Jackie Walorski

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for his strong support. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Zinke), my friend and colleague on the Armed Services Committee.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Montana. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chairman, this is absolutely not an amendment to get rid of the NSC. This just simply brings accountability and transparency into a very important agency, into a White House that has taken this to no longer just an advisory agency role on behalf of the American people who we serve. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Zinke), a cosponsor of this amendment.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment is very common sense. It is as simple in its concept as it is in requirements. My amendment simply increases the transparency and accountability surrounding transfers from Guantanamo Bay by requiring the U.S. and the foreign government receiving the detainee to sign a written memo of understanding outlining the terms of the transfer and to provide copies of that memo to Congress. These transfers are too significant and the stakes are too high for a simple handshake or verbal agreement. As Paul Lewis, the President's own Special Envoy for Guantanamo Detention Closure, recently confirmed, detainees that were released have returned to the battlefield and killed Americans. The administration, itself, estimates the recidivism rate of detainees at nearly one out of three. In my 4 years on the Armed Services Committee, I have consistently been disappointed by the lack of transparency surrounding these transfers. In its plan for closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility that was released in February, the administration insisted it received security assurances and humane treatment assurances from countries receiving detainees. This includes travel restrictions, monitoring, and information sharing. However, in December last year, reports began surfacing that a detainee who was released to Sudan in July 2012 was now in Yemen operating as a senior leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, AQAP. Setting aside the fact that a dangerous terrorist was transferred to Sudan in the first place, a state sponsor of terrorism, I requested a classified briefing to find out exactly what type of assurances the administration received from the Sudanese Government that they would keep an eye on this detainee and what punitive measures they took against the Sudanese when it was discovered they let him out of their sight. Mr. Chairman, I came away from that briefing with more questions than answers. That is why I am offering this amendment today. A written memo of understanding between the U.S. and the foreign country receiving the detainee will provide a greater degree of transparency and accountability than exists right now. Mr. Chairman, one American casualty is too many. We must do more to ensure that every precaution is taken if and when individuals are transferred from GTMO. By providing this memo to the relevant oversight committees of this body, we take one more step toward real accountability for both the administration and for the foreign nation accepting these detainees. I would like to thank the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Zinke) for his cosponsorship. I would also like to commend the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton) for his work in offering this same requirement in the Senate bill. I include in the Record the letters I sent to the administration requesting information on the transfer of detainees, which are the basis for this amendment. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, December 15, 2015. President Barack Obama, The White House, Washington, DC. Dear President Obama: I write with grave concerns about statements you made regarding the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during a recent interview with Yahoo News. In particular, I was troubled by your comments on recidivism and on the process for selecting detainees for release. In the interview, you said of released detainees re- entering the fight: ``Out of four-, five-, six-hundred people that get released.. .a handful of them are going to be embittered and still engaging in anti-US activities.'' However, the Director of National Intelligence identified 196 former detainees as either being confirmed or suspected of returning to the battlefield in its September 2015 Report on the Reengagement of Detainees Formerly Held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. That's a recidivism rate over 30 percent--this is hardly a handful. At the heart of the issue, however, is not the rate of recidivism, but rather its intensity. One of the 196 is Ibrahim al-Qosi. He was released in July 2012 to his home country of Sudan, a country designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the State Department. Since his release, he has become a senior leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which took credit for the attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris in January 2015. A month later, Vincent Stewart, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, testified before Congress that AQAP ``remains committed to attacking the West.'' We may disagree over what constitutes a handful, but we cannot underestimate the difference another set of hands can mean to these terrorist organizations. The fact that al-Qosi was released to live in a US government-designated State Sponsor of Terrorism is troubling enough, but comments you made in the interview concerning the release vetting process prompts more questions than it answers. On that topic, you said: ``The judgment that we're continually making is: are there individuals [in Guantanamo] who are significantly more dangerous than the people who are already out there who are fighting? What do they add? Do they have special skills? Do they have special knowledge that ends up making them a significant threat to the United States?'' Accordingly, I would like to request a classified briefing on how the administration has been evaluating the remaining detainees for release. Specifically, I would like the briefing to address: 1. What criteria, quantifiable or otherwise, are used to determine if a detainee is more or less dangerous than those currently on the battlefield 2. The groups or specific individuals currently on the battlefield that detainees are being compared to in order to make those determinations a. If the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or its leaders are part of this set, please also detail how the weight given to the threat they pose has changed since January 2014 3. Flow the special skills and knowledge are defined and quantified 4. Any additional scrutiny given to detainees being released to State Sponsors of Terror It is disturbing that your administration seems to continue underestimating the danger posed by former Guantanamo detainees returning to the fight. One more terrorist on the battlefield is too many because one more terrorist can be all it takes to cause more death and destruction. I strongly urge you to reconsider such consistent downplaying of this threat and I look forward to your timely response. Sincerely, Jackie Walorski, Member of Congress.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I guess in answer to the questions that have been asked here, again, back to the fact that I think this is a very commonsense amendment, this is talking about transparency and accountability. How did a detainee go from Sudan to Yemen? Because the rules are too loose. Let's just bring accountability and transparency into this issue so the American people can see and so there is some accountability in this country on where these people end up. These are the worst of the worst. They have American blood on their hands. The ones we are talking about from this point forward continue to have unbelievable issues, unbelievably dangerous criminal attached to their title. I am just simply asking for accountability and transparency. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize United States Air Force Colonel Douglas J. Schwartz and honor him for a decorated career serving our nation. Col. Schwartz began his 34-year career in the United States Air Force after receiving his commission through Officer Training School at Purdue University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in management in 1981. Since then, he has gone on to accumulate more than 4,200 flight hours as a command pilot and receive numerous awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters as well as the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. During his distinguished career, Col. Schwartz has been stationed throughout the country, operating in large part at Grissom Air Reserve Base (ARE) in Miami County, Indiana. At Grissom ARB, Col. Schwartz has commanded the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135 Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Within this role, Col. Schwartz has directed the efforts of nearly 1,900 military, civilian, and contractor personnel as they work to advance the mission of the United States Air Force. In addition, he has also commanded such aircraft as the B-52 and the C-40. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have seen the impact of Col. Schwartz's work and his commitment to excellence. His passion for serving the greater good is truly remarkable and deserves the praise of many. From my time working with him, I know Col. Schwartz epitomizes the ideal of servant leadership. Not only that, but he has invested substantially in the Grissom community and has spent his entire career working for the betterment of our country. On behalf of Hoosiers in the Second Congressional District, it is my honor to thank him for his service and sacrifice for our community.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Titan Robotics from Trinity School at Greenlawn in South Bend. Next week, they will travel to California to compete in the Legoland North American Open Invitational Championship. I recently had the opportunity to speak with these students about their project, in which they were challenged to find new ways to help the environment. They discovered that recycling labels on plastic wrappers were often hidden or unclear, making consumers less likely to recycle. After hours of research, they proposed a label that would wrap around plastic wrappers, making it easier to see if the product is recyclable. They proposed another label to inform consumers if the product is not recyclable. Mr. Speaker, I commend these kids for their hard work and wish them the best of luck at their competition. I also want to thank the parents, coaches, teachers, principals, and everyone in the community who has supported them. I submit the names of the students and coaches. Names of Students on Titan Robotics: Helena Drake Graham Harding Jackson Kirby Ceci Kurdelak Peter Rossi Names of Coaches on Titan Robotics: Gene Harding Jeff Kirby Frank Rossi

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Titan Robotics team from Trinity School at Greenlawn in South Bend. Next week, they will travel to California to compete in the Legoland North American Open Invitational Championship. I recently had the opportunity to speak with these students about their project, in which they were challenged to find new ways to help the environment. They discovered that recycling labels on plastic wrappers were often hidden or unclear, making consumers less likely to recycle. After hours of research, they proposed a solution: a new label with the recycle symbol that would wrap around the plastic wrappers on the outside, making it easier to see if the product is recyclable. And they proposed a different label to inform consumers if the product is not recyclable. Mr. Speaker, I commend these kids for their hard work and wish them the best of luck at their competition. I also want to thank the parents, coaches, teachers, principals, and everyone in the community who supported them.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Mayor of Mishawaka Robert Beutter, and honor his many years of public service to the City of Mishawaka and our nation. Mayor Beutter was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on April 6, 1935. He attended Indiana University and earned degrees in business administration and law. After graduating from law school, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps. In 1972, Beutter became a member of the City of Mishawaka's Legal Staff, serving for 8 years. In 1984, he was first elected Mayor, and would serve five terms totaling 20 years. Upon completion of his time as Mayor, Beutter became the Assistant City Attorney where he served another 8 years until 2012. Bob Beutter is a fixture in our community. He has been active on boards and in leadership roles for the Mishawaka Food Pantry; Boy Scouts of America; Salvation Army Kroc Center; Mishawaka Kiwanis Club; and Salvation Army Advisory Board. He has received such honors as the Community Service and Leadership Award by the Boy Scouts of America; two Sagamore of the Wabash awards by two different governors; the American Legion Post 161's Veteran of the Year; and was named an Honorary Graduate from Bethel College. Given all of Beutter's service to the community, it was only fitting that the City of Mishawaka's riverfront park was named after him, as it is the focal point of our community. Beutter and his wife Mary have been married for 55 years. Together, they have helped build and grow Mishawaka. I want to thank them both for their service and sacrifice to help make our community a better place.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Governor Joseph E. Kernan and honor him for a long career in public service. Kernan is the oldest of nine children and a graduate of St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana. He attended the University of Notre Dame where he was a catcher on the baseball team and earned a degree in government. Upon graduation, Kernan joined the U.S. Navy where he served as a Naval Flight Officer aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. During a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam, Kernan was shot down and held captive as a POW for nearly 11 months. After his release from captivity, Kernan continued to serve his country on active duty. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, two Purple Hearts, and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. After his military service, Kernan worked in the private sector as a successful businessman before serving as South Bend's City Controller from 1980 to 1984. In 1987, he was elected Mayor of South Bend and would become the longest serving mayor in the city's history. In 1996, Frank O'Bannon and Kernan were elected as Indiana's governor and lieutenant governor and were reelected in 2000. As lieutenant governor, Kernan served as president of the Indiana Senate, director of the Indiana Department of Commerce, and commissioner of Agriculture. In particular, Kernan played a vital role in improving services for veterans, having spearheaded a Veterans Outreach Initiative to educate veterans on available benefits through the state and federal government. In 2003, after the unfortunate passing of Governor Frank O'Bannon, Kernan assumed the role of Governor until 2005. Since then, he has been active in the community, serving in various leadership roles. Governor Kernan and his wife Maggie have spent their careers serving the city, state, and nation. On behalf of Hoosiers in the Second Congressional District, it is my honor to thank them both for their service and sacrifice to our community.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada, President of Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service organization, for his many years of outstanding service and dedication. Dr. Yamada was elected by his peers in June 2015 to facilitate the work of 1.4 million Lions Clubs International members in over 200 countries and territories. Working with over 46,000 clubs, Dr. Yamada promotes an international effort to aid the blind and visually impaired, champion youth initiatives, and strengthen local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects. As a member of the Lakeville Lions Club in Indiana, I have seen the impact Lions Clubs can have on local communities. They work to promote the principles of responsible government and good citizenship by uniting individuals from all walks of life with a mission to foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. As President of Lions Clubs International, Dr. Yamada is the very embodiment of those ideals. The world truly owes a great deal of respect and gratitude to incredible individuals like Dr. Yamada who have dedicated their lives to working for the common good. His commitment to improving the state of our world inspires many, facilitating the service of dedicated and passionate individuals across the globe. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in celebration of Dr. Yamada's leadership and continued accomplishments. His work brings communities together, strengthening our collective resolve.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Modernizing the Interstate Placement of Children in Foster Care Act. This bill will reduce the amount of time kids wait to be adopted, placed with relatives, or placed with foster parents when they are going to a home in another State. The current paper-based process keeps children waiting while caseworkers mail physical documents. This bill incentivizes States to connect to an electronic system that has been pilot-tested in a handful of States, including my home State of Indiana. Getting at-risk kids into a stable, permanent environment as quickly as possible is critical to allowing them to thrive and reach their full potential. Each day they spend waiting for paperwork to be mailed back and forth is time wasted unnecessarily. I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Young of Indiana, for his leadership on this issue. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4472 and do everything possible to get our most vulnerable children placed in a safe environment.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Penn High School girls basketball team for winning the Class 4A Girls Basketball State Championship on Saturday, February 27. This impressive achievement is the program's first State title. The Kingsmen team entered the game ranked fourth in the division, but didn't let that deter them. They took a 31-30 lead at the beginning of the third quarter. The momentum continued when, after a pair of big runs, the team opened a 19-point lead early in the fourth quarter. The Kingsmen rolled past the defending champs, the Columbus North Bulldogs, to win the championship 68-48. They finished the night shooting 52 percent from the floor and, after getting out-rebounded in the first half, topped the Bulldogs over the final 16 minutes. This is truly an exciting victory, and it is because of the dedication of Coach Kristi Ulrich and the hard work of these student athletes that this honor has been earned. Mr. Speaker, the names of the student athletes are: Kaitlyn Marenyi, Amber Smith, Makenzie Kilmer, Sara Doi, Chloe Foley, Delaney Jarrett, Tia Chambers, Claire Carlton, Camryn Buhr, Lindsay Chrise, Lindsy Kline, Kamra Solomon, and Janessa Chesnic. Also, Coach Kristi Kaniewski Ulrich. On behalf of the people of Indiana's Second Congressional District, I applaud Kristi for building this team, thank the student athletes for their determination, and congratulate them all on an amazing season.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to a champion of higher education in my district. For the last 12 years, Dr. Carol Mooney has honorably served as president of Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She is beloved by her peers and praised for strengthening Saint Mary's fiscal and academic standings. Her work has directly impacted the lives of students on campus, providing them with the highest quality education possible. As its first lay alumna president, Mooney spearheaded Saint Mary's most successful fund-raising campaign, raising over $105 million in gifts and pledges. She also oversaw the expansion of numerous undergraduate and graduate programs. Clearly, her dedication to and passion for education has been felt far and wide. On behalf of the people of Indiana's Second Congressional District, I thank President Mooney for her commitment to improving the state of our community and society at large and wish her all the best as she enters retirement later this year.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to a champion of public health in my district as she moves to California to continue her work serving the public. As chief executive officer of Heart City Health Center in Elkhart, Indiana, Vernita Todd has tirelessly advocated on behalf of others. Over the last 10 years, she has led the Center in achieving its mission of contributing to the health of our community by providing access to high-quality and accessible health care. Vernita has received national recognition for her role in prioritizing advocacy as a crucial component to Heart City Health Center's mission. Whether at the city, State, or Federal level, the impact of her work can surely be felt by thousands. On behalf of the people of Indiana's Second Congressional District, I thank Vernita Todd for her contributions to improving thousands of lives throughout the northern Indiana community and the country as a whole. I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to a brave individual in my district. Rochester volunteer firefighter David Lawson was returning home from an early-morning medical call last month when he hit a deer. While the accident only caused minor damage to his vehicle, it delayed his trip home. While he was driving, he saw smoke coming out of the vents of a nearby property. He called 911. He headed to the house and began banging on the front door to wake up the residents. He woke up the adults. The adults grabbed the four kids, and they got out safely. We later found out the fire started in the attic, which is why it did not set off smoke detectors. David Lawson's courage and resolve to protect the residents of northern Indiana is truly remarkable. On behalf of the people of Indiana's Second Congressional District, I want to personally thank David and every brave man and woman who represent Indiana's finest first responder community for their collective service and commitment to protecting all of our loved ones.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the team from Beiger Elementary School in Mishawaka, Indiana, for winning the 2015 FIRST LEGO League State Championship. The Beiger Bots is a team of students who was judged in three areas: a theme-based project, a robot competition, and an evaluation of core values, like teamwork. The project portion challenged the group to reduce, reuse, or recycle garbage. These students visited a local landfill and discovered that Styrofoam cutouts cannot be recycled. They brainstormed new uses for them, ultimately deciding to repurpose them as a folding breakfast tray. After conquering Indiana, the Beiger Bots will now emerge in April at the world competition in St. Louis, the FIRST LEGO League World Festival. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Beiger Bots on their big win, and I wish them all the luck in St. Louis. I also want to thank the parents, the coaches, the teachers, the principals, and all of the community that supported them for this big win. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the names of these students and coaches. Names of Students on Beiger Bots Jonas Knorr Ana DeVries Lilly Wilson Illiana Vanlue Jacob Stanton David Sharp Elizabeth Newland-Ball Ben Pamachena Max Ford Briella Buchmann Names of Coaches of Beiger Bots Robert Pamachena JoAnn Pamachena Sarah Knorr Maria DeVries

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule for the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015. This important legislation would repeal the employer and individual mandates, the ObamaCare slush fund, and the numerous harmful taxes on everything from medical devices to health insurers to the insurance plans themselves. Mr. Speaker, ObamaCare is an unpopular, failed law. Polls have shown it, elections have demonstrated it, and rising premiums have proven it. I wasn't in this body when this law passed. I was watching in horror with the rest of the American people as the legislative process was railroaded to push it through. But let's consider the contrast today to what we have before us, a bill that both the House and the Senate came together to guide through the normal legislative process. Let's start 2016 the right way and make President Obama own this law in a way that he has not had to do yet. Let's continue to work here in Congress toward a commonsense plan to replace this damaging law.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Beacon Health System in my district for their collaboration with CarePayment. Beacon Health System continues to look for new, innovative ways to care for their patients. They have partnered with CarePayment to provide a financing service that allows patients to spread out the payment of medical bills. Oftentimes, patients face sticker shock when they discover what their out-of-pocket medical expenses will ultimately cost. Some plans with high-deductibles force patients to pay $6,000 for an individual plan, or $12,000 for a family plan before their health insurance kicks in to cover medical bills. In order to provide more financial relief to patients in my district, Beacon Health and CarePayment are now providing a patient-friendly, financing program. Everyone is eligible, regardless of income or employment status, and participating in this program has no impact on the patient's credit score. The constituents I serve are concerned with rising medical costs. In fact, many of them face difficult decisions when it comes to prioritizing their healthcare. I am grateful for partnerships like the one between Beacon Health and CarePayment for providing patient driven solutions to Hoosiers. I will keep working on bipartisan reforms to move in this direction.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the honorable service of Charlie Hall as he retires as CEO of AM General after five years of remarkable leadership of this world-renowned company, the manufacturer of the Humvee. Few exemplify the American spirit more than Mr. Hall and his contributions are truly deserving of this body's recognition. For more than 35 years, Hall has worked in domestic and international business. He began his career as a summer intern at Chrysler Defense where he returned full time upon completing his business degree from Western Michigan University. A driven and natural born leader, Hall then became an employee of General Dynamics in 1984, where he worked at nearly every level of the organization including plant manager, vice president, and president of General Dynamics Land Systems. While serving in the Combat Systems Group at General Dynamics, Hall oversaw nearly 20,000 employees. Hall joined AM General as CEO in January 2011, and set out to fortify the HMMWV brand, grow international sales, and diversify the commercial vehicle business. Hall will retire from the company accomplishing these goals and much more. He restructured the business from top to bottom, launched critical partnerships with the National Guard and Reserves, secured unprecedented foreign military sales, and diversified the company's commercial portfolio, just to name a few of his most notable achievements. Best known for his collaborative, deliberative, no-nonsense leadership style, Hall has never lost track of his top priority: delivering the best light tactical vehicles on the planet for our men and women in uniform. Under his leadership, AM General has truly been transformed and stands poised for a very bright future. I want to take this opportunity to once again thank Charlie Hall for having such an extraordinary impact on this company and for serving as a role model for the next generation of leaders in our community. On behalf of myself and my fellow Hoosiers, I thank him for his commitment to service and exceptional leadership.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Beacon Health System in my district for their collaboration with CarePayment. Beacon Health System continues to look for new, innovative ways to care for their patients. They have partnered with CarePayment to provide a financing service that allows patients to spread out the payment of medical bills. Oftentimes, patients face sticker shock when they discover what their out-of-pocket medical expenses will ultimately cost. Some plans with high deductibles force patients to pay $6,000 for an individual plan, or $12,000 for a family plan before their health insurance kicks in to cover medical bills. In order to provide more financial relief to patients in my district, Beacon Health and CarePayment are now providing a patient-friendly, financing program. Everyone is eligible, regardless of income or employment status, and participating in this program has no impact on the patient's credit score. The constituents I serve are concerned with rising medical costs. In fact, many of them face difficult decisions when it comes to prioritizing their healthcare. I am grateful for partnerships like the one between Beacon Health and CarePayment for providing patient driven solutions to Hoosiers. I will keep working on bipartisan reforms to move in this direction.