September 20, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6155 

sources in two pastures to provide drinking 

water for our cattle which has been vital 

during this drought. We were also able to 

participate in the Stewardship Program 

through NRCS. Those conservation practices 

helped retain subsoil moisture which has 

been critical in the drought conditions we’ve 

faced. 

We have a 6-year-old son and 4-year-old 

daughter. We tell them daily how important 

our jobs are as farmers, how we are truly 

feeding the world. They are taking true pride 

and ownership of that and passing a good 

farm bill only helps stabilize their dreams 

and ours. 

A five-year farm bill gives us the stability 

to plan ahead for our operation long term. 

With the limited time Congress has to pass a 

farm bill before the current one expires, I 

would encourage lawmakers to look to rural 

America and realize how much work we can 

get done in a week. We know that if the farm 

bill is made a priority, there is enough time 

to get this bill passed. Thank you again for 

your work and we urge Congress to pass a 

farm bill now. 

Sincerely, 

MIKE AND LORI PESKEY, 

f 

Iroquois, S.D. 

CREATE A STEM VISA PROGRAM 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Illinois (Mr. GUTIERREZ) for 5 minutes. 

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, today 

we will vote on a Republican proposal 

to provide green cards to certain immigrants and to cut the same number of 

green cards available to other legal immigrants. 

How do we determine who gets more 

green cards and who gets fewer? 

For my Republican friends, that’s 

easy. They will provide more green 

cards to a very narrow number of immigrants they can tolerate—smart immigrants who have been educated in 

U.S. colleges and universities. They 

will make other legal immigrants— 

ones they can’t tolerate—pay for that 

increase. 

Meanwhile, Democrats have introduced bills that would also provide 

green cards to the immigrants who 

have been educated in U.S. colleges and 

universities. Our Democratic proposal, 

however, does not take green cards 

away from other deserving immigrants 

who want to come legally and contribute to this country. 

On our side of the aisle, we respect 

all immigrants. Our bill recognizes the 

value of all of them to our economy 

and, indeed, to our future. We should 

not educate some of the world’s most 

talented people in the STEM fields— 

that’s science, technology, engineering, 

and math—and then send them away to 

work in foreign lands to compete 

against us. 

Democrats strongly support providing these visas as a way of helping 

the U.S. economy and creating jobs, 

not just for the immigrants but for the 

U.S. workers they will employ and the 

economic activity they will generate. 

Democrats want progress. We want 

visas for STEM graduates. We will 

work in a bipartisan manner with Republicans to get it done. It’s a smart 

policy, and it’s a just policy. Let me be 

clear. There is no economic reason—no 

budget reason, no jobs reason—to punish other immigrants because we give 

out STEM visas. Absolutely none. Let 

me try to make it simple. 

Let’s pretend we’re not talking about 

immigrants, because any time some of 

my Republican friends hear the word 

‘‘immigrants,’’ they immediately want 

to punish someone. So let’s say, instead of immigrants, we’re talking 

about a family of three children, of 

three honest and hardworking children. 

One child wants to go to college to become an industrial engineer, and another wants to go to college to become 

a math professor. The third—a diligent, 

industrious child—doesn’t want to go 

to college. Let’s say he wants to start 

a landscaping business. He wants to 

work with the land and get his hands 

dirty. 

The Republican plan is simple—to 

help the kids going to college and to 

cut the other kid off. He’s out. Tough 

luck. He’s not smart enough for this 

family. The Democratic plan is just as 

simple. We need scientists, engineers 

and mathematicians, but we need other 

workers, too—construction workers, 

machinists, chefs, entrepreneurs. We 

need immigrants from all over the 

world—from every continent, including 

Africa. Everyone who works hard helps 

our economy, so let’s be helpful to everyone. That’s the Democratic belief, 

but that’s not the Republican plan 

today. 

Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. 

After all, this proposal comes from a 

party whose Presidential nominee 

doesn’t care about 47 percent of America. Call it the Mitt Romney deadbeat 

doctrine in which half of all Americans 

are freeloaders. Maybe that’s all we 

need to know about this Republican 

plan. I suppose, in the Republican 

world, STEM visas are for the half of 

America that works, and the other 

visas are for the deadbeats that Mitt 

Romney doesn’t care about—you know, 

the freeloaders like your parents on 

Social Security or your son or daughter with that student loan or the Pell 

Grant—or like my parents, who came 

from Puerto Rico with only an elementary school education, but who worked 

hard every day and put two kids 

through college and one of them in the 

Congress of the United States. Yes, 

those deadbeats. If my parents had 

needed visas to come to this country 

today under this new plan, they would 

never have gotten a chance. 

We are changing the rules about who 

can—and more importantly—about 

who cannot come to America. So unless you view the world through Mitt 

Romney’s ‘‘us versus them’’ vision of 

America, there is no reason to cut 

visas today. None. I want to stand up 

for the ZOE LOFGREN provision of immigration—the Democratic vision of immigration. We’re not divided into a 

country where people who gather at a 

fancy country club and write $50,000 

checks to political candidates are good 

and where the people who stand to run 

and serve them the food are bad. America is not half deadbeats. We are one 

America, and we have a chance to 

prove it today. 

Democrats are offering a sensible 

plan that doesn’t divide us. It values 

all work from all immigrants. It 

achieves our common goal of creating 

a STEM visa program, keeping more 

scientists and engineers right here in 

America, making us stronger. In Mitt 

Romney’s world, if you help one person, you have to punish another. I 

think that’s wrong. I urge my colleagues to pass a fair and sensible plan 

to create a STEM visa program, and 

let’s do it without punishing a single 

person. 

f 

IN HONOR OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHRISTOPHER RAIBLE, A 

FALLEN SOLDIER 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Pennsylvania (Mr. MURPHY) for 5 minutes. 

Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. This 

morning, I rise with a heavy heart, but 

on behalf of a grateful Nation, to honor 

a soldier born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, who gave his 

life on September 14 in service to our 

country. 

This week, he returned to his home, 

the United States, where he will be laid 

to rest. Lieutenant Colonel Christopher 

Raible, commanding officer of Marine 

Attack Squadron 211, died in the assault on Camp Bastion, which is connected to the American-run base Camp 

Leatherneck, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. It was a despicable attack 

by the Taliban that not only took the 

life of this dedicated, respected, and 

brave marine but that also resulted in 

the worst loss of U.S. military aircraft 

since the Vietnam war. 

But this morning, I rise so my colleagues, my constituents at home in 

Westmoreland County, and the entire 

Nation will know more about this courageous marine known as ‘‘Otis,’’ who 

commanded a Marine Harrier jet 

squadron. 

After graduating at the top of his 

class from Norwin High School, where 

he was a starting defensive back for 

the Knights, Lieutenant Colonel Raible 

earned his degree in civil engineering 

from Pittsburgh’s prestigious Carnegie 

Mellon University. Following his college graduation, Raible joined the 

United States Marine Corps, and by 

1998 had become a naval aviator. A natural leader, Raible rose to the rank of 

lieutenant colonel last summer, having 

received numerous military honors 

along the way, including a Meritorious 

Service Medal, 10 Strike-Flight awards, 

and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, to name just a few. 

In support of Operation Enduring 

Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, 

Raible deployed many times to serve 

our Nation. Colonel Raible commanded 

the only Marine Harrier squadron in 


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H6156 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 20, 2012 

Afghanistan in which he flew over 2,000 

hours in Harrier aircraft. 

b 1020 

A southwestern Pennsylvanian at 

heart, it should come as no surprise 

that Otis was known, while seated in 

the cockpit, to listen to the Steelers 

while flying in the skies over Iraq. But 

more than anything, Lieutenant Colonel Raible was a father, a husband, and 

a son; a proud dad of three children, 

ages 11, 9, and 2. Otis so loved and was 

loved by his family. 

As his mother Belvina of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, said, her son 

died defending all that he held dear. 

‘‘He was the best of the best,’’ she said. 

Indeed, Mrs. Raible, he was. 

Today, we as a Nation say ‘‘thank 

you’’ to Lieutenant Colonel Raible and 

to his entire family. We’re so grateful 

for your service and for your sacrifice 

protecting our freedom. Through your 

service, you have made your family 

and your Nation better. Through your 

sacrifice, you have made America 

stronger. Through your courage, you 

have made America proud. 

Many times, I’m sure you soared 

above the clouds where you could 

touch the face of God. Now you rest in 

his loving arms for eternity. Thank 

you, Colonel. Our Nation thanks you, 

as well. 

f 

THE PUERTO RICO POLITICAL 

STATUS PLEBISCITE 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Puerto Rico (Mr. PIERLUISI) for 5 minutes. 

Mr. PIERLUISI. On November 6, the 

U.S. territory of Puerto Rico will hold 

a plebiscite on the island’s political future. Voters will be asked if they want 

to continue the current status or to 

seek a new status. Voters will also be 

asked to express their preference 

among the three alternatives to the 

current status recognized as legally 

and politically viable by the Federal 

Government and international law: 

independence, nationhood in free association with the United States, and 

statehood. 

This plebiscite is different from previous plebiscites in Puerto Rico. It will 

be the first time that island residents 

have an opportunity to answer ‘‘yes’’ 

or ‘‘no’’ to the question of whether 

they support the status that Puerto 

Rico has had since 1898. This question 

has inherent value in a democracy 

where a government’s legitimacy is 

based on the consent of the governed. 

And this plebiscite will only include 

those status options identified as valid 

by Congress and the White House. True 

self-determination is a choice among 

options that can be implemented, not 

an exercise in wishful thinking. 

If a majority of voters express satisfaction with the current status, Puerto 

Rico’s status would not change at this 

time. Likewise, if there is majority 

support to change the current status 

but not majority support for one of the 

three alternatives, Puerto Rico’s current status would also continue. However, if the majority votes against the 

status quo and in favor of statehood, 

free association, or independence, Congress and the President should take action that honors that choice. 

Top Democratic and Republican leaders have indicated they will take the 

results of this plebiscite seriously. 

That is as it should be. The United 

States is the greatest democracy in 

history and a champion of peaceful 

self-determination around the world. 

Consistent with this principle, I am 

confident that Federal officials will respect the choice made by their Federal 

citizens from Puerto Rico if they express a clear desire to change the island status. 

Now I want to speak directly to the 

men and women I represent in Congress. This plebiscite will have a real 

impact on you, your family, and the future of the island we love. It is important that you make your voice heard 

and your vote count. 

It is well-known that I oppose the 

current status and advocate for statehood for Puerto Rico. Whether it is 

called ‘‘territory,’’ ‘‘commonwealth,’’ 

or ‘‘colony,’’ the current status denies 

us the most fundamental rights in a democracy: the right to choose the leaders who make our national laws, and 

the right to equal treatment under 

those laws. In my view, the current 

status is an affront to our dignity. 

In my office hangs a framed photo of 

servicemembers from the island who 

have lost their lives since 2001. They’re 

the latest in a long line of Puerto 

Rican patriots who have fought and 

fallen for this Nation. This photo inspires me, but it also makes me sad. I 

cannot understand how we, such a 

proud people, can voluntarily submit 

to a status that makes us second-class 

citizens in the country that we have 

defended for generations. 

I realize that after nearly 115 years, 

the prospect of change can be unsettling, but I also know that there is 

nothing more powerful than an idea 

whose time has come. We deserve better than what we have, and the time 

has come for us to seek a new status 

that will empower us to realize our full 

potential. 

Among the alternatives to the current status, I believe statehood is the 

right choice. Independence and free association are worthy options, but both 

would place at risk our U.S. citizenship 

and Federal support under programs 

like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security for future generations of Puerto 

Ricans. Because I believe the overwhelming majority of Puerto Ricans 

are opposed to breaking or substantially weakening the strong political, 

social, and economic bonds that have 

formed between Puerto Rico and the 

United States, I think the only viable 

alternative to the status quo is statehood. At this critical moment in history, we should aspire to perfect our 

union, not to sever it. 

The current status is about secondclass citizenship, which we should rise 

up to reject. Independence and free association are about separation, which 

would diminish the opportunities available to our children and grandchildren. 

Statehood is about equal treatment. It 

would deliver to Puerto Rico what all 

free people deserve: full voting rights, 

full self-government, and full equality 

under the law. 

This November, I hope that the U.S. 

citizens of Puerto Rico will send a 

clear message to Congress that they’re 

ready to make a change. 

f 

IN HONOR OF OFFICER BRADLEY 

FOX 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Pennsylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK) for 5 

minutes. 

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I 

rise this morning to honor the life and 

memory of Pennsylvania Police Officer 

Bradley Fox. 

Brad Fox was a 5-year veteran of the 

Plymouth Township Police Department in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 

Having grown up in my home of 

Bucks County, Officer Fox graduated 

from William Tennent High School and 

went on to serve his country for 10 

years in the United States Marine 

Corps. 

A well-decorated soldier, Officer Fox 

received, among other accolades, the 

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement 

Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and 

the National Defense Service Medal. 

Upon returning from his military 

service, Officer Fox joined his local police force in Montgomery County, 

where he built a life for himself, his 

wife, Lynsay, their daughter, and a second child who is on the way. 

On the night of Thursday, September 

13, the family, friends, and fellow officers of Brad Fox received the phone 

call they hoped would never come. Officer Fox was responding to a report of a 

hit-and-run in his suburban Philadelphia township. As he was investigating 

the incident, both Officer Fox and his 

canine companion were ambushed by 

the suspect and attacked, which left 

Officer Fox fatally wounded. 

Yesterday afternoon, I attended the 

burial services for Officer Fox at the 

Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County. The show of support from the local law enforcement 

community and the people of southeastern Pennsylvania as a whole was 

inspiring and it was heartfelt. 

To see that in such a short lifetime 

this father, husband, brother, son, veteran, and police officer had touched so 

many lives was a testament to the kind 

of person that Brad Fox was. He dedicated his entire life to service to his 

community and to his country and 

should serve as an example to every 

one of us. 

Every day in Montgomery County 

and in Bucks County and in communities across this great Nation, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and 


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