E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 114 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 161 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015 No. 44 House of Representatives The House met at noon and was Through the church’s Social Action a true or worthy representation of the called to order by the Speaker pro tem- Committee, they wanted to know how religions they claim as their own. pore (Mr. EMMER of Minnesota). a small, faithful community could The parishioners at St. Alphonsus f make a difference in bringing attention Church asked me: What can we do? to this commonly overlooked matter. I told them America first needs a DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO However, they wondered if their cries smart and decisive plan because the TEMPORE for mercy were falling on deaf ears in threat Christians face is significant, The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- Washington. They felt helpless in and it is not going away. fore the House the following commu- bringing to light the barbarity, tor- The United States must work with nication from the Speaker: ture, and living conditions that Chris- free nations across the globe to reaf- WASHINGTON, DC, tians in places like Iran endure. firm a simple but important message: March 16, 2015. The parishioners at St. Alphonsus human rights are not negotiable. Coun- I hereby appoint the Honorable TOM felt that too often horrendous mas- tries don’t get to pick and choose EMMER to act as Speaker pro tempore on this sacres are met with isolationism and which rights they allow and which ones day. arguments that it is not America’s job they deny. We also need to work more JOHN A. BOEHNER, to promote human rights beyond our locally to raise awareness of the spe- Speaker of the House of Representatives. shores. cific issue of Christian persecution. f Today I want to let the people of St. There must be a strong grassroots ele- MORNING-HOUR DEBATE Alphonsus and all those who seek to ment to this effort. give a voice to the silenced victims of Each month, approximately 180 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- religious persecution know I hear you, Christians are killed across the globe ant to the order of the House of Janu- and others in Washington, D.C., do as because of their faith. That is a star- ary 6, 2015, the Chair will now recog- well. tling number. In America, a country nize Members from lists submitted by I believe that America must re- where it is so easy to take our free- the majority and minority leaders for assume its leadership role in protecting doms for granted, it is easy not to no- morning-hour debate. those most destitute and downtrodden, tice the pain and suffering of others, The Chair will alternate recognition that American leadership in the world but we must. And I know we are a truly between the parties, with each party should advance not only our national generous and kind people. limited to 1 hour and each Member interests but also the interests of those When Japanese communities were other than the majority and minority who yearn for freedom across the torn apart by a massive tsunami in leaders and the minority whip limited globe, that Christians who have to 2009, Americans mobilized to donate to 5 minutes, but in no event shall de- shield their faith for fear of crucifixion more than $700 million in charitable re- bate continue beyond 1:50 p.m. or beheading have an ally in America, lief. f an ally who will fight for the dignity of Americans always answer the call all mankind. when people are suffering. Well, today CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION Incidents of persecution of Christians there is clearly a tsunami of hatred The SPEAKER pro tempore. The more than doubled in 2014 alone. I wish sweeping parts of the world, and there Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from I could say I was surprised by this in- are people who need our help. So Indiana (Mrs. BROOKS) for 5 minutes. crease, but I am not. I think this is churches and other groups with a con- Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speak- part of the larger trend around the cern for their fellow Christians and all er, I rise today to discuss the sobering globe. global citizens need to take a stand. but extremely consequential topic of The world we live in is remarkably Like those at St. Alphonsus have, Christian persecution. unstable right now. People lack secu- Christians and people of all faiths Last week, I had the honor of visiting rity. Too many regions of our world are across this Nation need to reach out to with more than 100 parishioners of St. fending off the rise of groups that their elected officials and let them Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church in espouse extremely radical ideologies, know of the tragic persecution of Zionsville, Indiana, including many in- groups that hate this Nation, groups Christians and that it deserves atten- terested high school students who that often hate all other religions, tion, that religious freedom is a value shared with me their passionate con- groups that feed off of destruction and we must defend and promote. Only cerns about the senseless persecution poverty, groups that value violence then will everyone in this body know of their Christian brethren. over peace, groups that are clearly not what was foretold in Matthew, that b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. H1637 . VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:41 Jan 12, 2016 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD15\MAR 15\H16MR5.REC H16MR5 DSKD7QTVN1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE H1638 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 16, 2015 blessed are those who are persecuted Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, last month, OFFICE OF THE CLERK, because of righteousness, for theirs is the Obama administration admitted HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, the kingdom of Heaven. Let us now that it sent inaccurate tax forms to Washington, DC, March 16, 2015. work to bring that kingdom of Heaven 820,000 Americans who receive health Hon. JOHN A. BOEHNER, The Speaker, House of Representatives, Wash- closer to Earth. insurance through ObamaCare. Individ- ington, DC. f uals who received subsidies must fill DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- out the 1095–A form to document what mission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of RECESS they have received for the past year. the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The government is advising people tives, the Clerk received the following mes- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair not to file their tax returns until they sage from the Secretary of the Senate on declares the House in recess until 2 March 16, 2015 at 10:38 a.m.: have the correct forms, but just last That the Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 7. p.m. today. week Kevin Counihan, the man respon- With best wishes, I am Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 6 min- sible and accountable for leading Sincerely, utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. healthcare.gov, declined to say when ROBERT F. REEVES, f ObamaCare participants will get the Deputy Clerk. correct tax forms and if all of the new f b 1400 forms have been created. RECESS AFTER RECESS Since its implementation, the Presi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The recess having expired, the House dent’s health care law has proved to be ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair was called to order by the Speaker pro a hindrance, not a help, to the health declares the House in recess subject to tempore (Mr. DENHAM) at 2 p.m. care market. This debacle is yet an- other example of why we must con- the call of the Chair. f tinue to work towards repealing this Accordingly (at 2 o’clock and 5 min- PRAYER ill-conceived law and replacing it with utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick policies that empower patients and f J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: promote access to affordable health b 1530 Gracious God, we give You thanks for care options. AFTER RECESS giving us another day. In this Chamber where the people’s House gathers, we f The recess having expired, the House pause to offer You gratitude for the was called to order by the Speaker pro gift of this good land on which we live JOBS tempore (Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee) at and for this great Nation which You 3 o’clock and 30 minutes p.m. (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given have inspired in developing over so permission to address the House for 1 f many years. Continue to inspire the minute.) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER American people that, through the dif- PRO TEMPORE ficulties of these days, we might keep Mr. KILDEE. Well, Mr. Speaker, I liberty and justice alive in our Nation just got back from spending a week at The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and in the world. home in Michigan talking with the ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair A week after many Members of this people that I work for and meeting will postpone further proceedings assembly traveled to Selma to remem- with small business owners.