Dave Trott

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to underscore my support of a strong and sovereign Macedonia. The nation of Macedonia has been a critical partner in advancing U.S. national security efforts around the world. Furthermore, the Macedonian diaspora in the United States has been a critical part of our community and has contributed to the diversity and advancement of our entire nation. As co-chair of the Congressional Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans Caucus and Representative for Michigan's 11th district, the Macedonian people in Southeast Michigan are a vibrant and esteemed part of our community. A sovereign and strong Macedonia and Macedonian people serves to benefit our mutual interests and we must support, not undermine, our important ally.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 41, offered by my good friend, Mr. Huizenga. This resolution is simple. It repeals an onerous rule that puts American manufacturing and energy companies at a global disadvantage. Both foreign and American companies sell products and energy in our economy, but only American companies are required to jump through additional hoops, regulations that cost billions of dollars and pass on hundreds of millions of dollars to consumers. Michiganders know all too well what happens when government tips the scale in favor of foreign companies: jobs are lost overseas, and the investment necessary to create jobs is delayed or canceled. My friends across the aisle have suggested that this resolution is about bribery. It is not. This resolution and, in fact, the election on November 8 is about jobs, the loss of American jobs. Manufacturers in Michigan don't need special treatment. The unparalleled product of hardworking men and women in Michigan speaks for itself. But I think we can all agree that the American Government should be their ally, not their opponent. Repealing this rule does just that. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to voice my strong support for President-elect Trump's outstanding choice for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. A fellow Michigander, Betsy has worked tirelessly on behalf of the children of our country, striving to improve education and return authority back to those who know best--parents and the States. Not only has Michigan benefited from her efforts, but she has worked across the country to improve test scores and promote the highest level of academic achievement. She is committed to not only promoting strong schools, but she has also worked on an individual basis by personally mentoring children and interacting with their parents. I have no doubt that Betsy will continue to be a strong advocate for our children and that she will ensure that our education is as it should be--the greatest in the world.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Goodlatte for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 26, the REINS Act. In a minute, I want to share an experience I had a few months ago which will explain why, aside from the Constitution, I think it is important that we rein in unelected bureaucrats. When we talk about regulatory reform, it is sometimes hard to understand the impact regulations have on our economy. That is for the simple reason that someone who goes in for a job interview never sits there and is told by the employer: I would love to offer you the job, but I can't because of the crushing regulatory burden coming out of Washington. And that is because the crushing burden of regulations causes the job not to be created in the first place; and, hence, there is no interview for the job. The experience I had a couple of months ago, I was back home, and I met with the Michigan Restaurant Association. There were 8 or 10 folks sitting around and telling me about the issues that are important to them. They said they were dying because of the EPA, because of the FDA, because of the EEOC, because of the ACA, because of the overtime rule from DOL, and because of the CFPB. I quickly surmised that the restaurant industry is dying, and it is death by acronyms. That is what is happening in this country. That is why we are not creating jobs. If you come in from the airport, you come across the 14th Street bridge and you enter the city, all you see is cranes. There was never a recession in Washington. Today, there are 277,000 people who write and enforce rules in this country in Washington, D.C., and around the country. That is more than the entire employee base of the VA. A few minutes ago, my friend from Tennessee said that all of these great regulations have saved our country. Well, if that had happened, I would have expected a different result on November 8. A few minutes ago, my friend from Georgia, who I was proud to serve on the Judiciary Committee with, talked about all of the problems with our plan. I say to my colleague, the next time you pull up in front of your favorite Outback Steakhouse restaurant and it is closed, it is not because the cook quit, it is not because of the cost of beef, and it is not because the restaurant was poorly managed. It is because of death by acronyms. I ask everyone to support H.R. 26. It is time we rein in unelected bureaucrats, follow the Constitution, and create some jobs.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 11, which offers a strong objection to U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334. President Obama started his foreign policy 8 years ago with an apology tour in the Middle East, and now, not surprisingly, he ends it with a slap in the face to our ally and friend, Israel. For over 40 years, the United States Government--Republicans and Democrats--stood shoulder to shoulder with our ally, vetoing countless resolutions at the United Nations. However, this past December, President Obama broke that tradition and chose to allow this resolution to come before the Security Council for a vote. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said: ``This was a disgraceful anti-Israel maneuver.'' Not only does this one-sided resolution blatantly target Israel, it seriously impedes the peace process. Unfortunately, while I wholeheartedly reject what happened at the United Nations, I cannot say that I am surprised. The Obama administration has been more concerned with appeasing nefarious actors like Iran and Cuba, all the while ignoring friends like Israel. I look forward to a new era of foreign policy in which our enemies fear us and our allies respect us.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago this week, the administration agreed to a catastrophic nuclear deal with Iran, a deal that was eventually rejected by Congress in a bipartisan vote. Despite negotiating from what should have been a position of strength, the Obama administration has gone out of its way to appease Iran. And even more disturbing, the administration admitted that it used a false narrative to sell the nuclear deal to journalists and, ultimately, to the American public. As if the deal wasn't bad enough, the administration has made it a point to make concession after concession in order to keep Iran happy. The President tells us that Iran is honoring the deal, but German intelligence tells us they are not. We were promised snapback sanctions, but the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury have been flying around Europe promoting Iran while trying to find creative ways to give Iran access to the U.S. dollar. Lately, it seems that our cabinet secretaries are acting more like ambassadors-at-large for the Iranian Chamber of Commerce than Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State. We were told this deal wasn't about normalizing relations with Iran, but the administration reportedly is weighing whether to back Iran's bid to join the World Trade Organization. Rather than just adhere to the deal, we are going above and beyond. We are using taxpayer dollars to buy heavy water from Iran and indirectly eating Iran's nefarious destabilizing activities in the region. The administration claimed they understood the concerns of our ally, Israel; but Iran violated the U.S. resolution by firing a ballistic missile that said Israel must be wiped off the face of the Earth. Mr. Speaker, the administration assured us that they are going to push back on Iran's destabilizing activities and human rights concerns, but 12 months later it seems like we have only empowered them. If the administration won't hold Iran accountable, then the responsibility falls on the people's House.

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Iran- related measures on the floor this week. The ranking member, a few minutes ago, made a point of suggesting that there is no chance that the President would sign this bill, and that we are wasting our time by debating it here today. It is incumbent on us to call out the shortcomings on this deal. It is incumbent on the House and the Members of the House to point out when Iran has violated the deal. As I said frequently during the debate, you cannot do a good deal with a bad guy.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the conference report that we are considering today. And as my colleague, Mr. Conyers, just mentioned, 1,745 individuals died of a drug overdose in Michigan in 2014, and 449 of those individuals were in my home district in Oakland and Wayne Counties. So a disproportionate number of people were affected. As has been mentioned, this bill contains some good solutions toward fighting this epidemic: a comprehensive grant program, changes to existing law, and some new programs to help end the tragedies. Some have suggested, however, that our response is inadequate or too small of a step to fight this problem. I disagree. Let me say to those people who are listening, particularly those who have suffered from addiction or lost a loved one through the tragedy of an overdose, that Republicans and Democrats and the President recognize this epidemic. We are united in our commitment to defeat the abuse and tragedy. We in Congress will revisit our programs and solutions and the money we are spending to make sure that they are making a difference, and we will revisit the solutions and make sure that adequate resources are in place so we can end the terrible drug abuse and heroin overdoses that are affecting our communities. I thank the gentleman for the opportunity to serve on the conference committee.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Father Mina and the Coptic community he represents in southeast Michigan. Egypt's Coptic Christians have been a staple in my district since they held their first liturgy at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Troy almost 40 years. Father Mina is an engineer by trade, but in 1991, he accepted God's calling and became a priest to serve the then-small congregation of Coptic Christians in southeast Michigan. Under the leadership of Father Mina, the Coptic community has grown from a handful of families to over 750 today. The Copts are my neighbors and friends. They are our nurses, schoolteachers, public servants, and business leaders. The Copts represent what America represents. Their story is America's story: the story of people who dreamed of a better life, the story of people who left everything they had ever known to come to this country for a new beginning. I am proud to represent this vibrant and welcoming community, and, under the leadership of Father Mina and Father Maximus, the Copts will continue to serve an important role in southeast Michigan for a long time. I want to thank, again, Father Maximus and Father Mina for leading the House in prayer today.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on Blue Monday, to bring awareness to the health issues faced by men across the country. The importance of striving for a healthy society is something we can all agree on. Despite the fact that one in seven men will be affected by prostate cancer, men's health doesn't always receive the attention it deserves. Men are more at risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, and many more illnesses, yet nearly one in ten have not seen a physician in more than five years, and as many as 70 percent have waist sizes exceeding healthy standards. These issues affect not only men, but our whole families, and we should all work together toward healthier lifestyles. I would like to recognize the efforts of the Men's Health Foundation in Southeast Michigan in helping men take steps to better health. Blue Monday kicks off International Men's Health Week which provides important educational opportunities to increase awareness for detection and prevention of the diseases that kill millions of our fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons each year. I would encourage all men to celebrate Blue Monday by getting screened, exercising, and eating right to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and other diseases. I would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Michael Lutz for his efforts to address men's health issues in our community and wish everyone a happy Blue Monday.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, the committee staff, and Mena Hanna from my office for their work on H.R. 3694. I also want to thank my colleague, Representative Deutch, for coauthoring the STOP Organ Trafficking Act with me. Illegal trafficking of human organs has long been a terrible and heinous crime, but unfortunately our policies and laws have not kept pace with this outrageous practice. China has been inexplicably targeting the Falun Gong for years, and more recently, ISIS has reportedly been resorting to this brutal practice to finance their nefarious activities and strike fear in the hearts of innocent people. Late last year, ISIS released a religious edict stating that taking organs from a living captive to save a Muslim's life was permissible, making religious minorities all over the Middle East, like the Chaldeans and the Assyrians, even more vulnerable. Other helpless groups of people, like refugees, have reportedly been selling their organs on the black market through dealers who then sell the organs to foreign countries in what is quickly becoming an unchecked and lucrative business. Mr. Speaker, it is time for the United States to take a leading role in combatting this heinous crime and standing with the world's most vulnerable. We must ensure that our country is doing everything within our power to destroy any revenue stream that ISIS relies on to further its terrorist activities. My bill is a start to this lengthy process, and I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this timely legislation.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of the historical society in Troy, Michigan. The society is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Since 1966, this group of volunteers has been a valuable resource in our community. Their work has created the Troy Historic Village, a cultural destination which allows visitors to explore Michigan's history and learn about the story of the city of Troy. History is a treasure that must be preserved and used for education. We need to understand our past in order to build a better future. Over the past 50 years, historical society members have led efforts to preserve 10 historic buildings at the village, and they have provided educational programs for 12,000 students annually. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of southeast Michigan, I congratulate the Troy Historical Society on its 50th anniversary. I am confident that in the years to come, the dedicated volunteers at the society will continue contributing to our community and continue connecting people with Troy's rich historical heritage.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievements of Martin and Catherine Terbrack of Troy, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Terbrack were recently recognized by CARE House of Oakland County as Foster Parents of the Year. CARE House is a wonderful organization in southeast Michigan that provides services and counseling to children who are victims of abuse. The Terbracks have cared for 33 children, newborn babies to 5-year- old kids, and are currently caring for a 14-month-old baby girl who was 6 weeks old and weighed only 4 pounds when they brought her into their home. The Terbrack family has been involved in fostering for an amazing 73 years, with Martin's mother, Peggy, having cared for 150 children. That equates to about 90,000 bottles and 220,000 diapers. Mr. Speaker, at a time when many have come to see our Nation defined by acrimony and division, the wonderful story of Martin and Catherine Terbrack of Troy, Michigan, reminds us all that there is more good in this world than bad. They have taught us that many of our problems we face can be solved with love and generosity, and they remind us that we all have the power to touch people's lives for the better. Martin and Catherine do that every day.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. I thank the chairman for the opportunity to speak in support of the Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is just one more step in our continued effort to rein in out-of-control regulatory bodies that are products of the Dodd-Frank Act. FSOC and the Office of Financial Research, which are both products of Dodd-Frank, have the power to obtain sensitive information and are tasked with the mission of monitoring the financial stability of the United States. With such a broad mandate and vast authority, it is appalling that these bodies are not subject to the congressional appropriations process and must satisfy only minimal reporting requirements. OFR states that its job is to shine light in the dark corners of the financial system, but it operates in the dark corners, itself, as it spends funds that have been obtained from fees on an ever-expanding workforce and budget, all outside of the appropriations process and all outside of the eyes of our citizens. The people of this great Nation deserve a transparent Federal Government that answers to them. Some here today have suggested that, in this bill, we want to put a blindfold on--stop oversight and ignore a future financial crisis. We have a blindfold on now. We are all in the dark. We don't want to stop oversight. We just want to exercise our responsibilities under Article I of the Constitution. Some here today have suggested that Congress is no longer capable of exercising its Article I powers and that, therefore, FSOC must be independent of the appropriations process. To them, I ask: Why should Washington bureaucrats have more power over the financial decisions of the American people than their elected Representatives? This legislation is a commonsense solution, and I urge its passage.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. I thank my colleagues Chairman Goodlatte, Ranking Member Conyers, and my friend from Georgia for their support of this important legislation. I also thank the other Members and the staff who have helped shape this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, the American people are frustrated with their government. While families are working hard, are paying their taxes, and are doing their best to keep the American Dream alive, Washington decides to spend money it doesn't have on problems it shouldn't solve. Suffice it to say, both parties have proven to be bad stewards of our Nation's finances. Many of us were disappointed to see $700 billion in taxpayer money spent on bailing out failed financial institutions in 2008. The American people should not be on the hook for the failures of bad business practices. The American people entrusted us with their tax dollars, and Washington used the money to bail out banks. We cannot let this happen again. The legislation we are considering today is aimed at protecting American taxpayers and at reducing the risk of another taxpayer-funded bailout. The Financial Institution Bankruptcy Act protects taxpayers by reforming the process of how failing banks go through bankruptcy proceedings. We have incorporated the recommendations of hearing witnesses, regulators, and experts from four Judiciary Committee hearings over the past 2 years. This effort is, truly, the product of bipartisan work and compromise. Under this bill, the process will be handled by an experienced judge--a judge who knows how to handle the complex reorganizations of financial institutions. It will also result in a transparent judicial process instead of there being a group of bank CEOs and regulators that meets in a back room in order to decide how to save a failing bank. It will ensure that shareholders and creditors are at risk when a financial institution fails, not the American taxpayer. Further, decades of case law and precedent will ensure a fair result. This bill is the kind of commonsense legislation that, I believe, offers important solutions, that protects the American people, and that is deserving of strong bipartisan support. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this effort. Let's pass this bill and move it to the Senate for consideration.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank Chairman Upton and Representative Kildee for their important, bipartisan work on this issue. I rise today in support of the Safe Drinking Water Act Improved Compliance Awareness Act. This bill is a step in the right direction to preserve and protect the health of our citizens. The legislation requires the EPA administrator to work with States and local water authorities to develop a strategic plan for addressing lead contaminants in drinking water. This important legislation will ensure that the complete failure to notify people of a health risk, which occurred in Flint, does not happen again. This is an issue that many communities across our country will have to deal with as our water system infrastructure ages. We must ensure that the public is aware, our citizens are informed, and that our water authorities and agencies identify and take steps to prevent this level of failure from happening again. Mr. Speaker, on the Federal level, it is unacceptable that the EPA, an agency with a budget of over $8 billion, did not escalate its concerns over the presence of lead contaminants. This is an agency that is literally paid to protect the public health and environment, and it failed. This failure may not happen again. All Americans should feel safe drinking water from their kitchen sink. This legislation is a commonsense solution. I urge its immediate passage.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3662. When President Obama announced the nuclear agreement, he promised that sanctions against Iran's support of terrorism, human rights abuses, and its ballistic missile program would continue to be enforced. All this bill does is require the President to keep his word. If the bill passes, the President won't be able to give Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist groups billions of dollars. They will not be able to use billions of dollars to continue testing long-range missiles in violation of U.N. resolutions. Who can disagree with this goal? The President probably disagrees. Some suggest that, if the bill reaches his desk, he will veto it. All we in Congress can do is to try and remind the President about his promises surrounding this deal. This might also be a good time to remind the President about Iran's behavior over the past 2 months. They convicted and imprisoned one of our journalists. They detained another American. They released five al Qaeda prisoners. They have not released the four Americans they have been holding for years. They have tested their ballistic missiles. They fired a missile that came close to one of our naval vessels. And in the last 24 hours, they held 10 American sailors. It may well be true that neither Iran's behavior nor this bill will cause the President to realize he made a mistake in trusting Iran. I will rely on historians for that. It is unfortunate that this debate and this bill are necessary to remind the President that we expect him to keep his promise, his promise to withhold billions of dollars in sanctions relief that Iran will otherwise use to spread terror and will use to develop ballistic missiles that are aimed at our shores. Ranking Member Engel may be correct in that our actions today are symbolic, but we troublemakers in Congress have no choice. Whenever possible, we must try to remind the President that he cannot do a good deal with a bad guy. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3662.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michigan State University's commitment to racial equality in our country through their integration efforts for sports programs in the 1960s. In light of the College Football National Championship game last night, I want to take the time to remember another National Title game 50 years ago. In 1966, segregation was widespread in our country. It was a time of great struggle and injustice for African Americans. Michigan State football, however, became a bastion for integration and equality. University President John Hannah and Head Coach Duffy Daugherty had a long history of providing academic and athletic opportunity to African Americans who were denied access in their home states. Daugherty spearheaded a recruitment network throughout southern states that became known as the Underground Railroad Movement. He sought out black players who were not allowed to play in their own states due to their race. His efforts culminated with the 1966 team, which included 20 black players, 11 starters, and was led by one of the only black quarterbacks among major colleges at the time, Jimmy Raye. Raye led the Spartans to win the National Title in 1966, which was a victory for MSU, and a victory for equality across America. The leadership shown by Michigan State University and the courage of the players marked an important advancement for society. Their actions proved a catalyst for other teams to expand their recruiting profiles, and Americans to expand their perspective. The barriers that were broken in Michigan State's programs marked an important step toward full integration of collegiate sports in 1972. On this 50th anniversary of their National Title win, I commend Michigan State University for their legacy of providing opportunity for all Americans, regardless of race.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Chairman, I support H.R. 1927, as it will bring transparency to the asbestos claims process. This is an important goal, as the secrecy that currently surrounds the process has led to abuse and, in turn, compromised the benefits for future victims. Those who oppose the bill have two arguments against passage. First, they suggest that there really is not a fraud problem. Well, when you leave the fox in charge of the henhouse, you typically end up with a problem. The facts are pretty clear. A lack of transparency has allowed some law firms and individuals to manipulate the claims process. This should not surprise anyone. When you allow one of the ultimate beneficiaries to structure the trusts, administer the claims, with no accountability or oversight, of course there will be abuse. Several policy studies, the GAO, and independent judges in at least 10 different States have found questionable claims, fraud, and abuse. So to those who vote against this solution, I say you are choosing to enrich unethical lawyers and claimants at the expense of victims who have legitimate injuries, injuries for which they deserve compensation. The second argument against this bill is that it somehow compromises the privacy of claimants. Again, this is not true. The FACT Act has much stronger privacy protections than State court. Further, section 107 and rule 9037 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure offer additional safeguards. The reporting requirements do not require the disclosure of Social Security numbers or medical records. The act requires the disclosure of less information than would be required if the claimant were to start a lawsuit in State court. A vote against this bill means you are okay with secrecy, you are not bothered by fraud or abuse, you don't mind allowing lawyers to use their positions as the architects of these trusts to line their own pockets, and you don't care about the victims who have legitimate claims of asbestos-related diseases. It is, in fact, a problem that people have made this a political issue. To those who have argued against this bill, I ask: Who will be there and what resources will be available to our veterans when fraudulent claims and multiple claims have exhausted these trusts? The rule contemplated in H.R. 1927 brings much-needed transparency to Bankruptcy Code section 524G. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 182nd anniversary of Cherry Hill United Methodist Church. When Cherry Hill United Methodist Church first began meeting in 1834, it consisted of only a few pioneer families in their log cabins on the circuit of an itinerant preacher. In 1848, members of the church raised $600 to construct the beautiful gothic-style brick building that stands today. Since then, the building has been expanded to accommodate the growth in attendance and to support a full parsonage, but it retains its original structure and colorful stained glass windows. In its 182 years of existence, the church has been a boon to the Cherry Hill community. Over the years, it has often been the setting for community dinners and social gatherings. Today, Cherry Hill United Methodist Church members serve the community through their dedication to providing low income children with school supplies and winter coats, their work with Habitat for Humanity, and their support for the ``First Step'' domestic violence shelter. Thank you, Cherry Hill United Methodist Church for your service, and my sincere congratulations on your 182nd anniversary.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, over the holidays, I had the opportunity to read ``Killing Reagan,'' another interesting book by Bill O'Reilly. In the book, he talks about the President's last warning. He had cleaned out the Oval Office, and he left a note in the desk for his successor. Then Colin Powell came in to deliver his last national security briefing. He simply said to the President: All is quiet in the world today. Can you imagine if today were President Obama's last national security briefing? The gentleman or gentlewoman would say: Sir, we have a lot of problems in China, in North Korea, in Ukraine, in Yemen, in Syria, in Iraq, in Iran, in Afghanistan, in Saudi Arabia, and in North Korea. The Taliban is on the rise. ISIS is not contained. Israel is still mad at us. There has been recent terror activity in Munich, Paris, and Belgium. Sir, because of your leadership, all is quiet today in Greenland.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th anniversary of the city of Troy, Michigan. Troy has always been a community of opportunity. The township of Troy became a home rule city in 1955 after the introduction of commercial and industrial development led to tremendous growth in the post-World War II period. Since 1955, Troy has witnessed a myriad of changes including the construction of I-75, the explosion of growth on Big Beaver Road, as well as thriving residential neighborhoods. These achievements have not gone unnoticed. Troy is consistently rated as one of the safest cities in Michigan, best places to raise a family, and most recently, one of the happiest places in America. None of these things would be possible without the thousands of city residents that strive each day to improve their community and take care of their families. It is to you, the residents of Troy that I say thank you for the privilege of representing you in Congress and congratulations to Troy for sixty prosperous years, with many more to come.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of the Honorable Kay Arnold of Plymouth, Michigan for her extensive public service and unwavering commitment to the Plymouth community. Kay had an unparalleled resume, serving on the Plymouth Board of Trustees since 1992 and the planning commission since 1996. Her accomplishments in these roles include leading projects to improve the Ann Arbor Road corridor, Miller Park, and bridges in the township park. Colleagues often praise her independence in completing projects and willingness to always listen to residents' concerns. Plymouth Township would not be the same without Kay's work, and her influence will not be quickly forgotten. Kay also devoted time to volunteer work and was active with United Way, the Plymouth Community Arts Council, the Schoolcraft College Foundation, and the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce. The Plymouth community will greatly miss Kay and her tireless efforts to improve her township. I express my condolences to her family, and to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, here in Congress we deal with a great number of different matters, and we vote. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose. But I thought it was worth spending a moment this morning to take a look at how the Iran nuclear deal is going. We are 10 days since the deal has been formally adopted, and here is the update: The Supreme Leader has already begun redefining and testing the agreement. Earlier this month, Iran tested its new ballistic missile. The missile has a 1,000-mile range, can carry a 1,600-pound payload. The only practical use for this ballistic missile is to carry a nuclear warhead. The day after the test, Iran convicted The Washington Post journalist they have been holding. The day after that, Iran arrested, apparently, an American businessman. In recent weeks, Iran has begun partnering with Russia to undermine our policy and goals in Syria. And, of course, Iran continues to hold the four Americans. This deal was predicated on Iran changing its rogue behavior. We are 10 days into this deal, and so far, I have to say, we are not off to a very good start.

Mr. TROTT

Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the upcoming Parliamentary elections being held in Turkey. With so much on the line for Turkey, both domestically and internationally, it is my sincere hope that the elections are held in an environment that is consistent with international standards on November 1. Free and fair elections are a fundamental part of any democratic society, and Turkish citizens of all backgrounds deserve to know that not only does their vote count, but it will be cast in a welcoming, safe and open atmosphere. Freedom of the press is also a crucial part of democracy and, with the future of Turkey at the forefront of the November elections, Turkish citizens deserve to hear every narrative, and journalists and reporters should not have to worry about intimidation or legal action, simply for doing their jobs. As Turkey enters a pivotal moment in its history, I wish them a safe and successful election day. And just like any democratic society, the real winners at the end of the day will be the citizens of Turkey.