Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, this Black History Month I rise to celebrate the life of a local trailblazer, author, and historian, Ms. Gloria Jean Royster.

Ms. Royster is a resident of north downtown Tampa where she regularly advocates for safer pedestrian access and infrastructure, and quality- of-life issues for residents living in her River Arts District neighborhood. In late 2022, she contributed to the story and history of Ashley Drive and the surrounding area for the City of Tampa's application for the Reconnecting Communities Grant Pilot Program/Ashley Drive Redesign Project. When the city was awarded the grant it shared credit with Ms. Royster for helping to tell Tampa's story as part of the application. Ms. Royster shared this significant achievement with some of the historic residents who were impacted by demolished communities and with her River Arts District community leaders This project will include removal of an interstate ramp and open streets which fulfills a dream of Ms. Royster and her neighbors for direct pedestrian access to The Tampa Riverwalk.

She retired to Tampa to be a full-time tourist and ended up volunteering in her community. An avid Tampa history buff and researcher, Ms. Royster currently spends her time telling the story of Tampa through her signature Tampa History Postcards, which include many historical nuggets of Tampa's Black community. Ms. Royster helped erect the Madame Fortune Taylor Bridge Historical Marker (2018) in downtown Tampa and she is the creator of the Tampa Bay History Center Madame Fortune Taylor Walking Tour, which she led for

three years and received a ``Best of the Bay 2021'' nomination for Best Walking Tour. Madame Fortune was born into slavery and, after gaining her freedom, became a Tampa businesswoman who owned more than 30 acres of land in the late 1880s but sold it as part of an agreement that a bridge be built over the river which would connect East and West Tampa. The historic bridge was built in 1892 and named after Taylor.

Ms. Royster is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but life has taken her many places, and she considers Chicago, Illinois home, where she raised her only child Ike Murray, Jr. (ret. USAF), and where four of her seven siblings live. Ms. Royster has a passion for her two strengths, caring for others or writing about them. After high school she taught and cared for 2-year-olds at a pre-school in Raleigh, North Carolina before entering the hospitality industry. While in college she was hired as a Feature Writer for Muhammad Speaks Newspaper in Chicago (later Bilalian News and The American Muslim Journal).

While observing her story subjects she caught the hospitality bug again and left journalism for several years.

When she lived in Atlanta, Ms. Royster worked as a community grassroots organizer and was nicknamed the ``The Quiet Riot.'' It was at this time she was encouraged by her mother, Ms. Doris L. Muhammad Royster to write children's books. Ms. Royster wrote her first children's book manuscript while spending time with her young nephew. He was a window to her destiny. She wrote her second children's book manuscript ``GO! In The Snow'' and self-published in 2019. Her third children's book manuscript, ``Al Li Gator and J. Louis Bat'', which takes place at the Bat House in Tampa near the Historic Fortune Taylor Bridge will be released this spring and we will see other book projects in the future.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the entire Tampa Bay community, I am honored to recognize Ms. Gloria Jean Royster for her outstanding contributions to keep our local Black history alive and using it to create positive change in the future as well as her selfless acts of community service in uplifting her neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the remarkable contributions and achievements of a distinguished individual of the Tampa Bay community, Mr. Wallace Z. Bowers. Supported by his wife, Lois Bowers, and son, Warren Lyle Bowers, his lifelong dedication to community service, advocacy, and leadership embodies the spirit of stewardship we all must strive towards.

Mr. Bowers grew up in Bascom, FL, the 11th of 13 children. In describing his upbringing, Mr. Bowers considered himself a ``country boy,'' and often recalls the lessons of hard work and ``making a difference'' which his parents instilled in him and his siblings. This foundation inspired a call to service in the U.S. Army and later, his decades of community service within the Tampa Bay community. After returning from military service, Mr. Bowers moved to Tampa, Florida, eventually settling in a little community called Progress Village. He went on to study at the University of Tampa, Tampa Bible College and Florida Theological Seminary & Bible College.

Mr. Bowers was an early member of the Progress Village Civic Council, a Tampa-based community organization which played a pivotal role in offsetting the displacement of African Americans during the Civil Rights era. He also co-founded and served as President from 1986 until 1996 of the Progress Village Foundation which provides scholarships to local students. Mr. Bowers also played a pivotal role in rezoning negotiations with the Hillsborough County Commission, resulting in significant benefits for the community, including the revitalization of the Progress Village Park, and various other improvements.

Mr. Bowers' commitment to public service is also exemplified by his Gubernatorial appointment to the Florida Housing Authority from 1983 to 1989, where he served as Chair during the later years of his tenure. Additionally, his dedication to transportation and community development is reflected in his roles as a county appointee to the Hillsborough County Regional Transit Authority (HART) and as a past member of the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board and Tampa Streetcar Board.

Throughout his life Mr. Bowers has invested in the communities and people of Tampa. And often recalling his parents' teachings of hard work and making a difference, Mr. Bowers was always aware of his higher calling as a spiritual leader. He was the Vice Moderator of the Mount Pilgrim Association for six years and is currently a member of the Progressive M & E Baptist State Convention of Florida and National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc. As a licensed and ordained minister, he led and pastored the Saint Mary Missionary Baptist Church from 1996 to 2018 being given the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus.

In 1970, Mr. Bowers founded his own real estate business and has been practicing for over five decades. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to own and operate Bowers Barber Shop. Mr. Bowers served as the Property Manager for the Progress Village Shopping Center and Progressive M & E Baptist State Convention Headquarters, always working hard and always making a difference.

Mr. Bowers has stated that for any community to progress and move forward we all must take an interest in improving the welfare of our fellow citizens. Not only has he led by that example for decades, but he has helped establish a foundation in the community that would ensure future generations, regardless of where they were from or the challenges they face so that they have the appropriate educational, economic, and social opportunities needed to achieve success.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mr. Wallace Z. Bowers, whose work is engraved in the streets of our Tampa community. His legacy of service, leadership, and hard work serve as an inspiration to future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Schrier for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act. It is critical legislation that I am proud to co-lead to address the maternal mortality crisis in America, unconscionably the worst in the developed world.

Each of us deserves to live a healthy life. For mothers, for women, that includes access to the care they need before, during, and after pregnancy. Pregnancy in America right now is too often traumatic or is life-threatening, and our maternal health crisis in many places is tearing families apart.

This is particularly true for Black women, who often experience worse outcomes due to disparities in access to medical care, the care that they need and that they deserve.

Our bill will help recommit to the health of our neighbors by ensuring that more moms can have safe pregnancies by improving health outcomes for the patients at the highest risk of maternal mortality and morbidity.

In the Tampa Bay area, I am proud to represent outstanding OB/GYNs and providers, clinics like Evara Health or organizations like REACHUP, the Healthy Start Coalitions, and more. They have worked tirelessly to address our maternal mortality rates and improve the quality of care for new and expecting mothers.

This bill will help them and similar organizations across the country, in partnership with the CDC, by building upon the comprehensive framework of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act, supporting Maternal Mortality Review Committees, and strengthening lifesaving initiatives to improve health outcomes.

For example, Florida's Maternal Mortality Review Committee has successfully created initiatives to reduce deaths associated with postpartum bleeding and opioid use disorder.

We have to do more. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address America's maternal mortality crisis through research, prevention, and evidence-based practices.

I thank my partners on the Committee on Energy and Commerce who brought this bill to the floor: Congressman Burgess, Congresswoman DeGette, Congressman Carter, Congresswoman Kelly for her years of advocacy, Congresswoman Schrier, and Congresswoman Cammack, as well. I thank them for co-leading this legislation with me. Families are counting on us. Please vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Pallone for yielding me time.

I rise today to oppose the GOP's latest love letter to Big Oil and Gas here the day after Valentine's Day.

This Republican bill is a giant handout to Big Oil and Gas that will enrich our adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party, and force middle-class families to pay more on their home electric bills.

Gas companies and CEOs want the unfettered ability to send American gas to China and other countries, so I thank the Biden administration for stepping in to analyze the cost to American consumers of doing so.

Folks back home in Florida are paying exorbitant electric bills because we are tied to gas.

The Biden administration is right to study how unfettered gas and methane pollution costs my neighbors more. They are right to understand how that threatens our way of life as the atmosphere is overheating and is causing extreme heat waves, droughts, drying up our lakes and rivers and water supply, wildfires, and deadly hurricanes that are so costly. They are right to consider the national security concerns, as well.

While we are talking about national security, there is a larger context that brought me to the floor today. That is the complete failure of Republicans to govern and accomplish anything for the American people.

They announced last night that we are leaving early for the rest of the month.

Are we going to do a tough, bipartisan border security bill? No.

Are we going to do anything to address mass shootings? No. They just ignore the fact that the leading cause of death among American children and teens is death by gun. I am angry like the Kansas City police chief said she is angry.

How about working on national security? No. The GOP has checked out. They can't govern. It is outrageous that extreme MAGA Republicans are siding with Putin and blocking a national security bill.

How about the basic responsibility of passing appropriations bills? The fiscal year started on October 1, but Republicans have cowed down to the MAGA extremists in their party, who thought a costly shutdown was the way to go.

This is the least productive Congress in modern times, and it shows. If the GOP cannot govern and they want to leave, I have an idea: Let Democrats tackle these problems. We are good at finding solutions. We are good at lowering costs for American families. We put people over politics, while the GOP put politics over the people. They put Putin over the people. They side with polluters every day that we are here.

Vote ``no'' on this bill, and tell the folks here in Washington, especially the GOP, to get to work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to extend my condolences to the family and the Tampa Bay community mourning the passing of Caroline West. Caroline passed away at the age of 26 due to complications of Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC), a rare neurological disorder that she was born with. Despite experiencing the challenges from a rare generic condition, Caroline was a champion for improving health care for people with medical complexities and a beacon of inspiration to me and everyone whose paths she crossed.

Born five weeks prematurely, Caroline suffered a seizure and stopped breathing in the first 12 hours of her life. Throughout her life, she underwent specialized speech, physical and cognitive therapy coordinated with the help of the Chronic-Complex Clinic at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, a national leader in pediatric care. Although her battle with AHC was challenging and debilitating, Caroline was able to receive an education while creating lasting memories.

Caroline was always vibrant and loving, and her joy centered around spending precious moments with her family and friends. From indulging in her favorite music by Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift to getting pampered with nails and makeup, she embraced life with a fun-loving spirit. Despite her limited speech, Caroline communicated effortlessly through her expressive eyes, warm hugs and an innate ability to sense when someone needed comfort, making her a uniquely perceptive and uplifting presence in the lives of those around her.

I am proud of Caroline's resilience and of her mother, Tish, for her unconditional love and willingness to fight for Caroline and every child with medically complex conditions. Caroline and Tish's invaluable work and advocacy inspired my work on the ACE Kids Act, which created a national medical home model for children with medical complexities. Tish and Caroline advocated for this bill in Washington and locally in Florida and in Congress, including Tish's testimony before the Energy and Commerce Committee. Because of their tireless advocacy, ACE Kids was signed into law

in 2019, so now children with medical complex needs can access better and more coordinated care, which will improve health outcomes, lower costs, and make families lives easier.

I have the deepest gratitude to Caroline and Tish for their sacrifices in helping address the unique challenges my neighbors with medically complex conditions face under the health care system to bring the best care. Caroline is survived by her parents, Tish and Bill West; her siblings, Billy, Drew, and Mallory; and many family members and friends who were all very dear to her. Additionally, I want to extend my gratitude to the medical team that helped Caroline and her family through this journey.

Keri Eisenbeis, BayCare Health System's Chief of Staff and Chief Communications Officer, emphasized the West Family's dedication to advocacy, stating that ``the West Family, including Caroline, have been tireless champions for medically complex patients, including those at BayCare's St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.'' In addition to extending their condolences, they ``mourn Caroline's passing, but celebrate the legacy of advocacy she inspired which led to the passage of the ACE Kids Act.''

Mr. Speaker, I want to express my sincere condolences to Caroline's family and friends. She will be remembered by her warm smile and contagious laugh. Caroline was taken from us too soon, but she leaves with us infinite life lessons and an immeasurable impact on those who knew and loved her.

Rest in peace, Caroline.

Madam Speaker, I had to come down to the floor to speak out strongly against the Republican's pro-China bill.

The Republican Party wants to take us backwards. They want to raise costs on American families, and, in doing so, a lot of people ask why? Why would you attack American auto companies and American workers? Why would you work against the best interests of the American people, putting money back into their pockets?

It has become clear to me, serving here, especially this Congress this year, that my good friends on the GOP side are shills for polluters. It is to the detriment of the people that we represent back home.

American workers and automakers have made huge innovations in the cars and trucks that we drive. Now, electric vehicles being built in America, rather than China and other parts of the world, are more energy efficient, they are fun to drive, and that is why American demand for EVs has jumped 350 percent over the past 2 years alone.

U.S. electric vehicles have now zipped past a major milestone. There have been 1 million battery electric vehicles sold in a single year. This year's sales suggest that a rising number of consumers are making that jump. Why?

Because you don't have the maintenance costs and you don't have to stop at the gas station. We have a lot of work to do on electric vehicle charging.

It has been the Clean Air Act that has helped American innovators and automakers and workers make our cars more fuel efficient over time. Now, with the historic Inflation Reduction Act passed by a Democratic- led Congress, signed by President Biden, we are bringing those manufacturers and the batteries and the assembly here in America.

It has been announced there is $150 billion in investments across nearly 400 new facilities in U.S. electric vehicle and battery manufacturing in Ohio, in South Carolina, mostly in these red districts. This is a Made in America moment, and we have to reject these kind of take-us-backward attempts offered by the grand oil party, the GOP. Why did they do this?

Because they are so tied to fossil fuels and gas and oil that they cannot see what lies ahead of us. That means investing in America for a change. That means having these vehicles manufactured here in America and not being worried about China eating our lunch.

They are the ones that are trying to flood the EU market. Do you think our European allies want to buy Chinese-made vehicles?

No, they want to buy American-made vehicles because they are our allies. Please vote against this pro-China GOP bill. Vote for America and vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Dr. Hank Hine, his remarkable achievements and the well-deserved recognition from Spain's King, Felipe VI of the Order of Isabel la Catolica. As the Executive Director of The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Florida, Dr. Hine has not only enriched our community and cultural landscape, but also has forged international connections that highlight the artistic and cultural treasures we hold dear.

Dr. Hine's lifelong commitment to the arts and his exceptional stewardship of The Dali Museum have left an indelible mark on the cultural life of our community. The Dali Museum holds the largest collection of Salvador Dali's artworks outside of Dali's home country of Spain. Under his visionary leadership, the museum has become a beacon of creativity and inspiration, welcoming visitors from all corners of the globe to experience the masterpieces of Dali and other renowned artists.

The recent honor bestowed upon Dr. Hine, the Order of Isabel la Catolica, is a testament to his dedication and tireless efforts in fostering cultural exchange and promoting the legacy of Salvador Dali, one of the most celebrated artists of all times. This recognition is one of the highest civilian honors Spain bestows, and it reflects the deep respect and admiration with which he is regarded not only in our local community but also on the international stage. Dr. Hine expressed his gratitude to the entire community in his acceptance address, recognizing all those who welcomed The Dali to St. Petersburg--the founders, staff, trustees, and volunteers whose embrace of the power of art propelled all the Museum's achievements.

Dr. Hine's work transcends borders, enriching our understanding of art, culture and the human experience. His tireless commitment to fostering collaboration and understanding among different cultures and nations deserves our highest praise and gratitude.

As we congratulate Dr. Hine on this prestigious recognition, we also express our gratitude for his continued contributions to the vibrant cultural tapestry of our community. His passion and leadership at The Dali Museum have made Tampa Bay a cultural hub and a destination for art enthusiasts worldwide.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and applauding Dr. Hank Hine for his outstanding achievements and for bringing the world of art and culture closet to our hearts and our community. Dr. Hine's unwavering commitment to the arts has enhanced the lives of my community and his work will be celebrated by many generations. May his work continue to inspire and enrich us all.

Mr. Chair, I thank Ranking Member Kaptur for her leadership in yielding the time and I thank the gentleman from Tennessee and all the professional staff who have been working hard over the past day and a half to get appropriations back on track in the people's House.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4394.

In the midst of all the turmoil across the globe and weeks of GOP chaos here on Capitol Hill, there is good news to share with the American people. It is a story of American innovation that is benefiting our neighbors and communities all across this great country. Innovation that is putting money back into people's pockets at a time they really need it.

Over the past year since Democrats passed and President Biden signed historic laws investing in infrastructure and clean energy and American workers, the American economy has been booming and our neighbors are enjoying some lower costs, good-paying jobs are being created, and folks back home are building safer, healthier, more resilient communities.

Infrastructure and clean energy are reducing pollution. They are improving our health. They are countering China's push to control supply chains, and that is why this GOP bill must fail.

The GOP bill takes America backwards. The GOP bill is a gift to China. This GOP bill is a recipe for higher energy bills.

The Democrats simply are not going to let the GOP take us backwards. It has been about 1 year since I stood by President Biden as he signed the historic clean energy law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and let me tell you it has been difficult to keep up with all of the announcements of new American factories and jobs in Ohio, in Tennessee, in Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania.

I keep a list here. Suniva, a U.S. solar manufacturer in Norcross, Georgia, announced 240 jobs. They are the ones who fought cheap Chinese exports.

Stellantis and Samsung are building an EV battery plant in Kokomo, Indiana, 1,400 workers.

Polaris is building in Huntsville, Alabama, electric utility vehicles for the Army.

LG Energy Solution and Honda, $3.8 billion for EV battery plants. The list goes on and on.

America is the envy of the world because we have a clean energy law that is creating jobs. Along with the infrastructure and the CHIPS and Science Act, in Florida, we have seen about $500 million in new investments and about 1,700 jobs. Across the country at the lowest estimate, there are about 170,000 new jobs.

America is the envy of the world because of our clean energy laws. I will

say it again. Our economy is booming, and we are not going to let the Republicans take us backwards.

Just this morning, it was announced that U.S. gross domestic product, a measure of all goods and services produced in the United States, rose at 4.9 percent which was much better than anyone expected. Private sector investment is flocking to clean energy and infrastructure projects in your districts and mine.

Clean energy projects don't just create new good-paying jobs. They also lower energy costs for our neighbors back home and all American families and we sure do need it.

In the Tampa-St. Pete area that I have the privilege of representing, electric bills are out of sight. They are astronomical.

In a single year, this past year, the average Tampa Electric Company customer saw an increase by a whopping $492. Why? Because they generate electricity based on oil and gas, primarily.

Thankfully, cleaner, cheaper energy, and energy efficiency is on its way to lower people's electric bills, and we cannot let the Republicans gut what we are doing in clean energy to lower electric bills.

Here is another good, new report that Floridians and all Americans needed.

Yesterday, the Biden administration announced help for consumers to afford these high energy bills. Florida will receive $106 million in Federal funds to lower home energy bills. I haven't even mentioned the high cost of extreme weather. Extreme heat across the country is hurting farmers. It is fueling fires and costly extreme weather events, and it is creating higher insurance premiums. Indeed, we just lived through the hottest summer on record. It was roasting. We have to reduce pollution that is causing this overheating and the higher cost on communities.

Mr. Chair, at the appropriate time today, I will offer this motion to recommit to send this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would strike two sections, 311 and 312.

Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of my amendment.

Ms. Castor of Florida moves to recommit the bill H.R. 4394

to the Committee on Appropriations with the following

amendment.

Strike sections 311 and 312.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Please tank this bill which takes us backwards.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Elvira ``Vera'' Tamargo Garcia, who passed away at the age of 88 on August 8, 2023. She was a lifelong Tampa native and devoted teacher who dedicated her life to civic service. Vera's contributions and tireless dedication to the Tampa Bay community will forever be remembered.

Vera embodied the true spirit of public service, exemplifying the values of compassion, dedication and mentorship. Throughout her 48-year career as a teacher at Broward, Ballast Point and Mendenhall elementary schools, she left a mark on hundreds of students she taught, their parents, and new teachers she mentored. Throughout her career, Vera taught in every elementary grade. Her passion was for early childhood education, and she played an important role in launching kindergarten instruction in Hillsborough County schools. Her talent and experience as an educator were evident in the numerous accomplishments she achieved. Vera's recognitions included Florida's Outstanding Young Educator in 1966 and was ranked fourth at the national level.

She attended the University of Tampa for her bachelor's degree and subsequently earned a master's degree from the University of South Florida. In her classroom, Vera strived to teach her students the values of respect and friendship along with phonics and counting, and her selfless service is manifested in the good principles of my Tampa Bay neighbors. Her tenacious determination as an instructor to future generations shaped much of her perspective and identity, but her work as a caregiver extended beyond the classroom.

Many knew Vera for her work advocating for Tampa's Latino heritage, protecting and preserving the Centro Asturiano de Tampa's original cemetery and its 121-year-old building. Vera took the role of president for the historic social club for immigrants and their descendants, making her the first woman to hold that position at the ``Centro.'' She and her husband, attorney William F. ``Willie'' Garcia, devoted their later years to the preservation of the ``Centro.'' Earlier in their lives, Vera and Willie were active in state and local politics, running campaigns, attending rallies and always supporting Democratic candidates at the local, state and federal levels. At home, they would adorn Christmas gifts with handmade themed ornaments that they would spend months creating. Their marriage was filled with love and support for each other, accompanied by humor that made their bond stronger.

The eldest of three girls, Vera was born to Francisco ``Pancho'' and Honorina ``Nora'' Tamargo. She and her two sisters, Junis and Sandra, shared a room as children and their lives as adults. Her devotion to her family was shown in her commitment to spend Christmas together with her two sisters and cousin Mary Louise. Vera was beloved by her many nieces, nephews and cousins who could call or stop by her home to say hello, help with a chore, or take her to a family gathering.

For her two sons, William and Joseph, Vera was that unshakable support who got them where they needed to pursue their interests from swim meets to Scouting camping trips. Her grandchildren called her ``Bueli'', and they will remember her love and the way she lit up just hearing their voices.

Vera is survived by her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and many loved ones to whom I extend my deepest sympathies. She will be remembered not only for her many years of selfless service, but also for her genuine compassion and kindness.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Vera's family and friends. She impacted the lives of countless members of the Tampa Bay community and her steadfast leadership and patient mentorship undeniably enhanced the lives of my neighbors. Tampa Bay is grateful for her contributions and the legacy she leaves.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to congratulate the nationally renowned Tampa division of Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) and the Veteran Mentor Program on their 10th anniversary. It is my honor to express my deep appreciation for this incredible milestone and for the impact that this team of mentors, judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys continues to have on helping veterans to recover from challenging times and the criminal justice system.

Started in 2013 by retired U.S. Army Colonel DJ Reyes, the Tampa VTC was formed to approach and mitigate the gap on many veteran requirements and needs often unavailable by the courts, local government or community services. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to build a platform to support, advocate and train veterans who find themselves in trouble with the law due to substance abuse disorders or conditions incurred during military service.

The Tampa VTC launched with six veterans and one mentor. Limited to about 25 veterans at any time and created with existing resources without additional funding from the county, state or federal government. The Tampa VTC soon overcame adversities, such as no additional funding or staff, to provide support to this vulnerable community. The initiative established strong roots and the trust of the community grew. It now operates with a consistent budget and small judiciary support staff. I am proud of the more than 900 veterans who graduated over the last 10 years and of Tampa VTC's graduation rate of 88 to 92 percent, making it one of the most successful among the 623 divisions throughout the Nation. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic and other legal procedure issues, when numbers decreased, 50 mentors are actively serving and around 60 veteran defendants are on the docket. In addition. with the passage of the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act, the Tampa VTC was able to access grants and technical assistance from the Department of Justice.

I would also like to honor two Tampa Bay veteran leaders for their unwavering dedication to serving our community: Retired U.S. Army Colonel DJ Reyes and the Honorable Judge Michael J. Scionti. Colonel Reyes and his contributions, commitment and invaluable work with the Tampa VTC have shined light in the life of many of my neighbors. Judge Scionti, a highly decorated military officer and advocate for this vulnerable community, brings his own military experience to the bench to help address the unique challenges that our veteran community faces with a fair and impartial administration of justice. I am proud to have Colonel Reyes and Judge Scionti as allies in our commitment to improving the quality of life for those who sacrificed so much for our country. They exemplify the spirit of public service and represent the best of Florida.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and deepest gratitude to the service of the Tampa division of Veteran Treatment Court and its passionate leader, Colonel DJ Reyes, for their meaningful contributions to ensure no veteran is left behind. I want to congratulate this courageous organization on its 10th anniversary of public service and offer my sincerest wishes to their future.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today in celebration of the life of Lucy Morgan, a relentless journalist and advocate for the truth who passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the age of 82. Lucy Morgan worked to ensure that Florida lived up to its moniker the ``Sunshine State'' in the halls of power through public records, public meetings and ``government in the sunshine.'' She helped hold powerful leaders accountable through news coverage of courthouses and the state capitol and by shining a light on corruption.

Lucy was born in Memphis, Tennessee on October 11, 1940, and grew up in Hattiesburg. Mississippi. At the age of 25, she moved to Crystal River, Florida. She was an avid reader and found herself visiting the library often. A local librarian noticed her passionate approach and provided a recommendation that eventually landed her a job as a local correspondent, marking her first step towards a lifelong career of uncovering the truth.

Her striking questions and fearless approach to journalism gained Lucy the recognition as a trustworthy and authentic reporter. She provided in-depth writings and updates from all corners of Florida. For nearly five decades, Lucy pursued the truth, keeping Florida lawmakers, lobbyists and public officials in check.

She gained national recognition in 1973 while working for the then St. Petersburg Times. While investigating corruption in Dade City, Lucy was charged with contempt of court and sentenced to a total of eight months in jail for refusing to name her sources of information. Her appeal to the case reached the Florida Supreme Court, in a victory not just for her freedom, but the ethical standards of journalism and the First Amendment of the Constitution. Though she regretted the notoriety the case brought to her and the paper, she acknowledged that it did lead to more people to trust her with sensitive information.

A decade later, her veracity and righteous reporting on Pasco County Sheriff John Short revealed his department's corruption and led to his removal from office by voters. Lucy's efforts were recognized in 1985 with the Pulitzer Prize for a distinguished example of investigative reporting within a newspaper's area of circulation by an individual or team, along with her colleague Jack Reed. Furthermore. this investigation and recognition catapulted her to the bureau chief position in Tallahassee for the St. Petersburg Times, a role she held for 20 years.

During her time as an investigative journalist for the St. Petersburg Times, now known as the Tampa Bay Times, Lucy informed Florida residents about corrupt office holders, sexual assault cases, drug smuggling and many more topics that required the trust of the community for information. Her approach was admired by colleagues and her pioneering experience served as role model to many young journalists. She extended her mentorship to many in the newsroom. especially women navigating challenging stories and their own career paths.

Lucy's lasting legacy in journalism extends to the people she mentored. She was a trailblazer, and her work broke the gender barrier built in the male dominated field, paving the way for women in journalism. Lucy nurtured and encouraged younger colleagues, teaching them how to be fearless and encouraging them to be bold. Her mentorship extended far beyond the newsroom, she guided colleagues in matters such as career changes, motherhood and more.

``She was one of the most fearless humans I think I have ever known,'' said Katie Schardl, one of Lucy's former colleagues. Among those who she mentored are reporters, editors and writers who now work for national newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and POLITICO. Carrie O'Brion remembers her as ``a role model, a surrogate mother and a fiercely loyal advocate,'' further adding that ``She [Lucy] took incredible joy and satisfaction in her reporters' triumphs. As much as she delighted in a good scoop, she loved it even more when it was one of her proteges doing the digging.

Lucy married Richard Morgan, also of the St. Petersburg Times who is one of her biggest fans and a husband ahead of his time. His abiding love and steadfast support and admiration to Lucy made him an advocate of her work. Lucy is survived by her husband, Richard, their children and grandchildren to whom I give my deepest sympathies.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Lucy's family and friends. She will be remembered for her commitment to exposing the truth, holding public officials accountable and embracing the highest ethical standards of journalism. Her service, sacrifice and legacy must never be forgotten. Florida is grateful for her contributions and the legacy she leaves.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a faithful and impactful leader for the Tampa Bay community and our country, Bishop Thomas Scott. Bishop Scott has made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of our neighbors as a pastor, public servant and community activist. We celebrate his lifetime achievements with immense gratitude and call to others to learn from his example in public service. Bishop Scott continues to serve as pastor for the 34th Street Church of God, a role which he has held since April of 1980, demonstrating that he is grounded in humility and committed to his faith mission.

Bishop Scott was born in Macon, Georgia to the late William and Jessie Lee Scott. He received a calling and started preaching in August of 1971 at the Community Church of God in Macon, under the ministry of Rev. G. H. Williams. Through his time at the Community Church of God, Bishop Scott was encouraged and called to church leadership.

During the latter part of the 1970's, Bishop Scott relocated to Jacksonville, Florida to work in ministry with his spiritual Father, the late Rev. Dr. Richard Harry Patrick Cleaveland, at the 4th Street Church of God, where he served as the pastor of youth and young adults.

For over 40 years, Bishop Scott has served as the senior pastor for the 34th Street Church of God. Under his leadership, the church has experienced significant growth. His support and commitment to education directed him to open the King's Kids Christian Academy, one of the premier schools in Tampa, Florida. Bishop Scott's work with the community motivated him to initiate the Tampa Bay Family and Community Development Corporation, as well as many other ministries that are far reaching and touching the lives of my Tampa Bay neighbors.

His commitment to the community did not stop at the church leadership. Bishop Scott was elected in 1996 to serve on the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioner until 2006, in which I had the honor to work alongside him for four years. After just one year in the job, his colleagues on the Board elected him chairman. Furthermore, he was elected in 2007 to the Tampa City Council, serving for three terms as chairman. Bishop Scott has a long reputation of building bridges across the community through his work as a public servant and church leader, gaining the trust of colleagues and members of the community. In his public roles, Bishop Scott was an outspoken advocate for affordable housing, health care and care of elders.

The commitment to his values and his family are demonstrated by his 41 years of marriage to his wife, Marva. Bishop Scott and Mrs. Marva have two sons, Marcus and Marlon, one daughter, Marla, and two daughters-in-law, Tanya Y. Scott and Tiese N. Scott. Their growing family is completed by twelve grandchildren.

Bishop Scott is a role model to my neighbors. His extensive educational background is composed of B.A. in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Sociology from the University of North Florida. Additionally, he earned a M.A. in Biblical Studies from the Assembly of God Theological Seminary. Later, in 1995 he earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Southern California School of Ministry. To complete his education, Bishop Scott was conferred a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by the Florida Metropolitan University.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am honored to celebrate Bishop Thomas Scott for his lifelong dedication to service-- to his church, his family, and his community. His story is one that embodies the best of American values and spirit, guided by faith and compassion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the ten inventors who have been selected as the 2023 Inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. To be named as an Inductee, these inventors were nominated by their peers nationwide and have undergone a thorough review by the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Selection Committee. As a result, their innovations have been identified as significantly impacting the quality of life, economic development, and welfare of their communities, the residents of Florida, and the United States.

The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in 2013 at the University of South Florida. It was recognized by the Florida Senate with Senate Resolution 1756, adopted on April 30, 2014. Its mission is to encourage individuals of all backgrounds to strive toward the betterment of Florida and society through continuous, groundbreaking innovation by celebrating the incredible scientific work that has been, or is being, accomplished in Florida and by its citizens.

Nomination to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is open to all Florida inventors (living or deceased) who are or have been residents of Florida. The nominee must be a named inventor on a patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The impact of the inventor and his or her invention should be significant to society, and the invention should have been commercialized, utilized, or led to important innovations.

The 2023 Inductees constitute the ninth class to be inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. Their groundbreaking discoveries have transformed medicine and health care, computer technology and semiconductors, optics and photonics, communications, nuclear energy, and modern color technology. They collectively hold more than 1,100 U.S. patents and come from across industry, academia, and government. Since its founding, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame has inducted 68 inventors, who collectively hold over 5,100 U.S. patents.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the residents of Florida, I am proud to honor the 2023 Inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame on this outstanding achievement. We are incredibly grateful to these innovators for their contributions to society and its constant revolutionization through their inventions. As the following ten inventors are inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame's growing community, I hope this may encourage future generations to strive toward this achievement and to continue the spirit of discovery and innovation.

The 2023 Inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame are:

James L. Cairns: Founder and Executive Director of the Cairns Foundation, and CEO of Abyssal Systems, Inc., who is recognized for pioneering underwater electrical, fiber-optic connector technologies that allowed circuits to be successfully and seamlessly mated and de- mated reliably within the harsh environment of the deep ocean thereby revolutionizing subsea surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and ocean energy production.

Jason Eichenholz: Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Luminar Technologies, who is recognized for trailblazing innovations in laser and optics-enabled technologies, especially in lidar (light detection and ranging) applications advancing the self-driving vehicle industry; as well as fundamental product development and commercialization for early

cancer detection, environmental studies, and military explosives detection, among others.

David Flinchbaugh: CEO of Technology Applications International, and CTO of Advanced Medical Innovations, who is recognized for breakthrough technologies reducing fatalities from catheter-associated urinary tract infections affecting millions worldwide; developing the world's first Nuclear Service Robot to help maintain, decontaminate, and refuel nuclear reactors; and devising the first imaging laser radar system.

Ophir Frieder: Professor at Georgetown University Medical Center's Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Biomathematics and the Department of Computer Science; Lead Science and Technology Advisor for Aurora Forge; and Chief Scientific Officer of Invaryant, Inc. He is recognized for sustained and extensive innovations in scalable information processing systems, especially for developing behavioral health monitoring used to prevent self-harm/suicide, and predictive medical and well-being treatment methods to optimize treatment effectiveness while reducing negative side effects.

William Hauswirth: University of Florida Professor and the Maida and Morris Rybaczki Eminent Scholar Chair in Ophthalmic Sciences at the University of Florida's College of Medicine, who is recognized for groundbreaking advancements in gene therapy to prevent blindness, especially through pioneering the first gene therapy drug, Luxturna, to treat both adults and children with inherited retinal disease; as well as his work restoring vision to the functionally blind.

Daniel Joseph: Principal Illusion Integrator at Walt Disney Imagineering, who is recognized for landmark innovations in industrial design, special effects, and the integration of three-dimensional illusions, creating immersive and interactive experiences for museums and theme parks, especially at Disney theme parks around the world.

Jonathan Rothberg: Founder and Chair, 4 Catalyzer Corporation, who is recognized for pioneering next-generation human DNA sequencing that enables low-cost decoding of the human genome, which transformed life science research, healthcare, agriculture, and the development of biofuels; and for the revolutionary Swoop Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging System making MRI accessible to every patient, regardless of income or resources.

Deepika Singh: CEO of R&D Investment Holdings and former CEO of Sinmat, Inc., who is recognized for seminal discoveries in chemical/ mechanical polishing of a class of super-hard semiconductors, significantly enabling the advancement of 5G communications infrastructure and defense electronics, as well as the manufacture of smartwatches, smartphones, and components for electric vehicles.

Krishna ``Kris'' Singh: Founder, President and CEO of Holtec International, who is recognized for extensive transformational innovations that provide the foundational structure for modern nuclear power energy, including systems and equipment, safe storage, transportation of spent fuel; as well as improved operations, safety and efficiency of nuclear power plants.

Gary K. Starkweather (Deceased): An American engineer who is recognized for inventing the world's first laser printer and leading the frontier of the field of color management technology, including Apple's ColorSync technology; as well as advancements in imaging for Microsoft and the film industry, especially as part of the digital effects team for the original Star Wars.

Innovation and invention are the building blocks of our Nation. I applaud these highly accomplished individuals and the organizations that support them in their quest to change the world in ways that truly benefit humanity. It is because of the perseverance of these inventors that future generations are encouraged to reach beyond their limits and push the boundaries of innovation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 169 inventors to be inducted as the 2022 Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). An induction ceremony will take place this June in Washington D.C. to celebrate these inventors and their incredible accomplishments, presided over by Undersecretary of Commerce and Director of the United State Patent and Trademark Office, Kathi Vidal, and President of NAI, Dr. Paul R. Sanberg. To be named as a Fellow, these individuals were nominated by their peers and underwent a review process by the NAI Selection Committee which ultimately deemed their innovations as making significant impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.

Collectively, this year's NAI Fellows hold over 5,000 patents. This remarkable group includes individuals from 110 research universities and non-profit research institutes from across the United States and the world. Today, the NAI maintains a strong membership of 1,736 Fellows; it is composed of more than 200 senior leaders of research universities and nonprofit research institutes, over 650 members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 49 inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, 63 recipients of the U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation and U.S. National Medal of Science, 49 Nobel Laureates, 491 AAAS Fellows, 366 IEEE Fellows, and 265 Fellows of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, among other awards and distinctions.

Founded by Dr. Paul R. Sanberg at the University of South Florida in 2010, the NAI's mission is to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the citizens of Florida, I am proud to honor the 2022 Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors on this outstanding achievement. We are incredibly grateful to innovators for their contributions to society and its constant revolutionization through their inventions. As the following 169 inventors are inducted into the NAI's growing community, may this encourage future generations to strive toward this achievement and to continue the spirit of discovery and innovation.

The 2022 NAI Fellows include:

Eben Alsberg, University of Illinois Chicago; Husam Alshareef, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Tara Alvarez, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Robert Anderson, Illinois Institute of Technology; James Antaki, Cornell University; Gonzalo Arce, University of Delaware; Huseyin Arslan, Istanbul Medipol University; Pranesh Aswath, The University of Texas at Arlington; Matthew Becker, Duke University; Barry Bercu, University of South Florida.

Richard Blair, University of Central Florida; Gerardus Boons, University of Georgia; Brett Bouma, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute; Alan Bovik, The University of Texas at Austin; Paul Braun, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Raj Bridgelall, North Dakota State University; Marco Carvalho, Florida Institute of Technology; Shih-Fu Chang, Columbia University; Christopher Chen, Boston University; Wei Chen, The University of Texas at Arlington.

Ray Chen, The University of Texas at Austin; Floyd Chilton, The University of Arizona; Wonbong Choi, University of North Texas; Marc Christensen, Clarkson University; Carlos Cordon-Cardo, Mount Sinai Health System; Sean Cutler, University of California, Riverside; Dipankar Dasgupta, The University of Memphis; Rafael Davalos, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Mark Dertzbaugh, U.S. Army Medical Research & Development Command (USAMRDC).

Raymond Dingledine, Emory University; Tammy Dugas, Louisiana State University; Linda Dwoskin, University of Kentucky; Ayman El-Refaie, Marquette University; Ali Erdemir, Texas A&M University; Ronald Faller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Philip Felgner, University of California, Irvine; Naola Ferguson-Noel, University of Georgia; J.J. Garcia-Luna-Aceves, University of California, Santa Cruz; Ehud Gazit, Tel Aviv University.

Lee Gehrke, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Guy Genin, Washington University in St. Louis; Maria Gennaro, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Charles Gersbach, Duke University; Roozbeh Gha-ari, Northwestern University; Joseph Glorioso, III, University of Pittsburgh; Yury Gogotsi, Drexel University; Viviana Gradinaru, California Institute of Technology; Warren Grill, Duke University; Cuntai Guan, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Farshid Guilak, Washington University in St. Louis and Shriners Children's St. Louis; Peixuan Guo, The Ohio State University; Mool Gupta, University of Virginia; Susan C. Hagness, University of Wisconsin-Madison; William Hahn, Harvard University; Robert Hancock, The University of British Columbia; Jo Handelsman, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Joshua Hare, University of Miami; Vincent Harris, Northeastern University; Bin He, Carnegie Mellon University.

Daniel Henderson, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Payam Heydari, University of California, Irvine; Anthony J. Hickey, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and RTI International; Elizabeth Hillman, Columbia University; Michael Hindle, Virginia Commonwealth University; John A. Hossack, University of Virginia; Jinlian Hu, City University of Hong Kong; Ru Chih Huang, Johns Hopkins University; Hao Huang, University of Houston; Patrick Hwu, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Petros Ioannou, University of Southern California; Ravinder Jain, The University of New Mexico; Klavs Jensen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Jean Jiang, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Jian Jin, Mount Sinai Health System; David Julius, University of California, San Francisco; Katalin Kariko, University of Pennsylvania; Michael Khonsari, Louisiana State University; Anastasia Khvorova, University of Massachusetts Medical School; Joseph A. King, Jr., U.S. Department of Energy--Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E).

William King, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Michael King, Vanderbilt University; John Kitching, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Shohei Koide, New York University; Ilya Kolmanovsky, University of Michigan; Vijay Kumar; University of Pennsylvania; Debomoy Lahiri, Indiana University; Nancy Lane, University of California, Davis; Changzhi Li, Texas Tech University; Jianrong Li, The Ohio State University.

Kai Liu, Georgetown University; Yu-Hwa Lo, University of California, San Diego; Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Jiebo Luo, University of Rochester; David MacMillan, Princeton University; Upamanyu Madhow, University of California, Santa Barbara; Sanford Markowitz, Case Western Reserve University; B.S. Manjunath, University of California, Santa Barbara; Nicholas McKeown, Stanford University; Gerard Medioni, University of Southern California.

Anand Mehta, Medical University of South Carolina; Benjamin Miller, University of Rochester; Ronald Montelaro, University of Pittsburgh; Orhun Muratoglu, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute; Nosang Myung, University of Notre Dame; Barbara Osborne, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Adegboyega Oyelere, Georgia Institute of Technology; George Painter, Emory University; Shivendra Panwar, New York University; Ardem Patapoutian, The Scripps Research Institute.

Fang Zheng Peng, Florida State University and Florida A&M University; Randall Prather, University of Missouri-Columbia; Robert Prudhomme, Princeton University; Lili Qiu, The University of Texas at Austin; Ramamoorthy Ramesh, University of California, Berkeley; Anshuman Razdan, University of Oregon; Danny Reible, Texas Tech University; Amy R. Reibman, Purdue University; Stephen Riederer, Mayo Clinic; J. Paul Robinson, Purdue University.

Krishan Sabnani, Johns Hopkins University; Juan Santiago, Stanford University; Justin Schwartz, The Pennsylvania State University; Charles Sentman, Dartmouth; Jay Shendure, University of Washington; A. Dean Sherry, The University of Texas at Dallas and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Molly Shoichet, University of Toronto; Justin Siegel, University of California, Davis; Rajiv Singh, University of Florida; Kazem Sohraby, Utah Valley University.

Florian Solzbacher, The University of Utah; Nicole Steinmetz, University of California, San Diego; Robert Strongin; Portland State University; Saraswati Sukumar, Johns Hopkins University; Charles R. Sullivan, Dartmouth; Madhavan Swaminathan, Georgia Institute of Technology; Dennis Sylvester, University of Michigan; Mark Tehranipoor, University of Florida; Sylvia Thomas, University of South Florida; Kenneth Tobin, Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

Carlo Traverso, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Guochuan Emil Tsai, University of California, Los Angeles; Erik Tucker, Oregon Health & Science University; Dustin Tyler, Case Western Reserve University; Yonhua Tzeng, Auburn University and National Cheng Kung University; Eric Wachsman, University of Maryland, College Park; Yadong Wang, Cornell University; Zhong Lin Wang, Georgia Institute of Technology; Kang Wang, University of California, Los Angeles; Joseph Wang, University of California, San Diego.

Daniel Martin Watterson, Northwestern University; Drew Weissman, University of Pennsylvania; Douglas Werner, The Pennsylvania State University; R. Stanley Williams, Texas A&M University; Justin Williams, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Jeannette Wing, Columbia University; Peter Winzer, Technical University Graz, Austria; Joseph Wu, Stanford University; Charles Wyman, University of California, Riverside; Ganapati Yadav, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai.

Hao Yan, Arizona State University; Yuanyuan Yang, Stony Brook University; Jianhua Joshua Yang, University of Southern California; Raymond Wai Ho Yeung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Roe-Hoan Yoon, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Mone Zaidi, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Chang-Guo Zahn, University of Kentucky; Ji-Cheng Zhao, University of Maryland, College Park; Yuntian Zhu, North Carolina State University and City University of Hong Kong; Xiaowei Zhuang, Harvard University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Mr. Speaker, S.J. Res. 11 makes clear House Republicans are only interested in fighting for baseless, dangerous pollution control rollbacks that benefit polluters, not the American people. The Biden Administration's Heavy-Duty NOX standard is common sense, realistic, and the way forward to protect the American people's health. 1 in 3 Americans are living in counties with unhealthy air pollution. This includes more than 100 million people--including 23.6 million children and 15.4 million people 65 or older--living in areas with high levels of ozone pollution--which the trucking sector is a large contributor to. According to the American Lung Association, a widespread transition to zero-emission transportation by 2050 will generate over $72 billion in avoided health costs, save approximately 6,300 lives, and prevent more than 93,000 asthma attacks and 416,000 lost workdays each year. Heavy Duty Vehicle pollution is dangerous and has been linked to numerous health concerns including asthma, heart disease, and cancer. Children, whose little lungs are still developing, are particularly at risk, as are the more than 72 million Americans-- often communities of color and low-income communities--who live within 200 meters of Heavy-Duty Vehicle freight routes. Back home in my backyard, the Progress Village and Palm River communities have been facing the cumulative burdens of air pollution from heavy-duty trucks for decades. Dating all the way back to the historic systematic racist redlining that cut a thriving African American community in half with a highway. The standard would reduce exposure to traffic pollution that is linked to heart disease and lung cancer mortality, asthma onset in both children and adults, and acute lower respiratory infections in children. All of which, my constituents back home in Progress Village and Palm River have been battling for decades. In addition, NOX emissions can cause lifelong lung damage, and interact with sunlight to form ground-level ozone and particulate matter pollution. The standard will significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions (by cutting it nearly in half) and prevent 2,900 premature deaths annually. This higher exposure burdens underserved residents with adverse health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. This Republican resolution will harm health of the American people and environment, and the health of American pocketbooks.

It is obvious, yet again, Republicans are too focused on protecting the profits of polluters instead of protecting the American people. The science behind this standard is clear--and the response by industry was even clearer. EPA engaged robustly with trucking, engine manufacturing, and other industry stakeholders throughout the rulemaking process. The period for filing a petition for judicial review closed on March 27, and no lawsuits were filed against this standard. Let me repeat that, no lawsuits were filed. The standard requires incremental improvement based on the same types of technology already deployed in heavy-duty diesel trucks. The biggest difference truck operators will see on new trucks is an increase in the required manufacturing warranty period from 100,000 miles to 450,000 miles, which should reduce their maintenance costs. The standard includes one of the most important transportation vehicles that every American is familiar with, especially our own children, the school bus. The Biden Harris Administration have been committed to protecting our environment, our children, and our future. The Clean School Bus Program, created with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $5 billion over the next five years to replace existing school buses with zero- emission and low-emission models. This will provide cleaner air-- through electric and alternatively-fueled buses eliminate or reduce school bus exhaust, which is linked to asthma. This will provide reduced health risks--especially for children whose lungs are still developing. This will provide--reduced greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. This will even provide grid resilience. Through the usage of bidirectional chargers, school buses can store energy for distribution to the grid when needed. It is essential that we protect our children, our future. And if this resolution passes, we will be doing exactly the opposite--shouldn't we all want a future for our children? It is clear my colleagues across the aisle don't want to protect the American people, or our children, but only the profits of polluters. I urge my colleagues to not support this resolution.