John Shimkus

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Doug McCumber for his leadership and service to his community of Tuscola, IL. Doug graduated from Tuscola High School in 1967 and then the University of Illinois in 1971. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Doug began his 40 year career in banking and a life dedicated to his community. Over time, Doug served in many capacities such as the President of Tuscola's Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Community Development Corporation. Doug was also active in Tuscola's United Methodist Church as a member of its Board of Trustees. An avid sports fan, Doug enjoyed cheering on the Illini and St. Louis Cardinals, but that was nothing compared to his love for all things Tuscola Warriors. In fact, most knew Doug as the ``Voice of the Warriors'' as he was the play-by-play announcer for Tuscola High School's football team for 43 seasons. Doug McCumber passed away September 26th, remembered as a beloved family man to his wife and children, a devoted Christian to his congregation, and a public servant to the entire Tuscola community. Mr. Speaker, I wish to send my deepest sympathies to Doug McCumber's family, friends, and all of those he impacted in service to his town.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Troy, Illinois, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. St. Paul's had its beginning in 1864 when local Lutheran families first came together for worship. In 1865 a new church building was dedicated, which served both as a place to worship and as a school, and on January 25, 1867, St. Paul's Lutheran Congregation was officially established. Since then, St. Paul's has had a strong presence in Troy. Whether by providing an elementary school education to its children, giving back to Troy through its community-based services, or simply ministering to its congregation, St. Paul's has been a focal point for the religious and spiritual needs of the community. In the years since the first church building was dedicated, St. Paul's has undergone many changes: a second house of God was dedicated in 1888, German and English services began in 1900, an extensive remodeling occurred in 1938, and construction on the current church began in 1961. But what has not changed over the past 150 years has been the spirit of love and joy in God's work that first animated St. Paul's and is present in today's congregation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge an important milestone for St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and I wish it, and its pastor, the Reverend Michael Schuessler, the very best as they celebrate the church's 150th anniversary.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate our friend, Taiwan, as it commemorates the 106th anniversary of its National Day on October 10th. The United States and Taiwan have always had a strong relationship, even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. This relationship has led to cooperation in many areas such as matters of international security, trade and investment, cultural exchange and education, etc. Taiwan is also a great friend in times of need. When Hurricane Harvey recently wrought destruction and wreaked havoc in areas of Texas, Louisiana, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Taiwan made a generous contribution of $800,000 to help the hurricane's victims. Taiwan's President, Tsai Ing-wen, repeatedly expressed concern for our country's hurricane victims, and the people of Taiwan have, once again, demonstrated their friendship with the United States. We need to continue to give Taiwan all the support it needs. Taiwan is a democracy and deserves our friendship and best wishes. It is my privilege today to rise to congratulate Taiwan as it celebrates its 106th National Day.

Mr. SHIMKUS

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

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Angela McQueen, whose actions saved the lives of Mattoon High School students after a student gunman opened fire in the cafeteria. Angela tackled the student, eventually disarming and holding the assailant on the ground until police arrived. Angela taught math and physical education in Mattoon, Illinois, for over a decade. She is an Illinois native and graduated from Marshall High School, where she was a standout high school basketball player. She then attended Eastern Illinois University, earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physical education and her master's in education administration. Angela became a teacher because she wanted a platform to be able to make the world a better place. She is highly involved in the Mattoon community and is a member of B.I.O.N.I.C., Believe It Or Not I Care teacher's program, founded in 2014 and funded by the Rotary Club. She is also part of the school's grief support research team. I honor Angela McQueen's dedication to her students' safety and her courageous actions in the face of adversity. If she had not selflessly acted, the situation could have been much worse. Mr. Speaker, Angela McQueen is a true hero and deserves nothing less than our highest admiration.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the honoree of the Molina Healthcare of Illinois' 2017 Community Champions Awards Ceremony and Dinner, Zennie Herring. Zennie, who is from my hometown of Collinsville, has dedicated her life to improving the world around her. After retiring from her career as an elementary school teacher, Zennie volunteered at the Cahokia Mounds Visitor Center for 20 years. In addition, she served as director of the local Meals on Wheels program. She is also a remarkable and avid tailor. Zennie has sewn thousands of reversible dresses for her church's mission team at Meadow Heights Baptist Church, and she has sent hundreds of her dresses abroad to little girls in Mexico and Haiti. She also sewed dog beds for the local shelter, dresses for children's toys, and lap robes and clothing protectors for nursing home residents. The Community Champions Awards Ceremony and Dinner, created in honor of Molina Healthcare's founder Dr. C. David Molina, brings together people whose civic and faith-based leadership, volunteerism, and public advocacy embody Dr. Molina's legacy of service. There is no doubt that Zennie embodies the very spirit behind this award. I applaud Zennie Herring for her service to her community, and I would like to thank her for representing my constituents so wonderfully both in Illinois and abroad.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 200th anniversary of Colonel Sylvanus Thayer entering West Point as the fifth superintendent of the United States Military Academy. Colonel Thayer served 16 years as superintendent and is remembered as the ``Father of the Military Academy.'' He is responsible for innovations that evolved the Academy into the world's premier leader development institution. His character-based leadership education system set new standards that are still expected of all cadets today. The current superintendent is General Bob Caslen, who carries on Colonel Thayer's traditions and instills the ideals of duty, honor, and country in our future leaders. To that end, the West Point Class of 2017 just graduated, and I congratulate the 936 commissioned 2nd lieutenants of the United States Army as they take their place in the long gray line. The class of 2017 has just begun with 1,230 members beginning their West Point experience. I thank Colonel Thayer and those who follow him for exhibiting courage and developing leaders of character in the defense of our country. With that, I say: Beat Navy.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the plight of the Oromo people of Ethiopia. The Oromo are Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, with a population of more than 25 million, or 35 percent of Ethiopia's total population. I speak here on behalf of one of my constituents, Ms. Seenaa Jimjimo, who is of Oromo descent. Ms. Jimjimo is the president of the Coalition for Oromo Human Rights and Democracy. The coalition is dedicated to bringing the suffering of the Oromo people and other Ethiopians to the attention of Americans and the world. She impressed me with her passion for defending the rights of her people, and that is why I bring this issue to the floor. Human rights in Ethiopia have been subject to deteriorating conditions for over a decade, with a sharp decline since 2014, making an already difficult situation even worse. The Ethiopian Government has adopted laws restricting freedom of expression, association, and assembly, including rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the Ethiopian constitution. These violations have been widely decried by numerous international bodies and nongovernmental organizations. Our own State Department has said the following about Ethiopia: ``The most significant human rights problems included harassment and intimidation of opposition members and supporters and journalists; alleged torture, beating, abuse, mistreatment of detainees by security forces and politically motivated trials.'' Free expression is curtailed by laws permitting the government to punish speech it disagrees with up to 5 years in prison. In just 2016, security forces killed at least 1,000 and held more than 28,000 newly arrested persons in detention centers. In the midst of the difficult situation for all Ethiopians, the situation for the Oromo people is particularly dire. The Ethiopian Government released the Addis Ababa Master Plan, which sought to expand the capital into the Oromia region. The plan would displace millions of farmers, carve Oromia into two regions, changing the livelihood of 36 Oromia towns and 17 districts by hurting the livelihoods and lives of the Oromo without consulting the Oromo. The Oromo protests erupted in November 2015 in response. The Ethiopian Government admitted the use of excessive force. A Human Rights Watch report described interviews of hundreds of people who survived gruesome and inhumane acts by security forces. Even so, no one has been brought to justice. According to the State Department report, the government also recently won what appears to have been a rigged election. The deaths of thousands of Oromos and other Ethiopians cannot bring a lasting solution to the country's mounting problems, yet the Ethiopian Government continues to receive money for its role in the Somalia and Sudan peacekeeping missions. We must ask how long the United States should keep financing a regime that has received $30 billion in foreign assistance since it came into power in 1991, and reportedly has stolen virtually all of it. In honor of thousands of Oromo people who have been savagely murdered, injured, arrested, and have been victims of enforced disappearance, I now join my colleagues in cosponsoring House Resolution 128, which calls for supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia. This resolution sends a clear and strong message to the Ethiopian movement and government by letting them know that we keep a vigilant eye on the suffering that some minorities have been going through in recent years and the offenses that caused these sufferings. Many Ethiopians who dare to speak up against the current government are being treated badly all across Ethiopia. Oromos are being singled out. Consider the case of Bekele Gerba. He was arrested upon his return from the United States, where he spoke to several Members of Congress. Now he stands charged with terrorism, although after a year and a half, the government has been unable to produce a single document to back up their accusation. Even as the Ethiopian Government has admitted to arresting 28,000 people, there is reason to believe the number is closer to 80,000. We must condemn violence against peaceful protestors, unlawful arrests, inhumane treatment, and the withholding of key human rights. The Government of Ethiopia has an obligation to care for all its people, including the Oromo. As the United States, we should stand with the people of Ethiopia and help the Ethiopian Government return to the path of peace and democracy.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and tell the story of Army Reserve Corporal Edward Lee Borders, a soldier who gave his life for this country in the Korean War. Cpl. Borders served as a member of D Battery, 82nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, supporting South Korean Army attacks against units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF). On February 11, 1951, the DPAA report shows that the CPVF was able to force the South Koreans to withdraw and leave the Support Force 21, which included Borders' unit, behind at Changbong-ni. Cpl. Borders was reported as missing in action on February 13, 1951, when he did not report with his unit in Wonju. Three years later, he was declared dead, but his body was never identified. Cpl. Border's father put up a monument in a Harrisburg, Illinois cemetery with the hope of someday laying his son to rest. For 66 years, the family could not glean any further information, despite consistent investigations from Borders' father and stepmother. However, recently Army Reserve Cpl. Edward Lee Borders' body was finally identified from the remains returned to the United States from North Korea between 1990 and 1994. Per his family's request, his remains are returning home to Illinois. After receiving plane-side honors, Cpl. Borders will be escorted to his final resting place by an honor guard and members of the Patriot Riders. The Borders family will bury Cpl. Borders on July 29 in Harrisburg, Illinois, where he will receive a service with full military honors. Finally, the Borders family will be able to honor Army Reserve Cpl. Edward Lee Borders by laying him to rest at the monument placed in his name, thereby fulfilling the 66-year-old wish of a father to bury his son. I am proud to acknowledge the Borders family for their love for our country and their family, and I thank Cpl. Edward Lee Borders for his service and his sacrifice.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, as my colleague from Colorado recognized the 100th anniversary of Estes Park, I take to the floor to thank my wife for putting up with me for 30 years--30 years ago today. Madam Speaker, as we all know, behind every good man is a great woman. I wanted to come to the floor to thank her for helping raise our three boys, helping make sure that we attend church faithfully, and putting up with the hectic life that a lot of our constituents don't understand living in two places at one time, trying to manage a family in another State, while we are gone almost half of the year. So I come to the floor just to pause and thank my beautiful wife, Karen, for sticking with me for 30 years.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, to my colleague from Colorado, sitting in with the Rules Committee yesterday, the question was asked: Would you accept this amendment or would you not? I said: I appreciate my colleagues on the Rules Committee. They will do the due diligence in agreeing which amendment comes to the floor or not. So it is good to see the Rules Committee has so much comradery and comity that they would allow someone from the committee to offer an amendment on the bill, but I still have to object because it splits this bill and tries to bring in air issues that are in the hazardous air program and jam it into this one where, basically, what we are trying to do is send a signal and allow communities to meet the 2008 standards before a new 2015 standard gets placed upon them 3 months after they do the implementing guidelines. It is really a process, a bill that makes it easier for people to comply. It really helps EPA more easily be able to evaluate the data and move us forward to a cleaner environment. Mr. Chair, I reluctantly hold my position that we should vote against the Polis amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, the subject of H.R. 806 is criteria pollutants and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards program, not the hazardous air pollutants programs, which my colleague is referring to. These two programs are addressed under different sections of the Clean Air Act. The whole title is Clean Air Act, but you have one section here dealing with national ambient air quality, and then you have another section on hazardous air aspects, which is what my colleague is trying to address. Criteria pollutants are addressed under section 107 and 110 and part C and D of title 1 of the Clean Air Act, while hazardous air pollutants fall under section 12. This amendment, moreover, is wholly unrelated to the purpose of H.R. 806, which is to provide State regulators with additional time and flexibility, as we have heard throughout this debate, to implement ozone and other standards for criteria pollutants. H.R. 806 makes process-related reforms to address practical implementation challenges identified by State regulators. This amendment would make substantive changes relating specifically to regulation of the oil and gas sector. This amendment would make significant changes to the Clean Air Act that did not receive any Energy and Commerce Committee consideration during the markup of this bill. The amendment would also circumvent the established regulatory process for listing new hazardous air pollutants set forth under the Clean Air Act. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I agree with my colleague that this doesn't rise to the standard of the other bills that we will be bringing in a bipartisan manner, and we kind of raised that initially at the beginning. And it is, I think, to both of our losses. But having said that, my colleague, Congressman Olson, the author of the bill, did get a couple Democrats to sponsor the primary piece of legislation, and there is a Senate companion bill, S. 263, which we hope will be passed by the Senate. So we are a little more optimistic that this can get over the finish line than Mr. McNerney might be, but, again, we will continue to work together where we can work together, and respectfully disagree when we have disagreements. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, let me just remind my colleagues that--why 10 years? I mean, that is a good question. When the 2008 standards came out, it took the administration 7 years, to 2015, to tell people how to even implement the 2008 standards. Then, 3 months later, they say: Oh, no, we are going to have a new standard set at 2015. So this debate doesn't reduce or roll back. It says, let's let the EPA establish standards and then give communities time to comply. That is all this bill does. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley).

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I would like to highlight a few specific things. One is the standards established by the EPA remains unchanged. The real premise of this bill is the fact that, when the 2008 standards came out, it took the EPA 7 years to get to the guidelines for how local communities and businesses could comply. While that was occurring, they ratcheted down a new set of standards. So when we talk, this is really more about having our citizens and our communities be able to comply with the rules and regs before a new rule and reg gets in place. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, to my colleagues and friends, I appreciate the debate. Those who followed it here, just a couple of points. The question is: Why are we here today? In 2008, the EPA established ozone standards, and then it took the EPA 7 years to tell communities how to comply with those 2008 standards. It is the truth. I am just telling you the truth. Three months later, after they told the communities how to comply, they said: Now we are going to give you 2015 standards. That is why we are here. We are just here trying to say that if the EPA is going to establish standards, then they ought to say: We are going to give you the guidelines on how to comply now, not 7 years later. So what this bill does is allow communities to meet the 2008 standards. It doesn't roll back any standards. It says meet the 2008 standards. In fact, we don't even say roll back the 2015 standards. We just say, give the communities time to comply with the 2015 standards. This motion is a distraction. Let's reject it, and move to pass the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 806, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017, is about ensuring effective implementation of our air quality standards. We have learned that timelines and procedures established almost 30 years ago can be counterproductive today, resulting in unnecessary costs, regulatory delay, and economic uncertainty. H.R. 806 ensures we will continue to deliver effective environmental protections, with reforms that will also help expand economic opportunity in communities around the Nation. H.R. 806 removes barriers to the planning and permitting of new or expanded manufacturing facilities and to related economic activity essential for building out America's infrastructure. The bill's reforms reflect practical improvements to the law suggested by State and local regulators, who have confronted the growing challenges of implementing multiple air quality standards under multiple implementation plans and under tight statutory deadlines. As a result, these challenges have increased, and it has become more difficult for many areas to enable the economic expansion needed for their communities. This bill takes several sensible steps to fix this situation. First, it extends the date for final designations for the 2015 ozone standards to 2025. This allows States time to implement the 2008 ozone standards and other measures to improve air quality. The provisions align requirements for new source construction permitting with this phased ozone schedule, which will reduce permitting delays and still ensure the use of the best available emissions control technologies. The provisions would require timely issuance of implementation guidelines by EPA so States can plan effectively. Second, the bill aligns the air quality standard setting with how the process works in practice, and it ensures fuller information about regulatory impacts. For example, it updates the mandatory review of air quality standards to reflect past experience by extending the requirement to 10 years, and preserves the EPA administrator's discretion to issue revised standards earlier, if necessary. The bill ensures the administrator, prior to revising an air quality standard, obtains advice from the EPA's Independent Science Advisory Committee about any adverse effects on jobs, welfare, and other economic impacts related to implementing the standards. Finally, the bill takes several steps to address some of the problems communities face when working to meet the standards. For example, it ensures that, for certain ozone and particulate matter nonattainment areas, States are not required to include economically infeasible measures in their plans; it ensures that States may seek relief with respect to certain exceptional events, including droughts; and it directs EPA to examine the impacts of foreign emissions on standards compliance, ozone formation, and identify effective control strategies, including ways to facilitate EPA review to avoid unnecessary penalties for foreign emissions. The bill also helps communities with most severe air quality challenges that are doing the most to clean up their air by providing a reasonable way to avoid burdensome and unnecessary sanctions, which harm their ability to grow their economies and create jobs. The provisions of H.R. 806 represent important steps to update the Clean Air Act to reflect what we have learned over the past 25 years since its last major revisions. There is more work to be done to modernize environmental laws, but ensuring orderly implementation of air quality standards is an important place to start and essential in our environment and our economy. Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to support this important bill today, and I reserve the balance of my time.