Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I thank my good friend from Texas for yielding me this time.

Madam Chairwoman, my amendment in this en bloc package is very simple. It transfers $1.5 million from the general administration account to the homeless assistance programs and suicide prevention outreach.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 40,000 veterans are homeless in any given night in this great country. In Arkansas, we have coordinated robust efforts in Little Rock to combat homelessness, but still 250 veterans can experience homelessness on any given day.

I have got three veterans on my constituent team. They spend time in our shelters every month helping vets. Our vets deserve that extra touch. One of those safe places is St. Francis House, a nonprofit in Little Rock that has done exceptional work to help our veterans experiencing homelessness. For over 30 years, they have been providing transitional housing for homeless veterans.

Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and safety, and in return, we need to do everything we can to ensure they get the proper attention and care that they deserve. We must all work together to continue to move forward, addressing this issue that plagues too many of our veterans across the country and help those suffering from the plague of homelessness.

Madam Chair, I urge passage of my amendment.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to the Labor-Health and Human Services appropriations package, which strikes all guidance related to the obligation of funds for the Affordable Care Act's navigator program. By passing this amendment, we can prevent further wasteful spending on this failed and very inefficient program.

For plan year 2017, navigators received a total of $62.5 million in grants and enrolled 81,000 individuals. Each of these enrollments cost taxpayers $767. Further, those 81,000 individuals accounted for less than 1 percent of all the enrollment in ACA plans for that year.

Arkansas does not use the Federal marketplace, but I think it is worth noting that according to CMS, only 2.3 percent of the people in my district purchased their healthcare on the exchange in 2017. Nationwide, less than 4 percent of the population bought Affordable Care Act plans. With a little bit of math, we come to the conclusion that we are spending $62.5 million to enroll less than three-tenths of 1 percent of the population.

The administration wisely decided that this money could be better spent elsewhere and cut funding for the program to a more reasonable level of $10 million. Yet for some reason, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would like to force the administration to spend $100 million on this, in my view, wasteful and ineffective program.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, well, we are all interested in having affordable healthcare, and that is why we have more market-based healthcare. If we open up this market and reduce constraints, then we will get more affordable policies.

I would submit to the Chair tonight that the reason people don't accept these policies is not due to a lack of advertising, Madam Chair, but due to the expense, complexity, and unaffordability of these plans.

In this regard, Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David P. Roe). My good friend is the ranking member on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Madam Chair, let me simply say that, simply put, at $768 per enrollee, the navigator program is a waste of taxpayer resources.

With ever-shrinking budget pressure, we are better off spending this money on NIH research or doing something that will help long-term health, as my friend Dr. Roe is interested in: drug abuse, mental health attention. Those are the issues that are facing this country and a better use of this money.

Madam Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I would like to return to the topic today of apprenticeships that are so important to our workforce across this country.

My amendment would strip a portion of the bill that would spend hundreds of millions of dollars to only support Department of Labor- registered apprenticeship programs, a stipulation that has not been in place in previous bills regarding apprenticeship grant funding.

So, let me be clear. I support Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship programs. I am not here to speak ill of those programs because they do a good job of equipping workers across this country with the skills they need to be successful.

But I am here because I have a problem with the Congress telling the American public that the only way to fill the skills gap and create opportunities is through government-defined apprenticeship programs.

Right now, our economy is facing an enormous skilled workforce shortage. According to the Department of Labor, there are 7.4 million job vacancies, and, with our continued economic prosperity, that number will only grow.

I speak with businesses in my district on a regular basis, in all sectors. Many would like to expand, create new jobs; but a consistent message, Madam Chair, is they are not able to because

they cannot find workers with the necessary skills.

It is an unfortunate fact that the registered apprenticeship programs come up short of adequately skilling our entire workforce. For example, in the construction industry, which uses more registered apprenticeship programs than any other industry, only 26,000 people graduated from a registered apprenticeship program in 2018.

Currently, the construction industry employs nearly 7.5 million people, which means that less than 1 percent of the workers in that industry went through a registered apprenticeship program.

Economic estimates have the number of current job openings in construction at 444,000 in total. So, if we were to rely only on registered apprenticeship programs, it would take 17 years to fill those openings, Madam Chair.

That is why this amendment is so important: to offer flexibility and to let other industry-related apprenticeship programs also get grant funding.

We are not denying registered apprenticeship grant funding. We are just simply saying that nonindustry- registered grant funding should be effective. They are safe, efficient, and result in stackable and portable credentials.

Madam Chair, I would like to call on my friend from Kentucky, Andy Barr, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, a man who chairs the Republican Study Committee's American Worker Task Force, and ask him for his views.

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr).

Madam Chair, I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

Madam Chair, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Madam Chair, let me say that I appreciate the in-demand job work that the committee has put in place in the bill. That is wonderful. And I appreciate my friend from Connecticut's passion for this topic. I share it. I support DOL-supported apprenticeships. That has nothing to do with it.

This simply says that we strike the word ``only'' and that, if there is a gap somewhere in a local economy in this country, we have the flexibility to have an industry apprenticeship receive a grant.

This is supported by the Associated Builders and Contractors, the general contractors, the equipment manufacturers, the electrical contractors, the home builders, the roofing contractors, so this bill has full support.

Madam Chair, I include in the Record their letters.

Associated General

Contractors of America,

June 12, 2019.

AGC KEY VOTE: Vote ``Yes'' on Hill Amdt. No. 38 to H.R. 2740.

Hon. French Hill,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Hill: On behalf of the Associated

General Contractors of America (AGC), I write to urge you to

support Rep. French Hill Amendment No. 38 to H.R. 2740, which

would allow federal grant funds to be used for apprenticeship

programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

as well as industry-recognized apprenticeship programs.

Because workforce development is a critical issue for the

construction industry, AGC reserves the right to record your

vote on this amendment as a ``key vote'' for the education of

its membership.

All forms of apprenticeship, whether registered or

industry-recognized, are clear and

direct pathways to quality middle-class jobs. While the

construction industry is currently the largest utilizer of

apprenticeship trained workers, the industry continues to

experience a severe worker shortage. The U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey identified

404,000 job openings in construction at the end of April, the

highest total for any month since the series began.

To help alleviate these challenges, grow job opportunities

and meet economic demand, AGC believes it is vital to build

upon the past successes construction apprenticeship programs

have achieved and allow them every opportunity to recruit and

train new talent into the industry, including access to

valuable federal grants. Ensuring workers are properly

educated and trained is essential to the future of the

construction industry as well as the nation's infrastructure

and economic growth.

While certain segments of the construction industry utilize

DOL's registered apprenticeship program, not all do.

Consequently, all segments of the construction industry

should ultimately be able to benefit from any DOL grants

programs. Many contractors have developed their own

apprenticeship programs in the private industry-recognized

market. Industry-led apprenticeships in construction have

strict standards of accountability and methods to ensure

quality, with penalties for noncompliance. All these programs

should have access to the same federal grant programs

regardless.

AGC supports creating quality jobs and training the skilled

workers to fill them. As such, federal grants should be

available to all quality programs. Again, AGC reserves the

right to record your vote as a ``key vote'' for the education

of its membership.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Christianson,

Vice President, Government Relations.

Madam Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote to offer flexibility for contract apprenticeships across this country, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to both acknowledge the hardships many foster youths have had to endure, and to celebrate their persistence and determination as they navigate a complex system and transition into adulthood.

In Arkansas, we have almost 5,000 children currently in the state's foster care system. As a Member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I am proud to join them as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 340, which recognizes the month of May as National Foster Care Month.

For the past four years, I have had the pleasure of a former foster youth personally shadowing me for a day. This year, I am honored to host Michaella Halbert, a former foster youth from my district. The proud mom of two boys, Michaella is a passionate advocate for children within the foster care system. Many foster youths do not have access to a community to help support them in finding a career

and a home after they grow out of the foster care system. I applaud Michaella in her efforts to create a better environment and future for children within the system.

I am proud to stand with the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth in celebration of the Eighth Annual Foster Youth Shadow Day, which gives youth an opportunity to experience firsthand the foundations and principle of the United States Congress, instilling the characteristics of leadership that they can continue to use throughout their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, it is sad that I rise today in opposition to H.R. 6. It brings me no pleasure, for I support an equitable solution for our Nation's Dreamer population, but this bill goes well beyond that kind of a balanced, equitable solution and, in fact, puts illegal immigration ahead of legal immigration.

While we are a nation of immigrants, it is true, we are a nation of laws as well. Once again, the majority has failed to find common ground on this topic in this House.

Last year at this time we worked mightily, when in the majority, to try to find common ground, with Bob Goodlatte's effort of last summer, our former chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He, too, could not find full bipartisan common ground, and barely common ground among Republicans, but common ground we must find, and this bill, Mr. Speaker, is not that.

One example of why: legal Dreamers. These are kids of work permit holders in America from countries like India and China who can't get green cards due to arbitrary country caps in our immigration laws. Their kids have to self-deport when they turn 18 years old.

Why aren't these kids being dealt with and protected? Their parents followed the rules, came to the United States the right way with a legal work permit, and yet with this bill, we are going to reward those who came illegally, through no fault of their own for the kids, and not protect those who are here legally.

Mr. Speaker, that is not right.

Last year, House Republicans and the President offered equitable solutions for Dreamers in exchange for much-needed asylum reforms, family unification at the border, and border security funds, but, sadly, as noted, the floundering majority in this House can't find that compromise, can't find that common ground.

In my view, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6 is an insincere bill with no chance of being signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, I call on you to stop the messaging bills and negotiate with Republicans in the minority to fix our broken immigration system.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the historic vote taken exactly 100 years ago when this body passed the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote.

The most powerful tool we have is to share our voice, cast our ballot, and exercise our right to vote. This momentous vote finally allowed women to use that tool and forever have a voice in the future of our beloved Nation.

Adolphine Fletcher Terry, a civic-minded woman from a prominent Little Rock family in the late 1800s and early 20th century, served her State and her country tirelessly to promote the education of women and women's rights. Terry marched for voting rights for women during the ratification process in 1920, saying: ``To me, the vote represents more than just saying how a person feels about an issue or a candidate. It represents human dignity and the fact that a citizen can express his or her opinion on any subject without fear of reprisal. That, I think, is what real human dignity consists of.''

In advance of the final State's ratification vote in Tennessee, both suffragists and antisuffragists began wearing roses to identify their respective sides. Those favoring women's voting rights wore yellow roses; those against wore red roses. I proudly, today, have worn a yellow rose on my lapel throughout today's activities to show my support of women's right to vote.

What a thrill it is and a proud thing to say, thank you, Madam Speaker, for your service.

Fentanyl Sanctions

Madam Speaker, across Arkansas, heartbroken families have told me of their stories about the opioid crisis and how it has claimed the lives of their loved ones. We can't allow more families to be destroyed by this truly national nightmare that is killing more than 130 Americans every day.

Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control reported that fentanyl is now considered the number one U.S. opioid killer in 2018. Targeting the source of the world's largest producers and distributors of fentanyl will begin to stop the flow of these drugs coming across our borders and onto our streets.

Madam Speaker, in just one Sweet'N Low packet, about a gram, an equal amount of this as fentanyl has the power to kill 500 of our citizens. That is why I am pleased to support the bipartisan legislation that I recently helped introduce, H.R. 2483, the Fentanyl Sanctions Act. This takes the necessary steps to target the bad actors responsible for illegally trafficking fentanyl into the United States.

I applaud my colleagues Max Rose of New York, Anthony Brindisi of New York, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania for their support in introducing H.R. 2483.

This legislation is the first ever fentanyl sanctions effort by the House of Representatives. It will apply pressure on the Chinese Government to honor their commitment to make all fentanyl illegal in China. This bill will also provide the United States with more tools and resources to go after illicit traffickers in China, Mexico, and other countries.

H.R. 2483 has support from both parties and both Chambers, and we need to act now in order to get this done. We cannot wait any longer.

Association of Military Banks of America 60th Anniversary

Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the 60th anniversary of the Association of Military Banks of America.

Just as they did back in 1959, military banks today consider themselves privileged to provide financial services, support, and education to the military and veteran communities across this country.

I am particularly proud that First Arkansas Bank and Trust, which serves our airmen and -women at Little Rock Air Force Base, is one of these military banks.

On base, financial institutions have proven to be the single best sources of financial education and support available to our troops. They ease financial burdens and stress faced by our troops and their families so that they can focus on their mission of protecting our great Nation.

Congratulations on 60 years of serving the financial needs of our Nation's heroes.

Court Security Officer of the Year, Jimmy Howington

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of a security officer who continues to have an indelible impact on my State of Arkansas, Mr. Jimmy Howington, who this year was the Court Security Officer of the Year.

Jimmy is one of 33 court security officers in Arkansas and serves under the jurisdiction of the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

He was chosen for the award from roughly 600 court security officers working in 30 courthouses in the seven States within the Eighth Circuit's jurisdiction.

Jimmy was recommended for this honor for noticing and investigating two suspicious situations on courthouse property during a period of several bomb threats at Little Rock's Richard Sheppard Arnold U.S. Courthouse, where he has worked since 2016.

A former state trooper and sergeant major in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, Jimmy's life of service makes him well deserving of this award.

I would like to extend a hand of gratitude and congratulations to him for his selfless service to Arkansas and our Nation.

Brigadier General Paul Rowlett

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments and to congratulate Brigadier General Paul Rowlett, who recently was promoted to brigadier general of the Arkansas Air National Guard.

Rowlett is a native of Salem, Arkansas, and as a brigadier general will serve as the chief of staff for the Arkansas Air National Guard.

He joined the military in 1988 and is currently an intelligence officer with the National Guard and works with remote-piloted aircraft. His duties include strategic planning on current and future missions.

Rowlett has been assigned to Active-Duty positions throughout his career, including locations such as Guantanamo Bay, and recently he has been assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base for the majority of the time since 2001. He has become one of only three general officers in Arkansas.

My congratulations and best wishes for Brigadier General Rowlett and his bright future defending our beloved Nation.

National Wildlife Refuge System Employee of the Year

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eric Johnson of the Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge Complex for being named the National Wildlife Refuge System Employee of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

Eric is an administrative forester that is in charge of restoring and managing some 90,000 acres of forested habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds in the lower Mississippi Valley.

While protecting this extensive acreage, he developed the Nation's first Spatial Habitat Management Plan. This plan will serve as a new national standard for refuge systems and protect all of Arkansas' five refuges, including Bald Knob's Wildlife Refuge in my district.

His service to the State of Arkansas and to wildlife conservation will not be forgotten, and I join all Arkansans in congratulating Eric on this recognition and wish him much continued success.

U.S. Policy in Syria

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak out against the daily atrocities in Syria.

Few would have predicted that 8 years ago peaceful protests would turn into violent conflict that has left more than half a million men, women, and children dead, millions more displaced, and the entire region feeling like a lit fuse ready to explode into further conflict.

Shortly after coming to Congress, I met Mouaz Moustafa, a young Syrian American from Arkansas who has been leading a Syrian pro- democracy group here in Washington called the Syrian Emergency Task Force.

After meeting Mouaz, I studied his efforts and learned more and more about the horrific events happening in Syria over the past few years.

Mouaz led me through the Caesar file photos in a special exhibit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Earlier this year, he introduced me to Omar Alshogre, who was arrested as a teenager and survived the torture, starvation, and other brutalities in Assad's prisons for more than 3 years. Seeing those photos and hearing Omar's personal testimony were powerful experiences.

I believe what is happening in Syria today is a modern-day holocaust, and our obligation to end Assad's reign of terror is something that all Americans must confront.

I am grateful for The New York Times and its recent extensive front- page story, in last Sunday's newspaper, going inside Assad's torture prisons.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a link to this article: www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/world/middleeast/syria-torture-prisons.html

Madam Speaker, it is the experiences shared by former prisoners like Omar that remind us of the likes of Hitler, Mao, and Stalin. Bashar al- Assad can add his name to this list of barbarous thugs who rule with evil, torture, and mass murder.

We have known about these atrocities for years but have only expressed outrage while we twiddled our thumbs as these modern-day Hitlers annihilate the civilian population in Syria.

I commend Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for passing S. 1, the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act.

Last week, many of us, including myself, signed the discharge petition for the companion legislation to S. 1 here in the House, H.R. 336 sponsored by Mike McCaul from Texas. This legislation includes the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which has critical provisions to hold Assad accountable for his atrocities.

As Speaker Pelosi well knows, this House, under Republican leadership, has passed the Caesar bill three times over the last three Congresses, only to have it bogged down in the Senate.

Now Leader McConnell has acted, and we, in the House, must now act with expedition and pass H.R. 336 to end this step back into darkness, to stop the torture and the murder of thousands, and to move to convict Assad and his henchmen for war crimes.

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

Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 18 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record this article regarding H. Res. 327 Encouraging Greater Public-Private Sector Collaboration to Promote Financial Literacy for Students and Young Adults.

[From the Democrat-Gazette, April 8, 2019]

No Money Tree

(By Robert Hopkins)

At an age when children are busy playing with their new

Legos or asking for Happy Meals, they're also forming early

and foundational ideas about earning, saving and spending

that they may carry with them throughout their lives. April

is Financial Literacy Month, so it's a good time to discuss

why it is important that we teach personal finance and

economics to young children.

Children often develop their financial behaviors as early

as 7 years of age, according to research by David Whitebread

and Sue Bingham of the University of Cambridge in England. So

waiting until students are in

high school to teach personal finance and economics can mean

missing valuable opportunities to help them learn and shape

their habits. And it leaves children, during very

impressionable years, more apt to construct their

understanding of the economy and personal finance from what

they observe around them.

This frequently results in misunderstandings.

For example, children who see their parents get money from

an ATM may not have the context to understand that a bank

account is directly connected to the use of the ATM. Without

that context, a child hearing, ``We can't afford that this

month,'' is likely to think, ``Just go get money out of the

machine!''

Similarly, children may witness an adult paying for most

items with a credit card or a mobile phone payment service

without recognizing this as money being spent. And often

children don't connect your work with income; they may not

realize that adults work and are paid for that work.

At the St. Louis Fed, we have a team of educators,

researchers and specialists who are making economic education

more accessible and creating fun and memorable lessons and

resources for teachers, parents and consumers around the

country. In the spirit of Financial Literacy Month, that team

has compiled six pertinent things we must teach children:

1. People work to earn income. Be explicit when explaining

to children that you work to earn money to support your

family. Give them opportunities to earn as well.

2. People spend some income, save some income, and donate

some income. Give the children in your life opportunities to

do this--spend, save, donate.

3. Saving is a good habit. Provide incentives for your

children to save, such as offering to match a percentage of

what they put in their piggy banks. Encourage them to save a

set amount before considering purchasing a new toy.

4. Adults can't have everything they want--children can't,

either. Teach them to prioritize and make careful choices.

5. Spending and saving decisions have consequences. Allow

your children to live with--and talk to them about--those

consequences.

6. Banks and credit unions are safe places to save your

money. Tell children about them, including that those

institutions pay interest on savings.

When they were younger, I tried to share such personal tips

with my children, and still do today.

We believe, based on research, that children who are taught

valuable lessons about spending, saving and other personal

finance topics at a young age are more likely to become

adults who are more financially responsible.

Share the personal finance tips in this article with your

children, grandchildren, students and the other young people

in your life. Research shows it may help them grow into

teenagers and adults with a better grasp on their personal

finances.

Robert Hopkins is senior vice president and regional

executive of the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve

Bank of St. Louis.

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

I thank Madam Speaker for the opportunity to speak on this important resolution, H. Res. 327, and I want to thank my good friend from Illinois, Dr. Foster, for his passion on this measure to benefit, particularly, the young people in this country.

Certainly, as the most prominent Ph.D. in the House of Representatives and a pioneering entrepreneur, he knows the value of financial literacy.

And I am proud, as a former community banker and investment manager, somebody who dealt with families, their kids, and older Americans for 30 years in finance, to partner on this very important promotion of financial literacy for students and young adults.

It is wonderful that it is a bipartisan effort by our committee.

And it is truly unfortunate, Madam Speaker, that only 25 States require high school students to take a financial literacy class in order to graduate. As a result, many children and adolescents grow into adults who don't know how to properly save, spend, and budget.

I am proud that Arkansas is one of those 25 States, Madam Speaker, as we enacted our requirement back in 2005. But, going back even further to 1962, Arkansas, through the leadership of Bessie Moore, a remarkable educator in our State, created something called Economics Arkansas, which, every summer, puts on financial literacy training for all of our teachers, K through 12, so that they understand to put financial literacy in all the classrooms.

It was a lot of fun last week when we were in the district to go to Robinson Senior High School in Little Rock and see them compete for the Stock Market Game, which is a major component in financial literacy training, through Economics Arkansas.

So not everyone, every student is as lucky as an Arkansan, because two-thirds of Americans can't pass a financial literacy test, Madam Speaker. Forty-four percent do not have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency, and 33 percent have not saved for their retirement.

Financial illiteracy has broader economic costs, higher debt, limited savings. For many, this limits their homeownership. This means they don't have a stable retirement. And for many of our young adults, this critical knowledge creates the burden that we have seen in student loan lending in this country where families are not treating higher education debt as seriously as they treat buying that first house.

Why is that, Madam Speaker? It is because of the lack, in my view, of financial literacy at the high school level, at our admissions offices in colleges, and that is why it was terrific, bipartisan, that this time last year in the last Congress, in September, we passed, with over 400 votes in this House, a measure that requires financial literacy training for students seeking a student loan, for students accepting a Pell grant. That is the kind of good work that this House has been doing.

I want to again thank my friend, Mr. Foster, for his work. As we close Financial Literacy Month, I can't think of a better topic, and I can't think of a better friend to share that work with.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I have no other speakers on this important matter.

I just want to continue to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and our lead sponsor, Dr. Foster, for his thoughtful elevation of the importance of financial literacy for all of our students and their families.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support, as well, of H.R. 1876, the Senior Security Act, and I want to thank my friends and colleagues, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hollingsworth), for their collaboration and work on this important bipartisan legislation, all focused on protecting our seniors.

Madam Speaker, America's capital markets are open. They are innovative, and they are essential for our families. That is how we live the American Dream. We can grow a nest egg that helps us for our retirement, helps put our kids or grandkids through college, or helps buy a home.

But as Americans age, they become more critical to the success of those open, transparent, and vibrant capital markets because those Americans over 50, Madam Speaker, roughly, have 77 percent of the financial assets in our country.

So when bad actors violate our laws and regulations, commit fraud, or exploit our senior Americans or their families, the integrity of those transparent and open markets and the opportunity of that American Dream are threatened.

To that end, protecting senior investors and preventing such behavior within our financial system is a shared goal. H.R. 1876 protects senior investors and will help the SEC reduce increasing instances of financial exploitation. It will create an interdivisional task force at the SEC to examine and identify challenges facing senior investors.

I have to say, Madam Speaker, over two decades of working in the investment world and working with the SEC and working with FINRA, the regulatory body for broker-dealers and investment advisers, their efforts of sweep exams and the education of the responsibilities of investment advisers are critical.

This will give them more tools to identify what the gaps are today.

I would add, in my career, that gap extends way beyond financial advisers to CPAs, lawyers, people in a position of trust that advise and guide over Americans.

It is shocking for us to report that $36 billion each year are lost to financial scams in this country and that one out of five seniors have reported being victims of exploitation.

Many States are taking action on their own. According to the National Conference of State Legislators: ``The number of bills introduced by State legislators to combat elder financial exploitation increased by over 57 percent in 3 years.''

So this bipartisan bill is a very important step in generating awareness at the Federal level of the need to strengthen protections for our senior investors.

Madam Speaker, protecting seniors and ensuring the integrity of our capital markets are things that I believe we all stand behind on this House floor. It is our duty to protect our constituents, particularly the most vulnerable, and that is why I urge my colleagues to support

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the work of the sponsor, Mr. Gottheimer, and his important personal testimony about his family and the importance of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hollingsworth), the minority sponsor of this bill and my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Indiana's comments. He has been an excellent author.

Again, Madam Speaker, you hear the testimony from both sides of the aisle, from constituents in both these districts, and the importance of this.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues, we urge adoption of H.R. 1876, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 328, Supporting the Protection of Elders Through Financial Literacy. This collaboration by Mr. Casten of Illinois and Mr. Rose of Tennessee is, again, an important bipartisan effort to focus on financial literacy during Financial Literacy Month as well as to call attention to the challenges that we have in making sure that our senior Americans are taken care of and their financial well-being.

According to research conducted by the AARP Public Policy Institute, one in five older Americans is a victim of financial exploitation each year. These victims lose up to $3 billion annually, or more than $120,000 per victim, which is more than most Americans have in their entire retirement savings.

Sadly, only 1 in 44 cases is reported. That is the challenge that we have talked about here this afternoon, that we make sure that that reporting is identified so that restitution can be made.

I am proud of the work the Congress did on the Senior Safe Act, legislation that originated in the Financial Services Committee and was ultimately signed into law last year. That legislation took an important step in offering greater financial protection to seniors by encouraging financial institutions, investment advisers, and brokers to report suspected fraud or elder abuse to law enforcement--a good step.

This resolution we are now discussing also complements the fine work of Mr. Gottheimer and Mr. Hollingsworth for their work on the Senior Security Act.

Prevention is the best solution. More can and should be done to educate seniors and all Americans on healthy financial habits and protection against financial exploitation.

The unfortunate reality is that seniors can be especially vulnerable to financial fraud, as outlined by Mr. Gottheimer and Mr. Hollingsworth. Even according to the SEC's own report in 2018, ``Elder Financial Exploitation,'' it is attributed to cognitive decline and wealth held by older generations.

We must work together to ensure that bad actors don't take advantage of this population. These crimes range from complex scams to the all- too-common case of someone close to an elderly person tricking them into signing away money that they had saved for retirement. It is this last type of exploitation that is especially troubling.

As I referenced a few minutes ago, people in a position of trust: lawyers, CPAs, financial advisers.

H. Res. 328 highlights the importance of educating the elderly about healthy financial habits that include protecting one's finances from financial exploitation. You can't take it for granted that we know better than to finance a child's entrapment in Mexico or that you are going to help a Nigerian prince. It sounds farfetched. But it happens every single day across this country, and education is the best form of prevention.

I think we can all agree that the status quo is not enough. H. Res. 328 raises much-needed public awareness for the importance of personal financial education for the elderly and highlights the collaboration between banks, law enforcement, and financial advisers to protect older generations.

For those reasons, I congratulate and thank my friends, Representatives Casten and Rose, for their good work.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. John W. Rose), the Republican author of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, in closing, this has been a good afternoon on a bipartisan basis to talk about the importance of financial literacy. It is something we all try to practice what we preach. We try to encourage a broad sense of partnership between the regulators, our financial services firms, the AARP, our schools, and other people to enhance financial literacy from adolescence to elder years. And I think about what we have heard today on what we are trying to protect our constituents from through education: internet scams, Nigerian princes' schemes, violators from a trusted person.

And then I thought back, just sitting here, Madam Speaker, of my own in-laws, now deceased about 7 years--one with Alzheimer's and one just old-age infirmities--and cleaning up all the sweepstakes applications that they had received and sent money to in those final years of their life.

I thank my friends, led by Dr. Foster and others. I congratulate Representative Casten and Representative Rose on this particular measure, H. Res. 328. I urge all of my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of Ray and Theresa Vogelpohl, who were recently named 2018 Arkansas Forest Stewards of the Year by the Arkansas Agriculture Department's Forestry Commission.

The Forestry Stewardship Program recognizes and rewards landowners who are managing privately owned forest land for multiple uses. Arkansas is home to more than 1,200 certified forest stewardship landowners. The Vogelpohls first enrolled in the Forest Stewardship Program in 1996 and later became certified as forest stewards in 2016.

They operate the Diamond TR Ranch, a 350-acre working ranch on the Perry-Pulaski county line. Their forest management efforts include prescribed burns, tree plantings along the Maumelle River, forest thinning, and planting of native grasses.

Ray and Theresa's dedication to forestry and environmental conservation has safeguarded Arkansas forestland for generations to come.

I join all Arkansans in congratulating them.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Kansas for yielding. I appreciate him organizing an opportunity to come to the House floor and talk about this important issue.

As the father of two children, I have been committed to policies for a safe and enduring future for all kids and understand that we have to ensure the protection of kids no matter what their walk in life, particularly those with developmental disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, over 200,000 in the United States live with Down syndrome, and one in 792 babies is born with this genetic disorder. While there have been great advances in medical research and public policy to enhance the lives of those affected by Down syndrome, there is still much work to be done.

Individuals with disabilities face many challenges, and I understand the need to ensure access to vital services and medical equipment to support independent and active lives. This is critical to help effectively live with Down syndrome. Getting our kids the proper development path at a young age helps them ensure they will be healthier adults with a bright future.

For over 20 years, I have watched with such pleasure young people begin to build that proper developmental path at Access Academy in Little Rock or Easter Seals Academy at Riverdale.

As a former member of the board of directors of Arkansas Children's Hospital, I saw firsthand how important it was that parents are given the tools they need to keep their children healthy. This is particularly important for families who have a child with a disability.

Back in 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law, the Americans with Disabilities Act. I was proud to have been working on President Bush's staff at that time. It was an amazing piece of legislative work that brought this Congress together and that has benefited thousands and millions of Americans and families since.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to build upon that legislation so that all Americans can reach their full potential, no matter what challenges they face. I will continue to support efforts that provide services to individuals and families who are impacted by Down syndrome.

Regardless of political ideology, I think we can all agree that every single child deserves protection. When I think about the kids over the past two decades whom I have watched grow up, who had incredibly nurturing parents who got them on that developmental path in the right way, who sacrificed so that they had that opportunity to talk about what my colleague did, the pursuit of happiness, and I see them smiling at workplaces when I visit in Conway, North Little Rock, and Little Rock, that they have a job, that they are out working, that they have that self-sufficiency and excitement of the work they do, it gives me such a warm feeling to see their success with all the hard work they have put into that pursuit of happiness.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I have to say, and I don't think it should be left unsaid today, that a right to abortion should not extend to children with traits deemed undesirable or inconvenient. Would we throw away a life so casually if a child had the wrong color eyes or off- texture hair? Of course not.

If a child does not fit the physical or developmental ideals of their parents, they should be treated with the same degree of medical attention, love, and care as any other child. As a proud Catholic and proud pro-life Member of Congress, I believe we need to value life.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Kansas for hosting this important event today to talk about Down syndrome, the love we have for our American citizens who live with Down syndrome, and the affection we have and support we have for their families.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise on National Medal of Honor Day to recognize the recipients of our Nation's highest military distinction for acts above and beyond the call of duty.

Twenty-five Medal of Honor recipients hail from Arkansas. Their stories of self-sacrifice are not forgotten.

Today, we pay tribute to those individuals for their meticulous service, sacrifice, and heroism.

I would like to also recognize and thank Arkansas Boy Scout Donald J. Fitzgerald for his outstanding work to preserve the legacy of Medal of Honor recipients and their stories.

Over the last 3 years, Donald has visited the graves of over 160 Medal of Honor recipients, documenting several Medal of Honor recipients' stories and lives.

He chose to share with the world what he learned, and wrote a book about his travels titled, ``Our Missions of Honor''.

I applaud Donald for his initiative, his efforts, and dedication to all Medal of Honor recipients past and present.

We pray that their efforts may be long remembered by our citizens.

Gulf War Memorial

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two fellow Arkansans, Jeff Kurczek and Brenten Byrd, for their valiant efforts to memorialize the bravery and legacy of veterans who served in Operation Desert Storm.

Operation Desert Storm was one of the most successful operations in American military history. Over 700,000 Americans were deployed overseas to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's invasion. 383 Americans lost their lives in that conflict, including four Arkansans.

Last month, former Vice President Dick Cheney and others took part in the dedication of the future site for the National Operation Desert Storm Memorial located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Jeff, a Sherwood, Arkansas, accountant, served our country for the duration of the Gulf war and acts as the organization's treasurer and

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of the committed professionals at Van Buren County and their determination to improve that community's health and well-being.

The Van Buren County Wellness Committee, founded by former County Judge Roger Hooper in 2017, seeks to create a bridge between local health resources, information, and initiatives to improve the health and well-being of the residents.

At present, three grant-funded health-awareness kiosks have been installed across the county featuring asset mapping of community health resources and county health initiatives.

These kiosks allow residents to find the best doctors and healthcare services within their communities, connecting individuals with the services they need, from food insecurity to mental health support and recovery.

I would like to extend a hand of gratitude and congratulations to Roger and the entire Van Buren County Wellness Committee for their worthwhile investment in the health of our citizens in that county.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the life and legacy of a friend and Holocaust survivor, Fred Hilsenrath, who recently passed away at the age of 90.

Fred was only 4 years old when Adolph Hitler took over as chancellor of Germany.

After spending years in concentration camps throughout Romania, facing death, witnessing some of the most heinous and grotesque atrocities the world has seen, Fred and his family were finally rescued by a Jewish Russian soldier.

With his new-found freedom, Fred moved to the United States to finish his education in electrical engineering.

After meeting his wife, Eleanor, Fred moved first to San Francisco and, finally, to retire in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. Here, he wanted that slower pace of life.

In his later years, Fred advocated to young people, ``Find your passion early and pursue it, even if adversity comes your way.''

He was a role model and friend to many across the State of Arkansas, and I extend my condolences, respect, and affection to his friends, family, and loved ones.

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

Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Chairwoman Waters for her work on this bill. I am delighted the House is considering this important bill, H.R. 758, which I have had the pleasure to work on over the past year with my good friend from Illinois, Congressman Foster.

As a former community banker, I have dealt with the conflict of wanting to help law enforcement agencies when receiving a keep open letter, but not being able to because of the need to comply with the requirements set forth by a regulator, frequently and often in the middle of a bank exam.

Today, the overall purpose of this bill is to support law enforcement and reduce money laundering and terrorist financing through our banking system. That is why, along with my friend Mr. Foster, I was pleased to introduce this, as the chairwoman said, narrow, commonsense bill, which enables partnerships without repercussions between law enforcement and our local financial institutions.

This legislation allows law enforcement to monitor cash flows associated with criminal investigations at financial institutions. Under the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering regulations, banks face strict rules for managing accounts so that they cannot facilitate money laundering, terrorism financing, drug running, and other illegal activities.

Sometimes, banks receive notices from law enforcement agencies known as keep open letters to encourage them to keep an account open so that law enforcement can monitor what they think to be and suspect to be criminal activity and track the payments for better monitoring.

I have heard recently from banks that they are seeing an increase in the number of keep open letters, many of which can be attributable to new human trafficking investigations. Allowing banks to keep these accounts open will help stop these terrible criminal actions.

Currently, if banks help law enforcement and comply with the keep open letter request, they face the risk of being penalized by someone from the same regulatory agency. This commonsense bill supports those efforts by law enforcement by allowing financial institutions to comply with such requests to maintain a suspicious account without being penalized in the middle of a bank exam. Under this bill, no Federal department or agency may take an adverse supervisory action with respect to the financial institution that is keeping the account open.

As the chairwoman said, last Congress, this legislation unanimously passed out of our House Financial Services Committee and passed under the suspension of the rules. The legislation was also included as a provision last Congress in the JOBS 3.0 package.

Chairman Waters and former Chairman Hensarling made fighting illicit finance a priority for our committee. Given the strong bipartisanship, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this measure. It will give law enforcement the tools it needs to prosecute bad actors who are exploiting our financial system.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this side of the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just simply urge, with the work done by Mr. Foster and myself, and with thanks to

the Chair, that we have strong bipartisan support in favor of H.R. 758, and I yield back the balance of my time.