Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, too many Americans find themselves in dangerous and life-threatening situations as a result of domestic violence. Victims need access to emergency shelter, crisis counseling, and advocacy services. That is why I was proud to introduce H.R. 6014, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act of 2018, with my colleagues, Representatives Gwen Moore, Elise Stefanik, and Lisa Blunt Rochester. Since it was enacted in 1984, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act has addressed domestic violence through community-driven solutions and a network of programs and services dedicated to responding to domestic violence across the country. One example is the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is available in 170 languages. It provides crisis intervention, counseling, and safety planning, and can directly connect calls to a seamless referral system of more than 4,500 community programs across the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. Domestic violence has no place in our society, and we must stand up for victims and work to eradicate domestic violence for good.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the President signed into law the VA MISSION Act, which takes a number of steps toward giving our veterans the care they deserve. My bill, the VETS Act, was included in this larger package. It will allow VA-employed doctors to practice telemedicine across State lines. The VA already has an extremely successful telemedicine program, boasting an 88 percent satisfaction rating, but outdated regulations restricted this program from growing to achieve its full potential. The VETS Act will now allow VA doctors to utilize telemedicine to see patients in any State and any location, including in the comfort of their own home. This is especially helpful for veterans who are battling post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury who have had a hard time traveling to a VA facility or live in rural areas. Mr. Speaker, our veterans deserve the best care available to them, and the VETS Act is one of the provisions of the VA MISSION Act that will advance this care. I commend the President for signing this bill into law. Telemedicine is better access, better care, and true healthcare reform.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Monday marked the last day of school for students at the DuBois Area Middle School. It was a last day like probably none other. In addition to celebrating the long-awaited start of summer vacation, the sixth grade students finished off their school year with a special visit from Silicon Valley. Representatives from Google traveled to Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, to deliver a CS First Roadshow, a computer science education presentation. Google specifically developed this event for fourth through eighth graders. Two Google employees delivered the hour-long presentation which focused on teaching students both problem-solving and technical coding skills through a series of interactive activities. They encouraged kids to develop an interest in computer science education by giving real-life examples of how coding and STEM education can lead to educational opportunities and exciting careers. Mr. Speaker, the presentation was incredible, and it was clear that the students truly enjoyed it. These are the kinds of skills that students everywhere need to be exposed to at a young age to get them interested in the STEM fields. I was excited to kick off this event at DuBois Area Middle School. I told the students that technology is constantly changing, and America needs the next generation of computer scientists ready for any opportunities that might come our way. We need more people in this world who can help build the future or invent the next big thing. That is why it is extremely important for our students to learn about computer science at an early age. The CS Roadshow helped kids build their own fun stories using Scratch, which is an introductory coding tool. Our students today are exposed to technology at such an early age, but don't necessarily get to learn about why computer science should be an important part of their lives, both now and in the future. The CS First Roadshow teaches students about the importance of STEM education and uses interactive activities to teach them coding basics. Hopefully, this experience instilled a newfound passion for computer science in these students, and I think it did just that. I could tell from the joy on their faces and the fun that they were having with their partners that they truly were beginning a journey with computer science. Mr. Speaker, currently there are more than 500,000 open computing jobs in the United States. In Pennsylvania alone there are more than 17,800 open computing jobs--that is 3.4 times the State average demand rate--and only 2,969 computer science graduates. By the year 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be 1 million more computer science jobs than graduating students who qualify for the jobs. And only 10 percent of K-12 schools in the United States offer computer science classes, which is a statistic that we must improve. I look forward to checking back in with the DuBois Area Middle School at the start of the next school year to see how it can expand upon and grow more of an interest in computer science programs for our young learners. After all, they are our future.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 74th anniversary of the Allied D-Day invasion of France to honor the bravery of our Armed Forces who served in that operation. 73,000 Americans took part in Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944. This operation secured a beachhead on the European continent that began the liberation of France and then the rest of Western Europe. Sadly, the United States suffered more than 6,000 casualties in this operation. Ultimately, thousands more U.S. servicemembers would fall in the coming weeks and months liberating the rest of Western Europe from German control. The courage, bravery, and sacrifice displayed by our military on this day continues to serve as an example for the cost of freedoms that we enjoy in the United States today. Mr. Speaker, I recently had the honor and the privilege of attending a wreath-laying ceremony on Omaha Beach in Normandy at the Normandy American Cemetery in France. This memorial serves as a constant reminder to the world that the United States will fight and die to protect the freedoms of not just American citizens, but for citizens around the globe.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize six high school honors students from Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District chosen to represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as delegates at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. The following students were selected to attend the event, which will take place June 25 to June 27 in Lowell, Massachusetts: Tessa Anderson of Clarendon, Taylor Grove of Mount Union, Daniel Headrick of Corry, Serena Clarke of Warren, Selena Foster of Sheffield, and Monica Scotto of DuBois. These outstanding students were required to achieve a 3.5 GPA to be nominated for this prestigious honors-only program by their teachers or the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. The event aims to encourage and guide the top students in our country who hope to become physicians or medical scientists. Chosen delegates at the congress represent all 50 States and Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate these students on this tremendous accomplishment, and I wish them the best of luck as they continue their path to leading our Nation's medical profession.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this weekend our Nation marks one of the most solemn occasions, Memorial Day. It is a time when we honor the sacrifices made by our fallen military members. Tomorrow marks the American Legion National Poppy Day. Each year members of the American Legion distribute poppy flowers with the request that those receiving a flower making a donation to support our veterans, active servicemembers, and military families. At the end of the First World War, the poppy flourished throughout Europe because of the lime in the rubble left over from the war. The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice that has been worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. Mr. Speaker, I will proudly wear a poppy tomorrow to honor our fallen servicemembers, and it is my hope that all Americans will do the same.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, May is Foster Care Month and a time to recognize the almost 800,000 foster youth in America. During this month, we renew our commitment to ensuring that every child has a safe, loving family. I am a member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, and also had a foster brother growing up. He is still my brother today. I know firsthand how a loving, supportive home can make all the difference in a young person's life. Every child deserves to grow up healthy and safe. We know that when children grow up in stable households, they are much more likely to succeed as adults. This month, we both recommit ourselves to ensuring that every child has access to the promise of the American Dream while honoring the countless professionals and individuals who make selfless sacrifices to make this promise a reality. Mr. Speaker, today is Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day. More than 100 foster youth from across the country will be here in Congress spending the day with Members of Congress. Shadow Day allows foster youth to share their experiences in foster care directly with Congress to help inform and improve child welfare policy. The child welfare system directly impacts their lives, so it is important foster youth voices are heard here in Congress. Today, I am proud to have Lawrence White with me as a part of Shadow Day. Lawrence is a 22-year-old from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was in the foster care system from the time he was 10 years old until the time he turned 20. That is when he aged out of the system. During those 10 years, Lawrence shuffled between 19 different homes and placements. Despite moving so often, Lawrence was able to stay in programs that he enjoyed, such as theater and church activities. He said such activities kept him grounded, or, as he puts it, ``I was fortunate enough to remain humble and beat the odds.'' Mr. Speaker, the experiences of youth who transition out of the foster care system without a permanent home place them at a higher risk of unemployment, poor educational outcomes, health issues, early parenthood, long-term dependency on public assistance, increased rates of incarceration, and homelessness. But, as Lawrence said: He beat the odds. Lawrence graduated from high school and earned a scholarship to attend Point Park University in Pittsburgh. He now works as a youth support partner with young people in the foster care system. He currently attends Daytona State College, where his future goal is to become a business owner and an author. I have no doubt that the future is bright for Lawrence. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that I can spend time today with Lawrence and hear about how we can improve the foster care system, because every child deserves a safe, supportive, and permanent family. Thanking the USO for Its Commitment to American ServiceMembers

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the USO was on Capitol Hill yesterday for a service project where volunteers can assemble snack packs for servicemembers who are currently deployed. More than 2,000 snack packs were assembled as a part of the Force Behind the Forces campaign. The USO strengthens America's military servicemembers by keeping them connected to family, home, and country throughout their service to the Nation. USO has more than 200 locations around the globe. It serves 4.9 million Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families. For more than 75 years, the USO has been by the side of America's military servicemembers. From the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO has been there. There are USO centers at or near military installations across the United States and throughout the world, including in combat zones, and even un-staffed USO service sites in places too dangerous for anyone but combat troops to occupy. Mr. Speaker, I thank the USO for its dedication to our servicemembers and their families.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor this year's Penn Brad Oil Museum's annual Yellow Dog Winner, Joyce Cline. Joyce has provided exceptional service to the cause of preserving the oil and gas heritage of the Bradford, Pennsylvania, region. She has been a dedicated member of the community who has given her time and leadership to many organizations. Joyce graduated from Lawrence Park High School in 1959 and was a teacher with the Bradford Area School District for 19 years. In 1974, she married Bill Cline. He owned a small oil-producing company, and Joyce began her journey in the oil industry. In 1982, she joined the Derrick Club of Bradford, where she served in various roles, including president in 1983 and 1984. Joyce and Bill became members of the Pennsylvania Independent Petroleum Producers Association in 1986, 1 year after the organization was formed. This turned into a lifelong commitment for the Clines. In 2012, Joyce and Bill were honored with the Gary Hovis Memorial Award for their service. Mr. Speaker, throughout her life, Joyce has shown her dedication to the industry. I wholeheartedly congratulate her on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, many of us in this House will attend Memorial Day ceremonies over the weekend. I actually had four over this past weekend. I was privileged and honored to be there as we honor those who have died in the service of this great Nation to defend our rights and our liberties. Observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is one of America's most solemn occasions. The traditional Memorial Day dates back to 1864, in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, not too far from my home in Centre County, Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District, as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Three ladies decorated the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers, and the custom has continued every year since then. Boalsburg still puts on a traditional Memorial Day celebration complete with a parade, a community walk to the cemetery, speeches, military enactments, and much more. On Memorial Day, communities across the country will pay tribute to our fallen veterans who never returned home. Many of us will gather with family members and friends and neighbors as we keep those we lost in our hearts. So as we raise the Stars and Stripes, as we lay wreaths at monuments, memorials, and cemeteries, let us remember that our freedom is thanks to those who died and served in sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, Memorial Day weekend also marks the ninth year that the National Endowment of the Arts and Blue Star Families begins Blue Star Museums. This program provides free admission to our Nation's Active- Duty military personnel this summer from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend of 2018. This is an initiative of the National Endowment of the Arts in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums nationwide, including children's museums, fine art museums, history and science museums, zoos, and nature centers. Blue Star Museums are one way our Nation's museums can express appreciation to our military for their service and share with them America's cultural treasures. Blue Star Museums also provide a way for military families to feel connected to their community, especially for those families that have recently relocated through a change of station. Blue Star Families build communities that support military families by connecting research and data to programs and solutions, including career development tools, local community events for families, and caregiver support. Since 2009, Blue Star Families have engaged tens of thousands of volunteers and served more than 1.5 million military family members. Mr. Speaker, Blue Star Families will be celebrating with every American this weekend as we commemorate Memorial Day in honor of so many who are no longer with us. May God bless them, and may God bless the United States of America.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Struthers Library Theatre in Warren, Pennsylvania, on its 135th anniversary. It has been a community treasure since it opened in 1883. In 1882, local citizen Thomas Struthers generously offered to erect a building that would house a library. It included a public hall and rental space where the profits would be used by the Library Association. The Struthers building would eventually become the center of the town's cultural activity, and Thomas Struthers would long be remembered as a visionary. It has celebrated many milestones over the years: In 1919, the new Library Theatre opened, after a complete gutting and remodeling of the auditorium, with a popular Broadway play. In 1983, the Library Theatre celebrated an extensive renovation and its 100th birthday with a gala reopening featuring various performances throughout the night. In 1984, the Library Room was restored to its original splendor and outfitted for special events and gatherings. Mr. Speaker, the Struthers Library Theatre continues to be a cultural gem in Warren that is enjoyed by all. It maintains the fantastic legacy of its founder, Thomas Struthers, who would certainly be so proud today.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for offering this amendment. It is an incredibly important amendment. Ms. Stefanik talked about just one of many invasive species. This body, uniformly and united, put a lot of money into a significant threat to our forests, which was wildfire funding. Those of us who live on the East Coast, we have wildfires, Mr. Chairman, but they are more limited in scope. We don't have, certainly, the devastating effects of the half a million acres that I saw when I visited Washington. Our primary threat is invasive species. The hemlock woolly adelgid is one of those. That is actually our State tree that it goes after in Pennsylvania, so we take that pretty personal. When the hemlock woolly adelgid kills the hemlock trees, it warms our trout streams, which we are known for, and that is an important part of our number two industry, which is tourism. We have a new threat that has just recently come into this country from somewhere in Asia. It might have been China, I am not sure. It is called the spotted lanternfly. The spotted lanternfly is the most beautiful butterfly you have every seen, Mr. Chairman, but it is the most deadly to grapes, apple trees, pear trees, all fruit trees, and hardwoods. That is a big part of our economy, certainly in Pennsylvania and on the East Coast. Mr. Chairman, I really support this amendment. We need research, we need not just solutions on how to deal with these invasive species, but we need to find solutions that are landscaped, that can be applied broadly, because it is very difficult to do it tree by tree. We are doing that with the hemlock woolly adelgid, but we do need more research. The U.S. Forest Research Lab is a great part of the U.S. Forest Service. I appreciate the work also on restoring those forests. A good healthy forest, which means we are actively harvesting and we are maintaining and we are preventing wildfires and dealing with invasive species, provides us with clean air and clean water. They are the largest carbon sinks in the world, a good healthy forest.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. As chair of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I have been out West. This amendment not only helps preserve our forests, but it prevents mudslides in California, it prevents erosion, and it prevents the killing of fish. Without managing the understory, the intensity of these wildfires will caramelize, or bake, the soil to where no water is absorbed. It runs off, takes everything with it, including soil particles, and increase turbidity in streams. My point is that clean watersheds depend on this amendment as well.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I want to thank Mr. Faso for his amendment. I have had the privilege and honor of visiting his district, where we had one of our listening sessions that we did. This is only my second farm bill to participate in, and the last one was very good. Chairman Lucas did a great job. But this one, we kind of broke the barriers, I think, in terms of transparency and in the amount of listening sessions that we had. I appreciate we were in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where each January, we have a farm show, the largest indoor agriculture exposition in the country--that was a shameless plug, I know--but we were also in New York, and I appreciate what Mr. Faso is offering here with his amendment. I certainly speak in favor and support of his amendment. Identifying the geographic sources is so incredibly important, Mr. Chairman, because then we can see what are the natural enemies to these bugs, these fungi, the invasive species that really today are having such a devastating effect. In the Allegheny National Forest, we are proud of our hardwood cherry. We are very afraid of the spotted lanternfly because of what that could do. Compared to the West, we are probably what are considered a puny or very small National Forest, about 513,000 acres, but it is the most profitable National Forest because of the value of our timber, and invasive species go right after the value. Today, standing in that forest, we have a lot of ash--which makes great baseball bats, among other things--that are dead because of the emerald ash borer. So the gentleman's amendment, which would track and really provide the tools that the Forest Service--it builds on the tools that the Forest Service has. These are additional tools that they need to have. It is so incredibly important when you look at the economic threat, and that is the way I look at invasive species. It is not just forest health, but these are assets. Our national forests were created not to be national parks. That is why they are managed by the Department of Agriculture, not the Department of Interior. They are meant to provide resources, timber, energy resources, minerals, and the invasive species represent just a tremendous threat. So we should do anything that we can to protect the value of that taxpayer-owned asset. Again, everybody benefits from a healthy forest. It takes CO2 out of the air, it creates oxygen. They are the largest carbon sinks in the world. It keeps our watersheds healthy. Mr. Chair, I appreciate all parts of this gentleman's amendment and I thank him for his amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway), the chairman of the Agriculture Committee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Chair, I just want to thank my colleague and friend from Pennsylvania for this amendment. Yes, the USDA has existing authority, but I think this expresses the intent of Congress and our recognition that one of the biggest issues that we face in the agriculture industry--which is the number one industry in Pennsylvania, one out of every seven jobs comes directly or indirectly from agriculture--it is our succession planning. It is where is the next generation of farmer coming from? Congress recognizes the need of having this type of leadership designated so that there is somebody on point overseeing, and pointing, and administering the young and beginning farmer programs that we have put in place for the past couple of farm bills. It is actually a crisis, given the average age of farmers across this Nation. And I appreciate the fact that we are going to help to certainly further express the intent of this Congress on the importance of this, and provide a direction so that resources can be administered to meet this need. I appreciate the gentleman's effort.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, just once again, let me thank the gentleman for his amendment. Let me also say that this farm bill, from my perspective, is groundbreaking with what is in the base language with healthy forests, and the series of amendments that we have seen made in order. The people that will vote for this farm bill today are ones that are concerned with too much CO2 in the area, because the work that we do as a result of this farm bill, if you are concerned about climate change and you are concerned about CO2, this is probably the most effective piece of legislation to deal with that in my 10 years serving here in Congress, because, once again, these forests--and I am a little biased. I am from Pennsylvania, Penn Wood. We have more trees today than we did when William Penn got the charter. Our healthy forests are our largest carbon sinks. It is the most effective tool that we have to take CO2 out of the air and to deal with any impact that CO2 may have on climate change. So certainly anyone who is concerned about that, talks about that, needs to support this amendment and certainly needs to support the underlying bill. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Delphine Gibson from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, who passed away on May 10, 2018. At the age of 114, Mrs. Gibson was America's oldest living person. She became the oldest living person in February of 2017. Mrs. Gibson was born in South Carolina on August 17, 1903, where her family owned and operated a local farm. After her marriage to Taylor Gibson, the couple moved to Mount Union, Pennsylvania, in 1928, and together they had three children: Frank, Moody, and Ella. Those who knew Mrs. Gibson speak of her great sense of humor and bright smile. She was known to sing and hum her favorite tunes around the nursing home where she resided and shared the gospel with her fellow residents. She credited her longevity to her faith in God and her church, Mount Hope Missionary Baptist, where she proudly worshipped. Having lived in Pennsylvania for 90 years, Mrs. Gibson left a lasting impression on all who knew her, and, Mr. Speaker, she will certainly be missed.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Salvation Army Week, and it is a time to recognize the good that this organization does, but also a time to raise awareness about the challenges faced by more than 40 million Americans who are living in poverty, many who are stuck in poverty, quite frankly, because of programs and regulations put forth by Washington, D.C., for decades that serve as a spiderweb and makes people feel more comfortable living in poverty, which is nothing we should ever do. We should always be working to provide our friends, our neighbors, our neighbors in need with a pathway to opportunity. The Salvation Army is a great organization, actually, that accomplishes that. With the help of 3.2 million volunteers, the Salvation Army serves nearly 25 million Americans through a range of social services, including food for the hungry, relief for disaster survivors, clothing and shelter for the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. National Salvation Army Week began in 1954 when Congress approved the joint resolution for President Dwight D. Eisenhower to proclaim a week to recognize the humanitarian efforts of the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is one of the Nation's largest and oldest faith- based health and human services providers. With a presence in every ZIP Code across the country, the Salvation Army uniquely understands the demands facing Americans in need. Last year, the Salvation Army served more than 56 million meals and provided more than 10 million nights of shelter. The Salvation Army is on the front lines of the opioid crisis, serving more than 173,000 Americans in 139 rehab centers across the United States. Since the 1900 Galveston hurricane, the Salvation Army has served survivors and first responders of every major natural disaster and numerous man-made disasters. In any given year, it helps more than 275,000 survivors receive hope, healing, and comfort. Through a wide variety of job training programs, including culinary, hospitality, and landscaping training, the Salvation Army helps Americans build the skills they need to acquire gainful employment and lift themselves out of poverty, help them achieve food security. The Salvation Army takes a holistic approach in addressing people's needs. It supports the physical, emotional, and spiritual development of those that they serve. Data shows that those who utilize the Salvation Army's spiritual and emotional care programs are more likely to reclaim their lives and get back on their feet. Mr. Speaker, the Salvation Army was established in London in 1865, and for more than 135 years, it has been supporting those in need without discrimination. Together, we can all join the fight for good. I am proud to honor this outstanding organization that for more than a century has given scores of Americans the help they need during trying times.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank Mr. Gianforte for offering this important amendment for Montana and, quite frankly, for our National Forest System as a whole. Over the past several years, fires have had a devastating impact on our forest system lands, resulting in deteriorated landscapes. I have witnessed this firsthand across the country as the former chairman of the Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. It is vital that the Forest Service has the right tools, the ability to restore these landscapes as quickly as possible to preserve habitat, clean air, and the significant impact that these incidents can have on clean water. Unfortunately, litigation stalls many of these projects. As Madison County, Montana, Commissioner Dave Schulz noted before the House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee in May of 2015, due to the threat of litigation from outside groups refusing to meet or collaborate with the community, what started out as a consensus proposal for 100,000 acres of fire salvage and reforestation was reduced to less than 2,000 acres of salvage. ``Fear of litigation prevents the Forest Service from thinking big.'' In another quote, he offered, a ``significant factor in preventing responsible management of our Nation's forests.'' Mr. Chair, I certainly support this amendment. It has already passed the House. I urge my colleagues to do the same.