Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friends, the gentleman from American Samoa and the gentlelady from Florida, for their kind remarks in support of this resolution.

I rise today in support of my resolution commemorating the canonization of Father Damien, a member of the congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, to sainthood this past Sunday, October 11, 2009.

We can all celebrate the life of St. Damien, a man who put his faith and principles into action in the service of a group of people who suffered not only the physical effects of leprosy, now known as Hansen's disease, but also from the terrible stigma associated with the disease.

Father Damien is recognized for his 16 years of selfless service to the people who were forcibly isolated on the peninsula of Kalaupapa, on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, because they were diagnosed with Hansen's disease. Living among the people of Kalaupapa from 1873 to 1889, he eventually contracted the disease, ultimately died from its effects, and was buried on Molokai.

The policy of exiling persons with the disease that was then known as leprosy began under the Kingdom of Hawaii and continued under the governments of the Republic of Hawaii, the Territory of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii. Children, mothers and fathers were forcibly separated and sent to Kalaupapa, which for most of its history could only be accessed by water or via a steep mule trail. Children born to parents at Kalaupapa were taken away from their mothers and sent to orphanages or to other family members outside Kalaupapa. Hawaii's isolation laws for people with Hansen's disease were not repealed until 1969, even though medications to control the disease have been available since the late 1940s.

I believe that all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, can recognize truly extraordinary persons who give of themselves without reserve for the betterment of their fellow human beings. Father Damien was surely such a person. No sickness was as feared as leprosy in the late 1800s, but he volunteered to serve at Kalaupapa and requested to stay there in order to serve those who were most shunned. He recognized the human rights and inherent dignity of all people, especially those he lived alongside at Kalaupapa.

Father Damien worked with the people of Kalaupapa to improve their living conditions. A skilled carpenter, he led in the building of houses and hospitals, six chapels, a home for boys and a home for girls. At the same time, he ministered to the spiritual and physical needs of his parishioners and helped to bury the hundreds who died during his years there.

It is noteworthy that shortly after Hawaii became a State, Father Damien was the first selection of the State legislature to be memorialized in a statue as part of the National Statuary Hall in Washington, DC. Despite the fact that he was not born in Hawaii and lived so long ago, Hawaii's people recognize that his life embodied the true spirit of aloha, which means, love, compassion, mercy, grace, and malama, which means to care for.

Last week in Louvain, Belgium, prior to the canonization, some 400 Hawaii residents, including 11 former Hansen's disease patients from Kalaupapa, attended a mass with the King and Queen of Belgium near St. Damien's birthplace. Addressing those who came all the way from Hawaii, Cardinal Danneels, a native of Belgium said, ``We gave life to Father Damien. You gave him back as a saint. We thank you.''

I have visited Father Damien's grave at Kalawao on the Kalaupapa peninsula, and as you can see by this photo that was taken when I visited Kalaupapa, it seems almost unreal. It is a beautiful place where tremendous suffering took place, but also a place imbued with great spiritual feeling. Father Damien's grave site is marked on this photo in the far left.

I hope that you will have the opportunity to visit Kalaupapa at some point in your lives. I know that you will be deeply moved, as I was, by the example of this man, this saint, as well as by the courage and perseverance of the people he dedicated his life to serving.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 800, which expresses the sympathy of the Congress to citizens of the Philippines after Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma.

I would like to thank Congresswoman Jackie Speier for her work on this resolution. She has painted a picture of the devastation that is very hard to remove from our minds.

My heart is with those who are lost. It is with their loved ones, and with the tens of thousands of survivors who are struggling in the aftermath of these cataclysmic events.

The Filipino community in Hawaii, one of the largest outside of the Philippines, has come together out of a sense of damayan, or empathy, to help support relief efforts. Since the storms, many families have sent balikbayan boxes, or care packages, carrying everything from canned food to clothing to their families and friends in the Philippines.

While not an exhaustive list, I would like to recognize the work of the following community organizations in Hawaii: the United Filipino Council of Hawaii, the Oahu Filipino Community Council, the Filipino Community Center, Inc., the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, the Honolulu Filipino Jaycees, the Hawaiian Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and the Kasama Filipino studies club at Leeward Community College.

The Filipino community, as well as all others in the State of Hawaii, have come together to provide what supportive relief we can, and we will continue to do so.

Maraming salamat po. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2423) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1300 Victoria Street in Laredo, Texas, as the ``George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse'', and to designate the jury room in that Federal building and United States courthouse as the ``Marcel C. Notzon II Jury Room'', as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2423.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2423, as amended, is a bill to designate the federal building and United States courthouse located at 1300 Victoria St. in Laredo, Texas as the George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

Congressman Cuellar introduced this bill, which has bipartisan support. Judge Kazen has served the people of the southern judicial district of Texas with great distinction and dedication since 1979. He is a graduate of the University of Texas, and the University of Texas Law School. After serving in private practice in Laredo, Texas he was nominated to the federal bench by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. He served in the southern district of Texas and served as Chief Judge in that district from 1996 until 2003.

Judge Kazen was also very active in his community, serving as a member in the U.S. Air Force, founding the Laredo Legal Aid Society, and serving in numerous capacities in civic organizations in South Texas. Judge Kazen served as President of the Laredo Civic Music Association, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs of Laredo, the St. Augustine- Ursuline School Board, and as a member of the Laredo Community College Board of Trustees.

It is both fitting and proper to honor Judge Kazen's distinguished public career with this designation. I support H.R. 2423 as amended and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of the bill, Mr. Cuellar of Texas.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1700) to authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property in the District of Columbia to provide for the establishment of a National Women's History Museum, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 1700.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1700, as amended, as bill which directs the Administrator of General Services to sell at fair market value property in Southwest Washington, DC to the National Women's History Museum, Inc., a District of Columbia non-profit corporation for the purpose of establishing a museum dedicated to women's history.

This bill was introduced by Mrs. Maloney and co-sponsored by many members including Subcommittee Chair Norton, Ranking Member Mr. Diaz- Balart and myself.

The National Women's History Museum was founded in 1996, and has been seeking a permanent physical location in the Nation's capital since its inception. According to museum officials, the museum intends to build a ``green'' building that will cost between $250 and $350 million. The costs will include designs, plans, construction, and two years of operation. The permanent museum is expected to be a focal point that will have permanent and temporary exhibits, special events, and education materials that highlight women's social, political, and intellectual contributions to history. According to the museum, this facility will house the first permanent and comprehensive record of women's history.

The National Women's History Museum will have five years to raise funds to construct the museum. If, after five years, the fundraising has not been successful, the property will revert back to the Federal government, thus the government's interests are protected.

In general the museum will bear the costs of the sale, including the appraisal.

This bill has bipartisan support and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1700 as amended.

I yield such time as she may consume to the author of this legislation, Mrs. Maloney.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia, the Honorable Jim Moran.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California, the Honorable Lynn Woolsey.

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, the Honorable Chaka Fattah.

(Mr. FATTAH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of the speakers who supported this resolution. As a woman, of course, it has special meaning to me as well as to all of the other women in the House.

I yield back the remainder of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution commemorating the canonization of Father Damien de Veuster, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, to sainthood on October 11, 2009. Some 600 people from Hawaii are traveling to the Vatican to witness his elevation.

As many of you know, Father Damien is recognized for his 16 years of selfless service to the people who were forcibly isolated on the peninsula of Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, because they were diagnosed with leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. Living among the people of Kalaupapa from 1873 to 1889, he eventually contracted Hansen's disease and ultimately died and was buried on Molokai.

The policy of exiling persons with the disease that was then known as leprosy began under the Kingdom of Hawaii and continued under the governments of the Republic of Hawaii, the Territory of Hawaii, and the State of Hawaii. Children, mothers, and fathers were forcibly separated and sent to the isolated peninsula of Kalaupapa, which for most of its history could only be accessed by water or via a steep mule trail. Children born to parents at Kalaupapa were taken away from their mothers and sent to orphanages or to other family members outside of Kalaupapa. Hawaii's isolation laws for people with Hansen's disease were not repealed until 1969, even though medications to control the disease had been available since the late 1940s.

I believe that all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, can recognize truly extraordinary persons who give of themselves without reserve for the betterment of their fellow human beings. Father Damien was surely such a person. No disease was as feared as leprosy in the late 1800s, but he volunteered to serve at Kalaupapa and requested to stay there in order to serve those who most shunned. He recognized the human rights and inherent dignity of all people, especially those he lived alongside at Kalaupapa.

Father Damien worked with those who were isolated at Kalaupapa to improve living conditions. A skilled carpenter, he led in the building of houses and hospitals, six chapels, a home for boys, and a home for girls. At the same time, he ministered to the spiritual and physical needs of his parishioners and helped to bury the hundreds who died during his years there.

It is noteworthy that, shortly after Hawaii became a State, Father Damien was the first selection of the State legislature to be memorialized in a statue as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection. Despite the fact that he was not born in Hawaii and lived so long ago, Hawaii's people recognized that his life embodied the true spirit of aloha (love, compassion, mercy, grace) and malama (to care for).

I have visited Father Damien's church and grave at Kalawao on the Kalaupapa peninsula. I hope that some of you will have the opportunity to visit Kalaupapa at some point in your lives. I know that you will be deeply moved, as I was, by the example of this man, soon to be recognized as a saint, as well as by the courage and perseverance of the people he dedicated his life to serving.

Mr. Speaker, the Education and Labor Committee is holding a hearing later this morning on teacher equity and ensuring that all children have access to effective teachers.

The most important resource in every classroom is a caring, qualified, and competent teacher; yet highly effective teachers tend to be more concentrated in affluent communities. Children of the highest poverty and highest minority schools across the country are often taught by less experienced, less qualified teachers. These children are being shortchanged. Closing this ``teacher quality gap'' is a critical step in closing the achievement gap for these students.

We can do more here in Congress to support the important work teachers do and to help teachers access the professional development and support they need. We can do more to ensure that effective teachers are placed, and encouraged to stay, in the classrooms where they are most needed. By building on the work of this Congress, for example, we required States to provide assurance that they will take steps to address disparities in teacher equity as a condition of receiving Recovery Act funds.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 491) encouraging each institution of higher education in the country to seek membership in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 491 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 491, which encourages each institution of higher education in the country to seek membership in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium, SOC.

Whether at home or abroad, military servicemembers deserve our Nation's utmost respect and support. It is, therefore, important that our Nation's institutions of higher education respect the commitment that military servicemembers make in protecting the freedoms we often take for granted.

The SOC recognizes the sacrifices that many of these servicemembers make, and it provides servicemembers with the opportunities for continued learning. The SOC appreciates the positive attributes military servicemembers bring as active participants in a diverse college environment.

The SOC works toward improving the relationship between the military and institutions of higher education. Increased understanding provides the flexibility necessary for servicemembers to meet the educational requirements that schools demand. The SOC manages to balance the development of programs and procedures that meet the unique needs of servicemembers while protecting and assuring the quality of educational programs. The SOC includes over 1,800 colleges and universities. Members of this consortium should be commended.

However, in order to create additional opportunities for deserving servicemembers, we need to encourage other higher education institutions to join the SOC. The SOC enables Americans to express our gratitude to servicemembers and to ensure that they have access to the same educational opportunities that are available to other citizens.

The SOC provides a wealth of pathways to a quality education while being sensitive to the needs of those who have served our country or of those who are currently on active duty. Under this program, servicemembers can easily transfer credits earned while working toward a degree; they can attend a myriad of campuses and can opt for distance learning in certain instances.

It is imperative that servicemembers are able to obtain an excellent education, not only because it makes our troops stronger, but because it serves as a necessary way to express gratitude for all of the ways that our servicemembers sacrifice to protect our country.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Adler for bringing this resolution forward.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize, for 3 minutes, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Adler), the sponsor of this resolution.

I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his remarks and, in particular, because in his family he has servicemembers. I thank Mr. Adler for bringing this forward.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 684) recognizing and honoring Howard University School of Law's 140-year legacy of social justice and its continued commitment to the training of capable and compassionate legal practitioners and scholars, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 684 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Howard University School of Law on the event of their 140th anniversary. The students and many exemplary alumni of Howard University School of Law truly embody their motto, ``Leadership for America and the Global Community.''

The Howard University School of Law's deep commitment to social justice and compassion began with its founding in 1869. The school was established in an effort to help African Americans secure and protect their newly established rights. Throughout this Nation's history, Howard alumni have challenged racism, worked to attain equal rights and access to education, and broken down barriers, rising to prominent positions in the field of law and justice. It was Howard University School of Law which served as the training ground and planning site of the thinkers who boldly defeated the notion that separate education can ever be equal through the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.

Of the many notable African American legal scholars, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, arguably one of the most influential African Americans in American history, was educated at Howard law school. Vernon Jordan, former National Urban League President and domestic policy adviser for President Clinton, was educated at Howard law school. Charles Hamilton Houston, who earned the title ``The Man Who Killed Jim Crow'' because of his successful civil rights litigation, served as vice dean at Howard.

There are few schools that can boast having a Supreme Court Justice, numerous Federal judges, Members of both the United States House and the Senate, a Governor and several mayors amongst its alumni. It is a proud history of those great minds, as well as the countless others that have come before, that pave the way for the next generation of legal scholars. Howard University School of Law graduates scholars with a lifelong commitment to change the world for the better.

Howard has been recognized for its diverse faculty, its relatively low cost, opportunity for hands-on experience through a study abroad program of South Africa, and many other professional development opportunities, as well as their volunteer work here in D.C., teaching constitutional law in public schools.

The dedication to the tenets of truth and service that inspired the founding of Howard University and the School of Law still exist today as this institution continues to work towards social justice and leadership. The Howard University School of Law remains an important institution continuing to serve as a beacon of justice and learning.

Mr. Speaker, I want to honor and congratulate the current Howard University president, Dr. Sidney Ribeau, and the Howard University of School of Law dean, Kurt Schmoke, as well as the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the Howard University School of Law on this momentous occasion of its 140th anniversary. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize, for 4 minutes, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick), the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his remarks in support of this measure and also Ms. Kilpatrick for bringing this measure forward. I, again, commend Howard University law school for its continuing commitment to equality, justice and opportunity for all, and urge all of my colleagues to vote for this measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 696) acknowledging and congratulating Western Wyoming Community College in Southwest Wyoming on the occasion of its 50th anniversary of service to the students and citizens of the State of Wyoming.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 696 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 696, which celebrates Western Wyoming Community College's 50th year of service to the students and the State of Wyoming.

Established in 1959, a local citizens committee and a general election led to Western Wyoming Community College. Beginning with only 40 community college students and occupying the local high school facilities, WWCC has emerged as a vital part of the southwestern Wyoming community that prepares graduates for advanced degrees and workforce readiness.

WWCC is a comprehensive community college that provides a great foundation for students because of its small class sizes, hands-on learning experiences, and highly qualified instructors. WWCC truly succeeds at educating its students. In 2008, 100 percent of the nursing class passed the State exam.

Today, Western Wyoming Community College enrolls over 3,000 students and offers a wide range of courses. With nine academic programs, 70 concentrations, $3 million worth of financial aid, and moderate undergraduate tuition, WWCC provides an affordable and diverse academic education for many students living in the surrounding area.

The college prides itself on responding to the changing needs of local businesses and industries, primarily mining and energy, with exceptional academic and technical programs. Its success is based on a strong history of collaboration with local industries.

With that said, WWCC lives up to its motto: ``A commitment to quality and success.'' I commend Representative Lummis for bringing this resolution forward. Again, I want to express my support for this bill, and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I want to thank the gentlelady from Wyoming for bringing this forward, because community colleges all across the country play a pivotal role in providing educational opportunities for our citizens. I, of course, congratulate WWCC on its 50th anniversary.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 455) congratulating the Wichita State University men's and women's bowling teams for winning the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Bowling National Championship, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H.R. 455 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today to congratulate the Wichita State University men's and women's bowling teams for each of their victories in the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Bowling National Championship.

April 15-18, 2009, college bowling fans were treated to a number of great bowling matches between the most skilled bowlers in the country. The Wichita State University men's bowling team entered the national tournament for the 24th consecutive year and ranked as the number one team in the Nation. They garnered their ninth national championship, defeating Saginaw Valley State University in the final match. The women's team also

collected its ninth national championship, beating Lindenwood University in their finals.

Sandra Gongora from the Shockers was named the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Female Collegiate Bowler of the Year. John Szezerbinski and Josh Blanchard of the men's team were BWAA Male Collegiate Bowler of the Year runners-up.

As the most accomplished collegiate bowling program in the Nation, the Wichita State Shockers bowling teams have 18 national championship victories. No other team in the Nation has achieved this magnitude of success. The program has produced 169 All-Americans and seven National Bowlers of the Year. Better yet, 32 former and current Shockers bowlers represented our country on Team USA.

I want to extend my congratulations to Gordon Vadakin, the head coach of both the women's and men's team. Through his leadership, Coach Vadakin led Wichita State University to 32 intercollegiate bowling national championship tournaments since he began coaching in 1976.

Mark Lewis, Brian Adelgren, and Nathan Bohr also helped these teams reach elite status with their roles as assistant coaches.

Bowling, by far, is the school's most preeminent athletic program. Winning the national championship and collecting its 18th national title has brought national acclaim to Wichita State University. I know the fans of the university will revel in this accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the Wichita State University Shockers for their success and thank Representative Tiahrt for bringing this resolution forward.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Chair, as a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and as an original cosponsor of this bill, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this, as well as on so many other important measures.

While this bill includes many significant provisions, the part of the bill that I am especially excited about is the creation of the Early Learning Challenge Fund. Like the PRE-K Act I introduced in 2007 and again earlier this year, the Early Learning Challenge Fund would establish a competitive grant program to support, not supplant, States' efforts to improve the quality of their early education programs. Evidence shows that quality early education is the best foundational investment we can make in our children.

Last night I had the opportunity to meet with members of the philanthropic community who came together in recognition and support of quality early education. To quote these people, quality early education is ``the most powerful investment America can make.'' They not only understand the value of quality early learning, but they support successful programs all across the country, including in Hawaii. And they are not alone. Educators, economists, brain development researchers, police chiefs, Chambers of Commerce, retired military personnel all have emphasized the critical need for quality early education to prepare our children for success at school and in life. This bill is an important step in preparing our children for such success. I urge my colleagues to support this measure, a bill that makes important investments in education for all of our keiki--that's Hawaiian for children--from birth through college.

Mr. Speaker, health insurance is not something we can take for granted. Every day, 14,000 Americans lose their coverage. A recent Treasury Department report noted that approximately half of all Americans under the age of 65 will lose their coverage at some point in the next 10 years.

Thousands are denied coverage because of preexisting conditions, like asthma, pregnancy, arthritis or diabetes. Millions more have no health insurance at all.

In Hawaii, public and private health insurance covers an estimated 92 percent of our population. That means that most of us have health insurance and, because of our Prepaid Health Care Act, our coverage is among the best in the country.

At the same time, Hawaii's economy has been hard hit, and our unemployment rate reached a 31-year high this past May, nearly doubling what it was just last year. Other States are similarly situated. H.R. 3200 will provide affordable health care coverage for those who lose it or never had it.

I urge my colleagues' support for health care reform now.

The most damaging aspect of the misinformation circulating about health care insurance reform is the use of scare tactics targeted at our seniors. The cynical irony is that the misinformation targeting seniors is largely perpetuated by the very people who fought the establishment of Medicare and wanted to privatize Social Security.

Here are the facts about some common myths:

Myth No. 1, there will be rationing of health care. Not true. The bill promotes effective treatments through research.

Myth No. 2, Medicare will be eliminated. Not true. In fact, reform will lower prescription drug costs for people in the doughnut hole, allow them to keep the doctors of their choice, improve the quality of care and eliminate billions in waste.

Closing the doughnut hole is especially important for Hawaii's seniors. We have the highest percentage; 36 percent compared to 26 percent nationally of our beneficiaries fall into this doughnut hole.

Our current health care system, the costliest in the world for what we get, with ever increasing costs year after year, can't be sustained. I urge my colleagues to support reform now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 724, a resolution that honors the first responders who are courageously fighting the California wildfires and that pays tribute to the victims who lost their lives.

Hundreds of firefighters throughout the country have been working tirelessly in this effort, risking their lives to put out wildfires so that the lives of others can be protected. Included in this group of brave responders are 20 firefighters from the National Park Service in Hawaii, including William Akima, Jordan Barthold, Tessa Chieves, Andrew Christie, Christopher Derman, Raymond Eselu, Michael Ferguson, Brandon Figueroa, Sean Grossman, William Konanui, Elias Kuamoo, Michael Kyser, Paul Keliihoomalu, Jon Makaike, Nicholas Martin, Sky Mullins, Arnold Nakata, Dexter Pacheco, Jr., Russell Rosario, and Lowe Thomas, who have put themselves in harm's way to battle the raging wildfires. We are proud of your commitment and grateful for your service. We also pay tribute to the two firefighters who died, Captain Tedmund Hall and Specialist Arnaldo Quinones, and hope that the eleven people who have been injured make a full and speedy recovery.

I urge my colleagues to honor those who have served by voting for H. Res. 724.