Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Devin Scillian of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, on the occasion of his retirement from WDIV Local 4 News in Detroit. As a local news anchor, his steady presence and informative programs have been a stalwart part of life in Southeastern Michigan for the last twenty-eight years, and his service to his community is worthy of commendation.

Devin was born in Kansas in 1963 to Billie Hugh and Betti Jo Scillian. His late father earned four bronze stars and a Meritorious Service Medal over two tours in Vietnam. His mother, a writer with a history in community theater, he credits with being his creative spark. Devin started dating his wife, Corey, while they were in high school after his family moved off base at Fort Riley, Kansas.

After graduating from the School of Journalism at the University of Kansas in 1985, Devin began his career in local news at WIBW in Topeka, Kansas. This was followed by stops at WAND in Decatur, Illinois, KLTV in Tyler, Texas, and KFOR in Oklahoma City. It was at KFOR in 1995 where his coverage of the bombing at the Murrah Federal Building helped the station win a Peabody Award,

Devin joined WDIV in Detroit in 1995 as a reporter before moving to the anchor position in 1996. In this position he has traveled the world, including stops in Beijing, the Vatican, Jerusalem, and Moscow. He has covered six Olympiads and has three times won the Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in broadcast journalism. His weekly program, Flashpoint, has become almost mandatory viewing for those who wish to be in the know for the most pressing issues in Southeastern Michigan. He has used his position to champion charities, whether that is hosting a dinner for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, collecting shoes for Lace Up Detroit, or recording a song for ``A Michigan Christmas of Hope''--a compilation of Christmas songs brought to you by some of Detroit & Michigan's Best artists and bands to benefit Holy Cross Children's Services.

Outside of his career in local news, Devin is also an accomplished musician. He won the Detroit Music Award for Best Country Vocalist in 2018 and Best Country Performer in 2001. He and his band ``Arizona Son'' have opened for artists such as Toby Kieth, Reba McEntire, and LeAnn Rimes. He is also the author of 22 children's books, including S is For Sunflower, which won the Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award in 2007.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Devin Scillian for the lifetime of dedication to his community. From Kansas to Michigan, his consistent and reliable reporting has a boon for the community which he is serving. Though we are sad to see him leave, he is certainly going to continue to be a presence in our lives through his music and his writing. We thank him for his service and wish him all the happiness as he starts this next chapter in his life. I thank Devin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dick Lundy, a resident of Dexter, Michigan, who is retiring after 45 years on the Dexter School Board. His decades of service to his community and its children are worthy of commendation.

Dick earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and started his own business, Control-O-Matic, later COM Inc., in 1972. He served as its President and CEO until it was sold in 1999.

Dick was first elected to the Dexter School Board in 1979, the first of eleven elections that he would win. He also spent 40 years as Treasurer and another four as Vice President. During his time on the board, he has seen a plethora of changes, from Michigan's shift to per- student state funding in 1994 or the introduction of computers and every new technology since. This also includes the successful passage of half a dozen school bonds, the construction of multiple new buildings and development of the school campus, and the hiring of seven superintendents and two interim superintendents, in addition to the vast financial oversight of the district. Both of his children as well as three grand-children have graduated from Dexter Schools, and two great-grandchildren are currently enrolled.

Outside of his time on the Dexter School Board, Dick has served on the board of many local nonprofits, including the Washtenaw United Way, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, the Dexter United Methodist Church, and Emergent Health Partners. In addition, Dick has served on the Dexter Downtown Development Authority and the Local Development Finance Authority which created the Dexter Business and Research Park. He also worked with the nonprofit Michigan From the Heart, where he's assisted in connecting University of Michigan student athletes with patients at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Dick Lundy and his 45 years of service to the Dexter community. The future of Dexter is much brighter because of Dick's hard work. We wish him the best in retirement and thank him for all he has done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of John M. Barr and his dedication to the legal profession. As City Attorney of Ypsilanti, Michigan for decades and founder of Barr, Anhut and Associates, P.C., John's commitment to serving his community is worthy of commendation.

John attended Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Art in Social Science. He then earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Throughout his successful legal career, John has been admitted into the State Bar of Michigan, the U.S. Federal District Court, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Outside of the law, John heroically served his country as member of the United States Army.

John has served as City Attorney for Ypsilanti since 1981. For over 43 years, he has served as the chief legal advisor to the City Council, Manager, and various city departments. As a testament to his dedication to the community, John founded Barr, Anhut and Associates, P.C., which focuses on municipal law, estate planning/probate, real estate, and corporate law. His firm often provides bar recommended pro-bono services and John has always expected his staff to be active members of their community through volunteering and other service.

Outside of his career, John has personally served in numerous community organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and Washtenaw 100. He currently serves as board member of HighScope Educational Research Foundation, which aims to provide high-quality, equitable early childhood education to every child. He also serves as a board member of the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, which aims to create financial security among local communities to address individual social and economic needs across a wide set of industries.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the magnificent career of John M. Barr and congratulating him on his retirement. His dedication to the city of Ypsilanti and the broader Michigan community has created a more just and equitable community for all. I thank John for his decades of service to our community, and we wish him all the best as he moves on to the next chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. I hope I am not too legendary.

I rise today, and I also want to compliment my colleague from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), who I am proud to have worked with on this bill. I will miss him on the Energy and Commerce Committee, but education and labor matter in Michigan, too, so we will make sure his voice is well represented. Maybe he will even trust me on EVs.

I rise today in support of a bill that I worked with my colleague on,

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Castor for yielding to me. I also thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and, in particular, my dear friend, John Moolenaar. We have been a team on this from the moment that we heard about this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my strong support for H.R. 7188, the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act.

I am proud to lead this bipartisan bill alongside my friend and colleague from Michigan, Mr. Moolenaar.

Last summer, I was contacted by the medical director of the Washtenaw County Tuberculosis Clinic, who was treating a patient, Shandra Eisenga, for a severe post-surgical tuberculosis infection. Shandra was Representative Moolenaar's constituent, but she was being treated at the University of Michigan, a medical facility in my district. After a month of battling a severe TB infection in the intensive care unit, she unfortunately died.

Since Shandra's passing, it has been discovered that her death was, indeed, linked to contaminated bone graft material produced by Aziyo Biologics. She was 1 of 36 patients who received material from the contaminated lot. As of today, this latest outbreak is linked to the deaths of two patients, including Shandra.

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct public awareness campaigns to assist in preventing TB outbreaks caused by contaminated human cell and tissue product donations. We have also included an important provision to allow the Food and Drug Administration to pursue civil penalties from establishments that manufacture human cells, tissues, and cellular- and tissue-based products where they put the patient at risk.

Patients and their healthcare providers deserve to know the risks associated with tissue donations, and companies that make and distribute contaminated products must be held accountable for their actions that put patients in harm's way.

Mr. Speaker, when this happened, I had had multiple bone grafts because of osteomyelitis. I never once was warned of any danger, and my doctor was unaware of these dangers. We cannot let that ever happen again. We must protect patients and educate patients.

I thank Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone for fighting for this important piece of legislation. Again, I would not be here without my colleague, Representative Moolenaar.

We owe it to Shandra and her family, who is here and to whom we made a commitment last August that we would not let this happen to anybody else again. I am happy that they see us here fighting for them on this floor. We are also here for any other patient who has been affected by contaminated bone grafts. We are going to prevent these unnecessary tragedies from happening again.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this partisan energy appliance bill. Time and time again in this Congress, we keep seeing these bills brought to the floor that are partisan messaging bills meant to rile up the American people, not really get something done, while continuing to put off the work that the American people sent us here to do.

H.R. 7673 isn't the first anti-efficiency bill we have seen on the House floor this year. I say to my Republican colleagues and friends, I am not sure what we are really getting done. The Liberty in Laundry Act, along with other anti-efficiency bills this Congress, would delay and weaken popular energy efficiency standards, courting favor with polluters, not consumers.

The bill attacks existing standards and sends a message to the incoming Trump administration to attack existing standards and undermine the entire program. Bills like the Liberty in Laundry Act show that Republicans don't want to help save American consumers money on their energy bills.

I wish we could work together on doing things that the American people need us to do instead of going after America's household appliances. The fear-mongering continues, and it is nothing more than politics designed to scare consumers.

I am a car girl. Hey, I am not old, but I am seasoned. When the administration, Republicans and Democrats, wanted to increase fuel efficiency standards, American consumers wanted it, and yet on the floor of both houses, people stood up against it. I will tell you what, the American consumer likes those fuel efficiency standards. It saved them money.

The American people sent us here to work together in a bipartisan manner to find commonsense solutions, and that is what I want to work with my colleagues on, but we don't have much time left in this Congress, so I am just saying, can we please work together on the real issues facing the American people instead of talking about people's dirty laundry?

Let me say again, we are politicizing washing machines. Why? We have real work to do to cut costs and make life better for Americans. We need to fund the government. Attacking popular energy efficiency standards is not why our constituents sent us here. They want us to save them money.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 7673. We need to work on things that will make a difference for consumers every day in the remaining days of the 118th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Todd Mutchler of Northville, Michigan, on the occasion of his retirement. His dedication to making Northville Township and Wayne County a better place for all its residents is worthy of commendation.

Todd attended Eastern Michigan University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Technology. Combined with his innate drive to help people, his studies inspired Todd's passion for public service. He began his career with the Canton Township Police Department, serving for 28 years before joining the Northville Township Police Department as Police Chief. During his time at the helm of the Northville police force, Todd spearheaded the creation of the Canton Response to Hate Crimes Coalition, receiving the Pioneer Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He also crafted policy surrounding religious head coverings for inmates, a policy that has since been modeled by police departments across the Nation. This accomplishment was recognized with the Peace and Justice Award from the Council on American Islamic Relations.

Todd's commitment to his community led him to the position of Northville's Director of Public Safety in 2016, before being promoted to Northville Township Manager in 2019. As manager, Todd oversaw the building of a new Essential Services Complex and the removal of the decaying state psychiatric hospital buildings. Community members and his peers refer to Todd as a ``champion'' and ``titan'' for Northville Township. His love and devotion to the community as reflected through his work is admirable and inspiring.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring and celebrating the service and leadership of Todd Mutchler. His vision for Northville Township and Wayne County has always been rooted in respect, inclusivity, and collaboration, values that he ensured were upheld in every decision he made for the community. I thank Todd for his decades of public service, and wish him all the best as he moves on to the next chapter of his life.

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

Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act introduced by my colleague from Utah (Mr. Curtis).

The Colorado River is, of course, one of the American West's national treasures, but it is also a vital source of fresh water for 40 million people and 5.5 million acres of farmland across seven States and Mexico.

These communities rely on this river for water that is essential to their livelihoods.

Agriculture and natural leaching can lead to the rising levels of salinity that threaten the water quality of these communities and the amount of water available to be used for hydropower generation.

Congress recognized the crucial need to limit the river's salinity in 1974 when it passed the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, which authorized a desalting complex, and by passing further amendments to establish a basin-wide salinity control project.

For years, these actions have helped maintain the salinity content within the river.

The problem of salinity now, however, has been significantly intensified by continually worsening drought conditions, which have limited hydropower generation and, in turn, the funds made available for salinity control programs.

This bill before us today prompts us to once again take action to preserve the water quality in the Colorado River. Specifically, this legislation would increase the Federal cost share for the program to account for the impacts of ongoing drought.

We must ensure that the Colorado River's clean fresh water does not become ruined by our inaction.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in support of the Recognizing the Importance of Critical Minerals in Healthcare Act sponsored by my friend and colleague, Representative Curtis, who I, too, am going to miss when he goes to the other side, but I still plan on working very closely together with him.

This bill would require the United States Geological Survey to consult with the Department of Health and Human Services on the critical minerals list.

The critical minerals list, as folks know, can be quite controversial, but this bill takes a true good-governance approach by increasing intergovernmental coordination.

It is straightforward. The critical minerals list identifies the mineral commodities that are critical to our Nation's economic and national security. Healthcare is, of course, vitally important to our economic and national security.

This bill recognizes the importance of the minerals used by the healthcare sector. Certain platinum metals are used in chemotherapy and cardiac technology. Zinc is used to carry portable oxygen and in defibrillators. Lithium is used in pacemakers and other portable electronics. There are countless examples of lifesaving medicines and medical devices that use critical minerals.

USGS already consults with the Secretaries of Defense, Commerce, Agriculture, and Energy and the U.S. Trade Representative on the critical minerals list and informally consults with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Formally consulting with HHS is an appropriate way to ensure minerals used in medical technologies are appropriately evaluated for criticality.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5103 would speed up the timelines for providing funding to communities affected by fishery disasters.

Coastal communities rely on fisheries for jobs and economic development. However, a fishery's health often depends on environmental conditions. Hurricanes, oil spills, and other disasters can severely impact fisheries and harm coastal economies.

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Congress can appropriate funds for disaster assistance, which the Department of Commerce can then provide in the form of a grant, cooperative agreement, loan, or contract.

After the Secretary of Commerce declares a fishery disaster and Congress appropriates disaster funding, the Office of Management and Budget must approve spend plans before any money can be distributed to recipients. These reviews can also be lengthy.

Delays in processing mean longer wait times for fishers, Tribes, and coastal communities needing relief.

Allowing the Office of Management and Budget and the Secretary of Commerce to review spend plans concurrently, as this bill proposes, will increase efficiency and speed up the allocation of disaster relief funds, ensuring faster support for impacted communities and more efficient recovery efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Utah State Parks Adjustment Act which would convey three parcels of land under the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service to the State of Utah.

Once conveyed, the parcels in and around Antelope Island State Park, Fremont Indian State Park, and Wasatch Mountain State Park will be incorporated into the Utah State Parks system to be used for public purposes, including parks, campgrounds, recreation, and permitted livestock grazing.

I would like to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for working with the administration to incorporate agency feedback on this bill, including by clarifying the intent for the lands to remain in compliance with the Recreation and Public Purposes Act.

By consolidating ownership to the State of Utah, the land conveyance directed by this bill is expected to improve the management of these lands.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6826, a bill introduced by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Mfume), my friend and colleague.

This legislation would rename the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center in honor of the late Senator Sarbanes.

Throughout his career, Senator Sarbanes showed a deep commitment to the preservation of Fort McHenry and its history.

This star-shaped military fort in Baltimore Harbor was a vital site when British forces invaded the Chesapeake Bay region during the War of 1812. In 1814, the British Navy attacked the fort for 25 hours in what has become known as the Battle of Baltimore.

This battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write what has become the lyrics to ``The Star-Spangled Banner.'' Senator Sarbanes championed legislation to add The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail to the National Trails System, and he worked to secure millions of dollars for the restoration of the fort.

He served as the vice chair of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission from 2007 to 2015. During his tenure, Senator Sarbanes was recognized as an honorary colonel at Fort McHenry and an honorary park ranger.

Renaming Fort McHenry's visitor and education center after Senator Sarbanes would commemorate his steadfast commitment to preserving this historic site.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Mfume), the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes), the son of a great man who I would call friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished dean of the Maryland delegation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ivey).

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 3791 would reauthorize several critical wildlife and habitat bills through 2030.

These include the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships program.

The bill would also codify important new programs, such as the black vulture livestock protection program and make technical changes to the National Fish Habitat Partnership and board.

As we know, in the Great Lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and other fish habitats are crucial in providing ecosystem services. They enhance water quality, offer essential habitat for fish and wildlife, mitigate coastal storm impacts, and improve water supply. To conserve and restore these environments, partnerships among Federal, State, and regional entities leverage their diverse resources, expertise, and capabilities to maximize their impacts.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act exemplifies a successful partnership-based program, utilizing non-Federal partnerships to protect and restore wetlands and related habitats. This is one of the most cost-effective conservation programs out there, where more than $3 in non-Federal contributions are made for every Federal dollar invested.

Similarly, the Chesapeake Bay Program brings together stakeholders, academic institutions, and local governments to collaboratively restore and preserve the Chesapeake Bay. The bay provides over $130 billion annually in natural benefits, including improved air, water, and soil quality as well as critical fisheries habitat.

Additionally, the National Fish Habitat Partnership unites 20 regional fish habitat partnerships to restore aquatic ecosystems' health. Since its inception in 2006, the partnership has rehabilitated tens of thousands of acres of freshwater habitat and over 2,000 miles of rivers, generating more than $1 billion in economic value.

Finally, the amendments to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation authorization will help the foundation and Federal agencies better align priorities, report on the status of programs, and help grantees run their programs efficiently.

I am proud to support the bipartisan effort to reauthorize these essential wildlife conservation programs. These efforts are critical steps toward addressing the Nation's growing biodiversity crisis.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

While we are on the topic of conservation, I thank my colleagues for working with Democrats not just on this conservation bill but also on the WILD Act, which I am pleased to hear will be included in the NDAA this month.

Like the bill before us today, the WILD Act is a bipartisan effort to maximize conservation impacts through partnerships; specifically, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which help conserve iconic wildlife species, including elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes, and turtles, and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which supports habitat restoration efforts across the United States, including the territories.

I am pleased to be the Democratic co-lead of the WILD Act, and I thank my Republican colleague, Representative Joyce of Ohio, for his partnership.

I hope all of us can continue finding ways to work together on conservation and other issues, just like we are doing today with the ACE Reauthorization Act.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in support of the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, introduced by my colleague from Hawaii, Representative Tokuda.

This bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study to determine the suitability of designating Lahaina, in Maui County, Hawaii, as a national heritage area.

It is the historical capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and a significant area for Native Hawaiians' history and culture. Today, it still serves as a significant site for Native Hawaiians but also is a vital economic and touristic hub for the island of Maui.

However, in August of 2023, Maui experienced a series of deadly wildfires that took over 100 lives, destroyed thousands of buildings and historic cultural landmarks, and displaced thousands of people. More than a year later, recovery efforts are still underway and are expected to exceed tens of billions of dollars.

Mr. Speaker, designating this national heritage area would help preserve Lahaina's rich cultural heritage and support recovery efforts by unlocking Federal funding to rehabilitate important sites and establish exhibits, programming, and other public awareness initiatives.

I would like to thank the majority for working with us on this bill. It is an important link to the past as the community of Lahaina rebuilds and ensures their heritage lives on.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the sponsor of this bill, the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda).

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6843, a bill introduced by our colleague and my friend from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area was established by Congress in 2006. It is known for its rich cultures and ecologically varied regions. It stretches across 14 parishes in southern Louisiana, where it helps preserve and promote Cajun culture and the area's diverse abundance of wildlife and natural history.

This bill would expand the current boundaries of the national heritage area to encompass the Lafourche Parish in southern Louisiana. The National Park Service studied and approved the expansion, making this an easy bill to support.

National heritage areas preserve landscapes of significant importance to communities through natural, cultural, and historical resources. These areas also serve communities by providing recreational and economic opportunities.

Expanding the boundary's areas will promote grassroots conservation efforts and expand economic opportunities in those regions. This is a win-win.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.