Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I rise today for Myra Thompson and Susie Jackson, people who were murdered in their church during a Bible study. And I rise for the tens of thousands of Americans who will die if Congress does not close the Charleston loophole.

In 2015, the FBI reported that more than 270,000 guns were sold because the NICS system failed to issue a ``do not sale'' order within 3 days.

One was sold to a man with a hate-filled heart, as we have heard. He walked into Mother Emanuel church in Charleston, South Carolina, a historically Black church, and murdered nine people who were simply seeking to get closer to their God.

Madam Chair, we have seen this time and time again. Our houses of worship are not safe from gun violence: Mother Emanuel, First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Tree of Life, Oak Creek's house of worship, and the list goes on and on.

We talk about PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. Just recently, I heard someone in the Chicago area talk about PTSD, but it was ``present-traumatic stress disorder'' because of all the guns that are in the streets in the hands of people who should not have them.

Madam Chair, today, I challenge my colleagues to do the right thing: Pass this bill and save lives. Pass this bill and prevent dangerous people from getting guns. Pass this law because you never know if it will be your son or mother who could be next, gunned down by doing something as routine as praying.

Today, we need to do the right thing. Today, we need to pass H.R. 1112. Today, we need to honor the Emanuel 9 and close the Charleston loophole.

Madam Speaker, I rise today for Hadiya Pendleton and Blair Holt--because they can no longer rise. Their promising young lives were cut short by gun violence.

I rise for Xavier Joy, Julian Gonzalez and Delmonte Johnson and the thousands of Americans lost to gun violence over the years.

People are dying in our cities and our rural counties, in school classrooms and movie theatres.

In Waffle Houses, synagogues and on our streets. Nowhere is safe from gun violence and the American people are sick and tired of it.

That's why they sent a historic wave of gun sense candidates to Congress with a singular mission: do something and save lives.

Today, we will keep that promise. Today, we will vote on legislation to ensure a background check on every gun sale.

This week, we will also vote on legislation that would have prevented the Mother Emanuel tragedy.

Now, Madam Speaker, we know that no single bill can prevent all gun violence but each

of these bills will prevent some. It's time to act and start saving lives.

To my colleagues, you must do the right thing. You must vote ``yes'' on H.R. 8 and H.R. 1112, for the sake of our families and our nation.

History will remember this moment.

Madam Speaker, February is National Children's Dental Health month--an opportunity that brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.

Each year, millions of Americans suffer from untreated dental disease. Tooth decay remains the most common, chronic childhood disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20 percent of children ages 5 to 11 suffer from tooth decay, despite the fact that it is a completely preventable disease. Children from low-income families are twice as likely to have cavities compared to children from higher-income households.

Give Kids A Smile (GKAS), sponsored by the Foundation of the American Dental Association, is an annual centerpiece during National Children's Dental Health Month. Give Kids a Smile Day is one of the most important events for children and dentists in this country. Thousands of dentists and volunteers give their time to provide free oral health education, screenings, and treatment to underserved children. Since 2003, more than 5.5 million children have been cared for by more than half a million volunteers. Programs like this will continue throughout the year.

I'm happy to have led the passage of legislation that supports programs such as Give Kids A Smile and other initiatives aimed at providing greater access to care. The Action for Dental Health Act supports a nationwide, community-based movement focused on delivering care now to people suffering from dental disease, strengthening and growing the public and private safety net to provide more care to more Americans, and expanding dental health education and disease prevention within underserved communities.

Ensuring that children and adults receive accessible, quality oral health care should remain a priority for all of us. Thank you for supporting dentistry and the oral health of our nation's most vulnerable population.

Madam Speaker, I rise today because 800,000 Federal workers--7,400 of who live and work in Illinois--are furloughed or working without pay because of this unnecessary Trump shutdown.

Today I want to talk about two of them. The first is a constituent from the south suburbs of my district. Before joining the Federal Government workforce, he proudly served our Nation during the Vietnam war. He fought for his country. He risked his life for this country.

When he came back from the war, he continued to serve. In fact, he served 46 years in the government working to help his fellow Americans find opportunities and bridges to a better life. After 46 years and because of the declining health of his wife, he decided that it was time to retire. Given his career, I would say it is a well-deserved retirement. So he filed his paperwork, but, sadly, it was 2 days before the Trump shutdown started. His retirement application has yet to be processed. He has yet to receive his final paycheck and cannot access his TSP or 401(k) because he doesn't have his official retirement documents.

Madam Speaker, this is insane. It is insane that this President--a five-time draft dodger--would treat a Vietnam veteran with such outright disdain. But, honestly, I am not sure he cares.

While this story is especially upsetting, it is not the only story. Another of my constituents was featured yesterday on ``CBS This Morning.'' His family has three kids; two of them are autistic. After years of dedicated government service, his family was denied his paycheck and likely won't receive his next scheduled paycheck either. In order to make ends meet, they are dipping into their savings-- savings meant to provide for the long-term care of their children.

Is this really the way we want to treat Americans--let alone Americans who have dedicated their careers to serving our great country?

Madam Speaker, these are just two stories of many. Right now there are dozens of Active Duty Coast Guard at Station Calumet Harbor risking their lives to save others and to protect the homeland who aren't getting paid. These are Active Duty servicemembers, and they were told to hold yard sales or babysit to make ends meet without paychecks.

Are you serious?

President Trump wants Active Duty Coast Guardsmen to sell their families' memories because he is throwing a temper tantrum and shut down the government. It is just madness, plain and simple.

I have a message to President Trump about his border wall: You have lost. This game is over, and you are hurting people like this Vietnam war veteran. You have lost, and you are not going to get it. End this Trump shutdown and then have a real serious conversation on border security and comprehensive immigration reform.

In fact, I will promise right here and right now, Mr. President, if you are serious about solving issues--and there are definitely issues that need to be solved--I will be the first one at the table. Reopen the government, Mr. President. I will be there to talk about real bipartisan reforms that will enhance border security and prevent more families from being cruelly torn apart by a broken immigration system.

Madam Speaker, while this is a Trump shutdown, he has dangerous enablers in Congress. The biggest one is just a few steps away in the Senate, the Senate majority leader.

I also have a message for the Senate majority leader, the gentleman from Kentucky: Call a vote on any of the bipartisan funding bills that this House--the people's House--has sent over to the Senate. Call a vote and reopen the government. Call a vote for the 6,400 Kentuckians working without pay or not working in your State. You were elected to serve the people of Kentucky, not the whims of the man in the White House. Mr. Majority Leader, it is time to do your job.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who have joined our efforts to reopen government. Each vote gets a few more. These are hardworking, commonsense men and women who want to do their job. They want to serve their constituents and make America a better place.

Together with House Democrats, they are standing up to President Trump and his illogical wall. Together with House Democrats they are saying: reopen the government. Together with House Democrats, they know that we can't secure our border if border agents aren't being paid and if Active Duty Coast Guardsmen are not being paid, and we can't secure public safety if FBI agents aren't being paid.

Madam Speaker, my constituents and hundreds of thousands of other families are suffering because of this Trump shutdown. I am proud to have voted with every House Democrat to reopen the government to pay our Active Duty servicemembers and restore government services. It is time for the Senate and President Trump to show the same commitment to our economy, our national security, and the hardworking men and women who serve this Nation as Federal Government employees.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because 2017 marked the greatest number of gun violence deaths in two decades.

Last year, we lost 39,773 Americans to gun violence--that's more than 109 people killed each and every day.

Despite these shocking and horrific statistics, despite the fact that more Americans are dying from gun violence, despite the fact that mothers are burying their children far too soon, this House--this Republican majority--has done nothing to stop the violence.

Mr. Speaker, you and your team's response to 39,773 dead Americans was to do nothing, zero, zilch?

Why? What is the root of your inaction?

Could it be the large numbers in those NRA checks that flood your campaign account and leadership PAC?

Could it be the more than 30 million dollars that the NRA spent to elect President Donald J. Trump?

Mr. Speaker, I have one question: why do those millions of dollars matter more than 39,773 American lives lost in one year?

Why does any amount of money matter more to you and your caucus than the life of an American?

Mr. Speaker, these are the names of more Americans that this Congress has failed--Americans killed or hurt by gun violence that has become an epidemic in our nation because of Republican inaction.

Gun Violence Victims from Tennessee's 8th Congressional District

1. Quincy Anderson, 24

2. Toby Bailey

3. Alonzo Scullark

4. Bruce Henderson

5. Christavian Toomes, 19

6. Isaiah Mccrory, 18

7. Braxton Watkins, 20

8. Sheila Scott

9. Trell Travis Terry, 23

10. Ben Cole Birdwell

11. Jaylon Cohen, 17

12. Jessica Hunt, 27

13. Marcus Jones, 18

14. Marlon Anderson, 21

15. Jessica Jones, 29

16. Demarrio Borum

17. Nageab Alshaif

18. Kevin Minter, 26

19. Jeremy Williams, 25

20. Tevin Murrell, 22

21. Darius Vaughn, 16

22. Daithan Cobb, 20

23. Kentavious Wilson, 19

24. Salvador Byassee

25. Tyion Taylor

26. Marlin Wallace

27. Jerron Luke McAlister, 12

28. Dennis Edward Neisler, 26

29. Troy ``Tuman'' Whitmore, 19

30. Deairrious Young, 20

31. Joshua Hadra, 22

32. Terry Edward Hill

33. Tychicus Randle

34. Jeffery Pickens

35. Kenneth Mahone, 29

36. Michael Jerod Harris, 21

37. Michael Morris

38. Lucinda Luna, 19

39. Andrew Deaundrey Curtis-Terry, 20

40. Charles Graves

41. Betsy Raines

42. Nancy Lewellyn

43. Rodney James Hess

44. Jarvis Miller, 27

45. Velma Paulette Garrett

46. Christopher Armstrong

47. William Vinson, 27

48. Tim Edwards

49. Jimmy Lee Lawson

50. Don Fitzgerald White

51. Shanice Amerson

52. Rontavious M. McKinley, 22

53. Desmond Travis, 23

54. Angela Pigue

55. Special Agent De'Greaun Frazier

56. Stephanie Boyd

57. William Boyd

58. Elia Hernandez, 17

59. Arric Lamont Ford, 22

60. Ronald Branch, 28

61. Peyton Gates

62. Gregory Robinson, 27

63. Mondarrius Miller

64. Jack S. Jetton

65. Clarence Evans, 20

66. Charles Kerr, 29

67. Tony Willoughby, 25

68. Samuel Johnson, Jr., 25

69. Michael Joseph Bartkiewicz

70. Mikkel Joy, 26

71. Ernest Emerson

72. Colton Tilley, 22

73. Sontonio Brown, 25

74. Jacky Ford

75. Crystal Shad Herbert-Weathers

76. Karri Baker

77. Beau Reid, 29

78. Alexandrea Bevis, 27

79. Virginia Dorris

80. David Laster

81. Ladarius Brooks

82. Matthew D. Belk, 27

83. Jennifer Herren

84. Harvey Gandy

85. James Roberson, 25

86. Ralph Faudree

87. Corey Williams

88. Cleate Andrew Davis

89. Willie Claybrook

90. A'Darius Flagg, 17

91. Tereon Taylor, 23

92. Officer Raymond Bond

93. Anastasia ``Ana'' Randoll, 4

94. Donna Green

95. Dilon C. McGee, 18

96. Johnnie Patricia Alston

97. Torhonda Cathey

98. Jarvis Antawn Hines, 23

99. Jodarius McNuckles, 18

100. Shomari Peterson, Jr., 17

101. Justin Williams, 20

102. Justin Neil Davis, 24

103. Jeffrey Nelson

104. Jamar Rogers, 24

105. Gary Morris, 24

106. Aljernon Lloyd Jr

107. Marcus A. Coleman, 27

108. Olivia Greenlee, 21

109. Houston Dewayne Brown, 26

110. Markel Owens, 21

111. Johnny Shivers, 36

112. Laura Ann Rains, 26

Gun Violence Victims from Georgia's 6th Congressional District

113. Zachary Chambless, 17

114. Amber Marie Holliman

115. Patrick Nolan

116. Shurki Ali Said

117. Jason Lappe

118. Talathia Brooks

119. Elijah Smith

120. Clarence ``Alex'' Maddox

121. Elizabeth Reissiger

122. Ruth Reissiger

123. Kobe Williams, 17

124. Antuan McClain

125. Andrew Spencer

126. Cierra Ford, 25

127. Anthony Welch

128. Esmond Ford, 25

129. Luz Mariana Matheu

130. Natalie Henderson, 17

131. Carter Davis, 17

132. Howard L. Sewell

133. Cin Lam Mung

134. Sean Michael Turner, 17

135. Andres Arias, 16

136. Jhavares Doster, 20

137. Ja'Ron Acklin, 24

138. Ricardo Hernandez Ovalle, 22

139. Nena Harris

140. Robert Allen Harris

141. Antonio Bernabe

142. Doris Beardsley

143. Anthony Hill, 27

144. Donovan Thomas, 26

145. Jonas Douze Sr.

146. Daniel John Zeitz, 28

147. Sharon Wilkins

148. Dan Wilkins

149. Paul Anthony Santos

150. Justin Acevedo, 22

151. Takeenan Williams, 23

152. Armando Lopez Perez

153. Montavious Washington, 18

154. Daryus Johnson, 19

155. Darius Bottoms, 18

156. Nicholas Abry, 20

157. Spencer Long, 20

158. Michael Verucci, 30

Gun Violence Victims from Missouri's 2nd Congressional District

159. Crystal Chrisp

160. Alexander Marley, 29

161. Thomas Hearst Jr.

162. Leroy D. Allen

163. Linda Cook

164. Johnny Cook

165. Michelle Moore

166. Michael Moore

167. Ramone Thomas, 26

168. Joshua Lanflisi

169. Jerrod Kershaw, 30

170. Shamarcus McCullough, 20

171. Clifton Knickmeyer

172. Kenna Daly

173. Christopher Daly

174. Jose Dominguez, 27

175. Owen Cadenbach, 4

176. Ethan Cadenbach, 5

177. Christopher Cadenbach, 43

178. Officer Blake Curtis Snyder

179. Rebecca Comer Kelleher

180. Carole Comer

181. John M. Comer

182. Thomas Patrick Comer

183. Roy Scott Baker

184. Irma Hipp

185. Jose Garcia, 26

186. Xzavier ``Zae'' Robinson, 3

187. Jacob Hohman

188. Larry Montgomery, 21

189. Marcus Hurst, 23

190. Alexis Church, 6

191. Colleen Church

192. Terry Tobey

193. Eric Meyer

194. Melissa McCart, 27

195. Ned R. Booker, 28

196. Omar Britt

197. Nickolas T. Gralike, 24

198. James Roesslein

199. Patsy Roesslein

200. Jacquelyn N. Adams, 22

201. Justin L. Frister

202. Dorvion Richardson, 25

203. Joseph Potter, 20

204. Douglas Potter

205. Anthony Kovac, 21, and

206. Wendy Hall-Onkle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Americans are still being taken from us by gun violence.

The Republican majority's strong ties with the NRA--an organization that has blocked commonsense, lifesaving legislation and told America's doctors, our public health experts,

that addressing gun violence `isn't in their lane'--has prevented this Congress from acting.

Why is that Mr. Speaker? Could your caucus be so beholden because of the millions of dollars the NRA funnels into your campaign accounts and leadership PACs?

As the NRA was telling doctors to `stay in their lane', a domestic abuser entered Chicago Mercy Hospital--a hospital, a place a refugee, healing and wellness--and took the lives of:

32-year-old Dr. Tamara O'Neal,

28-year-old Chicago Police Officer Samuel Jimenez, and

25-year-old pharmacy resident Dayna Less, PharmD.

These are just three of the more than 90 Americans lost to gun violence each and every day in America.

Mr. Speaker, how many times do we have to see American lives lost to senseless gun violence before we act? When will we be part of stopping violence?

Unfortunately, this long list does not end with them. These are the names of the Americans that this Republican-controlled House has failed with our failure to pass commonsense gun legislation:

1. Nathan Majors, 8

2. Hayden Mayes, 2

3. Amy Hayes, 5

4. Ronald Rocket

5. Patrick Smith, 41

6. Ke'Anthony Jelks, Jr., 2

7. Lauren McCluskey, 21

8. Florence County Deputy Farrah B. Turner

9. Nicole Barker

10. Antoine Hartwell

11. D'Onjay Jackson

12. Selina Rowsell

13. Aries Rowsell, 15

14. Avi Rowsell, 5

15. Michael Franco

16. Qa'id Muhammad, 29

17. Darren Scott Stroh

18. Onexis Del Valle Delair

19. Dustin John Delair

20. Claudia Cordero Garcia, 20

21. Diosdan Benitez-Cruz, 25

22. Ted Williams Hale

23. Joanne Lynn Strussenderg

24. Glenn Strussenderg

25. Donna McElfresh

26. Matthew Minkler, 17

27. Raheem Anthony Rice, 23

28. Michael Lamar Ragland

29. Mia Banks

30. Undra Colbert

31. Zachary Ragusa

32. Jesse Ordonez

33. Dylan Ray Martin

34. Martha Johnson

35. Richard Dean Johnson

36. Weldeyoanes Zelealem

37. Edward Budd

38. Christopher Hodgkin

39. Nicole Nguyen

40. James Charles Powell

41. Giovanni Melton, 14

42. Craig O'Driscoll

43. Nicholas Joseph Diamond, 29

44. Darrion Bolden, 26

45. Gabriel Valenzuela,

46. Bradley Whitis

47. Anthony Garrett, 16

48. Karen Michelle Jackson

49. John Lunetta Jr., 11 months

50. John Henry Lunetta

51. Eric Brooks, 18

52. Anthony Stearns, 17

53. Margaret Distler

54. Clarence Distler

55. Angel Thompson

56. Andres Guillen

57. Holly Ann Guillen

58. Kimberlee Ann Kincaid-Hill

59. Paul Carr Palmer, III

60. Fabriccio Patti, 13

61. Ethan Hogan, 25

62. Joshua Lee, 20

63. Jon ``Rabbit'' Gomez

64. Sydney Land, 21

65. Nehemiah Kauffman, 21

66. Javier Munoz, 28

67. Kaji Goode, 22

68. Rex Vance Wilson

69. Christopher Stewart

70. Aleksandr Khutsishvili

71. Lamar Dale Reid, 22

72. Paulette King

73. Felipe George

74. Gianni Corsentino, 18

75. Art Wulf

76. Jan Wulf

77. Aaron Wulf

78. Mark Santee

79.Vincent G. Maltese

80. Kevin Michael Hockar

81. Matt Christensen, 24

82. Lanard Wilson

83. Jaime Borja Molina

84. Donald Jecusco

85. Devry Moore, 22

86. Steven Wayne Spurlin, 27

87. Johnny Dee Haney II, 26

88. Kevin Clanton

89. Mbayi Ngenza

90. Marcell Titus

91. James Smyth

92. Tristan Taylor Green, 19

93. Clayton James Singleton, 8

94. Jennifer Bagley Donoso

95. Lex Donoso, 8

96. Joe Frankulin

97. Marquic Williams, 26

98. Kye McClendon, 21

99. Derrick Patterson, 46

100. Geovany Garcia, 19

101. Jerelle Javanta Lamb

102. Jerrelle Lamb

103. Melroz A. Klungseth

104. Charles Schroeder

105. Zoey Schroeder

106. John Noble

107. John Allen

108. Androples Lewis

109. Veronica Caldwell

110. Cory Childers, 21

111. Yvonne Reyes, 18

112. Blake Widmar, 21

113. Won Jae Lee, 26

114. Jiyeon Lee, 23

115. Phia Vang, 25

116. Monty Gibson

117. Deanna Serano

118. Marvin Surrell, 22

119. Timothy Donnelly

120. Alabama's 17th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Greg Griggers

121. Clayton Wesley Bronson, 18

122. Evan Plunkett, 25

123. Arcenio Lujan

124. Zachary Wayne Girdner, 23

125. Joseph Lucero, 27

126. Cecil Johnson

127. Officer Samuel Solorio

128. Dejanay Stanton, 24

129. Eh Thon Gar, 22

130. Jamymell Ray

131. Yvonne Woodard

132. Allen Troyer, 21

133. James Lonaker

134. Ventura County Sheriff Sgt. Ron Helus

135. Sean Adler

136. Cody Coffman, 22

137. Alaina Housley, 18

138. Daniel Manrique

139. Justin Meek, 23

140. Kristina Morisette, 20

141. Telemachus Orfanos, 27--a survivor of the mass shooting in Las Vegas who was killed in another mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA

142. Noel Sparks, 21

143. Mark Meza, Jr., 20

144. Blake Dingman, 21, and

145. Jacob Dunham, 21.

Mr. Speaker, this Congress--led by Republicans--has failed to implement commonsense gun safety legislation. This leaves the door open for chaos to take place, day in and day out, in our movie theatre, hospital, country concerts, synagogues and bars.

So I ask you again, Mr. Speaker: `When will it stop?'

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 5759, the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act of 2018. This bipartisan legislation, which was reported out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by voice vote, seeks to modernize and improve the delivery of citizen facing and internal digital services by government agencies.

This legislation builds on the Connected Government Act that I authored and which was signed into law last year. Like the Connected Government Act, the 21st Century IDEA requires federal agency websites to be mobile friendly and secure by providing citizens with an improved customer experience. The bill requires agencies to upgrade their online experiences, provide a digital, mobile friendly option for any paper- based form, requires a plan for the expanded use of electronic signatures, and establishes federal agency chief information officers as the responsible officials inside the federal government for carrying out these requirements. All critical factors in improving customer experience.

American citizens deserve and expect a modern, cost effective digital experience when interacting with the federal government. Recent data from the IRS shows that in-person or live assistance calls to the agency cost taxpayers between $40 and $60 on average, while digital transactions cost only $0.22 on average. A recent 2017 Forrester Research study on Federal Customer Experience Index also found that, ``federal websites and mobile apps still offer experiences that are worse than those provided by nondigital channels like physical locations and call centers.'' The need for enhanced citizen-facing digital service delivery is clear and will dramatically drive down the cost of government operations and improve customer experience.

Restoring the United States Government's global leadership in technology and digital government requires a new approach. To that end, H.R. 5759 is needed to modernize federal agency websites, support the increased use of mobile devices, transition away from paper-based forms and in-person transactions and bring the U.S. government into the 21st Century.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Strengthening the Health Care Fraud Prevention Task Force Act of 2018. This bipartisan bill would authorize the Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership and expand and enhance the task force's capabilities to fight waste, fraud, and abuse throughout our healthcare system. This, in turn, will reduce costs for families and taxpayers.

The Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership is a public-private partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services, private payers, Federal and State law enforcement agencies, and State healthcare agencies. The partnership aims to improve the detection and prevention of healthcare fraud by promoting the exchange of data and information between the public and private sectors on fraud trends, as well as successful anti-fraud practices.

The legislation we are considering today would require the partnership to report regularly to Congress and give the agency the tools it needs to enhance and expand its capability. This is a good bill that makes sense, a bill that will work.

We must continue to work, on a bipartisan basis, to enhance our fraud detection capabilities. I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to continue working together to find meaningful solutions to reduce costs by rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse in our healthcare system.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I stand proudly in support of H.R. 2422, my bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act. Since 2013, I have been working with my colleagues to emphasize the importance of oral health, especially for America's children and seniors.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Furthermore, a child's oral health status is directly tied to their academic achievement and school attendance. Likewise, poor oral health, such as toothlessness or tooth decay, are potentially life-threatening conditions for our grandmothers and grandfathers, and Medicare does not cover dental health services.

Unfortunately, so many other Americans in between childhood and elderly adulthood lack access to oral healthcare because of cost or a lack of dentists in their area.

The Action for Dental Health bill starts to change this by making oral healthcare more accessible for those in need without new Federal spending. Once enacted, the Action for Dental Health Act will empower the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to deliver more and better dental healthcare to underserved populations, especially urban and rural communities, and increase education about the importance of oral health. This legislation will strengthen the impact of existing resources and services.

The goal of the Action for Dental Health Act is to reduce the number of oral health emergency room visits, which are often costly, not comprehensive, and only occur at late stages after causing other negative health effects.

So, in the short and long term, this bill will save money for patients and taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, the Action for Dental Health Act is cosponsored by 83 Members of Congress and supported by the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association, and 39 other advocacy groups.

The bipartisan companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Cory Booker as S. 3016. When originally debated in February, it passed this House with 90 percent of Members voting ``yes.''

I am especially proud to have worked with Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho, one of a handful of dentists in Congress. I offer my deepest thanks to him and his team. I thank him for his steadfast leadership, expertise, and partnership.

In this time of a deeply divided Congress, I am glad that Congressman Simpson and I could put forward a bipartisan bill that has won the support of hundreds of our colleagues and field leaders. I look forward to working with him on more bipartisan solutions to increase access to healthcare, especially oral healthcare.

The Action for Dental Health Act is a prime example of how Congress should work. Together, we developed the idea, consulted with experts in the field, worked across the aisle on the legislative text, introduced it, advanced it through the committee process, organized House and Senate votes, amended the bill, and we now look to advance this critical bill to President Trump's desk to make it law.

This is how Congress should work. We need to get back to this cooperative process. Let us not delay making way for quality dental health services for Americans in need.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), and I ask unanimous consent that she may control that time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Americans are still dying from gun violence, in our cities and towns, villages and rural communities.

Despite the fact that 93 Americans are shot and killed, each and every day, this House--controlled by Republicans--have done nothing to stop the violence.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle offer ``thoughts and prayers'' while doing nothing so they can collect those NRA checks.

Mr. Speaker, how did this happen? How did this House become so beholden to the gun lobby that the death of children fails to inspire us to stand up, speak out and act?

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the names of 250 Americans--many of whom are children--who've been shot in America. These are Americans that this House, this Congress has failed.

1. Julien Gonzalez, 2

2. Devin Kelly, 16

3. McKinley ``Bonnie'' Chavous, 3

4. Delmonte Johnson, 19

5. Jordan Martin, 18

6. Jahnae Patterson, 17

7. Earl Young

8. Joshua Campbell, 22

9. Eric Johnson, 22

10. Kendall Brown

11. Andrea Echeverria, 23

12. Bo Li, 14

13. Meigin Lin, 14

14. Lia Lin, 15

15. Kaileigh Lin, 17

16. Kenyate Sparks

17. Juan Espinoza Sr.

18. Donald Norris, 19

19. Malik McCloud, 19

20. Antonio Dixon, 19

21. Kenny Ivory, 17

22. Charles Green

23. Keshonda Monique Maxey, 19

24. Elijah Clayton, 22

25. Nicholas Cox

26. Zack Kempke, 14

27. Pruthvi Raj Kandepi, 25

28. Florence Police Officer Terrence Carraway

29. Estell D. Roberson

30. Prince Kargou, 19

31. Marc Anthony Bolden, 28

32. Jason Depena, 27

33. Jeremy Sandoval, 22

34. Curtis Cain

35. Douglass Watts

36. Taquan Pinkney, 18

37. Vincent Martin

38. Delashon Jefferson, 21

39. Sara Hill, 14

40. Nicky Sandoval, 25

41. Postman Tyson Jerome Barnette, 26

42. Marquell Carter, 25

43. Natwan Holyfield, 17

44. Rashaad Walker Jr., 20 months

45. Taylor Robertson, 28

46. Malcom Evans, 19

47. Jordan Edwards, 15

48. Aaron Howard

49. Matrice Luster, 26

50. Chris McFarland

51. Richard Newcomer

52. Chicago Police Department Mass Transit Unit Sgt. Steven

Bechina

53. Botham Shem Jean, 26

54. Zacari Johnson, 20

55. Shantee Tucker

56. Kyle Storm Lee, 16

57. Juan Cruz, 21

58. Chicago Police Department Michael Anthony Robbins

59. Whitney Austin

60. Darlister Smith

61. Ron Johnson

62. Roley Johnson III

63. Officer Brandon Krueger

64. Darnell C. Moton, 24

65. Officer Matt Cooper

66. Shane Colombo, 25

67. Deanna Marie Caudillo

68. Christian Meroney

69. Luis Felipe Calderon

70. Kaliegh Shea Pennington, 10

71. Tom Marmet, 22

72. Cesar Esantana-Orozco

73. Joseph L. Jones

74. Darrell Webb

75. Officer Antwan Toney, 30

76. James Springer III, 12

77. Juan Sandoval III, 20

78. Leetemi Daniels

79. Steve Rosenthal, 15

80. Officer Wendolyn O. Tanner

81. Devyn Holmes

82. North Carolina State Trooper Kevin Conner

83. Juan Espinoza Jr.

84. Pamela Burgess

85. Que'Lexus Hunter, 20

86. Makiyah Wilson, 10

87. Geoffrey Willis

88. Rodney Jernigan

89. Florence Police Department Officer Terrence Carraway

90. Norris Anderson

91. Alex Madunic

92. Damia Barnett, 3

93. Jesus Gomez

94. Sabrina Moreno, 21

95. Lester Jack, 22

96. Justin Richey, 16

97. Latrell Brown, 16

98. Johnny Mathis, 29

99. Laquan Surles

100. Jahimel Gayle

101. Claudell Gary

102. Robert Bosalavage

103. O'Neal Mosley, 24

104. Earnest Brownlee

105. Tahrim Applewhite, 19

106. Shamel Fredericks, 24

107. Abdulla Yafaee

108. John Fernandez, 17

109. Kahliq Francis

110. Alyssa Rodriguez, 17

111. Clayton Hemingway, 16

112. Dawud Escort, 25

113. Shaquill Banks, 23

114. Chaz ``Chazzo'' Manuel

115. Dexton Simpson

116. Stephen Vargas

117. David Dottin

118. Carnell Victor, 26

119. Luis Ortiz, 19

120. Keith Vereen

121. Shaqwanda Staley, 29

122. Chynna Battle, 21

123. Christina Stubbs, 23

124. Devon Hannibal, 27

125. Cameron J. Smith

126. Ivelisse Alvarado-Genao, 30

127. Hassan Cooper, 32

128. Jacqueline Dicks

129. Akeem Booker, 28

130. Kester Anthony, 23

131. Javon Craig, 19

132. Shanell Hunter

133. Darren Harrison, 22

134. Maurice Lindsey, 29

135. Joshua Martino, 18

136. James Owens

137. Alastasia ``Stacey'' Bryan, 25

138. Salaya Figueroa, 27

139. Christopher Cognata

140. Seneca Scott

141. Felicita Sotillo

142. Neil Thompson

143. Tyrone Stewart

144. Rysheen Ervin, 28

145. Luis Zuniga, 22

146. Kendell Walcott, 24

147. Akming Albritton, 25

148. Imam Maulama Akonjee

149. Thara Uddin

150. Zavon Gordon, 28

151. Earnest Brown

152. George Amadeo

153. James McDowell, 23

154. Tyreen McDowell, 1

155. Drini Gjoka, 25

156. Eliyahu Moscowitz, 24

157. Daveron Sanders

158. Donald Ray Miles, 27

159. Michael Ware

160. Emily Keyes, 16

161. Charles E. ``Bert'' Miller

162. Fred Jackson, 28

163. Roberto Ramirez, 23

164. Officer Michael Michalski

165. Veronica Rutledge, 29

166. Patrice Price

167. Christa Engles, 26

168. Keshira Linnette, 26

169. Michael Carney, 26

170. Eric Brown, 23

171. Carmen Danielle Morris, 23

172. Dorothy Reardean, 25

173. Deb Christner, 28

174. Divine Vaniah Chambliss

175. DaMoni Troutman, 5

176. Corbin Wiederholt, 9 months

177. Christopher Spruill, 4

178. Sincere Peek, 5

179. Kristopher Courson, 11

180. Melvin Brady, 5

181. Mason Powell, 12

182. Carmello Ibarguen, 11

183. Edgar Padilla, 5

184. Thomas Paisie III, 7

185. Brooklyn Samiya Davis, 3

186. Christopher Scurry Jr., 8

187. Gavin Stiles, 3

188. Paxton Shannon, 3

189. Sani Holmes, 4

190. Jayden Jawan Choate, 4

191. Kahlil Burt, 11

192. Hayley Moore, 5

193. Melina H. Torres, 7

194. Mariah Davis, 5

195. Noah Sarver, 10

196. Holston Cole, 3

197. Za'veon Amari Williams, 3

198. Sha'Quille Kornegay, 2

199. Kiyan Shelton, 2

200. Devon Lofton, 7

201. A'letha Amanii Marie Burke, 6

202. Christopher Griffith, 3

203. Kimi Reylander, 9

204. Isaiah Deloatch, 4

205. Tyler Fredrick McBride, 7

206. Kadin Tige Mann, 5

207. Karmelo Johnson, 3

208. Manal ``Cash'' Abdelaziz, 3

209. William Anderson, 4

210. Kaden Nagle, 3

211. Sienna Owens, 11

212. Phabion Kemarion Runnels, 11

213. Ja'Mecca Smith, 6

214. Andrew Turner, 5

215. Eron Burks, 6

216. Blayden Ashley, 2

217. Savion Barrow, 2

218. Jayden Jamar Clay, 2

219. Daylen Makhai Head, 9

220. Waylon Dennington, 2

221. Eian H. Santiago, 6

222. Clayton James Singleton, 8

223. McKayla Dyer, 8

224. Joseph Baily, 12

225. Lamonte Streeter, 16

226. Carter Epps, 2

227. Brayden Heath, 3

228. Elijah Walker, 3

229. Dalis Cox, 3

230. Deveonna Rimson, 3

231. Chris L. Palmer, 4

232. Jonathan Kaufman, 3

233. Marques Green, 3

234. Aabriel Jones Jr., 4

235. Makayla Manners, 4

236. Darius Coleman, 3

237. Cameron Morris, 4

238. Braylon Robinson, 1

239. Jaxon Kullen White, 3

240. DaVontae Ziegler, 15

241. Stanley Custer, 7

242. Codrick McCall Jr., 4

243. Matthew Cisneros, 13

244. Stephan J. Miller, 8

245. Alexis Mercer, 3

246. Kaleb Ahles, 2

247. Randell Parks, 3

248. Corbin Wiederholt, 5

249. Ryan Welch, 4

250. Damoni Troutman, 5

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because this weekend 11 Americans were shot and killed while at a bris at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA.

This synagogue is a staple of the Squirrel Hill community and a place used by Jewish Americans and their neighbors to celebrate life moments, community achievements and their faith in God.

Sadly, one man, with a hate-filled heart and an AR-15, turned this peaceful, loving community into victims of one of America's worst and most shocking mass shootings.

These are the names of the Americans that this Republican-controlled House failed with our failure to pass commonsense, broadly-supported bans of military-style assault weapons, like the AR-15: Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Rose Mallinger, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Joyce Fienberg, Dr. Richard Gottfried, DMD, Irving Younger, and Melvin Wax.

In addition to the 11 fatalities within the synagogue, four Pittsburgh police officers were shot and wounded, two remain in critical condition.

Sadly, this hate crime was not the only hate-related shooting in America in recent days.

Another man, with a hate-filled heart and a gun, shot and killed two Americans at a grocery store in Jeffersontown, KY.

In Jeffersontown, we lost fellow Americans: Maurice E. Stallard and Vickie Lee Jones, to senseless gun violence. Mr. Stallard was at the store with his 12-year old grandson to buy poster board for a school project. Tragically, he witnessed the entire event.

Mr. Speaker, by this Congress' negligence and inaction, we have created a situation where grandparents and grandkids aren't even safe going to the store for school supplies. Where will the madness end?

Before entering the Kroger and beginning his rampage, the shooter had attempted to enter a predominately African American church--we sadly could have seen another Mother Emanuel had he been successful in entering that church.

So, once again, Mr. Speaker, I ask you: ``where does it end?''

Our houses of worship are no longer safe. In fact, in the last three years, our nation has experienced not one, not two but three mass shootings in houses of worship around the country.

Nine were killed at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Twenty-six were killed at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

Now, eleven were killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Where will it end, Mr. Speaker? How many more praying people need to be gunned down before you will have the courage to act and save lives?

Even the Speaker's own Congressional District--Wisconsin's first-- experienced as mass shooting at a Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, which killed six.

Yet, still he did not act to save lives, even though his own constituents were gunned down for the loving and worshipping their God.

At what point did Congress become so beholden to the NRA that we can't find the political courage to save the lives of Americans exercising their First Amendment right to worship as they please?

It's past time for the madness to stop.

It's past time for Congress to act.

It's past time to stop arming hate while only offering half-hearted ``thoughts and prayers'' while places of faith become places of death by gun violence.

Mr. Speaker, will you act? Will you call Congress back into session and pass just one gun violence prevention bill?

Or is campaigning for the mid-term election and those NRA checks too important to you and the Republican Party?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Americans continue to die from gun violence. Just this week, there was a shooting in a Kroger--not even our grocery stores are safe from the scourge of gun violence.

For more than a year, I've been coming to the House Floor and reading the names of gun violence victims that this House--the People's House-- has failed by our inability to act and save lives.

To date, I've read more than 2,300 names into the Record. Each one of them, was someone's mother, son, brother, wife, cousin or friend. Every one of them was an American failed by Congress.

Mr. Speaker, today, I want to recognize gun violence victims from five Congressional districts in North Carolina, Florida, Arizona and Kentucky and Michigan.

Therefore, I include in the Record the names of 222 Americans who've been shot--many of whom were killed.

Yet, still this House stands silent.

Gun Violence Victims From North Carolina's 9th Congressional District

1. Sarah Posey, 21

2. Tywan Sturdivant

3. Nylah Vereen, 20

4. Jurellia Montgomery

5. Derrick Dent

6. Nekeshia Washington, 28

7. William Jerome Williamson

8. Johnathan Locklear

9. Jimmy Williams

10. Lewis Roundtree

11. David Duncan Jr., 22

12. Vashawn Colston

13. Keithan Khalil Lynch, 17

14. Michael Thaggard

15. Nathaniel Lepine

16. Nijiher Bingham, 10

17. Henderson Clarke

18. Prentis Robinson

19. Dwayne Vencent Fairley, 21

20. Dakota Chase Hunt, 18

21. Scott Chavis

22. Jeremiah Dakota Locklear, 17

23. Kenneth Wayne Bryant

24. David McLean

25. Keshion Devonta Hill, 22

26. Yhamer Alford, 21

27. Brandon Morris

28. Ronnie Lee Sampson

29. Elisa Meryl Slutzky

30. Kenneth Dale Henson

31. Chris Allen

32. Kelvin Ramone Velez, 20

33. Calvin Blackshire, Jr.

34. Hugh Lee Moose

35. Charles Hunt

36. Ellis Bradham, 27

37. Jahee Tycari Hoke

38. Katherine Memory Jones, 26

39. Dennis Hunt

40. Darius Deon Chapman

41. Lorene Potter Simpson

42. Kimberly Renee Reps

43. Clayton Millsaps, 29

44. Fredrick Antwone Butler

45. Ernest Louis Cash, Jr., 19

46. Dennis Penny

47. Kim Leon Campbell

48. Kim Lee Long

49. Melvin Ashby, 26

50. Judith Causey

51. Phillip Davis

53. Uriah Fuller, 4

52. Josiah Fuller, 3

54. Shaundasia Smith, 16

55. Mirjana Puhar, 19

56. Jonathan Alvarado, 23

57. Jusmar Gonzaga-Garcia, 21

58. Rosool Jaleel Harrell, 22

59. Kimberly Kemp

60. Jamie Moore

61. Marquise Leon Dalton, 24

62. William Hale

63. Sarah Long

64. Thurmont Davis

Gun Violence Victims From Florida's 15th Congressional District

65. Thimothy Passmore

66. Rennie Defoe Jr.

67. Gary Cauley

68. T.J. Honors, 14

69. Mack Holloman Jr.

70. Robert Schreiner

71. Otniel Alvarez

72. Grover Wills, 18

73. Michael Robert Guthridge

74. William C. Duncan

75. Roderick Childs

76. William Reiss

77. James Hanks

78. Rickie Stipe

79. Russell Leon Jackson

80. Chike Tim

81. Jerry Roach

82. Jesus Cervantes

83. Jeremy Himmelman, 22

84. Andrew Oneschuk, 18

85. Preston Burnett

86. Milton Lamar Vam

87. Perry Edward Vam

88. William McCallister

89. Lisa Fuillerat

90. Samara Rautenberg

91. Vincente Fuillerat

92. Diquan Mills

93. Jerome Reese

94. Jayquon Johnson, 17

95. John Pacuick

96. Andrea Dixon

97. Kenneth Michael Cuevas, 27

98. Destiny Mayes, 20

99. Jean Makenson Deroche, 21

100. Donald Eugene Wood

101. Dayoshis Carter, 19

Gun Violence Victims From Michigan's 7th Congressional District

102. Gregory Heath

103. Katherine Sturgill

104. Curtis Sturgill

105. Jazzrell Witherspoon, 19

106. Alexander Lee Dombrowski

107. Timothy John Curtiss

108. John D. Campbell

109. Robert Claude Smith

110. Malik Rodriguez, 23

111. Ronnell Martin, 22

112. Rickey Dempsey

113. Morris McBride Jr., 18

114. Nathaniel Marcelious-Antonio Bowers, 23

115. Jeremy Alan Barron

116. Brittany Southwell, 26

117. David Lem Sprague

118. Zach Currie

119. William Clayton Coleman Jr.

120. Terry Lynn Maurer

121. Hunter Lentz, 18

122. Matthew McMillen, 18

123. Jesse Lambert, 27

124. Akive Ahmad Ty'Juan Edwards

125. Ben Johnson, 27

126. Jeffrey Capers

127. Kadriedra Goodwin, 24

128. Daniel Dadgar, 27

129. Durrell Solomon

130. Jonathan Kaufman, 3

131. Deven Guilford

132. Jason Brewer, 23

133. James Momenee

134. Christy Ann Wilt

135. Sgt. Greg Hunt

Gun Violence Victims From Kentucky's 6th Congressional District

136. Margaret Elizabeth Smith

137. Kerry D. Kenney

138. Dustin Wayne Johnson, 24

139. Jared Miles Moore, 22

140. David N. Scott

141. Devon Guest, 19

142. Joel Pflum

143. Mikel Willis

144. Rachel Jean Preston

145. Austin Murphy, 29

146. Darrius Twyman, 19

147. Adan Juarez Vicente

148. Justin Lee Jenkins, 19

149. Victor Wilson

150. Frederick Ratliff

151. John Drain Moffett

152. Leo Travers, 15

153. Nova Gallman, 2

154. David Fletcher Jones

155. James Augustus Blair, 27

156. Trinity Gay, 15

157. Maryiah Coleman, 22

158. Joseph Trevor Dilger

159. Judith White

160. Robert Warner

161. Daniel Pigg

162. Amy Koegel

163. Melissa Roberts

164. Corenz White, 28

165. Melanie Gabbard

166. Richard Lambert

167. Brenda Hatton

168. Ronnie L. Kelly

169. Damycal Tre Bolton, 18

Gun Violence Victims From Arizona's 2nd Congressional District

170. Reilly Thacker, 21

171. Jason Patty

172. Avrum Diaz, 29

173. Edward Dalton Decker, 27

174. Craig Yelton

175. Wade Lockwood

176. Joseph Anthony Campos, 23

177. Russell Santos

178. Christian Garcia-Sanchez, 15

179. Donald Stanley

180. Charles Hutchison

181. David Jimenez

182. Roberto Varela

183. Javier Quiroz, 24

184. Mark Garity, 29

185. Therin Castillo Jr, 15

186. Bill Drake

187. Margaret Hoyt

188. Taggart Seth Fuller, Jr., 13

189. Christoper Gentry

190. Yolanda Eberts

191. Jacob Edward Luna

192. Eric Noriega

193. William Bell

194. Jesus Isaac Rael

195. Thomas Barnes, 28

196. Enrique Bracamonte, 30

197. Osee Calix

198. Sephaul Booker, 15

199. Arturo Vasquez Romero, 25

200. Jordan Szymanski

201. Haylee Parker, 5

202. Mackenzie Parker, 8

203. Zachary Corbut, 20

204. Daniel Gordon

205. Alexandria Eastman, 25

206. Sandra Hatfield

207. Carlos Saaverda Ramirez

208. Herschel Watkins III, 19

209. Anthony A. Garcia

210. Jeremy High, 24

211. Gary Tucker

212. Jase David DeBaker

213. Heather Marcucci

214. Paul David Lauderdale

215. Alice Phillips

216. George Phillips

217. Guadalupe Alvarado

218. Michael Duncklee

219. Marshall Davis

220. Osvaldo Vargas

221. Michael Estrada

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about one of my alma maters, Northern Illinois University, and her new president, Dr. Lisa C. Freeman.

Dr. Freeman was appointed by the NIU Board on September 20, 2018, to serve as the university's 13th president and first woman president-- lucky number 13.

As a proud NIU alum, earning my PhD in political science from NIU in 2004, I'm excited to welcome Dr. Freeman to her new, and finally, official role. She previously served as acting president since July 2017.

Dr. Freeman has dedicated her career to the promotion of social excellence and engagement in teaching and learning, research and scholarship, creativity and artistry, and outreach and service.

I have no doubt that her inspiring nature and example will surely lead NIU to greater heights under her steadfast and visionary leadership.

Her commitment to the academic excellence of the students and faculty at NIU will maintain NIU's leadership as a world-class institution. Throughout her career, Dr. Freeman has fostered an inclusive learning environment where students and faculty can live, grow and thrive.

As a proud NIU alum, I can recount the moments throughout my educational journey where men and women, like Dr. Freeman, helped pave a way for me and others to succeed, in the classroom, in our careers and in life.

In my current role as the Congresswoman for Illinois' 2nd District, it encourages me to see the broad-spectrum collaboration and participation underway at NIU, from science and mathematics to political science, business and the arts.

My office and constituents have certainly benefitted from the great educational experience available at NIU. In fact, a number of my current and former staffers and interns are all NIU alums, and they work hard every day to serve the great people of the 2nd Congressional District.

As our institutions of higher learning face 21st century challenges, I know that NIU, under Dr. Freeman's leadership, will rise up and not only meet but also exceed these challenges.

In particular, Dr. Freeman's own personal examples as a barrier- breaking researcher in the STEM field will certainly inspire many young people to find their own place and path in the dynamic, growing and innovative STEM fields.

As a proud Husky, it's my honor to welcome Dr. Freeman as the 13th President of Northern Illinois University. I am confident that under her leadership, NIU will continue to flourish as an innovative and world-leading, student-centered, research-focused public university.

Welcome once again and go Huskies.

Mr. Speaker, today we recognize October 11th as the International Day of the Girl, a day to promote girls' empowerment and examine the challenges and barriers girls face around the world. According to the UN High Commission on Refugees, there are approximately 65 million forcibly displaced people worldwide and half are under the age of 18. Prolonged periods away from home result in low school enrollment rates for displaced children, which leaves girls vulnerable to early marriage, human trafficking, and child labor. The Protecting Girl's Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act, which myself and Congressman Chabot introduced, aims to ensure educational needs of displaced girls are considered in the design, implementation, and evaluation of U.S. foreign assistance. Girls perform better in school when they have access to quality education and a safe space to learn. International Day of the Girl, is a day to reflect on the importance of ensuring all children, especially girls, have access to safe, quality education.