André Carson

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support for H.R. 1, the For the People Act, and am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. It will fight big money in politics, take on the power of special interests, end dark money, and ensure public officials are working in the public interest. It will expand voting rights to ensure we have secure, accurate elections and stop voter suppression efforts designed to keep people from voting based on their perceived political preferences. It ends extreme partisan gerrymandering by creating a non- partisan, open process to draw transparent and fair congressional district maps. This bill will also hold elected officials accountable by implementing tougher ethics laws to ensure elected officials are held accountable. I am also proud to cosponsor an important amendment to this bill with my colleague Congresswoman Speier. Our amendment extends the statute of limitations on campaign finance violations. As a former law enforcement officer, I know that extending the statute of limitations is necessary to improve accountability and ensure that those who break campaign finance laws and then try to hide their actions can be brought to justice. As we have learned in recent events, violations of campaign finance laws may not be uncovered until years after the fact. Extending the statute of limitations provides investigators and prosecutors the ability to go after those who the break the law. This is an important addition to H.R. 1, the For the People Act. However, there is one provision in the bill that I believe could be improved, and I look forward to working with Chairwoman Lofgren to make improvements. I was just recently made aware of concerns about voting machines that will need to be updated or redesigned after enactment of H.R. 1, including some equipment like Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machines. I would like to make sure that we don't exclude machines that are currently approved by the Election Assistance Commission without providing reasonable time and assistance to bring these machines into compliance with the new, higher standards of H.R. 1. In my home state of Indiana, many counties rely on DRE machines, and transitioning to the higher standards will require time and resources that I hope we can provide. Also, I have learned that the disability community has concerns about these provisions, so I would like to include in the Record a statement describing their concerns. I am committed to working with my colleagues to address these concerns so we can make voting more accessible for everyone. Disability Community Fears Paper Ballot Mandate Will Hurt Voters With Disabilities [Jan. 29, 2021] Washington, DC.--Today, the undersigned disability organizations issued the following joint statement expressing concerns over a paper ballot mandate. How ballots are cast in the United States varies depending on what different jurisdictions offer to their voters. Today, most voters in the U.S. cast their ballot by marking a paper ballot by hand or by Ballot-Marking Device (BMD), with some use of Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machines. Most American voters are familiar with the former, which requires voters to mark, verify and cast a paper-based ballot. BMDs use an electronic interface to aid voters in marking their ballot. Once the voter has made selections with the BMD, the device directly marks on or prints the ballot. The voter then typically verifies and casts the ballot into the same optical (or digital) voting scanner that hand marked paper ballots are cast. BMDs simply increase the accessibility of paper ballots by allowing voters with disabilities to use these accessible voting machines to magnify, `voice,' and mark their ballots. For example, a blind voter cannot privately and independently mark a paper ballot with a pen, however, they can privately and independently mark their ballot using a BMD. DRE voting systems, on the other hand, allow voters to use an electronic interface to mark, verify and cast their votes electronically with or without a paper back up. Arguably, DREs provide the best option for voting privately and independently for all voters with all types of access needs based on age, disability, language fluency, literacy, and many other individual circumstances, as guaranteed to all voters by the Help America Vote Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. DREs eliminate the need to handle or directly verify a paper ballot, which prevents BMD voting systems from being fully accessible to all eligible voters. Despite overall reduced paper consumption in many areas of daily life, as a result of technological advancement, paper- based ballot voting options have become the preferred voting system to many who believe mandating the use of paper ballots is necessary to ensure the security of our elections. However, it must be made abundantly clear, that the ability to privately and independently hand mark, verify, and cast a paper ballot is simply not, and will never be, an option for all voters. Given that paper ballots are already the predominant method of casting a ballot in America today, mandating paper ballots is frankly unnecessary. Additionally, any mandate of a paper- based voting system will inevitably harm voters with disabilities. A paper ballot mandate would: 1.) end all voting system innovation and advancement to produce a fully accessible voting system that provides enhanced security without relying on inaccessible paper; 2.) limit voters with disabilities' federal right to privately and independently verify and cast their ballots and; 3.) ultimately segregate voters with disabilities. Further, any paper ballot mandate that entitles voters to a hand marked ballot threatens the availability of BMDs for voters who rely on them to mark their ballots and drastically limits use of BMDs to voters with disabilities. This would result in segregating voters with disabilities away from the entire pool of voters by making them the only group of people that use a particular type of voting machine. Federally mandated segregation is problematic alone, but in practice, it also increases the likelihood that poll workers will not be properly trained on the machine, the machines will not be properly maintained or set up for use, and if the only available BMD is not functioning, there is no alternative option for voters who need it. Limits on BMD use will also saddle poll workers with determining who is ``disabled enough'' to use the BMD, a decision for which they have no qualifications or legal right. Finally, if the ballot produced by the BMD is not identical to the hand marked ballot or the BMD ballot cannot be scanned and stored with hand marked ballots, the voters right to cast a private ballot is violated. To be clear, no paper ballot voting system today, ready for widespread use, is fully accessible. Even BMDs require voters with disabilities to verify and a cast a paper-based ballot, which does not ensure a private and independent vote. A fully accessible voting system by Federal law must ensure the voter can receive, mark, verify, and cast the ballot without having to handle paper. Most, if not all, market-ready voting systems cannot do this. Before paper-based voting systems become the law of the land, the harm to voters with disabilities must be addressed. Signed, American Association of People with Disabilities, American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, American Network of Community Options & Resources, Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs, Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Council on Independent Living, National Disability Rights Network, National Federation of the Blind, Paralyzed Veterans of America, RespectAbility, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered, The Arc of the United States, United Cerebral Palsy, United Spinal Association.

Mr. CARSON

Mr. CARSON. Madam 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 its 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 modem ``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 than 840 drugs and biologics have been approached by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of rare diseases. However, Congress must do more to combat rare diseases. In addition, 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. In 2019, more than 100 countries observed 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. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, as we mark 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. I believe it is long past time to recognize an American civil rights activist and sporting legend with Congress' highest honor. Unfortunately, Congress failed to act before The Champ's death in 2016, at the age 74, so I ask 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 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 fifty years. Despite having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the 1980s, Ali devoted his life to charitable organizations. 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 that 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.'' Madam 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 of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and remember an Indianapolis legend, and my friend, Ron Miner, also known as DJ Indiana Jones who passed on Friday, December 4th. Ron was an Indianapolis native, attending Ben Davis High School on our community's west side and DJing for his family's business `Melody Skateland' in the 1980s. He fell in love with hip-hop at an early age and moved to New York City where he promoted for artists such as Boogiemonsters and Heather B before returning to his hometown. Ron established himself as a familiar voice in the Indianapolis hip-hop and Reggae music scenes, managing a local hip-hop group, the Mudkids, and later as a DJ with RadioNow 100.9 and Hot 96.3. As a local businessman, Ron co-founded Crush Entertainment, a midwestern management group, and owned the Casba Bar where he hosted `Reggae Sundays' and I know his legacy will live on through the many charitable organizations he promoted and supported. Ron's passing has been deeply felt by his family, friends, Hoosiers and colleagues across our country. He was a friendly and outgoing man who never hesitated to help others, and his passion for music and the hip-hop scene earned him countless fans. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the amazing life of Ron Miner, DJ Indiana Jones. His work has inspired countless individuals in our community, and he leaves a legacy of love for music and his fellow man.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Tri-Caucus' Special Order to highlight the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. Our nation is currently overwhelmed by unprecedented numbers of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. After more than eight months of suffering, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage our communities, creating incalculable pain, massive economic disruption, and immense strain on our public health system. As of this moment, more than 246,000 Americans have lost their lives from this deadly disease. More than eleven million have been infected, and nearly 70,000 are currently hospitalized with severe cases of COVID-19. While all Americans are suffering from this pandemic, communities of color are experiencing acute and disproportionate pain. From the beginning of this pandemic, it was clear that the phrase ``when white America catches a cold, Black America gets pneumonia'' would be particularly true with COVID-19's devastating consequences. In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately harms Black and Brown communities with dramatically unequal infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths. Specifically, Black people are three times more likely to become infected with COVID-19 than whites. Moreover, Black people die from COVID-19 at around twice the rate of white people. These aren't just statistics. They represent our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. They are people like my cousin who died from COVID-19 earlier this year, and so many others who are no longer with us. Like past disease outbreaks and natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic lays bare the consequences of systemic injustices suffered by communities of color. Institutional racism, compounded by environmental and economic injustices, have resulted in severe health disparities for communities of color which make the COVID-19 pandemic so uniquely devastating. Despite the disproportionate harm the COVID-19 pandemic has caused among communities of color, many states still do not provide transparency regarding racial and ethnic demographic data for COVID-19 cases and deaths. For example, in my state of Indiana, the State only provides an aggregate breakdown of the racial and ethnic demographics for cases and deaths during the entire pandemic. This results in a profoundly incomplete picture of the disproportionate sickness, death, fear and tragedy this virus is inflicting on communities of color. As Congress considers much-needed, additional measures to combat COVID-19 and provide relief for businesses, hospitals and workers, one thing is clear: Communities of color must receive substantial relief and support that matches the devastation they've suffered from this pandemic. In addition, states and public health departments must provide updated and daily demographic information, including a racial and ethnic breakdown, for the daily numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. This data transparency is essential to fully understand how the pandemic is affecting different communities and how we can best respond. With this data, we can better target our COVID-19 relief funds and support to ensure that communities of color get all the help we need to weather the storm of this pandemic and combat the underlying inequities in our health care system that this pandemic has exacerbated. I am committed to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to act now and to act boldly to implement a national plan that will save lives from this terrible disease.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, the small business loan debt relief provision, as passed in the CARES Act, has expired with money still left in the fund. As we all know, small businesses have greatly suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a recent Washington Post article, one in five small businesses have closed this year, with many more expected. For the small businesses that remain open, the SBA loan debt forgiveness has proven to be a lifeline. The SBA has paid 6 months of principal, interest, and any associated fees that borrowers owe for all current 7(a), 504, and Microloans, as well as new 7(a), 504, and Microloans. The COVID-19 pandemic is putting extraordinary strain on our smallest businesses--the very businesses who are the backbone of our economy. Small businesses have taken the biggest hits and need continued direct relief during this unprecedented time. That's why I have been fighting to provide relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and the SBA debt relief program. These programs have proven to be effective to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic, however, small businesses continue to need our support and we must not turn our backs on them. Local economies are re-opening, but an expected second COVID-19 wave means small business owners will face additional uncertainties and burdens in the coming months. That is why I am introducing the Small Business Debt Relief Extension Act to offer small business owners up to a 6-month extension on the debt relief they are receiving on their 7(a), 504, and Microloans. Additionally, my bill ensures that the entirety of the $17,000,000,000 appropriated to this program in the CARES Act be used for its intended purpose. The bill accomplishes this in two ways: Businesses who are currently receiving or have (over the past 6 months) received the subsidy be granted a 6-month extension for a total of 12 months of debt relief; and Businesses who do not currently have a SBA loan and that apply up to March 30, 2021, receive a 6 month subsidy. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the Small Business Debt Relief Extension Act.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a resolution today with my colleague from California and Chairwoman of the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo. Our resolution raises awareness about pancreatic cancer and the importance of increased Congressional funding for research by expressing support for the designation of the month of November 2020 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. I am also pleased that our colleague in the Senate, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, has introduced a Senate companion to this resolution. I am grateful for Congresswoman Eshoo and Senator Whitehouse's leadership in helping to combat pancreatic cancer. This year alone, pancreatic cancer has killed two American icons: our colleague Congressman John Lewis and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Pancreatic cancer recently killed baseball legend Bob Gibson, and it continues to sicken thousands of Americans fighting every day to survive this disease. This includes our colleague, Congressman Alcee Hastings, who is currently fighting a courageous battle against this horrible cancer. Accurately described as a silent killer, this disease does not have an early detection test, so unfortunately, by year's end, pancreatic cancer will have killed an estimated 47,050 Americans and is the third largest cause of cancer-related death in our county. As COVID-19 continues to rob us of more than 222,000 of our fellow Americans, pancreatic cancer continues to devastate thousands of American families and communities. In my home state of Indiana, nearly 1,000 Hoosiers will be killed by pancreatic cancer by year's end, and almost 2,000 Hoosiers will be newly diagnosed with this terrible disease. Nationwide, an additional 57,600 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. These horrific statistics highlight how few tools exist to detect this disease and, as a result, the immense pain and suffering it causes. Alarmingly, pancreatic cancer still has no early detection test to quickly and accurately determine the presence of this cancer. As a result, it is very difficult to detect this cancer before it has advanced to later--and more deadly--stages. Tragically, sixty-six percent of pancreatic cancer patients live less than one year following their diagnosis, This was the case for our colleague Congressman John Lewis, who was killed by pancreatic cancer less than a year following his diagnosis. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted how longstanding health disparities and lack of access to care results in dispropottionate numbers of infections and deaths from this virus in communities of color. Sadly, the same is true with pancreatic cancer. The incidence rate for pancreatic cancer among Black Americans is twenty percent higher than that of any other racial demographic and the death rate is seventeen percent higher for Black men than for white men. In this way, the lack of pancreatic cancer early detection research accelerates the racial inequities in our health care system, with devastating consequences for minorities. To help detect pancreatic cancer earlier and to help address racial inequities, the 116th Congress has a unique opportunity to make historic investments in pancreatic cancer research at the Department of Defense (DoD). Congress can do this by enacting the $15 million in pancreatic cancer research funding--first introduced through my amendment with Congresswoman Eshoo--and then passed by the full House. Within this research funding, DoD will include early detection research as a major funding priority to help more patients detect this deadly disease early. In fact, if diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients is above 80%. However, our provisions have not yet passed the Senate, and current pancreatic cancer research funding remains at a fraction of the level that our fellow Americans struggling with this disease deserve. That's why it is so critical that we raise awareness about how deadly and destructive this cancer is to our American family, and why increasing pancreatic cancer research is critical to lowering this disease's deadliness. Moreover, at a time when our country is having a national conversation about the deep disparities in access to health care for Black and Brown people during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress must do everything within our power to improve health outcomes through research and treatment, and that includes pancreatic cancer. And in order to ensure that we improve outcomes, we need to raise awareness with the American public and our colleagues in Congress about just how deadly this cancer is and why we need to find early detection tools, effective treatments and reduce this disease's disproportionate impact on communities of color. I urge my colleagues in the House to support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support our companion resolution introduced by Senator Whitehouse.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the role of credit unions across the country, and especially in Indiana. I'd also like congratulate Indiana's Lisa Schlehuber on her recent election to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). Credit unions play a vital role in our nation's banking ecosystem allowing more people to access capital, obtain mortgages, and receive other financial tools that are otherwise difficult to obtain. Additionally, I've seen firsthand in my own district, how credit unions provided vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the smallest of businesses received the necessary aid to assist during such trying times. Lisa currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Elements Financial Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has 37 years of experience in accounting and financial management and has served as the CEO of Elements since 2005. During her tenure as CEO of Elements, the credit union has grown by over 60% and now manages $1.66 billion in assets and serves 112,000 members. Recently, Elements was honored as one of Indiana's best places to work. Lisa has a wealth of financial services and leadership knowledge. Her vision and decision-making skills will be a valuable addition to the NAFCU Board and credit unions for years to come. Lisa attended DePauw University and is an active member of her community, sitting on the local United Way and Chamber of Commerce boards. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lisa Schlehuber and wishing her the best of luck in her new role on the NAFCU Board of Directors. I look forward to working with her and NAFCU members to better serve our constituents during these challenging times.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. 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. I am pleased that this legislation has been endorsed by both National Education Association (NEA) and Third Way. In 2018, the United States experienced a shortage of 112,00 teachers in our classrooms across the country. 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--to 316,000--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 subjectmatter 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 inconsistences 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 of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. 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. l am pleased that this legislation has been endorsed by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and I am grateful for the feedback I received from my constituents on this proposal. 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 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. David, a biology major at Marian University in Indianapolis, also served as a mentor. Through David's mentoring, his mentee has improved in school and built up self-confidence; David, too, recognizes that he has learned from his mentee and is inspired to help additional younger students. Another student, Celia, at the University of Southern Indiana, mentored a young third grade student. Celia was mentored herself while also in the third grade; this experience helped her understand the importance of mentoring younger students to help achieve their goals and learn from their older peers. Mentoring younger students has helped Celia discover her passion for education and youth development programs. Celia also shared her college experiences with her mentee, who has in turn become interested in attending college. The examples of David and Celia represent how 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 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 2017-2018 school year, the Federal Work-Study 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, 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. 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, like those Celia and David participated in, 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. The stories of Celia and David remind me of the undeniable power of young people to lift and inspire those around them. 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 of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I join my colleagues, Rep. Don Young of Alaska, Chairman Emeritus of the Transportation Committee, and Rep. Rick Larsen, Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, in introducing the bipartisan National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2020. Our committee has worked for years to make American skies the safest in the world, and to strengthen the industry workforce to maintain the highest standards of aviation excellence. Our legislation, the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation (NCAA) would support and promote collaboration amongst civil, commercial, and military aviation sectors to address the demands and challenges associated with ensuring a safe and vibrant national aviation system through research, education, and training. Too often in the past, innovation and lessons learned in various aviation sectors has not been shared in a collaboratively or timely manner, especially considering rapid developments in new technology. Our bill helps break down silos across commercial aviation, general aviation and military aviation sectors that will not only improve safety and best practices, but also expand opportunities for those interested in the aviation workforce--for the young and not so young, from those just starting out, to those with experience who want to move into other types of aviation work. The National Center would focus on four key areas with an emphasis on aviation workforce development. First, it would support education efforts and provide resources to curriculum developers so educators at all levels have the tools and training to educate the next generation of aviation professionals. Second, the national center would provide a forum to leverage and share expertise amongst industry sectors including the dissemination of existing high school education curriculum to develop and deploy a workforce of pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft system operators, aviation maintenance technicians, or other aviation maintenance professionals needed in the coming decades. Third, it would serve as a central repository for economic and safety data research and analysis allowing a comprehensive perspective of industry information that would improve safety for all stakeholders. Finally, it would support symposiums and conferences to facilitate collaboration across the industry and develop future advancements for the aviation and aerospace community. This legislation would also allow the FAA to focus on safety, certification, and air traffic operations. The national center would be funded by using a small percentage of the interest accrued annually on the taxes and fees collected from users of our aviation system and deposited into the aviation trust fund. In other words, no general fund taxpayer dollars would be used to support this national center. Our aviation and aerospace industry supports over 11 million jobs and contributes more than $1.6 trillion per year to the national economy. More than 130 organizations including schools, airports, airlines, manufacturers, unions, and other entities involved in aviation and aerospace have expressed strong support for this legislation. The list of organizations supporting this legislation is provided here: AAR Corp.; ACI Jet; Aeronautical Repair Station Association; Aerospace Center of Excellence; Aerospace Maintenance Council; Air Care Alliance; Air Line Pilots Association, International; Air Medical Operators Association; Air Wisconsin Airlines; Airbus; Aircraft Electronics Association; Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association; Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; Airlines for America; Alabama General Aviation Alliance; Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airmen Association; Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation; Alliance for Aviation Across America; Allied Pilots Association; American Airlines; American Bonanza Society; American Yankee Association; Arizona Airports Association; Arizona Flight Training Working group; Arizona Pilots Association; Arizona Safety Advisory Group; Arkansas General Aviation Association; Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International; Association of California Airports; Atlas Air Worldwide. Aviation Council of Pennsylvania; Aviation Technician Education Council; California Pilots Association; Cape Air; Cargo Airline Association; Cessna Flyer Association; Choose Aerospace, Inc.; Citation Jet Pilots, Inc.; Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations; Colorado Aviation Business Association; Commemorative Air Force; Community and Airport Partnership for Safe Operations; CommutAir; Compass Airlines; Delta Air Lines. Delta State University; EAA Type Club Coalition; EAA Warbirds of America; East Central Ohio Pilots Association; East Hampton Aviation Association; Empire Airlines; Endeavor Air; Envoy Air; EVAC, the Emergency Volunteers Air Corps; Experimental Aircraft Association; ExpressJet Airlines; FAST; FedEx Express; Flight School Association of North America; Flying Knights Flying Club. Flying Physicians Association; Friends of Linden Airport; Fullerton Airport Pilots Association; General Aviation Council of Hawaii; General Aviation Manufacturers Association; Glasair Aircraft Owners Association; GoJet Airlines; Hawaiian Airlines; Helicopter Association International; Horizon Air; International Air Transport Association; International Council of Air Shows, Inc.; Iowa Aviation Association; Kentucky Aviation Association; Kimmel Aviation Insurance. Ladd Gardner Aviation Insurance, Inc.; Lancair Owners and Builders Organization; Lewis University Airport; LIFT Academy; Long Island Business Aviation Association; Los Alamos Airport; Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates; Maine Aeronautics Association; Maine Aviation Business Association; Massachusetts Airport Management Association; Michigan Business Aviation Association; Minnesota Pilots Association; Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association; Mississippi Agricultural Association. Montana Pilots Association; Mooney Summit, Inc.; National Agricultural Aviation Association; National Air Traffic Controllers Association; National Air Transportation Association; National Association of State Aviation Officials; National Business Aviation Association; National Coalition for Aviation and Space Education; NetJets; NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots; New Hampshire Pilots Association; New Jersey Aviation Association; New Mexico Airport Manager's Association; New York Aviation Management Association; North American Trainer Association. Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association; Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission; Oklahoma Airport Operators Association; Oklahoma Pilots Association; Oregon Pilots Association; Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals; Palo Alto Airport Association; Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum; Petaluma Area Pilots Association; Piedmont Airlines; Piper Flyer Association; Plane and Pilot News; Professional Aviation Maintenance Association; PSA Airlines; Pure White Smoke Oil, Inc. Recreational Aviation Foundation; Red Star Pilots Association; Regional Airline Association; Republic Airways; Rhode Island Pilots Association; San Carlos Pilots Association; San Diego Christian College; Seaplane Pilots Association; South Carolina Aviation Association; South Dakota Pilots Association; Southwest Airlines; Southwest Airlines Pilots Association; Start Skydiving, Inc.; Sturdivant Brothers Flying Service. T-34 Mentor Association; The Boeing Company; The Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington; Trans States Airlines; U.S. Contract Tower Association; U.S. Parachute Association; United Airlines; UPS; Veterans Airlift Command; Virginia Aviation Business Association; Washington Pilots Association; Washington Seaplane Pilots Association; Women in Aviation International; Zerowait, Inc. Madam Speaker, this legislation will address the demands and challenges our aviation and aerospace industry face today and tomorrow. I strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2020.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, food security is quickly becoming a national crisis that we must address. In my district alone, 1 in 5 people live in a food desert where grocery stores are unfortunately closing down, taking away healthy options and prices are skyrocketing for smaller stores. Too many families already lack a car or reliable public transportation to get to the nearest alternative, often located over a mile away. Today, thousands of my constituents are struggling to find the food they need, with many forced to rely on fast food and convenience stores. These options are neither healthy nor affordable. These problems have only been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 their doors during the recent economic downturn. 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 funding for 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, will 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. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the Food Deserts Act.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in recognizing the lifetime of service and the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. ``Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.'' This insight came from the late Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and has never been more applicable than today. The Notorious RBG was a fighter for all and a defender of rights until the very end, showing us all the true definition of what it means to be a great leader. Throughout her career she fought to extend fairness and protections for countless marginalized groups in this country. As a father to young girl and a passionate defender of women's rights, I stand before you to reflect on the legacy that Justice Ginsburg has left on all generations today, and in the years to come. In 1993, Justice Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court with unanimous support from the Senate and became only the second woman ever to serve on the highest court in our land. She brought both passion and brilliance to her decisions, always with the best interests of Americans on her mind while upholding our Constitution. We have a duty to honor Justice Ginsburg by continuing her fight to advance the progress she tirelessly worked for during her entire career. In a time when my constituents and fellow Americans are urgently voicing their need for unity and fairness, we must demand the very things Justice Ginsburg fought for so fiercely: equal health care, reproductive rights, equal rights, LGBTQ rights, workers' rights, voting rights, civil rights, and much more. So much is at stake with the Supreme Court vacancy her passing has created. The Supreme Court is already scheduled to hear arguments the week after the election on the Trump Administration's reckless push to destroy the Affordable Care Act (ACA). That means, in the middle of this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans, the President and his allies are trying to pack the Supreme Court to take away the health care of millions of Americans. This president has promised that his Supreme Court nominee will dismantle the ACA, so we must take him at his word. President Trump and Senate Republicans are ignoring the dying wishes of Justice Ginsburg, the opinion of most Americans, and years of precedent in a desperate bid to pack the courts to rubberstamp their reckless agenda. This is an insult to our Democracy and a threat to every American. There should be no consideration of a replacement for Justice Ginsburg before the next president is sworn in. We must act now, after Justice Ginsburg's passing, but before a new justice is appointed to roll back her legacy and our rights. We must take our shared grief and use it as turning point, drawing on her example as a courageous inspiration for us to all rise up and make her proud. We must fight for the rights of those who have been ignored or forgotten for too long. Justice Ginsburg fought and worked hard until the very end, showing us all that when love for Country and Constitution runs deep, there is no denying justice. I urge my Senate Colleagues to honor both her and the American people's wishes.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Zeta Phi Beta sorority on a century of nurturing leaders and improving communities. Founded on Howard University's campus 100 years ago, Zeta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 150,000. Its list of esteemed alumni is a who's who of Black excellence, including trailblazers in business, law, advocacy, public service, and more. I am incredibly proud that my grandmother, Julia Carson, is a part of this amazing legacy of women. As the sorority moves on to its next 100 years, I have no doubt that it will maintain and strengthen its zeal for excellence. Once again, congratulations to Zeta Phi Beta on your first century of success.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 200,000 Americans, including the 3,500 Hoosiers who have lost their lives to COVID-19. We won't forget those we lost, our family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, teachers, spiritual leaders, and much more. I also want to remember my cousins, who passed away from the virus earlier this year. Who knows how many lives could have been saved if our leaders had been honest about the severity of COVID-19 from the start? Who knows how many millions could have avoided this illness and possible lifetime complications from it, if those leaders had not made them make the impossible choice between their health and their livelihoods? I introduced H.R. 7161, the COVID-19 Memorial Quilt Act of 2020, to create a national memorial, Madam Speaker, to everyone we have lost. We can't change the past, but we can impact the future. The Senate must pass the HEROES Act, which we passed in May, to provide strong relief from COVID-19. We can save countless lives if we put partisanship aside and work together.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my unequivocal support for the Uyghur Muslim people, and to support the Uyghur bills being considered in the House. For several years, China has violated international human rights through the mass surveillance and internment of as many as 1,800,000 Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang--an Autonomous Region in western China. Those detained in internment camps have described forced political indoctrination, torture, beatings, food deprivation, and denial of religious, cultural, and linguistic freedoms. What are the alleged high crimes that warrant such inhumane punishment against Uyghurs? Wearing long beards, refusing alcohol, or other behaviors that Chinese authorities deem to be signs of ``religious extremism.'' Alarmingly, there is a widespread forced labor system that exists inside the mass internment camps as confirmed by the testimony of camp survivors, satellite imagery, and leaked official documents from the Chinese government. In its 2019 Annual Report, the Congressional- Executive Commission on China found that goods produced with forced labor included textiles, electronics, food products, shoes, tea, and handicrafts. We can not allow these goods to reach our shores. America must not profit off the denial of religious freedom and basic human rights that is perpetuated against Uyghur Muslims. That is why I support the Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act of 2020, H.R. 6270, and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, H.R. 6210. These bills will hold private companies wishing to import goods into the U.S. accountable by ensuring that they demonstrate a clean supply chain where goods or raw materials are not produced using forced labor. Additionally, these bills will authorize the President of the United States to apply targeted sanctions on anyone responsible for the labor trafficking of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities. There is no doubt that the United States has economically benefitted from the bilateral relationship with China. Yet, the United States' moral authority must be paramount to the economic relationship we have enjoyed. We must be willing to sacrifice any monetary gain. Our core democratic and constitutional principles to practice religion freely must be unwavering. In the plight of religious freedom around the world and for the Uyghur Muslims in China--the United States stands with you. I urge my colleagues to support the Uyghurs and I urge my colleagues to support these bills.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2019 (H.R. 4995). This important bill includes my legislation, the Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 4215), that I introduced last year with my fellow Hoosier, Rep. Bucshon. l want to thank Rep. Engel for including my legislation in this package. I urge my House colleagues to pass H.R. 4995 without delay. Maternal mortality--which occurs when a woman dies during pregnancy or within one year of delivery--is a nationwide, public health emergency. The United States has the highest maternal death rate in the developed world; 26 women die for every 100,000 live birth in our country. This unacceptably high level of maternal mortality robs our country of between 700 and 900 women from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. However, this crisis does not affect all states equally. Maternal mortality is especially devastating in states like Indiana. Our state has the third highest maternal mortality rate in the country where, often due to preventable complications, a staggering 43 out of 100,000 women die during or shortly after giving birth. The maternal mortality crisis also does not affect all mothers equally; in fact, the racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality are extremely stark. Nationwide, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from maternal health complications than white women. In Indiana, Black women are 29 percent more likely to die during childbirth than white women, as 53 black women die per 100,000 live births versus 41 deaths among white women. Research consistently shows that disparities in access to quality health care, inadequate health care training, discrimination and bias, and the lack of high-quality integrated maternal health care continue to compound existing health care disparities that produce the disproportionate levels of maternal mortality among Black mothers. That's why in August 2019, I introduced the Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019 with my fellow Hoosier, Rep. Bucshon. Our bipartisan legislation works to improve maternal health access and quality, reduce racial and ethnic disparities and discrimination in health care delivery, and create grant programs to implement best practices and strengthen training for health care providers. Specifically, our legislation provides $10 million to help develop and enact best practices to eliminate maternal morality through improved maternal health access and quality. Additionally, our legislation provides $25 million over five years to establish a grant program to train health care professionals on ways to reduce and prevent racial discrimination in providing prenatal care, labor care, birthing, and postpartum care. Finally, our legislation provides $15 million in grants to help states deliver integrated health care services that reduce maternal mortality and related health disparities. I was pleased that in November 2019, the House Energy and Commerce Committee included our Carson/Bucshon legislation into Rep. Engel's larger legislative package, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2019 and was unanimously approved by the Committee. I urge all of my House colleagues to now pass H.R. 4995 to implement the programs and reforms in my legislation that will help end the scourge of preventable maternal mortality in our country and ensure the birth of a child is a joyous and safe occasion for families across America.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Green, Congressman Green, Chairman Green, Judge Green, Pastor Green, public servant Al Green. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleagues' resolution recognizing Islam as one of the great religions of the world. I commend my friend, Representative Green, for honoring Islam. This action helps to honor the millions of Muslims of many different backgrounds who proudly call America home. Mr. Speaker, as one of three Muslims currently serving in Congress, it is my great privilege to speak here today in the people's House about a special faith. Though we are a minority in this country, we have participated fully in the story of our Nation since its earliest days. Even before America's founding and our Declaration of Independence, this brilliant declaration enshrined freedom of faith and religion for all of us. Today, there are Muslims in all parts of the country who are business owners, who are teachers, construction workers, engineers, lawyers, judges, elected officials. The first Muslim in Congress, my friend, comes to mind--Keith Ellison. We now have sisters Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, and the list goes on, statewide and locally. Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Speaker, you would be hard- pressed to find a hospital in this great Nation without a Muslim healthcare worker on the front lines serving fellow Americans, not just in urban centers, but in suburbia, in rural parts of our country. As more and more Muslims call America home, Mr. Speaker, we will continue working tirelessly, guided by our faith, to ensure our great country lives up to the principles of equality, compassion, and opportunity for all. Our faith keeps us motivated every day to advance these great goals. Around the world, billions of Muslims are also engaged in this struggle, also using their faith as a guide. We have seen what has happened with Uighur Muslims. We are seeing the dispute in Kashmir. We are seeing conflict dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian question. And, sadly, we still see Muslims who endure hurtful stereotypes and discrimination on this journey. But our faith teaches us to be bold, to be brave, and to always choose love over hate. We will not be deterred, Mr. Speaker. I am a proud Muslim. I am a proud American. I am honored to be a member of a very diverse and growing global community, and I am thankful to live in a country that enshrines the right to practice this faith. We wouldn't have the foundation for American Muslims in this country, Mr. Speaker, were it not for the contribution of African-American Muslims. Scholars say 30, 40, maybe even 50 percent of the slaves who were brought here from West Africa were Muslim. We see Muslims as first responders. I was one of them. We see Muslims who were a part of responding to the call to fight against terrorism in the post-9/11 reality, oftentimes thwarting potential attacks that you will never hear about in the news. Muslims are on the front lines in our law enforcement community and in our intelligence services. Muslims have been critical in this country with establishing Islam and promoting self-respect, self-determination, creating your own enterprises and businesses. We hear terms now like ``stay woke.'' I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that that terminology came from the contributions and the foundations laid by African-American Muslims. It began as a kernel in the inception of this country, and it started to blossom in the early 1920s and 1930s, during the Great Depression. During those times, you had variations of Islam that was not Arabized. Because if it was an Arab presenting Islam, it wouldn't have been attractive. It certainly wouldn't have been attractive to me. But the Islam that was presented was created in a way to fight against the poison and toxicity of white supremacy. Now, you have a beautiful religion with an interfaith coalition with Christian brothers and sisters, Jewish brothers and sisters, Sikhs, Hindus, atheists, Buddhists, all coming together to make America a better place. Now, some people are comfortable with talking about Islam, and in their critiques of Islam, they overlook the hypocrisy of their own faith. You cannot really call yourself a lover of God and show hate for others of a different faith. You cannot call yourself an elected official and a representative of the people if you are only committed to serving and representing one segment of the population. You certainly can't call yourself a true public servant without recognizing the contributions that have been made by this wonderful community. I salute Representative Green for his bold leadership, for his visionary leadership, as a proud Christian man in the tradition of Jesus Christ, knowing that in my Father's house, there are many mansions. To stand up and recognize the wonderful religion of Islam, I commend him, I thank him, because we are America.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill to name a U.S. Post Office in Indianapolis in honor of Senator Richard Lugar, the former distinguished Senator from Indiana who passed away last year. S. 3105, follows my bill, H.R. 3152, a bipartisan bill supported by every Member of Indiana's House Delegation, which was successfully marked up and reported out of Committee by a unanimous vote last year, and then passed by the House by another unanimous vote last October. At the time, it was a wonderful start as we worked to celebrate Senator Lugar's inspiring legacy. Now, it is an even more timely reminder of the importance of public service and comity--and the importance of recognizing the people committed to serving our country, each day. I was fortunate to know the late Senator Lugar, and I respected him deeply for his commitment to community and country. He understood what it meant to be a true public servant, and the values he expertly displayed have inspired my work in Congress since. He was a brilliant scholar, a brave member of our armed forces, and a dedicated public servant who championed people and principle over party. His distinguished life is a testament to the type of leader that Indiana cultivates. And his public service is an unquestionable example of his deep commitment to our country. That commitment to community and those values are the same as the ones that inspire the public servants working at the United States Postal Service. As this bill is considered today, I think it is both fitting and timely for us to reflect on the importance of the public service done at USPS. At a time when public servants--especially Postal Service workers-- are under attack from the current administration, this bill is a reminder of why we name our public buildings after the men and women who serve our nation with distinction and honor. As the former Mayor of Indianapolis during the turbulent year of 1968, Richard Lugar helped lead our city away from violence after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by working with Robert F. Kennedy, who broke the terrible news to Hoosiers gathered that day for a campaign speech. Those two proponents of peace over violence helped make Indianapolis one of the few major cities that did not erupt in painful destruction after Dr. King's murder. Naming public buildings after a man like Senator Lugar is not only an act of commemoration and celebration of a great man, but it is also a fine example for our youth and the next generation about the virtues of public service in a democracy like our own. Now, more than ever, the Postal Service will play a critical role in safeguarding and ensuring an accurate vote tally--the absolute bedrock of a democratic system. I was honored to introduce the legislation that passed the House last year, and I remain proud to help add the late Senator Lugar's name to a building that means so much for the public service and the democratic values we hold so dear.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to re- introduce the Young Americans Financial Literacy Act. Financial literacy is critical to ensuring future financial responsibility. Studies have shown that 88 percent of Americans believe finance education should be taught in schools and 92 percent of K-12 teachers believe that financial education should be taught in school, but only 12 percent of teachers actually teach the subject. Yet, according to a 2020 survey, less than half of states require high school students to take a personal finance course, and less than 17 percent of high school students were required to take a semester long personal finance course. I believe that Congress has an opportunity and a responsibility to address the pressing needs of individuals faced with the loss of their financial stability and the challenges of economic uncertainty. This should include financial literacy education reform and long-term solutions to prevent future personal financial disasters. Research- based financial literacy education programs are needed to reach individuals at all ages and socioeconomic levels, particularly those facing unique and challenging financial situations, such as high school graduates entering the workforce, soon-to-be and recent college graduates, young families, and to address the unique needs of military personnel and their families. High school and college students who are exposed to cumulative financial education show an increase in financial knowledge, which in turn drives increasingly responsible behavior as they become young adults. According to the Government Accountability Office, giving Americans the information they need to make effective financial decisions can be key to their well- being and to the country's economic health. The global financial crisis, when many borrowers failed to fully understand the risks associated with certain financial products and currently, the economic hardships presented by the sudden disruptions caused by the spread of COVID-19, underscore the need to improve individuals' financial literacy and empower all Americans to make informed financial decisions. This is especially true for young people as they are earning their first paychecks, securing student aid, and establishing their financial independence. Therefore, focusing economic education and financial literacy efforts and best practices for young people between the ages of 8-24 is of utmost importance. I believe America should be leading the world with the best-educated students who will drive our economic innovation and success, so please join me in cosponsoring the Young Americans Financial Literacy Act. This act: Establishes a grant program in the Bureau of Consumer Financial protection to develop and implement financial literacy programs for young people ages eight to twenty-four; Incentivizes the development of partnerships between institutions or higher education, local educational agencies, non-profit organizations, and financial institutions to develop programs aimed at young Americans in different phases of their life; Ensures the development of evidence-based instructional material that is geared towards targeted groups and addresses unique life situations, including bankruptcy, foreclosure, student loans, credit card misuse; and Conducts ongoing assessment and accountability of the program over the short- and long-term to ensure that grand money achieves the greatest impact. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the Young Americans Financial Literacy Act.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment which will provide an additional five million dollars in support of pancreatic cancer research, including early detection, at the Department of Defense (DoD). Considering Rep. Lewis' recent passing from pancreatic cancer, and Rep. Hastings' current fight against this disease, I am grateful that my colleagues came together today to pass this amendment--included in En Bloc No. 2--by unanimous voice vote. This is a fitting tribute today, when our colleague, John Robert Lewis, is laid to rest in Atlanta. This amendment builds on the incredible work done by the Defense Subcommittee on this issue. The Defense Subcommittee has already appropriated $10 million for pancreatic research at the Department of Defense (DoD), which is an increase of four million dollars from the previous year. I am thankful to the Defense Subcommittee, especially Chairman Visclosky, for their leadership on this issue. By passing my amendment, the House will increase appropriations for pancreatic cancer research at DoD from $10 million to $15. I am grateful that my colleague, Rep. Anna Eshoo of California, has cosponsored my amendment--she is a great leader on behalf of pancreatic cancer research and the Chairwoman of the Health Subcommittee in the Energy and Commerce Committee. I am also thankful for the support of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, whose support and advocacy for this amendment has been critical in our efforts. Today's amendment also builds on my previous amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which the House passed last week, that authorized $5 million for a pancreatic cancer early detection initiative at the Department of Defense (DoD). My amendment also complements report language in the Defense appropriations bill, which states that ``early detection of pancreatic cancer requires additional research'' and encourages the director of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) at DoD to ``expand early detection research for pancreatic cancer'' to include pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals, ``as well as those in underserved ethnic and minority communities.'' Just a few weeks ago, this issue hit painfully close to home as America lost a giant to pancreatic cancer. Rep. John Lewis, our civil rights hero and Conscience of the Congress, passed away from pancreatic cancer only seven months after receiving his diagnosis. My amendment is inspired by Rep. Lewis' courageous battle against pancreatic cancer and also by Rep. Alcee Hastings' ongoing fight. It is unacceptable that, despite being the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in our country, pancreatic cancer still does not have a dedicated early detection initiative. Rep. Lewis' short battle against pancreatic cancer is, sadly, often the norm for patients. In fact, the lack of research in ways to detect pancreatic cancer early has led to devastating consequences: sixty-six percent of patients live less than one year following their diagnosis. If diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients is above eighty percent. However, if pancreatic cancer is detected late, the five-year survival rate drops to less than five percent. By failing to support our nation's researchers with the means to find new ways to detect pancreatic cancer early, we are leaving American's pancreatic cancer patients with few ways to detect this disease in time to extend the quality and duration of their lives. Rep. Lewis' struggle against this horrifying disease should serve as a sobering reminder of the human cost of failing to support early detection research for pancreatic cancer. It's important to note that persistent health care inequities and disparities for communities of color compound the devastation of pancreatic cancer. In fact, the incidence rate for pancreatic cancer among Black Americans is twenty percent higher than that of any other racial demographic. This disease is deadlier for us; the pancreatic cancer death rate is seventeen percent higher for Black men than for white men. Significant evidence demonstrates that these disproportionate levels of pancreatic cancer are, in large part, rooted in disparities in health care and access to tests and diagnostics. As a result, the lack of pancreatic cancer early detection research accelerates the racial unfairness in our health care system, with devastating consequences for minorities. At a time when our country is having a national conversation about the deep disparities in access to health care for Black and Brown people during a global pandemic, Congress must do everything within our power to improve health outcomes through research and treatment. Passing this amendment is a critical way to increase our investment in pancreatic cancer research, including early detection, and to help address the pancreatic cancer disparities for communities of color. I thank my colleagues for including my amendment in En Bloc No. 2 and for passing this amendment today by voice vote. I urge my colleagues to support final passage of H.R. 7617 as amended.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Vote No. 167, I was unavoidably detained and unable to cast my vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall Vote No. 167.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the NO BAN Act, which I was honored to coauthor. I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass this landmark legislation today. More than 3 years ago, President Donald Trump's Muslim ban put into action the xenophobic and racist agenda that he promised during his campaign. It immediately led to chaos at our airports, where I was honored to stand in solidarity with our incoming immigrants and those cruelly ripped apart from their families. The Muslim ban became the cornerstone of President Trump's dangerous agenda. It has made America less respected around the world. And our country is not any safer. This isn't the only time America has shamefully shut our doors based on race, ethnicity, or nationality. But we can make it the last time. That is why we must pass the NO BAN Act and end the Muslim ban and make sure history does not repeat itself. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation today.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, John Lewis was certainly a leader amongst men. He was a mentor. He was a friend. And my heart goes out to his family. Our hearts go out to his family. I can remember, Mr. Speaker, during the healthcare vote, I was coming out of Cannon and I ran into John, and he asked: ``How many votes do we have left, or how much time do we have left?'' I said: ``I think we will make it.'' We crossed the street, along with his chief, Michael, and there were thousands of people yelling: ``Kill the bill. Kill the bill. Kill the bill.'' And that wasn't it. They were yelling expletives, racial expletives, at the three of us. And John looked at me and said: ``Brother Andre, this reminds me of a darker time, brother.'' John became a mentor. We would call him up, and he would speak to the Muslim community. We would call him up, and he would speak to the folks in Indiana who were there when it was announced that Dr. King had passed, because he was in Indianapolis at the time. He was a true servant, Mr. Speaker. Jesus was mentioned. John was like Jesus. I am reminded of a Scripture when Jesus was having a conversation with his disciples about this notion of leadership, and Jesus looked at his disciples and said: He who wishes to be chief among you shall first be your servant. John was a servant. He wasn't the kind of leader who looked at the protesters today and said: Oh, what you are going through is nothing compared to what we went through. He stood in solidarity with those young folks and embraced those young folks like a real leader. John is an example to all of us, what true public servants should be. We love you, John. God bless.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NODA) and my amendment which authorizes five million dollars for a pancreatic cancer early detection initiative (EDI) at the Department of Defense (DoD). Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all major cancers--in large part due to lack of research in early detection. I believe we all agree that the patients, families, friends, and loved ones suffering from this disease deserve greater support. My amendment will provide critical funding needed for more research and an early detection initiative (EDI) under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at DoD. I am pleased that the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee has already appropriated ten million dollars for general pancreatic cancer research funding in this year's funding legislation. This is an increase of four million dollars from the previous year, and I am thankful to the Defense Subcommittee, especially Chairman Visclosky, for their leadership on this issue. While encouraging, this general research increase is not enough to close the gap in early detection of pancreatic cancer. We should do more, especially now. On Friday, this issue hit painfully close to home as America lost a giant to pancreatic cancer. Rep. John Lewis, our civil rights hero and Conscience of the Congress, passed away from pancreatic cancer only seven months after receiving his diagnosis. My amendment is inspired by Rep. Lewis' courageous fight against pancreatic cancer. It is unacceptable that, despite being the third leading cause of cancer- related death in our country, pancreatic cancer still does not have a dedicated early detection initiative. Rep. Lewis' short battle against pancreatic cancer is, sadly, often the norm for patients. In fact, the lack of research in ways to detect pancreatic cancer early has led to devastating consequences: sixty-six percent of patients live less than one year following their diagnosis. I am also inspired by my friend and colleague, Rep. Alcee Hastings, who is fighting pancreatic cancer. If diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients is above eighty percent. However, if pancreatic cancer is detected late, the five-year survival rate drops to less than five percent. By failing to support our nation's researchers with the means to find new ways to detect pancreatic cancer early, we are leaving America's pancreatic cancer patients with few ways to detect this disease in time to extend the quality and duration of their lives. Rep. Lewis' struggle against this horrific disease should serve as a sobering reminder of the human cost of failing to support early detection for pancreatic cancer. It's important to note that persistent health care inequities and disparities for communities of color compound the devastation of pancreatic cancer and the effects of lack of early detection research. Unfortunately, Blacks are more likely than their fellow Americans to get pancreatic cancer. In fact, the incidence rate for pancreatic cancer among Black Americans is twenty percent higher than any other racial demographic. This disease is more deadly for us: the pancreatic cancer death rate is seventeen percent higher for Black men than White men. Significant evidence demonstrates that these disproportionate levels of pancreatic cancer are in large part rooted in disparities in health care and access to tests and diagnostics. As a result, the lack of pancreatic cancer early detection research accelerates the racial unfairness in our health care system, with devastating consequences for minorities. At a time when our country is having a national conversation about the deep disparities in access to health care for Black and Brown people during a global pandemic, Congress must do everything within our power to improve health outcomes through research and treatment. Providing dedicated funding for early detection research at DoD will help fill a critical gap in our pancreatic cancer research and will help address the pancreatic cancer disparities for communities of color. I urge the House to support this amendment.