Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), a man who I believe is one of the clearest thinkers in this Congress. He is a person who studies well, applies logic, and comes out with a deduction for making things better for people who are not in this town, but rather people who are the real part of America. (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. I thank the gentleman for asking. We did have one person who we believe is attempting to get here, to run here; but I would at this time tell you he is not here. So I would encourage the gentleman to go ahead and close as he would choose, and I would then do the same.

Mr. SESSIONS. I appreciate that. Thank you very much.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, to hear the gentleman's strong voice, not only as an entrepreneur before he came to Congress, but in Mr. Polis' dustup as he speaks in the Rules Committee in which he talks about America wanting to have a bright future, he is the father of a new young son, and he looks forward to the day that his son will have a bright future in this country. I appreciate his words today. He is also correct that we do not create jobs in this town, as it is the free enterprise system that does that. Yet with that comes an equal recognition that this town gets in the way of jobs and job creation. Our taxes are preparing to be raised. The President, the Democratic Party are all about raising taxes on entrepreneurs, and people who get up and go to work every day, and small business, and taking away a Tax Code that benefits women, in particular married women, with the marriage penalty, as well as job creation through incentives that might deal with depreciation. All of these things are part of a pro-growth jobs package, and unfortunately, this House is not together on that. This House is having to, as the gentleman Mr. Pence said, make incremental progress as we move forward. Mr. Speaker, this body is big enough to be able to recognize that this country is in trouble. I don't care if you live in Orlando, Florida, or in Pensacola, Florida, or whether you live in Dallas, Texas, or whether you live in California. The needs of this great Nation are about job creation and about ensuring in a competitive marketplace that we keep jobs, that we have ample credit that's available, that we have new ideas like we're handling today in this bill, but that we also go to some old ideas, one of which is, when you tax companies or when you tax something, you get less of it. What the President of the United States and the Democratic Party want to do is to tax America--the free enterprise system--to pick winners and losers and then try to call that ``new revenue'' to this country when, in fact, all it does is offset it with higher unemployment. We need a pro-growth economy. We need a pro-growth agenda from the United States Congress. It's not just the House but the Senate, also. We need the President of the United States to understand that his temptation to talk about economic growth should be about job creation, not just about picking winners and losers. We need someone who will bring this country together, not attack our free enterprise system, not stand up in front of people and say that we can work together but then not actually become responsible enough to become engaged in legislation that will pass so that we can make this country stronger. The Republican Party is here today, leading this bill on the floor. We've got a rule which allows for 17 amendments--13 from Democrats, 3 from Republicans, 1 bipartisan. Once again, our Speaker, John Boehner, and the gentleman from California, David Dreier, who is the chairman of the Rules Committee, are intensely interested in having this House work in a bipartisan fashion, but making progress for the American people. The American people expect us and want us to do better. Today is a chance to work together, pass a bill, put it across the aisle to the Senate, and ask them to please join us in making life better for Americans. Mr. Speaker, I hope all of my colleagues support this rule. It's a great rule. It does the right thing. The underlying legislation is wonderful, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Mr. SESSIONS. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, first let me say that I join my colleagues in recognizing not only the life and work of Don Payne, but I also wanted to add my personal words of support for what Don meant to me personally as a cochairman of the Caribbean Caucus a number of years ago. Speaker Hastert asked both Don and myself to become engaged in issues that would be considered in our hemisphere as a result of the war on terror. The Speaker recognized that the Caribbean was a gateway not only for terrorism, but also a number of other issues. Don and I accepted that role, had a number of trips down to the Caribbean, but also met with Caribbean leaders here in Washington, D.C. Don was always upbeat, Don was always looking for answers and responses to the needs of our friends in the Caribbean, and really found a way to cut some good friendships with people to where they became better friends of the United States Congress and the United States because of his personal involvement in issues and matters. I enjoyed working with Don. He accepted not only his role and mine, us working together--I as a younger Member, he as a senior Member. He welcomed my advances or ideas and thoughts. It was difficult for me also as I was walking into the Capitol a few minutes ago to see the beautiful flag that flies outside the United States Capitol at half mast in honor of our colleague Don Payne. So I do want to thank this body for allowing me a chance to express not only my thoughts about Don, but also to recognize him as an outstanding Member of this body.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the Hon. Kay Granger to honor and remember Mr. James L. Mallon, a baseball coaching legend at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Coach Jim Mallon passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2012 following complications from heart surgery. After five years with the San Francisco Giants organization and the completion of his Masters degree from Baylor University, Coach Mallon began his collegiate coaching and teaching career at Southwestern University in 1971. Under his leadership, his teams won multiple championships. Most notably, in 1984, his team finished third in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) World Series. During his 33 years, he had an impressive record of 1,197 wins against 601 losses. In 2005, he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Southwestern University and was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Hall of Fame at Southwestern University in 2010. Aside from his successful career, Coach Mallon positively impacted the lives of countless students. Those he coached knew firsthand of his passion for baseball, his caring nature, and the candid yet valuable advice he offered, which guided so many of them through life in the face of difficulties. He was loved, admired, and respected by all who knew him. Indeed, Southwestern University and the baseball community have suffered a great loss. Coach Mallon is survived by his loving wife, Jane; his sons, Jeff and Jarret; and a multitude of friends throughout the State of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we ask the House of Representatives to join us in mourning the loss of Coach Mallon and in offering his family and friends our sincere condolences. May the peace of God be with those he loved and sustain them through this hour of sorrow.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Kenneth L. Hall as his family, friends, and colleagues gather to celebrate his retirement and 19 years of dedicated service at Buckner International. After earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Hall attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. Prior to his leadership role at Buckner, Dr. Hall served as Pastor for four churches in Texas. In 1994, he joined Buckner as President and Chief Executive Officer. Founded in 1879, Buckner International has devoted itself to helping orphans, vulnerable children, and their families. As a global Christian ministry, they annually serve over 400,000 people in 69 countries. They offer a variety of family, empowerment, and community programs, as well as retirement services, and humanitarian aid. Under Dr. Hall's leadership, Buckner extended its reach outside of the borders of Texas for the first time. In 1996, Buckner launched its international ministry, supporting children living in orphanages in other countries. Aside from his duties at Buckner, Dr. Hall has also devoted himself to serving his local community. He has served as a Board Member for numerous organizations, including Children's Medical Center, the Alliance for Children and Families, and Baylor Specialty Health Centers. Dr. Hall's legacy reflects his selfless service, enduring faith, and commitment to caring for those in need. Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Hall on his retirement and 19 years of service to Buckner International. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Jimmy and Billie Metcalf on their 70th wedding anniversary. Jimmy Metcalf joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and married Billie Borchardt on February 14, 1942, just two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II, Jimmy proudly served his country overseas, which kept him apart from his wife for over three years. Despite this separation, their love persevered. As family and friends join Jimmy and Billie to celebrate this joyous occasion, it is important to reflect upon the significance of this outstanding milestone. Over the past seventy years, they have shared many joys and faced life's trials together. Through all of life's ups and downs, their love for each other and for their children has remained constant. This platinum anniversary is a testament of their commitment to each other and to the wedding vows they took seventy years ago. Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in congratulating Jimmy and Billie on seventy years of wedded bliss. May God bless them with many more years of happiness and health together!

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. And that was a bipartisan agreement.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 522 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time is yielded for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. SESSIONS. House Resolution 522 provides a modified open rule for consideration of H.R. 1173. This rule allows for any amendment prefiled in the Congressional Record which complies with the rules of the House to be made in order. That's pretty simple. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying bill, H.R. 1173, the Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011, which was introduced on March 17, 2011, by the gentleman, my dear friend from Louisiana, Congressman Charles Boustany, and was reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce by a vote of 33-17 on November 29, 2011. Additionally, the bill was reported by the Committee on Ways and Means on January 18, 2012, by a vote of 23-13. This legislation has been through regular order. Members from both sides of the aisle on several committees have had opportunities to submit perfecting ideas, and those amendments have been considered. With the modified open process brought forward by the Rules Committee, every preprinted amendment will be given full and fair consideration by this body. Mr. Speaker, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, also known as the CLASS Act, was a budgetary gimmick introduced by congressional Democrats in the ObamaCare bill to fit a 10-year budget score, not to provide reliable insurance coverage. This is why we are here today. Built on an unstable foundation, this long-term health insurance system was broken from its inception, and yet was used to sell ObamaCare to those who did not fully comprehend its future implications. Let's review the facts of this case. The CLASS Act establishes a long-term health coverage program that would be operated by the Federal Government. The program is a guaranteed issue, meaning no one can be turned away. The program provides subsidized premiums to those under the age of 22 and to those below the poverty line. Finally, it can use no government funding. If that isn't a recipe for failure, I'm not sure how else you would design the program. Giving reduced premiums to some and mandatory coverage to all necessarily drives up the monthly premium. The Department of Health and Human Services indicated that the plans, as designed, would cost $235 and $391 a month and could rise to as much as $3,000 a month for those in the program. Anyone who is healthy and above the poverty line would most certainly turn to the private sector, leaving the program woefully underfunded. These are the facts. The program is not viable and is not sustainable. In reference to the program, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary Sebelius, finally agreed on October 14, saying, ``I do not see a viable path forward at this time.'' It makes you wonder what other sections of ObamaCare might not be fiscally sound, given a closer review as well. Oh, by the way, this Republican Congress is doing that right now, in committee, under regular order. Apparently, however, we had to pass the bill to find out about the CLASS Act and what was in it and how it might work. Mr. Speaker, we are not solving the problem by creating programs that are unsustainable. We continue to double down, taxing Medicare and Medicaid relentlessly to where they cannot pay for themselves. President Obama and congressional Democrats actually cut $500 billion in Medicare in order to fund the CLASS Act and flawed programs like it in the ObamaCare package. The majority of Republicans in this House are committed to protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security for future generations, not passing empty promises--those that cannot sustain themselves and those that would be headed for failure from their inceptions. I believe we are abandoning the core mission of entitlement programs, which was meant to bring necessary coverage to those who cannot provide for themselves. Mr. Speaker, I, like many Americans, can speak on a personal basis about what a disappointment this is, not just the ObamaCare bill, but the provisions laid out in it. You see, I'm not unlike many Americans. I have a disabled son at home. I have an 18-year-old Down syndrome young man. I, and Alex, perhaps at some point, will count on the government's being able to uphold its real responsibility. I believe government should have a mission statement, and that government should have a role in the lives of Americans, but it should be one which is very narrow and well understood. I understand and believe that we should have a government that does help people who need help, and that we do have a government that can give assistance. However, I believe that able-bodied people should not be included in these programs. I believe that the people who should be a part of this government assistance should be those who have an intellectual or physical disability, those who are seniors--our parents. Because of their ages and their service to this great country, they have earned this and should be given that help. Lastly, those who are poor--those, in other words, who are at or below the poverty line-- should be a part of this as well. I believe that what this bill has done--and the philosophy of the Democratic Party, including that of this President--will diminish the real role that government should be playing, because, in fact, it has gone so far out of its intended purpose, or of its ability to sustain what it should be doing, that it will be a sham system and unable to help those it should have been intended to help in the first place. I have seen this many times. I have seen it in professional sports where, as an analogy, people will buy a season ticket and get a parking pass with it. There are sometimes 10,000 or 15,000 people who buy season tickets for 4,000 parking places. In other words, there may be 10,000 people who have the right to come to those parking places, but there is only room for a few. Mr. Speaker, I believe our government and the leaders of this government, including Secretary Sebelius, recognize the limitations and the failures of this piece of legislation. This one piece alone is what we, as Republicans today, are trying to highlight, and Dr. Boustany is right in bringing it to us. We should not be creating a system that would be outside the scope of what the government should actually be doing, which is to help those who cannot help themselves or who deserve that opportunity to have help. In other words, by creating a larger-than-life scenario which cannot be sustained, they've, in fact, put the underpinnings of something that could be good at risk--selling too many parking places for the ones that need to exist. The parking places that need to exist need to be on a one-on-one basis now for the people who need them the most. That is what the government should be doing and doing well, not going outside of its mandate and not promising something that is unsustainable and that they cannot deliver on. Mr. Speaker, I would submit and suggest that some Democrats will rise today to defend this bill, the CLASS Act, but the facts of the case are now known and well understood so that even the President and his administration are walking away from this part of the bill. The program is fatally flawed, and a full repeal is the only realistic way we should approach this. Now is the time to be serious with the American people. Now is the time when we need to say that this should not have been a part of what this health care bill is about. It will surely not deliver on what was sold or do what it was intended to do; and before we engage in that, we ought to be realistic and honest about what this is doing. Now is the time to be serious with the American people about expectations from the Federal Government as related to this program. House Republicans are committed to providing affordable, patient-driven solutions to the problems facing our health care system; and we recognize, in going through the bill, that this stands out as a prime example of what is broken about the legislation that is law today. So we are here forthrightly, through regular order, to talk in a polite and sensible way about how we should handle what we now know and what we should have known then but failed to do. Not reading the bill is just another example of the flawed process that we were going through. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this modified open rule, which allows for the consideration of all preprinted amendments that comply with the rules of the House, and to vote for the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I find very interesting my friend's arguments. First of all, the health care bill hasn't even kicked in, so millions of people have not gotten the advantages of this bill yet.

Mr. SESSIONS. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, at the time the bill was passed, we agreed to a number of things that we did think were good ideas. That was a good idea. The $500 billion of cuts in Medicare that Republicans talked about, we did not set that up for this election. They did that 2 years ago. That's one of the reasons why the American people, 50-plus percent of the American people, another reason why they do not like this bill. But to suggest that all of the advantages that are occurring as a result of this bill would be a misnomer. As a matter of fact, it's causing almost 80 percent of small business owners not to make decisions about hiring people for the future; and it's causing intense financial problems, not only upon small businesses but upon other businesses who don't hire people. It's causing a substantial problem on the amount of money that we are spending by this government right now. Oh, by the way, that legislation also said in certain pieces of it that it's not for review by judicial or congressional oversight, that whatever these panels do is a decision that they would make. It's very restrictive. It's a government-run system, and it's causing enormous financial distress to this country. I appreciate the gentleman trying to take all of the high attributes for it. It's a system that Republicans will vote to repeal, and we will replace that with a system that is market-based and that works. Lastly, I will say that the gentleman talked about how cost effective it is. Insurance rates are raising 30 percent this year alone for people in the private sector, and that's nonsustainable. Mr. Speaker, today, however, we are talking about a larger issue, and that is a piece part of that bill, the CLASS Act. I'm very pleased today to have a gentleman who is a great member of our conference, a physician by trade. It's just of enormous consequence that we have a person who understands why this piece of the bill in particular, today, must be repealed. I'm delighted to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany), the original sponsor of the bill.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. You know, the beautiful part of this body and really the historical context of the United States Congress is that people can come down and advocate for things that they see, things that they want. We go through, have hearings, we pass bills. We're not here today to say what's good or bad or right or wrong in terms of how we help people. We're here saying the government cannot make this program work. To make the program work means that it has to have the underpinnings of an understanding, not just how it will work and who will pay for it, but really, what are the services that are going to be provided? The gentlewoman from Texas was very genuine in talking about the needs of people. I deeply believe in those needs also. But it also goes back to, this administration is the one that is walking away from the legislation, and it does us no good to try and act like, it's okay, we'll just ignore that. The Congressional Budget Office today released its viewpoint for the coming year, and once again this administration, President Obama, will have a $1 trillion deficit on his hands. The prior record before President Obama had been $459 billion. We are going to be a trillion dollars--again--in the hole. At some point someone needs to recognize we cannot sustain all these great and wonderful ideas because if you cannot pay for something, you have set an expectation of performance that will not ever come true. That is cruel. That is cruel, and that is exactly what this ObamaCare bill and this CLASS Act is all about. It is about substantially telling the American people that something will be there when it never will be there because it's not put together where it's sustainable. The President's own people are saying it's not sustainable. And we as Members of Congress are trying to work with the administration on how it might work, and they're saying it can't and won't. So the reality base of this is that the Republican Party does recognize the need. I recognize the need personally. I think Charles Boustany, Dr. Boustany, who is the sponsor of the bill, recognizes a need. But the way that it is defined and was defined in the Energy and Commerce Committee was, it's a concept and an idea; let's voice vote this or agree that we'll get something back later. The bill was not voice voted. The agreement that they would come back later and look at it was. In fact, Republicans are not guilty as charged. We are people who primarily go back home every weekend. I've never spent a weekend in Washington, D.C., in the 16 years I've been a Member of Congress. I go back out of Washington and try and go home to listen to people about the concerns that they have. It doesn't take much of a person who goes back every weekend to recognize there are great needs in this country. But to try and put together a program that cannot sustain itself, that offers a false hope and cannot be met, is cruel. So today, Republicans, without calling anything bad, we're simply saying it cannot be sustained. It cannot be sustained by the government. The government cannot figure out a way to make it work. The managers of the business cannot figure out a way. So, we've heard today we should hold hearings. We should. We should take up this issue. Dr. Boustany talked about the need to do that, and we're going to. But the way the law looks right now, it's unsustainable, and we should tell the truth about that. And that is what Republicans are on the floor of the House doing today. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think what we've done today is fair and honorable. We've talked about a problem. We've talked about a potential answer. First of all, an answer is that, since we do not have a workable program without bringing it back to the Congress, we ought to work with the administration. I think we've been responsible. But we have heard feedback from the administration, in a hearing, that said, we can't make that program work; we cannot make that program work. So I think that what we are doing today is the fiscally responsible thing, to end the program, to end a program that is not going to work and was not designed to work, and then start back over, if we choose to, and put it into a workable mode. But only to have a false hope out there of something that cannot be sustained and something that the managers of the government cannot make work is a bad idea. We've got another trillion-dollar deficit that is facing this country, another $1 trillion. We know who that is. That's Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Mr. Speaker. They are the ones responsible. They are the ones that are happy with that, and they are the ones that try to justify that. Today we are coming together to find the solution to a long-term care issue in this country by talking about it, doing something that cannot be sustained, and then admitting, as Mr. Boustany did, that we need to do something better. And we should not throw the idea away. Today we are going to vote on something that will do no further harm. I applaud my colleague from Louisiana, Congressman Boustany, for introducing the bill. I appreciate him coming before us. I respect and appreciate my committee, the Rules Committee, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) for bringing this debate here in such an open and transparent process. I encourage a ``yes'' vote on the rule. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, last night, Congressman Glenn ``GT'' Thompson was honored by the Boy Scouts of America with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. This award is the highest honor the Boy Scouts bestow, and is awarded to a deserving Eagle Scout for distinguished service in his profession and to his community for a period of at least 25 years after attaining the level of Eagle Scout. A lifelong resident of North Central Pennsylvania, Congressman Thompson earned his Eagle Scout in May of 1977 from Boy Scout Troop 52 in Walker Township, Pennsylvania. Since then, Congressman Thompson has served his community as a volunteer fireman, member of the Bald Eagle Area School District Board of Education, and in 2008 was elected to serve his constituents as their voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. I was proud to be with Glenn last night to help those closest to him honor his achievements. Glenn embodies the virtues of public service, duty to country and moral integrity that serve as the pillars of Scouting. Therefore, today I wish to recognize Congressman Glenn Thompson and thank him for his service to his community and our country.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize Kent Conine of Dallas, TX. Mr. Conine has spent his career working to provide affordable housing for the citizens of the great State of Texas. As a homebuilder, Mr. Conine has made significant and lasting contributions to his local community and the housing industry. President of Conine Residential Group, Mr. Conine has helped thousands of Texans fulfill their American Dream of homeownership. However, his efforts extend beyond his personal business. Mr. Conine has served as Chairman of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), on the Board of Directors Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, and as President of the Texas Association of Builders, the National Association of State of Housing Boards, and the National Association of Homebuilders. This evening in Austin, Texas the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers is honoring Mr. Conine for his years of service and unwavering dedication to the people of Texas. I wish to join them in thanking Kent for everything he has done, and continues to do, to promote the American Dream of homeownership in Texas.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Albert ``Bert'' Caswell. Bert has worked as a United States Capitol tour guide for over twenty-five years. He is known throughout the Capitol for his extraordinary work and selfless attitude. After hours, Bert volunteers his time offering Capitol tours to wounded veterans and participants of the Make-A-Wish foundation. He also visits and writes poems for wounded soldiers at local hospitals to lift their spirits and celebrate their heroic nature. Mr. Speaker, I submit before you a poem, authored by Albert, reflecting on the extraordinary sacrifices and courage of the men and women of our Nation's Armed Services. Christmas Tears This Christmas season, as you awake. . . . Please, so take the time to so take. . . . To remember in this December, all of those families whose hearts now quake. . . . For they are so separated, so far across the shores . . . by such dark and most evil war. . . . All in fear, not knowing . . . if but their loved ones may live but one day more. . . . So say a prayer. . . . Because, there will be tears across this nation. . . . Christmas Tears. . . . And as you so see the smiles upon your children's faces. . . . Remember, there are such men and women of honor, fighting all in such dark places. . . . Giving all of their treasure, oh yes That Last Full Measure . . . so you may live in peace. . . . So say a prayer and shed a tear, for all of them and all of these so here . . . Our Patriots of Peace! And all of the ones, who now so in hospitals, who have so just begun their new battles in this new year. So shed a tear. . . . For the ones who now so live without arms and legs, and holes in all places . . . teaching us all what faith is! For them all so shed a tear! And for all of those most magnificent ones, as Thy Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven now in the ground . . . for freedom won! Shed a tear. . . . For all those little boys and girls, who have just lost their best friends in the world. . . . Its so sad now, shed a tear. . . . And as you so sing your songs of joy, remember all of these little girls and boys in your hearts so very loud! And shed a tear. . . . And in this evening as you break your bread, remember to say a prayer for all those whom have bled! All so you can be free and live in peace. . . . Please shed a tear, and say a prayer for all of these. . . . A child is born. . . . As we remember on this golden morn. . . . Remember all of their Christian Acts, for their courage does not lack. . . . So for all of our Armed Forces, shed a tear. . . . Say a prayer, that they will all be home one day . . . safe and sound in the coming years. . . . And on this Christmas night as you so lay yourself down to sleep. . . . All in your hearts, so very deep. . . . Say a prayer. . . . That our Lord will so watch over all of these. . . . And say a prayer for peace . . . do so please. . . . Now, on this night from high above. . . . But comes a gentle rain, soft falling snow flakes from our Lord all in his love. . . . All for their selfless sacrifice, all of these fine men and women who now must fight. . . . Are but our Lord's tears, for all these and their families on this night. . . . So say a prayer and shed a tear, and so pray that they will all be back next year. . . . But, with their loved ones, on Christmas night. . . . Lord God, Bless Them. . . . Bless Them All! Thank Them All. . . . And say a prayer and shed a tear for all those most magnificent families and heroes who answer the call! Thank them all and shed a tear.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. William C. Mobley, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California San Diego. On December 8th, Dr. Mobley was awarded the International Sisley-Jerome Lejeune Prize, in Paris, France, for his therapeutic research on Genetic Intellectual Disabilities. Dr. Mobley's many contributions in the field of Down Syndrome have been truly valued in the special needs community. His research to identify causes of neurodegenerative disorders has brought new optimism to those afflicted with diseases from Alzheimer's to Down Syndrome. As the parent of a child with Down Syndrome, I understand first-hand the daily challenges that families are facing. We are the beneficiaries of Dr. Mobley's important research and future generations will be enabled as a result. Dr. Mobley has used his expertise to serve this Congress. As the expert advisor for the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus, Dr. Mobley has educated Members of Congress on this important issue, raising public awareness while advancing critical research. This award is a well deserved recognition of his life's work to eradicate debilitative neurological diseases and disorders. I applaud Dr. Mobley on his outstanding commitment to this vital research and look forward to a continuing partnership. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Dr. Mobley. Because of his efforts, I know that those with Down Syndrome, and their families, will see easier days ahead. With Dr. Mobley's work, we will one day see a world free of these devastating neurological disorders.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, on December 9, 2011 Jeffery Potter was duly elected to serve as President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Jeff is the Vice-President of POTTER, a design firm in Dallas, Texas established in 1983. The firm has a broad portfolio but specifically seeks to advance schoolhouse design in the region. Jeff has been recognized by his peers through numerous regional AIA and trade awards for his design efforts and has juried design awards programs throughout the United States. Over the past 30 years Jeff has worked to elevate professional communications between his peers and to educate the public on the importance of design. Additionally, Jeff has worked with his colleagues to help combine traditional architectural journalism with social media and knowledge sharing to promote architecture in the 21st century. As AIA President, Jeff has stated that he will focus on what he calls the ``two spheres of influence'': nurturing a grassroots organization of architects and building on the strengths of the organization to promote a professional institute of design leaders. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Potter's accomplishments and ask that we acknowledge the important role that architects serve in our economy.

Mr. SESSIONS

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