May 22, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E827 payments and voluntary early retirement pay- RECOGNIZING MR. ROBERT ISHAM cold wars across the globe since, the men and ments in order to achieve the required reduc- women of the Foreign Service have played tions in personnel. HON. DINA TITUS vital roles in representing the of Provide the Secretary of Defense the au- OF America, serving U.S. citizens, and securing thority to assign greater weight to the perform- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U.S. interest near and far. Much has changed since the initial forma- ance factor, rather than other factors such as Thursday, May 22, 2014 tenure, in a Reduction in Force. tion of the Foreign Service following World Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to War I. But a few things have remained the There is no doubt that our DoD civilian honor a constituent from Nevada’s First Con- same over these ninety years. Among them workers play a vital role in numerous positions gressional District, Robert Isham. A young Mr. are the professionalism and dedication of including logistics, acquisition, personnel man- Isham enlisted in the United States Navy on those who often leave the creature comforts agement, and more. The mission of the civil- November 4, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. He we have come to enjoy on our hallowed ian workforce at DoD is to support our uni- then attended Basic Training in San Diego, shores to serve in remote and distant places formed personnel and their missions around California. Following his graduation from the often with little recognition or notoriety for a the world. However, as we draw down our uni- Naval Air Technical Training Center in Nor- cause far greater than themselves. I rise today formed personnel, it makes no sense to not man, Oklahoma, where he was trained to be to recognize them not only for the crises they make commensurate reductions to the civilian an Aviation Machinist Mate, he was trans- led U.S. through, but also for the many crises workforce—a practice that has occurred in ferred to the Virginia Naval Air Station in Nor- they allowed our country to avert through their previous drawdowns. folk, Virginia. diligence, intellect, intuition, compassion and As Members of Congress, we should not let On September 17, 1943, Mr. !sham was se- steely resolve to be champions for peace, de- parochial interests prevent us from doing what riously injured in an explosion and fire at the mocracy and basic humanity. I rise to recog- is right for the country. Simply stated, it is in- Virginia Naval Air Station when a 300 pound nize them for the service, care and comfort conceivable, defies logic and tramples the les- depth charge exploded, setting off a chain re- they provide to our citizens while abroad re- sons of experience that a federal civilian job, action of 23 more charges. Thirty-three aircraft minding them that the supporting hand of once created, must live on forever. If our uni- and at least 15 buildings across the base were American is never far away. formed services are being reduced because destroyed. Many were killed and a number of Our world has become more globally the wars are ending, then a significant portion individuals, including Mr. Isham, were badly networked and intertwined since the early of the civilian jobs created to support those hurt. days of ‘‘hand shake, face-to-face’’ diplomacy. warfighters should be eliminated—not become Following a three month stay at Norfolk Revolution can start in days now not months. contractor positions. Those jobs must be elimi- Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, Mr. Economic interests often go crosswise with nated and done so at the legislative mandate !sham bravely returned to duty and was trans- security, social, or political interests. Adver- of the Congress and at the executive discre- ferred to Quonset Point Naval Air Station in saries on some issues are often allies on oth- tion of the Secretary of Defense. Rhode Island, where he taught courses on air- ers and we look to the members of the For- In closing, I would like to mention that this craft structures. Following a year in Rhode Is- eign Service to navigate and represent the nu- was the last NDAA brought to the House floor land, Mr. Isham was transferred to Corvallis, ances of American foreign policy. Yet time by my good friend and the Chairman of the Oregon, and became a Plane Captain on a after time, year after year, crisis after crisis, Armed Services Committee, Rep. BUCK F4U Corsair fighter aircraft. issue after issue they have always owned up MCKEON (CA–25). I want to thank Chairman Mr. Isham was discharged from the United to the challenge and America and the world MCKEON for all of the hard work and dedica- States Navy on December 10, 1945. He was are the better for it. tion he has demonstrated on behalf of our only rated as 10% disabled as a result of Not only do we celebrate today the 90th An- troops and their families throughout his service shrapnel wounds sustained during the tragic niversary of the Foreign Service but also the here in the House. explosion in Norfolk, Virginia. He was awarded 90th Anniversary of the American Foreign the Good Conduct Medal, the American Area Services Association (AFSA) which was f Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory formed as the professional association of the Medal. modem Foreign Service and later became the HONORING SERGEANT KYLE Recently, my office in worked official representative and advocate for our WHITE with Robert and the Department of Veterans Foreign Service professionals. Initially formed Affairs to increase his disability rating to with the Foreign Service in mind, the Associa- 100%, ensuring he receives the benefits he tion has expanded to represent not only For- HON. DAVID G. REICHERT deserved. eign Service retired and active employees of OF WASHINGTON Mr. Speaker, as we approach Memorial the Department of State and USAID but also IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Day, we will take time to remember many the distinguished Foreign Agricultural Service members of the Greatest Generation who and Foreign Commercial Service employees, Thursday, May 22, 2014 have passed away. Today, I ask the House to Broadcasting Board of Governors and Foreign Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pause for a moment of gratitude in honor of Service employees at the Animal and Plant honor Sergeant Kyle White. Sgt. White was my constituent, Mr. Robert ‘‘Bob’’ Isham, a Health Inspection Service . We stand today to awarded the highest honor in the military, the member of the Greatest Generation and a celebrate this wonderful organization that has Medal of Honor for meritorious conduct, by decorated American hero. for ninety years served those who serve us. Through the years AFSA has been stellar in President Barack Obama on May 13, 2014. f fulfilling its mission of promoting a strong, ef- Like his fellow soldiers, he is accustomed to 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF U.S. FOR- fective professional career Foreign Service as running toward danger instead of away, but EIGN AND AMERICAN FOREIGN the institutional backbone of American diplo- Sgt. White’s courage is above and beyond the SERVICE ASSOCIATION macy, enhancing the effectiveness of the For- ordinary. He repeatedly ran the gauntlet of eign Service, protecting the professional inter- enemy fire to get to wounded and fallen sol- HON. ests and rights of its members, ensuring the diers, regardless of his personal safety. In an OF TEXAS maintenance of high professional standards ambush in November of 2007 Sgt. White, who IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for all American diplomats, career or political was barely 20 years old, stayed with a wound- appointees, and promoting understanding of Thursday, May 22, 2014 ed and fallen soldier for the duration, calling in the critical role of diplomacy and development reports and directing others so that the Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to in promoting America’s national security and wounded and dead could be safety evacuated. recognize the 90th Anniversary of the U.S. economic prosperity. AFSA has been and con- It is my privilege and greatest honor to rep- Foreign Service and the American Foreign tinues to be an effective voice and strong ad- resent our Veterans in Congress and I ap- Service Association. Created by the Foreign vocate for the Foreign Service with it mem- plaud the decision to award him with this Services Act of 1924, the Foreign Service bers’ management, the Congress and the medal. It is well deserved. brought together the U.S. State Department’s American public. Mr. Speaker, I salute Sgt. Kyle White, and Diplomatic Service and Consular Service to be Finally, Mr. Speaker we can take comfort in I thank him for the many sacrifices he has the face, heart and soul of America abroad. this year of celebrating the Foreign Service’s made in service to our nation. Through a World War and various hot and 90th Anniversary that whether it is a crisis in

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OF CALIFORNIA OF NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Wednesday, May 21, 2014 WATER RESOURCES REFORM AND The House in Committee of the Whole The House in Committee of the Whole DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2014 House on the state of the Union had under House on the state of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4435) to authorize consideration the bill (H.R. 4435) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2015 for mili- appropriations for fiscal year 2015 for mili- SPEECH OF tary activities of the Department of Defense tary activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe HON. DOUG COLLINS and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes: year, and for other purposes: OF Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Chair, due to se- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Chair, I rise today in oppo- quester cuts, the Department of Defense sition to the Shimkus amendment and efforts (DoD) needs to increase efficiency and lower Tuesday, May 20, 2014 to undermine the continued success of the costs wherever it can, but this costly amend- Internet. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ment prevents DoD from hiring the most cost- The Internet has always been driven by efficient workforce. It also would prevent DoD strongly commend Chairman SHUSTER and consensus decision-making, or multistake- from ever correcting, through insourcing, any Ranking Member RAHALL for bringing con- holder governance. This model brings together contract that costs too much or is poorly per- ference report for the Water Resources and industry, civil society, government, technical formed, period—regardless of the increased Reform Development Act to the floor. It rep- and academic experts, as well the general costs to taxpayers. resents a great bipartisan effort on one of public, to tackle issues around the design and According to the Government Accountability Congress’ true article one responsibilities, pro- operation of the Internet. Office, DoD reports savings of almost $1 tril- viding for America’s infrastructure. In northeast Three time in the past two years, this body lion through insourcing in FY10 alone. In Georgia, the Savannah Harbor Expansion has voted to reaffirm our commitment to the 2013, the DoD Comptroller acknowledged in a Project (SHEP) means jobs. Georgia’s 9th multistakeholder model, including last May Senate hearing that civilian employees are Congressional District shipped more than when Democrats and Republicans joined to- significantly cheaper than contractors, particu- 10,780 tons of goods through Georgia ports in gether to unanimously pass H.R. 1580, a bill larly for the performance of long-term func- 2013 alone. As a member of the Georgia stating that ‘‘it is the policy of the United tions. So why would anyone want to make it House of Representatives, I fought for Geor- States to preserve and advance the success- impossible for DoD to save money by cor- ful multistakeholder model that governs the gia’s investment in SHEP to get the project recting overly costly or poorly-performed con- Internet.’’ moving, and now as a member of the United tracts, especially in a time of shrinking de- So what exactly is the problem with the States House of Representatives, I’m proud to fense budgets? DoD can’t afford this amend- amendment before us today? It’s a U-turn. vote in favor of the federal government living ment, and neither can American taxpayers. The Shimkus amendment would restrict up to its promise of matching funds. Deep- Please join me in opposing this costly and NTIA’s authority to continue what has been wasteful amendment. ening this harbor from 42 to 47 feet will allow U.S. policy since 1998—transitioning the gov- f new supertankers to use the port to transport ernment’s role in administering the domain Georgia products all over the world. name system to the multistakeholder global DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF- There are a number of good reforms in this community. Although supporters of the FAIRS MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT- bill that will increase efficiency and reduce the amendment characterize it as a stand against ABILITY ACT OF 2014 cost of upcoming projects. A provision of the anti-democratic nations seeking a greater gov- SPEECH OF bill will limit the length and cost of Army Corps ernment role in Internet management, the of Engineers feasibility studies, so that amendment could have the opposite effect of HON. emboldening efforts by authoritarian regimes projects can be completed on schedule and OF TEXAS to seize control of the global Internet. Specifi- on budget. This bill deauthorizes over $18 bil- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cally, authoritarian regimes point to the U.S. lion of old, inactive projects, more than offset- government’s continued oversight of technical Wednesday, May 21, 2014 ting the authorizations in this bill. WRRDA also Internet functions as evidence that global Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to sunsets the authorization of any project au- Internet governance and management should speak in support of our nation’s veterans and thorized by the bill after 7 years if construction be under the control of a governmental or express my views regarding H.R. 4031, the has not begun. intergovernmental entity such as the United Department of Veterans Affairs Management Any piece of legislation aimed at reform has Nations. Accountability Act of 2014. room for improvement. Language included in The Shimkus Amendment lacks a funda- This weekend the nation will mark the occa- the underlying bill regarding the Apalachicola- mental understanding of the U.S. govern- sion of Memorial Day the time our nation Chattahoochee-Flint River (ACF) and the Ala- ment’s role in the management of the global pauses to recognize the valor, and self-sac- bama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River (ACT) Systems Internet domain name system. Contrary to as- rifice of our nation’s veterans. was far from perfect. No language in this bill sertions that the United States ‘‘controls’’ the We must remember that freedom is not free. implies any Congressional intent to interfere Internet through an ongoing contract that the That is why the timing of the disclosure is with states’ work on this important issue. This Administration is now proposing to terminate, especially troubling regarding accusations dispute has been ongoing for a number of NTIA’s role has always been ministerial and made by a whistleblower about the treatment years, and Congress interjecting will not bring largely symbolic. Simply put, the U.S. govern- of veterans seeking healthcare at the Phoenix about a more favorable outcome to any of the ment has never had any legal or statutory re- Veterans medical facility. sponsibility to manage the domain name sys- parties involved. Water supply disputes are Now, more than ever, we must renew our tem. commitment to keep our promises to the na- best handled at the state level, and I trust that The world is watching and now is not the tion’s more than 2 million troops and reserv- the governors of the affected states will come time to turn our backs on a governance model ists, their families, and 23 million veterans. together and resolve the issue without Con- that has the enabled the Internet to flourish. I The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center gressional intervention. urge my colleagues to take a stand for a glob- located in Houston, Texas serves the 32,477 Overall, I am very supportive of this bill and al Internet free from government control and veterans who I have the privilege of rep- urge its adoption. vote ‘‘no’’ on the Shimkus amendment. resenting in my Congressional District.

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