Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rodney A. Erickson, retiring president of the Pennsylvania State University. After 37 years at Penn State as an academic and administrator, Rodney Erickson selflessly took the role of president of the university during a troubled time. We thank him for his service, his dedication, and, most of all, his tremendous vision and leadership. Rodney Erickson became a faculty member at Penn State in the last 1980s, and over the years, he held roles from assistant professor to dean to vice president for research, to provost and president. At each level of service to the university, he sought new ways of teaching, better forums for learning, and innovative approaches to streamline bureaucracy and keep the university and its individual departments on the cutting edge. At every stage, he has been an inspirational leader to those around him. A leader of and advocate for the university in countless ways, Erickson leaves behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, pride, and tireless dedication for this community to cherish and build upon for generations to come. As a proud Penn State alumnus, I want to thank President Rodney Erickson for his commitment and his dedication to Penn State University. I also wish you and your wife, Shari, the very best with future plans for the years ahead. Youth Traffic Safety Month

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that last night, the language that Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio and I introduced in March, H.R. 4305, the Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers Act, or MEPS Act, was included as an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act. This bipartisan legislation passed the full House this morning. While our military has made great strides to address issues of mental illness, large gaps exist in this response that we must fill. Given these challenges and in light of the tragic events such as those at Fort Hood, we must and can do more. Today, military recruits must undergo comprehensive physical evaluations. But what some are surprised or even shocked to hear is that currently no similar exam exists for mental competency. The MEPS Act institutes a preliminary mental health assessment for all incoming recruits. This bill will offer our military an important tool and move us to a more comprehensive and effective approach to suicide prevention and detection. I applaud my colleagues for joining us in support of this bill and encourage the Senate to take action on this important reform.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Chair, first of all, I want to thank Chairman McKeon for his service on this committee and in this body as a colleague; and quite frankly, on behalf of my wife Penny and I, as military parents, thank you for your service to those who serve. I want to thank you, also, for allowing me to discuss my amendment and have it as part of this en bloc. My amendment will institute a preliminary mental health assessment for all incoming military recruits. A recent Army study found: Nearly one in five Army soldiers enters the service with a mental disorder, and nearly half of all soldiers who have tried suicide first attempted it before enlisting. In March, Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, and I introduced the bipartisan H.R. 4305, the Medical Evaluation Parity for Service Members Act of 2014, which is the exact language of this amendment. This small but subsequent change to current law will bring mental health to parity with physical health during entrance screenings. A preliminary evaluation will also have the purpose of serving as a baseline to identify changes in behavioral health, including traumatic brain injury and/or posttraumatic stress injury throughout an individual's military career. Protecting individual privacy was taken into the utmost consideration when putting this amendment together. While the MEPS Act is not a cure- all, it will be a significant step in further understanding a well- documented gap in behavioral health information that exists among our service branches; and of equal importance, it will assist with the mental wellness of our servicemembers and veterans. Since introduction, the MEPS Act has garnered over 35 bipartisan cosponsors and the support of over 40 major military, veteran, and health advocacy groups. I thank all those who supported this legislation and worked with me and my staff to put this together. I ask for your support as we pass this important piece of legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Mark A. Nordenberg, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, which includes regional campuses in the Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District, in Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania, and Titusville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. This August, Chancellor Nordenberg will step down after 19 years as chancellor, but will remain at the university that he has served for over 37 years. During Chancellor Nordenberg's tenure, the university experienced tremendous growth. Annual applications for admission climbed from 7,825 to 27,626. Overall enrollments have steadily increased. Average SAT scores for incoming students are now 185 points higher, and the university continues to expand and to modernize. Today, the University of Pittsburgh is ranked nationally and competing for the best students in the region, the country, and the world. Chancellor Nordenberg joined the faculty of Pitt's School of Law in 1977, eventually serving as dean and interim provost of the university. In 1995, he was elected interim chancellor by the university's board of trustees, and in 1996, he was elected chancellor. Through Chancellor Nordenberg's vision and leadership, the University of Pittsburgh now has an outstanding foundation for success which will last for years to come. Tomorrow, Chancellor Nordenberg will receive Pitt-Bradford's highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Distinction, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding long-term service to the university. It is my honor to join Dr. Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford, and the entire University of Pittsburgh team, in offering my congratulations on receiving this important distinction. Mr. Speaker, we thank Chancellor Nordenberg for his commitment to educational excellence, for his drive and passion to build the University of Pittsburgh into a renowned institution of higher learning.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise as a proud cosponsor of H.R. 3116, the MODDERN Cures Act. As most know, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disorder that causes the loss of voluntary muscle control, often resulting in paralysis. As a former rehabilitation therapist and manager, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact that this disease takes of individual lives and family members. The life expectancy after a diagnosis with ALS is an average of 2 to 5 years. Veterans are twice as likely to experience and to die from ALS as the general public. What is even worse, Mr. Speaker, is there remains no cure. The MODDERN Cures Act would speed up the development of new and better treatments for patients with chronic diseases and disabilities, including ALS, by removing barriers to medical innovation. The legislation encourages research on treatments which, quite frankly, have been set aside in the lab, but hold promise for treating ALS and other chronic diseases and disabilities. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Margaret D. Tennis of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, in Centre County, Pennsylvania, for decades of service to her community. Ms. Tennis, age 85, embodied the word ``service,'' and for the past 33 years she has dedicated both her time and her efforts to so many causes and important events, including the Boalsburg Memorial Day celebration. The Memorial Day celebration in Boalsburg is a unique occasion, which includes a walk to the local cemetery, a tradition held by this community for many years. This year, Boalsburg celebrates the 150th anniversary of this tradition. Mr. Speaker, the solemn Memorial Day services in communities throughout the Nation allow all of us to pay tribute to those who sacrifice for our freedoms. It is also a time to give thanks to individuals like Margaret Tennis, who make these important community gatherings possible. Thank you, Margaret, for decades of service and for your tireless efforts to make the Boalsburg Memorial Day celebration such a special day.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I just urge support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Miller for their work on the bipartisan Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act. This is the second bipartisan bill the committee has brought to the floor this week. I also want to thank the gentleman from Rhode Island, my good friend, Representative Langevin, who I am proud to join in offering this bipartisan amendment. We cochair the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus together, and opportunities like this amendment are really at the heart of education: preparing students for viable workforce opportunities and to assist the American economy to be competitive in a global market. The amendment we have put forward adds comprehensive career counseling to the criteria the U.S. Secretary of Education will consider when making grants to support high-performing charter schools and their expansion. No matter the school, the further promotion of comprehensive career counseling helps drive curriculum improvements that are better aligned with local workforce trends and the availability of postsecondary opportunities, whether they be non-degree certificate programs, internships, apprenticeships, or 2-year and 4-year degrees. In all schools, traditional and charter, we must advance every opportunity to guide students into postsecondary opportunities that reflect the individual's talents and interests, which includes offering them the support and the counseling necessary to begin them on that path to mobility and success. I often say it is not where you start out in life, it is where you end up. And career counseling will help students maximize their individual potential to achieve during that journey. Our amendment is supported by the American School Counselor Association, the Association for Career and Technical Education, the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment that builds on the important and valuable reforms included in the underlying bill, and I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I am certainly not opposed to this amendment.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the work of United Way Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania, which this month celebrated its 100th annual campaign to eradicate poverty and improve the lives of local individuals and families. Each year, on average, United Way Erie touches the life of one out of every three residents in Erie County. In 2013, over 100,000 men, women, and children were helped by the United Way and its supporters. Last year, United Way Erie put forward an ambitious goal, which is to reduce the number of Erie families struggling to meet their basic needs by one-third between now and 2025. As a result of this new initiative, they have raised over $6.1 million during 2013, which was the largest fundraising campaign ever for United Way Erie. Mr. Speaker, through bold new ideas and innovative charitable efforts United Way Erie is making a difference. I congratulate them on this 100th campaign anniversary and thank the generations of caring community supporters for their work to help those most in need find a helping hand.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Indiana for his leadership on this bill. I also want to thank my colleague from New York, Representative McCarthy, for her leadership on this bill. One of the most important assets that we have in education is our teachers, but our teachers need proven tools. That is why we are here today. This bill is about making sure that we are providing best practices, data-based tools, in terms of teaching methods. The Strengthening Education Through Research Act seeks to bolster one of our most fundamental education priorities--improving outcomes and raising student achievement. In 2002, Congress passed the Education Sciences Reform Act, establishing the Institute of Education Sciences, which is responsible for gathering data on educational best practices in the Nation's schools. The intent of the law was to enable States and school districts to identify and improve upon successful education practices. Although IES has meaningfully improved the quality of education research over the last decade, it also faces shortcomings, one being the significant delay in disseminating key data and findings to local education stakeholders, especially in more rural areas of the country. Despite the law's successes, improvements can and must be made, and that is the business we are about here this evening. The Strengthening Education Through Research Act reforms our Federal research structure so that States, local school districts, parents, and policymakers have greater access to data--data that is better organized, more reliable, and more useful for our local schools and communities. As a member of the House Education Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan reauthorization. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill, so that we can fulfill the Federal Government's commitment to provide States and localities with the latest and best available evidence-based research in a timely fashion.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a unique program organized through the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR, called ``Boss Lift,'' which is designed to help businesses gain a better understanding of the responsibilities of our National Guard and Army Reserve. In my home State, the Pennsylvania National Guard is doing a tremendous job with the Boss Lift program by providing local employers with a new perspective on the sacrifices and the challenges these soldiers and airmen face and a firsthand look at the work being performed by these citizen soldiers. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Fort Indiantown Gap and the Pennsylvania National Guard and met with the incredible citizen soldiers who help make this program possible, all while remaining ready to defend our country. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank ESGR, the Army Reserve, and the Pennsylvania National Guard for their outreach efforts through the Boss Lift program and helping to remind us all of the vital role our Reserve and Guard components play in our national security and local communities.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in deep appreciation for a group of individuals who hold our future in their hands: our Nation's teachers. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, during which we thank the countless men and women who strive every day to ensure that a child's potential can become reality. America's ability to outcompete rival nations is contingent upon the next generation of minds possessing the education but also the confidence to think outside the box. Our future competitiveness is contingent upon our next generation of children having the skills but also creativity, vision, and know-how to build the future. Each child's potential is realized through the engagement of families and communities, but also teachers rising to the occasion, which they have done for generations. So let us take a moment to recognize the compassionate individuals who dedicate their lives and professions to the cultivation of minds and the betterment of our Nation. During this Teacher Appreciation Week let us not forget those teachers who have helped shape our own lives. They deserve our praise.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Nurses Week, which is celebrated annually from May 6 through May 12. Nurses all over the country serve as the first line of defense in the prevention of sickness and injury. From hospitals and care facilities to nurse's offices at schools and local businesses, nurses play an essential role in keeping our society healthy and safe. From better educating our children about the importance of health to helping fathers and mothers better care for a newborn child, to helping seniors better manage disease or disability, our Nation's nurses are indispensable. This year's National Nurses Week theme is ``Nurses: Leading the Way.'' During this National Nurses Week, we take time to give thanks to these professionals for doing just that: leading the way through the promotion and the work of bringing better care and better health to our friends and family and neighbors and loved ones.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, a recent Monthly Labor Review report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reiterates that energy production and energy jobs are surging in parts of the country, including my home State of Pennsylvania. The report, which reviews employment trends from 2007 to 2012, states: Pennsylvania has seen a surge in natural gas production and employment over the past 2 years, resulting in substantial growth in terms of both employment and wages. Over the report's study period, Pennsylvania went on from being the tenth largest State by oil and natural gas employment in 2007 to being the sixth largest in 2012, and the Commonwealth also had the second largest employment increase over the same period, positioning itself only after Texas. We talk a lot about what Washington can do to boost growth and employment. Well, Mr. Speaker, this report speaks to the fact that we should allow private innovation in States like Pennsylvania to lead the way.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer. On this day, we praise God for the many blessings bestowed upon us. During times of great adversity and in times of great prosperity, Americans of all walks of life seek God's guidance. Today, we face many great challenges, including brave men and women serving in harm's way and an economy that must grow faster and lift more Americans, especially those in need, to greater security. We pray that the families of this Nation may find renewed strength and belief in God's word and grace. We also seek the Lord as we pray for those who serve in our military. We ask for God to protect them and watch over them. Mr. Speaker, let us seek God's guidance and pray he will grant us the wisdom to overcome the many trials and tests before our Nation and its people. On the National Day of Prayer, may God bless this great Nation and all its citizens.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the United States Department of Transportation yesterday delivered to Congress a draft highway reauthorization which proposes to remove the prohibition on tolling existing capacity on interstate highways. As my colleagues are aware, the interstate highway system was created to enhance the flow of goods and services throughout the country. These investments have served to improve our economy and the lives of our citizens, while allowing America to remain competitive in a global market. Plain and simple, tolling existing capacity will do nothing more than cripple our economy. In fact, Mr. Speaker, any attempt to remove the prohibitions on tolling interstate highways must be highly scrutinized. In my home State of Pennsylvania, in 2007, a scheme was put together to toll Interstate 80. This was a prime example of a betrayal of public trust, where the Commonwealth, under then-Governor Rendell, aimed to use toll grants on other projects unassociated with the interstate. Mr. Speaker, tolling can work for new capacity or to mitigate congestion by providing alternative lanes of travel, but it must be done in a transparent manner. Pennsylvania's plan was not crafted for the public good, but to cover up for a history of highway mismanagement and cronyism throughout the bureaucracy. Now, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on finding a fiscally responsible way to maintain investments in critical transportation infrastructure projects across the country. As we move forward on a new highway reauthorization, let us restore the public trust, not further erode it. The American people deserve as much.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, just a short while ago, one of my colleagues talked about the plight of folks who are unemployed--individuals who are unemployed either short term or those chronically unemployed. He actually failed to mention those who are underemployed in this Nation. It is an issue that needs to be addressed. I am actually proud to be a part of solutions that have passed out of the House of Representatives but sit in the Senate, waiting for Senator Reid to take the leadership to bring those House-passed jobs bills to the Senate floor for action--bills that would provide some immediate opportunities for individuals who are unemployed. More than anything else, what folks who are unemployed need is a job--a good-paying job with family-sustaining wages. Mr. Speaker, the House has passed bill after bill to help working middle class Americans get the skills they need, the jobs they desire, and adequate pay to provide for their families. In the Senate, yet another day has passed when Leader Reid has chose to deny consideration of these commonsense bills and chose to deny the relief that would come for those who are unemployed. The House has acted on more than one occasion to advance completion of the longstanding Keystone XL pipeline. This decision has again been delayed by the Obama administration. The House recently passed the Save American Workers Act, which would restore hourly wages cut by ObamaCare's 30-hour workweek rule. This bill remains stalled in the Senate's legislative graveyard. The House has passed bipartisan legislation that would renew the Federal Government's commitment to actively and adequately manage our Federal forests. Where we have well-managed Federal forests that are managed in a healthy way, we have healthy rural economic communities where we grow jobs. Today, that bill is gathering dust on the Senate Leader's desk, awaiting action. Mr. Speaker, we were elected to solve problems. It is about time we got about the people's business. Hardworking Americans deserve as much.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the United States Army Reserve, which this week celebrates 106 years of service defending our country. For generations, the Army Reserve has played an essential role in the defense of this Nation. These citizen-soldiers are also actively engaged citizens in every community throughout the country. They continue to be a true testament to America's All-Volunteer Armed Forces. Most reservists must strike a balance between family life, full-time employment, and the growing demands of serving in our Nation's professional Army. This upcoming weekend I will have the honor of meeting with several Army Reserve units throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the important role that these men and women play in our national defense and also our local communities. Mr. Speaker, I commend the Army Reserve for continuing to play an important role in the defense of our great Nation. I rise and reiterate how very proud we are of these men and women and all that they do for our country and to wish a special 106th birthday to our Army Reserve.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, yesterday afternoon U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Jay Rockefeller introduced the Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers, or MEPS, Act, companion legislation to the bill that I introduced with the Congressman from Ohio, Mr. Tim Ryan, on March 27 of this year. Most are aware that incoming soldiers must pass a physical and medical evaluation, which is the case, but so many are shocked that there is no similar evaluation for mental health competency. Madam Speaker, according to recent studies, nearly half of all soldiers who tried suicide first attempted it before enlisting. A large number of suicides in the military were individuals who had never been deployed in a combat role. These studies give us insight into the mental well-being of our military, but what they also show is that we must know more. The bipartisan MEPS Act would require a preliminary mental health assessment for military recruits prior to joining the service, which will dramatically improve the way the military identifies and assesses mental health issues. The bill has no budget impact and has support from a large number of veterans groups. I thank my Senate colleagues for introducing this bill and encourage my colleagues in the House to join the support.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the timely issue of behavioral health in our military. Currently, our soldiers undergo comprehensive medical and physical examinations during recruitment to ensure that they are fully fit and capable of performing their military duties; however, currently, no similar examination for mental health competency exists. This is a serious information gap as our military continues to address issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and suicide. Madam Speaker, the issue of military mental wellness should be on the mind of every Member of Congress--and not just when this issue is back in the news. Prior to the Fort Hood shootings, I introduced H.R. 4305, the Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers Act, which will institute a preliminary mental health assessment at the time recruits are first joining the military. The bill, which was reported on today by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, is not an end-all solution when it comes to addressing this issue, but it is an important step in tackling a well-established information gap in the realm of servicemember behavioral health. I encourage Members to join in cosponsoring H.R. 4305.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the United States Department of Energy released its 2014 strategic plan, which reiterates how the President is committed to an all-of-the-above energy strategy. I personally was pleased to hear the administration reiterate their commitment to expanding all of America's domestic energy resources, including fossil fuels, which is fundamental to the Nation's future economic security. The report also outlined the administration's goal to ``decouple our economy from the global oil market.'' Unfortunately, the administration's policy continually falls short of their unbelievable rhetoric. Just one example: since President Obama took office, total Federal oil production has declined 7.8 percent and Federal natural gas production has declined 21 percent. It is no wonder, for according to new data released this week from the Bureau of Land Management, Federal onshore oil and natural gas leases and permits are at the lowest levels in more than a decade. Mr. Speaker, real energy security will take actually pursuing, rather than merely claiming, an all-of-the-above energy approach.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Washington can get things done. It may not be all the time, but over the last year we have been able to make constructive progress on an array of issues. Had it not been for Members on all sides of the aisle coming together, looking past party labels, and working on what is important, this would not have been the case. Last week on Thursday, April 3, President Obama signed into law an important piece of legislation that represents one of those points of progress. In December of last year, the House passed bipartisan legislation to shift $126 million--money previously used to finance national political conventions--to the National Institutes of Health, where it will now support research into childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases, including Down syndrome, cancer, autism, and the countless other diseases that affect our children that don't yet have a cure. In March of 2014 the Senate passed the legislation, again with bipartisan support. That bill--now law--was the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act. There have been many critical research breakthroughs over the past decade. As a result of this new law, millions of additional dollars will be put towards research in an effort to develop treatments and cures for pediatric disorders and diseases. Today, more are on the horizon, and with passage of this law, they will be upon us that much more quickly. As most are aware, Gabriella Miller passed away from cancer, an inoperable brain tumor, in October of 2013. Gabriella, before her passing, stated: ``If I go, if I lose my battle, then I'm going to want other people to carry on with the war. They are going to win this war.'' Mr. Speaker, although there is much more to be done, with the passage of this act, this body took one small step in that direction. Through this new law we honor the legacy of a brave and spirited young girl who left a mark on the Nation and the world. Let us continue to fight this battle on behalf of so many boys and girls in similar positions. My prayers are with Gabriella and her family.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last week, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that over $300 million would soon be paid out to States through the Secure Rural Schools program in order to compensate for the lost local revenue because of a lack of timber harvesting in national forests. Last year, the administration decided to retroactively apply 2013 sequestration cuts to the 2012 SRS funds, and it requested the repayment of $17.9 million that has already been distributed to States and counties. This decision immediately sparked bipartisan opposition, prompting the House Committee on Natural Resources to conduct an investigation into the administration's legally questionable actions. The investigation found that the White House ordered the sequestration cuts for the SRS program and that the administration chose to apply the reductions in a manner that made certain that all Secure Rural Schools counties felt the hurt. Mr. Speaker, I am glad the administration chose against playing more politics with this program at the expense of our rural communities, including those which I represent in the Allegheny National Forest, but in the long run, rural communities wouldn't need additional funding through this program if we actually harvested the proper levels of timber on these taxpayer-owned lands.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my thoughts and prayers to the individuals, families, and loved ones of those affected by the tragedy at Fort Hood. To have this happen a second time adds more heartbreak to a community still grieving from the tragic events of 2009. There are still a lot of questions to be answered. Assuredly, like many cases where suicide is involved, we may never know the motive. Undoubtedly, the gunman's mental wellbeing, along with many other variables, continue under investigation. Not until we know more from the leadership in charge of the investigation would it be appropriate to speculate facts or other variables. Yes, given a preliminary description of events, it is hard not to place a tragedy in perspective--in the context of the grave challenge our Nation faces when it comes to better addressing issues of behavioral health, mental illness, and suicide. For now, we pray. For now, we praise. For now, we honor each individual and each sacred life lost.