Jason Smith

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stephen Cook for being awarded the American FFA Degree as a member of the National FFA Organization. Stephen is a member of the Willow Springs Chapter of the FFA and, with four of its other members, received this prestigious award. He is also currently on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, making this accomplishment even more impressive. FFA is an intercurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership consisting of 629,367 members, aged 12-21. Stephen is among the 463 FFA members from Missouri that received the American FFA degree, marking the highest number of recipients from any state. As a past recipient of the American FFA Degree, I offer my highest congratulations as I understand the hard work and effort required to reach this goal. In order to obtain the American FFA Degree, a member must begin their pursuit of the award during their freshman year of high school through participation in every level of the organization and leadership events. As a former member of FFA, I can proudly say that my experience in the organization was invaluable learning about leadership skills and public speaking. It is my pleasure to recognize Stephen Cook for receiving this prominent award and thank him for his service to our county before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and its volunteers before the United States House of Representatives. This group was awarded the Auxiliary of the Year Award by the Missouri Hospital Association at the MHA Annual Conference this year. These selfless individuals have accumulated over 15,000 volunteer hours this year, with over 11,000 hours in hospitals and over 3,500 hours volunteering in the community. This auxiliary of more than 90 volunteers has also donated more than $58,000 to the hospital, resulting in seven new hospital beds for their patients. The auxiliary provides services to the community through community health education projects and scholarships to students pursuing health careers. It is my pleasure to recognize these generous individuals before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. I thank the gentleman from North Carolina. Madam Chair, the EPA has decided that 12 million wood-burning stoves in 2.4 million households across America need to be regulated. Back in the Eighth District of Missouri, about 30,000 households use wood heat to warm their homes. Census data shows that households heating with wood grew 34 percent between 2000 and 2010 and that low- and middle-income households are much more likely to use wood as a primary heating fuel. A given home in my district is five times more likely to be heated with wood than is the national average. Constituents I talk with daily are sick of this administration's war on rural America. Rules like these disproportionately hurt rural areas, which use much more wood heat than do urban or suburban environments: 57 percent of households that primarily use wood for heat are in rural areas; 40 percent are in the suburbs; and only 3 percent are in urban areas. Times are already tough enough back home. Folks should not be punished for their self-reliance and their forethought to take advantage of an abundant, eco-friendly fuel like wood. I urge my colleagues to join me in eliminating this rule and keeping affordable energy available to folks who need it the most.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Curtis Moore of Missouri for the patriotism shown by him over the course of his military career as well as his many wonderful accomplishments completed during his civilian years. Throughout his long and illustrious life, Mr. Moore received many impressive awards, including a Purple Heart while serving in the Navy during World War II. He was also the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Waterways Journal in 2014 for his work with inland waterway usage. Mr. Moore began working for Missouri Dry Dock & Repair Co. Inc. in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in the early 1950's as a welder and fitter before soon being promoted to vice president and general manager. He distinguished himself within the industry with his innovations for propellers that are used by inland towboats and barges and their repair process. He continued assisting and advising Missouri Dry Dock about propeller and other boat operation issues into the early 1990's until he fully retired in 2009. Mr. Curtis Moore modeled what it means to be a hard-working and patriotic citizen of our country and it is my pleasure to recognize him before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, the American people have been misled. They were incorrectly told that Dodd-Frank was meant to go after big banks and Wall Street. However, in my rural congressional district, the effects of this law and its close to 500 regulations have been devastating. The total economic cost of Dodd-Frank-based regulations has eclipsed $35 billion and over 60 million hours of paperwork burdens. That is the equivalent of 30,000 employees a year dedicated solely to regulatory paperwork. A new army of regulators aren't the kind of jobs that Americans were promised. The biggest and most costly regulation to come out of Dodd-Frank is the deceptively named Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an unconstitutional, uncontrollable, and unaccountable agency whose total negative impact on our economy won't be known for decades. The CFPB was supposed to protect consumers from the predatory practices of financial institutions. Instead, it has limited Americans' access to credit, the ability to be financially independent, and impeded the availability of homes and, in this case, cars. The CFPB achieved this by hiring big, spending big, and regulating big. The CFPB started with a staff of 178 in 2011 but now has close to 2,000 employees. In that same period, its annual spending grew from $10 million to, now, $600 million. The safest place to find a job in this government economy is with a Federal financial regulator. In the last 5 years, those regulators have seen a 16 percent increase in job growth. The CFPB still has more regulations and guidance in its pipeline just ready to roll out and crush rural America. That is why this amendment is so important. In the endless search for a job in this economy, many Americans are forced to migrate to urban areas. In 2013, over half of all the rural counties in the United States actually shrank in population. In 2014, according to the Department of Labor, rural counties lost 330,000 jobs, while metropolitan counties gained over 3 million jobs. The last thing Washington should be doing is authoring regulations which further enable this trend. With adoption of H.R. 1737 and this amendment, we are telling the CFPB that, when you issue regulations like this, in addition to analyzing the impact on women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses, you must also take a look at those regulations' impact on rural businesses and rural consumers. My amendment is a simple one, but it would go a long way to providing some clarity for the folks of Missouri's Eighth Congressional District and all of those Americans living in rural communities across the Nation. While 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue might be looking at ways to make their life harder, this body, this Chamber, will continue to fight to make sure the Federal Government stays out of their way. I thank my friend and colleague from New Hampshire for introducing this legislation. Burdensome regulation is a problem that hits rural America the hardest. I urge adoption of the amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tyler Dodd of Rolla, Missouri on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. This award is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America, with only a small percentage of its members reaching this achievement. Tyler has demonstrated a true enthusiasm towards service and spent countless hours helping others as he advanced through the ranks of the Boy Scouts. Tyler has held several leadership positions, such as Patrol Leader, during which he used his skills and knowledge to help younger scouts with their own progression through the Boy Scouts. His achievements extend outside of the Boy Scouts as well; Tyler is a member of the National Honor Society--Rolla Chapter and a section leader in the Rolla High School Marching Band. Tyler possesses the important values such as honestly, loyalty, and civility that inspire others. His commitment to good citizenship, physical fitness, and education is an asset to our community, as well as the nation. Tyler is a role model for young and old alike, and it is my pleasure to recognize his achievements before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William S. Moriarty from Carter County, Missouri for his exemplary service to not only his community, but also his country. Bill began serving his country in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. His heroic actions were acknowledged when he received the Silver Star, one of the highest military awards. After a long and successful career in the military that spanned over 22 years, he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. However, his impact on the military did not end there as Bill has since spent countless hours helping other veterans in our area register for benefits. Bill has proven to be an invaluable asset to the community through his numerous volunteer efforts. He makes a direct impact on the lives of others by lecturing on the dangers of drugs at local schools, donating his time at his local senior center, and working with the Meals on Wheels Program. Bill also volunteers through broader forums by serving on a branch of the University of Missouri Extension Council and as part of the Disaster Response Commission for Missouri. Bill is an exceptional model of a true American who serves others and it is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and accomplishments before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ozark Action for the 50 years of outstanding service that they have provided to Missourians. Ozark Action is a non-profit community action agency whose impact stretches across six counties in Missouri by providing life-saving services for people in need. Ozark Action was formed in 1965 to ensure that people had their basic needs met, including food and clothing. The agency is led by executive director Bryan Adcock and contains three main departments and ranges of services. Angie Berry directs the community services department, which conducts a range of important activities to provide direct assistance to our citizens. The Head Start program, led by Kathleen Simonson, is an integral component of Ozark Action that provides a pre-school experience to children from low-income families and children with disabilities. The Housing and Weather Department is supervised by Terry Sanders, whose staff has assisted numerous people in our area to find affordable housing and improve the cost efficiency of their homes. It is my pleasure to recognize Ozark Action before the United States House of Representatives for improving the lives of others throughout Missouri.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National Forest Products Week. Forest products provide more than 60,000 jobs and inject more than $9 billion in Missouri's economy. In southeast and south central Missouri, we produce everything from charcoal, lumber, wood flooring, whiskey and wine barrels, pallets, telephone poles, railroad ties, gunstocks, and much, much more. The number one obstacle to expanding in Missouri is the availability of timber. Folks cannot get enough wood to make more products and employ more people. At the same time, we have trees dying in the Mark Twain National Forest faster than the government will allow industry to cut them down. Each year 50 million board feet of timber, with an estimated value of nearly $5 million, dies in the Mark Twain National Forest. Instead of being harvested, this timber is wasted and becomes a fire hazard. We have increased the amount of the timber harvest at Mark Twain National Forest from 38 to 50 million board feet recently, but we can do much better. Better forest management is good for the forest and will put people back to work.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Robert R. Holmes for his outstanding achievements in the field of engineering. Dr. Holmes was honored in New York on October 13th with the 2015 Government Civil Engineer of the Year award. This award recognizes distinguished civil engineers employed in public service for significant engineering contributions. Dr. Holmes earned a Bachelor of Science in 1987 and Master of Science in 1989 at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in civil engineering. Dr. Holmes continued his education earning a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Illinois and began his teaching career soon after. He has taught as an assistant adjunct professor at the University of Illinois since 2006 and adjunct professor at Missouri S&T since 2008. For over 28 years, Dr. Holmes has worked as a hydrologist and leading member of the United States Geological Survey. He currently serves as a national flood hazard specialist and the senior adviser on flood science and response for the United States Geological Survey. His United States Geological Survey colleagues have given high praise for his contributions to water resources engineering and flood hazards management during his time there. Dr. Robert R. Holmes is a model of excellence in his field and it is my pleasure to recognize him before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gideon R. Brady from St. James, Missouri for his achievements as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol. Gideon is set to receive the General Billy Mitchell Award for his service, one of the most prestigious honors that a cadet can earn. This award is only achieved after passing comprehensive leadership and aerospace exams, as well as a strenuous physical fitness test. Gideon began his service in the Civil Air Patrol in 2013 with a deep interest in aerospace and rockets. An emphasis on service runs in Gideon's family, as his father Terry is a Chaplain in the Civil Air Patrol and proudly guides him as he progresses through the ranks. Gideon has proven himself to be an exemplary cadet and it is my pleasure to recognize him before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheila Allen of Whitewater, Missouri for the selfless and caring attitude that she has shown through her volunteer work. A homecoming event will be held in her honor on September 26, 2015 in St. Louis to celebrate her new role as the State President for the Department of Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary for 2015-2016. As State President, Sheila volunteers her time to aid the veterans of our nation and convey patriotic education to others. The Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars is an organization over 100 years old and works to better our community by serving active-duty military personnel and their families. It is my pleasure to recognize Sheila for her efforts and service before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ken Fiebelman for his exemplary work with the Dent County Historical Society and service as a member of the Missouri State House of Representatives. On Sunday September 27, Mr. Fiebelman will be honored with a lifetime achievement award for his time at the Dent County Historical Society. Mr. Fiebelman served as the Dent County Genealogist and Historian for nearly half a century. He also served for six terms as a member of the Missouri State House of Representatives where, among his many notable accomplishments, he led the effort to designate the fiddle as Missouri's state musical instrument. During his time as a state representative, Ken succeeded in establishing Highway 19 as a scenic highway and securing the construction of Highway 72. Ken is the epitome of a community leader and historian and it is my pleasure to recognize him for his accomplishments before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, this amendment protects the folks back home. It stops the Obama administration and unelected bureaucrats from issuing major new healthcare regulations, and it improves the role of congressional oversight. I urge the adoption of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, as I have traveled across the Eighth District of Missouri, one of the largest concerns I hear from my constituents is the uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act. Individuals are concerned about how the relationship with their doctor will change and how their healthcare costs are rising. Businesses are left with uncertainty as well. They are afraid to hire folks because of the healthcare costs, which leaves them understaffed. Hospitals are consolidating, and insurers are merging as a result of the law. The simple truth is that my constituents have fewer options. The Affordable Care Act is hurting health care and hurting jobs in Missouri and across the country. That is why I am offering an amendment to protect families and job creators from the mounting uncertainty of the Affordable Care Act. My amendment revises the definition of a major regulation to specifically include any regulation made under the Affordable Care Act. With over 3,000 pages of Federal regulations already issued and many more to follow, Congress must protect folks from this troublesome law and keep it from causing further damage to our healthcare system. Mr. Chairman, there is a broad bipartisan concern to the Affordable Care Act. This administration has demonstrated its own uncertainty through the delays to several key provisions of the bill. Congress must stand up for the folks back home and give the American people a voice. My amendment does just that. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor lifelong Missourian Thomas Glendon Stafford from Cape Girardeau on his 100th birthday. Mr. Stafford was born on June 28, 1915 in Zadock, Missouri. After sixth grade, Mr. Stafford went to work for his father who was a farmer. He lived on the family farm until he met his wife Bernice at her church in Vanduser, Missouri. He asked for her hand in marriage at the age of 19. In 1942, the couple moved to Cape Girardeau where he has made a home for 68 years and began working for Commercial Transport as a truck driver. On March 14, 1945, Mr. Stafford was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. After 19 weeks of training at Fort Hood, he was sent across the Pacific to the Philippines before eventually being transferred to Tokyo, Japan. He spent a year in Tokyo at the personnel office driving soldiers. Mr. Stafford was honorably discharged on May 18, 1946, and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal for his dedication and service. After his daughters left home, he and his wife lived a quiet life until Bernice passed away at the age of 91 on November 6th, 2004. He has seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and three great- great-grandchildren and now lives at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. For his service to our nation, and all that he has accomplished over the last century, it is my pleasure to honor Mr. Stafford before the United States House of Representatives on his 100th birthday.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 175th anniversary of the Licking United Methodist Church located in Licking, Missouri. The church was organized in 1840 as the first Methodist Society of Licking which met at parishioners' homes and later a schoolhouse. Since its founding, the church's space and membership have steadily grown. By 1937 the church had built an entire new sanctuary with a seating capacity of roughly 500 people and added a new cobblestone vestibule and bell tower in 1950. In addition to providing a place for communal prayer for a devoted congregation, they also actively serve the local community. The church has regular food drives, hosts free dinners open to all, organizes blood drives, and even supports a community garden. Through its long and rich history, the church's vital congregation has remained an integral part of the city of Licking. For their ongoing dedication to serving Christ and their community, it is my pleasure to honor the Licking United Methodist Church on their 175th anniversary before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cindy Haley on her 20th anniversary working at the Texas County Food Pantry in Houston, Missouri. The food pantry assists those in the community in need of food, clothing, health care, and shelter. Mrs. Haley began her work at the food pantry in May of 1995 and has set a wonderful example of hard work and selflessness. Today she serves as the food pantry's patient advocate, bookkeeper and grant writer and has helped bring more than 3 million dollars to Texas County over the past two decades. The food pantry will be celebrating with a party for Mrs. Haley on June 17th. Mrs. Haley has provided support to so many in the Texas County community, and I truly admire her strength and dedication to helping others. It is my pleasure to recognize her efforts and accomplishments before the House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of TPA because trade is too important to southeast and southern Missouri to leave in the hands of this President or any President. TPA would bring more transparency and involvement to the negotiation process and gives Congress more authority over the President. Without TPA, the President can keep Congress and the public in the dark on trade negotiations. Without TPA, the President alone sets the negotiating objectives; without TPA, Members of Congress are not entitled to read the text of negotiating documents during the process; and without TPA, the President does not have to publish updated summaries of trade bills during the negotiations. However, with TPA, Members of Congress can be involved in the negotiation process to get the best deal for our folks back home. With TPA, for the first time ever, all bills negotiated would have to be public for 60 days before Congress votes on them; with TPA, Congress directs the negotiating objectives for trade bills; and with TPA, Members of Congress will have open access to the text anytime they want. Mr. Speaker, we need TPA so that American trade deals can be transparent, effective, and enforceable.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Frank Nash from Ironton, Missouri for his academic success and service to our community. Frank has set a wonderful example of hard work and a dedication to serve others. Now an Eagle Scout, Frank has earned nine Eagle Palms since he started as a Tiger Cub with the Boy Scouts. For his Eagle Scout project, Frank built tables and chairs for senior adults at his church to use. He also built a flower box to decorate the First Baptist Church of Pilot Knob's sign. He is the salutatorian of his graduating class and has already earned more than 40 college credits through his high school's advanced placement program. He will be attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the fall where he is interested in studying neurology. On April 1, Frank was notified that he was the sole recipient of the National Eagle Scout Association's $25,000 United Health Foundation college scholarship. This scholarship, which receives more than 5,000 applications each year, is awarded to a student who plans to pursue a career in healthcare and is willing to reinvest their skills in an under-served community. Frank has also received scholarships from the Hagan Foundation and the Elks National Foundation. It comes as no surprise that his hard work, both in the community and the classroom, have paid off. Frank is a role model for all Missouri students and it is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and accomplishments before the House of Representatives.