Roger Williams

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Coach Robert Hale, a Texas coaching legend in his own right, for his exemplary achievements and positive impact on his students, players, community and the great state of Texas. In 1968 Coach Hale began his coaching career at Leonard Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. He went on to become the head coach at 9 different Texas high schools including; Seymore, Dalhart, Lewisville, Burleson, Everman, Pampa, Weatherford, Azle and Crowley. As a coach, he lead his teams to historic victories, including winning the Class 4A state title at Pampa High School in 1996 and defeating defending state champ Fort Worth Dunbar in 2004. In all, Coach Hale amassed a UIL career record of 753-377 and an overall record of 806-387. Coach Hale has been influential both on and off the basketball court. He taught his students and players life lessons that they could carry with them into adulthood. He took the time to truly influence those around him, and his admirable service has left a lasting mark on his community. I speak on behalf of his son, Colby, when I say he is looked up to by his family and those closest to him. Today I am proud to say Coach Hale's work has earned him the well- deserved honor of being inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association's Hall of Honor. I couldn't be prouder of Coach Hale, and it is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for your leadership. Before I begin, I would just like to say, I am a small-business owner. I have owned my own business for 44 years. I have been through a lot. I have been through dollar gasoline; I have been through 20 percent interest, where I borrowed money; I have been through the slowdown in 1988; I have been through 9/11; and I must tell you, the economy that we are in now, Main Street America is hurting like I have never seen it hurt before. That is why I am up here to talk about this situation that we seem to honor tonight, Dodd-Frank. I join the chairman and my other colleagues here tonight to speak on what I believe is one of the most impulsive, deceiving, and un-American pieces of legislation that has ever been passed through this body. What I am talking about is a 2,300-page law that has unfairly blanketed our entire financial system with more than 400 costly rules and regulations. Just as we have found out that the Affordable Care Act is not affordable, we are learning that Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act doesn't do what its name suggests. I believe we probably need a government protection act. Now, Dodd-Frank is hammering small town America as we have talked about, and I mean like I have never seen before in 44 years. Small town America, Main Street America is hurting. They are hurting with unnecessary but very expensive compliance measures that are hard to meet. As a small-business owner, as I have said, of over 40 years, I can say firsthand that Dodd-Frank is driving Main Street job creators and community banks and credit unions out of business. Yesterday in our op- ed, Congressman Randy Neugebauer and I wrote that the American people were fooled into believing Dodd-Frank was necessary to ensure financial stability and prevent future market meltdowns. But instead of responsibly studying the root causes of the financial crisis, Democrats in Washington rushed to regulate. In my home State of Texas, one of the healthiest economies in the Nation, 115 banks have closed their doors. These banks are far from the major financial institutions in New York. They are small town community lenders that cannot pull together resources to comply with Dodd-Frank. They are community banks and credit unions that issue 51 percent of all business loans under $1 million. The crippling effects of Dodd-Frank have trickled down from the President's pen to local job creators who had nothing to do with the financial crisis. The costs have been passed along to them. It isn't right, and it is not fair. Dodd-Frank is another example of how this administration discourages growth. Under President Obama and his administration, the risk of running a business is no longer worth the possible reward, and that is a big problem. This is America. Bad policies like Dodd-Frank are the product of lawmakers who have little to no business experience. They haven't worked on payrolls; they haven't met a payroll; they haven't counted inventory; they haven't met with employees that need personal help; they haven't put people to work; but they have done something: issue 153 new regulations, 87 compliance changes, and 59 annual adjustments to thresholds. At what price, we ask. The Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office have both estimated that Dodd-Frank costs $3 billion to implement and will result in nearly $27 billion in private sector fees, assessments, and premiums. We simply can't afford this. For this reason, I have introduced legislation that will loosen Dodd- Frank's choke hold on small businesses and Main Street America. The Community Financial Institution Exemption Act will require the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to explain to Main Street lenders why they are not exempted from certain CFPB rules and regulations, as permitted. My bill has the support of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, the Texas Credit Union Association, the National Association of Federal Credit Unions, and the Credit Union National Association. I ask all my colleagues to support my efforts. It is time we stopped punishing those who put their livelihoods on the line to realize the American Dream and not the American scheme. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, as a representative from the 25th Congressional District of Texas, it is my pleasure to represent Fort Hood in the United States Congress. From its state-of-the-art training facilities to its experienced leadership and world-renowned reputation, Fort Hood demonstrates 21st century training for the 21st century soldier. Fort Hood is a treasure of Texas, but it is also the gold standard for the Army, the Department of Defense, and our Nation's overall national security posture. Last week, in an address to the National Commission on the Future of the Army, I presented my thoughts on the recent troop reduction announcement and how it relates to Fort Hood. If sequestration takes effect in October as planned, the U.S. Army will have to cut 30,000 soldiers in addition to the 40,000 soldiers that will be removed from ranks over the next 2 years. At this level, our military may not be able to commit to current deployments, let alone successfully take on new challenges. Mr. Speaker, with the expansion of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, the instability of governments in the Middle East, and an aggressive Russia and China, I do not believe this is the time to be cutting our Army to pre-World War II levels. Mr. Speaker, Fort Hood is a resilient community made up of the finest soldiers I have ever met. They have been dealt some serious challenges in recent years, and each time, they have overcome them. Fort Hood is the Great Place; even so, Mr. Speaker, it is imperative this Congress relieves the strain the sequester has put on Fort Hood and our entire military. It is not fair for our brave men and women to suffer the consequences of our inability to properly govern. I would like to express my gratitude to Fort Hood, the Department of the Army, our soldiers and their families, and fellow Texans. May God bless our troops; may God bless the Great Place, and God bless the United States of America. In God We Trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, up until several weeks ago, my State of Texas experienced a drought so severe that water levels were reduced to historic lows while conservation efforts were set to all-time highs. Lakes and reservoirs were bone dry. Wildfires were a constant threat. In a cruel twist of fate, Texas is now recovering from the worst flooding in recent memory. Rivers overflowed, and dams burst. In Wimberley, Texas, a town about 40 miles southwest of the Texas capital, water rushed over the banks of the Blanco River with enough force to rip houses off their foundations and carry cars like they were toys. Loved ones were lost. Belongings and memories were washed away. The last month has been marked by death, destruction, and disbelief. I have met with first responders, toured flood damage, and spoke to the National Guard and regional FEMA officers about response and recovery operations. My office established a response center in town to help with the recovery process. Although we are still in a period of mourning, the strong Texas spirit of resolve has proven more powerful than Mother Nature's fury. Just this week, a nearby newspaper ran the headline, ``Hard hit by flood, Wimberley assures tourists: We're open for business.'' I personally might add ``wide open for business.'' Mr. Speaker, this is the Texas way; it is what we do. Today, just a few weeks since the rains eased and the floodwaters subsided, Wimberley is making a comeback. Nearly all of the businesses in downtown Wimberley have reopened. Cathy Moreman, the executive director of the Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce, told my office they have had offers of help from around the country. Locals and visitors alike have come in and out and offered much in help from rescue to cleanup efforts. She said the outpouring of support has been astounding. Mr. Speaker, this is what I mean when I cite the Texas spirit of resolve. We have and will continue to take care of each other, look out for our neighbors, and together push forward. I assure you, we will rebound from this tragedy quickly and fully. May God bless the residents of Wimberley, and may God bless all of Texas. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, our Commander in Chief admitted that, in the fight against the Islamic State, the U.S. does not have ``a complete strategy.'' It is hard to believe that it has been 1 year since the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria--ISIS, ISIL, or whatever you want to call them--began making headlines in American newspapers. It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 1\1/2\ years since the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that it was ``likely ISIL will attempt to take territory in Iraq and Syria.'' But it goes back even farther. In January 2014, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq said the Islamic State is ``capable of taking and holding ground and causing a lot of trouble.'' In November 2013, a State Department official testified before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee and specifically cited the ineffectiveness of Iraq's military. Then Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran said: ``ISIL has benefited from a permissive operating environment due to inherent weaknesses of Iraqi security forces.'' Mr. Speaker, all of these warnings occurred after Iraq's Prime Minister made an appeal to President Obama to help defeat the growing threat to his country. That was 2 years ago; so here we are. In June 2015, the leader of the free world tells an international conference in Austria that the United States does not have a complete strategy to defeat an enemy he once called a JV squad. Well, that JV squad is responsible for the horrific murders of American citizens. That JV squad has overtaken territory fought so hard for by American troops, territory that nearly 4,500 American servicemen and -women died to protect in the most violent battles witnessed by U.S. troops since the Vietnam war. That JV squad waves black flags while driving stolen military equipment through streets where Americans made the ultimate sacrifice. From overlooked redlines to bypassed deadlines, the Obama administration will serve as a case study in how not to conduct foreign policy for future world leaders. Today, the President wants us to believe that his administration's negotiations with Iran are in Israel's best interests. Ironically, Israel's Prime Minister made a direct appeal to the American people expressing the contrary. This past March, Prime Minister Netanyahu petitioned Congress from the podium right behind me because he, like so many, has lost faith in the abilities of our Commander in Chief. He is right; he is right to be skeptical about the State Department's ``trust above all else'' policy with Iran, whose leaders have publicly proclaimed their desire for Israel to be wiped off the map. Mr. Netanyahu has rightly questioned America's once unwavering commitment to his homeland, Israel--our partner, our ally, but, most importantly, our friend. As I have said before, for those who do not believe in the United States' moral obligation to protect Israel, I remind them about the United States' strategic obligation. Israel benefits from a secure America, just as America benefits in having a secure, stable, and trustworthy ally in a very volatile and dangerous region of the world. The Obama administration's inability to realize this twofold bond between the United States and Israel illustrates their lack of understanding. I suggest to the President and his advisers that, if they really want to salvage any remaining trace of foreign policy competence for their history books, they walk away from this deal. I urge our President to pause and reflect on America's role in the world. Mr. Speaker, I urge him to reassess our courses of action abroad. The President must start by determining what is important for America. Only then will he be capable of developing a strategy, let alone the right one. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chair, soon, we will vote to end funding for a government program that is, at best, unethical and, at worst, illegal. The program known as Operation Choke Point forces banks to discriminate against legitimate, legal businesses. Today, we know that banks are closing their customers' accounts under a directive by the U.S. Department of Justice. There is no appeals process. That is right; the enforcer of the law of the land is backing this potentially unlawful program. Hard-working American businessowners are having their livelihoods ripped out from under them by a law established by this administration, not by Congress. Operation Choke Point is another example of how the Obama administration has gone around Congress to create laws, rather than do their job to enforce the laws we already have on the books. As a businessowner myself, Operation Choke Point worries me greatly. Operation Choke Point is un-American. It is deceiving and simply wrong. It is time this Congress uses its power of the purse to rein in government overreach and restore government accountability. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to defund Operation Choke Point. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as National Syringomyelia Awareness Month, with the hope that increased awareness of this disorder will bring a cure. Syringomyelia, often referred to as SM, is a progressive disease of the spinal cord and has no known cure. Over 40,000 Americans are affected by SM and those individuals can suffer from chronic pain and even paralysis. It is imperative that we educate the public and provide resources to the medical community in order to find a cure for this disease. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me not just today but every day in helping to raise awareness to Syringomyelia.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a matter that is, frankly, getting out of hand. It is more than a matter; it is a problem. This is a problem that has expanded beyond the borders of individual American cities and into the international spotlight. It is a problem that is no longer a localized issue, but a national one that is spiraling out of control. This week, we watched in horror as Baltimore burned. We watched in disgust as lowlifes destroyed their own communities as local government helplessly stood by. We watched in anger that some could even think to justify this sort of behavior. I applaud President Obama for calling those responsible for the destruction who they really are, criminals and thugs. Mr. Speaker, everyone has the right to participate in peaceful demonstrations, and I thank and respect those in Baltimore who exercised their constitutionally granted right, but, when the actions of a few infringe on the rights of others, we have a problem. When the actions of a few violent protesters dominate the 24-hour news cycle, it takes away from the importance of the message, and it tears apart already fragile communities. When businesses are trashed, those responsible must be brought to justice. When a national chain pharmacy is set aflame, we ask if they will ever risk doing business in that community ever again. As a businessowner, I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, it would take a whole lot of convincing to get me to invest my sweat, energy, and treasure in a city that has demonstrated the type of lawlessness we have seen in recent days, and that is a tragedy. It is a tragedy because these communities so desperately need structure, stability, support, and jobs. Mr. Speaker, it is law enforcement that will help reassure businesses that they will be able to safely operate in these communities. It is law enforcement that will reduce the risk that is currently holding back job creators from setting up shop. Mr. Speaker, communities must have law and order to succeed and prosper. I applaud those in law enforcement who have worked so hard to ensure that. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. As a small-businessowner of 44 years, I have seen friends and colleagues lose gains earned from a lifetime of hard work because of Washington's greed and failed policies, like the death tax. We must repeal this unfair policy that does no good to the Federal Government and does life-changing harm to American job creators and families. We must make sure this law goes away. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, in 1939, a man started a car dealership to realize the American Dream. When he died, the ownership of the business was passed along to his son and so was a death tax liability equal to a significant value of the business' worth. The IRS was there 3 days later after the father's death, wanting the money, 50 percent of the value of the business. His son nearly declared bankruptcy. Fortunately, he was able to pull resources together to keep his family's profitable dealership afloat and save jobs. He still runs the dealership to this day and has more than 100 employees. That son is me. Mr. Speaker, today, the House will vote to repeal the death tax, the most unfair double taxation on job creators we have ever seen. The death tax is a tax on savings that have already been taxed on before, but the tax provides less than 1 percent of Federal revenue. According to the Tax Foundation, repeal of the death tax would boost GDP, create 139,000 jobs, and eventually increase Federal revenue. That is right. Ironically, by killing the death tax, the U.S. Government would earn more money and more opportunities. Mr. Speaker, many second-generation businessowners do not have the means to hire teams of accountants and lawyers to navigate the costly obstacles to save the family farm and save the family business.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Thank you, Congressman Dold. Mr. Speaker, I wish to discuss an important matter that we have heard tonight and talk a little bit about it more, that impacts both my home State of Texas and, as we have heard already, the Nation. Nuclear power is a clean, efficient, and virtually inexhaustible fuel source. Many people rely on it. In fact, in Somerville County, Texas, Comanche Peak is a nuclear power plant that generates enough power to supply about 1.15 million homes in normal conditions and 460,000 homes in periods of peak demand. Nuclear waste, however, must be isolated for tens of thousands of years to safely degrade. Yucca Mountain--we have talked a lot about it tonight--is the official Federal nuclear waste repository and is the law of the land under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act. The Department of Energy has concluded that the repository would have little to no adverse impact on future populations or the environment; yet President Obama and Harry Reid effectively have delayed the Yucca program in 2009 without proposing any kind of alternative energy or energy strategy. Now, like many other nuclear power plants across the United States, Comanche Peak in my district has been paying dues for storing waste, which some think could be as much as $30 billion which, of course, is simply passed on to its customers. That is what always happens. Nuclear waste in our communities poses an environmental risk, a terrorism risk, and prevents communities from redeveloping the property. The facility at Yucca Mountain represents our best option to dispose of spent nuclear fuel in a safe, environmentally friendly, and secure way for centuries to come. Now, if we fail to act, we will continue to spend billions of dollars storing nuclear waste in a way that ultimately leaves our communities vulnerable to environmental disaster or terrorism. We cannot punt this problem to future generations. We have a habit of doing that. We need to find a solution, and we need to find that solution today. I believe we need the Federal Government to quit breaking promises to the American people.

Mr. WILLIAMS. Well, there is no question about it. It is about jobs, and it is about growth. We need Yucca Mountain to come online, so we can begin to develop these properties and also protect the safety of America and Americans.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 650, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would make commonsense changes to Dodd-Frank and restore clarity to a market that has been hit hard by unnecessary regulations. Texas builds or manufactures over 25 percent of the Nation's new manufactured homes--almost 12,000 last year. To put that in perspective, Texas is home to 19 manufacturing facilities with an average of 185 skilled workers per factory. At a time when our Nation is still recovering from the financial crisis of 2008, now is the time to free small businesses from harmful regulations that only hurt hard- working Americans. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have access to affordable financing for manufactured homes, especially in central Texas, where the average home price for a manufactured home is $60,000. The one-size-fits-all regulatory approach under the CFPB is clearly not working. Instead of protecting potential consumers, the CFPB has, once again, gotten it wrong. Treating lending products for manufactured housing as high cost and predatory clearly will not protect consumers, but it will reduce access to small balance loans. With increased lender liabilities, obtaining a high-cost mortgage has become nearly impossible. Having critical resources for low- to moderate-income families is vital in many parts of rural America. By passing the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act, Congress can correct one of the many unintended consequences of the Dodd-Frank Act. This bill is fair, and this bill is logical. It must pass. I urge its immediate passage. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, Israel's Prime Minister will make a direct appeal to the American people. His plea will not be made in front of cameras at a press conference. They will not be made from his home country 6,000 miles away. Tomorrow morning, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will stand right here behind me at this podium to address this Congress. The Prime Minister will speak before us to directly petition Congress and the American people because, sadly, he has, like so many, lost faith in the abilities of our Commander in Chief. The Prime Minister has lost faith in an administration whose foreign policy summarized the President's guiding advice: Don't do stupid stuff. He no longer trusts this American President, whose aids slander his name to the press. He is skeptical about the State Department's trust above all else policy with Iran, whose leaders have publicly proclaimed their desire for Israel to be wiped off the map. He regrets the President's inability to outright condemn Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, without blaming Israel in the same sentence. Mr. Netanyahu has rightly questioned America's once unwavering commitment to his homeland, Israel--Israel, our partner, our ally, but most importantly, our friend. Madam Speaker, we have responsibility--no, we have a commitment--to watch over and protect our greatest advocate in the Middle East. To my colleagues in this body that do not believe in the United States' moral obligation to watch over Israel, I remind them about the United States' strategic obligation. Israel's interests are closely aligned with ours. Israel benefits from a secure America, just as America benefits in having a secure, stable, and trustworthy ally in a very volatile, dangerous region. Despite my personal beliefs that America has a moral obligation to ensure Israel's peace and prosperity, I cannot disregard the obvious strategic benefits our relationship has brought us. The Obama administration's inability to realize this twofold bond between the United States and Israel illustrates how out of touch they really are. Mr. Prime Minister, I welcome you to the Chamber of the United States House of Representatives. Mr. President, you and your supporters who refuse to meet with our friend, I must remind you of your foreign policy advice. Simply, you said: Don't do stupid stuff. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I introduced a bill that would authorize and request the President to award our Nation's highest military honor to a Texan who served this Nation with distinction and bravery. Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL, protected countless American troops as they went into battle. Chris Kyle voluntarily put his life on the line when he completed his first tour in Iraq, and when he returned not once, but three more times. Make no mistake, the Medal of Honor will not bring back a husband, father, son, and a model Texan. But the Medal of Honor will show Chris Kyle's family our gratitude for his relentless devotion to our country. Mr. Speaker, since its inception, the Medal of Honor has been awarded 3,507 times. I challenge someone to tell me Chris Kyle didn't show the bravery that is a prerequisite for this high honor. I challenge anyone to tell me that his courageous acts are undeserving of this recognition. Chris Kyle is someone who we should strive to be. He is a true American patriot whose acts of valor must be permanently etched in our Nation's history. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand here today with my Texas colleagues and say a few words about our most treasured friend, mentor, leader, and hero, Ralph Hall. Ralph's lifetime of service to his country and fellow man are full of victories, as we already heard, and highlights too numerous to count. As a young lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Ralph served his country and flew planes in World War II. Once the next Congress convenes, we will sorely miss the only two remaining World War II veterans currently in Congress, also including Congressman Dingell. Ralph Hall has an appreciation for America that very few of us can understand. He understands sacrifice, he understands service, and he understands putting one's self aside for the greater good. My friend has always been an accomplished businessman, having successfully served in a number of executive roles in the private sector. He brought his business savvy and military experience to Congress, which undoubtedly contributed to his reputation for being one of the most respected and well-liked Members we have ever had. His ability to bring humor into every situation was not just to get a laugh; it was his unique way of bringing different viewpoints together to find common ground. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Ralph Hall has served north Texas well and deserves recognition for his many legislative accomplishments. I am grateful to have served with my friend and a patriot whose leadership, spirit, and statesmanship will always be greatly missed. I wish him all the best as he continues to serve Texas, America, and his community back home. I will always pray for Ralph and his family.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Congressman John Carter, for his words, but, more importantly, for the many years of hard work he has put forth to care for the soldiers at Fort Hood. Mr. Speaker, the 2009 terrorist attack at Fort Hood was an unthinkable tragedy. At that time it was the only story the news reported for days. Who was this murderer? Why did he do it? Could there be more like him? Are our other military installations at increased risk of this type of attack too? How did we not see this coming? After the attacks on September 11 we asked these same questions. That is the difference between workplace violence and a terrorist attack. The Fort Hood shooter was not a disgruntled employee who took his anger out on his colleagues. He was a hate-filled, vengeful Islamic extremist who intentionally planned the horrendous terrorist attack and carried it out with no remorse. Islamic extremists like him want us to fear them every single day. They want to hit us where it hurts--by taking innocent American lives and waging war on our military members. They have zero regard for human life--not even their own. That is why our response to terrorist attacks on American soil must be consistently tough, precise, and without hesitation. At the memorial service honoring the lives of 13 Americans and one unborn, President Obama pledged to take care of those who were injured and the families of those killed. Yet 5 years later he has completely neglected them. Because President Obama designated the attack workplace violence, these men and women are not eligible to receive the benefits, treatment, and compensation that combat troops killed and injured in combat zones receive. This negligence has caused many injured victims to have to pay their own out-of-pocket expenses for treatment, costing some hundreds of thousands of dollars. One victim was pulled off Active Duty. Her paycheck went from $1,400 a month to $200 a month, and she lost her military health insurance. Others scrape by on disability payments but still have to pay the remainder of their medical bills from their own pocket. My friend Sergeant Alonso Lunsford was shot seven times but was turned away when he tried to check into an Army PTSD clinic due to the fact that he was not injured in combat. This is not my definition of taking care of our Nation's heroes. However, the National Defense Authorization Act gives the Obama administration yet another opportunity to honor his pledge to provide for these men and women who were victims of terrorism. This bicameral, bipartisan bill provides authorization for awarding the Purple Heart to members of the Armed Forces killed or wounded in a domestic attack inspired by a foreign terrorist organization. This is a commonsense solution that should have happened immediately following the attack at Fort Hood. I want to thank Chairman McKeon and again Congressman Carter for their tireless work on behalf of their troops, and the many of my Texas colleagues who have joined the fight to restore justice. Just as we united as a country after these senseless attacks, let's once again unite as Americans to fight for the truth and honor of our fallen and demand justice for the victims of terrorism. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper will be inducted into the National Football Foundation's Leadership Hall of Fame on January 8th, 2015.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous work of the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas and its Brain Performance Institute. Not only do their programs and research benefit the public, they have a team that specifically focuses on serving Active Duty servicemembers, veterans, military spouses, and caregivers. More than 2.5 million men and women have admirably worn the uniform to protect America's freedom since 9/11. Sadly, nearly 20 percent of them come back from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD or major depression. More than 250,000 servicemembers have sustained a traumatic brain injury in the last decade. This ring that I wear is a sobering reminder that 22 servicemembers or veterans commit suicide each and every day. Something has to be done to help these heroes battle their inner enemies, and that is where the Brain Health team comes in. The Brain Health team is dedicated to creating public and private partnerships to not only eliminate the stigma often associated with PTSD or TBI, but to improve treatment and access to that treatment. This team is essentially retraining brains to build their resilience, regeneration, and reverse losses in mental capacity, giving these men and women the opportunity to overcome the trauma of war and pursue a happy and healthy future. The Center for Brain Health and Brain Performance has provided scientifically proven programs to more than 500 warriors in seven States, including my home State of Texas. The institute's service to our troops is outstanding. They are the perfect example of America's commitment to take care of our warriors and their families, and I am proud to recognize their good works. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chairman, thank you for your leadership. The Obama administration is so out of touch with reality, it is disturbing. Just last year, President Obama said the war on terror is over. Last month, the official White House spokesperson said Obama's policies have enhanced the world's tranquility, even though there are serious growing conflicts in Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, and China. Today, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey publicly recommended deploying U.S. combat troops to Iraq should the President's coalition-building efforts fail to curb the threat of ISIS. If there ever was a time to ensure that America's military was well- prepared, highly trained, and fully equipped, it would be right now. Our enemies are growing stronger, our allies aren't stepping up, and the President's sequester has strained our military's ability to plan and prepare for all potential threats. The President was caught off guard, leaving our troops underfunded. He must have a clearly defined strategy that fully funds and equips our military. My district, the 25th District of Texas, is home to Fort Hood, the largest military base in America and home to some of the greatest young men and women the country has ever known. These soldiers and all who wear the uniform need to have the full support of their Congress and their President. They need adequate funding, training, and the best armored trucks, planes, weapons, and ammunition in the whole wide world. We need to have an unbeatable military readiness and the highest quality of life for the greatest military in the history of the world. Before President Obama takes any more actions to combat our terrorist enemies, he must work with Congress to roll back his sequester cuts and provide our troops with the support and resources they need and deserve. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, for the last month, I have traveled up and down the 25th District of Texas talking with my constituents about their biggest concerns. They are fed up with Washington's out-of-touch economic policies that are hurting their families and their businesses. Business owners and individuals need certainty when it comes to their money and their taxes. That is why we need to quickly pass a tax extenders bill so business owners can stop playing defense and focus on what they do best, creating jobs. Since Texas doesn't have a State income tax, Texans need to know if they can continue deducting their sales tax from their Federal income taxes. Business owners need to know if they can continue taking risks and innovating with the R&D credit. Companies need to know that they are not the target of tax bias by extending the bonus depreciation credit permanently. Ensuring these incentives is just the first step for true comprehensive tax reform, but these are good, sound policies that my constituents want and that our economy needs. Let's give America the certainty they deserve and pass the tax extenders. And remember the 9/11 victims. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, before President Obama leaves for his 2- week-long vacation at Martha's Vineyard, he has a lot of work to do. Contrary to what he said in Austin, Texas, this month, Americans are not better off than when he took office in 2009. In fact, his policies are hurting families and businesses everywhere. He should focus on what House Republicans are doing and cooperate by getting his party leaders in the Senate to act on more than 40 bills to get our economy moving, get people back to work, and roll back his administration's harmful policies like Dodd-Frank and ObamaCare--the major force behind the transition to part-time America. Under President Obama, the average unemployment rate tops 8 percent; we have got 47 million people on food stamps; 48 million people between the ages of 18 and 64--the very heart of our workforce--have not worked one day in the last 12 months; and nearly 91 million people over age 16 aren't working at all; almost 50 percent of the unemployed have stopped looking for work; and 76 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. The list could go on and on. We can fix this through real tax reform, getting the government out of health care, energizing the energy business, and ensuring America remains the world's superpower with a strong and well-equipped military. As a business owner and job creator for more than 40 years, I know that the constant threat of tax hikes, overregulation, and massive government overhauls hurts businesses, it burdens families, lowers income, and stifles the economy. Everyone is simply playing defense in America. That is why the House continues to pass pro-jobs bills that empower Americans and strengthen the economy. These are real solutions that will improve the quality of life for generations to come. So I urge Harry Reid and the Democrats in the Senate to take up these bills now before President Obama leaves for vacation. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 414 on final passage of H.R. 5021, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, I would have voted ``aye,'' which is consistent with my position on this legislation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the important work of Meals on Wheels, a community-based organization that exemplifies the American spirit: neighbors helping neighbors, serving those in need, and working together to make our communities a better place. Each day, volunteers from over 5,000 Meals on Wheels programs across the Nation deliver over a million meals to elderly citizens. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with one of these organizations in my district, Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties. In theirs and other programs like it, an army of dedicated volunteers share the motto of being their brother's keeper, delivering a hot lunch and breakfast for the next day to their elderly and homebound neighbors, which also provides these individuals with a caring visit from loving volunteers. Lives are touched every day because the investment is made in helping them remain in their homes. Today, I salute the thousands of donors, funders, supporters, volunteers, boards of directors, and workers, and especially those individuals served by Meals on Wheels. Organizations like this are what America is all about: loving your neighbor and serving those in need. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, a national crisis is happening right now in my home State of Texas. Thousands upon thousands of people from Central America are coming across our so-called southern border, and they are bankrupting Texas and wearing out our resources. A recent headline reads: ``Feds looking for babysitters to help with illegal immigrant kids.'' This is where our tax dollars are going. The border towns in Texas are literally overflowing with unaccompanied minors. More than 162,000 people from countries other than Mexico have crossed the southern border of the United States since last October. That is more than a 100 percent increase from the previous year. As my Democratic colleague Congressman Henry Cuellar said: If we don't send the message that they can't come and stay here, this problem is going to continue. It is going to get worse. The answer is simple: secure the border. If we don't secure our border, our work in Congress is obsolete. Of course, the President is absent during this crisis, and it should be his number one priority: enforce the law of the land, and secure our border. In God we trust.