January 5, 2016
of a highly affiliated, 283-bed, complexity level 1a, teaching medical facility with a budget of $460 million and 2,600 employees. The SAVAHCS includes seven Community Clinics and a $4.9 million research budget. SAVAHCS hosts various regional centers of excellence including: Southwest Blind Rehabilitation Center; Network 18 Polytrauma Network Site; Rehabilitation and Transitional Care Center; and a Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center. SAVAHCS is also the principle teaching affiliate with the University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy, and 36 other institutions of higher learning. During his tenure, Mr. Gardner created an atmosphere of continuous improvement to ensure quality of care for Veteran patients. In recognition, the SAVAHCS received the 2012 Arizona Quality Alliance Pioneer Award for Quality, the 2012 Robert W. Carey Performance Excellence Trophy Award and the 2011 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert W. Carey Award for Performance Excellence in Healthcare Services, all based on the Malcolm Baldrige Award criteria. SAVAHCS was also awarded 2016 U.S. News and World Report listing of Best Hospitals for Achievement of the American Heart Association ‘‘Get with the Guidelines Gold Resuscitation Award,’’ the 2015 U.S. News and World Report listing of Best Hospitals for Achievement of the American Heart Association ‘‘Get with the Guidelines Silver Resuscitation Award,’’ and the 2015/2014 Silver Foundation Award Excellence in Quality and Performance Award from the Office of Disability and Medical Assessment. His ORYX score from The Joint Commission was #1 in the VA nation-wide. Mr. Gardner’s final day was on January 4, 2016. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure and honor to recognize the commitment and dedication to our Veterans and the Southern Arizona community that Mr. Gardner has demonstrated for well over 36 years. f
THE NEED TO TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT ASSETS OF NATIONAL BANKS IN CIS COUNTRIES ARE NOT USED TO BENEFIT TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE OF TEXAS
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House of an ongoing problem in the former CIS countries involving the banking industry that requires the attention of the Congress and the Administration. In the aftermath of 9/11 the United States took decisive action to implement stronger financial controls to disrupt, impede, and prevent the flow of funds to terrorists around the world. But recent events indicate the need for sustained vigilance and additional action. One example of this involves the countries of Moldova and Latvia, two members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) formed in 1991 upon the dissolution of the former Soviet Union in 1991.
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In Moldova more than $1 billion was stolen from the Moldovan national treasury and a large portion of that money appears to have ended up in three EU banks in Latvia: ‘‘ABLV, Latvijas Pasta Banka, and Privatbank.’’ Mr. Speaker, these banks appear to be financial institutions controlled by associates and friends of Russian President Vladimir Putin who have a demonstrated history of plundering the national treasuries of the former CIS countries. I call upon the Administration and the Congress to investigate whether assets of the national banks of countries of the former Soviet Union are not being plundered and used, knowingly or unknowingly, to benefit terrorist organizations. f
INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO PERMIT COMMERCIAL FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE GROUNDS OF THE U.S. CAPITOL
HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill to permit commercial filming and photography on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, east of Union Square, the only area where such filming is currently authorized. This bill would permit commercial photography and filming outside of the Capitol and congressional office buildings by permit, so long as both the House and Senate are not in session. In today’s world, where many societies are facing upheavals, our country should be the first to encourage commercial photography and filming of the Capitol, which symbolizes U.S. democracy at work. Hollywood and other commercial filmmakers should not have to go to other or fake capitol buildings for movies and films about the U.S. Capitol. The current policy permitting filming near the United States Botanic Garden shows that the Capitol police can handle filmmaking on Capitol grounds, especially when Congress is not in session. However, filming from that vantage point captures the least familiar view of the Capitol. At a time when the reputation of Congress is particularly low, filming of the Capitol, a building that represents American democracy, could bolster its image. Keeping filmmakers from standing in front of the Capitol is neither business-friendly nor true to the nation’s democratic traditions. Encouraging commercial photography and filming at the Capitol would help spread the story of our national legislature around the world. The time is overdue to allow to commercial filming and photography of the exterior of the historic 19th century Capitol building. There is no good reason why commercial filming and photography should be confined to Union Square. Specifically, my bill gives the Capitol Police the discretion, depending on the circumstances in and around the Capitol, to issue a permit authorizing commercial filming and photography under the same conditions as those in Union Square. Such areas might include, for example, Independence Avenue on the House side and Constitution Avenue on
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the Senate side. No policy or security reason exists to justify limiting commercial filming and photography of the Capitol complex to only one location, Union Square, particularly considering that permits are necessary. People are regularly seen on East Capitol Street (east of 2nd Street) taking pictures, where they get a full view of the Capitol building, demonstrating how arbitrary it is to limit commercial filming to Union Square. Capitol Police would also have authority to charge a fee to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol as a result of the issuance of the permit, to be deposited into the Capitol Trust Account. The Capitol Trust Account was established to accept proceeds from any fees collected for commercial filming permits for Union Square. Amounts in the Capitol Trust Account would be available without fiscal year limitation for such maintenance, improvements, and projects with respect to the Capitol grounds as the Architect of the Capitol considers appropriate, subject to the approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate. Views of the U.S. Capitol are among America’s most iconic. Limiting commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, an important vehicle for telling the nation’s story, does not serve the American people. Indeed, most of the world knows our country and reveres our system of government largely through commercial photography and films of the Capitol, which symbolizes our democracy at work. Commercial films and photographs of the Capitol, the seat of our democracy, are perhaps the best modern vehicles for telling the nation’s story and showcasing its democratic system of government. My bill would enable appropriate, permitted commercial filming and photography of the Capitol, and would create economic benefits for the nation, the city, and private business. I urge support of this bill. f
SOUPER BOWL CHAMPION
HON. PETE OLSON OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud Sophia George from Missouri City, Texas for being named to this year’s Souper Bowl of Caring National Youth Advisory Board. Sophia is one of only 13 students from around the country selected to serve on the Board. During January, leading up to the NFL’s Super Bowl, Sophia will serve as a spokesperson for Souper Bowl of Caring and organize charity drives in our Houston community throughout the year. By working with and leading her peers, Sophia will fill an important role ensuring that those in need are cared for. Our community is proud of Sophia’s leadership and dedication to helping others. On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, congratulations again to Sophia for being selected to the National Youth Advisory Board. Thank you for serving Houston.
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