Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend Luis Quintana, the Councilman at Large in the City of Newark, New Jersey. Councilman Quintana is being honored as the Grand Marshall of this year's Puerto Rican Day Parade on September 18, 2022. Luis is a dedicated public servant and inspiring role model for the Puerto Rican community and the people of Newark who has served on the City Council for 28 years. Born in Anasco, Puerto Rico, Luis moved to Newark, NJ when he was seven years old. He faced challenges as he found himself in a new city where his classmates spoke a different language, but he overcame them and went on to graduate from Barringer High School before attending Seton Hall University. Luis became an advocate for Newark's youth, believing that all students deserved access to the same quality education regardless of background. At the same time, he was actively involved in the community, becoming a member of the Democratic County Committee in 1981 before serving as Deputy Mayor from 1986 to 1994. In 2013, Luis broke boundaries when he became the first Hispanic Mayor of Newark, NJ. I could continue to list his many accomplishments, but I think the most important one is a goal he set himself during his time as Mayor. Luis said in an interview that his ``only mission is to make Newark a better place'' and he has undoubtedly done just that. His work has benefitted the many New Jerseyans who call Newark home, and he is a role model for the Puerto Rican community. I am proud to call Councilman Luis Quintana a colleague and friend.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor and co-author of House Resolution 760, which demonstrates the United States' firm commitment to standing with the Cuban people.

On July eleventh, we witnessed an awakening in Cuba. It began in San Antonio de los Banos, just ten miles from Bejucal, the town where I was born, and then spread to over sixty towns and cities throughout Cuba. The Cuban people rose up and spoke with one voice to call for freedom. Cubans risked their lives by demonstrating against this repressive regime.

As members of the United States Congress, we must make clear that we stand with them. Many Cubans have paid a steep price for their courage. More than seven hundred people were detained or forcibly disappeared in the wake of the protests. This regime showed its true colors, firing live ammunition into crowds and using beatings, arbitrary arrests, and torture to try to stop people from protesting. It blocked internet access to prevent Cubans from communicating with each other and with the world. But I believe that the Cuban people can and will prevail.

These protests, while historic, did not emerge from thin air. For more than sixty years, the Cuban people have endured unspeakable suffering. But as the regime has expanded its repression to go after not just dissidents but also artists and academics and bloggers, a new generation of Cubans has shown its creativity and bravery. The San Isidro movement, which came together in response to a decree aimed at censoring artistic expression, has unlocked something very powerful. By bringing together artists, academics, and Cubans from all walks of life, the leaders of the San Isidro movement have shown the power of collective action to strip away the veneer that the regime tries to present to the world. Underneath the propaganda and the myths, we see a fragile and failed dictatorship that can only hold onto power through repression, corruption, and cronyism. The brutal treatment of the Associated Press journalist Ramon Espinosa showed just how desperate this regime is to hide the reality in Cuba from the rest of the world.

That desperation is the reason why the regime is now prohibiting planned protests for November 15th. The regime is threatening those who plan to demonstrate that they will face severe repercussions, even though they are merely asking to express themselves peacefully, as is their fundamental right.

The question before the U.S. Congress is whether we will answer the call of the Cuban people. Will we acknowledge them and say ``we see you, we hear you, and we are with you''? I hope the answer is yes.

As many of my colleagues know, I left Cuba at the age of eleven. Ever since then, I have never given up hope that one day Cuba would become a democracy. I will never stop fighting to help the Cuban people become free.

I thank my good friends, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and Congressman Diaz-Balart, for their leadership. And I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to address S. 1064, the Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform Act of 2021, or the RENACER Act. I introduced the House version of the RENACER Act in April with Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, Ranking Member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Mark Green, and Reps. Deutch, Wasserman Schultz, Murphy, and other bipartisan colleagues. This bill builds on the Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act of 2018, or the NICA Act, and expands the United States' toolbox to address the challenges to democracy faced in Nicaragua. Congress passed the NICA Act in 2018 in the aftermath of Ortega's brutal crackdown of protesters that year. Since 2018, the Ortega regime's criminalization of dissent has only continued; and since I introduced RENACER in April, the regime arrested almost 40 opposition figures, including eight possible presidential candidates.

Madam Speaker, today, I recognize and congratulate Lamont Repollet's installation as the 18th leader of Kean University. He has been a dear friend for many years, and I believe he is an excellent choice to take on the role of President of Kean University.

Lamont Repollet has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to educating students in New Jersey. He started as a teacher and coach in an urban area, an experience we share and one that has informed his entire career. As a principal and then superintendent, he implemented many initiatives including those focused on closing the opportunity gap, increasing graduation rates, and creating new leadership and literacy programs.

He brought his dedication to equity and opportunity to the state level as Commissioner of Education and applied everything he learned in his prior roles toward improving our education system. He did this while tackling the immense challenge of restructuring student learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lamont Repollet has broken barriers as the first Black principal of Carteret High School, the first Black Commissioner of Education of the State of New Jersey, and now, the first Black president of Kean University, where he has deep ties. As an alumnus and former member of the Board of Trustees, he has knowledge of, and a commitment to, the students, faculty, and community.

Madam Speaker, I know that he will work hard to create new opportunities for students while creating an environment in which everyone can flourish. It is my great honor to recognize this milestone for Lamont Repollet and Kean University and I know that there are great things ahead.

Madam Speaker, it is nice to see our colleague back, ready for the fight. It is nice to have him back.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak in favor of the INVEST in America Act today. This type of investment in our country's surface transportation is long overdue.

The American Society of Civil Engineers has rated our infrastructure a C-minus and said that we will need additional $2.6 trillion over the next decade to make the needed upgrades and repairs.

In New Jersey, drivers lose an average of $713 per year from driving on our roads, and 7.8 percent of our bridges are structurally deficient.

The INVEST in America Act will deliver $343 billion for roads, bridges, and safety; $109 billion for transit; and $95 billion for freight and passenger rail.

Beyond improving our surface transportation networks, this bill will make crucial investments to reduce carbon pollution and increase climate resiliency.

I also want to thank Chairman DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves for including funding for Member Designated Projects in the INVEST in America Act, which will deliver necessary resources to communities in a transparent and accountable fashion.

My district will receive critical funding for projects to connect pedestrians with transit, improve roadway safety, construct a ferry terminal, and improve drainage systems and traffic signals.

This bill is a win for New Jersey and a win for our country. We have costly needs, and the INVEST in America Act meets them.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the West New York School Nutrition Service Department and Nu-Way Concessionaires for serving the West New York, New Jersey, community throughout the pandemic.

Nu-Way Concessionaires was founded in 1958 by a longtime West New York resident, Joseph Pantaleo, who sadly passed away in December at the age of 90. Joe understood the importance of giving back to his community and fully embodied the spirit of service.

It is in this light that I wish to recognize the West New York School Nutrition Service Department, managed by Nu-Way, which has provided over three million free meals to the West New York community since the beginning of the pandemic and will continue providing meals throughout this summer.

Free breakfast and free lunch have been provided every day, including weekends, and have provided a lifeline during a turbulent and uncertain year.

I would also like to commend Sal Valenza and Jose Sabater and their 21 employees who have worked tirelessly every day for their community to ensure students have access to healthy and locally sourced meals.

Madam Speaker, our country is reeling from a pandemic that has left over half a million people dead, caused millions to lose their jobs, and forced millions more to stay home. Throughout the past year of strife, one group of people has carried the burden of the pandemic in order to protect our communities. Our nation's first responders have continued to put themselves in harm's way to care for others.

I applaud all the brave first responders in New Jersey's 8th District; our brave policemen, firefighters, and healthcare workers, but I would like to give special mention to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps. This all volunteer ambulance corps marks their 50th anniversary on Sunday, February 28, 2021. For 50 years the volunteers of this unit have served as a volunteer Emergency Management Services (EMS) unit and have covered most of Hoboken's calls for ambulance and EMS services.

There are 150 volunteers in this corps, with 10 ambulances and emergency vehicles fielding over 5,000 emergency calls each year, and over 400,000 total since their founding. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, volunteers from the corps have been working tirelessly to continue providing emergency services and transportation to the residents of Hoboken even in the face of a severe health crisis. This exemplifies the commitment that these volunteers have to their community, striving to help others even when presented with grave challenges.

The Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps has maintained their commitment to excellence prior to COVID-19 as well. In 2012, when the deadly superstorm Sandy ravaged most of New Jersey and the Northeast, the Corps jumped into action despite sustaining damage to their headquarters and multiple vehicles. They helped evacuate patients from Hoboken University Medical Center, which was damaged by flooding, and establish a field hospital in the gym of Stevens Institute of Technology.

These are two notable examples of the heroism displayed by the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps, but there are countless other stories outlining their positive impact on our community. As the corps celebrates 50 years of service, I commend them for the important work they do in our community. Hoboken, Hudson County, myself, and countless others across the 8th District thank them for their service and dedication, and look forward to the next 50 years of service they will provide to our grateful community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of this much-needed relief package. The American Rescue Plan will help millions of people who are struggling in every community in our Nation as a result of the pandemic. It sends direct aid to those who need it most, boosts vaccination efforts, provides a lifeline for small businesses, helps kids get back to school safely, and much more.

As many of my colleagues have mentioned, the American people-- Democrats and Republicans alike--support this critical aid. I hope that my colleagues will join me in passing this important bill and sending relief to those who need it.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a critical tool that we can use to provide relief to millions of Americans by passing President Biden's American Rescue Plan.

COVID-19 has impacted every corner of our Nation, taken loved ones from us, sickened millions more, shuttered small businesses, and pushed hardworking families into dire straits.

As we look at the toll this pandemic has taken, we must pass an aggressive, large-scale response. We cannot continue in piecemeal relief that falls short of addressing the needs of communities in every congressional district.

By setting a reconciliation framework across numerous House committees, we can craft a plan that will expand testing and vaccination efforts; extend critical lifelines for those who have lost their job; support schools, local small businesses, and first responders; and send direct aid to those who are struggling.

The burdens that our Nation has endured over the last year are far too high for continued inaction, and I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Martin Luther King, Jr. program in Colombia and to recognize the tremendous leadership of my friend and colleague from New York, Congressman Greg Meeks.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. program is a modest project funded by the United States Agency for International Development. It provides scholarships to outstanding Afro-Colombian and indigenous students to learn English as a second language and receive leadership training. The program began in 2006 and has supported over 370 students.

While leading a bipartisan delegation to Colombia in April, Congressman Meeks and I, along with five of our colleagues, had the opportunity to meet with young people participating in the program and hear firsthand the impacts this program has had on their community.

The students told us how their experience with the MLK program went far beyond just learning English. They have developed important leadership skills, which they have used to launch successful community improvement projects and to become role models in their neighborhoods.

They told us how the program fosters an environment in which the students learn from one another about how to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I want to recognize my good friend and colleague, Congressman Meeks, who led the effort to establish this program back in 2006. While in Colombia last month, Mr. Meeks spoke passionately to the students about how they are the future of Colombia. Thanks in no small part to Mr. Meeks' efforts, that future now looks very bright.

Congressman Meeks' leadership has been essential, not only to the success of this program, but to supporting Colombia's democratic progress over the last two decades and strengthening the U.S.-Colombia partnership. His tireless dedication to the underserved communities has been critical, and I am proud to serve alongside him.

While there is still a great deal of work to be done, Congressman Meeks has helped the Colombian Government establish a society based on the rule of law.

He has worked to ensure that the voices of Afro-Colombians and other historically marginalized populations are heard. He has helped inspire a new and more diverse generation of leadership.

I look forward to seeing the continued impact of this tremendous effort. I am hopeful that these Martin Luther King, Jr., scholars will become leaders not only in their communities but of their country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Meeks for his hard work, his passion, and his dedication to educating, inspiring, and supporting leaders of tomorrow.

Madam Speaker, today I recognize the significant contribution of the Head Start Program in promoting school readiness and overall success for some of the most vulnerable children in our communities. On May 18, 2019, Head Start will celebrates its 54th year of strengthening children and families and this year, the Early Head Start program also celebrates its 25th anniversary.

In New Jersey alone, there are currently twenty-six Head Start Programs and twenty-

nine Early Head Start Programs, with over 15,000 combined funded slots for these two programs. In addition to providing academic programming, Head Start also provides critical health and nutrition programs, as well as support services that help many families work their way towards economic stability.

I am proud to support the important work of Head Start in providing children and families within the 8th District of New Jersey every opportunity to succeed.

Madam Speaker, according to the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus impacts an estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people globally. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects young women, particularly women of color, and can be characterized in part by swelling, fatigue, hair loss, chronic pain, fever, sores, cognitive impairment, and kidney problems.

On World Lupus Day, it is important to renew our commitment to finding a cause and cure for this often-debilitating disease. The United States is home to some of the world's leading medical research institutions, and continued investment in these research efforts is essential to groundbreaking discoveries that will allow individuals suffering from incurable diseases, such as lupus, to live more comfortable, disease-free lives.

I am happy to bring a greater awareness to this disease and hope that the international community can work in coordination towards gaining a better understanding of the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for lupus patients around the world.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the essential role the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad plays in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our communities as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of their founding. Started in May 1969, the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad currently has thirty active members and provides free life-saving emergency medical services to Weehawken and the surrounding communities in my district.

The Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad is Hudson County's longest serving volunteer EMS organization and has responded to emergencies of community and national attention, including the World Trade Center Attacks, the landing of Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, and Hurricane Sandy. Furthermore, the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad continues to give back to the communities it serves through regular CPR and First Aid training to residents.

I am grateful to the men and women of the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad who volunteer their time and skills in dedication to the safety of the 8th District and commend them on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2002) to foster security in Taiwan, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2002, the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019.

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

I rise in strong support of H.R. 2002, the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019.

Last month, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, so it is fitting that we are standing here today to bring two important measures to the floor, including this one, to affirm the unwavering, bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan.

Taiwan serves as a steadfast and significant partner to the United States, not just in the Indo-Pacific, but also around the world. It makes substantial contributions to the international community by tackling global challenges, from combating terrorism to promoting public health; and it holds close the values we cherish the most, standing as a beacon of democracy in Asia.

However, over the years, China has attempted to weaken Taiwan's standing in the world. It has restricted Taiwan's access to international organizations and poached its diplomatic allies, and it has attempted to shape the way the United States conducts its relationship with Taiwan, a dynamic we have, regretfully, allowed.

We must not--we cannot--stand for this. We cannot sit idly by and allow one of our most valued democratic partners to be sidelined on the world stage. It is time to revisit the guidelines we use in the conduct of our relationship with Taiwan and ensure that the United States is doing all it can to fulfill our commitments to Taiwan.

That is why I am proud to support and cosponsor the Taiwan Assurance Act. This measure asks the State Department to take a closer look at self-imposed guidelines we follow with Taiwan and assess them based on merit, not on what would appease China.

As proud co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, I strongly support the passage of H.R. 2002, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I urge my colleagues to support this measure. This is an important bill that demonstrates our historical bipartisan support for Taiwan, and so, as co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, I strongly promote the immediate passage of H.R. 2002.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 273) reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 273, reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.

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

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 273, reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Signed into law four decades ago, the Taiwan Relations Act marked the first and most significant act of support for Taiwan by Congress. It unequivocally demonstrates our support to Taiwan. Along with the Six Assurances, this act remains the bedrock of our deep partnership with Taiwan.

With the support of this landmark piece of legislation and in the 40 years since, the United States has deepened security, economic, and people-to-people ties with Taiwan. Our two nations have worked together to maintain peace, security, and stability in the Pacific through our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Unfortunately, China seeks to diminish Taiwan's presence on the world stage. We must fully use the tools at our disposal to fight back against these efforts.

It is important that Congress must do what we can to honor our commitment to Taiwan. That is why I have long been a proud co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus and why I support this measure.

H. Res. 273 reaffirms our commitment to the people of Taiwan, encourages high-level engagement as called for in the Taiwan Travel Act, promotes Taiwan's meaningful engagement in international organizations, and calls to deepen cultural ties.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and would inquire through the Speaker if my colleague has any remaining speakers on his side.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, H. Res. 273, reaffirming our commitments made to Taiwan 40 years ago and strengthens our ability to fulfill them.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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