Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my late Congressman and Governor, Jim Florio, a dedicated public servant who cared deeply for those in New Jersey and the Nation.

He served our country in the Navy. He continued that service when he returned home in the New Jersey Assembly for 4 years, followed by 15 years in this House of Representatives. Then, he returned to our State to become the 41st Governor.

He was an environmentalist long before it was popular. Here in Congress, he authored the Superfund Act, one of the most remarkable pieces of legislation in terms of cleaning up hazardous sites across the country. As Governor, he signed the Clean Water Act, one of the strictest in the Nation at the time. Combined, these achievements saved countless lives across this great country.

He did not work through political division but by doing what he knew was right. That is why he received the Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award.

On behalf of myself, the State of New Jersey, and the Nation, we are grateful for his service to our State. We lost one of the greatest champions, and he will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. My deepest sympathies to his family, his loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Stratford Borough resident Robert Parker.

Specialist and Combat Life Saver Robert Parker has been a resident of Stratford, New Jersey for nineteen years and has dedicated his life to his community and our country. SPC Robert Parker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, enlisting in the Army National Guard in 2000. He was deployed abroad to Iraq shortly after purchasing his home in 2003 and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Robert also served in Kuwait and was a part of the national response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ultimately, Robert served in the Army National Guard for six years attaining the rank of E4 as a transportation specialist and saved lives during combat. He was stationed at the Philadelphia Armory when in the United States and Camp Arifjan in Kuwait during the Iraq war before he was discharged in 2006.

SPC Robert Parker is the recipient of the Combat Action Badge, Army Achievement Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. He has also been awarded a Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the A/M Device Army Service Ribbon.

In continuing his dedication and service to his community and country, SPC Robert Parker is involved locally, serving his neighbors and fellow veterans as a member of the VFW 7365 in Stratford, New Jersey. He also serves as a coach of local basketball teams and Sterling Knights youth football. Robert has also built a career as a commercial roofer and member of Local 30, as well as bartending.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring SPC Robert Parker, of Stratford, New Jersey, a resident dedicated to his community, country and to those who have bravely served and defended the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend the South Jersey Rowing Club for their participation in the U.S. Rowing's Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida. The South Jersey Rowing Club is coached by Lindsay Meyer Clarke and her coaching staff. This regatta features more than 2,000 rowers from all over the country racing for medals in up to 43 events.

Lindsay Meyer Clarke is the Head Coach and an accomplished rower herself winning the women's single at the 2006 Youth National and won the first ever medal for an American single sculler at the junior world championships. The following year, Coach Lindsay Clarke won gold at the `Under 23' worlds in the women's 4x and in 2008 competed in the women's 4x in the Beijing Olympic Games where her team earned 5th place. She was also a member of Stanford University's varsity 8 and won the 1 V and team national titles in 2009 and placed second as team in 2011.

The teammates on the South Jersey Rowing Club come from surrounding towns including Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Haddon Heights, Haddon Township, Haddonfield, Marlton, Mt. Laurel, Pennsauken, Shamong, West Collinswood Heights, and Haverford, Pennsylvania are also included.

The 22 young athletes along with coach Lindsay Meyer Clarke and her coaching staff departed on Tuesday, June 7th for the Youth Nationals and returned on Sunday, June 12th.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring the South Jersey Rowing Club and their 22 youth rowers and coaching staff on qualifying and competing for the United States Rowing's Youth National Championship.

Mr. Speaker, before us is a bill, the Respect for Marriage Act.

I woke up this morning, got ready to come over to the Capitol, and as I often do, I glanced over to pictures of my family, and I glanced to a picture of my 9-month-old grandson. I couldn't be happier about the newest addition to our family. I couldn't be prouder of the two people who brought him into the world, my daughter Corey and her wife Hedya.

When my daughter told me she wanted to get married, I told her what every good parent should tell their children, that if this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, I couldn't be happier for you.

Shortly after that announcement of wanting to get married, my daughter had some terrible news. Her fiancee just found out she had breast cancer. With decisions facing them, they decided to get married right away.

Given all the complications that come with managing treatment, the decision to get married quickly was incredibly important. As I stood at their wedding, in a U.S. court, with a Federal judge presiding over their union, I knew it was only made possible because of a recent Supreme Court decision.

Today, we consider that legislation. That same Court has opened the door to dismantling families like mine, splitting this little guy's family apart potentially. We can't let that happen.

We are talking about marriage, two committed people, to make sure they have a secure family, and all we have to do is vote ``yes.'' Don't complicate the issue. It is that simple.

I don't speak about the religious beliefs of my colleagues, but I have to ask: What God would find fault in this baby and his two mommies? There is nothing wrong with this. This is pure love. It is what we all should aspire to.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' so we are equal in all States.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentlewoman for yielding.

Here we are once again having a discussion about Davis-Bacon prevailing wages. Dozens of studies over decades have shown prevailing wages increase productivity, raise wages, helps local contractors, promote high-quality apprenticeship programs. The very thing that we talk about doing here for our districts.

Prevailing wage laws increase productivity by attracting higher- quality general contractors and subcontractors to bid on public works; it levels the playing field. As a result, public projects cut down on change orders and finish projects with greater efficiency.

In fact, in 2015, West Virginia repealed its State prevailing wage law, arguing it would allow the State to build five schools instead of four. But after a study, the repeal showed that there were no cost savings from repeal of the law--but massive decreases in wages, out-of- town contractors and apprenticeships.

Not only that, prevailing wage laws are also good for business. They are good for contractor associations. They are good for people.

I find it absolutely unbelievable that we come down and have these discussions each and every time saying: I am fighting to lower wages in my district. This is what my people want, they want to be paid less. Not a word on what the contractor/owners can make. But the workers, the ones who build things, we are fighting to lower those wages.

This is insane. I would call it dumb, but I want to be kinder. We are in a great institution. Let's just call it wrong, hateful, misappropriated.

But the fact of the matter is, we are here to raise the level of quality and, certainly, of helping those who need it most, the ones who build America.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to defeat this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, this bill once again demonstrates the long and proud tradition of bipartisan work by the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. Our members have shared the great responsibility to keep America's land and air forces the best in the world.

I especially want to recognize our ranking member, Mrs. Hartzler, for her contributions to this bipartisan bill. Many of us know that this will be her final defense authorization bill in this Chamber, and I thank her for her hard work. Her efforts have made America stronger.

Mr. Speaker, this bill supports the investment of resources necessary to equip and modernize our military while continuing the necessary oversight to ensure responsible execution and accountability for Department of Defense programs.

The bill includes:

Aggressive oversight of strike fighter aircraft programs, including the most expensive, the F-35.

Particular attention to and management of risk associated with the Department's manned and unmanned ISR systems.

Continued oversight of the Army and Marine Corps modernization strategies.

And of particular importance to me and Mrs. Hartzler is the bill's support for the resources required to reduce risk to our defense industrial base.

Mr. Speaker, I express my strong support for the pro-worker provisions included in this bill that I championed that would boost domestic manufacturing and guarantee Federal contractors a $15 an hour minimum wage.

Finally, to the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee staff who have done a great job, both majority and minority: Bill Sutey, Heath Bope, Carla Zeppieri, Liz Griffin, Kelly Repair, and certainly our clerk, Payson Ruhl.

I also thank my personal staff who have done a great job: Katie Lee, Lucy Perkins, and Kevin Seger.

I also take a moment of privilege to thank the ranking member and chairman for setting the tone for this great bill. I urge everybody to support this.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is correct. We all want an open, competitive, and fair contracting process. The Department of Defense, as we know, is the largest government contractor--over $400 billion a year in contracts--60 percent are by the Department of Defense.

This amendment would ensure that the DOD contractors are not violating labor law--things that we all agree on. They do not have the privilege of receiving taxpayer dollars if they are violating this. These taxpayer dollars should go to companies that are helping to build and strengthen our country, not tear it down.

American workers are why we are the greatest country in the world. It is their strength that makes us a reality.

Under this amendment, unfair labor practices are more than just an accusation, they are to be found in violation of the NLRA. The idea of having this, it has been proven you have violated--you still have an option--you settle the problem and then you can get on the bid list. Right now the Department of Defense does have that issue.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this very important amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Once again, we are talking about our most valuable asset in this country, its workers, and the ability to treat them with fairness and giving them the ability to achieve the American Dream; that starts with their ability to go after contracts through their company. However, if their company is not playing by the rules, they are flooding their ability to have a voice in the workplace, to vote for a union, this is where the issue begins and where the amendment addresses.

Very simply, it says: Play by the rules, have a neutrality agreement, and you should be given a preference, a preference for the American worker.

That is just so incredibly important given the challenges of the supply chain. At a time when we are challenged throughout the globe of getting the parts and the supplies we need to build the greatest defense in the world, we are being challenged because of something we have control over--our workforce and treating them well and fairly under the rules of the government are incredibly important.

That is why this amendment is just so important. It says that to be a responsible contractor, treat your employees fairly, level the playing field, and let them have the choice.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, this is something I know quite a bit about because I was one of those young electricians in an area hoping to get a job, and then I see somebody come from hundreds of miles away with their company and undercut by literally cutting their wages and kicking back to their employers.

Now, I am not suggesting that happens everywhere. But there is nothing more frustrating than to have a job in your local community that goes to outsiders who travel from very far distances to replace the workers who live there.

Each of us understands how much we care about our districts. Each of us understands that on a level that is proven every November. We love our districts. We want to help those in our districts.

This is why I find it so surprising that we wouldn't want to fight for a local hire agreement, a 60-mile radius. Take any point in this country, in 60 miles, you will find qualified workers. If, God forbid, that is not available, there are waivers allowed here for the Department of Defense.

That is the important part to understand. There are qualified people throughout this country who do construction work on an annual basis, who do specialized work. They are the ones who live in that community. They are the ones who pay the taxes in that community.

To have somebody come in from distances outside the State, who don't pay the taxes, and take that money back to their area, God bless them.

Where we have the ability to fight for our constituents in our districts through local hire, this is the smart thing to do. It is not only smart for the local people, but they are good workers who have been trained well.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote for their districts and vote for this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 286 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 288.

members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress

Allred (Takano)

Bonamici (Manning)

Bourdeaux (Correa)

Bush (Takano)

Carter (LA) (Williams (GA))

Carter (TX) (Weber (TX))

Cohen (Beyer)

Connolly (Beyer)

Costa (Correa)

Crist (Wasserman Schultz)

Davis, Danny K. (Gomez)

DeSaulnier (Beyer)

Garcia (IL) (Takano)

Gosar (Boebert)

Gottheimer (Neguse)

Guest (Fleischmann)

Hayes (Neguse)

Huffman (Gomez)

Jayapal (Takano)

Jeffries (Kelly (IL))

Johnson (GA) (Manning)

Johnson (TX) (Stevens)

Katko (Meijer)

Keating (Neguse)

Kirkpatrick (Pallone)

Lawson (FL) (Wasserman Schultz)

Long (Fleischmann)

Moore (WI) (Beyer)

Nadler (Pallone)

Newman (Beyer)

Palazzo (Fleischmann)

Payne (Pallone)

Porter (Neguse)

Price (NC) (Manning)

Rice (SC) (Meijer)

Rogers (KY)

(Reschenthaler)

Rush (Neguse)

Salazar (Diaz-Balart)

Scott, David (Neguse)

Sires (Pallone)

Stansbury (Stevens)

Strickland (Neguse)

Suozzi (Neguse)

Swalwell (Correa)

Tlaib (Gomez)

Walorski (Baird)

Watson Coleman (Pallone)

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Staff Sergeant (SSG), Mr. John Walsh of Cherry Hill, New Jersey who dedicated 50 years of his life to his community and our country.

SSG Walsh was born in Chicago, Illinois, enlisting in the Illinois National Guard in 1961. He completed his basic infantry training at Ft. Leonard Wood, where he was awarded a Sharpshooter Rifle Badge.

SSG Walsh was also trained in Air Defense as a Radar Fire Control Crewman at Fort Bliss, Texas. He served our country for 6 more years, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Continuing his dedication and service to his community and country, SSG Walsh is involved locally, serving his neighbors and fellow veterans as the Senior Vice Commander of the American Legion 372.

Staff Sergeant Walsh also serves as a Lieutenant of the Regional Rehab Unit for the Cherry Hill Fire Department which provides support and offers food to the Firefighters responding to multiple alarm fires. In addition, he volunteers with the local food pantry and with the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

SSG John Walsh is married to his wife Kay, and is the proud father of four children and grandfather to thirteen grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring SSG John Walsh, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, a resident dedicated to his community, country and to those who have bravely served and defended the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor educator Donald A. Borden of Blackwood, New Jersey.

Donald A. Borden began his long scholastic career teaching both special and general education, while volunteering his time coaching numerous varsity sports. Additionally, he taught for many years as an adjunct professor at Camden County College.

He went on to his first of many administrative positions when he became the Assistant Principal of Audubon High School, followed by his time as Principal of the Mansion Avenue Elementary School. Mr. Borden holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Rowan University, a bachelor's degree from Glassboro State College and has been and continues to be a strong supporter of South Jersey schools and universities.

Soon after, Mr. Borden became the Principal of Audubon Junior-Senior High School, where he worked closely with Camden County College to provide both remediation and credit-bearing course offerings to students. Mr.

Borden was promoted to superintendent of the Audubon Public School District in Camden County from 2006 to 2013, where he served as an officer of the Camden County Superintendent's Roundtable and solidified the district's financial footing while increasing diversity through the implementation of the school-choice program.

In 2015, Mr. Borden would go on to become Executive Vice President at Camden County College. On April 5, 2016, Mr. Borden was appointed as Camden County College's fifth president. During his tenure as president, Mr. Borden has served as the Chair of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges' Presidents and served as Chair of the Campus Safety Committee for the State of New Jersey's President's Council.

Today, Mr. Borden continues to uphold his commitment to the educational community by serving on committees charged with increasing dual credit opportunities for high school students. He was also selected by The Institute for Citizens and Scholars as a Fellow, representing New Jersey to explore best practices in higher education.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Donald A. Borden, a resident dedicated to his community and to the advancement of educational opportunity.

Madam Speaker, a lifelong resident of Winslow Township, New Jersey, Mayor Barry M. Wright, Sr. grew up working on a farm in Penbryn, New Jersey. He graduated from Edgewood High School in 1970 before attending Camden County Community College.

For nearly three decades, Mayor Wright served as a Police Officer for the Winslow Township Police Department, retiring as a Lieutenant and Adjutant to the Chief of Police. Mayor Wright was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Among his accomplishments include establishing the Police School Liaison program, working in the Detectives Division, Traffic Unit, Internal Affairs and serving with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He also served on the Tansboro Volunteer Fire Company.

Following his service through law enforcement Mayor Barry M. Wright, Sr., served on the Winslow Township Committee for five years and as Mayor for the past six years. During his tenure, he worked on various community enhancement projects. He helped implement sidewalk projects and ensured intersections were handicap accessible. He worked to execute community police programs through the Junior Police Academy, Coffee with a Cop and Adopt a Cop. Additionally, he committed the Township to sustainability programs and replaced the playground of Calabrese Park and added new exercise equipment.

As a public servant Mayor Wright received several accolades during his public service career such as numerous police citations, the Camden County Martin Luther King Freedom Award and the Lions Club Citizen of the Year Award.

Mayor Barry M. Wright, Sr., passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022. He was the Beloved husband of twenty-five years to Robin (Pennett). Loving father of Makayla, Lee Lin, Ian, Brandon (Amelia), Barry (Kelly), and Wendy (David). Proud Grandfather of Connor, Gavin, Sadie and Jason.

Madam Speaker, SPC Robert Ralph MacMurray was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Ralph and Catherine MacMurray in 1946. As a child he belonged to the Boy Scouts of America and supports the organization today.

In 1966, at the age of nineteen he signed up for the United States Army. He served in the Third Armor Infantry Division stationed in Freiburg, Germany, as a cook for four years and completed two years in the United States Army Reserves.

In recognition of his service to our country, SPC MacMurray earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Camden County Veterans Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. In 1972, Mr. MacMurray completed his time in the United States Army Reserves after six total years of courageous service.

Upon returning home from his military service, SPC Robert MacMurray married Ms. Janet Wilson on June 5, 1972. They had two sons Robert and Jonathan and two daughters-in-law Beth and Megan. They have five grandchildren Ryan, Aidan, Connor, Brenna, and Aubrey. They have been happily married for 50 years.

Back in his hometown, SPC MacMurray worked for Bond Bread Company for over nine years. SPC MacMurray continued his service to our nation through his work at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and with the Navy Public Works Center Norfolk Detachment Philadelphia, with over thirty- three years of federal service.

In his retirement, SPC MacMurray is a member of the American Legion and a part of the American Legion Post 17's ``Thank a Vet'' program, providing any veteran an opportunity to have a cup of coffee and a donut with other veterans.

Madam Speaker, Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) Howard F. Grant has been a resident of Bellmawr, New Jersey for over four decades and has dedicated his life to his community and our country. In 1969, at the age of eighteen he joined the United States Marine Corps to valiantly defend our great nation oversees. He served two tours in Vietnam, and fought in the Khesagh, Peiko, Hue City and the Quang Tre Province.

In recognition of his service to our country, MGySgt Grant earned the Bronze Star Medal for heroic service, the Silver Star Medal for valor in combat, and the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained on behalf of our nation's defense. In 1990, MGySgt Grant completed his time in the United States Marine Corps after more than two decades of courageous service.

In continuing his dedication to serving his community and country, MGySgt Grant went on to volunteer for the Office of Veterans Affairs, coordinating the placement of flags on the graves of veterans in St. Mary's and Resurrection Cemeteries. He also served his community through his participation in multiple Borough of Bellmawr functions such as the 4th of July Parade, Golf Tournaments and Scholarship programs for the Borough and Black Horse Pike Regional School District.

In his retirement, MGySgt Grant currently serves as Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9563 and has served as a representative for both Memorial Day and Veteran's Day programs. MGySgt Grant previously served as the Commander for American Legion Post 72, and has supported programs at the Vineland Veteran's Hospital, Thanksgiving food drives and Christmas gift drives.

Madam Speaker, I am back once again to talk about the people who brought you the $8 cup of coffee, Starbucks.

Since I last spoke on the floor, a couple things have changed. The $20 million man, Kevin Johnson, has resigned. I think that is a good thing. Now, Howard Schultz is back, the former CEO and chairman.

But plenty hasn't changed. They still send those corporate representatives to the stores to intimidate the young workers. They subject the workers to

captive listening sessions. When that doesn't work, they fire their employees. Five hundred bucks an hour for an antiunion lawyer to go in and fire a $13-an-hour worker. Wow. After what they did in the pandemic, this is what we are seeing.

Howard, do the right thing. Respect your workers. Give them a voice in the workplace. Let them vote on the union.

Mr. Speaker, I am here to talk about a company you might have heard about: Starbucks. They made the $8 cup of coffee a little popular.

The workers there through the pandemic are now struggling to form a union. Well, Kevin Johnson, the CEO, got a 39 percent raise. Not bad. The workers took a cut.

Those profits didn't magically appear. Starbucks didn't pour their own coffee. It was the men and women who went out during the pandemic and went to work. Yet, Kevin Johnson gets a $20 million bonus.

If Kevin is listening, he should do the right thing.

We hear the ethical sourcing that Starbucks talks about helping people thrive. Well, he needs to do it right here in America and treat his employees right.

Mr. Speaker, Kevin should do the right thing and take care of his employees.

Madam Speaker, a native of Paulsboro, New Jersey, Commissioner Director Damminger attended and graduated from Paulsboro High School. His commitment to public service began as he was elected to hold a seat on the Paulsboro Council, which he served in graciously for eleven years. He was a member of the Public works, Finance and the Water Sewer Committees as well as Chair of the Public Safety Committee for 10 years.

During his tenure, Commissioner Director Damminger has dutifully served eight terms over the span of eleven years on the County Board. Gloucester County being home to roughly three-hundred thousand residents, Commissioner Director Damminger has led his fellow commissioners on the mission to provide the highest level of service while also enhancing the quality of life in the County.

Commissioner Director Damminger's dedication to Gloucester County and its residents has resulted in efforts to permanently preserve more than twenty-thousand acres of farmland and open space. He also helped to secure millions in federal and state funding to improve the county's roads and infrastructure. Commissioner Director Damminger is a trailblazer, credited with making Gloucester County the first county in the great state of New Jersey to regionalize the correctional system, putting the county on pace to save taxpayers a quarter-of-a-billion dollars over the next twenty-five years. Although his successor will be chosen in the coming months, it is evident that Commissioner Director Damminger's impact on Gloucester County will be appreciated for years to come.