Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, there is a mental health crisis among our LGBTQ+ youth in our country. Far too many of our young people are struggling right now to access the care they need and deserve.

We know that rightwing politicians, including many in this Chamber, continue to carry out relentless attacks, just unbelievable attacks, on our LGBTQ+ people and push for discriminatory policies. This constant fear-mongering, rejection, and discrimination have real human consequences.

According to the Trevor Project, nearly half of our LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide in the past year alone. At least one of them attempts suicide every 45 seconds.

This is the heartbreaking reality that we are facing, so our words matter. The bills that we introduce matter.

These young people, like all people regardless of how they identify or who they love, deserve the opportunity to grow up and to live with human dignity and equal rights free from discrimination.

Our fight for LGBTQ+ rights is connected to our fight for human dignity for marginalized people everywhere. We must pass the Equality Act to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination at work, in housing, and in public accommodations and guarantee them equal protection under the law.

Madam Speaker, we must also pass legislation that increases access to mental health care like the Pride in Mental Health Act, which would fund mental health resources, training for our caregivers, school bullying prevention, and more.

To my residents in 12 District Strong, your Congresswoman sees you and loves you. I will continue fighting for the collective liberation of all of our people.

Mr. Speaker, I am getting tired of coming to the House floor to call out DTE Energy's corporate greed in my district.

My residents cannot afford DTE's ridiculous rate hikes and terrible, unreliable service.

Check this out: They increase rates between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. when the majority of our families are home, literally in the middle of a deadly heat wave with temperatures of nearly 100 degrees.

Despite DTE making more than a billion dollars in rate hikes in the last decade and $313 million in the second quarter of this year, DTE is never satisfied.

DTE is one of the worst utilities in the Nation for power outages and restoring power. Yet we pay 16 percent more than the national average for this failing service.

As long as a for-profit company controls our electrical power, it will be unaffordable and unreliable.

We need public power. DTE and other for-profit utilities should be turned into publicly-owned and operated services so our families can live safely and have livable conditions in our country.

Mr. Chair, I thank my good colleague from California for yielding me time.

I want to say how absolutely unconscionable it is that my colleagues are offering an amendment to prevent our U.S. Government from even citing the Palestinian death toll.

Since 1948, Mr. Chair, there has been a coordinated effort, especially in this Chamber, to dehumanize Palestinians and erase Palestinians from existence. The ethnic cleansing of Palestinians did not end in 1948.

Today, Mr. Chair, we are recognizing the Israeli apartheid government carry out a genocide in Gaza in real time. This amendment is an attempt to hide it.

Let me remind you all of the words of the Israeli Defense Minister who said: ``We are imposing a complete siege on Gaza. No electricity, no food, no water, no fuel. Everything is closed. We are fighting human animals.''

They don't even see Palestinians as human beings, Mr. Chair. Here we are, my colleagues wanting to prohibit our own U.S. officials from even citing the Palestinian death toll.

Let me read into the Record the latest casualties of Palestinians killed: 37,718 Palestinians, including more than 15,000 Palestinian children. More than 86,377 Palestinians have been injured. Six children, Mr. Chair, are killed in Gaza every single hour.

Palestinians are not just numbers. Behind these numbers are real people--mothers, fathers, sons, daughters--who have had their lives stolen from them and their families torn apart, and we should not be trying to hide it. These are innocent children and babies who have been bombed in their tents, burned alive, dismembered, and deliberately starved to death.

Where is our shared humanity in this Chamber?

There is so much anti-Palestinian racism in this Chamber that my colleagues don't even want to acknowledge that Palestinians exist at all, not when they are alive and now not even when they are dead. It is absolutely disgusting. This is genocide denial.

Mr. Chair, I know the majority of this Chamber doesn't believe Palestinians should live or exist, but I won't remain silent as the only Palestinian

American serving in Congress, while folks attempt to even erase those who were killed with our own weapons.

If I may later, at the appropriate time, I will submit for inclusion into the Congressional Record the list of Palestinians killed in Gaza. Mr. Chair, it is important to note this for everyone here. The list is so long that I can't even submit it because of the text limit. That is how many have been killed in Gaza, and now we are going to try to hide it.

I include in the Record a link to the list of those killed in Gaza.

Https://www.scribd.com/document/681084315/List-of-Martyrs-in-Gaza-as- October-26-2023-as-reported-by-the-Gaza-Ministry-of-Health

Mr. Chair, I rise asking all of us, please, don't erase them. They have a right to be acknowledged as being killed. They are dead.

What more do you want from the people in Palestine?

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 20 minutes p.m.), the House, under its previous order, adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the late Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson, a World War II Tuskegee Airman and one of Michigan's most decorated pilots as we prepare to dedicate a community gathering space in his honor. Born in Detroit, he was the descendant of formerly enslaved people and would go on to become a Black trailblazer.

One of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the U.S. Army's first Black Air Corps, Jefferson served as a P-51 fighter pilot with the Red Tail, 332nd Fighter Group 301st Fighter Squadron in Ramitelli, Italy. His unit bravely escorted bombers into action, providing critical protection from enemy aircraft and without losing a single plane. Jefferson was captured as a prisoner of war on August 12, 1944, three days before the invasion of Southern France, after he was shot down while firing at German radar stations on the coast. Presumed dead, he was held for more than nine months. He was liberated by U.S. Forces on April 29, 1945.

Following the war, Jefferson dedicated himself to education as an instrument instructor in advanced flight training at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, continuing the storied Air Corps' legacy of excellence in flight. He was discharged from active duty in 1947 and retired from the reserves in 1969. In his civilian life, Jefferson worked as an elementary school science teacher in Detroit, where he would retire as an assistant principal in 1979.

He has received numerous awards and accolades for his bravery and his selfless service for our country, including the Purple Heart Award. He represented the best of Detroit. As we celebrate the dedication of the plaza in his honor, we offer our thanks for the service and legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize the 12th Congressional District's Fire Engineer Robin Buchholz for her twenty- five years of service with the Dearborn Fire Department.

Fire Engineer Buchholz began her career as a firefighter with the Dearborn Fire Department in 1999. Over the past twenty-five years, she has been twice promoted and has remained steadfast in her commitment to service and keeping our communities safe. Fire Engineer Buchholz has been recognized over twenty-five times in her career for her exemplary record, including lifesaving and safe driving. She has also been awarded the esteemed Fire Chief Life Saving Award for life saving service and the Meritorious Company Commendation on multiple occasions. As Fire Engineer for the department, Ms. Buchholz has also obtained certifications in life support and rescue techniques.

Please join me and our community in recognizing Fire Engineer Robin Buchholz for her twenty-five years of outstanding service to the people of Dearborn in Michigan's 12th District Strong as we wish her well in her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Fire Captain Jon Drennon for his twenty-five years of service with the Dearborn Fire Department in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

Fire Captain Drennon got his start in public service in 1999 as a Firefighter. After only one year of service, he received the first of many Meritorious Company Commendations. In addition, he has been recognized numerous times for valor and lifesaving. Over the course of his public service career, Fire Captain Drennon has committed himself to continuous professional development, completing numerous certification and educational programs in various rescue operations techniques and other technical programming.

Fire Captain Drennon has been an outstanding public servant to the communities served by the Dearborn Fire Department. Please join me in recognizing his twenty-five years of commitment to protecting our families' safety across Michigan's 12th District Strong as we wish him well in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, Juneteenth is a day of joy, a celebration of freedom, and a reminder of the work that lies before us as we continue to fight for true equity and justice for our Black neighbors.

On Juneteenth and every day in our community, we honor the trauma and acknowledge the pain and hurt of our Black Americans who fought tirelessly for their freedom, and we still aren't done.

We celebrate this independence day with activists, organizers, and community leaders who uplift Black history and carry on the enduring struggle for justice for all.

In our country right now, which our own Black neighbors literally built, including this very building I am standing in, the Capitol, systemic racism and discrimination continue to plague our institutions and communities.

We see it in disparities in healthcare, education, housing, access to basic necessities, racism in our legal system and economic opportunities, and so much more. By providing reparations, the debt owed to our Black neighbors upon emancipation from centuries of enslavement and oppression, we can begin, Mr. Speaker, to address the injustices.

I know the 12th Congressional District knows that reparations are a debt that our Nation owes, a true acknowledgement of the pain and harm inflicted on generations of our Black families.

Juneteenth is a reminder of how far we have come, but also how far we still need to go. This Juneteenth, please join me in honoring our Black neighbors as we commit to fighting for reparations, voting rights, ending police brutality, investing in Black maternal health, HBCUs, and so much more.

The U.S. Supreme Court is Facing a Corruption Crisis

Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court is not facing an ethics crisis; it is a corruption crisis. It seems like every single day there are new headlines about more corruption coming out of our U.S. Supreme Court.

I know we need urgent action to hold these unhinged, corrupt extremists accountable. It is extremely disturbing that the United States Supreme Court, the highest Court of our land, is the only Court that does not have an enforceable code of conduct.

Mr. Speaker, Justice Thomas, which my residents call ``Corruption Clarence,'' has received over $4 million and 193 gifts, including multiple vacations, flights on private jets, helicopter rides, and yacht trips from Republican billionaire mega-donors like Harlan Crow, who actually have cases before the Court. We are supposed to expect this Court to hold itself accountable? Give me a break.

One of these luxury trips actually cost $500,000. It is not just corrupt Clarence. Justice Alito has also been hit with numerous scandals recently, including accepting luxury trips and flying insurrectionists around, hanging stop the steal flags outside of his home after the attack on our U.S. Capitol. Yet, the American people are supposed to trust him to decide the cases around January 6th.

These unelected Justices, serving lifetime appointments, Mr. Speaker, continue to strip us of our rights, shred our voting rights, gut our environmental protections, our right to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and sell our democracy to the highest bidder.

It is time to expand the Supreme Court. It is time for reforms. I know our residents in the 12th Congressional District are demanding that I move with urgency on this issue. We need to enact term limits for Supreme Court Justices, enforce binding a code of conduct, real reforms, and expedite impeachment proceedings.

These reforms are long overdue. I know Justice Thomas should have never been confirmed in the first place. We should have listened to Anita Hill.

Let me be clear: Thomas and Alito need to be impeached and removed from the bench now. Our country deserves a Supreme Court that is acting in the best interests of the American people, not a Court that is accepting bribes and doing the bidding of rightwing extremists.

Recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month

Mr. Speaker, I recognize Caribbean American Heritage Month as we celebrate the contributions of our Caribbean Americans in Michigan's 12th Congressional District and across our Nation.

I know Caribbean American Heritage Month was first recognized in 2005, and this was a combination of tireless efforts of organizers that highlight the amazing contributions of our Caribbean Americans.

I also uplift in our backyard the Caribbean Community Service Center, an organization based right in our district that is proudly uplifting the history and continuing to celebrate that culture and our neighbors in southeastern Michigan beyond this month.

Please join me in recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month and the contributions of our Caribbean Americans across our Nation and in the 12th Congressional District.

Mr. Chair, I thank my good colleague for yielding.

Mr. Chair, my colleagues are about to ram through yet another record- breaking military budget, nearly a trillion dollars, packed with bullets, bombs, and giveaways to defense contractors. They also had time to sprinkle in some antiwomen policies.

Mr. Chair, 2023 marks the sixth year in a row that the Pentagon has failed its audit. My colleagues continue to approve record-breaking military budgets, but the Pentagon literally cannot pass an audit. It is absurd. The Navy's LCS ships, with a lifetime cost of $100 billion, Mr. Chair, are literally broken down and rusting in the harbor.

Meanwhile, my residents are worried. They are worried that there is lead in the water they are drinking and toxic chemicals in the air they breathe, all issues that my colleagues claim there isn't enough funding to solve.

On top of that, it is incredibly disturbing that many of my colleagues in this Chamber are actively profiting financially, directly, personally when they vote to pass more funding for weapons in war because they personally own stock in war manufacturing.

Enough is enough. I am proud to oppose this wasteful bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Kurek for his 22 years of service with the Dearborn Fire Department in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

Assistant Fire Chief Kurek began his career as a firefighter with the Dearborn Fire Department in 2002. He has been steadfast in his commitment to the people of Dearborn and upholding public safety, serving in multiple roles including Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain before being promoted to Assistant Fire Chief. Assistant Chief Kurek has been recognized for his outstanding service many times, earning the John D. Dingell Medal of Freedom Memorial Commendation and Firefighter of the Year Award in 2019. These are the highlights of a long and outstanding career, with extensive recognition to public service.

Please join me in recognizing Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Kurek for more than 20 years of service to the people of Michigan's 12th District as we wish him well in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Brightmoor Connection, a community food bank and so much more, as they officially open the doors of their new location in Detroit and announce their newest programming and partnerships within this community space.

Brightmoor Connection grew out of a consortium of 9 local churches who came together in 2008 in order to address growing food scarcity concerns for local families. More than that, their unique client-choice approach affords residents dignity while they receive the help they need. In their new space, Brightmoor Connection will grow its network of partners to serve even more communities and families in need. They will also launch their newest youth programming for young entrepreneurs.

Please join me and the 12th Congressional District in celebrating the opening of Brightmoor Connection's new location and announcement of its new programs and services to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present during votes on Tuesday, June 4th or Wednesday, June 5th.

Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 242, and NAY on Roll Call No. 247.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize the South Redford School District as they celebrate the grand opening of their Innovation Center.

The Innovation Center proudly offers new programming for building trades, culinary paths, welding, health professions, and hospitality. This new programming will open innumerable doors to so many students within the district, ensuring that they find what fits their passions.

The Center is also equipped to ensure that its students have the needed career preparatory skills to succeed after graduation. These skills include the creation of an Educational Development Plan, apprenticeship programs, and paid or non-paid internships. Additionally, the Center works to guide its students into any path they choose to embark on. This means that they put an important focus on aiding their employability or assisting them with navigating post- secondary institutions.

Please join me and the 12th Congressional District in celebrating the opening of Redford School District's Innovation Center and the subsequent launch of their newest programming.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Caribbean American Heritage Month to celebrate the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to Michigan's 12th Congressional District and all across our Nation.

National Caribbean American Heritage Month was first recognized in 2005. This was the culmination of many years of efforts by organizations around the world to spotlight the numerous contributions to our Nation. Caribbean Community Services, a nonprofit organization based in Detroit, Michigan, has proudly uplifted that history. They routinely host numerous events that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean and its impact on our communities in southeastern Michigan. I am incredibly proud of the important work Caribbean Social Services undertakes to foster diverse and welcoming communities. I especially want to highlight their leadership in ensuring these contributions are recognized and valued as we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Please join me in recognizing National Caribbean American Heritage Month and the contributions of Caribbean Americans across our Nation and the 12th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize United States Navy Seaman Edward Gorczyk for his service to our Nation, as he serves as Grand Marshal of the City of Dearborn's ninety-eighth Memorial Day festivities.

Mr. Gorczyk enlisted in the Navy in 1966. While serving, his ship was hit directly by rockets. Drawing on resilience and teamwork, Gorczyk and his crew were able to escape danger and reach safety. For their bravery and injuries sustained, Gorczyk and his fellow crew members were awarded Purple Hearts.

In 1968, after an honorable discharge, Gorczyk left the Navy as a seaman. He returned home to Michigan to study photography at Macomb County Community College after his service. He remains an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America--James Huard Chapter 267 and The American Legion Post 364.

Please join me in recognizing Seaman Edward Gorczyk, for his commendable service to our Nation.