[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 175 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H7186-H7187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           21ST CENTURY CURES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Curbelo) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 21st 
Century Cures Act, a bill that recently passed the House with 
overwhelming bipartisan support.
  I am proud that the package includes provisions for robust medical 
research, funding to combat opioid abuse, and support for individuals 
who struggle with mental illness and who are trapped in the criminal 
justice system. Reforming and modernizing our Nation's mental health 
system has been one of my top priorities. It is imperative that we help 
those who are struggling with mental illness get the help they need. 
Many tragedies can be prevented if the proper support structure is in 
place.
  As part of the reform efforts, I was proud that legislation authored 
by Representative Tim Murphy, the Helping Families in Mental Health 
Crisis Act, which I strongly supported, was incorporated into 21st 
Century Cures. I had the opportunity to host a roundtable earlier this 
year in south Florida, with my friend from Pennsylvania and local 
stakeholders, to discuss mental health and the benefits of this 
important legislation.

[[Page H7187]]

  The passage of 21st Century Cures also represents an important step 
toward the discovery and development of new treatments for many 
diseases, like cancer and Alzheimer's, in addition to empowering 
individuals, families, and employers across the country with more 
healthcare options.
  I was proud to have supported this pioneering legislation, and I look 
forward to its swiftly being signed into law.


                             WIIN and CEPP

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, or the WIIN Act. 
Included in this package, which is expected to be considered in the 
House later in the week, is the Central Everglades Planning Project, 
which is of critical importance to the ecological health of the State 
of Florida. This project will significantly increase freshwater flows 
from Lake Okeechobee through the Everglades and down into Florida Bay, 
providing critical relief to our water reservoirs and to a stressed 
ecosystem in the bay.
  The health of Florida Bay is a moral and an environmental cause. It 
is also vital to south Florida's multibillion-dollar tourism industry, 
making Everglades restoration an important local issue as well as a 
major national priority. Long-term restoration will be achieved 
primarily by constructing projects for the conveyance, treatment, and 
storage of water and, ultimately, the restoration of freshwater flow 
from north to south. CEPP contributes to all of these goals.
  I thank Chairman Shuster for working with me to include $1.9 billion 
for the Everglades Restoration Program in the WIIN Act. I am proud 
that, through bipartisan efforts, we were able to include this much-
needed funding for Everglades restoration, and I look forward to 
getting this bill signed into law.


                       FY 2017 NDAA and SPOC Act

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to applaud the House's 
passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2017.
  This bipartisan legislation strongly supports our servicemembers by 
providing a much-deserved 2.1 percent pay raise and improves access to 
health care for them and for their families. It prohibits the 
administration from transferring our naval base in Guantanamo Bay, 
Cuba, to the Castro dictatorship. It also protects victims who report 
sexual assault from personal and professional retaliation by making 
``retaliation'' a separate offense under the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice.
  In addition, I am grateful that my bill, the Service Provider 
Opportunity Clarification Act, was included in the final package. Any 
large business that receives a contract for more than $650,000 must 
show the Federal Government how it will use small businesses as 
subcontractors.
  Subcontracting is an important entry point for new Federal 
contractors. Without a robust and wide base of subcontractors, we will 
have fewer prime contractors tomorrow--meaning fewer suppliers, 
manufacturers, and innovators--and this will all result in increased 
costs to American taxpayers.
  I thank Chairman Thornberry and Chairman Chabot for including my bill 
and for their hard work in moving the NDAA forward. Their efforts serve 
as an excellent example of Congress' working together on behalf of the 
brave men and women who are tasked with keeping our country safe. I 
look forward to the legislation being signed into law.


              Congratulating Southridge Spartans Football

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the 
Southridge Spartans football team on their first trip to the State 
finals since 1999.
  After a 2-2 start to the season, the Spartans' defense stepped up and 
shut out all future opponents from scoring a touchdown. The Spartans 
outscored their final five opponents by a whopping 151-0, finishing the 
season with a 7-2 record and earning a spot in the Florida State 
playoffs.
  After defeating Coral Gables in the quarterfinals, Southridge faced 
off against Deerfield Beach in the semifinals. The Spartans overcame 
six turnovers, five of which came in their own territory, to defeat 
Deerfield Beach 26-7 and to clinch their rightful place in the 
championship game this Saturday in Orlando v. Dr. Phillips High School.
  I congratulate head coach Billy Rolle and principal Miret, along with 
the players, students, faculty, and alumni of Miami Southridge High 
School, for their amazing season thus far.
  Good luck. Bring the championship home.

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