Bob Dold

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend for yielding. I want to thank Representative Guinta for his leadership with the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. I also want to thank Representative Kuster and Representative Clark for their leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, between 2001 and 2014, there was a threefold increase in prescription drug overdoses. What was amazing is that during that same period of time there was a sixfold increase in heroin overdoses in the United States. This is truly an epidemic. Today every 19 minutes, someone dies from a heroin overdose. In Chicago's collar counties, we lose one individual every 3 days. In Cook County, it is more than one a day. As the co-chair of the Illinois Suburban Anti-Heroin Task Force, I have seen the unimaginable suffering that heroin has brought into families in our community. Naloxone, however, has proven to be hugely successful as a lifesaving antidote. When used, naloxone helps restore breathing that has been stopped by an overdose of heroin. In Lake County, Illinois, alone, over the course of a little bit over a year, over 74 lives have been saved with naloxone. This program equips police with the overdose antidote and trains them how to administer this medication. What was fascinating was that the police force didn't have to be asked to do this. They actually requested to have the opportunity because they were coming to these scenes over and over and over again, usually about 5 to 7 minutes before first responders and the fire department would come, before the paramedics would be there. They didn't want to actually watch these young people, these individuals, these people who were addicted just wither away and die. So they were given naloxone, they were given the training, and thus we have seen the success in one county across our country. My work with the Lake County Opioid Initiative inspired me to introduce Lali's Law with Representative Clark. Our bill is named in honor of Alex Laliberte, a young man from Stevenson High School, who passed away just before his finals in his sophomore year. Now, what is amazing about Alex is that Alex was a normal guy. He played sports, had lots of friends, had good grades, your typical all- American, red-blooded young man. Yet when he was in college in that first part of his sophomore year, he started to get sick, and he went into the hospital. His parents and his teachers, nobody really knew what was wrong, but he was actually going through withdrawal from prescription drugs. He would get better and then, all of a sudden, would repeat this process, until eventually he passed away. Lali's Law will help increase access to naloxone by providing grant money to States as they implement standing order programs that will allow pharmacists to dispense naloxone over the counter without a person-specific prescription. With increased access, the World Health Organization says that we will be able to save at least 20,000 additional lives each and every year. Naloxone is one piece of the puzzle to combat the opioid epidemic. Another piece is getting addicts saved by naloxone--those that have had that second chance at recovery--into treatment. This summer the Lake County Opioid Initiative is rolling out another program with the help of police officers who are trying to become that link between the addicts. They are trying to get those suffering from addiction into treatment centers that can actually help them. They want to bring them in. They say: We don't want to put you in handcuffs. We don't want to put you behind bars. We actually want to get you into treatment. So bring your paraphernalia in, bring the drugs in here, and let's try to get you into an area where you can get that treatment that you need. We are also encouraging people to properly dispose of their excess medications, especially prescription opioids. The Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force has set up drug take-back boxes throughout Lake County at police departments. What is amazing is that, over the course of the last year, they have collected 12,000 pounds of prescription drugs. This is just in the police station. So we went to Walgreens and said: Please help us. Please help us get this word out. Please help us make it easier for us to allow people to get their prescriptions that they don't need--the excess--back. They are able to and said they would happily to do that. I am so pleased to announce that Walgreens said they are going to put 500 prescription take-back boxes throughout the country. This is a huge step forward. CVS is working on education programs. So we appreciate those outside of the Congress that are helping us in this regard. I am thrilled that we are taking up these incredible bills, these great bills, these steps forward that will help our communities combat the opioid epidemic by leveraging resources in our judicial and public health systems. I encourage my colleagues to take a look at these very seriously. I encourage my colleagues not only to vote for these, but I encourage my colleagues to go back to their community and educate their citizens, their families, their organizations in their district, about this incredible epidemic. There are parents I encounter today that say, ``It is not in my neighborhood,'' and it is, ``It is not in my school,'' and it is. The evidence is far too overwhelming. Frankly, this is why this week, in a bipartisan effort, Republicans and Democrats alike are coming together to shed light on what we see each and every day. Because there is no way in the world we can have another parent walk into a bedroom to find another child that has overdosed without doing all that we can to try to prevent that tragedy from happening ever again. So, again, I want to thank Frank Guinta, I want to thank Ann Kuster, and I want to thank all of those that have come tonight to help combat this incredible epidemic.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a condition that affects more than 3 million Americans and their families. Those living with autism spectrum disorders face challenges on a daily basis. Though we have come a long way, much more must be done to ensure a high quality of life for all. Some of this work needs to happen right here in the United States Congress, but much of this work also needs to happen in our homes and in our communities. That is why, together with my Disability Awareness Advisory Board, I have been fighting for greater acceptance and understanding, working to ensure that those with autism have greater access to education and employment and have the place they deserve within our community. One of the great organizations in Illinois' 10th Congressional District is Lambs Farm. Those with developmental disabilities served by Lambs Farm are provided the opportunity to advance in all areas of life through ever-increasing residential, vocational, and recreational choices. Together, we are striving for a society where those living with autism and other disabilities are free to pursue their passions, receive a high-quality education, and have their unique gifts celebrated.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As a father of two daughters, this issue is deeply personal for me. When I think of my daughters' future, few things terrify me more than knowing that one in five women have experienced sexual assault on college campuses. That is why we need to pass the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. This is a commonsense, bipartisan solution to protect students and boost accountability and transparency at colleges and universities. Every day that goes by without passing this bill, more students are put at risk; and for me, that is simply unacceptable. This issue obviously isn't just limited to college campuses, so I want to take a few moments to commend some of the amazing organizations that are working to keep families safe in our community. The Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center and A Safe Place have both done incredible work in Illinois' 10th Congressional District. Not only have they worked tirelessly to provide resources and shelter for the survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse, but they have also demonstrated a strong commitment to fighting the root cause of these tragedies. We must provide these incredible organizations with the resources they need, so together we can prevent sexual assault and keep families safe.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, last week, on Monday, April 18, 2016, I rose to honor Dell Urban, the Chief of the North Chicago Fire Department, on her more than 25 years of service to the department. Ms. Urban is the first female fire chief in Lake County, and is one of only two female fire chiefs in the State of Illinois. During my remarks, I incorrectly stated that Chief Urban was retiring. I would like to correct the record, congratulate Chief Urban for her dedicated service to the community of North Chicago for more than 25 years, and thank her for her service in the years to come. Here is the speech as it should have been delivered: I rise today to honor Dell Urban, the Chief of the North Chicago Fire Department on her more than 25 years on the force. Ms. Urban is the first female fire chief in Lake County, and one of only two female fire chiefs in the State of Illinois. As fire chief, Ms. Urban has been responsible for saving countless lives and has done her duty protecting the community of North Chicago. We should all aspire to be as brave as the firemen who lay down their lives each and every day to ensure our safety. In addition to performing her duties, Ms. Urban has been a mentor and a friend to many firefighters throughout her time as chief, and the station today is far better off than before she was chief. I want to thank Ms. Urban for her service and wish her the best as she continues to serve the community of North Chicago.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work of IlliniPAC, a group of students on the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign campus who are making a positive and important impact through their pro-Israel advocacy. IlliniPAC is focused on building bridges throughout the student community and educating fellow students of all backgrounds about Israel. At a time when there are so many concerted efforts to promote myths and terrible mistruths about Israel, the student leaders of IlliniPAC have stepped forward with a positive message to highlight the importance of a strong and bipartisan U.S.-Israel relationship. I particularly want to commend IlliniPAC for its proactive and constructive efforts to oppose misguided calls to promote boycotts, divestment, and sanctioning, otherwise known as BDS, against Israel. As the sponsor of the bipartisan Combating BDS Act of 2016 in Congress, I greatly appreciate the efforts by IlliniPAC to oppose BDS campaigns targeting Israel. These BDS campaigns perpetuate damaging falsehoods against Israel only to serve to divide and separate students on campus. The truth is that the BDS movement has neither brought Israelis and Palestinians closer to peace nor advanced the laudable goal of improving dialogue between supporters of both sides. Instead, the BDS movement has simply been employed as a hateful weapon to delegitimize Israel and those who stand with her. Once again I would like to thank IlliniPAC for taking a leadership role on campus and for the work that they do to spread the positive message about Israel, an oasis of freedom, democracy, and tolerance in one of the world's most volatile regions. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we in the House of Representatives passed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important bipartisan effort to protect our Great Lakes. I believe that, when it comes to our environment, we must all work together to strengthen conservation programs and other policies that protect our natural resources. Mr. Speaker, I am fortunate to represent Illinois' 10th Congressional District, which borders one of our Nation's greatest treasures, Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan offers miles of beachfronts, natural habitats, recreational space for all of those that visit her, as well as drinking water for millions. As a scoutmaster, I teach my Scouts that we should always leave or strive to leave areas better than when we found them. Reauthorizing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for the next 5 years will help us fulfill this goal with Lake Michigan. I now urge the United States Senate to immediately take up and pass this legislation. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was introduced in the Senate by my friend and colleague, Senator Mark Kirk, who has been a fierce advocate for protecting Lake Michigan throughout his 15- year career representing the people of Illinois. Working together, we can protect our country's greater natural resources for future generations to enjoy. Congratulating Sherri Rukes

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sherri Rukes, who was awarded the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Golden Apple Foundation. Ms. Rukes has been an AP chemistry teacher at Libertyville High School for 19 years. She also was the coach of the robotics team and volunteers with the science Olympiad and math team. The Golden Apple is awarded to the best teachers in the entire country, and Ms. Rukes is very deserving of this prestigious recognition. Her innovation and passion for teaching have made her an outstanding teacher who has bettered the lives of every student who entered her classroom. Ms. Rukes plays an important role in educating and preparing our future leaders for success. I am happy to know that our students are getting the outstanding education they need and deserve when they step into her class. I offer my congratulations to Ms. Rukes and to Libertyville High School for this well-deserved recognition.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome my good friend, Pastor Wade Stevenson from Waukegan, Illinois, in Illinois' 10th Congressional District. For his entire life, Pastor Stevenson has been called to serve others. Pastor Stevenson is the head pastor at Gideon Baptist Church in Waukegan, and at Gideon, he helps to bring God's grace and the word of the Lord to our community. Pastor Stevenson is the president of the North Shore Baptist Ministers' Alliance and the second vice president of the Lake County Chapter of the NAACP. His numerous public recognitions and appointments reveal a life of public service to the people of our community. But Pastor Stevenson's role in our community can't be summed up by a list of titles or awards. Since he became pastor of Gideon Baptist Church more than 10 years ago, he has become a beacon of hope for countless people in our community. Pastor Stevenson is one of the first people in our community that people turn to when they are looking for guidance, both spiritual or otherwise. I have been blessed to work side by side with him to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need. His dedication has brought joy to countless families around the holidays year in and year out. It is a great honor to welcome my friend, Pastor Stevenson, to the House of Representatives today, and I am confident that the blessings he brings will serve us well.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Earth Day. As an Eagle Scout and a Scoutmaster for many years, I know firsthand why we must all work to strengthen conservation programs and other policies that promote public health, protect our environment, and keep our air and waterways clean. I care deeply about protecting our environment, and I am committed to preserving the outdoors. The 10th Congressional District of Illinois borders one of the Nation's greatest treasures, Lake Michigan, which provides miles of beaches, natural habitat, recreation for millions across the Midwest, and drinking water to millions of Americans. That is why I am a strong supporter of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and a cosponsor of legislation to ensure that this vital program is reauthorized and funded at robust levels. I have also introduced the Great Lakes Water Protection Act, which will stop sewage dumping in the Great Lakes and provide clean water for future generations. In commemoration of Earth Day, I encourage all of my colleagues to join me and to take some time to appreciate the natural beauty of their communities and to work together to preserve our environment for future generations. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Daniel Dennis. Just this past week, Daniel earned the right to represent the United States in the 2016 Olympic Games being held in Rio as a member of the United States Wrestling Team. He is one of only six wrestlers who were selected. Throughout his career, Daniel has stood out as a rare talent in the sport. While he attended Grant Township High School in Fox Lake, Illinois, Daniel set the school record for career wins, technical defaults, and most team points. Daniel built upon that success while wrestling at the University of Iowa, where he was a two-time All-American and placed second at the NCAA championships. Congratulations to Daniel on being named to the Olympic Wrestling Team. We wish you good luck as you take your talents to the international stage. We are all rooting for you to bring home the gold to Illinois' 10th Congressional District.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank my good friend from Arkansas for leading this Special Order on a topic that, frankly, is extremely important. It is a nonpartisan issue from my perspective because really what we are talking about is how do we enable some of the neediest folks among us in our communities all across our country to be able to provide for themselves. I think, obviously, one of those key ingredients is about getting a good job. Ultimately, as we look over the past period of time, since the War on Poverty began, our country has spent over $20 trillion--over $20 trillion--to move the needle from about 15 percent in poverty to what it is today at about 14.6 percent in poverty. I submit to you that that is criminal, that so many today, after spending so many resources, are still in poverty. Whether it be housing needs, whether it be nutrition needs, ultimately what this really boils down to, I would argue, is that we need to be focusing on how do we get evidence-based reforms. How do we focus on outcomes? How do we know that the assistance that is out there--because there isn't a community member out there who doesn't want to help a neighbor. I would submit to you, the stories that I see when I go up into north Chicago, into Waukegan, into Des Plaines and into Round Lake, these are areas around my district where, honestly, we have people who are struggling to make ends meet, those who require assistance. Frankly, we need to be able to have a springboard and, frankly, we need to think outside of the box about programs that are enabling individuals to be able to have better outcomes so that we don't have a cycle of poverty, but yet we are able to break that cycle and actually talk about TANF reforms, talk about how do we get some education reforms. Just last week I spent some time over at the Lake County Jail talking to inmates who oftentimes come out of prison with little hope of being able to find a job. And we know the statistics right off the bat. If they don't find a job within 6 months, they have a 66 percent chance of going right back into prison. That doesn't help them, that doesn't help our community. That is at a huge cost. We need to focus on our outcomes. So one of the things that certainly I think that we ought to be looking at, one of the things that the Committee on Ways and Means has been looking at, and a piece of legislation that I have offered, is talking about how we get people into a job, accelerating individuals, accelerating those hardworking Americans that want to be able to stand on their own two feet in a job. And this would be a pilot program. Because the one thing that we do know, Mr. Hill, is that a one-size-fits-all mentality is not going to work. We know a one-size-fits-all mentality doesn't work with education, a one-size-fits-all mentality doesn't work with pick your program. We need to allow innovators in our country that know what works well in Arkansas, what works well in New York. We are going to hear from our good friend, Mr. Reed, if he ever decides to get up and get to a microphone. We are going to hear from all those folks that, again, a one-size-fits-all mentality does not work. This would be a pilot program that would enable these institutions, that would enable different States to run a pilot program to enable employers to be able to pick up, let's say, half the cost of a person's salary for the first 12 months. So the government would pick up half, the employer would pick up half. The idea there is that we would be able to offset some of that on-the-job training that is so very, very critical. The other thing that I think we ought to be looking at is social impact partnerships, another interesting idea. Representative Todd Young, also a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, introduced a bill that I am a cosponsor of. It is a bipartisan piece of legislation that will allow private investment in local communities for new public- private partnerships. I think this is enormously important. If the programs are successful, then the government will have reimbursed the investors, which is a practical way of doing it. We are going to reward success, and it will breed more success. The unemployment rate today, if we were to go and pick up the paper, will say it is around 5 percent. And yet I know if you go into Waukegan, Illinois, today, for African American males, the unemployment rate is 43 percent. That is criminal. Frankly, we can and must do better. So it is about coming up with ideas about rewarding outcomes, about focusing on job training, about focusing on education. At the Lake County Jail last week, I went in and they were actually doing GED classes. I am thrilled that we are actually trying to empower people with education and some of the skills necessary to empower them when they get out, but we have so much more work to do, so much more work to be able to allow them to be able to have a chance at getting that job to be able to provide food for their families, be able to put a roof over their head. The Lake County Housing Authority, run by David Northern, again, is an organization that is working hard and is actually doing some innovative things. They are actually putting people into work, giving them a roof over their head, and actually having some forced savings. They are putting them through a program so that when they graduate from this program, they actually are graduating not only with a good job, they are graduating with a roof over their head. They are also graduating with the savings account full of about anywhere between $4,000, $6,000, and $8,000--savings that they didn't know that they could have, putting them on a completely different path. This weekend I was at the Eddie Washington Center up in Waukegan. They just had their graduation. These are grown men that have hit rock bottom. They have gone in for help. And the Eddie Washington Center is an agency that will provide a roof over their head for these men. They will get them jobs and tasks to do in order to help run the facility. They will get them put into a job, and then they work through this process. It is a program that lasts anywhere between 6 and 9 months. But at the end of that 6 to 9 months, they have a graduation. Again, these are individuals that have a job. They have built up that ability, that discipline. They have got a roof over their head, they have had a change in their life, and they have been put on a different path. They, too, also are required to save and have a bank account. It is about trying to do things differently. Again, I think that is what we are trying to do. We are trying to do things differently and have an outcome, because the one thing that we know is that poverty doesn't discriminate, in the sense that it can be in Arkansas, Illinois, New York, and Nevada. It can be all over the place. Frankly, we need to find a way that we minimize the amount of poverty in our Nation. So I am delighted to be here today. And I want to thank my good friend from Arkansas for not only organizing this time here on the floor, but for shining a light on things that, frankly, we have so much more work to do on. So much more work to do. Frankly, we need to make sure that they know that we want better outcomes. We want better outcomes for these individuals that are struggling day in and day out. So, again, I am honored to be up here again today. I want to thank my good friend for yielding to me. I look forward to working with you and, frankly, all the Members of this body because in the 114th Congress, we need to make it our mission to end poverty as we know it. I look forward to working with you all.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 155, 156, 157, and 158, I was detained at a meeting at the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dell Urban, the chief of the North Chicago Fire Department, who is retiring after spending more than 25 years on the force. Ms. Urban is the first female fire chief in Lake County, and one of only two female fire chiefs in the State of Illinois. As fire chief, Ms. Urban was responsible for saving countless lives and did her duty protecting the community of North Chicago. We should all aspire to be as brave as the firemen who lay down their lives each and every day to ensure our safety. In addition to performing her duties, Ms. Urban has been a mentor and a friend to many firefighters throughout her time as chief, and she is leaving the station far better off than before she was chief. I want to thank Ms. Urban for her service and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sam Abdallah and Lucas Sacherer of Lake Forest, Illinois. Sam and Lucas, representing Lake Forest High School, are the 10th District's selection for this year's Congressional App Challenge. The Congressional App Challenge seeks to foster an interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by challenging high school students to develop and code applications that can provide us with real solutions. Their project, an application they call Greenlight, seeks to use technology to address problems faced in classrooms across America. Its primary purpose is to track the progress and understanding of students over the course of a class period, while also providing a judgment free and anonymous forum for students to ask questions. Sam and Lucas represent some of the best their generation has to offer us. Both were named Illinois State Scholars and their academic record is nothing if not impressive. I am proud to recognize them for their hard work and success as winners of the Congressional App Challenge.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish my daughter, Harper Dold, a happy birthday. Harper turns 14 years old today. She was born in Evanston, Illinois and since that day in 2002, has kept me, her mother, Danielle and her younger siblings, Bobby and Honor always on our toes. Harper was named after Rear Admiral Robert Harper Shumaker, a true American hero that served with the bravest of men, dubbed the Alcatraz Gang, during the Vietnam War. Harper was also named after her Great- Grandmother Jacqueline D'Aversa who immigrated to America from Bari, Italy when she was only 8 years old. Harper brightens every room she walks into and makes friends with everyone she meets. She enjoys sports and plays competitive soccer and lacrosse. Harper also has many academic achievements and especially excels in her Spanish class. I am so proud of Harper and all the things she has accomplished--and I can't wait to see what she does next. Happy Birthday, Harper.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Captain James Joseph Boyle III, who, sadly, passed away from pancreatic cancer earlier this month at the age of 73. Captain Boyle served on my Veterans Advisory Board and was instrumental in helping advocate for veterans in Lake County, Illinois, and around our country. I am so proud to have had him as a friend and an adviser. A resident of Libertyville, Illinois, for 34 years, Captain Boyle is remembered as being a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Captain Boyle graduated from Loyola University in Chicago before serving in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. As an artillery Officer, he commanded both a Marine rifle company and a Marine artillery battery at different points in his tour. For his time in Vietnam, Captain Boyle received a Bronze Star Medal, an honor well-deserved. Even long after his own service ended, Captain Boyle never stopped caring for his fellow marines. He was an active member in the Marine Corps League of Lake County. It is because of veterans like Captain Boyle that we are able to live free from tyranny today. He is an American hero and will be greatly missed. Remembering Corporal Richard Vana

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today in remembrance of Corporal Richard Vana, a member of our Greatest Generation and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Corporal Vana, sadly, passed away earlier this month at the age of 92, having lived a long life, with public service at its core. Serving during World War II, Corporal Vana was a member of the Marine Raiders and fought in the Battle of Okinawa for 99 straight days. It was during this battle that Corporal Vana and another marine rescued a wounded soldier, taking him to shelter. Without the heroic work of both men, the marine surely would have died from his injuries. Corporal Vana's outstanding service to our country did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded two Purple Hearts. Upon returning home after the war, Corporal Vana operated a Community cab, and was a founding parishioner of St. Stephen's Church. A family man, Corporal Vana was a loving husband and father, finding joy in his 28 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Corporal Vana's passing is a loss not only to his friends and family, but to our community and our Nation. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with this brave soldier's family and friends during this trying time. Honoring Mundelein High School Students for Completion of DOORS Program

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor students at Mundelein High School for completing the Doors of Opportunity Relevant to Students, or DOORS, program. DOORS works to help prepare students for future careers by bringing real-world skills into the classroom. Since its start in 2014, DOORS has helped train students in resume writing, interviewing, and other skills. This year, 75 high school seniors had the opportunity to partake in mock interviews, attend career cells, and work as interns for local businesses and organizations. I was proud to be one of the many organizations to partake in this program by hosting interns in my congressional office. Education is a fundamental building block of our Nation, and it is important that we encourage our students in every way possible. These students have taken the initiative to prepare for their future, and I have no doubt that they will be successful in whatever they put their mind to.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 139, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yes.''

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 4 p.m. on Monday next.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate March as Women's History Month. As this month is also Red Cross Month, I want to recognize one woman in particular: Clara Barton. Ms. Barton was a nurse during the Civil War and a teacher before founding the American Red Cross in 1881. She then served as the organization's first president. Her compassion and accomplishments are truly inspiring, and her work has literally helped millions. Unfortunately, in our society today, women make up less than 5 percent of CEOs and are equally underrepresented in other areas. As a father of two daughters, ensuring that young women can achieve anything that they set their mind to is personal for me. In the 10th Congressional District, we run a Young Women's Leadership Academy. This program is designed to help young women develop the leadership skills necessary to overcome any and all challenges thrown their way. This unique program gives young women the opportunity to learn from other inspiring female leaders, such as our own colleague, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Congress. I encourage all of my colleagues to start similar programs in their district so that we can all do our part to help inspire young women to become leaders in their chosen fields. Of course, this is just a small part of the solution. As we celebrate the inspiring achievements of women this month, we must rededicate ourselves to doing more to tear down barriers and ensure gender equality in our country.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize New Trier High School wrestling coach Mike Baeb, who is leaving New Trier after helping lead the wrestling program for over 30 years. When he arrived at New Trier, he truly injected new life into the program, and I should know because I was a senior on the wrestling team when he came in as a coach. As a senior and the captain of the team, I often had to wrestle Coach Baeb; and I have to tell you, wrestling Coach Baeb was like wrestling a bear. Unfortunately, I only had 1 year of coaching from Mike, and I certainly could have benefited from many more. During his time as coach, Mike won 8 Central Suburban League Conference championships, 13 IHSA Regional championships, and 7 State place winners. Coach Baeb has also been a leader, a friend, and a mentor to many students over the past 30 years, all of whom are better off having been under his leadership, and that includes myself. I offer my sincere thanks to Coach Baeb for his friendship and for his leadership. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was Rare Disease Day, Leap Year, and researchers around the world have identified more than 6,000 rare diseases, half of which impact children. Last year, the House took a major step toward advancing rare disease research. I was proud not only to cosponsor, but to help pass 21st Century Cures. 21st Century Cures is a bill designed to help the world's best scientists find cures for the most deadly diseases that we face. But it is not just the researchers, it is folks like Pat Livney, who is a friend and an advocate working to help cure Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder, and folks like Jeff Aronin and his team working to solve Duchenne's disease. Mr. Speaker, every day, scientists across the country are using NIH grants to discover the causes, the symptoms, the treatments, and ultimately search for the cures for rare diseases. In honor of Rare Disease Day, I encourage my colleagues to join me in calling for more funding for the NIH this year and every year so that NIH can cure many of these diseases and ultimately save lives. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize AmpliVox Sound Systems, a small business in Northbrook, Illinois. The Northbrook Chamber of Commerce recently named AmpliVox Business of the Year for 2016. AmpliVox has been providing the community with innovative sound systems since the 1950s and has grown to become an industry leader. In the past 5 years, the company's revenue grew by over 60 percent. Most admirably, throughout this growth, the company has not lost sight of the community it serves. CEO Don Roth sets an example for small businesses across the Nation through his integrity, vision, and emphasis on community involvement. Small businesses like AmpliVox are truly the backbone of our economy and our communities. Unfortunately, backwards Federal regulations are making it harder and harder for small businesses to thrive and create more jobs. I am committed to doing all that I can in this body to support small businesses and get more people back to work. Congratulations, again, to AmpliVox Sound Systems and Don Roth. Thank you for representing the Northbrook community with passion and integrity.

Mr. DOLD

Mr. DOLD. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition and in celebration of Black History Month. This month is a reminder of both the incredible sacrifices and the remarkable contributions that African Americans have made during our Nation's history. 153 years ago Illinois' own Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. For 153 years since then, our Nation has struggled to overcome bigotry and achieve equality for all. Countless courageous leaders have taken up the cause of justice, including former Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen and our own colleague here in the United States Congress, Congressman John Lewis. Walking on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma with Congressman Lewis for the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches is one of the highlights of my tenure in the United States Congress. As we look back on the accomplishments of the past, we cannot lose sight of the urgency with which we must address inequality in our society today. African Americans today face an unacceptable likelihood of being incarcerated, a poverty rate that our Nation's leaders should be ashamed of, and everyday discrimination that flies in the face of everything our Nation stands for. In memory of the heroes who have fought for equality throughout our Nation's history, we are compelled to act. I am committed to fighting for a more just and equal society. I implore my colleagues to do the same.