Kyrsten Sinema

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Gibson for his words. I thank the gentleman for his service to our country. I thank especially the gentleman's wife. As a fellow social worker, I thank her for her work serving veterans. I thank Representative Hill for joining us this evening. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague from Arkansas, French Hill.

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Hill for joining us and his leadership in the Congress on mental health and veterans issues. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague from California, Scott Peters, who currently represents Howard and Jean Somers whom I was speaking about earlier. I thank the gentleman for being here.

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Peters, and I thank him for his willingness to work tirelessly with me and with others on the issues that we know affect not just Howard and Jean and their son Daniel, but many other veterans around the country. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho), who is joining us for the fourth year in a row. I thank him so much for being here.

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Yoho. It has been an honor to continue working on this issue with him. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Young). We co- chair a task force together to combat identity theft and fraud, and it has been wonderful to work together on that issue. I am so grateful to continue working together with him on the issue of mental health and preventing suicide for the brave veterans who serve our country.

Ms. SINEMA. I thank Congressman Young for joining us this evening. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the time to yield to another speaker in this bipartisan Special Order hour, a colleague of mine who has served our country ably. Congressman Doug Collins of Georgia served a combat tour in Iraq in 2008, and he currently serves as an Air Force Reserve chaplain. I am very grateful that he has taken the time to join us this evening to talk about the unfortunate continuing problem of veteran suicide and our work to provide mental health care for them in this country. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Collins for being here.

Ms. SINEMA. I thank Congressman Collins so much. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have left remaining?

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I need to tell a story about another young man in my district, Carl McLaughlin, a 38-year-old Army veteran who died from suicide on December 19, 2013. Carl had been stationed in Bosnia, and he was released from the Army on a medical discharge in 2004. Starting in 2006, Carl went to the Phoenix VA for treatment. But as time went on, it became increasingly difficult for Carl to see his doctor. And according to his mom, Terry, at the time of his death, Carl was waiting to hear back from the Phoenix VA to have his medications adjusted and to see his doctor. He suffered from recurring pain caused by a shoulder injury, severe hearing loss, depression, and PTSD; and his depression worsened over time. Terry, Carl's mom, told us, and I quote: The last time I saw Carl was a few days before his death. He looked really depressed, and I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment scheduled because I knew he had been waiting over 4 weeks for a call back from the doctor's office. He said, No, he was still waiting. He called them the next day six times and left three messages and was put on hold, and then hung up on three times. This problem had been going on for at least 1 to 2 years, that I was aware of. Mr. Speaker, no veteran should be turned away when he or she reaches out for help. Terry asked us to share her son's story in the hope that this tragedy doesn't happen to another family. And I pledge to Terry and to Howard and Jean that we will continue working to hold the VA accountable and ensure that all veterans have access to the highest quality care. I yield to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack). I thank the Congressman for being here.

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressman so much. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) who is a psychologist, serves the Navy, and helps veterans at Walter Reed and other locations. Congressman Murphy, we have been talking about your bill this evening, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, of which we are all strongly supportive. As a cosponsor, I thank you for that work, and thank you for joining us this evening.

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues who joined us this evening. Our thoughts are with all the families who have lost a loved one to suicide. Our efforts to end veterans suicide will not end this month. We are committed to continuing this fight to ensure that our veterans always know they have a place to turn. We, who enjoy freedom every day thanks to the sacrifices of our military servicemen and servicewomen, must all step up to end the epidemic of veterans suicide. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Thank you to Chairman Hensarling, Ranking Member Waters, and Congressmen Hurt, Foster, Vargas, and Stivers for all of their work on this bipartisan legislation to streamline the antiquated regulatory framework for private equity fund advisers while maintaining appropriate industry oversight and investor protections. Private equity investors across the country provide billions of dollars each year to Main Street businesses, and over 11 million Americans work for private equity-backed businesses. Last year alone, private equity firms invested an estimated $18 billion in more than 60 Arizona-based companies. Together, these companies support over 130,000 workers and their families. GoDaddy is the world's largest domain name register with more than 12 million customers, and like thousands of large and small American businesses, GoDaddy is a private equity-backed company. Last month, I visited their Tempe, Arizona, facility in my district. It is a state- of-the-art complex that promotes collaboration and innovation, and it employs over 1,000 Arizonans, including engineers, developers, and small business consultants. With the help and investment of private equity, GoDaddy will create hundreds of quality technology jobs for years to come. By providing narrowly targeted regulatory relief to private equity fund advisers, this legislation improves the flow of capital to businesses in every community and in every district in the United States. This bill passed out of the House Financial Services Committee on a bipartisan vote. Following the committee vote, we worked together on a bipartisan fix to address two specific concerns. First, the amendment strikes the bill's narrow exemption from the annual audit or surprise inspection requirements for some funds, ensuring that investors are able to verify that funds actually contain particular investments as claimed. Second, the amendment ensures that advisers will continue to deliver a plain language narrative brochure annually to both clients and the SEC. All currently registered investment advisers remain subject to SEC registration and examination and the antifraud provisions of the Investment Advisers Act. This legislation does not reduce the SEC's authority to examine or to bring enforcement actions against private fund managers or eliminate any of the tools that the SEC has to pursue such actions. Further, private equity funds invest in companies for several years and, therefore, do not present systemic risks. Private equity-backed businesses are a key driving force behind our economy, making critical national and local economic contributions. We must work together to create an environment that enables these companies to grow and succeed and expand opportunities for hardworking Americans. Thank you again to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work on this important legislation.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tenure and accomplishments of a community leader, an elected official, and an advocate for higher education in Arizona, Mr. Tio Tachias. Mr. Tachias has proudly served the state of Arizona for over 40 years through his work as a Coconino County Supervisor, a member of the Arizona Board of Regents and a board member for countless community and educational organizations. He developed personal and political relationships with Arizona Governors Castro, Babbitt, Mofford and Napolitano and is widely regarded as the best person to identify, register and turnout new voters on the Navajo Nation. His work contributed to countless electoral victories and he has helped thousands of new voters exercise their right to vote on Election Day. Mr. Tachias has also served as a mentor for the next generation of Latino and Native American youth in Arizona. He has been involved in organizations such as the Boy's and Girl's Club of Flagstaff, the Phoenix Boys Choir and Northern Arizona Crisis Nursery. Arizona is lucky to have Tio as part of our community and I know that even in retirement he will continue to contribute to our state in countless ways.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted: Roll Call Number 479, yes. Roll Call Number 480, yes.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted: Roll Call Number 481, No; Roll Call Number 482, No.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted: Roll Call Number 483, no; Roll Call Number 484, no; Roll Call Number 485, no; Roll Call Number 486, no; Roll Call Number 487, yes; Roll Call Number 488, yes.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tenure and accomplishments of a community leader, a recognized advocate for affordable housing, and a dedicated public servant. Tempe City Councilmember Corey Woods served the neighborhoods and families of Tempe with honor for eight years and stepped down last month to pursue new opportunities. During his eight-year tenure on the Tempe City Council Mr. Woods focused on increasing affordable housing in Tempe, a growing and vibrant community in my district that encompasses Arizona State University. Thanks in large part to Mr. Woods' efforts Tempe has received over $2.3 million in funding specifically for new and expanded affordable housing projects. I was proud to work with Mr. Woods and the entire Tempe City Council on other projects to increase the quality of life for Tempe residents, such as the new Tempe Streetcar project and the Valley Metro Light Rail. I believe Tempe will be better off for generations to come thanks to Mr. Woods' leadership and vision. I look forward to many more great accomplishments from Mr. Woods through his role as the Chief Operating Officer at the Greater Phoenix Urban League and through his work in the community. I thank him for his extraordinary service to Tempe and look forward to working with him in the future.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor retired U.S. Army Corporal and Warrior Games Team Army member Mathew Mueller. Corporal Mueller was born and raised in Fort Morgan, Colorado. After graduating from high school, Corporal Mueller found his passion in emergency medicine and used this calling to serve our country in the United States Army as a Combat Medic. On January 1, 2014, while preparing for his second combat deployment, Corporal Mueller was driving to his home town when his vehicle lost control on black ice. Corporal Mueller broke his neck and all the bones on the right side of his face leaving him visually impaired due to double vison and residual damage to his face. Corporal Mueller spent 10 months in intense physical therapy and rehabilitation. One year after the accident, he was transferred to a Warrior Transition Unit, designed to help wounded, ill, and injured soldiers transition to civilian life. It was there that he was introduced to adaptive sports. Through adaptive sports, Mueller competed in two Department of Defense Warrior Games. He participates in track, field, swimming and cycling. In the 2015 Warrior Games Mueller took home 9 gold, and 5 silver medals, and at the 2016 Warrior Games Mathew took home 10 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medals. Mueller retired from the Army in December 2015, after nearly 6 years of service. He now resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and family. Corporal Mueller's unwavering commitment to greatness inspires all who know him. We honor his achievements, and thank him for his incredible service and sacrifice.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Mr. Harold Stahl (Hal) who passed away at the age of 78 on March 8, 2016 in Phoenix, AZ. Born in the Bronx, Hal was the son of Russian immigrants Fannie Weisberg and Benjamin Stahl. After the loss of his sister Selma when Hal was only two years old, his mother doted on her little ``Boo Boo''. He lost his parents while he was still very young, so his older siblings Joseph, Gertrude and Marilyn (Mickey) became like parents to him and he grew very close to his nieces and nephews Barbara, Bill, Neil, Eileen, Robin and Shoshana. After earning his undergraduate degree in Physics from Columbia, he went on to earn a Master's in Physics at Brooklyn Polytechnic. He attributed the teaching assistant job he got there to a recommendation letter that was sent on his behalf by Nobel Prize winner, Polycarp Kusch. While wolking on the PhD that he was unable to complete due to equipment failure, he met his future wife Toby Schleifer who was a Chemist at NYU. They were introduced in the young adult group at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue in May of 1965 and were married in December of that year. Together they started their family in Flushing, Queens where they welcomed their son Barry and daughter Fran. After relocating to Ridgefield, Connecticut they were joined by their third child Carrie. Hal earned his MBA from the University of New Haven before the family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona to live near Toby's family. While working as a software engineer on the Apache helicopters, he earned his third Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering in the same year that Fran got her Bachelor's and Canie graduated from high school. The family grew to include a daughter-in-law, Pattie, son-in-law, Lewis and four amazing grandsons. Hal adored Jonas, Kai, Rei and Ari and helped their parents foster their individual personalities and interests. In their retirement years, Hal and Toby were dedicated to their grandsons and to volunteering for non-profit organizations that supported healthcare, the environment, protecting Arizona's natural history and progressive politics. Hal was a proud lifelong Democrat. He was a Precinct Committeeman as well as a member of the Arizona state Democratic committee and a proud volunteer for Democracy for America Maricopa County. Most importantly, the best way to honor Hal and what he would have requested is that you make sure that you and everyone you know gets out to vote.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Chair, during rollcall vote No. 426 on H.R. 5538, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``yes'' when I should have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 21 Offered by Mr. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Fitzpatrick and Ranking Member Lynch. Over the course of the past year, the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing has found that U.S. Government efforts to counter the financing of terrorism lack sufficient coordination and that the United States has no unified national strategy to guide our counterfinancing efforts. The Federal Government must change its approach and mindset to counter the financing of terrorism, and this is why Chairman Fitzpatrick and I introduced this bipartisan legislation to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, to establish a whole-of-government strategy to combat the financing of terrorism and related forms of illicit finance. This strategy must include: a critical assessment of the effectiveness of U.S. efforts to fight terrorist financing; ways to improve coordination with international, State, and local law enforcement and the private sector; and a comprehensive discussion of threats, goals, objectives, and priorities for disrupting and preventing terrorist financing. The strategy should enhance detection, deterrence, prosecution, and ultimately strengthen our broader national security goals. Our legislation forces the Federal Government to create a whole-of- government strategy to counter terrorism financing that improves the effectiveness of our efforts and better aligns these efforts with our broader national interests. Terrorism is an undeniable threat to our country's security and global stability. Terrorist networks constantly develop new ways to finance their deadly operations and threaten America. The Islamic State is one of the world's most violent, dangerous, and well-financed terrorist groups. To keep our country safe, we must be one step ahead of ISIS, cutting off its funding and stopping its efforts. I thank Chairman Fitzpatrick and Congresswoman Velazquez for allowing me to join and work with them on this important legislation. I thank Chairman Hensarling and Ranking Member Waters for establishing this important task force, and I thank Chairman Fitzpatrick and Ranking Member Lynch for their leadership on the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to keep money out of terrorists' hands and build on our progress to strengthen America's security.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Tim Hill of the Phoenix Fire Department. Tim is retiring today and an incredible thirty one years as a first responder in our community. In addition to serving as a fire fighter, Tim also dedicated his career to serving the greater needs of the fire fighter community and Arizona as a whole. Tim served as the President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona and as the Executive Vice President of the United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association. In both roles he provided support to his brothers and sisters in the fire-fighting profession and worked with elected officials and the Arizona Legislature to make policy changes to help every Arizona first responder. Tim served as President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona when we lost 19 brave young fire fighters from the Granite Mountain Hot Shot team in June of 2013. That was such a tragic loss for our community and our state, and I am so grateful to Tim for the grace, leadership, and compassion he showed in such a difficult time. Additionally Tim served on the Arizona Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Commission which recently completed the construction and grand opening of the only memorial honoring the 119 fire fighters, paramedics and emergency personnel in Arizona. His work to make the memorial a reality is a testament to his dedication to his fellow fire fighters and emergency personnel and the entire State of Arizona.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman, Ranking Member Waters, Congressman Poliquin, Congressman Murphy of Florida, and Congressman Mulvaney for working with me on our bipartisan legislation to help law enforcement combat senior financial exploitation. In 2014, Tinna Kay Lujan, while employed as a certified nursing assistant at Amber Lights, an assisted living facility in Tucson, my home State of Arizona, took 87-year-old Donald Hansen out of his facility and into her own home where he was later found dehydrated and suffering from an infection. Lujan not only moved Mr. Hansen into her home against his will, she also exploited him financially. As reported in the Arizona Republic, Washington Federal Bank staff contacted law enforcement because they were suspicious when Lujan and Hansen, who had been a long-time customer, visited the bank together. Ms. Lujan provided the bank with a power-of-attorney document signed by Hansen. She also requested bank cards and checks from Hansen's accounts and added Hansen's grandchildren as beneficiaries. But bank staff knew that Hansen had no grandchildren, and later they learned those beneficiaries were, in fact, Ms. Lujan's children. Donald Hansen is only one of thousands of Arizona seniors who are victims of financial exploitation every year. Recent studies estimate that nearly one in five American seniors may be a target for fraud or financial abuse, and seniors lose at least $2.9 billion annually to financial exploitation. But even when financial institutions suspect abuse, the abuse may go unpunished because current laws lack flexibility to allow these companies to report suspected abuse to authorities. Our bill, the Senior Safe Act, helps individuals and financial institutions communicate with appropriate agencies when they suspect financial exploitation of seniors. The bill also encourages firms to train employees to identify and stop financial fraud targeting seniors. Seniors deserve to retire with dignity, and they shouldn't have to worry that their hard-earned savings are at risk of fraud. Our legislation protects these firms and advisers from liability when they report suspected financial exploitation of a senior citizen. It is a commonsense solution to help ensure financial institutions can identify fraud, report it, and stop financial abuse of the elderly. Again, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work and support to protect seniors and end financial exploitation.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Jason Benjamin Josaphat Bebe, a 2014 graduate of Skyline High School in Mesa, Arizona. Jason was the oldest son of Myrlande Bebe and Jackson Josaphat and a beloved nephew, brother, and friend. On Sunday, June 12, 2016, Jason's life was cut tragically short in a hateful act of terror at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida that claimed his life and 48 others. He was just 19 years old. We join all Americans in grieving this senseless loss. At Skyline High School, Jason was a popular and active student, involved in both the hip-hop dance club and the spirit squad. Friends and classmates described him as a goofball, full of energy and optimism, and with a contagious and persistent smile that could light up a room. He was computer savvy, had a passion for physical fitness, and took a great interest in photography. Jason was a bright and talented student that strived to help others succeed academically. After graduating from Skyline, he enrolled at Southern Technical College in Florida. He graduated from their business office specialist program just two weeks before his death. Jason had enrolled at Valencia College to continue his education by studying computer science. Friends, family, former classmates, and hundreds of community members gathered on Wednesday in Mesa to celebrate Jason's life. In the years he spent in Arizona, it is clear he made a positive impact on so many. We were fortunate to have him for the short time that we did. Mr. Speaker, Jason deserved a long, fulfilling life with the richness of experience that the rest of us hope for for ourselves and for our children. We stand together with Jason's family and friends in solemn remembrance.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, today we honor Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Gold Award, Girl Scout's highest honor. Congratulations to the young women who earn the distinguished Gold Award and become exemplary leaders in communities across our country. This accomplishment reflects outstanding leadership and civic engagement. Today, women pilot rockets into space, lead international conglomerates, pioneer new innovations in medicine and technology, and occupy positions of international leadership in countries all over the world. Many of those female leaders are Girl Scout alumnae. As a Girl Scout, I learned how to be an effective leader and how to work as part of a team. I also learned the importance of being part of a community. The Girl Scouts enables young women to discover their passions. Scouting empowers girls and young women, and teaches the importance of working collaboratively. The Gold Award inspires girls in Arizona to find greatness inside themselves and to channel ideas and passions to benefit our communities. Thank you to Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus- Pine Council and Girl Scout councils across the nation for giving young women courage, confidence, and character.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, on this National Missing Children's Day, we come together to honor the victims of kidnapping and child abuse, and recognize the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement to prevent and uncover these tragic crimes. Today, we are proud to announce that the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in the Phoenix Police Department is the 2016 recipient of the Attorney General's Special Commendation. The Department of Justice awards the Attorney General's Special Commendation each year to an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that makes an exceptional contribution to the coordinated national effort against online child exploitation. Phoenix Police task force members earned this honor by successfully pursuing and arresting a criminal who was sexually abusing two young boys in her care. They put a stop to the nightmare of abuse for these two children and, by gathering forensic evidence at the scene, discovered leads on an international ring of crime and exploitation. Their work to date has led to more than 25 arrests across the United States and Europe. It is my privilege to congratulate these brave Arizonans for their work to protect children and keep our communities safe. Their diligence in the face of terrible circumstances sets an example for everyone in public service. National Missing Children's Day reminds us each year that we have more work to do to protect children from kidnapping and abuse. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure public servants like the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force have the tools they need to break the cycle of child exploitation.

Ms. SINEMA

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Father Edward Arthur Reese, President of Brophy College Preparatory, one of the most prestigious and successful Jesuit educational institutions for young men in Arizona. For the past 20 years, Father Reese has been the anchor and backbone of this school and the larger Catholic community in Phoenix. He retires at the end of this academic year and leaves behind a legacy of educational excellence, community service and true dedication to his faith. Father Reese will be remembered for his bold vision, bringing a culture of innovation to the entire Brophy community. The highlights of his vision are reflected in his founding of the Loyola Academy, a 6th, 7th and 8th grade middle school on the Brophy campus which offers a Jesuit education to underserved students with academic and leadership potential at no cost to them. Additionally he is leaving for St. Ignatius of Loyola High School in San Francisco and taking his legacy of technology in the classroom with faculty and students free to experiment, leaning forward to learn while preparing for the future without fear. We wish Father Reese the very best as he takes on a new challenge and we thank him for his tremendous contribution to our community.