Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Keiser University men's swimming team and their coach Adam Epstein on winning the 2019 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national title.

Coach Esptein leads by example. His dedication to Keiser University and its swimming program is truly commendable. Not only has Coach Esptein been named Coach of the Year for the second time, since forming his team in 2017, but in just three seasons he has led the Seahawks to two NAIA national titles.

This year's championship team had many standout swimmers. Junior Marcel Nagy won three events and was named the NAIA Swimmer of the Year. Freshman Pol Roch won the 500 meter free-style and set a national record in winning the 400 meter individual medley. Lukan Macek and Joel Hannson made their teammates proud with their respective performances in the 200 breaststroke, and Jan Suchan won his third national championship in the 100 meter breaststroke. The Seahawks won all five relays in the competition and totaled 622 points to win the national title.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate Dr. Arthur and Mrs. Belinda Keiser, the Keiser University Seahawks' Swim Team, and Coach Adam Epstein on this momentous win. It is my distinct honor to be the University's representative in Congress. I wish Keiser University and its swimming program many more years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today to recognize the Palm Center on the occasion of their 20th anniversary. Founded in 1998 by the University of California, Santa Barbara, the Palm Center conducts policy research on key social and political issues affecting the most vulnerable Americans. For 20 years, the Palm Center has been a trailblazer in efforts to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members. The organization has worked diligently against the discriminatory ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' (DADT) policy, which prohibited service members of the LGBT community from disclosing their sexuality while serving.

The Palm Center's independent research has enhanced the quality of public dialogue and contributed to the work of independent scholars, students, journalists, members of the public, and policymakers, like myself. In 2009, the Palm Center's research was a welcomed resource that allowed me to introduce the Open and Honest Testimony Act. This legislation addressed the discriminatory DADT policy by allowing LGBT troops to testify openly without the risk of discharge and ensured that Congress based its decision on the best possible information.

In 2013, the largest collection of research on DADT policy was published in the Journal of Homosexuality. This publication was composed of the work of Palm Center scholars, as well as reviews of the literary works of Palm Center authors. The Palm Center was the first to release a study on openly gay military service members following the repeal of DADT. Even after its repeal, the Palm Center has continued its work against other anti-LGBT military policies.

The Palm Center's current research focuses on transgender military service. This research comes at a pivotal time when President Trump's Administration threatens the ability of transgender men and women to serve in our military. The Palm Center's scholarship has made it abundantly clear that the transgender ban would weaken our military readiness, cause substantial disruptions, deprive the military of talent, and wreak havoc on the lives of military families. The research the Palm Center is conducting is crucial to negating the misinformation and belittling rhetoric the Trump Administration continues to engage in regarding our brave transgender service members.

Madam Speaker, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Palm Center on its 20th anniversary. The work they are doing to provide the public with accurate and evidence-based information is invaluable to us all. I look forward to continuing my work with the Palm Center, and wish them many more years of great success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Blanche Ely boys' basketball team and their coach Melvin Randall on their 57-52 victory to claim its second straight Class 8A boys basketball state championship at Lakeland's RP Funding Center on March 9, 2019.

Coach Randall's dedication to Blanche Ely High School and its basketball program is truly commendable. Before the game, Coach Randall provided the team the same piece of advice he always does: ``piece by piece''. The All-USA Boys Basketball Coach of the Year and Broward County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee led his team by example, providing them with the courage, resilience, and wisdom needed to win.

The Blanche Ely boys' basketball team would not be a success without their tremendous commitment to the sport. Senior Joshua Scott will be the first player in the program's history to win four back-to-back state titles. Aderes Stanton-McCray also was critical to his team's win. His block brought the team back into the lead in what Coach Randall described as the ``play of the game''.

I would also like to recognize the entire Tiger basketball team, which includes: Tyrecke Francois, Jayden Fye, Daniel Merrius, Eric Guerrier, Aderes Staton-McCray, Javier Zapata, Jeremiah Mathieu, Jair Copeland, Derrick Lovett, Joshua Scott, Malachi Hazelton, Lance Rainer, Javon Williams, Lamont Evans, Colby King, and Bryson Williams.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Principal Dr. Karlton O. Johnson for his outstanding leadership of Blanche Ely High School, as well as Coach Melvin Randall, and the entire Blanche Ely boys' basketball team. They had a tremendous season and should be extremely proud of themselves. I wish the Blanche Ely High School and their basketball program many more years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Teacher Victims' Family Assistance Act of 2019. It is well known that this country faces a gun violence epidemic. In fact, in the 2018 school year alone, there were 24 school shooting incidents. This is the highest annual number of school shootings in recent history, averaging out to one school shooting incident every seven and a half school days. The pain and heartache that result from this tragic and needless loss of life sends shockwaves through our communities, but especially through the families left behind. Today, our teachers must contend with not only the awesome responsibility of preparing our children for bright and meaningful futures, but also with protecting them from the very real threat of active shooters and others wishing to harm our children and grandchildren. Too often, the teachers themselves are casualties in this epidemic, leaving the families of the slain teachers, many with small children, unprepared financially.

The Teacher Victims' Family Assistance Act of 2019 directs the Secretary of Education to provide assistance to the immediate family members of K-12 teachers who are killed during their performance of duties at a public or private school. This bill provides victims' families with funeral assistance; a death benefit payment to the surviving spouse, dependent child, or other next of kin; monthly living assistance for the surviving spouse; and undergraduate education assistance for each dependent child.

In time, it is my sincere hope that the need for the crucial assistance provided by this measure will not be necessary as fewer and fewer families are forced to cope with the sudden, tragic loss of a loved one at school. However, until that time, we must do all we can for our dedicated and hardworking teachers and their families, and that is exactly the spirit with which this legislation is put forward.

Madam Speaker, I urge this body to expeditiously pass this measure. Doing so will reaffirm America's solidarity, gratitude, and support for our nation's dedicated educators, who work tirelessly on behalf of our children.

Madam Speaker, I enthusiastically rise today to honor the Dillard High School Lady Panthers girls' basketball team and their coach Marcia Pinder on winning their 10th state championship on March 2, 2019 with a 43-40 win against Ponte Vedra Nease at George W. Jenkins Arena.

Coach Pinder leads by example. Her dedication to Dillard High School and its basketball program is truly commendable.

Under Coach Pinder's tutelage, the Dillard girls basketball team has consistently been recognized for being among the best in their sport.

In this year's game, Genovea Johnson and Raven White, two senior stars on the team, helped carry the Lady Panthers to victory. They both have had the unique experience of attending Dillard since they were in middle school.

I would also like to recognize the entire Lady Panthers team, which includes: Markhyia Davis, Briah Christia, Chynna Mattair, Kayla Burrows, Sequoia Emmanuel, Angel Howell, Genovea Johnson, Kintaeja Ling, Taja Stephens Aryanna Boyce, Monique Harris, Raven White, and Marcus Harris.

Madam Speaker, I am so very proud of the Dillard High School Lady Panthers girls' basketball team. They had a tremendous season and should be extremely proud of themselves. I wish Coach Pinder and the entire team many more years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Outpatient Mental Health Care Act of 2019.

Medicare Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) provide a structured and clinically intensive alternative to hospitalization for patients who otherwise might require sustained inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. PHP psychiatric patients typically receive four to six hours of treatment per day, five to six days a week in hospital-based settings and community mental health centers. However, the severity of a patient's illness often prevents that individual from obtaining or seeking transportation to a PHP facility, or from accessing high quality food. Additionally, some psychiatric medications that are prescribed to the patient cannot be safely administered without food.

Currently, Medicare does not cover the costs of nutritional planning, meals or transportation for patients who receive psychiatric treatment in PHP programs. Therefore, PHP facilities are responsible for the cost of providing food and transportation. This exacerbates financial burdens that many PHPs and countless other community organizations are experiencing in these difficult economic times.

Medicare also does not provide for vocational counseling. However, this counseling provides a direction for patients that they might not find on their own. Therefore, vocational counseling is vital for individuals while they work through their treatment allowing them to set employment goals and develop a plan to meet those goals.

Madam Speaker, my bill will require Medicare to reimburse PHPs for providing transportation, food, nutritional services and vocational counseling. The bill also establishes a Behavioral Health Advisory Committee in which a diverse group of behavioral health stakeholders would examine and provide recommendations on how to address the persisting challenges of access, stigma, quality and operability in the mental health delivery system.

PHPs are a cost effective alternative that can prevent mentally ill individuals from facing expensive inpatient care, incarceration, or institutionalization. The growing role of mental health PHPs in our health care system requires that we amend the law to assist PHPs in delivering the services, care and support to those who are living with severe and chronic mental illness.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critically important legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, that I have offered with my good friend from my neighboring district, Congressman Ted Deutch.

Mr. Chair, the right to vote is sacred and fundamental. Yet across this country, in particular in my home State of Florida, voters were denied their right to vote because of penmanship.

In the wake of the 2018 midterms, Florida's signature matching law was deemed unconstitutional because it allowed county election officials to reject vote-by-mail ballots for mismatched signatures, with no standards, an illusory cure process, and no process to challenge the rejection.

Ballots being rejected because of perceived signature mismatch heavily affect voters already at the margins: trans and gender- nonconforming people, people with disabilities, people for whom English is a second language, military personnel, and women.

I am very pleased to see that H.R. 1 would protect voters' due process rights when it comes to signature matching laws by requiring proper notice and an opportunity to cure.

My amendment, amendment No. 4, builds on that by requiring States to submit a report to Congress after the end of a Federal election cycle regarding the number of ballots invalidated due to a discrepancy in a voter's signature, the attempts to contact voters to provide notice that a discrepancy exists between the signature on the ballot and the signature of the voter on the official list of registered voters, and the cure process and results.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my good friend's suggestions, but this is my amendment. I didn't have anything to do with ballot harvesting, and I imagine that there are others who are going to address that particular subject.

Mr. Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren), the chairman of the committee.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Anne Marie Labelle. Anne was a wonderful mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. She was a selfless community advocate and will always be remembered for her strength and love of family.

Anne was born in Troy, New York before moving to Broward County, Florida as a teenager. After high school, Anne became known for her activism in Sunrise city politics, before retiring far too young after suffering a stroke in 1982. In typical Anne fashion, she fought hard in rehab and recovered to work for local real estate developers in Plantation and Boca Raton. Anne was appreciative of those who helped her in her time of need, so she started volunteering at the Sunrise Rehabilitation Center and became a popular one-on-one volunteer for victims of stroke rehabilitation and brain injuries. She served on the hospital's community advisory board, while also volunteering with Shake-a-Leg, a group for individuals with disabilities who sailed monthly on Biscayne Bay.

Madam Speaker, Anne's commitment to her community is a true testament to the person that she was. Anne will be remembered by the lives that she touched during her 77 years on this earth. Many fond memories of her will forever remain with her sons, Robert and Michael, her sister, Maureen, her grandchildren, Amanda, Matthew, Courtney, Casey, and Kelly, her great-grandchild, Parker, and her nieces and nephews, Ryan, Lauren, Grant, Logan and Abby. Anne's love for her family will be forever enshrined in her last words to her son, Robert, when she told him `tell everyone I love them'. I offer my deepest condolences to her entire family during this time of great sadness. Anne was truly a blessing to our community. I am so pleased to honor her memory. She will be dearly missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre, which took place on February 26, 1992, and remember the 613 men, women, and children who were brutalized during this despicable act of violence.

Khojaly, a town in the Republic of Azerbaijan, was home to an unprecedented act of brutality that desecrated the norms and principles of international law, human rights, and freedoms. Armenian forces, with the support of the 366th motorized rifle regiment of the Russian army, stormed the besieged town of Khojaly engaging in acts so violent that their effects are still felt in the community, indeed the entire country, to this day.

Madam Speaker, although a ceasefire was achieved in 1994, more than 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory including Nagorno Karabakh remain occupied and more than 1 million Azerbaijanis remain refugees and internally displaced persons. Over the past 20 years, Azerbaijan has spent over 6 billion dollars to ensure the social welfare of the internally displaced. Notably, while providing this crucial and costly support, Azerbaijan has still taken significant and impressive strides to improve economic development in their region.

Indeed the Government of Azerbaijan has not only contributed to regional stability, but has continued to be a reliable ally for the United States in combating terrorism around the world. In the days after September 11, 2001, Azerbaijan quickly conveyed its solidarity with the American people and provided crucial assistance to our fight against terrorism by granting unconditional clearance to our military to use Azerbaijan's airspace as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. This is in addition to the naval and ground routes the country provides for the international coalition's supplies that are to be delivered to forces in Afghanistan.

Madam Speaker, marking the anniversary of a tragedy is always a solemn occasion. However, as a member of the Azerbaijan Caucus, I believe it is important to recognize and remember those whose lives were lost. I ask my colleagues to join me in offering condolences to the people of Azerbaijan.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to restore the partnership between the federal government and counties for the health care costs of inmates who have not been convicted of a crime. This legislation will provide some relief to our nation's local economies, while strengthening the fundamental principles of our justice system.

In almost all states, a person who is incarcerated in a county jail or juvenile detention facility loses their Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP or SSI benefits even if they have not been convicted of a crime. The U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the 8th Amendment requires government entities to provide medical care to all inmates. As a result, local governments are burdened with the expense of providing health care to thousands of men, women, and children currently awaiting trial.

Providing health care for inmates constitutes a major portion of local jail operating costs. Requiring county governments to cover health care costs for inmates who have not yet been convicted of a crime places an unnecessary

burden on local governments, which have their fair share of widespread budget deficits and cuts to safety net programs and other essential services to deal with as it is.

Terminating benefits to inmates who are awaiting trial undermines the presumption of innocence, which is a cornerstone principle of our justice system. The current practice does not distinguish between persons who are awaiting disposition of charges and persons who have been duly convicted and sentenced. Moreover, this reality disproportionately affects low-income and minority populations who are often unable to post bond, which would enable them to continue receiving benefits.

Madam Speaker, my legislation addresses this problem by prohibiting the federal government from stripping individuals of their Medicare, Medicaid, and SSI benefits before the inmate has been convicted of a crime. It preserves the partnership between the federal and local governments and ensures that local governments are not burdened with an unfair share of meeting the constitutional mandate to guarantee medical coverage. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense bill that addresses a problem affecting communities all across the nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bipartisan resolution supporting the concurrent-track approach to the Israeli- Palestinian peace process. I want to acknowledge and thank my colleagues, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, and Representatives David Schweikert and Rob Woodall, for introducing this resolution with me today.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict presents an immensely difficult challenge--a challenge to which there are no easy answers. Successive United States Presidential administrations have pursued peace agreements between the parties for over three decades, from the 1982 Reagan Plan for Middle East Peace to the 1993 Oslo Accords, Camp David Summit, Clinton Parameters, Annapolis Conference, and efforts to restart the peace process under the Obama Administration. President Donald Trump has announced that he too will soon unveil a plan for peace.

Despite a lack of progress on a formal agreement, Israel and some of her Arab neighbors have worked quietly and behind the scenes to improve bilateral relations in recent years. Common threats posed by Iran and violent extremism allowed for new dialogue to take root, and today, Israel enjoys closer relations to many of its neighbors in the region. These efforts represent an opportunity to improve security, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East. The concurrent-track approach--where Arab and Muslim-majority states work to improve their bilateral relations with Israel as Israel and the Palestinian Authority work concurrently to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace process--should be embraced by our government as a new paradigm for the region. The resolution I am introducing today expresses support for this approach and commends Arab and Muslim-majority states that have already taken steps to improve their bilateral relations with Israel.

I, like nearly all of my colleagues in Congress, continue to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, negotiated between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and resulting in two states for two peoples, living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition. This is the only way to ensure that both the Israeli people and the Palestinian people can have sovereign homelands. The inability to achieve a two-state solution threatens the State of Israel's security and identity as the democratic homeland of the Jewish people, just as it impedes the well-being and self- determination of the Palestinian people.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure passage of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I mistakenly voted AYE, when I meant to vote NO on Roll No. 81 (Buck of Colorado Amendment No. 2) to H.J. Res. 37--Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the human rights atrocities that are occurring in Venezuela. Under the leadership of Nicolas Madura, Venezuela has reverted from one of the most prosperous nations in South America to a country into severe crisis.

Venezuela's economy, once the envy of South America, currently faces one of the worst cases of hyperinflation in modern history. The International Monetary Fund expects the inflation rate to reach an astounding 10 million percent this year. Across the country Venezuelans are struggling to survive, facing immense difficulties putting food on the table or affording basic necessities such as fuel and medicine. More than 80 percent of Venezuelan households have insufficient access to food. As grocery stores become increasingly bare, hospitals too are running dangerously low on supplies as the medical system continues to crumble. Even though the Ministry of Health has stopped reporting national health data, we know that rates of malnutrition are rising, as are outbreaks of preventable diseases and the rate of infant mortality.

Madam Speaker, more than three million Venezuelan citizens have fled their home to nearby nations, including nearly 300,000 who have come to the United States seeking refuge in 2018. As the situation continues to deteriorate, tens of thousands of protestors have taken to he street to protest the economic and humanitarian crises and demand change. We must stand with those who are putting their lives on the line to ensure that future generations of Venezuelans live in a peaceful and prosperous country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jack Keleher. Jack has worked in my Washington, D.C. Congressional office as an intern through the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme (UCWIP) since January. I am so pleased to acknowledge his hard work and dedication.

Jack is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University in Victoria, where he is a Member of the Deakin Law Student's Society, the Law Institute of Victoria, and the Golden Key International Honor Society. He earned a certificate in Advanced Legal Research in 2017 and gained valuable experience as a legal caseworker, law clerk, and paralegaL

For the past 19 years, UCWIP has paired students from nearly a dozen partner universities in Australia with offices on Capitol Hill, giving them the opportunity to work in the halls

of Congress and learn about the American legislative process. Over the years, I have been honored to host many outstanding Australian students, and Jack has been no exception.

As an intern, Jack has helped my office with many of the day-to-day administrative functions, including taking calls from constituents, welcoming visitors, and drafting letters in response to inquiries. He also had the opportunity to work on floor remarks, as well as helping my staff with legislative research and outreach on several bills that I have introduced in the 116th Congress. Jack approached his internship with great enthusiasm and clearly has showed his passion for public service.

On February 5th, Jack had the opportunity to attend the 2019 State of the Union Address by President Trump. I know this is just one of several experiences that he will take away from his time in Washington and the United States.

Madam Speaker, it has been my honor to host Jack for his Congressional internship. I have no doubt he will go on to do great things in the future. I wish him much success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Nur Otan party in Kazakhstan for its twentieth anniversary and the convening of its eighteenth Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan later this month. The Nur Otan party has made Kazakhstan's growth in the region, and around the world, its core mission through ``Kazakhstan 2050''.

This strategy seeks to place the country in the top 30 global economies by 2050 by investing in not only economic sectors; but through social initiatives as well. For instance, President Nazarbayev, Chairman of Nur Otan, has singled out investments in public housing, education, small business, economic diversification, and energy.

Madam Speaker, we must encourage such development, but we must also never forget the role Kazakhstan has played in our fight against terrorism and the immense role the country has played in the global cause of non-proliferation. In Afghanistan, Kazakhstan has provided invaluable support for supply lines used by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Coalition, while also conducting joint military training programs with American and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in the Central Asian steppes. As for non-proliferation, Kazakhstan, under President Nazarbayev's steady leadership, has not only relentlessly championed the cause of nuclear disarmament, but it has also established the world's first-ever Low Enriched Uranium Fuel Bank, in order to ensure stable civil nuclear energy use worldwide.

Madam Speaker, it is abundantly clear that Kazakhstan has been, and continues to be, a strong partner of ours in Central Asia, and it is my hope that the U.S.-Kazakhstan relationship will continue to strengthen to the benefit of both countries.