John Shimkus

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 38th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the pillar upon which our robust friendship with Taiwan stands. The United States and Taiwan share the common interests and values of freedom, democracy, rule of laws, human rights and free market. Our security commitment has helped Taiwan become one of the most free and prosperous societies in the world. The United States enjoys cooperation with Taiwan on a broad range of concerns, including security, economic cooperation and development, global engagement, humanitarian relief, counter-terrorism, people-to-people exchanges--and the list goes on. It is my firm belief that a strong and prosperous Taiwan will guarantee peace and prosperity in the region. As we commemorate the 38th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, it is in the national interest of the United States to take decisive action to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations. I also noticed that the President of the Peoples Republic of China, Xi Jinping is visiting the United States to visit with our President. It is my hope that the upcoming meeting is positive and constructive. U.S. engagement with the PRC is important to the peace and stability of the region. We should always hope and insist that the U.S.-Taiwan relations, and Taiwan's security and interests, are not in any way compromised. Taiwan is a great friend of the United States. Taiwan is and will continue to be a friend of the United States.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 38th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the pillar upon which our robust friendship with Taiwan stands. The United States and Taiwan share the common interests and values of freedom, democracy, rule of laws, human rights and free market. Our security commitment has helped Taiwan become one of the most free and prosperous societies in the world. The United States enjoys cooperation with Taiwan on a broad range of concerns, including security, economic cooperation and development, global engagement, humanitarian relief, counter-terrorism, people-to-people exchanges--and the list goes on. It is my firm belief that a strong and prosperous Taiwan will guarantee peace and prosperity in the region. As we commemorate the 38th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, it is in the national interest of the United States to take decisive action to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations. I also noticed that the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping is visiting the United States to visit with our President. It is my hope that the upcoming meeting is positive and constructive: U.S. engagement with the PRC is important to the peace and stability of the region. We should always hope and insist that the U.S.-Taiwan relations, and Taiwan's security and interests, are not in any way compromised. Taiwan is a great friend of the United States. Taiwan is and will continue to be a friend of the United States.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the Okawville High School boys' basketball team upon finishing second in the 2016-2017 Illinois State Class 1A Basketball Tournament. This is a remarkable achievement for the Okawville coaches, teammates, and community as a whole. The Okawville Rockets had an impressive year and an exciting tournament performance. The Rockets finished the regular season with a win-loss record of 32-4. By the end of the year, senior Noah Frederking led Okawville with the most rebounds in school history. Mr. Frederking also scored over 2800 points over the course of his high school career, making him the leading all-time scorer for Okawville and the entire Metro East area. The Rockets went on to win their regional games against Lebanon High School and Marissa High School. The Rockets followed that win by hosting two victories over New Berlin 'High School and Carrollton High School in their sectional games. In their state super-sectional game, the Rockets faced off against Menden Unity High School. After falling behind by 8 points before halftime, the Rockets looked to their defense to carry their comeback. The Rockets did not allow Menden Unity to score a single basket from the floor throughout the entire second half of the game, and rallied for an incredible win to take them to the championship game. Led by Head Coach Jon Kraus and Assistant Coaches Ryan Heck, Mike Frederking, and Jackie Smith, team members were Payten Harre, Josh Madrid, Caleb Frederking, Will Aubel, Logan Riechmann, Wyatt Krohne, Luke Hensler, Shane Ganz, Drew Frederking, Noah Frederking, Tyler Roesener, Payton Riechmann, Lane Schilling, and Kirklen Meier. Managers Max Aubel and Jarad Barnes also assisted the team throughout its season and playoff run. I look forward to watching their future successes in both their academic and athletic pursuits and wish them all the best in these endeavors. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Okawville Rockets on an impressive season, and I commend them for making the 15th district of Illinois proud.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Jennifer Krneta from Belleville, IL. Jennifer is a Case Worker with Caritas Family Solutions, a foster care organization, in Belleville. Jennifer has served as an exemplary Case Worker in Belleville for several years. Her actions came to the attention of our office thanks to a letter written by A1C Dakota Greenwood, a current member of the United States Air Force who is serving at Osan Air Force Base. In this letter, Dakota captured the tremendous impact that Jennifer has had on Dakota's life and upbringing. After the tragic death of Dakota's mother at the hands of a drunk driver, Dakota grew up in foster care and transitioned between living with several extended relatives, group homes, and foster families. Throughout childhood, Dakota faced poverty, hunger, neglect, and abuse. Through all of these adversities, Dakota credits Jennifer as the only person who showed devotion to improving Dakota's life. Dakota believes that without Jennifer's positive influence, Dakota would not be alive today. In addition, Jennifer played an essential role in helping Dakota to enlist in the Air Force. It was Jennifer who cared enough to ask about Dakota's life goals and interests. It was Jennifer who helped Dakota identify that service in the U.S. Air Force matched those goals and interests. And it was Jennifer who ensured that Dakota was prepared to meet with an Air Force recruiter when the time came. I offer my deepest admiration and gratitude to Jennifer Krneta for all that she has done for A1C Dakota Greenwood and all that Jennifer continues to do for the foster children of Southern Illinois. I hope that she continues to make life better for these children for many years to come.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Robert Dillingham who led us in the opening prayer. He is a pastor in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church where he serves Farina, Illinois. Reverend Dillingham is both a chaplain and a volunteer firefighter with the Farina Fire Department and is also a chaplain with the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, division 54. He serves as a hospice chaplain with the Hospital Sisters Health Systems through St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois, where he serves patients from over 20 counties in the central part of my congressional district. In addition to his service as chaplain, Reverend Dillingham is also on the board of the Farina food pantry and is a clergy care guide, where he is a pastoral presence in the lives of over 70 pastors. It is my honor to welcome Reverend Dillingham and his wife, Ashley, who is in the gallery today, and personally thank him for offering this morning's prayer.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address concerns brewing in Lithuania and other Baltic States about the construction of a nuclear power plant. This plant is 12\1/2\ miles from the Lithuanian border and in sight of Vilnius, Lithuania's capital and largest city. I speak here not only as a friend of the Baltic people and as a descendant of Lithuanian immigrants, but also as co-chair of the Baltic Caucus and chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment. Like all my colleagues here, I am concerned about ensuring the security, integrity, and safety of nuclear projects in Europe and around the world. Here is the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, and that is where the power plant is being built. This site was first chosen during the era of the Soviet Union but was halted after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, which contaminated a quarter of Belarus. Now, in 2019, Belarus is supposed to house a different Moscow-run nuclear power plant, this one run by the Russian state-owned company Rosatom. This project is very environmentally sensitive. Both Lithuania and Belarus are signatures to the Espoo Convention. The Espoo Convention calls for member states to consult with bordering countries about such projects, to allow experts to review information about the projects, and to share information with bordering countries about safety and security of these projects. Building a nuclear power plant is hard, especially when it is a country's first. That is why the International Atomic Energy Agency has recommended a six-step review process meant to prevent disasters like Chernobyl's and the more recent one in Fukushima, Japan. But Belarus has chosen to skip four of the six steps, including crucial steps, and ignore the people in the land of Lithuania. There is a real concern that the main purpose behind the project is to grow Russian influence and power, especially over energy, in the European Union. The President of Belarus said that the Astravets plant and another Russian plant are a fishbone in the throat of the European Union and the Baltic States. Nuclear power plants in sensitive areas should be discussed within the Espoo Convention. Nearly all of Lithuania is within 186 miles of the plant, which means that, if a disaster were to strike, the land of Lithuania could be affected. The country's drinking water could also be affected since the plant is supposed to draw water from the Neris River that supplies drinking water to Lithuania. But incidents are occurring that cast doubt on Belarus' commitment to working with neighbors and ensuring the plant is safe. In 2016, four accidents occurred, and Belarus has failed to be upfront with Lithuania about any of them. A 330-ton nuclear reactor shell was allegedly dropped from about 13 feet last summer. Belarus did not reveal anything about the incident until independent media reported it, and then downplayed it. Building a nuclear power plant requires care in construction according to the most stringent standards with the utmost transparency, and for the best reasons. This plant fails on all four counts. It is in the wrong location. It has been irresponsibly handled. Instead of transparency, we have seen stonewalling and obfuscation. Instead of making the most economic sense, this plant seems to make good geopolitical sense--and for Russia, not for Belarus. Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. No one here objects to the safe, secure design, construction, and running of a nuclear power plant. But the people of Lithuania are firmly opposed to irresponsible attitudes toward nuclear power, particularly so close to their most populous city. This concern makes sense. As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Environment and long-time observer of Eastern Europe, Mr. Speaker, I can assure you that the people of the United States have no better friend than the people of Lithuania. Lithuanians have the right and the responsibility to ensure their and their children's environmental security. They should not be expected to accept inadequate or misleading information about a serious, environmentally sensitive project right on their borders. The Government of Belarus should respect the commitments it has made, including with its neighbors. Until these issues are resolved, Mr. Speaker, I cannot fault the Lithuanian people for their concerns about the Astravets nuclear power plant. I share their concerns. I hope Belarus will calm their fears by allowing in international experts and representatives. Belarus should also comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency's recommendations for the design, construction, and running of safe nuclear power plants.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, this is an important day, and I have great friends on the other side of the aisle. We debated aggressively, and, in fact, I see one of my colleagues from California. We spent 27\1/2\ hours dealing with our committee of jurisdiction's markup of the bill. It has been a long time since ObamaCare was passed, 7 years, and those of us on our side said: Well, we didn't keep the insurance plan they said we were able to keep, we didn't get to keep the doctor that they promised we could have, we didn't save the $2,500 a month that was promised would be the savings if we passed ObamaCare. So I would argue, we have been very patient--7 years--and I think the public has been very patient. The public has judged ObamaCare through a couple of election cycles and has claimed failure. So we are on, as we call it, a rescue mission, because right now premiums have increased 25 percent, on average, across the country; one-third of U.S. counties have only one insurer; 4.7 million Americans were kicked off their health plan; and $1 trillion in new taxes. Out of the 23 ObamaCare CO-OPs--I love co-ops. I am from rural America. We believe in co-ops. They are not-for-profits. Out of the 23 ObamaCare CO-OPs, 18 failed. It shows you it is not working: $53 billion in new regulation costs; 176 million hours of paperwork. So what do we do? Republicans believe in transparency. We believe in markets. We believe in competition. We believe in what we are calling cooperative federalism: returning power to the States. We are seeing that in part of the Medicaid proposals, allowing the engines of our country, the States--some have been very, very successful in reforming the Medicaid programs, providing first-dollar coverage, and some have not. Hopefully, they will learn from the other States. We also want to empower the individuals in the individual markets. One-size-fits-all, mandatory--you have to have one of only four plans-- has destroyed the individual market. So 7 years is too long to wait. I appreciate us moving aggressively. Time is of the essence. We are on a rescue mission, and this is just another path in the process of repealing and replacing ObamaCare.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Todd Zobrist, a paramedic with Highland EMS in Highland, Illinois. Yesterday afternoon, Todd was the first to arrive on the scene after receiving a call of a vehicle in Silver Lake with a person possibly inside. When he saw the vehicle partially submerged, he swam out in the cold water to search for anyone inside. He found an unresponsive baby boy, rescued him from the vehicle, and immediately began CPR on the roof of the vehicle. Todd was able to revive the 3-month-old at the scene and the baby was transported to a St. Louis hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery. I would like to commend Todd for his heroic and lifesaving actions. It is a great tribute to a southern Illinoisan.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Veteran Services Officer Lynn P. Brown for being selected as Employee of the Quarter for the entire State of Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Agency. VSO Brown has been with the agency for nearly 26 years. VSO Lynn Brown grew up in a family of eight boys in Effingham, Illinois. He graduated from Effingham High School in 1962 and joined the Army in 1966. After training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Lynn was stationed overseas at Pleiku, South Vietnam, with the 1st Signal Battalion as a personnel specialist and rose to the rank of Spec/5. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1969. Spec/5 Brown was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. During his career as a VSO, Lynn Brown has served a large section of South Central Illinois veterans. His professional career has been described as defining what a Veteran Services Officer should be, and his private life has become an extension with the same devotion. He continues to serve veterans and their families long after the workday is over, on holidays, and on weekends. He has even built over a hundred shadow boxes for medals and awards for fellow veterans and their families, at no cost to the recipients. I offer my congratulations to VSO Brown for his outstanding accomplishments while serving veterans. We need more men and women like him.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Southeastern Illinois College's Model Illinois Government team's success at the 2017 Model Illinois Government competition. Southeastern's team won the Outstanding Large Delegation Award, earning its tenth Outstanding Delegation Award in 14 years, and fourth in a row. Southeastern is the smallest school in terms of enrollment at the simulation and not only defeated much larger community colleges, but also Universities including the University of Illinois at Springfield, Eastern, and Western Universities. Southeastern led all schools in total points, leadership positions, and controlled both the House Democrat and Senate Republican caucuses. Southeastern set new school records for floor leadership positions (six) and total points (sixteen). Tracy Stokich and Casper Johns won the Award for Outstanding Original Legislation, while William Tippett was named Outstanding First Year Delegate, and Morgan Denbo won the Outstanding Member of the House of Representatives Award. Team members were elected to 4 committee spokesperson positions, two committee chairs, while Evan Doughty was elected House Majority Leader, and Ryan Dennison was elected Senate Minority Leader. William Tippett and Grant Loudy were also elected as Assistant Leaders in their respective chambers, while Dana Hooven and Chloe Brandon were elected as floor whips. The Southeastern Model Illinois Government team, coached by Matt Lees, consists of Chloe Brandon, Ryan Dennison, Morgan Denbo, Evan Doughty, Reagan Gray, Dana Hooven, Stephanie (Casper) Johns, William Johnson, Granton Loudy, Braden Scroggins, Tracy Stokich, Nolan Sutton, and William Tippett. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the continued success of the Southeastern Model Illinois Government team, and I extend my best wishes to them for another outstanding season next year.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend, Congressman LaHood, for having this tribute tonight. Bob Michel was a giant here in Washington, and he left this world in a manner in which he probably would liked to have--without fanfare, without parades, just going home. As was said, Bob Michel actually served in this House for 38 years. He loved the House of Representatives. He cherished this Chamber and he cherished this institution. He served as minority leader for 14 years in, as he lovingly called it, the people's House, in this institution he dearly loved. Few are left in this Chamber who actually served with him. It is my hope that Minority Whip Hoyer gets to the floor, who served with him. I think Steny also tries to represent that era of time when there were people who disagreed without being disagreeable or who could work across the aisle. I look forward to hearing Steny's remarks. Bob was known for his aw-shucks demeanor and his baritone singing voice. I remember once at a Lincoln Day dinner, when he was leaving and I was running, and the people always wanted him to finish the Lincoln Day dinner singing ``God Bless America.'' Always. It was mandatory. But his aw-shucks demeanor and his baritone voice should not distract from his keen legislative ability, where he steered the Reagan Revolution through this Chamber as the minority leader. As those of us who have served post-Bob Michel know, that is a difficult thing to do. Many times you would see Bob Michel wearing his CIB on his lapel pin. For those of us who served in the military, the CIB is one of the most treasured awards because it means he was an infantryman who served in combat. My colleague, Congressman LaHood, relayed his service from Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge, meritorious service awards, and wounded in combat. You can see Bob's presence here in the Chamber. The Speaker's Office is named the Bob Michel Room. Or go to Peoria--which I was fortunate to go to to attend the funeral--and you will drive across the Bob Michel Bridge. The funeral service was on the campus of Bradley University, and the student union is named after Bob Michel. Bob Michel loved baseball. As an avid player myself, we shared fond memories. I pitched, he pitched. I think he won more games than I did. One flaw in Bob Michel's character was being a Cubs fan. As a Cardinals fan, I was able to say that. But when all the ceremonies were going on with the Cubs winning the World Series, I finally found that a reason to be happy about the Cubs' success is that Bob was alive to experience it. In fact, stories over the weekend said he stayed up to see the final play and the final out. There is a great picture of him on his porch flying the W. Bob was laid to rest in Peoria on Saturday. I remember one of the statements made at the funeral, ``If Pekin is good enough for Senator Dirksen, then Peoria is good enough for me,'' and there he was laid to rest. My thoughts go out to his sons, Scott and Bruce, and daughters, Robin and Laurie, and also Vicki, who, after Corinne's death, became a loyal companion. I appreciate this time to reflect. I will end with: You get to meet some great people in this Chamber, and one of those that I will always cherish is my opportunity to get to know and become friends with Leader Bob Michel.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask for support and prayers for our giants still among our midst. Leader Bob Michel is struggling and in ill health. Bob was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. He is 93 years old, a World War II vet, fought across Europe, and was part of the D- day invasion. For 38 years, he served in this Chamber being minority leader from the 97th Congress through the 103rd Congress. That is a total of 14 years. Bob was honored by then-House Speaker Foley when he was asked to take the gavel on November 29, 1994. I would encourage my colleagues to look at that C-SPAN tape. Bob, we love you. We are thinking about you at this critical time.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. H.R. 7 codifies policies that have been enacted for more than 30 years, on a case-by-case basis, that prohibit the Federal funding of abortion, including the Hyde amendment, which prohibits funding for elective abortion coverage through any program funded through the annual Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Act; the Smith FEHBP amendment, which prohibits funding for health plans that include elective abortion coverage for Federal employees; the Dornan amendment, which prohibits the use of congressionally appropriated funds for abortion in the District of Columbia; and the restrictions on elective abortion funding through the Peace Corps and Federal prisons.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I am on the Energy and Commerce Committee the healthcare bill came through. We can debate how many hearings, how many questions, and all of that. The public has rendered judgment on this healthcare law. In 2010, Republicans took back control of the House over two issues: ObamaCare and cap-and-trade. And then our base was saying to repeal ObamaCare, all the way back to 2010. In 2014, the Republicans took over the Senate. Our base is saying: You have got the House. You have got the Senate. Repeal ObamaCare. It is harmful. It is destructive--and I will tell you why in a minute. So why should anybody not expect us, in 2016, when the public has rendered judgment again in a national election that we have to repeal ObamaCare? So when I talk to my constituents and people talk to me, this is going to happen, and we know there is going to be a replacement. There are two different ideologies of how to provide care. We believe in markets; you believe in centralized control. We believe in people choosing the best plan for them in the private markets; and those who need help and assistance to get in those markets, we are going to help them get in those markets. But to have our Federal Government say that you only have one of four choices--my constituents pay for health care that they can't use because they can't pay the deductibles, so they are forced to buy something that they can't use. So this is timely. I am glad we are moving expeditiously, and we look forward to the year ahead.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce upon celebrating 100 years of service. This is a remarkable achievement for the chamber, and reflects the success and prosperity that the chamber has contributed to Effingham County. The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has backed several impressive developments over the course of its 100-year tenure. In its early years, the chamber funded a study of the development of Lake Sara. This has led to it becoming an attractive venue for fishing and a wonderful source of employment and revenue for the Lake Sara area. In addition, the chamber has played a key role in the development of several community initiatives in Effingham County, including the Effingham Regional Academy, Effingham County Vision 2020, and Effingham County 911. The successes of the chamber over the past century were recognized when the chamber recently won the Illinois Chamber of the Year Award. I offer my deepest admiration and gratitude to the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce in its centennial year for providing great service to my constituents and to helping the economy of our district grow and flourish. I hope that the next century of service from the chamber is just as successful.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the bicentennial anniversary of Bond County in my home state of Illinois. Bond County was created on January 4th, 1817 by an act of the Illinois Territorial Legislature. This event occurred nearly two years before Illinois was admitted into the Union as the 21st state. The initial dimensions of Bond County were quite unique, as it was only 24 miles wide, but stretched over 600 miles north to include a portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The county gets its name from Shadrach Bond, who had been an army colonel in the War of 1812, and, given the county's initial layout, had farmed well north of present-day Bond County. Shadrach Bond also served as the first governor of Illinois. Over time Bond County gave birth to numerous other counties in the state, and ceded some of its land to Wisconsin and Michigan as well, so that today Bond County is one of the smaller counties in Illinois. Yet its rich history, along with the spirit and pride of its people, has outlasted all of these changes. This year Bond County has planned a grand celebration in recognition of its bicentennial. This celebration began on January 5th with a commemorative program and a special proclamation by the County Board. Later this year, on July 2nd, the main celebration will occur with tours, a parade, food and many other activities, climaxing with a fireworks show. I ask that we all join in that celebration as we pay tribute to the history and the people that made Bond County, and to the pioneering spirit that lives today in all of its citizens. I stand today to salute Bond County on its 200th anniversary and to wish it the very best in the future.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Upton, and I congratulate my friend Diana DeGette. Also, I thank Frank Pallone for a good job. I thank him for being supportive, especially today, as we move this forward. Thank you for including six of my bills that I had involved, one that deals with the lack of antibiotics in the market in the pipeline. So that is helpful. Four other bills help innovation to get lifesaving devices to the market. I encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Miss Lauren Chappell of Charleston, Illinois, for winning her third IHSA Class IA individual golf title. The three individual titles is a record for girls' high school golf, and I am very proud of her achievement. Hers was a hard-fought match, and what was most impressive was the way she had to battle back from some early difficulties to win the day. How Lauren responded after encountering trouble on the first and fourth hole was the defining moment of the match. Her mental toughness shone through as she weathered that storm, and then birdied the ninth hole. She then closed the door on her competition with a birdie on seventeen, which was sandwiched between two pars. I know she is pleased with her victory, but I also know she is equally pleased that her high school team, the Charleston Trojans, won the team state golf championship as well. Lauren leaves behind a legacy of excellence and good sportsmanship. I would like to extend my best wishes to her, both in the classroom and on the links, as next year she begins her studies at Southern Methodist University.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the outstanding success of the Charleston High School girls' golf team. The Charleston Trojans posted a score of 676, seven strokes better than their nearest rival, and gave the school its first ever Class 1A girls' golf state title. Leading the way were Lauren Chappell, who won an individual title, fellow senior golfers Ally O'Dell and Aislinn Parish, juniors Haley Walker and Bailey Taylor, and sophomore Paige Chappell. I would also like to acknowledge Charleston girls' golf coach Deb Landsaw for her hard work which went into this championship, as well as her unshakable faith that this team had what it takes to win, and the Trojans' Athletic Director, Jim Wood. The road to victory was not an easy one for Charleston, which saw their 11-stroke lead evaporate on the final day of play. But the team rallied, summoning the mental toughness of a champion, and went on to a win the day and the match. I am very proud of the Charleston High School's girls' golf team, and I look forward to the continued success of the team, as I extend my best wishes for another outstanding season next year.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Sergeant Caleb James Koker for his many accomplishments in his service to the U.S. Army National Guard in Marion, IL. Caleb is a Fairfield, IL native who attends Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Caleb has a remarkable service record. He finished at the top of his class in all of his military training, and he also proved to be a proficient marksman by passing his M4 rifle training with a perfect score of 40/40. Caleb then joined Unit HHC2-130 INF of the U.S. Army National Guard in Marion, where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant at only 20 years old. That made Caleb the youngest soldier to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the history of his unit. Since then, Caleb has gone on to earn three Army Achievement Medals while serving in his unit. The fact that Caleb has balanced a distinguished service career with a stellar academic career makes his accomplishments even more impressive. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his undergraduate education at SIUC, and he will travel to Pennsylvania to train as a Multitrans System Operator in the next few weeks. Caleb will earn a degree in Criminal Justice when he graduates from SIUC this December, and he will enlist as an active duty member of the U.S. Army upon graduation. After that, Caleb plans to continue to serve our country by pursuing a career in Federal Law Enforcement. I offer my congratulations to Sergeant Caleb Koker for his accomplishments while serving in the U.S. Army National Guard and while pursuing his college degree, and I wish him the best of luck as he continues to serve our country with pride.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome home Jeff Williams and the crew of Expedition 48, which landed safely last night in Kazakhstan. Jeff is a Wisconsin native and a West Point classmate of mine from the class of 1980. In fact, when he landed, he put a hat on that had our class crest and motto. He holds the U.S. record for the most cumulative days in space by a United States astronaut. He has completed five space walks, including two on this last mission. Jeff is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston. He is also a noted and published photographer. He says: ``It's a very humbling experience to view the Earth''--and everything it represents--``and to begin to imagine the creative power of our God.'' I would like to end with Psalm 19:1: ``The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.'' Welcome home, Jeff. Have NASA update the photo in your biography, which is about 20 years old.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Ashlyn Darnell for completing Basic Combat Training for the United States Army. Ashlyn is a Goreville, Illinois native who just turned 18 early in August, and she will be returning to Goreville to finish her senior year of high school before reporting for Advanced Individual Training. Ashlyn was able to attend basic training thanks to the Split Training Option program, which allows high school students to complete basic training during the summer between their junior and senior years. After completing her Advanced Individual Training, Ashlyn plans to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and will enter the ROTC program as she pursues a degree in nursing. Once she graduates, Ashlyn plans to enlist in active duty for the U.S. Army. Ashlyn's sense of duty and service guided her to pursue a future in the U.S. Army. Despite her successful career as a two-sport high school athlete and the opportunity to play basketball for a university program, Ashlyn still seeks a career as a member of the U.S. military. She cites her desire to work for the freedoms of our country as a core factor in her decision. Ashlyn is so driven to join the military despite her youth that she even had her parents sign the consent forms that allowed her to enlist in the reserves. I offer my congratulations to Ashlyn Darnell for her completion of.Basic Combat Training, and I wish her the best of luck as she pursues a career of service with the U.S. Army.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the anniversary of the Welles Declaration, a diplomatic statement that helped shape U.S. policy in Europe for more than 50 years. In the summer of 1940, the Soviet Union in an effort to expand its oppressive regime invaded the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. This was part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact the Soviets signed with Nazi Germany. After the Red Army overran the Baltics the Soviets imprisoned the nations' political leaders and oversaw rigged elections. The new puppet governments immediately petitioned to join the Soviet Union. Any voices of opposition were suppressed and more than 100,000 citizens were deported from the Baltic States to Soviet camps. In light of these horrific events Secretary of State Sumner Welles issued a statement condemning the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as refusing to recognize the annexation of the Soviet Republics on July 23, 1940. The Baltic States maintained independent diplomatic missions, including here in Washington, DC. Every American President from 1940 through the independence of the Baltics in 1990 and 1991 supported the principles set forth in the Welles Declaration. The principles of the Welles Declaration still hold true today. We must stand against Russia's aggression toward its neighbors, including our NATO allies in the Baltics, and their occupation of areas of Ukraine. I commend America's stand against Soviet aggression during the Cold War and hope we will stand strongly for freedom today.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge over 40 years of exceptional pro-life and pro-family efforts by Mrs. Jack Koester of Teutopolis, Illinois. In June of 1973, a group of concerned residents came together to found the Effingham County Right. Mrs. Koester has served as the secretary of that group ever since. As secretary, she has issued a monthly newsletter, has helped the organization grow through its breakfast and rummage sale, has hosted an annual day of prayer, has organized the Life Chain, has manned the pro- life booth, and has publicized the monthly prayer vigil. Mrs. Koester also cofounded the Family Life Center in Effingham 20 years ago. After suffering a stroke last fall, she is still recovering and has shifted her focus to encouraging other citizens of the Effingham area to volunteer so as to carry on her pro-life efforts. Mrs. Koester is a mother of 3, a grandmother of 10, and a great- grandmother of 2. One of her granddaughters is currently an intern in my office. I want to personally thank Mrs. Koester for her lasting dedication to the pro-life movement, and I wish her the best in her ongoing recovery.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the celebration of the 175th Anniversary of St. John the Baptist Parish in Piopolis, IL. St. John the Baptist church was established in 1841. The parish operated a school from 1870 through 1964. Precious Blood Sisters came from Burwell, Germany, to teach at the school. Nine sisters arrived on February 28th, 1870. There were Precious Blood Sisters teaching in Piopolis until the school closed in 1964. The parish is in a farming community; their membership is comprised of 184 families. Because of the strength and character of its members, the parish possesses both a rich history and a vibrant future. They are commemorating their 175th anniversary with a special mass with festivities to follow on August 21st, 2016. I am honored to recognize such a strong faith community in my district. I look forward to the continued prosperity of St. John the Baptist Parish in Piopolis for many years to come.