Floor Statements

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of amendment No. 30 to the Climate Action Now Act.

We are already seeing the economic benefits of taking action on climate change. In the United States, we have already created millions--I say millions--of jobs in the clean economy, from installing wind turbines and solar panels, to retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient, to assembling fuel-efficient vehicles and manufacturing the component parts for all of these clean energy technologies that can help drive down emissions.

My amendment acknowledges the important role clean energy jobs play in meeting the United States' commitment under the Paris Agreement.

There are currently more than 500,000 jobs in the renewable job industry alone, just an example of the millions of jobs we are creating in the clean economy as we work to meet our emissions reductions target.

By taking a leadership role in global climate action, we can harness these benefits and see even more economic growth and opportunities for communities everywhere, including in southern Illinois. And we need to make sure we do this in a way that not only creates jobs, but creates good family-sustaining jobs for working families throughout the country, including in my home State of Illinois and in the Eighth District of Illinois.

Economic growth, workforce development, and climate leadership go hand in hand. As cofounder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Solar Caucus, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New York for his excellent remarks.

I have no further comments, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Roofing Contractors Association headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and its efforts to designate the week of June 2-8, 2019, as National Roofing Week.

The roof is one of the most important components of any home or business. It is the first line of defense against natural elements, such as rain, snow or wind, and yet it is often taken for granted until it falls into disrepair. National Roofing Week honors the thousands of roofing-related businesses and workers across the country, as well as the industry's commitment to public service. National Roofing Week is a valuable reminder of the significance quality roofing has on every home and business in the U.S.

Established in 1886, NRCA is one of the nation's oldest trade associations and the voice of professional roofing contractors worldwide. NRCA has nearly 4,000 roofing company members who represent the entire roofing supply chain. Using its vast network of roofing contractors and industry-related members, NRCA is responsible for the installation of new construction and replacement roof systems on commercial and residential structures in America. Most of its members are small, privately held businesses that provide family-sustaining jobs for thousands of hardworking individuals who are the backbone of our economy.

Professional roofing contractors provide vital services to their communities, on and off the clock. NRCA members will recognize National Roofing Week June 2-8 by supporting numerous charitable projects and employee training programs throughout the nation. I commend NRCA and the vital role the organization and its members play in every community, and I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging their contributions during National Roofing Week.

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

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

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of amendment No. 24 to the Violence Against Women Act.

The true cost of domestic violence is difficult to compute because of just how many aspects of someone's life it can affect and the economic sabotage it can induce.

A woman could face job insecurity because she must spend excessive resources on legal assistance or childcare. She could lack the financial security to leave an abusive partner, because the partner may be tightening his grip on a shared bank account. She may be vulnerable to homelessness. She may even face unavoidable and skyrocketing healthcare costs due to the physical abuse she has experienced.

There are numerous ways that domestic and sexual violence can create economic obstacles for women in America, and it is imperative that we study these issues, to strengthen the health and safety of our communities.

My bipartisan amendment, which I introduced with Congresswoman Susan Brooks of Indiana, requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor to analyze and report all barriers that survivors face in achieving economic security outside of an abusive relationship.

This amendment would ensure we are taking a comprehensive approach to strengthen the economic stability of survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including their ability to achieve financial empowerment, affordable housing, transportation, healthcare access, and quality education and training opportunities.

Ultimately, this information will help put more women and survivors of domestic and sexual violence on a path of upward mobility.

Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment No. 25 to the Violence Against Women Act.

For decades, Congress has taken action to ensure that victims of domestic violence are supported and protected from their abusers by providing resources and tools to promote health and safety.

We know that one in three women experience domestic violence or sexual assault in their lifetime. We also know that the devastating effects of such violence are experienced at home, in relationships, and even when they go to work.

In fact, the Department of Labor reports that, in total, survivors of domestic violence lose nearly 8 million days of paid work a year due to a violent situation at home, whether that be finding legal assistance, securing childcare, or receiving health services. Statistics show that abusers are more likely to follow or harass survivors at their workplace, which can add an overwhelming sense of fear. Survivors may also experience an extreme loss in productivity due to distraction, worry, or poor performance. Due to the abundance of difficult issues facing these individuals, their ability to remain employed often is at risk.

These missed days result in $1.8 billion in lost productivity for American businesses per year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 44 percent of workplaces do not have formal policies that address domestic violence in the workplace.

Moving forward, we must find ways to help employers offer lifesaving resources to victims of such violence, an endeavor that will improve the health and safety of American employees both at home and at the workplace.

Many companies nationwide have adopted effective ``employee assistance programs'' that include comprehensive domestic violence services for survivors. Employee assistance programs have been proven to help survivors when they come into work by offering free counseling, referrals, and assessments. In many cases, these programs offer lifesaving services to survivors dealing with dangerous and difficult situations at home.

This bipartisan amendment, which I am offering with my colleague Congressman Don Bacon, directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor to launch a public information campaign that includes guidelines and best practices for employers to create these effective employee assistance programs. By conducting extensive research and sharing these findings with employers across the country, we can strengthen support services at the workplace for the betterment of women's health and safety.

Mr. Chairman, with the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, we have a momentous opportunity to improve employee assistance programs throughout the country. I urge my colleagues to seize this moment by supporting this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Ronald E. Powell for a lifetime of vigorous and effective advocacy protecting the rights of workers in my home state of Illinois, and for working men and women across the United States.

Ron's service in the labor movement began in 1961, when he was hired as a Field Representative for the United Retail Workers Union (URW). Thanks to his effectiveness as an organizer, he rose quickly through the ranks, becoming a Supervisor of Field Staff in 1968, and the Vice President and Director of Field Operations in 1973.

In 1981, the URW, with a membership totaling 6,000 workers, affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and formed Local 881 of the UFCW. (The name ``Local 881'' was chosen to commemorate the date of its affiliation--August of 1981.)

Ron was elected president of Local 881 in 1983. Under his leadership, Local 881 has grown to represent 34,000 workers and is one of the largest affiliates in the UFCW family of unions that represent over 1.3 million workers across the world. While managing that growth, Ron found time to shoulder other responsibilities, including serving as Vice President on the International Executive Board of UFCW, Vice President of the state of Illinois AFL-CIO, Chairman of the Illinois State Investment Board, and as a member of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board, and the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

Ron's distinguished resume does not tell the full story of his service to our community. He has worked tirelessly to advocate for the men and women who provide essential but often invisible services in a world increasingly indifferent to their rights and needs. Countless families are grateful to Ron and the efforts of Local 881 for improved wages and safety conditions in industries that include food service and preparation, meat packing, groceries, chemical manufacturing and retail. I know Ron takes great pride in the part he played in the recent enactment of the City of Chicago Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, extending paid leave protection for the first time to thousands of workers (and UFCW members) who live in our community.

Both personally and in furtherance of his work for the UFCW, Ron has been civically engaged, serving as a Trustee on the Village Board of Mundelein, and as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Over the years Ron has supported countless candidates that were committed to protecting the rights of working men and women, including a young United States Senator named Barack Obama who ultimately served two terms as President of the United States.

Many charities owe thanks to Ron as well. Under his stewardship, the Local 881 Charitable Foundation has been a strong supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Ron also organized fundraising efforts for Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago and the Little City Foundation, which serves developmentally disabled children and adults in the Chicagoland area.

Ron is blessed with four ochildren--one of whom, Steven, currently serves as President of Local 881 and an International Vice President of the UFCW--and many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is held in esteem by numerous organizers and union officials he has mentored over the course of his career, and the thousands of workers whose lives have been made better through his efforts.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 34,000 members of Local 881 of the UFCW, and the millions of hard-working men and women of the state of Illinois who owe so much to Ron Powell, I offer my thanks for nearly 60 years of dedicated and selfless service to our community. Although Ron may have retired from his positions with the UFCW, I know he has not retired from his commitment to service, and on behalf of all Illinoisans and Americans I wish him great success in his next chapter.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1617) to direct the Director of National Intelligence to submit intelligence assessments of the intentions of the political leadership of the Russian Federation, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1617.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1617, the Keeping Russian Entrapments Minimal and Limiting Intelligence Networks Act, or the KREMLIN Act.

The intelligence community is united in its assessment that Russia attempted to sabotage the 2016 U.S. election and that America is not alone in facing these dangers and attacks. In fact, recent reports indicate that Russia continues to engage in information warfare and political interference in the West that threatens the health of democratic institutions within member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, otherwise known as NATO.

Among many examples, the Russian Federation is linked to cybercrimes in Ukraine and Germany, disinformation campaigns here in the United States, intelligence support for pro-Russian Bulgarian candidates, and financing for pro-Russian parties in France.

The bipartisan KREMLIN Act which I introduced with my friend, Congressman Chris Stewart of Utah, acknowledges the active threat of foreign interference on the United States and our NATO allies.

Specifically, this legislation would require the Director of National Intelligence to submit three intelligence assessments to Congress. These assessments must analyze:

First, potential military action by Russia against members of NATO;

Second, potential responses by Russia to an enlarged U.S. or NATO presence in Eastern Europe;

Third, potential areas where the Russian Government could exploit weaknesses and divisions among the governments of NATO and her allies.

Most importantly, the KREMLIN Act recognizes that Russian meddling with our allied NATO countries constitutes a direct threat to the United States.

By providing the appropriate congressional committees with these comprehensive assessments, we will be better prepared to thwart efforts in the future that aim to weaken international democratic institutions.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC, March 12, 2019.

Hon. Adam Schiff,

Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This is to advise you that the Committee

on Foreign Affairs has now had an opportunity to review H.R.

1617, the ``KREMLIN Act,'' which falls within our shared Rule

X jurisdiction. I appreciate that you have consulted with us

on this legislation. The Foreign Affairs Committee has no

objection to considering this bill on the House floor. To

expedite that consideration, the Foreign Affairs Committee is

willing to waive referral, with the understanding that we do

not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over the

legislation or its subject matter.

In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar

legislation is convened, the Foreign Affairs Committee

reserves the right to request an appropriate number of

conferees to address any concerns with this bill or related

provisions that may arise in conference.

Please place this letter into the Congressional Record

during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank

you for the cooperation spirit in which you have worked

regarding this matter and others between our committees.

Sincerely,

Eliot L. Engel,

Chairman, House Committee on

Foreign Affairs.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and am prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, for the health of our democracy, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan KREMLIN Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the For the People Act, which includes language from my legislation with Senator Cory Booker, the Help Students Vote Act.

Young Americans vote at the lowest rates of any age group, and a key factor in that are the challenges of voting on a new college campus far away from home. My legislation has three provisions to address this challenge.

First, it requires every college and university to email timely voter registration information to all of its students.

Second, it requires every school to designate a campus vote coordinator to answer students' questions about voting.

Third, it authorizes grants to colleges and universities that take exemplary action to promote civic engagement.

I want to thank the many organizations supporting the legislation, including Young Invincibles, and the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition.

By helping students register and vote, we can ensure our government better responds to the people it serves, while encouraging our next generation of leaders.

Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Second Baptist Church of Elgin, a spiritual pillar of the Elgin, Illinois African-American community for over 150 years. During Black History Month, I want to celebrate the beginnings of this vibrant congregation and the important contributions it has made over its long and rich history.

The first African-American residents of Elgin, former slaves who sought shelter with Union Troops after the battle of Shiloh, arrived in 1862. These newly freed citizens, regarded as ``contraband'' property seized by Union armies, were sent north in Union railway cars.

With the assistance of clergy from First Baptist Church of Elgin, they settled in the area to form the cornerstone of a new African-American community. Desirous of having a place of worship they could call their own, the newcomers founded Second Baptist Church of Elgin on December 2, 1866.

Under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Edmund, affectionately known as Pastor Nate, Second Baptist Church honors the determination and courage of its founders with its sacred presence and community involvement. The church is a spiritual home to thousands of worshipers, and in 2008 expanded its capacity to serve with the construction of an award-winning multi-purpose building adding classrooms, a nursery, a welcome center, and a recreation and performance auditorium to its campus. In recent years, Second Baptist Church has broadened its reach through initiatives including the Prison Ministry, the ``Operation Joshua'' street ministry, and the SAFE Ministry to break the cycle of domestic violence. The church partners with Sheridan Elementary School and Larsen Middle School to mentor and tutor students identified as at- risk youth and has hosted numerous summits on issues of concern to the community. And emblematic of the church's outward focus, Pastor Nate has served on boards or in other capacities for a variety of important organizations in the Elgin area, including the Alignment Collaborative for Education, Advocate Sherman Hospital, the United Way of Elgin, Judson University, U-46 School District, the NAACP of Greater Elgin, and the African-American Christian Ministers Alliance of Elgin.

The ministry of Second Baptist Church is not limited to the local community, and an important part of its mission is to provide comfort and support wherever the need is most urgent. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Second Baptist Church rallied to aid families rendered homeless by the storm's devastation and adopted survivors who resettled in the Elgin area. In 2007, as part of its effort to support the ongoing ministry of World Vision, the church extended its generosity and compassion to a community in Tanzania, helping to build a housing complex for teachers and pledging continuing monetary support to over 130 Tanzanian children.

I believe the newly emancipated founders of Second Baptist Church would be deeply gratified by the congregation they established, now spanning three centuries of service. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize this profoundly American story of faith, determination, and good works, and acknowledge the tireless service of Second Baptist Church of Elgin to our community in the 8th Congressional District, as well as to all in need throughout the world.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize John W. Rogers, Jr. for his lifetime of service to the people of the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and to our nation. As a business leader, philanthropist, and tireless advocate for opening new opportunities for people of color, John has a history of exceptional contributions to our civic life that continue to the present day.

Born and raised in the City of Chicago, John Rogers, Jr. is the product of parents notable for their own achievements: his father was a judge and former Tuskegee Airman, and his mother was the first African- American woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School and to argue a case before the United States Supreme Court. After completing his secondary education at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, John attended Princeton University where he earned a degree in Economics and co-captained the school's Ivy League championship varsity basketball team. His interest in finance can be traced to a gift of stock for his 12th birthday, a present that ignited a lifelong fascination with investment and the complexities of financial valuation.

After two years working as a stockbroker at a Chicago investment banking firm, John launched an investment fund informed by his understanding that the highest returns are generated by patience and a research-driven approach to uncovering hidden value. That methodology has built Ariel Investments, LLC into a highly respected firm employing more than 100 analysts and staff and managing more than $11 billion in assets. John's financial acumen is valued by the boards of directors of some of our nation's largest and most consequential enterprises, including the New York Times Company, Exelon and Nike.

The achievements of John Rogers, Jr. are not limited to the world of finance--his civic engagement extends to cultural institutions (he is a life trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), and he has been a bold champion committed to strengthening underserved communities and addressing inequities experienced by people of color. He is the first African-American recipient of Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson award, recognizing his service to the Princeton University alumni community and to organizations including the Chicago Urban League (where he is a life director), the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Wall Street Project, and Project Vote (an organization dedicated to enfranchising underserved communities and empowering individuals to exercise their constitutional right to vote). He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, is a trustee of the University of Chicago, and, either personally or through Ariel Investments, generously endowed scholarships for under-resourced students at the Laboratory Schools, provided seed money to underwrite an investment fund that introduces financial management to students at Ariel Community Academy (a K-8 school in the Chicago Public School system), and funded a finance internship program for University of Chicago students of color interested in careers in financial services. John also serves on the Board of Directors for the Obama Foundation, where he works to help build the next generation of civic leaders.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the grateful citizens of Illinois, I want to thank John W. Rogers, Jr. for all that he has done and all that he continues to do to improve our nation and to open opportunities historically inaccessible to communities of color.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the federal workers, both in my district and across the country, who went without pay during the government shutdown.

Across the country, about 800,000 federal employees went without pay for 35 days during the shutdown from December 22nd to January 25th. This wrongheaded situation was hard on all the affected workers, but it was particularly difficult for the 110,000 affected federal employees who earn $50,000 or less annually. Despite not being paid, more than 420,000 employees were required to work for weeks on end. Worse still, these employees had to live with the uncertainty of not knowing when the shutdown would end, and when they would be paid again. Furloughs and delayed paychecks are not the right way to treat our hard-working employees who provide critical services to Americans across the country, and they are the wrong way to run an effective and functioning government.

Despite a misguided lapse in appropriations, many workers in my community and nationwide admirably and dutifully continued working without pay. Air traffic controllers at the O'Hare International Airport, and other American airports, worked without pay to ensure planes could take off and land safely. TSA Agents worked without pay so that Americans could travel safely, keeping our economy thriving. IRS and Treasury employees worked without pay to ensure our constituents could process their tax returns and plan for their financial security. HUD employees worked without pay so that society's most vulnerable, our low-income and senior citizens, had safe housing. USDA employees worked without pay so that our food would be inspected, and so working families could receive food aid, preserving public health and family wellbeing. Employees at the National Park Service worked without pay to protect our sacred public spaces. National Weather Service Employees worked without pay to provide critical weather information that we rely on daily for comfort and accessibility. Madam Speaker, these employees worked tirelessly for the good of their country, even when their government wasn't working for them.

Unfortunately, this lack of pay required working families to turn to food banks, food pantries and other charitable organizations. These incredible civic organizations, including many faith-based organizations and places of worship, are the lifeblood of our local communities. Their life-saving services during this difficult time will not be forgotten.

Moving forward, I am committed to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan fashion to prevent future government shutdowns at all costs so that no Americans--including federal workers and citizens who rely on critical government services--will have to suffer the consequences of another government shutdown.

To quote the late civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr.: ``The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.'' In this moment of severe controversy, and in the face of extraordinary challenges, federal workers persevered for the betterment of their community. I want to recognize the vital work and sacrifice of these brave Americans. Their outstanding performance during the shutdown will always be remembered.

Madam Speaker, on February 6th, I was unable to be present to vote on H.R. 831, The Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act. This legislation passed the House with strong bipartisan support. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 66.

Madam Speaker, I rise on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday to urge passage of H. Res. 41 and to reject white nationalism and supremacy in all its forms.

I applaud both sides for taking up this resolution in support of rejecting white nationalism.

But today, Madam Speaker, I ask one question: Where does President Trump stand on this resolution? Will President Trump do as we are doing and reject white supremacy in all its forms?

So far, we have heard nothing but silence. I ask him to act and do the same: reject white supremacy and white nationalism, today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the appointment of Matthew Whitaker as Acting Attorney General of the United States.

Mr. Whitaker has repeatedly dismissed the value and seriousness of the Mueller investigation while advising the President on strategies to sabotage it, including through advocating for investigations the DOJ's own professional staff had already determined were unnecessary.

Mr. Whitaker's broader record on issues of justice is just as disturbing, as the Anti-Defamation League found his opposition to the appointment of non-Christian Federal judges to be ``deeply troubling.''

Lastly, Mr. Whitaker's service as Acting Attorney General has been widely recognized by legal experts from across the political spectrum as unconstitutional because of the clear requirement that principal officers, such as the DOJ's Secretary, demand Senate confirmation.

The United States needs an Attorney General worthy of the office and committed to protecting the efforts of Special Counsel Mueller. But so long as Mr. Whitaker remains in office, he should follow ethical guidelines and recuse himself from the Mueller investigation.

Mr. Speaker, today I remember and honor the life of Swami Vivekananda, who passed away on July 4, 1902 at the age of 39.

Born as Narendranath Datta in the city of Kolkata, Swami Vivekananda played a key role in introducing the philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of Hinduism to the Western world. Swami Vivekananda's philosophies were shaped by the teachings found in Hindu scriptures, and by the writings of western thinkers including David Hume and John Stuart Mill. Swami Vivekananda taught that no religion has a monopoly on the truth, and that there is no virtue higher than ahimsa, the concept of non-violence.

In the West, Swami Vivekananda is best remembered for a speech he delivered on September 11, 1893 at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Illinois. Opening his remarks with the words ``Sisters and Brothers of America,'' Swami Vivekananda spoke at length about Hindu spirituality, religious tolerance and the dangers inherent in sectarianism and extremism. His appearance at the World Parliament awakened an interest in Hinduism that led to speaking tours by Swami Vivekananda and the establishment of Vedanta centers throughout the United States and Europe.

Swami Vivekananda's teachings of religious tolerance, understanding and the universality of the human experience are as relevant today as when he delivered his famous address in Chicago 125 years ago. As a United States Representative from the Chicago area and as a Hindu- American, I want to recognize the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Speech and celebrate the life of this eminent international spiritual leader.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize YDS Chicago for its outstanding service to our community and its work to promote peace, material well-being and spiritual growth.

YDS Chicago is an international faith-based organization which practices the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. Under the guidance of its spiritual leader, H.D.H. Hariprasad Swamiji, YDS has a long history of community engagement, focusing on health care, education and spiritual development to promote harmony among all people. YDS temples and cultural centers have provided free medical care, education and relief to victims of natural disasters and to the impoverished around the world.

We are honored to celebrate YDS Chicago as it moves forward with building its new temple and community center--the first Hindu temple constructed in Schaumburg, Illinois. The Nutan Haridham Temple is the product of years of planning, investment and close cooperation with local, state and federal government, and the success of this project required the sustained attention and devotion of the temple's members and its leadership.

The addition of the Nutan Haridham Temple to the 8th Congressional District is significant. The temple will serve as a center of religious practice, and as a home for Hindu culture in the greater Chicago area. Furthermore, in keeping with the focus of Hariprasad Swamiji on the education and spiritual development of our youth, the temple will be an important cultural center in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, offering camps and other educational programs for the next generation of Hindu- Americans in the area.

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the great achievements of YDS, and acknowledge its tireless community service in the 8th Congressional District, as well as to all in need throughout the world.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Thompson for his partnership on this legislation, and Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott for their leadership. Lastly, I thank our colleagues in the Senate for working hard to pass H.R. 2353 earlier this week. It has now been 12 years since Congress acted to update this critical program.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported a skills gap of 6.5 million unfilled jobs. Compared to this time last year, there are now an additional 1 million job openings where employers can't find applicants with the adequate skills or training to fill them. For the health of our economy, the prosperity of our workers, and the strength of our businesses, we must reverse this trend, and we must reverse it now.

Our bipartisan legislation, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, implements critical reforms to ensure American technical education and training programs prepare students for high-wage, in-demand jobs in their communities.

This legislation aligns CTE programs to meet the needs of local labor markets, gives business and workforce experts a seat at the table when CTE curricula are crafted, and preserves robust accountability standards to protect American students.

This legislation also increases funding to Perkins CTE programs to record levels, ensuring that each State across the country receives sufficient Federal resources to build a dynamic, growing workforce and a thriving economy.

Congress hasn't made substantive reforms to career and technical education since 2006, before the invention of the iPhone and long before the current technological revolution. American students, workers, and businesses are depending on us today to reform and reauthorize Perkins CTE.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2353, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Nolan).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you, again, to Congressman G.T. Thompson, Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member Scott, all the members of the Education and the Workforce Committee, all the staff on the Education and the Workforce Committee, and a point of personal privilege, Sam Morgante and Brian Kaissi for their yeoman's work on my staff.

The CTE bill will begin a career and technical education revolution in this country. It will allow us to equip millions of young people and those in career transition with the skills to take the jobs of the future.

There are 6.7 million unfilled jobs that are waiting to be filled by motivated, enterprising, hardworking people who seek a middle class lifestyle, which is the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support of this landmark legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.