Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the organizers and artists of the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair. For 50 years, the Art Fair has showcased work from thousands of artists around the country and helped establish Ann Arbor as a center of art and culture.

Originally established in 1967, the State Street Art Fair hosts approximately 300 artists and their works each summer in Ann Arbor for four days by the campus of the University of Michigan. As one of the four independently juried art fairs that operate concurrently each summer as the Ann Arbor Art Fair, the State Street Art Fair is a key part of the city's cultural scene and has helped establish the city as a nexus for artistic excellence. The State Street Art Fair and other Ann Arbor art fairs collectively attract around 400,000 visitors each year and serve as an exhibition of award-winning artists as well as the city at large. The State Street Art Fair's rigorous screening process for prospective exhibitions by a jury of artistic professionals, as well as its high standards for entry, have resulted in a renowned art fair that helps draw outstanding artists and visitors to the Ann Arbor area.

The work of the organizers and participants have helped make State Street Art Fair one of the nation's premier showcases of artistic talent. The fair continues to attract a vibrant community with expertise in traditional crafts of glass, painting and photography, as well as new innovative and contemporary mediums of expression. In addition to the merchant displays, the State Street Art Fair also offers live entertainment, food from local vendors and outdoor shopping. These offerings continue to help attract hundreds of thousands of individuals each year while supporting the local community, and it is my hope that the State Street Art Fair continues to build on its successful showings in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the organizers and participants of the State Street Art Fair on the 50th Anniversary of its establishment. The fair continues to attract outstanding artists and visitors from around the country.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of Mr. Delaney's bipartisan amendment included in this en bloc that would increase funding for the Fisher House Foundation.

Fisher House has now served our veterans and their families for 26 years providing valuable housing opportunities as veterans receive medical treatment at military and VA medical centers across the country. When I first learned of them--longer than I want to admit-- there were just a few of them. Now there are 72 and many more in the pipeline. They have served 305,000 military families.

For many veterans and their families, the distance to their nearest VA medical center can be too far to travel on a routine basis, and the cost over time means many veterans are alone--nobody by their side-- during their treatment or hospital stay--a situation no one should be in.

No veteran who has served their country should have to face medical care or a hospital stay without the support of their loved ones by their side. Fisher Houses provide the lodging and transportation resources to help families stay together throughout the treatment process.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Leon Wright, Clerk of Van Buren Charter Township, for being named 2017 Township Clerk of the Year by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. Mr. Wright has distinguished himself through his outstanding public service to the residents of Van Buren Township.

Mr. Wright has served as township clerk since 2008 and has provided effective service to the area's residents. As a municipal clerk, he handles the administration of elections and voter registration, manages records for the township, and is responsible for the office's human resources, payroll and handling of Freedom of Information Act requests. Additionally, Mr. Wright is active in promoting civic engagement and education in the Van Buren

Charter Township community. He hosts an annual election for the Belleville High School student government, utilizing voting procedures and materials to simulate real-life voting procedures. This exercise provides participants with important firsthand exposure to civic life. Mr. Wright also handles election worker recruitment and voter registration drives, and is well-known throughout the community for his charitable efforts. These actions have helped create a civic-minded community that is actively engaged in public life.

Mr. Wright has received widespread acclaim for his public service to Van Buren Township. In addition to being named Clerk of the Year, he has served as a Township Director for the board of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks and representative to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, where he works with other local officials to coordinate regional public initiatives. Mr. Wright also holds several professional certifications, including the Certified Municipal Clerk and Certified Michigan Municipal Clerk designations, and serves as a Notary Public while providing training to the Township staff. His dedication and efforts on behalf of Van Buren Township are worthy of commendation, and it is my hope that Mr. Wright continues his diligent work on behalf of the area residents in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Leon Wright for being named 2017 Township Clerk of the Year. Mr. Wright has been a dedicated public servant as Township Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Nancy Hubbard for her service and dedication to the City of Dearborn. As one of the city's longest serving City Council members, Ms. Hubbard was a tireless public servant who left a legacy of achievement and will be missed.

Ms. Hubbard began her career as a secretary with Ford Motor Company and later worked for the Dearborn Department of Public Works and Dearborn Department of Building and Safety. She was elected to the Dearborn City Council in 1990 and compiled a distinguished record of success during her 24 years on the council. Ms. Hubbard has spent 16 years serving as the Council President Pro Tem, where she used the leadership position to advocate on behalf of the city's residents. She played a key role in the establishment of the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center and in expanding the greenway trail system in the city. She was also involved in economic development initiatives, including the establishment of the Dearborn Town Center and the redevelopment of the Warren Avenue and Dix-Vernor business corridors. As a result of her work, Dearborn has been transformed into a thriving community that effectively serves the needs of the city's residents.

Ms. Hubbard's commitment to public service and the City of Dearborn helped improve the quality of life for the community while driving economic development in the area. As a lifelong resident of Dearborn, Ms. Hubbard's deep ties to the area allowed her to effectively engage with her constituents and address pressing issues facing the city at large. She was a tireless advocate during her career with the City Council who remained personally engaged with city's residents throughout her life, and her passion for public service will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Nancy Hubbard for her public service with the Dearborn City Council. Ms. Hubbard lived a life dedicated to public service and well-being of others.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 806, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act.

For nearly 5 decades, the Clean Air Act has proven to reduce air pollution by establishing critical National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect

our public health and public welfare. This bill would drastically alter the Clean Air Act, putting everyone at risk by delaying the implementation of stronger air quality protections and extending the review period for setting future air pollution standards.

If we choose not to put air quality and public health first today, we jeopardize and undermine our ability to live long and healthy lives tomorrow.

When the EPA issued its final rule strengthening the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 2015, this decision was based on the review of thousands of studies showing ozone's harmful effects.

Ozone is a pollutant. If we do not take our responsibility serious to ensure every American has clean and healthy air to breathe, those with asthma will experience more attacks. We need to make sure that our children aren't developing chronic bronchitis and asthma; and we risk increased numbers of premature deaths across the country.

Every American deserves clean air now. We cannot afford an almost decade-long delay of improved air pollution standards.

According to the American Lung Association, nearly 4 in 10 people in the United States live in counties that have unhealthy levels of either ozone or particle pollution. More than 125 million Americans live in 204 counties where they are exposed to concerning levels of air pollution in the form of either ozone or short-term or year-round levels of particles.

While we have continued to make progress reducing ozone pollution, we have to further strengthen these standards in the name of public health. These standards are the cornerstone of the Clean Air Act.

Additionally, the provisions in this bill would also affect future NAAQS reviews for criteria pollutants by extending the review time for 5 to 10 years, compounding the negative public health impacts for generations.

In Michigan, if we fail to lower our ground ozone pollution, our seniors with pulmonary disease, asthma, and diabetes will suffer. For our kids who want to explore the outdoors and experience all the Great Lakes have to offer, ozone pollution may increasingly trigger a variety of health problems, including chest pain, coughing, and throat irritation.

Please, my colleagues, do not do this today. Think of the health of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the organizers and participants of the 35th annual Metro Detroit Youth Day. This annual event provides southeast Michigan youth with a day of fun, games and opportunities to engage with local officials and role models.

Originally started in 1981 to promote stronger relations between residents of Detroit and the business community, Metro Youth Day has expanded significantly and now provides approximately 35,000 Detroit- area children with a day of education and recreation on Belle Isle in the Detroit River. As the largest youth event in the State of Michigan, Metro Youth Day hosts over 360 organizations and 260 businesses from Metro Detroit to provide participants with opportunities to build connections with civic leaders and nonprofit groups. These include Grow Detroit Youth Talent, an organization that provides summer jobs for young people in Detroit, as well as educational events by local community groups. Youth Day also offers college scholarships to several dozen graduating high school students each year.

Metro Detroit Youth Day helps build a culture of civic engagement while also providing important resources and educational resources to area youth. The event has received widespread acclaim, including a Point of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush, as well as a Michigan Governor's Award on Physical Fitness for its promotion of physical activity and health. These accolades underscore the positive impact that Metro Youth Day has on the Detroit community. Additionally, the event has provided more than 1,800 college scholarships to graduating seniors since 1991, making it an important engine of opportunity for area youth. These efforts have helped create a stronger and more cohesive Detroit, and it is my hope that Metro Youth Day continues to grow and serve the Detroit area youth while promoting improved community relations in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the organizers and participants of the 35th annual Metro Detroit Youth Day. The event provides important resources and opportunities for participants.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2430, the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017.

We all have loved ones, friends, and neighbors who are suffering from life-threatening diseases and illnesses and who want hope that that next generation treatment or therapy will still be available to them.

It is our shared responsibility to support the FDA as well as countless researchers and patient advocates across the country who are working to bring new cures to market. This critical, bipartisan legislation helps us achieve that important goal by reauthorizing user fee programs at FDA for 5 years.

I want to thank Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Pallone, Chairman Burgess, and Ranking Member Green for continuing the longstanding tradition on the Energy and Commerce Committee of advancing this legislation in a bipartisan manner. Our work together on this bill should be a model for how we can cooperate on other issues in the future, and it is good that we are passing this bill on the House floor well in advance of the September 30 deadline.

I also want to thank the committee for including provisions that I worked on with Mr. Lance, Dr. Burgess, and Mr. Green to enhance penalties for counterfeit and diverted drugs, and for including Mr. Kennedy's over-the-counter hearing aid bill, which will go a long way to providing real relief to the 30 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss.

Hearing loss is a quality-of-life issue, plain and simple, and passage of today's legislation will help many receive the treatment that they need in a quick manner, while also ensuring safety.

It is a good bill that deserves our support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Labor of Love Ministries for 35 years of service to the southeast Michigan community and the groundbreaking for its new building in Pittsfield Township. Labor of Love has impacted countless lives through its outreach and religious service locally and internationally.

Originally founded in 1982 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, by a small group of individuals including Pastor Hawthorne and First Lady Hawthorne, Labor of Love Ministries has grown substantially to fulfill its mission of offering religious and education services to the community at large. In addition to holding regular prayer services, Labor of Love provides a variety of additional spiritual, counseling and support services to meet the needs of its congregation. These include training programs for those with individuals with a variety of backgrounds, as well as mission trips overseas for members of the church. Additionally, the church organizes charity drives and volunteer efforts to assist those in need in nearby communities, and these initiatives have helped provide important aid to less fortunate members of the congregation and groups in need. Collectively, these efforts by Pastor Hawthorne and others have helped establish Labor of Love as an effective organization that provides important services and support throughout the community.

Labor of Love Ministries has provided key spiritual guidance and assistance to its congregation and the greater southeast Michigan community. Throughout its 35 years, the church has continued to grow to meet the evolving needs of its members, and its new building will allow it to better serve those in need while fulfilling its mission of spiritual outreach and education. The growth and development of Labor of Love Ministries underscores its effectiveness in serving the community, and it is my hope that the church's new facilities in Pittsfield Township will allow it to strengthen its offerings in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Labor of Love Ministries for 35 years of service and religious guidance. The organization has had a significant impact through its religious and charitable initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rev. Jim Holley of the Historic Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church. For 45 years, Rev. Holley has been a tireless advocate on behalf of Detroit as a faith leader and community activist.

After receiving theological training at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Rev. Holley began his career as a pastor at the Little Rock Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. During his time with the church, Rev. Holley has distinguished himself as a key member of the greater Detroit community who understands the spiritual needs and concerns of the city and its residents. His service in church leadership roles, including President of the Council of the Baptist Pastors, speaks to his dedication to the congregation and the well-being of the city at large. Rev. Holley has also been involved in the business community, working with local real estate organizations and founding an advertising agency to empower Detroit's residents and create jobs. In addition to these duties, Rev. Holley also served as the City of Detroit's Director of Community and Civic Affairs during Mayor Duggan's administration, where he was a liaison between the mayor's office and the Detroit community at large.

Rev. Holley has played a critical role in helping to create a vibrant Detroit through his work as a pastor, businessman, and public official. As a result of his work with city leaders and stakeholders, the city has been able to address the needs of its residents through its blight reduction and jobs programs. Additionally, Rev. Holley's deep relationships in the community and firsthand knowledge of Detroit's needs have been key to helping drive action to address issues facing the city. He has been a true leader both in the church and the community, and it is my hope that the City of Detroit continues to build on his work in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Rev. Jim Holley for his outstanding efforts on behalf of Detroit. Rev. Holley has been a dedicated leader in the city while advocating for economic development and empowerment of its residents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Scleroderma Awareness Month and on behalf of scleroderma patients throughout the United States. Initiatives like Scleroderma Awareness Month help raise awareness about the disease while driving research and action that results in new treatments for this and other illnesses.

Scleroderma is a chronic and disabling connective tissue and rheumatic disorder resulting from an overproduction of collagen in the skin, tissue, and underlying muscle. The disease manifests itself in two forms: localized scleroderma, effecting the skin and underlying tissue, and systemic scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, a potentially life-threatening disease that attacks internal organs including the lungs, heart, kidneys, esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. The wide range of symptoms as well as the localized and systemic variations of the disease make it especially hard to diagnose. The average diagnosis is made 5 years after the onset of symptoms. Once diagnosed, however, people with Scleroderma can only look forward to symptomatic relief, as there is no known cure.

It is critical that we work to raise awareness of scleroderma and related diseases while encouraging research that could lead to breakthroughs in treating this disease. Scleroderma often leads to swelling, hardening and thickening of the skin, blood vessel spasms with severe discomfort in the fingers and toes, weight loss, joint pain, swallowing difficulties, non-healing ulcerations on the fingertips and extreme fatigue. In its more advanced forms, scleroderma can prevent patients from performing even the simplest tasks. Given the lack of treatment options and the disease's effects on individuals' quality of life, we must continue to explore therapies and treatments to alleviate these symptoms. I was proud to cosponsor legislation last Congress that would encourage continued research investment in this area so that innovative therapies can be developed, and it is my hope that we continue our efforts to combat scleroderma.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing June as National Scleroderma Awareness Month. We must continue to support investment in this area so that there will one day be a cure for this devastating disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Marcia Greenberger, cofounder and attorney with the National Women's Law Center. Ms. Greenberger has been a steadfast advocate for women and families during her career with the NWLC.

Ms. Greenberger began her career with the law firm Caplin and Drysdale, after which she founded the Women's Right Project of the Center for Law and Social Policy, where she served as the organization's Director. In 1981, she cofounded the National Women's Law Center with Nancy Campbell, which built on the success of her previous efforts. The NWLC provides legal aid and advocates for legislative initiatives to protect the rights of women and promote fair treatment of women and girls. The Center has been a key driver of advances in women's rights, having won victories in passing landmark legislation like the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which codified protections against discrimination on the basis of sex, religion and national origin. Collectively, these have resulted in strong protections for women's rights.

As cofounder of the NWLC, Ms. Greenberger has played a critical role in the growth and success of the organization. Her legal expertise and deep understanding of women's rights issues has helped the NWLC win victories for women and children at the federal, state and local level. Ms. Greenberger has been widely recognized for her outstanding contributions as a women's rights legal advocate. She has been inducted in the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY and has also received the Woman Lawyer of the Year Award by the D.C. Women's Bar Association. Her career and efforts have established the NWLC as one of the nation's foremost advocacy groups, and it is my hope that the organization will continue to build on her legacy of excellence in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Marcia Greenberger for her advocacy with the NWLC. Ms. Greenberger's legal career has led to increased legal protections for the rights of women and children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the birthday of Clarence Campbell for his many years of service to the community of Ann Arbor as an entrepreneur and mentor. Mr. Campbell was one of the first African-American businessmen in the area and has made significant contributions to the growth and development of the Ann Arbor community.

Mr. Campbell moved to Ann Arbor in 1965 and has played an important role in the community through his business and philanthropic initiatives. In 1970, he started a full-service auto detail shop, Ann Arbor Auto-Glo, which initially provided auto repair services to city residents. Over the years, Mr. Campbell and his business partner, James Vann Jr., expanded their business to include car sales and commercial real estate development. The two remained business partners for over 30 years until their retirement in 2007, and their businesses provided important services and jobs to Ann Arbor residents. In addition to managing his auto detailing business, Mr. Campbell was involved in the arts community, supporting local musicians and also working to help finance several plays in the area. Collectively, these efforts have helped create robust business and cultural scenes in the Ann Arbor area.

Mr. Campbell's work with his businesses, as well as his involvement with music and theatre productions, has played a key role in the development of Ann Arbor. In addition to his work, Mr. Campbell also contributes to the community through his involvement with the Ann Arbor Boxing Club, where he serves as a mentor to area youth. In this capacity, Mr. Campbell works to train club members while teaching them the principles of discipline and mental toughness. This work helps inspire future youth and provide them with guidance and mentorship. Mr. Campbell's involvement in working with area youth underscores his commitment to the Ann Arbor community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Clarence Campbell for his lifetime of service to Ann Arbor and its residents. His work in the business and community has impacted countless lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Nancy Campbell for her work with the National Women's Law Center. As founder and co-president of the organization, Ms. Campbell has been an effective advocate for women throughout her career.

Ms. Campbell began her career as a law professor with appointments at the Georgetown University Law Center and Catholic University's School of Law in Washington, DC. She also served as an attorney with the Center on Social Welfare Policy and Law, where she cofounded the National Women's Law Center with Marcia Greenberger in 1981 as an outgrowth of their work with the institution. The NWLC provides legal assistance for women and develops legislative initiatives to promote fair treatment for women and girls in the United States. The center has been at the forefront of driving action to address these issues, and its advocacy has let to real improvements in protections for women, including stronger enforcement of Title IX, the federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex.

As cofounder of the NWLC, Ms. Campbell has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization and advancing priorities for women. She was a participant in a successful Supreme Court case that expanded AFDC eligibility to include two-parent families with unemployed mothers, and has strengthened the rights of military women who have faced sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. As a result of these accomplishments, Ms. Campbell has received numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the District of Columbia Bar's William J. Brennan Award in recognition of her outstanding legal career serving the public. She has been a tireless advocate for women and families, and it is my hope that the NWLC continues to build on her legacy of excellence as she moves on from her current position with the organization.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Nancy Campbell for her career with the National Women's Law Center. Ms. Campbell's efforts have led to significant improvements in legal protections for women.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Joel Goddard for his career with the United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Company. Mr. Goddard has been an effective advocate for working Americans and labor, and his work has resulted in significant gains for our nation's autoworkers.

Mr. Goddard began his career with Ford Motor Company in 1972, when he joined the company to work at one of the company's Ohio engine plants. He then moved to Rawsonville, Michigan, where he began as a diecast diemaker. Mr. Goddard earned his first position with the UAW as an Alternate Skilled Trades Committeeman in 1985. As a result of his knowledge of the auto industry and effective advocacy on behalf of his fellow workers, Mr. Goddard moved up in the UAW and served in a variety of high-ranking positions. He was Chairman of the Local 898 UAW branch at Rawsonville and was reelected nine straight times due to his strong leadership. Additionally, Mr. Goddard served as the UAW National Negotiating Committee's Chairman from 2002 through 2015, where he represented autoworkers in multiple high-level negotiations and won them lasting improvements in pay and benefits.

Mr. Goddard has been an advocate and leader for the UAW throughout his career, and his deep knowledge of the automotive industry and tenacity have served the workers he represented well. As a result of Mr. Goddard's 25 years of work, the Rawsonville plant continues to provide good-paying jobs to Americans and produce high quality parts for Ford Motor Company. His commitment to a fair deal for UAW workers made him one of the longest serving Plant Chairmen in UAW history, and he continued to deliver wins for the workers he represented in negotiations. Mr. Goddard's leadership and expertise will be missed as he retires from his current position, and it is my hope that the Rawsonville plant and its workers continue to build on his legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Joel Goddard. His career with the UAW and Ford has helped preserve American jobs and protect our country's workers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the writers and staff at the Trenton Trib for their work providing state and local news to the Downriver community. The newspaper provides important coverage of events and editorial perspectives to Trenton and residents in nearby areas.

Founded in 2010, the Trenton Trib is a monthly newspaper that covers current events and distributes information about the City of Trenton and the surrounding areas. The newspaper has grown and developed a loyal following since its establishment, and today boasts a monthly circulation of approximately 10,000 to residents and businesses throughout Trenton. The Trib covers local issues, including achievements by residents and events like the annual Trenton Summer Festival. The paper's columnists, Kathy Kane and Joe Hoshaw, also contribute original content and perspectives to provide context to issues facing the city. Additionally, the Trib issues an annual ``Goodfellows'' newspaper whose proceeds provide gifts and food to those in need during the holidays. Collectively, these efforts have helped inform the public while serving the community at large.

The Trenton Trib has filled a crucial need in Downriver by providing regular community-oriented news to area residents and businesses. The monthly publication both informs residents by providing unique local coverage and perspectives from Trenton residents and helps address issues in the community through its philanthropic initiatives. The growth and development of the Trenton Trib has enabled it to provide better coverage of area events while increasing circulation to better serve the city. The success of the publication is a credit to the hard work of the Trib's staff and underscores the continuing demand for high-quality local news, and it is my hope that the newspaper continues to effectively serve the area's residents in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Trenton Trib. The Trib's staff have served the community well through their coverage of local news and events.