John Shimkus

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of time.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the time and courtesy. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak about my West Point mom, who just recently passed away. Mary Ellen Witter of Bluffton, South Carolina, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 21, 2020, with her family around her. My West Point mom, who loved me even though I ate her food, broke her chairs, and disobeyed a rule now and then. She was the definition of grace. She was preceded in death by her husband, the love of her life, Colonel Lee Witter. They were married 61 years. She was the daughter of the late Allan and Alma Imse, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1937. Mary Ellen went to the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, for her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She received her masters from C.W. Post Center, Long Island University, New York, in Library Science. She was a dedicated military wife. She represented America while being an embassy military wife in Indonesia. She was a longtime educator, both here and abroad. Mary Ellen was a pianist, singer, and a devout Christian, who was very active in her church and was part of the Stephen Ministries and prayer groups. For those who knew her, she was a soft-spoken woman who loved traveling, reading, gardening, camping, bird-watching, and going to the beach. But most of all, she loved her family and her friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Mathew. She is survived by her two daughters, Nanette Jordan of Norwalk, Connecticut, and Dorinda Selby of Beaufort, South Carolina. She is survived by her sister, Sharon Quade of Crandon, Wisconsin, and her brother, Robert Imse of Naples, Florida. She dearly loved her five grandchildren: Ashley Benusa of Hong Kong; Taylor Jordan of Boston, Massachusetts; Zachary Jordan of Waterbury, Connecticut; Senior Airman Mathew Selby of Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona; and Thomas Selby of Beaufort, South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I look forward to attending the burial service, which will take place at West Point Military Academy National Cemetery at a later date. There, she will be laid next to her husband, Colonel Witter, and her son, Mathew. First Thessalonians 4:14 states: ``For we believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.'' May we find comfort in this promise.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Bailey Dowling of St. Joseph-Ogden High School, who was named the 2019-20 Gatorade Illinois Softball Player of the Year. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Bailey as Illinois's best high school softball player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year award to be announced in June, Bailey joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports. Ms. Dowling, who won the prestigious award in 2018-19, was one of only two high-school athletes on the 2019 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team that won the U19 World Championships last August. In addition to her superior achievements on the field, Bailey is an incredibly hard worker off the field, volunteering locally as a youth mentor and softball coach while simultaneously maintaining a 3.33 GPA in her high school classroom. Bailey has signed a national letter of intent to play softball on scholarship at the University of Alabama this fall. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Bailey on her achievement and wish her continued success in both her athletic and academic careers.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize four employees of the Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative (CMEC) for their efforts in saving a life. On April 3, 2020, Mitch Stanciu, Bob Schafer, Jim Geldert, and Brock Cook were out on a service call when the customer, a veteran from the Vietnam War, collapsed to the ground. The team rushed over, and Schafer and Stanciu, who both knew first aid, rendered assistance. Immediately an emergency call was transmitted as part of the co-op's rescue procedure, though with a unique wrinkle. Usually these calls would be made because a worker had made contact with an electric line. This time was different as it was a member of the co-op who needed emergency assistance. The co-op's IT chief, David Welsh, heard the call and determined the location of the emergency by using his vehicle's GPS system to find Stanciu's truck. Welsh immediately provided the coordinates to EMS personnel and an ambulance arrived within fifteen minutes of the incident first occurring. The victim was transported to the nearest hospital and then airlifted to a second hospital, where surgeons removed a blood clot from the man's brain. Madam Speaker, I think the victim's daughter summarized it best when she called the CMEC workers ``angels . . . who didn't pause in the face of a crisis,'' and it is an honor to stand today to recognize their efforts.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Reverend Dr. Dale A. Meyer upon the occasion of his retirement as president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In May of 2005, Dr. Meyer became the 10th president of Concordia Seminary. Over 15 years later, on June 30, 2020, Dr. Meyer will start a new season in life, retiring and turning over the reins of this beloved institution to new leadership. His contribution to the seminary was immense. During his tenure, Concordia's long-term debt was eliminated, its endowment quadrupled, and it earned top marks from its most recent accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools. From the start of his tenure to the end, Dr. Meyer worked alongside his wife, Diane; the faculty; and key staff to cultivate a culture that was service oriented and external facing. This meant instituting activities designed to instill a spirit of community volunteerism into first-year students. This meant adding benches on campus and expanding holiday displays each year so visitors knew they were welcome at this place. It meant working with his wife, Diane, and Gayle Zollmann-Kiel, coordinator of campus grounds, to create community gardens for people to enjoy all summer and fall, thereby feeding the community both spiritually and figuratively. And it meant, during the current pandemic, having the bell tower on campus play music to lift the spirits of all those around. No wonder the seminary received several civic awards, including being named among the 100 Top Workplaces in St. Louis in 2015. Dr. Meyer's retirement marks a season of change for the seminary. However, it also marks the closing of a chapter of a long career of service for him personally. While Dr. Meyer's first job was helping his parents, Arthur and Norma Meyer, deliver milk for Dixie Dairy on the south side of Chicago, he was called to serve on a full and winding professional path. This path was so full of wonder that he would often marvel at the, ``milkman moments'' that unfolded, remarking: ``What am I doing here? God has blessed me so.'' Dr. Meyer completed his bachelor's degree in 1969 at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and earned a master of divinity from Concordia Seminary in 1973. He earned a master's degree a year later and a doctorate in 1986 in classical languages from Washington University in St. Louis. He also is a recipient of an honorable doctor of divinity in 1993 from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dr. Meyer first joined the faculty at Concordia Seminary as a guest instructor in 1979, going on to serve as head pastor of St. Salvator Lutheran Church in Venedy, Illinois, and St. Peter Lutheran Church in New Memphis, Illinois, both currently in my district, and at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois, which is my home congregation. These church communities are so beloved by the Meyers that they continue to worship at all three parishes to this day. It was at Holy Cross Lutheran that I and my wife, Karen, came to know Dr. Meyer and his family. Our lives have been intertwined, to say the least: Diane sold us our first home; I taught the oldest of his two daughters, Elizabeth, civics at Metro East Lutheran High School and ran many of 5k races to come with his youngest daughter, Katie; my own children played music in their daughter's wedding; and my wife, Karen, served as the head organist at Holy Cross with Dale; and so on. Dr. Meyer moved on from Holy Cross in 1989 after being selected to serve as a speaker on ``The Lutheran Hour'' radio program at Lutheran Hour Ministries. ``The Lutheran Hour'' is the world's oldest continually broadcast gospel radio program, first airing in 1930. Dr. Meyer also hosted a national television show, ``On Main Street,'' for Lutheran Hour Ministries. In 2001, ``On Main Street'' episodes received two prestigious Emmy awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, St. Louis/Mid-America Chapter. During this time, he took part in some of his favorite ``milkman moments,'' including opening both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives in prayer. In addition to his published writings, Dr. Meyer served in numerous leadership practices, such as third vice president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a charter board member of the Association of Lutheran Older Adults, an honorary director of God's Word to the Nations Bible Society, and as a board of trustee of the American Bible Society. Dr. Meyer finally returned home to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 2001, serving as the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Chair in Homiletics and Literature. He became interim president in 2004 and the 10th president of the institution in 2005. For the next 15 years, he could be seen working on the campus grounds, attending ``Bach at the Sem,'' and strolling with Ferdie, the oversized-in-body-and-heart golden retriever that became the quasi- mascot on campus and, sadly, recently passed away. Dr. Meyer likes to tell students: ``It is a great time to be the church.'' As the world suffers greatly from the pandemic, we are grateful for his efforts to raise public servants to serve all those who are hurting and to share the Gospel loud and clear for all to hear. As Dr. Meyer begins his beautiful journey of retirement, he will enjoy more time with his two grown daughters, Elizabeth, known as Lizzie, Pittman and Catherine, known as Katie, Bailey; their spouses, Darren and Charles; and their five grandsons that he refers to as Cinco de Meyer: Christian, Connor, and Nicholas Pittman, and Andrew and Jacob Bailey. Madam Speaker, I want to personally thank Dr. Meyer and his wife, Diane, for their ministry. I thank Congressman Fortenberry for yielding to me.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of the Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer upon the occasion of his retirement as President of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In May 2005, Dr. Meyer became the 10th President of Concordia Seminary. Over fifteen years later, on June 30, 2020, Dr. Meyer will start a new season in life, retiring and turning over the reins of this beloved institution to new leadership. His contribution to the Seminary was immense. During his tenure, Concordia's long-term debt was eliminated, its endowment quadrupled, and it earned top marks from its most recent accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools. From the start of his tenure to the end, Dr. Meyer worked alongside his wife Diane, the faculty and key staff to cultivate a culture that was service oriented and external facing. This meant instituting activities designed to instill a spirit of community volunteerism into first year students. This meant adding park benches on campus and expanding holiday displays each year so visitors knew they are welcome at this place. It meant working with his wife, Diane, and Gayle Zollmann-Kiel, Coordinator of Campus Grounds, to create community gardens for people to enjoy all summer and fall, thereby feeding the community both spiritually and figuratively. And it meant, during the current pandemic, having the bell tower on campus play music to lift the spirits of all those around. No wonder the Seminary received several civic awards--including being named among the 100 Top Workplaces St. Louis in 2015. Dr. Meyer's retirement marks a season of change for the Seminary. However, it also marks the closing of a chapter of a long career of service for him personally. While Dr. Meyer's first job was helping his parents, Arthur and Norma Meyer, deliver milk for the Dixie Dairy on the south side of Chicago, he was called to serve on a full and winding professional path. This path was so full of wonder that he would often marvel at the ``milk man moments'' that unfolded--remarking, ``What I am doing here--God has blessed me so.'' Dr. Meyer completed his bachelor's degree in 1969 at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After earning a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in 1973, he earned a Master's degree a year later, and a doctorate in 1986 in classical languages from Washington University in St. Louis. He also is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1993 from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dr. Meyer first joined the faculty at Concordia Seminary as a guest instructor in 1979, going on to serve as head pastor of St. Salvator Lutheran Church in Venedy, Illinois, St. Peter Lutheran Church in New Memphis, Illinois, and at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois. These church communities are so beloved by the Meyers that they continue to worship at all three parishes to this day. It was also at Holy Cross Lutheran that I, and my wife Karen, came to know Dr. Meyer and his family. Our lives have been intertwined, to say the least: Diane sold us our first home; I taught the oldest of two daughters, Elizabeth, civics at Metro East Lutheran High School and ran the first of many 5k races to come with his youngest daughter, Katie; my own children played music in their daughter's wedding; my wife Karen served as the head organist at Holy Cross with Dale; and so on. Dr. Meyer moved on from Holy Cross in 1989 after being selected to serve as Speaker on The Lutheran Hour radio program at Lutheran Hour Ministries. The Lutheran Hour is the world's oldest continually broadcast Gospel radio program, first airing in 1930. Dr. Meyer also hosted the national television show On Main Street for Lutheran Hour Ministries. In 2001, On Main Street episodes received two prestigious Emmy awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences St. Louis/Mid-America Chapter. During this time, he took part in some of his favorite ``milk man moments,'' including opening both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives in prayer. In addition to his published writings, Dr. Meyer served in numerous leadership capacities--such as third vice-president of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod; a charter board member of the Association of Lutheran Older Adults; an Honorary Director of God's Word to the Nations Bible Society; and as a Board of Trustee of the American Bible Society. Dr. Meyer finally returned home to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 2001, serving as the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Chair in Homiletics and Literature. He became interim president in 2004, and the 10th president of the institution in 2005. For the next fifteen years, he could be seen working on the campus grounds, attending Bach at the Sem, and strolling with Ferdie, the oversized-in-body-and-heart golden retriever that became a quasi-mascot on campus and, sadly, recently passed away. Dr. Meyer likes to tell students that: ``It is great time to be the church.'' As the world suffers greatly from the pandemic, we are grateful for his efforts to raise public servants to serve all who are hurting, and to share the Gospel loud and clear for all to hear. As Dr. Meyer begins this beautiful journey of retirement, he will enjoy more time with his two grown daughters, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Pittman and Katie (Catharine) Bailey, their spouses, Darren and Charles, and the five grandsons that he refers to as Cinco de Meyer: Christian, Connor and Nicholas Pittman, and Andrew and Jacob Bailey. Madam Speaker, I want to personally thank Dr. Meyer and his wife Diane for their ministry.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroism of Sergeant Gary Lee McKiddy of Ohio, who valiantly sacrificed his life on May 6, 1970, during the Cambodian invasion in the Vietnam War. During the May 1970 incursion in Cambodia, then-Specialist McKiddy was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division as a crew chief/door gunner on a single-engine ``scout'' helicopter. On May 6, McKiddy was sent to Cambodia alongside friend and observer Jim Skaggs and Warrant Officer Tom Whiddon, the pilot, to identify and attack enemy strongholds. While on patrol, the helicopter was struck by enemy fire, causing the transmission line to burst and the helicopter to make a crash landing. Based on the account of survivor Skaggs as well as the accounts of the medical evacuation team, all three men survived the initial crash. McKiddy, who was thrown from the helicopter, bravely and heroically charged back into the burning crash in an attempt to save both fellow crew members. After successfully rescuing Skaggs, McKiddy was killed while trying to save his pilot, Warrant Officer Whiddon. On June 24, 1970, McKiddy was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the third- highest personal decoration for valor in the United States Armed Forces. As we remember Sergeant Gary McKiddy on the 50th anniversary of his heroic sacrifice, I am drawn to John 15:13, which says, ``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' Gary's actions that morning are a true example of gallantry and belief in the Warrior Ethos. I am confident that God was with Gary that morning and that Gary is with Him now in His heavenly kingdom. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and constituent Jim Skaggs for sharing this story with me and for continuing to honor the legacy of his fallen friend. We remember Sergeant Gary McKiddy for his bravery, and I pray for his friends and family on this special anniversary.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to my constituent, Mr. Caleb Lydick, for his heroic actions on April 7, 2020. On the afternoon of April 7, Missouri State Highway Patrol and deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office responded to the report of a shooting on eastbound Interstate 70, near the 175-mile marker, in Montgomery County, Missouri. The initial investigation indicated the driver of a passenger car had fired shots from a moving vehicle, striking and disabling another vehicle also traveling eastbound, causing that vehicle to come to a rest near the 175-mile marker. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Troopers subsequently learned that, after the victim's vehicle came to a stop, two tractor-trailer drivers parked their trucks around the van to shield it from additional gun fire. I later learned that Caleb Lydick, of Springerton, Illinois, was one of the courageous drivers who placed himself, and his truck, in harm's way to protect the disabled van. Caleb's actions that day were both courageous and selfless, and I am grateful for the men and women, like Caleb, who rise to the occasion in a moment of danger. Madam Speaker, I thank Caleb for his bravery and wish him safe travels as he continues his essential work.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, in my congressional career I've served during many challenging times. Each one required Members of Congress to understand the national crisis, appreciate the separation of powers, and know his or her district. Some events were long and protracted like impeachment, but others, like 9/11 for example, hit like a lightning strike, unpredictable, powerful and life altering. The coronavirus outbreak is one of these events that struck out of the blue. Yes, it started in China. Yes, the world was slow to understand its true danger. But even as the world scurries around in an attempt to mitigate its damage and slow its spread, the United States is rising to the challenge with unheard of speed--amazingly so during this time of divided chambers and divided government. On March 4, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriation Act was signed into law. This quick response provided $4 billion to increase the availability of tests. $2.2 billion went to the Centers for Disease Control and $1 billion to state and local response efforts. It also jump-started public and private efforts toward developing a vaccine (which is already being tested). On March 18, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. The bill's $2.5 billion ensured that the government would cover the cost of testing. Anyone becoming sick themselves, or needing to care for an infected loved one, would be entitled to paid leave. Food assistance was expanded for the needy. Some federal Unemployment Insurance requirements were also relaxed, making it easier to apply and quicker to receive benefits. On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid and Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be signed into law. This bill directed cash assistance to most Americans. In my district, two-thirds of my constituents are eligible for the full amount and 97 percent of all households in my district should be eligible for some amount. For those who may not need this cash assistance for themselves, the bill also authorized a $300 charitable tax deduction whether a taxpayer itemizes or not. To help ensure workers have jobs to return to, the CARES Act provided $500 billion to the Treasury Stabilization Fund to make loans, loan guarantees and other investments. To benefit, borrowers must maintain employment levels as March 24, 2020 and retain 90 percent of employees. The bill also directed $349 billion to the Small Business Administration's 7(a) Loan Program. These loans will be administered through local financial institutions and are available to eligible to small businesses, independent contractors, self employed individuals, nonprofits and veteran organizations. Other notable provisions of the CARES Act included $100 billion for unreimbursed COVID-19 costs, $1.32 billion for community health centers, $15.5 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (known more commonly as food stamps), $25 million for long distance learning and telemedicine through USDA Rural Development, and liability protection for medical device manufacturers. The provisions in the CARES Act are much more extensive than my short summary, and I would direct those interested in learning more about the bill to the Ways and Means Committee website. It is always fashionable to look for someone to blame in these situations. Even within our legislative branch, Members have communicated for or against certain aspects of the response, whether for sincere policy objections or in hopes of gaining some local political benefit. Make no mistake, this always happens because it's part of our human nature. The Framers understood this well, and that's why our bicameral legislative branch creates its own checks on each Chamber. The Senate remains the cooling saucer of debate, just as Washington and Jefferson discussed more than two centuries ago. In times like these, I'm thankful we have a constitutional republic under a federal system of governance, with the limited duties and powers of the federal government spelled out clearly in our Constitution. Over the years the federal government has crept into the responsibilities of the states, but the 10th Amendment stipulates that if those duties are not listed they are the responsibility of the states. We are partners and all have to play our respective part. I think the Congress, in passing three response bills in twenty-three days, has done its part. I am also a capitalist and believe that free markets provide the highest quality goods and services at the lowest cost. I also believe in risk and reward--the power of individuals or groups raising capital and assuming risk with the hope of earning a return on that investment. Notice I say ``hope'' because in a free market a return is not guaranteed. During the financial collapse of 2008 I voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). I did so because the market collapse was due to bad management and those responsible should have borne the cost. I also believed allowing this to occur would speed up the recovery. This market involvement is fundamentally different. For me and many conservatives this is a takings debate. The government--whether federal, state or local--is forcing businesses to freeze economic activity. In essence, the government is depriving businesses of income they would otherwise be free to earn. What we have done in the third coronavirus bill is attempt to keep the employee and employer afloat until economic activity can resume, and to compensate those who have been ordered to forgo the fruits of their investment and labor. As a retiring Member I have the ability to step back and observe the big picture while still having access to some inner rooms, or in this case some inner (and many) conference calls. The crying and gnashing of teeth has occurred on both sides. Whether it was Republicans attacking Speaker Pelosi for delaying the process with her attempt to jam in Green New Deal inspired provisions, or Democrats attacking Congressman Massie who thought it was not too much to ask for a recorded vote on an unpaid-for $2 trillion spending bill that would immediately increase the national debt to $25 trillion. Members were thrown into a real quandary by the looming request for a recorded vote on this bill. Some were hunkered down in D.C. Most, like myself, were hunkered down in our home districts. Many Members would make a long drive to D.C. while others would risk air travel. To some it was an impossible commute with the limited time. I have the concern of an elderly parent living with me. Emotions were running high for everyone. I think that what we observed is Congress working at its best. A recorded vote was requested by Congressman Massie, which was his right. Democrat Whip Clyburn and Republican Whip Scalise did their jobs and counted to ensure that a quorum of 216 Members were present. If my inside information is correct, 130 Democrats along with 120 Republicans were present. But while the Rules of the House dictate that any Member may ask for a recorded vote, his or her request must be supported at least one-fifth of a quorum. No one joined Congressman Massie in support of his request. Mr. Speaker, the bill will pass by voice vote and signed into law that same day. Members were also given the opportunity to include in the Record how they would have voted, should a recorded vote have been ordered. I would have voted yes.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the extension of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program. The CFATS program, first authorized in 2006, is a continuation of congressional efforts since September 11 to protect the homeland. The program surgically and directly addresses gaps in Federal law regarding the security of high-risk facilities that use or possess chemicals of concern at levels of concern. The program is unique in that, to avoid overlapping with other Federal programs, CFATS was designed to foster collaboration between the government and regulated parties. CFATS is a security program. Regrettably, over the years, some have tried to make CFATS a safety program, but safety and security are two very different things. Security is about protecting your ability to operate, and safety is about controlling how you operate. We should continue to preserve the program's focus on security. Finally, it is imperative that, going forward, we find a way to extend the life of the program for a longer period of time, at least 5 years, in order to give the program, its personnel, and the participants the consistency they all need to be successful in their mission.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Newman First Christian Church on its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. Newman First Christian Church was born in the hearts of a small band of believers in 1870. An early focus of Newman First Christian was to make disciples of Jesus, and so for the first sixteen years the church did not have a regular minister and services were led by lay leaders, evangelists and circuit riders. As the congregation grew in spirit as well as in numbers, it soon outgrew its facilities. A new building was built to the glory of God on the corner of Green and King streets in Newman in 1904 and is used to this day for worship. Throughout its history, pastors have generally served for short periods of time, the longest being only four years. Then in 1950, the church called Reverend Wolfe and for thirty-seven years he served as its minister. After his death, the congregation took a step of faith in a new direction and in 1987 Newman First Christian became a ``teaching congregation.'' It was led by faithful men and women, preachers, and ministers until, under the leadership of Perry Albin and Laverne Fraser, the church recruited its current pastor, Justin Smith, in November of 2017. The church is serious about loving Jesus, as well as creating opportunities for community involvement, spiritual growth, and outreach. Newman First Christian, for example, continues to provide meals to various local school sports teams and prayer for local school events, sponsor community events, and offer biblical counseling to the congregation and community. This focus on service and outreach has improved the spiritual and physical well-being of countless people in the community. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure I stand to recognize Newman First Christian Church on its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. I wish Pastor Smith, the congregation, as well as the community of Newman, all the best for a bright and joyous future.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Centralia High School Competitive Dance Team for its first-place finish in the 2020 Class 1A Illinois state dance competition. After the first day of competition, Centralia found itself in third place. By the thrilling conclusion of the event the next day, though, Centralia was hoisting the championship trophy. Centralia finished with 97.18 points, beating its nearest competitor by nearly a full point. The score would have been high enough to top Class 2A, as well. Teams are evaluated in categories such as choreography, difficulty of the music, technique, synchronization, staging, spacing, and showmanship. Centralia's victory is a testament to great coaching, hard work, skill, and raw nerve. The squad is coached by Bethany Lorenzini. Team members include Jestin Taylor, Andrew Johnson, Ali Moreno, Gracie Moore, Elijah Jones, Erica Burnett, Clara Peroo, Alyssa Smith, Katelyn Parker, William Collins, Destiny Wallace, Reed Mays, Kailynn Witherspoon, Cash Berry, Zoe White, and Sophia Schossler. Managers are Diamond Battle and Ece Polat. The state championship is the first in any IHSA competition for Centralia since it claimed the Scholastic Bowl during the 1990-91 school year. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure I stand to recognize the Centralia Competitive Dance Team and offer it my sincere congratulations on being state champion. I wish the team all the best in the future.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, Thursday and Friday of next week, I plan to visit my alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point. I hope to spend time with the Department of Social Sciences and thank them for their service to our country and for their current job of training our next generation of warriors. I am sure that many of the faculty also mentor individual cadets. During my era, we called it sponsoring. This is a critical part of the job that I want to continue to encourage them to do. You see, I am headed back to West Point to attend the burial of my sponsor, Colonel Witter. I met the Witter family during my first free Sunday morning of Beast Barracks. We met at the Lutheran service in the Old Cadet Chapel in the cemetery. Colonel Witter and his wife, Mary Ellen, and children, Nanette, Dorinda, and Mathew, welcomed me into their home. They provided a safe haven away from the constant scrutiny of the upper class. They provided a full meal now and then when full meals during my era as a plebe were not always assured. Having been raised in a large family, they provided a second family, a younger brother that I never had and two younger sisters that I already had plenty of. As in any family, sometimes I was helpful and sometimes maybe a burden. The Witter family was always there for me, in good times and bad. Whether I was breaking the porch swing or kitchen chairs, seriously burning Mathew, or spending the night when I was told not to, I was also forgiven. Colonel Witter took a special focus on my school performance. I was on the other dean's list, the list academic deans pay closer attention to. Graduation for me was not a slam dunk. Colonel Witter would summon me to his office to encourage me and help motivate me academically. When I told him I thought I was doing okay, he responded: ``I get your grades.'' I could not have graduated from West Point without the love and support from the Witter family. For this, I will be eternally grateful. Colonel Witter, 84, passed away Monday, January 6, 2020, in South Carolina. This is a picture of him at the military academy as an instructor. I was blessed to have a chance to be able to visit with him and Mary Ellen a year ago last March. Colonel Witter was a native of Wausau, Wisconsin. He was the last serving son of 20 children of the late Jerry and Amelia Witter. Colonel Witter was a veteran of the United States Army, a retired military intelligence officer, and a United States Military Academy professor of social sciences at West Point. He was a decorated military veteran, earning the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was preceded in death by his son, Mathew, and all of his 19 brothers and sisters. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, and my second mom, Mary Ellen; two daughters, and my second sisters, Nanette Jordan of Norwalk, Connecticut, and Dorinda Selby of Beaufort, South Carolina. He also had five grandchildren: Ashley Benusa of Hong Kong; Taylor Jordan of Boston, Massachusetts; Zachary Jordan of Waterbury, Connecticut; Senior Airman Mathew Selby of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona; and Thomas Selby of Beaufort, South Carolina. Funeral services were held yesterday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Beaufort, South Carolina. I will be attending the burial service, which will take place at West Point Military Academy Cemetery on January 24, 2020, at 10 a.m. Mr. Speaker, I conclude with Matthew 25:21: ``His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.'' Beat Navy.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation on its thirty-fifth anniversary. Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, or simply SIHF as its known in the area, had its start in 1984 when a group of community leaders recognized the need to attract physicians to the Metro-East of the St. Louis Metropolitan area. SIHF opened its first site in Centreville on January 7, 1985 with a physician, a nurse, and a director. Today, SIHF serves 1,100-plus patients each day with open arms and a dedication to providing compassionate, comprehensive and efficient care. Community collaboration has been the key to SIHF's success. SIHF has fostered a dynamic approach to caring that includes shared staff, coordinated services and a joint approach to community problems. To that end, SIHF has partnered in collaborative efforts with dozens of community, civic, governmental, and various health care groups throughout the region. The single focus of these linkages has been to improve access, expand coverage, and provide the most efficient and effective care possible. The effectiveness of these initiatives has had a profound effect on the area. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure I stand to recognize Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation. SIHF has embraced its role of being a leading provider of health care for thirty-five years, and in that capacity has benefited thousands, a record of service I am pleased to acknowledge today. And with its single-minded focus on providing the very best health care to the area, I can confidently predict many more years of success for Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I already asked for inclusion in the Record a letter from the local municipal water plants, or the rural water associations, or the for-profit-owned water companies who said this makes it more difficult for us to clean up the water. We are going to be held to Superfund liability. We have to pay the court costs. Now we have exempted airports. We haven't exempted the water companies. That is really just a pass-through. They are receiving, they are cleaning up, and then they are disposing, but we are not going to exempt them. We are going to exempt airports. We are not going to exempt medical device manufacturers who are saving the lives of unborn children who have daily exposure of PFAS; and this is a lifesaving application. This is just one of many. I could pull up heart stents. Last night we also talked about F-16s and our defense industry. Maybe, with this amendment, we will do due diligence and find a suitable chemical formula that will replace this. So I applaud it. I think it is well thought of. It is meaningful. I would also like to, in the end, because this will probably be my last time to be able to talk on this. We, on both sides of the aisle, really need to thank legislative counsel, because of the short timeframe they had in the amendment offerings, their response to the majority's concerns and writing. And actually, obviously, we are probably more difficult because we are trying to really dig in and find the fallacies of the coming amendments. So my personal thanks to legislative counsel and professional staff who worked tirelessly on behalf of both sides. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the gentlewoman brings up an issue about firefighter foam. She talks about military installations. She does not talk about commercial aviation and waterway issues which are exempted in this bill. Again, I am not sure why we are wanting to clean up all PFAS contamination, the world is ending, but we exempt airports. We don't exempt medical devices. Let me hold up this. This was used last night. This is a medical device that is inserted into a child, maybe an unborn child, to close a hole in the heart. FDA said this is safe to insert into a heart. You want to talk about daily exposure? Here is daily exposure in an infant child. So the nexus between the gentlewoman's amendment and this debate is that maybe when we are investigating firefighter foam for alternatives, maybe we are going to investigate alternatives for this type. FDA has approved this. So why are we going to possibly ban chemicals? We also mentioned last night that the Food and Drug Administration has claimed PFAS lining for food packages is safe. So we already have government entities that have investigated portions of the PFAS world. Remember, we are talking about 7,866 different permutations; not one chemical, not two chemicals, but 7,866. And this is the first time in the history of our Nation that, without science and due diligence, we are going to label a chemical as toxic. That is part of the objection. Let's use real science. I get beat up all the time, being a science- denier, climate change. Here, my friends on the Democrat side aren't ready to rely on science to address each of these 7,866 different applications. In fact, they are trying to, in this legislation, cause a rush to judgment, create an inability for the EPA to make a decision. So then, the companies can be sued because there is no way they can meet the timelines based upon this bill. I would like to also read from the American Council of Engineering Companies letter, a letter that I will ask, at the appropriate time, to submit to the Record; and it says this: ``By designating certain PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under CERCLA,'' which is the Superfund, ``as called for in H.R. 535, we are concerned that such action could upset the progress already made to address this challenge, divert resources away from more pressing threats to water quality, and impose significant costs and liability on our water utility clients and the ratepayers they serve.'' Mr. Chairman, I include the letter I just referenced in the Record. American Council of Engineering Companies, Washington, DC, January 9, 2020. Hon. Frank Pallone, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Greg Walden, Ranking Member, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member Walden: On behalf of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)--the business association of the nation's engineering industry--we wish to express our concerns over H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act. While we agree that aggressive steps are needed to protect water resources from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, we believe that ongoing efforts at the federal level to develop risk-based regulations offer a more effective approach to address this problem. ACEC represents over 5,500 engineering companies and thousands of engineering professionals who work on a daily basis to improve the nation's water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment. While PFAS chemicals have been in wide use for many decades, concerns have emerged in recent years regarding the health effects of certain types of PFAS. In response to this, federal and state regulators, as well as water supply, wastewater and other stakeholders are working together to define the public health risks of the PFAS chemicals as well as consideration of technologies to cost-effectively mitigate those risks. The Council supports this deliberative, consistent and data-driven approach to developing risk-based PFAS standards. By designating certain PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under CERCLA (Superfund), as called for in H.R. 535, we are concerned that such action could upset the progress already made to address this challenge, divert resources away from more pressing threats to water quality, and impose significant costs and liability on our water utility clients and the ratepayers they serve. We would respectfully urge the House to reconsider this approach, and instead work to support and where necessary enhance the existing regulatory framework and action plan. Sincerely, Linda Bauer Darr, President & CEO.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment, although I do not believe I will oppose the amendment.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am happy to follow the Speaker, and I do have great respect for her. It gets me in trouble in my district every now and then when I talk about our relationship, but it has to be said that I can't allow a revisionist history to report on what occurred, especially on the Safe Drinking Water Act and in the final negotiations. It is well-reported that there was a three-corner agreement. One corner couldn't get there, and that is why we didn't have it. I won't name names. I won't point fingers. But to point this over at our friends in the other side of the building where they had come to an agreement, that is just not accurate. I would also point out that, in this bill, we are exempting airports from Superfund liability. We are not exempting medical devices. We are not exempting military contractors. We are not exempting water companies. We are exempting airports who use, probably the most toxic of all these chemicals: firefighter foam. Somehow, they were able to get a carve-out where other companies, industries, could not. The only other organization that benefited was the Trial Lawyer Association. I want to mention that again. It is amazing, the article came out last night. I am not sure how that happened, but it states in the article: An association of U.S. trial lawyers with deep lobbying pockets and an ear of influential Democrats is helping to push a sweeping chemical regulation package that could pave the way for a prolific legal bumper crop. Now, where would that happen in this bill? Well, it would happen in the Kildee amendment that we passed last night, which would federalize information publication that States should handle. We can get that at the Federal level, then the trial bar could go through this information. The Pappas amendment had unrealistic deadlines, so they had this litigation based upon not being able to meet a deadline. Then you have section 2 of the Superfund designation without science and unrealistic review deadlines. Section 4, toxic labeling of unrealistic risks without a review. Section 15, Clean Air Act designation without science and unrealistic review deadlines. And the Brindisi amendment, we passed, that makes it marginally better, but, of course, not good enough for us to be able to accept that--or at least me--in the vote on the floor. So, if this colleague of mine would amend this amendment and say let's have transparency on the class action lawsuits, then the litigation and the legal costs of doing this--we know that Superfund designation is not a silver bullet to cleanup, and I used this numerous times last night. Old Springfield, Vermont, was added on the Superfund list, September 8, 1983. Guess where it is 36 years later? Still on the Superfund list. Colbert Landfill, Spokane, Washington, added September 8, 1983. Guess what it is? Still a Superfund site 36 years later. We should do a transparency look at how much litigation and money has been spent, both by the government and lawyers, on these Superfund sites. And, if we want to talk about transparency, I think that would also be a good way. Maybe we could have a bipartisan agreement on timelines and remediation, but also follow the money. Where is the money going? So this amendment does not require informing Congress of private- sector actions to clean up PFAS under Superfund and is unclear how much cleanup is being done by other Federal agencies. Plus, this is something that the Government Accountability Office or the congressional committees could do without such expense to the Federal Government. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition.

Mr. SHIMKUS. They say in this letter: ``Any Federal action should not address PFAS as a class or with predetermined outcomes, but rather should be based on sound science and the weight of the scientific evidence.'' As I said before, this is the first time in the history of the country that we are labeling a chemical formulation as toxic politically using political science, not science. They go on to say: ``Further, Congress should not circumvent existing regulatory authorities. The Environmental Protection Agency, as well as other relevant agencies, should retain their traditional power to study PFAS and determine whether to regulate certain PFAS. Many provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act''--we talked about that a lot last night--``for Fiscal Year 2020, signed into law at the end of last year, took important steps toward meeting those goals.'' There is a list of 30 or 40 organizations. I am not going to read them all this morning. I appreciate my colleague's amendment. We actually were close when we were thinking about getting a bipartisan bill to bring to the floor. This was one of the provisions that was on the table. My friends, I believe, couldn't say yes, so here we are, fighting this bill that the Senate will not take up, and the President will not sign, and you will have to wait for the next Congress to address this issue. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, we addressed an amendment like this last night from the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms. Pingree). Very similar, and I will raise the same objections. I have been here a long time, and I actually remember the Alar scare. I also remember BPA, bisphenol A. That is the plastic--it was a kind of the same type--that was going to kill everybody, and we ought to ban it. We went through the scientific process and found out that it wasn't. In the meantime, did we need the government to offer labeling a ``- free'' product? The answer in the example of BPA is no. Bisphenol A was used in baby bottles. Company retailers that made bottles with other substances had no problems. In fact, it was a great marketing attempt for them to say that it was BPA-free. They didn't need government to do that. They did it because of the advertising and the consumer potential to do that. There will be, and there are, companies trying to do the right thing. They should take advantage of that opportunity, especially in this environment when we are dealing with 7,866 per- and polyfluorinated compounds. The debate is that every one of those 7,866 compounds is hazardous and destructive to individuals. If you are making a product, this is a perfect time to be able to do that and say that it is PFAS- free. Why would we have the government do that? Some could argue that this is a corporate perk, that we are incentivizing and rewarding companies through government action to do something that if they are good stewards, they should be able to do on their own. That is why I have some concerns with this. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record another letter from numerous of these companies--some you would label bad actors; some you would label good actors--as they submitted a letter in opposition to this overall bill. January 8, 2020. To the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives: PFAS are a large and diverse group of chemicals with unique properties that have been used in a broad number of beneficial applications for years. Heightened attention to potential health effects of certain PFAS has led to an increased public concern and interest in new regulatory protections in this area. We understand these concerns and are committed to working with legislators, regulators, and all stakeholders to establish risk-based standards that protect human health and the environment. We also support the development of a consistent approach and clear timelines for assessing and regulating specific PFAS across all relevant federal agencies to ensure that government regulations, actions, and communications are coordinated for maximum effectiveness. Any federal action should not address PFAS as a class or with predetermined outcomes, but rather should be based on sound science and the weight of the scientific evidence. Further, Congress should not circumvent existing regulatory authorities. The Environmental Protection Agency, as well as other relevant agencies, should retain their traditional power to study PFAS and determine whether to regulate certain PFAS. Many provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, signed into law at the end of last year, took important steps towards meeting those goals. We look forward to working with you on this important matter as the legislative process continues. We oppose H.R. 535, the ``PFAS Action Act of 2019.'' Sincerely, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Advamed, Airlines for America, American Chemistry Council, American Coatings Association, American Forest & Paper Association, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, American Petroleum Institute, Associated General Contractors of America, Flexible Packaging Association, Foodservice Packaging Institute. International Liquid Terminals Association, National Association of Chemical Distributors, National Association of Manufacturers, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), Single Ply Roofing Industry, Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, Specialty Graphic Imaging Association, TRSA--The Linen, Uniform and Facility Services Association.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.