Daniel Webster

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 53. Members REcorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Buchanan (LaHood) Cardenas (Gomez) DeSaulnier (Matsui) DesJarlais (Fleischmann) Deutch (Rice (NY)) Frankel, Lois (Clark (MA)) Gaetz (McHenry) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Hastings (Wasserman Schultz) Horsford (Kildee) Huffman (McNerney) Katko (Stefanik) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Langevin (Lynch) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Lieu (Beyer) Lowenthal (Beyer) Meng (Clark (MA)) Moore (WI) (Beyer) Moulton (McGovern) Nadler (Jeffries) Napolitano (Correa) Neguse (Perlmutter) Palazzo (Fleischmann) Pascrell (Sires) Payne (Wasserman Schultz) Pingree (Kuster) Reed (LaHood) Rodgers (WA) (Joyce (PA)) Roybal-Allard (Escobar) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Underwood) Speier (Scanlon) Thompson (MS) (Butterfield) Vargas (Correa) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Amendment No. 19 Offered by Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Pastor Robbin Kuder, and his wife Gail for their lifelong commitment to service in their community. This month, Pastor Kuder will retire after nearly a half-century of faithfully ministering to the residents of Tallahassee, Florida. It gives me great pleasure to recognize his and his wife Gail's service to Floridians, including the Central Florida community. Raised in Orlando, the son of a minister, Robbin's commitment to service began in 1971 when he joined the United States Navy, where he served as an Operation Specialist. Following his graduation from FSU School of Music Education, Robbin began serving as worship leader and minister at Northwoods Church. He has served here for 45 years, including 16 years as youth minister. I first met Robbin as we were young men attending First Baptist Church of Pine Hills, Florida where Robbin's dad Roger, served as music minister. As a newly elected member of the Florida Legislature, while in Tallahassee, I attended then University Heights Baptist Church where Robbin served. A man of quiet leadership, immense patience and quiet sense of humor, Robbin has devoted his life to sharing his passion for music and the love of Christ with people. When not at church, Robbin could be found cycling, sailing, hunting or fishing--usually joined by his beloved wife Gail, one of his seven children or 16 grandchildren. His adventurous spirit and patience are evident in the numerous cross-state cycling trips he organized and led to give Florida youths an outlet for both athletics and adventure, while blessing churches with musical performances and service projects throughout the trip. Robbin and Gail are excellent examples for adults, parents, and young people for how to live a life of ministry. It is a privilege to congratulate and applaud Robbin and Gail for a lifetime service that has spanned 5 decades. May their character, life, and efforts inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is with sincere appreciation that I recognize my friend Patricia Crowley, President/CEO of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, for her leadership and service to our business community. After 20 years of service to the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Crowley will retire on October 31, 2020. Ms. Crowley began her career with the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce in March of 2000 as a Membership Representative. A few years later, Ms. Crowley was named President/CEO of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. Throughout her years of service with the Chamber, she formed strong partnerships with local leaders and business organizations to strengthen the county's business environment to enable business development and prosperity throughout Hernando County. Ms. Crowley has been a dedicated servant to people of Hernando County throughout her career. She has served in several organizations including the United Way of Hernando County, Kiwanis Club of Brooksville, and Oak Hill Hospital Board. I am honored to recognize Patricia Crowley and thank her for her hard work and countless contributions to the Hernando County community. Her commitment to excellence, leadership and service is to be admired, and may it inspire others to follow in her footsteps. My sincerest wishes and congratulations to Pat on her retirement.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, regrettably, when the electronic vote was taken on H. Res. 908, I was recorded incorrectly. I oppose all forms of discrimination against any American on the sole basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age or sex. I oppose this politically-motivated and flawed resolution and intended to vote NO. Furthermore, I have and will continue to speak openly about The Chinese Communist Party, their hatred of American ideals and liberty and their attacks on our county.''

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize the fallen officers from the state of Florida who diligently gave their lives to protect their communities. This week marks the annual observance of National Police Week. Though we set aside one week a year to honor law enforcement across the country, I encourage all Americans to join me in recognizing the dedication, courage, and selfless sacrifice of our nation's officers every day. The men and women being honored this week gave the last full measure of devotion to their country in the form of the ultimate offering-- their lives. Every community is indebted to those individuals in uniform who voluntarily put themselves in danger for our safety and security. Over three hundred officers' names from across the nation will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., this year for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the 13 officers from Florida who bravely and selflessly served to protect the state. It is an honor to recognize them along with all men and women in law enforcement.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Daniel C. Weber, veteran, husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, visionary and giant in the conservative movement. Dan passed away in February. He embodied the American dream: humble and optimistic, resilient and resolved, hopeful and quick to give. Dan was never without a ready smile, never without appreciation for good fortune, never without faith in America, his fellow Americans, and his loving God. Believing that Americans aged 50-plus deserved better representation in DC, Dan and his wife Judy created AMAC--the Association of Mature American Citizens for Americans. AMAC is the voice for individuals concerned with the spread of big government and its intrusion into their daily lives, the erosion of personal liberties and disregard for the Constitution, a document Dan believed to be the greatest ever conceived by mankind. Dan envisioned AMAC to be a right-of-center, member-driven organization with an unwavering focus on the best interests of its membership. From very humble beginnings in 2007, today AMAC has a membership of over 2 million people residing in every state of the country and it continues to grow. AMAC's common-sense, free-market approach to the problems facing the country resonates with Americans looking for an organization that holds their values of faith, family and freedom in the same high regard. Dan Weber was an American success story and pillar of the conservative movement. We are grateful for the example he set. May he rest in peace knowing that his ``good fight'' to preserve America's best will continue. I am confident his beloved AMAC army will grow ever stronger, bigger and more resolved to see the mission through.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to make clear my opposition to H.R. 737, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act. Yesterday, when the House considered this deeply flawed legislation I spoke in opposition--to express my concerns about the devastating impacts the legislation will have on shark conservation efforts and responsible American fishermen. Many of these fishermen come from my own district in Florida and have made many sacrifices to rebuild and sustain our shark populations. I am grateful to many of my colleagues who joined me in opposition to this measure after listening to my concerns. Regrettably, when the electronic vote was taken, I was recorded incorrectly. I want to make clear that I oppose this legislation and intended to vote NO.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. McClintock for yielding. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 737, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act. As a Floridian and member of the House Natural Resources Committee, promoting shark conservation has long been a priority of mine. I am glad to see sharks receiving national attention. Sharks play a crucial role in our ocean's ecosystem, and yet, they face a grave threat: shark finning, a cruel practice of capturing sharks, clipping their fins, and casting the rest of it to a slow death in the ocean. This practice is cruel and inhumane. I was a member of the legislature almost 30 years ago when Florida was one of the first States to ban shark finning. Since then, finning has become completely illegal in the United States. Unfortunately, finning still occurs in unregulated waters around our globe. H.R. 737 will do nothing to protect sharks from being finned in those areas. Instead, it would require American fishermen who legally and responsibly land sharks to destroy or discard their fins, leading to terrible waste. Many scientists, conservationists, and commercial fishermen have vocally opposed this bill and have said it will not advance shark restoration or stop the practice of finning. This bill would have a devastating effect on responsible American fishermen, including many in my own district in Florida who have made sacrifices to conserve and rebuild our shark populations. I offer a separate bill, an alternative, H.R. 788, one that has been sponsored and supported by Senator Rubio in the Senate and is probably the key bill there for this particular issue. Instead of banning the sale of humanely sourced shark fins, my bill would encourage bad actors in the shark fin market to create science-based management systems for shark conservation. My bill requires any nation seeking to export shark, ray, or skate to the United States to first be certified by NOAA that it has conservation policies in place that rise to the standards of U.S. fishermen and that forbid nations to practice shark finning. The U.S. plays an important role on the world stage in fishing management and conservation. H.R. 737 would remove the U.S. from the shark fin market; it would silence the leading voice in shark conservation--my bill would amplify it--and ensure no finned shark fins enter into the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to make the best choice for sustaining shark populations long-term and oppose this deeply flawed bill before us today.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Beacon College for 30 years of service to students. A quality education can change a life. It unlocks the door of opportunity and success and equips children to achieve their dream. For thirty years, Beacon College has been a pioneer in providing students with learning differences and disabilities with a high-quality college experience. It is committed to student success and provides accredited Associate in Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree programs to its students. Their results are clear with 70 percent on-time graduation rates and a 1-year average for students completing their degrees in four years. This is almost double the 10-year national average for all students. Beacon College is the only institution of higher education nationwide to serve with this exclusive mission. Under College President, George Hagerty's leadership, the faculty and teachers at Beacon College are passionate and committed to providing every student with the specialized attention they need to cultivate success. Recently, Beacon College was ranked as Number One on the prestigious Peterson ranking of the top 20 colleges for students with learning disabilities. Beacon College not only equips students with academic knowledge, they also are dedicated to coaching students in the skills necessary to find and retain employment. It is my honor to congratulate Beacon College, Dr. Hagerty and the faculty and staff on reaching this service milestone. May you continue to serve these special students and equip them with the knowledge and skills to achieve their dreams.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the successful career of Dr. Judy Lynn Genshaft. After 19 years of service as President of the University of South Florida, Dr. Genshaft has retired. Under her leadership, USP has become a world-class institution of learning. During Dr. Genshaft's tenure as President, she established the University of South Florida as one of the nation's top research universities. It now ranks ninth in size and is formally recognized as ``top-tier'' by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Dr. Genshaft also raised the caliber of study at USF by creating the Honors College in 2002, which has flourished under her guidance. Earlier this year, Dr. Genshaft and her husband donated $20 million of their own money to the Honors College--a generous gift that represents only a fraction of the care she has given the University over the last two decades. Her dedication to the University and the Tampa Bay area earned her the title of the 2008 Tampa Bay Business Journal Business Woman of the Year and an induction into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame. Dr. Genshaft's unwavering commitment will have a profound impact on generations of students and Floridians to come. I thank her for everything she has done for the University of South Florida, our region and our state. Sandy and I wish her well and congratulate her on her wonderful career.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am honored to congratulate Bob and Jackie Hunt of Leesburg, Florida on their 70th anniversary of marriage. Bob and Jackie are lifelong residents of Lake County Florida. Bob served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, Bob returned to Florida and joined the Citrus industry. Jackie was a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and working together, they raised and put their three children through college. Marriage and strong families are indispensable contributors to the prosperity of our nation. Bob and Jackie, I am honored to recognize your loyalty and faithfulness to one another and your family. I offer my sincerest congratulations for 70 years of marriage. May God continue to bless them and their family in the years to come.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me time. I rise today to support and ask my House colleagues to pass H.R. 539, the Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act. I would like to issue a special thanks to my friend Dan Lipinski, who introduced this legislation, and he continues to serve as a champion for the time-proven I-Corps program. The Innovation Core program was created by the National Science Foundation in 2011 to teach scientists and engineers how to turn their laboratory innovations into successful commercial products and services. I know engineers are lacking in that area. I am one. I think I invented, before I was 21 years old, about three or four, maybe five, things which were really awesome; but nobody bought them except me, and it wasn't good. So this program assists scientists and engineers in the development of their academic research and equips them to bring research into a private market where jobs can be created and money can be won through that. We witnessed the wonderful success of this program in my home State of Florida, the University of Central Florida. H.R. 539 expands the I-Corps program to create a new course in commercial-ready companies. Individuals who have completed an existing I-Corps course would be eligible for this new course which will help them create, market, and, eventually, expand their private-sector company. This bill breaks down the barriers experienced by current scientists when attempting to bring their product to market. Through marketing, hiring, organizing, and attracting investors, these participants can have a better shot at not only success, but also increasing, dramatically, their business. Additionally, H.R. 539 expands the number of groups eligible to apply to the I-Corps program and offers new options on how to initially pay for the course.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank Mr. Lipinski and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee for their work on this bill, and I encourage all my House colleagues to join together to pass this commonsense piece of legislation.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the successful career of Dr. G.P. ``Bud'' Peterson. On January 7, 2019, Dr. Peterson announced that he will be retiring from the role of President at the Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly known as Georgia Tech. His retirement comes after eleven years of service to this great academic institution. Throughout those years, Bud demonstrated extraordinary leadership. A few examples include having the university accepted into the Association of American Universities, increasing enrollment while other academic institutions are struggling, expanding areas of research, and being named a top-10 public research university. As a graduate of Georgia Tech, I am proud of what this institution has accomplished. Thanks in part to the talented faculty and the direction President Peterson provided. Dr. Peterson is truly leaving Georgia Tech a better place than when he arrived. Sandy and I wish him well and congratulate him on his wonderful career. I thank him for all he has done to make Georgia Tech a better place, and wish him good luck in all future endeavors.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Phyllis Womack Webster on the occasion of her 90th birthday. A lifelong resident of St. Albans, West Virginia, Phyllis is known for her joyful approach to life and compassionate and kind nature. A member of St. Albans Baptist Church for more than half a century, Phyllis has impacted many lives for the better through her ministry with her church and the American Baptist Association. She was recognized in 2010 for her dedicated involvement in her church with the American Heritage Award. Her outreach to people extended beyond her church family. Her door has always been open to host family, friends or anyone in need of a good listening ear or warm meal. Thanks to her hospitable nature, I would not be surprised if, as Scripture says, she hosted Angels unaware. She can, and has made everyone and anyone feel special. Her love for family and people and sharp mind, she can remember the names of every family member through multiple generations. Phyllis' life, efforts and love for others are an example for us all of a life well-lived serving others. It is my pleasure to recognize my beloved Aunt Phyllis on this momentous occasion. I wish her a very happy 90th birthday and may God continue to bless her.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 770) to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to disseminate resources to help reduce small business cybersecurity risks, and for other, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk as the designee of the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel).

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Chair, I rise today on behalf of my colleague from Florida, Ms. Lois Frankel, to offer a nonpartisan amendment that Ms. Frankel and I have been working on for some time. The amendment applies common sense to routine maintenance and dredging in the inland navigational channels. Specifically, this amendment would waive a duplicative requirement for routine maintenance dredging. When a waterway is initially dredged, the project sponsor has to mitigate for the impact on aquatic vegetation like seagrass. In the Florida Intracoastal Waterway, seagrass grows like a weed and must be routinely dredged to keep it clear. Unfortunately, the project sponsor is required to do costly environmental mitigation every time just to keep the waterway open and operating, instead of using the permit that has already been given and the mitigation that has already happened for that particular area. This additional round of mitigation is unnecessary, since seagrass removal has already been accounted for in the environmental review for the initial dredging. Florida's Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway requires routine maintenance dredging akin to mowing your grass. The waterway annually transports tons of commercial cargo and is used by more than 500,000 recreational vehicles. It provides $30 billion in economic output, including $3 billion in wages, creates 155,000 jobs, and generates more than $540 million in tax revenues. Without regular maintenance dredging, this powerful economic driver is at risk. This amendment itself is limited in scope and maintains an existing environmental protection while ensuring that the maintenance dredging mitigation requirements make sense. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I will say this. This is so duplicative and ridiculous. It is typical government regulation. Here you have an inland waterway, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The seagrass removal has been already mitigated. That requires maintenance. As you do maintenance, you have to come back and do more mitigation on the exact same piece of property for the same seagrass. It is ridiculous; it is duplicative; and I submit it is a good amendment.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. I yield to the gentleman.

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

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to travel back to Washington due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 188, and YEA on Roll Call No. 189.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to travel back to Washington due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 181; YEA on Roll Call No. 182; and YEA on Roll Call No. 183.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to travel back to Washington due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 184, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 185, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 186, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 187.