Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, we know that oil and water don't mix. Right now, there is a dirty pipeline called Line 5 running through the most critical part of the Great Lakes. It is operated by a company called Enbridge, which has a disturbing history of faulty infrastructure and environmental destruction.

A Line 5 spill would be devastating for the Great Lakes region and the entire country. The Great Lakes hold 21 percent of the world's fresh surface water and are home to precious ecosystems and wildlife. Tens of millions of people rely on them for water, jobs, and recreation.

We cannot allow the water we rely on to live, the water that helps make Michigan such a special place for so many, to be sacrificed for corporate greed.

The good news is that President Biden could end this threat today by revoking Line 5's Presidential permit and committing to the truth that water is life.

Mr. Speaker, I call upon the Biden administration to stand with the people of the Great Lakes and shut down Line 5 once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, we know that oil and water don't mix. Right now, there is a dirty oil pipeline, called Line 5, running through the most critical part of the Great Lakes, operated by a company called Enbridge, with a disturbing history of faulty infrastructure and environmental destruction.

A Line 5 spill would be catastrophic for the Great Lakes region and the entire country. The Great Lakes hold 21 percent of the world's fresh surface water; are home, as we all know, to precious ecosystems and wildlife; and tens of millions of people rely on them for water, jobs, and recreation.

We cannot allow the water we rely on to live, the water that helps make Michigan such a special place for so many, to be sacrificed for corporate greed.

The good news is that President Biden could end this threat today by revoking Line 5's Presidential permit and committing to the truth that water is life and that it is critical to protect.

Mr. Speaker, I call upon the Biden administration to stand with the people of the Great Lakes and shut down Line 5 once and for all.

Building a Democratic Financial System

Mr. Speaker, today, big banks bring in billions in profits while our financial system promotes inequality and instability for many of our families.

Right now, millions of people--millions--the majority being people of color, lack access to a checking or savings account, but an alternative does exist. We can build a democratic financial system that puts the livelihoods of our residents above private profit and greed.

Instead of serving Wall Street, public and postal banks can ensure that everyone has access to basic financial services. Instead of investing billions of dollars annually in fossil fuels, like JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo does, public banks can facilitate the transformative changes that our communities desperately need, like real affordable housing for all, disaster preparedness, and a clean energy future that creates real jobs for all.

That is why Representative Ocasio-Cortez and I introduced the Public Banking Act of 2023, which provides a regulatory and institutional framework for the creation of State and local public banks, like the Bank of North Dakota, which has been incredibly successful for over a century.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to please join us in supporting a financial system that works for everyone.

End-of-Year Wins

Mr. Speaker, I take a moment to celebrate the incredible accomplishments that my team and I have been able to do on behalf of our constituents.

At the beginning of the year, we opened three new Neighborhood Service Centers in Detroit, Inkster, and Southfield.

Through the Neighborhood Service Centers, we have returned over $5.5 million in constituent services dollars that goes directly into the hands of 8,000 residents, returning over $306,000 this year alone.

We served and responded to over 164,000 letters from our neighbors ranging from advocating for clean water, clean air, utilities for all, housing for all, and so much more. We have hosted and participated in over 120 events, including coffee hours and townhalls and resource fairs and more, really trying to help our families get through everyday challenges and issues.

Our legislative advocacy has spanned from affordable housing to medical debt cancellation and ending auto insurance discrimination once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, we have introduced 160 bills and amendments, and 39 of them have actually passed.

This year, we celebrated the 1-year anniversary of the Congressional Mamas' Caucus where we are committed to advocating for working mothers and their families on issues of affordable childcare, pay leave, Black maternal health, and economic justice.

These accomplishments would not have been possible without our residents. Thank you for believing in me and sending me here to Congress to do the people's work. It has been truly an honor to serve you and to be your Congresswoman.

This is just the beginning of what we all can continue to accomplish.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Dearborn Heights Council Chairman Dave Abdallah. Since he was first elected to serve the people of Dearborn Heights in 2015, Mr. Abdallah has been a tireless advocate for every corner of the city.

Before he ever considered a career in public service, Dave Abdallah was an already well-known community member. Mr. Abdallah immigrated to Michigan from Lebanon at the age of ten and started school speaking no English. He worked hard at school and pursued studies in finance before he made his career in real estate, a natural fit for his outgoing and gregarious personality. In addition to his successful real estate career, Mr. Abdallah became involved with numerous community organizations, including Bint Jebal Cultural Center, and Michigan's Commission of Middle Eastern Affairs, which spurred his interest in elected public service.

In his eight years serving as a member of Dearborn Heights' City Council, Mr. Abdallah has strived to give back to the community and make lives better. He has sought to uplift the voices and concerns of the residents he serves and he has worked to strengthen economic development within Dearborn Heights by attracting businesses to the area. When he isn't helping residents, he is cheering for our Detroit Lions every chance he gets.

Please join me in recognizing Dave Abdallah for his outstanding commitment and service to the people of Dearborn Heights in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

Mr. Speaker, Michigan's 12th Congressional District mourns the loss of Pastor Charles Gilchrist Adams, a beloved spiritual and community leader. He was an activist in our district whose influence impacted so many of our lives across the State and the world. He was loved and respected by so many.

Pastor Adams served as a lead pastor for the historic Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, a role that he held for more than 50 years.

As a pastor, he dedicated his life and mission to service, fighting for justice for our communities and improving the lives of our residents in northwest Detroit. He was a tireless advocate for safe and affordable housing for all and childcare for our working families.

He served as president of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP in 1984, and he also served on the executive board until 1992.

Please join me, Mr. Speaker, in remembering Pastor Charles Gilchrist Adams for his incredible advocacy, leadership, and impact on our district.

May he rest in love, and may his legacy live on in our community.

Recognizing Dearborn Firefighters

Mr. Speaker, the 12th Congressional District recognizes two outstanding members of Dearborn's fire department: Battalion Chief Kenneth Murray, for his 26 years of service, and EMS Coordinator Glenn Owens, for his 25 years of service to our communities.

Battalion Chief Murray started with the Dearborn Fire Department in 1997 as a firefighter. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving as an engineer, lieutenant, and captain before he was promoted to battalion chief in 2020.

Over the course of his career, Battalion Chief Murray has garnered numerous awards and was recognized as Dearborn Exchange Club's Fire Officer of the Year in 2016. Battalion Chief Murray has been an outstanding public servant to the communities served by the Dearborn Fire Department.

EMS Coordinator Owens began his career as a firefighter in the Dearborn Fire Department in 1998. Over the past 25 years, Owens has served in numerous roles, and he remains steadfast in his commitment to service and keeping our community safe.

EMS Coordinator Owens has been recognized many times over the course of his career in Dearborn for his incredible record, including saving lives and safe driving.

Please join me in recognizing Battalion Chief Kenneth Murray and EMS Coordinator Glenn Owens for their many years of outstanding service to the people of Dearborn in Michigan's 12th District Strong as we wish them well in their retirement.

Acknowledging My Incredible Team

Mr. Speaker, I want to take time to acknowledge my incredible team and our accomplishments these past few years for our community. I lovingly call our congressional district 12th District Strong.

At the beginning of this year, we opened three new Neighborhood Service Organizations in Detroit, Inkster, and Southfield.

Throughout the district, our Neighborhood Service Organizations have returned over $5.5 million in constituent services dollars directly to over 8,000 residents, returning alone just this year over $306,000 for our communities.

We served and responded to over 164,069 letters from our neighbors who advocate for clean water, clean air, utilities for all, and so much more. We have hosted and participated in over 120 events, including coffee hours, townhalls, resource fairs, and more to ensure that I remain accessible to my residents.

In Congress, in our legislative advocacy work from affordable housing to medical debt cancellation and auto insurance discrimination, we have introduced 160 bills, and 39 bills and amendments have actually passed since 2019.

This year, we celebrated the 1-year anniversary of the Congressional Mamas' Caucus, where we are committed to advocating for working moms and their families on issues of affordable childcare, paid leave, and ending poverty policies that are incredibly important, as well as something dear to me, combating Black maternal health, and so much more.

We also started the Get the Lead Out Caucus, where we know that no amount of lead is safe for our children or our families.

These accomplishments would not have been possible without our residents' faith in me and sending me here to the United States Congress to do the people's work. It has been an honor to serve as the Congresswoman for the 12th Congressional District, 12th District Strong.

I thank all of my team for all of their hard work and tenacity. This is just the beginning of what we will be able to accomplish.

Mr. Speaker, they are so desperate. You all are so desperate to distract from the fact that you all have nothing to improve the lives of the American people or end the ongoing genocide.

Now, you are trying to shift the focus by baselessly attacking Representative Bowman to score cheap political points, comparing him to the white supremacists on January 6 who were smashing windows in the Capitol and screaming: ``Hang Mike Pence.'' Give me a break.

Your inability to govern is so obvious to the American people. You all can't even find enough Republicans to pass a budget or even keep a Speaker. This is yet another attempt to silence a person of color in this Chamber. We all see it.

This is all about the fact that Representative Bowman calls out your hypocrisy. The Republicans need to leave him alone and get a grip. The Republicans should do something that will actually improve the lives of the American people that you all represent. Vote ``no'' on this cheap political stunt.

Mr. Speaker, today the 12th Congressional District mourns the loss of Pastor Charles Gilchrist Adams, a beloved spiritual and community leader and activist in our district whose influence reached many across our state and the world.

Pastor Charles Gilchrist Adams graduated with honors from the University of Michigan and Harvard University and went on to become a doctoral fellow in Union Theological Seminary in New York City. From 1962 to 1969, Dr. Adams served as Pastor of the historic Concord Baptist Church in Boston. Shortly after, Pastor Charles Gilchrist Adams was appointed as lead pastor for the historic Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, a role

he held for more than fifty years. As pastor, he dedicated his life and mission to service, fighting for justice for our communities and improving the lives of residents in Northwest Detroit. He was a tireless advocate in the fight for safe housing for all and for affordable childcare for working families. Pastor Adams served as President of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP in 1984 and served on its executive board consecutive years until 1992.

His bold and grounded leadership is a testament to his impactful work and legacy. The 12th Congressional District sends our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Pastor Adams's family and to the entire Hartford Memorial Baptist Church family on this significant loss to our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Agnes Adams and his children, Dr. Tara Adams Washington and Reverend Charles Christian Adams.

Please join me in remembering Pastor Charles Gilchrist Adams for his incredible spiritual leadership and impact on our district and the community. May he rest in love and his legacy continue to impact our community.

Madam Speaker, I thank our ranking member for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the resolution that they are attempting to use to overturn this rule is about small business lending.

We know that, but what is the problem?

We are now afraid of data? We don't want to collect data? This is even voluntary.

You are opposing a process that would help create more transparency, more information gathering, competitiveness, and a fair marketplace for lenders and small businesses. It is voluntary.

We are scared now? We are scared of voluntarily collecting data?

Section 1071 allows lenders to collect and report lending data, including voluntarily self-reported by businessowners. This rule does help small business, and I will give you some examples, particularly those owned by women, people of color.

We are even going to collect data, especially in my district, of veterans, many of them Black men and women, who have started businesses after they served our country. They are all lacking access to credit that they need to build up their businesses.

Study after study has documented that small business owners, especially the small business owners in my district, continue to face discriminatory practices by banks.

We already know for a fact that Black-owned business are less likely to obtain financing and are offered smaller loans.

Section 1071 will make it easier to eliminate such practices and enforce our fair lending laws--again, to enforce our fair lending laws. Maybe that is why. Maybe that is why the banks are crying about this voluntary process. They are scared. Why?

Had the CFPB Small Business Lending Rule been in place during the Paycheck Protection Program, Madam Speaker, the transparency required by this rule would likely have reduced the racial disparity in lending outcomes that we saw.

There is also a clear precedent for what such a rule can accomplish. These are real people--and folks can laugh. They can think that this is not real. These are people that are literally putting their whole life savings into a small business, and hoping and praying that they have the investment from the Federal Government.

When the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act established reporting processes for mortgage lenders that are similar to those in the CFPB rule, did you all know that lending to Black borrowers for conventional home purchases increased by 70 percent in 3 years? In 3 years we increased Black homeownership.

All Americans, not just some, deserve access and fairness, especially when we continue to bail out these banks for their continued failure and their discriminatory practices.

Section 1071 promotes transparency, competition, and fairness. Overturning this is a disservice to our small business owners everywhere.

I thank our ranking member and others that continue to advocate for this. This is the right thing to do. This is how we make sure that all Americans have access.

Mr. Speaker, we face a housing crisis in our country. In metro Detroit, there are three extremely low-income renter households for each unit that is both affordable and available.

In response, State and local public developers are using innovative policy

tools to build new housing developments that are financially sustainable and affordable.

That is why I co-led the introduction of the Public Housing for the 21st Century Act, which provides public housing authorities and housing finance agencies with the latest best practices for mixed-income public housing.

While Federal subsidies have long been insufficient to address the housing crisis in our country, Mr. Speaker, the Public Housing for the 21st Century Act would ensure that communities have access to the latest models and policy options, creating a pathway for real affordable housing.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to please join me in promoting housing access in every single district across our Nation by cosponsoring this bill.

Rhetoric Incites Violence Against Palestinians

Mr. Speaker, Hisham, Kinnan, and Tahseen are all Palestinian college students who were shot while wearing a keffiyeh and speaking Arabic on their way to a family dinner in Vermont.

Just weeks ago, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American child, Wadea, was stabbed 26 times in a hate crime in Illinois. They had to take the knife out of his body.

Mr. Speaker, the constant dehumanization of Palestinians has real consequences. It is fueling anti-Palestinian racism and violence. The dehumanization and rhetoric repeated by many elected officials, many in this Chamber, is inciting violence against Palestinians.

My heart goes out to every family affected by violence, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and any form of hate.

One of the Palestinian victims who was shot in Burlington, Hisham, wrote: ``This hideous crime did not happen in a vacuum. As much as I appreciate and love every single one of you here today, I am but one casualty in this much wider conflict.

``Had I been shot in the West Bank, where I grew up, the medical services that saved my life here would likely have been withheld by the Israeli Army. The soldier who shot me would go home and never be convicted. . . . Any attack like this is horrific, be it here or in Palestine.

``That is why when you say your wishes and light your candles today, your mind should not just be focused on me as an individual but, rather, as a proud member of a people being oppressed.''

When I talk about Hisham, Kinnan, and Tahseen, I think of my two Palestinian boys living right here in the United States.

Remembering William ``Bill'' Goodman

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize my friend William ``Bill'' Goodman, a true people's lawyer who never wavered in his pursuit of justice.

I met Bill over 15 years ago when he was president of the Maurice and Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. He was a mentor of mine and so many movement lawyers and a hero to those who sought justice.

Over the course of his career, Bill sought to focus his work on the protection of civil liberties, holding the powerful accountable to the Constitution, and fighting for the working class at home and around the world. He was always ready and willing to fight for the most vulnerable among us.

Bill was a pioneering people's lawyer, both in private practice in Detroit and leading the Center for Constitutional Rights and the National Lawyers Guild.

He was proud of representing the Attica prisoners, the Guantanamo Bay detainees, the Vietnam survivors of Agent Orange, and so many victims of police violence and corrupt persecution.

It speaks to Bill's character that one of the most important lawyers in American history will best be remembered by those close to him and for his endless jokes and bottomless love for his children and comrades. Please join me in honoring Bill Goodman and remembering his life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, Today I want to recognize my friend, William ``Bill'' Goodman. Bill was an iconic member of our Detroit legal community who never wavered in fighting for the working class, the most vulnerable among us. I met Bill over fifteen years ago when he was President of the Maurice and Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. He was a mentor to many of us young attorneys and a hero to many who were seeking justice.

Born in 1940, Bill grew up in northwest Detroit, where he witnessed the injustices of racism and segregation. This, combined with the values instilled in him by his parents, informed the path Bill would take with his career and life's work. He earned his juris doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1964, returned to Detroit during the height of the civil rights movement, and went to work in partnership with his father, Ernie Goodman. Over the course of his career, Bill took on numerous high-profile cases. He worked as legal director for the Center for Constitutional Rights, where he represented Guantanamo Bay detainees, Vietnamese survivors of Agent Orange, and the wrongfully detained. He sought to focus his work on the protection of civil liberties. Bill eventually returned to Detroit as partner at the law firm Goodman Hurwitz, where he continued to represent families and individuals who were victims of police and government misconduct.

Bill worked with a number of legal advocacy organizations, including the National Lawyers Guild, ACLU, and Sugar Law Center, where I got to know him when we both served as board members. I knew Bill to be a fierce advocate, a brilliant legal mind, and a tenacious but kind warrior for justice.

Please join me in tribute to Bill Goodman, remembering his life and distinguished career. May he rest in power.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Battalion Chief Kenneth Murray for his twenty-six years of service with the Dearborn Fire Department in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

Battalion Chief Murray started with Dearborn Fire Department in 1997 as a firefighter. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving as engineer, lieutenant, and captain before he was promoted to battalion chief in 2020. Over the course of his career, Battalion Chief Murray has garnered numerous awards and accolades for his meritorious service, including Lifesaving, Unit Award, Perfect Attendance, and Safe Driving. He was also recognized as the Dearborn Exchange Club's Fire Officer of the Year in 2016. On top of his numerous duties with the Fire Department, Battalion Chief Murray has prioritized his education and pursued specialized training in collapse, rope, and trench rescue.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordinator Glenn Owens for his twenty-five years of service with the Dearborn Fire Department in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

EMS Coordinator Owens began his career as a firefighter with the Dearborn Fire Department in 1998. Over the past twenty-five years, he has served in numerous roles and has remained steadfast in his commitment to service and keeping our communities safe. EMS Coordinator Owens has been recognized many times over the course of his career in Dearborn for his exemplary record, including lifesaving and safe driving. He has also been awarded the esteemed Gino Polidori Award for Community Service and the Meritorious Service Award. As EMS Coordinator for the department, Mr. Owens has also obtained numerous certifications in various life support and rescue techniques.

Please join me in recognizing EMS Coordinator Glenn Owens for his twenty-five years of outstanding service to the people of Dearborn in Michigan's 12th District Strong as we wish him well in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ray Muscat for his public service and commitment to our Dearborn Heights community. He is a lifelong resident of Dearborn Heights and served on City Council for years.

Since 1969, Councilman Muscat has been an active and engaged resident. He was drawn to public service after he retired from a 42- year career with Ford Motor Company. As a public servant, Mr. Muscat served as Council Chairman Pro Tem. He was a fixture at city council meetings for many years prior to taking office. He is appreciated for his passionate commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of Dearborn Heights and making it a more beautiful place to live. As a council member, he was appreciated for his no-nonsense approach and for never shying away from asking difficult questions. During his tenure, he made himself approachable and available to community members. No concern has ever been too small for him to address.

Please join me in showing appreciation for Ray Muscat for his service to the people of Dearborn Heights, as we wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Bishop Clarence Haddon and Dr. Joyce Haddon for their nearly five decades of service to the community at High Praise Cathedral in Detroit and Inkster, Michigan.

Bishop Haddon grew up in a family steeped in an appreciation for a strong foundation in faith. Following in his father's footsteps, Bishop Haddon pursued a career in ministry and took over the pastorship at Church of God in Unity, which would eventually become High Praise Cathedral. As the congregation grew, the High Praise family made their home at its current address in Detroit and eventually opened a sister location in Inkster.

Bishop and Dr. Haddon, drawn together by their faith and passion for serving others, have been united in ministering to the family in faith at High Praise and the surrounding communities. They have created numerous programs, including the Bread Basket Program, a back to school program to ensure students are prepared to start the school year with a fresh haircut and the supplies they need to succeed, as well as youth summer camps.

Please join me in tribute to Bishop Clarence and Dr. Joyce Haddon in celebration of their forty-nine years in spiritual service to High Praise Cathedral, as we wish them well in their retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today the 12th Congressional District recognizes David Kline for his outstanding contributions as the City of Dearborn's Veteran of the Year.

Born and raised in Detroit, Mr. Kline enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 after graduation from Detroit's Cody High School. During his ten years and eleven months of service, Mr. Kline earned many commendations and certifications, including the Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Citation, Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Good Conduct, and the National Defense Service Medal. After serving in the army, Mr. Kline returned home to Michigan and began a thriving career in construction.

An engaged member of the community, Mr. Kline remains active numerous veterans' organizations in southeast Michigan, including Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 267 and American Legion Post 364. He has held multiple leadership positions at both organizations. He is passionate in his commitment to helping his fellow service members, especially those in need, and works tirelessly to ensure they receive the support and care they deserve.

Please join me in recognizing Mr. David Kline as he is honored as Dearborn, Michigan's 2023 Veteran of the Year. We are grateful for his service and leadership.

Madam Speaker, as Americans like me continue to fight to save lives, no matter faith or ethnicity, I hope we remember all lives lost.

I still remember the celebrations across Palestinian villages of Al Shaima, who earned the highest high school exam score, making Gaza proud. Al Shaima was a symbol of hope because even though she grew up in a refugee camp, she still succeeded with the highest score.

She was killed with members of her family when missiles hit the al- Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza.

Yousef Maher Dawas was a young poet and writer. He died alongside members of his family. His last words, Madam Speaker, were: ``We are not numbers.''

Viola and Yara, sisters, were killed at Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church, where a missile hit while hundreds of people were crowded into the compound seeking shelter. They were members of former Congressman Justin Amash's family. They were among at least 16 people killed at the church.

Madam Speaker, please know that silencing me silences Palestinian voices who are asking to live, so we must ask and demand a cease-fire now.

Madam Speaker, more information can be found at: https:// www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/23/doctors-poets-families-babies- victims-of-israels-war-on-gaza.