H6160 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 20, 2012 

On behalf of Bobby and his family, I 

stand before you today to briefly discuss this growing trend and associated 

symptoms, as well as highlight prevention efforts within my district and nationwide by both the Departments of 

Defense and Veterans Affairs. 

More than 2 million troops have 

served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that’s a lot of people who 

have seen war up close and personal. It 

can affect some of them adversely 

when they come back home. 

In fiscal year 2009 alone, 1,868 veterans of these wars made suicide attempts. 

Faced with the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder, unemployment 

rates tipping 12 percent for our veterans, and a loss of the military camaraderie, many veterans report feeling 

purposeless upon returning home. 

We are aware of three conditions that 

contribute to many of the suicides of 

our veterans, and they are post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD; traumatic 

brain injury, TBI; and depression. We 

know that veterans with these three 

medical conditions are at a higher risk 

of succumbing to suicide behavior. 

As friends and family members of our 

veterans and those serving our country, there are some things that we can 

do: first, recognize the symptoms that 

could lead to serious problems; understand where and how to get assistance 

while still part of the military; and 

know the availability of treatment 

after service. 

As members of the Veterans’ Affairs 

Subcommittee, my colleagues and I on 

both sides of the aisle have had the opportunity to meet and discuss some of 

these very important issues, and I’m 

pleased with Secretary of the VA 

Shinseki’s recent outreach efforts such 

as Stand By Them and Side By Side. 

The purpose of the joint DOD and VA 

Stand By Them campaign and public 

service announcement, Side By Side, is 

to increase awareness with focus on 

support networks for military members. 

Detection and treatment are key 

components required for resolution. 

Those closest to the military member 

can often see signals of distress before 

the member recognizes it himself or 

herself. The quicker the detection, the 

quicker the treatment. 

Yesterday, I joined back in my home 

district Director Costie and Dr. Napp 

at the Dayton VA Medical Center to 

bring awareness to Suicide Prevention 

Month. With a large geographic span of 

responsibility in my district, the Dayton VA Medical Center provides services to veterans from 16 counties. 

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During the joint press conference at 

the VA, we announced the ongoing efforts and helped in the promotion of 

the VA and DOD programs. I know 

communities across our Nation are 

doing similar awareness and education 

programs. 

As our young men and women are 

fighting to protect our freedoms, while 

they’re often faced with multiple and 

lengthy employments, exposed to 

stressful situations in combat—including death—we cannot look the other 

way and hope that these issues disappear. The reality is we are faced with 

a growing number of PTSD, TBI, depression, and suicide within our military and veterans. This is a real problem. And if we can alleviate one of the 

symptoms and causes of suicide, PTSD, 

we may see a change in the current 

trendline before the problem becomes 

completely systemic across our fighting force. 

Let me just say, as members of the 

grateful communities to which our 

brave men and women return, we need 

to do whatever is possible to recognize 

these veterans at risk and help them 

get the assistance they need. 

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NEW MEXICO CENTENNIAL 

RESOLUTION 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

New Mexico (Mr. LUJA ́ N) for 5 minutes. 

Mr. LUJA ́ N. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to celebrate a proud milestone in 

the history of the great State of New 

Mexico. This year marks the centennial anniversary of the ‘‘Land of Enchantment.’’ 

Filmmakers have spent years documenting the history and beauty of New 

Mexico, sharing the importance of our 

acequias, stories of history and tradition in ‘‘Canes of Power,’’ stories and 

tales told by Rudolfo Anaya, and art 

and landscapes captured by Georgia 

O’Keefe. 

New Mexico has a long and rich heritage that is rooted in the shared history of a diverse population, a history 

that respects diversity and language, a 

land whose State constitution was 

drafted and adopted in both English 

and Spanish. And while Santa Fe, the 

City of Faith, holds the distinction as 

the oldest capital city in the country, 

celebrating 400 years last year, statehood came later in 1912, when a territory known for its beautiful scenery, 

natural wonders, and pristine landscapes was admitted into the Union as 

the 47th State. 

New Mexico is blessed with rich cultural landmarks: Chaco Canyon, Bandelier, the Taos Gorge and Blue Lake, 

and the Plaza in Santa Fe. Thousands 

of visitors each year travel to learn of 

the unique traditions and spirit that 

make New Mexico such a special place 

with blue skies, sunsets and sunrises 

and starry nights you won’t find anywhere else in the world. 

The Land of Enchantment is home to 

a diverse population that can trace its 

roots back to Spanish, Mexican, and 

Native American cultures, amongst 

others. As home to one of the richest 

indigenous tribal populations in the 

United States, New Mexico is proud of 

the influences and contributions of the 

19 Pueblo Nations, two Apache Nations, and the Navajo Nation. These diverse cultures coming together to 

share a common bond of calling New 

Mexico home has served as a source of 

strength for our State, as the influence 

of art, agriculture, and architecture 

can be felt to this very day. 

During the past 100 years, New Mexico has had a proud tradition of service 

to our country. In World War II, Navajo Code Talkers contributed to victory for the Allied Forces, while many 

native sons of New Mexico sacrificed in 

the Battle of Bataan. In the Korean 

Cold War, Hiroshi Miyamura of Gallup 

was awarded the Medal of Honor for his 

distinguished service. Most recently, 

Santa Fe native Sergeant Leroy Petry 

earned the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions in the face of great 

danger in Afghanistan. And in every 

war in between, New Mexicans have 

proudly defended our Nation and answered the call of duty when they were 

needed most. 

New Mexico has also served our Nation as a center for scientific innovation and research. Los Alamos and 

Sandia National Laboratories have 

been home to a number of scientific endeavors that have been important priorities for our Nation. 

Mr. Speaker, as New Mexico celebrates 100 years of statehood, we’re reminded of how special this beautiful 

land we call home is. As a native New 

Mexican, it is with great pride in our 

past and hope for our future that I 

come to this floor to recognize the enduring contributions of New Mexicans 

during the course of our State’s history. 

A special love for our land and water 

helps shape our lives. A land of faith 

and family, culture and tradition—and, 

Mr. Speaker, the best chili found anywhere in the world—ours is a special 

story, an American story, one passed 

from one generation to the next, with 

our most precious lessons coming from 

our elders: our parents and our grandparents. In the words of my parents, 

Ben and Carmen, when they send me 

off on any journey when I depart from 

home: Y que Dios les bendigan—may 

God bless you. 

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SEQUESTRATION TRANSPARENCY 

ACT 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 

Oregon (Ms. BONAMICI) for 5 minutes. 

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, during 

the month of August, I had held several 

town hall meetings throughout my district in Oregon. In these meetings, I’ve 

done a summary of the work that we’re 

doing here in Congress and then opened 

the floor for questions from and discussions with my constituents. 

Without fail, in every town hall 

meeting at least one person would ask 

about the partisan rancor and the gridlock that’s come to characterize Washington. They would ask me: Can you 

tell us something that’s bipartisan 

that you’ve done, something where 

you’ve worked together, some achievement that everyone’s agreed on. 


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September 20, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6161 

Now, in responding to them, I’ve 

often discussed a piece of legislation 

that’s very important to the debate on 

budget priorities and the so-called ‘‘fiscal cliff’’; that’s the Sequestration 

Transparency Act. This bill passed the 

Budget Committee by voice vote and 

was later approved in the House, with 

only two in opposition. After the Senate passed it with unanimous consent, 

the President signed it into law. So 

this was truly a bipartisan effort, a 

statement by almost every one of us 

working together that we’re concerned 

about the impact that sequestration 

might have on our constituents, and an 

effort to get more information about 

the true harm that that sequestration 

will cause. 

Now, following the administration’s 

recent report detailing those cuts that 

would come under sequestration, I am 

even more concerned than before, and 

my constituents are concerned. And I 

know constituents all across this country are concerned as well. Mr. Speaker, 

there is bipartisan concern about the 

impact that sequestration might have, 

and yet we haven’t been able to come 

to a bipartisan consensus to avoid it. 

We’ve identified a problem; now we 

must identify a solution. This should 

be a balanced solution, working together, and I look forward to working 

with all of my colleagues on both sides 

of the aisle to arrive at that solution. 

It’s a solution for my district in Oregon, for all of the great State, and, 

importantly, for all of this great Nation. 

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RECESS 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair 

declares the House in recess until noon 

today. 

Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 8 minutes a.m.), the House stood in recess. 

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AFTER RECESS 

The recess having expired, the House 

was called to order by the Speaker at 

noon. 

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PRAYER 

Rabbi Steven Weil, Orthodox Union, 

New York, New York, offered the following prayer: 

Master of the Universe, today we 

stand before You in this hallowed Hall, 

grateful for the freedoms we have been 

granted here, grateful for the men and 

women in this room who You imbued 

with wisdom and blessed with the courage to make the difficult decisions that 

will impact the destiny of all humanity. 

Allow the Members of Congress to be 

Your partners in making a more perfect world, and grant them the insight 

and the vision to always be mindful of 

the responsibilities they bear. We implore You to guide and strengthen 

them so that they can do what must be 

done to save the world from those who 

wish to perpetrate terrorism and evil. 

Dear God, enable them to do what 

must be done to plant the seeds for a 

brighter and more prosperous economic 

future. Dear God, support them in providing our children with a strong education to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Thank You for giving us such 

wonderful shepherds and allowing us to 

be their cherished flock. 

Amen. 

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THE JOURNAL 

The SPEAKER. The Chair has examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and announces to the House 

his approval thereof. 

Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. 

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman 

from Texas (Mr. POE) come forward and 

lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mr. POE of Texas led the Pledge of 

Allegiance as follows: 

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the 

United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, 

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 

The SPEAKER. The Chair will entertain up to 15 requests for 1-minute 

speeches on each side of the aisle. 

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VOICE OF TEXAS: ELIZABETH 

FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS 

(Mr. POE of Texas asked and was 

given permission to address the House 

for 1 minute.) 

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Elizabeth from Houston wrote me this 

about her business: 

My immigrant parents came to the United 

States legally. They had to learn English. 

My dad worked very hard. He opened several 

bars and restaurants, hired wait staff, cooks, 

bartenders, and cleaning people. There was 

never a dime of government assistance. Hard 

work, long hours, and sleepless nights were 

the norm for all of us. I learned their work 

ethic early, and I also have worked very hard 

for my family. No welfare, no government 

handouts. 

This is my country, and I love this country 

as much as my parents did. But I do not respect the current President or his administration. They want to be in charge of all of 

us, from cradle to grave. That is not the 

American way. That is exactly what my parents and grandparents fled from. Please take 

us back to the right way. 

Mr. Speaker, Elizabeth’s family did 

it the right way—and without Big Government getting in the way. They built 

their American Dream all on their 

own. 

And that’s just the way it is. 

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ALL THE APPEARANCES OF A 

SWINDLE 

(Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given 

permission to address the House for 1 

minute.) 

Mr. KUCINICH. Did Peabody Energy 

Company deliberately unload a bad investment on public power organizations serving 217 cities and villages 

across the Midwest? Congress must 

find out because Peabody Energy lured 

public power organizations into contracts that forced municipal utilities 

to pay up to twice the market rate for 

electricity. At a time when private 

funding could not be had for new coalfired utilities, Peabody Energy unloaded 95 percent of its investment 

onto public power customers in what 

became an almost triple cost overrun, 

with a coal mine that lasts 22 years, instead of 30 years as promised, and an 

ashfill that was supposed to last 23 

years, and will last only 12 to 14 years. 

The contract which municipals are 

tied into forces them to pay for power 

42 percent above the market rate, 

whether the plant is producing energy 

or not. Billions of dollars were issued 

for bond financing for the project, and 

utility customers are vulnerable to 

huge costs for debt retirement. Wall 

Street wouldn’t invest in the project, 

so Peabody went to Main Street, and 

now millions of public power customers 

will pay sky-high electric rates in what 

has all the appearances of a swindle. 

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SEQUESTRATION TRANSPARENCY 

REPORT SHOWS LACK OF LEADERSHIP 

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina 

asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) 

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. 

Speaker, on Friday, the administration 

released a report on how the President 

plans to implement the $600 billion defense sequester, threatening servicemembers, military families, and veterans. Politico explained it ‘‘shed little 

new light on the sword of Damocles.’’ 

This report, required by the passage of 

the Sequestration Transparency Act, 

arrived 1 week late, confirming that 

the President and the liberal-controlled Senate have refused to take sequestration as a top priority. 

Today, the House Armed Services 

Committee held a hearing to receive 

testimony from key government officials who will implement sequestration. Based upon the minimal information provided, it’s clear the administration has not made appropriate plans for 

the drastic budget cuts, even though 

the White House is responsible for proposing the disastrous proposal. House 

Republicans have voted five times, led 

by Chairman BUCK MCKEON, to replace 

sequestration with commonsense reforms to avoid the threat to national 

security or destroying jobs. I urge the 

President and the Senate to begin 

working with the House before it’s too 

late. 

In conclusion, God bless our troops, 

and we will never forget September 

11th in the global war on terrorism. 


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