Filemon Vela

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the distinguished career of Executive Director of Human Resources for San Benito Consolidated Independent School District (SBCISD), Margot Cisneros Torres who is retiring. As a director, principal, assistant principal, and educator, Mrs. Torres dedicated her life to bringing knowledge to others. Mrs. Torres received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Texas Pan American and her Master of Education in Educational Administration from the University of Texas in Brownsville. She holds Provisional Secondary Teaching Certificates in Secondary English and Spanish Grades 6-12, Mild Management Certificate PK-12, and Professional Superintendent Certificate PK-12. Prior to serving as the Executive Director for Human Resources at SBCISD, Mrs. Torres worked for the Brownsville Independent School District for 26 years in many positions including high school English teacher, Assistant Principal, Human Resource Specialist, and Principal. Additionally, she served as a school principal at Point Isabel Independent School District for three years. Mrs. Torres will be completing an impressive 31 years in education upon her retirement at the end of this academic year. The presence of Mrs. Torres will be missed at San Benito Consolidated Independent School District, but her legacy as a leader will be felt for years to come. Please join me in wishing Mrs. Torres and her family all the best as she begins the next chapter in her life.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Victoria Gonzalez, a young woman who has been honored with the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award--the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. The Girl Scout Gold Award symbolizes outstanding accomplishments in the areas of leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. Girl Scouts of the USA, an organization serving over 2.6 million girls, has issued more than 20,000 Gold Awards to Senior Girl Scouts since the inception of the program in 1980. To receive the award, a Girl Scout must earn four interest project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and the Senior Girl Scout Challenge. She must also design and implement a Gold project. Victoria's project was based on a need she observed firsthand. While volunteering at a Christmas party for the Ozanam Homeless Shelter in Brownsville, Texas, Victoria realized the homeless did not have access to meals every day. With the help and encouragement of Mr. David Bonnett, her school's National Junior Honor Society sponsor, and funding approval from the administrators of Saint Joseph Academy, Victoria implemented a program to feed area homeless. Volunteers from Saint Joseph Academy now prepare and distribute meals on the fifth Friday of longer months, filling a gap in services. I applaud Victoria's efforts to help those most in need. Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is a major accomplishment for Victoria, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her for this significant service to her community.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4577, the Domestic Explosives Detection Canine Capacity Building Act of 2017. In recent years, the volume of air travel has steadily risen, with 42 million people traveling domestically in the last days of 2017 alone. Last year, the worldwide number of people flying rose to a historic high of 4 billion passengers. The high visibility of the aviation sector makes it a persistent target for terrorists who wish to carry out attacks and inflict harm upon U.S. citizens. As such, the TSA must continue to collaborate with stakeholders and better incorporate proven security tools into security operations. One of the tools that we know to be effective is canine detection teams, particularly in detecting and protecting against explosive threats. In a May 2017 hearing before the Committee on Homeland Security last year, the Director of the Threat Assessment Division within the Transportation Security Administration attested to the value of aviation screening canine teams, saying: ``Canines are incredibly effective. They can do things we can't even measure with machines.'' The legislation before us today, H.R. 4577, would require the TSA to establish a working group of stakeholders to determine ways to develop a domestic canine breeding network to produce explosives detection canines and modernize canine training standards. Today, the demand for trained and certified dogs is huge, with more and more security stakeholders coming to appreciate the explosive detection capabilities of our four-legged friends. This heightened demand has led to a shortage, presenting challenges for the U.S. Government in the procurement of suitable canines. In testimony before the committee, the TSA and various stakeholders have cited these challenges and expressed concern regarding how to best address this shortage. That is why this legislation is so important. The working group mandated in this legislation draws from authorities on explosives detection canines and homeland security missions, including the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, national domestic canine associations, academic experts, and domestic canine breeders and vendors. The knowledge and expertise offered by this diverse group of representatives will ensure that the DHS can implement an effective and impactful strategy to further the development of explosives detection canine teams. For these reasons, Madam Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time. H.R. 4577 will jump-start conversations on how to increase the supply of canines and better integrate them in the TSA's layered security at airports and surface transportation hubs. Canines have become an invaluable asset to the DHS in fulfilling its many important missions and goals. Even prior to the inception of the Department, canines were utilized by law enforcement and first responder agencies for decades, proving to be one of the most effective and versatile tools in detecting threats and protecting the homeland. Terrorists are working hard to exploit vulnerabilities in our transportation system, and the U.S. must utilize all of our available resources to combat these threats. Canines are undoubtedly one such resource, providing a robust and reliable layer of security and giving Americans peace of mind. If enacted, H.R. 4577 would better position the TSA to achieve and maintain a reliable supply of canines to deploy to not only airport terminals, but also to cargo operations and mass transit systems. As such, Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4577, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4567, the DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2017. Madam Speaker, the DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2017 would require the Department of Homeland Security to submit to Congress an overseas personnel assessment and enhancement plan. Today, roughly 2,000 DHS personnel have been deployed to more than 70 countries around the world. These DHS employees are involved in a diverse range of overseas operations targeted at terrorism prevention, counternarcotics, and preventing human smuggling. I am particularly interested in the efforts of the National Targeting Center, which is housed within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to embed intelligence analysts in overseas information sharing operations with international partners to prevent terrorist and other criminal networks from carrying out attacks and criminal operations with impunity. In fact, in a short while, the House will be debating H.R. 4578, the Counter Terrorist Network Act, which, among other things, authorizes overseas deployments from the CBP. About half of overseas DHS personnel are from the CBP and are involved, among other things, in screening U.S.-bound passengers at airports, inspecting cargo being loaded on ships bound for the U.S., and training other nations' customs and border force. Additionally, the DHS also assigns Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents, Secret Service special agents, and Transportation Security Administration officials to overseas posts to engage with international partners on counterterrorism, counternarcotics, information sharing, and criminal investigations, as well as security screening and vetting programs. Just last month, CBP personnel were credited with helping Ecuadoran authorities interdict and arrest seven people and 800 pounds of cocaine. Specifically, a CBP team participating in an aerial surveillance mission in drug transit zones near South America tracked a low-flying aircraft that intelligence reports indicated had not filed a flight plan and, with a long-lens camera, snapped images of the plane's tail number and other identifying details and radioed Ecuador who were waiting when the plane landed to arrest the smugglers. According to CBP, its P-3 plane program patrols more than 42 million square miles in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean and last year contributed to 145 drug seizures, helping American and foreign authorities capture a combined 34,108 pounds of marijuana and 193,197 pounds of cocaine, according to Customs and Border Protection records. More broadly, DHS personnel stationed overseas make important contributions to the Department's efforts in securing the homeland and keeping the American people safe. As such, it is imperative that these individuals are utilized efficiently and effectively. This bill seeks to ensure just that. In 2016, Congress enacted legislation that the Committee on Homeland Security, on a bipartisan basis, approved to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue a strategy for the Department's international programs. Among other things, the law required DHS to provide the committee with an inventory of personnel and resources deployed abroad and a 3- year, risk-based strategy to ensure strategic overseas employment of personnel. The statutory deadline for this strategy was June 2017, 7 months ago. This critical strategy has not been submitted to Congress, as mandated. H.R. 4567 incorporates an amendment from Ranking Member Thompson that expands the bill's briefing requirement to include information on efforts to implement the strategy. Enactment of this bipartisan legislation should help enhance the effectiveness of DHS personnel at foreign locations. Madam Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, in closing, H.R. 4567 seeks to enhance DHS' efforts to push out our borders. The men and women of DHS face an immense challenge in responding to the ever-changing terrorist threat landscape. It is imperative that DHS personnel stationed overseas serve as an effective force in this mission, and enactment of this legislation would be a positive step towards this goal. In fiscal year 2016, CBP officers inspected over 390 million travelers at 328 ports of entry, of which over 119 million flew into air ports of entry. Deployed overseas CBP officers, through programs such as Preclearance and the Immigration Advisory Program, utilize a risk-based, intelligence-driven strategy to extend our border security efforts outward to detect, assess, and mitigate, at the earliest possible point in the travel continuum, any risk imposed by travelers before they reach the United States. Today, ICE agents are assigned to 66 offices in 49 countries and work with their overseas law enforcement counterparts to detect, disrupt, and dismantle transnational criminal groups and individuals who seek to harm our country and people. ICE special agents investigate transnational crime by conducting a wide range of criminal investigations, in coordination with our foreign and domestic partner agencies, targeting the illegal movement of people, merchandise, and monetary instruments into, within, and out of the United States. Maintaining an overseas footprint is costly. In fact, the annual cost of deploying an ICE agent overseas can be four times the cost of deploying the agent domestically. As such, it is critical that DHS have a strategy for its overseas programs and execute it. Congress has an important oversight role to play to ensure that DHS carries out these programs in a risk-based, strategic manner. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4567, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4561, the Security Assessment Feasibility for Equipment Testing and Evaluation of Capabilities for Our Homeland Act, and I encourage my colleagues to support its passage, which would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a new, third-party testing program for Transportation Security Administration screening technology. We have heard, time and time again, from vendors that it takes far too long to get their technologies through TSA testing processes. TSA's testing and evaluation must be improved not simply to improve management efficiency, but to address the constantly evolving threat landscape. In November, TSA Administrator David Pekoske testified before the Committee on Homeland Security about the need to accelerate deployment of innovative security enhancements, as terrorist groups are becoming more sophisticated. These bad actors are learning about our aviation security countermeasures and have even gone so far as to post instructions to build devices to evade screening technologies on the internet. As terrorist and criminal organizations become more sophisticated, we must remain one step ahead. H.R. 4561 seeks to do just that and move TSA forward in overcoming technology stovepipes that have hindered state-of-the-art security technology from being integrated into our Nation's transportation systems in a timely manner. H.R. 4561 is predicated on the view that, by establishing alternative avenues to test transportation screening technologies, TSA will be positioned to introduce innovative security enhancements into checkpoints sooner, and businesses, regardless of their size, will be better positioned to compete. The committee has repeatedly heard from small security manufacturers about how financially draining it is to wait out TSA testing in the hopes of a contract. H.R. 4561, if implemented effectively, has the potential to get innovative technology produced by small businesses in airport security checkpoints and enhance the effectiveness of TSA's screening operations. During consideration of this measure in committee, the majority accepted amendments offered by committee Democrats to the bill to ensure that the third-party testing receives scrutiny from the Government Accountability Office and to build integrity into this new program. Given the changes that were made to the legislation in committee and the potential positive impact this legislation could have on ensuring innovative technologies are integrated into TSA's security operations, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4561. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to point out that this series of bills that we have presented today has been worked on in a strong bipartisan fashion. I would like to thank Chairman Katko and Ranking Member Watson Coleman for their strong leadership on this subcommittee, Mr. Bilirakis for his hard work, and, of course, Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson for their leadership on the Homeland Security committee. On behalf of both Members and staff on this side of the aisle, we also wish Krista Harvey the best of luck in her future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4561 is commonsense legislation. This bill promotes the incorporation of innovative technology in airport screening capabilities. It does so by requiring DHS to stand up a third-party testing program to accelerate the evaluation of promising transportation security technologies, including 3D-imaging computer tomography, or CT technology. CT scan technology holds great promise in enhancing the effectiveness of TSA screening operations insofar as transportation security officers would have the benefit of seeing a full 3D multicolor image of whatever the screener is inspecting and getting better detail about any suspect items. Presently, TSA is testing a number of systems in the lab and in the field and has said that it expects to be able to begin deployment of this new tool to airports by early 2019. Given the known ongoing terrorist threat posed by electronic devices, CT technology should be introduced into the airport environment in an expedited fashion. If done right, the establishment of a third-party testing program within TSA has the potential of getting innovative technologies into our transportation security systems quicker and improving the overall effectiveness of security screening. As such, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4561. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4578, the Counter Terrorist Network Act. Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 4578, the Counter Terrorist Network Act, to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection's ongoing efforts to prevent individuals who pose a known threat to our country from entering the United States. Over the years, the CBP has pushed out our borders through various programs, including international partnerships where officers are posted overseas. The CBP's National Targeting Center, or NTC, uses the latest technology and analytical tools to identify threats and share that information with both domestic and international law enforcement partners. The CBP vets foreign nationals traveling to the United States prior to arrival through the use of various sophisticated screening techniques. Time and again, we see terrorist acts carried out by individuals who were not on the Federal radar for terrorism. In the 17 years since the September 11 attacks, we have made huge investments in this country in intelligence to better connect the dots about those risks. My legislation seeks to ensure that the NTC is positioned to continue embedding its analysts in overseas operations so that individuals associated with terrorist and transnational criminal networks are prevented from operating with impunity. H.R. 4578 authorizes the NTC to continue building its collaborative intelligence and law enforcement partnerships to stay one step ahead of those individuals who wish to do us harm or commit other criminal acts. The bill also authorizes CBP personnel to be posted abroad to perform critical preemptive operations to make sure the travelers and visa petitioners coming to our country are thoroughly screened and vetted. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative for the DHS and its law enforcement partners to do everything practicable to screen and vet individuals before they arrive at our borders. H.R. 4578 underscores this imperative by authorizing the CBP to counter terrorist and criminal networks' efforts to infiltrate our borders in a way that has proven effective and adaptive. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4578. In closing, H.R. 4578 is a bipartisan bill that was unanimously approved by the Committee on Homeland Security late last year. The partnerships that the CBP has established to disrupt and dismantle terrorists and other criminal networks are valuable and merit congressional support. H.R. 4578 provides the CBP with statutory authority to continue these partnerships and it enables CBP personnel to be posted within different Federal and international entities in furtherance of their antiterrorism and homeland security missions. Congress must continue to support this effort, and we can do so today by passing this bill. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Committee on Homeland Security for their support, and I urge my House colleagues to pass H.R. 4578. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Goliad High School Varsity Volleyball team. On November 18th, the Goliad Tigerettes won their second consecutive UIL Class 3A Texas State Volleyball Championship. They defeated the Callisburg Wildcats with an impressive 3-1 game record. Under the leadership of Superintendent Dave Plymale, Goliad High School Principal Brenda Gohmert, Athletic Director Bobby Nicholson, Athletic Trainer Gary Hobbs, Head Coach Jess Odem, Assistant Coaches Lindsey Youngblood and Kelly Hill, Manager Kylie Neuvar, and Student Trainer Grace Schubert, the team consisting of Freshmen players Molle Henicke and Karleigh Hill, Sophmores Brooke Yanta and Ashlyn Davis, Juniors Kassidy Nicholson, Amaya Brown, Kaci Hotz, Kelly Thomas and Maddie Council, and Seniors Kaitlyn Duval, Mallory Hermes and Savannah Shaw have cemented themselves as one of the top athletic teams in Texas. The Tigerette's success reflects an impressive level of skill and teamwork, and I applaud the coaches, administrators, families, and friends who supported the Tigerettes. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this impressive accomplishment. On behalf of Congress and the Goliad community, we extend our congratulations on consecutive state titles and wish each player success in their future endeavors.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of H.R. 3101, the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act. Port facilities serve as a vital economic function for our Nation and the communities in which they are located. The approximately 360 commercial maritime ports operating across the United States handle more than $1.3 trillion in cargo, annually. To facilitate and maintain this level of economic activity, the maritime sector increasingly relies on technology to facilitate the movement of cargo into and through port facilities. Collectively, navigation, operations, and communication technologies enhance the competitiveness, safety, and reliability of the U.S. maritime sector. However, as port operations have become more automated, exposure to cyber threats and attacks have also increased. This homeland security threat is not unique to the maritime sector. In fact, since 2003, the Government Accountability Office has warned about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and has called on the Federal Government to support efforts to bolster cybersecurity. To better protect port facilities from cyber attacks, Congress must ensure that expertise in both the private and public sector is leveraged effectively. H.R. 3101 would direct DHS to be more proactive in how it addresses cybersecurity risks at our Nation's ports. The first step in reducing cyber vulnerabilities is identifying the weak points in network security through risk assessments. H.R. 3101 requires these assessments. The bill directs the Coast Guard to provide port facilities with guidelines on how to report cybersecurity risks in order to enhance the ability of both the Coast Guard and port operators to respond effectively to such attacks. By promoting cybersecurity information sharing and coordination between public and private partners at maritime facilities, H.R. 3101 seeks to make a positive difference in how quickly terminal and port operators are able to prevent, mitigate, and recover from such attacks. H.R. 3101, if enacted, will help foster an environment in which DHS, the Coast Guard, ports, and port stakeholders work together to enhance the cybersecurity at our Nation's ports. Lastly, I would like to note the bipartisan support for this bill in the Homeland Security Committee. I thank Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, and my colleague Congresswoman Torres for their hard work and leadership in this matter. Mr. Speaker, when this bill was considered last Congress and earlier this fall, committee colleagues on both sides of the aisle agreed that H.R. 3101 is a timely and worthwhile measure to support. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3101. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres).

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. H.R. 3101 will help improve the way we manage cybersecurity risks at our Nation's commercial maritime ports. With the increased need for and use of technology at maritime facilities, it is in our national and economic interest for there to be better cyber information sharing and coordination efforts at our Nation's ports. By assessing cyber risks at individual port facilities and establishing countermeasures to mitigate these risks, the U.S. maritime sector will be better prepared to protect these important centers of economic activity. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 3101, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4038, the DHS Accountability Enhancement Act. H.R. 4038, or the DHS Accountability Enhancement Act, strikes section 872 of the Homeland Security Act. Section 872 grants the Secretary of Homeland Security unilateral authority to reorganize the Department as long as the Secretary notifies Congress 60 days in advance. H.R. 4038, this bill, rescinds this unilateral authority. As authorizers of the Department of Homeland Security, the Committee on Homeland Security is ultimately responsible for reorganization of the Department. H.R. 4038 reinforces this responsibility. The separation of powers doctrine compels the elimination of the provision, which gives the Department of Homeland Security unilateral decisionmaking authority to reorganize the Department. Moreover, it should be noted that this bill is not without precedent. While considering H.R. 2825, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2017, in June, the Committee on Homeland Security unanimously approved eliminating the language found in section 872 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. I believe that this legislation not only ensures this committee's involvement in reorganizations at DHS, but affirms the responsibility of Congress as authorizers. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support of this bipartisan legislation. H.R. 4038 is necessary, commonsense legislation. An action as significant as the reorganization of an entire department and its components should be subject to the appropriate vetting and approval measures of this Congress. I thank Chairman McCaul for working with Ranking Member Thompson on this issue both during the consideration of the DHS Authorization Act and now on this measure. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4038, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3328, the Cuban Airport Security Act. The United States and the global aviation community face an adaptive and agile enemy. Terrorist groups continue to target passenger aircraft and pursue new attack methods. With those threats in mind, the legislation before us today focuses on raising the level of security in Cuba. H.R. 3328 will ensure that Congress is able to continue its oversight of the TSA's efforts to ensure the Cuban Government adopts aviation security initiatives and makes important security advancements. It is critical that the gains achieved are not eroded. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the House Homeland Security Committee passed H.R. 3328, the Cuban Airport Security Act of 2017, by voice vote in September. While the legislation is focused on raising the level of aviation security in Cuba, it has broader implications. H.R. 3328 includes a provision requiring the TSA to develop a template for agreements with foreign partners for Federal air marshals to carry out security operations on flights departing or arriving on foreign soil. As Mr. Katko mentioned, just last week there were news reports that the DHS and the TSA had acknowledged that intelligence indicates that terrorists are plotting another massive attack on U.S. aircraft. In the current climate of aviation security threats, the United States has a critical role to play in raising the baseline of global aviation security to keep the traveling public safe, in coordination with our international partners. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 3328, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Emilio Vargas, Jr., a civil rights activist, local historian, and community leader who recently passed away at the age of 83. The Goliad native's reach was immense as he helped both his neighbors and Hispanics throughout Texas gain recognition at the State Capitol. Mr. Vargas joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and served until 1958 when he was honorably discharged. He also served on the Goliad school board and as Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace from 1995 to 2006. Vargas was then employed by the Texas Department of State Health Service for over 30 years. Mr. Vargas made it his mission to educate and empower people in communities across the state of Texas. Realizing that only through education could Hispanics advance, he set out to influence many lives, especially those of Hispanic youth. An avid historian, he worked tirelessly to share stories of struggle and the proud traditions of those whose heritage he shared. Through his tireless efforts with the Ignacio Zaragoza Society, one of the many nonprofits he served during his life, Emilio shaped the lives of countless people in his community. Emilio Vargas will be missed for his tremendous heart, his sense of duty and his unwavering belief that this land is a land for all. Mr. Speaker, I honor Mr. Emilio Vargas, Jr. I ask my colleagues to join me in carrying on his legacy

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Queen of Peace Parish as they celebrate 50 years of service. Located in the South Texas city of Harlingen, Queen of Peace Parish was founded in 1967 when the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary ventured from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, to Harlingen to establish their presence in the newly formed Diocese of Brownsville. Since its formation, the parish has focused on families, and that continues to be a cornerstone today. For 50 years, its members have volunteered time and energy to helping those most in need. The parish, through Fr. Regis Kwiatkowski SS.CC, inherited a tract of land designated for low-income housing development. The land was then sold to purchase a corner lot where the first rectory was built, originally just a farm house. Today the church building sits on that same piece of property, and September 2017 marks the anniversary of the congregation's presence in the community. Queen of Peace Parish has made a lasting, positive impact in our community, and they will continue to play a role in the improvement of South Texas. I rise today to congratulate them for their half-century of success.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Moises Vicente Vela, Sr., beloved patriarch of one of the most prominent and loved families of the Rio Grande Valley, who passed away on June 11, 2017. Judge Vela, or ``Moe,'' as he was known to friends and family, was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas. Judge Vela returned to his hometown following his graduation from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio. He later served as a municipal court judge in Harlingen and was one of the first Hispanics to serve as Cameron County judge. Beloved by his community, Judge Vela was dedicated to improving the lives of those around him. From his involvement with the Boys and Girls Club of Harlingen, Lions Club, Jaycees, and the Vietnam War Selective Service Draft Board to his contributions as a former Chairman of the Board of Regents of Pan American University (UTRGV), Judge Vela deeply cared about creating a more prosperous future for residents of the Rio Grande Valley. In spite of his 50 plus years of service to his community, Judge Vela considered his wife, five children, 10 grandchildren and five great- grandchildren his greatest accomplishment. He will be remembered as a kind and generous man, whose legacy will forever live on in South Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor Judge Vela for his lifetime of service to our community. The Rio Grande Valley has lost one of its finest, and his absence will be felt for a long time to come.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Alonzo Morales, Texas Firefighter of the Year. Chief Morales began working with the Goliad Volunteer Fire Department when he was eighteen years old. He has been with the department for 37 years, serving for the past 27 years as its Fire Chief. In addition to his role with the Volunteer Fire Department, Morales is County Commissioner for Precinct Two, a post he has held since 2010. Morales represented the Guadalupe District at the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas' conference in San Marcos earlier this summer. His district nominated him for Texas Firefighter of the Year before the conference, and he was interviewed by a panel of judges which selected him for the award. Chief Morales has had a substantial positive impact on his community, dedicating his life to serving the city of Goliad and its surrounding county, and will undoubtedly continue to do so for years to come. I rise today to congratulate Chief Alonzo Morales for being honored as the Texas Firefighter of the Year

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Romeo Lomas for his dedicated service to his fellow Texans. Romeo Lomas served as the longest tenured County Commissioner in Kleberg County. He was adored by the people in his precinct, who convinced him to run for office in 1979 after a career as a barber and an enlistment in the U.S. Army. For 38 years, Mr. Lomas played an integral role in the development of his community by championing causes for the poor and elderly. Lomas was a staunch proponent of voting rights and encouraged citizens to participate in the electoral process. He was a strong advocate of equal opportunities for workers in Kleberg County and supported wage raises. While Mr. Lomas accomplished much in life, one of his greatest achievements during his time in office was the establishment of the Kleberg County Human Services Department which continues to provide hot meals and public transportation for disabled and elderly citizens in the area today. Romeo Lomas was born on September 3, 1937 to Santiago and Estella Lomas in Kingsville, TX. He was married to Doris Lee Lomas, who lost her battle with cancer in July, 2014. He is survived by his daughter, Crystal Runyon, one granddaughter, Luna Lee Runyon, and a sister, Hilda Garcia. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor Romeo Lomas for his lifetime of service to our community. I considered him a friend and a role model, and his loss will be felt for a long time to come.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville as it marks 75 years of service to the U.S. Navy and our nation. Located in Kingsville, Texas, the Naval Air Station was opened on July 4, 1942. Inspired by the establishment of the nearby Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, a group of Kingsville civic leaders approached Navy officials at NAS Corpus Christi about creating a military airfield in February, 1941. While they did not receive official permission at that time, NAS Corpus Christi's commanding officer, Captain Alva D. Bernhard, expressed enthusiasm about the idea. After the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Captain Bernhard predicted a military build-up including the influx of new trainees which would exceed the capacity of NAS-Corpus Christi, and plans to construct a new airfield in Kingsville began. The airfield was quickly built on 3,000 acres of land bought from the B.O. Sims family. During World War II, the airfield, designated as ``P- 4,'' housed four squadrons. The squadrons taught gunnery skills for combat air crews, in addition to fighter and bomber tactics. After the war, the base was given to the City of Kingsville, which leased it to the Texas College of Arts and Industries. It was primarily used by the Department of Agriculture and expanded under the college's ownership. The base was reactivated as a military installation in April, 1951, as an auxiliary air station, and trained roughly 300 aviators a year during the mid-1960s. In 1967, Congress approved $3.8 million in funding for NAS-Kingsville, allowing it to improve operation and maintenance facilities, as well as troop housing. The base was re- designated as a naval air station on August 9, 1968. In 1990, it became the headquarters for Training Air Wing Two, a mission that continues today. Training Air Wing Two includes Training Squadron Twenty One and Training Squadron Twenty Two. Around 150 students report to Training Air Wing Two annually for Undergraduate Jet Pilot Training. The Naval Air Station at Kingsville currently occupies 23,000 acres of land, spread across four sites, and employs around 1,350 people, in addition to training 50 percent of Navy and Marine Corps tactical jet pilots every year. Its economic impact on the surrounding community is also significant, as it provides roughly $110 million dollars to the local area. This economic impact is matched by the installation's community outreach program, which includes school mentorship assistance and community self-help program assistance. NAS-Kingsville has a long history of supporting both the local community and the country, and will continue to do so for years to come. I rise today to congratulate them on 75 successful years.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2213, the Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017. I have forcefully rejected the President's mass deportation efforts from the beginning, and I will continue to do so. Many of us have appropriately criticized our President for wrongfully attributing the criminal actions of a few undocumented individuals to the entire undocumented population. Equally here, it would be hypocritical to attribute the criminal actions of a few rogue agents to the hardworking men and women that protect our Nation every day and who uphold the ethical standards that we should expect. The Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017 will assist CBP in fulfilling its mission to facilitate legitimate trade and travel at our ports of entry. According to the Joint Economic Committee, the volume of commerce crossing our borders has more than tripled in the last 25 years. Currently, 1.1 million people and $5.9 billion in goods enter and exit the U.S. at 328 U.S. ports of entry every day. In fiscal year 2016, CBP officers and agents seized and/or disrupted more than 3.3 million pounds of narcotics across the country, including approximately 46,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 48,000 pounds of heroin, and 440 pounds of fentanyl, keeping these harmful drugs off of our streets. CBP has struggled with recruiting the officers and agents to fill its frontline ranks at our Nation's air, land, and seaports. Currently, there are 1,400 unfilled positions within the CBP workforce at our Nation's ports of entry. Delays and short staffing at our ports of entry costs the United States economy up to $5.8 billion each year. Under this bill, the CBP Commissioner may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt certain veterans and State and local law enforcement officers who meet specific standards, such as holding a security clearance and previously passing a polygraph, from having to take the CBP polygraph as a part of the hiring process. All other vetting requirements in the 12-step hiring process for these applicants will still apply. This bill simply grants CBP limited authority to waive a single step in its robust vetting process for qualifying applicants who hold security clearances or who have successfully completed polygraphs. I would like to thank Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, and Chairwoman McSally for their work on this bill. I also thank Chairman McCaul and Chairwoman McSally by accepting changes offered by the minority to improve this bill. Ranking Member Thompson offered an amendment in committee to require CBP to report to Congress how many of these waivers are requested, granted, and denied; the reasons for these denials; as well as whether these applicants are ultimately hired or not. Additionally, it requires CBP to inform Congress on the number of applicants who are granted a waiver but undergo a polygraph examination anyway based on information discovered during their background investigation. Congress must remain vigilant about how the waiver authority is used, and this amendment will ensure we have the information to do so. Mr. Speaker, in short, the men and women on the front lines of CBP need our help. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar).