Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the greatest basketball announcer of all time and Arizona sports legend, the voice of the Phoenix Suns, Al McCoy, who passed away recently at age 91.

When fans think of the Phoenix Suns, we hear Al McCoy. When I was growing up in Phoenix, NBA games weren't televised, and working-class families, like my own, couldn't afford tickets to the Suns games. My family experienced the Phoenix Suns sitting around the living room radio, listening to the great Al McCoy.

Al's unforgettable voice took my family with them all the way to the 1976 championship game against the Boston Celtics, high-fiving each other with each ``whammo,'' ``swish-a-roo for two,'' or ``zing go the strings,'' and sharing his frustration after a crushing game six defeat.

The Stanton family, like so many Suns fans in Arizona, were brought closer together over our shared love for basketball all because of Al McCoy.

Over five decades on the mike, Al's constant presence brought the entire Phoenix community together. No matter what was going on in the world, Suns fans knew it was going to be a good day when we heard Al say ``shazam'' on the radio.

Madam Speaker, I say Godspeed to Al.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2228, the Building Chips in America Act. Two years ago, Congress wisely passed the CHIPS and Science Act, bringing about a resurgence in domestic manufacturing, particularly in my home State of Arizona.

Some of the world's leading semiconductor companies have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in Arizona to build new fabrication plants, or fabs, creating thousands and thousands of high-wage jobs.

Many of these projects have already broken ground. If you drive around my district in Arizona, cranes dot the skyline, the clearest sign of America's advanced manufacturing boom.

In North Phoenix, TSMC will soon begin producing the world's most advanced semiconductors by the end of this decade.

In Chandler, Intel is building its largest manufacturing complex, which opens next year. It will churn out semiconductor chips at a time when America needs a secure supply more than ever. It is critical for our national defense.

Make no mistake. These projects are being constructed in compliance with Federal, State, and local environmental regulations, protecting Arizonans' clean air and water.

In fact, we have worked in partnership with semiconductor giants to invest in water recycling and reclamation projects in record numbers.

Because these projects are benefiting from the CHIPS and Science Act, many companies must now, for the first time, complete a secondary Federal and environmental review that could slow or even stop construction for months or years.

This bipartisan bill, led by Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona on the Senate side, would streamline that review process to ensure these fabs can be built on time so we don't lose a single day in the global semiconductor arms race.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S. 2228.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of a legendary Arizona journalist, Jana Bommersbach, who passed away on July 17, 2024, at the age of 78 years old.

A North Dakota native, Jana moved to Arizona after earning her master's degree at the University of Michigan. It's in Arizona that she began an incredible career, which revolved around her love of the American West and all its colorful characters.

When Jana started at the Arizona Republic in the 1970s, she was one of just six women reporters in the newsroom. She worked her way up from reporter to editor, first for the Republic and later the Phoenix New Times. Because of her dogged reporting, the Arizona Press Club named her Arizona Journalist of the Year and honored her with its top investigative journalism prize, the Don Bolles Award, multiple times.

Jana's talents took her well beyond the newsroom when one of those- award winning stories turned into her hit book, The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd. Nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award and winning Arizona's only literary prize, The Trunk Murderess revisits the complicated story of Winnie Ruth Judd and a more than 60-year-old murder case, giving us a glimpse of Phoenix as a young frontier town. Jana earned the elderly Judd's trust, getting her to tell her side of the story for the very first time. That was Jana--reporting on true crime before it was trendy--because she understood just how much these stories matter.

Her life's work brought attention to the issues closest to her heart, like mental health and domestic violence. She paired vigorous journalism with selfless advocacy, giving her time to countless nonprofits. In 2020, she was inducted into the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame, rightly recognizing her lifetime of achievement.

More than anything, Jana was a joy to be around: a quick-witted, gifted storyteller who could leave any room in tears of laughter. She kept friends from all backgrounds and political parties and knew how to throw political jabs with a grin. Congress should take a lesson from her.

A trailblazer and fierce advocate for the voiceless, Jana's impact will live on through her work and the countless lives she brightened. We now do our best to keep her spirit with us by aspiring to be more like her. To live a life of purpose, integrity and fun. We join her friends and family in grief and gratitude, thankful we bore witness to her incredible legacy, full of stories to be told for generations to come.

Thank you to Jana, and Godspeed.

Madam Speaker, I thank Dr. Schrier for her leadership on this critically important issue to her State, my State of Arizona, and the entire United States of America. I also thank Assistant Leader Neguse for hosting this special hour.

Prolonged drought and extreme heat are causing wildfires across the West. In my home State of Arizona, things are only getting worse. Last year, more than 150,000 acres burned in Arizona. This year, it is more than 250,000 acres, and the fire season is not yet over.

This isn't and shouldn't become the new normal, but wildfires are now breaking records every year, becoming more frequent and more destructive. We need a bold approach to protect lives and livelihoods.

That is why I am proud to support the bipartisan Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act, legislation to combat firefighter shortages, including retaining expert wildland firefighters and improving fire response times with updated technology. It also takes steps to address the public health crisis caused by wildfire smoke by establishing a nationwide, real-time air quality monitoring and alert system.

Containing wildfires is priority number one, but post-fire risks are incredibly dangerous, as well. Burn scars after a blaze can lead to life-threatening mudslides and flooding, particularly in rural communities and on Tribal lands.

One Northern Arizona University study predicted devastating economic losses from post-fire flooding. Even a small fire, when coupled with a typical summer thunderstorm, could cost local governments and the Federal Government more than $500 million and, under severe weather events, up to $3 billion in evacuation costs and lost property values.

That is why I worked with Congressman Doug LaMalfa from northern California to introduce the bipartisan Wildfire Response Improvement Act. This bill would update FEMA's fire management assistance grant and help communities responding to and recovering from wildfires.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of a legendary Arizona journalist and trailblazer, Jana Bommersbach, who passed away on July 17.

When Jana started at The Arizona Republic in the 1970s, she was one of just six female reporters in the newsroom. She worked her way up from reporter to editor, first at The Republic and later at the Phoenix New Times.

Because of her dogged reporting, the Arizona Press Club named her Arizona Journalist of the Year and honored her with its top investigative journalism prize, the Don Bolles Award, many times.

One of those award-winning stories turned into her hit book, ``The Trunk Murderess,'' which revisited the story of Winnie Ruth Judd and a more than 60-year-old murder case. Jana earned the trust of the elderly Judd, getting her to tell her side of the story for the very first time.

That was Jana, reporting on true crime before it was trendy, but also telling the story of Phoenix as a young frontier town, full of colorful and complicated characters. Her life's work brought attention to matters close to her heart, like mental health and domestic violence, and she paired vigorous journalism with selfless advocacy, giving her time to countless nonprofits.

More than anything, she was a joy to be around, a quick-witted, gifted storyteller who would leave any room cracking up. She kept friends from all backgrounds and political parties, throwing jabs with a grin and a twinkle in her eye. Congress should take a lesson from her.

My prayers are with her family, her friends, especially Bob Boze Bell, and

all those who were moved by her writing and who laughed with her. Godspeed to Jana.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Water Resources Development Act. First, I thank the chair of the subcommittee, Chairman Rouzer, and the amazing and incomparable Ranking Member Grace Napolitano for their leadership on this important legislation that invests in our Nation's water resources infrastructure.

In addition, I thank the professional staff, both Republican and Democrat. A bill of this magnitude and importance wouldn't get done without their great work. I thank them on behalf of all members of the committee.

For Arizona, this bill delivers long-term investments that I have long fought for, and ones we desperately need to address the ongoing, historic drought in the Southwest.

The bill confronts the drought by bolstering the ability of the Corps of Engineers to protect water supplies and assist our communities with drought resiliency and mitigation measures.

It also includes an additional $50 million for my Arizona environmental infrastructure authority to assist more of our communities and Tribal nations with their water and wastewater infrastructure challenges.

Finally, it jump-starts the Tres Rios ecosystem restoration project to revitalize the Salt River and Gila River corridors in Phoenix that is part of the larger Rio Reimagined, a legacy project of the late great Senator John McCain and the late Representative Congressman Ed Pastor.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to welcome Rabbi Mendy Deitsch from Chandler, Arizona, as he just led us in a wonderful opening prayer.

Rabbi Deitsch, a Brooklyn native, founded Chabad of the East Valley more than 25 years ago as a center for Jewish life in our fast-growing community in Arizona District Four.

When Rabbi Deitsch was first getting started, he led services from his living room. Now, he leads a center for Jewish life for over 300 families.

Rabbi Deitsch and his wife have built a community rooted in the Jewish value of tzedakah. Together, they founded and operate two nonprofits, the Comfort Food Pantry and the Community Tuition Grant Organization, to help low-income families.

His presence here today reminds each of us in this room that we have a God-given purpose to love and care for our neighbors.

May the rabbi's beautiful words that we just heard remain with us as we take up our work for the day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6586, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, even several years after our withdrawal, the United States continues to have important interests in Afghanistan, not only ensuring it is never again used as a base for terrorists to plan attacks against the United States but also keeping our commitment to the Afghan people.

Keeping that commitment means continuing to advocate for a more inclusive government that respects human rights, particularly for women and girls. It means that we continue humanitarian assistance to support the Afghan people, and it means that we never forget that too many Afghans who supported our decades-long mission are there.

The reports and strategy included in this legislation address the important issue of how we can prevent the erosion of our tools to influence Taliban behavior without a presence on the ground. We must ensure our assistance is not diverted or misused and that the international community remains unified in insisting that the Taliban fulfills their commitment and improves their record, particularly on human rights, before they can receive international recognition. We must ensure that the Afghan Fund, which holds the former assets of the Afghan central bank, is used for the benefit of the Afghan people.

I thank Mr. Burchett and Chairman McCaul for their collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Committee minority staff to improve this legislation, particularly in clarifying that what we are looking to address are actions that are inconsistent with U.S. law and policy. For example, we have made exceptions in sanctions against the Taliban to allow for the continued delivery of humanitarian aid, which supports our interests.

I hope that the reports mandated by this bill will offer valuable insights and assurances about our continued engagement in Afghanistan.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time that I am aware of, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is critical for preserving the United States' ability to influence the Taliban and keep our commitments to the Afghan people.

Again, I thank Mr. Burchett and Mr. McCaul for working with the House Foreign Affairs Committee minority to ensure that this bill remains aligned with our values and aligned with our larger policy goals in Afghanistan.

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

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

I rise in strong support of H.R. 7152. First, I thank Representative Wexton for her inspiring leadership on this important bill, and I thank Chairman McCaul for working in a bipartisan way to move this important legislation forward. This bill addresses a deeply human issue: the separation of Korean families caused by the Korean war.

One of the most painful outcomes of the Korean war was the division of families, a wound that, 70 years after the war's end, has yet to heal. This separation has caused immense suffering, not only for those in Korea but also for Korean Americans here in the United States. Over 100,000 Korean Americans have been unable to see or hear from their loved ones in North Korea.

Despite its ongoing tensions with North Korea, South Korea has managed to facilitate some family reunions through video calls, letters, and in-person meetings. Unfortunately, Korean Americans have not had similar opportunities. Currently there is no formal U.S. Government process to help them reunite with their relatives in North Korea.

H.R. 7152 aims to fill this gap. It calls on the State Department to gather information from Korean Americans who wish to reunite with their families and work toward facilitating those reunions. This bill also calls on the State Department to make family reunions a priority in any discussions with North Korea.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is about honoring families and ensuring that our Korean-American constituents can stay connected to those taken from them as a result of war and borders. Let's give them a chance to reunite, to heal, and to find peace.

I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Wexton), the leader on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, our conversations about the Korean Peninsula are often dominated by North Korea's nuclear and missile policy. While these are important conversations to have, we cannot lose sight of critical humanitarian and human rights concerns on the Korean Peninsula.

This bill is about a very personal and universal issue. It is about family. It is about connection. It is about bringing people together across generations and across borders.

Korean Americans who yearn for the chance to reunite once again with long-lost family deserve a chance to make that dream a reality.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 901, expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan, as amended.

Pakistan faces many challenges. I believe the United States can continue to be a partner in meeting those challenges: stabilizing and growing Pakistan's economy, strengthening people-to-people ties, addressing the threat of terrorism, and mitigating the risks of climate change.

As we work with Pakistan, it is important that we maintain a dialogue on democracy and human rights. In fact, I believe it is a sign of the strength of our bilateral ties when we can raise these issues frankly.

Pakistan has a long history of constitutional democracy, but as we often see here, constitutional democracy is not easy. Democracies should hold each other accountable and help each other as we all work toward that ideal.

I thank Mr. McCormick and Mr. Kildee for bringing forward this important piece of legislation and for working with the Foreign Affairs Committee to update it following the Pakistani elections in February.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, the challenges that Pakistan faces are significant, but they are not insurmountable. With continued support and partnership, the United States can help Pakistan navigate these difficulties and strengthen its democratic institutions.

By passing this important piece of legislation, this resolution, we reaffirm our commitment to the values of democracy and human rights that our nations share.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H. Res. 901, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4132, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4132 imposes sanctions on individuals who knowingly and directly engaged in or facilitated the involuntary harvesting of organs within the People's Republic of China. The State Department's 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices highlight that the Government of the PRC has been accused of forcibly harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, including religious and spiritual adherents.

The illegal harvesting of organs is not only a violation of human rights but also an assault on human dignity. Imagine the terror and despair of those who are imprisoned for their beliefs, only to have their organs forcibly taken from them. These individuals are subjected to unimaginable suffering, their most basic rights stripped away, and their bodies violated in the most grotesque manner. This is not just a statistic or a distant issue, these are real people, people with families and dreams who endure unbelievable pain and fear.

The House has already spoken on this issue by passing Mr. Smith's Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act in March. Today we have another opportunity to take a stand against this inhumane practice. By supporting H.R. 4132, we are sending a clear message that the United States will not tolerate such egregious violations of human rights. This bill ensures that those who knowingly and directly engaged in or facilitated forced organ harvesting face significant sanctions.

We don't know a lot about this crime of forced organ harvesting, but the report required in this bill will give us a better understanding of the scope of the problem so that we may address it in a targeted way. We cannot remain silent in the face of such cruelty. We must stand up for the victims, show them that they are not forgotten, and hold the perpetrators accountable.

It is our moral duty to act, to protect the vulnerable, and to uphold human dignity. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, by supporting H.R. 4132, we are sending a clear message that the United States will sanction those who knowingly and directly engaged in or facilitated involuntary harvesting of organs within the People's Republic of China. This legislation sheds light on and condemns this horrific practice and holds to account those responsible.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I represent the border State of Arizona. I have heard from families in my community who have lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses.

This Congress has increased funding to Customs and Border Protection year-over-year and has dedicated historic resources to modernize the inspection equipment and other critical infrastructure at our ports of entry, where most drugs are trafficked through.

However, we need to use every tool we have to combat this epidemic, to stop drugs from coming into our country and to increase prevention and treatment efforts. The Federal Government must leverage the expertise of our partners in local law enforcement, business and civic leaders, NGOs, and faith-based organizations on both sides of the border.

My bipartisan bill, the American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act, tasks the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development with improving cooperation and collaboration between the United States and Mexico because this isn't just an American problem.

Fentanyl is trafficked into the U.S. largely from a single source, Mexican cartels. These criminal enterprises manufacture this very lucrative, very potent, and very hard-to-track drug and fuel rampant corruption and violence in Mexico.

Our bill would foster sustained and strategic collaboration to fight the fentanyl crisis, ensuring that we are using our resources and local expertise wisely.

H.R. 2789 aims to improve coordination between the Federal Government and local leaders, businesses, hospitals, and faith-based organizations that are working to combat the fallout from the opioid epidemic, like organizations treating substance abuse or creating alternatives to gang affiliation, and businesses that make fentanyl testing strips and innovate ways to keep our pharmaceuticals safe.

It also focuses heavily on improving coordination between local law enforcement agencies, State and Federal security forces, and our counterparts in Mexico by sharing data, creating professional development exchange programs, and supporting technical assistance to crack down on fentanyl traffickers.

H.R. 2789 also addresses a critical issue for our neighbors in the Caribbean community: financial access and inclusion. For too long, countries across the Caribbean have struggled with limited access to financial services, curtailing economic growth and prosperity, and their capacity to advance regional security. These challenges have been exacerbated by devastating climate events, high costs of living, and restrictive banking models.

This bill mandates a thorough review by the State Department, in consultation with the United States Treasury, of barriers and solutions to accelerate access to capital and financial services for the people of the Caribbean. This study will help us better understand how we can cooperate with our third border.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Kean for his partnership on these critical issues, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2789.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation supports two major priorities: tackling the scourge of fentanyl and illicit crime along our southern border and bolstering the economic prosperity of our partners across the Caribbean community. By investing in our border communities in the United States and Mexico, fostering dialogue, training, and exchange with civil society, H.R. 2789 provides law enforcement and community leaders with additional tools to fight back against crime and violence.

It also represents a strategic investment in the United States' third border with the Caribbean, identifying levers to accelerate financial inclusion and barriers that are holding the region back economically.

H.R. 2789 stands for a better future and proposes concrete ways to advance peace, security, and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this important bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my colleague and fellow Marquette University graduate, Rep. Gwen Moore, to honor the life and legacy of President Michael Rhodes Lovell, Ph.D., an accomplished engineer and the 24th president of my alma mater. His decade of leadership was transformative for both the Marquette and Milwaukee communities.

In his lifelong pursuit of academic excellence, Dr. Lovell completed three mechanical engineering degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, was a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the National Academy of Inventors and held U.S. and global patents. He published more than 100 articles in engineering journals, coauthored Tribology for Scientists and Engineers and was awarded nearly $30 million in research grants for which he was a lead investigator. His brilliance did not go unnoticed: he won a National Science Foundation CAREER award and the ASME Burt L. Newkirk award in Tribology. Dr. Lovell understood the importance of research and development, and Marquette more than doubled its research and development expenditures in his tenure.

Before joining Marquette's community, Dr. Lovell was the engineering school dean at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for three years. He was later appointed as the school's eighth chancellor in 2011. Once at Marquette, he led the implementation of Beyond Boundaries--a strategic plan that encourages students, faculty and staff alike to think creatively and to lead impactful lives through entrepreneurship and community building. Under his leadership, the university has become more accessible to students from all different backgrounds. Dr. Lovell's impact is seen across campus; from the brand-new dorm to the new business school, he fought to make Marquette a world-class university.

Dr. Lovell's thoughtfulness and spirit of service extended far beyond his administrative duties. He never failed to make time for Marquette's students, attending hundreds of campus events and teaching classes. An avid runner, he could be seen jogging around campus. He was often joined by students through his running club, meeting weekly at the St. Joan of Arc Chapel on campus. If a student wanted to speak with him, all they needed to do was put on a pair of running shoes. He recognized the importance of listening and working closely with his fellow Wisconsinites to address difficult issues. Alongside his wife Amy, Dr. Lovell worked especially hard to address mental health issues in the wider community.

Dr. Lovell embodied Marquette's tagline, `Be the Difference.' As the first non-priest to become Marquette University president, Dr. Lovell held close the Jesuit values that guide Marquette's mission. He worked to connect all communities across Milwaukee and led by example, living a life dedicated to service.

Let us pray for Dr. Lovell's wife Amy and his children--Marissa, Matthew, Anna, and Kevin, and his many friends during this time of sorrow. There is no doubt that Dr. Lovell's prodigious impact will continue to live on through the countless lives he positively impacted as a leader, educator and researcher. Godspeed.

Mr. Chair, I was completing a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing and the vote was closed before I had an opportunity to cast my vote, and I missed one vote on the House Floor. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 253, Mast No. 8.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of Dana Campbell Saylor, a dedicated Phoenix community advocate and personal friend.

From her early years as a student at Arizona State University, Dana knew she wanted to dedicate her life to fighting for social justice-- especially on issues related to women's equality. She quickly established herself in the greater Phoenix area as a fierce advocate for the vulnerable and underserved, sitting on countless boards, councils, and commissions to channel her passion for public service.

Throughout the years, Dana served four Arizona Governors, two Phoenix Mayors, and several ASU administrators in varying capacities to help address community issues. She used her advisory positions to propose, pass, and implement legislation to enhance the lives of women, children, and veterans.

Many in the Phoenix community know Dana best for her role as CEO of the Maricopa County YWCA. She was a firm believer and role model of their mission to empower women, stand against racism, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. As CEO, she focused her efforts on transforming the organization into the impactful entity it is today. She established the YWCA as a 501c4 for advocacy, created the YWCA Metropolitan Women's Forum, and acted as YWCA Board Chair for the Pacific Region for several years.

Throughout her lifetime, Dana was recognized with several highly esteemed honors and awards such as the NAWBO Visionary Award, the West Valley Mover and Shaker award, the YWCA Dorthy Willey Award, and an induction into the Phoenix Union Alumni Hall of Fame.

Dana continued to serve others until her passing on May 13, 2024. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy in Phoenix will endure through the countless lives she touched. Godspeed.