Tim Walberg

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jim and Cheri Maitland of Jackson, Michigan. The Maitlands recently made history by becoming the first family to visit all 418 national parks and units. From Alaska to the River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan, they have logged more than 300,000 miles over the span of 8 years. The Maitland children, Jamison and Gerald, each have an impressive collection of Junior Ranger badges from learning about all the parks. The family earned the nickname the ``Parkbound Maitlands'' after watching a documentary series on America's national parks, which then sparked a desire on their part to see the beauty across our great land. When the Maitlands are not exploring in their RV, you might find them volunteering at River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan. It is a wonderful park and destination in our community where the family has spent more than 1,000 volunteer hours. Their philosophy is to leave each park a little bit better than how they found it. Madam Speaker, I share the Maitlands' love of the outdoors and our national park system. This is truly a remarkable accomplishment and one that makes me pretty jealous. Congratulations to the Maitland family on your incredible journey. I am grateful for your commitment to keeping our parks in pristine shape.

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness to the issue of motorcycle profiling. This week, I joined Congressman Burgess, my fellow co-chair of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, to introduce a resolution that encourages greater collaboration between the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling. There is no doubt, motorcycles represent more than just a mode of transportation to those of us who ride them. They often signify a sense of freedom, identity, and camaraderie. In Michigan, we have thousands of local riders and many more who come from out of State to enjoy our Great Lakes, scenic highways, and the great outdoors. As an avid motorcyclist myself, I have heard from many in the riding community who felt that they had been profiled by law enforcement at least once, oftentimes solely because of their motorcycle-related apparel. While I certainly support actions taken to enforce violations of the law, we should all be concerned about profiling of riders based on their attire and absent any wrongdoing. To be clear, motorcyclists have a deep appreciation for our Nation's law enforcement officers. We understand the difficulties they face on a daily basis, and we are not disparaging that in any way. Our resolution simply seeks to bring increased awareness and encourage a cooperative effort to address an issue that affects many of our constituents in the motorcycle community. By having an open dialogue, I hope we can foster a greater understanding of the issues surrounding motorcycle profiling and ensure our roads and highways are safe for all to enjoy. Recognizing the Maitland Family

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lenawee County Sheriff Jack Welsh as he retires after 43\1/2\ years of service to Lenawee County, Michigan. Sheriff Welsh has served in many roles during his law enforcement career, beginning as a volunteer reserve deputy and eventually working his way up to captain. After his initial retirement from the sheriff's department in 2007, he went on to become an emergency management regional planner. Then, in 2008, he accepted the call to run for sheriff, where he has served ever since. Law enforcement officers like Sheriff Welsh are the fabric of our community. Day in and day out, they answer the call to serve and protect. Over the years, Sheriff Welsh has been one of the very best. He is a man of integrity, a dedicated public servant, and a trusted friend to many. He has been instrumental in making Lenawee County a better and safer place to call home. I thank Sheriff Welsh for his decades of distinguished service, and I wish him nothing but the best as he begins his retirement.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 583, the PIRATE Act, led by Chairman Tonko and Representative Bilirakis. The bipartisan bill takes an important step to protect the vital public safety announcements, news, and educational benefits local broadcasters serve to their communities. When illegal pirate radio operators interfere with important public safety communications, it can be detrimental to the public. These illegal pirate operators also interfere with critical aviation frequencies, potentially putting lives at risk. Legitimate, licensed broadcasters who provide the foundation of our Nation's Emergency Alert System must be protected from this type of harmful interference. H.R. 583 would give the FCC stronger tools to continue their enforcement sweeps and fine violators in order to better protect Americans. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation, and I urge its passage today.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Flint for yielding. I appreciate the opportunity that we have to stand on the floor tonight as a bipartisan delegation, Republicans and Democrats who are joined together by a love of a great State, the greatest State, Michigan, and the history that is there that includes a gentleman, a leader, like John Dingell. This is a vision that too often is not seen by constituents back in the district, isn't it? They often think that if you are a Republican or a Democrat, you are automatically an antagonist for the other side. That is just not true, especially as we work together as a delegation. I learned one thing of many things, but one thing I will share tonight from John D. Dingell, Jr. I will let that rest a little bit and let it build to what in the world I am going to say that I learned specifically from John Dingell that was unique, special, and important to me and that I hope I never forget. It was in 1983 that I first met John Dingell. I was a freshman in the State House of Representatives. I was in Adrian, Michigan, the county seat of the house district I represented. We were there for a ribbon cutting. I heard a commotion going on through the room, and the commotion was simply this: Big John Dingell is about here. He is about to arrive. Well, I had never met big John Dingell or John Dingell at all. Mr. Speaker, like Mr. Kildee, I knew it was a historic moment. Sure enough, soon he came in. He swept into the room, and I met a man who, yes, indeed, was 6-foot-4. Strong of appearance and presence, he commanded a presence in the room. Yet he shook every single hand in the room, including this freshman member of the State legislature who he had never met, maybe even never heard my name. There was a warmth about that. I learned something from that. Over the years, seeing him in operation, and then, ultimately, coming here in 2007 for my first term, and having a chance to go up and sit where he always sat, right over there, to sit and talk with him, initially, very timid, asking legislative questions, but then we got down to important things like: What is your favorite shotgun? What are your favorite hunting sports? Who, indeed, fitted your shotgun to you? As we began to talk about things later on, it became apparent that, with redistricting, I was going to lose Calhoun County in the district, and I was going to pick up Monroe County, which was John Dingell's county, which had been his father's before him. I was going to be given an opportunity to represent that county as part of the Seventh Congressional District of Michigan. I remember asking John about Monroe County. He talked about the marshlands. He talked about the fact that, if I were going to come into that, he expected me to feel the same way about water fowling, protecting the resources there, and making sure that the wildlife refuge continued to grow, expand, and meet the needs of coming generations. We talked about that, and we shared those things together. I found out about the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. A significant war, a loss to the United States, took place there at the River Raisin, but it became the rallying cry that, ultimately, I believe, led to the winning of the War of 1812, ``Remember the Raisin.'' This became part of my district, but it became part of sharing with John Dingell. Mr. Speaker, this is what I learned that I will never forget, and I hope none of us forget it, because it is the way of life that I think leads to a valued life of service. I had the chance to serve with his son Chris in the State legislature. That was a Dingell who served and then went on to be a circuit court judge. I have the privilege now of serving with Debbie Dingell, our great friend and colleague, who we all have expressed our love to in these last few days, even more than before. But to serve with John Dingell, I said to him, ``Congressman,'' and he said: No, no. John. I said: I believe, if the election goes as I think, I am going to get Monroe County. That has been your county for many years. You have loved it. You have loved all about it. I am giving up Calhoun County. How are you going to deal with that, giving away Monroe County? He said this to me, and this is what I will never forget. He said: My young friend, I never give away a friend. He said: You know, it is going to be your district. It is going to be your county. But I will never give away my friends in Monroe County. And he said: You should never give away Calhoun County either. Marvelous advice. I think it would be good for all of us to remember that in our relationships, not only with our districts and districts that may change, but our relationships with our colleagues. Democrat, Republican, independent, delightful, ornery, whatever, these are friends. The way we respond to them is the same way John Dingell responded in such a way that he had a life that made an impact. Remember, he served almost 60 years--59 years and 29 days--historic, not because he chose that, but his constituents chose that. They made it possible for him to serve those years. They chose not to term limit him but to say thank you for representing us well. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for giving us the opportunity to do this tonight for a great man, a human, but a great man who loved this country, who served this country. And I am not going to give him away as a friend.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for taking on this issue. When we have heard words such as the Governor of Virginia and others who would say that it is okay for a male Governor of Virginia to make a statement; but generally, men should not be talking about something that is only given to women to talk about because it is about their bodies, about their lives. Well, it is. But I think we need to talk as well. And if it is not me who should talk, I would like to read for you the statements of another individual who, I think, expresses all I would want to say this evening. And I will read just a few excerpts from an article he wrote. He said: ``Do you want us to let him go?'' ``Those were the first words that were spoken over me as I came into the world. Those were the words of my delivery room doctor as he held my armless and lifeless body in his arms. As he assessed me and my situation, all he could tell my parents is that I was `not viable.' Those were the words of Daniel Ritchie as he spoke about his birth. He said: ``Not bad for a kid that wasn't supposed to lead a full life.'' And why did he say that? He says: ``It has now been almost 35 years since those words were spoken over me and a lot has happened since then. By God's grace, I was revived. . . . I learned to feed myself, dress myself, write, type, and drive, all with my feet. I graduated from high school with honors and double majored in college. I met the girl of my dreams, got married 13 years ago, and we have two beautiful kids. Now I am a sought after speaker who shares his story at conferences, churches, schools, colleges and with corporations across the country. Not bad for a kid that wasn't supposed to lead a full life.'' Viability and independence are terrible indicators of life. ``I am no less of a man because of my two vacant sleeves. I am a perfect creation crafted by the hands of a careful Creator. I am not the sum of my missing parts. I am a man that God has made with talents, gifts, and abilities. Just like any person who is born blind, deaf, or paralyzed has the same sort of giftings.'' He ended by saying this: ``We are all made in God's image. We are all given talents and abilities. We are all worth being given a chance at life, no matter how small the chance may be, and I am the living example of that. ``My armless life is worth living, and I am beyond thankful my parents saw that on day one.'' And he was viable.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Coach Ernie Ayers of Sand Creek and Coach Josh Powers of Madison, both of whom will be inducted into the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in February. Coach Ayers has been leading Sand Creek to great success for the past 38 years. In that span, he has amassed 17 conference championships, 8 regional championships, two state titles, along with another 9 top-ten finishes. Adding to his accolades, Coach Ayers is already a member of one Michigan coaching hall of fame, receiving recognition for his coaching ability on the gridiron back in 2002 . When he took over the job at Madison, Coach Josh Powers recalled thinking, ``Well, how does Ernie do it?'' That formula has helped elevate Madison's track team to an elite program as well. While coaching 21 years for both boys and girls, Coach Powers has won a combined 22 conference championships, 11 regional championships, and three state titles. Despite all these honors, both coaches display a sense of humility, strong character, and are role models for the high school students on their teams. The investment they've made over decades mentoring young men and women and demonstrating the value of teamwork and perseverance will leave a lasting legacy in our community. Once again, I wish to congratulate Coach Ayers and Coach Powers on this impressive achievement and thank them for making such a positive impact on a generation of students in Lenawee County.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, over the past month, we saw President Trump put forward one offer after another to secure our southern border. They were reasonable offers that sought common ground, but every step of the way, Speaker Pelosi was unwilling to participate in any type of good- faith negotiations. Now the President has given the Democrats yet another opportunity. The government is fully reopened and workers are receiving their paychecks. We can all agree that that is a good thing, but we still need a long-term solution to address the humanitarian crisis at our southern border. We need more technology, more border agents, and more physical barriers. Now is the time for Speaker Pelosi to stop stonewalling. Let's get serious about negotiating a deal. Let's make sure our southern border is secure, and let's make sure our citizens are safe. That is what the American people want us to do, and it is time to get it done.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. ``To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; ``To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; ``To provide and maintain a Navy; ``To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces; ``To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; ``To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; ``To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And''

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague from Michigan, and I appreciate the opportunity to talk about something that is extremely important. In our Michigan State Constitution, Article VIII, section 1, it says: ``Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.'' That article--that line was taken from the Northwest Ordinance. I think it showed the wisdom of some of our Founders of this great Nation, the greatest in the entire world, that they understood that education and the means of education gave the opportunity, and, in fact, to a great degree, assured the freedom and opportunity of a Nation and the morality of a Nation that understood the wisdom that came even from the centuries and the ages. I think we would all agree that schools should meet the unique educational needs of children, wouldn't we? I know my colleague would agree with that. And why, then, would we question the fact that there ought to be choice? Choice in education, even as we seek choice in our daily lives is what makes America great. School choice gives parents and children the option of allowing the children to flourish. That is the intended goal, isn't it? Michigan has a variety of options, and I am grateful for that. It didn't always have those same options, but we do now. Just 25 years ago, as of this week, Michigan struck out on a new opportunity in the fact of allowing charters, public charters, to take place, and in those past 25 years, we have literally seen a million students attend Michigan's charter schools. Has every charter been perfect or successful? No. But overwhelmingly, charters have served Michigan well as a choice, as an option. I think of the community--a community like Detroit wherein the Detroit News just, this week, an article was written talking about the success there of the Detroit Edison Public School Academy; ranked the number one open-enrollment school in the entire city when it comes to college enrollment. Over half of the students in Detroit, a great city, now have the opportunity and take the opportunity to attend charter schools, and they are flourishing. Michigan has a variety of options available to our 2.2 million children living in that State, including the opportunity to attend traditional public schools outside neighborhood boundaries. That is a good thing. Again, it gives choice, meeting the needs of students. Now, I had choice, like my colleague, relative to my children. Not all people back in the 1980s and mid-1990s, when my children were going to their grade school and high school education opportunities, had the same choices. Each one of my three kids were different in unique ways. They learn different. They have different aptitudes and desires and longings and interests. We had the opportunity to send our three children to public school, private school, and homeschool, and one of our children to vocational school, as it was called at the time, for a career in technical education that changed her life, literally. I thank God for that opportunity. We used it, not simply to make choices and have differences, but to meet those unique educational needs and opportunities of our kids, and it worked. It worked for them. You know something, I so appreciate my good friend and colleague having this Special Order tonight, because it is a time when we can talk through some of what we would call commonsense ideas and values and beliefs, but too often we forget about it. For instance, do parents know their children's unique needs, unique abilities, unique strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else? I think the answer is, and that you and I would agree, that the overwhelming majority of parents--we can always pick out that dysfunctional family, and, sadly, we need to work in those areas--but the overwhelming majority of parents have a clear love for their kids, know their needs, and if given the opportunity, will make the best choices for their educational experience. I have seen that. I have seen that in upper-income strata. I have seen that in lower-income strata. I have seen that in rural communities. I have seen that in urban communities. I have seen that in suburban communities. Parents generally want the best for their kids, and that includes education. So, for us, to support and encourage choice, and with that choice, to certainly hold accountable, but nonetheless to encourage choice and for parents to make those choices for the best interest of their kids, I see that as an American way. Having the option to choose the learning environment, the styles of education that works best for the student, whether it be through charter school, private school, home education, or traditional public school, having choices allows students to grow and find their sweet spot. I saw that with my kids, and I want that for all children. So I thank Representative Mitchell for encouraging us to think this through during this special National Choice Week and to double our efforts to say we want kids to be educated, we want to give them that choice, we will support that, and, in fact, then we will promote quality in education.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Missouri for taking this on this evening, to make a point that we are not just talking politics here, but we are talking lives. We are talking freedom. We are talking opportunity. We are talking security. We must secure our border, Madam Speaker. Driving to the Detroit airport today to fly here, I took note of the number of walls that have been erected along Interstate 94 just to secure the communities developed along the highway from noise and sight problems. We take a lot of effort to do those type of things, but we have some people who, for some reason--political, I believe--want to stop a wall or a barrier from being developed that the people of this country want to see. It is not because, as it has been said, that we hate people outside of the walls. It is that we love people inside of the walls, and we want to pass that love on to people who desire the American Dream and desire to be part of the American ideal. We see 31 percent of all the women migrating up from the southern countries who are sexually assaulted on the way up, and 17 percent of the males have been sexually assaulted on the way up. We have a human trafficking problem that reaches all across the United States. A lot of those problems result from a border wall that is not secured. We have an opioid epidemic in our country that is devastating the dreams of a generation or more. There are too many families in my district and your districts who know the pain and suffering that comes from this crisis. Just a couple of months ago, our community lost a young man, Christopher Risner, from Jackson, a wonderful young guy, a good athlete in high school and student in college, until he got caught in the opioid, heroin abuse trap. Fighting to extricate himself from it, surviving it, he fought the battle valiantly. He went through a number of treatment centers, came out, and began to work his life forward. I had the privilege of going to a number of forums, speaking to high school students and others, telling his story of the battle that he faced and what he was doing to try to succeed and change. But it was just 2 months ago that he lost that battle, and I stood in front of his open casket and thought: Are we doing everything we can to secure our people against this type of scourge? Madam Speaker, I suggest that we aren't if we are unwilling, for political reasons, to stop a President, to stop many Members of this Congress from doing what we know needs to be done. All of us have heartbreaking stories from our back home experiences of families that are losing loved ones far too soon. I am proud of the bipartisan work we have done to combat the opioid crisis. Sitting on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I saw the number of bills that we put forward--I believe, 70 in all--and saw the President sign that just last November. But we must redouble our efforts. And as we do that, one priority is we must keep these deadly drugs off our streets in the first place. In fiscal year 2018 alone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a total of 1.7 million pounds of narcotics. To curb the flow of drugs into our communities, we must secure our southern border. There is no doubt we need a comprehensive solution. A border wall is just one component of what we need to do. We also need more surveillance technology, more border agents, and more resources to address the humanitarian crisis at the border, yes. But as the experts at the border tell us, a border wall, a security barrier must be part of that solution. At a time when hundreds of Americans die each week from overdoses, we need to give our border agents all the tools they need to stem the tide of these deadly drugs and to protect them as well. It is time for Speaker Pelosi to get serious about border security, to negotiate to a solution. Let's stop the political games and negotiate a solution that keeps the American people safe, keeps illicit drugs off our streets, puts an end to this partial shutdown, and, may I suggest as well, gives greater opportunity and security to those who deem it their purpose in life to legally experience the American Dream. We want to see that happen, Madam Speaker.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of Christopher Risner, a friend and constituent of mine from Jackson, Michigan. He died last week at the age of 29, truly heartbreaking and far too soon. I met Chris through a group called Andy's Angels, which fights the opioid epidemic in our communities. A star basketball player in high school, Chris battled his own addiction as a young adult. He bravely and openly shared his personal struggles in recovery to educate young people and their families about drug addiction. By doing so, he touched many lives and inspired them to follow the right path. Mr. Speaker, we have lost too many lives of sons and daughters to this devastating epidemic. That is why earlier this year we enacted a bipartisan law to combat the opioid crisis in a comprehensive way. Yet in memory of Chris and so many others, we still have more work to do. May all of us commit to redoubling our efforts in this year ahead, and may God provide His peace and comfort to Chris' parents, Julie and Dan; his sister, Angela; and the entire Risner family.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Lamborn, and I appreciate his intentionality in bringing us together each year to talk about this, having had that opportunity, now into my fifth term, each year to remind ourselves of the impact of the Bible. It has had a rich heritage in this country, a country that is free, a country that offers liberty for all who would have personal beliefs, religious and otherwise. It even allows freedom in this country, a country that was truly established on Biblical principles, but, nonetheless, it allows freedom for people to not even have a belief or a religion. I think that is the beauty of my understanding of the Bible in that it is a book that offers freedom to people to come to understand it, to read it, to have it impact their lives. I can say for a fact that the Bible is more than just a book, a historical book, a book of tradition, a book of writings of religious perspective and spiritual nature; but, rather, it is a book that has changed my life. It is a book that I believe, and I believe the facts would bear it out as sincere people test it and search into the Bible to see that it is truly a book that is God-given. I remember the inscription in one of the earliest Bibles that I ever had in my possession as a young boy. It was a book, as I recollect, a Bible that was given as a reward for attendance in Sunday school, given by my teacher. I had had other Bibles that I had gotten from my family, hand-me-down Bibles that I had carried, but this, I think, was my first Bible. In that Bible inscription, it said: ``This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.'' My friend and colleague, I think that was given by my Sunday school teacher as, really, a point to encourage me from doing the normal thing as a young boy would do. And that I wouldn't call sin. I would call it bad behavior. But I know, ultimately, the Bible called it sin. I found it to be true, that as that book became part of my life, that it changed my life. While I have never achieved, to this very day--and I admit that to you--perfection yet, that Bible altered my existence. And when I did do those wrong things that the Bible calls sin, I was convicted of that and I was encouraged to change. An early verse that I remembered from the Bible came from Psalms, the Book of Psalms, Psalms 119:11, that said: ``Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.'' The Bible is a practical book that is meant to change lives, to alter the way we live, to impact others as well. I think John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of Independence, one of our earliest officials, government officials, who happened to be a minister as well, but served his country well, said: ``A republic once equally poised must either preserve its virtue or lose its liberty.'' I think he had the context there that virtue came from something beyond humanity. It came from, in his mind, I am certain from other readings I have read of John Whitherspoon, from his understanding of the Word of God, the Bible, that ``a republic once equally poised must either preserve its virtue,'' that virtue that comes from something outside of ourselves, greater than ourselves, and given to God, Himself, or else, without that virtue, we would lose our liberty. He probably understood the principle found in Proverbs 14:34 that said: ``Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.'' That was written in the context of a great nation. Righteousness built it up; sin tore it down. John Adams, another one of our great leaders who understood Scripture very well--and you just need to read his letters to his wife and his wife's letters back to him, let alone his writings in relationship to our government and our Constitution--said: ``Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.'' And John Adams, in writing about what it meant to be a holy and religious people, referred his life very clearly to the Bible, God's Word. The Bible is an amazing book. It is a controversial book, to say the least. It is a comforting book. It is a challenging book. It is a timeless book. And I have found it to be a book that is true, without error, and it has changed my life. Voltaire fought against the Bible in many different ways, writings and otherwise, and he said it would be out of existence within 100 years of his life. Yet, in approximately 50 years after Voltaire's death, the Gutenberg Bible was printed on Voltaire's printing press. Isaiah 40:8 says: ``The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God''--the Bible--``stands forever.'' The truth of the Bible, God's Word, can never be forced on anyone; but when it is honestly and sincerely considered, it changes lives. It changed my life, and it continues to change my imperfect life. The Bible says, in Psalms 119, the psalmist David wrote that--the longest passage of Scripture in the entire Bible, an entire passage of Scripture, the longest, written about his love for the Bible and the Word of God. He says: ``Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.'' Ephesians 5, in the Bible, says: ``Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.'' My friend, we see that all over the world today, don't we? Evil, evil things are happening, evil people doing evil things, hateful things, hurtful things, horrific things. And none of those things are being done after the pattern of what we find in the Bible. It continues, in Ephesians, saying: ``So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.'' And that will is found in His Word, the Bible. ``Trust in the Lord,'' Proverbs 3:5-6 says, ``with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.'' The Bible continues to hold itself out as a straightener of paths, pointing us to the source of life and the Savior who is the ultimate message of the Bible whom to know personally is life eternal. I thank God for the Bible. I thank God for the opportunity even tonight to talk about the Bible in this august Chamber with my colleagues and to remember the impact that the Bible, the Scripture, has had on this great Nation and, I trust, will continue to have on this Nation; and I offer it to any who would dare to consider its life- changing message. I thank God for the Bible.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bipartisan package to address the opioid crisis devastating our communities. This legislation includes two provisions authored by myself and my good friend from Michigan, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. One will help safely dispose of unused drugs and prevent their diversion into the community. The other, Jessie's Law, honors the memory of Jessie Grubb and will help prevent future overdose tragedies under medical care. Mr. Speaker, this critical legislation will help save and rebuild lives. I urge its passage today, and I look forward to its quickly advancing to the President's desk.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Coach Al Leslie of Saline, Michigan who was recently named the ALL-USA Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year. AI has been a track coach for 17 years--the last 12 of which have been at Saline High School, home of the Hornets. This past season, the Boy's Track Team won their 8th straight conference championship, their 8th consecutive regional title, and placed third at the state championship. Later, at a national competition, the Hornets won the 800 and 1600 medley relays. Coach Leslie's commitment to excellence, as well as the unity and team spirit that he seeks to promote, has created a winning formula at Saline. In fact, his favorite quote, attributed to Bo Schembechler, is ``The team, the team, the team.'' In addition to his success as a track coach, Al is also a beloved assistant football coach at Saline, where he currently teaches 8th grade history. Once again, I wish to congratulate Coach Leslie on this impressive achievement. The investment he makes in the lives of young people, both on and off the field, will impact our community for years to come.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Bethel Gilead Community Church in Bronson, Michigan. After the end of the Civil War, Jacob Patch was commissioned to organize a church in Branch County, and in 1868, the Union Congregational Church of Gilead and Bethel began meeting in homes and schools. In 1874, Luman Rose was commissioned as its first full-time minister, and in 1882, the church's first building was completed. Over the years, many faithful pastors have served and led the church through a number of transformative events, including name changes, mergers with other congregations, a devasting fire, building expansions and improvements, and the development of local and worldwide ministries. In 1996, Pastor Jim Erwin accepted Bethel Gilead's invitation to serve as pastor and is still faithfully shepherding the congregation. Under his leadership, the church has grown exponentially, expanding their vision, attendance, facilities, staff, and outreach. The congregation supports missionaries across the globe, hosts annual community events, and focuses on developing programs for all age groups within the congregation. As Bethel Gilead Community Church celebrates 150 years of history, I pray it continues to be a faithful witness of God's love in the Bronson community and beyond.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 1109) to amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Edw. C. Levy Co., which was founded in 1918 when Edward C. Levy, Sr. started a trucking business in Detroit, Michigan area. A short time later, Levy started hauling away steel slag for the Ford Motor Company's River Rouge plant, and then other steel mills. He began to crush the slag and sell it as road-base material--a move that paved the way for the company's continuing expansion and development. Today, under the leadership of Ed Levy, Jr. and S. Evan Weiner, the Levy Group of Companies has grown into an international business with locations across the United States and the globe. Their products and services include steel mill services, slag, natural aggregates, asphalt, concrete and cement, specialty products, logistics, lab services, land development, and agricultural products. The company is committed to promoting the well-being of their employees and recognizing contributions made by the hardworking, loyal people who work there. As a good neighbor, Levy is also active in helping to fund local projects and in contributing to charitable organizations that improve the quality of life in the communities where they are located. As they celebrate 100 years, Levy maintains a prominent position in the global marketplace and has a sterling reputation for excellence, innovation, and cooperation. It is a lasting legacy that undoubtedly reaches far beyond Edward C. Levy, Sr.'s wildest dreams.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Thompson for this Special Order but, even more importantly, for sponsoring this legislation and giving many of us the opportunity to join with him because, indeed, this is not simply a piece of legislation that changes lives and saves lives, as it does, but it also changes history--the history of individuals, the history of families we trust, and the history of communities and this country--by doing the right thing. This Special Order on the importance of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act takes this from just simple legislation and the effort that goes there and puts human faces on it, and so I thank the gentleman for that. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this vital legislation that, for over 30 years, has been protecting and seeking justice for victims of domestic violence, especially women and children, though also for men and parents who are caught in a trap that, sadly, too often takes place within a so-called family situation. FVPSA was the first Federal law to address domestic violence; and since the law was enacted in 1984, it has continued to focus on providing shelter and services for survivors and children exposed to domestic violence. Every year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence conducts its annual census, which provides snapshot of domestic violence services provided nationwide during a 24-hour period. Last year, the survey found that, in Michigan, my home State, on just 1 day, 2,359 Michigan residents were given shelter or provided services through a domestic violence program. These are lives. 2,359 lives were touched with this program. This included over 1,600 victims finding refuge at a shelter or temporary housing arrangement, and over 400 calls to the Michigan Domestic Violence Hotline. I have had the opportunity to visit the SIREN/Eaton Shelter, which provides indispensable services to the community surrounding Charlotte, Michigan. The mission of SIREN/Eaton Shelter is to promote the elimination of domestic violence and homelessness by providing temporary housing, support, advocacy, education, counseling, and information to victims and the community. Whenever a victim reaches out for help, it is vitally important that they have access to safe refuge, the support services they need to protect themselves and their family, and hold their abusers accountable. Congress plays an important role in protecting victims of domestic violence as well as children who are the victims of abuse. This important legislation helps keep the lights on at domestic violence shelters across the country so they can continue their efforts to break the cycle of abuse for generations to come and, ultimately, change history. Mr. Speaker, a thank-you again to Representative Thompson for sponsoring this bill and giving us the opportunity to join with him, and also for holding this Special Order tonight to put faces, connect faces and lives to legislation that can make a difference.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act. For families in Michigan who are struggling to make ends meet, figuring out how to pay for college is a big challenge. Young people today who are graduating and entering the workforce face overwhelming college student loan debt. When considering financial aid options, we need to empower students to make the best, fully informed decisions about their futures. This bipartisan bill will promote access to financial counseling so students better understand the process and receive personalized advice that speaks to their personal situations. It also will provide counseling assistance for the first time to low- income students who participate in the Pell Grant Program. I am grateful to Chairman Guthrie, Ranking Member Bonamici, and my colleagues on the Education and the Workforce Committee for their work on this legislation. Encouraging financial literacy is an important step to help prepare students for successful futures. I urge passage of this bipartisan bill.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, Michigan. Henry Ford Allegiance Health has a remarkable history that began in 1918 when Mrs. Ida Foote donated the land for W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital in honor of her late husband, W.A. Foote. Foote Hospital, the name that life-long Jackson residents often still use to refer to their local hospital, merged with Mercy Hospital in 1975. In 1983, the two facilities combined and moved to the hospital's present location, adjacent to the original Foote Hospital building. In July of 2008, the system was renamed Allegiance Health System, and in 2016, Allegiance Health System joined forces with the Henry Ford Health System to create Henry Ford Allegiance Health. This long-standing community institution has continued to expand as it has faithfully served the community of Jackson and beyond. Henry Ford Allegiance Health seeks to fulfill its mission to ``lead our community to better health and well-being at every stage of life.'' The 475-bed health system provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient services, including a unique 20-bed cardiac universal bed unit, an outpatient surgery center, a state-of-the-art cancer center, a Level II Trauma Center, a short-term acute care facility, a residential hospice facility, a Center for Health Innovation and Education, numerous preventive and well-being programs, and services that target the underserved. As a teaching hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health is uniquely positioned to train residents who will serve the next generation. Henry Ford Allegiance Health is also nationally recognized for quality and patient safety. It has earned many awards and distinctions such as the Foster G. McGaw Prize, the Everest Award for National Benchmarks, and the CareChex Patient Safety & Medical Excellence Award, as well as being named multiple times as one of Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals. The present staff of more than 400 physicians and 3,700 staff members are committed to providing quality care for those that they serve. Led by long-time CEO and President Georgia Fojtasek, Henry Ford Allegiance Health continues to build upon a rich history that has spanned a full century. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Henry Ford Allegiance Health's tradition of health care excellence as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. I also thank my colleagues and sponsors of this legislation, Representative Thompson from Pennsylvania and my good friend from Illinois, Representative Krishnamoorthi. As I have met with students, teachers, and employers in my district, I have consistently heard the need to expand CTE opportunities and invest in a skilled workforce. In today's economy, we need to celebrate the fact that not everyone follows the same path. While many students pursue 4-year degrees, many others know their sweet spots lie somewhere else. Career and technical education provides students with hands-on experience that can lead to a good paying job and a rewarding career. I am also pleased this bipartisan legislation includes my provisions to address unnecessary and duplicative licensing requirements that act as a barrier for workers trying to get their foot in the door. I commend my colleagues on the Education and the Workforce Committee for making it a priority to modernize and strengthen CTE programs. Coming from a manufacturing hub like Michigan, this bill will make a big difference for the hardworking men and women of our State. Let's pass it today and help every American pursue their personal paths to the American Dream.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, as I travel Michigan's Seventh District, from neighborhood stores to the factory floor, there is a renewed sense of optimism. Folks I hear from feel safer and more secure about the future. The economy is thriving thanks to progrowth policies like tax cuts and regulatory reform. Businesses are hiring, and there are more job openings than job seekers, and workers and families are seeing bigger paychecks and more take-home pay. It is not just our economy that is getting stronger; our military is as well. We are taking care of our troops, raising their pay, and reforming the VA to help our veterans. We have also taken significant steps to combat the opioid epidemic, crack down on human trafficking, and make our communities safer. Is there more work to do? Absolutely. Our focus will remain on helping to improve people's lives and making it easier for them to get ahead. The results so far are clear: Americans are better off now.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, I am grateful for your leadership and for the work my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee are doing to tackle the opioid crisis. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. Everywhere I go around Michigan, I hear about the opioid crisis plaguing our State and country. It is a deeply personal and painful issue for many of our friends and loved ones, including the family of Jessie Grubb, whose life was cut short. Her family grieves that a mistake was made that, because of our legislation, hopefully, will never happen again. Over the past 2 weeks, the House has considered more than 70 bills to enhance treatment and recovery programs, increase prevention efforts, protect communities, and fight the synthetic drug fentanyl. These measures include two bipartisan bills I introduced with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. They have been incorporated into legislation we are voting on today, including Jessie's Law. This is an urgent crisis, and I urge the Senate to take swift action and advance these solutions. There is not a moment to waste.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5041, the Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act is a bipartisan, commonsense bill that simply allows trained hospice personnel to dispose of unused medications in a patient's home once the patient has passed away. For patients in hospice care, opioid medication can be effective in alleviating pain associated with the end-of-life care. Unfortunately, current DEA regulations restrict visiting home hospice personnel from disposing of leftover medication after the patient has passed away. As a result, hospice staff must leave behind dangerous medications that have a high risk for diversion or misuse. In my home State of Michigan, we have seen some real challenges with the diversion and misuse of leftover medications that have contributed to the opioid crisis. Earlier this year, the Energy and Commerce Committee heard testimony that just one hospice, caring for 2,000 patients per year, might be leaving behind tens of thousands of pills in need of disposal each year. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 1.4 million Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in hospice care in 2016. This means hospice workers across the country are potentially leaving huge quantities of unused medication in a home after a patient's death. Mr. Speaker, we must act to curb the diversion of these powerful prescriptions. We know that, tragically, many people begin the cycle of addiction through the misuse of prescription medication. Hospices and hospice personnel could play a key role in stopping that cycle before it begins by ensuring powerful drugs are disposed of in a responsible manner once they are no longer needed by the intended patient. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the committee staff for all of their hard work in getting this commonsense bill on the floor today, as well as my good friends Representative Debbie Dingell, who worked closely with me on this legislation, and Representative Richard Hudson, as well, for their support on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5041.