Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and pay tribute to Michael Melillo, of Niles, who passed away on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at the Cleveland Clinic. He was 64 years old.

He was born April 6, 1957, in Warren, the son of Ray and Jean Walden Melillo. Mike was a 1975 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and owned and operated Men's Union Barbershop as well as the adjoining beauty shop, Hair Design by Michael. Mike deeply loved the city of Niles, and he was a beloved fixture of the community. For the last almost 40 years, he could be found daily at his Robbins Avenue barbershop--an establishment built by Mike's immigrant grandfather, Phillip Melillo in the 1930s.

He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Parish in Niles and was a proud Italian-American. His world revolved around his family and nothing pleased him more than to be surrounded by his adoring grandkids.

Mike led a very active and healthy lifestyle. Beyond daily fitness, Mike enjoyed golfing, swimming, running and playing bocce. He loved basketball and was known for his sharp jumpshot all the way up until he quit playing in his late 50s. Many of Mike's days were spent coaching his children's youth sports teams and eventually attending his grandchildren's games. Mike restarted the Mount Carmel grade-school basketball program with Stu Sussman in 1999, where his teams were exceptionally successful in both winning games and building life-long loving friendships. Family traditions were important to Mike. In the summer, he could be found tending his garden and, in the fall, crushing grapes in the wine cellar. Mike was also a Niles Frontliner who had a reverence for the proud Red Dragon Football program.

Mike meant the world to his loved ones and served as the guiding star for his wife and children. He will be gravely missed by his father of Niles; his wife, Gerri Gatta Melillo; a son, Vincent Melillo and his wife, Christina of Dublin, Ohio; two daughters, Michelle Spano and her husband, Randy of Canfield and Rose Allison Johnson and her husband, Chaz of Niles; a brother, Raymond T. Melillo and his wife, Pam of Poland; three sisters, Vickie Janik and her husband, Ed of Niles, Monica Melillo and her fiance, Bill Hensley of Painesville and Gwen Maynard of Youngstown; seven grandchildren, Chaz, Enzo, Nico, Mia, Carmela, Capri and Michael; and a little girl due in June (Vince and Christi). He was preceded in death by his mother.

A friend to so many, Mike had a one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He had a knack for building profound relationships and leaving a positive impact on people's lives. While his presence will be most painfully missed by both his family and community, his influence will be everlasting.

Madam Speaker, what you are seeing here before the United States Congress is two clear, different visions of America and where we want to go and what we want to do.

We know that China is running circles around us. We know they are building islands in the South China Sea. We know Russia is on the border. We know the middle class has been eroded. And we know the Republican philosophy has been cut taxes for the top 1 percent and hope the crumbs fall down to places like Youngstown, Ohio.

But what we are trying to do is three things. We want to build the United States, we want to rebuild the middle class, and we want to beat China.

But we can't do that if we don't have our greatest weapon. And our greatest weapon during the Cold War and our greatest weapon over the last 50 years has been a strong middle class. That has been our greatest weapon, our greatest strength. We reinvested into the United States, we reinvested into our communities, we invested in the technology, and we dominated the industry: steel, glass, and aerospace.

Now, we are hearing from the other side: Shut government down. Don't do anything. We don't want to be an honest broker.

Tyranny? What are you people talking about? We are talking about universal preschool, and they have it as a communist indoctrination of the American student. It is insane.

We need to pass this appropriations bill. We need to pass the CHIPS Act, because we have got to close the technology gap.

Madam Speaker, we see all of these cargo ships out in California. They are not coming from Kansas. They are coming from China. If we don't reinvest and bring these supply chains back here, we are going to continue to lose. That is what is happening.

China is out-manufacturing us in semiconductors, communications equipment, electric vehicles, and batteries. We have to rebuild our country, or this whole thing isn't going to work.

We have got to make sure our kids are healthy and educated and skilled so they can thrive and outcompete China. That is what this bill is about. It is not about tyranny. It is not about communist indoctrination. It is about rebuilding the United States.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my friend, Nunzio Merlo, who passed away on Friday, October 17, 2021 at the age of 80.

He was born September 14, 1941 in Gioiosa Marea Sicily, Italy the son of Giuseppe and Tindara Stancampiano-Pizzo Merlo. He grew up in the mountains of Sicily with his three sisters and three brothers, his father (a sheep farmer and cheese maker) and his mother (a homemaker). Nunzio's time as a young man in Sicily was spent working as a tree trimmer and a taxi driver, and he enjoyed singing and playing guitar. He met the love of his life, Maria, in Gioiosa Marea when he was nineteen and she was seventeen. They married on August 12, 1962.

On November 13, 1965 Nunzio immigrated to America with his wife and two-year-old son to build a new life. He was always a hard worker and often worked two jobs. Nunzio was employed at National Gypsum, the same company my grandfather Rizzi worked for, General Motors Lordstown, Tauro Brother's Trucking, and the U.S. Postal Service. He was also a self-employed truck driver. He retired after 17 years working for the City of Niles Water Department in 2015.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Niles, where he could always be found volunteering at the church festivals and Lenten fish dinners. It wasn't an event at Mt. Carmel unless Nunzio was working. He was a member of the Sons of Italy, Niles Democratic Club, Niles Knights of Columbus Council 1681, and he played in several bocce leagues.

Nunzio's dedication to family was at the heart of everything he did. He especially enjoyed cooking Sunday dinners for his family. Nunzio enjoyed gardening and playing Italian cards with family and friends and attending his grandchildren's extracurricular activities and events. His kind heart, willingness to help others and his infectious smile will live in the memories of family and friends forever. I can truly say, Madam Speaker, I would not be in Congress today if it wasn't for Nunzio Merlo and his family. They launched my career and I will forever be grateful.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 59 years, Maria Calabrese Merlo, his father-in-law Tindaro Calabrese of Niles, four sons: Joseph Merlo and his wife Louise of Niles, Robert Merlo and his wife Jamie of Niles, Tino Merlo and his wife Michelle of Howland, and Giovanne Merlo and his wife Monica of Niles, two sisters: Maria Merlo of Gioiosa Marea Sicily Italy, and Rosa Merlo of Cefalu, Sicily, ten grandchildren: Giuseppe Merlo (Sarah Marlinski), Nicolette Merlo, Alenna Merlo, Nunzio Merlo, Roberto Merlo, Isabella Merlo, Gianna Merlo, Tino Merlo, Emma Merlo, and Giovanne Merlo. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins in the U.S. and Sicily.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law Maria Tindara Calabrese, three brothers: Salvatore Merlo, Vincenzo Merlo, and Domenico Merlo, and a sister Giovanna Merlo.

Mr. Speaker, this is a wonderful place. I have to tell you, our child tax credit is 1 year more than your child tax credit. We did one this year; we are going to do one next year; and we are going to keep going.

I love this place. Guys get wrapped around like a pretzel in this place.

Let me be clear, I am against any tax cut for the wealthy. This is an investment in working-class people whether they are White or Black or Brown.

But when I listen to the other side, I hear somebody who if this was a football game I would go back and say, I want a review, I want a review of the play, and I want to pull up the C-SPAN video of all the Republicans at the Rose Garden touting a big tax cut for the top 1 percent that blew a trillion-dollar hole in the economy.

This place is ridiculous.

Let's invest in the people. Let's not cut taxes for rich people.

And we have a new name for the GOP: the grand old phonies.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California for his leadership. I want to thank Chairman Takano, who has been responsible for really taking care of the veterans. He helped us rename our clinic back in Youngstown after Carl Nunziato, who is a tremendous Vietnam veteran. I also want to thank the gentleman from Cincinnati, my home State, for being a part of all of this and being a leader in all of this. I want to thank him for that.

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight in honor of the memory of Ohio Army Guardsman Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson. I met Heath's daughter, Brielle, a few months back and heard the story of Heath from his mother-in-law, Susan.

These stories, as you have heard tonight, are heartbreaking. Because when you look at Brielle and his wife, Danielle, this is more than just we have got to get something fixed to take care of a veteran who served their country. This is the modern version of Agent Orange.

But this is bringing so much heartbreak to so many families and to so many communities in States like Ohio where we have so many veterans who served their country.

On March 21, 2017, Heath and his wife, Danielle, were sitting in an exam room at Zangmeister Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio, when Heath was given a terminal diagnosis. He had only 6 weeks to live.

At only 35 years old, Heath was suffering from gushing nosebleeds and bleeding from his ears. Dozens of doctors were unable to provide answers, but they all did have one question: What in the hell have you been exposed to?

It turns out that Heath, a combat medic, had spent every day for 3 months within 15 yards of a massive burn pit at Camp Liberty complex in Iraq.

Heath was afflicted with a rare autoimmune disease that mostly strikes elderly women and an extremely rare form of lung cancer that, according to 20 oncologists, could have only been caused by a prolonged exposure and inhalation of toxic substances.

Madam Speaker, how can we pretend that both the VA and we, as a Nation, do not owe the veterans like Heath and their families both the care and the benefits that they have earned, often with their very lives? This is not who we are as a country.

We have got to fix this in Congress. The time is now. Not next year, not 5 years from now, but now, right now.

Servicemembers like Heath, and countless others, thousands, maybe tens of thousands, spent the last 20 years fighting our Nation's longest war. We cannot turn our backs on them.

I have introduced legislation to help collect the data so that the VA has it and that every 3 months they report to this Congress as to what the data is and what the claims are so we can hold them accountable.

Most importantly, I want to thank Danielle, I want to thank Susan. And I want to let Brielle and Danielle and Susan know, and their family, that there are so many prayers coming to them from this Congress.

But we are going to get it done, and we are going to get it done soon. It is going to be a bipartisan effort with guys like the gentleman from Cincinnati and the gentleman from California and myself. Let's get this thing done.

Mr. Speaker, this infrastructure bill is about two things. This is about putting money in the pockets of the American people who have had a rough go for the last 40 years, and this is about taking on China.

Now, we have seen in the last couple of weeks CEO pay since the 1970s has gone up 1,300 percent. We have seen that 10 percent of the wealthiest people in this country own 90 percent of the stocks. So this bill is about: How do we get money in the pockets of people?

Universal preschool--that is 1 year less of childcare that a family has to pay--that is money in their pockets. Capping childcare at 7 percent of your income, Mr. Speaker, that is money in their pockets. Helping seniors with glasses or hearing aids, that is money in their pockets. A tax cut finally for working people, not for the top 1 percent but for families, that is money in their pockets.

If we don't recognize in this Chamber and down the hall that China is a looming threat--not even looming, they are here. Semiconductors, they outmanufacture us; electric vehicles, they outmanufacture us; communications equipment, they outmanufacture us; pharmaceuticals, our seniors get their pharmaceuticals from China.

When are we going to wake up? When are we going to have the guts to level the playing field and the guts to take on China and the guts to do what is right so our kids and grandkids can thrive in the United States?

We have to make these investments. We have to make them now. Washington has to wake up, or the next bill we are going to have to pass is Mandarin in all our schools because the game is going to be over.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mr. Herman ``Zerg'' Zerger, Jr., of Woodsfield, Ohio. Herman Zerger passed away on Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Arbors of Woodsfield, Ohio.

He was born at Woodsfield, Ohio on January 5, 1924, a son of the late Herman and Sylvia Mowder Zerger. Herman was a 1942 graduate of Woodsfield High School, Woodsfield, Ohio and was also a retired owner and operator of Zerger's Quarry for over 50 years. He served 10 years as a Special Duty Sheriff in Monroe County and was elected five consecutive terms as Center Township Trustee. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Woodsfield, Ohio. During WWII in 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a Platoon Sergeant with Rifle Co. I-141st Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. He fought 300 days on the front line in 31 battles in both Italy and France. He cast his first vote (for Franklin Delano Roosevelt) from a foxhole facing the Germans before being taken as a prisoner on February 3, 1945 by the SS troops.

He was one of the founding charter members of the V.F.W. Post 5303, Woodsfield, Ohio where he served as a trustee for 40 years and the 40 & 8 Grand Voiture of Ohio No. 363 where he served as Chaplain. He is a life member in Ohio Chapter No. 1 American Ex-Prisoner of War; Life Member of American Legion Post No. 87, Woodsfield, Ohio; former member of the Monroe County Democratic Central and Executive Committee where he served as the Monroe County Democratic Chairman for 45 years, being the longest serving county chair in Ohio; life-long Trustee of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 8; charter member of the 141st Infantry Regiment 36th Division; life member of Veterans Battle of the Bulge, Buckeye Ohio Chapter No. 1; life member of the Combat Infantryman's Association; Ohio Combat Infantryman's Association; Akron Chapter C.I.B.; life member of the Texas 36th lnfantryman's Association; life member of Midwest Chapter 36th Division Association 141st Regiment Co. I; American Order of the French Croix de Guerre, Inc.; 5th Army Association; life member of American Ex-Prisoners of War No. 9114; life member of the Ohio Chapter No. 1 American Ex-Prisoners of War; charter member and former vice commander of Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter 15 Ex-Prisoners of War; charter member Mid- Ohio Valley Chapter No. 743 of the Purple Heart; recipient of the Bronze Star for action at Riquewihr, France; Diploma from the French Government National Association of the Cross of War, T.O.E. and Military Valor-Paris Citation ordered by the Army; and the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Doris Williams and Ruth Roth; a stepson, Gary Russell and a step- daughter, Chris Russell Schenerlein.

Surviving are his companion, Clair Thompson of Stafford, Ohio; a niece, Dee (Mike) Vargo of Woodsfield, Ohio; a nephew, Stephen (Erlene) Williams of Chickasha, Oklahoma; a step-daughter, Connie (Hank) Kaufman of Johnstown, Ohio; a great-niece, Alexis Vargo; three great-nephews, Christian Vargo, Brian Williams and Jeff Williams; a special cousin, Rick (Kitty) Zerger of Caldwell, Ohio; several step-grandchildren; special friends including, Joe (Robin) Bishop of Woodsfield, Ohio, John Marshall of Columbus, Ohio and Mark (Lorie) Easton of South Carolina.

I was blessed to have the friendship of an icon of military service and the state Democratic Party. I pray for peace for his family during this troubling time.

Madam Speaker, I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Richard Trumka. For those who knew him, Richard personified the integrity and selflessness he carried with him each day, sharing with all that he met. I was privileged to share a friendship with Richard, and when I first came to know him, I was immediately inspired by his passionate and courageous spirit.

I don't think there was a major election in Ohio over the past number of years where Richard was not in Niles or Youngstown or Akron campaigning and energizing union members. I was always impressed about how down to earth he was and how he had the common touch. But he was smart, he understood labor law, he knew the politics of the issues affecting workers and knew what the average worker was facing and the challenges, Most importantly, he understood the process of what needed to happen to make things better.

Richard was a hero of the labor movement and a champion for American Workers. He fought tirelessly to advocate for social and economic justice. As head of the AFL-CIO, he launched initiatives aimed at reaching younger workers, backed the ``Fight for $15'' effort to raise the minimum wage and called for employees to have a voice in ensuring their workplaces have proper safety protocols.

Richard served on the boards of the National Labor College, The AFL- COP's Solidarity Center, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, among others. He also sat on the boards of the Economic Policy Institute and the Housing Investment Trust and served as President Emeritus of the United Mine Workers. He spent his life working tirelessly as an inspiring advocate for the Catholic social justice principle of honoring the dignity of the worker.

Richard's work has motivated me to continue advocating on behalf of workers and ensuring them a safe and secure future by protecting their ability to organize and collectively bargain. I am forever grateful that I was able to work alongside Richard and witness the impact he had on the American people. His advocacy will live on to empower others to follow in his footsteps in pushing for positive social change.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Arthur M. Newell, of Struthers, Ohio, on receiving the French Legion d'honneur.

The government of the French Republic, since the end of the Second World War, honors those liberators, who restored those liberties with determination, sacrifice, duty, and honor, with the presentation of the Ordre national de la Legion d'honneur.

Conceived over two centuries ago by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the First Republic of France, his Order was devised to reward eminent military and civil merits in the service of France. The award is still the highest distinction that can be bestowed upon a citizen of France or a foreigner who has done great deeds for France.

Of his service, then Private First Class Newell recalls, ``After arriving in Metz, France, our regiment joined others from Patton's 3rd Army in an attempt to breach the Siegfried Line. Just to the east of Metz, we approached our first enemy pillbox. It appeared to be out of action until we were within about 100 feet from it. At that moment the Germans opened fire. A few of our men got hit and a few more stepped on mines or set off booby traps. We took cover. Our heavy weapons platoon came up to the front and with their machine guns and bazookas they took direct aim at the bunkers slotted openings and opened fire. As the battle progressed my buddies and I got close enough to lob grenades towards the fortification. The enemy within the pillbox fell silent.''

There is no doubt that Mr. Newell is a true American hero, emblematic of the service that characterizes the Veterans of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the state of Ohio, and the United States of America.

I want to personally congratulate Arthur on this milestone and offer my sincerest gratitude for his unwavering dedication to our country. It is members of his generation upon which our Nation is built.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and pay tribute to the memory of the late Pastor Lock P. Beachum, Jr. In challenging times such as these, we are reminded of the hope that so many like Pastor Lock give to their communities. Even in his passing, his devotion leaves behind a legacy that continues to do good onto the people he positively impacted in life.

Pastor Lock was born July 14, 1971, in Youngstown, to parents Lock Sr. and Janice Beachum. He was educated within the Youngstown School System during his elementary and middle school years. He was a proud 1989 graduate of Ursuline High School, where he was a standout football player. His talent on the field afforded him the opportunity to play on a football scholarship for Miami (Ohio) University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1992. Although he envisioned his life traveling down a different path that included a professional football career in the National Football League, it is evident God had another plan for his life.

Lock was the Campus Pastor of Victory Christian Center, Liberty Campus, a significant and strategic multicultural and multi- generational ministry impacting culture locally and globally. His consistent lifestyle, his uncompromising convictions and his clear vision exemplified one who sought to bridge the gaps of age, ethnicity, and gender.

A deep compassion for people from all walks of life was exemplified in his ministry. Lock's transparency, tenacious spirit, love, sense of humor, winning smile, and most of all, his spirit of humility and being a visionary were all an inspiration to those who wanted to know and live for God. Known for his character and integrity, he was a trailblazer and trendsetter who focused on relevance and innovation. Lock was the founder of ``operation Impact'' which consisted of services to the community--such as free giveaways, groceries, clothing and free lunches at the Phar Mor Building. During the holiday season, clothing, gifts and toys were donated to the community, as well as 150 families being blessed at Thanksgiving with complete groceries for the family dinner.

On June 1, 2008, he answered ``the call'' from his Spiritual Father and his Pastor, the former Bishop of Victory Christian Center, Inc., David L. Thomas, which changed his life forever. By saying ``Yes'' to the call, thousands of lives have been positively impacted by his ministry. During his tenure at Victory Christian Center, he served as an Elder, Campus Pastor, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Operations and served on the Board of Director of Legacy A Global Kingdom Alliance.

Lock wanted to leave a legacy that would extend beyond his lifetime. ``He fought the fight, finished the race and most of all remained faithful to his calling. Well done thy good and faithful servant.'' Pastor Lock's hard work and devotion will continue to reverberate throughout our community, and his memory will live on forever.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank Sarah Young Glackin on her long and distinguished career as a staff member on the House Appropriations Committee as she prepares to leave us for new endeavors.

Myself and my fellow colleagues--on both sides of the aisle--have relied extensively on Sarah's expertise in many appropriations matters, most notably in the areas of defense and military construction.

Sarah's career began on the Subcommittee on Defense, with a portfolio that included Tricare and Defense Health Programs.

Four years later, she moved to the Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and then Subcommittee on Interior and Environment. She soon returned to Defense, where she worked on Counterdrug and Narcotics, Missile Defense, Defense Health Programs, Military Medical Research, and TRICARE. For the last decade; Sarah has served on the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

She was responsible for military construction across all components and services, the improvement of housing for our servicemembers and their Families, and the NATO security investment program.

Oftentimes congressional staffers are not appropriately recognized for their service. However, they are the Americans from all over our Nation that represent the fabric of our country. Sarah has served in more ways than one.

Madam Speaker, Sarah has been an institution on the Appropriations Committee since the moment I arrived there. My colleagues and myself will miss her dedication, her patience, and her deep reservoir of knowledge. I want to wish Sarah all the best as she pursues new adventures.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick Dealership a happy 100th year anniversary. One hundred years ago, Gene Hopper founded Stearns Motor Sales Company with Arthur Sweeney by his side. Through developing long standing relationships with both Buick and General Motors, Sweeney Dealership has become a trustworthy staple in the Youngstown community that expands four generations.

Over their first 100 years, Sweeney has become a symbol of car dealership excellence over the years. In 2017, they were chosen as the Chevrolet Dealer of the Year by Dealer Rater as well as once nominated for ``TIME Dealer of the Year.'' Not only that, 2020 marked Sweeney's fifteenth time receiving General Motor's Mark of Excellence Award for 2020. Despite the ongoing pandemic and the necessary changes to limit physical contact last year, their ability to reach this achievement is a testament to the level of care for their fellow neighbor. With only 10 percent of GM dealers receiving this award, Sweeney's ability to win for the fifteenth time serves as proof for their level of excellence.

Over the years, the dealership has also given back to the community that has gotten them this far. Sweeney has donated an estimated amount of $200,000 dollars each year to the community, along with setting aside $50 dollars from each car sold in the month of December in partnership with Operation Santa.

We, therefore, recognize the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick Dealership on its 100th anniversary, and wish them all the best as they embark into their second century as a steward of the Youngstown community and the state of Ohio.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my longtime friend, Ronn Meredith. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Marni, his children Cole, Ava and Reese, and the rest of his family. We know how heartbroken they are, and we all share in their grief of losing such a wonderful human being at such a young age. He truly loved Marni and their children with his entire being and his eyes twinkled whenever he spoke about them. I know he will continue to love his family night and day and his love will never fade away.

I first met Ronn in college as we were both members of the Delta tau Delta fraternity. To say Ronn was a big personality is an understatement. I can honestly say, in all my life, I never met anyone quite like Rondo. He was smart, had a great sense of humor, and unquestionably the best laugh in the business. His family and friends were always number 1, but his second love was Cleveland sports (which if you've followed sports for the last 50 years, wasn't always an easy task).

His energy was absolutely electric. He could express himself on such a wide array of subjects and was passionate about so many things, from golfing to the Grateful Dead. What's more is he could comfortably banter with CEO's on the links, as easily as he could jam out with a 75-year-old hippy at a live show. He could have fun with longtime friends or a new acquaintance; an old-timer or a little kid. They all loved him as he did them, because through him we could feel his lust for life. That's what made him unique. That is what made him special. But no matter who his company, these interchanges almost always ended with a lot of laughs and a room full of love. We all just wish we had one more Saturday night with him. One more chance to ramble on with Rondo.

It's hard to lose a guy like Ronn because he was always just so full of life. His cup was always full, and he made you feel like your cup was full too. He innately knew that the happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything. He drank from the fountain that was not made from the hands of men. He was special that way. He understood at a deep level that we

are all connected; that we are all tied to that song that the morning brings.

It's been difficult, to say the least, for those of us who loved him to come to grips with his passing. So many stories, so much fun. So many good times that we want to hold on to. But I believe God sometimes gives us people like Ronn, and takes them way to early, so that we remember more profoundly how they lived. So that we may take their best qualities and assimilate them into our lives. The real characteristic which I think we can take from Ronn, was that he just loved life in all its forms. His family, sports, work, music, and so much more. I can still see him dancing at concerts, bear hugging his people, and LOUDLY cheering on his favorite teams. Ronn loved it all and he did it with all of his heart.

Madam Speaker, it's our responsibility to take on Ronn's philosophy that we are all the eyes of the world. That we need to connect to that love Ronn embodied every day. We need to be excited about our lives and share our dreams with those around us. We need to love more, share more, care more. We need to ask ourselves, are we kind? We need to be that ripple even if the water is still.

So, we say fare thee well my brother, we love him more than words can say. Although he is not with us physically, he will forever be in our hearts. We here promise, his friends and family, that we will honor him and his amazing life, by being true to ourselves, compassionate to one another, and always, no matter what, enjoying the ride.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 567, I call up

the bill (H.R. 4346) making appropriations for Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.

While this subcommittee may be small, it has a very important role. I very much appreciate the hard work and collegial attitude of all the members of this subcommittee, particularly the contributions and cooperation of our ranking member, Ms. Herrera Beutler.

This is a good bill. I am proud of this bill and I am proud that it makes a substantial investment to expand recruitment and retention of staff, prioritizes funding to expand diversity and inclusion campus- wide, and funds needed investments to support the day-to-day operations of the House so that we can support our constituents.

Included within this bill is a 21 percent increase for the Members' Representational Allowance, which covers staff, district office space, and day-to-day operations for lawmakers to best serve our constituents. This has been a priority for me as I recognize the important role of expanding pay and benefits for our staff as we strive to recruit a more diverse workforce in our offices, and then to retain these staff, instead of losing them to the private sector.

Additionally, this year's bill makes important steps in exploring other areas where we can expand benefits for staff to compete with the private sector. And so, this year's report directs the Chief Administrative Officer to conduct a benefit and retention study to look at possibilities such as tuition credits, the creation of 529 accounts, a House-wide leave policy, and childcare subsidies so that we can continue to meet the needs of existing and future staff.

It is vital that we prioritize initiatives to expand a diverse and talented workforce here on Capitol Hill. The report provides an additional $350,000 to establish a task force within CAO to include the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and any other House office as may be necessary, to develop a methodology for regularly surveying the House workforce on pay and benefit issues, to provide guidance and support for the content and development of a centralized human resources hub and to make policy recommendations.

Additionally, while the bill continues the prohibition of cost-of- living adjustment increases for Members, in order to ascertain all the facts on this issue we also require the CAO to provide a report comparing Members' pay with executive and managers' pay in the private sector who have similar levels of experience and responsibility.

In a year full of trauma and hurt, with the apex being the insurrection on January 6, our human resources entities within the Capitol complex have adapted to the evolving and increasing mental health needs of our campus. The bill includes $2.3 million, a $635,000 increase for the Office of Employee Assistance, and a $1.7 million allocation for the Office of Well-Being to ensure that people here on Capitol Hill have the resources to support the needs of our community and to fund culturally

sensitive mental health services so everyone feels comfortable seeking the support they need.

We have also included $2 million for the House Modernization Initiatives account to build off last year's efforts to make Congress more effective, efficient, and transparent on behalf of the American people.

Second, the bill provides $15.4 million to expand the paid internship program. This will increase the amount to $35,000 per Member office to pay interns. We have also extended this funding to committees, and continue to support these funds being used for interns both in D.C. and in district offices.

We want to make sure that any citizen in this country, any young person in this country who wants to come to Washington, D.C., is able to do that. We are trying to eliminate those economic barriers so that people can come here and get the experience they need to improve their lot in life, and to serve their country.

But we also recognize the ongoing inequities in congressional internships, so we included language directing the Office of Diversity and Inclusion working in conjunction with the Chief Administrative Office to conduct a feasibility study on recreating a centralized House internship program--similar to the old LBJ intern program from many years ago--which could provide various support services, such as housing, training, professional development, and focus outreach on students attending historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions. I believe this is a vital step for us to create a pipeline for students from all backgrounds, all economic areas, to come and work on Capitol Hill.

The bill also includes $3 million for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and directs the CAO to increase their staff cap from 7 to 10 staffers to allow them the additional workers that they need.

Additionally, once again, this year's bill includes language to permit DACA recipients, Dreamers, to be able to work for Congress and other legislative branch agencies.

Turning to other legislative branch agencies, the bill provides strong support for the security and operational needs of the House and surrounding Capitol complex.

H.R. 4346 includes $600 million for the Capitol Police, which is an almost $90 million increase above the fiscal year 2021 bill. This provides vital resources for training, recruitment, retention, and readiness efforts. This funding will provide for a total of 2,112 sworn officers.

Additionally, this continues to build off previous efforts in ensuring a robust trauma and resiliency program for our sworn and civilian officers. This is an extremely important investment as they continue to heal from the events of January 6 and Good Friday. And we saw further testimonials yesterday in the hearing as to why exactly this investment is needed.

The bill includes an increase of $37 million from 2021 for the Library of Congress, as it is this subcommittee's duty to protect the valuable collections and preserve the Library's ability to chronicle this great Nation and provide access to our history for generations to come.

And it includes $3.8 million to continue the Library's work on the Veterans History Project to collect and preserve the personal accounts of American war veterans.

The bill also increases funding for the Architect of the Capitol over 2021 by $152 million to address necessary construction activities, such as the Cannon Office Building renovation. Also included are various other provisions to ensure the Capitol Visitor Center and Capitol complex are accessible for individuals with disabilities and all visitors who wish to tour the Capitol or meet with their Members of Congress.

And, finally, the bill includes language for the removal of statues or busts in the Capitol of those who tried to overthrow the Government of the United States or were white supremacists.

Before I finish, I would like to recognize the staff for all their hard work and time they have put into this bill. From the majority committee staff, I would like to thank my clerk, Steve Marchese and Rachel Jenkins from my personal office. From the minority committee staff, I would like to thank Michelle Reinshuttle. And, again, to the Chair of the full committee, Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member Kay Granger, and Ms. Herrera Beutler. This was a great team effort to put this thing together, and we are proud to submit it to the body today.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), who is the chair of the full Committee on Appropriations.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Just a quick response, Mr. Speaker.

We have passed a bill, the rescue package, that sent billions of dollars to the local communities to pay for police, fire, and first responders, State support for teachers. We passed a supplemental bill out of this Chamber that reimbursed the National Guard and made huge investments into the Capitol Police. In both instances, we didn't get one Republican vote.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), our distinguished leader.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

This is a good bill, and we have put a lot of work into this bill. The essence of the Legislative Branch appropriations bill is an understanding that everybody that works on Capitol Hill is a public servant.

The Capitol Police, those on the dais, the people who clean the offices, the people who do all of the construction, the young staffers, the middle-age staffers, the older staffers have spent sometimes decades trying to make this government run and help this government run.

This bill is an opportunity for us to continue to invest into those people, making sure that they can stay here, they can work here, they have competitive wages, competitive benefits compared to the executive branch, compared to the judicial branch, compared to the private sector; and also knowing and understanding that we have an obligation to protect this Capitol.

That is what we have done in this bill. We have made increases to Members' allowances so that they can maintain their staff and the talent that they have. We are making sure that we have a paid internship program here so that some young person from Youngstown, Ohio, or some small town or city across the United States can actually take advantage of the opportunity to stay for a summer or semester in one of the most expensive housing markets in the whole United States.

I am very proud of the investments we are making in this bill. I am proud of all of the efforts to protect this Capitol, the first branch of our democracy, and I am very much looking forward to voting on this. This will provide the needed funding for the day-to-day operations of the House. I urge all Members of this body to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 567, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) to offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 45 seconds.

The amendments en bloc include a number of proposals offered by my Democratic colleagues. It reflects our shared values of investing in a more diverse congressional workforce, strengthening the legislative branch, and providing for the day-to-day operations of the House.

I urge my colleagues to support the important proposals contained in this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Kelly).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano), the distinguished chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time I have remaining.

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

I am prepared to close on this bill, but since my name was invoked, I want to make a couple of comments to what the minority leader was saying, maybe much to the chagrin of staff who is here.

Fear, fear, fear. The Attending Physician of the United States Capitol, the top doctor for Congress, asked us to put on masks when we come to a Chamber with 435 people. I hate these things. It is absolutely terrible having to put this back on. We do it because the top doctor for all of us asked us to.

I may not be from a hotspot. The Speaker may not be from a hotspot. Speaker Pelosi may not be from a hotspot. Somebody in this Chamber is coming from a hotspot. Somebody represents the hotspots. They get in a plane, and they fly here, and they interact with all of us. Then, we leave here, and we go home to our families. Some take care of their sick parents. Some take care of kids who may have an autoimmune disorder.

I find it absolutely immature and appalling to somehow diminish it to try to score cheap, political points. That is exactly what we saw a few minutes ago. That is beneath a minority leader of one of the major political parties in the United States of America, saying we should take no caution that someone from a hotspot is working in this Chamber and could potentially get someone infected that could go home to a sick parent or an immunocompromised kid.

That is beneath us, and it is certainly beneath leadership here in Washington, D.C.

I am sorry, I had to comment on that because it is very frustrating. We are dealing with a complicated pandemic, a new strain, and we are trying to figure everything out.

The Attending Physician says, since you are a group from all over the country, be a little bit cautious. And he gets mocked. This is the doctor we all go to. You are denigrating the Attending Physician? Has it gotten this bad here? We will be the first ones to go down there when we are sick, need an antibiotic, or to get a checkup.

I mean, come on. Stop. Just stop with this craziness. We are trying to be safe. We are trying to protect our family members, our kids, our parents, close relatives.

The minority leader mocks that and mocks the top doctor, who has a very distinguished record and a very distinguished career and spends his life making sure we are healthy. It is shameful.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the amendments en bloc, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 567, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) to offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 45 seconds.

The amendments en bloc include a number of proposals by my colleagues. This is a bipartisan amendment.

It includes funding to prioritize the removal of accessibility barriers on the Capitol complex, conduct a study on security risks and technical limitations of the Capitol switchboard system, and provides for a collaborative drafting program to help Members' offices work better with the House Office of Legislative Counsel.

I urge my colleagues to support the important proposals contained in this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 567, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) to offer amendments en bloc.

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

Madam Speaker, I have offered this en bloc for purposes of legislative efficiency. I strongly oppose it.

This amendments en bloc makes severe and harmful changes to the bill under consideration. This amendment would strike language that will enable noncitizens who meet requirements under DACA to be employed by the United States Congress and to cut funding from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Let's address the first point around DACA.

This is allowing Dreamers to work for the legislative branch. I can't figure out for the life of me why the minority would like to refuse the American Dream to people who came to the United States as children, for people who are, for all intents and purposes, Americans.

I have met these recipients, these Dreamers, and they have personally told me their stories. I encourage each of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to talk with a Dreamer, to listen to their stories. It is absolutely heartbreaking. They have done absolutely nothing wrong.

They were brought to this country by no choice of their own. Their parents brought them here. The United States is their home. They have built their lives here, whether that means getting an education, raising a family, or contributing to our economy.

We are a generous and compassionate Nation always looking to form a more perfect Union, a country that has empathy for a struggling family in a new country, in a country that lifts up our younger generation so that they can have a better future.

The vast majority of Americans overwhelmingly support allowing these young people to continue their relentless pursuit of the American Dream because they knew in their hearts that they are American. As Americans, there is no better place for them to continue to serve their country than here in the United States House of Representatives, the people's House. To deny them this opportunity is about the most un-American thing we could do here today.

Madam Speaker, again, their parents brought them here, and they have been here for years and years and years. They should have an opportunity to give back to this country.

Madam Speaker, I am opposed, on the second point, to decreasing funding for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion by $1.5 million.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce in the House of Representatives. Their mission is to assist in developing practices to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.

I am proud of this year's bill. It provides $3 million for the office in fiscal year 2022 and increases their staff cap from 7 to 10. The $1.5 million in additional funding for 2022 and expanding staff cap would give them the needed funding to support ongoing operations while providing additional flexibility to expand their work.

Additionally, this increase in funding will enable ODI to implement various other provisions that are included in the Legislative Branch bill, such as assisting the Chief Administrative Officer in the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to establish a task force about the workforce in the House.

As I mentioned in my opening remarks, this task force will develop a methodology for regularly serving the House workforce on pay and benefits issues and provide guidance to us on how we could create a centralized human resources hub to improve human resource management practices throughout the House.

Finally, this increase in funds will allow the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to conduct a feasibility study on re-creating a centralized House internship program. We have citizens in this country, young students--White, Black, Brown--who can't afford to come here to work. They can't afford to get an internship here. They work hard, do everything right, try to climb the ladder. We want to provide opportunity.

This money will help reach out to those people and bring them into the legislative branch to give them the experience they need, the contacts they need to develop, the education that they need to move forward.

Madam Speaker, I am proud of what we have in this bill, and I will oppose this amendment. It is vital we prioritize initiatives to promote diversity and the opportunity for people from all over the country to come work in the legislative branch and intern in the legislative branch.

Madam Speaker, I oppose this amendments en bloc, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I encourage a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of John D. Leonard Sr. of Girard, Ohio who passed away peacefully Monday, July 5, 2021 at the age of 80 surrounded by his loving family.

John was born Oct. 13, 1940, in Niles, a son to Joseph and Kathryn McMenamy Leonard. He was a 1958 graduate of Niles McKinley High School. He worked as a skilled tradesman for both the union and then Packard Electric, retiring in 2008. John was a parishioner of St. Rose Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Girard.

John was a pillar to his family. He was a selfless provider always ensuring the prosperity of his children and grandchildren. Just as he sang along to Louise's piano performances, uplifting her tunes, John would always uplift those around him, supporting friends and family unconditionally. His infectious smile and enthusiastic dancing reminds us how to live life. John's fundamental values of love, dedication, and community will forever guide his loved one's path towards happiness. We have lost a truly wonderful person who will forever be missed.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Karla (Philip) Smith of Virginia, John D. (Suzana) Leonard Jr. of Shaker Heights and Bob (Danielle) Leonard of Rocky River; brothers, Joseph (MaryAnn), Thomas (Lucy), Paul (Charlotte), William (Mary Ann), Richard (Sandy) and Robert; sisters, Kathleen, Margaret Mary (David); close friend and companion, Nancy Foster; and his grandchildren, Audrey and Emma Smith, Daniel and Stefan Leonard, Andrew and Anna Leonard, Alex Sapp, Adam (Janice) and Hannah Smith. Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Leonard, whom he married Aug. 18, 1962, and who passed away Feb. 2, 2015; and a brother, Jerry.

John was the uncle to my longtime District Director and childhood friend, Rick Leonard. John truly embodied the spirit of the Democratic Party through his lifetime of integrity and kindness and was all around a wonderful person to be around. My condolences go out to all whose lives he touched.