Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Williams of Allen Park on the occasion of his 100th Birthday. His contributions to our community and to our nation are worthy of commendation.

Mr. Williams was born in Emporia, Kansas and moved to Detroit, Michigan as the eldest of nine children when he was only three years old. Growing up in Detroit he was an active athlete, playing both baseball and football. He proudly cast his very first vote on election day for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

As a young man, he volunteered to serve his country in the United States Navy. Stationed in the Pacific, he survived the attacks on Pearl Harbor on that infamous day, December 7, 1941. After the death of his first wife while she was pregnant with their third child in California, Mr. Williams returned to Detroit with his two children. It was here where he later met his late wife Oila. Mr. Williams worked for Great Lakes Steel in Ecorse, Michigan for nearly 35 years.

A man of faith, Mr. Williams has served as a deacon at Whitlock Memorial Church of God in Christ in Detroit for over 63 years. These days, he continues to attend bible study and still makes time to attend church services. Friends and family know him as someone with a big smile, a love of people, and most importantly, someone who always has time to impart his wisdom or share a joke.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring John Williams on his 100th Birthday. He has honorably served this country through his service in the United States Navy during World War II. I join with Mr. Williams' family, including his two granddaughters, four great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and friends in extending my best wishes to him on his birthday, in celebration of another exemplary year of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1446.

This is a commonsense bill that would extend the time allowed for the completion of background checks for firearm sales from 3 to 10 days, giving time for a complete background check.

I want to be clear. I lived with a man who slept with a gun under his pillow until the day he died. He was a responsible gun owner. And I lived in a home with a man who shouldn't have had a gun, and I remember the fear that I could die any day and that my siblings would die. A gun in a household with someone emotionally unstable, angry, is plain and simply dangerous.

Mass shootings and tragic acts of gun violence have become far too common in the United States. I think my baby sister is not alive today because of the trauma of living with someone who should not have had a gun.

Yet, I don't want to take a gun away from a responsible gun owner. Every American deserves the right to live safely.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the PRO Act.

This bill supports workers in this country by implementing meaningful and enforceable penalties for companies that violate workers' rights.

It expands accessibility to collective bargaining and closes loopholes used to exploit workers while strengthening workers' access to fair union elections.

Unions are the bedrock of our Nation's prosperity and success. Many of us have been impacted by their good work. Healthcare benefits, pensions, safe working conditions, vacations, and holidays, teacher-to- student ratios, nurse-to-patient ratios were all negotiated and pushed forward by unions. Too many of us take for granted benefits that we enjoy because of hard-fought battles by unions.

A January 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics report highlights that nonunion worker median weekly earnings were 84 percent of earnings for workers who were union members. Further research also underscores that strong unions lead to higher wages for all workers, regardless of their union status.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

International Federation of Professional & Technical

Engineers, AFL-CIO & CLC,

Washington, DC, March 8, 2021.

Dear Representative: On behalf of 90,000 workers

represented by the International Federation of Professional

and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), we urge you to vote for the

Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021, H.R. 842 (PRO

Act). The bipartisan PRO Act, sponsored by House Education

and Labor Chair Bobby Scott, restores the original intent of

the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA) and levels

the playing field between workers who want to form unions and

employers who exploit weaknesses in the current law to

frustrate union organizing drives and interfere with workers'

legal rights to organize and bargain collectively.

If enacted, the PRO Act would counter the all-too-common

anti-union intimidation tactics that workers who are

organizing a union are subjected to. For example, upwards of

50 professionals employed by Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)

are currently voting by mail to form a union with the

Nonprofit Professional Employees Union-IFPTE Local 70 (NPEU)

so that they can have a voice in creating a workplace that is

anti-racist, cooperative, equitable, inclusive, just,

respectful, and transparent. These are attorneys, legislative

affairs professionals, and communications professionals whose

personal and professional dedication to their work ties their

working conditions to ALDF's mission. Unfortunately, the

employer's anti-union campaign has included spending

undisclosed resources to hire an anti-union firm to engage in

some of the very anti-worker behavior that this bill seeks to

correct. This includes activities such as weekly coercive

union avoidance meetings and anti-union communication filled

with misinformation, intimidation aimed at discouraging union

activity, as well as misclassifying employees as management

ahead of the unionization vote.

This bill meaningfully restores workers' rights to

determine for themselves if they want a union by providing a

fair process for union recognition if the National Labor

Relations Board (NLRB) determines that the employer illegally

interfered with the union representation election. Provisions

in the bill also allow the union or the employer to request a

mediation-arbitration process for first contract negotiations

that take longer than 90 days. Language in this bill that

prohibits captive audience meetings and reinstates the

requirement that employers disclose the hiring of and

compensation for anti-union consultants will help workers

make informed choices when they receive information from

their employers. By clarifying and updating the NLRA's

definitions for employee, supervisor, and employer, the PRO

Act clarifies the definition of joint employer and closes

loopholes that allow employers to misclassify workers.

Furthermore, this bill gives the NLRB the authority to

conduct economic analysis as it sets policies and

regulations, increases penalties against employers who

violate the NLRA, requires employers to reinstate workers

while the NLRB investigates the retaliatory firing, and gives

unions the ability to collect fair-share fees.

For all the reasons above, IFPTE requests you vote for the

PRO Act. We urge you to vote against any amendments that

weaken sections of the bill, especially sections that

prohibit and prevent the misclassification of workers.

Further, IFPTE is hopeful that the Rules Committee makes in

order and the House approves Rep. Andy Levin's SAFE Act as a

part of the underlying bill. The inclusion of this provision

would remove the longstanding NLRB prohibition against

administering union elections electronically.

Thank you for considering our request. Should you have any

questions, please feel free to contact either of us.

Sincerely,

Paul Shearon,

President.

Matthew Biggs,

Secretary-Treasurer/Legislative Director.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge James Kandrevas on the occasion of his retirement after serving 30 years as the 28th District Judge in Southgate, Michigan. His significant contributions to the Southgate community are worthy of commendation.

Judge Kandrevas grew up in River Rouge and as a young man, he worked as a steelworker on Zug Island. This experience encouraged him to pursue a degree from Wayne State University. In 1970, he earned a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. After passing the bar, he was a litigator and served as Southgate's city attorney, eventually serving as Southgate's Municipal Judge from 1973 to 1979. He became Mayor of the City of Southgate in 1983 and remained in that role until 1990. During his time as Mayor, he stabilized city employee pensions, established a center for senior citizens, and expanded recreation programs.

In 1990, Judge Kandrevas was elected Judge of the 28th District Court and has served five consecutive six-year terms. During his tenure on the court, he has made an impact on the lives of many. Judge Kandrevas is known for his administration of special courts for drug abusers and military veterans with emotional and personal problems. He has also directed special operations that include counseling, mentoring, rehabilitation, recovery, and treatment as an alternative to jail sentences. His court has helped many veterans and civilians turn their lives around when they have found themselves in trouble with the law. Although he is retiring, Judge Kandrevas' time in the courtroom is not yet done--he will be allowed to remain on the bench as a visiting judge.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Judge James Kandrevas for his exemplary 30 years of public service. He has effectively served Southgate and the state of Michigan in his role as the 28th District Judge. I join with Judge Kandrevas' family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to him in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge James Kersten on the occasion of his retirement after serving nearly 25 years as the 33rd District Judge in Woodhaven, Michigan. His contributions to the community are worthy of commendation.

Judge Kersten grew up in Trenton, graduating from Trenton High School. In 1977, Judge Kersten graduated from Michigan State University and in 1980 he earned his law degree from the Detroit College of Law. Judge Kersten started his career as an attorney in Flat Rock where he represented local families and businesses. Later, he served as a Wayne County mediator and arbitrator for 10 years and eventually, Judge Kersten was elected to serve as the 33rd District judge following in the footsteps of his father, Judge Kurt Kersten.

During his time as a Judge, he encouraged people in trouble to use that experience and make a positive change in their lives and was known for his skillful mediation of long standing civil disputes.

Beyond his work in the judiciary, he is an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church,

the Elks Club of Flat Rock, Flat Rock Rotary, and Downriver youth sports. He has demonstrated his commitment to the entire Michigan community, and it is my honor and privilege to recognize his distinguished work today.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Honorable James Kersten for an exemplary career in public service. He has effectively served Woodhaven and the state of Michigan in his role as the 33rd District Judge through his selflessness and dedication to the community. I join with Judge James' family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to him in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joann Gonyea on the occasion of her retirement after nearly 35 years of service to the City of Trenton, Michigan. Her significant contributions to the Trenton community is worthy of commendation.

Ms. Gonyea grew up on the east side of Detroit, Michigan. Later attending Wayne State University and graduating with a degree in Recreation and Parks Services. In 1985, she was introduced to the City of Trenton as an intern with the Wayne County park system. She was hired to the City of Trenton's Parks and Recreation team, eventually rising to the position of Director of Parks and Recreation.

During her time as Director, she has broken ground on numerous projects. She was a critical partner in the development and opening of the Refuge Gateway of Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, the only International Wildlife Refuge in North America. As a leader in the Downriver Linked Greenways project, she helped build a trail to connect the wildlife refuge with the downriver linked greenways. Ms. Gonyea is leaving a legacy of successful revitalization projects and has helped the city of Trenton earn the title of ``trail town.''

The parks, trails, and greenways she has helped develop have transformed the 12th District and will have a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of its residents. Her work has been vital in promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Joann Gonyea for her exemplary 35 years of public service. She has effectively served Trenton and the State of Michigan in her role as Parks and Recreation Director through her selflessness and dedication to the community. I join with Joann's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to her in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gabriella Mayrend of Ypsilanti for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. A freshman at Huron High School in Ann Arbor, Miss Mayrend of Troop 439G, is the first female Eagle Scout from the Huron Trails District based in Washtenaw County and is a member of the inaugural female Eagle Scout class.

Miss Mayrend was inspired to join Scouts BSA because of her love of adventure and the outdoors. Since then she has earned an impressive forty-one merit badges while serving as a leader in her all-female troop. Since 1910, Scouts BSA has taught members the fundamentals of becoming a responsible citizen who makes moral and ethical choices in their lives. Eagle Scouts are leaders in every sense of the word, and Gabriella is no different. Miss Mayrend is the newest Eagle Scout in her family and is upholding the legacy that began with her great- grandfather.

Her project, entitled Faholo Fire was completed at Camp Faholo in Grass Lake, a local camp that requested her assistance in rebuilding their four firepits. She repaired the decaying firepits and constructed twenty new benches and handcrafted four new firewood storage boxes. Additionally, she cleaned and repainted the camp's existing benches and upgraded them to a new set of swinging benches.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating Gabriella Mayrend for becoming the first female in the Huron Trails District to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. We are grateful for her service and dedication to the Washtenaw County community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ethel Klepien Ciszewicz on the occasion of her 99th birthday.

Mrs. Ciszewicz was born on January 27, 1922. She was raised in Detroit, Michigan by her mother who worked to provide for Ethel and her three siblings after her father passed away when she was four years old. As a young woman, she loved to dance and would take the streetcar two to three times per week to take part in dances at Detroit's famous dance halls.

During World War II Ethel worked at Woodall Industries as a bucker in the welding process for airplane cowlings. As a Rosie the Riveter, Ethel's hard work, grit, and patriotism not only sustained the American war effort, but paved a path for the next generation of working women. Ethel's service to our country did not stop once she left the factory. At the end of the war as soldiers were returning home to their jobs, she joined the US Army Women's Army Corps where she rose to the rank of Sargent.

After the war ended, she married John who served in the Navy and together they had three children. After employment at various factories, the joy she found in cleaning led her to become a housekeeper at the Georgian Inn in Roseville, where she worked for a decade. At the Inn, her outstanding work ethic made her highly requested among guests. A proud Rosie, even now she has remained an active member of our community. Ethel's lifelong commitment to service reminds us all of the impact that the Rosies have had on our state and nation.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Ethel Klepien Ciszewicz on her 99th birthday. I join with Ethel's 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 Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Chair, I would like to first thank Chairman Smith and the House Armed Services Committee for all their good work crafting the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.

This is a strong bill. It includes many top priorities that will care for our servicemembers and keep the United States well defended, including serious provisions to address PFAS chemical contamination, which is a serious threat at too many of our military bases. PFAS chemicals are manmade and harmful to human health and our environment.

Developed in the 1940s, PFAS can be found across multiple industries and all around us in many of our communities. PFAS contamination is widespread. It is in red States; it is in blue States, in small water systems, in large ones, on military sites, and in residential communities.

Recently, experts with the Environmental Working Group have identified 712 sites in 49 States that have some level of PFAS contamination, and most are not being cleaned up. These sites are associated with drinking water systems serving about 19 million people, and the number of sites is expected to grow across the country because States are just beginning to test for these chemicals.

The Environmental Working Group has also identified 219 military- specific sites that have PFAS contamination because--and, at the time, it is what existed--PFAS firefighting foams were used. Yet, in many States--my home State of Michigan included--cleanup of these sites is not happening.

Unfortunately, the military is part of that problem. They are arguing that, in these communities, they don't have to clean up the PFAS contamination because the Superfund law does not require them to do so.

In May of 2018, the then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt proudly announced that EPA would propose designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law. Under EPA Administrator Wheeler's leadership, EPA hasn't even issued a proposed rulemaking, let alone finalized an action. At this rate, it will be at least another year--at least--and probably longer before this vital step is taken.

Americans deserve better. Congress needs to act, and this amendment would be a meaningful step forward.

It is clear. PFAS chemicals are hazardous, and it is time these chemicals are properly designated as hazardous substances.

Our amendment would simply require the EPA to list PFAS chemicals-- including PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other harmful chemicals--as hazardous substances under the EPA's Superfund cleanup program within 1 year.

Designating this will jump-start the cleanup process at military facilities, which is needed, and in communities across this country; and that is why it is imperative that this amendment be included.

I am proud to have offered this amendment, and I thank all who have supported this approach and make this possible for us to consider today.

Today, we have a real opportunity to help accelerate the cleanup process wherever PFAS contamination exists and protect the health of all Americans, and our servicemen and women, and the environment, now and for future generations. I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), who I have been proud to work with on this.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Police Corporal Gordon Morse for his many years of service to the Dearborn Police Department. Corporal Morse recently retired after twenty-five years of exemplary work with the department.

Corporal Morse began his service at the Dearborn Police Department in 1993. In 2002, he was selected to be a K-9 Officer. During his tenure, he has served in a variety of roles including as a field training officer, a range officer, explorer advisor, and department chaplain. Corporal Morse has represented his department by engaging in significant outreach to the Dearborn community through school and church demonstrations. He has also served as an instructor for the Oakland Police Academy K-9 Training Center for fifteen years. In this role, he trained numerous police officers and has created a safer environment for everyone in the Dearborn community.

Corporal Morse served the Dearborn community in various roles for a total of twenty-five years. His commitment to protecting the Dearborn community has impacted hundreds of his fellow officers and residents. His work training officers has been crucial to the continued safety of Dearborn, and his outreach efforts have strengthened the relationship between his department and the community. His exemplary service stands as a role model of the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment of our police officers. His dedicated leadership will be missed, but we wish him good health and every happiness in his retirement years.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the twenty- five years of service of Police Corporal Gordon Morse to his country and to the Dearborn, Michigan community. His commitment to public safety is worthy of commendation.

Mr. Chair, I rise to speak on two important amendments that have been included in this en bloc.

Michigan has been hit very hard by this PFAS contamination. It is in our drinking water, groundwater, rivers, lakes, and ponds. We can't eat the fish that are being caught.

These harmful chemicals are found in way too many places, and they are discovering more contamination sites each day.

Just today, 100 new PFAS contamination sites were identified, with many sites registering PFAS levels above 100,000 parts per trillion. EPA's nonenforceable health advisory is 70 parts per trillion. And the more we test, the more we find.

There are two amendments here. I was proud to work with Fred Upton, Dan Kildee, and Tim Walberg on legislation that is included in this en bloc that would require the Department of Defense to enter into cooperative agreements with States to mitigate PFAS contamination resulting from their facilities.

Unfortunately, firefighting foam was used at more than 100 military bases and has impacted them and the surrounding communities across the country. We need an all-hands-on-deck response to the growing PFAS contamination at military facilities.

Also included is a bipartisan amendment to protect our servicemembers from ever being exposed to harmful PFAS chemicals in MREs, Meal, Ready- to-Eat.

MREs are carried by our servicemembers in the field of operations or when engaged in training exercises. Our warfighters depend on MREs for their survival, so it is critical these food packages are completely safe. Currently, there is no prohibition on the use of PFAS chemicals in MREs, and they are in there.

This bipartisan amendment would proactively correct this and simply prohibit the Defense Logistics Agency from using any food contact substances with PFAS to assemble or package MREs.

I thank Chairman Smith for including both of these amendments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the participants and organizers of the 37th annual Metro Detroit Youth Day. This event provides young people in Southeastern Michigan the opportunity to engage with local officials and role models.

The Metro Detroit Youth Day started in 1981 to promote stronger relations between Detroit residents and the business community. Since it's inception, the event has expanded to offer approximately 35,000 children a day of recreation and education on Belle Isle in the Detroit River, becoming the largest youth event in the state of Michigan. Metro Detroit Youth Day hosts over 360 organizations and 260 businesses, allowing participants to build connections with civic leaders and nonprofit groups that offer local employment and educational opportunities. The event also provides college scholarships to several graduating high school students each year.

Metro Detroit Youth Day has received numerous accolades for its work, including a Point of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush, and a Michigan Governor's Award on Physical Fitness for its promotion of physical activity and health. The event's continued success underscores its significant impact on our nation's youth by instilling the importance of education and health. It has also provided over 1,800 college scholarships since 1991, making it an important fixture of educational opportunity in the Detroit area. Metro Detroit Youth Day provides vital contributions to the vibrant and diverse community of Detroit through its engagement of youth in Southeastern Michigan.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the efforts of the organizers and participants of the 37th annual Metro Detroit Youth Day. It is my hope that Metro Detroit Youth Day continues to serve young people in Michigan and grow in the coming years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nancy Hamood for her exemplary service with the Dearborn Police Department. Her years of dedicated work are worthy of commendation.

A lifelong resident of Dearborn, Nancy Hamood dedicated her life to serving her community. Ms. Hamood was hired by the Dearborn Police Department in 1979, initially working with the department's operations division. After a brief period in that position, Ms. Hamood became the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police, where she served under Dearborn's past five police chiefs. In her role, she helped coordinate important community events as well as meetings with Heads of State, Federal Government Officials, and State leaders. Ms. Hamood's efforts ensured that the department ran efficiently and effectively during her tenure. After forty years of service to the Dearborn community, Nancy Hamood retired from the Dearborn Police in June of this year.

Throughout her decorated career, Ms. Hamood has served with distinction. Called the ``ultimate professional'' by coworkers, Nancy Hamood was highly respected during her extended career. She often undertook tasks and responsibilities beyond the normal purview of her position, highlighting her dedication to service. We thank Nancy Hamood for her commitment to professional excellence and we congratulate her on her retirement. Her dedicated leadership will be missed, but we wish her good health and every happiness in her retirement years.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Nancy Hamood for her four decades of service with the Dearborn Police Department. Her work has had a profound impact on the police department and on the larger Dearborn community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Police Corporal Michael Nelson for his many years of service to the Dearborn Police Department. Corporal Nelson recently retired after thirty years of exemplary work with the department.

Prior to his service in the Dearborn Police Department Corporal Nelson served three years in the United States Army and was deployed to Grenada. Corporal Nelson began at the Dearborn Police Department in 1989 as an Animal Control Officer. In 1994, Corporal Nelson became a certified Motor Carrier Officer and a regional instructor specializing in commercial vehicle enforcement. In this role, he trained hundreds of police officers and created a safer environment for everyone in the Dearborn community. In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and was placed in charge of the Animal Control and Parking Systems Operations.

Corporal Nelson served the Dearborn community in various roles for a total of thirty years. His commitment to protecting the Dearborn Community has impacted hundreds of his fellow officers and residents. His work training officers in commercial vehicle enforcement has been crucial to the continued safety of Dearborn. His exemplary service to the community stands as a role model of the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment of our police officers. His dedicated leadership will be missed, but we wish him good health and every happiness in his retirement years.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the thirty years of service of Police Corporal Michael Nelson to his country and to the Dearborn, Michigan community. His commitment to public safety is worthy of commendation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Ann Arbor's 100th City Tennis Tournament. The event provides a vital outlet promoting community building and healthy competition.

Established in 1919, the Ann Arbor City Tennis Tournament is one of the oldest city tennis tournaments in the country. Starting with a tournament of 24 men at West Park, the competition has expanded to over one hundred players across several categories, adding a women's event in 1922 and parent-child matches. The Ann Arbor Area Community Tennis Association organizes the tournament, youth programs, and charity events with the support of corporate sponsorships and local donations. The Town Tennis Celebration, a citywide event featuring afternoon clinics, food, and a viewing of the doubles finals of the competition, marks the conclusion of the tournament.

The Ann Arbor City Tennis Tournament provides an outlet for community building and allows local athletes to showcase their commitment to the sport. The tournament underscores a dedication to fellowship and friendly competition and its continued success highlights the importance of these events in our communities. We are grateful for the commitment of the Ann Arbor Area Community Tennis Association for their exceptional work supporting physical fitness, charity, and community building.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Ann Arbor's 100th City Tennis Tournament. We thank the Ann Arbor Community Tennis Association for their exemplary work supporting the city of Ann Arbor.