel to conclude, ``The fact is, the world has learned nothing.'' May Wiesel fulfill his heart's fondest desire to live to witness the B'nai Mitzvah celebrations of his beloved grandchildren Elijah and Shira, the children of son Elisha who is named for Wiesel's father Shlomo who perished so close to liberation. May he do so along with his wife Marion, faithful soul-mate and professional helpmate, herself a survivor from Vienna, Austria. Her brainchild is Beit Tzipora in Israel, the centers to enrich Ethiopian children, named for Wiesel's precious little sister whom he saw with their mother for the last time upon the arrival in Auschwitz. Reading Wiesel's transforming account a few days following the multiple tragedies at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the following line resonates with painfully heartfelt relevance, ``We must choose between the violence of adults and the smiles of children, between the ugliness of hate and the will to oppose it.'' The 20th Anniversary of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, with which Wiesel has been so intimately connected, is testimony to his vision to ensure in the face of Holocaust deniers and the ravages of time's forgetfulness that the indispensable facts and essential lessons of the holocaust will endure for the sake of humanity. The museum has already exposed millions of Americans and other visitors in our nation's capital to its sacred work, shedding light on history's darkest chapter. I'm ever grateful to this U.S. sponsored museum as a son and grandson of Polish Holocaust survivors with heavy family losses in Zamosc, Poland, and Sarny, Ukraine. I was born in Kazakhstan on November 12, 1945 and spent my early childhood in Germany's American zone of the Wetzlar Displaced Persons Camp, before finding refuge and home with my family and most of the survivors in the reborn State of Israel now celebrating its 65th proud anniversary. Wiesel reportedly was invited in the past to be Israel's president. Israel's accomplishments in all fields of endeavor are astonishing given its humble beginnings and ever trying circumstances. This vibrant democratic oasis and America's trusted ally in a mutually beneficial bond more significant than ever, is surrounded by a wide wilderness and exposed to substantial threats following the ``Arab Spring'' with its, so far, destabilizing islamist victory. It is truly an inspiring expression of the Jewish spirit and the human saga. The vast human tragedy in Syria continues unabated with the international community failing to stop it, while Iran's menacing shadow looms large. May the Middle East and the entire world where the Jewish people first proclaimed an enlightened agenda for all, yet be transformed, with the United States' critical role, in the spirit of eternal Shalom.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate an exceptional naval officer, Captain Andrew Shepard Whitson, at the completion of 30 years of distinguished naval service, culminating as the Director of the U.S. House of Representatives Liaison Office for the Department of the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs. I'm honored to commend Captain Whitson's achievements and recognize his service and devotion to our great country. A 1983 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Captain Whitson earned his wings in 1985 and was designated a naval aviator. He sailed around the world, flying the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornets. He's served in five fighter squadrons, participating in multiple combat operations during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was also recognized as the ``East Coast Fighter Pilot of the Year'' in 1997. Captain Whitson served as the executive officer and commanding officer of the Bounty Hunters of Fighter Squadron Two, leading them through two deployments aboard USS Constellation (CV-64), including the combat operations in Iraqi Freedom. In 2009 and 2010, he served as the commander of Carrier Air Wing 17. Captain Whitson is retiring after 30 years of honorable service to this Nation. His professional success would not have been possible without the support of his wife, Tracy--I've had the privilege of getting to know Captain Whitson and his family--and his lovely daughter, Alexandra. Their shared sacrifice is a credit to their personal character. I wish Captain Whitson continued success and fulfillment as he transitions to civilian life after three decades of exceptional service to our country. His loyal dedication to duty reflects the highest standards of naval service. I hold him in high personal regard and consider it a privilege to call Captain Whitson my friend. And I'm delighted that he and his family call Virginia's Second Congressional District their home. Mr. Speaker, I know that my fellow colleagues this morning join me, all Members of the House, in saluting this outstanding naval officer and wishing him and his wonderful family fair winds and following seas.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, what do we know with certainty about the bill which passed the Senate? We know it has bipartisan support, and that's encouraging. I'm a Republican who has been making the case that revenues must rise. This bill does that; and if it becomes law, it provides some certainty to our Tax Code, which would surely help our economy. Yet, Mr. Speaker, we also know with certainty that it fails to address the mortal threat facing our country--uncontrolled spending. It fails to reflect the balanced approach that was advocated by our President. So we find ourselves again with a bill that reflects not financial wisdom but the seductive spirit that pervades this town. The time to confront our spending addiction is not now. It's later, they say--we'll do the right thing then. In lacking knowledge, political courage--or both--leaders in Washington continue to overpromise. They're like salespeople who tell their customers they can have a $30,000 car but only pay $18,000 for it. Who doesn't like that deal? The truth--and what we know with certainty--is that the full cost, indeed, will be paid by their children, the next generation of Americans. There is a better way forward, Mr. Speaker, for Americans. Let's find it.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. I thank Chairman Terry very much for yielding and my friend and colleague, the gentlelady from New York, for your support of this good bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Drywall Safety Act of 2012, as amended. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on really what is much-needed and commonsense legislation that's going to come before the House tonight. For nearly 4 years, families across the country have suffered from the harmful effects of defective Chinese-manufactured drywall. They're friends and neighbors, and they're families, Mr. Speaker, who worked hard and saved and really set out for that classic American Dream to own their own home or to finish their retirement years in a home, and yet that dream turned into a literal nightmare when their home was filled with a mysterious and foul rotten egg type of odor. I've been in these homes. It completely makes the home uninhabitable. It takes all the copper wiring in the home and basically turns it into black soot. They have to replace the compressors on the air conditioners. And even worse is that their health deteriorates. They turn first to the builders. The builders are not covered by their insurance. Some were able to help out the homeowners and renovate the home on their own, but many are not able to do that, and some builders have gone out of business. They turned then to the manufacturer of the contaminated drywall in China, but really have no recourse there. It's a profoundly sad situation where Americans, through no fault of their own, are experiencing bankruptcy and terrible financial problems. But tonight we have an opportunity to do what's right and to stand with our friends and neighbors and pass this legislation. It will hold China responsible in no uncertain terms for failing to require their manufacturers to rightly compensate Americans who have been damaged and victimized by those contaminated products. We express the undivided sense of Congress, Republicans and Democrats working together, that we're going to make sure that China is held accountable for what they've done here. It requires labeling on all the drywall products to make sure that we can find out who's responsible for the manufacturer of each and every piece of drywall that's manufactured; it will limit the amount of sulfur in the drywall, which was the cause of all of this; and, as has been pointed out by my colleague from New York, it's a voluntary standard as opposed to just more massive government intervention. I think that's the right path to go. So I thank my friends and colleagues from both sides of the aisle for making this possible. The underlying legislation passed the House unanimously in September. The amendment that has been made, I think, is very modest. I especially want to thank my friend and colleague from Florida, Mr. Deutch, for working with me as cochair of the Chinese Drywall Caucus. I thank the chairman for yielding and for your support on this piece of legislation.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 646 for H.R. 3197, I mistakenly voted ``no'' when I intended to vote ``yes.''

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the managers on the part of the House have until midnight tonight, December 18, to file the conference report to accompany H.R. 4310.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. I thank the gentlelady for yielding, and I thank my colleagues for being here tonight to support a really great and much- needed piece of legislation. I do rise in strong support of the Drywall Safety Act of 2012. This truly is a bill about protecting the American family, both their physical health and their financial health. Mr. Speaker, this is about doing what is right to address a terrible injustice that has fallen upon so many families, many of whom live in the Second Congressional District of Virginia, and thousands across our country. These are families that are reeling financially, and also their health has been damaged because of drywall that was manufactured in a defective manner in China and then shipped to the United States and installed in homes across our great land. They're our friends and neighbors, hardworking folks who saved, bought homes, and were living the American Dream, or really, so they thought. And their dream, Mr. Speaker, so often has turned into a true nightmare. Their children have developed just bloody noses and respiratory ailments. Mr. Speaker, I've met with these families. It's really heartbreaking. They're having to pay for their current home, which is uninhabitable, and then go out and rent or maybe attempt to buy another home. It's a type of financial stress that so many of the families have been unable to adjust to. And many of them, so many of whom I've met with, have ended up having to file financial bankruptcy. So I appreciate the leadership of the chairwoman this evening and my friend and colleague, Representative Deutch, a cochairman with me on the Contaminated Drywall Caucus. We've advanced, we believe, a sound piece of legislation, bipartisan, that really addresses this problem. It doesn't, and we don't portend that it fixes everything, but it is a major and significant step forward. These families, the only thing they have left is, I think, hope that we'll do the right thing here tonight. It's been over 4 years that these families have been hurting. You know, they looked first to the lender, to the importers of the drywall, to the insurers. They didn't find any real relief there. Some of the banks, to their credit, have given some consideration, but it's not enough. We've got to act tonight in this House, and I trust that we will. The bill takes China to task directly for failing to require their state-owned manufacturers to compensate the victims of their contaminated products. It expresses the undivided sense of Congress that the Government of China needs to make right and ensure that those who have lost so much are made whole. As the chairwoman pointed out, clear labeling requirements are incorporated into the legislation; and by limiting the amount of elemental sulfur allowed in the drywall, it will ensure that drywall that is defective is not imported into this country. As a lighter, smarter regulation advocate, I am delighted that we have gone the route of voluntary standards. If we can go that direction, that's our preferred way above the regulatory approach. So we set up the industry, itself, to advance by setting industry standards that will apply as well to foreign manufactured drywall products, and we will protect our homeowners that way. In closing, I just want to express again my sincere appreciation to all of those who have made it possible for us to bring the bill to the floor, and I trust and hope that we will pass it by unanimous consent tonight. I particularly want to thank my friend and colleague from Florida, Representative Deutch, for his leadership in serving as the cochairman of our caucus. You've just been terrific, and your staff has been terrific. I also want to thank the majority and minority members and the staffs on the Energy and Commerce Committee who worked so hard to navigate a lot of challenges to get this bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, this is commonsense legislation. It is much needed. I know these families and they are hurting. I trust and encourage my colleagues to do the right thing tonight--to advance this bill and to support it.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute, to honor, and to remember and celebrate the lives of American heroes. We're approaching a most sobering anniversary, August 6. This is the day 1 year ago when a Chinook helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, taking with it the lives of so many, including five soldiers, three airmen, and 24 SEALs. It marks the most serious and heaviest loss of life for our SEAL community in their illustrious service to our country. Families across our Nation are hurting and will hurt not only on the anniversary but just as they remember their loved one. So it is with great humility and just deep appreciation to the families of the fallen, our Gold Star families, to pause for a moment to rise and to honor their loved one. Our colleague from Iowa, Steve King, entered into the Congressional Record a poem that was written specifically for this occasion. And I appreciate my colleague yielding just for the few minutes it will take to read the poem. It is with a grateful heart that I read this poem, and I thank my colleague, Mr. King, for entering it into the Congressional Record. This is written from the vantage point of the following: We Stood! We!

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I arise today to recognize an important milestone in my community. On August 20, 2012, the Virginia Beach Police Department is hosting an event to honor Black Law Enforcement Pioneers from our area. Robert E.W. Sparrow, Mondoza Holloway, Clyde I. Siler, Alexander H. Woodhouse, Russell H. Lawrence, Charles Pace, Johnny E. Parks III, Warfield M. Wood and as many as 22 auxiliary police officers who patrolled Virginia Beach prior to 1969, will be honored for serving during a time when bigotry and racism ran rampant throughout our country. I want to thank these fine men for standing bravely in the face of hatred, and doing their jobs honorably. Because of men like these, America remains the greatest country in the world, where the bastions of liberty and freedom stand over those who wish to harm it. We can all learn from their outstanding character and commitment to doing what is right.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I arise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers. This organization has been a stalwart in our community and has been instrumental in keeping the streets of Virginia Beach safe. The partnership between the community, the Virginia Beach Police Department, and local media, is key to helping the Crime Solvers become one of the top crime solver organizations in the country. Since its inception in 1982, tips to Crime Solvers have resulted in over seven thousand arrests and fourteen thousand solved crimes. Their fine work led the Federal Bureau of Investigation to name Virginia Beach as the ``lowest violent crime rate city in the United States'' in 2010. I would like to thank the original Board of Directors: Chairman Al Craft; Vice Chairman John J. Kruger; Tom Gmitter, Secretary; Bob DeFord, Treasurer; and, Members Thomas C. Broyles, Mary Ellen Cox, Ed Crittenden, Glenn R. Croshaw, George Duvall, John Godfrey, Marlene J. Hager, Ernie Hyers, Clarence Keel, Bill Myers, Dennis O'Hearn, Ragan B. Pulley, Jr., Gerald Weimer, Roy Willman, Navy Captain Danny Michaels and Aaron Parsons. I also want to thank the current Board of Directors: Chairman Joe O'Brien; Vice Chairman Freddi E. Moody; Bonnie B. Capito, Secretary; Daniel D. Edwards, Treasurer; and Members Don Albee, Marie Bauckman, Ginger Carl, James H. Capps, Alfred W. Craft, III, Ross Forster, Dr. Valerio M. Genta; Nancy Guy, Carleen Lombardo, Roseann Lugar, Stuart Myers, Karl Nichols, Ragan B. Pulley, Jr., Chris Roberts, Laura Roland, Lawrence E. Ronan, Troy Snead, Ruth Ann Steenburgh, Thomas H. Thatcher, Donald R.Thrush, Marion Wall and Francis L. Warren, Jr. I am thankful to both groups for stepping forward when their community needed them. Because of these fine community leaders, our children and grandchildren continue to have the opportunity to grow up in a safe community. I congratulate them on 30 years of service and look forward to having the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers serve the community for many years to come.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues this morning to sound the alarm of a serious threat facing our country, one that has been addressed by this body and now awaits action by the Senate and the President. It is not an external threat, but one that is totally within our control. Known as sequestration, this sharp severe cut to our defense budget can and must be stopped. The warnings from the Secretary of Defense and each of our service chiefs must be heeded. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Greenert, described it this way. He said the cuts would do ``severe and irreversible damage'' to our Navy. Madam Speaker, where is the President's outrage at this prospect? Where is his leadership in his role as Commander in Chief? The House passed legislation which would stop the cuts. My amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act requires the Senate to address it head-on. Madam Speaker, we've led. I truly believe that we've taken action to stop the cuts. The irrefutable truth is that the same is not true of the Senate and the administration. Now, we have time to do what is right, but that time is short. I call on the President and the Senate to do what is right: to lead, to lead by example, to bring us together as a nation to stop the cuts. We must look to the future and shape the future, not look behind us.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter a statement into the Record on behalf of my constituent, Dr. Israel Zoberman. Dr. Zoberman is the Founding Rabbi of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is also the president of the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis and Cantors. Dr. Zoberman asked me to enter the following remarks into the Record regarding Chanaka. Dr. Zoberman's statement follows: At the Shabbat morning service, June 30, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a festive luncheon, the family of Beth Chaverim will joyfully celebrate its 30th anniversary which officially falls on July 2. What a milestone in the history of our young congregation that has endured and even flourished during these three eventful decades of accomplishments! I, a grateful founding rabbi, shall always remember and cherish the transforming birth of what we affectionately called, ``the baby.'' Much love and tenderness has been bestowed upon the fast-growing ``baby,'' remaining the newest synagogue in the exceptional community of Hampton Roads and the only Reform Jewish temple in Virginia Beach. The congregation's name, ``Beth Chaverim,'' was deliberately chosen to reflect the very essence of what we wanted our temple to be, an embracing ``House of Friends,'' whose birth would always be justified by trying harder than others to create a loving and accepting Jewish home for those choosing to enter our gates and hearts. Admittedly, we have also learned that we are only human and that the perfect vision of our innocent youth was bound to be challenged by a complex and, at times, trying reality. It is though beyond doubt that our beloved Beth Chaverim has generated multiple blessings onto its immediate congregational family, the larger Jewish community and the general one with interfaith bonds of historical significance. For our first three years we were kindly hosted by the now Heritage United Methodist Church, followed for ten years (1985-1995) at the most gracious Catholic Church of the Ascension, at that time the only such Jewish-Catholic relationship in the world! While at the church I invited in 1993 Muslims to join in the first Jewish-Muslim joint prayer in Hampton Roads, celebrating the beginning of the Peace Process in the Middle East. Currently Beth Chaverim is home to two African American churches, New Jerusalem Ministries led by Dr. Veronica Coleman and Emmanuel Way of the Cross Church led by Bishop Fred E. Hill. Another giant breakthrough! Peace by Piece by Edmarc Hospice For Children and Jewish Family Service of Tidewater meets here as well, along with Boy Scouts Troop #488 that we sponsor. I profoundly thank you, founding president Dr. Jerry and Paula Levy, and all members of our Founding Generation, for being such an indispensable part of our noble endeavors and dreams, making possible our sacred work in progress. Your faithful participation has nourished and sustained the miracle called Beth Chaverim, a caring, courageous and creative congregation! Our remarkable Bingo Bunch has made a critical contribution. Our inspiring additions in 2006 of the Marilyn and Marvin Simon Family Sanctuary and the Religious School wing have made a significant difference, allowing us to host the notable Yom Ha'Shoah gathering sponsored by the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. How appropriate and symbolic that our first ``home-grown'' rabbi, Sam Rose, Lora's son, was ordained on June 4th, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio, at my alma mater, the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, from which I was ordained 38 years ago. We are proud of him, his wife Andrea, Lora and the entire family. Rabbi Rose will serve at Temple Beth Israel in Austin, Texas, as of July 1st. A heartfelt Mazal Tov & Le'Chaim--To life for a great past and even a greater future as we continue to go and grow from strength to strength. My beloved wife Jennifer, soul-mate and helpmate, founding rebbitzen, founding president Dr. Jerry and Paula Levy, president Nate and Janet Rubin, immediate past-president Chris and Dr. Jim Ohlstein, along with past- president Dr. Marty and Judi Snyder, join me in offering heartfelt gratitude on truly a grand Simcha celebration of a very special ``baby.''

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. I thank the chairman for his support. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill. These are life-changing jobs. There's tremendous potential, and we can do this in a very environmentally responsible way. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. I yield back the balance of my time.