Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
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E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017 No. 91 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. and was ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER ment, funding breakthrough cures, and called to order by the Speaker. The SPEAKER. The Chair will enter- providing a safety net for the neediest f tain up to five requests for 1-minute among us. speeches on each side of the aisle. Among the most objectionable are PRAYER the President’s cuts to education. The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick f Funds used for college work-study pro- J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: FIGHT ON, KATIE VACEK grams, loan forgiveness for those who Gracious God, we give You thanks for enter public service, and dollars used giving us another day. (Mr. OLSON asked and was given per- by schools for mental health will not The Members of this people’s House mission to address the House for 1 just be cut but be eliminated. For ex- will be leaving for the Memorial Day minute and to revise and extend his re- ample, 21st century community learn- marks.) ing centers, which offer learning oppor- recess. As they meet with their respec- 1 tive constituents, give them the gifts Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, for 8 ⁄2 tunities during nonschool hours for of wisdom and discernment, that in years I have worked for the best people those from our neediest communities, their words and actions they will do in America, the people of Texas 22. The would be completely eliminated. justice, love with mercy, and walk people of Texas 22 love their neighbors. We know these programs work. An humbly with You. May they also have They love their community, they love evaluation showed program participa- the attentiveness that is called for to life, and they love God. tion improved math and English grades hear the concerns of those whom they Texas 22 is Katie Vacek. Katie is a by 30 to 40 percent. In my district, represent. senior at Needville High School. Three Waukegan Community School District On this weekend especially, we re- months before using her Blue Jay Number 60 uses these funds to offer an member those men and women who wings to fly into her future, God gave extended day program at seven schools have given their lives in service to our her a different flight. She fell out of a to increase academic achievement and country. Bless them with everlasting tree with her boyfriend, Kernie, watch- build life skills. peace and give consolation and peace ing. She is now paralyzed from the Mr. Speaker, this budget irrespon- to those who mourn them. waist down. sibly mortgages our future by short- May all that is done be for Your Kernie, her classmates, and the changing our children. I urge my col- greater honor and glory. whole town rallied around Katie and leagues to reject this budget. Let’s Amen. her dreams. Twelve days ago, at her work together to chart a path that en- prom with Kernie, she danced. sures our Nation’s prosperity. f Katie, I don’t want to come between f THE JOURNAL you and Kernie, but I want you to be NATIONAL EMS WEEK The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- my date the next time President ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- Trump speaks in this Chamber in Feb- (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania ceedings and announces to the House ruary of next year. We will lock this asked and was given permission to ad- his approval thereof. down at the Knights of Columbus on dress the House for 1 minute and to re- Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- June 6 back home. Keep fighting, vise and extend his remarks.) nal stands approved. knowing that God is with you always. Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week we observe Na- f f tional EMS Week to celebrate, unify, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BUDGET CUTS TO EDUCATION and inspire the men and women of our The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman (Mr. SCHNEIDER asked and was Nation’s emergency medical services. from Texas (Mr. OLSON) come forward given permission to address the House The theme this year is Always in Serv- and lead the House in the Pledge of Al- for 1 minute and to revise and extend ice, which recognizes our EMS profes- legiance. his remarks.) sionals and their constant service to Mr. OLSON led the Pledge of Alle- Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise communities throughout this nation. giance as follows: today in strong opposition to the budg- From a young age, children are I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the et released by President Trump. It is taught that, in a moment of crisis, United States of America, and to the Repub- cruel and shortsighted in the extreme: they call 911. From illness to injury, lic for which it stands, one nation under God, cutting essential investments driving whenever the world seems to be ending, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. job creation, protecting our environ- society counts on EMS personnel to be 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. H4573 . VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:48 May 26, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25MY7.000 H25MYPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H4574 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 25, 2017 there. They are expected to work hard the job. On the day of his retirement, MEANINGFUL REFORMS FOR THE and be strong, especially in times of Captain Walsh was named the grand VA trouble. marshal of the Syracuse St. Patrick’s (Mr. LAMALFA asked and was given Mr. Speaker, as a volunteer fire- Day parade, a mark of high distinction permission to address the House for 1 fighter, EMT, and a rescue technician for any central New Yorker. minute and to revise and extend his re- with more than three decades of experi- In addition to his diligent efforts to marks.) keep our community safe, Captain ence being on the front lines with these Mr. LAMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I rise EMS professionals, I can personally at- Walsh volunteered countless hours to today to note the veterans’ bills passed test to their dedication to saving lives. many community organizations, in- by the House of Representatives this The job of an EMS professional is not cluding Hunger Project, Huntington week. Amongst the legislation are bills easy. It requires just as much compas- Family Center, and the Rape Crisis to provide veterans with a cost-of-liv- sion as it does courage. These men and Center. Eternally proud of his Irish ing adjustment for disability com- women are committed to making the heritage and roots in Tipperary Hill, he pensation, create a pilot program to world better, so I say thank you. devoted many hours to the Syracuse explore magnetic resonant therapy as Thank you to the EMTs, paramedics, Irish Festival, was a founding member treatment for veterans with mental dispatchers, and supervisors across the of the St. Patrick’s Day parade com- health conditions, and streamline the country. Thank you for serving. Happy mittee, and served as president of the disability claims process at the VA, National EMS Week. Onondaga County Ancient Order of Hi- amongst other legislation. f bernians. I would like to specifically highlight Captain Richard Walsh was the true the VA Scheduling Accountability Act. CBO SCORE OF TRUMPCARE definition of a public servant. He loved PAINTS A DIRE PICTURE A 2014 investigation found that no less his work, he had the utmost respect of than 40 veterans died while on unau- (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given per- his colleagues and community, and he thorized waiting lists, waiting to re- mission to address the House for 1 was relentless in his efforts to make ceive care that they never got. This is minute.) central New York a safer and a better Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, the new completely unacceptable. This legisla- place. His kindness and generosity will tion puts into place measures to ensure American Health Care Act CBO score forever be remembered. May Captain released yesterday reinforces that this every facility is in compliance with VA Richard Walsh’s name and legacy for- scheduling policies and will withhold bill is devastating to the American ever be remembered in the CONGRES- people: 14 million more will be unin- any awards or bonuses from any cen- SIONAL RECORD. ters who fail to certify their compli- sured within just one year, and 23 mil- Rest peacefully, my friend. ance. lion more will be uninsured over a dec- f ade. Together with our new VA Secretary This analysis paints a dire picture. It GLOBAL WEEK OF ACTION ON David Shulkin, whom we met with this confirms that TrumpCare will shift the HUNGER AND FAMINE week, I am confident that we will con- burden of costs onto our seniors, mil- (Ms. LEE asked and was given per- tinue to create meaningful reforms for lions of hardworking families, and pa- mission to address the House for 1 the VA. As we head into the Memorial tients with preexisting conditions. minute.) Day weekend, this is just one way we Those hit hardest are exactly the peo- Ms. LEE.