Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is in the spirit of bereavement that I rise to recognize the remarkable life of former Florida State Senator Betty Holzendorf. As a dedicated public servant, community leader, and advocate for social justice, her impact on the city of Jacksonville and the great State of Florida and its people will be felt for generations to come.

Senator Holzendorf passed away on February 29, 2024 at the age of 84.

As a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Senator Holzendorf dedicated her life to the betterment of her community. She received her bachelor's degree from Edward Waters University and her master's in educational administration from the University of North Florida, the latter of which has a road named after her on campus.

As a former public school teacher and administrator at her alma mater, Edward Waters University, she was committed to quality education and began her career in public service in 1975 as an affirmative action officer under Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler. Following several years of service in this role, she joined the staff of Jacksonville Mayor Jake Godbold as City Council liaison, where she developed the political skills that would catapult her into the Florida House of Representatives in 1988.

Throughout her esteemed career, Senator Holzendorf championed causes that uplifted the most vulnerable members of her community. Whether it was fighting for affordable housing, advocating for quality education, or promoting access to healthcare, she never wavered in her dedication to improving the lives of her constituents, especially children.

Senator Holzendorf's passion for justice and equality was matched only by her unwavering determination to create positive change. After four years in the Florida House, she served with distinction in the Florida State Senate from 1992 to 2002, where her leadership earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Senator Holzendorf was a pillar of her community, known for her kindness, compassion, and incredible cooking. Her impact extended far beyond the boundaries of Tallahassee and Jacksonville, truly touching the lives of countless individuals throughout Florida.

My heart is with Senator Holzendorf's family during this time of mourning. May they find solace in knowing that her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of knowing her, and may her memory be for a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Israel's absolute right to exist, to defend itself, and to bring home its citizens--and ours--who are still held captive after 122 days.

Over those 122 days, President Biden has firmly backed Israel's response to genocidal Hamas terror. He helped free over 100 hostages and continues working tirelessly to bring them all home. He has forcefully countered malign forces who attack our troops and oppose any future peace.

Meanwhile, for 122 days, Republicans have ignored President Biden's urgent request: Safeguard our democracy and our allies from adversaries who seek chaos, death, and destruction.

This abdication of responsibility fails our constituents, our allies, and our national security interests.

After months of waiting, I won't hesitate to vote for Israel's defense in this moment of crisis.

I am enraged that Republicans are playing political games, caving to Trump and the extreme fringe of their party at the expense of our most sacred national obligations. They cynically pound the table about Iran, but they are suddenly blind to Putin's wrath in Ukraine and deaf to Xi's threats against Taiwan. They callously disregard the humanitarian tragedy facing Gazans, who are also victims of Hamas, eroding our credibility and undermining future prospects for a just and lasting peace.

I am appalled that after 3,300 anti-Semitic attacks in this country in just 3 months, they will pass a dozen nonbinding resolutions only to turn around and defund basic protections for Jewish Americans.

We could have passed the President's emergency request months ago in a massive bipartisan show of strength. Instead, Republicans are needlessly weaponizing these vital efforts to score cheap political points.

It took far too long to get here. Yet, this bill still falls short of our needs.

As a Jew and proud Zionist, my conscience demands that I vote with Israel in her hour of need in this moment of crisis. I won't pretend this bill comes close to meeting our security needs.

Mr. Speaker, it is with immense pride that I rise to recognize my longtime friend, Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis.

Mayor Ortis has been a resident of Pembroke Pines since 1977 and has a long history of service to our community. He was elected to the Pembroke Pines City Commission in 1996 and elected as its mayor in 2004, serving in that position for the last 20 years.

His ties run deep, as he has served and serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Broward and Florida League of Cities; chairman of the United States Conference of Mayors Committee on Jobs, Education, and the Workforce; the United States Conference of Mayors vice chair for Sports and Recreation, Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports; and the Broward County Workforce One Development Board.

A graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Mayor Ortis also served as president of the Florida State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and as president of the Broward County AFL-CIO.

His work to improve the lives of working families made transformative impacts throughout the Sunshine State. As a devoted public servant for more than 27 years, Mayor Ortis helped transform the city of Pembroke Pines into a world-class city to live, work, and visit.

His leadership expanded the city's arts and culture footprint, its outstanding schools, and the recreational offerings it provides to residents of all ages.

Under his leadership, Pembroke Pines was designated as an All-America City, which recognizes communities that ``leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation to successfully address local issues.'' That is a very apt description for the imprint Mayor Ortis has and continues to make.

Mayor Frank Ortis leads with his heart, and, on behalf of the people of Florida's 25th Congressional District, we are grateful for his leadership and wish him well on his retirement from public service. I will miss him. I will miss working alongside him, but our loss is his family's gain.

I wish Frank a hearty congratulations on his retirement and am grateful for his invaluable work for the residents of Pembroke Pines, Broward County, and the State of Florida.

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 in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lead my colleagues in a Special Order hour. Tonight, I am honored to be joined by my colleagues to continue to shed light and bring broader awareness to the ongoing hostage crisis that plagues the Israeli and Jewish communities around the world.

On October 7, Hamas launched a horrific attack against Israeli civilians, resulting in the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Recently, we marked 100 days since Hamas' gruesome attack. That is more than 100 days of inconceivable suffering for families who had their loved ones ripped away from them; more than 100 days consumed by nonstop panic, dread, and uncertainty. The pain, shock, and anger burning in the hearts of the Jewish people will never dull.

I know my own heart has felt like it was encased in lead ever since that fateful day, but it couldn't compare to the anguish and heartbreak of the families whose loved ones are still held captive by terrorists.

The last time my colleagues and I came together like this to highlight the hostages Hamas continues to cruelly hold hostage in Gaza, I fervently hoped the new year's arrival would make this advocacy no longer necessary. Our work, advocacy, and pressure has been relentless that Hamas release the hostages and bring theirs and their families' nightmare to an end.

Tragically, however, the nightmare continues.

It is sadly fitting that, since marking 100 days since October 7, we also commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Jewish communities around the world gathered to honor the memory of the 6 million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust and the countless millions of others who perished at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators.

We look back because we can never forget, Mr. Speaker. We cannot avert our eyes from the horror that humanity is capable of inflicting. We look back not only to memorialize the victims, but to learn from the darkness of the past.

We also look back to not allow humanity to move forward without addressing the root causes that led to the horrific persecution of the Jewish people, which is the main reason we are here tonight--to dissuade those who forget or avert their eyes from the horrors that Hamas unleashed.

I recently returned to Israel and the region with our bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation that was in the region on October 7, with the sole purpose of galvanizing the multinational efforts to secure the release of each and every last hostage.

In Israel, we met with families who are desperate for any shred of information which might result in their loved ones' release. We visited the kibbutz, Nir Oz, and saw the devastation Hamas wrought. We saw the remains of house after house that Hamas set on fire with the sole purpose of murdering the families inside. I saw firsthand Hamas' maniacal dedication to the destruction and eradication of Israel and the Jewish people.

My message is clear. We will not let Hamas succeed. The United States will continue to stand with Israel, and the Jewish people will live on as we have in the face of oppression and tyranny for millennia.

Tonight, my colleagues and I will speak about those who remain held captive in Gaza, show their beautiful faces, and remind all of us not to forget these victims who are still suffering under terrorist cruelty.

During our last Special Order, I had the honor to speak about the Bibas family: Parents Shiri and Yarden and their boys, Ariel and Kfir.

At 9 months old, Kfir was the youngest hostage taken. On January 18, Kfir turned 1. If Hamas never attacked Israel and never kidnapped women and children, he would have celebrated his first birthday with his family in his community. Instead, his family is left reeling, not knowing.

This cruelty is unimaginable. The Bibas family and sweet Kfir remain in my heart.

Tonight, I will be honoring Agam Berger, who was taken captive on October 7 shortly after calling her father telling him she heard shots fired. I had the opportunity to meet her father, Shlomi, recently.

Seeing the pain in his eyes was unbearable. I can tell in speaking with Shlomi that Agam comes from a very tight-knit family. She has three siblings, including her twin sister.

Mr. Speaker, as the mother of twins, I imagined the panic I would feel and, as a Jewish mother of three young adult children, I saw my own children when listening to his story.

Agam is a selfless young woman, volunteering with adults and children who have special needs and learning disabilities. She is the courageous young woman we all hope our children will grow up to be. Her family and friends proudly speak about her extraordinary musical talent.

You can see her here with her violin. Agam played the violin since she was in the fourth grade.

Mr. Speaker, the next time I am in Israel, I look forward to hearing Agam play her violin and listening to her immense talent, which her father played for us by video.

I want Shlomi and Agam's whole family to know that this Chamber stands with them, and we will continue to fight for Agam's release.

Mr. Speaker, I am joined by a number of Members tonight who all want to stand in solidarity with Israel and press for the release of the hostages.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Landsman).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his relentless support and advocacy for the release of the hostages and his support for Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), our former majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Hoyer has been a stalwart supporter of the State of Israel for his entire tenure in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his stalwart leadership and support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens) who is also the co-chair of the American Hostage Task Force.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her incredible support, leadership, advocacy, and poignancy in which she has been a supporter of the State of Israel in her hour of need.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat), who is the fellow co-chair of the bipartisan Latino-Jewish Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from

New York--where I am originally from--for his incredible leadership and work to bring the Hispanic and Jewish communities together so that we can continue to fight oppression against both of our communities.

Mr. Speaker, yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning). She is someone who has become a dear friend of mine. She sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee and has been a national Jewish community leader.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her powerful words and for her leadership as the co-chair of the bipartisan task force to combat anti-Semitism in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey) who is a member of the Black-Jewish Caucus in Congress and a leader in the Fort Worth area in his district in bringing the Black and Jewish communities together.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his compassion and his leadership, and for helping us to keep the plight of these hostages in the public eye. As a mother of 24-year-old twins, I know exactly what he means in the way he described that.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel), who has been a mentor and friend of mine for literally my entire adult life.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership in highlighting these two young women, especially given her role as the chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider), the distinguished member of the Ways and Means and Foreign Affairs Committees, and a leader in the Jewish community in his home district.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his relentless advocacy and for his partnership in continuing to help make sure we can keep a spotlight on the plight of these hostages who have been kept in captivity for 115 days now.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Schrier), a dear friend and the first pediatrician ever elected to the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership and appreciate her participation tonight in continuing to shine a spotlight on the captivity of the hostages.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), a dear friend who has also been relentless in continuing our efforts to make sure that we can apply the pressure necessary to bring the hostages home.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Cohen particularly for highlighting the abomination of an idea that a terrorist entity should be allowed to live on the precipice of a nation and remain a threat, as Hamas continues to do.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Goldman), a new Member who has been a stalwart leader ever since October 7 and beyond, and we appreciate his participation tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York. That is a searing account of the absolute importance that there is in ensuring that we bring the hostages home immediately to their families.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud and thankful to be joined by a woman who makes our Special Order hour bipartisan, although I know there are far more Members on both sides of the aisle who share our sentiments. She is a woman who has become a dear friend, especially because of the experiences we have shared together unexpectedly over the last several months. The gentlewoman from Iowa and I were part of a bipartisan, bicameral delegation that was in the region on October 7, and returned at the end of December. She is a veteran of the United States Army of 24 years and an ophthalmologist. I appreciate her advocacy and passion about making sure that we bring these hostages home.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller- Meeks).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her solidarity. I thank the Members, Jewish and non-Jewish, Democratic and Republican, for joining us tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I close by reminding the American public, the hostages that they heard about this evening have been held captive in Hamas' captivity for over 115 days. Hamas must end this crisis today by releasing the hostages and allowing them to be reunited with their families.

I hope every American understands that Israel is fighting to rescue her people and to protect her citizens from a terrorist organization that is dedicated to destroying the State of Israel and carrying out the October 7 attack against Israel and the Jewish people over and over again.

The United States will not let Hamas succeed. The Jewish people will not let Hamas succeed. Any people with a shred of humanity would not let Hamas succeed.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I in this Chamber will continue to stand with Israel and fight for the release of those held captive, of those being brutally abused and sexually violated. We will continue to make sure we shine our white-hot spotlights on the plight of these hostages until they are safely home with their families and until Hamas is eradicated as a threat on Israel's doorstep or to anyone worldwide.

``Am Yisrael Chai.'' ``The people of Israel live.'' Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise to oppose yet another extreme Republican assault on families and reproductive freedoms.

This thinly veiled attack on abortion rights would let States divert critical Federal funds meant for struggling families with children into shady anti-choice groups.

These so-called crisis pregnancy centers claim to help women, but they are unregulated, unlicensed, and not even required to have medical professionals. They say whatever they want, and they

offer inaccurate, biased information meant to scare women and limit their choices.

Worse, this bill diverts vital TANF funds from needy children and steers it to dangerous anti-choice outfits that will help Republicans secure their extreme national abortion ban.

With partial government funding about to run out, why do Republicans waste our time on these shameful stunts?

I want to be clear: This deceptive bill does not help pregnant women. It simply funds groups that lie to them.

As a woman and mother of three young adult children, I ask my Republican colleagues to truly help women and families and stop deceiving and defunding them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this deceptive bill.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I recognize the remarkable life of James Fox Miller.

James (or Jim/Jimmy to his friends and family) was born on June 13, 1939, in East Orange, New Jersey. He met the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Barbara, at the University of Michigan in 1958, and he earned his J.D. from Northwestern University in 1965.

He was a man who embodied character and integrity. As a young lawyer freshly arrived in Florida, James quit his job in the first week rather than sign an affidavit he did not know to be true. He knew no one in his new home state, had no meaningful experience, and no clients, so he took whatever work he could get to support his young and growing family. From these spare beginnings, Jim eventually came to be recognized by his peers and the general public as one of the nation's top family law attorneys.

Amongst his many accomplishments, James served on the Board of Governors and then as President of the Florida Bar from 1990 to 1991.

In addition to being an exceptional trial lawyer, Jim was a prolific teacher and lecturer at seminars and law schools across the United States. He was passionate about mentorship and was instrumental in guiding and educating scores of young lawyers, helping to shape the next generation of legal practice.

James Fox Miller loved the law, his legal colleagues, and achieving justice for his clients. His practice was not solely about family law, but also about strengthening families, which was something he focused on with his own beloved wife, children, and grandchildren. The only thing stronger than his mind was his heart and his code of ethics.

My heart is with his wife Barbara, three children, and seven grandchildren, but his loss will be felt by our entire community. His life burned brightly, and it is reflected by all those he touched during it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this perverse, illegitimate effort to do Donald Trump's political dirty work.

This resolution is nothing more than an extreme political stunt built on absolutely zero evidence of wrongdoing. The one thing it does prove is that Republicans are focused on the wrong priorities. This resolution clearly has nothing to do with protecting the Constitution from high crimes and misdemeanors.

How do we know? Because a year of investigation, piles of documents, and a herd of the Republicans' own witnesses confirm there is zero evidence of wrongdoing. Instead, the Republicans' wasteful witch hunt just confirms that President Biden is a good and honorable man.

What this resolution really does is cover up a full year of do- nothing Republican policies that ignored our families' needs and neglected an array of global threats to democracy.

Worse, this resolution tries to obscure the corrupt and criminal acts of the former President and want-to-be dictator Donald Trump.

This extreme political stunt is built upon the sick, twisted extremism of House Republicans and totally unmasks their complete absence of an agenda that helps the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, December 11, 2023, I was not able to be recorded on Roll Call Numbers 707, 708, and 709.

Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 707; YEA on Roll Call No. 708; and YEA on Roll Call No. 709.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100-year legacy of Liberia, a historically Black neighborhood, rich with culture, art, faith, strong families, and a rich legacy nestled in the city of Hollywood, Florida.

This diverse community is filled with people of all backgrounds today, but there was a time when Black residents were only afforded one option: the Liberian neighborhood.

The Liberia name is fitting, as it represents freedom.

With this spirit of freedom imbued within the people, the community was inhabited mostly by Black people from The Bahamas and the Southern United States.

Through determination, faith, and resilience, the residents of Liberia built a community with a strong foundation where they not only could live but thrive.

Some of the early residents, such as Robert Mitchell and Henry Graham and fourth-generation Liberia resident Commissioner Linda Hill Anderson, were and are pioneers for progress for countless individuals who emerged from Liberia to become successful professionals, elected officials, athletes, artists, and role models.

I celebrate the perseverance and brilliance of this community today and for generations to come.

I congratulate Liberia on 100 years. Here is to 100 more.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lead my colleagues in a Special Order hour.

On October 7, Hamas launched a horrific attack against Israeli civilians, murdering over 1,400 people and taking hostage more than 244 women, children, families, and the elderly. Hamas spared no one.

The hostage crisis has left hundreds of families desperate and searching for answers on the health and safety of their loved ones. This past month has been gut-wrenching. I have never felt this magnitude of pain, shock, and anger burning in the hearts of the Jewish people.

The intentional, genocidal violence inflicted on Israeli civilians and the unconscionable apathy of many nations is a sobering reminder of the fact that Israel remains surrounded by hostility and danger.

For me, and for so many of us, this goes beyond our belief in the survival of the Jewish State. It rises far above politics as usual. It is a moment in history that begs for humanity, unity, and solidarity with Israel.

I am wrecked by how quickly people in this country have forgotten the hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas. I find myself having to reiterate over and over again that Israel was attacked by a terrorist organization whose mission is the eradication of Israel and the Jewish people.

We must all remember not only the horrifying statistic of 240 captured, but who they are as people. These are real human beings. That is why we are here tonight.

We will continue to come to this floor to call attention to all of the human beings who are brutally being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, until every last one of them is released.

Each of my colleagues who are joining me will speak about a hostage or family of hostages, show their beautiful faces, and remind all of us not to forget these victims who are suffering under terrorist brutality.

Thankfully, Israel has welcomed home many children and some women this week. I am extremely grateful for President Biden's efforts to help make that possible. We cannot and we will not stop until all hostages are reunited with their families.

Tonight, I will be sharing the story of the Bibas family, parents Shiri and Yarden, 4-year-old Ariel, and 10-month-old Kfir from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Look at this beautiful family.

Kfir, the youngest hostage, was just 9 months old on October 7. He had just learned to crawl when he was abducted. His family is worried Kfir doesn't have access to formula. Look at Kfir's beautiful face. How could anyone justify kidnapping and taking hostage a 9-month-old.

As a Jewish mother, I remember when my babies were that age. I remember nursing them. I remember holding them in my arms and being joyful about their first crawling, their first steps, and looking forward to the beauty of their lives unfolding.

Looking at Kfir and Ariel's faces is heartbreaking and is deeply personal. Many of us have had the opportunity to meet with the families of these hostages. Yesterday, Hamas claimed that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were killed in Gaza. I pray with all my heart that that is false. The barbarism and cruelty of Hamas knows no bounds.

The Bibas family would never have been in harm's way in Gaza if Hamas did not launch its murderous attack on Israel and take children as leverage on October 7.

On that fateful day, Shiri, Yarden, and their boys were hiding in a safe room when militants fired semiautomatic weapons outside the family's window as Yarden texted relatives: ``I love you all.'' One- half hour later, he texted, ``They are coming in,'' just before communication ceased.

Since then, the world has seen a distressing video of Shiri holding her two young boys wrapped in a blanket close to her chest while surrounded by Hamas militants. Another video depicts Yarden with a head injury forcibly being taken away on a motorcycle.

On Monday, the IDF announced the Bibas family was transferred by Hamas to another Palestinian terror group in Gaza as if they were a commodity to

give leverage to another terrorist organization.

While we know the facts about October 7 and have seen the family's pictures and videos, it is important to remember the light and love of this family. Shiri is described by loved ones as a woman who touches everyone's heart, gentle and full of tenderness, which you can clearly see when she was trying to shield her children and the terror on her face. She was reborn with her two little sons. They were the light that filled her life. Under her loving wing, they were growing up happily.

Ariel loves anything with wheels and a motor. He dreams of superheroes and dresses up as Batman.

Yarden is a sensitive and loving father and husband. Ofri says that while her brother looks big and strong, inside he is the most sensitive and gentle person she knows.

Shiri's cousin Yifat said in an interview about her family: ``I can only hope they are together. I hope they didn't separate her from her children. I try not to think about the worst. This is the only thing that keeps me going. But every day that goes by, we can't go the same path anymore. Things need to be changed. Israel is going to be changed after this. We are all traumatized, okay? This touched every family that is involved in Israel.''

My heart goes out to Ofri, Yifat, and their whole family. Make no mistake, Hamas will be held responsible.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland for his poignant remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his words.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his participation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey so much for his words, and I can say it was so incredibly moving and meaningful to be able to join him and Mr. Panetta from California and Senator Ernst just days after those horrific attacks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Goldman).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens), who is the co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her poignant remarks and her dedication to this cause.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning), the co-chair of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for her remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Auchincloss).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for his remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta), who I also had the privilege of traveling with to Israel in the days after the attacks.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his poignant words.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, my friend from Michigan, General Bergman, for his indulgence and his generosity.

Mr. Speaker, I close by reminding the American public the names and faces you saw tonight are only a fraction of those who remain held hostage in Gaza by cowardly terrorists, by Hamas.

I hope every American understands that Israel is fighting to protect her citizens from this diabolic terrorist organization and to rescue her hostages.

There is only one culprit to blame for this war, and that is Hamas. Their singular goal is to destroy Israel and kill Jews.

Mr. Speaker, this Chamber has always and will always continue to stand strong with Israel and work to release these victims from terrorist tyranny and support, preventing an attack like this from being perpetrated against Israel by Hamas ever again.

``Am Yisrael Chai,'' ``The people of Israel live.''

Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I recognize my longtime friend, sister, and someone with whom we've served interchangeably as mentors to one another, Senator Nan Rich, as she assumes the office of Mayor of Broward County, Florida.

Senator Rich was first elected as Broward County Commissioner in 2016 and re-elected, unopposed, in 2020. She was recently selected by her colleagues on the County Commission to be the Vice Mayor of Broward County through November 2023 and now selected to serve as Mayor. Her top priority has been addressing the affordable housing crisis in Broward, as well as ending homelessness.

Prior to her service on the County Commission, Senator Rich was elected to the Florida State Senate in 2004 after serving two terms in the Florida House of Representatives. She was recognized as one of the most passionate and dedicated members of the Florida Legislature and was the first woman to be elected Senate Democratic Leader.

Her years of advocacy and activism on behalf of women, children, and families is admirable and inspiring. She served as the National President of the National Council of Jewish Women, the first Floridian elected to that office. She was also honored to receive an appointment by President Bill Clinton to serve as a Member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council in Washington, D.C.

My friendship with Senator Rich runs deep. When I first ran for office at the age of 25, she was one of the first people I called for advice. She subsequently succeeded me in the Florida House and the Florida Senate. She is someone who paved the way for women to reach and shatter the glass ceiling--helping to break the barriers of gender-bias and discrimination. I am proud to have stood on the shoulders of my friend--Florida's friend--Nan Rich.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 25th district, we are grateful for Senator Rich's leadership and look forward to the progress she will continue to make as Broward County's next Mayor.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to recognize the remarkable life of Carolyn W. Jones.

As a woman of faith, Carolyn was a leader of St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church in Dania Beach where she served as a Trustee, Church Clerk, and as a member of the Hospitality Ministry.

Carolyn, along with other prominent church members, was instrumental in ensuring St.

Ruth was recognized with a commemorative historical marker, detailing the notable status of the church in the community. Carolyn was also one of the founders of the revered JWS-Journey of Hope Cancer Ministry at St. Ruth. As a strong compassionate, servant leader, Carolyn had a passion for supporting and working in the community to fight against cancer. Carolyn was the team leader for the Dania Beach Relay for Life fundraising walks, where she and others in the community walked to honor cancer survivors.

Carolyn's love for developing young minds led her to be a part of the Broward County Public School District for more than 38 years. Her esteemed career included Parkway Middle School, Apollo Middle School, and Attucks Middle School. The pinnacle of Carolyn's educational career was when she was honored as Attucks Middle School Teacher of the Year. She was also a member of The Charmettes, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the Red Hat Society.

As a supportive wife, Carolyn stood by her husband Albert as he served on both the Dania Beach and Broward County Commissions.

Truly an inspiration, Carolyn is remembered for her kind and generous spirit and legacy of service to family, church, and community. My heart is with her family in mourning the loss of this kind, generous, and compassionate soul. We were forever privileged to have shared this time with her.

May her memory be for a blessing.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I rise in strong opposition to this spending bill.

In it, House Republicans have reduced funding to the NIH and the National Cancer Institute and virtually eliminated funding for medical and behavioral research into deadly diseases.

House Republicans eliminated the CDC's tobacco prevention and control programs. I repeat: House Republicans have defunded our most important antismoking programs with this bill.

Deaths will be the reality if these cuts come to fruition. How can Republicans still be this beholden to Big Tobacco?

House Republicans also eliminated the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative despite States like Florida, where we are seeing a 33 percent spike in new HIV diagnoses.

With this bill, House Republicans are eliminating Healthy Start, whose sole mission is to improve the well-being of expectant mothers or those who just gave birth, all to reduce infant mortality.

On top of that, this extreme MAGA bill eliminates funding for title X family planning because their far-right ideology forbids access to reproductive health and related preventive health services.

Of course, House Republicans have eliminated the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program in tandem with riders that block access to abortion services or reproductive healthcare services.

At least this bill nakedly reflects the true values of the MAGA House Republicans because it will encourage discrimination, promote bigotry, trample on women's rights, decimate public education, and push minorities further away from equality.

Of course, it ``protects'' Americans from critical race theory, LGBTQI+ communities, and programs that promote diversity and equity.

This bill should adhere to the agreement that was made in the Fiscal Responsibility Act we passed on a bipartisan basis in the spring. Slash-and-burn budgeting hurts real people while you take care of your corporate co-conspirators.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this terrible spending bill if it ever even comes to a vote.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his longstanding support of this important legislation that really reflects the values that we stand for here in the United States of America.

I particularly thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) for the back and forth--depending on who is in the majority in our Chamber in each successive Congress--as we sort of trade responsibility for who leads this bill.

In addition, I have also previously co-led this legislation with our former colleague, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Mr. Diaz- Balart also joins us, as well. There is really broad bipartisan support for this bill, and I am so proud to lead this legislation on the Democratic side of the aisle.

This legislation would ensure that our government is never complicit in theft and expropriation ordered by autocracies.

By prohibiting U.S. recognition of illegally confiscated trademarks, this bill stands strongly against attempts by the Cuban regime to profit from hijacked intellectual property.

Representing a diaspora community as I do, I have heard countless constituents recount how their home countries stripped them of hard- earned wealth.

Many Cuban families had to start from scratch when they arrived. They had property and their businesses confiscated.

Our Nation has benefited immeasurably from their cultural contributions and entrepreneurial spirit.

We are not just a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of innovators. We should always reward creativity and punish piracy.

Our most fundamental responsibility is protecting Americans and those living in our country from being victimized by our adversaries.

Our failure to do so would only embolden global despots who seek to target their exiles.

I hope my colleagues join us in refusing to tolerate trademarks being held hostage, as this one is in particular, and the many others that are held hostage by the Cuban regime and other regimes, as well. I am hopeful that our friends on the other side of the Capitol, once we send this bill to them, will send it to the President of the United States for his signature.