Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 146, and YEA on Roll Call No. 147.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment. More than 50 million American adults consider themselves to be in recovery from a substance use disorder or mental health condition.

In order to ensure that more patients can reach recovery, we must bolster treatment integration and wraparound services for patients suffering from substance use disorder and addiction.

This amendment directs the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to convene a public roundtable to examine the use of electronic health records among certain providers and issue a report of the findings. This would better inform policymakers about the existing landscape and uptake of certain providers utilizing electronic health records.

In closing, I urge support of this important amendment as well as the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, in closing, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 132 and YEA on Roll Call No. 133.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record remarks submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his views:

Israel At 77--How poignant to affirm the special

relationship between the U.S. and Israel, two close

democratic allies, in our own Hampton Roads and Commonwealth

of Virginia! Hampton Roads' military might is ever ready to

stand by beleaguered Israel. Early in the Gaza War, the USS

Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, where I had lectured on

Holocaust Lessons, rushed to the Mediterranean to deter

Israel's Iran led enemies. Currently the USS Harry Truman

aircraft carrier is there hitting Yemen's Houthis who hit

Israel. Uniquely, The Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB)

established in 1996, a Virginia government agency, advises

the Governor on promoting economic, cultural and educational

ties with Israel. Israel's 77th anniversary takes place in

the long and dark shadow of the transforming events of

October 7, 2023, continuing to impact the survival and

meaning of the Jewish state from within and without. All

those seeking searing reflection should turn to an essential

book of blood, pain and love. Amir Tibon gifted Israeli

author and noted journalist's recent The Gates of Gaza (A

Story of Betrayal, Survival, and Hope In Israel's

Borderlands), Little, Brown and Company. 2024 is bound to be

a classic.

This literary masterpiece offers eye-witness report from

that ``Black Sabbath'' with its shocking Holocaust images,

continuing to shake up the State of Israel, the Middle East

and beyond. Tibon, his wife and two very young daughters

survived a harrowing nightmare in their home's safe room in

Kibbutz Nahal Oz, the closest Israeli community to Gaza. On

that day, that will also live in infamy, they were terrorized

in darkness and very small quarters till liberated by Amir's

father, Noam, a retired Israeli general, who rushed with his

wife from Tel Aviv to save their family. Both Amir and Noam

were invited to share with then President Biden when he

arrived in Israel on October 17. Both father and son firmly

requested the release of barbarically treated 251 hostages,

including American citizens. Captives' redemption is a top

Jewish commandment and an honored Israeli tradition. Saving

the remaining hostages is paramount! The author's angst is

with the Nazi-like Hamas leaders as well as Prime Minister

Netanyahu and his government for the colossal failure to

forestall the October 7 debacle, requiring a state inquiry

commission. A disturbing inclusion is the eulogy by the late

Moshe Dayan, the iconic Israeli leader who back in April 30,

1956, spoke at Nahal Oz's first funeral. Dayan, initially

arriving the day before for planned four weddings only to

face the brutal murder of Roi Rutberg, Nahal Oz's security

chief, by infiltrating Gazans. Dayan's stirring words created

a stir in the young community for its pessimistic message

relevant years later for the October 7 much larger calamity,

raising troubling questions about a peaceful future. ``Have

we forgotten that this group of young people dwelling at

Nahal Oz is bearing the heavy gates of Gaza on its shoulders?

Beyond the furrow of the border, a sea of hatred and desire

for revenge is swelling awaiting the day when serenity will

dull our path . . . This is our life's choice: to be prepared

and armed, strong and determined, lest the sword be stricken

from our fist and our lives cut down''

Yet, unsettling as the current scenario is we are duty-

bound at this significant 77th celebration of an Israel

reborn representing 4,000 years of Jewish experience and

persistence, to keep a balanced perspective. Israel's

monumental accomplishments and gained substantial power--

though still vulnerable--since its fragile 1948 establishment

in the Holocaust's consuming shadow are promising. However,

its internal conflicting core issues demand resolution and

reconciliation to guarantee a robust democracy in a

pluralistic Jewish context, eschewing both secular

authoritarianism and oppressive theocracy. Otherwise, the

gates of Gaza (the book's title) that biblical Samson carried

facing the threatening Philistines, would now prove too heavy

for heroic Israel at multi front war!

Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is founder of Temple Lev Tikvah in Virginia Beach. He was born in Chu, Kazakhstan (USSR) to Polish Holocaust survivors who had met in Siberia. He spent his early childhood in Poland, Austria and Germany before moving to Israel in 1949.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very brave young woman from Virginia's Second District. Vada Carawan is an 11-year-old Virginia Beach native who recently showed courage beyond her years when she saved her father's life. On November 23, 2024, Vada was spending time with her father, Clinton, when he started to experience what doctors later called ``sudden cardiac death,'' which comes with no warning. Just 11 days earlier, Clinton had driven Vada to girl scouts where she learned how to perform CPR. The moment Clinton started to experience the cardiac event, Vada told herself that she could cry once the EMT came, but before that she had to focus on saving her dad's life. Vada thinks she performed CPR for around 5 to 7 minutes, which doctors said was critical to saving her dad's life. For her heroism, Vada received the National Medal of Honor--Lifesaving Award from the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Her bravery and quick action in a time of distress is truly remarkable. Virginia's Second District is truly lucky to have such a fearless and impressive member of the community and we are so thankful that her father is ok. Please join me in recognizing Vada for her heroism.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record remarks submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his views:

Mr. Speaker, tonight, the Virginia congressional delegation is gathered on the House floor to pay our respects to Virginia Beach Police Department Officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese, who were killed in the line of duty in the early hours of Saturday, February 22.

Tragically, our community lost two of our local heroes when a cowardly criminal gunned down two of Virginia Beach's finest during a routine traffic stop.

Officer Chris Reese was just 30 years old, having served with both the Virginia Beach Police Department and the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office for the last 6 years. He leaves behind a loving wife. He will be remembered for his loyalty to his loved ones and his passion for serving the residents of our city.

Officer Cameron Girvin was just 25 years old and has served with the Virginia Beach Police Department since 2020. He leaves behind his wife and their unborn daughter, Paisley, who is due in the summer. He will be remembered for his contagious smile and love for his family.

These brave young men were taken too soon and leave behind a grief- stricken and forever grateful community.

The city of Virginia Beach, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States of America will forever be grateful to these officers who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community. Their families will always remain in our prayers.

On behalf of myself, the Virginia congressional delegation, and the United States House of Representatives, I ask that the United States House of Representatives observe a moment of silence in their honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate one of my constituents, Mr. Steven Cade, as he retires from federal service, marking the culmination of a military and civilian career that spans over 44 years of faithful service to the defense of our great Nation.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Mr. Cade served as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer from 1985 to 2005. While on active duty, he completed sea-duty assignments in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets and deployments supporting operations in the European, Indo-Pacific, Central, and Southern Commands. His major staff assignments included duty in Operations and Plans on the staff of Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet; Special Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and as a program manager for U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Capabilities and Resource Integration (N8) and Readiness and Training (N4/7). He was also designated a Navy Foreign Area Officer for East Asia/Pacific while on active duty.

Mr. Cade began his civil service career in 2005, serving as Director for Fleet Capabilities and Force Development (N8/N9) at U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) in Norfolk, Virginia, the Navy's headquarters for global force management and the Naval Component Commander to U.S. Northern Command. There, he was responsible for integrated Fleet capability and readiness assessments to support Navy programming and acquisition planning, transition of new capabi]ities into the Fleet, and development of warfighting concepts of operations and experimentation programs. During his time at USFF, he also served as Deputy Director, Fleet Warfare Programs (N8B), leading warfighting capability analyses, and as Deputy Executive Director, responsible for Fleet readiness assessments, strategic planning, and headquarters administration. He was promoted to the Senior Executive Service in 2010.

On February 28th, Mr. Cade retires from Military Sealift Command (MSC), where he has served as the command's Executive Director for over seven years. At MSC, Mr. Cade provided inspired leadership and strategic vision in service to nearly 10,000 personnel assigned to 23 locations and aboard 140 ships, employing the Nation's largest contingent of merchant mariners, the 5,800-strong Civil Service Mariner workforce.

I want to especially recognize Mr. Cade's family for their endless support over these years. As he enters this new chapter, I join his friends and colleagues in wishing him fair winds, following seas, and well-deserved rest, relaxation, and quality time with his family, especially his wife Leigh-Anne.

I thank him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record remarks submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his views:

I have returned from the torn Land of Israel where I grew

up, following a visit throughout July of a shaking, even

shocking experience. Israel is undergoing a trauma whose

lasting impact is impossible to predict. However, the current

internal crisis threatening Israeli democracy, the Middle

East's sole one, is due to the most extreme coalition

government in Israel's history attempting to alter its

Western liberal orientation by disabling the Supreme Court's

standing as an independent Judiciary. Consequently, the

unprecedented mass demonstrations for months in opposition to

the proposed radical agenda which I watched in disbelief and

participated in, have reflected a powerful popular response

determined to preserve Israel as both the Jewish and

democratic state envisioned by its founders. Already

adversejy affected are the Israeli economy, military, public

health, the woman's status, education, Pride community and

society at large, while Israel's enemies, Iran and its

proxies, become further emboldened. The special relationship

between Israel and the United States is at risk as well as

the essential bond between Israel and American Jewry.

With heartfelt, even prophetic pathos and deep grasp of the

multi-layered Israeli scene since its inception and prior,

veteran Israeli author Ari Shavit offers us a concise

manifesto for urgent action with the goal of ``Saving

Israel,'' his recent book's alarming title (Saving Israel.

Rishon LeZion: Miskal-Yedioth Ahronoth Books and Chemed

Books. 2023). He begins with a statement of both profound

gratitude and grave concern, ``the State of Israel is a

miracle. No other nation did what we have: To build anew a

national home following two thousand years. No progressive

democracy succeeded to flourish as we have, following a Shoah

and living under a volcano. Despite all the troubles,

problems, weaknesses, difficulties and blemishes--The Zionist

dream has been realized. The people of Israel lives and the

state of Israel lives. Our sons and daughters have in our

ancestral land what our grandfathers and grandmothers did

not: Sovereignty, freedom, prosperity, pride and progress.

Being a technological, economic, military and political

super-power, Israel of the 21st century is a strong country

capable of shaping its own fate and march toward a brilliant

future. But the deep 2023 crisis threatens the Israeli

miracle and erasing our astonishing successes, leaving us

homeless.''

Shavit does not mince words. On the one hand, heaps praise

upon Israel's successes though Israel is not a global, as the

author claims, but a regional superpower. In light of trying

beginnings and facing monumental challenges that were likely

to doom the fragile creation: Attacks from a collection of

superior military establishments while absorbing penniless

immigrants from west and east three times larger in size,

into a war zone with meager resources. On the other hand, he

bemoans the Jewish people's destructive tendencies that

brought down Jewish sovereignty and led into long exile and

ultimately a consuming Holocaust. ``And the Jewish people has

multi-talents though sorrowfully it lacks the talent to be a

people. It tends toward extremism, internal strife and self-

destruction. . . Israel needs to be both powerful and

ethical, both national and liberal, both Jewish and

democratic. Only a combination of resoluteness and openness

will guarantee that not weakness nor zealousness will bring

ug again to the pit's cusp.''

The author is convinced that the goal is within reach

though the hour is late and the Israelis with all their

complexities and tribal tendencies ought not further delay.

He thus concludes, ``The good and silent great Israeli

majority will not remain still. The democratic Jews will not

let a wondrous national and human enterprise to go down. For

all of us have a stake in this special place. And we all know

that there wouldn't be a Fourth Commonwealth. The Third

Commonwealth is the Jewish people's last opportunity. With

determination, love and faith we'll defend Israel and rebuild

the house.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish a happy 100th birthday to a very important resident of Hampton Roads, U.S. Navy veteran Mo Maurizio.

This American hero has experienced more of the history of our great Nation than most people can even dream of.

Born on February 21, 1925, he grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, before enlisting in the Navy in August of 1943 at the age of 18. After completing basic training in New York, he transferred to Hampton Roads, Virginia, to complete additional training at Little Creek in preparation for the invasion of Normandy.

On June 6, 1944, as Allied Forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in history, Mo was a part of the first wave of troops to hit the beaches on D-day.

After surviving this important first step on the path to liberate Europe, he then deployed to the Pacific theater.

On February 19, 1945, he was aboard a ship that took part in the battle for Iwo Jima, shelling the island ahead of American forces making their landing.

Mo didn't spend his 20th birthday celebrating. He was instead serving our Nation by landing troops and supplies during one of the worst battles of the entire war. In total, nearly 6,000 brave marines lost their lives to take this strategic island that day, and it is only 8 square miles.

In April, Mo continued his service, this time assisting with the deployment of marines on Okinawa Island. Months later, when Japan was set to surrender, Mo was among the crew of one of the first ships carrying U.S. troops to mainland Japan.

On September 2, aboard the USS Talladega, he was only a small distance away from history being made on the USS Missouri as the Japanese formally surrendered, officially marking the end of World War

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday next for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of former Isle of Wight County supervisor, Pastor William McCarty.

I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing in January. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Known to his community as ``Pastor MAC,'' he was a friend and tireless servant to the Isle of Wight community as both a pastor at Healing Waters Worship Center and a local elected official.

He first came to our region as a 22-year-old in 1999 to revive the small Smithfield Church of God congregation, spending more than 25 years successfully growing it into the thriving church community it is today.

As the true servant he was, he successfully ran to represent Carrollton on the board of supervisors in 2015, working tirelessly to make sure that Isle of Wight was one of the fastest-growing counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

My thoughts are with his loving wife, Amanda, and their two children and their granddaughter. May God uplift his family and loved ones in this time of sorrow and bless his memory.

We will always be grateful for his service to his community and to our Commonwealth.

Mr. Speaker, as the only geriatric nurse practitioner in Congress, I have seen firsthand the way in which our older veterans, especially those who require care in nursing homes, experience poor health outcomes because of a lack of advocacy in government.

The Department of Veterans Affairs regularly convenes a Geriatrics and

Gerontology Advisory Committee to collaborate on strategies to better help seniors who have served our country age with grace and dignity.

However, advocates for those living in State veterans homes and those who provide nursing home domiciliary and adult care for our veterans are left completely out of the conversation. That is unacceptable and harmful to the long-term health of our veterans.

That is why I am introducing the Representing Our Seniors at VA Act to reform the VA's advisory committee and ensure a representative from the National Association of State Veterans Homes is included.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in this effort so we can improve the quality of care for our Greatest Generation living in assisted living facilities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the National Certified Dietary Managers (CDM), Certified Food Protection Professionals (CFPP) Day, which this year fell on November 28, 2024. This day is meant to honor the contributions these professionals have made in the food service management profession and the lives they have impacted through their service in America's healthcare industry.

I would also like to recognize the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP) for their efforts to designate November 28, National CDM, CFPP Day. Over 90 percent of the ANFP's more than 13,000 members work in healthcare and a majority of those are in long-term care facilities. As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I have seen firsthand the way in which CDMs and CFPPs positively affect health outcomes for members of our greatest generation.

They play an essential role in America's healthcare industry, and as such are responsible for managing nutrition and food service operations. They are trained and qualified to administer menus, food purchasing and preparation, and to apply nutrition principles, among many other essential tasks. The CDM, CFPP credential is also the basis for the ANFP Youth Apprenticeship Program, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2022.

This year it was especially fitting that the National CDM, CFPP Day fell on Thanksgiving, as CDMs and CFPPs work 365 days a year to serve their patients. It is an honor to celebrate these dedicated professionals who work tirelessly, even over the holidays, away from their friends and families and loved ones.

I am proud to honor their significant impacts to healthcare and celebrate the National Certified Dietary Managers, Certified Food Protection Professionals Day of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of my colleague and friend, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton of Virginia's Tenth District.

I first met Congresswoman Wexton not here in the Halls of Congress, but when I was elected to the Virginia State Senate in 2019. I remember the day that she first came and visited us on the floor and how she went around the room, and shook hands with every member, all 40 of us that day.

While our time in the Virginia General Assembly did not overlap, her legacy of serving her constituents lived on in the chamber. When I entered Congress, I was elected as the second of three Jennifers to be elected to the 118th Congress from Virginia.

I have enjoyed serving alongside these other two Jens as a member of the bipartisan Jennifer caucus. Like so many in Virginia and across the country, I was saddened by the announcement of Congresswoman Wexton's diagnosis in September of 2023.

While she announced that she would not be running for reelection in 2024, she fought against the odds to fulfill her commitment to her constituents and serve for the remainder of the 118th Congress.

She also became an advocate for her disease process and a loud voice, she brought awareness to so many of us here in the House of Representatives.

Members of Congress will oftentimes stand here on the House floor and talk of the sacrifices they make to serve their districts, but Mr. Speaker, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who has sacrificed more for her constituents than Congresswoman Wexton has over the past year and a half.

Rather than leave Congress to spend time with her family and friends in northern Virginia, she has remained here working every day.

Even when her physical voice left her, she got very creative, and with the help of technology, has continued to be a strong advocate for the residents of Virginia's 10th District with distinction.

The impact she left in Richmond and will leave in Washington is truly impressive and will be remembered by the citizens of Virginia for years to come.

I thank my friend for her eagerness to continue serving against all odds and for her years of selfless sacrifice to our Commonwealth and to the United States of America.

She will be missed by our entire Virginia congressional delegation, and I know that the Commonwealth of Virginia will be thinking of her and will be supporting her in the future.