Ted Deutch

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mae Duke, who is being recognized by the Century Village Democratic Club for her distinguished service to the West Palm Beach community. As part of the ``greatest generation,'' Mae's life embodied the American dream. Mae is a first generation Jewish immigrant raised on Coney Island, New York and overcame numerous obstacles to complete her education and work as a laboratory technician. Mae married Sam Duke, a New York City Police officer, in 1947, and together they raised four children in Brooklyn. Since her youth, Mae has believed in the importance of public service, civic duty, and participation in democracy. After her four children enrolled in public school, Mae ran for the local school board. Later, she and her husband started a youth league at their local synagogue. Today at age 89, Mae lives in West Palm Beach where she is admired by her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. She is still active with local community groups and is the President of the Century Village Club. Wherever her life has taken her, Mae Duke has selflessly volunteered her time and efforts to better her community. I am pleased to join in honoring Ms. Duke for her enriching, lifelong community service.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, we know the intentions behind the bill before us today, H.R. 1927, the so-called Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act. The goal of this bill isn't to protect consumers. The goal of this bill is to wipe out class action lawsuits and to deprive consumers of their ability to band their resources together to take large corporations to court for defective and, many times, dangerous products. We have heard from many of my colleagues already today about the problems this bill creates, and I agree that this is a bad bill. But it is a uniquely bad bill for one group in particular: gun owners. That is right, gun owners--law-abiding Americans exercising their Second Amendment rights who suffer injury or even death when gun manufacturers sell defective and ultrahazardous weapons. Every year, many gun owners and innocent bystanders are killed when a firearm discharges just at being set down on the ground, when a faulty safety leaves a child dead, when an experienced and safety-conscious gun owner is the victim of a deadly malfunction. Unique to consumer products, no Federal safety agency has the authority to issue a recall of a defectively manufactured firearm. Indeed, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has jurisdiction and oversight to ensure that more than 15,000 household and recreation products are safe for consumers. Thanks to years of hard work by the gun lobby, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is specifically prohibited from protecting consumers from defectively manufactured firearms. Moreover, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has the authority to license gun manufacturers but does not have the authority to recall defectively manufactured firearms. Today, this bill's rigorous requirement for certifying a class would render gun owners even more powerless. Currently, gun owners' only recourse in these unfortunate events is our court system, and most people don't have the resources to go up against the massive titans of the gun industry. Let me give you an example of the kind of class action suit that would not exist under this legislation. In 2013, a class action was filed against Taurus in a U.S. District Court in my State of Florida. The claim involved a design defect in the semiautomatic pistol's trigger safety blade. Let me read you a news story from Alabama. You will hear about Judy Price, an experienced gun owner. She says she knows them all, how to handle them safely, and she speaks to people taking concealed-carry classes. Price said that no amount of gun knowledge could have saved her from what happened in 2009. Her concealed-carry holster fell to the floor as she was undressing. Then her Taurus pistol went off with a bullet going through her groin, through her stomach, and into her liver. ``I laid down on the floor. I looked up into his eyes, and I said, `Paul, I am going to die tonight. But I love you.' '' Incredibly, she didn't die that night, although for about 9 days it was ``touch and go,'' she said. The lead plaintiff in this country was actually a sheriff from Iowa. Chris Carter, a sheriff's deputy in Scott County, was serving on narcotics detail and was pursuing a fleeing suspect. As he ran, his pistol fell from his holster, hitting the ground and discharging a bullet that struck a nearby vehicle. Luckily, it was unoccupied. Thanks to the ability to pursue a class action, this case was settled, and Taurus voluntarily recalled the pistols. Under this legislation, it is unlikely that gun owners wronged by bad actors in the gun manufacturing industry would have any recourse at all. I will give you one more example. The gun owner who took his 22 Colt single-action revolver with him fishing. When his gun fell out of his holster, it fired and lodged a bullet in his bladder. He lost the ability to have children. Under this bill, Federal courts would only be able to hear class action suits involving a group of people if they can prove that they have all ``suffered the same type and scope of injury'' as the named representatives. The family who lost a loved one to a bullet wound in the head due to a defective gun living in Florida would not be able to join with a gun owner shot in the knee in Oregon, would not be able to join together and seek justice even if the injuries were caused by the same defect in the same make and model of gun. This overly specific language would prevent gun owners from satisfying the bill's requirement that each member demonstrate the ``same type'' and ``scope of injury.'' It would remove the courts as the last remaining venue to ensure that gun manufacturers are held liable for selling defectively manufactured firearms. My amendment can fix this problem at least--at least--with respect to gun owners bringing claims for a defective design or manufacturing of a firearm. This bill's rigorous requirements for certifying a class would have prevented the lawsuits I mentioned and would keep any future class actions brought by gun owners against manufacturers for defectively manufactured items from moving forward. The manufacturers, in many cases, were well aware of the defects for many years, but it took a class action for them to finally do something about it. Today, you have the opportunity to choose to stand with sportsmen, with law-abiding citizens purchasing guns to protect their homes and families, and with law enforcement who are protecting our communities, or you can stand with the gun manufacturers when they put out defective products that put responsible gun owners at risk. I strongly urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH. I would agree with the gentleman that guns should be treated exactly the same way as toasters. I hope that the gentleman would consider working with me to ensure that the Consumer Product Safety Commission could recall defective guns just like they can recall defective toasters.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mary C. Blasi, who is being honored by the Wynmoor Democratic Club for her service to the community of Coconut Creek. Ms. Blasi has worked for the city of Coconut Creek for twenty years, becoming its first female City Manager in 2013. Ms. Blasi is a graduate of Notre Dame University, and has a distinguished record of outstanding service to her community. After starting as the city of Coconut Creek's Director of Finance and Administrative Services in 1996, she served as Assistant City Manager in 2002 and became Deputy City Manager in 2008. The Coconut Creek City Commission unanimously elected Ms. Blasi as City Manager in 2013. Since then, she has been responsible for the city's 110 million dollar budget, its 370 full time employees, and its continued day to day operations. Throughout her career in public service, Mary C. Blasi has shown herself to be an outstanding leader in her community. I am pleased to join the Wynmoor Democratic Club in honoring Ms. Blasi for her ongoing commitment to excellence and distinguished service to our community.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I was absent from votes from Tuesday, December 15, 2015 through Thursday, December 17, 2015, because I was sitting shiva with my family in accordance with Jewish law following the death of my mother Jean Deutch on Friday, December 11, 2015. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: On Roll Call 694, I would have voted yea. (H. Res. 536) On Roll Call 695, I would have voted yea. (H.R. 2820) On Roll Call 696, I would have voted yea. (H.R. 4246) On Roll Call 697, I would have voted yea. (S. 1090) On Roll Call 698, I would have voted yea. (H.R. 2297) On Roll Call 699, I would have voted yea. (H.R. 3750) On Roll Call 700, I would have voted yea. (H.R. 4239) On Roll Call 701, I would have voted no. (H. Res. 566, On ordering the previous question) On Roll Call 702, I would have voted no. (H. Res. 566) On Roll Call 703, I would have voted yea. (H.R. 2029, amendment 3b) On Roll Call 704, I would have voted yea. (On approving the Journal)

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chair, H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security Infrastructure Act, was crafted to support the modernization of our Nation's energy infrastructure and the promotion of energy efficiency. The Deutch-Takai amendment builds on this legislation by supporting further development of one of our Nation's clean, renewable energy sources, marine and hydrokinetic energy. This amendment reauthorizes the Department of Energy's marine and hydrokinetic research, development, and demonstration programs. This amendment would support the innovative work done by institutions across the country, including Florida Atlantic University in my district. I am so proud that FAU has been a leader in hydrokinetic energy, harnessing the clean power of our oceans to bring America one step closer to energy independence. FAU's research being done along our pristine coasts in Broward County has already shown the tremendous potential of hydrokinetic energy to produce reliable energy without endangering our beaches or oceans. These national marine renewable energy research, development, and demonstration centers will serve as information clearinghouses for the marine and hydrokinetic energy industry by providing best practices information on developing and managing these projects so that others can learn from the work being done nationwide and grow this important energy source. Marine and hydrokinetic energy projects generate energy from waves, currents, such as the gulf stream, and tides in the ocean and estuary or tidal areas. They also can generate energy from free-flowing water in rivers, lakes, or streams. Marine and hydrokinetic energy projects generate power without the use of a dam or the impoundment of water. Accordingly, the projects have minimal, if any, impact on the surrounding environment. The ocean waves, currents, and tides are a massive resource that have the potential to produce continuous clean energy. In fact, harnessing only 15 percent of the energy from U.S. coastal waves would produce as much electricity as we currently produce from conventional hydroelectric dams. Moreover, it has been estimated that the amount of energy that could be produced from waves, currents, and tides along the U.S. coast could provide power to approximately 67 million homes. With more than 50 percent of our Nation's population currently living within 50 miles of coastline, harnessing the energy of ocean waves, currents, and tides and transmitting the energy to our cities and neighborhoods is cost effective and practical. The Department of Energy has estimated that hydrokinetic energy could provide up to 25 percent of our Nation's power. The agency estimates that California, Washington, and Oregon could have up to 20 percent of their electricity requirements generated from waves, while Hawaii and Alaska could have nearly all of their energy needs provided by marine hydrokinetic energy. Currently, this still young and developing form of energy technology is in the process of being commercialized. In Maine, hydrokinetic devices that harness energy from the tides near Cobscook Bay have been connected to the electric grid and provide enough power for 25 to 30 homes. In Hawaii, a hydrokinetic device has become the first to be connected to the electric grid that harnesses energy from waves. These are the beginning steps toward commercializing this energy form, and it will enable them to become more widespread and provide power to the grids in our cities and communities. Importantly, this amendment will improve the efficiency of regulations impacting the licensing of marine and hydrokinetic projects. The amendment would provide clarity on the regulations that need to be satisfied for projects seeking a license and the agencies involved in reviewing the licensing process so that innovative projects don't get caught up in needless bureaucracy. Marine and hydrokinetic will provide a continuous and a clean source of energy. This amendment would support and promote continued investment in research and development of hydrokinetic projects that work to harness power from ocean waves, currents, and tides, as well as our Nation's rivers, lakes, and streams. It would also improve the regulatory barriers that slow the licensing process for these projects. Marine and hydrokinetic energy is a source of energy we need to continue to develop, improve, and connect to the grid to provide our cities and communities with the electricity that they need. I thank my colleague from Hawaii, Congressman Takai, for all of his work in support of marine and hydrokinetic power and for his support of this amendment. I strongly urge support for the Deutch-Takai amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, the terrorist attacks in Paris reminded us that ISIS recruits fighters from across the globe and even here at home. Already, the FBI has arrested over 60 Americans connected with ISIS. The terrorists who attacked Paris got their guns from the black market. But here in the United States, even suspected terrorists are allowed, under Federal law, to freely and legally buy assault weapons, buy guns, and buy explosives. The GAO reports that, in the last decade, suspects on the FBI's terrorist watch list attempted to buy guns and explosives over 2,200 times. And guess what; 91 percent of the time they succeeded. Now, I know that the gun lobby opposes any effort to toughen background checks; but can we not, at the very least, agree that this is a matter of national security, that when the FBI has reasonable suspicion that someone is connected to terror, we should stop him from buying weapons of mass murder? To any of my colleagues on the floor today, is there anyone in Congress who actually believes that you should be able to buy a gun while on the terrorist watch list? Is there anyone in America who believes that? If you are on the terrorist watch list, you shouldn't buy a gun. Can this body please take this meaningful step to protect American families. Let's put it to a vote, and let's do it before we leave here for the holidays.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, this House will be leaving today. Members will be going back to their districts. We leave after some dramatic changes have taken place in the House. We elected a new Speaker within the past couple of weeks. There is a new, open process we have heard about. We saw much more debate this week. These are changes that affect this institution; but there is one thing that has not changed: Members of this House will be going home this weekend without this House or our committees having had any opportunity to debate ways to stop the spread of gun violence. We are going to return home to environments where gun violence continues to plague every corner of this country; yet we cannot even have the debate here. Not only can't we have the debate, but, since 1996, there has been a prohibition on even having a study about the effects of gun violence in our communities. Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to stop putting our heads in the sand. Congress must act. We must take our responsibilities seriously to address head-on the scourge of gun violence. We can do something about it, and it is time that we do.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for yielding and for his tireless work to address the threat of anti-Semitism around the world. Mr. Speaker, this resolution was a collaborative effort among my fellow co-chairs of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti- Semitism, and I thank each of them for their commitment to bringing attention and responding to the proliferation of anti-Semitism globally. I especially want to thank and acknowledge Congressman Smith of New Jersey for his commitment to human rights and his ongoing fight against anti-Semitism. This resolution is a strong statement by Congress that, in the face of rising global anti-Semitism, countries, including ours, must prioritize the security and the protection of their Jewish communities. The anti-Semitism we are witnessing around the world today is both unique and longstanding. It is amorphous and it is very direct. It is complex. But in many ways, it is straightforward hatred. Not every case of anti-Semitism will garner international attention like the attack on the Paris supermarket earlier this year. However, Jewish communities around the world experience attacks and intimidation on a regular basis. Just weeks ago, in Marseille, France, an armed man attacked three Jews near a synagogue, including a rabbi and his 19-year-old son. A third man suffered serious injuries from the stabbing. Earlier this year, in Argentina, the phrase ``death to the Jews'' and a swastika were spray painted. In Ukraine, there have been at least three incidents of Holocaust memorials desecrated with swastikas. And in many cities, Jews are simply afraid to walk the streets as Jews. Tragically, these cases are far too commonplace for Jewish communities. No one, Jewish or otherwise, should ever have to accept they will feel targeted, that they will not feel safe, and that their lives are always somewhat at risk. Governments must take a hard look at the trends of bigotry developing in their countries. They must be sufficiently prepared to react preemptively and respond swiftly to cases of violence and intimidation against Jewish communities. This resolution, among other things, calls on countries to build partnerships between communities and law enforcement agencies and to establish standard procedures for responding to threats and attacks by outlining steps to take and the responsibilities for each party. I welcome the historic and continued bipartisan and overwhelming support in Congress for combating anti-Semitism. Tonight, we stand against anti-Semitism, it is true; but where anti-Semitism grows, it is a symptom of the growth of hatred, of bigotry, and of the violation of human rights. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution and, in turn, to support a world where hatred of any type, anti-Semitism and all hatred, will not be tolerated. That is the world that we envision on the floor of the United States House of Representatives this evening. Again, I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Edmond Sarfaty, a dear friend who served with my late father Bernard Deutch during World War II. Their 84th Infantry Division fought valiantly at the Battle of the Bulge, where Mr. Sarfaty was wounded three times. I am privileged to represent a district that is home to a large number of World War II veterans, veterans to whom I am tremendously grateful for their heroic service. The legacy of service and self- sacrifice from this generation of Americans, exemplified by Mr. Sarfaty and so many others, is humbling. Our country owes all servicemembers an enormous debt of gratitude. It is also vital that we recognize and remember the outstanding sacrifices of their families. Their invaluable support is a gift to our Nation, and one that is too often overlooked. Throughout his life, Ed Sarfaty has been defined by his dedication, willingness to serve, and patriotism. From his military service during World War II to his endless community involvement in Florida today, Mr. Sarfaty has exemplified selflessness and patriotism. I am grateful for the continued friendship of Ed and his wife, Sydelle. I am proud to join the Lake Worth West Democratic Club in honoring Mr. Sarfaty and in thanking him and all those who gave so much to ensure our freedom.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my friend, Mr. Engel. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel and their staffs for working to bring this bipartisan resolution to the floor. I want to thank my friend and colleague and neighbor, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for partnering with me on this effort. In the month of October, there have been more than 50 stabbings in Israel, there have been attempted stabbings, there have been shootings, there have been cars rammed into civilians. Terrorists have killed 11 and have wounded more than 10 times that number. In a span of just 12 hours today, there were 4 separate terror attacks. This resolution is important because these attacks aren't a protest or a political statement about holy sites or politics. It is terrorism, and it flows from incitement at the highest levels of the Palestinian Government. Now, I have said many times that all attacks on innocent civilians should be condemned and that they should be condemned regardless of who commits them. Yet I have to point out that, when a revenge attack occurs, committed by Israelis, the Prime Minister of Israel himself condemns that action on national television; but when there are attempted stabbings every single day for nearly 8 weeks, Palestinian leadership does not condemn even one single attack. Instead, we continue to see officials trying to justify acts of terror as an expected part of a religious conflict. False accusations about changes at the Temple Mount, when they have been repeatedly denied by Israeli leadership, send a very dangerous message that violence is necessary to preserve Muslim holy sites when, in fact, those holy sites are not threatened at all. Unfortunately, incitement from officials within the Palestinian Authority is not new. Despite statements from President Abbas that he is committed and has been committed for years to nonviolence, there are still countless examples in official textbooks, on social media pages, and in television speeches that call for an armed conflict and that depict Jews as dirty pigs. Mr. Speaker, Secretary Kerry was right when he recently said, ``President Abbas has been committed to nonviolence. He needs to be condemning this loudly and clearly, and he needs to not engage in the incitement that his voice has sometimes been heard to encourage; so that has to stop.'' If President Abbas remains committed to his stated vision of a peaceful, stable Palestinian state, living side by side with a safe and secure Israel, then now is the time for real leadership. Now is the time to go on national television and condemn these attacks. Now is the time to accept the Jordanian plan for surveillance at the Temple Mount to ensure that religious freedom is, in fact, being protected. Now is the time to stop dangerous rhetoric, like when he said that he would ``welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem'' or when he accused Israel of the ``summary execution of children'' when, in fact, the 13-year-old whom he referenced was receiving medical care in an Israeli hospital after he stabbed two Israeli teenagers. Even before these recent terror attacks, incitement within the Palestinian Authority has been well documented. If these are the messages that are sent to Palestinian youth, if they never see the State of Israel on a map in their textbooks or if they watch television programs that glorify attacks on Israelis and Jews, how can we ever expect him to be committed to peace? By passing today's resolution, the United States House of Representatives is sending a message. It is a very simple message to the world, that we stand with the people of Israel as they face this onslaught of terror and that incitement spurred by inflammatory, violent rhetoric will not be tolerated. We won't tolerate officials using religion as a means to spur violence, and we won't tolerate actions like the recent Palestinian- backed resolution at UNESCO that attempted to rewrite history and inflame tension on the ground. Our resolution also expresses support for individuals and organizations that are working to encourage cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. Unfortunately, President Abbas and his government are doing just the opposite. Mr. Speaker, there must be an end to this wave of terrorism. It is time to stop the spread of incitement. This resolution puts the House on record that incitement leads to violence, and it must end if there is to be a chance for peace. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, what do the mayors of cities like Houston, Texas; Tallahassee, Florida; and Portland, Maine, have in common? They all support closing loopholes in our background check laws, loopholes that let convicted felons and those with severe mental illness buy deadly weapons. That is just one of the findings from Politico magazine's recent ``What Works'' survey of mayors from across the country. In red States and in blue States in every part of this country, 90 percent of mayors say they want stronger background checks, 86 percent say they want the gun show loophole closed, and 78 percent want those subject to restraining orders barred from ever buying guns. It is no surprise why. America's mayors witness up close the gun violence that plagues our country every day. They know the victims of the homicides, the suicides, the accidental shootings, and the domestic gun violence that leave families forever shattered. They know how hollow the gun lobby sounds when it says there is nothing we can do to prevent more tragedies, and they know that it is within the power of this Congress to fix the laws that do not work and to save the lives that need not be lost.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, today marks 3 weeks since the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg that cost nine innocent Americans their lives. As that tragedy fades from the headlines, the daily tragedy of gun violence in America drums on. Last week, in south Florida, Janel Hamilton was shot to death by her godmother's son while watching TV. She was 19 and dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Last weekend, in Chicago, a 3-year-old boy named Eian Santiago was shot to death by his 6-year-old brother. They were playing cops and robbers. Last night, in New York City, police officer Randolph Holder succumbed to a gunshot wound in the head. He was responding to gun violence in East Harlem. In the last 96 hours alone, 91 Americans have lost their lives to gun violence. That is nearly 1 person killed by guns every hour in the United States. The American people expect us to take action. They expect us to stand up to those who fight to prevent us from taking action; yet, hour by hour goes by in this Congress without hearings, without debate, and without action. Mr. Speaker, I will be back next week and the week after that and the week after that. Gun violence won't stop until this Congress takes action, and neither will I.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Vietnam Memorial Wall opening ceremony in the City of Coral Springs, Florida. The servicemembers whose names are written on the Wall fought valiantly to protect our Nation, and they rightfully deserve our recognition and admiration. The Moving Wall is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, which stands as a testament to the loss endured in the Vietnam War. This display is coming to my district thanks to the dedication of Commissioner Lou Cimaglia, who served in the Army Reserve for eight years and made it his goal to bring the Wall to Coral Springs. The Moving Wall will be on display in Coral Springs, Florida from October 22 to 26, 2015. This event allows area residents to experience the Vietnam War Memorial and to reflect on the sacrifice of the men and women who fought in this conflict. Participants will also have the opportunity to leave mementos at the Wall, which will later be included at The Moving Wall Museum in Washington, DC. I thank the Veterans Coalition for their help bringing the Wall to Coral Springs and John Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver for building the Wall. I also thank Commissioner Cimaglia, and all Vietnam veteran volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event possible. I am proud to honor them and this event, and express deep appreciation for all Vietnam War veterans' service to our Nation.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Taiwan's National Day, or Double Tenth Day, on Saturday, October 10. Taiwan and the United States have shared a close relationship since passage of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979. With deep trade ties and close security cooperation between our two countries, Taiwan is going to be an important regional and global actor and friend to the United States. One famous diplomat from the Republic of China, Mr. Ho Feng-Shan, perfectly embodied the bravery and the heroism of so many in this country. Mr. Ho, consul general in Vienna during Nazi occupation, defied orders from his superiors and issued hundreds of visas to Jews who, without his efforts, would have been forbidden from leaving Austria and would likely have fallen victim to Hitler's plans to exterminate the Jews. For his selfless and courageous actions, he rightfully earned the title of Righteous Among the Nations from the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. Please join me in celebrating Taiwan's National Day and paying tribute to Mr. Ho's sacrifices and actions.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Members of this House gathered once again for a moment of silence. This time it was for the nine Americans killed last week in the mass shooting in Roseburg, Oregon. Yet, our brief moment of silence pales in comparison to the never- ending silence that the families who lost loved ones are to endure today and every day from now on. What they wouldn't give to hear the voices of their loved ones again. What they wouldn't give to hear their laughter once more. My friends, a moment of silence that lasts 30 seconds is, quite literally, the least that we can do. It is not enough. I know I can't speak for the House, but I can speak for myself. I will do everything I can--everything I can--to prevent more of our loved ones from being silenced by gun violence. If we want to prevent more gun violence moments of silence on this House floor, then we must speak out. We must call out the gun industry and the groups that represent it on Capitol Hill for blocking every meaningful attempt to stop this gun violence. The time for silence, Mr. Speaker, is over.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of HABCO Manufacturing, the Habilitation Center for the Handicapped, and the upcoming celebration of National Manufacturing Day. HABCO Manufacturing's unique business partners a non-profit organization with the business community. HABCO Manufacturing has been named South Florida's ``Manufacturer of the Year'' and has received numerous accreditations in aviation and aerospace. It is also an integral part of the Habilitation Center for the Handicapped, Inc. Founded in 1978, the Center provides vocational training to adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs. The Center's mission is to equip these men and women with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to lead useful and productive lives with dignity, respect, and independence. For this National Manufacturing Day 2015, I recognize the achievements of the Habilitation Center and HABCO Manufacturing and its men and women with special needs. Their expertise in manufacturing, quality, education, and training is truly extraordinary. I am proud to honor them in the Congressional Record, and express appreciation for the community engagement.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, this September Feeding America's national network of food banks and hunger advocates took part in Hunger Action Month, yet here in Congress, as September comes to an end, I am not sure that Hunger Action Month ever began. Nearly 49 million Americans, including over 15 million children, live in food-insecure households. That is shameful. Hunger touches every community--every community. In my own Florida district in Palm Beach and Broward Counties, about 15 percent of households are food-insecure. That is nearly half a million people who don't know where their next meal will come from. Thankfully, the generosity of our community and the work of groups like Feeding South Florida help keep hungry families fed, but those with the greatest power to end hunger are right here in the United States Congress. As Pope Francis said to this Chamber just last week: The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts. Let's heed his words. This week I will introduce the Food Security Improvement Act of 2015, a bill to ensure SNAP benefits reflect the real costs of feeding a family in need. I invite my colleagues to join me in sponsoring this legislation. Let's mark the end of Hunger Action Month by taking action here in this House.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the nine outstanding World War II female veterans from Palm Beach County who will soon be honored by the Palm Beach County Veterans Committee. They are a cohort defined by dedication, excellence, and selflessness in their willingness to serve. On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the men and women who throughout history and to this day have defended our Nation and our values through service in our armed forces. The debt we owe to these veterans is immeasurable, and we must always strive to be a nation worthy of their heroic sacrifice. For the past eight years, the Palm Beach County Veterans Committee has sponsored annual Veterans Day parades and ceremonies honoring our Nation's veterans. This year, nine female World War II veterans will be personally honored as Grand Marshalls in the Palm Beach County Veterans Day Parade on November 8th. Congratulations to Dorothy Echeverria, Maxine Bodman, Nina Gebrian, Marjorie Ulsamer, Florence Mascott, Virginia Stefan, Bernice Harwood, Eleanor McFadden, and Jean Mahonney on being chosen as Grand Marshal's in this year's Veterans Day parade. I am proud to honor them in the Congressional Record, and express deep appreciation for their service to our Nation.