Peter Visclosky

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Colonel John A. Leggieri for his exemplary dedication to duty and his service to the United States Army and to the United States of America. Colonel Leggieri will retire from the Army in December after serving almost half of his 30-year career in Congressional Liaison. A native of Claverack, New York, Colonel John Leggieri was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Sienna College's ROTC program. Initially branched into Air Defense Artillery, John led Soldiers in demanding situations--first with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and then with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He then transitioned to the Quartermaster Corps, where he led Soldiers for the next decade as a logistician in New York, Nebraska, Virginia, and Arkansas. In 1999, John began the next phase of his career in Congressional Liaison. He initially served as an Army Congressional Fellow for a year, working in a Member's office on Capitol Hill. For the next 14 years he served in positions of increasing responsibility in the critical, fast-paced arena of Congressional Liaison. He worked as Legislative Liaison Officer for the Chief of the Army Reserve and then as Congressional Budget Liaison Officer for the Office of Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller), working closely with the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. There are few who know more about the Congressional budget process and none respected more. After his initial work with Congress, John was selected as a National Security Fellow and studied for a year at Harvard University's prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Colonel's next role with Congress was as Chief of Congressional Plans and Strategy for the Army's Chief of Legislative Liaison, where he directed the development of long-range Army wide legislative goals and objectives to help clearly communicate the Army's multi-billion dollar annual budget requests. Finally, Colonel Leggieri served as the Chief of Congressional Budget Liaison, where for the last three years he ensured the Army's budget positions were extremely well represented and articulated to the Congressional Appropriations Committees. John's tenure as the Chief of Congressional Budget Liaison coincided with a particularly challenging fiscal period for the Department of the Defense. Under his leadership, the Army's Congressional Budget Liaison Office navigated dramatically declining defense budgets as operations in Iraq and Afghanistan drew down and sequestration was implemented. In spite of these challenges, John was instrumental in ensuring that Congress was informed of the importance of key programs for the future of the Army. In his many years in the liaison role, John helped showcase the Army's great accomplishments by leading countless high profile Congressional delegations to locations around the world, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Egypt, Iraq, Kosovo, and innumerable other places where dedicated Americans serve our nation. These fact finding missions have been instrumental in improving the United States' foreign and defense policy. Colonel Leggieri's leadership throughout his career positively impacted his Soldiers, peers, and superiors. His integrity, his exceptional work, and his sense of service are leaving our world improved and they have always served as an example for those he has commanded. To quote Charles Dickens, Colonel Leggieri is, ``as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in commending Colonel John Leggieri for over three decades of service to his country. We wish John, his wife Rebecca, herself a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and now Professional Staff Member on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and their two children, Olivia and Gabriel, all the best.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the recognition, and I would strongly emphasize that I join with my chairman and colleague from New Jersey in support of his amendment. So that there is clarity as to the purpose of his offering this amendment, I would reiterate two of his remarks. Over the last few months, we have had several instances in which National Security staff has mandated that the Department of Defense and other agencies selectively withhold information from congressional oversight committees, and in one case specifically, excluding the Appropriations Committee. As the chairman rightfully pointed out, the Congress is vested exclusively with the constitutional authority to fund that defense, and the authority in this instance rests with the Appropriations Committee. The committee has included clear direction in the Fiscal Year 2014 Defense Appropriations Act and in the House-passed Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2015 for the Department to report on the conduct of various programs as well as the obligation and expenditure of associated funding. This direction addresses not only funds expressly provided in the Department's appropriations bill but Department actions that may cause the reprogramming of funds provided by the Congress. Accurate, complete, and timely reporting by the Department of Defense is essential for the committee to conduct its oversight responsibilities. It informs committee deliberations to prepare the annual appropriations bills. It helps prepare the committee for negotiations with the Senate, and at present, it will help the committee formulate recommendations on the recently submitted fiscal year 2015 budget amendment on the overseas contingency operations. The committee's responsibilities for funding are specific. Article I, section 9 of the Constitution states: No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law, and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time. I strongly urge the adoption of the gentleman's amendment, which underscores the constitutional prerogative of the Congress as well as of the Committee on Appropriations. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincerity that I take this time to congratulate the individuals who took their oath of citizenship on July 4, 2014. In true patriotic fashion, on the day of our great Nation's celebration of independence, a naturalization ceremony took place, welcoming new citizens of the United States of America. This memorable occasion, coordinated by the League of Women Voters of the Calumet Area and presided over by Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich, was held at The Pavilion at Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana. America is a country founded by immigrants. From its beginning, settlers have come from countries around the world to the United States in search of better lives for their families. The oath ceremony was a shining example of what is so great about the United States of America--that people from all over the world can come together and unite as members of a free, democratic nation. These individuals realize that nowhere else in the world offers a better opportunity for success than here in America. On July 4, 2014, the following people, representing many nations throughout the world, took their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, Indiana: Lucy Lucia Griffith, Susete Margarida Psimos, Ricarda Kurzinski, Salma Mardi, Sulka Tyagi, Andrija Cesljarev, Mira Cesljarev, Juana Cruz Lopez, Teodoro Obien Abadilla, Daliborka Nonkovic, Maria Del Rosari Gonzalez Carrillo, Tyson Francis, Irene Garcia Garcia, Ilija Trajanoski, Jagoda Markovska, Mary Ugonwa Hardin, Daniel Lodewikus Smith, Sophia Johanna Ca Smith, Alma Delia Torres De Gonzalez, Toni Kitevski, Jefferson Marcos Caldeira, Esther Mukabacondo, Alejandro Escobedo Roman, Majid Latif, Xuan Loc Thi Hoang, Paulina Joanna Jagodzinska, Ivy Mwansa Chirwa Cox, Philip Papai Muturi, Maria Soledad Araos De La Fuente, Manuel Garza, Hector Javier Balza Medina, Wladyslawa Skauba, John Munene Njiru, Rosendo Hernandez Fierros, Noreen Nothando Ncube, Dolores Irene De Santiago Martinez, Dmitri Valentinov Boulanov, Haralambos Nikolaos Kladis, Meilute Ona Zinkus, Severo Ramirez Madera, Tatiana Silvia Sanjines Del Llano, Danica Rnic, Janette Atillo Jasmin-Wallace, Ana Ma Galicia Reyes, Angelica Maria Saucedo De La Cruz, Ma Teresa Valdovinos, Gerald Joseph Oblina Rinon, Darshan Lal Wadhwa, and Mustafa Musleh. Though each individual has sought to become a citizen of the United States for his or her own reasons, be it for education, occupation, or to offer their loved ones better lives, each is inspired by the fact that the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln described it, a country ``. . . of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' They realize that the United States is truly a free nation. By seeking American citizenship, they have made the decision that they want to live in a place where, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, they can practice religion as they choose, speak their minds without fear of punishment, and assemble in peaceful protest should they choose to do so. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals, who became citizens of the United States of America on July 4, 2014, the day of our Nation's independence. They, too, are American citizens, and they, too, are guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate them and welcome them.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I recognize Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church as the congregation joins together in celebration of the church's 100th anniversary. The parishioners, along with Parish Priest, Reverend Father Marko Matic, and Parish President, Mr. Mike Ajder, will be commemorating this momentous occasion with a special 3-day celebration taking place from November 21 through November 23, 2014. The event will honor all who have contributed to the success of Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. Founded in Gary, Indiana, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is now located in Merrillville and is one of the oldest churches in the Midwest. In 1914, the church's founders declared their mission before the Secretary of the State in Indianapolis: ``The purpose of this parish is to preach the Word of God (the Lord Jesus) and take spiritual care of its members; to spread goodness, justice, brotherly love and respect among its members.'' In 1914, Saint Sava's first church-school congregation was organized. It was named after Saint Sava, the first Archbishop of the Serbian Church. The church was built on 20th Avenue and Connecticut Street in Gary. After a devastating fire in 1978, Saint Sava relocated to their previously built chapel and parish hall located in Hobart, where the congregation held services until 1991. Very Reverend Father Jovan Todorovich led committed efforts in the construction of their current place of worship in Merrillville, which was completed in May of 1991. Today, the parishioners and church leaders gather together in this magnificent building to worship, celebrate, and continue the mission of the founding fathers. Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church continues to touch the lives of countless individuals through its compassionate service and charitable work. Most recently, parishioners and church leaders participated in a relief effort to raise funds and collect needed supplies to help the victims in Serbia and surrounding communities recover from devastating floods. In addition, the members of this parish continue to preserve the traditions of the Serbian culture and the Orthodox faith through the church's historical society. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring and congratulating Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana on its 100th anniversary. The members and church leaders have dedicated themselves to upholding Serbian heritage, tradition, and the Orthodox faith. For their noteworthy commitment to serving so many in need, the congregation is worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment, despite the fact that I do not object to his amendment.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, the gentleman has enumerated a number of terrorist organizations in countries, and I don't think there is a Member of Congress who would suggest that they are up to any good at any moment in time, but the amendment attempts to treat these countries and these organizations with a one-size-fits-all approach. Our Nation's involvement with each one of these entities is reflective of each country's reality and state of affairs, our Nation's interests, national security concerns or lack thereof. I would just provide one example. If this amendment were to pass, the Department of Defense could provide that the options for any actions in Syria relative to the removal of chemicals and materials of mass destruction would be inhibited, because these moneys are provided through the cooperative threat reduction account, which works to ensure the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons' stockpile, and by necessity, we end up having to work with that government to do this very good work. For that reason, the practical nature of this begs it, and I am opposed to the gentleman's amendment. I yield time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), the chairman of the subcommittee.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the chairman's remarks. Madam Chair, again, I would emphasize my opposition to the gentleman's amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the gentleman's remarks. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the gentleman yielding and rise in strong support of his amendment. The committee has a tradition of protecting whistleblowers. In fact, we have accepted, during consideration of the bill, an amendment to do so 2 days ago. I think most Members probably have encountered an individual who has come into their office and said: I would like to provide you with information that, hopefully, would make our government more efficient and better, but I don't want to get into trouble. That is who you have in mind. I appreciate that very much and rise in support of it.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, this is perhaps the fourth or fifth debate we have had on biofuels and their limitation relative to the Department of Defense, but I do feel compelled to continue to remind my colleagues that we do have an energy problem in the United States. I would, I guess, start at the dueling admirals' statements. The gentleman quoted Admiral Mullen from 2010. I would suggest that Admiral Locklear, who is commander of the Pacific Command, stated this year that the most destabilizing problem that we face in the Pacific Basin is climate change and the impact it has on the people and the national security in that part of the world. I continue to emphasize that we need to keep our options open for the Department of Defense and, I would suggest, for this great Nation. Indiana, the State in which I live--and have lived all of my life--is a coal State. More steel is produced in the district I represent than any State in the United States. I am very proud of that. You need carbon to make steel. What we need is a matrix--not only carbon-based fuels, but other types of fuels, including renewables: wind, tidal, solar, hydro, and biofuels. I would also reference Senator Lugar, who I continue to have a profound respect for. Senator Lugar suggested that energy is a problem economically in the United States. Senator Lugar suggested that it is an environmental problem in the United States. He said, fundamentally, energy is, most importantly, a national security problem, which is why we ought not to limit the options for the Department of Defense to expand the use of biofuels. For those reasons, I am opposed to the gentleman's amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. At the outset of my remarks, Madam Chair, I would not in any way dispute the value or the good work done at the proving grounds in Arizona or the good work of the military and civilian personnel who are there. I would concur in the gentleman's remarks. That is true, though, of the military and civilian employees throughout the Department of Defense, both in our country and around the world. I would remind our colleagues that, despite the fact of including the overseas contingency account, this bill contains $569.6 billion, which is an astronomical amount of money. It is a finite amount of money despite, as I have also said repeatedly over the last 3 days, infinite amounts of demand. I do think the gentleman's amendment is contrary to what we are doing as far as conceptually in the bill in that we are trying to stay out of some of these decisions that the Department must make. In the committee, we had discussions about whether or not KC-10s should be moved or retired. We declined to become involved as far as the movement of one airlift wing from a State to another State. Also, I couldn't dispute the gentleman's assertion that we would save money if we didn't spend it on transferring, but I might parenthetically ask the question: perhaps we will save more in the long run in that the Department of Defense may not be wrong in its assertion. For those reasons, I would respectfully oppose the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the recognition, and I appreciate the gentleman's emphasis on competition. I also appreciate the fact that he is concerned about the industrial base and manufacturing in the United States of America. We have seen a collapse in manufacturing employment. I would just point out for my colleagues, though, that the emphasis relative to the standards the gentleman is concerned about is to try to build that small business base. I remain disappointed in the Department of Defense because, while they talk about building small businesses, improving that manufacturing base, I don't see many discernible results. In my own district, I had a firm that does very sophisticated technology work, a very small firm. They had to spend more than $1 million cash to go through the evaluation process so they could start to bid on military contracts. There are not many small businesses with less than 20 employees that have $1 million in cash to go through an approval process so they can start doing business with the Department of Defense, so I share his concerns. But I also just want to make note that we have to draw the Department's attention to small business manufacturing development in the United States. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, I would emphasize the chairman's very first point, and the reason there is not a discrete figure within the legislation is we continue to await that request in the overseas contingency operation fund from the administration. I will simply add a couple of comments to the points the chairman raised. One, if the funds were prohibited, I believe it would also affect our ability to withdraw from Afghanistan since we traversed through Pakistan's ground lines of communications to transport our equipment back home. I also think the withdrawal of U.S. assistance would likely polarize Pakistan and exacerbate significant pro- and anti-American rifts within their military and their government generally, and in addition to counterterrorism activity, the fact that Pakistan's nuclear weapons capability provides, I believe, an ample reason for the U.S. to continue to be positively engaged. I would not disagree with the gentleman that this is a very difficult relationship. There are significant problems with Pakistan--all the more reason to continue to be engaged. I also rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment, and I appreciate the chairman yielding.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the gentleman taking the time and would also join him in thanking all of the staff of the subcommittee as well as the full committee. People ought to appreciate the discerning judgment that they bring to their work, their knowledge, their tireless work ethic, and the fact that they are fun to be around. They also are very selfless as far as providing for the protection of our Nation, to ensure also that it is done in as cost-effective a manner as possible. I appreciate that the chairman enunciated the names of all of our staff because on this subcommittee it is a very seamless and indistinguishable process. The staff understand they are here to help every member of the subcommittee, the full committee, and of this House, whether we agree or not, to ensure that our legislative process and product is as good as it can be. The final thing I will note is to thank personally the chairman for his leadership on this issue, for his dedication to public service. My father always told me it took a very strong man to be a gentleman. Mr. Chairman, you are the consummate gentleman, and I thank you for that and for your friendship.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I thank the gentleman for his comments, and I especially lend my agreement to his comments relative to the situation at Guantanamo Bay. I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Gosar