Kathy Castor

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded for Roll Call No. 174, Roll Call No. 175, Roll Call No. 176, Roll Call No. 177, Roll Call No. 178, Roll Call No. 179, Roll Call No. 180, Roll Call No. 181, Roll Call No. 182, on Thursday, March 30, 2023. I have been a proponent of protecting our climate since I have been in Congress. As the former chair of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, I have championed investing in a clean energy economy of the future, protecting the climate, and the future of all American people. I unequivocally oppose the corporate giveaway of H.R. 1 the Polluters over People Act. Last Congress, Democrats took decisive action to fight the climate crisis, protect the pocketbooks of the American people, and a healthy environment for all. H.R. 1 is an irresponsible giveaway to polluters at the expense of our neighbors back home and deserves a no vote. However, due to a death in my family, I was unable to be present for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 174; YEA on Roll Call No. 175; YEA on Roll Call No. 176; YEA on Roll Call No. 177; NAY on Roll Call No. 178; NAY on Roll Call No. 179; NAY on Roll Call No. 180; YEA on Roll Call No. 181; and NAY on Roll Call No. 182.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Chair, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for his leadership and yielding the time. Madam Chair, I rise in strong opposition to the polluters over people act, and I rushed here to the floor with some good news: This bill is not going anywhere. President Biden has already said that he intends to veto it, but it is not even going to make it out of the U.S. Senate. I thought President Biden spoke very well in his statement on his veto message. He said, we are ``making unprecedented progress in protecting America's energy security and reducing energy costs for Americans--in their homes and at the pump. H.R. 1 would do just the opposite, replacing pro-consumer policies with a thinly veiled license to pollute. It would raise costs for American families by repealing household energy rebates and rolling back historic investments to increase access to cost-lowering clean energy technologies. Instead of protecting American consumers, it would pad oil and gas company profits--already at record levels--and undercut our public health and environment.'' It will take us backwards. In fact, a number of America's leading health organizations, like the American Lung Association, the Children's Environmental Health Network, and others wrote to Congress to say they oppose H.R. 1 and its attempt to weaken the Clean Air Act to allow additional polluting energy sources. They say, ``Years of scientific research has clearly established that pollution is a threat to human health at every stage of life--from inside the womb to adulthood.'' Burning fossil fuels not only contributes to a warming climate, but higher levels of dangerous--and deadly--pollution. The good news is, this bill is not going anywhere. There is more good news for American families and all of us who care about the moral obligation we have to our kids to provide a livable planet. Earlier this month, the International Energy Agency said it has been the jump in renewables, not frack gas--it has been the jump in renewables that has helped blunt a feared runaway in carbon emissions. In the end, they say, global energy-related emissions are still on an unsustainable growth trajectory, but--and this is thanks to the outstanding wealth of renewable energy, electric vehicles, heat pumps, energy efficient technologies--that we still have a fighting chance. This was followed by more good news yesterday out of the U.S. Energy Information Administration. For the first time in 2022 renewable energy in America surpassed coal burning in America, and it is now outpacing nuclear energy, as well. Who is driving this? I thought this was very interesting.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. The States that are producing the most renewable energy resources: In solar, California, Texas, North Carolina; in wind, again it is Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma. Why is this happening? Because renewable energy is the cheapest energy. With the Inflation Reduction Act, the bipartisan infrastructure law, the CHIPS and Science Act, we are about to lower energy bills substantially for our neighbors back home. Since we have adopted the IRA, the infrastructure law, we have also seen $200 billion of private sector investments in the manufacturing sector in America, in clean energy, electric vehicles, batteries, and other manufacturing processes. There is good news here. As we debate this bill, and the polluters over people act goes nowhere, we continue to lower energy costs for our families back home, lift American workers, and provide for healthier, safer communities. We have an opportunity here to go farther and faster. That is what is inspirational today, not the backwards policies of the past. Vote ``no'' on the polluters over people act.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. McGovern for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, our neighbors back home send us here to Washington to stand up for them and to stand up to the powerful special interests that have all too much influence here in the halls of Washington. They expect us to work to lower costs and for good-paying jobs and safe and healthy communities. That is why this Republican polluters over people act is so dangerous. It does the opposite of what we should be doing here. This bill would reward the price gouging of the big oil and gas companies. This bill would roll back our bedrock environmental protections for clean air, clean water, and lower-cost clean energy. Mr. McGovern, I think it is important that you know that in the Energy and Commerce Committee last week, at the very last minute, with no hearing and very little debate, they included a provision that would roll back an important piece of the Inflation Reduction Act that puts money back into people's pockets back home for energy efficiency rebates and discounts to help lower energy bills. They do this at a time when Exxon made record profits last year, $56 billion, and Chevron $36 billion. Fossil fuels were the main driver of inflation, yet you want to give another massive giveaway to oil and gas companies and take away simple energy rebates for homeowners? They are doing it at a time when it looks as if this bill would increase the deficit by half a billion dollars. This is an irresponsible giveaway to polluters at the expense of our neighbors back home. It deserves a big ``no'' vote. Let's think about the people we represent for a change.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Celeste Gibbons-Peoples for her nearly four decades of public service to the Tampa Bay community. Her influence in our community follows a tradition of excellence pioneered by her late father. Walter Lee ``Dirk'' Gibbons, who was a well-known Negro League Baseball player locally and nationally. She has committed her life to telling the stories of Black pioneers and celebrating the rich Black history of the Tampa area. Born in the basement of a clinic in Ybor City and raised in East Tampa, Ms. Gibbons-Peoples attended Hillsborough High School and Hillsborough Community College where she started to foster her appreciation for Black history and its importance in life-long education. Her passion for this cause led her to become an active member of the City of Tampa's Black History Committee, Inc. for more than 30 years and served as its president 2014 through 2022. The Committee has awarded more than $250,000 to high school seniors to further their education through college. university or vocational school. Ms. Gibbons-Peoples came to City of Tampa government in 1985 and is currently its certified senior procurement analyst. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed by her colleagues and peers--in 2017, she was named Buyer of the Year by the National Institute of Government Purchasing for Tampa Bay. Ms. Gibbons-Peoples continues to be a role model in our community. In 2010, she obtained her Certified Professional Public Buyer's (CPPB) certification and is also a Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM). Her love for her profession drives her position as president of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing. Through this organization, she helps provide educational opportunities for current and striving Purchasing Procurement professionals. Volunteer work also plays an integral part in Ms. Gibbons-Peoples's impact on the Tampa Bay community. Her contributions include United Way Suncoast, Great American Teach-In, Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa Martin Luther King. Jr. Committee. Inc., Ladies Auxiliary for the Woods and Wanton Tampa Chapter for Buffalo Soldiers, and the Community Charter Schools of Excellence. As a coach for the Boys and Girls Club and Police Athletic League, Ms. Gibbons-Peoples has helped children realize their true potential. In addition, she serves as president of the Usher Ministry No. 2 at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in admiration and respect for Ms. Celeste Gibbons-Peoples who is the embodiment of altruism and forms an integral part of Tampa's own Black history.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense gratitude for Bishop Preston D.H. Leonard, who inspires us all through his lifetime of public service deeply rooted in his faith. For more than 60 years, he has served as pastor at Christ Gospel Church of St. Petersburg. Bishop Leonard is the only living pastor in the church's history and has the longest tenure of any pastor in the St. Petersburg area. He serves as the Presiding Bishop of Christ Kingdom International Fellowship and the International Bishop of the Christ Gospel Churches of Jamaica Apostolic, Haiti, and Ghana, Africa. Bishop Leonard was born in the town of Lloyd, located in North Florida to Titus and Vannie (Walker) and he is the sixth of seven children. His commitment to his faith started early--at age 10 he became a member of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Monticello, Florida. Bishop Leonard was baptized in 1954 and ordained later that year. Also in 1954, Bishop Leonard married the love of his life, the former Virginia Mosley. Together they share their seven children, 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Bishop Leonard and his family moved to St. Petersburg in 1957 and since then, he has been fiercely committed to his service to both God and our community across Tampa Bay through a broad range of experiences. For more than 40 years, he hosted a radio ministry broadcasted by The New 1590 WRXB, a longtime voice in the St. Petersburg African American community. He is a past president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) and previously served on the Bi-Racial Advisory Committee of the Pinellas County School Board, the State Screening for Regulatory Committee, Ombudsmen Committee of the State Nursing Home, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, and the Area Agency of Aging. In 1997, he was recognized as Minister of the Year. Today, Bishop Leonard serves as a charter member of the St. Petersburg Community Alliance as well as on the Board of Directors of the IMA Human Services and the St. Petersburg Interfaith Alliance. Bishop Leonard received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from International University. Before this he attended Florida A&M University, Jack Hyles Pastoral School, and Clyde Narramore Counseling School. He was also a member of the U.S. Navy CORPS in Bainbridge, Maryland. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am honored to recognize Bishop Preston D.H. Leonard for his lifelong dedication to service above self as well as his contribution to Tampa Bay's own African American history. Through his commitment to and celebration of his faith and his service to the community, Bishop Leonard is a representation of the best that Florida has to offer and his living legacy serves as an example to all.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great educator and leader in the Tampa Bay community, Dr. Davina Arleen Jones. Dr. Jones is one of six children, born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. Her mother worked for the county library as a book processor and her father was a city bus operator while also serving as a full-time pastor. Dr. Jones' parents instilled in her and her siblings the importance of commitment, leadership, and the spiritual faith--values she holds close to this day. At the early age of 13, a young Davina Jones gave her first public speech at a Church of God in Christ (COGIC) youth convention. When she was a young student. Dr. Jones was enrolled in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) in Hillsborough County Public Schools due to the many challenges in her life, but the challenges would only reveal her drive for education and excellence. Through hard work and perseverance, Dr. Jones went on to graduate from Bethune-Cookman University with a bachelor's degree in speech communication. She later went on to receive her master's degree in interpersonal communications and her doctorate in communication studies from Bowling Green State University. These significant accomplishments led Dr. Jones to author ``From ESE to PHD: Discovering your hidden potential.'' She is also the author of ``Choices: What singles ought to know and what married people wished they had learned.'' Dr. Jones served as a frontline partner as Florida and our Nation prepared to receive and embrace the historic Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune statue in the Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol in 2022. Dr. Bethune's statue replaced the statue of a Confederate general that stood since the Jim Crow era and Dr. Jones advocated for Dr. Bethune as a far superior representative of the values and diversity of the Sunshine State. Dr. Jones continues to lift her community as a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a former president of the Mary McLeod Bethune National Alumni Association Hillsborough Chapter, a former president of the Bethune Cookman National Association Hillsborough Chapter, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Dr. Jones also actively collaborates with the African American Task Force for Hillsborough County Public Schools leadership. Dr. Jones also continues to provide faith-based community leadership throughout the City of Tampa. She is the Assistant Spiritual Leader of Today's Church Tampa Bay and former lead pastor and teacher of the Greater Love Spiritual Center. In 2015. Dr. Jones moved on her desire to educate and inspire passion to our younger generation when she founded GREAT Camp, a comprehensive program for teens and preteens that offers guidance and development in a variety of topics and skills such as civics development, health & wellness, and financial literacy. Considering all her education, hard work and accomplishments, Dr. Jones stated that her greatest achievement in life was becoming aware of the power of love, the love for oneself and the love for others through God. Throughout the years, Dr. Jones has instructed public speech communication courses across the State of Florida. Using her expertise and experience, she has provided higher education level instruction to aspiring journalists, marketers and educators within our communities. Dr. Jones served as an assistant professor teaching speech communication at her alma mater Bethune-Cookman in 2001; she became a professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville and she is currently provost and special assistant to the president for equity, diversity and inclusion at Pasco-Hernando State College in Wesley Chapel. She continues her work among Pasco-Hernando State College leadership ensuring that all students receive the education they deserve. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, this Black History Month, I am proud to recognize the courage, leadership, and spirit of excellence of Dr. Davina Arleen Jones and her many examples of service she provides our communities.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise during Black History Month to honor the life of an extraordinary leader, educator and pillar of the St. Petersburg community, Mr. Mordecai Walker. Mr. Walker was born in Citrus Park in rural Hillsborough County on July 4, 1924, to Charlie and Pearl Walker. He attended segregated schools in Hillsborough County--Citrus Park School for colored children, Booker T. Washington Junior High and Middleton High School, where he graduated in 1943. Mr. Walker started his college education at Bethune-Cookman University where he had the distinct honor of shaking the hand of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. However, as the war continued in Europe and the south Pacific, Mr. Walker was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served overseas in New Guinea. After attaining the rank of Sergeant and completing his enlistment in 1946, Mr. Walker returned to higher education at Tennessee State University (TSU) where he completed his bachelor's degree in agriculture and then he went on to earn his master's degree in agriculture from Florida A & M University. As a student at TSU, Mr. Walker was an essay winner for writing ``America's Most Popular Athlete''--writing that Joe Louis was more popular than Jackie Robinson. For winning the essay, he was given an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to see Joe Louis fight. During that trip Mr. Walker remembers going to an integrated New York City theater to see Gone with the Wind. While at TSU, Mr. Walker competed on the track team with Olympian Mickey Patterson and Ed Temple, who later became an Olympic coach. In 1950, he was initiated into the Rho Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Walker would go on to become one of the original seven founders of the Eta Rho graduate chapter in St. Petersburg, FL in 1962, where he also served as the Chapter Basileus from 1991 through 1993. After more than 70 years of service, Mr. Walker remains active in the local chapter and is still committed to Omega's four cardinal principals of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift. After graduating from TSU, Mr. Walker returned to Tampa to teach at Simmons Elementary School in Plant City and later Middleton High School in Tampa, where he was a driving force in establishing the agriculture program. Mr. Walker was pivotal in creating a curriculum and funding sources to bring the program to fruition. After his short stint in Hillsborough County, he relocated to Pinellas County, where he spent more than 30 years teaching, advancing and developing agricultural programs. Mr. Walker was inducted into TSU's Agriculture Hall of Fame for his more than 30 years of service to advancing the field of agriculture in education. In 2019, he was also inducted into the City of St. Petersburg Senior Hall of Fame for his services of volunteering to help the quality of life for residents of St. Petersburg. Mr. Walker is known for overcoming adversity. Coming of age in an era of segregation, Mr. Walker acted with dignity and grace. showing respect to everyone around him even when he was not afforded that same respect. During the Civil Rights movement, he was active in the Ambassador's Club, which was a civic club that worked to address the ongoing fight for civil rights. as well as celebrating the community's achievements during this time. Mr. Walker is the oldest living member of the Historic Gas Plant Community, which was the second African American neighborhood formed in St. Petersburg. This historic community thrived from business, entertainment, and education. It was the place for working class African Americans. Unfortunately, many families were eventually uprooted during the expansion of Interstate-275 during the 1970's. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the entire community of St. Petersburg in honoring Mr. Mordecai Walker for his long commitment to education, bettering the lives of all those around him and as a living legacy.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to celebrate a change agent and one of Tampa Bay's most accomplished businesswomen, Ms. Bridgette Heller. Ms. Heller was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Fla. She attended segregated schools through elementary school, but credits success during her formative years to being raised by a village of love that had very high standards for her. She achieved a higher education at Northwestern University, earning a bachelor's degree, then master's from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Ms. Heller continues to contribute to her alma mater serving on the University's Board of Trustees and mentoring the next generation of business leaders. After graduating from Northwestern University, Ms. Heller spent more than 35 years serving in leadership positions in numerous Fortune 100 companies and private equity-owned enterprises, such as Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Danone and Kraft Foods, where she worked for more than 18 years. While serving as executive vice president of Merck and president of its consumer care division, she led an organization of approximately 2,400 employees and helped the company expand across the globe. In honor of all her many accomplishments in the business world, Ms. Heller was named one of The 50 Most Powerful Black Women in Business by Black Enterprise Magazine, a Women to Watch by Advertising Age, and Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Women of the Year. She also founded her own consulting firm and has served as a corporate director for numerous companies. Ms. Heller is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, and has traveled the world to reinforce infant and maternal health, inclusive C-suite for women, and sustainable communities. She is a co- founder and CEO of the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation (SPPF), named in honor of her mother. Under her leadership, the SPPF established the MASTR kids program, initially focused on helping to minimize the summer learning loss students experience in between terms. The program achieved remarkable results--80 percent of the students enrolled avoided the summer slide, and three quarters experienced gains in their math and reading proficiencies. Ms. Heller also continues to give back to her community by helping the youth of south St. Petersburg bridge the achievement and literacy gaps. Her work has allowed countless students to advance their education in STEM fields and improve both their math and reading aptitude. She has worked tirelessly to achieve her long-term goal of improving the educational experience and outcomes--raising high school and college graduation rates, which will lead to better economic opportunities, and a more prosperous St. Petersburg. Ms. Heller serves on the board of The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, working to provide equity and prosperity to her community, treating not just the symptoms of inequality, but creating a community built to benefit all. By providing both project funding and training sessions, she gives those in her community the tools to improve their lives and fuel innovation. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am honored to recognize the outstanding accomplishments, leadership and service of Ms. Bridgette Heller, who stands as a shining example of the tremendous impact of hard work, nurturing others and service to the community to encourage others to reach their highest potential.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month with immense gratitude for the life of service of veteran and retired educator, Dr. John L. Smith, Jr. Because of Dr. Smith's long- standing commitment and dedication to education and leadership, higher learning institutions throughout the United States are advancing diversity and inclusion at the highest levels. He charted a course through music, the arts and education that serves as an inspiration for future generations. Dr. Smith was born in Bastrop, LA. on Sept. 14, 1938. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged after four years of service. Dr. Smith earned his bachelor's degree in music education from Lincoln University and then his master's degree in music education from Indiana University. Dr. Smith also went on to earn his doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with post-graduate study at Harvard University. Dr. Smith is married to Dr. Juel Shannon Smith and they share seven children, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren together. Dr. Smith's memoir titled Mentors Matter: One Black Man's Journey to Success highlights the role many of his mentors played in nurturing and inspiring his interest in classical music and the sousaphone. His life's path was so outside the norm, it is inspiring to learn how each of his mentors, Black and white, kept him on track until he reached goals that few other Black men of his time had achieved. Dr. Smith is a nationally recognized and accomplished musician. For more than 60 years, he has dedicated his time to playing the tuba. In 1962, he was named the first African American principal tubist for a professional American symphony orchestra. Dr. Smith was the first African American to receive a full-time appointment with the Oklahoma City Symphony. In 1966, Dr. Smith was appointed as Chairman of the Music Department at Langston University and modified the curriculum to be more African American centered. Also, during his tenure there, he produced a summer Black Arts Festival. Dr. Smith's talent and commitment to students did not go unrecognized. In 1972, he was appointed as the first Tuba professor at the University of South Florida. His work to create an inclusive environment for Black students was tremendous and includes serving as founder and president of the Committee on Black Affairs, increasing Black faculty and administrators, and creating a Black student support group. Dr. Smith's leadership in these roles led to the establishment of the Institute on Black Life and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. campus plaza. In 1988, Dr. Smith advanced to the position of Dean of USF's College of Fine Arts, becoming USF's first Black academic dean. From 1988 through 1998, Dr. Smith raised $120 million for three endowed Chairs, including an African Art Chair; increased student and faculty diversity; held weekly lunch and counseling sessions for minority students; and endowed scholarships and programs for students. Also, while serving as Dean, Dr. Smith was the first African American to be elected president of the international Council of Fine Arts Deans and he served as chairman of the Florida Higher Education Arts Network. In 1999, he became the 12th president of Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., a top-tier historically Black liberal arts institution. During his tenure as president, Fisk University advanced from 11th to eighth rank in the U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review, garnering the university greater national visibility. While in Nashville, Dr. Smith was appointed by the Mayor to the Task Force on Affordable Housing and Community Access Television Committee while also serving in the NAACP. Dr. Smith is the recipient of many honorable civic, social, and educational honors such as the Tampa/Hillsborough County Human Rights Award and Outstanding Young Men of America. Dr. Smith's other accomplishments include expansion of international exchange and study abroad programs at USF as well as arts outreach programs to the University Area Community, Boys and Girls Clubs and West Tampa Elementary. Dr. Smith is also a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am proud to recognize Dr. John L. Smith, Jr., for his lifetime commitment to servant leadership, creative spirit, diversity and inclusion in education, and uplifting our entire community.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true Tampa Bay historian who has served this community with great distinction for many decades. Mr. Charles ``Fred'' Hearns is one of the foremost historians of Tampa Bay and Florida history. And, since 2021, he has served as the first Curator of Black History for the Tampa Bay History Center (TBHC). Mr. Hearns was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up in East Tampa, Florida, graduating in 1966 from Middleton High School, the first high school for African Americans in Hillsborough County. He later went on to further his education at the University of South Florida earning a bachelor's degree in english/journalism and a master's degree in Africana studies. Mr. Hearns also holds a master's degree in human services from Springfield College (Distinguished Graduate Award). He is the father of four adult children, sons Charles F. (Ricky) Hearns Jr. and Marcel Charles Fred Hearns, and daughters Cassanda Franklin and Charaneka Johnson. He also has five grandchildren. He began his career as a journalist working for the Florida Sentinel Bulletin, St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Tribune, Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel and then in the Office of Public Contacts for Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. In 1975, Mr. Hearns began a 32-year career with the City of Tampa and became its human rights director in 1992. He retired as director of the Department of Community Affairs in 2007. During his tenure with the City of Tampa, Mr. Hearns worked on several major projects including leading the charge as president of the Middleton High School Alumni Association to reestablish his alma mater where a Pavilion now stands in his honor. He also worked as a consultant for the revitalization of the Perry Harvey, Sr. Park project and was a founding member of several civic organizations in the city such as the 78th Street Improvement Association, the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries and the Robert W. Saunders Library Foundation, Inc. Mr. Hearns also worked as a consultant for the ENCORE housing project in Tampa. He served on the Friends of the Riverwalk and on the Florida Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. In 2014. he was awarded the Robert Saunders Award for Community Service. Mr. Hearns continues to lift the Tampa Bay community through his church, Allen Temple AME, and his fraternity, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. where he was initiated into the Pi Iota Chapter in 1977. Mr. Hearns served in numerous roles for the fraternity including as chair of the Just Gents program, which mentors young African American male students from Ernest Everett Just Elementary School. Mr. Hearns has a deep love for this community and is constantly fighting to ensure everyone understands that Black History is everyone's history. Sparked by his mentorship with Robert Saunders and the publication of Mr. Saunders' book, Bridging the Gap, Mr. Hearns started to have a deep interest in local history. In 2005, he started his own tourism business, Fred Hearns Tours, LLC, which included both bus and walking tours of Tampa's African American history. The next year, he wrote an autobiographical book titled, Getting it Done: Rebuilding Black America Brick By Brick. Mr. Hearns is the president emeritus of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Tampa Bay community, during this Black History Month, we salute and honor Mr. Charles ``Fred'' Hearns for ensuring that history is written truthfully, fully and with a persistent shining a light on the struggles, contributions and success stories of our local unsung Black neighbors.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 497, which would actually endanger the lives of frontline healthcare workers, patients, and their families. We have been fighting the COVID-19 pandemic now for nearly 3 years. Sadly, we have lost over 1 million Americans to this horrendous coronavirus. Thankfully, we have turned the corner, in large part by making safe, effective, and rigorously tested vaccinations available to all Americans. These lifesaving vaccines help save lives. They help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and severe illness, as well. Perhaps nowhere is vaccination more important than for our healthcare heroes who care for our neighbors every day. Vaccination is a vital tool to protect them and to help end the pandemic. Don't take it from me. Listen to the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians who support the vaccination for healthcare workers. They say that halting vaccination for healthcare professionals would severely and irreparably harm patients and undermine the patient-public interest. They say the science is clear: No arguments against the need for vaccination are medically valid. Vaccines are our way out of the pandemic. No other measure has been shown to reduce hospitalizations, severe disease, and death to the degree that vaccination does. We must continue to let science lead the way. Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues not to confuse Americans, or worse, endanger their lives. Vote ``no'' on this reckless bill.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 21. The Republican bill would cause higher gas prices. It would hamstring the ability of the President to respond to a crisis. It also would open up areas to drilling and pollution that should be off-limits, and it would exacerbate climate pollution and the costly related impacts ripping through America. After Putin invaded Ukraine and American consumers were grappling with higher gas prices, President Biden was right to release oil from the strategic reserve to cushion the economic blow to American families. It was a commonsense strategy that helped lower gas prices for Americans. Now, Republicans want to tie the hands of the President to act when necessary. There are too many contingencies in the world--war, supply chain issues, natural disasters--to irrationally tie the hands of the Commander in Chief to use the strategic reserve when needed. This bill also opens up areas to drilling and pollution that should be off-limits, like the coast of Florida. It could wreck our economy, our beautiful coastal waters and beaches, and areas that the Department of Defense needs for military training. Plus, it is completely unnecessary. The oil and gas industry already controls large portions of public lands and waters. They aren't using it. They are sitting on approximately 9,000 approved but unused permits for drilling. Finally, this is dangerous and costly and will exacerbate the climate crisis. The top scientists say we have a rapidly closing window to reduce climate pollution and avoid the worst impacts, but Republicans have abdicated their responsibility to keep these costs in check for everyday Americans. True energy security and independence will come through clean energy, efficiency, and innovation. Twenty percent of electricity net generation in the U.S. right now comes from renewable sources. With the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law, we are on track now to lower costs, to create good-paying jobs, and to build safer, healthier, more resilient communities across the country. This bill is an outrageous handout to polluters that will cost families and weaken energy security for America. In this Republican House, I guess Big Oil and the wealthy, powerful special interests win while everyday Americans will pay more.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chair, H.R. 21 unnecessarily opens large swaths of public lands and waters to oil and gas drilling, including the coast of Florida. This would really jeopardize Florida's fragile offshore waters, our beautiful beaches. Clean water, clean air, clean beaches are central to our way of life, and are the cornerstone of our economy. For many years, the State of Florida has enjoyed a moratorium on drilling because leaders at the national level recognized that Florida beaches and our offshore waters were a national resource. That moratorium expired last year, unfortunately. So now with H.R. 21, Florida is at risk again. My amendment would reinstitute that moratorium. In fact, it would permanently ban drilling off of the coast of Florida. This has enjoyed bipartisan support here in the Congress and back home. How do Floridians feel about drilling off of our beaches? Well, we passed a constitutional amendment in 2018 that passed by almost 70 percent of the vote in the State of Florida. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, everyone values our way of life. Why? Because we are also keenly aware of how dirty it is, how risky it is. The impacts of oil drilling off our coast really came home to roost in 2010 after the BP Deepwater Horizon oil blowout severely affected the Gulf Coast marine ecosystems. Do you all remember that disaster, watching it day after day, month after month, after oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico? At that time we were pretty fortunate on the West Coast of Florida, we didn't have oil that washed up on the beaches, but we were just coming out of the Great Recession. It was a hammer down on small business owners at that time. People were not coming to the Sunshine State. It caused enormous environmental impacts. I remember so well, holding in my arms and looking into the eyes of these small, mom and pop owners of motels and hotels and beach businesses, they were just devastated. We cannot put our economic and environment at risk again. It was a wake-up call. The eastern Gulf of Mexico also is an important military testing range. The Department of Defense has said they oppose oil drilling off the coast of Florida along the west coast because they do so many military training exercises. There are so many reasons that we need to act to protect our way of life, our environment, and our economy. It is what we sing about when we sing about protecting the Gulf Stream waters. This land is your land, this land is my land. They are not to be pillaged by the greed of the Big Oil companies. We are poised to make important progress on the health of our oceans and our economy. We are about to unleash the clean energy economy to create jobs, to lower costs for families, to build safer, healthier, and more resilient communities. We do not need to put our economy and our way of life at risk. So for all those reasons, I hope that all of the colleagues can join together to support the Castor amendment and permanently ban oil drilling off of the beautiful coastline of the State of Florida. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for yielding the time. America should not be exporting our crude oil exports to an adversary, and that was our national policy for 40 years until a Republican-controlled Congress authorized sending American crude oil abroad in 2015. China exploited that ill-advised policy change, and exports of American crude oil to China increased nearly a hundredfold during the Trump administration to about 391 million barrels. Last year, in response to soaring gasoline prices caused by Putin's unprovoked attack on Ukraine, President Biden successfully used the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower prices at the pump and provide relief to American families. This was a commonsense strategy that worked. Gasoline prices have fallen an average of $1.90 per gallon nationwide since their peak last June. However, we cannot keep relying on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to keep oil prices in check. That is why Democrats have focused on lowering costs and avoiding price spikes through the Inflation Reduction Act because cleaner, cheaper energy is our future. It will lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and help us build safer, more resilient, and healthier communities. Plus, this bill is way too narrowly tailored. What we should be debating today is the farsighted bill offered by my colleagues, Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan and Congressman Don Bacon, a bipartisan bill that would completely ban all crude oil exports to China. That is a much stronger bill. In addition to China, it would ban crude oil exports to all of our adversaries, including Iran and North Korea. In the end, America's future is in clean energy. That is how we are going to lower the cost of energy for American families, provide good- paying jobs, and make sure that we provide a livable planet to our kids and future generations. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman and I congratulate Mrs. McMorris Rodgers for taking the gavel of the Energy and Commerce Committee and I look forward to working with her in the 118th Congress.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my longtime Chief of Staff Clay Phillips who is retiring at the end of this Congress. I thank him for his tremendous career of public service, including 16 years of service in the chief of staff role. There are few people in the Tampa area who have not worked with Clay. And I'm grateful for all the work that he has done to ensure that veterans receive the benefits that they have earned, to ensure that our neighbors were able to stay in their homes during the foreclosure crisis, and all of his work on affordable health care and for social justice. He has always stood up for the voiceless, and as President Kennedy encouraged: ``Let public service be a proud and lively career.'' Clay's career was both proud and lively. A proud son of Florida, Clay attended Rollins College on a baseball scholarship before heading to University of Florida's College of Law where he earned his law degree. From working on his first presidential campaign in 1975 to serving former Congressman Jim Davis in Tallahassee and Tampa, Clay has dedicated his life to paving a more prosperous country and community. He has played a key role in many of my greatest accomplishments while serving as Tampa Bay's voice in the Congress. It was a proud day for all Floridians and Americans when we unveiled the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune statue in the United States Capitol earlier this year--since the idea came about, Clay worked diligently with local and federal partners to ensure that one day all visitors to our nation's capital would learn about the historic excellence of Dr. Bethune. Clay's tireless efforts have supported the community he loves when it was most in need, including setting up foreclosure workshops that counseled local families on their financial problems during the recession and securing grants that have allowed Tampa to grow into the vibrant city it is today. Clay has been a constant presence in both Tampa and Washington, and he's known by all those he works with as a compassionate, quick-thinking team player. In lockstep with the priorities of our community, Clay has helped maintain the strong fabric of our community by supporting the working and middle-class workers who built Tampa into the bustling city it is today. A fierce friend and advocate for our brothers and sisters in labor, Clay worked on issues to boost pay and provide workplace protections for working Floridians. I am grateful for Clay's career of service and the time that he's spent on my staff. He is a faithful friend and an unmatched public servant who will no doubt continue to serve as he begins the next chapter of his life. I would like to particularly thank his wife, Andrea, and daughter, Latham, for their patience and support of Clay and his work throughout the years. Always ready with a JFK quote, timely pun or relevant Civil War fact--Clay created an environment for our staff to grow and serve. Known fondly for his ``Clayisms'', one our team knows well is that Mark Twain once said, ``I didn't have time to write you a short letter, so I wrote you a long one.'' There is certainly no way to encapsulate the storied service of Clay Phillips in a concise blurb, so I am grateful that his legacy will continue through the policies that he helped craft and the lives that he touched. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to share with my colleagues a small slice of the incredible career of Clay Phillips. Our community and our country are forever better for his work.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize La Gaceta, the nation's only trilingual newspaper, on its 100th anniversary. Since 1922, La Gaceta has connected our community with news and served as a symbol of Tampa's rich history and culture. The story of La Gaceta's founding began in 1913, when Victoriano Manteiga migrated from Cuba to Tampa's Ybor City, Victoriano worked as a lector in the Morgan Cigar Factory where he would read novels, local and world news, and political publications to factory workers as they rolled cigars--a staple of Tampa. In 1922, Victoriano founded La Gaceta with the help of Dr. Jose Avellanal, director of the Centro Espanol mutual aid society. A Spanish language newspaper, La Gaceta was created to serve the needs of the growing Latin, immigrant population of Tampa. Creating a space to tell local stories, discuss politics and world events, share recipes, highlight sports and other areas of interest, La Gaceta was very well received by the community. One of its most notable early recognitions beyond Tampa came in 1950, when La Gaceta was awarded the title of best Spanish language newspaper in the U.S. by the Linguaphone Institute. In the 1950s, the newspaper grew its readership by publishing in English and later Italian, further serving the community and preserving another language and culture of Tampa's population. To this day, La Gaceta remains the country's only trilingual newspaper. It was also in the 1950s that Victoriano's son, Roland, grew in his role with the paper. Roland founded a column, As We Heard It, where he would predict political races, provide commentary and share his insider knowledge regarding politics. Roland's column gained much attention locally, statewide and even nationally from politicians like former presidents Jimmy Carter and George Bush. Both Roland and As We Heard IT would become known as major political influences. Today As We Heard It and La Gaceta are run by Roland's son, Patrick Manteiga. Owned and operated by the Manteiga's for three generations now, it is the oldest family-owned newspaper in the United States. As editor and publisher, Patrick leads a hardworking team of individuals who produce weekly editions of La Gaceta for readers to enjoy. To commemorate La Gaceta's historic achievement, documentary producer Lynn Marvin Dingfelder, an Emmy award-winning Tampa local, released the film ``La Gaceta The Documentary: 100 Years and 3 Generations Behind America's Only Trilingual Newspaper'' this year. Operating her own production company for over 20 years now, Lynn has shared many stories of our community through her films and has described Tampa as a place with deep love and respect for its history. This film is a symbol of that admiration and a way to both share and preserve La Gaceta's story. Madam Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the citizens of Florida, I congratulate La Gaceta on this monumental achievement of its 100th anniversary. As the oldest Spanish language newspaper and the second oldest minority-owned newspaper in the United States, La Gaceta demonstrates the great value and impact that ethnic publications hold in our nation. I am eager to see where La Gaceta's future will lead it and all of its readers across Tampa Bay and beyond.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life and contributions of Jack Eugene Fernandez, a Tampa native and true renaissance man, who passed away on July 31, 2022 at the age of 92. Jack was born and raised in Tampa by his parents, Jacinto Fernandez and Matilda Fernandez-Vila, along with his sister Anita Fernandez DeMesa. He spent much of his childhood exploring and playing around Downtown Tampa where his father owned a shoe repair shop. It was in his father's store that Jack would eventually meet his beloved wife, Sylvia. Jack graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1947. From there, he went to the University of Florida and--all before the age of 24--earned his Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees in Organic Chemistry. Jack was later drafted by the Army and stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he worked for the civilian Operations Research Office. Following his military service, Jack turned to academia. He moved to Durham, North Carolina to pursue a teaching opportunity as well as a Damon Ruyon Grant to conduct cancer research at Duke University. He then worked as a research chemist at the Eastman Kodak company in Kingsport, Tennessee before deciding to move back to his hometown of Tampa with Sylvia and their 3 sons. Jack and his family returned to Tampa in 1960 when instruction first began at the newly established University of South Florida. He worked as a chemistry professor with the USF charter faculty and sponsored over 20 graduate students, published over 50 research articles in peer reviewed chemical journals and wrote 5 chemistry textbooks throughout his tenure. He even served abroad as a Fulbright Scholar in Madrid, Spain and Bogota, Colombia. Over the course of his career with the University, Jack received 5 teaching awards, including the All University Teacher of the Year Award. Following his retirement from USF in 1995, Jack turned to his next career as a writer. Taking inspiration from his own experiences and the stories he heard growing up, Jack wrote Tampa-based novels, short stories and poems as well as columns for La Gaceta, Cigar City Magazine and the Tampa Tribune. His most acclaimed work was his novel, Cafe Con Leche, which tells the story of the multi-racial, multi-cultural community within Tampa's historic Ybor City during the early 19th century. Above all else, Jack loved his family. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Sylvia, and his 3 sons and their wives: Jack and Anne, Albert and Nancy, and Rudy and Meg. He is also survived by his 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Madam Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the citizens of Florida, I am proud to honor Jack Eugene Fernandez for his lifelong commitment to service above self. As a veteran, scientist, teacher, writer and family man, Jack touched the lives of so many. All in our Tampa Bay community are eternally grateful for the legacy he leaves behind and will continue to cherish his wonderful contributions to our home.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the career and contributions of Judy Lisi, a fierce leader in the Tampa arts community. After 30 years serving as CEO and President of Tampa's David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, the largest performing arts hall in the Southeastern United States, I congratulate and thank Judy for the incredible impact she has had on Tampa's cultural landscape. Judy began her career with the Straz Center in 1992, just 5 years after the venue first opened its doors in downtown Tampa. She took on the opportunity to lead the performing arts center as she saw the great potential it held in advancing Tampa's arts scene and bringing together a community. Before her arrival in Tampa, Judy worked at the Shuber Theater in New Haven, Connecticut, just 2 hours away from New York City's Broadway stages. A Juilliard-trained soprano, Judy was able to apply her expertise and experience towards her ambitions for the Straz Center. Within her first year as President and CEO, Judy brought in a 20 percent increase in attendance at the venue, and her passion and determination led to continued growth from there. Throughout her tenure, she doubled the venue's number of stages, founded the Opera Tampa company and led production for original plays, including the musical ``Wonderland,'' which made its way from Tampa to Broadway. Outside of theater, Judy grew the Straz's program offerings to include countless standup comedians and musicians over the years. From Tito Puente to Taylor Swift, Judy brought in a variety of performers to demonstrate the constant evolution of art and to share that excitement with so many members of our community. Judy also oversaw the creation of the Straz's Patel Conservatory, a performing arts training institution that offers opportunities for all ages and interests. The conservatory provides a safe space where students can receive various forms of performing arts education and encouragement to pursue their own artistic interests. Judy's work has not only contributed towards people's engagement with the Straz Center, but with downtown Tampa. Today our neighbors can see a show at the Straz Center, stroll along the riverwalk or view the most recent exhibit at the Tampa Museum of Art, among many other landmarks. It is because of the determination and commitment of leaders like Judy that our community is able to take full advantage of Tampa's culture and history. Madam Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the citizens of Florida, I am proud to honor Judy Lisi for her dedication to arts education. We are immensely grateful for her leadership and service and wish her all the best in her retirement. Judy's legacy will be appreciated by and inspire many in the arts community, from Tampa to Broadway, for years to come.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life and contributions of James ``Jim'' W. Clark, a veteran and tireless trial lawyer of over 50 years, who passed away on July 30, 2022 at the age of 77. Jim was born in Ocala, Florida and raised by his parents, Maxine and Earnest, along with his brother, Earnest Jr. He attended Ocala High School and upon graduating in 1962, went to the Gordon Military Academy before enrolling at the University of Florida (UF) on a ROTC scholarship in 1964. While at UF, Jim met his beloved wife, Velva Wells, and they married in 1965. The following year, Jim graduated from UF and commenced his military service in the U.S. Army 5th Special Forces Group (Green Beret), 101st Airborne. Having served in the Vietnam War, Jim led a Special Forces A-Team and played a pivotal role in various combat operations with the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam--Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOC). In honor of his incredible service, Jim was awarded multiple combat medals and ribbons. Following his assignment in Vietnam, Jim moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina with Velva and their daughter, Kimberly. Jim's move to Tampa came in 1970 when he enrolled at the Stetson College of Law, all while continuing his service with the Army Reserves at MacDill Air Force Base. That same year, Jim and Velva welcomed their son, Dan. Upon his graduation with honors in 1972, Jim commenced his legal career with the law firm of Peavyhouse, Giglio, Grant, Opp, Clark & Charlton, later known as ``Clark & Martino.'' His son, Dan, later joined Jim at the firm in 1999. Jim was known to bring professionalism, kindness and even his own famous sayings to the firm. Some of his favorite sayings to share as he would head from the office to the courthouse were ``Always stand 5 feet away from a qualified Army Ranger,'' ``Nobody ever got fired for being early,'' and ``Get the work done before you sit on your butt.'' Having obtained Board Certification in Civil Trial from The Florida Bar, Jim worked as a leading preeminent trial lawyer for over 50 years. He held various memberships including those with The National Board of Trial Advocates and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Over the course of his career, Jim received numerous awards including the Hillsborough County Bar Association's ``Michael A. Fogarty Memorial `In the Trenches' Award,'' and the ``Herbert G. Goldberg Award,'' the bar association's highest award given to a trial attorney. A loving husband, father and grandfather, Jim was endlessly devoted to his family. He is survived by his cherished wife of 57 years, Velva, his daughter, Kimberly Yarbrough and her husband, Ted; his son, Dan and his wife, Sandra; and his grandchildren, Clark Yarbrough, Kirk Daniel Yarbrough, Claudette Yarbrough, Reid Clark, Justin Clark and Wells Clark. Madam Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the citizens of Florida, I am proud to honor Jim Clark for his lifetime of service. From his courageous military service to his decades as a trial lawyer, Jim was a hardworking, generous and devoted individual. He was loved and respected by his family, his colleagues and all who knew him. May his soul rest in peace and his legacy live on and inspire others in our community for years to come.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in admiration to honor Patricia A. Givens' incredible life of public service and to congratulate her on her retirement. Patricia's remarkable contributions to our hometown of Tampa have had a tremendous impact on our neighbors and citizens of Florida and is worthy of recognition. Patricia was born in Tampa, Fla., at MacDill Air Force Base, where her father served. She graduated from Jefferson High School and later attended Hillsborough Community College and Nova Southeastern University, where she earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration. She serves as the President for the Carver City Lincoln Gardens Civic Homeowners Association Inc. and is an active volunteer with her church, Revealing Truth Ministries. After her tenure with a private company, Patricia's public service started in 2010 in the district offices of Florida Representative Betty Reed and Florida Representative Ed Narain. She then joined my district team in 2016 as office manager. Patricia has since been the foundation of my office, applying her organizational and administrative skills to ensure efficient operations so constituents are served with the highest level of professionalism, tracking each constituent interaction with attentiveness and accuracy. She is driven by her compassion and taps into her wealth of knowledge for local resources to help each constituent with understanding and kindness, and coordinates assistance right away. As intern coordinator, Patricia has gone above and beyond to provide a beneficial as well as rewarding experience for interns. Because of this and her supportive nature, she has impacted the lives of students in a major way. Each semester, she has brought on a team of impressive interns who have flourished academically and professionally, returning years later to thank our office for their pivotal internship experience. Additionally, Patricia is credited with facilitating rehabilitation to our district office and ensuring our staff have the necessary resources they require to be successful each day at work. Patricia has been an integral part of my team. However, I am sure she will continue extending her generosity as wife, mother, grandmother, neighborhood advocate, church member and traveler. Patricia is married to her husband Gary and has three children, and they are blessed with multiple grandchildren. Madam Speaker, Patricia embodies what it is to be a public servant and citizen. She has paved the way for generations to come, always giving her very best, leading by example. and always working to make lives better for those she serves. On behalf of the citizens of Florida and my neighbors across Tampa Bay, I am proud to honor Patricia A. Givens for her formidable efforts and selfless devotion to our community and congratulate on her well-deserved retirement.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the service and dedication of the majority professional staff of the Select Committee of the Climate Crisis. As any Member of Congress knows, the unsung heroes are those working behind the scenes. With little fanfare and recognition, the long hours and personal sacrifices our staff makes are indispensable to the success of a Member or committee. For the last 4 years, I have had the distinct pleasure to serve as Chair for this Select Committee. During this time, I have been fortunate to have worked with so many talented individuals. Our professional staff comes from all backgrounds, spanning the gamut of personal and professional experiences. This staff banded together as a team, and their record of success speaks for itself. From Day 1, this team took to heart the words of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that this Select Committee was not just an academic exercise but intended to deliver a roadmap of real policy achievements to tackle the challenge of a generation. Behind the scenes, the Select Committee staff built bridges to work closely with the incredible staffs of all the standing committees in the Congress, they reached across the spectrum of outside groups and advisors to foster new partnerships and forge compromise, while keeping our goals at the forefront of policy. In many ways the team served as a climate think tank for House Democrats, identifying ``Climate Wins'' and expanding the understanding of the climate crisis in all areas of policy and legislation. As a result of their tireless work, the majority staff released a groundbreaking 2020 Climate Crisis Action Plan that has been called the most comprehensive climate policy plan ever in U.S. politics, which included a suite of 715 policy recommendations. And just this month, at the end of our tenure, the staff released a new report, Solving the Climate Crisis 2022: Key Accomplishments and Additional Opportunities. This 2nd report outlines the enormous record of success and progress, noting the more than 300 recommendations from 2020 that are now codified into federal law, the 430 plus that have passed the House under Speaker Pelosi's leadership, and outlining the necessary steps forward in future years for the Congress to continue to tackle the climate crisis. The staff always had as its compass that solving the climate crisis must be guided by science, rooted in justice, and powered by American workers. Undoubtedly their work will help make communities more resilient to the impacts of the climate crisis, create good-paying local jobs, slash energy bills, uplift disadvantaged communities, and position America to lead the emerging clean economy. I would like to take a moment to specifically recognize our majority staff director, Dr. Ana Unruh Cohen. Over the better part of the last 20 years, Ana has dedicated her work in the Congress to tackling the climate crisis, both in the House and Senate. Her deep knowledge of policy, collaborative spirit, and sharp political awareness was critical to the Select Committee's effectiveness and success. Her tireless leadership is an inspiration for us all. I would also like to recognize all our staffers, past and present, during the 116th and 117th Congresses: Alison L. Cassady, Deputy Staff Director. Eric S. Fins, Deputy Staff Director. Fatima Maria Ahmad, Senior Counsel. Loyle Campbell, Rosenthal International Relations Fellow. Grace Chan, Professional Staff. Sydney Devitt, Digital Assistant. Ebadullah Ebadi, Policy Assistant. Melvin Felix, Communications Director. Javier Gamboa, Senior Professional Staff. Dana Gansman, Clerk and Director of Operations. Jacob Hicks, Digital Director. Aaron Huertas, Communications Director. Rebecca Jablonski-Diehl, Senior Professional Staff. Mackenzie L. Landa, Counsel. Jakob Lindaas, Ph.D., Professional Staff. Raleigh L. Martin, Ph.D., AGI/AAAS Congressional Science Fellow. Samantha A. Medlock, CFM, Senior Counsel. Mariah A. Morrison, Digital Production Specialist. Sebastian Pons, Staff Assistant. Zachary D. Pritchard, Ph.D., ASME Congressional Science & Engineering Fellow. Abigail Regitsky, Ph.D., Professional Staff. Rachel St. Louis, Operations and Press Assistant. In addition, the Select Committee benefited from the support and wisdom of Kenneth Russell DeGraff, Senior Policy Advisor to Speaker Pelosi. Thank you is not enough. These staffers have heeded the call to service, and for that I, and the American people, are eternally grateful. As this Select Committee comes to a close and the staff turns to their next chapter, I have no doubt they will continue to work every day to make a difference and be successful in whatever they turn to next.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, the people of Puerto Rico deserve to live in dignity with the freedom to determine their future. That is why I rise in support of the Puerto Rico Status Act. The act simply provides Puerto Ricans the opportunity to determine their future and choose whether statehood, independence, or sovereignty and free association makes the most sense for them. Colleagues, I hope we can all agree that we all value basic human rights, and that means, like every American citizen, our Puerto Rican neighbors deserve true representation, equal rights, and everything that flows from that. After Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, boricuas in the Tampa Bay area came together to advocate for resources to rebuild the island. The disparate treatment became so plain at that time, but it has existed for decades, even as Puerto Ricans have given their life in service of America's freedom. So it is time that the territorial status of Puerto Rico be reexamined. It is unsustainable and cannot continue. Puerto Ricans deserve the opportunity to have their say. I thank Representatives Velazquez, Soto, Ocasio-Cortez, Gonzalez- Colon, Leader Hoyer, and Chair Grijalva for crafting this landmark legislation for self-determination per the democratic values that we hold dear. Vote for self-determination and freedom and democracy for everyone. I urge you to adopt this bill.