Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Annabeth Surbaugh. Throughout her career, Annabeth was a pioneer in Johnson County, Kansas. A community leader and trailblazer for women, Annabeth changed the way county governments were structured across the state of Kansas and was a standard-bearer for everyone who followed in her footsteps.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service of Colonel Constance C. Johnson-Cage, the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Director of Personnel in the Office of the Air Force Reserve. Colonel Johnson-Cage, a Kansas City resident, is retiring from the United States Air Force after more than 38 years of service.

Colonel Johnson-Cage's career has been marked by a distinguished commitment to our nation's defense and security.

This commitment began in 1985, when Colonel Johnson-Cage enlisted in the United States Air Force as an air cargo specialist. Since then, Colonel Johnson-Cage has held an impressive portfolio of leadership positions, including serving at the Secretary of the Air Force level and Headquarters Air Force level, and as a commander in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

In her current position, Colonel Johnson-Cage assists in the oversight of Total Force policy development and guidance, prepares input for legislative initiatives and congressional testimony, and facilitates the integration of personnel policies across the Department of Defense. She also assists with the management and oversight of resources impacting a budget of nearly $450 million for accessions, recruiting, retention, education, training, force structure, compensation, and benefits impacting 360,000 reservists and their dependents worldwide.

Her contributions have been recognized with an array of honors. Most notably, Colonel Johnson-Cage received a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and an Air and Space Longevity Service Award with two oak leaf clusters.

The Kansas City area is proud to have Colonel Johnson-Cage as a part of our community. As Colonel Johnson-Cage enters into her next chapter, I have no doubt she will continue to spread the spirit of dedication and service to country. I thank Colonel Johnson-Cage for her lifetime of public service and wish her a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the city of Fairway, Kansas.

Founded in 1949, the city of Fairway is known as the City of Trees, and like mighty trees that grow from tiny seeds, so has Fairway. Fairway may be diminutive in size--slightly more than 4,000 people live within one square mile of land, but the city boasts a strong and tight- knit community where all are welcome. This sense of community has sprung up in part through Fairway's beautiful surroundings: the city was initially named for the elegant golf fairways that framed it, and now it is known for the towering trees that line many of its streets. It's no wonder that Fairway has fostered a strong local business community and has been home to many notable Kansans over the last several decades.

I want to congratulate the city of Fairway on its 75th anniversary, and I look forward to what the next 75 years will bring.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of Mr. Ed Dwight.

In 1961, Mr. Dwight was a U.S. Air Force pilot when President John F. Kennedy selected him as a candidate for NASA's early astronaut corps. In the face of great pressure and prejudice, Mr. Dwight became the first Black astronaut candidate and advanced to the second phase of the training course. Despite his stellar accomplishments, qualifications, and graduation in the top half of a test pilot school, Mr. Dwight was not selected to be a part of the final astronaut group.

But, on May 20, 2024, at 90 years old, Mr. Dwight finally achieved spaceflight.

This story is perhaps a perfect representation of Mr. Dwight's drive and tenacity. He was born and raised in racially segregated Kansas City, Kansas. Mr. Dwight was the first Black male to graduate from Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, a feat that did not come without experiencing hate and injustice. He earned his Associate of Arts in engineering

from Kansas City Community College and graduated cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering before serving as a captain in the Air Force.

Even in the wake of disappointment following his rejection from the final 1963 astronaut group, Mr. Dwight did not retreat. Instead, he worked for IBM, started a construction company, opened his own barbecue restaurant, and finally, as if none of this was enough, earned a Master of Fine Art in Sculpture from the University of Denver. He's since become a highly respected artist. His sculptures focus on Black history and include memorials and monuments across the country.

The Kansas state motto is ``ad astra per aspera,'' which means ``through hardships to the stars.'' Mr. Dwight embodies everything it means to persevere and, literally, reach for the stars. He is a true example of the American dream, and I'm honored to have such an extraordinary individual call Kansas City home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of Dr. Robert Simari, executive vice chancellor for the University of Kansas Medical Center, who will be retiring from the University of Kansas on June 30, 2024.

Dr. Simari's career has been marked by a distinguished commitment to uplifting the medical community and paving the way for critical medical research and advancements.

The staff and students at KU are fortunate to have had Dr. Simari as a part of their community throughout his career. Dr. Simari graduated from the KU School of Medicine in 1986 before going on to serve as vice chairman of the Mayo Clinic's Division of Cardiology Diseases. He then returned to KU as executive dean of the School of Medicine from 2014 to 2019.

Dr. Simari then began serving in his most recent position as executive vice chancellor of the KU Medical Center, where he has been credited with leading the Center during a particularly transformational period. He took part in hiring the deans of the schools of Medicine and Nursing, helped the KU Cancer Center earn comprehensive designation from the National Cancer Institute, led a commitment to building a valued and respected workforce, and helped grow KU's research infrastructure in such a way as to enhance KU's status of one of the Nation's top research institutions.

As KU continues to produce excellent medical professionals, cutting- edge researchers, and lifesaving health discoveries, we will have Dr. Simari's legacy to thank. His service to the Kansas City community and the medical community at large will be forever cemented by these contributions, and I'm incredibly grateful for his lifelong dedication to the health and well-being of our region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate this year's National Convention for the Astronomical League, occurring in Overland Park, Kansas, from July 18 to July 21, 2024. Our community is honored to host hundreds of amateur astronomers as they come together to embrace scientific discovery and expansion. For 78 years, the Astronomical League has worked to educate and expand humanity's understanding of the cosmos.

The Kansas state motto is ``ad astra per aspera,'' which means ``to the stars through difficulties.'' This sentiment is at the heart of who we are as Kansans, and I hope Convention attendees take it with them moving forward. Together, we can overcome any difficulty and strive for what some may believe to be unattainable. With the bright minds that the Astronomical League has fostered, we truly can reach the stars.

I ask my colleagues to join me in commending these astronomers as they continue our Nation's proud tradition of leading the world in scientific discovery and nurturing the future of astronomy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant Commander Issac L. Belton. Throughout his distinguished career, LCDR Belton demonstrated exceptional leadership and a tireless devotion to the defense of his Nation. His expertise and dedication were instrumental in shaping the next generation of naval personnel and ensuring the readiness of our forces.

LCDR Belton's service to our country began with his enlistment in the United States Navy in 1988 following his high school graduation from Rosa Fort High School in Tunica, Mississippi. He served aboard various commands, including the USS Raleigh, USS Donald B. Beary, and USS Eisenhower, where he developed his skills as a Boiler Technician.

In 2000, after twelve years of exemplary service as an enlisted sailor, LCDR Belton was commissioned as an Ensign. As a Naval Officer, he continued to serve with distinction aboard several vessels including the USS Saipan, USS Tortuga, USS John Paul Jones, and USS Kearsarge. His roles varied from Auxiliary Systems Officer to Main Propulsion Officer, showcasing his versatility and leadership abilities. His contributions extended beyond the confines of individual commands, as he served as a Training Center Administrator, Master Training Specialist, and Surface Warfare Officer, among other roles.

After 28 years of honorable and dedicated service, LCDR Belton retired from active duty, but his work did not stop there. In 2018, LCDR Belton founded Course Correction LLC, a service-disabled veteran owned small business which specializes in financial literacy education, leadership training, and contract management. His legacy of excellence continues to inspire and guide those who follow in his footsteps.

LCDR Belton passed away unexpectedly on February 12, 2024. In addition to his remarkable career, LCDR Belton's life was marked by love and commitment. Issac was married to Kansas City, Kansas native Lieutenant Commander Anjail Belton, also a retired Naval Officer. Together they have four adult children. They recently finalized the adoption of six of their grandchildren on December 20, 2023.

It is with great pride and gratitude that I recognize the outstanding service and life of Lieutenant Commander Issac L. Belton. His numerous awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon, attest to his exceptional valor and dedication. In his eyes, however, LCDR Belton's family was his greatest achievement.

I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our heartfelt appreciation to LCDR Belton and his family for their sacrifices and service to our country. May his legacy serve as a shining example of honor, courage, and selfless dedication to duty for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1240, the Winnebago Land Transfer Act, introduced by my colleague, Mr. Feenstra from Iowa. This critical bill would transfer rightfully-owed land back to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The land in question was taken from the Tribe in an illegal acquisition, and due to complex legal stipulations within the most recent court proceedings

pertaining to this matter, the land has still not been returned to the Tribe. Legal complications of these sorts when it comes to federal tribal trust responsibility are an all-too-common phenomenon for Indian Country and demonstrates the importance of a strong relationship between the federal government and tribes. This bill would reinstate the autonomy of the land back to the Winnebago Tribe and protect their sovereignty. The state of Iowa, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and two affected counties are supportive of this bill, and have demonstrated their support for this cause. I applaud my colleagues who have moved swiftly to pass this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that our Nation's entrepreneurs face challenges in starting and operating small businesses. Finding a skilled workforce, establishing an effective online presence, and building a customer base are hurdles common to all small business owners.

However, our Native American small business owners face these challenges in a more severe way. Today, I will highlight a few reasons for that disparity.

First, Native Americans are twice as likely to live in poverty as compared to other Americans. This significantly impacts their ability to use savings and assets to fund their small businesses, to access credit, and to take on the risk of entrepreneurship.

Second, these businessowners face geographical barriers, with longer distances for supply deliveries and a lack of reliable broadband and telephone service. These physical obstacles make networking, finding mentors, and reaching out to a consumer base a bit more difficult, ultimately reducing their chances of success.

Third, Native Americans who are entrepreneurs often face greater hurdles in attracting private investment and accessing Federal contracting opportunities. Addressing these challenges is crucial to leveling the playing field for Tribal small business communities and bolstering our overall economy.

Currently, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Native American Affairs works diligently to connect Native businessowners with entrepreneurial development, lending, and procurement programs. However, the absence of a congressional mandate for this office limits its capacity and

leaves it vulnerable to changes from one administration to the next.

That is why we really need to pass this Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act. This bill would codify the SBA's Office of Native American Affairs into Federal law, establishing an assistant administrator role to oversee operations and report directly to SBA leadership. It would also require the office to report to Congress on its successes in Indian Country.

Native-owned businesses employ over 300,000 Americans and are vital drivers of our national economy. These Tribal businesses deserve a seat at the table to advocate not only for the challenges that I mentioned earlier but also for the successes and achievements that they have.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Crane, my Republican colleague and co-lead on this, for his partnership in introducing this bill. I urge Members on both sides of the aisle to stand united in support of this crucial legislation and vote in favor of successful entrepreneurship in Tribal communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take a moment to acknowledge the heartbreak that so many people in the Kansas City metro area, Kansas and Missouri, are feeling right now.

I am positive that more eloquent words will be spoken in the future, and we will have many conversations about this. However, today, we had a tragedy occur, and I would like for us to take a moment of silence to honor the victims and families of those who are suffering right now.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) for a few words.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the beginning of an innovative project that will address the critical need for affordable homeownership in the Johnson County, Kansas area.

With the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City (Habitat KC) builds and renovates homes to help families achieve their dream of homeownership. Using American Rescue Plan Act funding, Pathway at Heritage Park will be Habitat KC's first pocket neighborhood development and first time employing the community land trust model. Under this model, Habitat KC ensures the homes built remain affordable, avoiding skyrocketing housing costs that put home ownership out of reach for too many.

The importance of this project to our community cannot be understated. United Community Service of Johnson County estimates that 40 percent of renters and 20 percent of homeowners in Johnson County are housing cost-burdened, paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing. At Pathway at Heritage Park, mortgages will be capped at 30 percent of monthly income.

Additionally, about 45 percent of the local workforce commutes from other communities due to the lack of affordable housing. This project is especially important as the Panasonic and Walmart beef processing plants are projected to bring more than 4,500 new jobs to the Johnson County area.

I want to thank Habitat KC, Pathway Community Church, and all those that have contributed to making the groundbreaking of Pathway at Heritage Park a success. I look forward to this project making the dream of homeownership a reality for so many.

Mr. Speaker, when Roe v. Wade was overturned, people were scared. They feared for the future of their rights and ability to make deeply personal decisions about their own bodies. I have heard from many people who are concerned that their children and grandchildren might grow up with less rights than they had.

In August 2022, Kansans made their voices overwhelmingly clear: Politics and politicians have no place in the middle of healthcare decisions. Those decisions are between a person and their doctor alone.

However, despite the resounding messages delivered by Kansans and other States, extremists persist in their relentless effort to deprive Americans of their fundamental right to choose.

Sadly, that is where we find ourselves today, where certain Members of this body are attempting to push legislation that would directly limit access to the full range of reproductive care.

This bill blatantly misleads the American people, diverting funds meant for food, rent, and childcare to certain harmful facilities that purposely provide disinformation to people seeking access to care. I won't stand for it, and neither will Kansans.

We should be expanding access to healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, rather than masking misinformation behind dishonest policies that actually endanger a person's health. Even further, we should be upfront with the American people. Isn't that the bare minimum?

Let me be clear: The right to choose is fundamental. Working to strip that right should never be a priority, especially days before a possible government shutdown that would have devastating impacts on hardworking families.

Mr. Speaker, I implore my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to stand with me in delivering a powerful message, one that the American people absolutely need to hear: Your ability to decide what is best for you, your body, your family, and your future is inherently your choice, now and always.

For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment that would ensure that taxpayer dollars cannot be allocated to pregnancy centers that provide medically inaccurate information and put the health of a woman at risk.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert into the Record the text of this amendment and hope that my colleagues will join me in voting ``yes'' on this motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of Ms. Joyce Allegrucci, a dedicated public servant for the state of Kansas. Over a long and lasting career, Ms. Allegrucci served as Assistant Secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services for Children and Family Policy, where she fiercely advocated for policies to make Kansas a safer place where children and families can thrive.

She's also supported other public officials on the state level to ensure fair and equitable

policies are at the fore, having served as chief of staff to former Governor Kathleen Sebelius and on Governor Laura Kelly's transition in 2018.

Ms. Allegrucci is an example to us all of what it means to commit yourself to public service. We in Kansas owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude, and it is a privilege to honor her here today. I congratulate Ms. Allegrucci on an impressive, successful career, and wish her a peaceful retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, or the SERV Act, which I introduced alongside my friend and colleague from Missouri (Mr. Alford).

The SERV Act not only honors our veterans; it honors their service. It empowers our veterans to embark on a new chapter as entrepreneurs and small business owners.

My mom served in the Army for 20 years. My grandfather served, as well. Through them, I learned so much about service, about leadership, and certainly about the dedication to country.

Our veterans have defended our freedoms from so many things and with unwavering commitment. We absolutely owe it to them to provide the support that they need to achieve personal and professional success as they return home.

The SERV Act is a testament to that commitment that we have to the brave veterans that have served, and it is necessary because veterans do face distinct barriers when transitioning to civilian life, specifically when starting a business.

Those challenges can include overcoming stigmas around physical disability or post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as difficulty accessing credit. It forces small businesses to sometimes turn to alternative lenders, which can be predatory or more expensive than traditional sources. While those challenges exist for all potential entrepreneurs and our small business owners, it can be especially difficult for our veterans who often have trouble accruing credit necessary to attract and attain capital.

These barriers have led to a 35 percent decrease in veterans starting small businesses since World War II, and the U.S. Small Business Administration currently works closely with the VA and the Department of Defense on several excellent programs that we heard about from my colleague, Mr. Alford, specifically designed to help our veterans transition to civilian life and entrepreneurship, but those programs are not always as easy to find as they should be.

The SERV Act recognizes those unique challenges and works to address them directly, fostering economic growth at the local level and harnessing the immense potential that our veteran communities have.

One key provision of this legislation is the commission of a Government Accountability Office report on the ability of veterans and reservists to access capital and credit, which are crucial building blocks to opening a business.

This report would include analysis on common sources of credit and how deployment of credit impacts our servicemembers and their individual credit.

Moreover, the bill requires an Interagency Task Force at the SBA to develop an action plan for greater outreach of programs that already exist for veterans transitioning into the business world. That task force would report its findings annually to Congress on how the SBA can better support veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists, and their families.

The district I represent in Kansas includes a large rural population, and we know that businesses with fewer than 500 employees account for a majority of our rural establishments and employers.

By supporting our veteran entrepreneurs and making it easier for them to start small businesses, we are boosting local economies in both urban and rural settings. I often say that due to the specialized training and learned skill set, there are few people that are as well suited to start and operate a small business as our veterans.

The SERV Act is going to help those folks who served in uniform do just that. By providing enhanced access to SBA resources and programs, we are investing in the entrepreneurial spirit of our veterans. We are fostering economic growth. We are strengthening our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, alongside my friend, Mr. Alford, on both sides of the aisle to stand united in support of this crucial legislation which did pass the House in a largely bipartisan way in the last Congress.

Let us send a powerful message to our veterans that we appreciate their service, their sacrifice, and that we are dedicated to helping them succeed in their endeavors, both while serving and after they hang up their uniform.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. I believe a big part of my role as a Native woman in Congress is to simply educate my colleagues about our federal governments' relationship and responsibilities to tribes.

That includes the hard histories between the federal government and our Tribal communities--things that can be difficult to face. It would be difficult to find a Native person that has not had the Indian boarding school era impact their families or community.

It is estimated that by 1926, nearly 83 percent of Native children were enrolled in one of at least 367 currently known Indian boarding schools across 30 states. Thousands of our children were torn or coerced from families and communities by the federal government or religious entities to be ``assimilated'' into American society.

Students at Indian boarding schools were forced to change their entire sense of being with new names, hair, language, and culture.

During these assimilation practices, many were not able to see their family or speak their language, and even experienced verbal and sexual abuse.

There are so many stories of children that never returned home. Future artists, doctors, language keepers, storytellers, and leaders skipped generations. We still feel those impacts today.

The federal government and our country must do better to acknowledge its legacy and understand the full truth of these policies.

This Congress, I'm working with Congressional Native American Caucus Co-chair Tom Cole on the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act. This legislation seeks healing for stolen Native children and their communities.

Originally introduced by now-Secretary Deb Haaland, this bill would establish a formal commission to investigate, document, and acknowledge past injustices of the federal government's Indian Boarding School Policies. This commission is a critical step to allow Native families and communities to begin to heal.

Representative Cole and I are in the process and narrowing down the legislative text and hope to introduce the bill again soon. It received bipartisan support in the past, which shows that our relatives are being seen. And both the House and the Senate held hearings on the bill last Congress, which shows our colleagues are ready to listen.

The importance of fully understanding the impacts of Indian boarding school policies in the United States transcends political lines. And I know that sharing these experiences and learning the truth is a brave and sometimes hard thing to do.

We hope that in this difficult process, Tribal communities will also support each other physically, mentally, and spiritually. I will continue to amplify the voices of Indian Country in the halls of Congress and encourage my colleagues to join me in that mission.