Roger Williams

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Madam Speaker, barring the use of certain Federal funding for abortion is not a new concept. The Hyde amendment has, more or less, called for this ban for 40 years, but the Hyde amendment is not permanent and must be reintroduced every year for it to go into effect. As such, it has been reformed from time to time, and, sooner or later, I believe it will cease to be implemented; so it is time to make the Hyde amendment permanent law. It is long overdue. Madam Speaker, this bill we are debating is not about man versus woman; it is not about liberal versus conservative; H.R. 7 is not about taking away the rights of a woman. It is about protecting the rights of the unborn because, at the end of the day, this is what this comes down to. Who knew something so obviously and so morally right would be so controversial? I ask my colleagues to support this bill as we protect the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to reaffirm this Congress' commitment to America's greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel. Last week, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to object to the United Nations Security Council anti-Israel resolution. H. Res. 11 was supported by most Democrats and all but four Republicans. The House vote was prompted by the Obama administration's refusal to use its veto power to shoot down a U.N. resolution condemning Israeli settlements. As I wrote in a recent op-ed: This U.N. resolution was one-sided. It failed to recognize that Israel is the only Jewish state and that it is fighting for survival every single day. This U.N. resolution will be used to justify the actions of those who want to wipe Israel off the map. As I speak, we are still mourning Sunday's attack on a group of Israeli soldiers that left four dead and more than a dozen injured. Mr. Speaker, I think most of us can agree that U.S.-Israel relations have hit a low point under this administration. When I first ran for Congress 4 years ago, I ran on a seven-point platform that included standing with Israel. Mr. Speaker, I will not waver in my support for our friend. I hope the incoming administration sets a new tone in reestablishing America's alliance with the Jewish state. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chair, I rise today not only in strong support of the HALOS Act but for the entrepreneurs everywhere in this country. The facts are simple. Angel investors provide vital, often necessary capital for startup companies. Unfortunately, after the passage of the JOBS Act, the SEC made this more difficult, placing unnecessary burdens on companies who are just starting out. Mr. Speaker, the positive impact these startups often have on a community are staggering. In the City of Austin, which I am proud to represent, startup companies provide more than just new technologies. They provide jobs, they generate taxes, and they give back to their local community. In 2015 alone, tech companies in Austin were able to raise almost a billion dollars in new capital. With our economy still on the mend from the financial collapse in 2007, it is time to give businesses, both large and small, the resources they need to compete in an often competitive environment. H.R. 79 rightly amends the SEC Act of 1933 to formally define an angel investor group and exempts them from having to comply with burdensome, third-party verification rules. The HALOS Act provides essential protection for trade associations that often facilitate such meetings between investors and fund managers, continuing to cultivate small business capital formation relationships. This change may be small, but the impact will be great. Mr. Speaker, I will end my remarks by saying this: If the 115th Congress is serious about jobs, serious about turning our economy around, and serious about real change, passing bills like the HALOS Act will be paramount to our success. I urge all Members to support Chairman Chabot's bill.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. ``. . . to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the State in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings; . . .''

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2016 Lake Travis Cavaliers on winning their sixth State championship in Texas. I am proud to say that the L.T. takeover of class 6A high school football is complete. The Lake Travis Cavaliers, led by their head football coach, Hank Carter, defeated The Woodlands in grand fashion by a score of 41-13. Coach Carter has assembled a great coaching staff and built Lake Travis into one of the best high school football programs in the State of Texas. I look forward to seeing what the program will continue to accomplish in the coming seasons under Coach Carter's leadership. I would also like to congratulate senior quarterback Charlie Brewer who was the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors' high school player of the year. Charlie led the offense to a big win and finished the season with a record-breaking 75 percent completions. I wish Charlie and the rest of the seniors the best of luck in their future endeavors. This season will go down in the history books for Lake Travis High School. Great job to Coach Carter and the 2016 team. Mr. Speaker, Texas is the greatest football State in America, and because Lake Travis High School is the greatest team in Texas, it most certainly must be the greatest high school team in the country, if not the world if you ask me. Go Cavaliers. In God We Trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, last November, the American people spoke loud and clear about wanting real change in Washington. The American people want Washington to work for them--no more empty promises and no more talk. Mr. Speaker, the American people want their government to act, and Congress' time to act is now. I come here today to offer a solution to an issue that has been discussed, but not truly acted on, for decades. Time and time again, from Congress to Congress, lawmakers come down to this floor to talk about the need for tax reform. As a current small business owner for all of my working life, I understand what is killing small businesses firsthand. Since I came to Congress, I have been outspoken on the need to reform our Tax Code, and I have a proposal to make it happen. My tax reform plan will simplify our Tax Code. It will give job creators the tools they need to succeed and empower America's greatest asset--the American worker. My tax reform plan will do exactly what its name says it will do--jump-start America. Today, the Internal Revenue Code is often called complicated, uncompetitive, and unfair; and rightfully so. According to the Tax Foundation, Federal tax laws and regulations have grown to more than 10 million words in length. Imagine how much easier tax season would be for all of us if we shrank our individual income tax thresholds to two brackets. What if our Tax Code actually put American taxpayers first, in other words, treated us like a customer? The United States has the highest corporate tax rate in the free world. Sure, deductions, exclusions, and tax credits occasionally lower that rate, but these add further to the Tax Code's complexity, and they allow carve-outs for special interests. To those who believe our corporate tax rate is okay the way it is, I ask you to consider why American companies are moving their headquarters overseas. In order to incentivize these companies to return their investments in expansion and employment back home in America, my plan will implement a permanent tax holiday to allow repatriation of funds at 5 percent. While the corporate tax rate is putting the United States at a disadvantage in the global economy which we all live, the most unfair tax facing many Americans is inheritance tax. The death tax, as it is more commonly referred to, is a form of double taxation that can take a generation's worth of sweat equity and hard work and destroy it if a family business, for example, is passed down to a next of kin. That is what nearly happened to me after the death of my parents. Fortunately for me, I was able to gather the resources to keep my father's business afloat. Many of my friends have not been so lucky. We cannot force owners and operators to sell off parts of a business just so the Federal Government can collect a few extra dollars equal to less than 1 percent of Federal revenue. Especially considering our government is running a huge deficit and a $20 trillion national debt, I would argue that the private sector is a much better steward of budgeting, investing, and creating return on investment than the Federal Government. That is why Jump-Start America will repeal the death tax once and for all. These are a few of the notable reforms of Jump-Start America that I talk about on the road in Texas and nationwide. Jump-Start America has gained the support of Americans for Tax Reform and former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin. It was called ``a good plan'' by the Cato Institute. As a small business owner, I can tell you my plan will put people back to work, encourage business and individuals to spend money they didn't have before, and grow the economy. It is a thing called the American Dream. While Jump-Start America is a small business perspective on tax reform, it will benefit every American individually and our Nation as a whole. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues, especially the newer Members, to familiarize themselves with my plan as we work to implement an aggressive pro- growth agenda under new leadership on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. In God We Trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent several Texas colleges and universities in my Texas 25th Congressional District, but it is Austin's first institution of higher education that I would like to speak about today. Huston-Tillotson University is referred to by many as the jewel of the east Austin community. I have had the pleasure of meeting the school's president, Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette. She is only the second female president in the institution's rich history. I can tell you, Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette is an experienced leader who is committed to the success of her students. Huston-Tillotson College was chartered by the State of Texas in 1952 and was renamed to Huston-Tillotson University in 2005. Its name derives from the merger of Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College. The school's focus is on liberal arts. It offers associate and master's degrees, in addition to bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees, in more than 19 areas of study. I would like to thank President Colette Pierce-Burnette, the faculty, and the administration for their devotion to higher education, and I expect they will keep up the good work for many years to follow. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call 593 on final passage of H.R. 6393, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, I would have voted Aye, which is consistent with my position on this legislation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call 591 on final passage of H.R. 5047, the Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of 2016, I would have voted Aye, which is consistent with my position on this legislation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call 599 on final passage of H.R. 6392, the Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2016, I would have voted Aye, which is consistent with my position on this legislation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I think by now the secret is out the Dodd- Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has been a complete failure. For the last 6 years, in an effort to protect consumers, the Dodd- Frank Act has instead stifled job creation for millions of Americans with regulation after regulation. H.R. 5143, which I am a proud cosponsor of, aims to roll back one of the many unintended consequences forced upon U.S. insurers. For 150 years, the State-based model, the American model, has been successful because it focused on one thing--the consumer. The U.S. State-based insurance regulatory system is unmatched by any insurance regulatory system in the world. It is important that U.S. insurers are not put at a competitive disadvantage worldwide and we continue to act in their interest. H.R. 5143 requires Congress to conduct oversight of international conversations focused on insurance standards and establish a series of requirements to be met by our top negotiators at Treasury's Federal Insurance Office. Furthermore, transparency and accountability is often lacking in international regulatory discussions, something that is fundamental to the State-based system. It is important that Congress takes every opportunity to open doors, not close doors, and allows all interested parties to participate in negotiations with our international counterparts. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will strongly encourage increased transparency and information sharing and bring to light the true objectives. Just as Congress is routinely involved in international trade negotiations, this should be no different. It is important we work cooperatively and only agree to standards and agreements that benefit U.S. consumers and allow us to maintain a strong insurance marketplace. Again, I want to thank Chairman Luetkemeyer for his leadership and the work our committee has done to stand up for U.S. insurers and consumers. I strongly urge passage of this bill. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call 592 on final passage of H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, I would have voted Aye, which is consistent with my position on this legislation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call 600 on final passage of S. 294, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, I would have voted Aye, which is consistent with my position on this legislation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to join my colleagues down here tonight to honor a patriot and a good friend, Congressman Randy Neugebauer. While your retirement is well-deserved, Randy, your departure is, certainly, a loss not only to us as your friends, but to Texas and America. Randy and I serve together on the Financial Services Committee. Before we came up to Washington, we were both in small businesses. Still are. I knew Randy before he was a Congressman, and he is still the same guy. Congressman Neugebauer is a voice of reason. He has valuable, firsthand knowledge of how the private sector works-- knowledge which is needed very much in Washington today. He understands how Washington's decisions affect Main Street America. That empathy is crucial to conducting good policy, and it is rare. We could use more lawmakers like Randy Neugebauer. Congressman Neugebauer is a Texas Tech fan. I feel sorry for him, but he always thinks they will win every single game. Congressman Randy Neugebauer, I wish you and your wife, Dana, my best as you begin the next chapter of your lives. May your spare time be spent with your grandkids, fly fishing, and rooting for the Raiders. You have served your State and our Nation with honor and devotion. We will all miss you. You will be missed. I must simply say to you, Randy, guns up. May God bless you, and may God bless America for allowing you to serve this great country.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Huizenga for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, the Obama administration's State Department recognizes the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of three state sponsors of terrorism. But, ironically, the President calls his deal with Iran a foreign policy achievement. Our Commander in Chief is proud of his plan that puts Iran on the path to getting a nuclear weapon. He is proud of his plan that condones and facilitates U.S. business with Iran. In September, the Treasury Department authorized the sale of up to 97 Airbus and Boeing planes to Iran. Iran is more than just a labeled state sponsor of terrorism. Iran uses its financial sector for international money laundering. Iran has been a long-time supporter of the brutal Assad regime in Syria. It has supported a government that has killed hundreds of thousands of its own people. Iran's leader has pledged to wipe America and Israel off the map, but none of these facts matter to the Obama administration. They will do whatever they can just to make a deal and ensure a legacy. Mr. Speaker, why are we rewarding and aiding a nation that has contributed to so much disorder and destruction in the Middle East? To me, it is simply a no-brainer. We must not authorize U.S. aircraft sales to Iran. I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 5711, which would prohibit the Treasury Secretary from authorizing U.S. financing in connection with commercial passenger aircraft to Iran. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, the Obama administration admitted to transferring $1.3 billion in cash to Iran after delivering a $400 million cash payment on the same day that Iran released American prisoners. The Obama administration tried to walk back its actions by calling the first cash payment leverage, but the American people, frankly, know better. The cash payment to Iran was a ransom payment--I repeat, a ransom payment to Iran--plain and simple. Let's get one thing straight here: Iran is our enemy. It is not our friend. Iran is the enemy of our most important allies in the region and not their friend. Iran's leadership has publicly promised to wipe out America and to wipe out Israel--right off the map. Those are not the words of a friend. Iran imprisons American citizens and taunts our Navy every single day. That is not a friend. Iran is one of only three nations our Department of State classifies as a ``state sponsor of terrorism.'' Whether it is the Obama administration's refusal to utter the phrase ``radical Islam'' or the word ``ransom,'' it has tried time and again to deceive the American people with its policies that have ultimately made America less safe. As the increasingly popular saying goes: our friends no longer trust us, and our enemies no longer fear us. It is time for Congress to step in and block future cash payments to Iran. As an original cosponsor of this bill, I urge my colleagues to support the Prohibiting Future Payments to Iran Act. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chairman, here are the facts: This summer, Congress was made aware that $400 million worth of cash was secretly airlifted to Iran. Two days later, an additional $1.3 billion was sent to Iran. This comes on top of the approximately $55 billion Iran had access to after the Iran nuclear deal was reached. But here is something that Americans do not know: Where is all the money going and why? Is it going to help Iran rebuild its badly aging infrastructure? Is it going to support expanding freedoms for the average Iranian, or improving basic living conditions? Who believes any of that? In June of this year, Secretary Kerry admitted: Some of the money would go to groups labeled as terrorist organizations. He then said: The rest of it, well, we just don't know. I am proud to rise today in support of my friend from Maine's bill, a bill that will provide some transparency by requiring the Department of the Treasury to develop and post online a list that estimates the amount of funds and assets held by senior Iranian and military leaders and how they acquired those assets. As a member of the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, our committee learned firsthand the dangers associated with approving the Iran nuclear deal and giving them access to large amounts of cash. Frankly, Iran's leaders cannot be trusted. They are our enemy. Again, Mr. Chairman, the investment made by all U.S. taxpayers in Iran was very costly. Let's make sure we hold their leaders accountable. Please support the bill. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, Sunday will mark 15 years since the September 11 attacks. Each year, this anniversary seems to sneak up on us faster than it did the year before. September 11 forever changed who we are individually and as a country. It prompted grief, fear, and anger. The images of the Twin Towers collapsing one after the other are just as tragic today as they were a decade and a half ago. The scene of smoke rising from the Pentagon is seared in our memory. The gaping hole left in an open Pennsylvania field is something we will never forget. September 11 also brought stories of courage, hope, and leadership. It tested the resolve of this great Nation. From the brave passengers of Flight 93, who quite possibly saved this very building we are standing in today, to the first responders who gave their life to ensure the well-being and safety of others. We will never forget the President, who confidently stood on the rubble of collapsed buildings in New York to comfort an uncertain nation. I will always remember the first pitch President Bush threw at Yankee Stadium several weeks later. As tens of thousands of fans looked on, the ball went right down the middle. He threw a perfect strike. It was a symbolic moment. It was symbolic of America's ability to not only recover from tragedy but reemerge as a greater country than it was before. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, the city of Dallas experienced tremendous tragedy last week. It was the deadliest day for law enforcement since September 11, 2011. Burleson resident, Lorne Ahrens, was one of the five officers who so courageously made the ultimate sacrifice. I am honored to have been able to say he hailed from Texas' 25th Congressional District. At 6 feet, 5 inches, and 300 pounds, Officer Ahrens has been described as ``a big guy with an even bigger heart.'' His colleagues said he always had a smile on his face. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. Officer Ahrens often volunteered at his children's schools. He was known to be a jokester, a friend, and a true cop. The day before his death, it was reported that Officer Ahrens bought dinner for a homeless man and his dog. This is who he was. This is who we lost. A semi-pro football player, Officer Lorne Ahrens began as a dispatcher at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and joined the Dallas police force in 2002, eventually becoming a senior corporal. There are no words to express the sadness felt by the entire Burleson community. I send my prayers to his wife Katrina and their family. I am encouraged by the outpouring of support Officer Ahrens' family has received, and I know it will continue in our community. May the Lord's strength give their hearts and souls peace and comfort. In God we always trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, the revelations of the last few days have been, at best, an injustice and, at worst, government corruption of the highest degree. Earlier this week, FBI Director James Comey acknowledged that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent or received 110 emails that contained classified information through her unsecured server. He went as far as to say that Secretary Clinton's actions were ``extremely careless.'' Despite the FBI Director's harsh criticism of Secretary Clinton's ability or inability to protect highly sensitive material, it appears she will walk away without punishment. In an era where cybersecurity has become one of the most important pillars of U.S. national security, this carelessness is totally unacceptable. What is even more unacceptable is that the Nation's top prosecutor met with Secretary Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, in private 1 week before the Justice Department decided not to press charges. Mr. Speaker, it is possible Secretary Clinton threatened the security of this great country. There are those who have committed far lesser crimes who have faced far harsher consequences. The Attorney General's decision not to prosecute Secretary Clinton is a failure of our justice system. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to bring attention to the recent outstanding achievements of the University of Texas at Austin. This public university, which I represent, has continued to fulfill the Texas Constitution's mandate that UT be a ``university of the first class.'' I regularly meet with President Greg Fenves and Chancellor Admiral William McRaven. I would like to praise them for their continued dedication to upholding the core values of UT--particularly the students' and faculty's cutting-edge research and development of new technologies. A top public university, UT has conducted $650 million worth of innovative scientific and scholarly research. In the past few years, the Cockrell School of Engineering has invented new technologies, including a device that will improve physical therapy for patients recovering from spinal cord injuries. The Dell Medical School, under the leadership of neurologist Dean Clay Johnston, is planning to reinvent medical education and healthcare thinking. They are transforming the way we learn about health. The students at UT are taught by some of the most brilliant minds in the country. More than 200 members of the National Academies and 12 National Medal of Science recipients serve as UT professors. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the University of Texas at Austin on these impressive accomplishments. Our country is proud of Texas' flagship university. What starts at the University of Texas truly does change the world. I say, ``Hook 'em.'' In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the time. I rise today to support H.R. 766, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2016. As a small-business owner for 44 years, I have seen it all--or at least I thought I saw it all--and I am deeply troubled over a Federal Government program that I believe to be, at best, immoral and, at worst, illegal: Operation Choke Point. The Obama White House has single-handedly granted itself the authority to cut off relationships between private financial institutions and the perfectly legitimate businesses which they serve. This Congress has not passed any legislation granting the executive branch such immense power. Mr. Chairman, all of us here have bore witness to the Obama administration's willingness to bypass the lawmaking branch of our government, but this is a new low. Operation Choke Point is the worst example of the Obama White House telling Americans what is best for them, and there is no appeals process. Mr. Chairman, this is the worst form of government intrusion I have ever seen and can think of. Operation Choke Point is another example of this administration's going around Congress to create laws rather than do their job, to enforce the laws we already have on the books. As a second-generation small-business owner, I support H.R. 766, which will rein in this abuse of power. Operation Choke Point is un- American and deceiving. It is simply wrong. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and do away with Operation Choke Point once and for all. Let's save small business. Let's save Main Street America. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. I thank the chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2015. Introduced by my good friend Chairman Luetkemeyer and my friend Congressman Cleaver, this bipartisan piece of legislation is the first step in many to help reform and modernize our outdated Federal housing system. Mr. Chairman, for too long, government red tape has made many of these housing programs inefficient and ineffective, hurting the very people they aim to support. If signed into law, H.R. 3700 would seek to change that, all the while saving taxpayer-invested money. First, as mentioned, the CBO projects this bill to be a cost saver. With the Federal deficit reaching almost $19 trillion, the savings in discretionary spending are a direct result of allowing local housing officials and agencies to better manage their programs. Like most Federal programs, inefficient regulations exist that often balloon overall costs. Additionally, as previously mentioned, for the first time in 80 years of public housing policy, this legislation restricts the use of already scarce public housing units to those who actually need them by establishing an earnings cap. Eliminating Federal subsidies for over- income families has always been key to this discussion. While most wait lists for public housing stretch into the tens of thousands, families who should not receive subsidies, in fact, often do. Plain and simple, public housing should be reserved for those who are most in need. Finally, H.R. 3700 ensures that our veterans have fair access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs. With nearly 50,000 homeless vets nationwide, we can and need to do more in this area. Mr. Chairman, as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I thank Chairman Luetkemeyer for his leadership on this issue over the last year, as addressing housing reform is something that is not without controversy. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call 42 on final passage of H.R. 1644, the Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining Act or the STREAM Act, I would have voted Aye, which is consistent with my position on this legislation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the distinguished career and military service of Colonel Michael P. Dietz. An Alaskan native, Michael enlisted in the United States Army in Providence, Rhode Island in 1979. As an Enlisted Soldier, Michael served in Europe, Korea and Central America eventually achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1989, he was given a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corp. During the First Gulf War, he served with the Third Mobile Armored Corp as a Senior Intelligence Analyst. Throughout the 1990s Colonel (COL) Dietz served in a series of positions of increasing responsibility in the area of military intelligence to include, operations officer of an Anti-Terrorist Response Team and culminating with the Deputy Command of the 6th Civil Support Team, an Anti-Terrorist Team specializing in Weapons of Mass Destruction. During this time, COL Dietz had operational control of response elements to the events of 9/11 and the Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster over East Texas. In 2003, COL Dietz commanded mobile collection teams for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Iraq. He later commanded the entire DIA effort in Afghanistan in 2004. Both positions required work with Allied Nations. In 2008-2009, COL Dietz commanded the 636th Military Intelligence Battalion of the Texas National Guard. This is the number one rated MI Battalion in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. COL Dietz, in his 36 years of service, has served combat tours with 101st Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division as a Battalion Commander, 3rd Army, 3rd Special Forces Group, United States Army Special Operations Command, 5th Special Forces Group, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the 636th MI Battalion. COL Dietz is currently a member of the Warrior Transition Unit at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. This unit specializes in repairing wounded warriors. COL Dietz is in the process of being treated for numerous injuries that he sustained while deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been married for 31 years to Elly Del Prado Dietz and his daughter, Sharon is a 1st Lieutenant currently serving at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas and his son, Aidan is a 2nd Lieutenant serving as an Airborne Infantry Platoon Leader in the 143rd INF BN (ABN). COL Dietz's 36 years of distinguished service reflects great credit upon himself, the Texas Army National Guard, the United States Army and the United States of America. On behalf of a grateful Nation, I wish him and his family the very best in retirement.