David Scott

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of concern for the welfare of one of our most important NATO allies; the Republic of Turkey. I need not remind this House that Turkey is an indispensable ally in the fight against ISIL, and the effort to restore stability in the Middle East. Nor do I need to remind the members of this body that Turkey bears a burden of biblical proportions as it struggles to safely host almost three million refugees while simultaneously defending against an unprecedented wave of terror attacks. The geopolitical vicissitudes in Turkey's vicinity present the most serious challenge to Turkish territorial integrity since the founding of the Republic. However, history has consistently shown that great civilizations do not fall to outside forces unless they are rife with internal turmoil. Under its current leadership, Turkey has regrettably embarked in a troubling direction. Once considered the shining example of a vibrant democracy with the potential to mediate between the Middle East and West, crackdowns on civil society under President Erdogan have forced many of us to reassess the nature of our countries' partnership. Repressive policies against political opposition, journalists, and women rights advocates constitute just a few of these concerns. Questionable use of antiterrorism laws to molest financial institutions, corporations, and academics associated with political opposition such as the Gulen movement raise concerns about Turkey's continued commitment to democratic principles. In a robust republic, civic organizations such as the Gulen movement cannot and should not be designated as terrorist organizations without evidence for the sake of political expediency. There can be no doubt about America's continued commitment to defend our NATO allies; nor can we forget the substantial military buildup in Armenia, where Putin has deployed advanced fighter aircraft and attack helicopters just 25 miles from the Turkish border. This is the same NATO border that Russian military aircraft have regularly violated, culminating in the downing of a Russian bomber by Turkish defense forces. However, we must not forget the prerequisite requirements to be a member of the NATO alliance; that each member of the alliance be ``determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilization of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.'' It is my hope that President Erdogan's administration will remember this commitment to democratic principles even in the face of regional instability.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Nettie Jackson who has dedicated her life to helping folks live healthier lives. Ms. Jackson is retiring today after 25 years of service at the American Heart Association. Her list of accomplishments is long, including 12 years of participation in my annual health fair. She has been involved in key legislation in Georgia including the Georgia Smoke Free Act and the Automated Defibrillator Public Access Law. She's been involved in lowering the instances and causes of strokes by bringing in National Ambassadors for the Organization for the Power to End Stroke Cause Initiative, facilitating the AHA/ASA First Power Awards in Atlanta, and leading receptions to bring Power to End Stroke Ambassadors together from all over the Southeast United States. She helped coordinate the ``Straight From The Heart: Sister To Sister Conference'', and Walking for Wellness hosted at Spelman College among other conferences and workshops for healthcare professionals. She has been recognized for her outstanding work with several awards including: NAACP State Conference Woman of Distinction, Concerned Black Clergy Community Service Award, Morehouse School of Medicine Inaugural Torch Awards, Georgia Ethnic Health Network Advocacy Award, Georgia Secretary of State Outstanding Citizen Award and the American Heart Association's Rome Betts Award which is the National Staff of Excellence Award. She will be missed by the many people whose lives she has touched, but her retirement is certainly well earned. I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Ms. Nettie Jackson for her many great works and to wish her a wonderful retirement.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank Chairman Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, for helping me, for working with me, and for taking time with me in getting this bill through the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and here on the House floor for a vote before we break for the Memorial Day holiday observance. Chairman Chaffetz and I had a wonderful conversation, and we both agreed that we wanted to get this bill out before the Memorial Day observance because this bill represents a most appropriate way for us to begin the observance of Memorial Day. I thank Ranking Member Elijah Cummings. I want to thank, also, the committee members of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. I want to thank Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Speaker Paul Ryan for their help in moving expeditiously with this bill. Mr. Speaker, I want to tell you that the idea for this bill came to me directly from the heart and the soul of the wonderful people of Riverdale, Georgia, who truly love and endear Major Barney. Riverdale, Georgia, is an extraordinary city with a rich history. It is led by Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon, Police Chief Todd Spivey, council members Cynthia Stamps-Jones, An'Cel Davis, Wanda Wallace, and Kenny Ruffin. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, council members Stamps-Jones and An'Cel Davis stopped by my office in Jonesboro and presented this idea to me. I want to thank my chief of staff, Michael Andel, and my senior staffer here in Washington, William Burriss, for their tremendous work in helping. I also thank my district director, Chandra Harris, and deputy district director, Isaac DoDoo, for working with us in Georgia. Now I want to say the other important thing about this bill. This is truly a bipartisan bill. This bill honoring Major Barney is cosponsored by all 14 members of the Georgia congressional delegation, Democrats and Republicans, and by both of our United States Senators, Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, who will handle this in the Senate. I want to thank, as I look over and I see some of my Republican friends and colleagues on the floor, Tom Price, Lynn Westmoreland, and Jody Hice for joining us here for this important bill. Now, Mr. Speaker, why we are here? On February 11, 2016, Major Gregory E. Barney, who also, notably, was the very first African American interim police chief in the history of Riverdale, Georgia, was fatally shot in the line of duty while he was serving a warrant for the arrest of a drug dealer, the dregs of our community right now. Major Barney stepped up and responded. He was working with a detail of the Clayton County Police, their narcotics unit and their SWAT team; and they were there to put forward this warrant for this arrest, and the drug dealer shot Mr. Barney. Now, the day of this tragic death, also, Mr. Speaker, the 11th of February, there was something else significant. It also marked the anniversary of his 25-year career. Major Barney was shot on the 25th anniversary of his 25 years of service to the Clayton County and Riverdale police forces. So I know, with a heavy heart and deep condolences, that each of us in this United States Congress takes this moment to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Major Barney: his lovely wife, Lisa, and his two sons, Gregory and Robert. Mr. Speaker, these were twin boys who have lost their father. It is most fitting, also, Mr. Speaker, that the post office that we are naming for Major Barney is located directly across the street from the Riverdale Police Department headquarters now. Mr. Speaker, it is also within the view of the apartment complex where the drug raid took place where Major Barney lost his life. Mr. Speaker, Major Barney became the first police officer in Riverdale, Georgia, to be slain in the line of duty. Mr. Speaker, as we are here and we look forward to that day when we name this post office, we hope that in some small way that, to the family, to his children, to the people of Riverdale, Georgia, and the people of this Nation, when they pass by this post office, they will be able to pass by with a sense of great pride, great respect, and great gratitude for Major Barney, who was truly a Georgia hero. Not only was Major Barney a Georgia hero, he was an American hero. For, as you and I and all of us here in Congress know, when we recognize Major Barney, we are recognizing so many of our brave men and women who put their lives on the line every single day to protect us in law enforcement and in the military. Mr. Speaker, Jesus Christ, just a few hours before he was crucified, said to his disciples: This is my commandment: that you love one another as I loved you. And then Jesus said: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. Mr. Speaker, such a man was Major Gregory E. Barney. I ask this House for a unanimous ``yes'' vote. God bless you.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn recent actions taken by Russia that threaten to destabilize an already tenuous international order. Putin's interventionist policies that seek to reestablish the Russian Federation as a world power have incited chaos and conflict along NATO's southern flank. Post-Soviet states once free from the yoke of oppression have been thrust back into civil and economic instability by Russian policies designed to sow discord and distrust along NATO's vulnerable underbelly. Moscow's invasion of Georgia set in motion what has become an increasingly obvious pattern. Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and ongoing military campaign in the eastern parts of Ukraine have made it clear that Russia is openly proclaiming the redrawing of Europe's borders. Equally troubling, NATO members in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe continue to face antagonism from Russia, including a substantial military buildup in Armenia where Putin has deployed advanced fighter aircraft and attack helicopters just 25 miles from the Turkish border. This is the same NATO border that Russian military aircraft have regularly violated, culminating in the downing of a Russian bomber by Turkish defense forces. I need not remind this House that Turkey is an indispensable ally in the fight against ISIL, and the effort to restore stability in the Middle East. Unnecessary Russian provocations such as this increase the risk of miscalculation and escalation between nuclear powers, and are intended to drive a wedge between NATO allies. Just last week, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made a symbolic trip to Washington, D.C. where he met with the President and members of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees to discuss the threats posed by an increasingly assertive Russia. I myself moderated a NATO Parliamentary Assembly Panel, where our partners from around the world raised concerns about a resurgent Russia, and whether the United States will continue to play its indispensable role in ensuring a stable world order. Mr. Speaker, on the bleached bones of great civilizations and nations are written the pathetic words: ``Too little, too late.'' Ladies and gentlemen, I call on Members of Congress to heed these words, and to stand undaunted in the face of Russian aggression before it is too late. Putin's escalating aggression in his efforts to project power is a direct threat to our NATO allies and U.S. interests abroad. We must stand with our NATO allies now, more than ever, to ensure that security in the region is maintained. We must pursue peace and diplomacy for the sake of future generations. That peace will only come through unified strength.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize March as the first Bleeding Disorders Awareness month. As my colleagues may know, bleeding disorders are a group of diseases which affect more than three million Americans and which have no known cure. These diseases, which include hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease or VWD, and other rare disorders, can take a heavy toll on their sufferers' standard of living and finances. However, despite these troubling realities, by raising awareness, it is my hope that through earlier diagnosis, we might prevent more complications, unnecessary procedures, and disabilities so often caused by these diseases. The most common bleeding disorders, hemophilia and VWD, are hereditary and caused by disorders in blood proteins meant to clot and stop bleeding. According to the Centers for Disease Control, as many as 400 babies are born with hemophilia each year. For hemophilia sufferers, their illness means that they require lifelong infusions of replacement clotting factor therapies. The financial burden for individuals with severe hemophilia are often $250,000 a year or more. While the affordable care act limits annual out-of-pocket expenses to $6,850 for individuals and $13,700 for families, the high cost of clotting factor therapies means that those afflicted with the disease often pay these full amounts each year. In the past we have seen just how vulnerable sufferers of bleeding disorders are to complications. When the nation's blood supply became contaminated with HIV during the 1980's, almost 90% of severe hemophilia sufferers became infected. Of those cases of HIV transmission, over 50% have since died of the disease. Despite these tragic outcomes, there is reason for optimism. Thanks to federally funded Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs), originally authorized by Congress in 1974, as many as 70% of hemophilia sufferers take advantage of specialized treatment through the multidisciplinary, comprehensive care in a network of HTCs. According to the CDC, mortality rates and hospitalization rates for bleeding complications from hemophilia were 40% lower among Americans who received treatment at HTCs. I am proud to say that Georgia hosts a total of four HTCs. In addition, organizations such as the National Hemophilia Foundation have made it their mission to continue to raise awareness about rare bleeding disorders in the United States and abroad. So Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize those who suffer from bleeding disorders and those who continue to work to create greater awareness of bleeding disorders.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise to say some words for a very, very, very good man, Mike Oxley. When I came to Congress in the year of 2002, I was assigned to the Committee on Financial Services, and that is where I met Mike Oxley. Our lives intertwined. He was a tremendous help to me on that committee as I was breaking in. I am very delighted, and it opened my eyes to a world which I was only dimly aware when he asked if I would join him as one of the Members to travel to Scotland and to Europe and to be able to visit and to sit with other bankers and financial people to learn the importance of finance, to learn how it is important for the United States to stay totally in front and to maintain our financial system as the most powerful system in the world. In order to do that, you have to get across the world and talk with other financial systems. I found out, and it took me going over there to the Bank of Scotland to realize why Mike Oxley wanted to do that, because very few people knew--and I didn't know--that the Royal Bank of Scotland was the fifth largest bank in the United States. To go to Europe and to meet with the finance ministers in Europe, in Brussels, in Paris, and the reason for that was because there was the emerging markets of derivatives and swaps, which was just a burgeoning part of the economy. Now it is an $800 trillion piece of the world's economy. I went and learned so much there. We went to make sure that the United States had what would be seen as equivalency, to be able to deal with these other nations and their financial systems and banking systems. Then to come back, and roughly 8, 9 years later, and I am sitting now as the ranking member on the subcommittee in Congress that deals with derivatives and swaps. Quite honestly, ladies and gentlemen, when I went with Mike Oxley, I did not know what a derivative was. Now, Mike and I became friends. When you travel with people, you get to know them, you get to share things with them. I came back, and Mike Oxley comes to me one day. I am wondering what this is about. He said: David, I have got to see you; David, I have got to see you. I said: Mike, what is it? What is it? He said: I heard that your brother-in-law is home run king Hank Aaron. Can I meet him? Everybody knows that Mike Oxley loved baseball. He loved baseball I am sure almost as much as he loved politics. I know his family knows how much he loved baseball. I said: Sure, sure. It was a great evening when Hank came back up. I had dinner, and I invited Mike Oxley to join me and his guests with me and my wife and Hank Aaron, my wife's brother, for dinner at The Capital Grille. Ladies and gentlemen, what an evening that was. I mean, to be there and to hear Mike Oxley and home run king Hank Aaron talk baseball, two great Americans loving America's pastime. I remember at one point Mike Oxley said: Hank, can I ask you a question? So Hank said: Sure. He said: Who was the toughest pitcher who ever pitched against you? Hank said: All of them, all of them. Mike said: All of them, all of them. We would carry that story many times in our conversations. He said: Oh, man, I will never forget that, when Hank said ``All of them.'' A great man. You know, we all live a life. There are three things that we all are going to see on that gravestone: the year we were born and the year we died, but then there is that other thing. There is that dash in the middle, and the question in everybody's life is, what did you do with your dash, that period from when you were born to when the Lord calls you home. Mike Oxley did a tremendous amount. One of the things he did was touch my life. Mike Oxley helped me. Mike Oxley was my friend. I know everybody joins me in saying from the bottom of our hearts to the family, to this Congress, to the people of America: We thank God for sending Mike Oxley our way.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and really appreciate that. I, certainly, want to thank Chairman Royce for his very kind remarks that he gave to me concerning our work. Ladies and gentlemen of the House and ladies and gentlemen of America, we have before us, perhaps, the most singular, significant bill and thing that we can do right now to send a bold, powerful message to the world that we are going to finally begin that really intricate process, with determination, to dismantle one of the single most horrific terrorist groups on this Earth--Hezbollah. Now, why do I say that? I don't say that just to get up and say a few words. I have spent 12 years on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and I have served as chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. For 3 hard years, we did the research, and we wrote the report specifically on getting the real truth out about Iran's nuclear weapons program. In the process of doing that, we discovered the intricals, the tunnels and all of the different things that gave support to Hezbollah by Iran. This is why this is so important. Let me just tell you that almost the single, solitary, main purpose for Hezbollah is to destroy Israel. Make no mistake about it. Right now, they have already got hundreds of missiles pointed toward Israel. How can we do something right now to address this? It is with this bill. You always follow the money, and the money trails are so complex. You have corporations; you have dummy companies; you also have individuals and third and fourth parties that our work found out that Iran works through. The language in this bill clearly points to and gives the President of the United States the authority. As a matter of fact, it is almost like a very strong demand and request from us in the Congress. It is the executive branch that has investigative power. The CIA, Special Ops, and the entire military are at its disposal, including the FBI. We are the single most powerful nation in the world, and it is about time we stood up and showed the world that we are no longer going to tolerate Hezbollah and that we are no longer going to tolerate Iran's working through these third parties to make the people of Israel suffer and live under the conditions under which they are living. Let me get to the other crux of this matter. It is as I said on CNN, in my commentary, that I was fighting very strongly against--and I talked with the President--and fighting as to how weak the position the Iranian agreement has put us in. Sure, they are going to get a nuclear weapon, probably within the next 9 years. That worries us.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. But the real Achilles' heel in this Iranian agreement is where we simultaneously lift up the sanctions on their economy--and they are thriving now--and also unleash $150 billion right away--cash. At the same time, we know that, with this cash, already both Russia and China have signed agreements to get the most sophisticated weapons there are. This bill will help us because, in section 201, it very clearly states that the President shall identify any country that is helping to finance the terrorism coming out of Hezbollah. We will be able to track this. We are sending a powerful message with this. Once Iran has this cash, there is no boundary as to what they can use it for. I guarantee you, because Hezbollah is an arm--a very terroristic arm--of Iran, they will channel money there, and that will help us.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Finally, in my few minutes, ladies and gentlemen, we can't stop there, because Israel, as I said, is a target, and we have got to put forth a new memorandum of understanding. We need to do this, Members of the House, and we need to do it right away. The President and the executive branch need to go to work and start identifying these people who are providing this support. There is another step we have got to go through right away. We support Israel with a memorandum of understanding in the form of military aid. Right now, it is at $3.1 billion annually; but, ladies and gentlemen, given the circumstances, we need to increase that to $5 billion annually. Now, why do I say that? I hope that my previous remarks will give support to that. At no time has Israel needed our help as they need it now. This was, in my humble opinion, a weak Iranian agreement. A lot was made out of it as to the United States and Israel. We need to send a powerful, strong message that there is no light between the United States and Israel and that we are going to send $5 billion.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. The other point is that our current appropriations for Israel end in 2017. I want to repeat that because I don't think the people of America know the aid they will get. Where would Israel be? It could have been blown away if they hadn't had the Iron Dome; but it is because we had an understanding--a memorandum--and because we are giving them $3.1 billion. With all of this upsurge of terrorism all around the world now--right here in California just last week, in Paris, and all over--we may not think we are going to war, ladies and gentlemen, but war has been declared on the United States, on Israel, and on Europe. By George, it is time we declared war back on them. That is why we need to increase this memorandum of understanding to that $5 billion mark for that year, and that will send a powerful message as to how strong Israel and the United States' relationship is.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 40th anniversary of ``The People's Station'', V-103, a radio station that has withstood the test of time and always kept up with the pulse of metro Atlanta. V-103 started in 1976 primarily as a disco music station. The station rose to prominence and became one of Atlanta's radio market leaders under the guidance and leadership of then program director, Scotty Andrews. Although it found its audience in disco, as musical tastes changed, V-103 proved to be fluid and ready to meet the listening needs of the people of Atlanta. There is no finer example of this fact than in 2000 when the People's Station added full time hip hop to their catalog of urban contemporary soul and R&B. V-103 helped promote some of Atlanta's most notable homegrown musicians and producers. But more than just a music station, V-103 has been a pillar of support in both the Greater Atlanta community as well as the United States. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, then-Mayor Bill Campbell escorted the V-103 morning team to Ground Zero to present more than $100,000 to then New York mayor Rudy Giuliani for the families of first responders. The station raised over $250,000 to assist the displaced people of Hurricane Katrina in Atlanta and New Orleans. In November 2008, the station paused its music service to report on the historic election of this nation's first African American president, Barack Obama. V-103 has been a partner in promoting the 13th district's Health, Job and Foreclosure prevention fairs and contributing to the success of these events. Over the past 40 years, the People's Station has proven itself as a resource for the greater Atlanta community. With over one million listeners, V-103 is undoubtedly an integral part of people of Atlanta's morning and evening commutes as well as an important part of the philanthropic community. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate and honor an organization that has been an informative voice for so many Georgians throughout the last 40 years. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating V-103 on their organization's anniversary and for their continued service to the Greater Atlanta community.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I want to take a moment to point out why I am supporting this and am a cosponsor of this bill. First of all, to our leader, the ranking member who does an excellent job, she is absolutely right. We must go at discrimination with lenders. But, Mr. Chairman, the unintended consequence of this is not punishing the lenders who may or may not be doing discrimination. If we show it, they should. Unfortunately, this guidance goes directly at dealers and low- and moderate-income customers, African Americans and other minorities who will be denied, because it takes away the dealers' ability to discount interest rates and be flexible. Now, Mr. Chairman, there are 55 million unbanked and underbanked people in the United States. They don't have the bank. They are not going to Ally Bank. But when they want, they have to buy a car. Some of them don't even have a credit card, but they have that dealer that can walk through the door. And if that dealer has the flexibility to be able to discount the interest rate, bringing a lower price to the car, they shouldn't be denied from having that opportunity to do it. Now, let me go to the racial issue. When you play the race card, you have got to make sure you play it right. That is all I am saying. When we looked at the CFPB and we looked at the methodology that they used to determine who the Black people were, they said: Hey, the best way of doing this is to go by the last names: Jackson, Williams, Johnson, Robinson. Yeah. A lot of Black people are named that, but there are an awful lot of White people that are named that, too. So is there any wonder, when the checks went out, that there were some happy White people, looking: Where did I get this money? Where did I get this $200 or $300 from? Now, ladies and gentlemen, I take a backseat to nobody when it comes to standing up and fighting for racial equality. My life's story is that. I integrated the school systems in Scarsdale, New York, where not only was I just the only Black kid in the school or in my class, but I was the only Black kid in the whole city of Scarsdale. My office mate in the Senate was Julian Bond. We went all across this country speaking for 40 years as a State representative, as a State senator, and now as a Congressman. My whole life has been for fighting this. But when you deal with racial discrimination, it has got to be right. The methodology that the CFPB used is flawed. It is absolutely flawed. In the process, the CFPB itself is being charged with racial discrimination. Now, all I am saying is what is fair is fair.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. We are not asking to discontinue this. We are asking to go after where the discrimination is. But don't hurt the lower middle-income people who don't have the credit or don't have a credit card. They have to go in there and work with that dealer. If you take that out of the way of the dealer, you are hurting the very people that some of the people who are opposing our bill want to help. So, Mr. Chairman, let's get clarity here. Let's get truth here. All we are doing is asking the CFPB to come back, start over, get the right methodology, so you are getting the right people that you are sending the checks to, and also call in the Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Reserve, who are the ones under Dodd- Frank that regulate the auto dealers and not auto lenders.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a disease that is important to my family, breast cancer. This devastating disease strikes 1 in 8 women, affecting our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, and loved ones. In Georgia, breast cancer is a particularly serious problem as it is the most common type of cancer and the second most deadly type of cancer among women in the state. According to the nonprofit Sisters by Choice, 6000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 1000 will die from breast cancer in Georgia each year. This epidemic is made worse by the fact that 19 percent of Georgians do not have health insurance, 33 percent of Georgia counties do not have mammography machines, and 75 percent of Georgia counties are medically underserved. Due to slow detection caused by these facts, 30 percent of breast cancers will have metastasized and be present in other places throughout the body by the time they are found. Despite the disheartening statistics about cancer, I know that there is still hope. Detection and treatment advances found in the past few years will help to both lessen the risk of cancer and win the fight to eradicate cancer. I am pleased that Georgia is a hub for medical innovation in the fight against cancer, utilizing public and private partnerships to research the disease. Moreover, the CDC and the internationally regarded cancer centers at Emory University, Georgia Regents University, the University of Georgia, Northside Hospital, and other centers throughout the state have pioneered effective, yet minimally invasive ways to treat this disease. Additionally, the CDC has contributed to this effort through public outreach programs aimed at improving surveillance so that cancers can be caught early. In addition, the internationally-renowned Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University has tested 75 percent of FDA- approved new cancer treatments in the past seven years. At another renowned institution, researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered a vaccine that attacks a previously unassailable protein. This vaccine is vitally important because this protein is found in the majority of killing cancers and in the ``triple-negative'' tumors common in a particularly dangerous variant of breast cancer. In addition to the work done by the professional research institutions in Georgia, I am proud that the Georgia community has come together to support those who are suffering from not just breast cancer, but cancers of all types. For instance, Sisters by Choice, a nonprofit organization centered around helping underinsured and underserved women to find and treat breast cancer, is working on creating a mobile clinic that will provide screenings, diagnostic services, access to clinical trials, and other resources to these disadvantaged populations. In addition, wonderful nonprofit organizations working with cancer centers, such as the Cancer Support Community Atlanta and the Treehouse Gang, an organization based around supporting children with a parent suffering from cancer, provide vital assistance and hope to cancer sufferers and their families. Finally, the Atlanta 2-Day Walk has raised $11 million in just 13 years to help find new ways to treat and prevent breast cancer. Through these initiatives, and the hard work of the cancer centers in Georgia, I know that definite progress has been and will continue to be made to treat and eradicate this deadly disease.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the accomplishments of Mr. William Osborne, as he retires from a long career spanning both the private and public sectors. Whichever job he held, it was clear that Mr. Osborne always had Georgia and its citizens on his mind. Originally a journalist, Mr. Osborne graduated from the University of Georgia's journalism school with distinction and went on to work at the Atlanta Journal. After a few years, Mr. Osborne left the Journal to direct and help establish DeKalb County's Research-Information office. The office was one of the first public information offices in the United States of America. When the National Association of Counties established their own public information office, Mr. Osborne was chosen to be vice president by his colleagues. Almost concurrently, he established the City of Atlanta's public information office and held the position for a few months before setting his sights on helping to improve the education system in Atlanta and Conyers. As Director of Information and Community Relations and later of Evaluation and Dissemination of Pupil Personnel Services, he undertook the effort of desegregating and integrating Atlanta public schools in the 1960's. He has helped to develop and improve communities and cities throughout metro Atlanta as a consultant and throughout the southern United States as a part of the Council of State Governments. Mr. Osborne has advocated for citizens and the improvement of Georgia as well as throughout the United States. Mr. Osborne served as Executive Director for the Southern Governor's Association and maintained their Atlanta office, working with 19 Governors and their key staff members. As the City Manager for Douglasville, for which he was reappointed 24 times, Mr. Osborne saw the city triple in population size. He worked with three different mayors and 30 different city council members. He oversaw and guided the city as its budget quadrupled in size. Under Mr. Osborne's guidance and leadership Douglasville has continued to grow and prosper. He will certainly be missed by all who have had the honor of working with him. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of Mr. Osborne and to commend his passion and dedication for the local government and citizens not only in Douglasville but throughout the State of Georgia. I ask my colleagues to join me in venerating this distinguished colleague and his service to the people of Georgia.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentleman, this bill is about two things. It is about jobs and it is about national security. It will give us an opportunity to get Congress to join in with my good friend from North Dakota, Kevin Cramer, and Brad Ashford from Nebraska, because this is about jobs and nobody needs jobs more than African Americans. The hardest hit on unemployment is African American males. This allows us to be a part of being able to get language in that will help African American males get the kind of apprenticeship training with the Teamsters, with the AFL-CIO, with the operating engineers, all of those unions and contractors who are rebuilding this infrastructure for this oil. Now, on national security, make no mistake about it, ladies and gentlemen. What do you think Russia is doing over in the Middle East? They want dominance over energy in the world, and he who controls the energy in the world controls the world. That is why they want to prop up Syria, because that is the seaport to get it out of the Middle East. Stand up for jobs for the American people and protect the world from Russia. Vote to lift the ban on the oil exports.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the accomplishments of the retired Major John Sparks. Major Sparks is a trailblazer for the African American community, with a career that spans fifty-seven years and three very different industries. Major Sparks joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954. After finishing first in his Drill Instructor School in San Diego, Major Sparks went on to serve his country in the Vietnam War. He was one of two African Americans to receive Battlefield Commission. Furthermore, Major Sparks continued to make strides as a service man when he was the first African American officer to be chosen to command Marines aboard a ship. Despite facing pervasive racism and segregation, John Sparks climbed the ranks of the US Marine Corps until he retired as a Major in 1978. With the asset of military training and service, Major Sparks joined the business world. After serving in the Marine Corps for over twenty years, he worked as Director of Educational Training at IBM for twenty years. Not done giving back to his community, Major Sparks subsequently taught at Booker T. Washington high school for thirteen years before retiring. Major Sparks has spent his professional career educating, leading and serving the American people in a number of different industries. There is much that can be said about Major Sparks' diverse career. He undoubtedly opened doors for those that served after him in the armed services. He has helped educate and inspire both young minds and young professionals. He has been not only a leader in the military but also within his own community. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to not only honor the impressive achievements of this man, but also to commend his compassionate contributions to my Congressional district and to the great State of Georgia. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this distinguished individual.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 145th anniversary of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Jonesboro, GA. Since the end of the Civil War, this church has stood as a beacon of worship and its congregation is a testament to how faith brings a community together. In 1870, Reverend Frank Q. Graham, Reverend A.D. Delmarta and Reverend G.B. Austin, searching for a place to worship, organized Shiloh Baptist Church under a Brush Arbor. Meetings were held in the Arbor until the group was able to build a church across the street, near the church's present location. After the first building was burned down by a fire, the worshippers met in an old school until the church was rebuilt. In 1962, the church was struck by lightning and completely destroyed. Held together by their faith, the congregation met in an elementary school cafeteria until Shiloh Baptist was rebuilt. Shiloh Baptist Church has also played its part in American history. When the NAACP chartered their membership in Clayton County, Georgia, Shiloh Baptist church was one of the first to purchase membership. When Atlanta, Georgia hosted the 1996 summer Olympics, the church was a reception for the Olympic torch, The Shiloh Baptist Church of Jonesboro is an example to all of how worship and faith can bring a group of people together. Despite numerous damages and subsequent reconstruction and renovations to the physical structure, the Shiloh Baptist community is celebrating 145 years of worship. The strength or their congregation's faith has been demonstrated time and time again. The church has won awards for their wide attendance and continues to attract church-goers from the Jonesboro area. The congregation has not let their spirit falter and for this I congratulate them on 145 years of worship. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Shiloh Baptist congregation for 145 years of worship. I would like to commend them for being a cornerstone in the Jonesboro community as well as within the great State of Georgia. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the anniversary of Jonesboro's Shiloh Baptist Church. Thank you and God bless.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the second annual Children's Cardiomyopathy Awareness Month. Cardiomyopathy is a chronic disease of the heart muscle that affects the heart's ability to pump blood. The disease can present in different forms and may, in severe cases, lead to heart failure and/or sudden death. The goal of this Awareness Month is to provide information and resources to help identify more at-risk children to prevent sudden death. Knowing your family cardiac history is essential to preventing premature death. There is no low-cost diagnostic test that can quickly detect all forms of cardiomyopathy. A discussion of your family's heart health with a geneticist, cardiologist or pediatrician can help assess your child's risk for cardiomyopathy. The Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation works to raise awareness for serious cardiac conditions and provides resources and supports to families struggling with the reality of discovering that their young children have critical conditions. CCF's work to bring attention to this issue and encourage better detection, prevention, and treatment for patients is important, and I thank them for these efforts. I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating this organization's lifesaving work.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the accomplishments of an extraordinary woman, Mrs. Emma Harris Armstrong. Throughout her 99 years, Mrs. Armstrong has experienced important moments in history and has also continuously striven to improve the lives of her family, friends, and community. Mrs. Armstrong's hardworking and independent attitude grew out of her childhood and subsequent life experiences. Growing up as the third child of twelve siblings, she, like her siblings, helped with household chores and sharecropping, while worshipping at the Mount Olive Baptist Church and attending school. At the Brunswick Courthouse in Georgia, Emma Harris Armstrong married John ``Jackie'' Armstrong. During their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong traveled across the United States to accommodate Mr. Armstrong's military career. During and after World War II, Mrs. Armstrong resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mrs. Armstrong often passed the time playing tennis with other Army wives, eventually becoming quite good at the sport. Through her and her husband's travels, Mrs. Armstrong cultivated a love for travel and the beautiful sites of this country. Mrs. Armstrong has seen an incredible amount of change during her lifetime. During her life, Mrs. Armstrong has seen the devastating effects of the Great Depression, the desperate times of World War II, and the landing of the first man on the moon. Mrs. Armstrong lived through the painful effects of discrimination, however, despite everything, she always approached the evils of segregation with love in her heart. Through her independence and strong will, Mrs. Armstrong raised two children in the midst of these turbulent times while still finding time to be actively involved in her church, the community, and politics. Mrs. Armstrong worked on the Senate campaigns for both Senator George McGovern and Senator Tim Johnson. On most days, Mrs. Armstrong can be found attending church activities, spending time with family, and devoting her time to the community. Throughout her years, Mrs. Armstrong has always treated all her family, friends, and visitors with graciousness and kindness. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible perseverance and steadfastness of this woman. Mrs. Emma Harris Armstrong is a great lady whose love and dedication inspires numerous people around her. I ask my colleagues to join me in venerating this distinguished individual.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the accomplishments of a dear friend and colleague, Mr. Jim Tudor. Over the last twenty years, Mr. Tudor has left an indelible impression on the State of Georgia through his entrepreneurial advances and philanthropic endeavors. Whether it be in his church, his community, or business, Mr. Tudor strives to turn any challenge into an opportunity. In 1986, Mr. Tudor moved from a promising career as the Zone Manager for 7-Eleven to serve as a lobbyist for the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores, marking the beginning of a career that would be recognized as among the most prolific in Georgia's capitol community. Mr. Tudor's contributions have been recognized numerous times throughout his illustrious career. In 2000, Mr. Tudor received the Liberty Award from Brown & Williamson. Later, Mr. Tudor was honored with various Pigeon Awards from The Pigeon Committee, a group of fellow lobbyists for the State of Georgia. For three straight years, Mr. Tudor was named by James Magazine as one of the Top Ten Lobbyist for trade organizations. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Tudor has used his success to empower those around him. Well known by his friends and family for a seemingly inexhaustible amount of energy, Mr. Tudor is an extremely active member of the Covington Rotary Club. On many weeknights he can be found volunteering for the Georgia Youth Assembly, the YMCA, and various other groups as a mentor and leader, where he passes on the practical skills he has accumulated through years of shaping Georgia's business climate. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to not only honor the impressive achievements of this man, but also to commend his compassionate contributions to my Congressional district and to the great State of Georgia. I ask my colleagues to join me in venerating this distinguished individual.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I, too, have enjoyed working with my colleague from Georgia, the chairman of our Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit, Congressman Austin Scott. Mr. Speaker, our bill, H.R. 2620, will modernize the way in which cotton futures contracts are listed and regulated under the 1916 Cotton Futures Act. More specifically, as many of you know, the main tool used in the marketplace for hedging cotton is the No. 2 contract. Currently, the No. 2 contract only permits cotton grown within the United States. That cotton is delivered to only five United States cities: Galveston, Texas; Houston, Texas; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Greenville, South Carolina; and Memphis, Tennessee. Now, under the 1916 Cotton Futures Act, every bale of cotton tendered under a contract listed on a U.S. exchange must be sampled and classed or graded by the United States Department of Agriculture. However, seeing that cotton is grown all over the world, my bill targets cotton that is grown and delivered outside of the United States' borders. Now, Mr. Speaker, here is the problem, the concern that our bill is solving. As I mentioned earlier, because of the fact that there are only five domestic cities that are cotton delivery points listed under the 1916 Cotton Futures Act, there has been much concern that the Cotton No. 2 contract cannot accurately reflect price movement in foreign markets and, therefore, cannot provide an effective risk management tool. That is simply the problem. Now, to solve this problem, what our bill will do is simply allow U.S.-based future exchanges flexibility in how they handle foreign- grown cotton and foreign delivery points that will never touch the United States at all. Mr. Speaker, we live now and we operate in a rapidly changing global economy. It is very important that we not put our cotton producers or our commodities exchanges into a disadvantaged position competitively when it comes to being able to get the price fluctuations that occur in foreign markets, thereby providing our businesses with the most effective tool by which they can manage their risk. So because the United States Department of Agriculture does not have the manpower to deploy personnel all over the world at one time, our bill will allow cotton grown outside the United States to be classed by either a United States Department of Agriculture testing lab inside the United States or an international lab deemed to have comparable comprehensive rules and regulations equivalent to the United States. That is it. It is clean and simple. Our bill solves this problem. It gives our cotton producers and it gives our exchanges that ability to be able to know how prices are sliding in each foreign country that is producing cotton while, at the same time, our producers and our exchanges, without that, cannot apply good risk management. That is why this is so essential. So let me state again, as my colleague from Georgia, Mr. Austin Scott, made clear, I, too, want to make clear that our bill does not change the fact that 100 percent of all domestically produced and delivered cotton will be classed by the United States Department of Agriculture. There is absolutely no change here. Furthermore, the bill does not change or alter the Cotton No. 2 contract. What our bill does is simply allow our U.S.-based futures exchanges that much-needed flexibility that is needed in order to list cotton that will never touch the United States through a world cotton contract. As I said, we live in a global marketplace. It is important that our rules and regulations reflect the modernization that has happened in our global markets since this act was written 100 years ago. It is important, Mr. Speaker, that we keep the United States economy the strongest economy in the world, and our bill, H.R. 2620, will do just. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 2620. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the people of this great Nation are watching us today, and they are begging and pleading with us to please vote down this bill. Who knows better than the American people who live in the towns and the cities where they have seen their manufacturing plants close and they have seen their jobs shipped overseas? Every trade deal has done it. Let's look at the China deal. As a result of the China deal, 2 million manufacturing jobs have been shipped from America over to China. Look at NAFTA. Yes, it created jobs; but where did they create jobs? They are in Mexico. Where did the manufacturing plants go? They went to Mexico. That is why the American people are ringing everybody's office and urging them: Please let us not lose any more jobs. Those of you who are concerned about income equality, the reason we have that as a burning issue in the heart and soul, particularly of middle class America, is because we are seeing the middle class vanish. These are the jobs. These manufacturing jobs, ladies and gentlemen, are not where the big corporate presidents make millions of dollars. Yes, they are going to make plenty of millions of dollars; but these jobs go into the middle section of our economic stream and the lower income. Look at Akron, Ohio; look at Atlanta, Georgia; look at Chicago; look at Detroit. They were once vibrant cities. The backbone of America is manufacturing, and we are shipping it out to the world. You know what else we are shipping out there? We are shipping these jobs--not only that, the profits of these companies. Last year, $2 trillion of profits were held in these overseas accounts, away from our taxing structure. Can't you see America is getting weaker because of these trade policies? I urge you to vote ``no'' and stand up for the American people for a change.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, what is about to happen on this floor with this rule is a direct violation of the United States Constitution; for in the United States Constitution, it clearly says that the United States Congress shall have the power ``to regulate commerce with foreign nations.'' And in this rule is a clear violation of that. We already voted it down overwhelmingly 302-126, Republicans and Democrats. It was the foremost bipartisan vote in this 21st century, the very thing that the American people are crying for. Now, why did Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson and James Madison all agree? Very strong, very independent minds. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson could hardly bear to be in the same room with each other, but they agreed on this because they knew that every State had Representatives in Congress to look out for jobs that could be shipped overseas. This is the primary reason, ladies and gentlemen. Look at every trade agreement. This country has lost over 2 million manufacturing jobs to China as a result of the China deal. Over 150,000 jobs to Mexico. Yes, it created jobs--not in the United States. And what kind of jobs? These are jobs that impacted at the lower- and middle-income levels of our economy. It is the middle class that is the heart and the soul of America. Let this Congress stand up and reject this rule. We proved our mettle with that 302 vote. Congress, I am asking you, the American people are asking you: Do what Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson and James Madison asked us to do, and let it be the Congress that regulates commerce with foreign nations.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, let's make no mistake about it. I will just tell you this retaliation situation is real from Canada and from Mexico. The question is: Why should we here put our agriculture foundation at such a tremendous risk? Canada and Mexico are right now moving to institute retaliatory tariffs against U.S. exports. It is critical that Congress also take this corrective legislation and act on it right away before the August recess--it is just that important--so we can send a powerful, quick message because Canada has already issued a preliminary retaliation list, targeting our commodities and our manufactured products not just in one State, not just in two States, but in every State in the United States of America, totaling over $3.5 billion in the first year alone. My own State of Georgia will have an impact of losing $180 million. Mr. Speaker, let's deal with this right. This country of origin labeling is not about food safety. Let's not scare the American people into thinking that; we don't need to make the American people confused or feel that we are doing something to make the food unsafe. What we are doing is protecting our American economy. We are protecting our agricultural interests. More than anything else, at a time when America needs it the most, we are standing up for America for a change. Protect our farmers. Protect our agricultural economy. Protect our people. Make sure we pass H.R. 2393. Send a powerful message that we are not going to stand for Mexico and Canada putting their tariffs on us. We are going to stand firm and protect American interests.