Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I commend Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larson for their hard work to bring this bipartisan FAA Reauthorization bill to the House floor.

I am very pleased that this bill includes some of my top priorities:

1. Implementation of my 2018 provisions requiring Secondary Cockpit Barriers in Section 522 of the bill. This language will be made even stronger with the passage of the Fitzpatrick/Carson amendment to speed up the process and finally get these safety devices on all passenger aircraft.

2. Including my bipartisan bill, the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation in Sections 303, 264 and 308.

3. Improving minority and disadvantage business participation in all FAA programs, in Sections 426 and 302.

I'm also appreciative of Chairman Graves' willingness to work with me to improve Section 813 of the bill which changes the current rules addressing Temporary Flight Restrictions. We had a lengthy colloquy during our markup about unintended consequences of Section 813. I remain concerned about the provisions in Section 813, which appear to change current law and weaken Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). This is especially important to my district in Indianapolis, which has benefited from the safety of Temporary Flight Restrictions to protect NFL and NCAA Division 1 games, plus major Motor Speedway events like the Indy 500 over the last 20 years.

Since the 9/11 terrorists attacks, FAA imposed TFRs over stadiums and other locations. Subsequently, FAA began to issue some waivers, but Congress imposed a statutory restrictions to maintain the safety of major events, especially sporting events with high-capacity stadiums. In this year's bill, we must make sure the language in Section 813 does not have unintended consequences of undermining the safety at large public gatherings, like major sporting events. This includes strong collaboration with law enforcement and public safety officials to resolve any conflicts with competing events that may require Temporary Flight Restrictions.

I believe we can further improve the language and utilize a simpler collaboration model that will be effective and timely.

I would like to include in the Record the following letter from a coalition of sports organizations and the Statement of Administration Policy which details concerns with the underlying language. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larson to improve this language.

Statement of Administration Policy

H.R. 3935--securing growth and robust leadership in american aviation

act

The Administration supports enactment of a Federal Aviation

Administration

(FAA) reauthorization bill and applauds the bipartisan work

of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The

Administration is focused on ensuring that the aviation

sector works well for the American people, and reauthorizing

the FAA in a timely manner will help achieve that goal. H.R.

3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American

Aviation Act, would enhance aviation safety; invest in, and

improve on-the-job safety for, our aviation workforce;

integrate into the national airspace system new entrants such

as Advanced Air Mobility and Commercial Space operators;

strengthen passenger rights; and improve our aviation

infrastructure.

The Administration looks forward to working with the

Congress to address the Administration's concerns with this

legislation, a number of which are outlined below.

Protection of Aviation Consumer Rights and Promotion of

Competition. The Administration is strongly committed to

protecting the rights of aviation consumers and promoting

competition in the aviation industry. The Administration

opposes provisions in the bill that would reverse important

gains made by this Administration to combat junk fees in the

airline industry and would eliminate longstanding consumer

protections. The Administration believes that the disclosure

requirements currently in place for passenger tickets are

necessary to help consumers comparison shop for a ticket. The

Administration encourages the Congress to include the

Administration's proposals to expand consumer protections by

banning family seating junk fees, requiring up-front

disclosure of add-on fees, and requiring automatic refunds

and additional compensation for controllable flight

cancellations and delays. The Administration further supports

opening up airport gate access and preventing anticompetitive

practices that block new entrants.

International Commitments. While the Administration

appreciates the language aimed at ensuring continued U.S.

implementation of Open Skies agreements while promoting labor

standards for U.S.-based aviation sector workers, the

Administration also urges the Congress to add provisions to

implement U.S. international commitments and ensure our

aviation partners follow suit. The bill should be amended to

include provisions for U.S. implementation of global

marketbased measures of the International Civil Aviation

Organization, and to establish U.S. leadership relating to

the understanding and mitigation of the non-Greenhouse Gas

climate impacts of aviation.

Agency Restructuring. While the Administration supports the

goal of improving the efficiency of the organizational

structure of the FAA, it does not support the proposed

changes in FAA rulemaking review and the weakening of the

Administrator's ability and authority to determine the

appropriate size and allocation of the air traffic controller

workforce. The Administration also has concerns with

provisions that would make fundamental changes to the

agency's structure, eroding the discretion of the

Administrator to manage the agency in the most efficient

manner.

Implementation Timelines and Program Changes. The

legislation includes multiple rulemakings, reviews, reports,

and other requirements with aggressive timelines, along with

the creation of numerous programs that are not conditioned on

the availability of appropriations. The Administration is

also concerned that proposed major structural changes to

airport infrastructure programs are untested, and may be

difficult to implement depending on the level of resources

made available. The bill would also reduce the amount of

competitive airport grant funding, which would reduce the F

AA's ability to address important safety and capacity issues.

Standards for Airport Service Workers. The Administration

urges the Congress to include provisions that will improve

job quality for, and therefore aid in the recruitment and

retention of, those who clean planes, handle baggage, assist

passengers who use wheelchairs, and provide other services

critical to safe, stable, and timely operations for aviation

customers.

Age Standards for Pilots. The bill includes a provision

that would raise the retirement age for pilots in commercial

operations. Making this change without doing research and

establishing any necessary policies would be outside the

international standard.

Maintaining Safe and Secure Airspace During Major Sports

Events. While the Administration supports the goal of

providing accessibility to and public use of the national

airspace, it is concerned that provisions proposed in the

bill could introduce unnecessary risks to those attending

major spotting events if the effectiveness of safety and

security buffers currently provided by temporary flight

restrictions were to be decreased. To the extent that the

proposed provisions are intended to accommodate airshows, the

Administration urges the Congress to consider alternative

methods to deconflict airshows and major sports events rather

than potentially put aviation operations in close proximity

to events attended by millions of Americans each year.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in remembrance of John Durm, Marion County Sheriff Deputy, who died in the line of duty on July 10, 2023, at the age of 61. He is survived by his wife, Ramona, and 4 children.

Deputy Durm was well liked and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Described by his colleagues and friends as genuine, courteous, and sincere, Deputy Durm always had a smile and joke to brighten someone's day.

A shining example of what it means to serve and protect, Deputy Durm worked in the Marion County Sheriff's department for 38 years, alongside his wife. Inspired by their service, 1 of their sons is currently training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Our community mourns the loss of a brave and selfless man who was dedicated to his family and the community he served. He lived out his values every day. Deputy Durm's legacy of service and friendship will be remembered by family, community members, and his Marion County Sheriff's Office coworkers. Today, I solemnly ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Deputy John Durm and his loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud, as the longest serving Muslim in Congress, to introduce legislation to recognize Eid Al-Adha and wish Muslims around the world an Eid Mubarak.

I am honored to partner with my colleagues, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Rep. Debbie Dingell to introduce this resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Adha is of great importance to Muslim Americans and 1.8 million Muslims globally. This resolution helps highlight the significance of this Islamic holiday and to recognize the contributions of Muslims across the world. American Muslims are part of every industry and space in the United States since the founding of our country.

Eid Al-Adha commemorates Abraham's symbolic sacrifice of his son to God, as referenced in the Quran, Old Testament, and New Testament. The holiday is a three-day celebration filled with prayers, charity, and the annual pilgrimage, for those who are able. I congratulate the 1 million Muslims that are participating in the annual pilgrimage, Hajj, this year. May God bless them always.

I thank the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Islamic Relief USA, Muslim Americans in Public Service (MAPS), and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) for their support on this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the religious significance of Eid al-Adha and wishing Muslim Americans and Muslims around the world a prosperous holiday by signing on to this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, what I do know is that Adam Schiff defended the U.S. Constitution. He led an impartial investigation which followed the facts and led to the first of two impeachments of a former President.

As a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, I have had the honor of working closely with Mr. Schiff for years.

He is a man of integrity, and he deeply loves this country like we all do. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this dangerous and purely vindictive attempt to silence someone because of his work to hold Donald Trump accountable.

I urge my colleagues not to be fooled by these distractions. Don't ignore the facts. This resolution is a fig leaf to hide the very clear facts about a twice-impeached President, a twice-indicted ex-President who has put our national security at risk.

I urge my colleagues to stop these political games and get back to the business of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul, who will be inducted into the Madam Walker Legacy Center Walk of Fame on June 16. 2023. The historic Madam Walker Legacy Center is in Indiana's 7th Congressional District.

Gladys Maria Knight was born in 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Sarah and Merald Knight. Her musical career began early in life in a church choir, where her singing talent was quickly recognized. Ms. Knight performed with her siblings and cousins in a quintet that would later become known as The Pips. In 1961, the group signed with Fury Records and changed their name to Gladys Knight & The Pips. The group released several successful albums until 1987, when Ms. Knight began to pursue a solo career. She went on to release several solo albums and achieved incredible feats in the music industry, becoming an icon for R&B and soul music across the world.

Ms. Knight has been widely recognized with prestigious awards for her achievements. She has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. In 2008, Rolling Stone named Ms. Knight one of the ``100 Greatest Singers of All Time,'' and the American Academy of Achievement presented her with the Golden Plate Award in 2019. She also received an Honorary Doctorate in Performing Arts from Shaw University.

However impressive, these achievements do not capture the true brilliance of Gladys Knight. Her love of family and children shines through in her philanthropic efforts, including

raising $400,000 for the Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Gladys Knight. She has graced the world with her talent, and it is a privilege to celebrate her success and place in history.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to re-introduce a bipartisan resolution recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Poppy Day on the Friday before Memorial Day, with Congresswoman Spartz.

The importance of this day cannot be overstated. This bipartisan National Poppy Day Resolution recognizes the sacrifices of America's veterans and fallen service members.

In the last several decades, Memorial Day has become synonymous with the start of summer, and not as it was intended as a time to mourn and remember the U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States armed forces. While the United States has great respect for those who serve in the Armed Forces, we often focus on the living veterans. There are many parents, spouses, siblings, and children who still mourn their fallen service member.

Yes, there are ceremonies to remember those we have lost, such as the ones at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the Pentagon, and small ones at National Cemeteries. However, as a Nation we no longer take the time to remember those we have shed blood in the name of freedom.

The poppy flower has long been a marker of respect and a way to raise awareness and support for members of our nation's veteran communities, servicemembers and their families, and the families of those who died in service to their country. Poppy Day is widely recognized by America's allies, especially in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Ukraine, but is less recognized here at home.

The red-flowered corn poppy became forever linked to soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefields of World War I, as result of the poem ``In Flanders Fields.'' The poem, written by a Canadian soldier actively serving on the front-lines of WWI to honor his fellow soldiers killed in battle, reads:

``In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses,

row on row''

Around the world, the red-flowered corn poppy continues to serve as the living symbol of the blood shed by those who served and is worn as a gesture of gratitude and recognition of the sacrifices people have made in service to their country. Many nations incorporate the poppy into their Veterans or Remembrance Day ceremonies.

In the United States, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars first called attention in the 1920s to the importance of the poppy flower in honoring the fallen. They continue to distribute poppies and promote the importance of a National Poppy Day on the Friday before Memorial Day and Veterans'Day; raising money for disabled veterans.

With wider recognition of National Poppy Day and wearing a red poppy, we honor every servicemember who has died in the name of liberty, freedom, and democracy. Additionally this provides us the opportunity to thank their families, veterans, and current service members for our freedom now and for generations to come. In the words of American Moina Michael,

``And now the Torch and Poppy Red, We wear in honor of our

dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught; We'll teach the lesson

that ye wrought''

Our Resolution, would begin on May 24, 2024. We should honor past and current members of the Armed Forces of the United States and their families. We should encourage all citizens, residents, and visitors of the United States to join in observing ``National Poppy Day.'' Wearing a red poppy the Friday before Memorial Day--and through the weekend--is an simple declaration of our admiration for and thanks to those individuals who shed blood to preserve freedom.

In this body we have people who have served and those who have lost. At the very least we should honor them.

We invite all Members of Congress to wear their poppy red, support the goals and ideals of National Poppy Day on May 26, 2023 and every year after, to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed for our country--both living and dead. I also invite all of my colleagues to join me in sponsoring this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to reintroduce the Justice for Shireen Act today. I thank my House and Senate Colleagues that joined me to call for a report to Congress from the FBI and State Department, in consultation with the Attorney General, Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence, on the death of American-Palestinian Journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh. I send my deep condolences to the Abu Akleh family for this terrible .killing and stand with them to demand justice and accountability.

Shireen Abu Akleh, an American-Palestinian Journalist, was killed, one year ago, on May 11, 2022. She was killed wearing a clearly marked press vest on assignment, reporting on a military raid which took place in the occupied city of Jenin. One year ago, I led a letter, signed by 58 Members of Congress, to the FBI and State Department calling for an independent and open investigation led by her home country, the United States, and 24 Senators have echoed this request. It is imperative that Congress be given the information it needs to conduct the necessary oversight. We must ensure no taxpayer dollars contribute to human rights violations or anyone's death--most especially an American abroad.

As an American, Ms. Abu Akleh was entitled to the full protections afforded to U.S. citizens living abroad. As Members of Congress, we need to uphold the values that our Nation was founded on, including human rights, equality for all, and freedom of speech. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to protect Americans reporting abroad. An Israeli investigation has concluded, finding that it was indeed an Israeli soldier that shot Ms. Abu Akleh in her line of duty. It is the responsibility of the U.S. to learn all the unanswered questions leading up to, during and after the fatal shot that killed Ms. Abu Akleh. Additionally, this bill requires an identification of any United States defense materials or services that were implicated in the death of Ms. Abu Akleh. No U.S. weapons and military services by the U.S. should be used to kill Americans on foreign soil. American taxpayers should not be paying for any violation of human rights abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in calling for justice and accountability for Shireen Abu Akleh.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the Program in International Human Rights Law (PIHRL) at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, founded by Professor George Edwards in 1997.

PIHRL is the first U.S. law school program of its kind to which the United Nations granted ``Special Consultative Status'' which underscores the PIHRL's remarkable commitment to and contributions to the United Nations' efforts of global promotion and protection of human rights.

PIHRL has embarked on an extraordinary range of global activities, including facilitating over 250 law student intern placements and consultancies in over 75 countries on 6 continents, working with human rights organizations, U.S. and foreign governmental bodies, academic institutions, and inter-governmental organization such as the UN.

I commend the PIHRL, Professor George E. Edwards and all current and former students and affiliates for their tireless work and significant contributions to legal scholarship in international human rights law.

Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleague, Rep. Stauber, in re-introducing the bipartisan and bicameral National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2023. Our Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation has worked for years to make American skies the safest in the world, and to strengthen the industry workforce to maintain the highest standards of aviation excellence.

Our legislation, the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation (NCAA) will support and promote collaboration among civil, commercial, and military aviation sectors to address the demands and challenges associated with ensuring a safe and vibrant national aviation system through research, education, and training. This will also contribute to the economic growth of $4.7 billion in the aviation industry as noted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA, 2022). According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the global economic impact could be impacted either directly or indirectly. This suggests that the NCAA Act would increase opportunities in the job market impacting the economy positively. Furthermore, the National Center for Advancement in Aviation could support the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Flight Plan 21 through optimizing training opportunities to provide the aviation industry a pool of diverse and qualified professionals from varied backgrounds.

Too often in the past, innovation and lessons learned from various aviation sectors have not been shared in a collaborative or timely manner, especially with rapid developments in new technology. Our bill helps break down silos across commercial aviation, general aviation, and military aviation sectors. This will not only improve safety and best practices, but also expand opportunities for those interested in the aviation workforce--for the young and not so young, from those just starting out, to those with experience who want to move into other fields within aviation.

The NCAA Act focuses on four key areas with an emphasis on aviation workforce development. First, it will support education efforts and provide resources to curriculum developers so educators at all levels have the tools and training to educate the next generation of aviation professionals.

Second, the National Center for Advancement in Aviation will provide a forum to leverage and share expertise across industry sectors, including the dissemination of existing high school education curriculum to develop and deploy a workforce of pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft system operators, aviation maintenance technicians, or other aviation maintenance professionals needed in the coming decades.

Third, it will serve as a central repository for economic and safety data research and analysis allowing a comprehensive perspective of

industry information that would improve safety for all stakeholders.

Finally, it will support symposiums and conferences to facilitate collaboration across the industry and develop future advancements for the aviation and aerospace community.

This legislation also allows the FAA to focus on safety, certification, and air traffic operations. Diversity

Our aviation and aerospace industry supports over 10 million jobs and contributes more than $1.2 trillion per year to the national economy. More than 130 organizations including schools, airports, airlines, manufacturers, unions, and other entities involved in aviation and aerospace have expressed strong support for this legislation. The list of organizations supporting this legislation is provided below.

AAR Corp, ACI Jet, Aeronautical Repair Station Association,

Aerospace Center of Excellence, Aerospace Industries

Association, Aerospace Maintenance Council, Air Care

Alliance, Air Line Pilots Association, International, Air

Medical Operators Association, Air Wisconsin Airlines,

Airbus, Aircraft Electronics Association, Aircraft Mechanics

Fraternal Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots

Association, Airlines for America, Alabama General Aviation

Alliance, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Airmen Association, Alaskan

Aviation Safety Foundation, Allegiant Airlines.

Alliance for Aviation Across America, Allied Pilots

Association, American Airlines, American Bonanza Society,

American Yankee Association, Arizona Airports Association,

Arizona Flight Training Working Group, Arizona Pilots

Association, Arizona Safety Advisory Group, Arkansas General

Aviation Association, Armed Forces Aero Club, Association for

Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, Association of

California Airports, Atlas Air Worldwide, Aviation Council of

Pennsylvania, Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc., Aviation

Technician Education Council, California Pilots Association,

Cape Air, Cargo Airline Association.

Cessna Flyer Association, Choose Aerospace, Inc., Citation

Jet Pilots, Inc., Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations,

Colorado Aviation Business Association, Commemorative Air

Force, Community and Airport Partnership for Safe Operations,

CommutAir, Compass Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Delta State

University.

EAA Type Club Coalition, EAA Warbirds of America, East

Central Ohio Pilots Association, East Hampton Aviation

Association, Empire Airlines, Endeavor Air, Envoy Air, EVAC,

the Emergency Volunteers Air Corps, Experimental Aircraft

Association, ExpressJet Airlines, FAST, FedEx Express, Flight

School Association of North America, Flying Knights Flying

Club, Flying Physicians Association, Friends of Linden

Airport, Frontier Airlines, Fullerton Airport Pilots

Association, General Aviation Council of Hawaii, General

Aviation Manufacturers Association.

Glasair Aircraft Owners Association, GoJet Airlines,

Grumman Owners & Pilots Association, HAECO Americas, Hancock

County Port and Harbor Commission, Hawaiian Airlines,

Helicopter Association International, Horizon Air,

International Air Transport Association, International

Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Council of Air Shows,

Inc., International Council of Airshows Foundation, Iowa

Aviation Association, JetBlue Airways, Kentucky Aviation

Association, Kimmel Aviation Insurance, L3Harris

Technologies, Ladd Gardner Aviation Insurance, Inc., Lancair

Owners and Builders Organization, Lewis University Airport.

LIFT Academy, Long Island Business Aviation Association,

Los Alamos Airport, Louisiana Airport Managers and

Associates, Maine Aeronautics Association, Maine Aviation

Business Association, Massachusetts Airport Management

Association, Michigan Business Aviation Association, Mid-

Atlantic Aviation Coalition, Minnesota Pilots Association,

Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association, Mississippi

Agricultural Association, Montana Pilots Association, Mooney

Summit, Inc., National Agricultural Aviation Association,

National Air Carrier Association, National Air Traffic

Controllers Association, National Air Transportation

Association, National Association of State Aviation

Officials, National Business Aviation Association.

National Coalition for Aviation and Space Education,

NetJets, NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, New

Hampshire Pilots Association, New Jersey Aviation

Association, New Mexico Airport Manager's Association, New

York Aviation Management Association, North American Trainer

Association, Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association,

Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, Oklahoma Airport Operators

Association, Oklahoma Pilots Association, Oregon Pilots

Association, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals,

Palo Alto Airport Association, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum,

Pearl River Community College, Pennsylvania Drone

Association, Petaluma Area Pilots Association, Piedmont

Airlines.

Piper Flyer Association, Plane and Pilot News, Professional

Aviation Maintenance Association, PSA Airlines, Pure White

Smoke Oil, Inc., Recreational Aviation Foundation, Redlands

Airport Association, Red Star Pilots Association, Regional

Air Cargo Carriers Association, Regional Airline Association,

Republic Airways, Rhode Island Pilots Association, San Carlos

Pilots Association, San Diego Christian College, Scottsdale

Flying Club, Seaplane Pilots Association, Skill Aviation

Services, LLC, Sopwith Flying Club, South Carolina Aviation

Association, South Dakota Pilots Association.

Southwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association,

Spirit Airlines, StandardAero, Start Skydiving, Inc., ST

Engineering North America, Stennis International Airport, STS

Aviation Group, Sturdivant Brothers Flying Service, Sun

Country Airlines, T-34 Mentor Association, The Boeing

Company, The Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington, Tradewind

Aviation, Trans States Airlines, Triumph Airborne Structures,

Tyonek Services Group, Inc., U.S. Contract Tower Association,

U.S. Parachute Association.

United Airlines, UPS, Vertical Flight Society, Veterans

Airlift Command, Virginia Aviation Business Association,

Washington Pilots Association, Washington Seaplane Pilots

Association, Women in Aviation International, Wencor Group,

Western Aero Club, Zerowait, Inc.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation will address the demands and challenges our aviation and aerospace industry face today and tomorrow. I strongly encourage my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2023.

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to re-introduce the Young Americans Financial Literacy Act. Financial literacy is critical to ensuring future financial responsibility. Studies have shown that 88 percent of Americans believe financial education should be taught in schools, and 92 percent of K-12 teachers believe financial education should be taught in school. Still, only 12 percent of teachers teach the subject. Yet, according to a 2020 survey, less than half of states require high school students to take a personal finance course, and less than 17 percent of high school students were required to take a semester-long personal finance course.

Congress has an opportunity and a responsibility to address the pressing needs of individuals faced with losing their financial stability and the challenges of economic uncertainty. This should include financial literacy education reform and long-term solutions to prevent future personal financial disasters. Research-based financial literacy education programs are needed to reach individuals at all ages and socioeconomic levels, particularly those facing unique and challenging financial situations, such as high school graduates entering the workforce, soon-to-be and recent college graduates, young families, and to address the unique needs of military personnel and their families. High school and college students exposed to cumulative financial education show an increase in financial knowledge, which drives increasingly responsible behavior as they become young adults.

According to the Government Accountability Office, giving Americans the information they need to make effective financial decisions can be critical to their well-being and the country's economic health. The global financial crisis, when many borrowers failed to understand the risks associated with certain financial products fully and currently, the economic hardships presented by the sudden disruptions caused by the spread of COVID-19, underscore the need to improve individuals' financial literacy and empower all Americans to make informed financial decisions. This is especially true for young people as they earn their first paychecks, secure student aid, and establish financial independence. Therefore, focusing on economic education, financial literacy efforts, and best practices for young people between the ages of 8 and 24 is of utmost importance.

America should lead the world with the best-educated students who- will drive our-economic innovation and success, so please join me in cosponsoring the Young Americans Financial Literacy Act. This act:

Establishes a grant program in the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to develop and implement financial literacy programs for young people ages eight to twenty-four;

Incentivizes the development of partnerships between institutions of higher education, local educational agencies, non-profit organizations, and financial institutions to develop programs aimed at young Americans in different phases of their life;

Ensures the development of evidence-based instructional material that is geared towards targeted groups and addresses unique life situations, including bankruptcy, foreclosure, student loans, credit card misuse; and

Conducts ongoing assessment and accountability of the program over the short- and long-term to ensure that grant money achieves the most significant impact.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the Young Americans Financial Literacy Act.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge a fellow Midwesterner and former colleague from the state of Michigan, Bob Carr, on his 80th birthday. Bob has spent a lifetime in public service and education and continues to have a lasting impact on our institution.

Bob served this body for 18 years, representing Michigan's 6th and 8th Congressional Districts. During his time in Congress, he proudly served on the Armed Services Committee and then on Appropriations, where he worked to end the United States' military involvement in Southeast Asian conflicts.

After leaving Congress, Bob continued on the path of public service both at the Association of Former Members of Congress and with the Brookings LEGIS Fellows program. Every step along the way, he has improved the political discourse and helped hundreds of civil servants get an inside perspective of this institution we love, thereby fostering more constructive engagement between the executive and legislative branches of government. His career has helped set an example for all of us on how to work together to improve our government and our country.

Both my constituents and I personally have benefitted from the high caliber of professionalism and expertise of LEGIS Fellows who have served, and continue to serve, each year on my staff.

Happy Birthday to Bob, and I thank him for his continued public service and enduring contributions to this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud, as the longest serving Muslim in Congress, to introduce legislation to recognize the commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and wish Muslims around the world a Ramadan Mubarak! I thank the endorsing organizations that joined this important resolution: Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Relief, and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

I am honored to partner with my Muslim colleagues, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar to introduce this resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize Ramadan and the various contributions of Muslims in the U.S. and worldwide. Ramadan is of great importance to Muslim Americans and 1.9 million Muslims globally. We are reminded during this

holy month of the rich diversity and many contributions that Muslim Americans have made in every sector of society. Diversity is a corner stone of American society and success. Our American Muslim community is a vital contributor to our nation's diversity, as well as to the talents, perspectives, and achievements that diversity brings.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the religious significance of Ramadan and wishing Muslim Americans and Muslims around the world a prosperous month by signing on to this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Emerging Business Encouragement Act which will give new small businesses a more equal playing field to secure federal contracts.

Emerging businesses face obstacles that are distinctly different from more well-established small businesses. Under the Emerging Business Act, the Small Business Administration would create a new designation for an Emerging Business Enterprises based on the company's age, size and total compensation. This will encourage meaningful opportunities among like-sized enterprises compared to competition against larger, fully-established enterprises.

Emerging businesses often have trouble securing federal contracts. The Emerging Business Encouragement Act will expand opportunities by requiring federal agencies to set contracting goals for emerging business enterprises equal to or not less than 3 percent of contracts and subcontracts.

Additionally, many emerging businesses have difficulty accessing the capital they need to develop products and hire workers. Under the Emerging Business Encouragement Act, the percentage of federal loan guaranty authority for Small Business Administration loans would increase from 50 percent for all small businesses to 65 percent for emerging business enterprise, providing a significant incentive for lenders to lend to these businesses.

We must support all job creators as our economy continues to recover, but there are significant differences between a startup with only a few employees and an established business with a few hundred employees and decades of experience. This legislation will help these emerging businesses overcome the unique challenges they face in their first few years of operation, and it will ensure these businesses are able to compete for federal contracts and gain access to critical small business loans.

To be certified as an emerging business enterprise, a company must be 10 percent or less the size of the current SBA designation for a small business, which is typically capped at 500 employees.

The company must be less than five years old at the time of certification with annual compensation of individuals in management positions not exceeding 200 percent of the annual mean wage for ``Management Occupations'' defined by the U.S. Department of Labor. These standards will ensure that those businesses benefiting from EBE programs are truly emerging.

With this bill, we can help entrepreneurs get through their first few years, when so many businesses fail, so they can grow and create jobs. And it provides incentives for lenders to provide capital to emerging businesses, one of the top concerns for entrepreneurs.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, it is with the great Hoosier pride and joy that I rise today to introduce a resolution clebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Leslie ``Wes'' Montgomery.

Wes Montgomery was born in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana on March 6, 1923 to Frances and Tom Montgomery. He was naturally gifted in the musical arts and demonstrated his talents on the 4- and 6- string guitar in his youth. He was a self-taught musician who learned to play the guitar by listening to recordings of another jazz genius, guitarist Charlie Christian. Wes Montgomery developed a unique and innovative finger style playing technique by using the thumb to play base notes simultaneously with the melodic lines. This wonderful style helped to propel his success as a renowned jazz guitarist.

His musical gifts and performances became famous in jazz clubs in Indianapolis and he was recruited to tour with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. In 1957, he joined his brothers Buddy and Monk to perform with other bands, and later released the album, the ``Wes Montgomery Trio'' and ``The Incredible Guitar of Wes Montgomery''. One of his biggest hits and most beloved albums was ``A Day in the Life'', which was rated the premier album on the Billboard Jazz Album chart, 2nd on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and 13th on the Billboard 200 chart.

Sadly, we lost this incredibly bright star far too soon, when he died at his home in Indianapolis on June 15. 1968, at the age of 45. But his music and his legacy still shine in our hearts and wherever his music is played. His beautiful and heartfelt music inspired generations of other musicians, and it continues to fill us with joy today.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution to honor a Hoosier and an American music legend. I urge the House to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great Hoosier pride and joy that I rise today to introduce a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Leslie ``Wes'' Montgomery.

Wes Montgomery was born in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana on March 6, 1923 to Frances and Tom Montgomery. He was naturally gifted in the musical arts and demonstrated his talents on the 4- and 6-string guitar in his youth. He was a self-taught musician who learned to play the guitar by listening to recordings of another jazz genius, guitarist Charlie Christian. Wes Montgomery developed a unique and innovative finger style playing technique by using the thumb to play base notes simultaneously with the melodic lines. This wonderful style helped to propel his success as a renowned jazz guitarist.

His musical gifts and performances became famous in jazz clubs in Indianapolis and he was recruited to tour with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. In 1957, he joined his brothers Buddy and Monk to perform with other bands, and later released the album, the ``Wes Montgomery Trio'' and ``The Incredible Guitar of Wes Montgomery''. One of his biggest hits and most beloved albums was ``A Day in the Life'', which was rated the premier album on the Billboard Jazz Album chart, 2nd on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and 13th on the Billboard 200 chart.

Sadly, we lost this incredibly bright star far too soon, when he died at his home in Indianapolis on June 15, 1968, at the age of 45. But his music and his legacy still shine in our hearts and wherever his music is played. His beautiful and heartfelt music inspired generations of other musicians, and it continues to fill us with joy today.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution to honor a Hoosier and an American music legend. I urge the House to support this resolution.