Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize City Clerk Cynthia A. Lehr on the occasion of her retirement after 26 years of service to the City of Gibraltar, Michigan. Her significant contributions to the Gibraltar community are worthy of commendation.

Clerk Lehr began serving the people of Gibraltar in 1995. She earned her Municipal Clerk Certification from Michigan State University's Municipal Clerk Institute on January 31, 2004. A skilled and accomplished clerk, she was elected Treasurer of the Association of

Wayne County Clerks from 2001 to 2003 and was nominated for Clerk of the Year in 2021.

As City Clerk, Mrs. Lehr was responsible for some of the most important duties of local government. Tasked with keeping the journal of city meetings and commissions, she diligently attended city gatherings and kept the public up to speed on the issues of the day. The face of elections in the City of Gibraltar, Clerk Lehr and her team work tirelessly to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the city's elections, spending tens of hours counting votes and submitting tallies.

A friendly face to city visitors and residents alike, Clerk Lehr-- known as Cindy to friends--has been helping Gibraltar residents vote and maintain important records for nearly three decades. An active volunteer, Mrs. Lehr is a 23-year member of the International Rotary Club. A loving mother and grandmother, Mrs. Lehr and her husband Paul have 7 children and 18 grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Clerk Cynthia Lehr for her exemplary 26 years of service to the City of Gibraltar, Michigan. She will be missed at Gibraltar City Hall, but I join with Cindy's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to her in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor James Gorris on the occasion of his retirement after over 16 years of service to the City of Gibraltar, Michigan. His significant contributions to the Gibraltar community are worthy of commendation.

Born in Wyandotte, Michigan and a graduate of Lincoln Park High School, Mayor James Gorris is a downriver native. He was first elected to his position in 2009 and was reelected 6 more times until his retirement. Before becoming Mayor of Gibraltar, he served the community as a member of the Gibraltar City Council.

During his tenure as Mayor, Mayor Gorris has improved the lives of Gibraltar residents in many ways. He has led the way in obtaining grants for investments in infrastructure, including the replacement of the bridge over Middle Gibraltar Road, a path for walkers and bikers along the boundary of the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge, and the City's renewal of the water system. Mayor Gorris has worked closely with stakeholders on the multimillion dollar plan to renovate and repurpose the old McLouth Steel Plant.

All who know him can attest to his strength of character and commitment to making Gibraltar a better place for all. Mayor Gorris credits his success to the hard work and dedication of city employees, the city council, and Gibraltar's police and fire departments. His strong relationships within his own community, as well as with state, local, and federal leaders made him a stellar advocate for the exceptional place that he calls home. Mayor Gorris and his wife Tamey have four grown children and they reside in Gibraltar.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mayor James Gorris for his exemplary 16 years of service to the City of Gibraltar, Michigan. I join with Jim's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to him in retirement.

Madam Speaker, this month, we will pause on November 11th to honor the men and women who have selflessly served America in uniform. Veterans of the United States Armed Forces have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation, and it is critical we express our sincere gratitude for the sacrifices they have made.

I appreciate the opportunity to draw awareness to a critical issue affecting both veterans and current servicemembers--toxic exposure.

Toxic exposure has affected U.S. servicemembers for generations. While each war and conflict has posed unique hazards and health risks for servicemembers, our nation's youngest veterans are increasingly facing health consequences due to exposure to toxic chemicals during their military service in the Middle East.

Over the past two decades in the Middle East, open burn pits were commonly used as disposal sites for materials such as trash, weapons, batteries, and other waste. Servicemembers are concerned about the illnesses that are linked to exposure to the toxic fumes and smoke emitted by these burn pits, especially as some have begun developing rare cancers and illnesses at higher rates than their counterparts that were deployed to other parts of the world.

Michigan-native Kevin Hensley is one such veteran who has been deeply impacted by burn pits. Kevin is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who was deployed to the Middle East eight times and stationed near open air burn pits during four of his deployments. After retiring and moving back to Wayne County in 2015, Kevin's health began rapidly deteriorating. By 2017, Kevin had been diagnosed with Constrictive Bronchiolitis, and later brain scans revealed serious damage from inhaling toxic smoke.

Kevin struggles with daily tasks, saying he finds it difficult to go grocery shopping without gasping for air. Equally upsetting, Kevin has faced challenges receiving care through the VA. Only in 2020 did the VA formally expand benefits for veterans suffering with illnesses related to exposure to burn pits. Still, veterans must shoulder a burden of proof, which requires them to precisely pinpoint where and when they may have been exposed to burn pits. As a result, the VA continues to deny an overwhelming number of burn-pit related disability claims.

Unfortunately, Kevin's story is one of far too many. Our nation's veterans deserve better, and we must recommit ourselves to this effort to ensure veterans receive the benefits and care they're entitled to.

That's why I'm a proud cosponsor of H.R. 3967, the Honoring Our Promises to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021. This bipartisan bill will provide vital support to veterans who have been exposed to burn pits and other toxins and ensure they can access crucial healthcare services through the VA.

I thank Rep. Ruiz for his steadfast leadership on toxic exposure and burn pits. I urge all my colleagues to support this important legislation and continue pursuing other legislative solutions that will ensure our servicemembers have access to the healthcare they deserve.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mariam C. Noland on the occasion of her retirement from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan after over thirty-five years of service as President. Her significant contributions to our southeast Michigan community are worthy of commendation.

A graduate of Harvard University and Case Western Reserve University, Ms. Noland was an experienced leader in the nonprofit and community foundation field before arriving in Michigan. Prior to being named as the founding President of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan in 1985, she worked at the Cleveland Foundation and the Saint Paul Foundation, as well as at colleges in Ohio and North Carolina.

As President of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, she helped create and fund countless programs that benefit our community. These include the GreenWays Initiative, the New Economy Initiative, the HOPE Fund, Southeast Michigan Healthy Youth, Healthy Seniors, and the Family Development Program. These programs uplift diverse populations, invest in environmental initiatives, promote community health, advance justice and policing reform, and help our local economy thrive. Her work to secure endowments in perpetuity for many of the Foundation's programs will help transform southeast Michigan, and the impact of her work will be felt for years to come. During her tenure, the Community Foundation's assets have grown to more than $1.1 billion, placing the Foundation in the top 25 nationally.

Ms. Noland currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and the Downtown Detroit Partnership. She is the recipient of the Special Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Philanthropy, has been named Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News, and has an award in her name at the Community Foundation--the Mariam C. Noland Award for Nonprofit Leadership that recognizes a nonprofit president or CEO in Southeast Michigan who is an exceptional leader in their organization and beyond. She resides in Grosse Pointe Farms with her husband James.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mariam C. Noland for an exemplary nearly four decades of dedicated service to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. I join with Mariam's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to her in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Miller's Bar located in Dearborn, Michigan, as they celebrate over 80 years of service to our community. Their decades spent as a Dearborn legend are worthy of commendation.

Established 1941 by the George Miller and his family, the current owners Dennis and Mark Miller give credit to Russell Miller who ``made it what it is.'' There's always a Miller around the restaurant, which is open six days a week. This old-school Dearborn establishment with the red booths is a local gem, one that requires that customers abide by the honor system when paying for their meals and accepts only cash. Though the honor system may be a relic of days past, their reliance on honesty and the trust they've built with their customers is a testament to their status as a treasured Dearborn mainstay. For years they've served generations of hungry workers and families.

The restaurant is famous throughout southeast Michigan and is a popular gathering spot for nearby Ford Motor Company employees, known for their iconic made-to-order ground round burgers served on wax paper. Their burger was named one of the top 25 in the country by Food & Wine Magazine in 2012 and named one of the Best Burger Places in America by Thrillist in 2018. Among other fans include acclaimed food writers from GQ, MLive, Click on Detroit, the Wall Street Journal, Pure Michigan, The Michigan Journal, Detroit's Hour Magazine, and even Oprah.

Miller's Bar is nothing short of a Dearborn icon. A family operation to this day, they have grilled for thousands. A place for friends to get together, families to share a meal, and to catch up on the neighborhood news--we have been lucky to have them here at home for the past eight decades.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Miller's Bar. Please join me in congratulating them on eight fantastic decades of business. We thank the Miller family for their commitment to serving our neighbors for the past 80 years. We wish them the best of luck as this Dearborn mainstay goes up for sale and new owners take over and continue the great tradition that the Miller family started long ago.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and now more than ever, we must recommit ourselves to eliminating the threat of domestic violence and ensure survivors have the support they need to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The bill before us today is the only federal funding source dedicated to domestic violence prevention programs, and it is critical this bill is passed to continue funding lifesaving services like emergency shelters, counseling, and crisis hotlines for survivors and their children.

FVPSA has been a key pillar in our nation's strategy to eradicate domestic violence. It has made a difference in my home state. and this bill is estimated to provide a 50 percent funding increase to $4.5 million that will undoubtedly strengthen care for survivors across Michigan.

In addition to improving this law and increasing its resources, we must continue working together to advance comprehensive legislative solutions that protect Americans from the threat of domestic violence.

This issue is personal for me--I've seen it up close growing up. No woman, no child, no person, and no family should fear for their life because of domestic violence. That's why I am a proud co-chair of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence, a group we established in 2018 to unite members from both sides of the aisle to achieve a common purpose: ending domestic violence.

This is not a partisan issue--it's an American issue--and I am honored to work alongside a bipartisan coalition of members who are just as dedicated to accomplishing this task. Our goal today, tomorrow, and each day after will be to end domestic violence and ensure survivors are given the support they deserve.

Earlier this year, the House also reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act. This bill includes vital improvements to address gaps that have been identified by survivors, and I was glad several legislative pieces of mine were included in its reauthorization.

My Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act was again included that would close loopholes that make it easy for domestic abusers to purchase weapons without passing a background check. Additionally, this bill reauthorizes the VAWA Health program at increased levels that helps train health care providers and strengthens collaborations between public health and domestic violence agencies. Finally, it includes my amendment that would update how survivors of domestic violence can obtain protection orders.

Our work is far from over. Without reauthorization of FVPSA and VAWA, programs to help survivors are losing critical funding. We must demonstrate that protecting and expanding resources for survivors are top priorities. I urge all my colleagues to support me in passing this important piece of legislation, and l call on the Senate to swiftly act to protect survivors across the nation.

I would like to thank leadership for bringing this bill to the floor and my colleagues, Reps. McBath, Moore, Young, and Katko for their bipartisan work on this bill.

Madam Speaker, we lost a steadfast leader for hard- working families and people across the country in Richard Trumka.

A union worker himself, serving as the President of the United Mine Workers of America before becoming the President of AFL-CIO, he was a giant among labor leaders and advocates and never once backed down from fighting for workers' rights and speaking truth to power.

A steadfast champion for income equality, stronger benefits, and robust protections on the job, he knew that fighting for workers not only uplifts working families but drives our economy forward.

His commitment to a fair and just society that is built upon the foundation of a strong middle class and provides for each subsequent generation of workers remains unparalleled.

His passing is a profound loss for this movement, but his life and his determination serve as a role model for all of us to continue his critical work and remain dedicated to empowering and supporting workers and their families across the United States.

Madam Speaker, this week, our country lost a great American, and I stand here today to remember a giant: General Colin Powell.

He was a statesman who loved his country fiercely. He was a trailblazer who served with love, integrity, and pride. He helped shape American foreign and military policy for years. He believed public service was the most important job in the world.

His leadership, full of honesty and listening, inspired generations. He treated every person with dignity and respect. Until his dying day, he opposed the fear and the hatred dividing this country. He believed in America's promise, and he left that as his legacy. He stood on principle and believed in the good of life.

Today, we remember his steadfast leadership, his commitment to family, and his strong enduring presence.

Please join me in sending love and prayers to Alma and the Powell family in the difficult times ahead.

I close with some of the General's own wisdom: ``The ties that bind us together are far stronger than the occasional stresses that separate us.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Clara Doutly, a lifelong resident of Detroit, Michigan on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Her contributions to our community as a Rosie the Riveter are worthy of commendation,

Born at Herman Keifer Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, she was the youngest of six siblings. She fondly remembers summers spent at Green Pastures Camp, a successful program of the Detroit Urban League for children to spend time in the great outdoors. An excellent student, she attended the prestigious Cass Technical High School. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the subsequent entrance of the United States into World War II, Mrs. Doutly heard the call and started working at Briggs Manufacturing Company in Detroit, making parts for the B-29 bomber aircraft. She worked there as a riveter from 1942 until the end of the war in 1945. As a Rosie, Clara's hard work, grit, and patriotism not only sustained the American war effort, but paved a path for the next generation of working women.

Now a member of the American Rosie the Riveter Association, she seeks to preserve and celebrate the legacy of the Rosies. Through her membership, she's been able to board the first ever Rosie the Riveter Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., participate in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade, and has been featured in National Geographic-- including in the June 2020 issue commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Full of life and joy, even at age 100, Mrs. Doutly's sayings and stories are legendary among those who know her. She is a living witness to history and loves to talk about her experiences during World War II. She talks of the days of Detroit's Paradise Valley, where she enjoyed the renowned musicians and nightlife. After the war ended, she married Sylvester Doutly and worked at Detroit Public

Schools, where she remained until her retirement. A proud member of St. Patrick's Senior Center in Detroit for over three decades, she is an active participant in the center's activities and trips. Prior to the pandemic, she could be found there catching up with friends each day.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Clara Doutly on her 100th birthday. I join with her family and friends in extending my best and warmest wishes to her on this special day. I am proud to honor her life, her accomplishments, and her invaluable contributions to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Turkish- American Cultural Association of Michigan on the celebration of the 98th Turkish Independence Day on October 29, 2021. The Turkish-American Cultural Association of Michigan has been a positive force in our community and this celebration is worthy of commendation.

The Turkish-American Cultural Association of Michigan have been a strong voice for the Turkish people here in Michigan and their efforts play a role in cultivating a meaningful relationship between Turkey and the United States. The group serves as a bridge that unifies our communities to promote, plan, and execute programs that improve humanitarian and cultural welfare of the Turkish community in Michigan and abroad. Their leadership and the sharing of their unique tradition and culture has made a difference here at home and in communities across the nation.

As we celebrate the 98th Turkish Independence Day, I am proud to recognize the many Americans of Turkish descent who have made significant contributions to our state, especially those notable Turkish-Americans who reside in Michigan's 12th Congressional District who tirelessly work towards innovation in the fields of academia, the arts, and technology. Turkish-Americans enrich our communities through sharing their culture and continue to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to making Michigan a more inclusive, vibrant, and prosperous place for all.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 98th Turkish Independence Day. We thank the Turkish-American Cultural Association and their President, Dr. Mehmet Erdem Yaya, for their commitment to the betterment of our state of Michigan and look forward to celebrating this special anniversary for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jessica Workman, Vice President of Member Experience at Advantage One Credit Union as she is awarded the Unsung Heroine Award at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber's 5th annual Women of Achievement Awards. Her significant contributions to our downriver community are worthy of commendation.

Ms. Workman began her career at Advantage One Credit Union over 12 years ago as a teller and has worked her way up to her current role as Vice President of Member Experience. A native of Romulus, Michigan, she studied Political Science at University of Michigan--Dearborn. As a leader in her office, Ms. Workman is always looking for ways to improve the credit union for employees and members alike, and she meets each new challenge with enthusiasm. Even during a core conversion in the midst of a pandemic, Ms. Workman remained dedicated to making a positive change in her workplace--even when things got tough.

Her colleagues know her as someone who always has an upbeat attitude and looks on the bright side. A true team player, she challenges everyone to find new ways to help others and to go above and beyond in serving their members. She takes on every task with grace and optimism, and for that her entire team is thankful. Ms. Workman lives in Maybee, Michigan with her family.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jessica Workman and in congratulating her for being the recipient of the Unsung Heroine Award. We are grateful for her service to our community in Wayne County and beyond. We join with Jessica's friends, family, and colleagues in thanking her for her tireless work in making our community a better place for everyone. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ayana King, CEO at Maximum Communications as she is awarded the Entrepreneur Award at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber's 5th annual Women of Achievement Awards. Her significant contributions to our community are worthy of commendation.

Ms. King founded Maximum Communications, LLC in 2018 after working as Corporate Communications Manager at American House Senior Living Communities in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where she worked for over 4 years. A graduate of University of Michigan--Dearborn, Ms. King is a consultant and a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She began her journey assisting business in social media management, but found her calling in giving diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops. To her, inclusion is more than a word to be thrown around, she is unafraid to have tough conversations about difficult topics. She helps everyone do better and look inwards to recognize their own unconscious bias.

Her expertise in communications and diversity, equity, and inclusion is sought after in our community and nationally. Ms. King is known by others to be strong, driven, and passionate--never missing an opportunity to educate those around her. Her creative, entrepreneurial spirit has helped Michigan businesses find innovative ways to reach new customers through social media, helping grow the local economy. In starting her own business, she discovered her enthusiasm for helping others by providing an inclusive education to businesses and executives all over Metro Detroit.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ayana King and in congratulating her for being the recipient of the Entrepreneur Award. We are grateful for her service to our community in Wayne County and beyond. We join with Ayana's friends, family, and colleagues in thanking her for her hard work and dedication to helping others thrive and make our workspaces for inclusive for all.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mia Harnos, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency as she is awarded the Kyle F. Stack Leadership Award at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber's 5th annual Women of Achievement Awards. Her significant contributions to our community are worthy of commendation.

Raised in Allen Park, Mrs. Harnos has called southeast Michigan home for her whole life. Committed to the betterment of her community, she joined Wayne Metro in 2013 and has risen through the ranks to become Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer. She is the visionary behind numerous successful events, programs, and fundraisers that benefit the residents of Wayne County. In her current role, she is working on redesigning Wayne Metro's programs and services using a racial equity and inclusion lens. Described by coworkers as a natural leader who always puts people first, she's inspired her team to find new and improved ways to help residents in challenging times.

A tireless advocate for the people of her community, Mrs. Harnos led efforts to pass the Pay As You Stay legislation and helps raise money for Wayne Metro's Save the Day fund, two programs that provide financial relief to those facing tough times. Known for her ambitious spirit and positive attitude, she never stops striving to make a difference in her community. Mrs. Harnos lives in Wyandotte with her husband Brian and their three sons. Along with participating in Wayne Metro's many community events, Mrs. Harnos and her husband are supporters of the Wyandotte Rotary Club.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mia Harnos and in congratulating her for being the recipient of the Kyle F. Stack Leadership Award. We are grateful for her service to our community in Wayne County and beyond. We join with Mia's friends, family, and colleagues in thanking her for her exemplary leadership at the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency and for always being ready and willing to help those in their time of need.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Deidre Crockett, volunteer at Beaumont Health as she is awarded the Distinguished Young Woman Award at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber's 5th annual Women of Achievement Awards. Her significant contributions to our community are worthy of commendation.

Ms. Crockett attended high school in Taylor, Michigan. She is currently studying Biomedical Physics at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan as Wayne Med-Direct scholar. The competitive Wayne Med-Direct program aims to educate students about urban health disparities and help future physicians lead the way in improving the health and wellness of urban and underserved communities. In the future, Ms. Crockett wants to become a geneticist specializing in treating sickle cell disease and offer low-cost treatments to families

in need. As a volunteer at Beaumont Hospital in Taylor she has given over 180 hours of services to staff and patients in the surgical lounge, radiology, wound care, welcome desk, and bariatric surgery areas.

Her colleagues at Beaumont describe her as kind, compassionate, smart, and hardworking--truly a distinguished young woman. They have no doubt that she will make an immense difference in the lives of her future patients. Even as a busy student, in her spare time she is active in her church, helps children learn to play soccer, and volunteers at a local food distribution center. It is safe to say that Ms. Crockett has a bright future ahead of her and we will all benefit from her drive and passion for helping others.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Deidre Crockett and in congratulating her for being the recipient of the Distinguished Young Woman Award. We are grateful for her exemplary service to our community in Wayne County and beyond. We join with Deidre's friends, family, and colleagues in thanking her for her hard work and dedication to her field and wish her the best in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Bivouac, a family-owned small business located on bustling State Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their 50 years spent outfitting the lives of those in our community is worthy of commendation.

Founded in 1970 by Mr. Ed Davidson while he was a student at the University of Iowa, he set up shop on Williams Street in Ann Arbor in 1971. It started off as an army surplus store catering to anti-war activists, but after the move to their current location on South State Street, the store has become an Ann Arbor mainstay for clothing and outdoor gear. With their expansive storefront in the historic Nickels Arcade, Bivouac is a familiar shopping destination for many University of Michigan students and the locals who call Ann Arbor home.

Bivouac goes beyond just making sales by contributing to causes with local impact and lending a hand to their neighbors. For their 50th anniversary, they are donating ten percent of their sales to the Huron River Watershed Council. They've also held charity shopping events for organizations such as Ozone House, a shelter for homeless youth based in Ypsilanti.

For years, Bivouac has outfitted hundreds. Former customers--now parents--bring their children back to the store when they begin school at the University of Michigan to get the coats and layers needed to survive a chilly Michigan winter. What started off as an idea of a University of Iowa senior has grown into an Ann Arbor icon and now since the partial retirement of Mr. Davidson, his son AJ Davidson now serves as President of the store and handles day-to-day operations.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bivouac. We are grateful for their half-century as a vital member of our downtown Ann Arbor community and wish them continued success in the adventure ahead.