Pat Tiberi

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and honor the life of Joyce Garver Keller. Throughout her life, Joyce was a steadfast and passionate advocate for Ohio and its Jewish community. For twenty-five years she served as the Executive Director of Ohio Jewish Communities. The fruits of Joyce's labor, and her influence, can be found throughout the great state of Ohio. Although her career was long and full of many accomplishments, among her most noteworthy was the constructing of the Holocaust and Liberators Memorial located on the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse. In addition to this, Joyce was able to secure funds for services to the elderly in assisted living facilities; help refugees from the former Soviet Union access funds around the state for citizenship classes; and expand English as a second language programs. Joyce's actions spoke volumes about her mission to make a difference in her community and will continue to resonate for many years to come. Joyce's tremendous efforts touched many people, and the power and zeal of her conviction inspired those around her. She was a loyal friend and was always willing to reach out to new people or lend a helping hand. Her unconquerable spirit is but one reason Joyce was successful in her professional career and so loved by those who knew her. The recent passing of Joyce Garver Keller is truly an immense loss for Ohio. This remarkable woman will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, how significant and beautiful that today, the day of Mike Oxley's birth, we celebrate his glorious and beautiful life. Thank you, Pat. Thank you, Chadd Elvis. Thank you, Jennifer and grandson Max. Thanks to all of you for sharing Mike Oxley with us, as Mr. Chabot said: It was really a special, special honor. I met the Ox when I was a senior in college, a congressional staffer for then Congressman John Kasich. I got asked to help staff an event that Congressman Oxley and Congressman Kasich did here in Washington, D.C. It was called a Washington Fly-In. Here this Congressman by the name of Mike Oxley met me and was as nice to me as he was to his colleagues at this fly-in, as a young guy who came in for this event from Ohio. Ironic that 15 years later--we didn't know--that I would be his colleague. He treated me the same then, the same throughout the time that I knew Mike. The way that he treated people was kind of inspirational for a really important guy. He led in that way, too. His staff treated people, whether they be here in Washington or back in Ohio, with the same type of respect that their boss treated people. After that election in 2000, we had a freshman orientation. I replaced the man that I had worked for in the 1980s and early 1990s, John Kasich. I was at this freshman orientation filling out this form for committee assignments. Another Congressman from our delegation, who seemed to be the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, came up to me and said: Well, you know, just fill out that form and put Financial Services, a brand-new committee to be chaired by Mike Oxley, and Education and Workforce, a committee that is going to be chaired by me, as your committees because that is what you are going to get. I said to then Congressman Boehner, well, Committee on Financial Services sounds really good, Committee on Education and the Workforce not so much. So I filled out my form, and I put Committee on Financial Services among some other committees. I excluded Education and the Workforce. About 10 days later, I got my committee assignments, Committee on Financial Services and Committee on Education and the Workforce. I told my new chairman, Mike Oxley, the story. I said: Was this thing wired? In his glorious, special way, he got that grin, and he just laughed, as Mike Oxley often did. He was such a cheerful guy. He was a special chairman. I didn't realize then how lucky I was to have Mike Oxley as a chairman for 6 years on this brand-new committee. Every year that went by, more and more Members wanted to be on this committee. It was obviously an important committee, but they also wanted to be on a committee chaired by Mike Oxley. His disposition was great, but he also was such a team guy. It was just in his blood that he wanted to get things done, and he wanted to help the team, the team being our Republican Conference, the team being the Congress, the team being members of the Committee on Financial Services. I remember one day we were doing a delegation meeting, and during the meeting Mike said: I am going to do an event for one of the members of our Committee on Financial Services. If you have nothing going on, why don't you join me? I am driving. We get into his car, and out blares Beach Boys music, which obviously was one of Mike's favorites. As we are listening to the song, I am thinking how ironic, this makes so much sense. It made sense then; it makes sense now, going back to a simpler time. Mike was pretty simple in how he was a Congressman and how he was a chairman. It wasn't about him. It was never about him. That is why he was such a great mentor. It was about moving the issues forward. He put newer members or subcommittee chairmen in charge of issues. He helped us through it. When the light shone, he ignored it. He shared it, he put us out in front. It was about the team. As Mr. Chabot mentioned, he was a great manager for the congressional baseball team for the Republicans. He was a manager as our chairman. He was a great manager as our chairman. We learned a lot. We learned a lot from Mike Oxley--not just members of the committee, but staff members, so many people who have come through this building, who have come through the Rayburn Building. He was a mentor. He made a lot of people who touched his life better. He made me better as a Member of Congress. He made me better as a person, and I appreciate that, Pat. We thank you for having you share him with us. God bless you all.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. I thank Chairman Brady and Speaker Ryan for their leadership. Mr. Speaker, to the previous gentleman, I say Mr. and Mrs. America would be stunned to know that, to keep current policy in place, we have to raise taxes to keep tax cuts, some of which have been in place for 30 years. The R&D tax credit has been around for 30 years. The horrible way that we make policy here on a retroactive basis or on a ``1-year forward and then we will address it again'' basis is changing today. Tom and Judy Price, who are farmers in my district, have been thinking about buying a loader this year. They can now, actually, buy one, and they can, actually, plan for the next 10 years on how to operate their farm and to make investments. There is that small business guy who wants to expense or that person to whom R&D is so important, but they weren't sure what we were going to do with the R&D tax credit even though it has been around for decades. For decades, the current policy has been the R&D tax credit. Yet, making that current policy permanent was being argued by some on the other side as our having to raise taxes to pay for this current policy. No wonder Americans shake their heads. This is a good bill. This is an amazing bill. Go talk to your small business owners. Go talk to the accountant at the YMCA who puts together tax filings for people who care about the child tax credit and about the permanency in the child tax credit, about the New Markets tax credit--things that have an amazing impact on our communities, like the Low-Income Housing tax credit that Mr. Neal and I have worked on. Section 179's permanency is unbelievable. It is going to impact communities from coast to coast, including my district in Ohio and farmers as well. This is going to provide amazing certainty. I have been so pleased to work on a number of these issues with my Republican and Democrat colleagues. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a wonderful bridge to comprehensive tax reform.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. I thank the chairman for all his leadership on this going back years. Mr. Speaker, I introduced the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act in April of this year, and it is great to see that this issue is finally getting done. I would really like to thank Speaker Ryan and, again, Chairman Brady; Chairman Reichert; a special thanks to Representative Boustany for his leadership going way back as well; and Jason Smith, the Congressman from Missouri, for his incredible work to get this bill in a better place. I would also like to thank my colleagues in the Senate who helped make this a successful conference committee. This bill presents a long, long overdue opportunity. I would ask my colleagues to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. In my home State of Ohio, one in five workers' jobs, Mr. Speaker, depends on trade. Trade drives our economy. In fact, exports from Ohio last year hit an all-time high. This bill will make it even easier for Ohio companies to trade and will increase exports, and that means increasing jobs in my State of Ohio. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Act plays a pivotal role in helping ensure that our trade agreements, our preference programs, and our U.S. trade laws are enforced and that legitimate trade is done. Over the years, the volume and the complexity of trade and the challenges, such as combating evasion of duties and protecting U.S. intellectual property rights, have grown, and grow more complex. Meanwhile, we are facing increased competition around the world, and it is critical to keep the flow of trade moving efficiently. Customs issues are vital to our competitiveness, security, and safety. Streamlining legitimate trade and providing benefits to trusted traders will increase U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace. This bill would reduce barriers and burdens to our small and medium businesses that drive our economy, saving them time and money, and, again, create jobs. Another major pillar of this bill is strengthening enforcement of our trade remedy laws. Enforcing U.S. intellectual property rights, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty laws prevents our competitors from gaining an edge by cheating. When our competitors around the world don't play by the rules, we get hurt; our American businesses get hurt; and our American workers pay. When our American companies and American workers compete on a level playing field, they win; we win. This bill makes our trade remedies more effective by allowing our Customs agencies to take quick action against these bad actors, giving our businesses a fair opportunity to compete and win. This bill also contains a commitment to advancing a Miscellaneous Tariff Bill process. I strongly support that commitment, and will continue to work to find a path forward, Mr. Speaker. MTBs provide important relief to our manufacturers who import materials that have no domestic content or supply. The tariffs they pay--or the taxes, they are taxes--on these products make the entire manufacturing supply chain and the process more expensive to my constituents. The MTB process must be resolved in a way that is not only consistent with our House rules, but also our constitutional responsibilities.

Mr. TIBERI. I am confident we can resolve these issues, Mr. Speaker. This has been a long overdue bill that provides much modernization to our Customs process to make it easier for our manufacturers and our businesses and, ultimately, our workers, to export their products around the world. In the end, we win.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3831) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend the annual comment period for payment rates under Medicare Advantage, as amended.

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 3831, the Securing Fairness in Regulatory Timing Act of 2015. This is a small but really important piece of legislation. I am pleased to have the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), my friend, here to discuss this important measure. The House passed this measure earlier this year, in June, by unanimous consent. Now, we return to the bill to add the technical corrections asked for by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Senate so we can send this bill to the President's desk before the end of the year. Today, the Medicare Advantage program, known by many as the MA program, serves more than 16 million seniors across the United States of America, including my mom and dad. Enrollment has increased more than threefold in the past 10 years and is expected to nearly double in the next 10 years. To ensure that seniors in MA plans across the country are able to continue to receive the high-quality care that they deserve, CMS is expected to pay about $156 billion to more than 3,600 MA plans this year alone. That amounts to nearly 30 percent of overall Medicare spending. Typically, every year CMS sends out what it calls a rate notice to plans and Medicare Advantage companies that details the various payment rates, as well as benefit changes that the agency intends to make for the following plan year that impacts people like my mom and dad. This notice follows the standard process of a draft notice. It gets published; then the public has a certain amount of time to submit comments and questions; and then the agency publishes a final notice based on that feedback that they receive. However, MA and Part D aren't treated the same as the other major payment systems within Medicare itself. Right now, the current process takes about 45 days, but only 15 of those days are allotted for the commenting portion; 15 days for thousands of plans, millions of stakeholders to submit comments on proposed changes to a program that amounts to one-third of all Medicare spending. I could almost understand this if the rate notice were a short and concise document, if it were easy to understand and simple to implement. But it is not. In fact, the rate notice has grown from around 16 pages in 2006 to nearly 150 pages this year. That is over a 900 percent increase. All the while, the time for the public comment period has remained static, exactly the same. This means less and less time for the plans and Congress to conduct the necessary review in order to provide CMS with the kind of feedback that would better help the agency assess the impact of their proposed changes to consumers. This is important because without accurate feedback, CMS could inadvertently move forward with a proposed change to the Medicare Advantage program that might negatively impact those seniors--again, like my mom and dad--who depend on these plans for access to their providers, to their doctors. The legislation before us is simple, and it is straightforward. It extends the public notice period from 45 days to 60 days. Therefore, it would double the extension of the comment period from 15 days to 30 days. This is a commonsense, good-government fix we can make that will give plans more time to understand the changes that CMS proposes and other constructive feedback in order to make the Medicare Advantage program, overall, more responsive to senior citizens' needs. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation again and send it to the Senate so we can get it to the President's desk. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3831, as amended.

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, just to close, I agree 100 percent with my friend from California. I urge all our colleagues to support this important piece of legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate longtime WCMH anchor, Cabot Rea, as he retires from broadcast news. For more than 30 years Central Ohioans have welcomed him into their homes and trusted his balanced reporting. While he worked as a radio announcer when he attended Otterbein College, now Otterbein University, journalism was a second career for Cabot. He first served as the Music and Choral Director at Wilson Junior High in Newark where he was twice named ``Teacher of the Year.'' He came to the airwaves as a weekend sports anchor and feature reporter in 1985 for WCMH. However, it was as the field anchor for 5:30 Live that Cabot endeared himself to tens of thousands of families across Central Ohio. He proved he was ready for anything by visiting communities, participating in events, and telling the stories of what makes Central Ohio and Central Ohioans so special. When he teamed up to anchor broadcasts with Colleen Marshall in 1992, no one could have predicted they would enjoy one of the longest tenures in Columbus as co-anchors. For more than 20 years, Cabot and Colleen have been the team viewers turned to in order to learn what was happening across town and around the world. Even when the cameras were turned off, Cabot's service to the community didn't stop. Whether it was helping those in need with 4's Army, championing NBC4's ``Battle against Bullying'' campaign, or working with Nationwide Children's Hospital, the Make A Wish Foundation, the Huntington Disease Foundation or the Cancer Support Community Central Ohio, Cabot is a leader in every sense of the word. One of the most recognizable faces in Central Ohio, viewers will miss his clear, concise reporting and captivating story-telling. I have enjoyed working with Cabot over the years and I congratulate him on his 30-year career as a journalist. I wish him and his wife, Heather, the best in retirement.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the managers on the part of the House have until midnight tonight, December 8, to file the conference report to accompany H.R. 644.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, charitable remainder trusts present an opportunity for donors to transfer assets for the benefit of charity. Lack of certainty regarding the tax consequences of early terminations of these trusts has deterred early terminations, which has deferred the transfer of substantial assets to charity. Early terminations of charitable remainder trusts should be encouraged because they permit charities to access their share of the trust's assets earlier (and, in some instances, decades earlier) than otherwise would be the case. This is particularly compelling given that, under current economic conditions, many charities have been forced to cut back on many deserving programs. My bill provides that, on an early termination of a charitable remainder trust, the donor and the charity will apportion the value of the trust using the same methodology that was used to determine the value of the remainder interest on formation. The donor will recognize capital gain on the total value received, the charity will receive its share of the trust's assets, and the early termination will not constitute self-dealing or otherwise disqualify the charitable remainder trust. Today, Rep. Rangel and I are introducing this bill which clarifies the tax consequences of early terminations of charitable remainder trusts and encourages the early transfer of funds in such trusts to charities. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support our bill to give charities earlier access to funds for use in their worthwhile endeavors.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to advocate for a bill I introduced, H.R. 3608, which would right a wrong that has impacted over 750 businesses in the United States, including in my home state of Ohio, for more than three years. My bill simply clarifies that the tax on commercial air transportation, also called the ``ticket tax,'' doesn't apply to aircraft management services (AMS) for general aviation flights that don't use tickets. Aviation has been a source of pride and jobs for Ohio ever since the Wright Brothers invented and built their aircraft in the state. Ohioans build aircraft engines, supply aluminum for aircraft frames, design and manufacture sophisticated avionics, and maintain and fly the planes in the largest business aircraft fleets in the country. All across America, thousands of companies use general aviation and aircraft management services to help ensure the safe and efficient operation of their aircraft. In March 2012, the Internal Revenue Service's chief counsel released a memorandum stating that services provided in support of aviation are taxable as if the services are transportation itself. The IRS said that the ticket tax applies to AMS businesses that supply pilots, mechanics, maintenance, scheduling and navigation, and the other services provided to general aviation flights, and that is contradictory to Congressional intent. For decades it has been clear that commercial aviation is required to pay the ticket tax, while general aviation pays the fuel tax. Congress noted this in the Airports and Airways Revenue Act of 1970, when it stated that ``the fuel tax on general aviation is a measure of its use of the airway system, since general aviation . . . will not be subject to the passenger and cargo taxes.'' However, the chief counsel of the IRS ignored this simple statement and seeks to impose a tax where Congress expressly chose not to apply one. Additionally, general aviation already pays taxes through the excise tax on fuel. The fuel tax is paid into the Airports and Airways Trust Fund to pay for runway maintenance and improvement and air traffic control. The IRS can implement the tax laws, but it can't create a new tax. The IRS cannot mandate that general aviation pay the ticket tax after Congress expressly chose not to apply the tax to general aviation or AMS that help people fly their own airplane. AMS are not transportation, but rather services in support of transportation, and thus should not be taxed as transportation. For more than three years, AMS companies have tried to explain that to the IRS, but the IRS has refused to acknowledge their mistake and withdraw their opinion. Meanwhile, businesses have been audited by the IRS and told they owe taxes based on the IRS memorandum. Many AMS companies are small businesses who cannot afford to wage multi-year arguments with the IRS. Recently the U.S. District Court in Columbus, Ohio, decided a case to prevent the IRS from collecting this tax. The court's decision states that the IRS did not provide ``precise and not speculative notice'' of an AMS company's potential obligation to collect the ticket tax from its customers. I'm pleased the court got it right, but if the IRS won't correct its mistake, it's time for Congress to do it for them, and in a way that will last. That's why my bill provides clarity that payments for AMS are exempt from the ticket tax. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of the bill to ensure its prompt enactment.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Brigadier General James M. Abraham who entered eternal life on November 8, 2015. General Abraham's many achievements are a testament to patriotism and service above self. In his nearly ninety-three years on Earth, ``General Jim'' was a voice for change and a force for good in his local community, as a state leader, and in his national service. James Abraham first answered the call to national service when he enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving in the 3rd Army under General George S. Patton. Continuing his service over the next four decades in both the regular Army and the Army National Guard, General Abraham's career culminated with his posting as the Assistant Adjutant General for the State of the Ohio Army National Guard. Many times over he was recognized for his leadership skills and professionalism, receiving the Legion of Merit, four bronze stars, three Army Commendation Medals, the Normandy Medal, the French diploma of appreciation, and induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Yet General Abraham's contributions out of uniform are of similar distinction and remain worthy of recognition. Jim lived his life as an innovator, facilitating new ways to do business in local government, holding numerous patents, and publishing three books. His keen intellect and thoughtful leadership style also served the citizens of Gahanna, Ohio when he took the reins as service safety director. To recognize his many years in local governance, the residents of Gahanna named their city hall in his honor as a fitting testament to his tireless efforts on their behalf. A proud alumnus of Ohio University, General Abraham dedicated much of his time to supporting the Bobcat family. He is credited with successfully preventing the deactivation of the Ohio University ROTC program which continues to shape the future of our military. He also created new methods of instruction which have been applied to other universities across the nation. For his unwavering commitment to the university, its students, and higher education he was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2015. This capstone recognition served as his final public salute for his innumerable accomplishments and a life well lived. I am proud to have known General Abraham as both a friend and colleague. Over the years, he advised countless public officials on veterans' issues, engineering ventures, and leadership in difficult times. He served as the chairman of my Service Academy Nomination Board as well as that of former Congressman John R. Kasich, helping select the best and brightest to carry our armed forces into the future. Lastly, his calm and steady demeanor has provided me immeasurable resolve in difficult times. I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend, the General. Though my words today fall short of the recognition he rightfully deserves, I believe his reputation and legacy across Central Ohio will remain examples for Ohioans, and carry on as a testimony to his exceptionalism. His spirit is best captured in one of his many inspirational exhortations that in our lives ``Each plateau that is reached should only be the launching point for the next achievement.'' Our most fitting tribute is to live our lives accordingly, and continue to reach for higher goals. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I say farewell to General James M. Abraham, one of our finest neighbors. I am honored to pay tribute to him today.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor community foundations all across the country that embody the generosity of spirit that is such an important American value. Community Foundation Week was founded in 1989 and every November 12th-18th it honors the tremendous contributions of these organizations made up of Americans voluntarily working together to improve their communities. Since the first community foundation was founded in my home state of Ohio in 1914 these groups have filled a unique place in American society and provide assistance and inspiration to millions of people. Today there are more than 750 community foundations in the United States, with 84 in Ohio, and several who serve communities in the 12th District such as the Delaware County Foundation, the Dublin Foundation, the Granville Foundation, the Licking County Foundation, the Morrow County Foundation, the Muskingum County Community Foundation, the Richland County Foundation, and the Columbus Foundation. These foundations work with their communities to make meaningful contributions in many areas like education, the arts, social services, and healthcare, and have provided millions of dollars over the years to these causes. As just one example of the huge impact these foundations can have, the Licking County Foundation is working to transform a parking lot in downtown Newark into the Canal Market District through a $4 million fund established by the Evans Foundation. The district will feature new walkways and green spaces centered around the Canal Market Plaza, three new structures that will form an open air farmer's market and provide a venue for many different events from the spring through the fall. This project would not be possible without years of working with local leaders, business owners, and the citizens of the community. Since the project was announced last year, Denison University, Licking Memorial Health Systems, the City of Newark, Bon Appetit Management, USDA Rural Development and the Ohio and Licking County Farm Bureaus have all come forward to help with the district. This project will provide economic benefits to Newark, as well as increased access to fresh food. The Columbus Foundation, the seventh largest community foundation in the nation, provides other great examples of the importance of community foundations. Recently, the Columbus Foundation set up a trust using a generous gift by David and Nanci Gobey that will allow graduates of Columbus City Schools to keep the instrument they have been using in high school. As a member of the marching band in high school and at The Ohio State University, I personally experienced how the arts can have an everlasting impact on one's life. The arts and art education are important for personal and intellectual growth of students and people of all ages. Music programs have been shown to increase academic performance, and programs like the one the Columbus Foundation facilitated help keep music in our schools and our students' lives despite a tough budgetary environment. These examples merely hint at the outstanding work done by community foundations in central Ohio and all across the nation. I am honored to recognize Community Foundation Week this year, and acknowledge the tireless philanthropic efforts of these organizations to improve communities all across the country.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 7 of rule XX, I move a call of the House.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, what a journey. What a journey. It is a journey that I got to join after I was elected to the House in November of 2000. My first real interaction with you, Mr. Speaker, you might remember, you were the incoming chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. As freshmen, we were putting together our requests to decide what our top committee assignments would be. Education and the Workforce wasn't one of mine, but apparently it is one of yours, not just for you as chairman but for me as freshman because you came by and you saw my list and said, ``I don't know why you are doing that. You are going to be on the Education and the Workforce Committee.'' I said, ``No, I am not.'' Yes, I was and, yes, I did. And it was an unbelievable experience. It was one which I did not expect. And as Chairman Rangel said, it was one that made history with George Miller and the late Senator Ted Kennedy and President George W. Bush. It wouldn't have happened without the leadership of then-Chairman Boehner. Boy, could he run a committee. It was really his forte, and most Americans don't even know what a great committee chairman he was. He was a committee chairman's chairman, quite frankly. He, as leader, as Speaker, will go down in history as one who cherished that process. That process was not always what he liked or what he wanted, but he sure understood it, he sure respected it, and he sure loved it. As Mr. Rangel knows, he was sure good at it in a bipartisan way. In early 2006, we had an opening for majority leader. I harken back to a dinner that I was able to attend back in 2002 when I heard then- Chairman Boehner say, ``You know, some day I would like to be back in leadership.'' I looked at him like he was crazy. You are kidding me? How could he do that? Do you know what he did? He just worked hard. He did the right things. He played the long game. He helped people. When the opening that nobody saw came in 2006, he won an upset race on the second ballot to become our majority leader. The die was already cast, and we lost that election in November of 2006. The Democrats took the majority, and John was our minority leader. He worked hard. Many thought that we would never see that majority again. On November, the day before the election in 2010, I had lunch with then-Leader Boehner, and he said: ``We are going to take the majority back, and it is going to happen tomorrow.'' Ladies and gentlemen, history all changed when Pope Francis came. It changed because Pope Francis was here, but it changed the history of John Boehner's speakership. I am confident history will show that John Boehner was one of the best Speakers in the history of our country. Mr. Speaker, Godspeed. We will miss you.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Jon Woods, the long-time director of The Ohio State University Marching Band. He passed away on Saturday, September 12th fittingly on a day when so many of his former students were gathered together for the alumni game to perform with the current band during pre-game and half-time shows. I was privileged to be one of his students when I was a member of The Best Damn Band In The Land (TBDBITL). Dr. Woods grew up in Pennsylvania, studied music education, and received a bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree from Penn State University, and a doctorate from ``that school up North''--the University of Michigan. After serving 10 years as an associate director he became the director in 1983. For 28 years he led TBDBITL. He was an innovator, creating computer- designed halftime shows that are now one of the band's trademarks. He led by example, quiet but firm, encouraging comradery and promoting a tradition of excellence. Notably, he always strove to improve the band's performances and inspired that drive in his students. Unusual among his peers, Dr. Woods was also a professor and an advisor. In fact, he felt his greatest legacy was his students. During his career his name became synonymous with the band as he directed shows at 35 bowl games and three presidential inaugurations. It was my honor to work with him to secure the band's ability to march in the 1989 inaugural parade for President George Bush, the 2001 inaugural parade for President George W. Bush and the 2009 inaugural parade for President Barack Obama. He said his favorite game was the 2002 National Championship overtime win against The University of Miami. Dr. Woods' greatest honor was dotting the ``I'' during his final season. A trombone player himself, Dr. Woods looked forward to retiring so he could be more involved in his own musical group, Trombones Plus. He was also looking forward to travelling with his wife, Donna and spending time with his children and granddaughter, Reese. While his family will deeply feel his loss, Dr. Woods touched countless people's lives. He will be missed by his students, the university, and the TBDBITL community.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 490 (On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 1359), I was unavoidably detained and did not cast my vote. Had I been present, I would have voted, ``yea'' on this vote.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life achievements of Amos H. Lynch, Sr. Amos served as a leader in civil rights, business, and journalism in Columbus and throughout Ohio. Amos was relentless in pushing for a more equal and prosperous city, state, and country and he inspired a generation to continue to improve on his vision. The City of Columbus is a better place because of Amos' efforts and dedication. I am honored to have known him. When Amos graduated from Columbus South High School in 1943, he had already spent years writing for neighborhood papers. He would go on to establish three newspapers in Columbus: the Ohio Sentinel, the Call and Post, and the Columbus Post. As a student at The Ohio State University at the height of World War II, he was drafted into the Navy and served the next three years treating wounded members of the military in New York and Illinois. During his 2011 induction into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame, he stated ``I learned early in my life that the written word is the most powerful tool for acquiring equal civil rights for all, and that newspapers were the best method for getting the word out.'' Amos tirelessly called for greater economic opportunities for African- Americans and integration in schools and housing. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I would like to recognize Amos for his devotion to the great state of Ohio and to all of the communities that have benefitted from his invaluable contributions.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 467 (On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 1482), 468 (On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 1656), 469 (On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 2270), I was unavoidably detained and did not cast my vote. Had I been present, I would have voted, ``yea'' on all three votes. personal explanation

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, this is a good day for America. As the previous speaker just said, globalization occurs with or without America engaging in the world. It is important for America to engage in the world, to write the rules of the global balance economy; but whether or not we do or we don't, there will be winners and losers because of globalization. This bill is called the preferences bill, but it is more than just about preferences. It is about America's leadership in Africa. It is about America's leadership in Haiti. It is about America's leadership at home in providing trade assistance for those workers who did lose their job because of globalization. My dad was one of them. Long before America engaged in a bilateral trade agreement, my dad lost his job as a steelworker. There are important provisions in this bill written by Chairman Ryan that will help the steel industry. That is really important. My dad was in that industry. He lost his job of 25 years. He benefited from trade assistance. This is important for American workers. This is also important for those workers who lost their job through no fault of their own and who lost their health care. The health coverage tax credit is renewed in this bill. This bill almost wasn't, quite frankly. There was a lot of rhetoric on the floor of this House and the floor of the other House about the word of our chairman and the word of our Speaker and about how this wouldn't come up and we can't trust them. Well, let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, our chairman's word has been gold from day one in this process. Every commitment he has made has come through. Through this process, every commitment our Speaker has made has come to be. We wouldn't be on the floor today debating this bill and approving this bill in a little while if it weren't for the leadership of Chairman Ryan and the leadership of Speaker Boehner. They both deserve our thanks. Also, the chairman has put together a great staff at the Ways and Means Committee. They should be thanked for their yeoman's work in this process, which has been very difficult but very bipartisan and very bicameral. Americans want this place to work. Americans want Congress to work together for America's benefit. America's leadership in the world today is a little bit stronger. The light of America is shining a little bit brighter because of the work that this Congress has done on this bill and the other bills, including the customs bill that this Congress has put together and will be sending to the President's desk shortly. America is going to lead in the global economy because of what we have done today. Americans should be proud that Congress is working again.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, read the bill. I have got it right here. The only thing different is the number at the top has changed. The content is the same. TPA is not a trade deal. It is a process that holds this President accountable. It sets in motion Congress inserting itself. By the way, NAFTA, I mean, I just continue to get blown away by the misinformation. No wonder the American people get confused. I take this personally. As the gentleman from New Jersey knows, my dad lost his job way before NAFTA. We have a trade surplus in manufacturing with NAFTA. We have a trade surplus in services with NAFTA. We have a trade surplus in agriculture, food, and beverages with NAFTA. In fact, we have a trade surplus with NAFTA, if you take out oil and energy products. We have a trade surplus in manufacturing with NAFTA. I do get fired up about this. Mr. Speaker, 95 percent of the world's population is outside the United States. A multinational corporation can move anywhere it wants to, a Fortune 500 company can move anywhere it wants to, and they do. Lake Shore, in my district, a family-owned business, they cannot. This is about breaking down barriers for Lake Shore, for Screen Machine, because they can't move a plant overseas, and they are at a competitive disadvantage. A large corporation can move. They can't. Ladies and gentlemen, this is about jobs. This is about the American worker. This is about the fact that we have the ability today to complete anywhere in the world if those trade barriers are broken down. We have to break them down, Mr. Speaker. One out of every five jobs is trade-related. They are good jobs. Vote ``yes'' on TPA. Vote ``yes'' for the American worker.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Young), a member of the Ways and Means Committee and a great partner in trying to open up and break down barriers around the world.

Mr. TIBERI. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.