Scott Tipton

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize William Gordon Pearce, a Coloradoan, veteran, father, grandfather and great- grandfather who recently passed away. Mr. Pearce was born in Kokomo, Indiana and later joined the U.S. Navy. As a member of the U.S. Navy, Mr. Pearce served this country for nearly three decades, bravely defending American freedoms during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. After his military service, he sailed for 20 years as a civilian as a Radio Electronics Officer in the U.S. Merchant Marines. Throughout all his years of serving his country, he had the opportunity to visit over five continents and 70 countries. One of his favorite pastimes was sharing old stories of his travels with family and friends. Not only did Mr. Pearce have a fulfilling professional life, but a rich personal life. He is survived by his loving wife Ruth Anne, who he was married to for 49 years. He also left behind his son Jeff Pearce, daughter Julie Powell, brother-in-law John Lamb, grandchildren Scott Pearce, Elizabeth Atwood, Christopher Powell, and great-granddaughter Abigail Atwood. Of all his accomplishments, he enjoyed being around the ones he loved the most. When he was not working, he spent his time within his beloved community. His love of airplanes persisted throughout his entire life, evident by his membership to the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society and the 22 years he spent volunteering at the local aircraft museum. He was also an avid amateur radio operator, member of the American Radio Relay League, and the local Ham Club. He was a member of numerous veteran's organizations including the Navy League, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Retired Enlisted Association. Mr. Pearce also participated in organizations such as Elks Lodge No. 90, Masonic Lodge No. 95, Al Kaly Shrine, and the Southern Colorado Consistory. Madam Speaker, Mr. Pearce's dedication and love of family will long be remembered. It is my privilege to acknowledge him here today, and express heartfelt gratitude for his dutiful service to his community and this nation.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mike Jones, a Durango paramedic and firefighter, who recently passed away after 40 years of service to his community. Mike's life of service began at Mercy Hospital where he started working as an orderly. A few years into his career, he became a paramedic with the ambulance service. In 1973, he became a volunteer firefighter for the Animas Fire Protection District and he went on to serve as the Interim Fire Chief for the district. Later on in his career, he was employed with the Durango Fire and Rescue Authority as well as the Durango Fire Protection District. Mike was known by many for his compassion and empathy, often cooking dinner for the families of patients who had passed away. Mike's many good qualities were what compelled Durango Fire Deputy Chief Randy Black to have all new hires work with Mike. He wanted them to learn how to properly care for the sick and injured from the best of the best, and Mike was the best. It was not just his work ethic and service to his community that set him apart, he will be remembered for his humor as well. In the early 1990s, he drove a fire truck across a bridge on the way to a fire after being assured that it could hold the weight of the truck. Unfortunately, the bridge collapsed, and the truck got stuck. As his truck was being pulled out, a photographer with a local news outlet snapped a picture of Mike grinning from ear to ear in front of the truck. For all who worked with and around him, it was an expression Mike frequently wore and perfectly encapsulated his positive outlook and light-hearted nature. Mr. Speaker, Mike's impact on the Durango community will never be forgotten and it is my privilege to acknowledge his achievements and generosity here today. We were fortunate to have such an upstanding individual call the Third Congressional District home. On behalf of everyone in the Durango community, I would like to thank Mike for his service and honor the admirable life he lived.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of two pieces of legislation. First, H.R. 6216 will designate the United States Postal Service facility in Montrose, Colorado, after Sergeant David Kinterknecht, who was killed in the line of duty on July 25, 2009. Sergeant Kinterknecht was born and raised in Montrose, Colorado, and graduated from Mesa State College and Delta Montrose Technical College. His career in law enforcement began in the 1980s, and throughout his career, he served in the Telluride Marshal's Office, San Miguel County Sheriff's Office, and the Montrose County Sheriff's Office. The second bill, H.R. 6217, will designate the Postal Service facility in Grand Junction, Colorado, in the Third Congressional District after Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer, who was killed in the line of duty in 2016. Deputy Sheriff Geer went to school in Grand Junction and eventually raised his family there. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, and after his Navy service, he went into the Mesa County Sheriff's Office for 15 years. Both Sergeant Kinterknecht and Deputy Sheriff Geer were respected law enforcement officers dedicated to public service and family men. Their deaths were mourned by people throughout the Third District and the State of Colorado. Passage of H.R. 6216 and H.R. 6217 will help preserve and honor the memories of these police officers in their communities.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor LTC Anthony Somogyi, a native of Palisade, Colorado, for his unwavering commitment to this nation as he prepares for retirement. LTC Somogyi graduated from Palisade High School in 1994, later attending the University of North Dakota on an Army ROTC Scholarship. After completing his degree in Aeronautical studies with an emphasis in rotary wing aviation and a minor in Military Science, he went on to attend Army flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. LTC Somogyi began his military service when he was assigned to 1st Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Hood. After a promotion, he was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom where he had the rare opportunity as an Aviator to serve as a crewmember on an M-3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle and established the Tactical Operations Center and Remote Retransmission Sites for the squadron. Upon his return home, LTC Somogyi attended the Aviation Captain's Career Course at Fort Rucker, where his hard work earned him a place in the last class to attend resident Combined Arms Services Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. While there, he completed the Aviation Maintenance Manager's Course and the OH-58D Maintenance Test Pilot's Course on his way to Fort Polk. After six months, LTC Somogyi took command of F Troop, 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Cavalry in time to move the unit to Fort Lewis. Once he established operations, he spent a year as Commander before leaving Active Duty and moving back to Colorado. Most recently, he served as Commander at the High-Altitude ARNH Aviation Training Site. He trained students in power management and environmental flight techniques. In this capacity, he routinely conducted search and rescue missions in the mountainous regions of Colorado. LTC Somogyi's lifelong work has resulted in his receiving the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Achievement Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Cavalry Spurs, and the Order of St. George. LTC Somogyi has not only had a fulfilling professional life, but a rich personal life as well. He married his high school sweetheart, Korey, and they were blessed with two daughters, Noel and Andee. When he is not working, LTC Somogyi spends most of his time in the great outdoors, either hunting, camping or fishing with his loved ones. Mr. Speaker, LTC Somogyi has dutifully served his nation for twenty years and his dedication will be remembered. It is my privilege to recognize him for the important work he has done throughout his life and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheriff Dominic Mattivi, Jr. for his 27 years of service to the Ouray County Sheriff's Department as he prepares for retirement. Sheriff Mattivi began his career with the Ouray County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff, and became Sheriff in 2001. With Ouray County at the beginning of the ``Million Dollar Highway,'' Sheriff Mattivi has been on the scene of many accidents and rescues over the years and has impacted many lives. Sheriff Mattivi's job has certainly not been easy, but throughout his career he has always risen to the occasion as a dedicated and professional lawman. His work and commitment to Ouray County has never wavered and he has become one of the most respected members of the community. His service goes beyond working hours, and when he's not on the job Sheriff Mattivi can often be found volunteering in his community. He has spent 35 years with the Ouray Volunteer Fire Department, including 20 years with the Ouray County Extrication Team. Additionally, he has worked as a volunteer for the local Red Cross, taught CPR classes, trained lifeguards at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool and annually donated his efforts to ensure the firework displays were properly put together on the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. The Ouray community has been truly fortunate to have Sheriff Mattivi looking out for its safety and working to make it the vibrant community that it is. Mr. Speaker, Sheriff Mattivi has dutifully served the Ouray community and his dedication will be remembered. It is my privilege to recognize him for the important work he has done throughout his life and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6729) to allow nonprofit organizations to register with the Secretary of the Treasury and share information on activities that may involve human trafficking or money laundering with financial institutions and regulatory authorities, under a safe harbor that offers protections from liability, in order to better identify and report potential human trafficking or money laundering activities.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this bill.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), and I ask unanimous consent that she be allowed to control that time.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5036) to establish an Independent Financial Technology Task Force, to provide rewards for information leading to convictions related to terrorist use of digital currencies, to establish a FinTech Leadership in Innovation Program to encourage the development of tools and programs to combat terrorist and illicit use of digital currencies, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TIPTON. 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 this bill.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Budd).

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for bringing forward this legislation to better protect our consumers and our neighbors from illicit financial activity and I urge passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4753) to amend the Federal Reserve Act to require the Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to provide a written report, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas).

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6332) to require the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to submit a report to Congress on the way in which data collected pursuant to title 31 is being used, and for other purposes.

Mr. TIPTON. 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 materials on this bill.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the consideration of this important measure on the floor here today. The work of the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee on Financial Services has uncovered time and again that the activities of terrorists and criminal organizations are powered through financing and that illicit operations cannot continue if the revenue streams that fund those operations are shut off. The measure before the House today would provide greater clarity into how exactly the global financial system can cut off financial schemes that enable access to illicit nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. H.R. 6332, the Improving Strategies to Counter Weapons Proliferation Act, would study how our financial institutions, intelligence collecting agencies, and law enforcement share information regarding known weapons financing activities to better identify weapons financing schemes. To effectively prevent the spread of dangerous weapons into the hands of bad actors like terrorists, we must close the gaps that allow those bad actors to take advantage of the global financial system. The ever- increasing number of threats posed by foreign adversaries and dangerous organizations make it all the more important to close those gaps now. By helping financial institutions and law enforcement better identify the signs of illicit proliferation financing through this bill, these institutions will be able to maximize the effectiveness of their information and more easily coordinate strategies that disrupt and ultimately prevent dangerous crime. In the United States, we have robust protections in place to be able to prevent financing of weapons proliferation involving suspicious activity reports that go to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and get reported over to law enforcement. By requiring FinCEN to report yearly to Congress on intelligence products it generates from suspicious activity filings on weapons finance transactions as well as how those intelligence products have informed law enforcement action, we can learn the indicators for proliferation finance and move to more effectively combat those illicit financial activities. The bill before the House of Representatives today is a good first step in making sure the financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, and Congress have the tools that they need to be able to combat financing for illicit weapons proliferation, and I urge its passage here today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.