Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Keri Galvan.

Keri attended the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas on October 1. She was a mother of three and a wife to her husband, Justin Galvan. She worked as a cocktail server at Mastro's Steakhouse, where she worked for almost a decade.

She was known by her friends as supermom, and was always there for anybody. Keri never forgot anybody's special occasion and constantly made sure everybody was okay. She is remembered for being a devoted wife and mother who put others before herself.

I would like to extend my condolences to Keri Galvan's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Dana Gardner, who attended the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas on October 1.

Dana worked for San Bernardino County, California, for 26 years in the Assessor-Recorder Office. When she went home for the day, she always made sacrifices for her three children and two grandchildren. She wanted to make sure that her kids understood the importance of loving and caring for all humans. She did this through her actions as a dedicated public servant.

Dana was an amazing cook who had just begun to travel more and spend more time with her friends. She had a contagious smile and a great sense of humor that could light up a room. She is remembered by all those who knew her as a go-to person with a lot of knowledge and a can- do attitude.

I would like to extend my condolences to Dana Gardner's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that my colleagues plan to speak in favor of Yucca Mountain tonight and once again attempt to revive the long-dead project that brings nuclear waste to my State of Nevada. They want to make Nevada's Fourth Congressional District, my home, my district, the dumping ground for the rest of the country's nuclear waste.

The Nevada delegation has raised a number of concerns about this project, including its location, which sits less than 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Nevadans have strongly opposed the construction of this project.

As a State with no nuclear energy facilities, it is exceedingly unfair that Nevada is asked to serve as the dumping ground for the rest of the country's waste.

Rather than throw away millions more of taxpayer money to revive this shortsighted project, this funding could be better spent on infrastructure and job creation.

I will continue fighting tirelessly to ensure the Yucca Mountain project stays dead, and I urge my colleagues to join me in finding better ways to deal with the nuclear waste created in their States.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Brian Fraser, who attended the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas on October 1.

Brian loved adventures. He enjoyed hunting, deep-sea fishing, snowboarding, and above all, attending the sporting events of his four kids. When he wasn't working as the vice president of sales at Greenpath, he was out flying a plane with his newly earned pilot's license.

Brian was known for being willing to help anyone and everyone. He loved giving back to the community and acted as a mentor for so many. He will be remembered for his love and passion for his children and family.

I would like to extend my condolences to Brian Fraser's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the entire country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Stacee Etcheber. She attended the Route 91 festival in Las Vegas on October 1.

I would like to read a poem written for Stacee by a friend:

Madam Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Christiana Duarte. Christiana attended the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas on October 1.

She had recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in business marketing. While in college, she interned with the Arizona Wildcats and was a member of the sorority Sigma Kappa. After graduation Christiana worked for the Los Angeles Kings as a fan services associate.

Friends and family remember Christiana as a bright, beautiful young woman who was full of life and energy.

I would like to extend my condolences to Christiana Duarte's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Austin Davis, who visited Las Vegas to attend the Route 91 concert on October 1.

Austin was an only child who was very close to his parents. He lived in Riverside, California, and worked as a pipefitter. During his free time, Austin loved to play softball. All of those who knew him remember Austin for his contagious smile and hardworking nature.

I extend my condolences to Austin Davis' family and his friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Thomas Day, Jr.

Thomas loved spending time with his four kids, Whitney, Candice, Kelsey, and Nolan, and his two grandkids. He loved boating with his family, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and coaching Little League baseball.

He worked as an estimator for Portrait Construction for more than 20 years and was very personable and friendly with everyone he met. His children's friends called him ``Daddy Day''.

Thomas will be remembered by all those who knew him as a fun-loving and amazing family man.

I would like to extend my condolences to Thomas Day's family and friends, and please note that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Denise Cohen.

Denise was a loving mother of two. She worked as a property manager in Santa Barbara, California, and always made everyone around her feel good.

She attended the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas with her boyfriend, Bo, to celebrate her 56th birthday. Denise was a huge country music fan, and she loved concerts and was a vibrant and positive woman.

She is remembered by her son, Jeff, as a strong and beautiful person who made a difference in the lives of the people she knew. She always had a vibrant and positive attitude.

I would like to extend my condolences to Denise Cohen's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Andrea Castilla. Andrea was a daughter, sister, and a friend. She went to the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas to celebrate her 28th birthday with her friends, her family, and her boyfriend,

Derek. Derek had planned to propose to Andrea that night.

She had a passion for makeup and hoped to use this passion to help cancer patients feel beautiful. Andrea will always be remembered for her free spirit and positive outlook.

I would like to extend my condolences to Andrea's family and friends. Please note that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership in including this important and bipartisan piece of legislation in the package the House is considering today.

Nevadans and all Americans deserve the opportunity to have a good job that will help them provide for their families. Unfortunately, rural communities across the country have been hit particularly hard by shifts in population as people move to bigger cities in search of employment opportunities.

The changing demographics have made it harder for small businesses in these areas to get started and to survive. Far too many Nevadans, especially in our rural areas, have been left out and left behind from the economic growth we have seen in other areas of the country.

I am proud to sponsor the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act, which will help expand economic opportunities for entrepreneurs

and small businesses in Nevada's rural areas. This bill will help identify and examine the unique challenges that these businesses face when trying to secure access to capital.

By supporting job creators in our rural communities, we can create a path to good-paying jobs for all Nevadans and help make sure that they have the tools to work towards a better life for themselves and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Sandy Casey.

Sandy had a great impact on the students and family she worked with as a special education teacher at Manhattan Beach Middle School. She was passionate about her work and was committed to continuing her own learning. Sandy would take on new projects that came her way, and she was devoted to all of her students.

Sandy attended Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas with her fiance, Chris, and her friend. She is remembered by her community as a fun-loving, free spirit who was a compassionate and loyal friend.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my condolences to Sandy Casey's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Denise Burditus.

Denise was a mother of two and a grandmother of three. She was looking forward to the birth of her fourth grandchild. She had recently left her job, after 30 years of working at a bank, so she could return to school and spend more time with her grandchildren.

She went to the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas with her high school sweetheart and husband of 32 years, Tony Burditus.

Denise is remembered by her friends and family for being full of life, for always being positive, and for her devotion to her family.

I extend my condolences to Denise Burditus' family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to briefly speak about H.R. 3326, the World Bank Accountability Act, which the House is voting on this afternoon.

Mr. Chairman, last summer, I joined my Democratic and Republican colleagues in supporting H.R. 3326 in the Financial Services Committee to authorize the United States to participate in replenishing the International Development Association, the IDA.

However, Democrats made it clear during consideration of this bill in committee that our support depended on changes to certain provisions. Specifically, we believe that prohibitions in the bill put the U.S. funding at risk and make it too easy for the administration to cut off funding for vulnerable nations.

Mr. Chairman, I am disappointed that my Republican colleagues have chosen not to uphold our agreement and address these concerns. Given the recent events and remarks by President Trump degrading developing nations and the people who live in them, we should be concerned about giving the administration this power.

It is critical that Congress provide moral leadership and demonstrate to the world that the United States will not ignore or punish countries that are struggling with poverty or conflict. We must send a strong signal that the United States Congress respects people of all backgrounds and nationalities.

Mr. Chairman, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Candice Bowers.

Candice was a single mother to her three children: Kurtis, Katie, and her recently adopted daughter, Ariel.

She was a hardworking waitress who was selfless and always ensured she was able to take care of her family. Candice had a loving heart, a big smile, and an infectious laugh.

She went to the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas with her best friend so she could take some rare time for herself.

Candice was known for her strength, fierce loyalty, and generosity. She would give her last dollar to anyone who was in need.

I would like to extend my condolences to Candice's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas and the whole country grieve with you.