Robert Wittman

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of the life of Colonel David Alton Ellis, a retired Air Force veteran, husband, father, and grandfather from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Mr. Alton admirably served in the U.S. Air Force and will be remembered for his selfless devotion to his community. Colonel Ellis was born on October 30, 1937, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee, where he earned a B.S. in Liberal Arts. He received his master's degree in International Affairs from Catholic University. Col. Ellis spent over 31 years in the Air Force where he served in Air Defense Surveillance. After his time in the Air Force, Col. Ellis worked on the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (JLC), represented the National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS) and helped advocate for veterans issues at the state level with the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. His advocacy and support through the JLC was vital to several areas of state veteran's services, especially benefit services, the Virginia Veteran and Family Support program, state veteran's cemeteries, and the Virginia War Memorial. Col. Ellis is survived by his wife Sally; daughter Tracy; stepsons Stephen, Jeff, and Shawn; nine grandchildren; and sister Louise. I extend my deepest condolences to his family members and anyone who had the privilege of knowing this fine gentleman. Col. Ellis was a very loved man whose service both to his community and our nation, will be dearly missed. Mr. Speaker, I implore you and my colleagues to join me as we honor the memory of Colonel David Alton Ellis.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the USS Tappahannock, a Navy vessel with 34 years of service. On Sunday July 15th, the USS Tappahannock was memorialized in a ceremony on the Courthouse Green in Tappahannock, VA. The USS Tappahannock was vital to the support of U.S. aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers and other combatants during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During WWII, the ship earned six medals and nine battle stars. Additionally her sailors were credited with shooting down a Japanese bomber and rescuing sailors from ships that were sunk by Japanese aircraft. After WWII, the ship was briefly decommissioned before being put back into service for the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The USS Tappahannock was finally stricken from the Navy's roles in 1976 after its 34 years of service. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring the USS Tappahannock for its admirable service to the protection of our Nation.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of The Globe and Laurel, a military and law enforcement themed restaurant located in Stafford, VA. Please join me in recognizing this restaurant and its owner, Major Richard Spooner, USMC, Retired as they celebrate their 50 year anniversary. Major Richard Spooner opened The Globe and Laurel restaurant in 1968 after serving for over 29 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. At a young age, Richard Spooner fought in various battles throughout the Pacific and was awarded four Purple Hearts for his brave sacrifice. He remained in the Marine Corps and fought in both the Korean and Vietnam War. After retiring from service, Major Spooner turned his passion for good food into his full-time job by opening his restaurant in Quantico and due to a fire, relocated to Triangle in 1973 and then in 2008 to Stafford, Virginia. Major Spooner opened his restaurant as a way to honor the brave men and women who live to serve and protect our great country. The Globe and Laurel intends to proudly honor the history and service of the Marine Corps by serving delicious food and offering unmatched customer service. On display at the restaurant is an extensive collection of military memorabilia, including a Medal of Honor and Victoria Cross. Additionally, the restaurant has been recognized and praised in numerous periodicals and television shows for its fine dining, atmosphere, and camaraderie. The Globe and Laurel restaurant is a staple of Stafford County; a community institution so loved by many. Mr. Speaker, as The Globe and Laurel celebrates its 50 year anniversary, I ask you to join me in recognizing Major Spooner for his service; and his restaurant for its fine food and dedication to honoring the men and women who live to serve our country.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. W. Taylor Reveley, III's service as the 27th President of the College of William and Mary and former Dean of the William and Mary Law School. Mr. Reveley will be retiring from his post as President of the College after serving in that capacity since 2008. Before his time at the College of William and Mary, Mr. Reveley graduated from Princeton University in 1968 and later received his J.D. from the University of Virginia in 1968. Mr. Reveley went on to have an impressive career as a lawyer, clerking for Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. of the U.S. Supreme Court, and serving as a managing partner at the Hunton and Williams Law Firm. After a successful legal career, Mr. Reveley joined the College of William and Mary in 1998, serving as Dean of the Law School for 10 years before being named President in 2008. Since joining as President in 2008, the College of William and Mary has had tremendous success under President Reveley. During his tenure, the campus has experienced large-scale expansions and renovations to its buildings and facilities. President Reveley was also responsible for updating and revising the undergraduate curriculum for the first time in over 20 years with the innovative College (COLL) Curriculum. Some of his focuses as President revolved around diversity and inclusion efforts, sexual assault and violence response and prevention, and mental health and wellness programs across campus. Alumni engagements and philanthropic efforts reached all-time highs thanks to President Reveley, who adopted a new and innovative financial model to increase funding to the College. President Reveley is heavily involved in numerous educational, cultural, and religious organizations, and has served on various boards throughout the community. Though President Reveley is retiring, I am confident he and his wife, Helen, will have plenty to do with all of their philanthropic work and three grandchildren whom they will be spending more time with. I know I speak for not only folks in academia, but Virginia as a whole, when I say that President Reveley and his contributions will be sorely missed. He will certainly leave an indelible mark on the College of William and Mary that will last a lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking Mr. Reveley for his great leadership and honoring his accomplishments he achieved as the 27th President of the College of William and Mary.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that Congress plans to adjourn for August recess without addressing critical issues important to the American people. I appreciate that district work periods allow Members to visit with folks back in their community, but it is now becoming a habit for Congress to abandon a long ``to do'' list in the rush to get out of town. This August is no exception. Unfortunately, Congress has not done its job. It has not completed the work of the people; including budgeting and critical national security legislation. Our constituents expect us to stay and finish the job. As I requested of the Speaker in June, let's clear our schedules and--in the strongest possible terms--and stay in Washington for the month of August to finish the business of the people. As I have said in previous years as we approach the August recess, I'm prepared to stay in Washington as long as it takes. These issues are too important to delay.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Wyoming, again, for all of her efforts today to highlight this important issue about the commitment this Nation has to make to our military to make sure we rebuild this lost readiness, and H. Res. 998 is purely simply about that. Are we willing to state our commitment to our sailors and Marines about what we must do as a Nation to provide the resources that they need to do the job that we ask them to do? Are we willing to send a message to them that says, we are committed to standing by them for everything that has to happen to provide certainty to them so they know what their future holds? Are we willing to send a message to our adversaries to say that this Nation is committed to rebuild our Navy and Marine Corps team to make sure that they are a force to be reckoned with anytime an adversary of ours may think of acting badly around the world; that that Navy and Marine Corps team will be there. That is what this resolution is about. It is also sending a message to every one of our constituents; is this Congress committed to the right policies to making the commitment of resources to make sure that our Navy and Marine Corps team has what they need? That is another important part of this message. And will we, as a nation, assure that in the long-term we are committed to countering what our adversaries are doing? And we see that. We see that in scores. Whether it is something like submarines, where we are on path, by 2029, to be down to 42 total attack submarines, the most requested asset in the entire United States inventory. We are down to 42 submarines in 2029. China, by 2020, will have 70 submarines, total attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines, building five to six per year, so that by 2029, when we are at 42 submarines, attack submarines, and on the way to rebuilding Ohio-class submarines, the Chinese could be as high as 124 submarines. Now, quantity has a quality all of its own. This resolution today says, are we going to make the commitment to make sure that we can counter those adversaries? Are we going to be able to tell our children and our grandchildren that when we had the chance we made the commitment? We made the commitment to our sailors, to our Marines, and as we will next week, to our soldiers and our airmen, and subsequently our Coast Guardsmen, to make sure that they have what they need, that this Nation makes the commitment to assure that we have the future of our Nation's defense well in hand. That is what today is about. I ask my colleagues to join me to make sure that we are willing to make this simple commitment. While it may be in words, those words will speak volumes to our sailors, to our Marines, to our citizens, and to our adversaries, that this Nation has an unshakable resolve to make sure that we have what we need to counter the threats abroad, and to counter anybody that thinks of threatening the United States, or our friends, or our allies, or would want to act badly. Today's resolution is all about that, not just for today, but for decades to come.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I begin by thanking the gentlewoman from Wyoming for all of her efforts, as well as all of my colleagues for their continued effort to do everything possible to assure the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act and the Defense Appropriations bill prior to the end of the fiscal year. That is key. We have heard testimony about how money is wasted and uncertainty has led us to where we are today. Without that, we must do everything we can to assure passage of both of those bills. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 998, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Navy's total readiness remains in a perilous state due to high operational demands, increased deployment lengths, shortened training periods, and deferred maintenance all while the Navy is asked to do more with less as financial support for critical areas waned in the era of sequestration and without consistent congressional funding. We have heard that laid out. We agree on both sides that this has created the uncertainty that creates the situation we found ourselves in today. I think it is important to define what the term ``Navy total readiness'' truly means. The Navy conducted an independent Strategic Readiness Review composed of retired Navy admirals, as well as current senior civilian executives in the aftermath of the tragic USS Fitzgerald and USS McCain collisions. This Strategic Readiness Review identified institutional deficiencies that have developed over a long period of time resulting in a weaker Navy. Factors that contribute to total Navy readiness include: the total number of assets--we know them as ships--manning and training, that is, in particular, personnel, in how well they perform their jobs; equipping and maintaining, that means providing sailors gear and maintaining ships; command and control, which means establishing clear lines of leadership and funding; and operations, which is the tempo at which our men and women in uniform execute their missions. If one or all of these total readiness factors are lacking, the Navy will suffer. Unfortunately, that is the situation we find ourselves in today. But we didn't arrive here by accident. I believe we have a tendency to respond to the crisis of the day rather than prepare for long-term strategic problems with corresponding solutions. Make no mistake about it, our adversaries are looking in the long term. Don't think for a moment that China isn't watching what we are doing and planning for where they will be not next week, not next month, not next year, but 10 years down the road, 20 years down the road, or a century down the road. The same with Russia, North Korea, and Iran. We need to do the same. After the Cold War and the Reagan administration came to an end, our Navy rapidly decreased in size. In the next few decades, funding levels became smaller and smaller. Tough cuts were made. The surface warfare community decreased their level of training, weakening the skills of their officers and reducing their capacity to effectively and safely perform their jobs as ship drivers and warfighters. Ships retired without replacements. Then, a nationwide financial crisis brought upon a shortsighted decision for sequestration, further crippling the Navy's ability to take care of itself. Meanwhile, threats to the United States and operational tempo have not decreased. This created a situation where the Navy was overworked with too few resources. But our men and women in uniform never complain and never say they can't accomplish their mission. They have the kind of resolve in doing the things this Nation asks them to do that this Congress should have in our commitment to providing them the resources necessary for them to continue the great job that we ask of them. But at a certain point, we all know we can't continue to operate this way. Things begin to break down when they aren't given the resources necessary. When their ships aren't properly maintained, when training doesn't take place at scheduled intervals to make sure they maintain that expertise that we need of them, sailors get stressed. When there are simply too many jobs to do and not enough time for people to do them, mistakes happen, costly mistakes. We won't be able to reverse this trend immediately, but we can continue to make targeted, strategic investments in assets, training, and manpower to improve the Navy's readiness. I am proud of the work that Congress has done in recent years, in particular, this year's National Defense Authorization Act. The House-passed NDAA adds a total of 13 battle force ships to the Navy's inventory, makes critical investments in ship maintenance accounts to take care of the ships we already have, and takes strong action in regard to surface warfare officer training and command and control structures within the Navy. In consultation with our Senate counterparts, I am confident that we will deliver a bill that supports the Navy's rebuilding efforts and the drive and the objective of a 355-ship Navy. We cannot be complacent. Yes, we have the best Navy in the world, but we can be better. Our sailors and marines are the best on the face of the Earth, and they do a spectacular job, folks. But until they can walk on water, which someday they may be able to do, until they can walk on water, then we must continue to build them ships. It is imperative that this Congress supports the United States Navy financially and authoritatively in a manner that allows for reassuring our allies, maintaining global presence, and defeating adversaries when necessary. We must give our sailors and our marines the tools they need to succeed in an atmosphere and an environment that is even more challenging than it has ever been in the era of great power competition where we know that our allies are committing to not just countering the United States, but defeating the United States strategically. We must do nothing less than fully support our Navy-Marine Corps team, giving them what they need not just for today, not just for next year, not just for within our purview of what this Congress has to do, but for years to come, for decades to come, and for centuries to come. For it is only with that, that we will be able to counter what our adversaries are doing every second of every day, and that is finding ways to defeat the United States strategically. We must do nothing less than the same.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Commander Kevin Carey on his retirement from the United States Navy. Kevin received his commission through Officer Candidate School in 1995 after graduating from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Kevin was designated a Naval Aviator in 1997 and qualified as an SH-60B Seahawk Pilot. Kevin amassed over 3,100 hours of flight time in six different naval aircraft. Kevin served several operational tours including with the HSL-46 Grandmasters, Destroyer Squadron 24, and the HSL-48 Vipers. He deployed aboard the USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS Arthur W Radford (DDG 968), USS John F Kennedy (CV 67), and USS Underwood (FFG 36). Kevin filled a variety of billets on the tours to include: Land Safety Officer, Air Operations Officer, Detachment Officer-in-Charge, and Squadron Operations Officer. Additionally, Kevin served tours ashore with HT-8 Eight Ballers, the Chief of Science, Technology, and Intelligence for Naval Air Systems Command, and the Appropriations Matters Office in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Through the Navy, Kevin pursued several academic opportunities. He attained his acquisition certification in Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering; lifetime membership with BETA GAMMA SIGMA--the International Honor Society Recognizing Business Excellence; and obtained his Certified Defense Financial Manager certification. Kevin graduated with distinction from the Naval War College with a Command and Staff Diploma, Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management, and School of Aviation Safety. The education prepared Kevin to screen for Financial Management SCP Commanding Officer. I have the pleasure of knowing Kevin since he was a Boy Scout in Montross, Virginia and I am honored to have watched him grow into the humble servant leader he is today. I wish Kevin and his family the best as they take on this next stage in their life.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, I was recorded as a NO on Roll Call No. 302. I had intended to vote YES on Roll Call No. 302.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Colonel Joseph M. Murray for his service as Commander at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Colonel Murray has served as Commander at Marine Corps Base Quantico since the summer of 2015, during which time he has provided extensive support and leadership for the Quantico community. Colonel Murray was born and raised in Washington, D.C., graduating from Gonzaga College High School in the District. He has long been dedicated to serving our great Nation, as he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps following his graduation from Ohio Wesleyan University. Since commissioning, he has held many operational assignments, including tours with 2nd Marine Division Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st BN 2nd Marines, and 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He also served as the Deputy G-3, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and commanded 2nd Supply Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Serving as Commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico is the newest adornment to his extensive list of military accomplishments, and I am extremely grateful for Colonel Murray's service to Marine Corps Base Quantico and our great Nation. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Colonel Murray on several different occasions on behalf of our men and women in uniform residing in Virginia's First Congressional District. I extend my best wishes to Colonel Joseph M. Murray as his Change of Command approaches and he embarks on his next journey with the Marine Corps. He has proven a phenomenal leader, and I am certain that he will continue to lead with the confidence and commitment he has shown as Commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico as he continues his career as a Marine. Mr. Speaker, I request you and my colleagues to join me as we congratulate Colonel Joseph M. Murray's service to Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, it really is this compelling argument: Are we, as a nation, willing to make the commitment to ensure our future national security? Here is the deal: We are losing submarines at a breakneck pace because we are not building them fast enough to replace the ones that are retiring. In 2020, the Chinese--just the Chinese--will have 70 submarines. They are building them at a rate of six per year. So, by 2029, when we have 42, they will have 124. Are we willing to do that as a nation? Are we willing to take that risk? Are we willing to look at our children and grandchildren and tell them that, when we had a chance to do something, we didn't do it? At 5:48 today, the United States Naval Institute news released an article that says: ``Congress Faces Last Chance to Add 2 Virginia-Class Attack Subs to the Next Block Buy.'' Last chance. Here is our chance to do what is right for the Nation. Here is our chance to do what is right for national security. Here is our chance to look at our children and grandchildren and tell them we did the right thing. We saw what was coming and we stood strong, and we built the submarines necessary to defend this Nation.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chair, I will be quick with my closing. The bottom line is we need these carriers. We need $26 billion in the shipbuilding budget to reach 355 ships. So the $21 billion is admirable, but the pathway to get where we need to be of 355 is still out there for us. The challenge that we face ahead must be taken head- on. This is the first step in doing that. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of amendment No. 26 to provide cost-effective funding for the Navy's fourth Gerald R. Ford- class aircraft carrier, CVN-81. Let me be clear. Amendment No. 26 does not add any additional funding to the carrier replacement program line for fiscal year 2019. None. Not one dollar. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found amendment No. 26 would not score; it would not change the overall level of budget authority or outlays in the bill in fiscal year 2019. According to the Parliamentarian, this is simply a perfecting amendment to allow for already appropriated funds to be used for both CVN-80 and CVN-81. I believe it is possible to be both a defense hawk and a fiscal hawk. My amendment supports both positions. For defense hawks, amendment No. 26 fulfills a critical need for our U.S. Navy. The Navy's most recent force structure assessment identified a need to maintain 12 aircraft carriers to meet combatant commanders' needs and address a growing demand for U.S. presence around the world. However, under the current shipbuilding and ship retirement plans, the Navy would dip below 12 aircraft carriers beginning in 2025 and would atrophy to just 9 aircraft carriers by 2048. This is simply unacceptable. By procuring an additional aircraft carrier now, we better position the Navy to meet future requirements. By supporting a strong aircraft carrier base, we also show a commitment to the aircraft that operate from the carrier. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the FA-18 E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter, MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, as well as the E-2C/D Hawkeye aircraft all require an aircraft carrier to operate in the Navy. For fiscal hawks, the numbers are clear. A two-ship buy of CVN-80 and CVN-81 saves more than $1.6 billion in shipbuilder costs when compared to single ship procurements. When government-furnished equipment is included, the total savings are projected to reach $2.5 billion. Additionally, increasing the build rate encourages the shipbuilder and suppliers to make capital investments that produce production efficiencies and reduce costs for these and future ships in the Ford class. We already have had great congressional support on this very issue. In December 2017, I led a letter with 131 House signatures to Department of Defense Secretary Mattis in support of this same dual aircraft carrier buy approach. This same provision also was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. And H.R. 5515, which recently passed the House by an overwhelming bipartisan margin of 351-66 on May 24 of this year, is a signal of what needs to be done. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of amendment No. 26 and seek time to speak in support.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Colonel Joseph M. Murray for his service as Commander at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Colonel Murray has served as Commander at Marine Corps Base Quantico since the summer of 2015, during which time he has provided extensive support and leadership for the Quantico community. Colonel Murray was born and raised in Washington, D.C., graduating from Gonzaga College High School in the District. He has long been dedicated to serving our great Nation, as he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps following his graduation from Ohio Wesleyan University. Since commissioning, he has held many operational assignments, including tours with 2nd Marine Division Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st BN 2nd Marines, and 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He also served as the Deputy G-3, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and commanded 2nd Supply Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Serving as Commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico is the newest adornment to his extensive list of military accomplishments, and I am extremely grateful for Colonel Murray's service to Marine Corps Base Quantico and our great Nation. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Colonel Murray on several different occasions on behalf of our men and women in uniform residing in Virginia's First Congressional District. I extend my best wishes to Colonel Joseph M. Murray as his Change of Command approaches and he embarks on his next journey with the Marine Corps. He has proven a phenomenal leader, and I am certain that he will continue to lead with the confidence and commitment he has shown as Commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico as Ftinues his career as a Marine. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me as we congratulate Colonel Joseph M. Murray's service to Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mrs. Lisa Thomas, the deputy director at Child Development Resources (CDR) and community activist who has positively impacted the lives of many children during her tenure. Mrs. Thomas began her career interning at CDR in 1978 while pursuing a psychology degree from the College of William and Mary. After graduating with a master's degree in social work, Thomas joined CDR full-time in 1986. During her time at CDR, Thomas participated in a variety of the organizations missions including serving as the Interim Executive Director. In 1998, Thomas was appointed Deputy Director and Head of Children's Services. In this role, Thomas oversaw all the services CDR provided to its families and youth clients. Thomas worked with state and local coalitions to provide support for early childhood services and served on my First District Education Advisory Council. Thomas was crucial in evolving CDR from a focus on children with disabilities into a broader early childhood development center. Thomas also worked with various nonprofit organizations including the Hope Family Village, which provides support to caregivers of children with mental health issues, and served as the president of the Historic Triangle Safe Kids Coalitions. Thomas also worked with the One Child Center for Autism where she developed a program to support over 100 children a month in the Williamsburg area and served as a mentor to many children through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking Mrs. Thomas for her leadership and selfless devotion to the children of our community.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 15, 2018, I missed votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on roll call votes no. 267 and 268.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of the life of Mr. Benjamin Henry Bascum Hubbard, or ``B.H.'' as he was affectionately known. B.H. served as a dedicated lawyer in the Northern Neck, and was a tireless advocate for his community as a member of numerous boards and organizations that greatly benefited the region. B.H. was born January 19, 1946 in White Stone, a small town in Virginia's Tidewater. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in English and earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina. He was a founding member of the firm Hubbard, Terry, and Britt, in Irvington, and demonstrated total dedication to his clients through his work. Beyond his firm, B.H. was always striving to improve the quality of life for his neighbors and the community he loved dearly. Most notably, he was chairman of the board of Rappahannock General Hospital and a member of the Board of Directors of Chesapeake Health Services. He also served on the Board of Directors for Bon Secours Richmond Health System. One of his greatest achievements was the successful merger of Rappahannock General Hospital with Bon Secours. Beyond his work, he was known by all for his compassion, his deeply caring spirit, and his incredible capacity for service. I am fortunate to have called B.H. a friend and I extend my deepest condolences to his wife of over 50 years, Terry; daughters Emory and Elizabeth; son, Beau; and the rest of his family. B.H. leaves a lasting legacy in the Northern Neck that has been felt by all of its residents. As it says in the book of Matthew, ``Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.'' Mr. Speaker, I implore you and my colleagues to join me as we honor the memory of Mr. B.H. Hubbard.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Caroline County Fair. The fair has long been a staple of the county, and provides a weekend of fun filled activates that allow for members of all communities to come and interact with each other. This year, the fair is proud to announce its first ever four-day fair, and the tenth year that the fair has been at the permanent fairgrounds, consisting of several major permanent fair structures. The fair is a rich tradition for the Caroline County residents, an area already steeped in rich Virginia history. Mr. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues, I would like to take this time to congratulate all those who have made the fair a success throughout the years. This is a tradition that I personally enjoy immensely, and am so proud to have in my district.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of the life of Mr. Benjamin Henry Bascum Hubbard, or ``B.H.'' as he was affectionally known. B.H. served as a dedicated lawyer in the Northern Neck, and was a tireless advocate for his commuriity as a member of numerous boards and organizations that greatly benefited the region. B.H. was born January 19, 1946 in White Stone, a small town in Virginia's Tidewater. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in English and earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina. He was a founding member of the firm Hubbard, Terry, and Britt, in Irvington, and demonstrated total dedication to his clients through his work. Beyond his firm, B.H. was always striving to improve the quality of life for his neighbors and the community he loved dearly. Most notably, he was chairman of the board of Rappahannock General Hospital and a member of the Board of Directors of Chesapeake Health Services. He also served on the Board of Directors for Bon Secours Richmond Health System. One of his greatest achievements was the successful merger of Rappahannock General Hospital with Bon Secours. Beyond his work, he was known by all for his compassion, his deeply caring spirit, and his incredible capacity for service. I am fortunate to have called B.H. a friend and I extend my deepest condolences to his wife of over 50 years, Terry; daughters Emory and Elizabeth; son, Beau; and the rest of his family. B.H. leaves a lasting legacy in the Northern Neck that has been felt by all of its residents. As it says in the book of Matthew, ``Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.'' Mr. Speaker, I implore you and my colleagues to join me as we honor the memory of Mr. B.H. Hubbard.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chair, I am continually asked why I believe we need to increase our financial support for our national security. My credentials as a fiscal hawk could be perceived as contrary to my concerns on insufficient national security funding. I realize that our Federal Government has a variety of choices to either increase or diminish specific programs that, in the entirety, make a more efficient and effective government. However, when it comes to our national security, our choices are quickly limited. It is painfully obvious that our Nation's military is at a crossroads. We can choose to retreat from the world and allow other nations to dictate the circumstances of our fiscal health, or we can choose to lead from the front and shape the affairs of our national security. I choose the latter. I choose a military that can provide for our domestic security and is capable of protecting our national interests abroad. Our force structure is rapidly diminishing. The capability and capacity that were provided during the Reagan military buildup era are quickly coming to an end. We have 11 aircraft carriers but are currently on track to reduce to 9 aircraft carriers in the next 30 years. Our attack submarine force structure will be reduced by 20 percent in the next 10 years. Our Air Force is the oldest, smallest, and least ready force in its history. The axiom of ``quantity has a quality all of its own'' will be sorely tested. Distressingly, our military readiness continues to atrophy. We lost 17 sailors in 2 ship collisions last year. We lost 25 airmen in 2 C-130 transport incidents. We continue to see the impacts of the lack of readiness attention. As we review the reduction of our force structure along with increased accident rates over the last year, it is clear that we need to address both current readiness and future readiness concerns in this bill. Mr. Chairman, I think our committee does a good job of prioritizing current and future readiness and efficiently acquiring required ships and aircraft. I am particularly pleased that H.R. 5515 authorizes 13 ships, which includes the original 10 ships in the fiscal year 2019 budget request as well as an additional 3 battle force ships, including 1 Ford-class aircraft carrier and 2 additional LCS. The bill authorizes advanced procurement for two additional Virginia- class submarines and authorized multiyear procurement for the Marine Corps' next amphibious ship class, LPD Flight II. It also continues the critical research and development into the B-21 Raider program and Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine. These investments continue strategic priorities that will serve to address our Nation's future readiness. Mr. Chair, in closing, I want to recognize my ranking member, Mr. Joe Courtney, for his continued advocacy and bipartisan approach to rebuild our Navy. He has been an extraordinary proponent for an increased Navy presence, particularly in the undersea community. His insight has been instrumental in shaping the subcommittee mark. I also want to thank Chairman Thornberry for his continued efforts and effective leadership as he navigates the twists and turns of the budget process and appropriations alignment. Our national security would be significantly diminished without his exemplary efforts. I also want to thank Ranking Member Smith for his continued collaboration and cooperation in this bipartisan approach to make sure that we produce the best bill possible. I also would like to thank the staff for their extraordinary efforts, and I encourage my colleagues to support the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Mount Olive Baptist Church. This church is the oldest in the Stafford, Virginia area and has uplifted the community through countless hardships and celebrated through countless joys. The Mount Olive Baptist Church was established on May 16, 1818, as a rudimentary wood structure under the guidance of Reverend Horace Crutcher. The church began to grow immediately, and established a school in the aftermath of the Civil War. The church has since launched outreach programs in Zambia, Ghana, and New Zealand, providing food, water, shelter, and medical care to the needy. They also provide bible studies, musical ministries, and youth programs for the Stafford community. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me as we recognize the immeasurable good that the Mount Olive Baptist church has done for those in the Stafford community over the last 200 years.