Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the Food Safety Administration Act, which I am introducing--along with Senator Dick Durbin--today. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates about 80 percent of our food supply--and consumers and industry depend on the FDA food program to perform its regulatory role. Every year, nearly 48 million people get sick from one of the 31 pathogens known to cause foodborne illness. This results in 128,000 Americans being hospitalized each year--and 3,000 Americans dying of foodborne diseases. This is common, costly--and preventable. It is becoming increasingly clear that public confidence in the ability of the FDA to protect our food supply is diminishing. Between inadequate responses to recalls, a failure to implement a culture of outbreak prevention, and proposed rules and initiatives that languish for years, the food program has struggled in its role to protect consumers. The recent infant formula crisis, exacerbated by substandard safety practices at the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan, cannot be allowed to happen again. Parents and caregivers should never have to desperately scramble to find infant formula and wonder how they will feed their children. And when or if they finally find formula, they face an impossible choice as they wonder whether it is safe for consumption. We should not have to choose between safety and supply when it comes to feeding our babies. I reject this false and dangerous dichotomy. This was a colossal failure of Abbott Nutrition and the FDA, which dragged its feet to investigate a whistleblower report that unveiled damning allegations of wrongdoing and neglect of Abbott. Food safety is currently a second-class citizen at the FDA. It is clear that food safety is not prioritized at the FDA, which has the authority to appoint an empowered Deputy Commissioner of Foods with a relevant background in food safety--but has yet to do so. The lack of a single, full-time expert leader affects all aspects of FDA's food program. And perhaps the most significant impact is the delayed implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act and the New Era of Smarter Food Safety blueprint. These key initiatives depend on all FDA food program units, like the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Center for Veterinary Medicine, and the Office of Regulatory Affairs--working together with state partners and with a common strategic direction, clear priorities, adequate resource management, and internal accountability. That is why I am introducing the Food Safety Administration Act that would establish the Food Safety Administration under the Department of Health and Human Services by incorporating these existing food programs within FDA into this separate agency. This agency would be led by a food safety expert confirmed by the Senate. This bicameral legislation will bring focused leadership and more accountability, a unified structure and a full-time senior leader who will strengthen oversight of the food supply and enhance the industry's ability to operate effectively.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Food Safety Administration Act, which I am introducing today, along with Senator Dick Durbin. The FDA regulates almost 80 percent of our food supply. Consumers and industry depend on the FDA to perform its regulatory role. Every year, nearly 48 million people get sick from foodborne illness, resulting in 128,000 Americans being hospitalized and 3,000 dying. This is preventable and costly. Between inadequate responses to recalls, a failure to implement a culture of outbreak prevention, and proposed rules and initiatives that languish for years, FDA's food program has struggled in its role to protect consumers. Food safety is a second-class citizen at the FDA. As highlighted by the infant formula crisis, there are dire consequences when food safety is not prioritized. The FDA has the authority to appoint a deputy commissioner of foods with a background in food safety but has yet to do so. This affects all aspects of FDA's food program. That is why I am introducing this bill that will establish the Food Safety Administration under Health and Human Services and incorporate the existing food programs within the FDA into a separate agency. This will increase leadership and accountability, strengthen oversight of the food supply, and enhance the industry's ability to operate effectively.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Keep Kids Fed Act, which provides vital funding to ensure our children are fed healthy meals over these next few summer months--and that schools and daycares are supported throughout the school year. As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, no child should go hungry. Yet far too many children struggle with hunger in this country. This is a tragedy. For more than 22 million children who rely on school breakfast and lunch programs, summer vacation means worrying about when they will eat next. We all know that hunger can have lifelong consequences for children-- making it more difficult to learn . . . play . . . and connect with kids their age. Kids who go hungry during summer often start school behind, which can lead to serious health concerns like developmental delays . . . chronic illness . . . and mental health issues. They are at higher risk for anemia, asthma, diabetes--and more likely to experience anxiety and depression. So, I am pleased that we have reached a bipartisan agreement on extending school meal waivers until the summer's end and continues to support schools and daycares throughout the year. These child nutrition waivers are a lifeline to schools, children, and hardworking families across the country. During the pandemic, school meals were a lifeline to students-- providing them with healthy meals whether they were attending school in person or virtually. They have been a critical component of our nation's response to this pandemic. But schools continue to face a variety of challenges, including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, serving meals safely, and rising food prices. Waivers have been vital this school year to support school nutrition. And extending the waivers is the path forward to ensure all children have access to nutritious school meals over the summer months that they need to learn and thrive. As I have said from the start--failure is not an option. And we need to get a deal across the finish line. It is our responsibility to ensure that our children do not go hungry. School meal waivers have given stability to hundreds of children who prior to this program, likely did not know where their next meal was coming from. I am disappointed that House Republicans insisted on an offset. We need to feed children in this country--and that should never be up for debate. With that, I am proud of this bill and the impact I know it will have--providing school workers . . . parents . . . and caregivers with the security of knowing that the children they care for will be fed through the summer. So, I am voting in favor of this critical legislation--and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise as Chair of the Appropriations Committee, and on behalf of the Members of the Committee and its staff, to pay tribute to Jaime Shimek after her nearly 20 years of Federal service. Hailing from Washington State, Jaime began her career as an intern for Representative Norm Dicks and as a staffer for Senator Maria Cantwell. She then served as Washington Senator Patty Murray's Senior Policy Advisor for eight years, handling the appropriations and energy, agriculture, and water portfolios. Jaime left Congress; moving over to the Department of Energy where she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Senate Affairs before serving as the Director of Federal Affairs at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She then came back to Congress and joined the Appropriations Committee, where she has served for the past five years, including as Clerk of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee since 2017. Madam Speaker, during her time with Appropriations, Jaime has been an invaluable asset to the Members of the Committee and myself. She has a profound technical understanding of the full scope of the Subcommittee's jurisdiction, ranging from water infrastructure projects across the country to nuclear weapons to energy and science programs. She has been at the helm of the responsible investments we have made in the past several years to strengthen our energy independence, diversify our energy sources, fight climate change, rebuild our water infrastructure, and create green jobs. I know I do not just speak for myself when I say we will miss Jaime greatly on this team. Jaime's hard work and her dedication to the Appropriations Committee and Congress have made her an incredible asset. I look forward to her future endeavors in her home state of Washington at a Department of Energy national lab and congratulate her on her career. The Appropriations Committee, and our entire Nation are indebted to Jaime and grateful for her service.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concerns with respect to H.R. 2773, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act. The bill has laudable goals and the potential positive impact on our nation's wildlife conservation efforts is undeniable. I am a longstanding proponent of environmental causes and the benefits of investing in them. However, the ends do not justify the means. Specifically, the bill provides an average of $1.4 billion per year in mandatory appropriations from the General Fund indefinitely. As a result, this bill provides the additional funding on autopilot without any role for this or future Congresses to scrutinize the details and value of this massive investment. Additionally, the House Parliamentarian's Office has also con-firmed to my staff that this bill presents significant jurisdictional issues with respect to the House's rule against appropriating in an authorizing bill. I believe there is a better way forward that is consistent with the longstanding regular order of this body. Subjecting this funding to the appropriations process would ensure that we make these valuable investments in our nation's wildlife while at the same time preserving the important role Congress must play in overseeing our Article I responsibilities. It pains me that we were not able to resolve these differences because as a longtime appropriator, I fully understand the need for robust, long-term investments to protect our environment and natural habitats. However, as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations I must vote against this legislation. The Founders were crystal clear about the importance of the power of the purse. Our duty to the American people is to ensure that we do not abdicate our responsibility to be effective stewards of taxpayer resources. My hope is that I can work with my colleagues here in the House and in the Senate to come to a stronger, bipartisan agreement on moving this bill forward in a manner that is consistent with the rules of this body and Congress' power of the purse.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join Jewish Family Services as well as the many family, friends, and community leaders who have gathered to pay tribute to a special member of our community and a man I am honored to call my friend, James M. Shure. Better known as Jimmy throughout the community, he was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, spending a lifetime giving back to the city and its residents. Jimmy grew up in the Westville section of New Haven, the son of a much beloved local funeral director. His father, Robert, opened the Robert E. Shure Funeral Home on George Street in 1939, quickly becoming known throughout New Haven's Jewish community for his compassion and dedication in planning burial services for their loved ones. As successful as he was, Robert did not encourage Jimmy to follow in his footsteps and take over the family business--in fact, he was determined that Jimmy would not do so. Following his father's advice, Jimmy sought to follow another path, attending college and graduate school where he earned an advanced degree in English Literature. Shortly after completing his Ph.D., Jimmy found himself harkening back to his childhood memories of overhearing the late-night and weekend phone conversations when distraught families called his father to seek help and reassurance. He recalled friends telling him about the important role Robert had played in honoring others' lives. He knew his dad's work mattered and soon realized that he would much rather serve the community than teach in a classroom. So, despite his father's initial disappointment, Jimmy attended mortuary school and began working at the family funeral home, taking over the day-to-day operations when Robert retired in 1975. For nearly five decades, Jimmy has helped families navigate one of the most difficult of life's trials--saying goodbye--ensuring that the time-honored customs and traditions of the Jewish faith are kept with understanding and comfort. Jimmy's compassion and support of the community goes beyond his professional life. He also dedicates his time and energies to strengthening the reach and capabilities of non-profit organizations like Jewish Family Services. He understands the difference they can make in the lives of others and has made it a personal mission to ensure that these organizations have the resources necessary to meet the needs of the community. In the Jewish tradition, it is taught that one should give tzedakah because they want to, not because they have to and that everyone has a responsibility to help those suffering from poverty. Through his professional work as well as his personal philanthropy, Jimmy has exemplified that lesson, setting a standard of generosity to which we should all strive. At this evening's annual Spring celebration, a yearly event that marks the renewed commitment of the organization to its mission, Jewish Family Services is honoring Jimmy for his dedicated service. I am honored to join them in extending my heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to James M. Shure for all of his good work on behalf of our community. Mazel Tov.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to extend my very best wishes to the members of the New Haven Lions Club as they gather to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of this extraordinary community organization. Over the course of its history, the New Haven Lions Club has enabled its members to contribute to our community in a positive and meaningful way. Indeed, in the last century, members of the New Haven Lions Club have helped to shape the very character of our community. Founded in February of 1922, the New Haven Lions Club was only the second such club started in New England. From the very beginning, member's work in the community concentrated on assistance to local blind persons and underprivileged children. In its earliest years, Lions would repair radios for the blind and transport them to and from local meetings as well donate dinners and presents to needy families during the holidays. Over time, the Lions club has expanded both its membership and its activities on behalf of those in need. Today, the New Haven Lions Club can be very proud of the invaluable contributions their members have made both through their efforts to not only assist the blind, the founding mission of the Lions, but in the many ways they make a difference in our community. From Camp Cedarcrest, a forty-two-acre facility located in Orange, Connecticut that began its operations in 1928 and provides a recreational space to thousands of young people and adults each summer season to their participation in Pediatric and Adult Screening events, Special Olympics ``Opening Eyes'', Veterans Stand Down, and bell ringing on behalf of the Salvation Army, New Haven Lions are improving the quality of life for countless members of our community. Over the course of their one-hundred-year history, New Haven Lions have raised and distributed over $950,000 to assist the blind and have participated in service activities that have benefitted those with diabetes, the physically and mentally challenged, and the hearing impaired. Their members have focused their time and energies on working to address environmental issues, improve community welfare, and promote international understating. Organizations like the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, CT Radio Information System, the CT Food Bank, Columbus House, Clifford Beers, and the Ronald McDonald House are just a few of the local service organizations who have benefitted from their generosity and dedication. The New Haven Lions have had an extraordinary impact on our community, and we cannot thank them enough for all of their good work. As they celebrate their 100th anniversary, I am proud to stand to congratulate them on this remarkable milestone and to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to members past and present for their outstanding efforts on behalf of our community. I have no doubt that they will continue to do so for many more years to come.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to join all of those gathered in congratulating the Community Health Center, Inc. on their 50th anniversary. This is a remarkable milestone for this outstanding organization, and I am proud to recognize their invaluable contributions to our community. Health care is a right, not a privilege. It is a simple motto and the fundamental basis of the establishment of Community Health Center, Inc. Fifty years ago, a group of students from Wesleyan University joined with community activists in Middletown--drawn together through a shared vision for affordable, accessible and responsive health care--to create a free clinic to meet the needs of the community. Fueled by idealism and a deep belief that patients should be the cornerstone of whatever was created, the Community Health Center, Inc. was born. Today, five decades later, CHC is one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers in the nation, serving 145,000 people in Connecticut at more than 240 locations Other communities were inspired by CHC's ideas, and it has grown steadily, establishing clinics for the underserved throughout Connecticut, which provide comprehensive, team-based medical, dental, and behavioral health services. CHC also created school-based clinics and is now the largest school-based care provider in Connecticut, offering medical, dental and behavioral health care to children and making care more accessible for thousands of hard-working families. Home to the Weitzman Institute, an innovative center of research, education, and policy development, CHC has developed and implemented national training programs for Nurse Practitioners and Medical Assistants. CHC has also been a pioneer in telehealth, keeping its patients connected and healthy during the pandemic, and creating a company providing specialty e-consults for underserved patients. In 2020, as our nation faced the greatest health crisis in a generation, CHC got to work, providing care and distributing resources throughout the communities they serve. CHC provided one of the most comprehensive and innovative campaigns against Covid-19 in the country, creating testing and vaccination sites both at drive-through mass vaccine sites and at stores, malls, and places of worship. CHC's tireless efforts to equitably distribute the vaccine to all members of the community received national and international recognition, including from the White House. CHC's restless drive to innovate, dating back to the spirit of its founders in 1972, and its unwavering belief that healthcare is a right and not a privilege, has driven the organization's remarkable contributions in the last half century. I could not be more proud to join the Middletown community in celebrating this very special anniversary with the Community Health Center, Inc. Their outstanding dedication and commitment to ensuring, that everyone--regardless of circumstance--has access to affordable, quality health care serves as an example to us all. I am honored to extend my heartfelt congratulations and very best wishes to President and CEO, Mark Masselli, Margaret Flinter, Senior Vice President and Clinical Director, and the entire CHC family on this very special occasion. As we say in Italian--C'ent Anni.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today during National Nurses Week to join the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in extending my heartfelt congratulations to Luisa Canestri Howard. Luisa is not only a special part of the VA Connecticut family, she is also one of my closest cousins and I am so proud to have the opportunity to recognize her for her outstanding career in nursing. Luisa began her career at the West Haven VA in January of 1982. Luisa had a special place in her heart for our nation's veterans and she wanted to use her talents to help improve their lives and support their healthcare needs. Her first station was as a staff nurse on G 5 East which was a medical floor. She then moved to a staff nurse on the Medical ICU, then worked in Cardiology research. After that she became the Nurse Manager of the Specialty Clinics. As a staff nurse Luisa held certifications in Medical Surgical nursing and in Research Nursing. In 2007 she was awarded the Nightingale award for excellence in nursing and in 2009 she was awarded the VISN1 Distinguished Federal Manager Award. IN 2013 Luisa started her current role as Nurse Manager of Case Management where she became responsible for the day-to-day operations of the unit. Luisa has provided remarkable leadership, encouragement, and instruction to those who have served in her department. Her colleagues say ``Luisa is a true veteran advocate who always does the right thing in every situation. She is a true mentor to our nurses and provides unwavering support to all members of our team and especially to our veterans.'' For the last forty years, Luisa has dedicated her professional career and personal compassion to nursing and providing the best possible care for our veterans. I can clearly remember my aunt talking about how she always dreamed of being a nurse but for many reasons was unable to achieve that dream. Luisa became the nurse her mother always wanted to be, fulfilling that dream, and exceeding all her mother's brightest wishes. It is so fitting that her retirement comes during National Nurses Week so that we may pay tribute to Luisa Canestri Howard and the remarkable career she has led. I wish her all the best for many more years of health and happiness as she begins this new life chapter.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, in a year which marks the 200th anniversary of the Dominican Sisters ministry in United States, the Dominican Sisters of Peace, who make their home in City of New Haven, are marking a special milestone--the 20th Anniversary of the Springs Learning Center. Over the course of the last two decades, the Center has become an invaluable resource to our community, and, in particular to the immigrants who have chosen to make the Greater New Haven area their home. Education has always been a core component of the work of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Indeed, they have provided educational and pastoral services in New Haven since 1901 in elementary, secondary, and college programs. Recognizing the growing adult literacy and English as a Second Language needs in the community, the Dominican Sisters opened Springs Learning Center in 2002 to continue their educational mission in the Fair Haven area. Since opening its doors just twenty years ago, the Springs Learning Center has helped over one thousand learners improve their English language skills--and all with the assistance of over one hundred volunteer tutors, come of whom have been with the Center since the very beginning. These dedicated tutors have opened new doors of opportunity to those they have served, helping them to boost their employment and business development prospects, enhance their contributions to the community, and assist them in their pursuit of citizenship. As the child of an immigrant, I understand the challenges these families can face as they try to acclimate to a new community and a new country. My father, Ted DeLauro, came to this country as a child and when his teachers and fellow classmates made fun of him for not immediately understanding the English language, he left school. He was just in 7th grade at the time. He was self-taught but never forgot his struggles and he dedicated much of his time as an adult helping other Italian immigrants translate documents and to learn the language. I can remember the visible relief and gratitude of each person and family he helped--it is that same remarkable gift that the Dominican Sisters and the volunteers at the Springs Learning Center give to each immigrant who seeks their help. It is an honor for me to rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to the Dominican Sisters of Peace and the many volunteers and supporters of the Springs Learning Center as they celebrate their 20th Anniversary. My heartfelt thanks for their invaluable service, and very best wishes for many more years of success.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the residents, families, administration, and supporters of Chapel Haven Schleifer Center as they mark the 50th Anniversary of this very special organization. In 1972 a group of parents who shared the challenges of caring for adult children with varying levels of social and developmental disabilities banded together to try to find a solution to a common goal. As the late Jerry Rossman, one of the Center's co-founders, once described, they wanted ``a place where our kids could live and learn their independence and then go home.'' Since they could not find an existing program to meet their needs, the opened the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center as a private non-profit special needs agency. The Center was opened on Chapel Street in New Haven, Connecticut with 6 students, 2 staff, and a dog. As word of the program's success spread and enrolled adults chose to make New Haven their lifelong home, the agency began to expand and needed to move to a larger campus. Today, Chapel Haven Schleifer Center occupies a flourishing campus on Whalley Avenue and serves over two- hundred fifty adults, ranging in age from eighteen to seventy, who are living with Down Syndrome, autism, intellectual disabilities, Asperger Syndrome and more. The program's mission is to empower adults with social and developmental disabilities to live independent and self-determined lives. A new $41.5 million capital campaign has resulted in state-of- the-art residential, teaching and community spaces, including the addition of a senior living facility, allowing senior members of the community to continue to live among friends and with independence. Chapel Haven Schleifer Center has been recognized locally and nationally with a myriad of awards and commendations. The deep partnerships they have built within the New Haven community, particularly in Westville community which they call home, have enabled the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center to create a safe, nurturing environment where their clients and residents can thrive. It is my honor to stand today to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to the dedication administration and staff as well supporters of Chapel Haven for all that they do to ensure the success of this very special organization. Congratulations and Happy 50th Anniversary.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join family, friends, and colleagues in extending my very best wishes to Dr. Irwin Garfinkel on the occasion of his retirement. To say that he has left an indelible mark does not do justice to the impact that his professional contributions as a social worker and economist have made over the course of his career. There is no one that has done more to bring to the forefront of public debate the realities of poverty and its impact on families, children, and our communities. Dr. Garfinkel's volume of work has been extraordinary and we, as policy makers and as a society, have been fortunate to have benefitted from his knowledge and expertise. In a career that has spanned more than six decades, Dr. Garfinkel has dedicated countless hours to better understanding poverty, wealth, and the welfare state and how they shape communities and societies. Some of his earliest work was in Wisconsin, as the director of the Institute for Policy Research and later as the principle investigator of the Wisconsin Child Support Study where his research on child support and welfare helped to shape legislation not only in Wisconsin, but other states, within the U.S. Congress, and in other countries like Great Britain, Australia, and Sweden. Dr. Garfinkel is also the author of over two hundred articles and sixteen books or edited volumes on poverty, income transfers, program evaluation, single-parent families and child support, and the welfare state. In fact, his book ``Wealth and Welfare States: Is America Laggard or Leader'' and paper ``Welfare State Myths and Measurement'' take on widespread mistruths about poverty and the poor. Dr. Garfinkel went on to become a co-founding director of the Center on Poverty and Social Policy and spent decades at Columbia University where he was the Mitchell I. Ginsberg Professor of Contemporary Urban Problems and the co-founding director of the Columbia Population Research Center--the only such center to be funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to have been founded within a school of social work. Throughout his career, Dr. Garfinkel has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to not only combatting poverty, but to understanding its sources--to look at the root causes and then look at how social and public policy could help families to break its cyclical nature. I have a deep respect and admiration for the work he has done. I want to extend a special note of thanks to Dr. Garfinkel for the guidance and counsel he has given to me over the years, particularly with my work on expanding the child tax credit. That single public policy lifted half of American children out of poverty, and it did so because of the foundation of research and study that Irv provided. Passed and signed into law as part of the American Rescue Plan, we witnessed the economic benefit this policy had for families--especially the poor--and that is why we must continue the effort to make the expanded child tax credit permanent. Today, as we mark Dr. Garfinkel's retirement, it is my hope that he knows that his commitment to ending poverty--from the research centers he has founded to his unparalleled catalog of work--will most certainly stand as a legacy that will continue to inspire new generations of social workers, economists, policy makers and advocates. It is with my deepest thanks and appreciation that I rise today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Irwin Garfinkel on his retirement, and wish him many more years of health and happiness as he begins this new life chapter.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join family, friends, and community leaders to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to Richard Smith of Milford, Connecticut for his outstanding and invaluable contributions to our community. A graduate of Yale University and Trinity College, where he majored in political science with concentrations in American government and public policy respectively, Rich has always held a firm commitment to giving back to his community. He sought ways in which he could use his passion for government and public policy to make a difference, enrich the community, and improve the quality of life for others. Having spent a number of his high school years volunteering on various local campaigns, he became a member of his local town committee where he has spent decades supporting local candidates and driving policy agendas. Dedicating his time and energies to the committee and its work, he took on several leadership positions, including serving as its chairman for a record-breaking eighteen years. As much as politics is his passion, public service is the moral compass by which Rich is guided. He has volunteered countless hours to serving both the City of Milford and the State of Connecticut. Appointed by the Mayor, he has served for a number of years as a member of the Regional Water Authority's Representative Policy Board which is charged with the appointment of the five members to serve on the Regional Water Authority; the approval of land sales, rate increases, bond sales and any capital project with a cost in excess of $2 million; the appointment of the Office of Consumer Affairs as well as the external auditor; and the ratification of the appointment of the chief executive officer. For the last decade he has served as a member of the Milford Police Commission, also serving as its chairman for several terms. In 2017, he was nominated to a five-year term by then Governor Dannell Malloy to serve on Connecticut's Judicial Review Council as one of six citizen members. Established in 1976, the Judicial Review Council is charged with investigating and acting on allegations of misconduct within the state's judicial system. In every facet of his service to the community, Rich has leveraged his appreciation and excitement for politics and government into making a real difference in the lives of others. I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Rich for many years now and consider myself fortunate to have a friend like him in my corner. His leadership and vision have left an indelible mark that will continue to inspire generations of new community leaders for years to come. I am honored to rise today to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Richard Smith for his outstanding service to the community and his dedicated work on behalf of others. I wish him as well as his wife, Michelle, and daughters Melissa, Meghan, and Rebecca, all the best for many more years of health and happiness.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the New Haven Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc. as they celebrate their 90th Anniversary at their annual Kentucky Derby Luncheon. The oldest African American female service organization in New Haven, the New Haven Girl Friends is a unique organization within our community. Chartered just five years after the national organization, the New Haven Girl Friends have been a center of service and community for African American women in our community. Their work to promote friendship, social interaction, charitable and cultural activities has enriched our community and the lives of its residents. From their success in housing all visiting members at the organization's 1942 Conclave and integrating the Taft Hotel in downtown New Haven to their generous support of projects like the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture as well as the NAACP and The Girl Friends Fund Scholarship program, the New Haven Girl Friends have left an indelible mark on our community. Each year on the weekend of the Kentucky Derby, members gather in fellowship to raise funds for scholarships that are awarded annually to students throughout Greater New Haven and Hartford as well as to benefit local community-based programs, the nonprofit Girl Friends Fund Foundation and other initiatives of the New Haven Chapter. Their mission has been to actively engage the community and their goals are rooted in the understanding that our communities thrive when every member contributes to its success. The members of the New Haven Girl Friends include some of our communities most prominent social advocates--many of whom dedicate both their professional and personal lives to public service. These women stand as role models for us all, but particularly for our young people. They inspire us with their deep commitment to community and compassion for others. It is my great honor to rise today to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the members of the New Haven Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc. for their innumerable and invaluable contributions to our community. It is my honor to congratulate you on your 90th Anniversary and, as we say in Italian, C'ent Anni--to another hundred years.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the community of Guilford, Connecticut and families across state in extending my heartfelt congratulations to Bishop's Orchards, and the Bishop family, as they celebrate the 150th Anniversary of this unique community treasure. While navigating the covid pandemic may have delayed the celebration one-year, we are all excited and proud to join with them as they celebrate this very special occasion. Connecticut has a long and proud history in agriculture and our famous fruit orchards have become a highlighted attraction for visitors. From picking your own fruits and vegetables to learning the intricacies of the perfect apple cider, our orchards offer a unique view into one of our nation's oldest industries. Today, the descendants of brothers Albert and Gene Bishop preserve this New England treasure while expanding the business to meet the needs of today's consumers. With three hundred acres lined with apple, peach, and pear trees, the Bishops continue to work hard to ensure the success of the orchards. Generation after generation, the Bishop family have recognized the importance of preserving the natural beauty of the orchard and its surrounding properties. They were one of the first of our local farmers to initiate an integrated pest management program, significantly reducing the pesticides and chemicals used in the orchards. They have converted a parcel of their property to a solar farm, utilizing renewable energy to run the farm and its accompanying market and winery. It is through these kinds of innovations that Bishop's Orchards remains a respected leader in Connecticut's agricultural community. Located on the shores of the Long Island Sound, Bishop Orchards captures the very spirit of New England. Owned and operated by now the 6th generation of Bishops, this remarkable family and their orchard have been fixtures of the Guilford community for more than 400 years. From the quintessential ``little red barn'' to the bustling market, and from the acres of orchards to the newest addition of winemaking, Bishop's Orchards is a destination for Connecticut families. It is my honor to stand today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Bishop's on their sesquicentennial anniversary, and as we say in Italian--C'ent Anni--to another hundred.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Protecting Our Kids Act, a comprehensive package to address gun violence in the United States. I am pleased that it includes my legislation, Ethan's Law, which will keep kids across the country safe by ensuring that firearms are safely stored and secured. I introduced Ethan's Law in the House over 3 years ago in memory of Ethan Song, a Guilford, Connecticut, teenager, 15 years old, who accidentally shot himself with an unsecured gun in 2018. The firearm was improperly stored in a Tupperware box with the gun lock keys and the ammunition nearby. Before I had the honor of introducing Ethan's Law in Congress, it passed the Connecticut General Assembly and the State senate with broad bipartisan support, signed into law in 2019. Today, we take a critical step to make Ethan's Law the national standard in safe storage. Ethan's Law will set a Federal standard for safe gun storage and incentivize States to create and implement safe gun storage laws. This legislation is a child safety bill, first and foremost, because losing just one child to accidental gun violence is too many. What happened to Ethan was tragic. No parent should have to lose their child because of an unsecured gun. It is time for Congress to act. In the words of Ethan Song's parents, Mike and Kristin Song, whose relentless advocacy led us to this moment: ``Not a single person on Earth can change the past, but every one of us can change the future.'' Let's change the future while saving countless lives by passing the Protecting Our Kids Act. When Kristin Song found out that Ethan's Law was included in the Protecting Our Kids Act, she said that the first person she wanted to tell was Ethan, her beautiful boy, that she has fearlessly fought for since the day she was forced to watch him be lowered into the ground. Upon hearing the news, she immediately drove to the cemetery, and she ran across it yelling, ``Ethan, we did it. Your lifesaving legislation will be heard, it will get a vote.'' Madam Speaker, I am voting in favor of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same. We love you, Ethan.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1124, I call up the bill (H.R. 7790) making emergency supplemental appropriations to address the shortage of infant formula in the United States for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this funding legislation will work in tandem with President Biden's launch of Operation Fly Formula and the invocation of the Defense Production Act to help quickly and safely address the infant formula shortage in this country and help prevent this from happening again. I am shocked by the infant formula crisis. The shortage we are seeing today is in large part caused by some who chose not to prioritize the health and the safety of our babies. In September 2021, Food and Drug Administration, FDA inspectors conducted a routine inspection of the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan, where suspicions of wrongdoing were already present, as noted in a Bloomberg article published on May 12 from a reporter who obtained the FDA report through a Freedom of Information Act request. On October 20, 2021, a whistleblower who worked at that Abbott facility submitted a report to the FDA unveiling a damning list of allegations of wrongdoing at the hands of Abbott. Recalls happen, but if the allegations are true, this company has lied, cut corners, falsified records to cover up their misdoings at the sake of infant health. This is plain wrong. But this was in October. The FDA knew about what Abbott was doing in October and, yes, they dragged their feet. It was not until late December that the FDA interviewed the whistleblower. And then not until a month after that, in late January, was the plant inspected in person. Abbott then issued a recall in February, 4 months later. In March, I requested an HHS Office of Inspector General report to look into this tragedy, so that we can hold the bad actors accountable. And then I got ahold of and submitted for the record a whistleblower report with truly awful allegations against Abbott. Their wrongdoings included the falsification of records, testing seals on empty cans, releasing untested infant formula, just to name a few. In essence, they put a product on the market, a contaminated product, which they knew was contaminated. We have lost--at least two infants died. Several were hospitalized. Let's look back for a moment. Now, we are learning that in 2014, Abbott deliberately and successfully tried to weaken bacteria testing safety standards. At that time, the FDA issued a proposed rule that would have increased the regular safety inspections of infant formula manufacturing facilities to prevent the contamination of infant formula; the very crisis that we have today. The Federal Government has an important role to play in addressing this painful issue. As I said, at least two babies died, and four more were hospitalized that we know of because of corporate greed, consolidation, and a disgraceful lack of proper oversight by the FDA. This is infant formula we are talking about. Parents trust that this formula will be safe and healthy for their newborn babies. It should be the most regulated and protected of any product, and here, we see Abbott putting production and profits before people. I introduced this bill this week because 43 percent of infant formula is out of stock nationwide. There is an immediate need to bring infant formula to the babies and families facing such a dire necessity. In the wealthiest Nation in the world, babies should not be at risk of going hungry. Parents should not have to play a guessing game and wonder if the food that they are giving their babies is safe. Earlier this evening, President Biden announced that he would invoke the Defense Production Act to increase domestic production of infant formula, launching Operation Fly Formula to use Federal planes to fly formula in from abroad. I have been calling for the swift importation of safe infant formula from FDA-approved facilities overseas since the beginning of this crisis. These steps will achieve this goal, and I applaud the Biden administration for rising to this urgent challenge. Now that we are ramping up production, preparing to purchase formula from abroad, we must ensure that it is safe. And I would repeat, this product needs to come from FDA-approved facilities so we make no mistake that they are adhering to a standard. The FDA needs the resources to do that. The FDA plays a critical role in ensuring formula provides the full nutritional needs of infants and that it is manufactured in the safest way possible. We must ensure that a lack of funding is not a barrier to getting safe formula to parents and babies. The bill before us does just that. It addresses this pressing need by providing $28 million in new funding for the FDA. These funds will be used to prevent fraudulent products from entering the marketplace, to acquire better data of the situation in the marketplace, and to fund the balance of FDA activities. To prevent shortages from happening again, funds will strengthen the workforce focused on formula issues and increase the FDA's inspection staff. The FDA needs resources to be able to get this work done quickly, and safely, and that includes building their workforce. Right now, they have only nine people on staff inspecting and reviewing the submissions that could increase the number of FDA-approved facilities developing infant formula. It is not enough. Being able to have more staff who are doing this job will ensure FDA can increase the quality of submissions being reviewed without risking the quality of the review process. We also have their funds that will buttress their inspection teams so that we can get more FDA-approved facilities online. I am proud that this bill meets this urgent need. People are looking for some relief, and I am proud that we are on the floor tonight to ensure that families get this help as soon as possible. But we should not, and we will not be made to choose between the health and the safety of our babies and the supply that keeps them fed. I reject this dangerous and false dichotomy. Let me be clear: The funding in this bill seeks to address the shortage now, but we must simultaneously find solutions that prevent this contamination and the shortage from happening again. Our work here is not done. We will introduce legislation in the next several days to address the root cause of the issue so that it does not happen again. Madam Speaker, we all are heartbroken, both at the stories of the babies who died and their mourning families, and the millions of moms and dads today who are frantic and scrambling to find formula, and who, within their hearts, are scared that the product they may be giving their infant can potentially cause them grave harm. That is not who we are. That is not who we are. Our babies are our most vulnerable, and we must work quickly and decisively to make safe formula available for every single baby in this country who needs it. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this absolutely critical piece of legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I might just add, just a quick moment, to indicate to my colleague, who is my friend, that, in fact, we did check with other departments and agencies, and particularly with FEMA, to find out what they might have in stock. FEMA currently has on hand formula for 550 infants for one week. So, in fact, we don't have other Federal agencies that do have a stock of infant formula. What we have said in the legislation is that the FDA must report to House and Senate Appropriations Committees on a weekly basis of where the money is being used, how it is being used, so that we have accountability. I am really honored to yield to my colleague who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. This is coming through his subcommittee. He has been a tireless fighter on this issue, making sure that our kids are safe. To that end, he will be talking with the director of the Food and Drug Administration tomorrow morning. So he has been really at the center of this effort. Madam Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I just say to my colleague that, in fact, one would suspect from listening to our colleague that Abbott Nutrition was ready to really move forward and to deal with reopening. The fact of the matter is, I have said that the Food and Drug Administration dragged their feet by not looking at what they were doing in October, et cetera. But the FDA had to go to court to get an agreement with Abbott about how to open. This wasn't a company that was taking on their culpability in knowingly selling a contaminated product that puts our babies at risk. Going to court, that is just a part of the delay with moving, is having to have to go to court to do this. Congressman Pallone has spent so much of his professional career focused on food safety issues and, in fact, as the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies is doing hearings, the Energy and Commerce Committee will be doing hearings on this issue as well. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will say to my colleague who just spoke that, in fact, I just talked about what FEMA has in terms of stocks, which would take care of infants for about 1 week, but I would call her attention to the article that appeared on May 10, ``Military stores scrambling to get baby formula: What new parents need to know.'' Military families are dealing with the same shortage of baby formula. Now, they would have a supply. I take it from what my colleague said that we should take the product from military families, who are serving in the service of this country, take their formula and move it around. We know where the product is, and we know we do not have enough. We know that we need to move. As to what we are doing and suggesting that we move to import from FDA facilities that are overseas, there are seven of them where we can get product on the shelves as quickly as possible. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), the chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. Oversight and reform is Congresswoman Maloney's stock-in-trade, and she is all over this issue as well.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, we all share the view that the infant formula shortage is a crisis. The stories that we have all heard-- mothers and fathers struggling to find formula, the images of empty store shelves--are heartbreaking. We have all heard from constituents all over this country that parents are scared. They can't find the product, and they are scared that they are going to have a product that may put their child in danger. Mr. Speaker, we need to address two areas. We need to address the immediate crisis to get product on the shelves as soon as we can, which is what this bill does tonight, along with other measures that the administration is taking. There are some very serious underlying issues that we face. The question arises, how did we get here? How did this happen? One of the biggest issues and concerns is the whole issue of the consolidation of the industry. There are only four manufacturers of infant formula in the United States, and when one of the four has produced a contaminated product, knowingly putting our babies at risk, yes, and they fought the FDA on really calling for a recall. The FDA, again, had to go to district court to be able to move to a consent decree to talk about cleaning up the mess in Sturgis, Michigan. When that product came off the shelf, 43 percent of the product was gone because that is the piece that Abbott has. They have cornered the market. We need to address that root problem of sole-source contracting. This is prevalent in the meatpacking industry as well. We cannot just rely on four producers of infant formula. We have to take a look at that, and that will be investigated. There is an inspector general investigation going on that will take a look at the issues of the contamination and that underlying cause. We will investigate why it took so long for the FDA--4 months--to look at addressing this issue when they had knowledge that this company was selling a contaminated product, with some very courageous whistleblower coming forward to tell the story. Those pieces are going to be investigated. In my view, we will follow the investigation to where the difficulties are, and we will hold people accountable for that. In the meantime, we have a responsibility. That responsibility is to make sure that there is infant formula on the shelves that parents can get access to, and that is what this bill is about. That is what our efforts are all about, giving the Food and Drug Administration resources to deal with the supply chain, to be able to go to the seven producers overseas. There are seven countries that are FDA approved: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, and Ireland are FDA approved. Again, I will state my view. We only need to go to FDA-approved facilities, not open the door to facilities where we cannot deal with what their standards are in short order. That is what the resources here can help the FDA do. It would increase their inspection force. It would increase their ability to look at infant formula submissions so they can move quickly to approve facilities and give that approval and, in the meantime, move to get the product back here. As the President announced today, we will be able to use our airplanes. We can get product here rapidly. Again, it should come from FDA-approved facilities. That is what we are about tonight. That is what it is. It is not about politics. We are going to investigate what happened here. Let's come together. Let's move together to address a nationwide challenge and a problem that we face. Let's not continue to put mothers and fathers and babies at risk. We have the responsibility to do something tonight, to make it happen, and I urge my colleagues, we cannot let any baby be at risk of going to sleep hungry in this country. We must act quickly. There is no room for error. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1097, I call up the bill (H.R. 7691) making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.