John Rutherford

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 3317, the Stopping Abusive Female Exploitation Act, or the SAFE Act. This legislation increases the criminal penalty for female genitalia mutilation of a minor from a maximum of 5 years to a maximum of 15 years. It also encourages States to adopt laws to require certain professionals who work with children to report suspected mutilation cases. Female genitalia mutilation, or FGM, is internationally recognized as a human rights violation for girls and women. It is an extreme form of abuse against women and girls, often causing serious and permanent health complications, including shock and death. Across at least 30 countries, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to FGM and more than 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk every year of being subjected to this procedure even though it is outlawed in 42 countries. Congress first passed legislation making this horrific practice illegal in 1996. The Federal Prohibition of Female Genitalia Mutilation Act made it illegal to perform FGM on girls younger than 18 years of age in the United States. In 2013, Congress passed another law, the Transport for Female Genital Mutilation Act, which amended the 1996 legislation and made it a crime to knowingly transport a girl out of the United States for the purpose of FGM, yet the practice still continues. According to some estimates, the number of girls who have undergone FGM has tripled over the past 2 decades. In 2017, after 20 years on the books, the first charges were filed under the FGM statute against a doctor in Michigan who performed this disfiguring assault on two 7-year-olds. By increasing the criminal exposure for this crime, we send a message that our country will not tolerate the mutilation of our young girls and women and we will do what we can to prevent that. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Trott from the great State of Michigan for introducing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3317, currently under consideration.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

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

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for helping to bring this bill to the floor today. I congratulate my good friend from New York, Mr. Katko, on this legislation. It is going to be very important to our men and women of the Secret Service who put their lives on the line every day in dedication to their service. Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3731, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I have no other Members to speak on this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice), who is a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3731, the Secret Service Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by my distinguished colleague, Mr. Katko, and negotiated between the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. It would make small, but significant, changes to the Federal law to ensure that the men and women of the United States Secret Service are fairly compensated for performing their duties. This bill is necessary because, under current law, many Secret Service agents have hit the lawful cap that restricts overtime pay in some circumstances. This means that the brave men and women standing post, for example, at 2 a.m. in the morning are doing so for free. This is, without question, an untenable situation. H.R. 3731 makes two important changes to the law to address this problem. First, it raises the overtime cap to ensure that these agents are paid. Second, it includes a reporting requirement, directing the Government Accountability Office to study the Service's implementation of the recommendations of the Protective Mission Panel, or PMP. This change is intended to help address the recruitment and retention issues at the Secret Service. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will ensure that the Secret Service is able to recruit and retain an elite group of dedicated law enforcement officers. This is an issue that rises above party affiliation, or ideology. The protection of the President, the First Family, and others is something that, obviously, we all should want as American citizens. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3731, currently under consideration.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3731) to provide overtime pay for employees of the United States Secret Service, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko), my good friend, and sponsor of the bill.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I was unavailable and missed Roll Call Vote 647. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY of Roll Call No. 647.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I think no one in this Chamber can dispute when I say that America's Tax Code is broken. I rise today to stand with my colleagues in support of progrowth tax reform because our Tax Cuts and Jobs Act works for the middle class. For too long, a complex Tax Code, high rates, and burdensome regulations have held back opportunities for hardworking families. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act offers much-needed tax relief for low-income and middle-income Americans. It focuses on middle class tax cuts that allow hardworking Floridians to keep more of their paychecks so that they can save for their children's college fund, so that they can invest in their retirement, so that they can enjoy vacations with their family. Florida families know how to spend their money better than the government, and this plan allows them to keep more of the money that they earn instead of waiting for tax returns and deductions to give them their money back. This bill is profamily. It is probusiness, and it will give our economy a boost. Nothing will address our debt more than growth. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Conference Report to the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation helps ensure that our men and women in uniform are equipped to carry out their national security mission. As the proud Representative of Naval Station Mayport--the East Coast homeport for Littoral Combat Ships--I commend the Committee for authorizing three more of these ships. The LCS platform currently provides a much-needed U.S. naval presence in global hotspots, especially in contested waters, and will do so for years to come. I would also like to commend them for allowing the Navy to make common- sense changes to the routine and low skilled maintenance requirements and practices of our forward deployed Littoral Combat Ships. As the Navy and we in Congress work to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while meeting the global threat, we must reevaluate our sustainment strategies so that LCS can be utilized to the fullest extent possible. However, I would like to express my strong belief that the more complex maintenance availabilities and modernizations still require the expertise, proficiency and experience of the U.S. ship repair industrial base. Without a strong industrial base, our assets and sailors would be unable to meet the requirements facing our Navy. I thank the Committee for including detailed reporting requirements and a two-year sunset so Congress can work closely with the Navy to balance the importance of the U.S. ship repair industrial base and the flexibility needed for the Littoral Combat Ships on extended deployments. This bill is a strong example of Congress's commitment to the LCS program and using taxpayer dollars wisely. I again thank the Chairman and the Committee for their hard work on this legislation

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Naval Station Mayport as it marks 75 years of service to the United States Navy and our nation. This base was born of necessity during World War II and has served the United States Navy and our country almost continuously since. Today, it is one of the Navy's most valued and utilized military bases and is the country's third-largest naval surface fleet concentration area in the United States. In April 1939, hearing that the Navy was looking to establish an aircraft carrier base on the East Coast of the United States, citizens of Duval County promised to purchase the land that would become home to Naval Station Mayport and give it to the Navy. In July of that year they passed a bond that enabled them to solidify the purchase. In December 1939, the Mayport area was selected for the new base. Lt. Commander Maynard R. Sanders assumed command of the new U.S. Navy Base in October 1940. Construction began immediately and Building 1, the Administration Building, was opened on Nov. 4, 1941. Although the plans for Mayport being a carrier base were put on hold, the base became a vital crash and patrol boat training facility. When the war began in earnest, the Atlantic Fleet was dispersed leaving the shipping lanes along the East Coast vulnerable to attack from German submarines. The Porgy Patrol, named after the foul-smelling porgy fertilizer processing plant in the Village of Mayport, went on constant patrol hoping to spot submarines and reporting those findings to the radio tower so aircraft could be launched. Then, on April 10, 1942, with citizens watching from the shore in Ponte Vedra, the S.S. Gulf of America was sunk by the German U-boat U-123. Once again, the civilian population stepped up and the Porgy Patrols expanded to include shrimp boats, trawlers and yachts, which were converted by the Gibbs Shipyard, now BAE Systems. The marine side of the base with its protected harbor was commissioned as Naval Station Mayport in December 1942. On April!, 1944, Mayport's air facility, the Admiral David L. McDonald Field, was commissioned as Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS). After the war, both the marine base and the airfield were decommissioned. The United States Coast took over the base and operated small boot camps until 1947. Because its location is so pivotal, less than a year later Naval Station Mayport was reactivated, and within three years, its land area was expanded and its runway extended. Several name changes occurred over the years and during the Cold War, Mayport became the East Coast home for the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) squadrons and in 1988 the base was re-designated as a naval air station. Naval Station Mayport began teeming with life once again. Investments continued and growth in land area, activities and command importance enhanced its value. As Mayport expanded, it began to accommodate more ships and sailors with their families. Its role was crucial during the Cuban Missile Crisis, providing logistical support as well as an advanced staging area for the Second Marine Division. The base has also received visits from Presidents Nixon and Reagan. The first carrier to be stationed at Mayport was the USS Tarawa (CVS- 40) and the last carrier to call Mayport home was the USS John F Kennedy (CV-67) was decommissioned on March 23, 2007. The Navy continues to entertain the idea of Mayport as a second carrier site on the East Coast but funding is not available. Today, Naval Station Mayport has undergone major developments in technology, services and infrastructure, making it well positioned to act at a moment's notice. The station's protected harbor can accommodate 34 ships and its runway is capable of handling most aircraft in the military's inventory. It is host to the Navy's United States Fourth Fleet, and is home to the USS Iwo Jima, the USS New York and the USS Fort McHenry. On November 7, 2014, Naval Station Mayport became the East Coast home port for the Navy's newest ships, the littoral combat ships. Mayport has become an asset not just to Northeast Florida, but to country. I salute the 75th Anniversary of Naval Station Mayport, which continues to be a major employer and economic stimulator. More importantly, its personnel continue to contribute through their hard work and dedication to the important missions of our nation's defense. Naval Station Mayport has a long history of supporting both the local community and the country and will continue to do so for years to come. I rise today to congratulate them on 75 successful years and hope Mayport sailors continue to keep their home anchors in Northeast Florida.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my colleagues to our guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives, Reverend Captain Michael Halyard of Jacksonville, Florida--previously of Jacksonville, Florida, I should say. Upon his return from Iraq just recently, he has been deployed to San Antonio, Texas, and that is a loss for northeast Florida. Reverend Halyard is a respected community leader who is devoted to his community, country, family, and faith. Reverend Halyard serves as a staff chaplain at Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, and he served as an assistant pastor at the United Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He is also a member of the Florida National Guard, where he has served as the combat veteran battalion chaplain since 2009. Reverend Halyard leads his church and his community by serving his Nation, leading worship services, and by providing support for grieving families. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to welcome Reverend Halyard. May God bless him and our Nation, and especially those who he will be serving in Texas, particularly Sutherland Springs, Texas, today.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Meredith Corey- Disch, a leader and business owner in my district, who was a recipient of a spot at the James Beard Foundation's Inaugural Class of the Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellowship program. This program, hosted at the prestigious Babson College, aims to help female chefs and owners grow their businesses by cultivating women's leadership in the culinary industry. Meredith Corey-Disch and her business partner, Sarah Bogdanovitch, are exceptional entrepreneurs. Their business was founded on the belief that it should be local, community focused space that provides organic, traditional foods with shared work and fair pay. ``Community Loaves'' began in 2011 in Jacksonville, as an organic bike-delivered subscription bakery. The pair then opened a bread shop in 2014, where they served all-organic bread and pastries for breakfast and lunch. They kept the business community focused by holding special pizza nights and farm to table dinners in their garden and invited surrounding neighbors to these events. Meredith began her love of bread making through an apprenticeship in a bakery, while brainstorming ways she could start a business people would enjoy back in her hometown of Jacksonville. She can be described as thoughtful, kind, generous, and creative. With these skills, along with her passion of bread making, Meredith will continue to spread her passion throughout Northeast Florida. We need more creative small business owners like Meredith. She has been a true example of leadership for women in Northeast Florida and I look forward to seeing her future culinary successes. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Meredith Corey-Disch for her leadership in not only the culinary community, but in Northeast Florida as well.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the Atlantic Coast Young Marines and their hard work during Red Ribbon Week. The Florida regiment of Young Marines has performed more than 50,000 service hours since last October, with more than 35,000 hours of community service dedicated to our veterans. As you can see, the Atlantic Coast Young Marines and their fellow Young Marines throughout Florida are very active in their local communities. Reduction of drug demand is a major issue of the Young Marine program, and Red Ribbon Week is an excellent opportunity to recognize the Atlantic Coast Young Marines' emphasis on this mission. Red Ribbon Week is the oldest drug prevention program in the Nation, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October each year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community antidrug events, Young Marines pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena. Special Agent Camarena was a veteran of the DEA assigned to Guadalajara, Mexico, where he was on the trail of the country's biggest drug traffickers. Because he was so close to unlocking a billion-dollar drug pipeline, he was kidnapped and murdered by drug traffickers. His tragic death opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangerous illicit drug trade. Red Ribbon Week celebrates Agent Camarena's life and his vision for a drug-free America. Last week, the Atlantic Coast Young Marines honored his life through events that helped reduce the demand for drugs throughout northeast Florida. These young men and women who participate in this education and service program are known to be excellent leaders inside and outside of the classroom. The Atlantic Coast Young Marines are a shining example of our First Coast youth. They also serve our veterans in numerous ways, by cleaning yards, making hospital visits, and simply writing cards. Their dedication to community service and our veterans is a shining example of noble selflessness. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Atlantic Coast Young Marines for their service to Florida's First Coast community.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the resilience of my fellow Floridians, to thank our men and women in uniform, including our State and local first responders, and to recognize our State and local leaders for the tremendous aid and direction they gave to all of our fellow Floridians during their response to Hurricane Irma. We normally think of men and women in uniform as those who defend our country abroad, but they also deserve our recognition and thanks for their service on the homefront as well. The Florida Army National Guard, the United States Coast Guard, the Navy, and many others aided our State before, during, and after the storm. In fact, I witnessed National Guard units from various States working together with the Florida National Guard to rescue citizens of northeast Florida. Mr. Speaker, the United States Coast Guard did an incredible job carrying out hundreds of rescues, and I commend U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Zukunft, Captain Wiemers of Port Jacksonville, and all of their men and women who risked their lives to save others during and after the storm. I also want to recognize all of the first responders, police, and firefighters who responded quickly and saved so many lives. As an example, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, in 1 day, rescued more than 350 of our citizens. I also want to commend Governor Rick Scott and our State agencies for the advanced planning that they did leading up to Hurricane Irma and the recovery efforts that are still going on. In northeast Florida, we experienced, historic flooding, levels not seen since 1846. That is the year after Florida became a State. In St. Johns County, small businesses were flooded and homes literally toppled over into the ocean. Many more still threaten to fall into the ocean, undermined by severe beach erosion. In Nassau County, here, a week after the storm, areas of the county were still not accessible due to heavy flooding, and shelters were still open. But throughout all of this, Mr. Speaker, I spoke with many local volunteers who had damage to their own homes but were out helping rescue other families. I even spoke with a retired coastguardsman who traveled to Nassau County from Virginia to serve with the Red Cross. Mr. Speaker, the Florida delegation in this House is now unified to ensure that Floridians receive the Federal support they need to recover from this horrible natural disaster, Hurricane Irma. I especially want to recognize Senator Marco Rubio and Florida Representatives Al Lawson, Neal Dunn, Ted Yoho, Ron DeSantis, Stephanie Murphy, Val Demings, and Darren Soto for coming to see, firsthand, the damage to our First Coast community. I also want to thank the congressional leaders from around the country for coming to northeast Florida. Speaker Paul Ryan, Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Chairman John Carter all personally toured our damaged communities, leaving us with a promise to do all they can to assist in Florida's recovery. I thank them for the support, and I am grateful for their work to quickly provide emergency aid to help hurting Floridians. We are all also heartbroken that, now, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are enduring incredibly devastating damage from Hurricane Maria. We believe it is important that we share resources with our neighboring islands. As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Port of Jacksonville is ground zero for getting shipments of needed goods to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In fact, the American Maritime Partnership and the entire U.S. maritime industry are, in fact, first responders in times of emergency like Irma and Maria when they strike Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. I am proud of what the American maritime industry has accomplished. They have been working tirelessly around the clock to get goods to those who are in need. Almost immediately, there were 10,000 containers delivered; 35,000 pounds of cargo, were delivered by TOTE and Crowley of Jacksonville. And as we know, distribution has been the challenge. Our prayers go out to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and we are prepared to stand by them as they face the daunting task of rebuilding their communities. We will continue to work together with our State, local, and Federal officials to ensure that Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands can recover and build even stronger than before. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, due to Hurricane Irma, I was unable to fly back for floor votes on Tuesday, September 12. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No 485.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, due to my need to be back in my district to help my community recover from Hurricane Irma, I was unable to be present for Roll Call Votes 516 through 529. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 516; YEA on Roll Call No. 517; YEA on Roll Call No. 518; YEA on Roll Call No. 519; NAY on Roll Call No. 520; NAY on Roll Call No. 521; NAY on Roll Call No. 522; NAY on Roll Call No. 523; YEA on Roll Call No. 524; YEA on Roll Call No. 525; NAY on Roll Call No. 526; NAY on Roll Call No. 527; YEA on Roll Call No. 528; and YEA on Roll Call No. 529.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, September 13, I was unavoidably detained and subsequently missed two votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 486 and YEA on Roll Call No. 487.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, due to my need to be back in my district to help my community prepare for Hurricane Irma, I was unable to be present for Roll Call Votes 467 through 484. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 467; YEA on Roll Call No. 468; NAY on Roll Call No. 469; NAY on Roll Call No. 470; NAY on Roll Call No. 471; YEA on Roll Call No. 472; NAY on Roll Call No. 473; YEA on Roll Call No. 474; NAY on Roll Call No. 475; NAY on Roll Call No. 476; NAY on Roll Call No. 477; YEA on Roll Call No. 478; YEA on Roll Call No. 479; YEA on Roll Call No. 480; NAY on Roll Call No. 481; NAY on Roll Call No. 482; NAY on Roll Call No. 483; and YEA on Roll Call No. 484.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mr. Alexander Pozin, a World War II veteran, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Alexander Pozin was born on May 1st, 1917, in Odessa, Ukraine. That same year in Russia, the Communist Revolution took place, leaving the Pozin family in a state of poverty. After working many different jobs to provide for his family, Pozin graduated from law school in 1939, and went on to become a successful lawyer. However, in June of 1944, Pozin was called to serve in the Russian Army as a fighter and bomber pilot in the 210th Division of the Soviet Air Force. By the end of the war, Pozin had reached the rank of lieutenant colonel, and had earned 18 medals from the Soviet government. Following his career in the military, Mr. Pozin moved to the United States. He became a professor at Stetson University, where he specialized in Slavic languages. Today, Mr. Pozin is resident of St. Augustine, Florida. Here, his philanthropic endeavors have had a valuable and visible impact on the St. Augustine community. He has volunteered with Learn To Read St. Johns County, and the Council on Aging's Senior Center in St. Augustine. It is within these organizations that Mr. Pozin has connected with other individuals who weathered the storm of World War II, and shared his heroic and inspiring story. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Mr. Alexander Pozin for his service in World War II, and for his commitment to philanthropy and his community.