Robert Wittman

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. I yield to the chairman.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true leader for his extraordinary service in the United States Coast Guard, Captain William J. Milne. Captain Milne served his country for 38 years in the Coast Guard and on June 14, he will retire as the Director of Law Enforcement, Maritime Security, and Defense Operations Policy at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his commitment to service and to our country. A native of Seattle, WA, Captain Milne graduated from Coast Guard Recruit Basic Training in 1975. His first assignment was as a Search and Rescue communications watchstander at Coast Guard Station Umpqua River in Winchester Bay, OR. During this assignment, he not only earned the distinguished SURFMAN designation, but was quickly promoted to Boatswain's Mate First Class in the Coast Guard and assumed the duties as Executive Petty Officer of the Station. Continuing his rapid promotion through the ranks, CAPT Milne was commissioned as an Ensign after completing Officer Candidate School in 1986. As an officer, Captain Milne served on six Coast Guard cutters including serving as the commanding officer of the cutters Cape Corwin, Redwood and Juniper. He also served in numerous shore-based leadership positions including Coast Guard Liaison to the United States House of Representatives, and commanding officer of one of the Coast Guard's largest training commands in Yorktown, Virginia. In addition to completing some of the most challenging and demanding assignments in the Coast Guard, Captain Milne also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, an MBA and a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Captain Milne is finishing his distinguished career as the Director of Law Enforcement, Maritime Security, and Defense Operations Policy. In this assignment, as well as his previous position as the Program Director for Maritime Counter-Terrorism, Captain Milne oversaw the development of Coast Guard strategic and operational policy vital to our Nation's maritime safety and security. In addition, he was a key leader in the development and management of the Coast Guard's Deployable Specialized Forces. His foresight, experience and judgment ensured these highly specialized forces were not only ready to deploy in response to national security threats, but were also prepared to protect the environment and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. Most recently, CAPT Milne led the Coast Guard's response to the tragic terrorist bombings at the Boston Marathon, ensuring the Port of Boston was well-protected during the vulnerable days following the attack. A highly decorated officer, Captain Milne's awards include the Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, five Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Department of Transportation 9/11 Medal for his service in New York City in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and several other personal and unit awards. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents and a grateful Nation, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary career of Captain William J. Milne. There are few opportunities for us to recognize the accomplishments of those who selflessly dedicate their lives to the service of our country, and I cannot thank Captain Milne, his wife Martina, their two children, Dean and Lacey, and their eight grandchildren, with three more on the way, enough for everything they have done and sacrificed to protect our Nation.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, our most important job here, our most sacred duty as outlined in article 1, section 8 of the Constitution is to ``raise and support Armies''--to support the men and women we ask to fight on behalf of our Nation on the fields of battle. This money supports our constitutional duty and, most importantly, our warfighters. This amendment seriously jeopardizes national security and our ability to replenish readiness accounts raided in prior years to fund underfunded war costs. The majority of our forces still fighting Afghanistan will be there at least until December 2014. Remember, the goal is December 2014. The war is not over, and these funds are needed to help them do their jobs and execute their missions as outlined in the strategic plan. Stripping this money from the overseas contingency fund, literally from our all-volunteer force that is engaged in combat operations, places the plan in jeopardy and makes the December 2014 goal irrelevant.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on June 11, 2013, I missed rollcall votes No. 212 and 213. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: Rollcall No. 212: ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 213: ``aye.''

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Simply put, this amendment seriously jeopardizes national security and also our ability to project power and maintain a forward presence in an ever-growing dangerous world. The backbone of our Navy is our carrier strike force. In order to have seven carriers, we need to have 11. There are carriers that are in port to be refueled, sailors that have to rest. Eleven equals seven. Today we see in the Central Command, they request two aircraft carriers. They're only provided one in the most dangerous area of the world, the Middle East. If we can't meet the requirements that our commanders are asking for, then why would we want to be reducing the number of carriers? That just doesn't make sense. There's a misconception, too, that because we're moving out of Afghanistan, that somehow there won't be a need for a presence of an aircraft carrier there in the Arabian Gulf. That is absolutely wrong. We need that presence there. The way we maintain that presence is to make sure that we have a minimum of 11 aircraft carriers. Our forward presence is needed today, and we want to make sure that this is done, especially with the reposturing to the Asian Pacific. With that, Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I would like to begin by thanking Chairman McKeon for his leadership and Ranking Member Smith for the extraordinary job that both of you gentlemen have done in bringing this bill together--bringing people together to make this happen. I also want to thank the ranking member of the Readiness Subcommittee. Madeleine Bordallo, thank you so much for your leadership and for your cooperation to make our effort on the Readiness Subcommittee as successful as it was. Today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1960, the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. While this bill will not fix all of the Nation's readiness challenges, it does go far in addressing depleted force readiness levels and associated levels of assumed risk. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department from proposing, planning, or initiating another round of base realignment and closure commission elements--a measure that's critical, in my view, given the fiscal uncertainties we face as a Nation. This bill helps our military members by restoring vital readiness accounts, such as the Army and Air Force flying programs; increasing funding for facility sustainment; increasing funding for Army depot maintenance and rest; increasing funding for ship depot maintenance; and prohibiting the retirement of amphibs and cruisers the Navy proposed to retire 10 to 15 years early. With successive rounds of budget cuts and the disastrous effects of sequestration, readiness rates remain at historic levels, and these levels are unacceptably low. Our warfighters are at risk, and we owe it to them to make sure that we put dollars back to make sure that the readiness of our Armed Forces does not in any way suffer. We want to make sure that our men and women have what they need, making sure that they continue to have overwhelming superiority on the battlefield. That's what this Nation has always done. It is our obligation to make sure that that continues. While we have restored the Air Force and Army flying hours programs and bolstered facilities sustainment and depot maintenance, we will need to remain focused on readiness challenges in the months and years to come. Those readiness challenges will continue. Especially as we retrograde from Afghanistan and reset our force, we cannot forget the need to maintain readiness. As I close, Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the members of the subcommittee and the staff for their unyielding support for the men and women of our military. Our Nation faces many challenges, as this bill makes clear. I want to remind this Chamber that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who selflessly serve our Nation--those who volunteer to put themselves in harm's way. That's what makes our Nation great. We owe them the highest amount of respect in getting this bill done in their best interest.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1206) to grant the Secretary of the Interior permanent authority to authorize States to issue electronic duck stamps, and for other purposes.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire if the minority has any more speakers.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this legislation, which I sponsored, would make permanent the ability of a migratory waterfowl hunter to electronically purchase their annual Federal duck stamp. For the past 6 years, eight States have participated in a pilot effort, and by all accounts this program has been a huge success. Many Americans have been able to enjoy the convenience of using their own personal computer to purchase a Federal duck stamp online and in some cases to obtain that required document the evening before a duck hunt. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you from experience and knowing that people want that opportunity, that that timeliness is a factor in people being able to enjoy waterfowl hunting. In August 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service submitted a report to Congress which stipulated that the E-Duck stamp program has proven to be a practical method that is readily accepted by the stamp-buying public. E-stamps now account for more than 20 percent of all duck stamp sales, which demonstrates widespread acceptance of this sales option. As vice chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I can proudly say that this legislation is important to waterfowl hunters across the country. H.R. 1206 is supported by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and Ducks Unlimited. I would also like to thank and acknowledge Representative Ron Kind as an original cosponsor of this bill. The gentleman from Wisconsin is a dedicated conservationist, an avid outdoorsman, and a longtime supporter and friend to sportsmen. There is no cost to the taxpayers, and there is broad bipartisan support for this innovative idea, and this convenient 21st-century delivery system will be utilized by thousands of American sportsmen in the future. Allowing the purchase of duck stamps online is an important technological advancement, and it is time to make this a permanent feature of Federal law. During the last Congress, an identical bill passed the House by a vote of 373-1. I urge adoption of this measure. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 885) to expand the boundary of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, to conduct a study of potential land acquisitions, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 885 will expand the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park to include an additional 137 acres. Each of these 137 acres is currently owned and being managed by the National Park Service, so additional operating costs will be minimal, if there are any at all. The Natural Resources Committee amended H.R. 885 to further control costs by requiring that any property acquired through this legislation be only by donation or exchange, and condemnation is explicitly prohibited. Additional property rights provisions require written consent of property owners before their land can be included in the boundaries of the park, and the creation of buffer zones around the park is forbidden. Mr. Speaker, with that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to advise the gentlelady from California that I have no other speakers and am prepared to yield back the balance of my time if she is prepared to close.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In 2007, the State of North Carolina, the County of Currituck, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed a comprehensive wild horse management plan for the colonial Spanish mustangs that live on 7,500 acres of private and public lands in North Carolina. This plan expired last year, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicated that it will not sign a new agreement. H.R. 126, authored by Congressman Walter B. Jones, requires the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a new agreement within 180 days of enactment. It will also cap the number of horses to no more than 130, allow the introduction of a small number of Shackleford Banks horses to improve genetic diversity, and will ensure that the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, which is a volunteer organization, will continue to pay for the cost of caring for and managing these horses in the future. These horses are living symbols of our colonial history. H.R. 126, which is a similar bill to one that passed the House by a voice vote last year, will ensure their survival at no cost to the taxpayers. I urge adoption of the measure and compliment the author for his tireless leadership and his passion for this issue and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 126) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement to provide for management of the free-roaming wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.