Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Kevin Long of the Dearborn Fire Department on the occasion of his retirement. His honorable twenty-six years of service to our community is worthy of commendation.

Captain Long began his career at the Dearborn Fire Department in October 1996, beginning as a Firefighter 1. In April 2002, he was promoted to Firefighter 2 and then to the role of Fire Engineer in May 2006. Due to his excellence in service, he was named Lieutenant in April 2011 and then Captain in August 2012. Known for his bravery and leadership, he received the Departmental Medal of Valor in 1997 and the John D. Dingell Medal of Freedom Memorial Commendation in 2019. He is also the recipient of several awards, including the Fire Chief Life Saving Award, the Meritorious Service Award, the Fire Chief Unit Commendation, and numerous Meritorious Company Commendations.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Captain Kevin Long for a career of exemplary service to the Dearborn Fire Department. I join with Captain Long's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my gratitude to him for his honorable service in protecting our community and thank him for his role in serving the people of the City of Dearborn for the past twenty-six years. We wish him the best in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Yvonna C. Abraham of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, on the occasion of her investiture as a judge of the Wayne County Third Circuit Court. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on July 1, 2021, Judge Abraham is the first Palestinian American judge in the state of Michigan. Her significant contributions to our community are worthy of commendation.

Judge Abraham is a graduate of the University of Michigan--Dearborn and earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. Prior to her appointment to the circuit court, Judge Abraham served as magistrate and director of probation for the 20th District Court in Dearborn Heights. She also taught courses in Business Law at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. As a judge serving in the Family Division, she handles cases involving domestic relations; including divorce, child custody, and personal protection matters.

Paving the way for future legal professionals, Judge Abraham is the first Palestinian American judge in the state of Michigan. Known for her integrity and fairness in difficult matters, Judge Abraham continues to serve her neighbors inside and outside of the courtroom. A mentor to aspiring law students, she serves on the court's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. She is also a member of the State Bar Judicial Ethics Committee and was President of the Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates. At home she is a member of the Wayne Mental Health Advisory Board, the Women Lawyer Association of Michigan, and the Arab American Women's Business Council Board. Judge Abraham resides in Dearborn Heights with her husband Marwan and daughter Lena.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Judge Yvonna C. Abraham on the occasion of her investiture as a judge of the Wayne County Third Circuit Court. This is a historic day and a culmination of Judge Abraham's lifetime of hard work and dedication to our community. We wish her the best as she takes on this new role.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize A Serendipity Cakery and Ice Cream Shoppe in Riverview, Michigan, on the occasion of their 10th anniversary. Their decade spent as a staple of our community is worthy of commendation.

A Serendipity Cakery was born in the kitchen of Tammie and Alan Bachran in 2012, where Tammie spent her days baking sweet treats for eager friends and family. As demand for her specialty baked goods grew, they opened a storefront in Wyandotte, Michigan in 2015. A household name throughout the Downriver area, A Serendipity Cakery moved to their current, larger space in Riverview, Michigan in 2019. This new space allowed Tammie and Alan to expand their business, offering more treats than ever before and opening a space for guests to host birthday parties and other memorable celebrations.

Among the desserts that A Serendipity Cakery offers are custom cakes, cake drops, cupcakes, and a variety of chocolate-dipped items. Their special cake drops are known to sell out quickly and customers can choose from over fifty flavors. Despite being a busy bakery with cakes coming in and out each day, A Serendipity Cakery still has time to give back. They have adopted families through their ``Adopt a Family Fund'' and frequently donate their baked goods to local auctions and fundraisers, including for those battling cancer and for The Lincoln Center in Wyandotte, Michigan, that serves students with autism spectrum disorder and cognitive and emotional impairments in local schools. Their work goes beyond just baking and providing delicious treats for our downriver families, including my own--Tammie and her team help uplift their neighbors and spread awareness for various causes close to their hearts. For that we are a stronger community.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 10th anniversary of A Serendipity Cakery and Ice Cream Shoppe in Riverview, Michigan. Please join me in congratulating them on a fantastic decade of business and in wishing them the best of luck in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his incredible support, and I thank my Republican colleague for his kind words and how we work together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan legislation, which I am leading with my other colleagues, Congressman Darin LaHood, Congressman Paul Tonko, and Congressman David Joyce, supports fish and wildlife conservation efforts in the Great Lakes.

Since 1998, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act has provided critical resources for coordinating conservation efforts across the Great Lakes ecosystem. This longstanding bipartisan backing underscores the efficacy of the proven conservation mechanisms in this legislation, including collaborative, private-public partnerships that maximize the impact of Federal funding to make landscape-level improvements to our fish and wildlife habitats.

A recently released report on the program by the Department of the Interior, found that as a result of the fish and wildlife grant program authorized by the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, that significant progress has been made in addressing the six Great Lakes' restoration goals specified in the legislation.

This includes control of sea lamprey populations across the Great Lakes, progress on the restoration of lake trout in Lake Huron leading to reducing stocking targets, and other species recovery efforts vital to sustaining the very unique ecosystem of the Great Lakes Basin.

However, continued work is required to protect the Great Lakes for future generations given the environmental pressures that this region faces.

To this end, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act would authorize funding for the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act for 5 years, from fiscal years 2022 through 2027, at the current funding levels.

This legislation has broad bipartisan support, as well as the backing of a variety of groups dedicated to safeguarding the Great Lakes, including Ducks Unlimited and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

These Great Lakes are 90 percent of the freshwater in the United States. We must protect them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation, which will ensure our Great Lakes are protected for many generations to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize President and Chief Executive Officer Emily L. Barr on the occasion of her retirement from Graham Media Group after a decade of stellar work. Her service to our community is worthy of commendation.

A native of Massachusetts, Mrs. Barr's career has been nothing short of exemplary. She began her career in broadcasting in 1980 as a news editor in St. Paul, Minnesota, before working as a writer and producer at a station in Washington, D.C. Until 1988, Mrs. Barr served as the Director of Creative Services and Advertising and Promotion Manager at KHOU-TV in Houston, Texas. In 1988, she became the Director of Broadcast Operations and Programming at WMAR-TV in Baltimore, Maryland. Later, she led the ABC-owned station in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina as the President and General Manager before she became President and General Manager of ABC 7 Chicago. In 2012, Mrs. Barr joined Graham Media Group, which includes WDIV Detroit, as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Her work propelled Graham Media Group to evolve from a broadcast-based model to seven local media hubs. She led the acquisition of top social media software, and developed Graham Digital, a digital media and technology development group in Detroit. Her fierce dedication to her work has transformed Graham Media Group to represent nearly 7 percent of coverage in the United States.

As a leader in our community, Mrs. Barr's work did not end in the broadcasting space. She has been a leader for women wherever she has been and has supported civic causes throughout her career. At home, she led citywide efforts to raise funds for the Haitian earthquake relief effort and serves on the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, Carleton College in Minnesota. Mrs. Barr is also the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Broadcaster of the Year Award, the Vincent T. Wasilewski Broadcaster of the Year Award, the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, the Golden Mike Award, and holds an Honorary Doctorate from Robert Morris University. Amongst this, she has been inducted into the Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and will be elected to the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame this Spring. Mrs. Barr currently resides with her husband Scott and two daughters in Chicago.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Emily Barr for her outstanding career. She has led with compassion and integrity, ensuring the success of Graham Media Group and has been an innovative leader in media for over two decades and who truly cares about the Midwest. I join with Mrs. Barr's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to her in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chris and Lisa Jeffries on the occasion of the naming of Jeffries Hall at the University of Michigan Law School located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their significant contributions to the University of Michigan and our greater community are worthy of commendation.

A 1974 graduate of Michigan Law School, Chris Jeffries is a philanthropist and the cofounder of Millennium Partners, a real estate development company. Upon graduation from Michigan, he worked as a partner at Keywell & Rosenfeld in Southfield, Michigan. He has also contributed to other Michigan institutions, such as the Henry Ford Health System based in Metro Detroit, to help them deliver better care and develop innovative treatments for patients.

Mr. Jeffries recalls his time at Michigan Law as formative and memorable, and he wants to ensure that students who lack financial resources are given the same opportunity to thrive at Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries have committed $33 million to the University of

Michigan Law School, the largest gift in the Law School's history. The gift will used for student support, including scholarships and financial aid, summer funding programs and debt management. They previously gave $5 million toward the building of South Hall in 2007 and $2.5 million to support the establishment of the Law School's 1L Summer Funding Program in 2015. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries currently reside in Miami, Florida.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chris and Lisa Jeffries on this special day as the ribbon is cut at the entrance to the new Jeffries Hall that was named in their honor. We are truly grateful for their generosity and for this historic gift that will help support Michigan Law School and their students for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Daniel Geb of Allen Park, Michigan, on the occasion of his 80th Birthday. His continued service to our community is worthy of commendation.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he is a graduate of John Pershing High School. A proud Teamster, he worked at Hudson's until his retirement. A well-known activist in Southeast Michigan, Mr. Geb was invited to join the Michigan Committee to Protection Pensions in the fight to protect hard-earned Teamster retiree pensions. He travelled all over the country with the committee, including throughout the Midwest and to the Nation's capital to advocate for his union brothers and sisters. Described by his peers as a true fighter, whether it's in conversations with heavy-hitter legislators or battling health issues, Dan always perseveres and comes out on top.

No stranger to Michigan politics, Mr. Geb is a friend to many elected officials and advocates in our State. President of the Allen Park Democratic Club, he has an unmatched memory for historic political events and has attended numerous conventions and events through his life. According to his friends, he knows more representatives, has been to, and remembers the time, the dates, the people there, and the outcome of political events better than anyone. There hasn't been a person who has met Dan that didn't like him; his warmth, kindness, and passion for his country shines through with everything that he does, and we are truly lucky to have him in our downriver community. A lifelong Michigander, Mr. Geb continues to reside in Allen Park, Michigan.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Daniel Geb on his 80th birthday. I join with his family and friends and Teamster brothers and sisters in extending my best and warmest wishes to him on this special day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3807, the Relief for Restaurants and other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act.

As you are hearing from my colleagues, the food service industry has been one of the hardest hit throughout this pandemic, with many restaurants temporarily closing their doors or dramatically limiting their capacity during the worst surges but still feeding their community. Far too many are never opening again.

Right now, many more are looking to close their doors permanently if we don't give them help and live up to our commitment to support them through this unprecedented time. We have all heard stories from our districts of small businesses seeking assistance, many of which have been eligible but just can't get the funds.

Like my colleagues, the Coney Island that I have gone to for 35 years is looking at closing. The waitress who worked there for 35 years was in total tears last week because she doesn't know what she is going to do. There are other restaurants throughout my district just needing help.

This legislation provides critical funding that we need to grant to these restaurants in our communities. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the bipartisan supply chain provisions included in the House-passed America COMPETES Act.

Every day, we are hearing from our constituents about inflation and rising prices, and one critical factor contributing to these issues is continued disruptions in the domestic supply chain.

The America COMPETES supply chain subtitle establishes an office of manufacturing security and resilience within the Department of Commerce to monitor, identify, map, and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities.

It also authorizes billions in grants and loans to support the manufacturing of critical goods, equipment, and cutting-edge technologies that are essential to our national and economic security.

The investments included in the bipartisan America COMPETES supply chain subtitle will allow us to preempt future shocks to our supply chain, and we must be proactive in strengthening our manufacturing capacity to secure our future.

I hope that this critical subtitle remains in the bill and is retained in any final package the conference process yields.

Mr. Speaker, for 35 years, Fred Upton has been a devoted public servant for southwest Michigan, all of Michigan, and our Nation.

Throughout his career, he has always put the people he served first. To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words. Fred knew well that if we are going to deliver real solutions for the American people, we need to come together and listen to all perspectives, no matter how complicated the issue might be. It is because of that thinking, he was able to get so much done in Congress.

I am especially proud of all that we have been able to accomplish together. Thanks to his partnership, we were able to pass legislation to protect the Great Lakes for future generations and lower the cost of healthcare for all Americans. Together, we have championed removing the harmful PFAS chemicals from our Nation's drinking water, and I am confident we are going to get this to the President's desk.

While we may not have found harmony on every issue, Fred and I always managed to disagree without vitriolic rhetoric and mean-spirited language. Even through our toughest discussions, Fred always found a way to make me laugh, except today. It is his civility that I--and Congress--will miss the most.

Fred really believed that he was an American first, that reaching across the aisle was important, that working together is how we get things done for the American people. His retiring is a loss for this country, and especially the people of Michigan.

Fred is a dear friend to me, was John's best friend, and was there when John died. The Dingell family loves him. He is one of the greatest Michiganders to serve our country. I wish him, Amey, and their family the best as they prepare for the next adventure. And there will be one. Thank you, Fred.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Medical Marijuana Research Act, legislation that would modernize Federal rules and procedures to facilitate additional medical research into the impacts of medical marijuana.

We have seen dramatic changes in the legal status of marijuana at the State level, my State included. Sales of recreational marijuana began in my home State of Michigan in 2019, and medical marijuana is now legal in 37 States. However, the Federal framework for conducting marijuana research is decades old and has not kept pace with these changes.

Currently, scientists in the United States looking to conduct research on marijuana must contend with a heavy-handed, duplicative registration and licensure process. Additionally, researchers are limited to using marijuana grown at a single location overseen by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the University of Mississippi.

Collectively, these outdated, bureaucratic barriers and Federal roadblocks greatly limit our understanding of the health impacts of marijuana and prevent qualified researchers from engaging in further study.

The Medical Marijuana Research Act will modernize the cumbersome process by streamlining marijuana research registration applications. It will also direct FDA to issue guidelines on the production of marijuana and ensure that adequate amounts are available for research.

The legislation also mandates a comprehensive review of the available body of research on marijuana by the Secretary of Health and Human Services 5 years after enactment.

I thank my colleagues, Representatives Blumenauer, Harris, Norton, Cohen, Griffith, Barbara Lee, and Case, who led this with me to get this legislation passed.

Additionally, I recognize Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member Rodgers of Washington, as well as the Energy and Commerce Committee staff, for their very thoughtful input and efforts.

Madam Speaker, it is high time we modernize our Nation's Federal regulations to facilitate legitimate medical research into the impacts of marijuana, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Monica Gayle on the occasion of her retirement from FOX 2 Detroit after twenty-five years. Her significant contributions to our Metro Detroit community are worthy of commendation.

A Washington State native, Ms. Gayle graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Communications in 1982. She began her career in local news at home in Washington and then joined CBS in New York. She joined the main news anchor team at WJBK-TV in 1997. Along with her co-anchor, Huel Perkins, she is a part of one of the longest running anchor teams in Metro Detroit and has spent the last twenty- five years keeping the people of Southeastern Michigan informed on the issues of the day. Together they've covered the stories that define us--9/11, the inauguration of President Obama, Kwame Kilpatrick, and the implosion of the Hudson Building in Downtown Detroit.

Described by her co-anchor Huel as compassionate and brilliant, full of love and kindness Ms. Gayle has been a familiar face behind the news desk for a quarter of a century. She is a five-time Regional Emmy Award winning journalist and has anchored for a number of top-rated television markets throughout her over four decades-long career. Her work has taken her overseas to cover important stories in England, Ireland, Russia, Bosnia, and Honduras. A mother herself, she has always had a passion for covering the issues that matter to women and families and in 2006 she received the Operation Smile ``Humanitarian of The Year'' award. Ms. Gayle continues to reside in Michigan with her husband Dean and son Tanner.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Monica Gayle for an exemplary career at FOX 2 Detroit. I join with Ms. Gayle's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my gratitude to her for her tireless commitment to our community and to thank her for her role in keeping the people of Michigan informed for over two decades. Though we will miss her skilled reporting and seeing the familiar faces of Monica and co-anchor Huel on FOX 2, we wish her the very best in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Huel Perkins on the occasion of his retirement from FOX 2 Detroit after thirty-three years. His significant contributions to our Metro Detroit community are worthy of commendation.

A native of Louisiana, Mr. Perkins first started working as an anchor in Baton Rouge. He planned on continuing law school until a new career path appeared in the form of a phone call and he moved to work at a local station in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1989, he joined TV 2 in Detroit and has since then become a household name here in Metro Detroit. Along with his co-anchor, Monica Gayle, he is a part of one of the longest running anchor teams in Metro Detroit and has spent the last twenty-five years keeping the people of Southeastern Michigan informed on the issues of the day. Together they've covered the stories that define us--9/11, the inauguration of President Obama, Kwame Kilpatrick, and the memorable implosion of the Hudson Building in Downtown Detroit.

The sharp and larger than life host of Let It Rip, Mr. Perkins has received two Emmy Awards for reporting and four nominations for Best Anchor. Known for his boundless optimism, he has delivered the news that matters to Southeast Michigan with integrity and compassion. Mr. Perkins has traveled the world reporting on figures like Nelson Mandela and Pope, but this hasn't stopped him from being engaged in the community he calls home. Over the years he has made a difference in the lives of so many Metro Detroiters and in return, Michigan has adopted him as of our own. Even as he leaves FOX 2, his words of wisdom will not be forgotten. Mr. Perkins resides in Michigan with his wife Priscilla and together they have two sons, Jared and Vincent.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Huel Perkins for an exemplary career at FOX 2 Detroit. I join with Mr. Perkin's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my gratitude to him for his tireless commitment to our community and to thank him for his role in keeping the people of Michigan informed for over three decades. Though we will miss his skilled reporting and seeing the familiar faces of Huel and co-anchor Monica on FOX 2, we wish him the very best in retirement.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 89.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Carol Browner, on being awarded the ``Force of Nature'' award by global non- profit Pure Earth. Her lifetime of dedication to protecting the environment and fighting for vulnerable populations makes Ms. Browner a true force of nature. Her significant contributions to environmental progress and sustainability are worthy of commendation.

Born in Miami, Florida, she is a graduate of the University of Florida and the University of Florida College of Law. At home in South Miami, Ms. Browner grew up around nature and developed her love and appreciation for our environment and their natural resources early on by spending time visiting the nearby Everglades. Her first role was in the Florida House of Representatives as General Counsel, working to revise the Conservation and Recreational Lands Program. She later moved to Washington, DC to advocate for the environment and ended up working on Capitol Hill. She worked for Senator Lawton Chiles, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and as Legislative Director for Senator Al Gore. She then returned to her home state of Florida to serve as Secretary of Environmental Regulation.

After the election of President Bill Clinton, Ms. Browner was nominated for the position of Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. She was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on January 21, 1993. During this time, she notably helped strengthen the Clean Air Act and upped the United States position in the fight against global warming. After the end of the Clinton administration, she joined the Albright Group where she continued her works as an advocate for strengthening environmental regulations and fighting climate change. At the start of a new Democratic administration in 2009, President Barack Obama named her Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy. She helped negotiate the new automobile emission standards in 2009 and was a leader during the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill of 2010. During the Obama administration, she secured a historic investment in clean energy and established the first ever greenhouse gas reduction standards. Ms. Browner now serves on the board of directors for environmental groups, including as Chair for the League of Conservation Voters.

Ms. Browner's accomplishments are numerous and impactful, and in every place that she has served, she has done all in her power to create positive change and put beneficial climate policy in action. She has been on the front lines of environmental policy for the past three decades and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. She was named winner of the ``Force of Nature Award'' for this year because of her ongoing efforts to protect children from environmental hazards, and for her recent establishment of the Protecting Every Child's Potential lead contamination prevention initiative.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Carol Browner as this year's ``Force of Nature'' award winner. We are grateful for her continued work on behalf of our environment and congratulate her on this great honor.