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53,567 | 1,292,957 | Y000067 | 1,393 | Rudy | Yakym | Rudy Yakym III | 20,240,718 | M | 1984-02-24 | 40 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | IN | WISHING WORLD WAR II VETERAN ROBERT BOHYER A VERY HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY | I rise to celebrate and wish a very happy and special 100th birthday to World War II veteran Robert Bohyer. prgtoken Robert embodies what it means to be a member of the ``Greatest Generation.'' When the forces of fascism threatened the peace, security, and freedom of millions upon millions, Robert answered the call to serve, joining the U.S. Army Air Corps--which later became the Air Force--when he was only 18 years old. prgtoken As a B-17 tail gunner, Robert was assigned to the 486th Bombardment Group near Sudbury, England and then later to the 483rd Bombardment Group in Italy. All told, Robert flew 35 missions from England and Italy, and he faced down mortal danger with the kind of heroic courage and valor that we desperately need more of today. Robert succinctly captured the danger he confronted by saying ``We were shot up but never shot down.'' Robert distinguished himself in service, and he has the medals and citations to prove it. prgtoken President Ronald Reagan reminded us that freedom is fragile and must constantly be fought for and guarded by each generation. That noble mission is exactly what Robert helped carry out when he wore the uniform of the United States Military. Because of the service and sacrifice of veterans, generations of Americans have been able to experience the blessings of liberty and live in a land that is free. For that, all of us owe Robert and his fellow veterans a debt that we can never fully repay. prgtoken As Robert celebrates a century of life lived to the fullest, I join his family and countless Hoosiers in wishing Robert Bohyer a very Happy 100th Birthday. I commend him for his loyal service to our Nation in uniform and the many great contributions he has made to our country. May God bless Robert. | 2,024 | 7 | 18 | 1,794 | 718,035 |
53,637 | 1,292,998 | M000312 | 19 | James | McGovern | James P. McGovern | 20,240,722 | M | 1959-11-20 | 64 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MA | DIRE SITUATION IN GAZA | I would like to highlight a report that came out last week from Oxfam on the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure inside of Gaza by Israeli military operations. prgtoken The Israeli military offensive has amounted to a total siege against the water infrastructure on which civilians rely. The report provides a detailed breakdown of the significant damage to water wells, storage reservoirs, desalination plants, and wastewater facilities. prgtoken Oxfam's attempts to import critical supplies like water desalination units and repair materials have also been obstructed by Israeli restrictions. The impact on public health has been catastrophic, with reported cases of waterborne diseases skyrocketing. prgtoken , the people of Gaza need a cease-fire now. They need a surge in humanitarian aid and an end to the obstruction of the supplies entering Gaza and for those supplies to be safely delivered to the people of Gaza. prgtoken President and Prime Minister Netanyahu have the power to make this happen. They can do it today. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,068 | 718,074 |
53,634 | 1,293,220 | H001066 | 1,023 | Steven | Horsford | Steven Horsford | 20,240,722 | M | 1973-04-29 | 51 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NV | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , s, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Congressman Jonathan Jackson, for co- chairing our Special Order hour for the Congressional Black Caucus. prgtoken I rise tonight with my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus with a heavy heart to pay my personal respects and to remember a woman who meant so much to this body. prgtoken The loss that we all feel for our dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, is truly immeasurable. On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, I offer our sincerest condolences to Congresswoman Jackson Lee's husband, Elwyn; her children, Jason and Erica; the entire Lee family; and, of course, her staff in Houston as well as here in Washington, D.C. prgtoken For nearly 30 years, Congresswoman Jackson Lee served in this body with honor, integrity, loyalty, and her signature style. As chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, it was a tremendous honor to be able to work with Congresswoman Jackson Lee each and every day. prgtoken A woman of deep conviction, she was disciplined and principled. She was fearless in the face of challenge and adversity, and she always put her family, her community, and her country first. prgtoken Her impact on Houston, the Congress, and the country will not soon be forgotten. From her time serving on the Houston City Council to her service here in the House of Representatives, she has advocated for social and economic justice and the advancement of the most marginalized. She made children, working families, and the safety of our Nation the cause of her life. prgtoken From leading the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act legislation this Congress to H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act, to the Violence Against Women Act, to the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a bold and courageous leader who always worked to make her community a better place. prgtoken I join my colleagues in honoring her memory and her legacy by continuing the fight for the issues she cared for the most. prgtoken She was a patriot and fighter to the very end, and this House was made better for her leadership. Words cannot express how deeply she will be missed by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, by the entire body, and by the constituents who she served. prgtoken May God rest her soul. We love Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. May she rest in peace. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,497 | 718,174 |
53,633 | 1,293,237 | J000309 | 1,399 | Jonathan | Jackson | Jonathan L. Jackson | 20,240,722 | M | 1966-01-07 | 58 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | IL | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , I thank the Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, my co-anchor on this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour, for yielding. prgtoken I affiliate myself with all the comments that my colleagues have shared regarding this remarkable woman, our colleague and dear friend, Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken Madam , I rise tonight to lend my voice to the chorus of those who have gathered in this Chamber to honor and give mournful recompense to the life and legacy of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a woman of such grave significance who even in repose remains a towering figure among us. prgtoken Sheila Jackson Lee was no shrinking violet, She was no harbinger of demure expectations, and she did not cower in the face of adversity, nor did she retreat in the midst of a storm. prgtoken Sheila Jackson Lee did not do as some have already done; namely, get elected to political office and forget where they come from. Sheila Jackson Lee carried the people of Houston with her because her dreams were their dreams too. Their adversities were her adversities too. She wanted for them no less what she wanted for herself. prgtoken Here is a woman who in her lifetime had to deal with policies who told her she had to sit in the back of the bus. She went from having people tell her she had to go through the back door to being a Member of Congress who passed laws to make America a better place for all people. prgtoken She lived long enough to see President ascend to the Presidency. She lived long enough to see Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown elevated to the Supreme Court. She was just a few days away from living to see Vice President selected to be the ic nominee for the Presidency of the United States. What a life. What a witness. What a legacy. prgtoken Tonight, I say to you, a mighty oak has fallen. I shared so many evenings and days and times with Congresswoman Lee, my heart is filled, and I thank God for her having come this way. prgtoken I felt in many ways like the words in the book of ``Animal Farm,'' ``All animals are equal, but some are more equal. . . . `' I never looked at myself as a peer of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. I was honored to carry her bags. I was honored to walk beside her. I was honored to be in the midst of her company. I thank God for having put me in a place where I could be from afar and then in my lifetime be able to work up close and hand in hand with her. prgtoken In this place where she will no longer stand is a hole that will never be filled in this Chamber because while none of us are indispensable, some of us can never be replaced. That is the legacy of Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken This is the brightness of the one who we remember, who in death has become both the singer and the song. Let the word go forth from this time and place that Sheila Jackson Lee was a steel magnolia, one of the daughters of thunder, a woman of such invention and personal power t | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,182 |
53,644 | 1,293,222 | L000551 | 70 | Barbara | Lee | Barbara Lee | 20,240,722 | F | 1946-07-16 | 78 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | CA | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , let me first take a moment to thank Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for her leadership and to thank the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and the entire Congressional Black Caucus for leading this tribute tonight to our colleague, our sister, and our friend. prgtoken To Sheila's family, her community, her friends, my deepest condolences. You know how much we love Sheila, and we know how much they loved her and how much she is missed already. Now, let me say a couple of things. prgtoken First of all, I met Sheila before I met Sheila. This was when I was in the legislature. I went to the graduation where my niece was attending college, Prairie View College right out of Houston, Texas. prgtoken There was a great orator who spoke at that commencement. This was probably '95, '96. This orator spoke for probably about 2 to 3 hours in the hot sun. It was a great speech, and I will never forget that speech. It was over 2 hours, and everyone was listening intently in that hot sun. prgtoken Finally, when I actually met Sheila, coming to Congress, I felt that I knew her because this speech was so profound. prgtoken She was, first of all, an effective legislator. We know her well as being right down here on the floor. prgtoken I think she had an amendment for every single bill that came to the floor, and they passed. She worked with s. She worked with all of us. She was at the Rules Committee until midnight. She had more energy, but she was brilliant with her energy, and she knew how to effectuate legislative change and get bills passed. prgtoken Of course, she led the effort for reparations, for the study and development of reparations. She picked that bill up, H.R. 40, from our beloved John Conyers. She led the effort to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. She was the lead author of Federal legislation for the Juneteenth National Independence Day. We cannot forget that. I have to remind people of that, in her absence this year. As we celebrate Juneteenth, we cannot forget the name Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken My grandfather and my great-grandmother were born in Galveston. I had never visited Galveston until Sheila invited me to Galveston to be with her the first year the legislation passed. What a reunion that was. To be with Sheila Jackson Lee in Galveston, Texas, was the highlight of that year for me. prgtoken She also was a constituent advocate. Let me tell you, right after Katrina, members of the Congressional Black Caucus were in New Orleans. Sheila went back to Houston because she received so many evacuees. She called me up and said: Barbara, I don't care wherever you are going, you better come here to Houston. prgtoken I said: Yes, ma'am. prgtoken I went to Houston, and I saw how Sheila Jackson Lee in many ways ministered to these evacuees. She had me out there, and I was honored to be out there with her feeding people, clothing people, finding shelter, on the phones being advoca | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,175 |
53,622 | 1,293,051 | N000002 | 163 | Jerrold | Nadler | Jerrold Nadler | 20,240,722 | M | 1947-06-13 | 77 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NY | VICTIMS' VOICES OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE COURTROOM EFFECTIVENESS ACT | such time as I may consume. prgtoken , S. 3706, the Victims' Voices Outside and Inside the Courtroom Effectiveness Act, or the Victims' VOICES Act, is bipartisan legislation that would amend the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act to make certain family members, friends, legal guardians, and others eligible to receive repayment for expenses incurred as a result of helping victims of crime seek justice and restorative care. prgtoken While the intention of the MVRA is to ensure that victims of violent crime, crimes against property, and other crimes are compensated by defendants for their losses, the limitations placed on who may receive restitution can create unfair consequences for those who have provided much-needed support to victims. prgtoken That is why it has become necessary for Congress to consider the broader impact of the diverse judicial interpretations of the MVRA on those individuals who play a vital role in helping victims recover and heal. prgtoken Victims of crime often experience a range of emotional, physical, and psychological challenges that can make it difficult to navigate the complex, legal, and therapeutic processes involved in pursuing justice and healing. prgtoken In the wake of these crimes, particularly violent crimes, support from family members, friends, legal guardians, and others is crucial for victims not only to actively participate in the investigation and prosecution of their cases, but to receive the medical care, psychological treatment, and other support services that they so desperately need. prgtoken These exceptional people play a critical role in providing comfort and assistance to victims of crime, which requires significant time and effort. Oftentimes, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, guardians, and best friends take on the daunting responsibility of transporting their loved ones over several weeks and months or sometimes even years to meet with investigators and prosecutors or to receive treatment, therapy, or other services. prgtoken They sit through monthslong trials, sentencing hearings, and other court proceedings alongside their traumatized loved ones, providing support and encouragement while spending countless hours away from their jobs, needing additional childcare, and spending huge amounts of money on travel. prgtoken Unfortunately, several jurisdictions have refused to allow repayment of the money spent or not earned by family members and others who they have determined do not meet the MVRA's definition of ``victim.'' prgtoken Despite recognizing the good policy reasons for allowing a court to order reimbursement to a victim's representative for such expenditures, the Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits, as well as many lower courts, have held that the language of the MVRA limits restitution to losses incurred only by victims and not by those who help them. We must not allow this injustice to persist. prgtoken It is, therefore, necessary tha | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,100 |
53,630 | 1,292,965 | D000624 | 1,085 | Debbie | Dingell | Debbie Dingell | 20,240,722 | F | 1953-11-23 | 70 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MI | RECOGNIZING KEN HAYWARD'S INDUCTION TO THE MICHIGAN BASEBALL HALL OF FAME | I rise today to recognize Ken Hayward, a resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the occasion of his induction into the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame. His contributions to Wolverine athletics and the state of Michigan are worthy of commendation. prgtoken Ken was born in 1963 to Bud and Pat Hayward as their only child. A native of Waterford, Michigan, Ken's talent and passion on the baseball diamond was evident from an early age. After a tremendous high school career, he received a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Michigan. prgtoken A four-time letterman, Ken was also a four-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree. His time on the team saw the Wolverines win two Big Ten Conference Titles, two NCAA Regional Championships, and multiple trips to the College World Series. He still holds Michigan career records for batting average, RBIs, and games played. Going the extra mile for his team, Ken also pitched for his last two seasons, going 12-2 and recording 7 saves. In 1985, as a senior and team captain, Ken batted 432 with 13 home runs and 64 RBIs in 65 games. His achievements earned him a Big Ten Medal of Honor and the 1985 Michigan Athlete of the Year award. prgtoken Shortly after he graduated from the University of Michigan, Ken embarked on a long and successful career in the hospitality industry. Starting in 1985 as a sales representative, by 2010 he was the Executive VP and Managing Director of Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, consistently ranked as one of the world's top hotels. Ken was appointed to the Michigan Travel Commission by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2005 and then reappointed in 2008. Ken served as the commission's chairman from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure as chairman, Travel Michigan secured funding to develop the Pure Michigan advertising campaign, which continues today as a national brand and marketing effort for Michigan travel and tourism. Since 2021, Ken has been a VP at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, directing their social mission and community affairs. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Ken Hayward and all the accomplishments he achieved on behalf of our Wolverines and the entire State of Michigan. A consummate professional, we couldn't have asked for a better representative of our great state. I thank Ken and congratulate him on this tremendous achievement. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,398 | 718,043 |
53,655 | 1,293,126 | D000399 | 331 | Lloyd | Doggett | Lloyd Doggett | 20,240,722 | M | 1946-10-06 | 77 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | TX | A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | I invite my Texas colleagues, particularly, and others who may want to come up to honor our colleague, Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken , I rise to honor our colleague, Sheila Jackson Lee. It is strange to be here and not see her at a microphone because we know her as the outspoken and the oft-spoken colleague in this House. prgtoken When I was elected back in 1994, Sheila and I were part of a very small class of 13. Even then, certainly, and even last year or even a couple of months ago, I never thought that I would be memorializing her after an illness that took her far too swiftly. prgtoken She is an icon in Houston and in Texas politics. She always showed up for her constituents, just as she always showed up here. She chose to spend some of her final days helping those who were trying to recover from Hurricane Beryl, personally passing out food and water and connecting families to necessary assistance. prgtoken Sheila is known all over Houston for being a fighter for her community. Here in Washington, she was certainly a fierce advocate for many causes, but particularly racial justice and equality. She was responsible for our Nation now recognizing in the bipartisan effort she made with Senator Cornyn Juneteenth as a Federal holiday to recognize the horrors of slavery and our recovering from them. prgtoken She fought relentlessly to end the scourge of community violence in her work on the Violence Against Women Act, the Sentencing Reform Act, the Kimberly Vaughan Firearms Safe Storage Act. prgtoken Of course, she treasured her children, Erica and Jason, and her grandchildren, Ellison and Roy, as well as her dedicated staff members here in Washington and in Houston. prgtoken She graduated with honors in the first Yale University class to include women. She was a trailblazer there, as she was here, and a mentor to many. While a demanding boss, she had a great sense of humor, a side many do not remember. She seemed to be everywhere and involved in just about everything here, providing inspiration to many with her determined advocacy. prgtoken The stories from her former staff members who knew her best attest that she played a major role in their professional development and provided a launching pad for their careers. prgtoken With the bipartisan support of so many here, I ask that all join our delegation in a moment of silence for our prgtoken respected colleague, Sheila Jackson Lee. Let's be inspired by her legacy to meet the challenges that we face. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,530 | 718,132 |
53,645 | 1,293,238 | C001127 | 1,388 | Sheila | Cherfilus-McCormick | Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick | 20,240,722 | F | 1979-01-25 | 45 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | FL | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken The Nation mourns the loss of a tireless advocate for justice and a beacon of hope for so many. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was not just a Member of Congress. She was a force of nature, a relentless champion for civil rights, and a voice for the voiceless. prgtoken For nearly three decades, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's work in this Chamber showcased her unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Her reintroduction of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is just one example of her dedication to fight for equal justice. prgtoken This bill, which I was so proud to cosponsor, aimed to hold law enforcement accountable, improving training, and rebuilding the trust of the communities they serve. It is a testament to her vision for a fair and more just America. prgtoken Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee believed deeply in the power of the Federal Government to enact meaningful reform. She knew that while no single policy could erase decades of systemic racism, it was imperative to take bold steps toward structural change. Her legacy will be felt in every stride we make toward justice. prgtoken To me, Sheila Jackson Lee was the originator. We always joked around when she said: She is the first Sheila, and I am the second Sheila. I always said: Sheila, you are the originator. prgtoken Every time she saw me, she asked if I needed anything. I remember when I last spoke to her, I said: Sheila, you sound strong today. And she said: Sheila, whatever you need, call me. I will be there. If you need to know how to do it, I will show you. She made me a promise. She said: I will always be there. prgtoken The day she passed, I said: Sheila, we will remember your legacy. She was at every Special Order hour, every single one, and the last one I looked back, and I said: Sheila, are you ready? And she said she couldn't do it. Jonathan held her, and I knew that was the last time. prgtoken Rest in power, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,078 | 718,183 |
53,657 | 1,292,979 | T000486 | 1,340 | Ritchie | Torres | Ritchie Torres | 20,240,722 | M | 1988-03-12 | 36 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NY | HONORING AMBASSADOR GILAD ERDAN | today, I rise to recognize the extraordinary career of Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan. Ambassador Erdan began his career in public service as an advisor, first to Ariel Sharon and then to Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2003, Ambassador Erdan was elected to the Knesset as a member of Likud. During his fourteen years as a Member of the Knesset, Ambassador Erdan served in a variety of ministerial positions. He was first appointed as the Minister for Environmental Protection following the 2009 elections. In this role, he worked to clean rivers, increase recycling, and protect Israel's coastline. In 2013, Ambassador Erdan was appointed the Minister of Communications and Minister of Home Front Defense. Subsequently, in 2014, he served as the Minister of Interior. Following the 2015 elections, Prime Minister Netanyahu appointed him Minister of Public Security. In this position, he combated terrorism, reformed cannabis law, and worked to protect children from online predators. prgtoken In 2020, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Erdan would serve concurrently as Ambassador to the United Nations and the United States--a distinction not bestowed upon an ambassador since the 1950s. In 2022, he was elected the Vice President of the 77th General Assembly, a major honor for any diplomat. While serving as Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Erdan has fearlessly advocated for Israel's interests in front of the assembly. In his role as Ambassador, I have had the pleasure of working with him and witnessing his commitment to Israel first-hand. I wish him the best in his next role and am confident that he will continue to be a strong advocate for the people of Israel. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,738 | 718,056 |
53,624 | 1,293,232 | P000617 | 1,218 | Ayanna | Pressley | Ayanna Pressley | 20,240,722 | F | 1974-02-03 | 50 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MA | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , I thank Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus- McCormick and Congressman Jackson for convening this Special Order hour for, indeed, a special woman. prgtoken Madam , I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas' 18th District. prgtoken Sheila was a legislator, scholar, orator, truth teller, and justice seeker. prgtoken From Houston to Boston, from the Nation's Capitol to throughout the African diaspora, Sheila Jackson Lee is a name you should know. If you don't, trust me, you have benefited from her work--recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday, reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, advocating for police accountability, reparations, and so much more. prgtoken Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee will always be remembered as a force to be reckoned with, who loved her constituents dearly, and represented them with sincerity. prgtoken I can see her now in my mind's eye: folders full of notes spilling over, research, question lines, floor statements, multiple bags, and layered clothing. She wore a colorful scarf to beat the chill and show her own unique style with her hair always in a regally braided crown. prgtoken With nearly 30 years of service in Congress, she spent every moment working toward progress. In our final text exchange before her transition to ancestor, she said to me, keep working on our priorities. We cannot give up. prgtoken So in her memory, alongside my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, her staff, current and former, her constituents and her family, we will continue the fight for justice. prgtoken SJL, I already miss your rich and powerful voice, but most of all, I will miss how you used it for the people. Rest in peace and power. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,754 | 718,180 |
53,643 | 1,292,986 | S001209 | 1,242 | Abigail | Spanberger | Abigail Davis Spanberger | 20,240,722 | F | 1979-08-07 | 44 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | VA | CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THE NEW WINNERS CHURCH BUILDING IN DUMFRIES, VIRGINIA | I rise to recognize Winners Church of Dumfries, Virginia and extend my congratulations to them on the completion of their new church building. This expansion will enable them to continue their mission of service to the community. prgtoken Winners Church has served the people of Virginia's Seventh Congressional District for more than 13 years. Under the direction of Senior Pastor Henry Godwin, Winners Church has enriched the lives of Dumfries residents by fostering a sense of community and providing invaluable support to their congregants. This new building serves as a symbol of the continued dedication to service that Winners Church nurtures in their community and will continue to grow through their love and faith. prgtoken The mission of Winners Church is to be a place where overcomers are raised, hope is restored, purpose is realized, and potential is maximized. Since the church's founding in December of 2010, they have continuously provided for their community through annual events such as the turkey giveaway, back to school giveaway, tissue drive, and quarterly visits to shelters and assisted living homes throughout Dumfries. I applaud Pastor Godwin and the entire Winners Church family for their tireless work to develop a welcoming environment for the people of Dumfries and beyond, and for the support they have provided to our community. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Winners Church on the opening of their new house of worship. This remarkable achievement is a testament to their unwavering dedication and their deep commitment to serving the people of Dumfries, Virginia. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,655 | 718,063 |
53,627 | 1,292,982 | T000193 | 257 | Bennie | Thompson | Bennie G. Thompson | 20,240,722 | M | 1948-01-28 | 76 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MS | HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF PAUL COTTON | I rise today to honor the life and service of Paul Cotton. prgtoken Paul Cotton departed this earth at the age of 69, surrounded by his loved ones at Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital in Germantown, TN. Born on August 21, 1954, in Marks, MS, to the late Prince and Hazel Lee Cotton, Paul was one of twelve children raised in Jonestown, MS. prgtoken Paul embraced his faith in Christ early in life, which guided him throughout his journey. He graduated from Coahoma Agricultural High School and pursued a carpentry trade at Coahoma Junior College in the 1970s. prgtoken On February 24, 1974, Paul married the love of his life, Madgeline Cotton. Their union was blessed with six children: Gwendolyn, Shuwanda, Angela, Myrtis, Paul Jr and Jerel. Paul also had a daughter named LaKeesha. At his passing, he was the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. prgtoken In 1979, Paul joined the United States Army Reserve, later extending his service with a contract until July 30, 1985. He earned honorary medals for his M-16 and hand grenade expertise and was honorably discharged after approximately five years of dedicated service. prgtoken Paul's vocation was in construction, where he built buildings, homes, highways, and roads across the United States for fifty years until his retirement. He was affectionately known as the ``Jack of all Trades.'' Paul worked for Ingalls Shipyard in the late 1980s in Pascagoula, MS, and later for Mississippi Limestone. He also worked as an independent contractor and repaired cars in his spare time. prgtoken As the patriarch of his family, Paul was deeply loved by his wife, siblings, children, and grandchildren. His humble and kind-spirited nature made him one of a kind. To his children, he was a King, embodying work ethic, love, and values. Paul's memory will be cherished forever in the hearts of his loved ones. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of Paul Cotton. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,007 | 718,059 |
53,631 | 1,292,976 | C001061 | 678 | Emanuel | Cleaver | Emanuel Cleaver | 20,240,722 | M | 1944-10-26 | 79 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MO | RECOGNIZING JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR. ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION | I rise today with gratitude to recognize a great Missourian, Javier M. Perez, Jr for his accomplishments with the Amalgamated Transit Union as he heads towards retirement. An experienced leader, dedicated professional, and advocate, Javier serves as a prime example of a true public servant and most importantly, a kind human being. prgtoken Javier began his illustrious career when he began driving a bus for the Kansas City Area Transit Authority in 1974. He became a member of Local 1287 and served as steward, Executive Board member, Vice President and was elected President in 1987. Furthermore, Javier earned a bachelor's degree in labor studies at Antioch University through the George Meany Center, now known as the National Labor College. He also attended and completed the Trade Union Program at Harvard University in 2009. prgtoken As a dedicated advocate, Javier has continuously been involved in advancing the rights of Latinos. He has been an active community service volunteer heading voter registration drives and assisting with summer Mural projects as a member of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Javier also served as a liaison for Cesar Chavez on two occasions during Chavez's trips to Kansas City in 2002. prgtoken Javier continues to be a force for positive change within Kansas City. Javier was appointed by Missouri Governor Bob Holden to serve on the Kansas City Missouri Police Board as a commissioner and later was elected President of the Board. Javier was elected an International Vice President in September 1995 and has worked with many locals large and small. On August 29, 2013, Javier was unanimously elected to be the International Executive Vice President of the Amalgamated Transit Union, becoming the first Latino to reach this milestone. prgtoken Beyond his extraordinary career achievements, Javier's tight-knit family continues to serve as an important pillar of his life. Javier spent over 40 exciting years with his lovely wife Lee Ann Perez until she passed into Glory in 2020. He continues to reside in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has three grown children and three grandchildren. Mr. Perez announced his retirement from the Amalgamated Transit Union, holding the second highest office in the international union. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in congratulating Javier M. Perez, Jr. as he retires from his successful and impactful career representing Amalgamated Transit Union Members on the local, state, and national levels. Mr. Perez will continue to impact communities across Missouri and in his beloved Kansas City. On behalf of my colleagues and a grateful Nation, we thank him for his dedication and commitment to transportation improvements across the country. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,842 | 718,053 |
53,649 | 1,292,977 | C001119 | 1,253 | Angie | Craig | Angie Craig | 20,240,722 | F | 1972-02-14 | 52 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MN | RECOGNIZING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA | I rise today to recognize the 175th anniversary of Dakota County, Minnesota. Dakota County was established as one of Minnesota Territory's original nine counties in 1849, and has played an important role in the history of Minnesota since the beginning. Even as the function and responsibilities of county government have changed over the past 175 years, Dakota County has remained one of the most important and influential counties in the state of Minnesota. It's now the third-largest county in the state and the largest in the Second Congressional District. prgtoken Indigenous people have been living in the land that is now known as Dakota County for many thousands of years. The lands of Dakota County were important for tribes to make use of the waterways for sustenance, transportation, and interaction with other tribes across the nation. The Bdote (confluence) of the two major rivers Misi zipi (Mississippi) and Mni sota (Minnesota) are also an important cultural location as the original birthplace of the Dakota people. By the time European settlers began making their way into Minnesota from the north and east, the Dakota and Ojibwe were the two main tribes, with the Kaposia band of Mdewakanton Dakota residing in this area, as well as Wahpekute and Sisseton groups nearby. prgtoken In 1851, Dakota leaders ceded millions of acres of land in Minnesota Territory to the U.S. government. This led to a marked increase in settlement in Dakota County. Dakota County was officially organized in 1853. The county seat was initially located at Kaposia (present-day South St. Paul) and then at Mendota before moving to Hastings in 1857, where it remains today. prgtoken Over the 175 years of its existence Dakota County has taken on many roles including providing public safety, keeping records, creating, maintaining, and repairing a system of county roads, assessing taxes, conducting elections, providing health care services addressing both the physical and mental health needs of its residents, operating a countywide library system and many popular county parks. Dakota County is regularly recognized on a national level for the high quality of its programs and services prgtoken I have been proud to partner with Dakota County on many important initiatives including the creation of the Veterans Memorial Greenway, and significant improvements to Interstate 35, as well as securing investments for the Dakota County Sheriff's Office with body worn cameras and their electronic crimes unit. prgtoken It is my honor and privilege to represent Dakota County. I congratulate the Dakota County government on the celebration of their 175th anniversary, and recognize them for their many contributions to local residents, the state of Minnesota, and the Nation as a whole. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,822 | 718,054 |
53,652 | 1,293,230 | N000191 | 1,247 | Joe | Neguse | Joe Neguse | 20,240,722 | M | 1984-05-13 | 40 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | CO | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , first, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson) for hosting this important Special Order hour to honor our friend, our beloved colleague, Judge Jackson Lee. prgtoken It is a blessing to be able to serve in the people's House with giants--Madam , you have had the opportunity tonight to hear from several--to be able to serve with Congresswoman Lee and to serve with Congressman Mfume, among many others, and to hear their perspectives on their time serving with Judge Jackson Lee. prgtoken Mark Twain is credited with saying that history doesn't often repeat itself, but it does rhyme. prgtoken As Mr. Mfume was describing the late Judge Jackson Lee and her adulation, respect, and admiration for Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman to ever be elected to United States Congress from the State of Texas, I am reminded of a story. prgtoken At the end of Congresswoman Jordan's life, she had a bone-deep devotion to the Constitution, bone-deep devotion and faith in the Constitution, which was shown on full display during her service in the Congress, in particular during the Watergate proceedings. prgtoken In 1996, when Barbara Jordan passed away, they were searching through her belongings, and they found in her purse a copy of the U.S. Constitution. I can see, as clear as day right now, our friend, Judge Jackson Lee, on the Judiciary Committee, where myself and Representative Johnson and others had the privilege to serve with her, holding the Constitution out as she was questioning a variety of different witnesses who have come through that committee. prgtoken Judge Lee's faith, devotion, and commitment to the Constitution was bone deep. To hear Representative Mfume describe his conversations with her as she asked him about the great Barbara Jordan, it is beyond moving. prgtoken As I try to come up with the right word to describe Judge Lee--I call her Judge Lee because I would always call her Judge Lee. She would call me attorney general, although I have never been an attorney general, but she had decided that would be my moniker. prgtoken I have spent time over the past several days to conjure up the word that I would use to describe her. The best word that I have been able to come up with is prolific. prgtoken She was a prolific orator. One need only look at the C-SPAN records to see prgtoken that she spent more time on the House floor in this Chamber speaking directly to the American public than any Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Think about that legacy. prgtoken She was a prolific legislator. We have heard from many of our colleagues about the many bills that she was able to get across the finish line, signed into law by multiple Presidents. For me, the work that I remember most vividly is her work to combat gun violence, which was a lifelong passion of hers that she pushed for on the Judiciary Committee. prgtoken She was a | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,179 |
53,626 | 1,293,025 | L000273 | 1,358 | Teresa | Leger Fernandez | Teresa Leger Fernandez | 20,240,722 | F | 1959-07-01 | 65 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NM | ROYALTY RESILIENCY ACT | such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise to join my colleague, Chairman Westerman, in support of H.R. 7377, the Royalty Resiliency Act, sponsored by my colleague, Representative Hunt. prgtoken I have to say that not many oil and gas bills can make it through the Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent and to the floor on suspension, so I commend my colleague for working on this reasonable, technical fix that has the support of the administration. prgtoken This represents how we should, in fact, get things done, where we come together, where we work things out, and where we include the BLM so that we understand how to get the technical fix done. prgtoken As noted, under current law, oil and gas lessees who are on land that is partially Federally owned and partially owned by the State or private owners need to get a communitization agreement, or CA, approved by the Department of the Interior, which outlines how much of the royalty payments should be paid to each landowner. prgtoken While a lessee is waiting for approval on that CA from the Department of the Interior, they pay 100 percent of the royalties to the Federal Government, even in cases where the Federal Government does not own 100 percent of the land. prgtoken When the CA is finally approved, then the State or private landowners get reimbursed for their share of the prgtoken royalty payments. However, some Bureau of Land Management field offices are so understaffed right now that they have reportedly taken 800 days, in some cases, to approve a CA, resulting in a delay or loss of royalties to States who rightfully deserve those funds. prgtoken For an example, in New Mexico, we have hundreds of oil and gas lessees on Federal lands and State lands. Many of those are in my district in the San Juan and Permian Basin. Indeed, 54 percent of production in New Mexico impacts Federal land. This bill represents a technical fix that would make sure that royalties flow to the State of New Mexico or the State of Colorado or the Dakotas or Texas or the many other places where we have these shared land ownership arrangements, because do you know what, ? prgtoken Our schools and our schoolchildren need that money to flow to them as quickly as possible. prgtoken Under the bill, rather than paying 100 percent to the Federal Government while waiting approval, a lessee would pay royalties to each landowner in accordance with the lessee's proposal. If that proposal proves to be wrong, the lessee is then required to backpay any missing royalty revenue. prgtoken While I believe we need to work together to find an off-ramp for States and communities that are overly dependent on fossil fuel revenue and we need to work on diversifying our economies, this legislation is straightforward and commonsense. prgtoken , I support the bill. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,961 | 718,088 |
53,635 | 1,293,177 | S001225 | 1,423 | Eric | Sorensen | Eric Sorensen | 20,240,722 | M | 1976-03-18 | 48 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | IL | ALL-AMERICAN FLAG ACT | I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin) and the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Ms. Mace) for working on this effort with me. prgtoken Today, I ask this governing body: What is the most American thing that Members can think of? Is it George Washington, who looks over us? Is it the dome of the Capitol Building, under which Members do the work of the people? prgtoken , I believe the most American thing is the symbol that flies on my home in Moline, Illinois, on top of this important building, on the back of every ship that carries our military, and which is displayed so proudly behind the . prgtoken , I am proud to stand here and see S. 1973, the All- American Flag Act, considered on the floor of the House of Representatives. Under current law, the government can buy flags that contain just 50 percent American-made materials, but I believe that American flags, paid for by American taxpayers, should be entirely made in the greatest country in the world, by the greatest workers in the world. prgtoken My bill would require the Federal Government to buy flags that are manufactured 100 percent in the United States, with materials 100 percent grown or produced in the United States. prgtoken In 2021, my home State of Illinois passed a law that all American flags purchased must be American made. prgtoken This legislation will bring the values of our neighbors back home to the Federal Government. Whether it is over a post office in Kewanee, Illinois, accompanying our troops to battle, or on a casket of a fallen hero, our patriotism has to begin and end here in this country. prgtoken In 1906, George Cohan wrote ``You're a Grand Old Flag.'' The song's signature lyric, ``She's a Grand Old Flag,'' came from a conversation that he had with a Civil War veteran who fought at Gettysburg. prgtoken My bill will ensure that all grand flags are made in this grand land. I am proud to see my bill come to the House floor today, and I urge all of my patriotic colleagues to be proud of their support for its swift passage and for our great Nation. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,091 | 718,152 |
53,642 | 1,293,234 | C001125 | 1,382 | Troy | Carter | Troy A. Carter | 20,240,722 | M | 1963-10-26 | 60 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | LA | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , I thank very much my esteemed colleagues for the opportunity to be here. prgtoken We are here to honor the memory of a dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a true stateswoman and a fierce defender of justice, fairness, and our great democracy. A dedicated member of the Congressional Black Caucus, her contributions have been nothing short of transformative and incredible. prgtoken I was blessed to visit her numerous times in Houston, Texas, and travel with her around the world. She was also instrumental in helping so many Louisiana natives during Hurricane Katrina, providing exceptional casework services in Houston. prgtoken After Katrina, so many of our people were homeless, lost, in need of love and care. Sheila Jackson Lee was there. She called us regularly to give us reports. Whenever there was an issue in Houston and it was someone from Louisiana, she was Johnny-on-the-spot. prgtoken It wasn't her district. It wasn't her people. They couldn't vote for her. It was her true love and passion for people that caused her to step up. She was a giant, although small in stature. Her heart was so big and her brain was even bigger. prgtoken I have never met anyone as passionate and as smart on every single issue she touched. When she stepped up, she spoke with a degree of power, familiarity, intellect, energy, and grace. They just don't make them like that anymore. prgtoken You heard my colleagues say that she would show up everywhere. Once we came back from a codel across the country, and because we had plane trouble, we were stuck waiting for another aircraft. There was an issue going on in India. We were all exhausted trying to make it home. prgtoken Sheila said, I have to go there. I have a lot of natives of India in my community. We were all exhausted and everyone chuckled and said, we are all going home. prgtoken Next thing I know, I looked at CNN when I got home and there was Sheila Jackson Lee. She was there in the midst of it all by herself, not a part of a codel, not a part of a team, not a part of anything other than a person with a big heart that knew that she was needed. prgtoken She was the first female ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee for Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. As a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, she spearheaded critical policies for institutional change. prgtoken Her reintroduction of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act exemplified her unwavering commitment to uplifting the Black community and improving our Nation. prgtoken Sheila called me, as our assistant leader just mentioned, and she said: I need you to go and run this press conference for me. I can't be there, but I need you to go and run the press conference, and I need you to address the family and let them know how much prgtoken we love them and how much we care. I can't be there, but I will be on the phone. prgtoken She was on the p | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,181 |
53,618 | 1,293,102 | S001211 | 1,299 | Greg | Stanton | Greg Stanton | 20,240,722 | M | 1970-03-08 | 54 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | AZ | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024 | I rise today in strong support of the Water Resources Development Act. First, I thank the chair of the subcommittee, Chairman Rouzer, and the amazing and incomparable Ranking Member Grace Napolitano for their leadership on this important legislation that invests in our Nation's water resources infrastructure. prgtoken In addition, I thank the professional staff, both and . A bill of this magnitude and importance wouldn't get done without their great work. I thank them on behalf of all members of the committee. prgtoken For Arizona, this bill delivers long-term investments that I have long fought for, and ones we desperately need to address the ongoing, historic drought in the Southwest. prgtoken The bill confronts the drought by bolstering the ability of the Corps of Engineers to protect water supplies and assist our communities with drought resiliency and mitigation measures. prgtoken It also includes an additional $50 million for my Arizona environmental infrastructure authority to assist more of our communities and Tribal nations with their water and wastewater infrastructure challenges. prgtoken Finally, it jump-starts the Tres Rios ecosystem restoration project to revitalize the Salt River and Gila River corridors in Phoenix that is part of the larger Rio Reimagined, a legacy project of the late great Senator John McCain and the late Representative Congressman Ed Pastor. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this critical bill. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,504 | 718,124 |
53,651 | 1,292,991 | C001069 | 728 | Joe | Courtney | Joe Courtney | 20,240,722 | M | 1953-04-06 | 71 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | CT | RECRUITING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BUILD SUBMARINES | I rise today to share with the House an event which took place last Monday in East Hartford, Connecticut, at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology. It was a gathering of educators, the U.S. Navy, and shipyard manufacturing, which is a part of the Connecticut economy, to announce a new initiative which is really going to define the job market and the economy of our State for the rest of the 21st century. prgtoken Hire Hartford is an initiative that the Navy and Electric Boat shipyard have put together to expand the scope of recruitment and hiring for good careers. These are metal trades jobs and engineering and design jobs, which are all part of an effort that is going on right now that Congress has been funding for the last 10 years, which is to recapitalize our submarine fleet. prgtoken Again, Electric Boat, which is in eastern Connecticut, the part of Connecticut that I represent, is a shipyard that has been in existence for about 120 years. We have a submarine base right up the Thames River that has about 16 prgtoken attack submarines that operate out of Groton, Connecticut, which is where it is located. It is the oldest submarine base in the U.S. Again, between the shipyard and the base, eastern Connecticut has been, in my opinion, justifiably called the submarine capital of the world. prgtoken Right now, we are at a place where, again, our country needs to recapitalize an aging fleet of submarines that were built back in the 1970s and 1980s, and a tremendous amount of work is underway. Last year, Electric Boat hired 5,300 workers, some at the Quonset Point shipyard a little bit farther up the coastline in Rhode Island, about two-thirds of it in Connecticut. prgtoken This picture shows some of the young 18- and 19-year-olds who are part of this effort who are going through career and technical education schools. Some of the regular comprehensive high schools have also created career pathways to teach people how to be welders, electricians, outside machinists, shipwrights. Again, this is some of the group that were hired this past spring. prgtoken If you can see closely, these are 18- and 19-year-olds. They may go to college at some other point in their lives, but at this point they are about to get a badge and security pass so they can go out and be part of this amazing effort which, again, is a platform that the Pentagon and the U.S. Navy have identified as the most critical procurement program in the defense budget. prgtoken Last year, we entered into an agreement with the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom called AUKUS which, again, is about trying to strengthen collaboration between the three countries to push back what is going on in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is exercising totally illegal efforts to control the maritime space. prgtoken The one platform which, again, they cannot solve is nuclear-powered submarines. Australia has made a commitment to p | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,068 |
53,623 | 1,292,963 | K000402 | 1,478 | Timothy | Kennedy | Timothy M. Kennedy | 20,240,722 | M | 1976-10-20 | 47 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NY | CELEBRATING THE #ONEWORLD SOCCER TOURNAMENT OF WNY | I rise today to recognize the #OneWorld Soccer Tournament of WNY, an incredible community initiative led by the Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club and Bridges from Borders. This inaugural event brought together underrepresented youth in Buffalo's Lower West Side for a soccer competition. prgtoken The organizations leading this project, the Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club and Bridges from Borders, work to support our local refugee and immigrant populations. The Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club provides safe community spaces for underserved children to play in a soccer league with their peers. Bridges from Borders is a nonprofit organization promoting mental health and wellbeing for immigrant families moving to Western New York. prgtoken Together, these organizations dedicated nine months to organizing the #OneWorld Soccer Tournament, with the goal of fostering unity and combating negative stereotypes placed onto minorities. The tournament took place on Saturday, July 13, 2024, with four teams competing in spirited and fun soccer games. Parents and players alike had a great time engaging in friendly competition and connecting with their community. prgtoken Following the tournament's great success, Maendeleo Soccer Club and Bridges from Borders plan to make the #OneWorld Tournament an annual event. They hope to expand their programming to more neighborhoods, continuing to bring young people together and build unity through soccer. prgtoken Please join me in congratulating the Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club and Bridges from Borders on the incredible success of the #OneWorld Soccer Tournament. Today, we thank these organizations for their dedication to serving our community and uplifting our youth. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,739 | 718,041 |
53,629 | 1,293,224 | C001067 | 765 | Yvette | Clarke | Yvette D. Clarke | 20,240,722 | F | 1964-11-21 | 59 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NY | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , let me thank my colleagues, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Steven Horsford, and my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for this opportunity to share some thoughts about our dearly beloved colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken To Elwyn Lee, Erica and Jason, other members of the Lee family and staff, loved ones, friends and constituents, on behalf of myself, the Clarke family, and the people of the Ninth District of New York, I extend my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences. prgtoken Madam , I rise on this day to remember the gentlewoman from Texas, my friend, my mentor, my dear colleague, the honorable and incomparable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken Sheila was the granddaughter of Jamaican immigrants and a daughter of New York. I was blessed to have known her for many years. I have served with her for just short of 18 years. We both served on the Homeland Security Committee. prgtoken We bonded over many of our deep connections. My parents are Jamaican immigrants. As it turned out, Sheila Jackson Lee's uncle was one of my mother's biggest donors when she was a member of the New York City Council. prgtoken I had an opportunity as a councilmember to meet the incomparable Sheila Jackson Lee at many events and activities and occasions where we gathered. To come to Congress, as the only Black woman elected to Congress in the year 2007, I ran into someone who I had already become acquainted with and who put me under her wings. prgtoken As the author of the Violence Against Women Act, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, the woman who reintroduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and H.R. 40, the bill to provide a study on reparations, our Nation will long remember the scale and scope of her legislative acumen and successes. We were blessed because she was a justice seeker and relentlessly so. prgtoken There was not a piece of legislation, as one of my colleagues--I think it was Barbara--stated where she did not come in with an amendment if she found any inequities within that legislation. She was able to convince Members on both sides of the aisle of the need to include an amendment that would provide that breathing room for the oppressed in our communities. prgtoken We are grateful for not only her leadership of the people of Houston, Texas, but by extension the people across this Nation who have benefited from her work. prgtoken We in the Congressional Black Caucus and countless others across the Nation will long feel the gravity of her absence. prgtoken One of the projects that we worked on together is now resident at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and that is the Sojourner Truth Legacy Project. Prior to my arrival here in the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Lee led a group of women to make sure that a bust of Sojourner Truth would be pla | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,176 |
53,619 | 1,293,019 | T000472 | 997 | Mark | Takano | Mark Takano | 20,240,722 | M | 1960-12-10 | 63 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | CA | CHARLIE DOWD VA CLINIC | I am always moved by poignant examples of veterans who, once they take off their uniforms after valiant service, still go on to serve our country and serve their communities. prgtoken Charlie Dowd is certainly an example of that, especially deserving of the honor of having the community-based outpatient clinic at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, named as the ``Charlie Dowd VA Clinic.'' prgtoken , I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 3285, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 529 | 718,084 |
53,647 | 1,293,199 | K000009 | 147 | Marcy | Kaptur | Marcy Kaptur | 20,240,722 | F | 1946-06-17 | 78 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | OH | HONORING DENNIS CHARLES DUFFEY | . Madam , I rise to honor the life and legacy of Dennis Charles Duffey, a dedicated family man, a Vietnam veteran, a great labor leader, and a community servant who recently passed away on July 17 at 77. prgtoken Raised in central Toledo, he attended Macomber Vocational Technical High School and volunteered for the Navy before graduating, serving on a vessel in the Pacific during the Vietnam war until his honorable discharge. prgtoken He went on to a remarkable 50-year career with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 8, five times elected as its business manager and its State secretary-treasurer for 10 years. His leadership was transformative, growing its ranks by 60 percent while initiating pioneering programs in workforce development and member benefits. His commitment to fair labor practices allowed working men and women across Ohio to advance to the middle class. prgtoken Dennis' love for his family was immense as a doting father, grandfather, and GG Papa. Dennis lived this motto: There is nothing too good for the working man. prgtoken Dennis' legacy of hard work, good humor, always that great smile, humility, and love is cherished by all who knew him. May his loved ones find comfort now that he is no longer suffering. Dennis has earned a restful peace. He surely was a really good guy. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,350 | 718,161 |
53,639 | 1,292,985 | N000147 | 241 | Eleanor | Norton | Eleanor Holmes Norton | 20,240,722 | F | 1937-06-13 | 87 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | DC | INTRODUCTION OF THE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN 501(c)(4) ORGANIZATIONS ACT OF 2024 | today, I introduce the Increased Transparency in 501(c)(4) Organizations Act of 2024. This bill would require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make publicly available the forms organizations that self-declare under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) file with the IRS. Americans have the right to know which organizations are operating under this section of the IRC. prgtoken To be eligible for tax-exempt status under 501(c)(4), organizations, often referred to as ``social welfare organizations,'' must be ``devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.'' They can apply for 501(c)(4) status, or they can self- declare. Previously, organizations seeking to self-declare were not required to notify the IRS of their existence. In 2015, however, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act), which required an organization seeking to self-declare to file a notice with the IRS, was enacted into law. The PATH Act did not, however, make the filed notices, Form 8976, subject to public disclosure prgtoken The IRS has opined that Form 8976 cannot be made available under the Freedom of Information Act or other disclosure laws. This opinion creates a discrepancy between those organizations for which the IRS must make publicly available information--all Section prgtoken 501(c)(3) organizations and 501(c)(4) organizations that applied for that status--and self-declared 501(c)(4) organizations. This discrepancy appears to have been inadvertently created by the PATH Act. prgtoken This bill would fix this discrepancy by requiring the IRS to publicly disclose any filed Form 8976 upon request, thus allowing the public to know which organizations operate under 501(c)(4), as they do with organizations that operate under 501(c)(3). In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited expenditures in political campaigns by these ``social welfare'' organizations, greater transparency is needed. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,081 | 718,062 |
53,620 | 1,293,123 | N000179 | 474 | Grace | Napolitano | Grace F. Napolitano | 20,240,722 | F | 1936-12-04 | 87 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | CA | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024 | the balance of my time. prgtoken , as I mentioned earlier, WRDA is a bipartisan product that includes provisions in every part of the country and authored by House Members themselves. It is an incredible task compiling all of these priorities and drafting the WRDA bill. I thank the many people who have helped this bill become a reality. prgtoken I thank the leadership at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Assistant Secretary Connor, Lieutenant General Spellmon, and their incredible staff who have worked through the hundreds of submissions we have received. prgtoken I thank the remarkable team at legislative counsel for putting all of these provisions into legislative text. prgtoken I am very fortunate to have some of the best water leaders in the country in my district and southern California who provided valuable input for this bill, including Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts General Manager Robert Ferrante, Metropolitan Water District Board Chair Adan Ortega, Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Lucille Roybal-Allard, and San Gabriel Valley Watermaster Tony Zampiello, who is retired. prgtoken I particularly thank the subcommittee chair David Rouzer for his friendship and his collegiality through the hearings and meetings that led to this bipartisan accomplishment and for visiting my district. prgtoken I also thank all of my past co-chairs, who have been excellent. Most importantly, I thank the incredible Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee staff, including Alexa Williams, Logan Ferree, Ryan Seiger, and Ryan Hambleton, and the majority staff. prgtoken My special thanks go to my chief of staff, Joe Sheehy, and Melvin Sanchez. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support and vote for the WRDA 2024, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,882 | 718,130 |
53,648 | 1,293,201 | D000230 | 1,424 | Donald | Davis | Donald G. Davis | 20,240,722 | M | 1971-08-29 | 52 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NC | RECOGNIZING DR. ANGELA RICHARDSON | . Madam , I rise to recognize Dr. Angela Richardson. Dr. Richardson has shattered gigantic barriers by becoming the first African-American woman to achieve the rank of lieutenant at the Rocky Mount Police Department. prgtoken Her remarkable promotion to this historic position is a testament to her exceptional dedication in the field of law enforcement. prgtoken Lieutenant Richardson has a wealth of experience exceeding 30 years in law enforcement. She has a distinguished Ph.D. in public safety. prgtoken Lieutenant Richardson is a true trailblazer for law enforcement personnel. She stands as a beacon of inspiration for little girls in eastern North Carolina and beyond who may aspire to protect and serve. prgtoken Congrats, Lieutenant Richardson, and Sheldon, her husband, and thanks to the Rocky Mount Police Department for their dedication to public safety. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 879 | 718,163 |
53,654 | 1,292,988 | P000614 | 1,232 | Chris | Pappas | Chris Pappas | 20,240,722 | M | 1980-06-04 | 44 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NH | HONORING THE LIFE OF BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN W. POGOREK | I rise today to honor the life and service of Brigadier General John ``Pogo'' Pogorek, who was Commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard (NHANG). On July 8, 2024, he was the victim of a tragic accident near his home in Rochester, New Hampshire. General Pogorek was a beloved father, husband, son, and brother who dedicated his life to service in both the Air Force and NHANG. prgtoken Born in Ware, Massachusetts, General Pogorek received a Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and was commissioned as an officer in 1989. He Joined NHANG in January 1999, serving in numerous leadership roles, including commanding the 157th Maintenance, Operations, and Air Refueling Wing Groups. General Pogorek was promoted to Commander of the NHANG in June 2022 and served as the principal advisor to the Governor of New Hampshire. prgtoken General Pogorek made a remarkable impact on New Hampshire and our country throughout his 35 years of service. During his career he logged over 6,000 flight hours piloting T-1, C-130, KC-135, and KC-46 aircraft. He also helped design the KC-46 tail art and helped to bring back military airshows to New Hampshire. For his dedicated service, General Pogorek received accolades such as the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the AF Outstanding Unit Award, and several others. He was dedicated to the health and safety of everyone that is currently serving at Pease, and those that served there in the past, along with their families. prgtoken General Pogorek was deeply devoted to his family, and in 2018, he and his beloved wife Whitney established Red Gate Farm. The family farm quickly grew into a heritage breed meat business, where General Pogorek transitioned his service and dedication from country to community. General Pogorek and his family developed relationships selling their meat to local farmers markets as he adapted to life as a farmer. prgtoken General Pogorek's family and friends describe him as a kind, humble, funny, and resilient man. He had a passion for learning and inspired those around him, both within his career of service and outside of it. Those who knew General Pogorek recognized his dedication to his country and family, and admired his loyalty, kindness, and leadership. We are forever grateful for his selfless service and sacrifice. prgtoken During this difficult time, my thoughts and condolences are with his wife Whitney, his children, Megan, Jacob, Jenna, Jason, and Jackson, his mother Mary, his siblings, Karen, Donna, Kevin, and Sandra, and all of General Pogorek's loved ones. On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I commend General Pogorek for his exemplary service and sacrifice to our Nation. His legacy will endure, and he will be dearly | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,065 |
53,621 | 1,293,228 | M000687 | 1,310 | Kweisi | Mfume | Kweisi Mfume | 20,240,722 | M | 1948-10-24 | 75 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MD | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida for yielding. I know there are a lot of people who have a lot to say about someone whom we cared about and loved, and so I do appreciate this opportunity. I thank her and the honorable gentleman from the State of Nevada (Mr. Horsford), who is the chair of the caucus, for convening this Special Order tonight. prgtoken It is a Special Order for a lawyer and a legislator, a woman who saw things that were not and found it in her heart to find a way to make those things come into existence. I extend my condolences to her husband, Elwyn, to her two adult children, to other members of the Jackson Lee family, and to the people of Houston who knew her, embraced her, loved her, and kept her. prgtoken I first heard of Sheila Jackson Lee before she ever got here. In fact, I was a Member of the House then, and she came in with a big class. I think she got here in `95, and she won the election in 1994. I think Jim Clyburn was a part of that class, Bobby Scott, and Maxine Waters, a number of people prgtoken who came in the door bigger than life, and there was Sheila who was also bigger than life. prgtoken They taught us along the way things that were sometimes not so obvious about fighting for what you believe in. She was a member of the Houston City Council before she got here, and they didn't know what to do with her because she would not stop fighting for the things that she believed in. Madam , one of which was gun control and gun safety long before it became something popular for people to talk about and to advocate. prgtoken It was in that Houston City Council that Sheila passed their first- ever gun safety ordinance, putting the onus on parents to keep guns away from children in the house, to keep them locked, or to not have them there altogether. Some people thought it was an overreach, but nobody knows to this day how many lives may have been saved and how many children could have been injured that were not. It was many years later that that same council and many of the people of Houston thanked her for what she had done. prgtoken Before Sheila got here, Craig Washington was the elected Member of that district, and in his first term, Sheila challenged him for the congressional seat. prgtoken She said: I need your support. prgtoken I said: Sheila, Craig just supported me to be chair of the Black Caucus 2 years ago. I can't turn my back on him. prgtoken She said: Well, don't turn your back, turn your front. Just stay out of it. prgtoken I said: Okay, I am going to stay out of it. prgtoken Everybody said she couldn't do it, you can't beat Craig Washington, and we all now know how that story concluded. prgtoken When she came here and took the oath of office, I, like so many others, gave her a great big hug because I knew not just the Congressional Black Caucus but the Congress in general was going to be made better because of her indefatigable spirit. prgtoken Sheila | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,178 |
53,653 | 1,293,146 | R000606 | 1,147 | Jamie | Raskin | Jamie Raskin | 20,240,722 | M | 1962-12-13 | 61 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MD | ALLOWING CONTRACTORS TO CHOOSE EMPLOYEES FOR SELECT SKILLS ACT | such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise in support of H.R. 7887, the ACCESS Act, which is intended to address degree inflation, the growing trend of college graduates filling jobs that don't require college degrees. This can lead to reduced earnings for college degree holders, reduced employment opportunities for nondegree holders, and an overall drag on the economy in a time of very low unemployment, like ours, and of labor shortages. prgtoken Committee are supportive of efforts to eliminate minimum education and experience requirements for jobs that don't actually require such associated skills for successful performance, expanding opportunity for the more than 62 percent of the population, age 25 and older, who do not hold a bachelor's degree. prgtoken The ACCESS Act would prohibit Federal agencies from specifying minimum educational requirements for contractor personnel in solicitations, unless the solicitation also includes a written justification explaining why such requirements are actually necessary. prgtoken I had been concerned that this might create a blanket requirement that could be unnecessarily burdensome for Federal agencies in the instances in which minimum education or experience requirements are commonly and reasonably understood to be necessary, but changes made to the bill after our committee markup have alleviated those concerns. prgtoken There are certainly some jobs for which some minimum education or experience appears to be totally unnecessary. For example, approximately 39 percent of postings for construction managers require a college degree, as do 52 percent of web developer postings and 34 percent of distribution manager postings. prgtoken This suggests that these roles are frequently performed in the economy totally successfully without a college degree and that the requirement is more about the subjective preference or traditions of the employer than the actual demands of the job. It makes sense for agency contracting officers to have to provide a written justification for choosing to require that contractors hire only college degree holders for such jobs, as this bill would require. prgtoken However, there are also an array of jobs for which some minimum education or experience requirements are indeed necessary. For example, in 2022, the Federal Government spent almost $30 billion on medical services contracts and another $29 billion on engineering and technical support services contracts. We do not want our contracting officers to have to provide a written explanation every single time they put out a solicitation that requires healthcare and engineering professionals to have advanced higher education degrees, and the bill has been appropriately and gratefully refined to eliminate this unnecessary burden. prgtoken I understand that the North America's Building Trades Unions have expressed concerns about just this point, but in cases where highly tr | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,138 |
53,641 | 1,293,082 | L000397 | 55 | Zoe | Lofgren | Zoe Lofgren | 20,240,722 | F | 1947-12-21 | 76 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | CA | PROTECTING AND ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS TO CODES ACT | here is a paragraph that is important and really places the question before us succinctly: ``In the regime posited by the Pro Codes Act, if citizens, or advocates, or journalists, or business operators, or lawmakers, or even judges wanted to read, quote, or comment on the law, they would have to register and provide their personal information to a private SDO, hand-copy the words of a standard from a read-only website, and if they quoted too much, they would risk being sued by an SDO for copyright infringement. That is not the right way to provide access to our laws.'' prgtoken , I include in the Record a letter signed by 21 groups, ranging from the American Library Association to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or the AFSCME union, Center for Democracy and Technology, Electronic Frontier Foundation, iFixit, and repair.org. Yes, the right to repair movement is threatened by the Pro Codes Act. prgtoken Here is what they said, although the bill does make some publicly accessible material online available, this bill would likely `` . . . entrench some of the most obstructive current practices. . . . '' prgtoken They note further that courts have recognized ``no one can own the law.'' prgtoken Last year, the D.C. Circuit stated that legal text falls plainly outside the realm of copyright protection, and in 2020 the Supreme Court of the United States reaffirmed that if every citizen is presumed to know the law, it needs no argument to show that all should have free access to its contents. April 9, 2024. Re: Opposition to H.R. 1631, the ``Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act'' (Pro Codes Act) Chairman Jim Jordan, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Ranking Member Jerry Nadler, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Jordan, Ranking Member Nadler, and members of the Committee: The undersigned organizations write to express our strong opposition to the ``Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act'' (Pro Codes Act). The trade associations and civil society groups that signed this letter agree with the findings of Congress in the Pro Codes Act that technical standards are critical to the public interest. Our interest is in ensuring that copyright law is not exploited to create a monopoly in which private standards development organizations (SDOs) control access to the codes and regulations that govern public health and safety. Further, courts have found there is no evidence to support the SDOs' claims that they have lost revenue due to the public dissemination of their standards. In addition to the substantive issues outlined in this letter, the undersigned organizations are concerned that the committee has | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,114 |
53,650 | 1,293,207 | D000530 | 1,414 | Chris | Deluzio | Christopher R. Deluzio | 20,240,722 | M | 1984-07-13 | 40 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | PA | HONORING THE LIFE OF COREY COMPERATORE | . Madam , I think what you will hear on this floor tonight is a unified voice that we reject political violence, that we mourn Mr. Comperatore's loss of life, that we wish a speedy recovery to the victims. prgtoken In this country, there ought to be no place for political violence. There ought to be no place for hate in the hearts of freedom-loving people, certainly not in western Pennsylvania, where we reel from it today. prgtoken We can and often do disagree in this body all the time. The American people expect that of us. When we see the votes on the board, we see those disagreements resolved that way. We see them resolved in the ballot box in November. prgtoken We cannot solve our differences with violence. We must always condemn it in all its forms. It goes to the heart of American democracy that when we have those disputes, we resolve them peacefully. prgtoken What we saw in Butler not too long ago when that violence comes to our political system, when it comes to the heart of how we govern ourselves in our elections. We, of course, mourn the consequence, the cost of that violence. Mr. Comperatore, who we have heard so many talk about so eloquently, shielded his family from gunfire that day, showing some courage in the face of violence. prgtoken I wish a speedy recovery to those still recovering, including my constituent from Moon Township, Mr. Copenhaver, David Dutch of New Kensington, the former President, who of course survived this attack, and so many others who witnessed it and I am sure still suffer from it. prgtoken for bringing us together in this important moment. I think it is important the American people hear us with a clear and unified voice calling for unity, rejecting the threat of violence in our elections. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,799 | 718,167 |
53,628 | 1,292,968 | B001224 | 1,331 | Cori | Bush | Cori Bush | 20,240,722 | F | 1976-07-21 | 48 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MO | CELEBRATING THE TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ICES PLAIN & FANCY ICE CREAM PARLOR | I rise today, along with the people of St. Louis, to honor and celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Ices Plain & Fancy Ice Cream Parlor, a beloved institution in our community located in the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis. prgtoken Founded in 2014 by visionary entrepreneurs, Ices Plain & Fancy has become a cornerstone of our local culinary scene, renowned for its innovative approach to ice cream making. By utilizing liquid nitrogen to craft their unique flavors, they offer not just a treat but an extraordinary experience for all who visit. It is with great pride that I recognize and celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Ices Plain & Fancy Ice Cream Parlor. prgtoken Over the past decade, Ices Plain & Fancy has continually demonstrated a commitment to quality and creativity. Their dedication to sourcing local ingredients and supporting sustainable practices has garnered admiration and loyalty from their patrons. Ices Plain & Fancy ice cream has brought many St. Louisans welcome respite on hot summer days. Their contributions to the local economy, culture, and culinary heritage cannot be overstated. prgtoken As they celebrate this remarkable ten-year milestone, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire team at Ices Plain & Fancy. Their passion and hard walk have made a lasting impact on our community, and I look forward to seeing their continued success in the years to come. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,430 | 718,046 |
53,640 | 1,293,226 | J000288 | 744 | Henry | Johnson | Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. | 20,240,722 | M | 1954-10-02 | 69 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | GA | REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE | . Madam , I thank Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, as well as Congressman Jonathan Jackson, for convening us together tonight to host this special tribute to our dearly loved and dearly departed colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken Today, I rise with a heavy heart to honor and remember my colleague, but more importantly, my friend, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. prgtoken The Congresswoman led an extraordinary life, and she leaves an extraordinary legacy of legislative and humanitarian service to mankind. Though short in stature, Sheila Jackson Lee stood tall, and she spoke with command and authority. prgtoken Never scared, Sheila was bold and imposing. She never played herself cheap, and she certainly was not going to let anybody else do so. prgtoken She was a taskmaster to all who worked for her, and that included whether or not you were paid or just volunteering. The good thing about it is that when you left her office to go to work for someone else, Madam , they knew, and it was easy for you to get a job because they knew that you had been trained by fire, you had been forged by fire, and you had been trained by the best. prgtoken Like her constituents I often found myself calling her ``Congresswoman.'' I had great respect for her. She was a dear friend who inspired me and countless others with her unwavering dedication, spirit, and work ethic. prgtoken I find solace in the knowledge that her spirit will live on through the lives she has touched and changed and the causes that she has championed. Her legacy will continue to guide us as we strive to build a more just and equitable society. prgtoken I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and constituents. Let us honor her memory by continuing her work, lifting our voices to pursue justice, and most importantly, embodying the values she holds so dear. This is how we can truly honor her legacy. prgtoken Madam , I thank her for her service. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,988 | 718,177 |
53,636 | 1,293,043 | N000194 | 1,422 | Wiley | Nickel | Wiley Nickel | 20,240,722 | M | 1975-11-23 | 48 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NC | HUD TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2024 | such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 7280, the HUD Transparency Act of 2024, sponsored by Representative De La Cruz, which would require the inspector general of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to testify before Congress on an annual basis. prgtoken While this bill passed out of committee on, again, a bipartisan basis, House are working to put people over politics, and we urge our counterparts to support prgtoken real solutions to combat our Nation's housing and homelessness crisis, including the Housing Crisis Response Act, the Ending Homelessness Act, and the Downpayment Toward Equity Act offered by Ranking Member Maxine Waters earlier this Congress. prgtoken This comprehensive package of bills would help spur the development of over a million affordable homes to help bring down rents, curb rising homelessness, and revive the dream of homeownership for all. prgtoken These are the types of solutions our constituents are calling on us to advance as they continue to face the crushing blow of housing inflation. prgtoken , I also note that I recently introduced the Keep Housing Affordable Act, which would bolster the low-income housing tax credit to incentivize developers to maintain the affordability of housing units for extended periods and boost the supply of affordable housing the high cost of housing is one of the main issues for my constituents in North Carolina. prgtoken , we were supposed to be considering another bill on the floor today, H.R. 7462, the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act of 2024, sponsored by Ranking Member Waters. This bill is a commonsense measure to direct the Government Accountability Office to study the reasons why insurance companies are exiting States and refusing to provide insurance against wildfire perils. prgtoken This bill passed the committee by a broad bipartisan vote of 47-2, but unfortunately, leadership pulled the vote. The majority didn't think Congress should understand why folks are losing their insurance coverage or what we can do about it. prgtoken Over the last week, communities across the country have been experiencing record heat waves as wildfires continue to ravage communities from California to Texas, Hawaii, Oklahoma, and Virginia. I hope the will quickly reconsider this ill-advised decision to pull the bill so we can bring the bill to the floor. Again, it passed 47-2 out of committee. prgtoken , . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,554 | 718,096 |
53,638 | 1,293,080 | R000305 | 1,339 | Deborah | Ross | Deborah K. Ross | 20,240,722 | F | 1963-06-20 | 61 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | NC | PROTECTING AND ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS TO CODES ACT | I rise in support of the Pro Codes Act, which I am proud to lead alongside Representative Issa. prgtoken The Pro Codes Act is a commonsense solution that balances providing free, public access to codes and standards that have been incorporated into law with ensuring that important code development work can continue. prgtoken The industry codes and standards that keep us healthy and safe every day are created by standards development organizations, SDOs, which regularly convene experts to write and modify standards to ensure electrical codes, building codes, crisis management codes, and more are up to date. prgtoken Importantly, the standards the SDOs put out are approved by consensus and adopted by industries voluntarily. However, Congress and Federal agencies have recognized repeatedly that government should rely on these standards whenever possible, which has led to their incorporation into law. prgtoken I firmly believe that codes that have been incorporated into law should be available to the public at no cost, and this bill recognizes that. It is why it requires these codes to be available online. That said, code development costs money, and SDOs cannot operate without funding, and they earn that funding by maintaining copyrights to their codes, which allows them to sell print copies and access to their work. These sales fund code development at no cost to the taxpayer. Ultimately, this bill strikes a critical balance between having good, safe codes and having public access. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,582 | 718,113 |
53,625 | 1,293,184 | M001227 | 1,462 | Jennifer | McClellan | Jennifer L. McClellan | 20,240,722 | F | 1972-12-28 | 51 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | VA | JOHN MERCER LANGSTON POST OFFICE BUILDING | I thank the gentleman from Maryland for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 7385, to rename the Petersburg Post Office as the John Mercer Langston United States Postal Service Building. prgtoken John Mercer Langston broke barriers and redefined what was possible for Black Virginians in the late 19th century. prgtoken Born in 1829 in Louisa, Virginia, he was an abolitionist, attorney, diplomat, voting rights advocate, educational administrator, community leader, the founding dean of the law school of Howard University, founding president of Virginia State University, and my predecessor as the first African American elected to Congress from Virginia representing the Fourth District. prgtoken My connection to Mr. Langston is personal. My parents worked at Virginia State University where he was the first president. I grew up on that campus. prgtoken My father would often go to that post office to pay bills and to collect mail from the box. We used to joke he was the mayor of the post office because he knew everybody there. Now, as the first African- American woman elected to Congress from Virginia in the same district that Mr. Langston represented, it is my honor to put forth this bill and ask my colleagues to support renaming the post office, that I literally grew up in, after a legendary trailblazer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, John Mercer Langston. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,420 | 718,154 |
53,598 | 1,293,021 | Z000018 | 1,130 | Ryan | Zinke | Ryan K. Zinke | 20,240,722 | M | 1961-11-01 | 62 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | MT | CHARLIE DOWD VA CLINIC | I rise today to speak in support of S. 3285, which would rename the VA community-based outpatient clinic in Butte. Montana, as the `Charlie Dowd VA Clinic'. This bill is the Senate companion to my bill, H.R. 7154. prgtoken Born in Rochester. New York. Charlie enlisted in the Navy while still in high school. On one fateful morning at 17 years old he awoke to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Rather than running for cover or choosing self-preservation. Charlie chose to fight back and led a counter-offensive on a nearby rooftop. Armed with only a rifle and dressed only in his T-shirt and boxer shorts, he fired some of the first shots against the Japanese on that day which ended up claiming the lives of 2,403 American servicemembers, 14 of which were Montanans. prgtoken Charlie Dowd went on to become a high school teacher where he taught the next generations of great Americans to become patriots who were inspired by his acts of courage and selfless service. prgtoken An avid sportsman, Charlie moved to Anaconda, Montana and continued his active membership in the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. prgtoken While in Montana, Charlie leaned into his passion as a sportsman by spending time hunting, fishing, and writing a weekly column named 'The Wild Side' which became a staple for the Anaconda Deer Lodge community as well as Western Montana as a whole. prgtoken I remember visiting with him over the years and even 70 years after Pearl Harbor. at 99 years old, he could still tap the messages he sent as a radioman in Morse code. prgtoken Charlie was one of the last living survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, a Montana legend, and a true American hero. By renaming this clinic in his honor, we pay tribute to his legacy and ensure that future generations of veterans receive the care they deserve. prgtoken Let us pass this bill with unanimous consent, demonstrating our unwavering support for our veterans, their families, and the memory of Charlie Dowd. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,005 | 718,086 |
53,594 | 1,292,980 | N000189 | 1,081 | Dan | Newhouse | Dan Newhouse | 20,240,722 | M | 1955-07-10 | 69 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | WA | CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THE CLE ELUM DAM FISH PASSAGE FACILITIES AND FISH REINTRODUCTION PROJECT | today I rise to celebrate the opening of the Cle Elum Dam Fish Passage Facilities and Fish Reintroduction Project, a program to restore ecological connectivity and natural production of anachronous fish like sockeye salmon, spring Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, and coho salmon. prgtoken After years of studies, planning, and construction, the Cle Elum Fish Passage Project is finally ready to begin the important work of conserving our salmon species in the region. This impressive feat is accomplished through a multitude of projects, including a spill over dam, a fish collection facility, underground passage tunnels for juveniles, and multiple fish passage ramps. prgtoken I look forward to seeing what this program has in store, and I commend the Bureau of Reclamation, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and Garco Construction Inc. for their commitment to the conservation and protection of our wildlife and natural resources in Central Washington. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 995 | 718,057 |
53,585 | 1,292,983 | B001260 | 770 | Vern | Buchanan | Vern Buchanan | 20,240,722 | M | 1951-05-08 | 73 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | FL | CONGRESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARDS | I rise today to pay tribute to law enforcement men and women who have provided distinguished service to the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District. prgtoken Law enforcement is a demanding profession that requires sacrifice, courage, and dedication to serve others. Every day, brave men and women put themselves in harm's way to enforce the laws of our society and protect public safety. They deserve our gratitude and respect. prgtoken Fourteen years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Law Enforcement Awards to give special recognition to law enforcement officers, departments, or units for exceptional achievement. prgtoken This year, I will present Congressional law enforcement awards to the following winners chosen by an independent panel comprised of current and retired law enforcement personnel representing a cross-section of the district's law enforcement community: prgtoken Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award: Lieutenant Nicholas Pruitt, Deputy Michael Ates, Deputy Althavia Brown, Deputy James Forkin, Deputy Christopher Houghton, and Detective Dwight Roberts of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. prgtoken Dedication and Professionalism Award: Officer Andrew Adkins of the Holmes Beach Police Department, Officer Kevin Williams of the Bradenton Police Department, Trooper Taylor Ledford of the Florida Highway Patrol, Corporal Benjamin Schlabach of the Palmetto Police Department, Detective Matthew Hostetler, Detective Steven Luke, and Detective Carmine Luper of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. prgtoken Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award: Major Todd Shear of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Captain (retired) William Knight and Detective Jeff Beckley of the Bradenton Police Department, and Special Agent (retired) Stephen Lieberman of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. prgtoken Preservation of Life Award: Sergeant Russell Ackerman of the Bradenton Police Department, Officer Specialist Kelsey Dalton of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Lieutenant Richard Rietz, Sergeant Randy Lamb, Sergeant Laszlo Nagy, Detective Eric Davis, Deputy Jake Essek, Deputy Joshua Groover, Deputy Brian Hart, Deputy Stanley Hartley, Deputy Brandon Howard, Deputy Lauren Jalowiec, Deputy Alexis Lyon, Deputy Robert Macchio, Deputy Paul McCartney, Deputy Humberto Noronha, Deputy Gregory Palso, Deputy Deborah Perry, Deputy Carrie Renninger, Deputy Patti Savageau, Deputy Hurly Smith, and Deputy Arturo Velasquez of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. prgtoken Unit Citation Award: Bradenton Police Department Narcotics Unit: Detective Eleazar Garcia and Detective Brandon Kells; Florida Highway Patrol Troop C Criminal Interdiction Unit: Sergeant Joshua Malloy, Trooper Jeremy Fields, Trooper Wesley Kelly, Trooper Deryck Lewis, Trooper Chris Nottingham, Trooper Sergio Pearce, Trooper Eric Schaub, K-9 Flip, K-9 Titan, and K-9 Lobo; Manatee County Sheriff's Office Fraud/Auto/Pawn Unit: Serg | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,060 |
53,610 | 1,293,045 | D000594 | 1,400 | Mónica | De La Cruz | Monica De La Cruz | 20,240,722 | F | 1974-11-11 | 49 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | TX | HUD TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2024 | I thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn) for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today to urge the passage of my bill, H.R. 7280, the HUD Transparency Act of 2024. I thank the bipartisan cosponsors of this commonsense legislation aimed at enhancing the oversight and efficiency of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. prgtoken , for too long now, Congress has been without a formal oversight mechanism for HUD. Specific to the HUD inspector general, prior to the 118th Congress, it had been nearly 5 years since an official from HUD OIG testified. prgtoken H.R. 7280 provides long-overdue, consistent oversight by mandating the inspector general of HUD testify annually before Congress. prgtoken Given the magnitude of Federal dollars allocated to HUD, we know the housing affordability discussion cannot be had effectively without HUD's commitment to being responsible stewards of our tax dollars. prgtoken This is not a partisan issue. It is about ensuring that those who need HUD benefits can receive them. This legislation will enable the inspector general to provide essential insights and recommendations to Congress, facilitating informed decisionmaking and timely adjustments to HUD's programs. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of the HUD Transparency Act. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,327 | 718,097 |
53,616 | 1,293,114 | K000398 | 1,459 | Thomas | Kean | Thomas H. Kean, Jr. | 20,240,722 | M | 1968-09-05 | 55 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | NJ | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024 | I am proud to speak in support of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 which came out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with strong bipartisan support. prgtoken This legislation includes Army Corps of Engineers water resources projects of national, regional, and local significance that help strengthen our Nation's global competitiveness. prgtoken Included in this legislation are eight priorities that I am advocating on behalf of. Among these are three projects and initiatives directly related to New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District. These include a new feasibility study for flood risk management covering Berkeley Heights, New Providence, and Summit. prgtoken Additionally, there is report language aimed at expediting the completion of a re-evaluation report for the Green Brook Sub Basin Flood Control Project in Middlesex, Somerset, and Union Counties, as well as the expedited completion of the Rahway flood mitigation feasibility study. prgtoken As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am proud to support this critical piece of legislation that benefits our communities so we can continue to grow the economy, protect communities, and create jobs. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,298 | 718,127 |
53,606 | 1,293,182 | M000194 | 1,328 | Nancy | Mace | Nancy Mace | 20,240,722 | F | 1977-12-04 | 46 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | SC | JOHN MERCER LANGSTON POST OFFICE BUILDING | such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Petersburg, Virginia, for Mr. John Mercer Langston. prgtoken Mr. Langston grew up in Ohio and became an attorney who helped recruit African-American troops during the American Civil War. Later, Mr. Langston went on to serve as Virginia's first African-American Member prgtoken of Congress from 1890 to 1891 and the first president of Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, known today as Virginia State University. prgtoken I support naming a post office in memory of former Congressman Langston, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. prgtoken , . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 730 | 718,153 |
53,587 | 1,293,209 | T000467 | 835 | Glenn | Thompson | Glenn Thompson | 20,240,722 | M | 1959-07-27 | 64 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | PA | HONORING THE LIFE OF COREY COMPERATORE | . Madam , I thank my good friend from Butler, my colleague for hosting this Special Order this evening and for recognizing me. prgtoken Tonight, we recognize Corey Comperatore's heroic actions, and we pay tribute to his lasting legacy. For three decades, Corey served the community as a Buffalo Township Fire Department firefighter. He was a brother firefighter. prgtoken I had the privilege of just a few years ago sharing representation of Butler County with my good friend Mr. Kelly, and Buffalo Township was one of my municipalities that I served. prgtoken Corey eventually rose to the rank of chief of his station. He constantly put his life on the line to protect his neighbors, responding to emergencies with courage and skill and unwavering commitment to safety. prgtoken In the final moment of his life, his selfless courage was on full display. When gunshots were heard, he shielded the most precious people in his life: his wife and daughters. prgtoken Corey Comperatore is a hero whose inspiring bravery will be remembered. Corey was a local leader, active church member, veteran, former fire chief, and most importantly a beloved father and husband. Having formerly represented parts of Butler County, it has been inspiring to hear how well-respected Corey was throughout his hometown and his home county. prgtoken To Corey's family, we offer our deepest condolences. I cannot imagine the pain you are enduring, but please know you are not alone. Our Nation stands with you, united in our love and support, ready to offer comfort and strength during this challenging time. prgtoken As we navigate the difficult days ahead, let us draw strength from each other in Corey's memory. Let us remember the importance of holding our loved ones close, telling them that we care, we love them, and living our lives with the same compassion, bravery, and warmth that Corey exhibited. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,906 | 718,168 |
53,607 | 1,293,193 | M001212 | 1,342 | Barry | Moore | Barry Moore | 20,240,722 | M | 1966-09-26 | 57 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | AL | LaBRUCE "BRUCE" TIDWELL POST OFFICE BUILDING | I rise today in support of H.R. 6162, my legislation to name the post office located at 379 North Oates Street in Dothan, Alabama, as the LaBruce ``Bruce'' Tidwell Post Office Building. prgtoken Bruce Tidwell enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and served as a radio operator on the LCT 801. prgtoken Born and raised in Dothan, Bruce returned to Dothan after the war ended in 1945 and began working at the Dothan Oil Mill. prgtoken After a few years, Bruce decided he wanted to become a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. prgtoken From radio room to mail room, the Navy veteran, Bruce Tidwell, was dedicated to serving his State and his country. prgtoken Bruce was known for altering his usual mail route during the Vietnam war in order to ensure that those families with servicemembers received letters from home as quickly as possible because he knew how much that would mean to those families. He walked the route, and he changed the route to make sure those families got those letters to home. prgtoken He was beloved by the Dothan community where he lived for 86 years. There is no better post office to rename than the exact location in Dothan where Bruce worked. prgtoken I thank my Alabama colleagues and my colleagues here, Representative Aderholt, Representative Carl, Representative Palmer, Representative Rogers, and Representative Sewell, as well as Representative Strong for their support of this legislation. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this legislation in honor of Mr. Bruce. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,540 | 718,157 |
53,605 | 1,292,989 | J000302 | 1,252 | John | Joyce | John Joyce | 20,240,722 | M | 1957-02-08 | 67 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | PA | BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION FAILURES | for the past 3\1/2\ years, the - administration has brought nothing but failure and crisis into communities and homes across America. prgtoken Beginning with the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan to runaway inflation at the gas pump and grocery store, we have seen nothing but catastrophe from an administration that has been unable and unwilling to meet the needs of the American people. prgtoken Since President took office and Vice President was named the border czar, nearly 10 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at our southern border and points of entry. This failure to keep our border secure is proof that this administration is more focused on allowing mass, illegal immigration than it is on protecting the safety and the security of the American citizens. prgtoken It is time to return to the remain in Mexico policy that we had under President Donald J. . It is time for a President who will put a stop to the illegal fentanyl that continues to pour across our southern border and poison and kill our neighbors, friends, and children. It is time for a leader who will keep America safe. Bedford County Fair | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,214 | 718,066 |
53,597 | 1,293,120 | G000577 | 1,128 | Garret | Graves | Garret Graves | 20,240,722 | M | 1972-01-31 | 52 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | LA | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024 | in this environment where Congress is sitting here fighting over everything, I take just a minute to reflect on this legislation. prgtoken Every 2 years under Chairman Graves' leadership, we have seen this bill come up. This is a critical bill. It is everything from resilience, flood protection, in my home State hurricane protection, restoring our coastal wetlands, ensuring economic competitiveness of the ports all around the United States. prgtoken This is critical legislation, and this is a rare opportunity where s and are coming together to make the right decisions. prgtoken I thank Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Larsen. I thank my good friend Congresswoman Napolitano. I wish her the best with all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and keep going. prgtoken I thank my friend David Rouzer for all his work on this and of course the Ryans and all the staff who have put in countless hours. prgtoken From my home State of Louisiana, this is about our future. It is about resilience. It is about our ports and waterways. For example, in this legislation we have important legislation for the Morganza to the Gulf project ensuring the recognition of credit for the important work that the locals have done on that one. prgtoken , I thank all the folks involved, and I urge adoption of the legislation. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,376 | 718,129 |
53,589 | 1,293,216 | K000376 | 940 | Mike | Kelly | Mike Kelly | 20,240,722 | M | 1948-05-10 | 76 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | PA | HONORING THE LIFE OF COREY COMPERATORE | . Madam , tonight we talked about the tragic loss of Corey Comperatore. What is more tragic or could have been more tragic, what if Corey Comperatore had never been born? prgtoken What if there never had been a Corey Comperatore? What if Helen had never had a husband like Corey Comperatore? His daughters would not have had a father. He was called a girl dad. prgtoken His entire life was built on his strong faith and in service to his community, his country, and foremost, his family. prgtoken In these times, when our country seems to be so torn apart on everything political, I think it is time for us to take a little more time to reflect on who we are as Americans. We are not s, we are not , we are not Independents; we are Americans. At the very heart of what it is we are, we are Americans. prgtoken Mr. Comperatore is exactly the example of those who serve, those who put others above themselves, those who put themselves in harm's way to protect those who are in danger. We come here tonight, and we talk about Corey. prgtoken That Saturday was a Saturday that his family will never forget. As they made their way from their home to the Butler Farm Show grounds to hear former President at his rally, they were so excited to be there. prgtoken However, tragically, evil struck, and America was once again reminded that at the end of the day, we are all Americans. Yes, we represent different parties. Yes, we represent different peoples, but at the end of the day, we are Americans. prgtoken The example that Corey Comperatore puts forward is that of a strong, faithful American, a man of faith, a man who loved his country, a man who loved his community, but above all, a man who loved his wife and daughters. prgtoken How tragic it would have been if he had never been born. As we mourn his death, we also must celebrate his life. We must say a prayer because I know where he is now. I know where he rests. I know he is in the arms of God. As tragic as this has been for his family, I know his family knows the same thing. prgtoken I would hope that as we look into what happened, how this possibly could have happened, how in a little farm town in Pennsylvania evil could have prevailed, at least for a moment, but what has happened since then is our firm belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our belief that Corey is now safe at home and will be there when his wife and daughters make that same trip sometime in the future. prgtoken Madam , this is a country that has been torn apart for so long by parties that go at each other day in and day out. I would hope that at some point we sit and take a look at the fact that one and a half million men and women in uniform have given their lives to give us the opportunity to be here on this floor and debate policy, and what is in the best interests of the people who sent us here, and that is the American people. At some point, we have to believe the oath we hav | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,172 |
53,596 | 1,293,020 | B001295 | 1,104 | Mike | Bost | Mike Bost | 20,240,722 | M | 1960-12-30 | 63 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | IL | CHARLIE DOWD VA CLINIC | once again, as has been mentioned in previous pieces of legislation, there is a reason why we name our facilities after these men. prgtoken Charlie Dowd was an amazing person who stood up for this Nation and truly pursued the American Dream and served the Nation almost 100 years of his life. prgtoken , I ask all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 412 | 718,085 |
53,593 | 1,293,100 | R000603 | 1,076 | David | Rouzer | David Rouzer | 20,240,722 | M | 1972-02-16 | 52 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | NC | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024 | I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8812, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, referred to in short as WRDA. prgtoken I acknowledge and thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mrs. Grace Napolitano, for their work and partnership in crafting this bipartisan WRDA bill that we are considering today. prgtoken Today's WRDA bill will be the last for my good friend Congresswoman Napolitano, who has served honorably and effectively in this Chamber for 26 years. I am incredibly grateful for her leadership and her many contributions to improve water resource policy during her many years of service. It has been a pleasure serving alongside her on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, and I look forward to continuing to work with her as she finishes out this chapter of her stellar career in service. prgtoken , this year's WRDA bill was developed based on input from nearly 350 members of this body, which included more than 1,900 policy and project requests. The level of Member involvement demonstrates the impact, importance, and necessity of a biennial, bipartisan WRDA bill. prgtoken That is why I am pleased that our consideration of this legislation today continues the decades-long tradition of passing a WRDA bill every Congress. This consistent, predictable schedule enables Congress to better address water resource needs while providing direction to the Corps along with accountability. prgtoken The significant impact the Army Corps of Engineers has on our daily lives cannot be understated. Their projects serve the Nation by protecting life and property from storm events, including flooding caused by those, supporting navigation, and bolstering our economy. prgtoken The Corps operates and maintains 25,000 miles of navigable channels and 196 commercial lock and dam sites in 41 States. This work facilitates the movement of goods throughout our country and to critical export markets around the world. To reduce flood risk and storm damage, the Corps maintains 715 dams and 4,100 miles of levees and conducts beach nourishment projects along approximately 350 miles of shoreline, which by the way, are critically important to my district and coastal communities nationwide. prgtoken This bill authorizes the construction of 12 projects for navigation, hurricane and storm risk reduction, flood risk management, and ecosystem restoration. It authorizes more than 160 feasibility studies to evaluate new water resource projects and modifies existing ones. Additionally, this legislation includes policy reforms designed to increase transparency and expedite projects. Every project large and small is crucial to an effective and efficient water resource network. That is why the centerpiece of today's bill streamlines project delivery and empowers local communities to lead in the project development process. prgtoken As many of us know, the Corps' process can be chal | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,123 |
53,613 | 1,293,050 | H001096 | 1,415 | Harriet | Hageman | Harriet M. Hageman | 20,240,722 | F | 1962-10-18 | 61 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | WY | VICTIMS' VOICES OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE COURTROOM EFFECTIVENESS ACT | such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the bill we are here today to pass brings much-needed support to crime victims across the country. The bipartisan and bicameral Victims' Voices Outside and Inside the Courtroom Effectiveness Act, or Victims' VOICES Act, passed the Senate through unanimous consent. I am proud to be the House lead on this important legislation. prgtoken I thank my friend and colleague across the aisle, Representative Lucy McBath, for her work on this legislation and for her continued advocacy on behalf of victims. prgtoken I will also take a moment to remember and acknowledge Ms. Jackson Lee. She was a cosponsor of the bill and a longtime advocate for the rights of crime victims. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. prgtoken The purpose of the Victims' VOICES Act is simple: It assures fairness for all crime victims in accessing and receiving restitution from convicted defendants. prgtoken Supporting victims and holding criminals accountable has always been a top priority of Congress. In 1996, the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act was signed into law and required defendants convicted of certain crimes, including violent crime, to pay restitution to their victims. prgtoken These types of restitution can include lost income, childcare costs incurred while participating in the investigation, or medical and nonmedical care and treatment. In cases where a victim is a minor, deceased, or unable to act on their own behalf, a family member, legal guardian, or a person appointed by the court may assume the victim's rights. prgtoken However, many jurisdictions have wrongfully ruled these individuals are precluded from receiving restitution for their own lost income or expenses. prgtoken Parents, who lovingly cared for their child who was the victim of a crime, may not receive compensation for taking time off of work to help their child heal. Family members whose loved ones did not survive a brutal attack may not receive restitution. prgtoken This is wrong. We should be thanking these brave and thoughtful citizens. Instead, the government is casting them aside. prgtoken This is an especially concerning issue in crimes of violence and in Tribal communities, like my district, where locating and protecting missing and exploited women and children is a major challenge. prgtoken , I urge the passage of this bill, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,450 | 718,099 |
53,590 | 1,292,969 | B001282 | 983 | Garland | Barr | Andy Barr | 20,240,722 | M | 1973-07-24 | 50 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | KY | HONORING HARRODSBURG, KENTUCKY | I rise today to honor the citizens of Harrodsburg, Kentucky as they celebrate the 250th anniversary of their founding. prgtoken James Harrod and a team of men were sent by Lord Dunmore to Kentucky to survey land promised by the British crown to soldiers who served in the French and Indian War. Harrod was the first to map out a town on June 16, 1774, making Harrod's Town (later Harrodsburg) the first permanent British settlement west of the Alleghenies and the first city in Kentucky. By 1776, they had established a county court, a county militia, and named James Harrod as a delegate to the Virginia Assembly. A blockhouse was established at Fort Harrod for the protection of settlers. After the Revolutionary War ended, the town grew rapidly and the original log cabins were replaced with brick structures. prgtoken Many men from Harrodsburg fought in the War of 1812. After the war, agriculture and education were very important. Bacon College, Greenville Institute for Young Ladies, and the Harrodsburg Female Academy all opened between 1839 and 1847. Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill was founded in 1805 and became very prosperous. The local economy was based on livestock, hemp, wheat, corn, and valuable racehorses. By the middle of the 1800s, Harrodsburg had been home to three Kentucky governors and one U.S. Ambassador as well as a nationally known resort, Graham Springs. prgtoken Like many areas in border states, Harrodsburg was divided by the Civil War and experienced much loss and destruction. Citizens picked up and treated wounded soldiers from both Union and Confederate forces following the nearby Battle of Perryville. After the war, the city rebuilt and prospered once again. The 20th century brought the Dix River Dam, constructed in the 1920s to provide electricity, and the reservoir, Lake Herrington, became a tourist attraction. A reproduction of Old Fort Harrod was constructed as well as a monument to George Rogers Clark which was dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934. Shaker Village was restored and became another tourist attraction. There has always been a strong military presence in Harrodsburg and World War II was no exception. D Company of the 192nd Tank Battalion was stationed in the Philippines in 1941 and included 66 men from Harrodsburg. Of the 66 Harrodsburg men in D Company, only 37 survived the war. They endured battle, the Infamous Bataan Death March, hell ships, and three and a half years of merciless captivity by Japan. prgtoken Today the city of Harrodsburg continues as a thriving community with robust agriculture, tourism, and industry. Dedicated leaders from founder James Harrod to today's Mayor Bob Williams have led the city of Harrodsburg. I am honored to lift up this great American community before the United States Congress and to congratulate them on their 250th anniversary. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,898 | 718,047 |
53,600 | 1,293,010 | M001199 | 1,164 | Brian | Mast | Brian J. Mast | 20,240,722 | M | 1980-07-10 | 44 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | FL | THOMAS H. COREY VA MEDICAL CENTER | I thank the chairman and ranking member for recognizing an amazing man. I wish we could do this for every single veteran. Every single veteran deserves far more, but today is a victory, doing it for this veteran. prgtoken I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 7333, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center. prgtoken I am going to speak about him as a friend because he was a friend. I would say this about him: He exhausted himself in the most worthy cause that he could find, and the most worthy cause that he could find was veterans. prgtoken Every veteran that he could find from every conflict, every war, not just his war, but anybody that put a flag on their shoulder, that put on a uniform on behalf of the United States of America, it gave him a sense of joy, a smile. He was a cheerful giver. Whatever he could do for one of our brothers and sisters in arms, that is how he lived his life every day. prgtoken Tom Corey served during the Vietnam war as an Army combat infantryman with the 1st Air Cavalry Division, 1st Battalion, and 12th Cavalry. prgtoken While engaged in an assault against enemy positions during the first day of the Tet Offensive, he was shot in the neck, leaving him permanently paralyzed. prgtoken Although he had injuries for the rest of his life, he did not let his injuries define him. He overcame his injuries to advocate for others in local, regional, and national veterans' organizations every single day going forward during his life. prgtoken Tom Corey was a longtime member of Vietnam Veterans of America, founding the Palm Beach County chapter at home in my district. He held multiple leadership roles in organizations, ultimately serving as the president of Vietnam Veterans of America from 2003 to 2005. prgtoken Mr. Corey was a tireless advocate for our veterans' healthcare, particularly Vietnam veterans suffering from illnesses attributed to Agent Orange. He worked for 15 years at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center as an ombudsman, ensuring that veterans received the highest quality of care day in and day out. prgtoken Despite all of his efforts advocating for veterans here at home, he never forgot his brothers-in-arms who were still missing in action. Mr. Corey returned to Vietnam 16 times leading delegations to meet up with top Vietnamese and Laotian officials focused on locating and repatriating the remains of those he served shoulder to shoulder with. prgtoken Along with multiple service medals, including two Purple Hearts, Mr. Corey was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts and his work. prgtoken Tom Corey has shown the world that no injury was big enough to eclipse his mission to serve others. Naming the West Palm Beach VA in his honor is the least we can do to honor his legacy of service and his passionate advocacy for veterans. prgtoken , I thank the Florida delegation for their suppo | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,079 |
53,581 | 1,293,097 | G000546 | 574 | Sam | Graves | Sam Graves | 20,240,722 | M | 1963-11-07 | 60 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | MO | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024 | such time as I may consume. prgtoken , today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8812, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, WRDA 2024, a bill that delivers critical water resource infrastructure improvements for communities all over America. prgtoken Last month, we advanced WRDA 2024 out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 61 yeas to 2 nays. prgtoken I thank Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chair David Rouzer and Ranking Member Grace Napolitano for all their hard work in developing this legislation and shepherding it through the committee and now across the line here on the floor. prgtoken I offer special thanks to Ranking Member Grace Napolitano for her work on the WRDA bill and the many contributions she has made to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee over the many years that she has served. prgtoken I am proud that with WRDA 2024, we are continuing the bipartisan tradition of passing a WRDA bill every 2 years, something we began back in 2014. prgtoken WRDA 2024 has been developed through many months of work and significant participation from Members in this Chamber to address the water resource needs in communities all across the Nation. prgtoken This bipartisan legislation provides necessary authority and direction to the Corps to carry out its mission to maintain and improve our water resource infrastructure from ports to levees to navigation channels. prgtoken I am particularly proud that this bill charts a new path forward for systemic flood control on the upper Mississippi. It has been more than three decades since the great flood of 1993, and there has been very little progress in improving flood control along this stretch of the Mississippi. I believe this bill will finally change that. prgtoken That is why, in addition to authorizing new projects and studies, WRDA 2024 makes policy and programmatic reforms to streamline processes, reduce cumbersome red tape, and get projects done much faster. prgtoken Particularly important to my constituents are the steps this bill takes toward ensuring flood control and navigation are the top priorities on the Missouri River, along with the efforts to shore up the PL 84-99 program and long overdue reforms to move rural projects forward. prgtoken I could go on and on about the good things in this bill, but I would run out of time if I tried to list all the wins that this bill delivers, big and small, all over America. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support WRDA 2024, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,658 | 718,121 |
53,612 | 1,293,111 | C001129 | 1,404 | Mike | Collins | Mike Collins | 20,240,722 | M | 1967-07-02 | 57 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | GA | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024 | I rise today to support the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 which addresses the needs of the water infrastructure nationwide. prgtoken This bill is a win for my home State of Georgia. It includes my amendment to protect the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam from the U.S. Corps of Engineers' plan to reduce water levels for Augusta, Georgia, an issue I was proud to work on with my colleague Rick Allen. prgtoken It allows the deepening of the Port of Savannah. prgtoken It includes report language reinforcing the authority of power marketing administrators to set hydropower rates, which we are currently seeing have a large impact on energy prices in the district. prgtoken Thanks to Congressman Dale Strong, it immediately provides a cost estimate to repair the Wilson Lock and Dam on the Tennessee River. prgtoken I look forward to the final passage of this vital piece of legislation and securing America's water resources for generations to come, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,033 | 718,126 |
53,586 | 1,293,160 | S001176 | 782 | Steve | Scalise | Steve Scalise | 20,240,722 | M | 1965-10-06 | 58 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | LA | U.S. CONGRESSMAN SAM JOHNSON MEMORIAL VA CLINIC ACT | I thank the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee for yielding and for bringing this bill. Especially I thank Mr. Self for his leadership in working for so long on this important bill. prgtoken , it is not often that we will walk amongst people who are larger than life. During my years in Congress, I have been honored to serve with two people whom I would put in that category: Sam Johnson and John Lewis. Both of them have amazing stories that are well chronicled. prgtoken I got to know Sam over the years that I served with him. It was a treat to be able to just sit down and hear stories and talk to him about the things I had heard about him because Sam was truly larger than life, . We heard stories of his early days as an Air Force pilot. prgtoken This was back in the days before the Apollo missions when our Air Force pilots were trying to push the boundaries to figure out just how far we could go, how fast we could go, and how high we could go. They were doing things that had never been done before. prgtoken I had heard a story that Sam challenged Buzz Aldrin. Buzz, of course, famously was the commander of the Apollo mission, the first mission to land on the Moon. He was the second man to walk on the Moon after Neil Armstrong. I heard that story, and one time after Sam had left Congress, I had the opportunity to meet Buzz Aldrin. prgtoken I said: I want to ask you about this story. I heard that Sam Johnson challenged you to a fighter pilot race. prgtoken He just lights up. Buzz Aldrin was just incredibly accomplished and was a national hero in his own right. He lights up at the words: Sam Johnson. prgtoken He said: That is not the whole story. Yes, Sam Johnson challenged me to a fighter pilot race. We would practice every day, and I would usually beat Sam. prgtoken He said that the night before the race, Sam had souped up his plane, and, sure enough, the next day we had this race, and Sam just flies by and wins the race. prgtoken Sam was just an incredible person. He had an unbelievable sense of humor. I got to see that. prgtoken Later on in life when we both had our physical challenges, we challenged each other to a scooter race. It was not quite the same thing, but I never saw him laugh as much as at that because, again, Sam was just an amazing person who for all the things he went through still maintained a great sense of humor while he exhibited so much leadership. prgtoken Nonetheless, we know the story that Sam lived through 7 years in the Hanoi Hilton. He wrote a book about it. As I started to get to know Sam, I said: I am not going to really truly understand Sam unless I read the book. The book is called ``Captive Warriors.'' So one week when I was going out of town, I got the book, and it was one of those books you get not for easy reading because it was a difficult read. I teared up a lot because he goes into great detail of the things that happened to him during those 7 years. prgtoken As Mr. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,145 |
53,592 | 1,293,200 | L000578 | 1,014 | Doug | LaMalfa | Doug LaMalfa | 20,240,722 | M | 1960-07-02 | 64 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | CA | RECLASSIFYING MARIJUANA | . Madam , last month, the administration took steps toward legalizing marijuana by attempting to reclassify it as a lower category drug, going around Congress in the process. If enacted, this would increase the use of an already dangerous substance. prgtoken We have already seen this in California, the State with the highest rate of marijuana users. It is no surprise that California also has the highest rate of welfare recipients. We have one-eighth of the Nation's population, and about one-third of the State's population is on assistance. I believe the government should disincentivize the use of this harmful drug and not allow banks to prop up this immoral industry. prgtoken Recently, there have been efforts in Congress to exempt financial institutions from penalties if they provide financial services to marijuana companies. The Federal Government should have no role in encouraging citizens to break Federal law by incentivizing banks to handle the money in these industries. These measures give a green light to the evil that comes from drug use. prgtoken The addicts will rely on State welfare and disability payments for unemployment. Their medical problems will increase, draining our already strained healthcare system, which taxpayers are going to foot the bill for that. prgtoken Let's not be doing any more to legalize marijuana or pretend that it is legal through financial institutions. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,434 | 718,162 |
53,582 | 1,293,074 | I000056 | 594 | Darrell | Issa | Darrell Issa | 20,240,722 | M | 1953-11-01 | 70 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | CA | PROTECTING AND ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS TO CODES ACT | such time as I may consume. prgtoken , where do I begin? The gentlewoman is aware that in previous Congresses we have held hearings, and this bill is not new, but in fact is in its third iteration before the Congress. prgtoken Additionally, she is right, we did schedule a markup, and the gentlewoman objected. We waited, and we scheduled it again. A quorum being present, by a vote of 19-4, overwhelmingly it was passed out of the Judiciary Committee, the committee of jurisdiction for copyright. prgtoken Just for the purpose of the , I want to read one clause of the Constitution. Article I, Section 8, Clause 8: ``[The Congress shall have power] to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.'' prgtoken , that is a solemn obligation of the Constitution. For nearly 250 years, we have made sure that, in fact, authors, musicians, anyone producing copyrighted material, have had protection. We have not, historically, even partially opened that up. prgtoken In this case, we have gone much further on this legislation. We have provided a form of fair use. Any citizen can go online and read any part of any of these documents, thousands of pages. They can look at them, they can take notes. They can do any number of things. What they can't do is distribute it to others, circumventing the copyright. prgtoken To put it in perspective, for the first 100-plus years of this, there was no controversy. They printed books, and they sold the books, and it was a copyright violation if you copied the book, if you made a duplicate of it. Nobody argued that because it made common sense. prgtoken This makes common sense, too. We are making 100 percent of the material contained in any of these pro codes available. What we are not doing is allowing people to say they are giving something that in fact they have stolen from the author. prgtoken , . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,045 | 718,111 |
53,608 | 1,293,168 | M001215 | 1,365 | Mariannette | Miller-Meeks | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 20,240,722 | F | 1955-09-06 | 68 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | IA | BILLION DOLLAR BOONDOGGLE ACT OF 2023 | I thank the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Ms. Mace) for yielding me time. prgtoken , I rise today in support of my bill, the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the public disclosure of every taxpayer-funded project that is $1 billion or more over budget or 5 years or more behind schedule. prgtoken This disclosure would include an explanation for the delays and added costs as well as the identification of the contractors. prgtoken In Congress, we are entrusted to be stewards of taxpayer dollars. In an example of protracted government-funded projects, the Department of Veterans Affairs had fumbled replacing its decades-old electronic health records system. An assessment found that the 2018 initial cost projection of $10 billion over 10 years soon ballooned to $50.8 billion over 28 years. prgtoken Government-funded projects that are excessively costly and delayed must be held to account. The bill will increase transparency over these projects to ensure we aren't wasting billions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. prgtoken , I thank Iowa Senator Joni Ernst for championing this act in the Senate. I urge my colleagues to support and get the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act to the President's desk. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,266 | 718,149 |
53,602 | 1,292,981 | F000466 | 1,180 | Brian | Fitzpatrick | Brian K. Fitzpatrick | 20,240,722 | M | 1973-12-17 | 50 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | PA | RECOGNIZING THE NAVAL AIR DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN WARMINSTER, PENNSYLVANIA | today it is my great honor to rise in recognition of the countless invaluable contributions of the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) in Warminster, Pennsylvania, to the aerospace heritage of my community and our entire country. prgtoken For six decades, the NADC has been the cornerstone of United States Naval aviation research. Before the era of Silicon Valley and Research Triangle Park, NADC was the premier aviation research center and cradle of aerospace innovation. prgtoken Originally acquired from the Brewster Aircraft Corporation by the United States Government during World War II, the NADC transitioned to United States Navy management in 1947 and quickly became synonymous with innovation, pioneering advancements in pilotless aircraft, modern aircraft design, propulsion systems, electronics, surveillance technologies, acoustics processing, communications, navigation (including Global Positioning System (GPS)), and weaponry. Its mission was clear: to be a global leader in naval aviation research and development, and it accomplished this mission successfully. prgtoken The NADC housed over thirty laboratories, each focusing on various critical aspects of naval aviation. These hubs of innovation drew visionary engineers, scientists, technicians, and support staff from across the nation to take part in this groundbreaking research that pushed the boundaries of aerospace technology. Their collective efforts yielded numerous breakthroughs crucial to securing our national defense and advancing global aerospace capabilities. prgtoken Among their countless achievements, one of the most significant was the establishment of the Aviation Medical Acceleration Laboratory (AMAL). Central to this laboratory was the world's most powerful human centrifuge. Famously known as the ``Johnsville Centrifuge'', this facility played a critical role in advancing the understanding of high- performance jet aircraft's effects on pilots, significantly contributing to the training and safety protocols of pilots in groundbreaking programs like the North American X-15, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo Spacecrafts, and Space Shuttle missions. prgtoken In addition, the Anti-Submarine Warfare Laboratory was instrumental in developing cutting-edge technologies vital to the Navy's Cold War efforts. Innovations like the Lockheed P-3 Orion and S-3 Viking aircraft, Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) helicopters, and advanced sonobuoys significantly enhanced their capability to detect and counter Soviet submarine threats. prgtoken Furthermore, the NADC served as the lead laboratory for several iconic aircraft, including the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet tactical fighters, the Presidential Helicopter fleet, and the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) communications platforms. Its influence extended beyond aircraft to encompass the entire spectrum of navigation systems used by Navy aircraft, submarines, and surface vessels. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,058 |
53,583 | 1,292,987 | W000795 | 600 | Joe | Wilson | Joe Wilson | 20,240,722 | M | 1947-07-31 | 76 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | SC | REMEMBERING MARIA MACAULAY | today a Service of Worship in Remembrance of and Thanksgiving for Life was held for Maria Locke Boineau Macaulay at the historic First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina. Services were conducted by Reverend Dr. David H. Lauten, with organist Thomas Russell, and soloist Emma Hagood. prgtoken I am grateful Maria was the wife of my fellow former State Senator Alex Macaulay and my cherished Boineau second cousin. prgtoken I include in the Record the following obituary that was published in the service bulletin: ``Maria Locke Boineau Macaulay passed away in the morning of July 17, 2024. Born in Columbia on January 11, 1943, Maria was the proud daughter of the late Edward ``Bru'' Boineau and Helen Gayle Bell Boineau. She attended Columbia High, where at 5'2'' and 95 pounds she earned the nickname ``Moose.'' A lifelong lover of books and the Gamecocks, she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in English. ``After a brief stint in Charlotte, she returned to her home state and married her first (and only) husband Alex Macaulay of Columbia. In 1973, she moved with her husband and two children--also named Maria and Alex--to Walhalla, South Carolina where she established herself as a vibrant and active presence in the community. As a member of the Walhalla Presbyterian Church, she played in the hand bell choir with a focus and intensity that was truly something to behold. She worked years as an award winning and beloved substitute teacher at Walhalla High School. While the students never wished any ill will on their day to day teachers, they were always excited when they walked in the classroom and saw Mrs. Macaulay sitting behind the desk. In addition to her daily walks around Sertoma Field, she dedicated countless hours to the Oconee Public Library, delivering books throughout the county, serving as chairperson of the Library's Board of Trustees and as president of the Oconee County Friends of the Library. In 1999, she was appointed by the governor to the South Carolina State Library Board and would go on to chair its Board of Trustees as well. ``A devoted and exuberant mother and grandmother, Riri, as her six grandchildren called her, traveled across South Carolina and the mountains of western North Carolina taking them on vacations as well as attending an infinite number of sporting events, dance recitals, graduations, birthday parties, and other special and non-special occasions where she let the children know each and every time how much she loved them and how proud she was of them. ``Maria is survived by her husband, Alex Macaulay; her sister, Gayle Boineau Darby; her daughter, Maria Macaulay Sellers; her son, Alex Macaulay; a slew of grandchildren, Ma | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,064 |
53,617 | 1,293,027 | H001095 | 1,472 | Wesley | Hunt | Wesley Hunt | 20,240,722 | M | 1981-11-13 | 42 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | TX | ROYALTY RESILIENCY ACT | I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 7377, the Royalty Resiliency Act. prgtoken This legislation is a commonsense fix to an accounting problem that has plagued both energy operators and personnel at the Department of the Interior for years. prgtoken Due to a myriad of reasons, including staff shortages and burdensome oversight, the BLM has encountered significant delays in approving communitization agreements, costing both the Federal Government and private industry billions of dollars. prgtoken Ensuring the Department of the Interior completes CAs in a timely fashion is something my office and the administration are continuing to work on, but this piece of legislation fixes an erroneous accounting issue that has been plaguing the Department of the Interior. prgtoken We all know that the Federal Government is not the best at returning your money, and the Department of the Interior realizes that timely and accurate royalty allocations are not only good for development but, more importantly, are the fairest way of conducting business. prgtoken That is why during a March 6, 2024, House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee hearing, Benjamin Gruber, Deputy Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management supported my legislation. prgtoken Mr. Gruber stated: ``The department recognizes the importance of timely approval of units and CAs and supports H.R. 7377.'' prgtoken I would also like to take a moment to recognize and thank my team on Natural Resources along with Eric Haley, who is on my staff. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,561 | 718,089 |
53,615 | 1,293,156 | S001224 | 1,458 | Keith | Self | Keith Self | 20,240,722 | M | 1953-03-20 | 71 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | TX | U.S. CONGRESSMAN SAM JOHNSON MEMORIAL VA CLINIC ACT | I rise to speak on my bill to rename the Plano, Texas, VA Clinic after former Congressman, Air Force Fighter Pilot, and POW Sam Johnson. prgtoken Congressman Sam Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force for 29 years where he was the director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School and flew the F-100 Super Sabre with the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying demonstration team. He flew the slot. prgtoken He was a combat veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars as a fighter pilot, flying 87 combat missions. prgtoken On April 16, 1966, while flying his 25th combat mission over Vietnam, he was shot down and suffered a broken right arm, broken back, and dislocated shoulder. He was a prisoner of war for nearly 7 years, including 42 months in solitary confinement. prgtoken He was part of a group of 11 U.S. military prisoners known as the Alcatraz Gang, a group of prisoners separated from other captives because they would not break. prgtoken His heroic actions led him to be awarded two Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and two Purple Hearts. prgtoken In 1985, he was called on again to serve, only this time in the Texas State House of Representatives, where he served until being elected to this body in 1991. prgtoken He went on to serve in Congress until his retirement in 2019. During his time in Congress, Sam was a force. His House tenure included many accomplishments, including holding a position on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. prgtoken I am proud to serve as Representative for Texas' Third District, the same district that Sam served so honorably. prgtoken As I reflect on Sam's life, I am reminded of a story that demonstrates his signature tenacity, toughness, and character. prgtoken Gib Lewis, Texas of the House of Representatives at the time, tried threatening Sam regarding a piece of legislation. Sam put his old, crooked hands, those that had been broken many times in torture, on Gib's desk and said: What are you going to do, Gib? Break my hands? prgtoken There was absolutely nothing that Gib Lewis could say. prgtoken I truly can think of no individual who is more deserving of having a VA clinic named in his honor. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,246 | 718,142 |
53,584 | 1,293,105 | C001053 | 656 | Tom | Cole | Tom Cole | 20,240,722 | M | 1949-04-28 | 75 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | OK | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024 | I thank my friend, Chairman Graves for yielding to me. prgtoken Like many of our colleagues, I recognize the critical importance of the biennial Water Resources Development Act. I also appreciate the need to move the House version as quickly as possible. prgtoken However, I must raise serious concerns with the bill presented on suspension today. These concerns are shared by my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee on a bipartisan basis. prgtoken Certain sections of the bill would cede Congress' Article I authority to fund and oversee Federal agencies. This should not only concern the Appropriations Committee, but all Members of Congress. Allowing agencies to become self-funded is a terrible idea. This is true whatever form it takes, whether allowing agencies to spend incoming fees without congressional approval, accept funding from other sources including non-Federal sources, or transfer funds across agencies without congressional oversight. Such actions make the Federal bureaucracy far less accountable and embolden unelected officials to overstep their congressional mandates. The requirement that agencies receive appropriations from Congress each year is one of the most important checks on their authority and is critical to preserving the separation of powers under the Constitution. prgtoken Creating self-funded agencies also removes them from the top-line spending caps on appropriations, thereby increasing total spending and taking another piece of total spending outside of fiscal controls. Finally, it is the Appropriations Committee's exclusive jurisdiction to determine how much funding each Federal agency must work with, by carefully balancing the needs of the entire Federal Government. Putting certain agencies or activities outside of appropriations makes comprehensive budgeting more difficult, as agencies evade congressional controls. prgtoken Without much time to review this text, we were not able to have a meaningful dialogue and fix these serious issues before today's vote. Giving this much power to agencies is not an action we should take lightly. prgtoken The gentleman has provided his commitment to work through these issues before a final product is presented to the House. Because of that, I will not oppose the measure today. As we move forward, I expect that we as a conference will have an opportunity to thoroughly discuss this issue. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,429 | 718,125 |
53,614 | 1,292,964 | N000193 | 1,429 | Zachary (Zach) | Nunn | Zachary Nunn | 20,240,722 | M | 1979-05-04 | 45 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | IA | RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF MAJOR MATTHEW D. WILEY | I rise today to honor Major Matthew D. Willey for his retirement from the United States Air Force after 20 years of distinguished service. prgtoken Major Willey enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from the University of Iowa in 2003 Throughout his career, he consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a strong work ethic. In 2009, he commissioned and cross-trained in the Tactical Air Control Party Officer career field. He has deployed multiple times in support of Operation Resolute Support, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Among his many accomplishments, he notably became the first in his career field to receive the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor in August of 2011. This prestigious award is reserved for those who display extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme danger. While in Afghanistan, Major Willey's detachment was ambushed by insurgents, and he was forced to cross open fire to call in a danger close strafing run. This display of remarkable bravery and selflessness resulted in the elimination of 15 insurgents without a single American casualty. His quick thinking and courageous actions serve as a profound example for all. prgtoken Major Willey has continued to excel as a leader, not only in combat but also in his roles as Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, and Director of Operations, accumulating over 14 awards and decorations throughout his illustrious 20-year career. But he hasn't stopped there, he has spent these last two years of service here in the great state Iowa, striving to cultivate and shape the minds of young men and women, both as students as well as cadets. Through his role as Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies as well his role as Operations Officer at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 250 at Iowa State University, he dedicates himself to the task of producing the highest quality and highest caliber of students and officers for not only the United States Air and Space Force but for this nation. Major Willey not only reflects great credit upon himself, but he reflects great credit up the United States Air Force and his country. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Major Willey for his unwavering dedication to our country. His service before self, exceptional military achievements, and steadfast roles as a spouse, father, and friend have not only enhanced our national security but also stand as a testament to the values of bravery, devotion, and compassion. I join Major Willey's family, friends, and colleagues in celebrating his retirement and extend to him my heartfelt best wishes for the future. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,731 | 718,042 |
53,604 | 1,293,198 | B001309 | 1,230 | Tim | Burchett | Tim Burchett | 20,240,722 | M | 1964-08-25 | 59 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | TN | HONORING KENNETH "MICKEY" SNYDER, JR. | . Madam , I recognize my dear friend, Mr. Kenneth Snyder, Jr also known as Mickey, who just passed away. They had his funeral tonight. He was the age of 84. I can't believe it. prgtoken Mickey was born and raised in Knoxville and had a deep sense of community and service. In West High School, he was honored as one of the top 50 athletes in the school's history, Madam , and he went on to play for the semiprofessional football team, the Knoxville Bears. prgtoken He had a passion for sports and mentoring young athletes, and he left a lasting impact on countless children, the current Congressman from the Second District being one of them. He coached me in baseball and football. prgtoken Mickey dedicated over 30 years of his life to the Knoxville Police Department until his retirement as a captain in 1993. He loved his family very much. He was married to his wife, Lana Sue Hinds, but we all call her Tootie, for 65 years. They raised three children together. They had four grandchildren and a great-grandson, and Mickey adored them all. prgtoken I offer my condolences to the family, including Tootie, along with their children and their spouses, Tracey and Dan, Kristie and Jennifer, and Little Mickey that just went by Mickey and Kiersten, along with all their other friends and family. prgtoken Mickey will be remembered for his kindness and ability to bring laughter and comfort to those around him, and he won't be forgotten by the people who knew and loved him, me being one of them. prgtoken Madam , I will truly miss Mickey Snyder. He was one in a million. He was a great mentor to a lot of young people, an excellent police officer, a great husband, a great father, and a great grandfather as well. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,739 | 718,160 |
53,611 | 1,292,996 | M001218 | 1,403 | Rich | McCormick | Richard McCormick | 20,240,722 | M | 1968-10-07 | 55 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | GA | RESTORING POWER TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE | I rise today to remind this body that our role as Members of Congress is not just to pass laws and allocate funding. We are the people's House because we are the closest to the people. prgtoken We have the most crucial duty to oversee the executive branch and hold the bureaucracy accountable for their actions. Since the founding of our Nation, this oversight function has been a cornerstone of our democracy. prgtoken Yet, time and time again, we see witnesses from the executive branch refusing to answer the questions of the people. They quibble over details and dodge questions. Our hearings have become political theater. Witnesses act like teenagers caught out after curfew. prgtoken The deep state evades the constitutional oversight authority that the people's House is supposed to yield. This authority is the way our Founders intended to keep the Federal bureaucracy in check. prgtoken Enough is enough. This cannot continue. It is time to take a stand and restore the power of the people's House. We must ensure that the men and women who would act like rulers over the American people, despite never being elected, and then intentionally withholding information from the United States Congress, finally face consequences. prgtoken Under title 2 of current law, their duplicity is already illegal. Refusing to answer the people's questions that are deemed ``pertinent to the question under inquiry'' is currently punishable by a fine or imprisonment. The application of this law, however, has been lost to history. prgtoken Just this year, Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and many others blatantly and boldly violated the law and have gleefully and unabashedly refused to answer questions in hearing after hearing. They have zero respect for the American people and no fear of the United States Congress. prgtoken At a hearing on June 4, Attorney General Garland was asked if the Supreme Court's then-pending decision on obstruction charges would change the Department of Justice's actions in prosecutions related to January 6. Garland's response was: ``I don't answer hypotheticals.'' prgtoken In November of last year, at a hearing of the Homeland Security Committee, Secretary Mayorkas simply refused to answer when asked by Vice Chairman Guest how many daily apprehensions constituted a crisis at the southern border. prgtoken Just today, the Director of the Secret Service, Dr. Kimberly Cheatle, refused to answer nearly every single question she was asked by Members on both sides of the aisle about the egregious security failures of July 13. prgtoken This is what we have experienced over and over again. That is why I am introducing the STOP the SWAMP Act. Our legislation will make it clear that those bureaucrats who refuse to answer the questions of the American people will be permanently disqualified from Federal employment. It will further e | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,073 |
53,591 | 1,293,215 | P000605 | 1,006 | Scott | Perry | Scott Perry | 20,240,722 | M | 1962-05-27 | 62 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | PA | HONORING THE LIFE OF COREY COMPERATORE | . Madam , I thank my friend, Mike Kelly, for yielding. It is sad that we have to be here. Corey Comperatore is now a hero, but we would sure rather have Corey back in our lives. I didn't know Corey, but I have come, like many, to learn something about him. prgtoken Each of us wonder, if we had to, what we would do in that moment; what we would do. Corey's resolve, Corey's mettle was already known to many. As it has been said, he was a volunteer firefighter and the chief, a devoted member of his local church, a member of the armed services of America. Probably other than loving his Savior, what prgtoken he found most important in the world was being a husband to Helen and a father to Allyson and Kaylee. prgtoken We need to know why Corey is no longer with us on behalf of the American people, and we are going to find out, but that is not what this is about. This is about honoring the life and the legacy of a man who loved his family, his God, and his country, and laid down his life. prgtoken He went to the rally, expecting safety, like everybody else, but in the face of unimaginable danger, when a moment means the difference between life and death, Corey shielded his wife and his daughter, the things he loved most in this world. For that, we honor him, we pray for him, we pray for his family and his community. We also know that he exemplifies the best not only in Butler, Pennsylvania, not only in Pennsylvania and our great Commonwealth, but in the United States of America and for all of humanity. prgtoken I thank the gentleman for this time this evening. God bless Corey Comperatore and God bless his family. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,650 | 718,171 |
53,603 | 1,293,205 | M001204 | 1,219 | Daniel | Meuser | Daniel Meuser | 20,240,722 | M | 1964-02-10 | 60 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | PA | HONORING THE LIFE OF COREY COMPERATORE | . Madam , I rise as well to express my deep sympathy, and yes, eulogize a great Pennsylvanian, Corey Comperatore. I too, with my colleague, Representative Kelly, attended the rally last Saturday. Of course, it started as any rally does. People were very enthused and looking forward to the remarks of former President . prgtoken Madam , 7 or 8 minutes into the speech, the shots rang out, and many lives were changed forever. It was a tragic day that could have been worse, but for the Comperatore family, it was a tragedy that they will live with forever. prgtoken We are here this evening to honor the life, legacy, and ultimate sacrifice of Corey Comperatore. As was expressed, he was a quintessential family man, and as has been expressed, the best girl dad, as well as a dedicated public servant and true local hero. prgtoken As the Nation now knows, Corey's life was taken by the shooter, by the gunman, at the rally in Butler last Saturday. In his final moments, Corey gave his life while shielding his wife and daughter from the bullets as they rang out. prgtoken He exemplified unparalleled bravery, shielding his wife and daughter and protecting them in his last moments. His courageous act saved his loved ones from the gunfire and truly serves as a testament to his character and his dedication to others. prgtoken Corey Comperatore served his community with distinction for so many years, for decades, actually, particularly as a firefighter in Buffalo Township where he served as chief in the early 2000s. prgtoken In addition to his service as a firefighter, Corey was a 10-year veteran of the United States Army Reserves, demonstrating his commitment to our Nation and its values. prgtoken He will always be remembered by his family as a man whose life was guided by faith, saying Corey inspired those around him to live with purpose and grace. His passion for family, life, and service to others will never be forgotten. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,967 | 718,166 |
53,599 | 1,293,139 | C001108 | 1,139 | James | Comer | James Comer | 20,240,722 | M | 1972-08-19 | 51 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | KY | GUIDANCE OUT OF DARKNESS ACT | I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 890, the Guidance Out Of Darkness Act, or the GOOD Act. prgtoken Regulatory guidance includes agency statements that, while not intended to have the force and effect of law, establish agency policies on statutory, regulatory, or technical issues. Since such guidance communicates how an agency will administer a law and its programs, it has a significant effect on regulated entities. prgtoken Regulated entities and the public should know what agency guidance says about the laws and programs that affect them. However, guidance documents are not easy to find. They are not consistently posted on agency websites. prgtoken This inconsistency burdens regulated entities. It especially burdens small businesses that often lack the resources to hire compliance experts. The problem is so bad that agency guidance documents are known as ``regulatory dark matter.'' prgtoken For a brief time, the prior administration brought needed sunshine to this situation. Following the GOOD Act's passage by the House during the 115th Congress, the prior administration voluntarily adopted the bill's reforms through an October 2019 executive order after the Senate failed to act. prgtoken Under the executive order, guidance was required to become fully transparent online. Across the government, each agency was directed to make available on its website a single searchable, indexed database with links to all guidance documents in effect. prgtoken As a result, for the first time, members of the public could easily find whatever agency guidance they needed online in one central location. The order was in effect during 2019 and 2020 but has since been rescinded. prgtoken Ever since, agencies have been pulling down their guidance web pages, and guidance has once again fallen into darkness, increasing the potential for agency abuse. prgtoken This is why we need to once again pass the GOOD Act in the House and require agencies to publish their regulatory guidance in a single, easily accessible location. The American public deserves nothing less from their government. prgtoken I thank my committee colleague, Representative Ro Khanna, for cosponsoring my legislation. I especially thank the ranking member for working with my staff to strengthen the bill and helping us advance a bipartisan bill here today. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this simple and necessary transparency bill. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,458 | 718,136 |
53,601 | 1,292,995 | K000392 | 1,174 | David | Kustoff | David Kustoff | 20,240,722 | M | 1966-10-08 | 57 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | TN | THANKING ED HALEY FOR HIS LONG CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE | I rise today to honor and thank Edward ``Ed'' Gardner Haley of Shelby County for his long career of public service to west Tennessee. Now, , everyone just knows him as Ed. Ed recently announced that he is going to end his long career in public service. prgtoken Ed is a west Tennessean through and through. He grew up in north Shelby County, just outside of Millington and graduated from Millington Central High School in 1956. prgtoken Before starting his career in government, Ed spent 8 years in the United States Air Force, 4 years on Active Duty, and 4 years in the reserves. He then worked for the U.S. Postal Service, and then with DuPont. prgtoken Now, in his nearly five decades of public service to our community, he has held a lot of titles: city manager for the city of Millington, superintendent for the town of Arlington, representative in the Tennessee General Assembly, and Airman First Class in the United States Air Force. prgtoken Ed is also the proud husband to his wife, Kay, and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Also, a special shout-out to Gracie. prgtoken In 2014, Ed announced his retirement serving the town of Arlington. That was just a false alarm. Given his long history in Millington, he couldn't refuse Millington Mayor Terry Jones' offer to be the new city manager in Millington. prgtoken Millington is also home to Ed Haley. Today, he says he is retiring for good. He recently told the Daily Memphian: I am not going to quit working, but I am really retiring. prgtoken It all started in 1973 when Ed accepted a job with Shelby County government working in safety. He worked under the county's first-ever mayor, Roy Nixon, who took office in 1976. Ed served various roles in Shelby County government for 27 years, when he left to become Arlington's town superintendent. prgtoken In between all that, Ed served as Millington alderman from 1972 to 1990, and he was then elected to the State House of Representatives. Ed served three terms in the Tennessee General Assembly. prgtoken In classic Ed fashion, he agreed to stay in Arlington and lead for 3 years, but he ended up staying for 14 years. Then he returned home to Millington on, you guessed it, another 3-year contract. He stayed for 9 more years. prgtoken Ed has always had an open-door policy, and he wanted to hear from anyone and everyone that had a problem. Ed is a fix-it type of guy. In my opinion, if you looked in the dictionary under public servant, there would be a photo of Ed Haley. prgtoken Oftentimes, Ed would do whatever he needed to do, whether that was mowing a lawn for somebody or providing a meal to someone in need. Everyone who has ever met or worked with Ed has been touched by how much he truly cares about people and his community. prgtoken When Ed started this final tour in Millington, he drove around the city taking pictures and putting together a list of 52 projects he thought would improve the community. It took him a few y | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 3,000 | 718,072 |
53,588 | 1,292,975 | L000569 | 841 | Blaine | Luetkemeyer | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 20,240,722 | M | 1952-05-07 | 72 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | MO | HONORING THE MEMORY OF CHARLES BENJAMIN BASYE | I rise today to honor Charles Benjamin ``Ben'' Basye and his 43 years of dedication to serving this country. Ben served as a Navy pilot in the United States Pacific Fleet during World War II and in the Korean War. prgtoken For his time and service during World War II, Ben was awarded multiple medals including the World War II Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. In 1949, he was one of the first Navy Pilots to land a jet on a carrier. He did this in a Grumann F9F Panther Jet Fighter during the earliest stages of catapult take-off and landing operations. As a reservist, he served as a Consulting Engineer and Maintenance Officer. He retired from the Navy on his 60th birthday in 1987 at the rank of Captain. prgtoken Ben dedicated is life to improve the United States education system. Mr. Basye earned a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, to which he then served 37 years as an engineering professor in higher education. He wrote two books regarding his time in the military and education system and the values that should be upheld in these great American institutions. prgtoken Ben Basye was the embodiment of American ideals and exemplified at an extraordinary level what it means to be an American. Ben was willing to make any sacrifice, including the ultimate sacrifice, required to defend the values of the United States. prgtoken , I am thankful for the opportunity to commemorate the life and service of a proud American, Veteran, and family man, Charles Benjamin Basye. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,514 | 718,052 |
53,595 | 1,293,024 | W000821 | 1,102 | Bruce | Westerman | Bruce Westerman | 20,240,722 | M | 1967-11-18 | 56 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | AR | ROYALTY RESILIENCY ACT | such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 7377, the Royalty Resiliency Act. H.R. 7377, introduced by Congressman Hunt, addresses issues in existing law with respect to how oil and gas royalties are paid to the Federal Government. prgtoken When an oil and gas project involving a Federal lease cannot be independently developed because of other State or private assets, the Bureau of Land Management utilizes communitization agreements, or CAs. prgtoken Although the BLM is required by law to approve CAs within 120 days of receipt, the agency has failed to meet this standard, with operators experiencing wait times of up to 3 years. prgtoken Currently, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue, often referred to as ONRR, requires oil and gas operators to pay a 100 percent royalty for projects all while they await BLM approval of a CA, even if only a fraction of their project involves Federal lands or minerals. As a result, many operators end up significantly overpaying royalties while they wait years for BLM approval. prgtoken This bill provides a commonsense fix that would allow operators to pay a royalty to ONRR that is based on the apportionment in their proposed CA. prgtoken This bill would not reduce the obligation owed by companies but would prevent overpayments that unnecessarily lock up capital and create a bureaucratic mess for the Department of the Interior. Furthermore, in the rare case that a proposed royalty is found to be incorrect when a CA is approved, the bill requires the lessee to pay the government within 3 months. prgtoken I would also like to note that the Committee on Natural Resources worked with the BLM to finalize this bill, and it is supported by the Department of the Interior. prgtoken This bill will benefit operators as well as Federal and State Governments while ensuring a fair and more predictable regulatory environment. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 7377, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 2,050 | 718,087 |
53,609 | 1,293,018 | R000103 | 1,370 | Matthew | Rosendale | Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. | 20,240,722 | M | 1960-07-07 | 64 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | MT | CHARLIE DOWD VA CLINIC | I rise today to recognize, honor, and remember the extraordinary life of an American hero, Charlie Dowd, who truly embodied the Montana spirit of patriotism, courage, and hard work. prgtoken Heroes like Charlie Dowd are what make America a beacon of hope here and abroad. prgtoken Through his exemplary and selfless service to our great Nation during the attack on Pearl Harbor, at just 17 years of age, and his continued defense of our country in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea as a member of the United States Navy, Charlie undoubtedly faced the horrors of war and remained committed to defending our Nation despite uncertainty and life-threatening challenges. prgtoken Even after serving, Charlie was an active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association where he continued to provide care for his fellow veterans and was recognized as the last survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack living in Montana. prgtoken Charlie's legacy deserves to be honored, admired, and preserved. By establishing the new VA clinic in Butte to be named in his honor, we can ensure that future generations of Montanans will remember the Greatest Generation and Charlie's legacy. prgtoken Naming the facility that provides care for thousands of veterans across the Treasure State in Charlie's honor would be a worthy accolade for his bravery and service to our great Nation. prgtoken Charlie Dowd devoted his life to defending our freedoms, serving our veterans, and strengthening Montana communities. By passing this legislation today, the memory of him and his heroic acts of patriotism will be truly memorialized. prgtoken , I appreciate Ranking Member Takano's support for this legislation. I hope my colleagues will do the same. | 2,024 | 7 | 22 | 1,743 | 718,083 |
53,689 | 1,294,035 | K000399 | 1,447 | Jennifer | Kiggans | Jennifer Kiggans | 20,240,723 | F | 1971-06-18 | 53 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | VA | RECOGNIZING THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF RUSHDIE'S ATTACK | I include in the Record remarks submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his views: ``Prolific author, Salman Rushdie, with translations to more than forty languages and winner of multiple prestigious literary prizes, including the 2023 PEN Centenary Courage Award, rewards us with his latest publication, Knife (Meditations After An Attempted Murder). New York: Random House. 2024. He made news around the world when attacked at the Chautauqua Institution, in upstate New York, on August 12, 2022, by a would-be assassin who acted upon the Fatwa of a death sentence issued by Ayatollah Khomeini 33\1/2\ years earlier. The Ayatollah responded to Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses, which he deemed blasphemous against Islam. Poignantly and ironically, Rushdie was to address that fateful day on creating safe spaces in America for foreign writers in a project, ``City of asylum Pittsburg,'' initiated by Henry Reese and his wife Diane Samuels. The author's attacker was 24 years old and described by Rushdie as ``the A.'', referring derogatorily by the author to the vile attack, thus revealing his profound disgust for the attacker's both act and personality. Interestingly the author had a premonition in the form of a dream of being attacked two nights before the shaking event. Rushdie's overwhelming hurting, physically and psychologically, of the 27 seconds brutal knifing is captured in his inimitable style, ``He had reached his target, after all; his blade was entering his target's body, over and over again, and he had every reason to think he had succeeded in his endeavor and was standing on the stage of history . . . But then he was dragged off me and pinned down. His twenty-seven seconds of fame were over. He was nobody again.'' Obviously, the author's anger at his attacker who had sought to serve his God at the cost of his victim's life, is tangible. He did suffer from PTSD manifested still in weekly nightmares, and credits writing this book to his literary agent, Andrew Wylie's urging, though reluctant and thinking that his time as an author was over, while expecting the publication of his twenty-first book, Victory City. We are all better off for Rushdie's positive decision at a trying crossword. Losing one eye and enduring six weeks in two hospitals, he however retained his biting humor, ``Don't worry I'm the champion of draining fluids.'' Celebrating his ``return to the world,'' he likened his joyful leaving the hospital to becoming a US citizen in New York in 2016, though this time surrounded by tight security. Ever pondering the meaning of the knife, the tool through which he | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 3,000 | 718,687 |
53,673 | 1,294,657 | R000605 | 1,123 | Mike | Rounds | Mike Rounds | 20,240,723 | M | 1954-10-24 | 69 | 0 | 1 | Republican | sen | SD | TRIBUTE TO ELLA WATERWORTH | today I recognize Ella Waterworth, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work she has done on behalf of my office and the State of South Dakota. Ms. Waterworth is a graduate of St. Croix Falls High School in St. Croix Falls, WI. Currently, she is attending South Dakota State University, where she studies communications, political science, and public relations. Ms. Waterworth is a dedicated and diligent individual who has been devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience. She has been a true asset to my office. I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Ms. Waterworth for all of the work she has done and wish her continued success in the years to come. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 730 | 718,980 |
53,684 | 1,294,094 | F000470 | 1,367 | Michelle | Fischbach | Michelle Fischbach | 20,240,723 | F | 1965-11-03 | 58 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | MN | PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8997, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8998, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR... | my colleagues on the left have accused s of wasting time, and I take serious issue with that. s are going through the proper and transparent process to pass these appropriations bills. We are doing serious work. prgtoken I applaud my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for the work they have done and for listening to the needs of the American people. The - administration is hell-bent on imposing the radical far-left Green New Deal agenda, and they do not care how much damage they do to the country or to the economy or to the American people in the process. prgtoken The legislation under the rule today reins in reckless government spending, cuts harmful regulation, and restores independence putting us back in competition on the world stage. prgtoken As an example, the EPA spends too much of its time and resources creating new regulations to stifle the U.S. economy. When I go home to Minnesota--and I know many of the other Members hear this when they go home--I constantly hear about concerns with regulations largely due to EPA rulemaking. This includes regulations on light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, electric power plants, and the abuse of the Endangered Species Act. All of these burden businesses and consumers. prgtoken H.R. 8998 will make significant cuts to these regulations and take meaningful strides toward rightsizing our government. prgtoken I encourage my ic colleagues, particularly those in the Senate, to recognize that this legislation is the will of the people. My colleagues should take it seriously to responsibly fund our government, defend American producers, and address our Nation's debt. prgtoken My colleagues like to make it sound like s are blindly hacking away at government programs. I, for one, applaud the Appropriations Committee for taking such a thoughtful look at where we can responsibly cut spending. prgtoken The fact is that we are trillions of dollars in debt, and Americans are facing the highest inflation rates in over 40 years. Families across this country are being forced to tighten their belts. For their sake, it is time for the Federal Government to do the same. prgtoken We must put a stop to reckless government spending. My ic colleagues are not willing to do it and were not willing to do it when the minority was in control, but we are. I call upon the other side to help us get the debt under control. prgtoken , I support the rule and the underlying legislation. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 2,537 | 718,728 |
53,675 | 1,294,399 | A000375 | 1,157 | Jodey | Arrington | Jodey C. Arrington | 20,240,723 | M | 1972-03-09 | 52 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | TX | DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 | . Madam Chair, I rise to offer an amendment to defund the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services plan to expand the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge by an unprecedented 1,000 percent. prgtoken Madam Chair, think about that. We are out in the breadbasket of America, in the panhandle of Texas, Muleshoe America, and they take a 6,400-acre refuge and they want to expand it to 700,000 acres. prgtoken My chairman over here from Idaho is the only one who recognizes that we have the highest level of indebtedness in the history of our Nation, surpassing World War II. We are in relative peace and prosperity, and it is only going to get worse. The wheels are coming off. We spend almost $1 trillion to service the debt, just to pay interest, and that is going to more than double over the next decade. prgtoken We are in trouble. At $35 trillion, we are borrowing almost $8 billion a day to support this huge and ever-growing government. Like a hole in our head, the last thing we need to do is spend money to buy up more land to somehow either appease an environmental group or maybe just achieve what seems to be an odd objective of having the Federal Government own and operate a third of our land. They can't manage the land they have. prgtoken I just got back from Glacier National Park. It is beautiful. I want those parks to be managed well for wildfire management and recreational use. They are beautiful, and we are blessed. prgtoken The gentleman who runs that facility on behalf of the American people said he can't get to but 10 percent of the land, and we are trying to go 1,000 percent expansion in Muleshoe. The sandhill crane and pronghorns are not on the Endangered Species List. They are stable. prgtoken I don't understand why we are here. Let's think about the critical habitat versus human flourishing, the human habitat, and the American people habitat. prgtoken We have Social Security and Medicare, which will be insolvent in the next 10 to 15 years. Their unfunded liability combined is about $135 trillion. We have a farm bill that needs to be resourced. We have infrastructure that is crumbling. prgtoken We have a Defense Department, which is for the common defense, the first and most important job of the Federal Government, but because our debt and interest is squeezing our ability to fund our national priorities, we are now below 3 percent of investment in military for the defense of our country per GDP for the first time since prior to World War II. prgtoken Is this what my ic colleagues think is a national priority? prgtoken I mean, that is the problem with this place, is we don't prioritize. Our system of resourcing the people's government is completely irrational. We don't have to pay for anything. We don't take it out of their pockets, so they don't revolt. They would. If we took the $2 trillion that we borrow every year, they would revolt. prgtoken We ought to be able to find some waste and unnecessary spending. Maybe we | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 3,000 | 718,863 |
53,666 | 1,294,625 | B001243 | 636 | Marsha | Blackburn | Marsha Blackburn | 20,240,723 | F | 1952-06-06 | 72 | 0 | 1 | Republican | sen | TN | KOSA-COPPA (Executive Calendar) | this week the Senate is taking a historic step in the fight to protect children online by bringing the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act to the floor. prgtoken Last Congress, Senator Blumenthal and I introduced KOSA following disturbing reports that Meta leadership knew its platform Instagram is toxic to teenage girls, causing rising rates of eating disorders and mental health issues, but Meta downplayed these harms in public. prgtoken During a series of five subcommittee hearings, we heard testimony from social media companies, advocates, and parents on the repeated failures of tech giants to protect kids, to protect them from pro- suicide content, from drug dealers, from sexual predators, from eating disorder content, from human traffickers, and so much more. prgtoken For years, the Big Tech giants refused to meaningfully address these problems, but that changes with KOSA, which will finally hold them accountable. prgtoken Congress has not passed a major law to protect children online since 1998, and a lot has changed in the last 25 years. But this moment would have been impossible without the hundreds of parents, including many who have tragically lost their children to social media harms. They have traveled to Washington over the past several years to share their heartbreaking stories and to demand action to protect our children. Senator Blumenthal and I could not have accomplished this without their voices, and I want to thank prgtoken all of our friends and our allies for their work in getting this bill to the floor. One thing is certain: Moms on a Mission have always proven to be an unstoppable force, and, indeed, they are. prgtoken I also want to thank Leader Schumer, Commerce Committee Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Cruz, and our 68 Senate cosponsors for helping us get here. prgtoken Once the Senate formally passes KOSA, our work is not done. We must ensure that the House quickly passes this bill and sends it to the President's desk. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 2,014 | 718,966 |
53,667 | 1,294,050 | B001248 | 642 | Michael | Burgess | Michael C. Burgess | 20,240,723 | M | 1950-12-23 | 73 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | TX | RECOGNIZING NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY | I rise today to recognize North Central Texas College (NCTC) as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. I'm pleased to congratulate NCTC on reaching such a significant milestone in the school's history. NCTC has served the communities and citizens of Denton, Cooke, Young, and Montague counties throughout its history. It is an honor to applaud the excellent educational opportunities they have afforded the thousands of North Texas students they have taught throughout their 100 years of existence. prgtoken NCTC was founded in 1924 by Randolph Lee Clark and over the last century has undergone an eventful transformation. Established as Gainesville Junior College, the school began as an extension of the local public school system operating in 3 rooms of the Newsome Dougherty Memorial High School building in Gainesville. The school continued as Gainesville Junior College until 1954, then operated as Gainesville College from 1954 to 1961, as Cooke County Junior College from 1961 to 1974, and Cooke County College from 1974 to 1994. Beginning in 1994, the school became North Central Texas College and proudly carries that name into the present day and forward as a bastion of higher education in North Texas. prgtoken NCTC currently serves North Texas students across six campuses in Corinth, Denton, Flower Mound, Bowie, and Graham as well as the original campus in Gainesville. Its most recent location at Champions Circle in south Denton County opened in 2022, offering specialized industry training. NCTC is the oldest, continuously operating two-year college in Texas. I stand here today to celebrate the first 100 years of excellent service in education provided by North Central Texas College and look ahead to the school's continued positive impact in its next 100 years. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,832 | 718,697 |
53,677 | 1,294,340 | V000133 | 1,270 | Jefferson | Van Drew | Jefferson Van Drew | 20,240,723 | M | 1953-02-23 | 71 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | NJ | ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 | . Mr. Chair, I respect my colleague, Mr. Fleischmann, tremendously. It is one of those few times we will have to agree to disagree, but I think it is so important that we make a statement here. prgtoken There are some good things that office does, but they do so many things that we don't agree with. This is the conundrum that we always find ourselves in in Congress. In order to get a modicum of good things done, we have to vote for the whole package and the whole thing moves forward, and so many of those initiatives are not good, and that is the problem here. prgtoken Let's do this right. I believe in nuclear. I believe solar can have a role. I don't believe wind can do well, especially out in the ocean, but the point is, let the marketplace of ideas be the ones that dictate what we should do here. This office does so much that it shouldn't do, yet we are told we have to vote for this because they do a few things we agree with. I respectfully disagree. prgtoken Mr. Chair, . | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,032 | 718,839 |
53,679 | 1,294,047 | M001210 | 1,308 | Gregory | Murphy | Gregory F. Murphy | 20,240,723 | M | 1963-03-05 | 61 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | NC | HONORING GRAND MASTER BYUNG LEE | I rise today to honor a true pillar of my community, Grand Master Byung Lee of King Tiger Taekwondo in Greenville, North Carolina. Grand Master Lee recently received his ninth-degree black belt, the highest achievement in his field of martial arts. Only 1,000 worldwide and 100 individuals in the U.S. have received this rank, which qualifies him as an exceptional, unparalleled expert in his craft. I remember fondly when my sons and I studied Tae Kwon Do under him. I was always impressed by his dedication, talent, and professionalism. prgtoken The word Taekwondo can be translated as tae (``strike with foot''), kwon (``strike with hand''), and do (``the art or way''). In addition to its five tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit--all of which Grand Master Lee exhibits. The sport requires three physical skills: poomsae, kyorugi, and gyeokpa. prgtoken Grand Master Lee came to the United States from Jeonlabukdo Province, Korea in 1988 to educate about the wonderful teachings of taekwondo. In his decades of service, he has had a lasting impact on the Greenville community and his faith community. He has instilled the great virtues of mental fortitude and discipline in many lives. I am honored to extend this chamber's recognition of this esteemed individual to celebrate not only his remarkable achievements in martial arts, but his enduring legacy of inspiration and empowerment for all. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,468 | 718,695 |
53,670 | 1,294,237 | P000605 | 1,006 | Scott | Perry | Scott Perry | 20,240,723 | M | 1962-05-27 | 62 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | PA | ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 | . Madam Chair, I must disagree. The so-called Inflation Reduction Act, I don't know if anyone's keeping score, but when I go to the grocery store since the Inflation Reduction Act, prices are higher. When I go to the gas station, prices are higher. It hasn't really reduced inflation, but that is another story. prgtoken Since the Inflation Reduction Act provides approximately $11.7 billion for the loan program office to issue new loans, we are going to keep going. We are going to burden the taxpayer with the potential for these loans to go bad, and they have gone bad. prgtoken This additional funding raises significant concerns that the program will, once again, be used as a piggy bank for any administration and the Secretary to reward politically-favored industries. prgtoken Madam Chair, my bosses, my constituents, can't afford this continued grifting. We have to stop the gravy train for these failed green energy companies on the backs of taxpayers. If private industry wants to invest, God bless them, but the taxpayers shouldn't be forced to. prgtoken Madam Chair, . | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,125 | 718,794 |
53,658 | 1,294,375 | S001148 | 42 | Michael | Simpson | Michael K. Simpson | 20,240,723 | M | 1950-09-08 | 73 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | ID | DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 | . Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken I just have to respond a little bit. Cutting spending is never easy, and I did not hear from any of the people who spoke on the other side of the aisle that we have a $35 trillion deficit. That is what is endangering this country. prgtoken If we could just spend more money, I would love to address some of the problems that they say exist. They do exist. You have to make choices, and that is what we have done here. We have made choices to make sure that we fully fund PILT payments, to make sure that we fully fund our treaty responsibilities with our Native Americans, and that we take care of the wildfire pay issue that had to be done. Those are boosts in this bill. That means cuts had to come someplace else. prgtoken If you want to go find me another $20 billion to spend, we can do a lot of things. One thing we can't do by spending $20 billion more is address the $35 trillion debt that exists in this country today. prgtoken Madam Chair, . | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,060 | 718,853 |
53,662 | 1,294,649 | C001035 | 191 | Susan | Collins | Susan M. Collins | 20,240,723 | F | 1952-12-07 | 71 | 0 | 1 | Republican | sen | ME | 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF EDGECOMB, MAINE | in 1774, just 2 years before America declared its independence, a small village on the Maine coast incorporated and took the name of Lord George Edgcumbe, a British naval hero and political leader who was known as a devoted friend of the Colonies. Today, it is a pleasure to join the people of Edgecomb, ME, in celebrating the 250th anniversary of a community that is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families. prgtoken Edgecomb has a rich history. For thousands of years, the land where the Sheepscot and Damariscotta Rivers meet the sea was the hunting and fishing grounds of the Abenaki. Originally called Freetown due to the pro bono success of a Boston lawyer in defeating baseless deed challenges by land speculators, the early settlers farmed the fertile soil and put those rivers to work powering mills for grain and lumber. That early prosperity was invested in schools and churches to make a true community. prgtoken As the town grew, so did the range of industries to include brick- making, canning, tanneries, and shipyards. In addition to valuable granite, mica, and quartz, the land was found to contain rich deposits of the highest quality feldspar, used in the manufacture of fine china. Today, Edgecomb and the neighboring communities are home to ceramic artists whose work is prized by collectors around the world. prgtoken Edgecomb is home to many outstanding examples of New England architecture with several listings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the revered Edgecomb Community Church. One of the most fascinating buildings is the so-called Marie Antoinette House. In 1793, according to legend, a local sea captain named Stephen Clough planned to rescue the doomed queen and take her the stately house on the Sheepscot River that he had outfitted with the finest French decor. Tragically, she was arrested before Captain Clough could put his daring plan into action. prgtoken Perhaps the building with the greatest historical significance is Fort Edgecomb, an octagonal blockhouse built in 1808 and 1809 to protect shipyards during a time of ongoing tension with Great Britain. Crucial to the defense of New England during the War of 1812 and the Civil War, the fort is now a popular state park. prgtoken Edgecomb's historic connection to America's freedom continues today. Last year, the town, along with neighboring communities, launched a new tradition by decorating streets and roadways with more than 250 banners paying tribute to the region's veterans. prgtoken Maine is known as Vacationland, and Edgecomb perfectly fits that picture. With beautiful rivers for kayaking and canoeing, several nature preserves for hiking and wildlife-watching, along with great food and shopping, there is always something to do. The energy and planning going into the town's yearlong 250th anniversary celebration demonstrates the pride the townspeople have in their town. prgtoken Edgecomb's 250th ann | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 3,000 | 718,972 |
53,674 | 1,294,653 | E000295 | 1,132 | Joni | Ernst | Joni Ernst | 20,240,723 | F | 1970-07-01 | 54 | 0 | 1 | Republican | sen | IA | RECOGNIZING TRISTATE CURLS | as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Tristate Curls of Sibley, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Megan Gerken founded Tristate Curls in 2018 as a specialty salon to serve clients with curly and wavy hair. During her professional salon training, Megan worked in various hair salons in her home State of Minnesota, where she is a licensed cosmetologist. She graduated from the Stewart Cosmetology School in Sioux Falls and has gone to Los Angeles, New York City, and Dallas for short-term trainings to develop techniques to work on curly hair. After working in Minneapolis for 5 years, Megan and her husband moved to Sibley, IA, where she opened her own hair salon. prgtoken Tristate Curls started in a rented space in Sibley before Megan purchased prgtoken a shop on 9th Street in 2020. Currently, she is the salon's lone stylist, but that doesn't stop her from bringing her passion and dedication to work every day. She ensures every client that walks into Tristate Curls doesn't leave until they are happy with their new hair style. She also makes an effort to explain the products she uses so her customers can recreate the same style at home. Megan is committed to sharing her wealth of knowledge with the next generation of hair stylists and doesn't shy away from giving tips and advice. prgtoken In addition to running Tristate Curls, Megan works on the family farm with her husband and helps raise their cattle. Tristate Curls is an active member of the Sibley Chamber of Commerce and, in 2024, celebrated its sixth business anniversary. prgtoken Tristate Curls' commitment to providing quality, specialized care for curly and wavy hair in Sibley, IA, is commendable. I want to congratulate Megan Gerken, the Gerken family, and Tristate Curls for their continued dedication to providing beauty care to the Osceola County community. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 2,171 | 718,976 |
53,663 | 1,294,651 | C000880 | 318 | Michael | Crapo | Mike Crapo | 20,240,723 | M | 1951-05-20 | 73 | 0 | 1 | Republican | sen | ID | REMEMBERING THEODORE HOWARD | with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, we honor Theodore ``Ted'' Howard, who passed away on May 3, 2024, at the age of 76. Ted Howard, also known as ``His Good Road,'' was a strong, competent, and deeply revered leader for the Shoshone-Paiute prgtoken Tribes, a rich source of cultural history and a tremendous Tribal ambassador. prgtoken Ted was born in an extraordinary place, and to Idaho's great benefit, he, thankfully, returned in adulthood and advocated for the people of the Duck Valley Reservation. The Duck Valley Indian Reservation is nearly 289,819 acres that straddles the Idaho-Nevada State line in the beautiful and remote, high desert of Owyhee County, ID, and Elko County, NV. Approximately 1,700 of the 2,000 members of the Shoshone- Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley also live on the Duck Valley Reservation. Ted served his people admirably for decades through his roles as Tribal Chairman, from 2017 to 2021, and as the Director of Cultural Resources for 25 years for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. prgtoken Ted used his skills as a certified pilot to assist with medical emergencies and survey and protect remote Shoshone-Paiute cultural sites in the area. He has also helped overcome considerable natural resources challenges, including the Murphy Complex Fire in 2007. This enormous fire that burned an estimated more than 650,000 acres among other difficulties left the Duck Valley Indian Reservation without power for nearly 2 weeks. In a news story about the fire, he reflected, ``It was just one of those times when we had to make the best of the situation.'' This quote is emblematic of his approach. He faced difficulties with calm, resourcefulness, and strength. prgtoken From Owyhee County to Washington, DC, we valued working with Ted with his knowledge and capabilities. He was a central partner in helping the locally driven Owyhee Initiative become the law that reinforced the collaborative efforts to manage the magnificent landscape he cherished. Throughout, he worked hard to ensure the lands remain a sacred place for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. He was also instrumental in advocating the needs of the Tribes as we worked to advance the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act and, later, the legislative fix to allow the Tribes to collect interest owed from the Settlement Act. Ted led efforts of Tribes across the Great Basin working for the repatriation of their ancestors. prgtoken Ted was raised as a cowboy and was known for his skill on a horse and working with leather. He took those lessons of hard work and commitment to everything he did. He was renowned for his service to the people. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 16 and served two tours in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Ted's commitment to his heritage was evident through his service as a Sundancer, taking part in the annual summer solistic | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 3,000 | 718,974 |
53,671 | 1,294,054 | W000815 | 1,051 | Brad | Wenstrup | Brad R. Wenstrup | 20,240,723 | M | 1958-06-17 | 66 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | OH | HONORING THE CAREER OF JOHN HEMMINGS, III | I rise today to honor the career of John Hemmings, III, who is retiring as Executive Director of the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, what we in Southern Ohio know as the OVRDC, after committing 33 years of life and work to the Commission. prgtoken Starting as a Regional Planner in 1991, John has held almost every position within the Commission, serving as Executive Director since 2008. prgtoken During his time at the OVRDC, John lent his skills and talents to countless programs that helped revolutionize the Ohio River Valley, including a regional commission that coordinates a cross-governmental approach to improve the local community through infrastructure and economic development. prgtoken As a Scioto County native, John's commitment to the region has led to critical improvements in the lives of so many Ohioans. Working with him to advance the dreams and lives of so many has truly been an honor. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 939 | 718,701 |
53,669 | 1,294,105 | F000459 | 928 | Charles | Fleischmann | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | 20,240,723 | M | 1962-10-11 | 61 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | TN | ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 | such time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I am pleased to bring the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, to the floor today. prgtoken The bill provides a total of $59.2 billion to advance our commitment to national security, energy security, and economic competitiveness. prgtoken The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides $25.5 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration. The bill prioritizes nuclear weapons activities, fully funding all major stockpile modernization activities and providing additional funds for plutonium pit production and the nuclear sea- launched cruise missile. prgtoken At the Department of Energy, the bill supports programs that advance our Nation's energy security and ensure America remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation. This includes strong funding for nuclear energy, including additional funds specifically for nuclear demonstration projects; the Office of Science, including fusion energy sciences; and the full spectrum of mining production technologies to reduce our reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals. prgtoken The bill also includes a number of provisions to protect American resources and intellectual property from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries. prgtoken Funding for the Corps of Engineers totals $9.96 billion, including full funding of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund activities and the highest priority, ongoing Inland Waterways Trust Fund construction projects to ensure the safe and efficient flow of commerce. prgtoken Funding for the Bureau of Reclamation totals $1.93 billion, prioritized to projects that increase water supply and support drought resilience. This is a strong bill that builds on the work we started in fiscal year 2024. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge Members to support it, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,969 | 718,729 |
53,682 | 1,294,535 | C001039 | 1,322 | Katherine | Cammack | Kat Cammack | 20,240,723 | F | 1988-02-16 | 36 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | FL | DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 | . Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would restrict taxpayer funds from being used to finalize any rule or regulation that has resulted in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more at the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. prgtoken Under the - regime, the regulatory landscape has never been worse. Regulatory agencies within the Department of the Interior have exerted an extraordinary amount of power with very limited oversight. prgtoken My amendment seeks to change this dynamic by requiring that any major rule or regulation proposed by these agencies must be approved by Congress before it can take effect. prgtoken This means that the elected Representatives of the American people would have a direct say in the regulations that govern our natural resources and public lands. It means that the individuals who are closest to their constituents, who understand the needs and concerns of their communities, will be at the forefront of decisionmaking. prgtoken I, of course, believe that commonsense Americans would be incensed to know that in 2023 alone, the - regime ended the year by adding nearly 91,000 pages to the Federal Register of regulations. prgtoken Why should Americans care about that? Because those 91,000 pages of regulations just cost every American family over $15,000 annually. prgtoken That is right. American families now pay $15,000 more every single year for the exact same goods and services thanks to these onerous regulations, but it gets worse. Who do these hardworking families turn to to fight these new costs, these new rules, these new regulations that are dictating every aspect of our lives? Not their elected officials, no. prgtoken These expensive and expansive rules and regulations housed in those 91,000 pages, those are the doing of the nameless, faceless bureaucrats that dwell in basements all over Washington, D.C who, by the way, are not elected. Quite frankly, Mr. Chair, that should piss off every single American. prgtoken It is a slap in the face that we the people have no recourse, which is why my amendment reining in these rules and regulations is so very important. prgtoken You can and should be able to fire your elected officials. In the case of these all too powerful bureaucrats, you can't even find them, let alone stop them. This is where our amendment, the REINS Act, comes in and is so important. prgtoken Under the - regime, regulations cost more than the entire Federal discretionary budget. Let me repeat that. Under the - regime, they have added more in regulatory costs that add up to more than the entire Federal discretionary budget. prgtoken As a point of reference, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which funded government, came in at a price tag of $1.7 trillion. The - regime's price tag on their regulations was over $2 trillion with a t. prgtoken It is not just the | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 3,000 | 718,923 |
53,659 | 1,294,617 | G000386 | 103 | Charles | Grassley | Chuck Grassley | 20,240,723 | M | 1933-09-17 | 90 | 0 | 1 | Republican | sen | IA | Gaza (Executive Calendar) | I thank Senator Ernst for bringing this and continuing to bring the plight of the hostages to our attention. prgtoken I am glad to join Senator Ernst in speaking about just one of these: Edan Alexander. He grew up in Northern New Jersey. He was a champion swimmer for his high school team and a big fan of the New York Knicks. prgtoken Edan also had close ties to Israel. He was born there, had grandparents there, and had his bar mitzvah there. Still, his mother was surprised when Edan announced his senior year in high school that he wanted to postpone college and go to Israel. prgtoken Edan joined a program for young Jewish adults who want to explore serving in Israel's Defense Forces. Edan and 16 other American high school graduates, including a classmate from his high school, moved to a kibbutz in Israel. There they did 4 months of training before committing to serve in the IDF. Edan returned for a visit home in August and expected to return again in April for his brother Roy's bar mitzvah. prgtoken He was on patrol at the kibbutz on the morning of October 7. He called his mother after the Hamas terrorist attacks began. She said: I'm here. I'm with you. I love you. Just protect yourself. Just be safe. prgtoken That is the last she heard from her son. Edan needs to come home now. prgtoken . | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,370 | 718,961 |
53,660 | 1,294,628 | T000250 | 178 | John | Thune | John Thune | 20,240,723 | M | 1961-01-07 | 63 | 0 | 1 | Republican | sen | SD | Vote on Kiko Nomination (Executive Calendar) | . The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven), the Senator from Mississippi (Mrs. Hyde-Smith), the Senator from Utah (Mr. Lee), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall), the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch), the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Scott), and the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Vance). prgtoken Further, if present and voting: the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven) would have voted ``yea'' and the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) would have voted ``yea.'' | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 605 | 718,967 |
53,687 | 1,294,565 | H001096 | 1,415 | Harriet | Hageman | Harriet M. Hageman | 20,240,723 | F | 1962-10-18 | 61 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | WY | DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 | . Mr. Chair, an administration that cares about prosperity and abundance should be more concerned about the availability of food and what everyday Americans pay out of their pockets at the grocery store. prgtoken Instead, the - administration expresses concern over animal- and food-related emissions and proposes goals and regulations to address this. prgtoken I have already highlighted some of the ways that the EPA has gone after rural communities. This office will not be the eyes and ears for our rural communities. Instead, it will continue to support climate- related policies that hurt our farmers and ranchers. prgtoken The - administration has a history of adopting rules and policies suggested by international NGOs. The Federal Government, unfortunately, has a tendency to follow the poor examples of other countries by adopting terrible policies after they do, especially if it is related to this nonsense surrounding so-called climate change. prgtoken We don't need this office within the EPA. We already have to deal with the USDA. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge support of my amendment, and . | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,173 | 718,937 |
53,661 | 1,294,609 | M000355 | 188 | Mitch | McConnell | Mitch McConnell | 20,240,723 | M | 1942-02-20 | 82 | 0 | 1 | Republican | sen | KY | ISRAEL | now on another matter, tomorrow, the Capitol will welcome Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the democratically elected leader of America's closest ally in the Middle East to address a joint meeting of Congress for the fourth time. prgtoken It is a pivotal moment for the United States-Israel alliance and for Israel's war against savage Iran-backed terrorists. This is an existential conflict for Israel, but it is also a test of America's reliability and a challenge to the entire free world. prgtoken I look forward to hearing the Prime Minister's remarks. Unfortunately, some of the leaders who could learn the most from the experience of the battle-tested, duly elected leader of a sovereign democracy apparently will not be among us. prgtoken The Vice President, who traditionally presides over joint sessions of Congress, apparently can't spare the time to demonstrate even symbolic support for the only democracy in the Middle East. prgtoken Of course, Israel deserves more than symbolism. It deserves the time, space, prgtoken and material support to guarantee its security and defeat the terrorists who started this war. prgtoken But no matter how many times I say it, no matter how many of our colleagues affirm Israel's right to exist, no matter how sternly the President insists his commitment to Israel is ``ironclad,'' America's actions speak otherwise. prgtoken The administration's policy toward Israel has often compounded the challenges our ally faces. It has withheld critical military assistance and tried to micromanage Israel's military operations. prgtoken Washington have struggled to forcefully condemn the scourge of anti-Semitism and terrorist sympathy running rampant across university campuses and throughout the American left. prgtoken Instead, they have indulged the mob, engaging in grotesquely hypocritical efforts to meddle in Israeli domestic politics and call for the removal of its democratically elected leader. And this is just in the past 9 months that the Commander in Chief's failure to deter enemies of Israel and America is a debacle years in the making. The chaos fomented by Iran and its proxies across the Middle East is no surprise when you consider the seeds this administration has sown: prgtoken Desperation to return to a failed nuclear deal told Iran that it, once again, held leverage over America. Rescinding the Houthis' terrorist designation told Iran-backed groups that America isn't serious about imposing consequences for their savage violence. A humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan invited allies and adversaries alike to question America's competence and America's resolve. Failure to respond decisively to Iran-backed strikes against American personnel, interests, and partners across the region told the world's most active state sponsor of terrorism that the world's only superpower was unwilling to act like one. prgtoken Today, America and our partners are reaping the conse | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 3,000 | 718,956 |
53,685 | 1,294,177 | L000596 | 1,398 | Anna | Paulina Luna | Anna Paulina Luna | 20,240,723 | F | 1989-05-06 | 35 | 0 | 0 | Republican | rep | FL | ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 | . Mr. Chair, I want to put out there that we have been working on this for a number of years, not to mention my predecessors, both ic and , have also attempted to work on this only to really be stonewalled by the Army Corps. To have them not even respond to Members of Congress isn't going to fix the issue any time soon. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I point out that while we are legislating here in Washington, people are actually losing their homes. To demand that a property owner give up their own property rights so that the Army Corps can go and restore habitat for endangered species and then point to a policy that they haven't enforced--not to mention when we have asked for actual documentation of internal communications, they sent us redacted information because they didn't want us to know about the internal communications that they were having. prgtoken I do think that it is political. I had a bipartisan delegation come up from my home. Mayors and local community leaders met with the White House. They said this needs to be fixed, and we will help you. Do you know what? Nothing happened. prgtoken I hope that people consider supporting this. I am also concerned about taxpayer dollars, but I see our taxpayer dollars going to support basket-weaving projects in parts of the world that we don't even have an invested interest in. Frankly, when it comes down to it, I think this is a way better use. Not to mention, we also have a military purpose and focus in the State of Florida, and I think this benefits everyone net positive. prgtoken Mr. Chair, . | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,642 | 718,762 |
53,691 | 1,294,093 | M000312 | 19 | James | McGovern | James P. McGovern | 20,240,723 | M | 1959-11-20 | 64 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | MA | PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8997, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8998, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR... | the balance of my time, and I will close on our side. prgtoken , at the end of the day, it is not just about the legislation here. It is about two competing visions for America. prgtoken ' record speaks for itself. We passed the largest infrastructure bill in a generation, and my friends are falling over each other trying to take credit for infrastructure projects in their district that most of them voted against. prgtoken We passed the largest climate change bill in world history. We brought jobs back from overseas. Inflation is coming down, job growth is solid, and we are working to guarantee that all Americans have an opportunity to succeed. We are fighting for workers. We want opportunity for kids, success for families, and dignity for our seniors. We support our veterans. We want democracy to be secure at home and around the world. We have a vision for a better future and an idea on how to get there. prgtoken These bills, once again, show the s are more interested in division and taking us backwards. They have no ideas to make life better for Americans. They only have and Project 2025. That is it. That is it. prgtoken Here we are debating appropriations bills. We were supposed to be having four on the floor today. Two of them were pulled after we had a hearing in the Rules Committee, after Members testified on amendments, after legislative staff spent hours and hours and hours drafting amendments for and s, and after the Parliamentarians reviewed all these amendments to see whether they were germane or not. CBO did scores on all of them. prgtoken All this work, and they pulled it. What a colossal waste of time, and the prgtoken gentlewoman said: Well, it is the Senate . prgtoken I just have trouble following that logic. I have trouble following that logic. It makes no sense. prgtoken The bottom line is that these bad bills can't even get over the finish line. None of them are going to become law. We are wasting our time. The way this is supposed to work is we are supposed to work together, especially since it is a ic-controlled Senate and a in the White House, and you have a very slim margin here in the House for s. We should be working together to construct bills that can actually pass and that will actually help people. prgtoken Again, I had an amendment in the Rules Committee last night to bring two bills, the Financial Services appropriations bill and the Agriculture appropriations bill that we had testimony on, bring it to the floor. I think they are garbage bills the way they are written, but I had an amendment that made in order all of the amendments that were offered by and s. We didn't protect any amendments from any points of order, and we could have had a debate and hopefully made these bills better. prgtoken However, they were so bad that s did | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 3,000 | 718,727 |
53,708 | 1,294,619 | R000608 | 1,158 | Jacky | Rosen | Jacky Rosen | 20,240,723 | F | 1957-08-02 | 66 | 1 | 1 | Democrat | sen | NV | Gaza (Executive Calendar) | . Thank you, Senator Ernst. I appreciate it. prgtoken , 291 days--that is how long it has been since families of those being held hostage by Hamas have not been able to hug their loved ones--291 days, 9\1/2\ months of not being able to rest, to sleep, to breathe; 9\1/2\ months of heartbreak; 9\1/2\ months of agony beyond imagination. prgtoken I have met with these families in Israel and here in the Capitol many times since October 7, and my heart is shattered with each and every single conversation. And each time I met with them, their ask is clear: that we, the United States and the international community, do everything we can to help them reunite with their loved ones. Their resilience, their strength, their perseverance--it is nothing short of extraordinary. prgtoken Hostages who survived and have been released have shared stories about their inhumane treatment--being kept in dark tunnels with little to no food to eat, some even being tortured, not knowing if they would live or die, not seeing the light of day, and, surely, not knowing if they would ever see their beloved families again. prgtoken We have also seen evidence of Hamas's use of sexual violence both on prgtoken and after October 7, including women who were raped in captivity. prgtoken While some hostages have been reunited with their loved ones in the last few months, there are still families, including those of eight Americans held hostage by Hamas--still held hostage by Hamas--who have yet to be whole again--yet to be made whole again, and we will not forget them--291 days. prgtoken And there are families whose ability to see or hug their loved ones have been taken away forever--forever--by Hamas terrorists, their loved ones having died at the hands of those terrorists, like the family of Itay Chen. prgtoken I met with Itay's father, Ruby, just days after the October 7 terrorist attack. As a mother, as a Jew, and as a human being, my heart broke when hearing about Itay's story and the unimaginable pain his parents are carrying. They are with us here in the Capitol today. prgtoken I want to apologize. I am sorry I have to give this speech. I know how much you loved your son. prgtoken Itay was multitalented, fun-loving, a Boy Scout who played basketball. He was an American who served in the Israeli Defense Forces and was only 19 years old when Hamas launched its brutal terrorist attack on October 7, when Hamas murdered him. prgtoken For months, we didn't know about Itay's condition, whether he was held hostage or even if he was alive. We held out hope. We held out hope. But the unimaginable heartbreak of going through this nightmare, it didn't stop Ruby. It never stopped Ruby. prgtoken He has come to Congress multiple times to remind us of our responsibility to his son and to all of the hostages being held by Hamas. His strength--your strength, Itay's parents--and resilience is an inspiration to us all. prgtoken Earlier this year, we learned It | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 3,000 | 718,962 |
53,706 | 1,294,034 | G000559 | 859 | John | Garamendi | John Garamendi | 20,240,723 | M | 1945-01-24 | 79 | 1 | 0 | Democrat | rep | CA | HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. JANE BARTKE | I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of Mrs. Jane Bartke. Mrs. Bartke, who passed away at the age of 86, leaves behind an indelible legacy of service to our country and Contra Costa County. prgtoken A longtime resident of El Cerrito, California, Mrs. Bartke's commitment to her community inspired her to serve in the California Public School System for over thirty years. Throughout her career in education, Mrs. Bartke served as a teacher, counselor, and Department Chair for West Contra Costa Unified School District. She consistently demonstrated a steadfast dedication to her students, and her wisdom and compassion undeniably changed the California education system for the better. prgtoken Mrs. Bartke's commitment to her community extended beyond her critical efforts as an educator. She also served on the El Cerrito City Council, as Mayor of El Cerrito, and as President of the Trust for the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. Mrs Bartke's public service was characterized by her selflessness, advocacy for the people of El Cerrito, and commitment to the empowerment of women. prgtoken Mrs. Bartke exemplified the spirit of altruism in all areas of her life. She will be remembered not only for her decades of service to California students and teachers, but also for her genuine spirit of kindness and compassion. She leaves behind an everlasting mark on countless students, fellow teachers, and the El Cerrito community. prgtoken Mrs. Bartke's enduring spirit will live on in her husband, two daughters, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mrs. Bartke's loved ones I know that they, along with the people of Contra Costa County, join me in celebrating her life and legacy. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 1,827 | 718,686 |
53,692 | 1,294,612 | D000563 | 100 | Richard | Durbin | Richard J. Durbin | 20,240,723 | M | 1944-11-21 | 79 | 1 | 1 | Democrat | sen | IL | Trump Rally Shooting (Executive Calendar) | I heard the remarks a few minutes ago of the leader of the Senate, and I wanted to respond because he referred to our Senate Judiciary Committee. What happened in Butler, PA, the attempted assassination of former President , was shocking and unacceptable conduct on the part of those who were authorized and responsible for his safety. prgtoken There is no question in my mind that there is a bipartisan feeling that we may have our differences on issues and other matters, but when it comes to the protection of all elected officials, particularly in this case a former President of the United States, we should all put the resources necessary and strategy necessary to keep them safe at all times. Thank God , whom I disagree with on many issues, survived that experience. It would have been horrible for this Nation and for his family if the wind had changed a little bit. He was 1 inch away from losing his life. Let's be honest about it. prgtoken How in the world did that happen? With all of the law enforcement and all of the Federal officials present, what went wrong? Well, the former Director, who resigned today, said that there was a failure, and she accepted responsibility for it. I think we have to get more information as this case develops, but we want to do it in an orderly fashion. prgtoken The House hearing yesterday was the beginning; 5 hours of testimony that revealed some things, but clearly not enough when it comes to what happened on that day. And the decision at the Senate level has been the subject of bipartisan cooperation from the start. prgtoken There is nothing partisan about this issue. There shouldn't be. And for anyone to suggest that we are not responding to the needs of the Nation to learn valuable information, Senator McConnell is just wrong. And I invite him to reach out to the leaders and the committees affected--the HSGAC committee as well as the Judiciary Committee--and he will learn that we have been working on a hearing for next week, which is the last week we are in session before the ic National Convention. And we are going to do our best to get the witnesses there who will produce the information so we learn more about it. prgtoken This has been a bipartisan effort from the start, and it should be. It should be all the way. There is no partisanship involved in the security and safety of elected officials. It is a bipartisan, nonpartisan issue, and we have to do everything in our power to keep people safe. So I am hoping that Senator McConnell will reach out to the staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the HSGAC committee, to realize that we are working on that hearing next week as we should. | 2,024 | 7 | 23 | 2,776 | 718,957 |
Subsets and Splits