Kevin Yoder

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the many veterans and the work that Congress is doing to support and represent them on the House floor this week. These are the heroes who keep us safe and secure each and every day. This week, this body passed a few important bills to streamline access to care for veterans as well as provide new and better opportunities for veteran-owned businesses and veterans seeking employment. Last month, the unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans increased to 6.3 percent, marking the fourth time in the last 7 months that group's percentage has been higher than the overall veteran unemployment rate. That means that about 211,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are still looking for work. That is 211,000 too many. That is why one of the bills we passed this week establishes a Federal program recognizing private businesses that employ veterans and engage in community service to help our veterans. Mr. Speaker, helping our Nation's veterans who have sacrificed so much for us is a critical priority and remains one of the most important objectives of this Congress. I will continue to use my time and effort to fight for every opportunity to support them when they return home to give them the hero's welcome they deserve.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Thank you for this opportunity to have this very important debate on a critical piece of legislation that has been a long time in the coming. I thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Representative Goodlatte, and Ranking Member Conyers for their work and leadership in shepherding this bill through the process and getting us to this moment on the floor today. I thank my colleague, Mr. Polis, for cosponsoring this legislation and working so tirelessly over the past few years. I think we originally introduced this bill back in 2013, and it takes a while sometimes for a good idea to reach this point in Congress, Mr. Speaker, and this is an idea whose time has come. So I rise today to support these long overdue, bipartisan ideas in this legislation that will bring our digital privacy laws into the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, the year was 1986. We can all try to think back where we were in 1986. I am sure Kentucky had a good basketball team back then. I know Kansas did. I was 10 years old, hoping to get a new Nintendo game console for Christmas so I could play Super Mario Brothers. You could buy a ticket to see Top Gun for $2.75. In the tech world, 1986 marked the debut of the first laptop computer. It was 12 pounds. A mobile phone was the size of a small pet. Mr. Speaker, it was also the year in which Congress passed the Electronic Communication Privacy Act. Now, this law, at the time, there were only 10 million email users worldwide. Most of us probably didn't have email at that time. Most Americans didn't for sure. Now, today, 232 million Americans send an email at least once per month. The first text message wouldn't be sent for another 6 years, and now Americans send more than a billion texts each year. Mr. Speaker, the times and technologies have changed, but the laws have not kept pace. Federal laws regarding how we treat and protect the privacy of digital communications have been unchanged since 1986 and, because of it, our digital content is not afforded the same Fourth Amendment protections as our paper documents on our desks in our home. Now, the Fourth Amendment protects the ``right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.'' Yet when it comes to what is on Americans' cell phones, their home computers, what might be in the cloud, or on their business computer, whatever it is, our laws allow Federal agencies like the IRS, the SEC, or law enforcement to kick down their virtual doors and search an innocent American's private communications and data storage without a warrant, without probable cause or any type of due process. Now, many Americans take great precautions to protect and store their digital communications on services like Dropbox, for example, or an iCloud. Yet our Federal laws perversely treat that data storage as if somehow that data has been abandoned by its owner and, therefore, that data loses its constitutional protection. Well, in 1986, Mr. Speaker, lawmakers believed within reason that individuals and families wouldn't store mass amounts of data online. They wouldn't leave their Gmail stored online. They might have their own servers, or they would delete the emails or delete the data. Therefore, if an individual actually left information on a third- party storage, it was akin to that person leaving their documents in a garbage can at the end of their driveway, therefore, voiding its Fourth Amendment protections. Thus, that individual had no reasonable expectation of privacy in regards to that email under the Fourth Amendment. As we all know, virtually everyone now stores millions of emails and tons of gigabytes of data and other personal items on third-party servers. Those emails contain pictures and videos of our kids, our business transactions, our most sensitive information that the government shouldn't have access to without a warrant, without due process as required by the Constitution of the United States. Establishing these privacy protections are critical for both ensuring that American's rights are protected, but also, Mr. Speaker, ensuring that companies that do business in America know that they can ensure their customers that if they store with them, they can protect it; that that information won't be intruded upon or searched and seized without due process of law, without their permission, without the government proving that they have a need for that information and protecting individuals' rights. We ensure that cloud computer services are covered by the same warranty for content requirements and that all data is treated as if it is paper documents given our law modernization that is desperately needed. In addition to updating our constitutional rights, these privacy protections do create business certainty, making sure consumers will be happy to continue to use cloud storage services. Mr. Speaker, fundamentally, these changes in my bill codify the Sixth Circuit's decision in U.S. v. Warshak, which held that email content is protected by the Fourth Amendment. A decision which, while important, needs to be enshrined in law as it only currently applies in the Sixth Circuit. It must be applied nationwide. Mr. Speaker, today we can cast a unifying vote in these divided times. We so desperately want to find points of bipartisanship and collegiality and to tell the American people that this Congress, this government is doing great things to help protect Americans' rights and to help modernize our laws in a way that is consistent with how we communicate today. I thank my colleagues on the left side of the aisle for their strong work and strong support. This is a unifying bill. It passed the House last year 419-0. So it is the type of thing that is great policy coming out of the Judiciary Committee. I look forward to seeing it pass again on the floor later today. So, Mr. Speaker, we can send a unifying vote and a unifying message to the American people today. We can dispel the myth that Congress doesn't work together, and we can send a strong message to the American people that their privacy matters. I urge passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on H.R. 387, currently under consideration.

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 387) to amend title 18, United States Code, to update the privacy protections for electronic communications information that is stored by third-party service providers in order to protect consumer privacy interests while meeting law enforcement needs, and for other purposes.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, the safety and security of our citizens here on American soil must remain our top priority, and our borders must always be secure against anyone who would enter our country legally or illegally to cause us harm, especially those who wish to exploit our Nation's generosity and compassion. However, compassion and security are not conflicting ideals, and we must continue our Nation's legacy of being a beacon of hope and freedom around the world. The idea of reform, though, and oversight of our Nation's vetting system is not in conflict with our longstanding value of accepting refugees, and it is not new. The Obama administration and the Trump administration, alike, have now both paused refugee settlements into our Nation. President Trump should have our Nation's support to carry out his mission to protect our Nation's borders, but he must do so without unnecessarily burdening lawful entrance into the United States. Mr. Speaker, I stand ready to work with you and my colleagues in Congress to come up with clear procedures to ensure that our refugee program can continue in the safest possible manner, and together we can live in a nation that is both secure and charitable.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Head Start, a program which serves many Kansas families and children to be prepared for modern education. Many supporters of Head Start came to Capitol Hill today to spread a message, which I believe wholeheartedly: everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. For so many, that starts with quality education and Head Start. We know the importance of getting kids exposed to learning at young ages, but many disadvantaged families lack the resources to do this for their own children. Without Head Start, these children are at risk of falling behind and never catching up. Mr. Speaker, I believe this issue should unite this Congress. It goes without saying that this is a time of deep divisions in our country. My district encompasses all aspects of American society, from urban to suburban to rural. My constituents have a wide range of beliefs and ideals. Head Start is something that can bridge these divides, and it can help children and communities no matter where they live. Mr. Speaker, let's build that bridge and let's bring lawmakers from all across the country together in support of these children, in support of Head Start.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which was observed this week in honor of the contributions countless men and women in uniform have made to keep our communities safe and secure. This year's observance was particularly difficult for our Kansas community. Over the last year, three police officers in my district made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. Brad Lancaster, Dave Melton of Kansas City, and Brandon Collins of Overland Park each lost their lives while protecting our community. Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is a day to remember them and to honor the men and women who remain in the field each day keeping our children and families safe. They are the ones who run into danger when others run away. They are the true heroes, and we should always regard them as such. It is also a day to honor the United States Capitol Police to keep Congress, our staff, and our visitors in this very Chamber safe. Mr. Speaker, let us never forget the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers, and let us continue to honor them with the gratitude and respect they deserve.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. ``No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.''

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity and support for one of America's greatest friends and allies, but one the Obama administration has sadly abandoned in its last days in office: the State of Israel. Since September of 2015 alone, in Israel, 42 people have been killed in terrorist attacks, and 602 people, including four Palestinians, have been injured. Yet, last month, the United Nations Security Council felt the need to condemn Israel with a misguided resolution the United States should have vetoed. In fact, as long as Israel has been part of the U.N., it has been treated with little respect and almost openly disdained. In 2016, there were more resolutions regarding Israel at the U.N. than there were regarding Syria, North Korea, Iran, South Sudan, and Russia combined. That is simply an unacceptable way to treat the only peaceful democratic state in the region. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join together in sending a strong, bipartisan message this week to rebuke this misguided resolution so we can get back on a path to a peaceful solution to conflict in the Middle East.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize one of the most dedicated public servants to Johnson County, Sheriff Frank Denning. Frank dedicated his more than 42-year career to helping keep Kansas communities safe. That career began back in 1969 as a reserve police officer for the Great Bend Police Department, and for the past 33 years, he has proudly served the citizens of Johnson County. Frank served with the Great Bend, Larned, and Garden City Police Departments before joining the Johnson County Sheriff's Office in 1978. Over the years, I have gotten to know Frank well, and I consider him to be a great friend and an even better public servant. His leadership in the sheriff's office has made Johnson County a leader in reducing recidivism rates through the Second Chance and Reentry Programs. We have worked hand in hand on several Federal issues that are important to the Third District of Kansas, most notably the Kelsey Smith Act. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Frank on his retirement and in wishing him and his wife, Robin, all the best in the years to come.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of innovation, research, and lifesaving cures to diseases that affect every family in every neighborhood of America. We are set to begin a new era in Washington in January, but we still have the opportunity to accomplish meaningful change before the end of this year. We have the opportunity to save lives by passing the 21st Century Cures Act and getting it signed into law. For example, right now, each year, 700,000 people die with Alzheimer's disease annually. By 2050, estimates are that our country will spend over $1 trillion alone just to treat patients with Alzheimer's. Yet, we spend just a few hundred million dollars a year on Alzheimer's research. This weekend, 60 Minutes highlighted an NIH-backed Alzheimer's study and the amazing work our researchers are doing to find a cure for this dreadful disease. 21st Century Cures increases our commitment to studies like these by adding almost $5 billion in new investment for research over the next 10 years. Mr. Speaker, if we support 21st Century Cures, we not only save lives, but our investment will pay for itself a thousand times over.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of El Centro in Kansas City, Kansas. El Centro was established in 1976 as a place where the Kansas City, Kansas' Hispanic population could come together and form a sense of connectedness within their communities. El Centro began with just a $10,000 grant from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and with the hard work and dedication of caring community members it has grown to 3 locations in my district, serving more than 12,000 individuals and families per year. El Centro could not be what it is today without the efforts of its President and CEO Irene Caudillo. Irene has a long history of improving our community by creating children and youth programs for nonprofit organizations, including El Centro and Wyandotte Mental Health Association in Wyandotte County. I've had the privilege of getting to know Irene over the years during my visits to El Centro's Head Start program, Academy for Children, which aims to help Pre-K students receive strong early-childhood educational opportunities and set them up for success. Irene also serves on my Hispanic Advisory Committee, is a school board member in Kansas City, Kansas, and a great leader and role model in the Kansas City community. Mr. Speaker, our community is stronger because of El Centro, where their mission is to strengthen communities and improve lives of Latinos and others through educational, social, and economic opportunities. I look forward to our continued work together.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 17 Kansas City area veterans who took part in a special ``Flightless'' Honor Flight last week on Friday, November 11, 2016--Veterans Day. Among other activities, the group had the opportunity to visit and tour the World War I Museum and Memorial, near my district in Kansas City. The Honor Flight Network's mission is to transport America's veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices. However, this is not always possible, so the local extension, Honor Flight Kansas City, decided to start a Flightless Honor Flight program for those who are unable to make the trip to Washington. Now in its second year, the Flightless Honor Flight program has helped contribute to the goal of the national organization by continuing to honor those who have served. Representing every branch of the military, this unique group was made up of veterans who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The Veterans who participated are as follows: Tony Arnone, Air Force (Korea); Bill Barr, Navy (WWII); Russell Callahan, Coast Guard (WWII); Max Deweese, Marines (WWII/Korea); Bob Edwards, Army (Vietnam); Mike Elrod, Army (Vietnam); Ace Fasenmayer, Army (WWII); Tom Garrett, Navy (Korea); Floyd Greenwood, Army (Korea); Clyde Reece Hulet, Army (WWII); George Nicholson, Army (Korea); Dennis Owens, Marines (Vietnam); Agapito ``Pete'' Sanchez, Army (Vietnam); Juanita Smith, Navy (WWII); Robert Willis Sprague, Army (Vietnam); Delbert Stephens, Navy (WWII); Gene Taylor, Navy (Korea). Each of these brave Americans deserves our everlasting thanks for their contributions to the war effort, and for their sacrifice on behalf of our country and way of life. On behalf of a grateful country, we say thank you for your service.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the United States Olympic Team, some of whom are visiting Capitol Hill today. This year's team won 121 medals overall to lead the world for the sixth straight games and win the most medals in U.S. history. They won 46 gold, 37 silver, and 38 bronze. Notably, 61 of the medals were brought home by American women. Overall, 210 American athletes contributed to the medal count, including 32 multiple medalists and 13 who won multiple Gold Medals. Of the 27 sports in which U.S. athletes competed, the U.S. brought home hardware in 20, including Overland Park's own Jack Sock taking home the gold in mixed doubles in tennis with his partner, Bethanie Mattek- Sands. Mr. Speaker, this is the most decorated team in U.S. history. I want to congratulate all of the athletes for their amazing performances on behalf of our Nation and thank them for making all of us proud here at home in the United States of America.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the people of Taiwan on the 105th anniversary of their National Day, which will take place on October 10, 2016. Taiwan has close trade ties with the United States, ranking as our country's ninth largest trading partner. Taiwan also represents Kansas' fifth largest export market in Asia, and thirteenth largest export market in the world. In 2014, Kansas' exports to Taiwan reached $185.4 million. Every two years, Taiwanese Agricultural Trade Goodwill Missions visit the United States to purchase top quality American agricultural commodities, many of which are produced in my home state. As a member of Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I cherish the friendship between our two nations and look forward to continuing to work with Ambassador Stanley Kao of Taiwan and his team in Washington, D.C.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, as a proud Jayhawk, I rise today to recognize a great leader for the State of Kansas who has made a positive impact on the lives of many fellow Kansans--KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray- Little. Last week, Chancellor Gray-Little announced her retirement in 2017, and I wanted to recognize some of the major accomplishments during her tenure at KU. From day one, she set aggressive goals through her Bold Aspirations initiative to advance the university into the 21st century as a leader in education and research. It was a great success, leading to KU being designated as a National Cancer Institute and working towards a Comprehensive Cancer Center designation. The KU Alzheimer's Disease Center also received national designation from the National Institute on Aging. As someone who utilized both student loans and Pell grants, I was greatly appreciative of her vocal support for these programs to help every student achieve their dreams regardless of income level. Today, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to thank Chancellor Gray-Little for her leadership and service to our beloved Jayhawk community and wish her and her husband, Shade, well in their next endeavors. Rock Chalk, Jayhawks.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Co- Pastor Linda Dannella Dupree of Kansas City, Kansas. Linda was a lifelong resident of KCK and an example to us all in the 3rd District of Kansas. Co-Pastor Dupree was born on February 4, 1955 in Kansas City, KS. She would live almost her whole life in Kansas, where she met her husband of 44 years, Alvin T. Dupree, Sr. Together, they raised a large family with many children, including many foster children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a missionary and Co-Pastor, she served her church and her community faithfully for many years. Co-Pastor Dupree wore many hats in her different roles in the church, but her goal was always to help others. Her decades of service impacted countless people in Kansas City. Our community is a better place because of Linda. She will be greatly missed by many, but her legacy lives on in her family and in the lives of those she helped. On behalf of this great body, I commemorate the well-lived life of Linda Dupree and extend my condolences to her entire family, who remain in my thoughts and prayers this week.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today truly saddened. I rise to speak the name of a slain police officer in our community for the third time in just a few short months. Johnson County Sheriff Master Deputy Brandon Collins was hit by a car while making a traffic stop early Sunday morning and tragically killed. He leaves behind his wife and two daughters, who are suffering an unimaginable loss. Deputy Collins was only 44 years old and was just about to celebrate his 21st year with his department serving our community. Brooke and I want to extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. You are all, and will remain, in our thoughts and prayers. As we mourn with our entire community, Deputy Collins' death is a devastating reminder, especially in light of yesterday being the 15th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, that our first responders risk their lives all the time to protect us and keep us safe. We owe them a debt of gratitude we will never be able to repay. Mr. Speaker, may God bless Deputy Collins, and may he rest in peace.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Captain Robert ``Dave'' Melton, who was killed in the line of duty several weeks ago in Kansas City, Kansas, in my district. Each night we sleep soundly knowing that there are men and women patrolling the streets and guarding our borders to keep us safe and defend our freedom. Like Captain Melton, they put themselves in harm's way out of service to our community and to our country. When one of these brave Americans loses their life in the line of duty and on our behalf, it is a devastating blow to all who wear the uniform and the families who support them. My heart breaks at each and every loss of one of these heroes. Captain Melton is a true hero who served 17 years in law enforcement and did tours in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout his distinguished career of service to our country. He did not deserve to have his life cut short at age 46. Mr. Speaker, may God bless Captain Melton, his family, and all those who serve our great Nation.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. This Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of that horrific day when nearly 3,000 innocent people were killed. It was a despicable act of terrorism and one that we will never, ever forget. Mother, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters who all went to work that Tuesday had their lives cut short by terrorists who attacked us merely because we believe in the principles of freedom, justice, and liberty for all. Some of those who perished were the brave first responders who ran into the burning buildings as others ran out. Their heroism showed the world America's true colors--something that no attack can ever take away. President Bush said that evening in his address to the Nation: ``Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of America's resolve.'' Mr. Speaker, those words still ring true as we thank those first responders and mourn for all those who were lost that fateful day.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. I would like to honor the memory of Caleb Schwab, who tragically died last month in an accident at a water park in my district. Just 10 years old, Caleb was the amazing son of my good friends Michele and Scott Schwab, whom I have known for years, and Scott and I served together in the Kansas Legislature. Words cannot express how heartbroken I am for them and their boys in this time of devastation. There may be no greater loss in life than a parent losing a child. Children are supposed to bury their parents, and no parent should ever have to bury their own child. Caleb will always be remembered for his love of sports, kindness toward others, and the joy he received from his deep love of the Lord. His parents and brothers will always remember the same question that came out of Caleb's mouth every day: ``Can I go out and play?'' Caleb, we will love life to the fullest in your memory, and we know you are playing in heaven. Mr. Speaker, may God bless Scott, Michele, and their family, and may everyone please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ben Craig, a longtime community leader in Overland Park, in my district, who is, sadly, battling liver cancer. Ben is known around town as the ``Grandfather of Overland Park'' and ``Mr. Johnson County.'' As a founder of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, he helped develop and expand Johnson County Community College, a crown jewel in the metro area. As a member of our Rotary Club, Ben has set the bar pretty high, with 52 years of perfect attendance. Ben truly embodies our Rotary motto ``service above self.'' Whether it was raising money for the college, Harvesters, or for one of my family's favorite destinations and landmarks in Overland Park, the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, he encourages others to step up and be part of our community and to give back. I consider Ben a mentor and friend, and I am grateful to know him. His impact will be felt for generations. Mr. Speaker, please join me in saying a prayer for Ben and his family in these hard times as he fights against this horrible disease.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for a very special moment, to recognize a wonderful woman, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, someone who has been one of the most important role models in my life, my grandmother, Edna Yoder. Last week, Edna marked the milestone of her 105th birthday, and we gathered as a family to celebrate her. The Lord has blessed her with great health and good spirits, and I cannot be more thankful for her and proud to have her as part of my family. She is a sweet, caring, and loving woman who values the important things in life: her faith in God and her family. She is a true example of what makes America such a strong and vibrant Nation. Born in 1911, as one of 14 children, she spent her life on the farm working tirelessly, milking cows at dawn and bringing in the wheat harvest in the hot Kansas sun. She has seen hard times and good times, lived through 18 different Presidential administrations, 22 different Speakers of the House, with a front seat to the great American century. Today, Grandma, on behalf of the United States Congress, I wish you a belated happy 105th birthday and many more to come. I love you.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the service of a long- time member of my Military and Veterans' Advisory Committee, Jack Krumme, who passed away in April. Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950, serving as a corporal in the ordinance corps during the Korean War. After Jack's service in the Army, he continued to serve our nation and our community as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals in Overland Park. Even though he had left the service, Jack continued to work with and advocate on behalf of his fellow veterans, serving as commander of Korean War Veterans' Association, Chapter 181. During his tenure as commander, he led the effort to raise funds to construct the Korean War Veterans' Memorial located in Overland Park. It was a truly proud moment for Jack when the memorial was finished. For those of us who knew him, the memorial now stands as not only a testament to Korean War veterans, but also to Jack. He always wanted to make sure the service of all Korean War Veterans was acknowledged and ``not forgotten.'' It's a wonderful spot in our community. Jack and I became close as he served on my veterans advisory committee doing so for more than five years. He always provided valuable insight and advice. His service, like the service of so many others, made it possible for our country to flourish and prosper. Jack's willingness to serve and commitment to his fellow veterans reflects greatly on him as a soldier. His service will never be forgotten and he will remain, forever, a true patriot. Mr. Speaker, the Third District lost a selfless and dedicated individual in Jack. He may be gone, but he will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with Dolores and their wonderful family. God Bless, Jack.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Kelsey Ann Smith of Overland Park, Kansas. I rise today on behalf of Kelsey's Army, people all across the country who have put themselves in the shoes of Greg and Missey, who have also had children who have been abducted and understand that we need commonsense public safety laws like this on the books to ensure that we can save lives and ensure that these types of abductions and murders never happen again in our country without the ability to stop them as quickly as possible. June 6, 2016, will mark 9 years since Kelsey Smith, an 18-year-old Shawnee Mission West student, was kidnapped in broad daylight from a Target parking lot by a predator who would sexually assault and murder her soon after. I remember it like it was yesterday. We all, in Kansas and in my community, felt immediately associated with the grief and pain that Kelsey's parents were feeling. Parents worried about their own children. They understood what was happening, and they wanted to help. So Kansans and people in my community helped search for Kelsey for days. As Chairman Walden so eloquently spoke in favor of this bill, it is an anguish to have your child be missing and you cannot do anything about it. Kelsey's mother, Missey, says that when your child is missing, as a parent you don't eat and as a parent you don't sleep because you don't know if your child is eating or sleeping. I am a father of two little girls. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering Missey and her husband, Greg, who are with us here today, have endured from Kelsey's loss. No parent should have to. So today we are going to hear different debates and arguments about how the bill could be changed or improved or differences could be made, but the reality is this law is not on the books in 28 States, and those children are not protected. We cannot, as a House, allow this to stand. So I ask my colleagues to dig deep in their heart to think about putting themselves in their shoes and to not block this legislation, to let this legislation come forward. I promise you it is popular in your district. I promise you a majority of Americans will support this. Opposing this bill is simply wrong and shameful. In the 9 years since Greg and Missey's daughter was taken from them, they have dealt with this unspeakable, horrific experience with grace and determination. Rather than falling into the depths of despair, like anyone could imagine them to do, they channeled their grief into the passion to help others who find themselves in Kelsey's situation. They traveled the United States fighting to pass State-level versions of the bill we are considering today, and they have done so with great success, with 23 States having passed a version of the Kelsey Smith Act. Today, this body will have the chance to honor Kelsey's memory and Greg and Missey's tireless advocacy by bringing the law to all 50 States. In the words of Missey Smith, we have the rare opportunity to ``save lives without it costing one cent.'' The Kelsey Smith Act creates a narrow exception for law enforcement officers to gain access to limited call location information of an individual's cell phone in the event of an emergency, like a kidnapping. In those cases, every second counts. Unfortunately, in Kelsey's case, it took 4 excruciating days for law enforcement to finally obtain the location data from her cell provider. It took 4 days while an entire community searched for Kelsey with no success. It took 4 days because, under current law, providers are not required to provide location data. They are permitted to in an emergency situation, but it is up to their discretion. So the question for this body is: Do you want to leave this up to a cell phone provider, for the lawyers and the executives there to decide, or do you want trained law enforcement making this decision based upon a reasonable belief of an exigent emergency circumstance? It is analogous; I think we all would agree. I think the folks on the opposite side of the aisle would agree that there is certainly a Fourth Amendment right to protect your home and your dwelling, probably the greatest Fourth Amendment protection right of all. And yet, if an officer was driving by and saw an exigent circumstance, saw someone who was in jeopardy of physical harm or emergency, they have the ability to break into that home to save that life. This information is even less secure. It is much more in the public domain. A cell phone provider already has the right to release it. We are saying that decision should be made by law enforcement. What breaks my heart every time I recount Kelsey's story is, when finally her cell phone location information was handed over, police found Kelsey's body within 45 minutes. A search that floundered for 4 days could have ended in 45 minutes. We know for a fact, as Chairman Walden articulated, that other lives have already been saved in States that have adopted this law. Mr. Speaker, a Federal framework is needed to save lives across the entire country, not just in a patchwork of States that have adopted this bill. It is up to this body to set that framework, which would be a ceiling for State legislatures to follow. If certain States feel that additional privacy protections, such as suggested by my colleagues across the aisle, must be put into place, they are well within their jurisdiction to do so. I believe any concerns articulated by others are overblown in this situation. As someone who has spent my career in this body fighting for the privacy rights of Americans--we just passed the Email Privacy Act 419-0, and all of us supported that--and fought to modernize our Fourth Amendment rights with regard to email privacy, I feel comfortable in saying this bill strikes the right balance. It does not give you the information on the phone. It does not give you content. It does not give you anything other than the pings on the phone in the case of an emergency. It doesn't even give you GPS tracking. It does not infringe upon our constitutional rights. Any of us, as parents, would be thankful that we voted for this bill today, should something horrific happen in our lives. Mr. Speaker, this body often debates the merits of protecting Americans from the threat of harm versus giving up certain civil liberties. In this case, we are blessed with modern technology that affords law enforcement with a tool to save lives without Americans giving up any of their privacy. Now, I thank my predecessor, Representative Dennis Moore, and my former colleague, Todd Tiahrt of Kansas, who began this effort shortly after Kelsey's death. I also thank Representatives Lynn Jenkins, Mike Pompeo of Kansas, and my colleague from across the aisle, Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri, who have worked with me in this fight. I also thank Chairman Upton and Chairman Walden for working swiftly over the last month to move this important legislation forward. Most of all, I would like to thank the two most important people in this room, who advocated for this bill day after day, Greg and Missey Smith. But for their support and guidance, for their ability to share their tragedy with the world and channel it into goodness, for being here today and throughout the entire legislative process as we moved this bill forward, this movement would not be possible. So God bless you, Greg and Missey, and God bless Kelsey. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill's passage today. I strongly urge the Senate to waste no time in following suit. Let's send Kelsey's law to the President's desk this year for his signature so we can do something truly meaningful in a bipartisan way and so we can save lives.