Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I have the opportunity to inform colleagues that Mr. Matthew Pinkus, our Committee senior policy adviser and parliamentarian to House Administration Committee Democrats, retired recently, concluding a congressional staff career which began as an intern in 1971 and included 19 years on our committee, the longest of the more than twenty different congressional professional positions he had held during that period, including time as chief legislative assistant to Rep. Michael Barnes (D) of Maryland for the congressman's entire tenure in the House.

Whether working in House leadership, on five different congressional committees and in Members' offices, Matt excelled in a huge variety of tasks. A summer college job as a congressional intern in the House for Rep. Benjamin Rosenthal of New York while attending Brandeis University prompted Matt to leave graduate school at U.C. Berkeley after receiving an M.A. in political science and work in Washington full time, first at Congressional Quarterly, then for a month in the Senate, and then the remaining decades in the House. He said of that path, ``I decided very early on that, as much as possible, I would do things the way I wanted and try to have fun. Usually, that worked.''

Matt had an eclectic career path since his first full-time job here in 1976, when he left a political reporting job at Congressional Quarterly. He often chose to seek work in specific subject areas which interested him, rather than follow the common alternate staff career path of attaching himself to one or two members and remaining in place. He was first appointed to the Committee on House Administration Democratic staff in 1991 by Rep. Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut to work on campaign finance reform, and then moved on to the Brookings Institution as a guest scholar on their ``Renewing Congress'' project before returning to the House in 1995 to work on oversight of the executive branch at the Committee on Government Reform. Between Hill jobs in the 1990s, Matt had finished writing a book for Congressional Quarterly in 1998, How Congress Works, and was ready to once again return to the House. Then-House Administration Ranking Member Gejdenson asked him to work on election contests, and he remained here to work sequentially for Ranking Members Hoyer, Larson and Chairwoman Millender-McDonald.

Matt was probably best known on the Hill as one of the top experts on rules and process, serving on the Rules Committee staff and twice on the Subcommittee on Rules of the House, including as subcommittee staff director. His most distinctive job was as parliamentarian of the House Democratic Caucus for six years, which recognized and utilized his vast knowledge of the Caucus rules. It was a position created especially for him and lasted through the service of Chairmen Robert Menendez, Jim Clyburn, Rahm Emanuel and John Larson--all while he also worked simultaneously on the House Administration Committee. He was known for always being carefully prepared, totally candid, and was not intimidated by Members.

Matt was always our committee parliamentarian, managed floor operations, and worked on elections legislation, congressional continuity issues, and the Smithsonian Institution. He drafted and edited views on committee reports and other publications, and proofed specialized historical books published by the House. He would discuss parliamentary strategy in the morning and then make an oversight visit to the National Zoo to learn about artificial insemination of Giant Pandas in the afternoon, something made possible by CHA's very eclectic jurisdiction.

Matt sat behind me for years on the Committee on House Administration dais when I was a junior member and helped provide advice on hearings and markups for Members but when I suddenly became chairman in 2007 following the death of Chairwoman Millender-McDonald, he was there with an intricately drafted manager's parliamentary script for my very long first markup. This was a totally new role for me. When I went off script at some points and noticed Matt's look of concern, after avoiding disaster, I told him that

while I might sometimes deviate from his text, he should just keep right on doing what he does.

Matt says he plans to travel, look for opportunities to write, and again take up playing chess, which he learned at the age of four from his father, AI, who was one of America's leading players in the mid- 20th century.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Charles C. Cook, Sr., formerly Superintendent of Congressional Publishing Division at the U.S. Government Publishing Office, on the occasion of his death on Friday, September 28.

Charlie, as he was known to his colleagues, graduated in 1960 from Catonsville High School in Catonsville, Maryland, and went to work at Key Press in Arbutus for a salary of $1.50 per hour. It was at Key Press that Charlie earned his Printing Apprentice Degree. He then moved to Modern Linotype, and from there to the U.S. Government Printing Office, as the GPO was formerly known, in 1969, where he spent the rest of his career.

At the GPO, Charlie rose to the position of Superintendent of the GPO's Congressional Publishing Division, which is responsible for ensuring the production and delivery of all of the printing and digital work ordered by Congress, including the Congressional Record, bills, reports, hearings, and all of the other documents required by Congress in carrying out its legislative duties.

During his tenure, Charlie helped lead the introduction of digital publishing of the congressional documents by the GPO, which has reduced the cost and greatly expanded public access to this critically important information. He was also involved with devising improved security measures for the delivery of congressional materials following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Charlie drew strong praise from Congress for his work, which included managing the production of materials for the 1997 and 2001 Presidential inaugurations as well as materials associated with the impeachment of President Clinton. Indeed, Charlie's professionalism stood out across the legislative branch, and as Superintendent of Congressional Publishing he was a key participant in the day to day operations that supported Congress.

Charlie was well-known to his colleagues at the GPO, and especially to the many for whom he acted as mentor and advisor, as a manager with a deep understanding of the GPO's work and a model of dedication to GPO's historic mission. He was generous with his time and knowledge, unfailingly kind, and perennially good humored. In the final stage of his career, Charlie was tapped to become Director of New Business Development at the GPO, a senior executive position from which he retired.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the work and career of Charlie Cook to my colleagues, and extend the sympathy of this House to his wife, Norene, and his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today in remembrance of Margaret Bradford-Matthews.

Margaret was born in Philadelphia on September 26, 1949. She spent much of her youth in service to the A.M.E. Union Church. Shortly after graduating from William Penn High School in 1967, Margaret became one of the first African-American Pathology Technicians at the former Metropolitan Hospital in Philadelphia. She met her soon-to-be husband Herman J . Matthews, Jr., known to friends as Pete, that same year. Pete and Margaret married in the spring of 1970, at which point Margaret left her job at the hospital to raise their family.

Pete and Margaret were blessed with four children: Peter, Mark, Allan, and Heather. Of course, the challenges of raising four young children didn't keep Margaret from staying involved in the community. She was a Boy Scouts Den Mother, community organizer, volunteer school advisor, and more. She loved animals, most of all her dogs Bo and Squirt, and would often volunteer at the Camden County Animal Shelter. Margaret also had a renowned eye for fashion. Pete's reputation as one of the sharpest-dressed men in Philadelphia stems from Margaret's influence.

While Pete may hold the title of President, Margaret's input played a vital role in shaping the contracts AFSCME District Council 33 reached with the City of Philadelphia. Her importance was recognized when she was selected from PA AFL-CIO Women's Committee as a delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

Margaret leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the countless lives she touched. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring the life and memory of Margaret Bradford-Matthews.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October 10, or Double Ten Day, the national day of Taiwan. Given the warm ties between the United States and Taiwan, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the people of Taiwan a very Happy Double Ten Day.

Over the years, Taiwan has proven its leadership on the global stage--despite its unique political status--through its commitment to democracy, its contributions to global health initiatives, international development, and humanitarian missions. Taiwan delivered critical aid and supplies following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. During the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Taiwan donated funds and protective gear so that doctors and other health workers could meet the unique challenges the disease posed at that time.

Taiwan is a key security and trading partner of our nation, and it is important that Congress and the administration redouble their support for Taiwan's standing and meaningful participation in international bodies. Taiwan consists of 23.5 million highly educated and highly skilled people who are experienced in dealing with the challenges faced by our global community. Indeed, a number of these professionals fall them within the purview of international organizations such as the WHO, ICAO, and INTERPOL. It is to the benefit of us all that experts from Taiwan can share their knowledge and experience with their colleagues in these international forums as they seek to address challenges including global pandemics, aviation safety and security, international crime, and terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in wishing the people of Taiwan all the best as they celebrate Double Ten Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize legendary Civil War historian Edwin ``Ed'' Bearss. Mr. Bearss will be honored next month by the General Meade Society of Philadelphia for his contributions to Civil War history.

Ed's interest in the Civil War began at an early age. As a young man in Billings, Montana, Ed grew up listening to the stories of Civil War veterans in his home town. Following in their footsteps, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 . He would participate in the Guadalcanal and Russell Islands campaigns before suffering a near-fatal wound in the Battle of Cape Gloucester. After a two year long recovery process, Ed left Montana to pursue higher education. He received his bachelor's from Georgetown University before earning a master's degree in history from Indiana University.

After several years working for the United States Hydrographic Office, a visit to the Shiloh Battlefield inspired Ed to make a career change. Beginning in 1955 as a park historian at the Vicksburg National Military Park, he quickly gained a reputation as an engaging and theatrical battlefield guide. His research led to the 1956 discovery of the USS Cairo, a Union ironclad gunboat sunk during the Yazoo Pass Expedition. Ed would later be elevated to Chief Historian of the National Park Service, a position he would hold from 1981 to 1995. Following his retirement, Ed received the title of Chief Historian Emeritus.

The General Meade Society of Philadelphia is only the latest organization to recognize Ed for his work. His honors include the Harry S. Truman Award for Meritorious Service in the field of Civil War History, the Department of the Interior's Distinguished Service Award, and the American Battlefield Trust's Lifetime Achievement Award. Most impressively, despite turning 95 in June, Ed continues to lead battlefield tours to this day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in honoring Ed Bearss on receiving this important honor.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor my constituent, Ms. Elisa Irene DeLarge, on her graduation from high school and her matriculation to college.

Ms. DeLarge is a soon-to-be graduate of William W. Bodine High School, where she earned a 3.7GPA over four years. Her success in academics is a testament to her hard work, tireless work ethic and devotion to her future. Ms. DeLarge's will continue her academic career by taking courses at The Community College of Philadelphia this summer and attending The University of Michigan this Fall.

In addition to her own academic success, Ms. DeLarge is also committed to aiding future graduates of Philadelphia schools. Ms. DeLarge devotes countless hours to tutoring elementary and middle school students at the Narcissa S. Cruz Recreation Center. This act of selfless mentorship further speaks to Ms. DeLarge's work ethic and morals.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Ms. DeLarge today.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and celebrate the 100th birthday of Ms. Bessie Sandoli. Ms. Sandoli, who will celebrate her birthday on June 1st, was born in 1918, just before the end of WWI.

For over a half a century, Ms. Sandoli has been a proud resident of South Philadelphia at Girard Estate. It was there that she raised her five children, Edward, Rosalie, Maria, Joe and Nancy and was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. The community has greatly benefited from Ms. Sandoli's presence and her joyful smile.

As Ms. Sandoli and her family celebrate her 100th birthday on June 3rd, I am delighted to send her my best wishes and congratulations.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 20th anniversary of Tartan day on April 6th along with the many accomplishments of Scottish Americans in my district.

I am a proud member of the Friends of Scotland Caucus and am well aware of the deep history of Scottish immigrants in Philadelphia. As Scotland witnessed a tumultuous 18th century, Scots turned to Philadelphia to pursue a better life. During early settlements, Philadelphia was largely used as a gateway to the United States. Demand for a unifying organization grew and consequently, the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia was formed in 1747 by twenty-five Scottish gentlemen to help Scottish immigrants adjust to life in the New World. This impressive organization gets its name form Scotland's patron saint and is the oldest charitable membership organization in North America.

Throughout the subsequent two and a half centuries, the Scots have used their talent and hard work to the service of this country. A monument was constructed on October 8, 2011 in Philadelphia to commemorate Scottish immigration and depicts the importance of Scots to the success of the United States. I am proud that this monument serves as a symbol of the American Dream in my district.

Established in 1988 by a U.S. Senate Resolution, Tartan day serves to recognize the achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States. In Philadelphia, a ceremony, facilitated by the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia, was held on April 7 to honor the occasion.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the vigintennial of Tartan day and the years of service Scottish immigrants have brought not only to Philadelphia but to this country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the Darby Library Company, which will be celebrating its 275th birthday on March 10, 2018.

On its founding date in 1743, the Darby Library Company, located in the Village of Darby (present day Darby, PA), became the first cultural institution in the Philadelphia area. The Darby Library Company has served as a beacon of culture and intellectual curiosity throughout the development of a country and multiple wars and natural disasters, and nearly three centuries of history. Even today, after 275 years, it still provides library services for the Darby community and serves as a landmark in the neighborhood.

Generation after generation, members of the Darby Community have come to this historic establishment to read, learn, study and explore. The people of Darby have been and will continue to be the beneficiaries of this historic establishment. I am very proud that this incredible institution has such a long and illustrious history in my district.

Today, the Library boasts over 20,000 pieces of literature, including fiction, non-fiction, and reference books, in addition to a variety of audio, DVD, and video tapes. These programs and services are clearly beneficial to both Darby, as well as to the Greater Philadelphia area.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the Darby Library Company, for its 275 years of service to the Greater Philadelphia community, specifically the citizens of Darby, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Philadelphia staple Monica Malpass. A leading figure in her industry and inductee to the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame, Monica has been a vital contributor to the Philadelphia broadcasting world. Since 1988, the people of my district have enjoyed watching her co-anchor the Action News at 5 p.m. Throughout her time in Philadelphia, Monica has been an active citizen in her community, raising her three kids in Center City.

With a BA from UNC Chapel Hill in journalism and an MA in Political Science from Villanova, Monica brings a wealth of knowledge to her interviews and roundtables. Just as impressive, Monica was a Rotary Scholar to the University of Puerto Rico, a graduate from the Brookings Institute's ``Inside Washington'' program and a member of the World Affairs Council. This unique combination of education and experience has made Monica a distinguished and esteemed broadcaster.

Monica's credibility has allowed her to interview some of the most important leaders in our nation's modem history. That list includes President Barack Obama, President Gerald Ford, Vice President Joseph Biden, Vice President George H. W. Bush, Secretary Clinton, and most astoundingly every U.S. senator, congressman, governor, state senator and representative from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware for the past 30 years. Beyond interviews, Monica has been involved in conferences, panels and award shows and has emceed the PA Conference for Women numerous times.

Her leadership and skill will continue to be a crucial asset not only to the Philadelphia community, but to the entire media industry. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in recognizing Monica's years of service to the city of Philadelphia.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Philadelphia Eagles on their incredible victory in the 52nd Super Bowl. This hard-fought success could not be sweeter as it finally rings throughout the City of Brotherly Love after 52 years of hope and anticipation. As the representative of the First District of Pennsylvania, I could not be more proud to celebrate this win with my city.

While I am happy that our team won, I am even more pleased at their amazing triumph in the face of adversity; fighting through a challenging season full of injuries and difficulties, this team of underdogs never once gave up. This spirit of resilience and determination was exemplified by our quarterback Nick Foles, who carried the team to the championship after quarterback Carson Wentz injured his ACL.

I am proud of the Philadelphia Eagles for serving up that indescribable ``Philly Special,'' in more ways than one, for all Americans to see. Today, I celebrate this team, the Philadelphia Eagles organization, and most of all, the city of Philadelphia as we cherish this historic win.

As Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson said, ``not only do we have the best fans in the world, we now have the best team in the world.'' If this season of football has taught us anything, it has shown us never to underestimate the underdogs. Mr. Speaker, I believe there is just one more thing to say: Fly Eagles fly.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your attention that China's civil aviation authority unilaterally announced on January 4, 2018 that it would activate four air routes along its southeast coast near the midline between Taiwan and China without prior consultation with the Taiwanese authorities. These routes, which are critically close to the median line of the Taiwan Strait, are very likely to endanger aviation safety and security and to interfere with flight services in the Taipei Flight Information Region.

This unilateral move by China without any prior consultation with the Taiwanese government is an irresponsible act that not only seriously affects aviation safety but is also a violation of longstanding cross- strait status quo. Moreover, with this irresponsible act, the potential of military crisis could emerge in the Taiwan Strait, becoming a major threat to the peace and security of the East Asia region.

As ensuring aviation safety and maintaining peace and stability in the region remain the common concern of all relevant parties, I urge my colleagues and the House as a body to exhort China to give priority to restoring negotiations with Taiwan on the flight paths as soon as possible. The safety, security and stability of the region are at stake and the United States shall not turn a blind eye against Chinese coercion.

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

Mr. Speaker, since we began this process several months ago, I have met with experts, my colleagues, and, most importantly, the survivors of sexual harassment and assault. Their insight has informed this legislation today.

By passing this proposal, Congress will take a much-needed first step in changing how we do business:

We eliminate counseling;

We eliminate the cooling off period;

We make mediation optional;

We change the system so that we protect the victim and not the perpetrator;

We require more transparency with regular reporting that has meaningful information;

We change the confidentiality rule so that the victim decides what to talk about and when; and

We hold Members accountable for their behavior by referring every case to the Ethics Committee.

This is long overdue.

There is one person who has been championing this work her entire career, the gentlewoman from California, Representative Jackie Speier, and I thank her. Without her, we would not be here. Representative Speier's leadership and persistence are the main reasons we are so close to getting this done, and the entire Congress should be grateful for her work.

It is because of the leadership of the chairman that we are here on the floor today. As he has his entire 10 years on the committee, he has been focused on working together in a bipartisan way where we can agree. Because of that commitment, he will certainly be remembered as one of the most consequential chairmen of this committee. I thank him, and I cherish his friendship.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier), and, again, the main reason we are on the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from California an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our Democratic leader.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin), a valued member of our committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

(Ms. NORTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

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

Mr. Speaker, this is an important day for the House of Representatives. Republicans and Democrats from all different parts of the country have come together to make meaningful change in how Congress operates.

As I conclude, I would like to thank the staff that worked so hard on this, especially Kim Betz, Molly Fishman, and Miriam Goldstein; and members of my staff, Teri Morgan and Jamie Fleet, my staff director.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Harper for his leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation before us now.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this resolution continues the work we started and the legislation we just considered. It makes much-needed improvements to how the House operates.

It requires every office to have an antiharassment and antidiscrimination policy. It provides legal counsel for our House employees who need assistance in fighting harassment in their offices. It strengthens our Code of Conduct, the ethics rules we live by, to make clear that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated, and it bans the use of the MRA for paying settlements.

I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

Again, I would like to thank my chairman for his cooperation. As always, we work together. As you can see, when we work together, we get things done.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution.

We would not be here today if it were not for the courage of my friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier). All of us should be grateful for her leadership on this issue.

This resolution is the start, but it is just a start. We have to reform the Congressional Accountability Act, we have to modernize to fully fund the Office of Compliance, and there is much more to do.

I appreciate the effort of my chairman, Mr. Harper, and the seriousness with which he has taken this issue and his commitment to bipartisan progress. The status quo cannot and will not be tolerated. Passing this resolution begins with the first step here.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), who is our Democratic leader.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier). Again, I thank her for her courage.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren), a valued member of our committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington, D.C. (Ms. Norton).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney).

(Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, make no mistake about it, this is bullying: sexual bullying harassment.

I have a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter, and a great- granddaughter. I have a responsibility to protect them. In the people's House, we have mothers, wives, daughters, granddaughters, great- granddaughters, and we have a responsibility to protect them.

Men have a responsibility to stand up and confront this behavior when we see it. We have a responsibility to demand better of other men. We have a responsibility to confront these bullies.

Men who use their power to harass and abuse others are disgraceful, and we cannot tolerate their behavior. We need to stop having a system that enables it.

Mr. Speaker, I personally witnessed an incident back in my perch, where I stay back in the corner there, of a Congresswoman that was leaning back talking to me, and a Congressman walked by and groped her from behind. I reached over and, lucky for him, I just couldn't grab him. I wanted to chase him down the aisle, but the Congresswoman, as classy as she is, said: ``No, don't do that. You may get in a little trouble. We will take care of him.'' And he got taken care of pretty well.

I wonder if women would be disrespected or sexually bullied if their husbands or their fathers were standing next to them when somebody tried to sexually harass them or grope them. That is why I say men who do that are bullies and cowards. Just treat women with the respect and dignity that you would your own mother.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for a unanimous vote on this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.