André Carson

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud, as the longest serving Muslim in Congress, to introduce legislation to recognize the commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and wish Muslims around the world a Ramadan Mubarak! I thank the endorsing organizations that joined this important resolution: Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Relief, and the Muslim Public Affairs Council. I am honored to partner with my Muslim colleagues, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar to introduce this resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize Ramadan and the various contributions of Muslims in the U.S. and worldwide. Ramadan is of great importance to Muslim Americans and 1.9 million Muslims globally. We are reminded during this holy month of the rich diversity and many contributions that Muslim Americans have made in every sector of society. Diversity is a corner stone of American society and success. Our American Muslim community is a vital contributor to our nation's diversity, as well as to the talents, perspectives, and achievements that diversity brings. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the religious significance of Ramadan and wishing Muslim Americans and Muslims around the world a prosperous month by signing on to this important legislation.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Emerging Business Encouragement Act which will give new small businesses a more equal playing field to secure federal contracts. Emerging businesses face obstacles that are distinctly different from more well-established small businesses. Under the Emerging Business Act, the Small Business Administration would create a new designation for an Emerging Business Enterprises based on the company's age, size and total compensation. This will encourage meaningful opportunities among like-sized enterprises compared to competition against larger, fully-established enterprises. Emerging businesses often have trouble securing federal contracts. The Emerging Business Encouragement Act will expand opportunities by requiring federal agencies to set contracting goals for emerging business enterprises equal to or not less than 3 percent of contracts and subcontracts. Additionally, many emerging businesses have difficulty accessing the capital they need to develop products and hire workers. Under the Emerging Business Encouragement Act, the percentage of federal loan guaranty authority for Small Business Administration loans would increase from 50 percent for all small businesses to 65 percent for emerging business enterprise, providing a significant incentive for lenders to lend to these businesses. We must support all job creators as our economy continues to recover, but there are significant differences between a startup with only a few employees and an established business with a few hundred employees and decades of experience. This legislation will help these emerging businesses overcome the unique challenges they face in their first few years of operation, and it will ensure these businesses are able to compete for federal contracts and gain access to critical small business loans. To be certified as an emerging business enterprise, a company must be 10 percent or less the size of the current SBA designation for a small business, which is typically capped at 500 employees. The company must be less than five years old at the time of certification with annual compensation of individuals in management positions not exceeding 200 percent of the annual mean wage for ``Management Occupations'' defined by the U.S. Department of Labor. These standards will ensure that those businesses benefiting from EBE programs are truly emerging. With this bill, we can help entrepreneurs get through their first few years, when so many businesses fail, so they can grow and create jobs. And it provides incentives for lenders to provide capital to emerging businesses, one of the top concerns for entrepreneurs. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with the great Hoosier pride and joy that I rise today to introduce a resolution clebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Leslie ``Wes'' Montgomery. Wes Montgomery was born in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana on March 6, 1923 to Frances and Tom Montgomery. He was naturally gifted in the musical arts and demonstrated his talents on the 4- and 6- string guitar in his youth. He was a self-taught musician who learned to play the guitar by listening to recordings of another jazz genius, guitarist Charlie Christian. Wes Montgomery developed a unique and innovative finger style playing technique by using the thumb to play base notes simultaneously with the melodic lines. This wonderful style helped to propel his success as a renowned jazz guitarist. His musical gifts and performances became famous in jazz clubs in Indianapolis and he was recruited to tour with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. In 1957, he joined his brothers Buddy and Monk to perform with other bands, and later released the album, the ``Wes Montgomery Trio'' and ``The Incredible Guitar of Wes Montgomery''. One of his biggest hits and most beloved albums was ``A Day in the Life'', which was rated the premier album on the Billboard Jazz Album chart, 2nd on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and 13th on the Billboard 200 chart. Sadly, we lost this incredibly bright star far too soon, when he died at his home in Indianapolis on June 15. 1968, at the age of 45. But his music and his legacy still shine in our hearts and wherever his music is played. His beautiful and heartfelt music inspired generations of other musicians, and it continues to fill us with joy today. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution to honor a Hoosier and an American music legend. I urge the House to support this resolution.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great Hoosier pride and joy that I rise today to introduce a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Leslie ``Wes'' Montgomery. Wes Montgomery was born in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana on March 6, 1923 to Frances and Tom Montgomery. He was naturally gifted in the musical arts and demonstrated his talents on the 4- and 6-string guitar in his youth. He was a self-taught musician who learned to play the guitar by listening to recordings of another jazz genius, guitarist Charlie Christian. Wes Montgomery developed a unique and innovative finger style playing technique by using the thumb to play base notes simultaneously with the melodic lines. This wonderful style helped to propel his success as a renowned jazz guitarist. His musical gifts and performances became famous in jazz clubs in Indianapolis and he was recruited to tour with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. In 1957, he joined his brothers Buddy and Monk to perform with other bands, and later released the album, the ``Wes Montgomery Trio'' and ``The Incredible Guitar of Wes Montgomery''. One of his biggest hits and most beloved albums was ``A Day in the Life'', which was rated the premier album on the Billboard Jazz Album chart, 2nd on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and 13th on the Billboard 200 chart. Sadly, we lost this incredibly bright star far too soon, when he died at his home in Indianapolis on June 15, 1968, at the age of 45. But his music and his legacy still shine in our hearts and wherever his music is played. His beautiful and heartfelt music inspired generations of other musicians, and it continues to fill us with joy today. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution to honor a Hoosier and an American music legend. I urge the House to support this resolution.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce this resolution with my colleague, Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina. Our resolution supports the designation of Rare Disease Day on the last day of February. I am pleased that this resolution has been endorsed by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and am thankful for their leadership on these critical issues over many years. Nearly one in ten Americans live with one or more of the roughly 7,000 known rare diseases. More than half of those struggling with rare diseases--defined as affecting less than 200,000 people--are children. Sadly, many rare diseases and conditions are serious, life-threatening, and lack effective treatments. These are not just statistics: I am sure most of us know at least one family member or friend who has been affected by or struggled with the unique challenges of rare diseases. Moreover, as we observe Black History Month, it's important to know that African Americans and other minorities are especially vulnerable to rare diseases, including Sickle Cell Anemia and Sarcoidosis. These diseases and conditions--including Thalassemia and Hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis--disproportionately affect African Americans. Despite these unique obstacles, African Americans have an inspiring tradition of both combatting rare diseases and improving medical science. One great example is Dr. Charles Drew, an African American scientist who helped found the modern ``blood bank,'' which helped dramatically expand blood transfusions. A faculty member at Howard University, Dr. Drew's pioneering work in blood transfusions took place against the backdrop of segregation and discrimination. During his time overseeing the Red Cross's blood plasma donation program, Dr. Drew was prohibited from donating his own blood because of the color of his skin. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Drew's work improved the practice of blood transfusions, which is now a lifeline for many individuals struggling today with rare diseases. The examples of Dr. Drew and countless other researchers, physicians, nurses, activists, and patients underscore the importance of bringing additional awareness to rare diseases. Despite the many challenges, some progress has been made. More work needs to be done to bring attention to the needs of those who struggle with rare diseases, and to celebrate their courage. That's why Rep. Hudson and I are reintroducing this important resolution. Each year, many individuals with rare diseases and their loved ones celebrate Rare Disease Day to share their stories and educate communities of researchers, health professionals, governments, and community organizations about how rare diseases affect them. More than 100 countries observe Rare Disease Day. Our resolution expresses support for the designation of the last day of this month as Rare Disease Day. Congress should recognize this work and improve our efforts to address the challenges facing the rare disease patient community. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join us in supporting Rare Disease Day's designation on the last day of February to better champion people with rare diseases. I urge the House to support this resolution.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Black History Month with a tribute to an amazing Black man named Harry Hoosier. If you're from Indiana, you've likely faced the age-old question: ``So, what exactly is a Hoosier?'' Of course, we've heard theories. Richmond resident John Finley's poem ``The Hoosier's Nest''--originally spelled ``Hoosher''--is often attributed as the first mention of this distinctly Indiana term. The word also appears in the ``Carrier's Address'' of the Indiana Democrat on January 3, 1832. Yet another theory is that pioneer settlers would respond, ``Who's yere?'' to a knock on the door. But one of the most interesting theories is one you may not have heard: the story of Harry Hoosier. Harry Hoosier, sometimes spelled Harry Hosier, was described by Booker T. Washington as ``the first Black American Methodist preacher in the United States.'' Born enslaved around 1750, Harry Hoosier was sold to a plantation near Baltimore, where he became a talented religious orator who traveled throughout the Appalachian frontier, according to Fisk University Professor William D. Piersen. Harry Hoosier's story is one of resilience and success. Despite being illiterate, Mr. Hoosier's message was heard far and wide, and he became one of the best-known and greatest preachers of his time. According to a recent bill in the Indiana Statehouse, ``many of Harry Hoosier's followers brought their Methodist beliefs and Hoosier nickname to Indiana in the decades before and after Indiana was granted statehood in 1816.'' With his great influence, it is believed that Mr. Hoosier's followers became known as Hoosiers, followers who were also part of a growing number of Methodists beginning to question the practice of slavery. With a Black leader as an example, these 18th Century ``Hoosiers'' may have honed the principles we understand as ``Hoosier Hospitality'' today--the belief in kindness, equality, and respect. Until recently, I had never heard the story of Harry Hoosier, despite attending school in Indiana and surrounded by strong, Black leaders and family members throughout my lifetime. But Harry Hoosier confirms what we already knew: Black history has always been American history, and Black history has always been Hoosier history. From oral traditions passed down from generation to generation, to the legacy of legends like Madam C.J. Walker, Mari Evans, Major Taylor, Wes Montgomery, the Jackson 5 and Babyface, Black Hoosiers have always been part of our state's story. Bringing this story into the light gives us a better understanding of the vast, diverse history of our great state. And during Black History Month, there is no better time to learn our history and to celebrate it. While there are many partisan arguments surrounding education-- including recent political stunts falsely claiming that Black studies has no educational value--Harry Hoosier's story is slowly making its way into our modern consciousness in a bipartisan way. In 2016, the Indiana Bicentennial Commission endorsed the ``Harry Hoosier Project,'' an effort to share the story of the man who lives on in our conversations every day. This year, Indiana State Representative J.D. Prescott, a Republican, introduced House Bill 1143 recognizing Harry Hoosier as our state's namesake. Unfortunately, this bill did not make it to the floor for a vote--but I hope Harry Hoosier's story inspires others to begin to unwrap more forgotten or neglected stories. History--the way we tell it, the way we analyze it, and the ways we pass it on to future generations--is always evolving. Our stories have always existed. But these stories need to be shared with everyone, and they need to be recognized as a vital part of American history too. Harry Hoosier lived centuries ago. We can't speak to him or even know as many details about his life as we may want to. But his existence, the stories we have of him, are what define our past and shape our future. Black history is about joy. It's about survival, resilience, and it's about success. Above all, it needs to be shared.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Food Deserts Act of 2023 to help fight hunger and food insecurity in communities across the country. As we end Black History Month, I'd like to focus on the problem of food insecurity and how it disproportionately hurts Black and Brown families. I want to share just one example. In June of 2017, Marsh Supermarkets grocery stores announced the closure of many stores throughout the Midwest. Many of these stores were in my district. Many families lacked a car or reliable public transportation to the nearest grocery alternative, often over a mile away. Today, thousands of my constituents are still struggling to find the food they need, with many forced to rely on fast-food restaurants and convenience stores. These options are neither healthy nor affordable. Sadly, this situation is not unique. Over 29 million people, almost 10 percent of the U.S. population, live without ready access to affordable, nutritious food, and over 2 million people have no transportation to get to their nearest store. Many have seen their local stores close during the pandemic. Others lost access years ago and now face the severe long-term impacts of obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, and other diet-related ailments. Unfortunately, residents in these low-income areas tend to spend less on groceries, leaving little financial incentive for traditional grocery chains to make costly investments for new locations. In the world's wealthiest country, nutritious food should be an expectation, not a luxury. That is why I am reintroducing the Food Deserts Act, which creates new avenues to fund stores in underserved communities. This bill will create USDA-funded, state-operated revolving funds that will issue low-interest loans for the operation of grocery stores in food deserts. The bill ensures that recipients of these loans, including for-profit, non-profit, and municipal entities, can provide affordable, healthy food, including fresh produce and staples like milk, bread, and meat. It will also ensure that USDA professionals are available to provide technical assistance to recipients who need it. Access to healthy food is something that most of us take for granted. But despite our own experiences, we must remember that millions of our constituents struggle daily to feed their families. With this market- driven approach, I aim to complement existing federal programs and efforts nationwide by ensuring a stable lending stream for struggling grocery stores and sustainable access to food for communities in need. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to support this vital bill.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, as we kick off the start of Black History Month, I am proud to reintroduce legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali in recognition of his contributions to our Nation. l believe it is long past time to recognize this American civil rights activist and sporting legend with Congress' highest honor. Sadly, we were unable to act swiftly enough to honor him prior to his passing at age 74 in 2016, so that is why I am asking my colleagues to join me now in honoring an American hero. Over the course of his illustrious career, Muhammad Ali produced some of our Nation's most lasting and impactful sports memories. From winning a Gold Medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics, to lighting the Olympic torch at the 1996 Summer Olympics, his influence as an athlete and a humanitarian spanned over 50 years. Despite having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the 1980s, Ali devoted his life to charitable endeavors. Ali, and his wife Lonnie were founding directors of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and Movement Disorders Clinic in Phoenix, AZ and helped raise over $50 million for Parkinson's research. In addition to helping families cope with illness, Ali led efforts to provide meals for the hungry and helped countless organizations such as the Make-A-Wish-Foundation and the Special Olympics. Muhammad Ali's humanitarian efforts went beyond his charitable activities in the United States. In 1990 Muhammad Ali travelled to the Middle East to seek the release of American and British hostages who were being held as human shields in the first Gulf War. After his intervention, 15 hostages were freed. Thanks to his devotion to diplomatic causes and racial harmony, Ali was the recipient of many accolades, including being chosen as a ``U.N. Messenger of Peace'' in 1998 and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 from President Bush. Through his unyielding dedication to his sport and to struggling populations around the world, Muhammad Ali still serves an example of service and self-sacrifice for generations of Americans. The Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting commemoration of his life and work, for which he is deservingly known as ``the Greatest.'' Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing one of our Nation's most lasting and influential figures by signing on to this important legislation.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce the Students Helping Young Students Act. This important legislation will invest in college students who support and mentor K-12 students at after-school activities. This legislation will make a meaningful difference in the lives of all Hoosier students, and young Americans across the country, by ensuring that college students can be compensated for the critical work of mentoring and supporting their younger counterparts. I would like to thank my Senate Colleague, Senator Cory Booker, for leading the companion of this important legislation. It is an honor to represent students of all ages in Indiana's Seventh District. I am continually impressed by the many college students in my district and across the country that, in addition to their studies, help mentor and support K-12 students in after-school programs. These college students, by serving as powerful examples and mentors, continue to inspire my colleagues and I about the importance of peer mentorship opportunities. This includes the crucial role of work-study programs in helping students finance their postsecondary education. Several examples in Indiana underscore the importance of supporting mentorship programs, both to the mentee and the mentor. The influence and investment from a mentor can improve younger student lives and outcomes. Their stories are common: in fact, at-risk youth that have a mentor are 55 percent more likely to attend college. Moreover, at-risk youth that have a mentor are 52 percent less likely to skip a day of school and 46 percent less likely to use drugs. Mentoring also increases community engagement, as at-risk students are 78 percent more likely to volunteer in their community and are 130 percent more likely to hold a leadership role in clubs or teams with a mentor in their lives. Mentoring not only helps students stay away from drugs and violence, but also live healthier lives and improve school performance. Mentees participating in mentorship programs have also performed higher on the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) tests. Because of these unmistakable benefits, Congress must do more to support these after-school programs and their student mentors. Although after-school mentorship programs often intersect with students' courses of study and benefit the community, after-school activities are not currently considered a community service under the Federal Work-Study program. This means that college students cannot rely on compensation from Federal Work-Study for their participation in after-school activities. The Federal Work-Study program has helped support undergraduate and graduate students, who have exhibited financial need, find part-time jobs. The Federal Work-Study program employs hundreds of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students. Across all higher education, 7 in 10 college students work at least 15 hours per week to help cover their tuition, and 1 in 4 work more than 35 hours a week. While mentorship's benefits are clear, the absence of after-school activities from consideration as work-study programs causes students with financial need to more often pursue other opportunities. This means that many students are unable to serve in mentorship roles, even if it aligns with their course of study, for financial reasons. This dynamic exacerbates the widening mentoring gap, which includes the over 9 million young people without a mentor outside their family to support their growth and education. As a result, more work needs to be done to help compensate students who choose to serve their communities by mentoring younger students. That is why the Students Helping Young Students Act is so important. This bill incorporates work at after-school programs into the Federal Work-Study Program under community service by making participation in these programs eligible for federal funds. In short, this bill allows college students to access Federal Work-Study funds for their participation in after-school activities. Through the Students Helping Young Students Act, after-school mentoring programs will count as community service under the Federal Work-Study program. Students can be compensated for their work, including time spent in training and travel, directly related to the program. This will allow any student who wishes to serve in their community to participate in mentorship activities, regardless of their financial background. As a result, the Students Helping Young Students Act will also help close the mentoring gap and ensure that younger students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have the support they need to succeed and reach their goals. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill to ensure that Federal Work-Study students are compensated for their mentorship efforts. It is important that Congress supports these students in their pursuit to serve our communities. I urge the House to support this bill.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, as we mark National Mentoring Month, I am proud to reintroduce legislation to the Transition-To-Success Mentoring Act to help local education agencies prepare at-risk students for the transition from middle school to high school. I would like to thank MENTOR for their endorsement of this bill and Senator Booker for his leadership on this legislation in the Senate. I have had many mentors at every stage of my life, whether it was my theatre teacher in school who encouraged me to be who l am and elevated the confidence in myself to pursue sports, or my grandmother who raised me and a reason I find myself following her large footsteps. Mentors are important at every stage in life and especially at a young age. Our children need to foster these mentor/mentee relationships to look up to someone bigger than themselves. The Transition-To-Success Mentoring Act would establish a grant program for school-based mentoring programs targeted at helping at-risk middle school students transition from middle to high school. Under my legislation, participating students would develop and execute a formalized plan for success in high school and beyond, and be supported by a school faculty member or volunteer from the community known as a ``Success Coach.'' Middle school is a uniquely challenging time for students and ensuring a smooth transition from middle to high school is critical to their long-term success. School-based mentoring is innovative supplement to the traditional learning that takes place in the classroom, providing underserved and at-risk students with attention and support to keep them engaged in school. This legislation is a small step towards providing some of the most vulnerable students with individual attention to help cross the bridge towards high school, college, and career. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the need for mentors for our children by signing on to this important legislation.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Justice For Journalists Act, mandating an investigation into all non-natural deaths of journalists and media workers in a foreign nation, who are U.S. citizens or working on behalf of a U.S.-based news media entity. In the last year, we have witnessed many attacks on the rights and safety of journalists and media workers, particularly those who shine a light on violations of human rights and rule of law, war, and other atrocities around the world. Even reporters covering sporting events may be subject to detainment as we saw in November, when Grant Wahl was detained and briefly refused entry to a World Cup match because he was wearing a rainbow t-shirt in support of LGBTQ rights. There are several pending bills in Congress with provisions to protect threatened or at-risk journalists working in foreign nations. However, there is no legislation requiring the United States to investigate any non-natural deaths of journalists and media workers performing their duty in a foreign nation. Currently, an act of Congress is required to investigate every single non-natural death--and that cannot stand. Journalists and media workers report on injustices, corruption, and human rights violations around the world, putting themselves on the frontlines where they risk life and limb. This year, 65 journalists and media workers have been killed reporting on wars and humanitarian crises around the world. We know that 17 of them were murdered and the perpetrator had complete impunity from the law. Sadly, there are an additional 64 journalists who are missing, and their families are still waiting on justice. According to the United Nations, all people enjoy the right to freedom of opinion and expression, which includes the right to seek, receive, and impart information. The United Nations considers the silencing journalists by killing them to be the most egregious form of censorship, and the failure of any State to prosecute and punish serious crimes against journalists denies justice to the victims' families, emboldens perpetrators, and can deter other journalists from reporting high-risk stories. If the U.S. is going to lead by example, we must do everything we can to defend and protect those who are committed to reporting the truth about the casualties of war, humanitarian crisis, human rights abuses, and corruption. Thomas Jefferson wrote, ``Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.'' The First Amendment is the foundation of our country. Without free speech and a free press, we would not be the country we are. The citizens of the United States rely on our free press to understand the issues at home and around the world. Along with diplomacy and military strength, a free press, or the Fourth Estate, is another avenue to challenge the status quo and be a voice for the protection of the rule of law, civil society, and human rights. In their fight for democracy and human dignity, the ``weapons'' of journalists and media workers are microphones, keypads, and cameras. When one is murdered doing their job, we must identify who is responsible and hold them accountable. The Justice For Journalists Act, will: Require an investigation into the non-natural deaths of all journalists and media workers in a foreign nation who are U.S. citizens or working on behalf of a U.S.-based news media entity. Leverage whole-of-government approaches to urge foreign governments to rapidly and transparently bring the perpetrators of attacks against journalists and media workers to justice. Improve transparency of threats against our Fourth Estate by ensuring reports provided to Congress are also made available to the public on the Department of Justice website, as well as the appropriate Department of State country webpages. In the words of Walter Cronkite, ``Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.'' Madam Speaker, this legislation will protect our free press around the world--and our democracy--now and into the future. I strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring the Justice for Journalists Act of 2022.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Blocked Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act of 2022. This language reflects policies developed in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where I am proud to serve. There is a serious and dangerous problem of blocked railroad crossings across the country, with freight trains blocking at-grade crossings in urban and suburban communities across the country. In my district, Indianapolis is experiencing an increasing frequency of blocked railroad crossings by freight trains. Trains are growing longer and longer. Downtown rail crossings have been blocked for unacceptably long periods, including one incident that lasted over 3 hours. This not only interrupts business operations and normal traffic, but it threatens public safety--especially when emergency vehicles must be re- routed. This is why we must pass legislation to address this problem. The Blocked Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act will help fix this problem. The language is based on provisions passed by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and passed by the House in the INVEST Act. These provisions, which I recommended, place limits on how long crossings can be blocked, and impose penalties for blocking crossings. While I appreciated and supported the limited provisions included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I don't believe they went far enough. More must be done. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Blocked Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce the Rare disease Advancement, Research, and Education (RARE) Act. This important legislation will address many of the issues facing rare disease patients and families. This legislation will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those struggling with rare diseases by using increased research to help provide more accurate diagnoses and increased treatment options. During my service in Congress, I have been honored to represent and meet with many brave Hoosier families that are struggling with rare diseases. I have been moved by their courage. Their strength in midst of trying conditions is not only inspiring, but also instructive. They have educated me and my colleagues about the necessity of increased research and rare disease surveillance in order to provide more treatment options and better diagnoses. Nearly one in ten Americans live with one or more of the roughly 7,000 known rare diseases. These largely inherited diseases--defined as affecting 200,000 or fewer people--often lack substantive research investments and treatment options. In particular, African-Americans are especially vulnerable to certain rare diseases, including Sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Specifically, the blood disorder Sickle cell disease affects 73 out of every 1,000 African American babies versus only three out of every 1,000 Caucasian babies. While rare diseases cross the medical spectrum, individuals with rare diseases face some common challenges. Largely due to their limited patient population size, these individuals may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis, finding physicians or treatment centers with expertise in their disease, and ultimately finding appropriate treatment options and cures. Frighteningly, roughly 90 percent of rare diseases still lack a treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While over 450 drugs have been approved for the treatment of rare diseases, millions of Americans who are suffering from a rare disease have no approved treatment options. Past Congressional action has helped support research at NIH and CDC, supported in part by the bipartisan appropriations letter I lead each year--signed by over 220 House members--in support of increased NIH funding. However, much more work needs to be done to help these agencies improve rare disease awareness, education, research, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment. This is why the RARE Act is so important. It will expand the ability of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) to study rare diseases by improving treatment, research, and diagnostics of rare diseases through new and existing programs. I am proud to introduce the RARE Act to help address the many unique challenges facing the rare disease patient community. The RARE Act would provide an important step forward by addressing some of the common challenges faced by rare disease patients and improving rare disease treatment, research, and diagnostics. The RARE Act would expand an existing and successful program at NIH: the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN). The RDCRN's 21 research ``centers of excellence'' support the research and clinical trials of over 190 rare diseases and increase the availability of rare disease information to doctors and patients. The RARE Act would also fill critical gaps in our healthcare system by improving coordination, surveillance, and awareness of rare diseases. For example, the RARE Act would require the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to create a National Rare Disease or Condition Surveillance System. This formalized infrastructure would track rare disease data and help researchers to understand commonalities between diseases and possible treatments, ultimately helping patients like Derrian to find better treatments. The RARE Act would also require the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to expand and intensify its work to ensure that health professionals are aware of rare disease diagnoses and treatments, leading to fewer misdiagnoses like Jocelyn experienced. The RARE Act would also mandate an updated report on rare disease efforts from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to ensure that Congress has the best tools possible to address these issues. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill to help combat rare diseases. I urge the House to support this bill.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce the Interstate Teaching Mobility Act. This broadly supported legislation will create a new voluntary program at the Department of Education (DOE) to allow licensed teachers to use their licenses across state lines. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics reports that in July 2022, there were around 270,000 fewer school workers than in January 2020. This shortage deprives our students of high-quality learning and negatively affects student outcomes. Alarmingly, our country's projected annual shortage of teachers is expected to almost triple by 2025. Teacher shortages disproportionately disadvantage students in underserved communities by widening student-to-teacher ratio which then negatively affects student achievement. Having low student-to-teacher ratios ensures that every student gets the attention they need, and struggling students are not left behind. In Indiana, this problem has gotten worse: between 2016 and 2020, the student-to-teacher ratio in my state grew from 16:1 to 17:1, bringing our state's student-to-teacher ratio well above the national average. In fact, Indiana remains the 42nd worst state in the nation for student-to-teacher ratios. And this teacher disparity does not affect all students equally: student-teacher ratios are highest in minority schools and schools with the most low-income schools. Teacher shortages not only affect student-teacher ratios, they also limit the number of subject-matter teachers available for students. In Indiana, we have consistently faced major teacher shortages as defined by the Department of Education (DOE). In the most recent data available, Indiana continues to face a shortage of teachers in the subjects of mathematics, science, early childhood, and technology. Study after study has shown that teacher shortages which results in poor student-to-teacher ratios, insufficient subject-matter teachers, and the corresponding decline in education quality disproportionally disadvantages Black and Brown students. One of the main reasons that many schools can't fill teacher shortages is because of the inconsistent state-by-state differences in teaching licensing requirements. This prevents licensed teachers from taking their skills and credentials to teach in other states without significant obstacles. These obstacles can include completing additional requirements, such as exams or coursework, or paying additional fees, even if the teacher has already completed an approved credentialing program or has a strong teaching record. Alarmingly, a majority of states do not accept out-of-state teaching credentials, further compounding shortages in disadvantaged areas. As our Nation's workforce becomes increasingly mobile, these requirements also dramatically decrease the flexibility of our nation's teaching workforce. For military spouses--who frequently relocate and among whom teaching is the second most common profession--or out-of- state college graduates who want to teach in their home state, this problem is especially pronounced. Long term, these roadblocks likely deter many prospective teachers from entering this vital profession. The bottom line is this: differing licensing requirements and lack of licensing reciprocity prevents too many teachers from serving in understaffed and underserved communities across state lines. And as we have seen in states like Indiana, our communities desperately need more high-quality teachers to lower student-teacher ratios and improve outcomes. These obstacles have real and negative impacts on our students. Teacher shortages disproportionately harm students in underserved communities by denying them adequate teacher-student ratios that research shows help to enable student success. School administrators in underserved communities face difficulties in attracting out-of-state, high-quality teachers to fill their open teaching positions due to licensing inconsistencies. That's why I am reintroducing the Interstate Teaching Mobility Act today. This legislation will create a voluntary interstate application program at the Department of Education (DOE) to allow licensed teachers to use their licenses across participating state lines. This legislation will empower teachers to apply for open teaching positions in participating states without being subject to additional certifications or assessments. As a result, it will be easier for teachers to transfer their skills across participating state lines and provide more students with access to high-quality teachers. Importantly, this new flexibility will help alleviate teacher shortages--especially in disadvantaged communities and school districts--by allowing school administrators greater ability to hire more high-quality teachers. Under this legislation, increased flexibility will not come at the cost of teacher quality. A participating state will be required to adhere to standards of content knowledge, pedagogical assessment, and performance assessments. This would ensure high standards for our teachers, while maintaining the essential role of the states in setting specific requirements for teaching in the state or obtaining licenses in the state. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of flexibility and teacher quality in ensuring that our students receive the best education. However, the current state-by-state inconsistencies regarding teacher licenses prevent many high-quality teachers from transferring their skills across state lines to serve in communities facing teacher shortages. The Interstate Teaching Mobility Act will help address these issues by empowering teachers to transfer their skills across state lines and enabling school administrators to hire more high-quality teachers to fill teacher shortages, especially in disadvantaged communities, and lead to better student outcomes. I urge the House to support this bill.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Emerging Business Encouragement Act which will give new small businesses a more equal playing field to secure federal contracts. Emerging businesses face obstacles that are distinctly different from more well-established small businesses. Under the Emerging Business Act, the Small Business Administration would create a new designation for an Emerging Business Enterprises based on the company's age, size and total compensation. This will encourage meaningful opportunities among like-sized enterprises compared to competition against larger, fully-established enterprises. Emerging businesses often have trouble securing federal contracts. The Emerging Business Encouragement Act will expand opportunities by requiring federal agencies to set contracting goals for emerging business enterprises equal to or not less than 3 percent of contracts and subcontracts. Additionally, many emerging businesses have difficulty accessing the capital they need to develop products and hire workers. Under the Emerging Business Encouragement Act, the percentage of federal loan guaranty authority for Small Business Administration loans would increase from 50 percent for all small businesses to 65 percent for emerging business enterprise, providing a significant incentive for lenders to lend to these businesses. We must support all job creators as our economy continues to recover, but there are significant differences between a startup with only a few employees and an established business with a few hundred employees and decades of experience. This legislation will help these emerging businesses overcome the unique challenges they face in their first few years of operation, and it will ensure these businesses are able to compete for federal contracts and gain access to critical small business loans. To be certified as an emerging business enterprise, a company must be 10 percent or less the size of the current SBA designation for a small business, which is typically capped at 500 employees. The company must be less than 5 years old at the time of certification with annual compensation of individuals in management positions not exceeding 200 percent of the annual mean wage for ``Management Occupations'' defined by the U.S. Department of Labor. These standards will ensure that those businesses benefiting from EBE programs are truly emerging. With this bill, we can help entrepreneurs get through their first few years, when so many businesses fail, so they can grow and create jobs. And it provides incentives for lenders to provide capital to emerging businesses, one of the top concerns for entrepreneurs. Madam Speaker. I invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce the Students Helping Young Students Act. This important legislation will invest in college students who support and mentor K-12 students at after-school activities. This legislation will make a meaningful difference in the lives of all Hoosier students, and young Americans across the country, by ensuring that college students can be compensated for the critical work of mentoring and supporting their younger counterparts. It is an honor to represent students of all ages in Indiana's Seventh District. I am continually impressed by the many college students in my district and across the country that, in addition to their studies, help mentor and support K-12 students in after-school programs. These college students, by serving as powerful examples and mentors, continue to inspire my colleagues and I about the importance of peer mentorship opportunities. This includes the crucial role of workstudy programs in helping students finance their postsecondary education. Several examples in Indiana underscore the importance of supporting mentorship programs, both to the mentee and the mentor. The influence and investment from a mentor can improve younger lives and outcomes. Their stories are common: in fact, at-risk youth that have a mentor are 55 percent more likely to attend college. Moreover, at-risk youth that have a mentor are 52 percent less likely to skip a day of school and 46 percent less likely to use drugs. Mentoring also increases community engagement, as at-risk students are 78 percent more likely to volunteer in their community and are 130 percent more likely to hold a leadership role in clubs or teams with a mentor in their lives. Mentoring not only helps students stay away from drugs and violence, but also live healthier lives and improve school performance. Mentees participating in mentorship programs have also performed higher on the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) tests. Because of these unmistakable benefits, Congress must do more to support these after-school programs and their student mentors. Although after-school mentorship programs often intersect with students' courses of study and benefit the community, after-school activities are not currently considered a community service under the Federal Work-Study program. This means that college students cannot rely on compensation from Federal Work-Study for their participation in after-school activities. The Federal Work-Study program has helped support undergraduate and graduate students, who have exhibited financial need, find part-time jobs. In the 2018 school year, the Federal WorkStudy program employed about 600,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Across all higher education, 7 in 10 college students work at least 15 hours per week to help cover their tuition, and 1 in 4 work more than 35 hours a week. While mentorship's benefits are clear, the absence of after-school activities from consideration as work-study programs causes students with financial need to more often pursue other opportunities. This means that many students are unable to serve in mentorship roles, for financial reasons, even if it aligns with their course of study. This challenge exacerbates the widening mentoring gap, which includes the over 9 million young people without a mentor outside their family to support their growth and education. As a result, more needs to be done to help compensate students who choose to serve their communities by mentoring younger students. That is why the Students Helping Young Students Act is so important. This bill incorporates work at after-school programs into the Federal Work- Study Program under community service by making participation in these programs eligible for federal funds. In short, this bill allows college students to access Federal Work-Study funds for their participation in after-school activities. Moreover, this legislation requires eligible schools to allocate federal funds to students who want to work with after-school programs. Through the Students Helping Young Students Act, after-school mentoring programs will count as community service under the Federal Work-Study program. Students can be compensated for their work, including time spent in training and travel, directly related to the program. This will allow any student who wishes to serve in their community to participate in mentorship activities, regardless of their financial background. As a result, the Students Helping Young Students Act will also help close the mentoring gap and ensure that younger students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have the support they need to succeed and reach their goals. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill to ensure that Federal Work-Study students are compensated for their mentorship efforts. It is important that Congress supports these students in their pursuit to serve our communities. I urge the House to support this bill.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3050, the Kenneth Meisel Public Servants Claimant Fairness Act of 2022, and the Joyce/Carson amendment, included as Section 5305 of this year's National Defense Authorization Act. Our bipartisan amendment added the language of our bill, the Kenneth Meisel Public Servants' Claimant Fairness Act. This important change will increase the time, from 30 days to 60 days, that federal employees have to provide supporting documentation to the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs to support their occupational illness, traumatic injury, or death claim. I am proud that this language was included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, which has passed both the House and Senate, and is now awaiting President Biden's signature. I would like to also recognize Kenneth Meisel, for whom this bill was named. Kenneth Meisel was an air marshal stationed in Minneapolis. He unfortunately passed away too soon as a result of COVID-19. This bill will ensure that spouses, like Julie Meisel who are left behind, have ample time to complete basic forms required to obtain government benefits. This bill not only honors Ken, but all public servants who are injured in the line of duty. This bill bears the name of a hero who served this country for his entire adult life, and who steadfastly remained on watch while others sheltered at home. This is very important because public servants like firefighters, and those who work in construction and manufacturing, have a much higher rate of cancer than the general public, and this amendment to the Federal Employees Compensation Act will reduce an unnecessary burden on public servants to access benefits they are entitled to claim. Madam Speaker, I would also like to submit for the Record Mr. Meisel's obituary as published in the Star Tribune: Ever since he was 18 years old, Kenneth Meisel was driven to protect and serve. First he was a U.S. Army paratrooper, then a police officer in Oklahoma and finally a senior federal air marshal stationed in Minneapolis. With his wife, Julie, he cared for rescue horses on a 20- acre ranch in Princeton, Minn., and looked forward to retiring in two years and being a full-time grandpa, his children said. But on Sept. 9, Meisel called his son Ryan of Baraboo, Wis., to tell him he was having trouble breathing and was going to the hospital. It was the last time they spoke. Meisel died Sept. 24 of COVID-19. He was 55. At a memorial service this month, his daughter Amanda Moldenhauer of Ramsey spoke of a man with the heart of a cowboy and the soul of an Amish rancher--all within ``the shell of a true American hero badass,'' she said. Meisel grew up in Sauk City, Wis., and entered the Army in 1984. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Ryan, born while his dad was in the military, suspected there were other hot spots, too, given the elder Meisel also served in a NATO rapid deployment force based in Italy. As a kid, Ryan would point at a map and ask his dad if he'd been here or there. ``He'd say, `I can't tell you that,' '' Ryan said. Meisel later was a police officer in Shawnee, Okla., and began work as a federal air marshal in Dallas in 2002. As of 2019, he had flown more than 5 million miles, the Transportation Security Administration said. In 2009, Meisel transferred to the Minneapolis field office and, along with Julie, fulfilled the dream of owning a ranch. The couple cared not only for horses, but also for goats, pigs, cats and chickens--you name it, said son Eric Lewis of Elk River. But Kenneth Meisel drew the line at a capybara. At work, Meisel did all he could to ``stop the bad guys,'' but even then was kind and soft-spoken, Ryan said. At the ranch, he was a cowboy down to the Stetson hat. Just as memorable were his bear hugs, his children said. During that last phone call, Ryan said he couldn't tell if his dad was worried. But his dad did tell him he was proud of him, and gave a directive: ``Take care of my grandson and my daughter-in-law.'' Other survivors include daughters Abigail Carnahan of Elk River and Jacquelyn Glaros of Plymouth; brothers Mike Fleck of Spooner, Wis., Kevin Meisel of Virginia Beach, Va., Kurt Meisel of Reedsburg, Wis., and Karl Meisel of Colorado Springs; sister Ashley Meisel of Baraboo; and five grandchildren.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In addition to critical resources for our defense programs and our service members, this bill also includes two critical bills from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Don Young Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2022, and the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. This bill also includes the Intelligence Authorization Act, including my new requirements to address the threat of hypersonic weapons. The underlying bill also includes my amendment authorizing an increase in funding to fight pancreatic cancer, which sadly claimed the lives of our beloved colleagues John Lewis and Alcee Hastings. The $5 million dollar increase will help develop better and earlier detection of pancreatic cancer, which will help save lives. Another provision included in this bill is my amendment to the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, which improves access to benefits, and provides injured firefighters or their families more time to file documentation for assistance claims. These are all important provisions, but I'd like to take a few moments now to highlight the long-overdue changes to safety requirements for passenger vessels. The Coast Guard Reauthorization Act will increase maritime safety and efficiency, including my Duck Boat Safety Improvement Act, which is now Section 11502 in the NDAA. I am especially grateful to Chairman DeFazio for working with me over several years to develop this language, which will finally address the persistent problems with unsafe vessels, and including my Duck Boat Safety Improvement Act in today's NDAA. My Duck Boat Safety requirements will finally implement safety regulations for amphibious passenger vessels, particularly those known as Duck Boats. These safety recommendations were made by federal agencies to address repeated problems associated with Duck Boats that have resulted in far too many injuries and fatalities that may have been prevented. I learned about these problems when my constituents in Indianapolis, the Coleman family, were involved in a horrible Duck Boat accident on July 19, 2018 in Branson, Missouri. Tia Coleman was one of only two survivors from her family of 11, losing her husband Glenn, and her children Reece (nine years old), Evan (seven years old), and Arya (one year old). Tia's 13-year-old nephew, Donovan Coleman, was the other surviving family member, losing his mother Angela, his younger brother Maxwell (two years old), his uncles Ervin (76 years old) and Butch (70 years old), and his aunt Belinda (69 years old). Boarding a Duck Boat on Table Rock Lake started out as a fun outing for family members, but it turned into an unspeakable tragedy when the boat capsized and sank. Seventeen of the 31 passengers on board were killed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and U.S. Coast Guard have separately investigated the incident and Congress must act now. We know from past incidents that more can and should be done to make these vessels safer. Since 1999, more than 40 people have died in Duck Boats accidents, the vast majority of them from drowning when the vessel sinks. In 2002, the NTSB issued recommendations to improve the safety of these vessels in flooding or sinking situations, but little has been done to implement those measures--until today. Duck Boats are hybrid vehicles that can travel on roadways and waterways, so the safety measures must be updated for both land and waterborne operations. The Duck Boat Safety Improvement Act will require vessel operators to implement common-sense boating safety measures, including: Improving reserve buoyancy and watertight compartmentalization to prevent sinking, Requiring more monitoring and adherence to severe weather alerts and warnings, Requiring release of road safety seatbelts when Duck Boats become waterborne, Requiring stronger crew safety training and certification, Removing or reconfigure canopies and window coverings for waterborne operations, Requiring personal flotation devices for waterborne operations, Requiring installation of better bilge pumps and alarms, Installing underwater LED lights that activate automatically in emergencies, and Complying with other Coast Guard boating safety requirements. These changes will help save lives and prevent future tragedies. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting today's bill to make common-sense corrections to the persistent safety problems facing Duck Boats. If we act today, we can help ensure that no other family has to suffer the kind of tragedy faced by my constituents on Table Rock Lake. I urge the House to support these safety provisions, and all of the reauthorizations in this year's NDAA.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I am proud to introduce the Justice for Shireen Act today. I thank my House and Senate colleagues that joined me to call on the FBI and State Department, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence, to submit a report to Congress on the death of American-Palestinian Journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh. I send my deep condolences to the Abu Akleh family for this terrible killing and stand with them to demand justice and accountability. Shireen Abu Akleh, an American-Palestinian journalist, was killed on May 11, 2022. She was killed wearing a clearly marked press vest on assignment, reporting on a military raid which took place in the occupied city of Jenin. In May, I led a letter, signed by 58 Members of Congress, to the FBI and State Department calling for an independent and open investigation led by her home country, the United States and 24 Senators have echoed this request. It has been six months since we have sent this letter. Today, I continue to call for answers into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh. As an American, Ms. Abu Akleh was entitled to the full protections afforded to U.S. citizens living abroad. As Members of Congress, we need to uphold the values that our Nation was founded on, including human rights, equality for all, and freedom of speech. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to protect Americans reporting abroad. An Israeli investigation has concluded, finding that it was indeed an Israel Solider that shot Ms. Abu Akleh in her line of duty. It is the responsibility of the U.S. to learn all the unanswered questions leading up to, during and after the fatal shot that killed Ms. Abu Akleh. Additionally, this bill requires an identification of any United States defense materials or services that were implicated in the death of Ms. Abu Akleh. No U.S. weapons and military services by the U.S. should be used to kill Americans on foreign soil. American taxpayers should not be paying for any violation of human rights abroad. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in calling for justice and accountability for Shireen Abu Akleh.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, as the dean of the Indiana delegation, I am honored to welcome the newest Hoosier to serve here in the people's House, Congressman Rudy Yakym. Before his election last week, he worked as a vice president at a commercial real estate firm and, most recently, as a director of growth initiatives at an Indiana logistics and supply chain company. He was also nominated by former Governor Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission. Our new colleague will be representing Indiana's Second Congressional District, and he is supported by his wife, Sallyann, and their three children. I welcome the Congressman to the House and look forward to working with him to advance Hoosier values. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Yakym).

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Indiana, the Honorable Rudy Yakym III, be permitted to take the oath of office today. His certificate of election has not yet arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Food Deserts Act of 2022 to help fight hunger and food insecurity in communities across the country. I'd like to share just one example. In June of 2017, Marsh Supermarkets grocery stores announced the closure of many stores throughout the Midwest. Many of these stores were in my district where many families lack a car or reliable public transportation to get to the nearest grocery alternative, often located over a mile away. Today, thousands of my constituents are still struggling to find the food they need, with many forced to rely on fast-food restaurants and convenience stores. These options are neither healthy nor affordable. Sadly, this situation is not unique. Over 29 million people, almost 10 percent of the U.S. population, live without ready access to affordable, nutritious food and over 2 million people have no transportation to get to their nearest store. Many have seen their local stores close during the pandemic. Others lost access years ago and are now facing the serious long-term impacts of obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, and other diet-related ailments. Unfortunately, residents in these low-income areas tend to spend less on groceries, leaving little financial incentive for traditional grocery chains to make costly investments for new locations. In the wealthiest country on Earth, nutritious food should be an expectation, not a luxury. That is why I am reintroducing the Food Deserts Act, which creates new avenues to fund stores in underserved communities. This bill will create USDA-funded, State-operated revolving funds that will issue low-interest loans for the operation of grocery stores in food deserts. The bill ensures that recipients of these loans, including for-profit, non-profit and municipal entities, can provide affordable, healthy food, including fresh produce and staples like milk, bread, and meat. It will also ensure that USDA professionals are available to provide technical assistance to recipients who need it. Access to healthy food is something that most of us take for granted. But despite our own experiences, we need to remember that millions of our constituents are struggling every day to feed their families. With this market-driven approach, I hope to complement existing Federal programs and efforts around the country by ensuring a stable lending stream for struggling grocery stores and sustainable access to food for communities in need. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to re-introduce a bipartisan resolution recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Poppy Day on the Friday before Memorial Day, with Congresswoman Spartz. The importance of this day cannot be overstated. This bipartisan National Poppy Day Resolution recognizes the sacrifices of America's veterans and fallen service members. In the last several decades, Memorial Day has become synonymous with the start of summer, and not as it was intended as a time to mourn and remember the U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States armed forces. While the United States has great respect for those who serve in the Armed Forces, we often focus on the living veterans. There are many parents, spouses, siblings, and children who still mourn their fallen service member. Yes, there are ceremonies to remember those we have lost, such as the ones at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the Pentagon, and small ones at National Cemeteries. However, as a Nation we no longer take the time to remember those who have shed blood in the name of freedom. The poppy flower has long been a marker of respect and a way to raise awareness and support for members of our nation's veteran communities, servicemembers and their families, and the families of those who died in service to their country. Poppy Day is widely recognized by America's allies, especially in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Ukraine, but is less recognized here at home. The red-flowered corn poppy became forever linked to soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefields of World War I, as result of the poem ``In Flanders Fields.'' The poem, written by a Canadian soldier actively serving on the front-lines of WWI to honor his fellow soldiers killed in battle, reads: In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row Around the world, the red-flowered corn poppy continues to serve as the living symbol of the blood shed by those who served and is worn as a gesture of gratitude and recognition of the sacrifices people have made in service to their country. Many nations incorporate the poppy into their Veterans or Remembrance Day ceremonies. In the United States, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars first called attention in the 1920s to the importance of the poppy flower in honoring the fallen. They continue to distribute poppies and promote the importance of a National Poppy Day on the Friday before Memorial Day and Veterans Day, raising money for disabled veterans. With wider recognition of National Poppy Day and wearing a red poppy, we honor every servicemember who has died in the name of liberty, freedom, and democracy. Additionally this provides us the opportunity to thank their families, veterans, and current service members for our freedom now and for generations to come. In the words of American Moina Michael: And now the Torch and Poppy Red, We wear in honor of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought Our Resolution would begin on May 26, 2023. We should honor past and current members of the Armed Forces of the United States and their families. We should encourage all citizens, residents, and visitors of the United States to join in observing ``National Poppy Day.'' Wearing a red poppy the Friday before Memorial day--and through the weekend--is a simple declaration of our admiration for and thanks to those individuals who shed blood to preserve freedom. In this body we have people who have served and those who have lost. At the very least we should honor them. We invite all Members of Congress to wear their poppy red, support the goals and ideals of National Poppy Day on May 26, 2023 and every year after, to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed for our country--both living and dead. I also invite all of my colleagues to join me in sponsoring this resolution.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3482) to establish the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation, as amended.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5641.