Kevin Yoder

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, as I leave Congress at the end of this year, I am reminded that each of us have been fortunate to have careers in public service because of mentors who have helped us along the way. One such mentor for me was my friend David Adkins. Long before I stood for public office I was an aide to State Senator David Adkins. David served as a talented and distinguished leader who helped guide our state on many issues. He helped me understand the importance of sound public policy, compassion and empathy for others and the need for levity on occasion to make governance work. Although he was leaving public service as I was starting, David has remained a good friend who has helped provide mentorship and advice along the way. We don't always agree on the issues, but we always agree that our government needs leaders who are willing to step up and solve problems to keep our nation strong. More than anything David is a proud Kansas Jayhawk, who, like myself, served as Student Body President at the University of Kansas. Now David serves as the executive director of the Council of State Governments in Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank David for his mentorship to me, his service to the people of Kansas, and to his lifelong dedication to creating good public policy to benefit our great nation.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise for perhaps the last time to address the United States Congress. I stand before this esteemed body, honored to have been part of the people's House. Our work here is a noble pursuit: debating, deliberating, and ultimately deciding issues of critical importance to the great people of the United States of America. From a young age, Mr. Speaker, my parents taught me the value of service and the importance of our responsibility to contribute to our community, to leave things better than we found them. This is, frankly, part of the American tradition. We feel a commitment and a compassion to our neighbors. Each American plays a role in weaving the fabric that makes this country so enduring and so strong. E pluribus unum--out of many, one-- reflects not only the Federalist system of our Nation, but the great diversity and rich cultures that make us strong, each of us, with God- given, inalienable rights, protected by the Constitution--a truly exceptional Nation, a Nation that stands as a beacon, a shining example of democracy and freedom and unity, a Nation built on sacrifice and service and commitment to preserving our ideals. That is the Nation I love, and that is the Nation I was honored to serve in this United States Congress. Now, like all Americans, I have my own story, my own heritage, my own upbringing. I grew up on a farm in central Kansas. It was a grain and livestock farm. We grew wheat, corn, soybeans, and milo. We raised cattle, hogs, sheep, and chickens. I grew up in the 1980s, and life was hard on American farms back then, still is in some ways, and some of our neighbors were going bankrupt. We didn't have much, and commodity prices never rose to the point of profit. My parents pinched pennies hard, but they made a life for us. They taught us that education was the best way to create opportunity for yourself and that there is no substitute for an old-fashioned hard day's work. My family has been farming in rural Kansas for generations. It is a way to make a living, but it is also a culture, a set of values that helped build this country. They are the values that made me who I am today, the values I now teach my own children, and the values that I brought with me to Washington as I travelled here each week since January 2011. My grandparents, Orie and Edna Yoder, they embodied the prairie spirit. They carved a life out of the rich Kansas soil. They were hard workers whose faith in God and love of family drove them through good times and bad. My grandmother, Edna, passed last year at 105, and it was always a treasure to wish her a happy birthday from the House floor. My grandparents, Bill and Jane Alexander, were from Wilmette, Illinois, where my mother grew up as well. They were pillars of their community. My grandfather was mayor of his village and a respected attorney. I respect all my grandparents so much for what they stood for because they helped build this great Nation, and I hope, if they were here today, they would be proud of their grandson. My parents are Wayne and Susan. My father farmed his entire life. He taught me to work hard and to stand up for what I believe in. He was passionate about his beliefs. I spent a lot of time sitting with him in coffee shops when he would take a break from being in the field, and I would listen to the farmers debate and argue about things. I can tell you that no one can argue better than a farmer about something, and they would sit there and debate the issues of the day, and they would debate a lot of politics, and I think somewhere along the line, that is where I picked up the political bug that brought me into a life of serving in office. My mother was a social worker. She believed in compassion for others and acknowledgment that not everyone has the same opportunities in life. She stood up for what she believed in and stood up for women's rights. She is someone who still is very passionate about politics. Both of my parents are. My father even ran for office a couple of times. Perhaps one of my proudest moments was the first day I walked on to this House Floor as a Member of Congress and took the oath of office, raised my right hand, and swore to uphold the Constitution--my wife, Brooke, and my father were in the audience--standing here in front of my dad, hoping that I had made him proud. It was a great moment. I remember after that, I asked my father, when was the last time-- have you ever been to Washington, D.C., before? He told me about the story about how, in about 1978, he got on his tractor and drove from Kansas all the way to Washington, D.C., and parked it on The Mall, part of the American agriculture movement fighting for farmers, fighting to ensure that they had the commodity prices that they deserved for the hard work, fighting for that rural way of life. So both of my parents I am so proud of, and I hope I have worked hard to make them proud of me. My sisters, Christine and Melanie, have always stood by me even though we share completely opposite political beliefs. They have always been in my corner, and that has been amazing, and they are family. So, as I stand here and deliver this farewell address, I do not do so with sadness or regret, but with great pride and a continued sense of wonder and amazement that a farm kid from rural Kansas could be part of the great United States Congress. But America, as a nation, was not a foregone conclusion. When I make my way through the Halls of the U.S. Capitol and its great rotunda, I often take note of John Trumbull's painting of General George Washington Resigning His Commission. Perhaps there was no more important moment in our history than when this great man, whom the people were willing to entrust all power to make him a king, said no. It is an inspiring reminder of the endearing values of service and sacrifice we must continue to usher in to new generations of Americans. I also think of the giants who once walked these same halls, too, great Presidents who served in the people's House before ascending to the Oval Office, people like Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and George H.W. Bush; Speakers of the House like Sam Rayburn, Tip O'Neill, John Boehner, and Paul Ryan; and the man from Russell, Kansas, someone I consider a great friend and mentor and one of America's great public servants, Bob Dole. I think of the Founding Fathers as I walk through the halls each day here and I serve the people. I think of the Founding Fathers who had the foresight, wisdom, and divine inspiration to place the power of our government squarely within the will and consent of the governed. As James Madison once said: ``The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.'' And when Madison put quill to parchment and wrote our great Constitution, it was no mistake he chose Article I for the people's House. Senators, for years, were chosen by State legislatures and exist to protect the rights of States in our federalist system, but it is the House of Representatives that exists to be the voice of the people. Being that voice for the Third District of Kansas has truly been incredible. I am proud of what we have been able to achieve here in Congress. I have worked every day with the philosophy that we should expand liberty and freedom and opportunity for all, and that we should make this government work better for the people, for all of us. For too long, government made life harder on people trying to get ahead. They raised taxes. They put more regulations and burdens on them, putting up roadblocks to success instead of creating new avenues for opportunity. In my time in the people's House, we have reversed that course, and we have built a stronger and more prosperous United States of America. We have passed the most significant tax reform in a generation. We have rebuilt our military. I, personally, have fought hard to build up important programs like Head Start and early childhood education programs so that every child, regardless of who they are or where they are from, can have the opportunity to succeed. I have dedicated my time here to ensuring that medical researchers, this generation and future generations of the best and brightest minds, will have the resources they need to find cures to the diseases that affect us all, regardless of our political views or our race. Man or woman, rich or poor, cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and many others strike at the heart of the human body and the human spirit, and research at the National Institutes of Health is underway to eradicate all of these diseases from the face of the Earth once and for all thanks to the efforts of this body over the last several years in securing historic funding increases. I have had the honor of chairing two subcommittees in the House Appropriations Committee: On the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I worked to finally bring transparency to CRS reports and keep Congress spending less money; On the Homeland Security Subcommittee, I have secured the necessary funding to finally provide operational control at our southern border, something that politicians have promised to do for decades but have failed to deliver. My bill devotes much-needed funds for more personnel, technology, and barriers to stop drugs and human trafficking from ravaging our communities. I have worked hard to keep my promises and to make my constituents proud, and I could not have done it without help from some of the most incredible people working here on Capitol Hill. Of the many distinguished Members who have served in this body and those who follow in our footsteps, none of them are self-made. First and foremost, we need a supportive family. To my beautiful wife, Brooke, who is in the gallery with our sweet girls, we have had a dream of being able to serve in the Halls of Congress, and that dream couldn't have been accomplished without her love, help, and support along the way. This has been an incredible journey, and I am so blessed to have held her hand, held her paw, along the way. Since we started this job, we have had two beautiful daughters, Caroline Lucille and Eloise Jane. They have grown up going to parades and political events, and they have gotten to see their daddy on TV. They have even been on TV. They are my greatest treasures, and they have always been on my mind each and every day that I have served. And while it is bittersweet to leave this body, knowing that I get to spend more time with my family and my sweet daughters is a rich reward. Each of us has a team, a staff that makes our offices carry out the work effectively on behalf of our constituents, and I have been blessed with an amazing team of people, people who have dedicated their lives to my office and to the constituents we serve. Here in Washington, D.C., my chief of staff, Dave Natonski, and his team--Haley Brady, Maddie Jurden, Michael Brooks, Taylor Huhn, and Eli Woerpel--have been great. They have worked hard. My district team holds a distinction that, up until the last few months, we have never had one staffer leave in over 8 years, all of them staying: Molly Haase, my district director, and her team: Susan Metsker, Cheyne Worley, Heidi Cashman, and Ethan Patterson. Of course, great thanks to my communications director, CJ Grover, who helped me write this speech and is still working to this day on many projects, and my original staffer, my original staffer back from my legislative days who is still with me, Cate Duerst. Cate has been my scheduler multiple times. She has helped me run campaigns. We have had a lot of good times. She has been my right-hand gal making everything in this office run smoothly, and I couldn't have done this job without her and everyone on this team. Of course, there is my first chief of staff, Travis Smith, and my long-serving legislative directors, Patrick Carroll and Joe Eanello, and others who have worked so hard along the way, Amanda Hand and Jennifer Dreiling, have helped work on campaigns and, of course, my first campaign chairman, Cord Maxwell. I have had a great group of people that have been in my corner. My road began of humble roots and it took me all the way to the United States House. I am a proud Kansan and I am a proud Jayhawk. Probably one of my most proud service opportunities I have ever had was to serve as Student Body President of my university at KU, and I have always been a faithful Jayhawk ever since. I have believed in service to others, from my days back in the Kansas Legislature, where I served with great colleagues like Jason Watkins or Mike O'Neal, to my time here in the U.S. House with my friends Bob Dole and Ben Quayle and so many others who are great treasures. I have been blessed with friendships and met so many wonderful people along the way. That is perhaps what I will miss the most: the people you serve with. Congress gets a bad rap, but I can attest that some of the most dedicated, passionate people who love this country, both Democrats and Republicans, are some of the finest, kindest, and sincere people you will ever meet. To my colleagues in this distinguished body, it has been an honor of a lifetime to serve with you. And to my constituents, the voters of the Third District, thank you for trusting in me to serve you. To my supporters, those who have helped me campaign, who made it possible for me to serve, thank you for your faith. I believe the Third District is the best district in America, and I was so proud to be a voice for you, and I am truly humbled to have had the opportunity for these 8 years. So as I leave Congress in a few days and I cast a vote for the final time on behalf of the people of Kansas, I will do so being grateful for having served. I will leave more hopeful and more optimistic for the future of our great Nation, for God has blessed me with this moment to serve, and I am forever thankful. May God bless this Congress, and may God always bless the United States of America. For the last time, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a young woman in my district for creating a remarkable application to help detect Parkinson's disease. Erin Smith, a Shawnee Mission West High School graduate, created FacePrint, a facial expression recognition system that uses a web camera or smartphone to detect facial masking, a common Parkinson's symptom caused by stiff facial muscles. FacePrint will analyze facial movements and compare them to a database of people with and without Parkinson's. Erin's app will help lead to early detection of Parkinson's. Early diagnosis means early treatment, and appropriately targeted therapies can be initiated before further tissue damage is done. This creation earned Erin a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, making her the youngest person to make this list in a decade. We are extremely proud to have Erin in the Third District of Kansas. She is a testament to our local schools and a shining example of the hardworking and innovative Kansas spirit. I wish the best for Erin as she continues this important work to combat Parkinson's disease.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express a heartfelt thank you to all the veterans across Kansas and throughout the United States. This week we celebrate Veterans Day and we recognize and honor the service and sacrifice each and every veteran has made to ensure the preservation of the freedom and liberty we take for granted every day. One of my greatest responsibilities in Congress has been to support the men and women of our military and fulfill the promise that we make to them in exchange for their service. Over the last 2 years, Congress has worked with this administration to provide a record amount of funding for health programs at the VA, and we have increased accountability measures to make sure no one falls through the cracks. We have paid special attention to improving the mental health services and opioid abuse prevention among our veterans. We owe these veterans a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay, but the best way to try to do that is to ensure they are cared for as promised when they come home. Mr. Speaker, may we continue to honor our veterans this week and always.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a young man in the Third District of Kansas for his hard work to ensure law enforcement officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities and uphold the law are not forgotten. Earlier this month--on the anniversary of 9/11, I met 16-year-old Luke Gwartney, an Eagle Scout from Olathe West High School, at the dedication for the Johnson County Sheriff's Office Fallen Officers Memorial. I was inspired by Luke's story and hard work to create the Fallen Officers Memorial that brought us all together that day. Luke worked tirelessly for months to find volunteers, get supplies, and receive donations to make this memorial a reality. In the end, he raised $8,000 and was able to construct the memorial, which honors three exemplary police officers in our community who lost their lives in the line of duty over the last few years: Master Deputy Brandon Collins, Sgt. Willard Carver, and Det. Gerald Foote. This memorial reminds us of the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers and continues to honor them with the gratitude and respect they deserve. Mr. Speaker, join me in thanking Luke for adding this wonderful contribution to our community.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Shawnee, Kansas. This year will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Joseph's, and I share in celebrating this momentous milestone. St. Joseph's boasts one of largest Parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City and supports both a grade school and an early education center. The small frontier town of Shawnee was founded in 1857, and one year later St. Joseph's Catholic Church opened its doors to minister to the growing and diverse community. Today, 150 years later, St. Joseph's continues to play an important role in the health and spiritual lives of people in Johnson County. This is a parish dedicated to the education of our youth and the well-being of our community, and I can only imagine the accomplishments the church will amass in the next 150 years. I want to acknowledge the dedication of the congregation and ministry to spiritual growth, and wish them continued success as they share the Good News and meet the ever-changing needs of the congregation and surrounding neighborhoods.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. On that tragic day, nearly 3,000 innocent Americans were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in D.C., and those on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. Some of those who perished included brave first responders who ran into the burning buildings as others were running out. That horrific day changed our great Nation forever. It became clear that there was an ever-present threat by those who wish to attack our country and its citizens. Eleven days after these attacks, the Department of Homeland Security was created to make a more secure America that is better equipped to confront the range of threats that we face. As the current chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I am working to ensure that the Department is provided with the resources to accomplish their mission. Working to keep our Nation safe is one of my top priorities, and one of the primary roles of the Federal Government. Together, we must work to make sure that terrorist attacks like 9/11 never happen again.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Journey of Hope cyclists riding over 4,000 miles across the country this summer to raise awareness for people living with disabilities. In 1987, one man's dream of riding his bike across the country inspired the largest fraternal fundraising and awareness event of its kind, the Journey of Hope. Today, the Journey of Hope consists of three cross-country routes covering 32 different states and over 12,000 miles that converge upon the U.S. Capitol here in Washington. On a typical day, the cyclists ride over 75 miles. However, their day is far from over. The remainder of their days are spent visiting local groups that support people with disabilities and volunteering in the community. Next week, the three Journey of Hope teams will arrive at our nation's Capital having raised over $665,000 for the disabled. Mr. Speaker, I call upon all of us in this body to join with me in thanking the Journey of Hope cyclists for their service to the disabled community.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the comments of the gentleman from California, as well as the gentlewoman from Guam. To hear my community talked about so positively here on the floor of the House is a source of pride for me and the many who have worked so many years to have this moment come to fruition. Today, the House of Representatives has the opportunity to grant long overdue recognition to a historical site in Kansas City, Kansas, that has its roots in our Nation's struggle for freedom and equality. H.R. 5613, the Quindaro Townsite National Commemorative Site Act, is my bill to confer an important new designation to a historic site that has been, unfortunately, overlooked on the Federal level for too long. By passing this legislation, we can take an important step toward preserving our heritage and learning from our past. The story of Quindaro is rooted in the same ideals and principles that helped build our Nation and make it great today. At one time, Quindaro was a boomtown, a central location in the Bleeding Kansas conflict, a stop on the Underground Railroad, and a shining example of integrated society in our country. At its height in the years leading up to the Civil War, Quindaro was a beacon of hope on the border between Kansas and Missouri, directly on the front lines of the fight against slavery. The town was founded by Free Soilers for the stated purpose of shepherding antislavery activists and escaped slaves into Kansas. For many, Quindaro was a gateway that led from oppression into freedom. In 1861, the question of slavery in Kansas was finally decided, and our great State was accepted into the Union as a free State. With its purpose having been served, the town of Quindaro soon faded away. However, families of freed slaves settled in the area, establishing the roots of a community that continues to this very day. This confluence of history, with Bleeding Kansas, the Underground Railroad, and an enduring African American community, is a unique combination that is rare in our country. In spite of Quindaro's notable history, today, the ruins of the town sit largely overlooked by those outside of the nearby community. The first mention of an effort to preserve this historic site is found in a local newspaper more than 90 years ago. Unfortunately, nine decades have passed without much significant investment in the site. Local stakeholders have worked hard to protect the site and preserve its stories. I thank those who worked to elevate Quindaro. There are many who deserve recognition for that work, but I would especially like to thank Marvin Robinson, the Allen Chapel AME Church, the Western University Association, the Wyandotte County Unified Government, and the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area, as well as Taylor Huhn in my office for his work to bring this bill to fruition. I thank them for their years of dedication, for raising the historic site to my attention, and for educating me on its importance to community, State, and the Nation. Today, we have an opportunity to bring meaningful Federal support to the folks who have dedicated their lives to Quindaro. The national commemorative site designation will be a crucial step toward spreading the story of Quindaro beyond the city limits of Kansas City to people around the Nation and will hopefully lead to their goal of becoming a national historic landmark. Quindaro's legacy of people who were willing to lay down their lives in the name of freedom is the legacy of America. By preserving what remains of this town, we take a small but meaningful step toward preserving every good and noble thing that our great Nation stands for. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our national heritage and pass this valuable legislation.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Danish Khan and Stephen Lowe from Blue Valley Southwest High School, who became the first Kansas team to win the National Speech and Debate Association's national tournament. Their tireless work over the past year paved the way for them to win this 5-day tournament, which is the largest academic competition in the world. Danish and Stephen debated government funding and regulation of education, a few topics that we continue to debate here in Congress. In high school, I, too, was on the debate team and went to State. Although I never won a tournament quite this size, I still use what I learned there today while debating important issues before Congress. Danish and Stephen's amazing accomplishment speaks volumes about their talents, as well as our amazing schools in the Third District of Kansas and the teachers they have, including their debate coach, Jared Zuckerman. Mr. Speaker, these students are our future leaders, and we can expect great things. Good luck to Danish and Stephen as they continue their debate careers in college. I look forward to seeing what other amazing accomplishments Third District students of Kansas will make as well.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, please excuse my absence from the following votes. I was attending a meeting with President Trump regarding my official duties as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 291; Yea on Roll Call No. 292; and Yea on Roll Call No. 293.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, there are no words to describe the tragedy that occurred in my district in Kansas last week. Two Wyandotte County deputies, Theresa Sue King and Patrick Thomas Rohrer, lost their lives while transporting an inmate for a court hearing on Friday. This is, tragically, not the first time in recent history that law enforcement men and women in our community have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the peace. We are reminded that we owe our police force, their deputies, and their loved ones a debt of great gratitude that we will never be able to repay. We pray for their families at this time, and we pray for Sheriff Ash, Kelli Bailiff, and Chief Ziegler as they lead their departments through this tragedy. Mr. Speaker, may God bless Deputy King and Deputy Rohrer. May they rest in peace. Mr. Speaker, along with our colleagues from Kansas, Ron Estes and I ask for a moment of silence for Deputy King and Deputy Rohrer and all of our fallen police officers.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would add the full text of my bill, H.R. 387, the Email Privacy Act. I want to remind my colleagues that this bill has been passed twice by the House, once on April 27, 2016, by a roll call of 419-0, and again by voice vote, unanimously, in the House on February 6, 2017. My legislation has a simple concept behind it: if the government wants access to content stored in our private email accounts, they should get a warrant. Currently, agencies can receive the stored email content of a user's cloud email account by sending an administrative subpoena directly to the service provider. This creates a double standard, where paper communication has greater Fourth Amendment protections than electronic copies. This standard is outdated, as the law governing this issue has not been updated since 1986. Now our whole lives are in the cloud and stored online. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and ranking member for accepting my amendment and Chairman Goodlatte of the Judiciary Committee, and I urge all those in this process, House and Senate, to maintain the House-passed language in the final version of the NDAA that we send to the President's desk.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Teacher Appreciation Week to honor the educators in my district, who work tirelessly on behalf of our students. The public schools in the Third District of Kansas are some of the best in our Nation, and our workforce of qualified, dedicated teachers are a major factor in making our schools so great. As a product of public schools myself, I know the kind of impact teachers can have on the lives of their students. Good teachers are a key to setting our kids and our communities up for a successful future. I am working hard to give teachers the tools and resources they need to do to their jobs well. I fought to protect the educator expense deduction in tax reform, affirming that our Tax Code should support and reward our teachers. I also supported the recent omnibus funding bill, which included a $2 billion investment in continuing education and workforce development grants for teachers. Mr. Speaker, none of us would have the opportunities we have in life without the teachers who gave us the tools and skills to succeed, and we pay special recognition to each of the teachers who made a difference in our lives, and who continue to make a difference in the lives of kids in our districts this week during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Blue Valley West High School and Pleasant Ridge Middle School on winning their regional competitions of the National Science Bowl. Since 1991, the Department of Energy has been using the National Science Bowl to encourage students from diverse backgrounds who excel in science and mathematics to pursue careers in those areas. For our Nation to remain the beacon of innovation and creation that it is today, we must support and inspire our youth to experiment and explore the world around them. In January of this year, 9,000 high school students and 4,500 middle school students passionate about science and mathematics began to compete. The young people from my district worked hard and have found themselves participating in the national finals. Starting today, these two bright groups of young people will represent Kansas in the National Science Bowl's national finals. Mr. Speaker, I call upon all of us in this body to join me in wishing Blue Valley West and Pleasant Ridge's team good luck in the National Science Bowl's national finals.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the team from Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas that is representing our state this weekend at the 31st Annual We the People National Finals academic competition. The We the People program is a civics education course that teaches K-12 students around the country about the U.S. Constitution. Each year, this program culminates in a national competition, in which state champion teams come to Washington, D.C. to test their constitutional knowledge against other students from around the country. This will be Blue Valley Northwest's seventh year in a row as the Kansas champion, representing our state in the We the People national competition. Under the leadership of teacher Ken Thomas, they have earned the state title in nine out the last ten years. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication of Blue Valley Northwest students and Mr. Thomas to learning about our nation's Constitution. I applaud the Blue Valley Northwest team for this achievement, and I welcome them to our nation's Capital. Good luck to them in the competition, and go Huskies.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the Give Seven Days challenge that began in my district in Kansas this week, an outreach program founded by a woman named Mindy Corporon. Mindy tragically lost both her father, William, and her 14-year-old son, Reat, in the horrific shooting at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom in Overland Park back in April of 2014. Who among us would have questioned Mindy if she slipped into despair after such a loss? Losing a parent is difficult enough, and losing your child on the same day is something no person should ever have to endure. But instead of despair, Mindy has chosen love, faith, kindness, and remembrance. She founded Give Seven Days, which challenges young and old to embrace diversity across race, religion, and culture. It also honors the memory of William, Reat, and Terri LaManno, the third victim of the attack. Mr. Speaker, let's all follow Mindy's example. Let's remember those we have lost and, in their memory, create a wave of positive change for the future. Let's make a ripple and change the world.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his work and leadership on this bill, and I thank Ranking Member Lowey for her good stewardship. This is the culmination of efforts over the last year, hundreds of meetings, oversight hearings. We have a strong final product, and we are proud of what we have accomplished. In my committee's Legislative Branch bill, we focused on conservative priorities such as security, responsibility, and transparency. This legislation, once again, rejects pay increases for Members of Congress, which we have done every year since 2010; and further, the funding of the House of Representatives remains 12 percent below 2010, spending less than we spent 8 years ago. After the vicious attack on Steve Scalise and other Members of this body, we have enhanced Capital security with new support for Members, staff, constituents, and visitors, with enhancements for Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms. We have expanded Wounded Warrior fellowships, creating an additional 31 spots, and we have added support for family issues like the House Child Care Center and additional support for the Library of Congress Visitor Experience, which is an exciting new product. Lastly, in a strike for transparency, for the first time, all Congressional Research Service reports will be open to the public, making government more transparent and a win for our constituents. I want to thank my ranking member, Mr. Ryan, who is a gentleman and a scholar, and the collaboration of all the committee members and staff for putting this product together.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the work being done at home in my community by my friend Sunayana Dumala. Sunayana is the widow of Srinivas Kutchibotla, the Indian immigrant worker who was tragically murdered in a hate crime in Olathe last year. Understandably, Sunayana questioned her existence here in the United States following the loss of her husband--asking ``do I really belong here?'' The man that took her husband was pure evil. He did not represent what is right and true about Kansas or America. But our community stepped up to answer her call loudly and clearly that she does belong. We responded with love. And that love has given Sunayana a renewed purpose and a mission. She's spreading that love and acceptance with her newly formed organization called Forever Welcome--sharing the stories of immigrants like herself who are here in America trying to build a better life. This Friday she's hosting a Peace Walk to honor her late husband and spread her message. Mr. Speaker, I call upon all of us in this body to join in her mission of love.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Senate debates DACA and border security to urge my colleagues in both Houses of Congress to include high-skilled immigration reform in the final legislative package. Our immigration system is broken in many places. While we search for solutions to promote fairness, compassion, and the rule of law, I want to highlight a group of immigrants who have been following our laws, contributing to our country, and yet are being left out in the cold by our broken system. Right now, the per-country caps on green cards for highly skilled H- 1B immigrants unfairly discriminate against immigrants from a few countries, especially India. The caps have created a huge backlog of Indian applicants who will have to wait decades--as much as 70 years-- to achieve their dream of American citizenship. The per-country caps must be replaced by a merit-based system that treats everyone fairly, regardless of their country of origin. My bill, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigration Act, would do just that. I urge my colleagues not to let our compassion end with DACA recipients. Let's also use this opportunity to promote fairness for high-skilled immigrants as well.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during the week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day to recognize three of my constituents who are living in Dr. King's footsteps. Dr. King once said: ``Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.'' In the Third District of Kansas, as well as across the country, we continue to see darkness and hate. Just last year, an Olathe resident shot two immigrants from India in a local restaurant, telling them to get out of his country. One of them, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, was killed. In 2014, a white supremacist from Missouri drove to the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park and murdered three people as part of a mission to kill Jewish residents in our community. Three people were killed: Reat Underwood, William Corporon, and Terry LaManno. In both of these cases, we saw the very worst of humanity, the very racism and bigotry and evil that Dr. King led our Nation so fiercely against. In each of these cases, we also see the beauty of humanity's power of kindness, endurance, forgiveness, and love. Sunayana Dumala, whose husband was killed in that tragedy in Olathe, Kansas, has turned this tragedy into an opportunity to spread a message of love and acceptance. The heartbreaking loss of her husband, along with visa problems due to our broken immigration system, has made this a very difficult last year for Sunayana. She questioned, understandably, whether she and other Indian immigrants were welcome here. However, our community rallied around her with the unmistakable answer that, yes, you are loved, you are part of our community, and you are welcome here. Now Sunayana has become a leading voice against hatred. She is leading others in this effort to embrace diversity in race, culture, and religion. She is planning a peace walk later this year and has launched an initiative called Forever Welcome that promotes understanding and acceptance of immigrants. She is a living example of love standing up in the face of hatred. Another story is Mindy Corporon, who lost both her father and son in the attack at the Jewish community center in 2014. She did not let the loss of her family members turn her to hatred. Instead, she set out to bring light into the darkness left by this event. She launched SevenDays: Make a Ripple, Change the World, a weeklong event commemorating the tragedy which seeks to turn one ripple of kindness into an unstoppable wave of faith and love. SevenDays challenges all of us to embrace diversity, to foster hope, and to promote love. Her tireless efforts fall right in the footsteps of Dr. King. Just recently, I was moved by the story of Sonia Warshawski, who is being featured in a documentary, titled, ``Big Sonia.'' As one of the last Holocaust survivors in my district, she is telling the story of the unspeakable tragedy she endured as a teenager at a concentration camp, being split from her father and brother, and literally watching her mother being marched to her death in the gas chambers. Yet here she is, preaching tolerance, kindness, and, most of all, love for one another. Mindy, Sunayana, and Sonia are just three members of our community who are living out Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy in their everyday lives. In each of their stories, extreme racism, bigotry was spread through its known weapons--fear and violence--and in each case, these women responded with courage, love, and kindness, just as Dr. King preached. These three women in my district are leading the way in the daily, ongoing fight for justice, tolerance, and love. They are an example for all of us to follow as we work to make our community a better place. Mr. Speaker, let us continue to teach love. Let us continue to be the light that drives out the darkness. Let us move forward as a nation and as a people together, united, and we will one day achieve Dr. King's dream.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Louisburg, Kansas. Today, Louisburg kicks off its celebration at Louisburg City Hall, and although I cannot be there, I am honored to join in the celebration of this community I have the privilege of representing in Congress. Congratulations to Mayor Marty Southard, City Manager Nathan Law, and all the community leaders who have come together to recognize the 150th anniversary. Founded in 1868, Louisburg is a town of wonderful history, great people, outstanding public schools, booming businesses, and beautiful parks and lakes. Louisburg is home to a number of small businesses that have contributed to its success and growth. One of my favorite stops each fall is the Louisburg Cider Mill. Brooke and I always have a great time watching the girls choose pumpkins, enjoy cider donuts, and take in all the fun fall activities. I am proud to represent Louisburg resident Joe Steffy of Poppin' Joe's Gourmet Kettle Korn, started in 2005. As a young man with Down syndrome and autism, Joe has testified before Congress as a small- business leader, and I had the pleasure of meeting him on Capitol Hill. Mr. Speaker, these small businesses are just two examples of what makes Louisburg great. Congratulations to Louisburg, and I look forward to another great 150 years.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the courage and perseverance of Sonia Warshawski, one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors in the Kansas City community and a constituent of mine. Now 91 years old, as a Polish teenager, she was forced into concentration camps, ripped from her family, and even had to watch as her mother walked into the gas chamber. Her life is being highlighted in a recent documentary showing in American movie theaters called ``Big Sonia,'' co-directed by her granddaughter, Leah Warshawski. This beautiful film tells the story of her struggle and heartbreak and the power of love to overcome hate. I have known Sonia for years as a friend, but also as a customer, as she runs the small tailoring business started by her husband, John, who is also a Holocaust survivor. Sonia's story reminds us of the unspeakable evil that she and others in the Holocaust had to endure and that we must never forget today. But her story as a survivor also reminds us of humanity's beauty and kindness and the power to endure and overcome unspeakable tragedy. Thank you for sharing your inspirational story with America, Big Sonia.