Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, as a proud father of two daughters, Genevieve and Scarlett, I was honored to join my colleagues last week in voting to support the passage of H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act. It is deeply regrettable that despite the enactment of the Equal Pay Act in 1963, there remains serious wage gaps based on gender.

According to the American Association of University Women, in the First District of Indiana, a woman earns just 63 cents for every dollar that a man earns for performing the same job.

There must be equal pay for equal work, and I am pleased that the House has taken action to right this wrong.

I encourage our Senate colleagues to move forward with addressing this

wage gap so that every individual, regardless of gender, can receive a fair wage for work they do.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Courtney for the time.

First, I include in the Record this letter of support for H.R. 1195, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, written by Thomas Conway, the International President for the United Steelworkers.

United Steelworkers,

March 24, 2021.

Re United Steelworkers supports H.R. 1195, the Workplace

Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service

Workers Act.

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Representative: On behalf of the 850,000 members of

the United Steelworkers (USW), I am urging you to support the

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social

Service Workers Act (H.R. 1195).

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace violence in

health care and social service settings was a growing and

ever-present threat to workers. While helping patients fight

against the virus, these workers, who repeatedly put their

lives on the line to ensure the health and wellbeing of

others, have had to face a continued rash of assaults and

violent attacks.

According to data from the Department of Labor, healthcare

employees are four times more likely to experience workplace

violence than others in the private sector. And those in a

hospital setting are nearly six times as likely as other

workers to be the victim of an intentional injury. It is

clear that these essential workers need protection against

violence on the job. They need an enforceable OSHA standard

to prevent workplace violence and ensure the safe working

environment that they all deserve.

H.R. 1195 would compel OSHA to issue a workplace violence

prevention standard that requires health care and social

services employers to develop and implement comprehensive

plans to protect workers from violence in the workplace. The

requirements are based on existing guidelines and

recommendations from OSHA, the National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), industry

associations, and state measures and ensure that there are

workplace-specific plans in place to protect workers.

Violent, serious, and life-altering incidents should never

be part of the job. In order to begin curbing this epidemic

of preventable workplace violence, our health care and social

service workers need an enforceable OSHA standard that

addresses violence in the workplace in a comprehensive

manner.

Our union urges you to support the Workplace Violence

Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

(H.R. 1195).

Sincerely,

Thomas Conway,

International President.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate that we are taking action today to support and defend these frontline workers, our healthcare and social workers, who selflessly have chosen their professions in order to serve others, and who, at the same time, experience rates of violence 12 times higher than other workers.

The United Steelworkers letter just inserted into the Record importantly noted that violent, serious, and life-altering incidents should never be a part of the job, and that in order to begin curbing this epidemic of workplace violence, our healthcare and social service workers need an enforceable OSHA standard that addresses violence in the workplace in a comprehensive manner.

There is a difference between punishment and safety, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critically important legislation for these invaluable workers.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 118.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Allred (Wexton)

Babin (Fallon)

Barragan (Beyer)

Buchanan (LaHood)

Cardenas (Gonzalez, Vicente)

Crenshaw (Fallon)

Gomez (Pressley)

Gottheimer (Panetta)

Graves (MO) (Wagner)

Greene (GA) (Gosar)

Grijalva (Garcia (IL))

Jayapal (Pocan)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Keating (Clark (MA))

Lawrence (Kildee)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lieu (Beyer)

Lowenthal (Beyer)

McHenry (Banks)

Meng (Clark (MA))

Mfume (Wexton)

Moore (WI) (Beyer)

Moulton (Underwood)

Napolitano (Correa)

Neal (Lynch)

Nehls (Fallon)

Norcross (Pallone)

Omar (Pressley)

Payne (Pallone)

Porter (Wexton)

Rush (Underwood)

Sewell (DelBene)

Sires (Pallone)

Stefanik (Tenney)

Steube (Timmons)

Trahan (Lynch)

Walorski (Wagner)

Wasserman Schultz (Soto)

Watson Coleman (Pallone)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Wilson (SC) (Timmons)

Madam Speaker, as an avid basketball player, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the exceptional achievements of all of the high-school basketball players in Northwest Indiana this past year, who safely showed up and put in the effort during the challenges of this health pandemic. I also want to recognize the following high-school basketball programs from Indiana's First Congressional District who represented our region during Semi-State and beyond this past season. Those teams include the Crown Point women's team, the Gary West Side men's team, and the Kouts men's team.

First, congratulations to the Lady Bulldogs of the Crown Point High School women's basketball team who won the Indiana High School Athletic Association's 4A State Championship on February 27, 2021. Special recognition also to Coach Chris Seibert who was appropriately named the 2021 Girls Basketball Coach of the Year by our leading local newspapers, the Post-Tribune and the Northwest Indiana Times, and also Jessica Carrothers who was named the Northwest Indiana Times 2021 Girls Basketball Player of the Year. I am inspired by the camaraderie of their team and the demonstration of how their hard-work has truly paid off.

Additionally, congratulations to the Gary West Side High School men's basketball team who won their Regional championship game to advance to Indiana's Class 4A Semi-State on March 20, 2021. The Cougars fought their way for every second, taking the game to overtime where they lost by a mere five points. I applaud Coach Chris Buggs, his coaching staff, and the men who gave it their all to the very end.

And I also congratulate the Kouts High School men's basketball team for winning the Semi-State Championship for the first time in the school's history. The Mustangs competed in the IHSAA Class IA State Tournament on April 3, 2021, and ended their season with an overall record of 29-3. I applaud Coach Kevin Duzan and these young men for their successful season and the legacy they have left.

These truly remarkable teams achieved great success during this very challenging year. For their skill, tremendous hard work, dedication to the game, and for representing our region, these outstanding young athletes deserve to be recognized and congratulated for their incredible seasons.

Madam Speaker, please join me again in congratulating our basketball players on their achievements and for making all of Northwest Indiana and their schools, families, and communities so very proud.

Madam Speaker, as an avid basketball player, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the exceptional achievements of the high school basketball players in Northwest Indiana this past year, who safely showed up and put in the effort during the challenges of this health pandemic.

I also want to recognize the following programs who represented our region during the semi-State and beyond this past season.

First, congratulations to the Lady Bulldogs of Crown Point High School women's basketball team, who won the Indiana High School Athletic Association's 4A State Championship.

Congratulations also to the Gary West Side High School men's basketball team who won their regional championship game to advance to Indiana's Class 4A Semi-State.

And congratulations to the Kouts High School men's basketball team for winning their Semi-State Championship for the first time in the school's history.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing these outstanding young athletes for their skill, tremendous hard work, and dedication to the game. They make all of Northwest Indiana and their schools, families, and communities so very proud.

Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today in observance of Women's History Month and its 2021 theme--Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced. Each year, the National Women's History Project selects a unifying theme to recognize and promote Women's History Month. This year's theme recognizes the passage of the 19th Amendment and honors the stories of those women who have fought for equal rights in the workplace.

Prior to the right to vote, women were instrumental in organizing workplaces, most famously during the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912. Tens of thousands of women fought for more than wages and working conditions; they fought to be respected in the workplace. For generations since, women have contributed to resolving conflicts and have persevered tirelessly to promote equality in the workplace. Women have insisted upon and continue to fight for respect, justice, and equality. Today, I would like to take a moment to honor Women of Steel, an advocacy-arm of the United Steelworkers, which evolved from the early women's caucuses that demanded women have their rightful place in the workplace. Throughout the years, women from diverse backgrounds have played an instrumental role in paving the way for women in the steel industry.

Among these remarkable leaders was Ola Kennedy. Ola was a resident of Gary, Indiana, who passed away in 2009. Ola worked for 28 years at Hammond Valve. A devoted community leader, she was involved in many union and civic organizations and was one of the founding members of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists in addition to being a member of the NAACP and holding various positions at Local Union 1273, District 31 United Steelworkers, District 31 Women's Caucus, and Steelworkers Fightback Organization.

We also celebrate Roberta Wood. In the 1970s, Roberta Wood went to work in the male-dominated mill in the union's former District 31 in Gary, Indiana. Along with Ola, Roberta co-founded the steelworker women's caucus in the Chicago/Gary district of the Steelworkers union. In 1976, she was elected the first female member of USWA Local 65's Executive Board and is currently a member of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees where she continues to advocate for future generations.

I would also like to take a moment to recognize those women who have recently celebrated more than five decades at ArcelorMittal, which is now Cleveland-Cliffs: Gail Richardson, a native of East Chicago and a safety advocate at Indiana Harbor; Judith Studer, a senior clerical technician in the maintenance, environmental and utilities department at Burns Harbor; and Maria Garcia, a materials management coordinator in the logistics department at Indiana Harbor.

Today, the Women of Steel continue to advocate for more women in leadership and carry on the march to fight for full gender equality in the workplace. I commend these women and the many others who fought and continue to fight alongside them for women of every creed, class, and ethnic background. These fearless, strong, and vocal women are exemplary role models who reflect the 2021 theme, Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to join in celebrating Women's History Month and recognizing the role Women of Steel have played to organize, unionize, rally, and inspire workers to fight for justice. I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in celebrating the impact these extraordinary women have made in labor history and their continued contributions to the labor movement and our nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in observance of Women's History Month to honor Women of Steel, an advocacy-arm of the United Steelworkers.

Throughout the years, women from diverse backgrounds have played an instrumental role in paving the way for women in the steel industry.

Among these remarkable leaders was Ola Kennedy, a resident of Gary, Indiana, who worked for 28 years at Hammond Valve. A devoted community leader, Ola was involved in many union and civic organizations and was one of the founding members of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

I also want to celebrate Roberta Wood who, along with Ola, cofounded the steelworker women's caucus in the Chicago-Gary district of the Steelworkers union. In 1976, Roberta was elected the first female member of the USWA Local 65's executive board and is currently a member of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to celebrate Women's History Month and recognize the role Women of Steel have played to organize, unionize, rally, and inspire workers to fight for justice. These extraordinary women continue to be fearless, strong, and vocal advocates for more women in leadership and carry on the march to fight for full gender equality in the workplace. I commend these women.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Scott for this time and opportunity to speak in support of H.R. 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

Unions are the backbone of northwest Indiana's economy, and we must do all we can to strengthen the ability for all workers to form unions. For far too long, State and Federal policies have targeted union workers and their ability to position themselves and leverage.

Today, we change that. Today, we have the backs of working families. When workers can stand together and form a union, they have the ability to use their collective voice for fair wages, safe working conditions, improved health benefits, and a more secure retirement.

Organized labor is essential to creating opportunities for all individuals to have a good-paying career where they can take care of themselves and their families.

I believe that the divide in our Nation is by workers believing they will be left behind. The PRO Act will lift up workers and unite workers.

I thank Chairman Scott for this time, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the PRO Act so that we can move forward in creating an economy that works for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.

International Union of Bricklayers and Allied

Craftworkers,

Washington, DC, March 8, 2021.

Dear House Members: On behalf of the International Union of

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), I am writing to

express our strong support for the Protecting the Right to

Organize (PRO) Act, H.R. 842. The PRO Act is historic

legislation that will help level the playing field and

provide workers the opportunity to freely exercise their

right to organize a union. President Biden captured this

fundamental principle clearly and succinctly when he told

America's workers and companies that ``The choice to join a

union is up to the workers--full stop.''

BAC is proud of the relationship that we share with our

signatory employers across the United States to provide vital

building and construction services to the communities we live

in. However, our members, and just as importantly the

contractors that hire them, are under assault by unscrupulous

corporations and employers that abuse and deny their workers

from having a meaningful voice in the workplace. The PRO Act

would help address these abuses and provide workers a fair

shot at forming a union of their choice to bargain for better

wages, benefits, and conditions in the workplace.

Too often, employers intentionally violate the law during

organizing campaigns because some of the penalties are so

weak that low road employers just view them as a small cost

of doing the business of union busting. The PRO act

strengthens penalties for such behavior in order to deter

employers from interfering with worker's rights.

The PRO Act also clarifies the definition of independent

contractor and supervisor to help prevent the

misclassification of workers. Misclassification is far too

common in construction and other industries and it prevents

workers from exercising their rights, getting the pay and

benefits they deserve, and deprives communities of much-

needed revenue through tax evasion.

Our economy is out of balance and it is time for Congress

to step up to protect working class families and restore

economic stability. We urge you to support the PRO Act and

oppose any weakening amendments when the House of

Representatives considers the bill.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Driscoll,

President.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have been able to vote ``yes'' last week for the American Rescue Plan Act and join my House colleagues in sending this critically important legislation to the Senate.

It is past time that we enact bold relief that delivers critical resources to individuals, families, and communities throughout our Nation so that we can get back to work and past this health crisis.

I am pleased that this legislation includes vital health care provisions to support community vaccination sites, scale up testing and tracing, and address care disparities.

Further, this legislation includes significant resources to assist schools in reopening. We must continue to do all we can to support our intrepid teachers and the critical work that they are doing in this challenging time to engage students and prepare them with the life skills they need for their career endeavors.

Madam Speaker, the momentum is on our side to defeat this virus. I encourage my Senate colleagues to take the next step in approving this legislation as soon as possible so that we can provide all of our communities and our valiant essential workers with the resources they need.

Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would like to wish my daughter Genevieve a happy 18th birthday.

It is with great respect and sincere admiration that I rise today to celebrate Black History Month and its 2021 theme, ``The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.''

This year's theme reflects on the unwavering resilience of the Black family as a nurturing and loving foundation for Black excellence, even as it continues to face systemic racism and significant disparities in our society. The Black family has positively impacted our Nation throughout its history, and it is important to acknowledge and affirm that Black history is American history.

Today, I would like to take a moment to honor a Black family that has played an instrumental role in public service in Indiana, and that is the family of former State Senator Earline Rogers and Earline's late husband, Louis Charles ``Chuck'' Rogers.

Chuck and Earline married in 1955 and had two children, Keith and Dara, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From working selflessly as a public schoolteacher to Earline's decades of service in the Indiana General Assembly, and Chuck having been a dedicated firefighter and first responder, the Rogers family is an exemplary pillar of the northwest Indiana community.

In her pursuit for education, Earline graduated with honors and as senior class president from Roosevelt High School and later went on to earn both a bachelor and master of science in education from Indiana University.

After earning her degrees, Earline's early career included teaching in the Gary Community School Corporation and being an active member of the American Federation of Teachers, which subsequently encouraged her to run for office.

Earline went on to serve in numerous roles during her time in public service and was one of Indiana's most accomplished and effective legislators, working with all her colleagues, including my father, State Senator Frank Mrvan, in a bipartisan fashion to improve the lives of all Hoosiers.

One of her many accomplishments is her legislation to address child exploitation. A decade ago, Indiana had the second highest rate of girls being sexually assaulted in grades 9 through 12, with Black and Latino students among the most vulnerable. These devastating statistics prompted Senator Rogers, along with my father and countless other advocates, to champion Heather's Law, which requires the Indiana Department of Education to develop a program for Indiana schools to better educate students about predators and sexual abuse.

I am especially proud to note that when I was first beginning my career in public service, I had the opportunity to intern for Earline in the Indiana General Assembly. I am proud to call Earline one of my mentors. As a legislator in the U.S. House of Representatives, I will continue to strive to be as dedicated as Earline in improving economic opportunity and prosperity for all residents of northwest Indiana.

I would also like to honor Chuck, who recently passed away, on December 7, 2020. He will be remembered as a loving father, a supportive husband, and a great public servant.

Chuck attended East St. Louis High School in Illinois and went on to graduate from Indiana University. After school, Chuck held several esteemed positions, including as a member of the U.S. Army, a high school sports coach, and a high school educator of Black studies.

Chuck was also a dedicated firefighter, as he eventually earned the title of fire battalion chief of the Gary Fire Department, where he served for 40 years.

Chuck also served as a precinct committeeman in Indiana's Third State District, where he played an essential role in Earline's career as a State senator.

As we recognize and celebrate the contributions of the Rogers and others, we must also acknowledge and address the structural factors that continue to create challenges for the Black family.

In the last year, the COVID-19 public health emergency and the tragic killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others have exposed these inequities.

Regarding the pandemic, I would note that, regrettably, minorities account for more than 50 percent of all hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 in the United States. We must remedy the early governmental failures to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in an equitable manner to the communities that have suffered the most.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, let us recognize the indelible contributions of Black families to the strength of our communities as well as recommit ourselves to fighting the pernicious influence of systemic racism and ameliorating the ongoing harms experienced by too many Black families in our society.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to highlight the action of the bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus.

Earlier this week, the Steel Caucus leaders and 47 other members of the caucus sent a letter to the Biden-Harris administration that expressed our strong support for the continuation of section 232 steel tariffs and quotas.

The letter noted how we work hand-in-hand with industry and labor organizations and that we recognize the negative impact that unfair trade and global steel overcapacity have had on my district and the Nation over the years.

These steel tariffs and quotas, which were implemented to protect our national security, have resulted in significant reductions in imports. We must continue to do all we can to ensure that our Nation supports the domestic steel industry and our American steelworkers.

I look forward to continuing to engage with the Steel Caucus members, all of my colleagues, and the Biden-Harris administration to ensure that the American steel industry remains the foundation of our national economy and our national security.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021.

It is my distinct honor to be a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, and I am encouraged to see the consideration of this critical piece of legislation as a priority before the House so early in the 117th Congress.

Labor organizations and their apprenticeship programs are the backbone of northwest Indiana's economy. Time and time again, I have worked hand in hand with labor, civic groups, and faith-based organizations to get people who need a career into a union apprenticeship program.

For the past 15 years, as an administrator of emergency financial assistance, I have sat across the desk of neighbors, friends, and constituents who have an urgency for opportunity to provide for their families. This legislation creates life-changing economic opportunities. These types of programs are invaluable to provide all individuals with a lifelong skill set, a job that pays a family- supporting wage, a safe working environment, and secure retirement.

I appreciate the legislation that aims to increase diversity and equitable access for women to apprenticeship programs so that all individuals can have access to good-paying jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and the dignity of all workers.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support from the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers.

International Association of Bridge, Structural,

Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers,

Washington, DC, February 1, 2021.

Hon. Robert Scott,

Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Scott: On behalf of the 160,000 members of

the International Association of Bridge, Structural,

Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW), I write to

endorse H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021.

The original National Apprenticeship Act was enacted during

the Great Depression and it helped struggling Americans by

offering them an opportunity to learn a skilled trade while

earning a middle-class wage. That was over 80 years ago, and

a lot has changed since then. H.R. 447 is needed to update

the law to reflect a 21st century economy and labor force

ready to work during these unprecedented times.

Investing in our country's workforce by expanding the

registered apprenticeship program is needed now more than

ever. With record-high unemployment numbers across the

country, registered apprenticeships offer people the

opportunity to learn a high skilled trade while earning a

family-supporting wage. H.R. 447 will not only strengthen

current registered apprenticeship programs but also create

programs to meet the demand.

The IW supports H.R. 447 and asks all the members of the

Education and Labor Committee to vote for this bipartisan

bill without any harmful amendments.

Sincerely,

Eric Dean,

General President.

Madam Speaker, since the events on January 6, I spoke with a group of ministers from Gary, Indiana. They told me how they are praying for unity and justice in our Nation.

It reminded me of the moment when those of us who were on the House floor on January 6 were huddled together in a secure room after the attack. House Chaplain Kibben led us all in prayer.

Let us remember that moment. Let us rekindle that prayer for those 3 minutes when we were all united to preserve our democracy and justice.

I support the Article of Impeachment so that we can move forward to do the work that our constituents sent us here to do.