Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cynthia Canty for her exemplary service as a radio and TV host. Her continued dedication to journalism is worthy of commendation.

A lifelong resident of Detroit, Cynthia Canty is the host of Michigan Radio's Stateside talk show and has dedicated her life to journalism in a career spanning over 40 years. Prior to working at Michigan Radio, she was a television news anchor, producer, and radio host in the Detroit area. In her various roles, she has interviewed numerous influential figures including governors, authors, musicians, and experts in a variety of fields. Mrs. Canty has received several awards for her work, including an Emmy Award and honors from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Associated Press, and the Detroit Press Club. After her many years of service, Cynthia Canty will retire from Michigan Radio at the end of 2019.

Throughout her decorated career, Mrs. Canty has explored critical issues impacting the residents of Michigan. Her talent for encouraging thought-provoking dialogue has been crucial in dissecting these important topics. Beyond her work in journalism, Mrs. Canty has dedicated numerous hours to supporting healthcare and cancer treatment in partnership with the American Cancer Society, the Karmanos Cancer Center, and the Henry Ford Health System. We thank Cynthia Canty for her commitment to journalistic 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 Cynthia Canty for her expertise in the realm of TV and radio journalism. Her work discussing art, culture, politics, and lifestyle has had a profound impact on the people of Michigan.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mother Gloria Edwards for her dedicated work in service of the community of Washtenaw County, Michigan. Her leadership and devotion to faith and community are worthy of commendation.

Mother Gloria Edwards is the President and Founder of The Pastor's Wives of Washtenaw County. She began her religious education in 1972 at New Hope Baptist Church and graduated with a certificate in Christian Training and Biblical Counseling from the William Tyndale Bible College. In 2009, she started the Ecumenical Prayer Hour ministry in coordination with several local churches in Washtenaw

County. Her efforts have brought together a strong, diverse community connected through faith. Since its first meeting on September 12, 2009, the Ecumenical Prayer Hour, now called the Community Hour of Prayer Group, has dramatically expanded to include over 20 churches representing numerous denominations.

Mother Gloria Edwards has had a significant impact on Washtenaw County through her leadership and support of community outreach organizations. Noted for her loving and nurturing personality, she teaches and counsels women in her congregation and the greater Washtenaw community. We thank Mother Gloria Edwards for her exemplary service to Washtenaw County and continued leadership. Her work stands as a role model of generosity and compassion and demonstrates a tremendous love for her community and her faith.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mother Gloria Edwards for her exceptional work. She has effectively served the residents of Washtenaw County by providing guidance and counsel through faith.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in support of the en bloc amendment which contains an amendment I have offered.

In order to ensure the Environmental Protection Agency is able to effectively carry out its responsibility to protect human health and the environment for future generations, we need to ensure emergency responders and investigators are there when we need them.

Closing EPA's facilities or relocating personnel tasked with the ultimate responsibility to answer the call during an environmental emergency or investigate the cost and whom to hold accountable in the aftermath is the wrong approach. Future generations will be less safe, and the health of our environment will be at increased risk.

This amendment would simply prevent the EPA from closing or relocating any office or facility that houses either emergency responders or a criminal investigation unit responsible for carrying out the agency's mission.

EPA emergency response personnel serve in offices--some large and some small--across this Nation. These brave and dedicated public servants respond to oil spills; chemical, biological, and radiological releases; and large-scale national emergencies. They also provide additional response assistance when State and local first responder capabilities have been exhausted or need additional support.

Located in my district is the Large Lakes Research Station on Grosse Ile, an island in the Detroit River. This facility serves the Great Lakes region.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3253) to provide for certain extensions with respect to the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3253.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act of 2019.

This Saturday, June 22, marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Olmstead, which held that people with disabilities must receive services in the most community-integrated setting possible. It is fitting that, today, the House of Representatives will pass legislation that helps advance the promise of Olmstead by ensuring that there are programs in place to help people transition to and live in the community with their families and friends, while keeping them safe from abuse and neglect.

It also ensures people will continue to be able to receive mental health and substance use disorder treatment when they need it the most, and, finally, it makes commonsense improvements to ensure that drug companies pay their fair share in rebates to the Medicaid program.

I am proud to say that this bill provides much-needed funding to support the highly successful Money Follows the Person program, while making important program improvements that will help the program better serve the people it is intended to help.

Money Follows the Person helps ensure that seniors and people with disabilities are able to live in their homes and in their communities. It provides States with vital funding and supports to ensure that they continue to help people move out of institutions.

Earlier this year, I held a roundtable discussion in my district with patients, providers, and advocates to talk about the challenges we face in providing long-term care in this country. Every participant supported reauthorizing Money Follows the Person because it makes it easier for people to get care in the setting of their choice. By passing this bill today, we are giving hope to those who need it.

I want to thank my friend and colleague, Representative Guthrie, for his commitment to this program and his leadership on this issue. It has been an honor to work with him on it.

Next, this legislation ensures that partners of people receiving home and community-based services will have the resources they need to meet their living expenses. Without this important protection, married beneficiaries would face the awful choice between impoverishing the spouse or entering an institution. I am proud that we will be able to further extend this protection.

I also want to thank my friend on the other side of the aisle, my fellow Michigander, Fred Upton, for his continued leadership and support on this issue.

H.R. 3253 also ensures that people receiving home and community-based services receive the same protections from abuse and neglect as people in nursing facilities. By allowing Medicaid Fraud Control Units to investigate home and community-based services providers as well as nursing facilities, this bill extends an important protection to some of our most vulnerable populations.

This bipartisan bill would not have been possible without the leadership of Representatives Welch and Walberg, and I want to thank them for their hard work to protect Medicaid beneficiaries from abuse.

This bill also extends the promising Excellence in Mental Health demonstration for an additional 2 years. As we continue to struggle through the opioid epidemic, this program ensures that people with substance use disorder and mental health issues can receive critical treatment when they need it the most. The early results of the demonstration have been promising, and this extension will allow States to build on that success.

I want to thank Representatives Matsui and Mullin for their ongoing support of this program.

Finally, this legislation adopts a commonsense proposal to ensure drug companies pay their fair share in Medicaid rebates. It will help provide additional funds to State Medicaid programs that are struggling to pay for increasingly expensive prescription drugs.

I want to thank Representatives Kennedy and Jason Smith for their leadership on this issue.

I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 3253, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to echo the words of my colleague, Mr. Guthrie, and thank all of those who helped bring this bill to the floor today. I give particular thanks to Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member Walden for their leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 3253.

As a caregiver, I have met so many people in the last few years who are desperate and scared and who need us to care. This bill does that. I hope the House today will show this country we can act bipartisanly, giving hope.

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

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Madam Chair, our servicemen and -women suffer from arthritis at disproportionally high rates compared to the civilian population. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among our veterans and the second leading cause of medical discharge among members of the Army. However, there is currently no dedicated funding for researching arthritis among our servicemembers and veterans.

This bipartisan amendment, which my friend from West Virginia, Congressman McKinley, and I have worked on as co-chairs of the Congressional Arthritis Caucus, would provide dedicated funding for arthritis research in the military.

Establishing this line of funding within the CDMRP will help improve our understanding of arthritis in the military. While some CDMRP money is already used to research arthritis, this funding can fluctuate from year to year and is not specified in statute. Our researchers need stable, consistent funding in order to complete the long-term studies needed to better understand this disease.

I am proud that our amendment is supported by over 20 veterans service organizations.

I thank Chairman Visclosky for his consideration of this proposal and for his commitment to continue working with us on future appropriations bills to include arthritis research. With this commitment, we are prepared to withdraw the amendment.

Madam Chair, I withdraw my amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fisher House for their exemplary work in service of our nation's veterans and their families. Today, we celebrate the groundbreaking of the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House which will provide critical temporary housing for the families of servicemembers.

Fisher House provides free lodging for the families of active military and veterans while their loved ones are undergoing treatment. This program has saved the families of our servicemen and women an estimated $451 million in costs for lodging and transportation. With nearly 650,000 veterans, Michigan is the largest state without a Fisher House. Fisher House Michigan formed in November 2016, and as of April 2019 has raised over $5.5 million towards its goal of $20 million for construction and support costs of new facilities in Michigan. The VA Ann Arbor Fisher House will be the first in the state of Michigan, with plans to create a second location in Detroit at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center already underway.

The VA Medical Centers in Southeastern Michigan receive approximately 1000 requests for lodging from veterans and their families every month. The creation of a Fisher House in Michigan will provide significant financial support for these groups through free lodging as their family members undergo treatment. This critical work reaffirms our commitment to supporting our active military and veterans as they continue to protect our nation. We thank Fisher House Michigan for its exemplary work supporting the families of our servicemembers and congratulate them on the ground breaking of the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Fisher House for their dedicated work. Their efforts to provide high-quality services to the families of our nation's veterans and active military are worthy of commendation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Master Sergeant Elvin Trusty, III for his dedicated service. His commitment to country and community is worthy of commendation.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, MSG Elvin Trusty attended Dunbar Sr. High School prior to completing Basic Combat and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He became the Battalion Operations Sergeant on the Wolf Team at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin and later assumed duties as Operations Group First Sergeant. MSG Trusty completed two full tours and one extended tour in Iraq and a tour in Afghanistan, earning numerous medals and awards for his service. MSG Trusty currently attends the University of Louisville pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning. He is also a military science instructor and assistant chair of the Army Officer Education Program at the University of Michigan.

MSG Trusty has shown a tremendous love for his country and community. His years as an educator and a member of the United States Military exemplify the selflessness of public service and stand as a testament to duty, honor, and country. We thank Master Sergeant Elvin Trusty, III for his commitment to protecting the American people and we congratulate him on his retirement. 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 Master Sergeant Elvin Trusty, III for his exemplary service. He has effectively served Michigan and its residents through his selflessness and leadership.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peter J. Murdock's lifetime of service. Mr. Murdock passed away on May 4, 2019 which greatly saddened our community. His lifetime of service to the Ypsilanti community is worthy of commendation.

Mr. Murdock was a fixture of the Ypsilanti community. He moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan from his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts in the 1960s. Immediately after arriving, he became involved with the Ypsilanti Tenants' Union. He was employed at Motor Wheel and the Ford Rawsonville plant and was a key member of the local UAW chapter. For the remainder of his career, Mr. Murdock worked with the Ypsilanti Recycling Project and Recycle Ann Arbor. Mr. Murdock was elected to the Ypsilanti City Council from 1978 to 1982 and became the Mayor of the City of Ypsilanti in 1982 where he served for three consecutive terms. After his tenure as Mayor, he returned to the Ypsilanti City Council from 1991 until 1993, and from 2008 until his passing. During that time, he attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1996.

Mr. Murdock and his wife Grace Sweeney were dedicated to historical preservation, founding the Ypsilanti East Side Neighborhood Association and supporting the revitalization of Depot Town. He was a champion for the environment, supporting solar power, crafting plans for city-wide recycling, invigorating community parks, and promoting sustainability. During his over 25-year tenure in Ypsilanti government he implemented policies that have positively affected the lives of all Ypsilanti residents.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the legacy of Peter J. Murdock and his lifetime of service. We are truly grateful for his numerous contributions to the Ypsilanti community and to the County of Washtenaw. He will be dearly missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pamela Adams for her lifetime of service. Mrs. Adams passed away on May 9, 2019 which greatly saddened our community. Her work to expand access to high-quality education is worthy of commendation.

A lifelong resident of Dearborn, Michigan, Pamela Adams graduated from Edsel Ford High School and attended Henry Ford Community College. After working at Ford Motor Company for a short period, Mrs. Adams began her significant work in service of education. Mrs. Adams held various positions in the Dearborn School Board, Wayne County Association of School Boards, and served on the Henry Ford College Board of Trustees for 18 years. During her tenure on the Board of Trustees, Pamela Adams contributed to several key decisions. She was instrumental in the successful 2002 bond which brought four new schools to Dearborn, and formed the award-winning Henry Ford Collegiate Academy, a program where Dearborn students can earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in 5 years at no cost.

Pamela Adams' life stands as a role model of selfless service and demonstrates a tremendous love for her community. Beloved for her generosity and compassion, Mrs. Adams' reputation is a testament to the significant impact she had on the city of Dearborn and its residents. We are grateful for Mrs. Adams' commitment to increasing access to high-quality education. Her efforts have dramatically expanded the educational opportunities for residents of the state of Michigan and will continue to impact future students' lives.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Pamela Adams for a lifetime of service to her community. We are grateful for her dedicated work as a member of the Henry Ford College Board of Trustees, her compassion and leadership will be greatly missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ozone House for their exemplary work assisting homeless youth in the state of Michigan. For 50 years, they have provided comprehensive support services for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Founded in 1969, Ozone House is a community-based, non-profit agency that provides support services to youth in crisis and their families in Washtenaw County, Michigan. They offer high-quality housing and aid programs designed to assist runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in the community. Through Ozone House's programs, these individuals develop essential life skills, improve their interpersonal relationships, and enhance their self-image in order to lead productive, happy lives. Ozone House's critical efforts have solidified its role as a model of effective care across the nation.

Ozone House's continued work has been vital to addressing the needs of vulnerable youth in the Washtenaw community, and has received several awards for their dedication. Beyond the need for food and shelter, homeless youth are at greater risk of being victims of human trafficking and assault. Ozone House's intensive intervention and preventive

services provide these individuals the stability to lead safe, healthy, and productive lives. We thank Ozone House for their commitment to supporting and protecting homeless youth. Their work embodies the duty we have to our community and to empower those most in need.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ozone House for 50 years of distinguished service. Their efforts to support homeless and high-risk youth in the Washtenaw community is worthy of commendation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jane Laird for her exceptional service to the United States of America. Mrs. Laird's instrumental role as a Rosie, riveting during World War II, is worthy of commendation.

The daughter of a coalminer, Jane Laird was born in Bearcreek, Montana. In 1943, before she could graduate high school, Mrs. Laird moved to Dearbom, Michigan to work for the Ford Motor Company. During World War II, she helped construct the B-24 bomber, The Liberator, riveting the cockpit of the aircraft. Mrs. Laird's efforts as a riveter at Ford Motor Company highlight the many significant contributions of young women during World War II. After riveting for the Ford Motor Company, Jane Laird worked part time at E.J. Korvette, where she remained until her retirement.

Jane Laird's work embodies the duty we have to our community and our nation. A breast cancer survivor, Mrs. Laird stands as a model of strength, sacrifice, and service. Her generation's critical contribution to progress will always be remembered. Beloved for her sense of humor and tenacity, Mrs. Laird will finally receive her high school diploma this weekend. We thank Jane Laird for her instrumental work as a riveter and congratulate her on her graduation. We are grateful for her dedicated service to this nation.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jane Laird for her exemplary service as a riveter. Her graduation this weekend stands as a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice she has displayed over her lifetime.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrifice of our nation's servicemembers at Dearborn's 95th Memorial Day Parade. On this day of remembrance, we recognize our veterans for their selflessness and courage.

Organized by the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council and the City of Dearborn, the city's Memorial Day Parade is one of the largest in the United States and the oldest continuous parade in the state of Michigan. The ceremony draws the Dearborn community together to honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. This year, the event recognizes Gold Star families and honors the many nameless soldiers who have died in service of this country. This tribute serves as an important reminder of the patriotic sacrifice of the families of our servicemembers.

The contributions of our veterans embody the duty we have to our community through tireless work, compassion, and leadership. On Memorial Day, we honor their selfless public service, and remember those who have given their lives in service of our country. On this day we reaffirm our commitment to supporting our veterans as they continue to protect our nation and commend their families for their sacrifice. We thank our brave servicemembers for their selflessness and sacrifice, and we are grateful for their commitment to serving the American people abroad and at home.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the many servicemen and women of our nation for their distinguished service. I wish the Dearborn 95th Memorial Day Parade a successful celebration to mark this special occasion.

Madam Speaker, on H.R. 1994, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, unfortunately, due to an error in the voting process my ``Yea'' vote was not officially recorded when I cast my vote and was unable to return to the floor in time before the vote closed.

Had I been present, I would have voted: Yea on Roll Call No. 231.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System for their critical work providing medical services to our nation's veterans. Their continued excellence in patient-centered healthcare is worthy of commendation.

Since its foundation in 1953, the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System has provided essential healthcare services to veterans throughout Michigan and northwestern Ohio. The main campus operates as a referral center for complex specialty care and boasts state-of-the-art facilities and several satellite outpatient clinics. Beyond the medical care it offers, VAAAHS is a major research center, participating in over 400 active studies in basic science, health services, and rehabilitation.

The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System stands as a role model in providing exemplary healthcare to our nation's veterans. Their work has had a profound impact on Michigan and Ohio by ensuring access to preventive and active treatment. We thank VAAAHS and its staff for their continued dedication to providing high-quality medical services to veterans, supporting clinical research, and promoting education on public health programs. We also congratulate the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System as they begin construction of a new veteran welcome center. Once finished, this new structure will expand the available capacity of the medical center and expedite critical care for its visitors.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System for their exemplary work in healthcare access, education, and research. Their efforts have been instrumental in ensuring care for the brave servicemen and women that protect our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend Fran Hayes for her tireless work in service of the residents of Dearborn, Michigan. She has been an instrumental member of the community as the head of the Dearborn Area Interfaith Network.

Reverend Fran Hayes has served the Dearborn community for 22 years as the pastor of Littlefield Presbyterian Church. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Reverend Hayes dedicated her career to celebrating diversity of faith and culture. As the head of the Dearborn Area Interfaith Network; she has made a concerted effort to celebrate the vibrant, diverse community of Dearborn by building deep relationships between Christians and Muslims. Under her leadership, the church has engaged in deliberate efforts to educate parishioners in Islamic scripture through interfaith programs and activities.

Reverend Hayes' work represents a celebration of creed and culture. A staunch advocate for diversity, Reverend Hayes leaves a legacy of inclusivity and justice through her continued efforts to transcend barriers of faith and culture. We thank Reverend Hayes for her commitment to embracing people of all faiths and cultures 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 Reverend Fran Hayes for her exemplary service to Dearborn. Her work celebrating diversity of faith is worthy of commendation.