House of january 3, 2019, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour ebate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties. All time shall be equally allocated between the parties and in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. Each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip shall be limited to five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, r. Thompson, for five minutes. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise to recognize july as park and recreation month. Its a fitting time to celebrate our local parks and recreation systems as so Many Americans will visit them this summer. An avid outdoorsman and spending my life as a recreational therapist, i enjoy our parks and facilities. It provides Educational Opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy the outdoors. This month recognizes the roles they play in lives of americans and contributions of employees who work every day to maintain public parks across the nation. Our parks create opportunities for people to come together and experience a sense of community. They contribute to local economies by attracting businesses and increasing housing values. In the United States, Capital Spending generates nearly 140 million in Economic Activity ackually. Our National Park system receives an estimated 331 million visits every year. 90 of americans agree that they are important government services. This support spans across all people in the country regardless of race, income or political affiliation. Nearly 75 americans agree its important tone sure all members of their community have access to parks and facilities. The most economically sound areas are those with ample parks and recreational facilities and activities. The key factors and expansion is a quality of life for employees for an adequate and accessible parks and open space. Mr. Speaker, public parks and recreational facilities foster a variety of activities. Americans living within a 10minute of a park have lower rates of obesity. Those that use them will activities. Mended it requires children a safe place to play, opportunities to be active and prevent atrisk behavior such as drug use and gang activity. Many will visit parks and recreational facilities. We are blessed with beautiful outdoor facilities and my hope all americans get out and enjoy the parks in their areas. Mr. Speaker, this morning i rise to address a bill that my friends across the aisle, the democrats, are going to bring to the floor next week. Raising minimum wage to 15 an hour. There was a score this week by the Congressional Budget Office that sheds truth and light on that proposal and what it does. And this government source has indicated it kills jobs. It harms americans that are today struggling to make ends meet. The average Family Income will of this as a result bill. 3. 7 million jobs are estimated by the c. B. O. , the Congressional Budget Office that would be lost. 42 of families who are currently at the minimum wage will see a net reduction in their Family Income. Taking many of them maybe for the first time down into a Poverty Level of income. There is a better way, mr. Speaker. This body in the past, we passed career and Technical Education reauthorization bill, the perkins act. I was proud to work with mr. Krishnamoorthi from illinois and we saw President Trump sign that into law in july. Were seeing last july. Were seeing this bill restore wrungs on the ladder of opportunity. A significant number of jobs, six million Jobs Available and available today for family sustaining wages. Minimum wage should be a starting point. To me its not where you start in life, its where you end up. We have provided the tools to provide individuals to better access to skillsbased education to improve their lot in life, to achieve higher wages and greater opportunity, which is which is what this country promises. We work hard, we take risk. We better ourselves. Thank you, mr. Speaker. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The chair will now recognize the gentleman from texas, mr. Green, for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, and still i rise. And still i rise now some 84 days since the Mueller Report was made public, some 84 days now that the chief executive officer of this country has been above the law, some 84 days that we are aware of since the Mueller Report, but in truth and in fact, before the Mueller Report was presented we knew that the chief executive officer was behaving in a fashion that would indicate that he thought he was above the law. 84 days. 84 days above the law. 84 days disrespecting the law. Disrespects the Supreme Court of the United States of america after it makes a ruling on the census. Decides to just simply disregard that. Maybe ill use an executive order. The Supreme Court has already spoken. There was a time when the president of the United States of america would respect a decision of the Supreme Court. Disrespects congress. Encourages witnesses not to testify, refuses to surrender proper documents after they have been properly subpoenaed. No respect for the courts, no respect for congress. 84 days above the law since the Mueller Report was presented. And as heartbreaking as that is, i would also add, many days since these babies at the border was separated from their parents. What kind of country are we allowing ourselves to morph into, when we allow this to go unchecked, when we will allow babies to be taken from their parents, what kind of a country metamorphozing into . We need to make sure nobody is above the law. We have the responsibility to enforce that law. If we do not enforce that law, there will be no guardrails and a ruthless, reckless, lawless chief executive will continue to disobey the law. Knowing that he can do what he will, what he may, and that we will not challenge him. But i do believe this, i believe that time is running out. I believe that there will be a vote to remove this chief executive officer. Let me correct that. A vote to impeach. I dont know what the senate will do. But i believe he will be impeached. And i believe he will be impeached, not because of but in spite of a good many people who hold public trust, i might add. In spite of them, hes going to be impeached. Because of some who hold public trust and in spite of some others who hold public trust, he will be impeached. The 10 10 tabulations of history, the bells of history are sounding. History is starting to drive this and history will drive some people. There are people who make history and there are people that history will make and history is going to make some people assume their responsibilities and take up the challenge that the framers of the constitution have afforded us. I believe that this is going to take place in the near future. I just believe that this house is going to do what it is supposed to do, that were not going to place the blame on others, that we will take up our responsibilities, and i believe that when it happens, america is going to be on a proper course. We will set a proper course so we will show that no one is above the law. Let the senate do what it may, but the house will have taken up its responsibility and place an indelible stain on the chief executive officer for his attempts to remain above the law and to abuse, abuse these children with policies that would separate them from their parents. No one is above the law. Not even the chief executive officer in the most powerful country in the world. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Members, i must remind you, are to refrain from engaging in personalities towards the president. The next individual the chair will recognize, the gentleman from indiana, mr. Pence, for five minutes. Recognize rise to the Columbus Police department for their support of the National Guard and Military Reserve employees. The Columbus Police department recently received the above and beyond award for its dedication to its officers who are also members of the National Guard and Military Reserve. This award goes to organizations who go above and beyond when it comes to employees who serve our Nations Armed forces. The Columbus Police department currently has 11 officers who also serve in the National Guard or Military Reserve. In fact, 33 of its employees are either currently serving or are veterans of our armed forces. Thank you to the Columbus Police department for caring for our veterans and for those currently serving our country. I rise to recognize i. U. Health Ball Memorial Hospital in celebrating 90 years of service to the muncie community. The hospital has offered the highest quality of care. Throughout the years, Ball Memorial Hospital has been with the city of muncie through many ups and downs, including the Great Depression and the polio epidemic of the 1940s. Ball Memorial Hospital merged with i. U. Health in 2010, a move that only expanded the hospitals reach throughout east central indiana. Congratulations to i. U. Ball health Memorial Hospital on 90 years of success and thank you for the city for serving the city of munci and indiana. I rise to recognize the alliance for Substance Abuse progress, a group thats been on the front lines of combating crisis. United Opioid Crisis. It partners with counselors, health systems, Community Leaders to address the oipped crisis through pre Opioid Crisis through prevention, treatment, recovery. I want to recognize the new executive director, doug, who officially started this monday. Doug is foormer local and state health care leader, serving as president of the Indiana Hospital Association from 2007 until 2017. While we have much work to do, asap of Bartholomew County can be a model of other counties looking to combat this terrible scourge. I rise today to reiterate my commitment to passing the usmca, which will lead to Stronger Economic growth, rising wages for all hoosiers and all americans. The usmca will generate tens of billions of dollars and create 175,000 new american jobs. The usmca will also rebalance trade to support american manufacturers, strengthen u. S. Trade in agriculture and supports american small business. It increases Market Access for hoosier and American Dairy providers. Its imperative that Congress Acts on behalf of america farmers, ranchers, businesses, and all workers. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Costa, for five minutes. Mr. Costa i ask unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Costa mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulate the United StatesWomens National soccer team on the world cup victory in france. For weeks the americas womens soccer team has captivated the imagination and enthusiasm of not only americas soccer world, but much of that throughout the entire globe. Their performance over the past few weeks leaves no doubt they are the best team in the world their victory sunday is a stinging reminder that members of the team are being paid much less than their male counterparts. With four world cup titles, four olympic gold medals, and a long history of dominance, they are the most successfulful team in the history of womens soccer. More successful on the world stage than their United States ens counterparts. What we are talking about here is an issue thats been out there for many years, equal pay for equal work. The highest paid u. S. Male Soccer Player makes 200,000 more than the womens player. The womens team generated more revenue and higher tv ratings than their mens counterpart. The gap is a stark reminder of the persistent and frustrating reality that women sports are undervalued and their stars simply are underpaid. Thats the facts. But its not just the Playing Field where the womens work is undervalued. But its also in the work force. In the United States women who work fulltime still earn only 80 cents on the average for every dollar earned by a man. Todays wage gap robs women of over 400,000 over the course of their working lives. Equal pay for equal work ask really an incredible value that we must pursue in this congress. Its the fair thing, its the right thing to do. In march i joined my colleagues to pass the paycheck fairness act which will give women the tools they need to fight pay discrimination. I urge my colleagues in the senate to Pay Attention to the strong support for the bill. And to ensure that, in fact, we followup. We followup and get it to the president s desk. Also on march, the u. S. Soccer team sued for equal pay alleging gender discrimination with the mens team supporting their efforts. Now, this goes back to title 9, that was started decades ago, to ensure that in our collegiate sports women could have the same access to the same sporting programs throughout our universities. This week we are going to see parades in new york and in los angeles celebrating this great world championship, this victory. Shortly after the final whistle on sunday, these women solidified their efforts in history books. Celebrated by the cheers in the crowd, quickly erupted into the chants of equal pay, equal pay, showing their support as well which a groundswell is developing. Its time, therefore, that we end pay disparity on the Playing Field and in the workplace once and for all. Congratulations to the United StatesWomens National soccer team. Go u. S. A. And equal pay. Madam speaker, i also rise today to recognize and honor the career of gene on the occasion of his retirement. A Successful TelevisionNews Reporter for four decades, gene spent the last 27 years covering stories throughout my home and n the San Joaquin Valley for kfsntv channel 30. He had the pleasure of working with so many of us over the years. Adept, smart reporter. Hes known and respected for his not only fair reporting, hard hitting questions, and the embodiment of a true professional. He did his homework. He knew what he was talking about. Genes professionalism, commitment to fair and balanced reporting will be missed. But he leaves a Robust Foundation for future journalists to build upon. Is he a mentor and he is a teacher. I wish him the very best with his family and his grandchildren in his new exciting phase of life. But i will encourage him as i have before that he use all his skills hes honed over the years and teach in our colleges and universities the future journalists of america to ensure we have a vibrant, fair, and free press that is a cornerstone of our democracy. Gene has a lot more to give and i hope he does so. So, madam speaker, i ask my colleagues to join me in honoring gene for his achievements, his outstanding commitment to fresno, the San Joaquin Valley, and to our country for always, always standing for a free and fair press. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida, mr. Yoho, for five minutes. Mr. Yoho thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor a great man and a friend who recently passed away, mr. His russell mcgonegal, or friends called him russ. He passed away last week at the age of 97. Born in philadelphia, pennsylvania, on october 211921. He was part of americas greatest generation, serving his country during world war ii, korean war, army air corps. The air force and retiring in 1973 from the pennsylvania National Guard. With the rank of colonel. He was a graduate of franklin and Marshall College and temple university. He had a long career in education in pennsylvania as teacher, assistant principal, principal, and retiring as assistant superintendent of the William Penn School district. He and his beloved wife retired to lake mary, florida, in 1981 where he served as the commiss