Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to all of the amendments to end funding for the war in Afghanistan or to withdraw our troops before the job is done. Afghanistan is the epicenter for terrorism, and it was the genesis of multiple attacks against our Nation, including the attacks on September 11. We must not forget why we are fighting this war. There's far too much at stake. For nearly a decade during the previous administration, Afghanistan was the forgotten war with no clear strategy. But now we have a strategy, a good strategy. We're already seeing clear signs of success even before the surge of an additional 30,000 troops is complete. With the help of our allies, we are capturing or killing terrorists every week, including the most significant Taliban capture since the start of the war. We've been in Afghanistan for many years, and I recognize that the patience of the American people is not unlimited. But thanks to the men and women of our military and the new strategy adopted, we are finally on the path to success. Now is not the time to abandon this war, our NATO allies, and the Afghan people. The amendments to immediately cut off funding for the war in Afghanistan or to immediately redeploy our troops are clearly the wrong thing to do. But it would be equally unwise to make a decision now to leave Afghanistan before the job is done. At long last, we have a strategy for success. Now is not the time to abandon that strategy. I urge my colleagues to join me in standing behind our troops and the security of our Nation by voting against these amendments.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Arthur J. Myers. He served his country for almost 50 years, providing deployable combat support for warfighters and community services for those left behind. I have been privileged to work with him for a number of years on issues of concern to military members and their families. Mr. Myers enlisted in the Air Force and served 20 years in key morale, welfare, and recreation, MWR, and financial positions. His civilian career took him from club manager to director of MWR for several major commands. He was hand-picked to become the first deputy director for the new Air Force MWR organization, and was later promoted to the Director of Air Force Services. His leadership and vision shaped one of the most progressive and expansive quality of life programs in the military, with significant positive impact on Airmen and their families. He deployed Airmen to provide foodservice, lodging, fitness, and other programs for contingency operations, personally visiting even the most remote sites and forward bases. His ``Fit to Fight'' program resulted in a 30 percent increase in fitness center usage, a 2-point improvement in fitness scores, and an aggressive program to upgrade fitness facilities. He expanded quality affordable child care by over 4,000 spaces and established a new subsidy for those unable to get into base childcare facilities, saving parents money and keeping family emergencies from disrupting the mission. He operated the port mortuary at Dover Air Force Base for members of all Services killed in action, others who die overseas, and occasionally victims of Stateside mass casualties. His plan for media access to the Dover Mortuary was approved by the President, reversing a long-standing ban on media coverage for the arrival of remains of fallen military members. He pioneered the Survivor Assistance Program to assist families of deceased members, and later expanded the program to care for Airmen wounded in action. He energized industry leaders, trade groups and professional associations to sponsor new programs and services, scholarships, promotional activities, training and certification program for managers and staff, and outreach programs. He testified at numerous Congressional hearings, and met often with the First Lady and senior Administration leaders on programs to enhance quality of life for service members and their families. Mr. Myers was consistently recognized with numerous military and civilian awards, including three Presidential Rank Awards and the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. He received the Leadership Award from the International Military Community Executives Association, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Logistics Association, and a National Service to Youth Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which also inducted him into their Alumni Hall of Fame. However, his highest honor came when the top senior enlisted leaders in the Air Force made him an honorary Chief Master Sergeant. Over the years, Mr. Myers built a highly-effective team to maintain our Nation's number one weapons system: the Airmen. His efforts tied directly to Air Force success in combat arenas and on the home front. As he retires now for the second time, I want to thank him on behalf of the citizens of this country. He leaves a lasting legacy of support for generations of Airmen and their families, and I know he will continue to be a strong advocate for them.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, thriving capital markets depend upon innovation to grow the economy and to generate jobs. Yet, market innovation must be conducted responsibly and must be carefully monitored by public regulators to ensure Wall Street's complex financial transactions do not put at risk the savings of average American families or the national economy as a whole. The famous quote by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis indicating that ``sunlight is the best disinfectant'' certainly applies to Wall Street. In recent years, market innovation ran afoul of public regulators as financial giants gambled with the savings of working families and placed irresponsible bets that put in jeopardy America's financial well being. Titans of the financial industry acted not to promote the general welfare of the United States, as is outlined in the preamble to our Constitution, but against the well-being of the American public. And, as all of us know, broken regulations, greed, and incessant risk taking on Wall Street cost each one of us--the American taxpayers--who helped to save our economy from ruin in the fall of 2008. From the beginning of this crisis, I have felt strongly that Congress ought to consider authorizing tough new regulations on Wall Street to help shine a brighter light on extremely complex financial transactions. In my view, writing into law mechanisms that prevent financial institutions from getting ``too big to fail;'' that reform the Federal Reserve; that better regulate hedge funds, securities, derivatives and credit rating agencies; and that give shareholders a greater say in the compensation of financial company executives makes good sense and, if done properly, would help to ensure American taxpayers are never again put on the hook for Wall Street's misbehavior while creating an environment for responsible market innovation. But, as important as new regulations are for our country, Congress must be careful in authorizing them. We must direct regulations at Wall Street and other bad actors while not wrapping America's home town financial institutions into costly and complex sets of new rules, such as those associated with the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Community banks and credit unions are the heart of small towns across this country. For years, they have been conservative with their money and played by the rules. They ought not be forced to pay the price for Wall Street's transgressions. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is well-intentioned, and I support much of the legislation. But the measure falls short in my goal to target Wall Street without disrupting Main Street banks and credit unions and their customers. Home town financial institutions help to generate jobs and economic development in rural America by lending to families, small businesses, and farmers. They will be key to our nation's economic recovery and should be guaranteed more, not less, economic certainty by Congress. The uncertainty associated with the Dodd-Frank bill is why it is opposed by Missouri's small town banks and credit unions and by many in our nation's business community. Creating more economic certainty for Missouri's business community and improving rural economic development have been priorities for me during the 111th Congress. It is why I have sought to cut small business taxes and to cut red tape associated with government backed small business loans, opposed a massive health insurance overhaul bill, urged bank regulators to consider easing restrictive capital requirements on small banks that want to issue loans, and supported a $30 billion small business lending fund program to allow community banks to lend money to healthy small businesses that want to expand and hire workers. Wall Street reform is badly needed and the Dodd-Frank bill is a step in the right direction. However, I cannot lend my support to a bill that places costly new regulations on Missouri's home town banks and credit unions at a time when the government ought to be encouraging them to lend money to create jobs in the private sector. I urge the conference committee to return to work on the Dodd-Frank bill so it can fine tune the bill's new regulatory authority in a way that cracks down on Wall Street financial firms and irresponsible mortgage lenders without unduly targeting America's community banks. This action would be in the best interest of financial system reform and of the overall economic well being of small town America.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding to me. I rise in strong support of this bill. This bill is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. In my capacity as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I am very familiar with the potential threat posed by the Iranian nuclear weapons program to the United States and to our allies. An Iran armed with nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them, governed by fanatics, would pose a grave threat to the United States, our troops in the region, and our allies, particularly Israel. That is why it is so important we pass this bill. This administration has taken significant steps to dissuade Iran from heading down the path of developing nuclear weapons. President Obama pushed sanctions through the United Nations Security Council and developed a new missile defense program in Europe to show the Iranian government that their weapon programs cannot harm us, only themselves. The administration has made significant strides, but Congress can help those efforts, and this bill would sanction those companies that sell technology, services, or know-how to help Iran develop its energy sector. It would lock out of the United States market any bank that deals with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the nuclear program, or terrorism. And it imposes penalties on those foreign entities which provide Iran with the ability to stifle freedom of speech. Mr. Speaker, these are real sanctions, targeted in the right way to hopefully head off a real threat. Sanctions are our best hope of dissuading Iran from developing nuclear weapons. We have reached out to them and tried to deal with them diplomatically, but they refused to deal openly and honestly. Sanctions are the right step to take at this time. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate the Elm Spring Baptist Church of Holden, Missouri, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. The Elm Spring Baptist Church has undergone many changes since the church's first pastor, George Minton, led the 15 founding members in worship for the first time in July of 1860. Pastor Minton led the congregation until the Civil War disrupted their worship services for six years. After this brief disruption, the church resumed services and constructed the first building on land graciously donated by the Jonathan Newman family. As the congregation has grown, so too has the church's campus; today, the original building is joined by an educational building, a baptistery, and a parsonage. The newest structure is a Fellowship Hall built in 2000. In recent years, members of the church have focused on serving communities across the United States and the world. To this end, the congregation has led mission trips to Pittsburgh, Orlando, Greenville, and Palissa, Uganda. For 150 years, the Elm Spring Baptist Church has been ``Growing the Family of God,'' and they show no sign of stopping. Madam Speaker, I trust my fellow Members of the House will join me in congratulating the Elm Spring Baptist Church on the occasion of its 150th anniversary and in wishing its members the best of luck in all future endeavors.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to inform the House that on Saturday, May 22, 2010, the Wellington-Napoleon High School Tigers boys track and field team became the 2010 Missouri Class 1 High School State Champions. The Tigers competed in a field of more than 120 teams throughout the state of Missouri. The hard work and dedication that these young men displayed throughout the season was rewarded with their high school's first track and field championship in 19 years. This is a truly remarkable achievement, and I am so very proud of these young men and their selfless coaches. Members of the team include: Ethan Arndt, Nathan Ardnt, Cody Banner, Blaine Beissenherz, Christian Bryant, Taylor Bryant, Johnny Good, Brandon Niendick, Dylon Register, Blake Seitz, Dustin Seitz, Michael Strickler, Brian Wallman, Cody Willard, and Michael Woodall. The team was coached by Quenton Bainbridge, Michelle McKown, and Tristan Layman. Madam Speaker, the members of the Wellington-Napoleon High School Tigers track and field team have distinguished themselves as the 2010 Missouri Class 1 High School Track and Field State Champions. I am sure that my colleagues will join me in wishing Coaches Bainbridge, McKown, and Layman and this remarkable team all the best.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, one of the surest ways government can help generate economic activity, innovation, and job growth is by cutting taxes on small businesses, which are the backbone of the U.S. economy and employ more than half of all American workers. I have voted for and cosponsored a number of small business tax cut bills during the 111th Congress and was pleased to vote last week in support of H.R. 5486, the Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act. Among other things, this bill would cut capital gains taxes for small businesses and would quadruple the tax deduction for business start-up expenses from $5,000 to $20,000. H.R. 5486 is common sense legislation and ought to be quickly enacted. Another way to stimulate business activity and create jobs is to help America's community banks lend money to small businesses. Business owners in Missouri tell me they want to expand but cannot because of a lack of financing. A second bill considered in the House last week, H.R. 5297, would allow small banks to tap into a $30 billion fund at the Treasury Department so they can issue loans to healthy small businesses thirsting for capital to expand operations and hire workers. These funds would bypass Wall Street and go directly to Missouri communities where they can do the most good for small businesses. Because the creation of this small bank lending fund is so important to economic development and job creation, it is supported by America's home town banks, small businesses, Realtors, and home builders, among others. I was pleased to support H.R. 5297 and encouraged that it passed the House with bipartisan support. I urge prompt action in the Senate.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chair, I would like to submit the following exchange of letters: House Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, May 21, 2010. Hon. John Conyers Jr., Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. I agree that the Committee on the Judiciary has valid jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important legislation, and I am most appreciative of your decision not to schedule a mark-up of this bill in the interest of expediting consideration. I agree that by agreeing to waive consideration of certain provisions of the bill, the Committee on the Judiciary is not waiving its jurisdiction over these matters. Should this bill or similar legislation be the subject of a House-Senate conference, I will support the appointment of conferees from the Committee on the Judiciary. This exchange of letters will be included in the committee report on the bill. Ike Skelton, Chairman.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, when I am home in Missouri, the folks I talk to frequently express their concerns about the economy and jobs. According to the most recent data, 27,630 people in the Fourth District are without work. Families whose breadwinners have lost work and others who fear unemployment must continue to be a priority of this Congress. Jobs allow for American families to feel secure in their homes. Jobs stimulate economic activity in our home towns and throughout our country. Jobs generate tax revenue for city, state, and federal governments, which help policy makers pay the bills and reduce the deficit. Jobs are essential to breaking out of the Great Recession. This year, Congress has been working on several jobs bills. One bill known as the HIRE Act, which is now the law of the land, provides tax relief to small businesses and expands important highway projects. Other legislation on which Congress has been working include bills to provide additional small business tax relief, to expand lending opportunities for small businesses, and to stimulate small business growth and expansion. Today, the House of Representatives is considering H.R. 4213, a bill that would create additional jobs in our country by cutting taxes for American families and businesses and by spurring new infrastructure improvements. It would also take care of American veterans by eliminating the so-called disabled veterans tax for two years, would provide American farmers with tax relief and emergency disaster assistance, and would extend emergency assistance to American families. H.R. 4213 is supported by Farm Bureau, by veterans, by small businesses, and by AARP. For Missouri farmers, H.R. 4213 would extend the five-year depreciation for farming machinery and equipment, would extend the charitable tax deduction for donated food, and would extend the tax deduction for donating conservation easements. H.R. 4213 would also extend critical tax incentives for biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel. The biodiesel tax credit is very important to the development and sustainability of America's renewable fuel industry. H.R. 4213 would also provide emergency financial assistance to farmers for qualifying 2009 agricultural losses. For these reasons, today's legislation has been endorsed by the Farm Bureau and the National Biodiesel Board. For America's veterans, H.R. 4213 would allow many military retirees who are also disabled veterans to receive both Department of Defense military retirement pay and VA military disability pay for the next two years. Often referred to as the disabled veterans tax, finding a legislative solution to the concurrent receipt issue has been a top priority of our nation's veterans and of Congress. I have worked on the House Armed Services Committee to end the disabled veterans tax and am pleased that H.R. 4213 will provide full retirement and disability benefits to 77,000 of these disabled service members for two years. Its passage is a critical first step toward extending concurrent receipt to all 136,000 medically retired veterans over four years. Because of the bill's positive impact on veterans, it has been endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America, MOAA. For Missouri businesses, H.R. 4213 would allow credit to flow more easily to small businesses through popular and effective SBA lending programs, would extend the research and development, R&D, tax credit that encourages financial investment and job creation in America's high tech sector, would allow corporations to receive a refund of a portion of their alternative minimum tax credits if they invest during 2010 in capital equipment for use in the United States, would extend the 15- year cost recovery for qualified improvements to restaurants and retail space, and would extend benefits for investments in economically distressed areas of our country. Because the business provisions included in H.R. 4213 are so very important, the bill is supported by the National Restaurant Association, the Independent Community Bankers Association, and the National Retail Federation. For Missouri families, H.R. 4213 would provide important tax relief. The bill would extend for one year tax deductions for qualified college education expenses. It would extend a special deduction for teachers and other school professionals who use personal funds to buy school supplies for their classrooms. And, the legislation would ensure activated military reservists do not suffer a pay reduction by providing a tax credit for small businesses that continue to pay National Guard and Reserve employees when they are called to active duty. For Missouri's senior citizens, military personnel, military retirees, and people with disabilities, H.R. 4213 would ensure they are able to continue seeing the doctor of their choice by preventing a 21 percent reduction in Medicare and TRICARE physician fees. Without making these changes, doctors in Missouri and elsewhere would likely not continue to see Medicare and TRICARE patients. That is why H.R. 4213 is supported by AARP and MOAA. H.R. 4213 would extend other valuable provisions of the U.S. tax code, including deductions for charitable contributions by individuals and businesses, would provide for important pension relief sought after by the Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives, would provide emergency assistance for American families who are impacted by unemployment, would create summer jobs for American youth, and would allow for state and local governments to finance the reconstruction of schools, sewer systems, and hospitals through Build America Bonds and Recovery Zone Bonds--work that would create thousands of jobs across our country. Because infrastructure improvements are so vital to jobs, H.R. 4213 has been endorsed by our nation's mayors and county governments. The non-emergency spending associated with H.R. 4213 is compliant with the PAYGO law enacted earlier this year. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4213 so that we can provide tax relief to American families, farmers, and businesses, can take care of America's veterans and senior citizens, and can create small business jobs.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to inform you that on Thursday, June 3, the Concordia High School Orioles baseball team became the 2010 1-A Missouri State Champions. Under Head Coach Nathan Beissenherz and Assistant Coach Brandon Figg, the team finished the season with a 19-3 record. This is the first state championship for any sport in Concordia High School history. After a 15-3 regular season record, the Orioles defeated Wellington (4-2) in the Class 1-A Sectional and then defeated Liberal (5-2) in Quarterfinal play. This earned the club a trip to the finals in Springfield, Missouri, which was hosted at Drury University's Meador Park. The Orioles then defeated St. Elizabeth (9-3) and played Brashear in the final game. The team played solid defense and took advantage of opportunities in the field and at the plate, which propelled the CHS Orioles baseball team over Brashear (6-1) to win the state championship. Members of the Concordia Orioles baseball team include: Collin Werths, Drew Smith, Kent Schuette, Dustin Heineken, Alic Frerking, Blake Smith, Tyler Tolias, Blake Heimsoth, Travis Flandermeyer, Jesse Flandermeyer, Carter Brown, Hayden Brown, Jacob Summers, Jacob Harms, Cale Brunkhorst, Zach Wolski, J.R. Langkrahr, Chris Latty, Josh Kock, assistant coach Brandon Figg and head coach Nathan Beissenherz. Madam Speaker, the members of the Concordia High School Orioles baseball team have distinguished themselves as the 2010 Class 1-A Missouri High School Baseball State Champions as well as the first state champions in Concordia High School history. I am sure that my colleagues will join me in wishing Coach Beiz and his team all the best.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the instructions of the House in the motion to recommit, I report the bill, H.R. 5136, back to the House with an amendment.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order against this motion as it is not germane, and I insist on that point of order.

Mr. SKELTON. I object.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, we have dealt with these issues strongly in the committee. This adds to those particular issues, and we are in a position to accept this motion. I just wish to point out that there is no difference between the Democrats and Republicans when it comes to fighting terrorism. I agree with the motion. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I seek time in opposition to the motion to recommit, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I insist on my point of order. It is not germane.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I insist on my point of order.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order against the motion to recommit.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the demand for a recorded vote on amendment No. 81 be withdrawn.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chair, I would like to submit the following exchange of letters: Committee on Education and Labor, Washington, DC, May 21, 2010. Re Corrected Bill Number. Hon. Ike Skelton, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Skelton: I am writing to you concerning the jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Education and Labor in matters being considered in H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. Our committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 5136 and the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over the bill, I do not intend to request a sequential referral. This, of course, is conditional on our mutual understanding that nothing in this legislation or my decision to forego a sequential referral waives, reduces or otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and Labor, and that a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest will be included in the Committee Report and as part of the Congressional Record during consideration of this bill by the House. The Committee on Education and Labor also asks that you support our request to be conferees on the provisions over which we have jurisdiction during any House-Senate conference. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, George Miller, Chairman.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5136, to include corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I wish to pay special tribute to the ranking member, Buck McKeon, a gentleman of the first order who has not only continued the bipartisan attitude and bipartisan work in our committee, but has made it work very, very well. We all owe him a debt of gratitude, and I want to say a special word of thanks to him for his excellent work and cooperation in making our committee so bipartisan in nature. A special thanks also to the fantastic staff that we have. We Members take credit for all of the good work that they do. So often they go as unsung heroes, but they really make this committee work so well and so solidly; and to each one of them, who are professionals, I express deep thanks and gratitude.