Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life of Dr. Generoso ``Heni'' Gutierrez Gascon, who led a life committed to serving others.

Heni was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1936 to Filipino parents who had emigrated to work on the islands' sugarcane and pineapple plantations. Raised in rural Kahuku, Heni attended the Punahou school in Honolulu and, after graduation, moved to New York to attend Columbia University, followed by medical school at Boston University. He had a lifelong passion for education, believing that his life's course was made possible by the opportunity afforded him through academic scholarships and teachers who inspired him.

Heni would serve as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War before pursuing an illustrious career in academic medicine that spanned from Boston to North Dakota to Saudi Arabia, and, at last, to his cherished home on beautiful Cape Cod. He was a renowned pediatric neurologist and researcher, founding the Learning Disabilities Clinic at Boston Children's Hospital and pioneering new treatments and pediatric neurology programs.

Throughout his life, Heni never tired of exploration, bringing his family to Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Kenya and Germany, among other locations. He was also an active sports enthusiast, establishing youth sports programs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was often found playing golf and tennis with family and friends.

Dr. Gascon left us on December 8th, 2020, at the age of 84. His commitment to his work and to the people around him will long be remembered and cherished by his family, friends, colleagues, and greater community. He is survived by his beloved friend, partner and wife Susan, four children, seven grandchildren, and countless others across the nation.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of Dr. Generoso ``Heni'' Gutierrez Gascon. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his life's commitment to serving and caring for others within his community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the extraordinary life of Jesse James Jackson, a Congressional Gold Medal recipient, a United States Marine veteran, and successful entrepreneur.

Jesse was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1921. As soon as he was able, Jesse enlisted with the United States Marine Corps at the age of 21. Jesse served prior to World War II training Black volunteers at Montford Point, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After the outbreak of war, Jackson earned the rank of sergeant fighting valiantly in the Pacific Theater and was honorably discharged from service in 1946.

His service, and that of his fellow Marines at Montford Point, was recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal. I was proud to present the nation's highest civilian honor for distinguished achievement to Jesse personally. During World War Two, African American Marines served with courage and distinction, and they were instrumental in the integration of the United States armed forces. Their service extended to the greater civil rights movement, with many becoming mayors, lawyers, educators, doctors and in Jesse's case, successful entrepreneurs. Shortly after serving in the Marines, Jesse moved to Boston, Massachusetts. There, he ran a myriad of successful businesses and entrepreneurial ventures, including; Jesse's Fish and Chips, Jesse's Taxi and Slades Nightclub.

After a successful career, Jesse retired to Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, he by no means slowed down. Jesse was quite the jetsetter and was constantly on the move, continuing to live life to the fullest.

Jesse James Jackson passed away on December 13th, 2020, at the age of 99. His commitment to breaking racial barriers in order to fight for our country will not be forgotten. Jackson's legacy will continue to be honored and cherished by our nation and the many people he touched throughout his life.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of Jesse James Jackson. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his life's commitment to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life of John ``Doc'' Blanchon of Yarmouth, Massachusetts, a dedicated family man, soldier and teacher who lost his battle to Parkinson's Disease.

A native of Quincy, Doc attended Bridgewater Teachers College where he excelled in athletics, playing baseball, basketball and soccer. Later, he was admitted as a member of the initial class of Bridgewater Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduating, Doc joined the U.S. Army and served his country in Korea. When he returned home he continued his education and obtained his master's degree in School Administration from Northeastern University. He then taught Social Studies at Sharon High School and coached the school soccer team. Doc Blanchon was named Principal of Sharon High School in 1982, serving as the school's leader until his eventual retirement in 1994.

Doc and his wife, Lorraine, eventually relocated to Cape Cod in retirement, though they spent much of their time following their passion for travel in Europe once their children finished college. Those who knew Doc knew him as a good man, full of kindness and the desire to help those others. He was a man of deep faith and devoted his life to following the practices of Christianity.

Doc passed this Father's Day; his loss was felt deeply by his family and community. His memory and spirit will live on through his loving wife Lorraine, his two children Bonnie and Donald, and his five grandchildren as well as his legacy and devotion to his community, military and God.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of Chairman Engel's amendment, inspired by a bipartisan New START bill, which is cosponsored by Mr. McCaul, the ranking member, and of which I am a proud cosponsor. It is a bill that urges extension of the New START Treaty.

Russia's broad range of destabilizing influence is well known. We need to do everything we can to constrain Russia's arsenal to the best of our ability, and we have an effective tool in place.

We have heard from so many leaders about why this is important, people who support this amendment, like General John Hyten, Commander of the United States Strategic Command.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the retirement and service of George Morrison, a treasured principal who has impacted the lives of innumerable students at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.

Morrison is a Cape Cod native whose passion for giving back and heart for service led him to an enlistment with the U.S. Marines for four years before he returned to the Cape to pursue a career in education. Once back in Massachusetts, Morrison maintained a close working relationship with the military, continuing to serve under the Army National Guard's Aviation branch during his tenure as an assistant principal. In 2005 Morrison was called to Iraq and Kuwait, where he would serve nearly 18 months with the 3rd Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment.

While serving his country on a national scale, Morrison also maintained a personal connection with the student body of Dennis- Yarmouth Regional High School, where he served as assistant principal from 2001 until his promotion to principal in 2017. A certified social worker, Morrison's 18 years with the school have been defined by his ability to engage freely and openly with his students, a fact many of them have attested to. In his tenure with the Massachusetts school system, Morrison has truly gone above and beyond the role of administrator by fostering a space where his students can not only learn, but truly grow.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the retirement of George ``Tony'' Morrison and offer my sincere gratitude for his dedication to improving the lives of those in our community. I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking him for his service and wishing him all the best in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life of Captain Thomas Kenney, a resident of Hyannis, Massachusetts and dedicated firefighter of more than 36 years.

Thomas was born in Boston and began a lifetime of public service working with the Boston Ambulance Squad, in addition to serving as an EMT and paramedic with Boston EMS. Upon graduating from Boston City Hospital, he moved to the Cape and began his career with the Hyannis Fire Department.

His commitment to serving and protecting his community led him to the admirable position of rescue team manager for the newly formed Massachusetts Task Force I, Urban Search & Rescue. Under this role, Thomas was deployed to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage fire, and more. On September 11, 2001, he and his team bravely answered the call to serve as Ground Zero responders only five hours after the first attack took place.

Thomas' deep-seated love of giving back led him to the field of education, where he found opportunities to teach the skills that carried him throughout his career. He would go on to become a nationally recognized instructor with Heavy Rescue Incorporated, in addition to teaching EMS and fire rescue both at home in Hyannis and on the road.

Tragically, Thomas passed away on June 5, 2019. His devotion will live on through both

the family he took great pride in raising, and the enduring legacy of his service. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of Captain Thomas Kenney. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his many years of dedication to his community and his country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the retirement of Deputy Chief Dean L. Melanson, after over three decades of service with the Hyannis Fire Department.

Deputy Chief Melanson's 44 years in the line of duty began in 1975 at the Acton Fire's Auxiliary Department. Later, he joined the Hyannis Fire Department in 1985 as a Fire Prevention Officer and quickly came to assume positions of leadership.

Deputy Chief Melanson is widely recognized as an expert on fire prevention, and over the course of his career, Hyannis transitioned from a small vacation community to a much larger, more urbanized municipality. It was with his knowledge and expertise that greater public work projects were undertaken and completed to accommodate the town's growing population.

Further, as an instructor at the Massachusetts Fire Academy, Barnstable County Fire Academy and in the Fire Sciences Division at Cape Cod Community College, Deputy Chief Melanson helped to shape the training and readiness of the next generation of public servants.

Deputy Chief Melanson has dedicated his life to serving his community, and I wish him many years of well-deserved happiness and more with his family in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Dean L. Melanson, Deputy Chief of the Hyannis Fire Department, and I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his years of dedication to his community.

Mr. Chair, as many of bridges across the nation are reaching the end of their useful lives, it is important for the Department to prioritize funding for the design of new structures needed to replace these out of date and outmoded bridges. This is most critical for bridges that constitute essential components of evacuation routes, such as our two Cape Cod bridges. When these structures are owned by the United States Government, we have both a legal and a moral responsibility to ensure that they are adequate to the demands put upon them.

In my district, nearly 250,000 of my constituents live on the peninsula of Cape Cod and the Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. In the event of an emergency, these citizens' only available evacuation route is

over the Cape Cod Canal bridges. The Canal bridges were completed in 1935 and 1938. They were constructed for the age of the Model T, and not the age of the SUV.

The Canal bridges are now insufficient for the needs of the Cape and Islands community. The lanes on the bridges are too narrow, and do not reflect current federal highway standards. They lack a breakdown lane that could be used for additional road space in an emergency. With the Canal bridges in their current state on a busy summer weekend, the traffic can back up for miles. During an evacuation scenario, this congestion would be far worse and pose a real risk to public safety.

The Cape Cod Canal bridges have reached the end of their useful lives, and modern replacements for them will be needed within the next several years. Replacementt bridges must be designed soon so that the United States Government can live up to its responsibility to provide transit for Cape Cod residents and visitors over the Cape Cod Canal-- especially in the event of an emergency.

The Canal bridges, and projects like them across the nation, need funding to support them through the costly design phase. Without designs in hand, it is impossible for transportation planners to precisely estimate the scope of work and costs of replacing this aging infrastructure so they can move forward towards construction. That is why my amendment is so important not only for our community, but communities like ours around the country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life of Paul Pimentel, a resident of Edgartown, Massachusetts who leaves a legacy of service to his community. Paul was born and raised in Quincy and later Braintree, setting himself apart early as a star athlete and student body president at Braintree High School before enrolling at Harvard University.

After graduation, Paul fulfilled his childhood dream of enlisting as a Naval officer, serving two combat tours in Vietnam as Chief Engineer of the USS Berkeley. Upon leaving the service and taking time to reflect on his time in the service and his dreams for the country, he became an advocate for Vietnam Veterans Against the War. He went on to achieve notable success in public service, becoming the youngest Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State in the history of the office.

Looking for ways to assist as a private citizen, Paul would end up at the forefront of climate science in the 1970s. He developed Energistics in 1978 and Pequod Associates in 1980, breaking new ground to make conservation technology accessible before it was a worldwide priority. Many of the energy saving models he developed are now seen as industry standard. The independent cooperative Vineyard Power, his proudest professional achievement, was supported by a thorough community outreach campaign and would go on to provide over 800 megawatts of offshore wind power to the people of New England.

Sadly, Paul passed away on February 5, 2019. His commitment to the common good will live on through a loving family and the myriad projects he shaped. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of Paul Pimentel. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his many years of dedication to his community and his country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the retirement and many laudable accomplishments of Police Chief Matthew Clancy of the Duxbury Police Department.

A native of Massachusetts' South Shore, Matthew Clancy obtained his master's degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, as well as the Command Training Program of the New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management. After several seasonal special appointments, he began his full-time career in law enforcement with the Mashpee Police Department, serving there until his appointment as Chief of Police in Plympton, Massachusetts in 2002. He served faithfully in that position until 2010, when he was named Police Chief of the Duxbury Police Department.

Chief Clancy has gone on to protect and serve his community in a variety of ways beyond his work as Chief of Police. He serves as the President of the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission and has been a Past President of both the Plymouth County Police Chief's Association and Old Colony Special Operations Group. He was integral in the formation of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council Marine Unit, where he now serves as Control Chief.

Chief Clancy has dedicated his life to serving his community and championing the cause of better policing, and I wish him many years of happiness and relaxation with his family, including his wife Holly, and their four children, Eden, Matthew, Marissa and Alyssa.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Matthew Clancy and his commitment to ensuring the safety of his community. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his hard work and dedication as he celebrates his well-earned retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to correct the official record regarding two of my recorded votes from yesterday's House consideration of H.R. 2740, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2020.

During the chamber's recorded vote on House Amendment 379 I voted aye rather no, which was not my intention. Further, although I was not able to cast a vote-for House Amendment 381, I wish to note that I would have voted aye.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, with every study, every research paper, every scientific breakthrough, we have come to understand that most Americans realize that there is more to healthcare than those who are sick and those who aren't. Really, we can't just focus our treatment on those that are unwell.

It is a shortsighted strategy, and unfortunately, the one this country has been employing for far too long before the Affordable Care Act.

Why would we only try to treat the problem once it has already occurred, when we can work to prevent it in the first place?

The keys to prevention are a healthy living environment and swift access to care, helping us deal with healthcare issues before they become acute. And this approach will save money.

With that in mind, I am offering my amendment to appropriate funds to study how to help bring social and behavioral aid programs under the same roof as our traditional healthcare providers.

We know there is a link between healthy living, housing, and food security. If we already allocate funds to programs to help facilitate healthy living, why don't we house them in the same place that we are housing these health centers?

This works. I have seen it.

A holistic approach like this will demonstrate to people in rural, underserved, or underprivileged communities that no matter how seemingly dire their situations, there are paths to healthy living.

Sadly, we see daily reminders that where someone is born or where they live can determine so much in their lives.

My home State of Massachusetts is a leader when it comes to healthcare, but it is not without its own disparities. In some corners of my district, the average life expectancy is less than 70 years of age, while elsewhere in the Commonwealth, it could be over 90 years old.

There is no easy answer to why that is the case. It is a combination of means, education, environment, and access to healthcare.

Clearly, there needs to be more progress. Education and access to information can help to lift people into healthier circumstances.

If health centers had specialists who had experience dealing with SNAP and WIC, more families would receive nutritional advice and more young mothers would be able to raise healthier babies.

In those same centers, if we had people who could really help with housing concerns, we would be able to get more people into stable situations and off the street corners and away from homelessness.

For those dealing with brain diseases like addiction, integrating mental health services could help improve access to comprehensive treatment.

In my district, I have seen firsthand the great work done by the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center and the Outer Cape Health Services in Harwich, Massachusetts, where they try to incorporate these services, and actually successfully incorporate these services that impact social detriments of healthcare all under one roof.

I am also excited to note that this coming Friday, the Outer Cape Health Services is reopening and expanding a comprehensive healthcare center in Wellfleet to better serve an underserved rural community over 90 minutes away from the closest hospital.

But nationwide, existing resources can only get us so far.

We are on the verge of a breakthrough, and we need to find out how Congress can take us beyond this tipping point.

That is why my amendment is important. We need to know how much our health centers need to plan and what they need to successfully tackle social determinates of health alongside traditional healthcare services.

My amendment provides the Health Resources & Services Administration with the resources that will allow them to study this.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman, and I urge my colleagues all across the Nation, if you are in a rural area, if you are in an underserved area, this is important for all of us.

Mr. Chairman, I urge support of this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 413 recognizing the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

I would like to thank Congressmen Wilson, Schiff, and Latta, as my fellow co-chairs of the French Caucus, for joining me in introducing H. Res. 413 to express the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives to the members of the United States and Allied Armed Forces for their leadership, bravery, and sacrifices in Normandy on June 6, 1944.

June 6, 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the day the United States launched the largest amphibious assault in history at Normandy, alongside troops of the United Kingdom, Canada, and France. Operation Overlord--more commonly known as D-Day--was instrumental in bringing an end to World War II.

The success of the Normandy campaign did not come without tremendous loss of life, but it ultimately turned the tide for the Allies and led to the liberation of Europe. We owe a debt of gratitude to the members of the ``Greatest Generation,'' who helped free the world from Nazi and Fascist regimes and restore liberty in Europe. Without their heroism and valor, our world today would be a very different place.

Five hundred veterans will travel to Normandy to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy landings. They are just a fraction of the more than 2 million men that landed in Northern France over the course of Operation Overlord. As their numbers dwindle, so does the living memory of the events. It is incumbent upon us to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.

A generation ago--in the aftermath of D-Day and World War II--it was second nature that the ties the United States had with European nations represented our most important alliance. This relationship was fresh in our minds, having fought alongside one another and sacrificed so much over the course of the war. I too share this bond; my own uncle was killed defending democracy on French soil during World War II. Today, I fear the significance of the events of World War II and our

alliance with Europe is often lost on the younger generations, and that we have not done enough to pass down this important history so the courage of everyone who fought in and supported the war effort and the values they defended are never forgotten.

The people of France and Normandy have made substantial efforts to preserve the history and significance of the D-Day beaches and other important sites for future generations. I have been fortunate to visit the monuments at Normandy and I have seen homes in the area displaying both French and American flags. Each time, I have been profoundly moved by the reminders of the sacrifices made by U.S. and Allied Forces, and I thank the people of France and Normandy for preserving this history. This resolution recognizes their efforts and calls for expanding educational activities to pass on the lessons of World War II from generation to generation.

The alliances we forged with our European partners during and after World War II were a testament to the fact that we are stronger when our allies are stronger and when we stand arm-in-arm in the face of common threats and adversaries. That is why we introduced House Resolution 413 out of appreciation for this alliance and the members of the United States Armed Forces and Allied armed forces who participated in the D- Day operations, as well as the countless individuals who supported the war effort

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 413 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the official opening of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Norwell, Massachusetts.

The United States and the Republic of Latvia share an important bilateral relationship that has only grown stronger with time. The ties that our two nations have fostered over the years remain meaningful, whether it be through security assistance and cooperation, trade agreements, or our shared membership in critical international organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United Nations, and World Trade Organization.

In today's ever-changing international climate, it is crucial to applaud and encourage new opportunities for cooperation, dialogue, and friendship with treasured allies. The opening of this new Honorary Consulate is such an opportunity, and I am thrilled that my district can have a place in this progress. I would like to extend particular commendation to Uldis K. Sipols, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Massachusetts. As a longtime resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a seasoned professional in the business world, I know that he will bring much needed enthusiasm and experience to his new diplomatic role, and I wish him the best.

Madam Speaker, it brings me great pleasure to recognize the opening of this important consular office and to call attention yet again to the invaluable relationship between the United States and the Republic of Latvia.