Gateway Solidarity Act

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7002, sponsored by my Republican colleague, Ann Wagner of Missouri, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to illuminate the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, in blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Throughout the world, international landmarks have been illuminated in blue and yellow as a sign of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

These landmarks include the Kennedy Center, Niagara Falls, the Sydney Opera House, the Empire State Building, the Seattle Space Needle, and the Eiffel Tower.

In 2004, Congress enacted legislation requiring the Secretary of Interior to illuminate the Gateway Arch with pink lights in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October.

In 2015, the Gateway Arch was illuminated gold to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Most recently, in 2020, the Gateway Arch was illuminated purple and gold to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

The Gateway Solidarity Act, as amended, would require the Secretary of the Interior to illuminate the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, in blue and yellow lights for 5 days following enactment, and annually on August 24th, in recognition of Ukrainian Independence Day, until the President reports to Congress that Russia has ceased its hostilities against Ukraine.

I thank Representative Wagner for sponsoring this bill. The bill's sponsor regrets that she was unable to be here today due to weather delays.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7002) to authorize the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, to be illuminated by blue and yellow lights in support of Ukraine, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7002, the Gateway Solidarity Act, to illuminate the St. Louis Gateway Arch in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

As we know, Russian president Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and since then, the country and its people have experienced the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II--a conflict consisting of Russian attacks that have leveled Ukrainian cities, caused civilian casualties, and sparked an enormous refugee crisis.

Introduced by my colleague across the aisle, Representative Ann Wagner, this bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to illuminate the Gateway Arch in the colors of the Ukrainian flag to show that we, in the United States, are behind Ukraine, sending a message to our friends and allies in Europe and across the globe that the American people are supportive of a sovereign Ukrainian nation.

I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7002 and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7002, the Gateway Solidarity Act, which would authorize the illumination of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, by blue and yellow lights for a certain period of time to show support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

It has been five months since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the relentless pain caused to the Ukrainian people has not subsided.

Families are being separated by war, adults and children are being ruthlessly killed, and a rogue Russia is violently crushing political speech from its own citizens who oppose the war.

The threat and aggression by Russia has persisted despite global resistance.

This act of aggression on the part of Russia creates instability in the region and places at risk the over 70 years of global peace that followed World War II.

The lives of all Ukrainians matter at this moment, and we must do what we can while we can to stop Russia's assault on the people of Ukraine and its democratically elected government.

As President Biden so aptly stated, ``We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country or stand by as Russia continues its atrocities and aggression.''

The United States must continue to support Ukraine during their time of war.

I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 7002, the Gateway Solidarity Act.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people during their darkest hour.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 9 of House Resolution 1232, I move to suspend the rules and pass, H.R. 1286, H.R. 2024, H.R. 3222, H.R. 6337, and H.R. 7002.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.