Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the new Democratic majority in this House will not limit its response to mass shootings to just thoughts and prayers. We will listen to gun violence survivors, not gun company lobbyists. We finally will respond to the demands of more than 90 percent of Americans who want stronger background checks.

In the 9 years since the Supreme Court's disastrous decision in Citizens United, gun companies and other wealthy special interests have been able to dump unlimited money into our elections. In 2016, the NRA spent more than ever before and watched candidates they help elect ignore the gun violence crisis: nearly 40,000 Americans killed in 2017 and horrific mass shootings in Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Thousand Oaks, and Parkland.

To release the grip of wealthy special interests on Congress, Democrats have introduced historic reforms as our top priority in H.R. 1, to make it easier to vote, to get money out of politics, to end corruption, and to call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.

Mr. Speaker, no matter what the issue--climate change, healthcare, the economy, or gun violence--it is time for Congress to start working for the people. This week, that work has begun.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 53 minutes a.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at noon for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I, along with Representative Frankel and Representative Hastings, rise today in recognition of the accomplishments and extensive public service record of United States Senator Bill Nelson's State Director, and our dear friend, Michelle McGovern.

Since her time as a student at Florida Atlantic University, Michelle has demonstrated a passion for government and the capacity to lead. Her tireless work ethic, combined with her many successes, earned her election as FAU's student body Vice-President and appointment to Florida's Board of Regents, as the first and only FAU student appointee.

Fast forward to today and Michelle has honorably served Senator Nelson and the State of Florida for 18 years. She rose quickly through the ranks from a Legislative Correspondent to her current position as State Director. In each of her roles, she exemplified leadership and collaboration, while providing superior service to the citizens of Florida.

In addition to serving the entire state, Michelle devotes much of her time to serving her local community. She is a past President of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, SunFest, and the West Palm 100. She has also served on the Mayor's Nominating Committee for the City of West Palm Beach, Charter Review Committees for West Palm Beach and Wellington, and Wellington's Education Advisory Board. Michelle is currently the Chairwoman of the School Advisory Committee at Binks Forest Elementary School, where she has long been active in the PTA. On top of all this, Michelle and her husband John, have raised two wonderful daughters, Emilia and Victoria.

Today we ask this body to recognize Michelle McGovern for her endless dedication and leadership in our community. Michelle has demonstrated a commitment to service that we should expect from all of our civil servants. We, along with the citizens of Florida, thank her for her service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Ms. Beverly Fields, who celebrated her 100th birthday on October 21.

The daughter of a Romanian father and Russian mother, Beverly has truly lived the American Dream. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York with her three siblings. Beverly attended P.S. 156 and was elected class president because, in her words, ``she went to school every day.''

After graduating, she went straight to work for a manufacturing company, and over the course of 20 years, she rose to the position of Manager. Despite the hard work she put in, she always made sure to find time for traveling and dancing. She was a regular patron of the Roseland Ballroom, and has visited Israel, Spain, St. Thomas, and St. Martin.

Since retiring, Beverly's civic commitment has come full circle, as she is currently the President of the Resident Council at Park Summit senior living community. Like many of us, Beverly loves music, especially Jazz and concert symphonies. Her favorite artist is Frank Sinatra and her favorite song is Autumn Leaves.

Beverly's most admirable trait, however, is her ability to always find ways to keep herself active and engaged. From playing cards and bingo, to reading adventure books and writing poems, to watching the travelogue and hanging out with her friends, Beverly's endless joy and companionship are attributes we should all strive to emulate.

Mr. Speaker, today I call on my colleagues to join me in celebrating Ms. Beverly Fields and her contribution to our community. Happy birthday, Beverly.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Myra Pinto for being named Woman of the Year for Wynmoor Hadassah, a chapter in Hadassah's Florida Broward region.

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, has maintained a steadfast commitment to Jewish values, women's health, and Israel since its establishment over a century ago. Serving a global community, Hadassah's volunteer work in the U.S. and in Israel sustains education and advocacy efforts for women's health and safety, for civil and human rights, and for women's economic equity. It fuels policy work in support of Israel and the American Jewish community, and it provides support for the Hadassah Medical Organization, a Nobel Peace Prize- nominated organization that treats one million patients a year and performs leading, world-renowned medical research and clinical trials.

Ms. Pinto's honor from this remarkable organization is well deserved. At 92 years old, Ms. Pinto continues to make indelible contributions to her Jewish community and Hadassah where she has served as her chapter treasurer for 5 years and counting. Her volunteer work at Wynmoor Hadassah follows a 25-year career in service of our nation's education system, during which time Ms. Pinto worked as a school secretary in a Brooklyn junior high school. In addition to her tireless work and many achievements as a professional and as a volunteer, Ms. Pinto is also a mother to a son and a daughter.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask this body to recognize Ms. Pinto for her work at the Wynmoor Hadassah Chapter and for her resolute dedication to her community.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise in support of the Ileana Ros-Lehtinen U.S.-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018.

I am proud to have worked on this critical security bill with my colleague and friend, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

The U.S.-Israel relationship has been and must continue to be a bipartisan priority regardless of the party in power at either end of Pennsylvania Avenue. With today's vote, we have the chance to reinforce that point.

The threats against Israel remain numerous and complex. Iran is seeking to secure a permanent foothold in neighboring Syria. Hezbollah continues to stockpile an estimated 150,000 missiles near Israel's border, and a humanitarian crisis looms in Gaza, threatening stability in Israel.

Israel must be prepared to defend itself from threats coming from every direction, from everything from the most rudimentary of weapons-- as we have seen with the ``arson kites'' from Hamas, the ``terror kites''--to advanced Iranian-made missiles.

The 2016 memorandum of understanding between our countries committed unprecedented levels of security. That assistance is $38 billion over

10 years, and this bill will enshrine that figure into law. Notably, nearly all of this American taxpayer money will come back to the United States and support American jobs.

This bill will codify this memorandum and ensure that Israel has the capability to defend itself from any and all threats. That means strengthening Israel's qualitative military edge, authorizing cooperation on UAV technology, and expanding cooperation in new areas, such as space, and through a new effort to work together to provide humanitarian assistance around the globe.

When we consider legislation like this, we must remember that threats against Israel are also a threat to our security interests in the region. Enhancing Israel's security is a step towards strengthening our own national security, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Finally, I would like to thank Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen for her service to our Nation and particularly for her ardent and unwavering support for our ally, Israel, throughout her nearly three decades in Congress. Her long and decorated career in this Chamber, as historic as it was effective, will live on through her incredible achievements in our Nation's robust foreign policy.

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has been the leading voice on a foreign policy that stands up to rogue regimes wherever they are and always, always values human rights. Without a doubt, her contributions to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship will take their place in this body's history. There has been no greater champion than Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman's contributions to the strengthening of the U.S.-Israel relationship will take their place in this body's history because there has been no greater champion than Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. It has been an honor to work with her on this most recent effort to broaden and enhance the U.S.-Israel relationship, so it is only fitting that this piece of legislation should bear her name.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend and colleague. This bill is but a small part of the legacy that she leaves behind in this great Chamber. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with her. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the chairman, Mr. Royce. I am grateful for their leadership, as I am for Mr. Engel and the great job he does as ranking member.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Ranking Member Engel. I rise in support of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti- Semitism Act, and I thank Congressman Chris Smith for leading this bill and all of my colleagues for their support.

It has been more than a year and a half since this administration came into office, and this position remains vacant. Aside from some rumors around Washington, we don't know when this role will be filled.

This position was created in 2004 with bipartisan support. I am sure my colleagues would agree that Congress doesn't pass laws for them to be ignored.

It is imperative that there is someone at the State Department working to combat anti-Semitism globally. They should be working with Jewish communities, building coalitions, tracking cases, and pushing governments to do more to combat it. We need someone who will be our Nation's leading global advocate to combat anti-Semitism.

We are seeing Jewish communities outside the United States and Israel shrink because they no longer feel safe in their own cities. We are hearing truly appalling stories, horrific stories like the Holocaust survivor who was brutally murdered in her apartment. We are feeling the hate speech rise, whether by politicians on extreme sides of the political spectrum or individuals empowered and amplified by social media.

We urgently need someone in our government charged with addressing this scourge. This is not a time to abdicate our proud and historic leading role of pushing governments to protect their Jewish community, because if there is anti-Semitism that is growing in a country, it means that there is hatred growing in that country, and, ultimately, everyone is at risk.

Our government cannot be silent in these moments. Filling this position must be a top priority. I call on my colleagues to support this bill, which will send a strong statement to the world that the United States remains committed to combat this bigotry and to defend Jewish communities and to fight hatred.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Mr. Henry Wheeler, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday on Sunday.

Henry was born and grew up in Buffalo, New York, in the midst of the Great Depression. He met and married his wife, Betty, just before leaving to serve his country in World War II.

During the war, Henry served as an intelligence specialist in a number of major campaigns in Europe. In one instance, he was captured and held captive by the Germans as he gave blood to a fellow officer. He was released after the Allies' victory in the Battle of the Bulge. As the Nazis surrendered, Henry was part of cleanup operations at Buchenwald, seeing firsthand the evidence of the Holocaust. For his service, he was awarded both the Bronze Star and the European-African- Middle Eastern Service Medal.

After the war, Henry returned home and cofounded Service Systems Corporation, which became a conglomerate of specialized service companies, employing approximately 5,000 people nationwide.

In 1967, he moved to Fort Lauderdale with Betty and their five sons.

He has always paid his success forward, making substantial charitable contributions to various causes. But in a testament to his character, he always made those donations anonymously.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Henry Wheeler and thanking him for his contributions to our country and south Florida.

Happy birthday, Henry.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, and, Mr. Speaker, this proposed constitutional amendment will overturn Citizens United and will put voters back in charge of Washington.

Over 90 percent of American voters want background checks on gun sales; three-quarters want aggressive action on climate change; 85 percent want guaranteed paid sick leave; and 75 percent of the people in our country think we ought to raise the minimum wage.

The problem is these are the priorities of voters instead of the priorities of donors, and right now, in this House, donors call the shots. Ninety-three percent of Americans believe that we don't hear their voices. The cynicism is deep and it is bipartisan.

Only 5 percent of Republicans and 6 percent of Democrats believe that their views are heard by their elected Representatives. Why? The Supreme Court's disastrous Citizens United decision held that unlimited election spending doesn't corrupt our political system.

The Citizens United decision was wrong. To American voters, our Congress and our government institutions look like they are bought and paid for.

In recent elections, just 150 wealthy families and the corporations that they control have flooded our elections with hundreds of millions of dollars. That money buys something. Unlimited money in our elections too often determines who can afford to run and sets the legislative agenda here in Washington.

Here is what needs to be asked: If your family can't answer a politician's phone call when they ask for a donation, if they can't afford billboards and television ad buys, how are their voices being heard?

It doesn't matter whether a wealthy donor supports policies on the left or right. Each side has its billionaires. Let's be clear about that. But none of them should be able to spend unlimited resources in our election.

Unlimited spending doesn't produce more speech. It produces louder speech. It compromises the free speech rights of everyone else in America. It corrupts elections when people are sent to Washington to work on behalf of corporate interests rather than voters' interests. And it leaves our elections vulnerable to attacks from foreign adversaries.

Mr. Speaker, it is time to get big money out of politics; it is time to get secret, dark money out of our elections; and it is time to get foreign money out of our campaigns.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, for the sake of our democracy, it is time to overturn Citizens United and put voters back in charge of Washington.

Mr. Speaker, in the 4\1/2\ months since 17 people were killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, there have been 15 shootings at schools and colleges around the country.

In the absence of congressional action, the only thing that has stopped these school shootings is summer recess.

But summer recess won't stop the daily gun violence in communities across the country. In the past 72 hours, 97 people were killed and 180 people were injured by gun violence.

And summer recess won't provide relief to the families who are still grieving the loss of their children, their loved ones.

Earlier this month, four Stoneman Douglas seniors were honored with degrees they earned but never received because they were murdered in their school. Their parents and siblings walked onto that stage instead. It shouldn't have been this way.

It is time for this House to act on gun violence. Bring up the bipartisan bills on universal background checks, banning bump stocks, gun violence restraining orders.

We cannot wait until the school bell rings again this fall. We have to act now

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of NephCure Kidney International.

Roughly 31 million Americans live with kidney disease, and 3 in every 100,000 people suffer from nephrotic syndrome.

Nephrotic syndrome is not a disease itself; rather, it is an umbrella term for the signs and symptoms that result from damage in the kidneys' filtering units.

NephCure Kidney International is the only organization committed exclusively to supporting research into finding the cause of the kidney disease focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, or FSGS, and nephrotic syndrome.

I am proud of the work of this organization and their leaader, Dr. Irving Smokler, NephCure's president and founder and a constituent of mine.

In 1999, Dr. Smokler launched the NephCure Foundation, inspired by his son, Matthew, who was diagnosed with FSGS when he was just 11 years old.

Dr. Smokler has since dedicated himself to the fulfillment of the foundation's mission: to find the cause of and cure for FSGS and nephrotic syndrome.

Mr. Speaker, today I call on all of our colleagues to recognize and support the goals of this important organization and to support robust funding for research at NIH to help find a cure for FSGS and nephrotic syndrome.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Melody Herzfeld from Parkland, Florida, for being named the fourth recipient of The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University's Excellence in Theater Education Award. Under her guidance, her students have been able to turn to music and theatre to combat the tragedy that they suffered.

Ms. Herzfeld is the director of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Drama Department, where she has been teaching drama since 2003. In that time, she has been responsible for putting on over 50 productions. Her theatre program, Children's Theatre Project, has received numerous Critics Choice awards and South Florida Cappies, which celebrate excellence in regional student theatre and journalism.

On February 14, as the tragic events unfolded at their school, Ms. Herzfeld hid 65 of her students in her office for two hours. Since then, we have seen her students demand their own space on the national stage. While some began to speak out and call for reforms, others turned to theatre and music to make their voices heard. Ms. Herzfeld's students performed their original song titled, ``Shine,'' for national audiences at the CNN Town Hall on February 21 and at the March for Our Lives on March 24.

Mr. Speaker, the Excellence in Theater Education Award recognizes a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession. This is why it is no surprise to us that Ms. Herzfeld was selected to receive this award by a panel of judges comprised of the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, Carnegie Mellon and other leaders from the theatre industry.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask this body to recognize Ms. Herzfeld for her endless dedication to both her students and the arts.

Melody Herzfeld represents the kindness and warmth that I see from teachers across the State of Florida. We thank her for her outstanding leadership and guidance during such a difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to welcome my constituent, Pastor Eddie Bevill, to offer the opening prayer today.

Eddie is the founding pastor of Parkridge Church in Coral Springs, Florida, where he has served since 1992. Pastor Bevill's leadership and service has been recognized with tenures on the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions as well as the Gulf Stream Baptist Association Board in Broward County, Florida. He is a pillar of our community. I am honored to welcome him to Washington today.

After the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, our community was gripped by unspeakable pain, confusion, frustration, and anger. In the moments, days, and months since, Pastor Bevill has offered a voice of peace, arms of comfort, and a guiding hand to surviving families, students, teachers, and others in our community.

At a time when it was so easy to be lost in despair, our community has been so fortunate to have Pastor Bevill lead us toward a place of hope and solace.

Pastor Bevill is joined here today by his wife Laura. They have been married since 1988 and have four children.

I know that my wife Jill joins me in welcoming Laura today in support of Eddie as he offers today's opening prayer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Broward Education Foundation and its 2018 scholarship award recipients. The Broward Education Foundation continuously works to engage the broader community to make the Broward County Public School system one of the best in the State of Florida. These men and women have served Broward County with distinction through their efforts, and they have demonstrated a commitment to improving our public schools in South Florida.

The Broward Education Foundation helps to provide the students of Broward County with an exceptional education, enabling them to reach their greatest potential. The Foundation provides support for innovative teaching, educational materials for Title I schools, and Fiduciary oversight for community members who join in our educational mission by establishing Foundation agency funds.

The Foundation also provides students with scholarships that enable them to pursue higher education. These scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who have exhausted all other avenues for financial aid, but still fall short of the financial means necessary to attend state or community college, university or vocational school. This year, the Foundation will provide over 200 of these scholarships to Broward County students. Congratulations to all of the 2018 Broward Education Foundation scholarship recipients.

Mr. Speaker, I express my deep appreciation for the Broward Education Foundation's work in our community. Their dedication has transformed the lives of students by providing them with the educational tools necessary to achieve. I them for their work and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, Representative Alcee Hastings, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Representative Frederica Wilson, to recognize 50 years of service to our Veterans in South Florida. The Miami VA Medical Center, renamed the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center in 2008, held its ribbon cutting on May 5, 1968. Originally a 630,000 square foot facility, the facility has nearly doubled in size to care for more than 57,000 Veterans per year in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties.

The Miami VA Healthcare System is an accredited comprehensive medical provider, providing general medical, surgical, inpatient and outpatient mental health services. Recognized as a Center of Excellence in Spinal Cord Injury Research and Substance Abuse Treatment, it also houses an AIDS/HIV center, a prosthetic treatment center, spinal cord injury rehabilitative center, chest pain center, and Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC). Additionally, the Miami VA Medical Center was home to the first nursing home in the VA System.

Mr. Speaker, as a parent facility, the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center supports 8 VA clinics from Key West to Deerfield Beach. These include two major satellite Outpatient Clinics, five Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and four Readjustment Counseling Centers, or Vet Centers. These Miami VA Healthcare System facilities serve our Veterans through their more than 750,000 visits each year.

We join together to recognize the Miami VA Healthcare System and its continued service on behalf of our Veterans. We support the Miami VA Healthcare System in its mission to honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and wellness.