Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2316) to amend the Mineral Leasing Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to repeal provisions relating only to the Allegheny National Forest.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Augustus Saint-Gaudens is one of the most prolific sculptors in our Nation's history. His work includes Boston's Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, Chicago's Standing Lincoln, and New York's William Tecumseh Sherman Memorial. Most notably, Saint-Gaudens designed a $20 double eagle gold piece for the U.S. Mint, considered one of the greatest American coins ever issued. The Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site is a 190-acre historic site in Sullivan County, New Hampshire. The site encompasses the summer home and studio of this renowned American artist, whose annual presence in Sullivan County helped spawn the Cornish Artist Colony in nearby Cornish, New Hampshire. This colony, which was comprised of painters, sculptors, and musicians, helped drive a period of American artistic resurgence called the American Renaissance in the years following the Civil War. The main house and surrounding gardens were initially designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1962, which was converted to a National Historic Site in 1964, when the grounds were donated to the National Park Service. The current property contains 21 buildings, a number of Saint-Gaudens' sculptures, and miles of hiking trails. This bill simply changes the designation of Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site to a National Historical Park, allowing the National Park Service to better relay the impact and legacy of this historic American artist. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I encourage support for this piece of legislation and thank the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster) for putting this forward, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1547 completes the transfer of the Bureau of Land Management's reversionary interest in Udall Park, located in Tucson, Arizona, nearly three decades after the city donated $4 million worth of land to the Bureau of Land Management to complete their portion of the exchange. Twenty years after the exchange took place, the Bureau of Land Management threatened to invoke its reversionary interest because the city dared to hold a local farmers market in the park. The city of Tucson has invested millions of dollars in this community park, building swimming pools, recreation centers, and athletic fields, and it deserves to have clear title to the land and complete jurisdiction over the uses of the park. The bill is bipartisan and has nearly unanimous support from the Arizona congressional delegation. I urge adoption of the measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank leadership for allowing H.R. 2937 to come to the floor. This legislation, introduced by my friend from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), will help address the challenge of abandoned coal mines present in many affected communities across the Nation. The Community Reclamation Partnerships Act enables States to partner with Good Samaritan entities to reclaim abandoned mine sites and facilitate acid mine drainage cleanup. H.R. 2937 creates more opportunities to address this challenge. Mr. Speaker, representing the Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District, just to note, my congressional district has more abandoned mine sites than any congressional district in the country, so I am very grateful for the leadership that Mr. LaHood has shown in bringing H.R. 2937 forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2937) to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to authorize partnerships between States and nongovernmental entities for the purpose of reclaiming and restoring land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining activities before August 3, 1977, and for other purposes.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and it is a time when we celebrate the numerous contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Many Americans with disabilities struggle to find employment opportunities despite the wealth of skills they have to offer. In 2016, only 27.7 percent of working-age Americans with disabilities were employed. More employers should recognize the fresh perspectives and skills that these men and women can add to an organization. Workers with developmental disabilities tend to be reliable, dedicated, and loyal employees with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Right here on Capitol Hill, my office participates in the Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. This program is designed to give students with varying intellectual disabilities an opportunity to gain congressional work experience, and it has been rewarding for everyone involved. Mr. Speaker, hiring an individual who has a disability can have a profound impact on their life. They experience the independence, economic self-sufficiency, pride, and community that come with a job. These individuals promote workforce diversity and can truly enhance the workplace for the better.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, being from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Utah (Mrs. Love).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, which was a landmark bill that made the program more effective and more efficient. Today, we no longer refer to it as food stamps, but as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. In 40 years, there have been numerous changes and updates, but the goal remains the same: to end hunger in America. SNAP lessens the effects of poverty on some of our most vulnerable citizens. The results are proven. According to the Census Bureau, SNAP lifted 5 million Americans, including 2.2 million children, out of poverty in 2012 alone. SNAP generates $1.80 in economic activity for every $1 in new SNAP benefits. In 2013, SNAP payment accuracy was 96.8 percent, which was a historic high. Participating in SNAP for 6 months decreased food insecurity up to 10 percent, including households with children. Mr. Speaker, for over four decades, the program has become more effective, more efficient, and more modern. I look forward to continuing our work to improve SNAP, to serve those in need, and to provide pathways out of poverty.

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, I rise today to congratulate Eriez Manufacturing on 75 years in business in Erie, Pennsylvania. Eriez has grown exponentially since the early days when Orange Fowler Merwin--or O.F., as he was known--sold equipment to grain millers. His customers often complained about stray pieces of metal that found their way into the grain that the farmers brought to the mills for grinding. In 1942, O.F. devised a permanent magnetic separator in the basement of his home and sold it to a grain miller. Eriez was officially on its way. Since those humble beginnings in that Erie basement, Eriez has expanded into the world authority in separation technologies with operations all over the world. Of course, it has always been headquartered in Erie and on Asbury Road since 1962. Mr. Speaker, today, Eriez employs more than 300 Erie residents, between its two locations on Asbury Road and at its facility near Belle Valley. The story of Eriez Manufacturing truly is a classic American Dream tale, and it has maintained local family ownership throughout its history. I congratulate them on this milestone.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Sunday marked a special kind of Mother's Day: Gold Star Mother's Day. Since 1936, the Nation has observed Gold Star Mother's Day on the last Sunday in September. The President humbly proclaimed Gold Star Mother's and Families' Day this Sunday, September 24. Our Gold Star Mothers should be honored and offered respect and gratitude for their personal sacrifice. Gold Star Mother's Day is intended to pay tribute to women who have experienced tremendous personal loss on behalf of our country. Mr. Speaker, our Gold Star Mothers serve as a strength and inspiration for this country. They are part of an exclusive group, one that no one ever hopes to belong to. One can hardly imagine the deep pain and anguish that a mother experiences when losing a child, particularly in military action. May we always honor the Gold Star Mothers of America for their courage, their strength, and their sacrifice. They bear their cross with honor. The memory of their children lives on not only in their hearts, but in the heart of this Nation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of reauthorizing the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, known as MIECHV, which the House is expected to consider later today. Proudly, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was one of the earliest adopters of evidence-based State policies and has utilized MIECHV to aid more than 4,000 families statewide. MIECHV-supported home visiting programs are widely embraced on both sides of the aisle. The programs have a proven record of success, and they support the Nation's most vulnerable families during a critical and crucial time in their children's development. Parents truly are the children's first teachers, and the results speak for themselves. MIECHV helps improve maternal and newborn health. It reduces child injuries, abuse, and neglect. It improves school readiness and achievement. It reduces crime and domestic violence. It improves family economic self-sufficiency. Mr. Speaker, during the home visiting process, nurses, social workers, educators, and other trained professionals form relationships with the expectant parents and visit with them until their child has completed his or her first year of school. This model of care empowers parents to make healthy decisions that positively impact their child's health, well-being, and learning development. In Pennsylvania, MIECHV's funds support four evidence-based home visiting models. These include Early Head Start, Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. MIECHV funding plays a critical role in helping increase the availability of these services to more and more families across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scientific research has supported claims that these services positively impact health, education, and employment outcomes for children while reducing criminal justice costs, instances of child abuse, and independence on public assistance. These services can also play a key role in helping to support infants and mothers struggling with addiction. Pennsylvania has a long history of evidence-based home visiting programs because they are a proven way to strengthen families and improve the lives of children. For these reasons, I look forward to supporting H.R. 2824, the Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, when it comes to the House floor this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Madam Speaker, our Nation's veterans are 22 percent more likely to commit suicide than their nonveteran peers. This trend is troubling, and we all must work to reverse it. The Department of Veterans Affairs started a new campaign this month called Be There. The campaign emphasizes small actions, such as calling an old friend, checking on a neighbor, or inviting a colleague to go for a walk. These small gestures may have a real impact on someone who is struggling or feeling alone. Suicide rates are especially high in rural areas, where veterans may experience isolation or limited access to VA care--often for mental health concerns. That is why I introduced the VETS Act, which seeks to build on the VA's existing telemedicine program. It allows veterans to receive mental healthcare from anywhere. This will give our veterans greater access to the care they so desperately need. Madam Speaker, our servicemen and -women answered the call of duty. When they return home, it is our turn to be there for them.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate AccuWeather as it celebrates 55 years of serving communities, businesses, and institutions around the world. In 1962, Dr. Joel Myers founded AccuWeather to help people plan their lives, protect their businesses, and to make the most of their days. Dr. Myers has led an impressive career as a fellow of the National Meteorological Society and one of the top entrepreneurs in American history. Today, AccuWeather is the world's largest weather and digital media company, reaching nearly 2 billion people at least 29 million times each day. Proudly, it is headquartered right in State College, Pennsylvania. Throughout the years, the company has expanded its offices to New York, Montreal, and Tokyo, just to name a few, but it has always called Pennsylvania home, and it has been a major employer for decades in the Commonwealth. Over 55 years, AccuWeather continues to build upon its main mission: to improve people's lives. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate AccuWeather on 55 years of service, accuracy, trust, and protection they have offered to people around the world.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, over the course of the summer, I was able to join some farm bill listening sessions with Chairman Mike Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson. These sessions were titled ``The Next Farm Bill, Conversations in the Field,'' and they allowed committee members to gather input directly from farmers, ranchers, and stakeholders across the country. As the House Agriculture Committee works to craft the next farm bill, these listening sessions have allowed us to hear firsthand from those who are directly impacted by the farm bill. They provide us with real world examples of what is working and what isn't. With farmers in every region of this country, we heard many different perspectives. This feedback will help us write the best legislation possible. Now, my schedule permitted me to attend listening sessions in Gainesville, Florida; San Angelo, Texas; and Decatur, Illinois. I also hosted a listening session in my own district. Our ``Barnyard Discussion'' at Penn State's Ag Progress Days focused on issues driving the state of agriculture in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I was joined by my Democratic colleague, Congressman Dwight Evans of Philadelphia; as well as Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Reading; and Rick Ebert, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. We heard from a variety of stakeholders, including those from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the Center for Dairy Excellence, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. Penn State's Ag Progress Days is Pennsylvania's largest outdoor agricultural expo. Proudly, there are numerous opportunities for attendees to hear from their State and Federal lawmakers about regulations, policies, and government programs through various events and exhibits. The Barnyard Discussion is an annual event for me and, in the same fashion, as the committee's listening session, it allows me to hear how our Federal policies are working for those who are directly impacted by these decisions. Producers from across the Commonwealth flock to Pennsylvania Furnace for the 3-day event that features the latest technology and research exhibits, educational programs, and guided tours. This year marked the 42nd year, and it is one of only three agriculture exhibitions in the country to be sponsored by a major university. I especially enjoyed the Barnyard Discussion, and I gathered excellent insight about the challenges and successes facing the agriculture industry. These sessions were particularly important to me, as chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, because Federal nutrition programs are vital to ensuring that all Americans have access to healthy foods, especially our low-income populations, the elderly, and those living in areas with strained access to nutritious foods, or what we call food deserts. Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program--or SNAP--support agriculture and lessen the effects of poverty on our most vulnerable citizens. As we begin to work on the next farm bill, we will continue to identify ways--through Federal, State and local programs--to provide safe and nutritious food for those who need it most. Gathering feedback from Americans who farm every corner of this Nation is essential as we work to construct the next farm bill. I am grateful to all those who shared their stories and their insights with us. Our farmers feed. They are the stewards of our land, and their insights are invaluable to the Agriculture Committee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great career and technical education or skills-based education profession because I rise today during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week to celebrate America's 3.5 million professional truck drivers. Trucking is the lifeblood of the American economy. More than 80 percent of the U.S. communities rely exclusively on truck drivers to deliver their goods and commodities, including the most remote towns and territories that aren't reachable by other modes of transportation. One out of every 16 people working in the United States is a professional truck driver. The impact the trucking industry has on our economy is clear. Trucking brings roughly $726 billion in revenue to the Nation. Truck drivers are hardworking men and women who deliver critical goods like medicine, foods, building supplies, clothing, and more. These professionals safely move our economy each day. They deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time. They keep our highways safe. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the men and women who deliver America's goods and honor all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in tackling one of our economy's most demanding and important jobs. Trucking moves America forward.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in its mission to help our schoolchildren lead healthier lives. The alliance works closely with schools in Pennsylvania and nationwide to improve student health and wellbeing. Over the past decade, Healthier Generation's groundbreaking work with schools, communities, and businesses have benefited more than 25 million children across this country. More than 950 Pennsylvania schools have teamed with Healthier Generation, helping more than half a million children in the Commonwealth make healthier choices. Since 2007, 18 Pennsylvania schools have been recognized with National Healthy School Awards for their exceptional work. The Healthy Out-of-School Time program has helped more than 11,000 Pennsylvania children have access to healthier foods and focus on more active community programs outside the classroom. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, I am so proud of our schools and our students who work to serve healthier meals and snacks, get students to move more, offer high-quality physical and health education, and empower school leaders to become healthy role models.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the success of the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program, otherwise known as FINI, in providing low-income Americans the opportunity to put healthier food on the table for their families. As a joint program between the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, FINI provides funding to improve the nutrition in SNAP households. Last month, Secretary Perdue announced nearly $17 million in grants to help SNAP participants purchase healthier food options for their families. This funding would not have been possible without FINI, which was authorized by the 2014 farm bill. As chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, creating opportunity for low-income families to afford nutritious food options is incredibly important to me, and we want to ensure the program is viable for generations. Last year alone, SNAP helped at least 44 million families put nutritious food on their tables. That allowed 19 million children to lead healthier lifestyles. The FINI program is successful, and we see the success through the good it does for the health of American families.