Debbie Dingell

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 125th anniversary of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and the 75th anniversary of her parish school, Emmanuel Lutheran School. These significant milestones are worthy of celebration. Emmanuel Lutheran Church was founded in Dearborn, Michigan in 1895 with Christian Thiel, Gottfried Hebestreit, and Louis Rechlin Sr. acting as the first trustees and Johann Lange, Wilhelm Ziegler, and Fredrich Sylvester servings as elders. A year later, Henry Behrens became the church's first pastor, and the church celebrated the opening of its newly erected sanctuary at Military and Morley Avenues. In its early years, the church quickly grew. In 1900, the congregation became a member of the Missouri Synod, and the parish founded Emmanuel Lutheran School in 1945, with Mr. Al Wied as the first teacher. In 1960, Emmanuel Lutheran Church dedicated her new sanctuary across from the original sanctuary, where the parish continues to flourish today. Today, Emmanuel Lutheran Church is led by administrative pastor Reverend Joel Basely and assistant pastor Reverend Paul Wolff who encourage all to life of faith, love, understanding, and trust, and Paul Berwolf serves as principal and teacher of Emmanuel Lutheran School. Emmanuel Lutheran Church has made a meaningful difference in the community by providing a breadth of programs and services for the benefit of all. Notably, the parish has developed a partnership with the St. Martin Lutheran School for the Deaf, which has been integrated with the parish school to provide a bilingual education to students and faculty. Over the course of 125 years, Emmanuel Lutheran Church has become a pillar of the Dearborn community. The parish has demonstrated a true commitment to serving Dearborn and encouraging all to be passionate, devoted, and kind community members who strive to follow the Word of God. Emmanuel Lutheran Church continues to be a welcoming place for all to gather, worship, and develop the gifts God has bestowed. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 125th anniversary of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. We are all grateful for its service to the Dearborn community and wish it continued success and prosperity in the years to come.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of Donna Ancinec of Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Donna was a noted civic leader, a beloved member of her community, a mother, and a friend. She will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. We offer condolences to her family and friends who are grieving this terrible loss while also celebrating her life, her many accomplishments, and the impact she had on those who knew her. Donna was a noted public servant, as she first began her service on the Crestwood School Board in 2001 and served as president for 15 years, until her passing. Her passion for students, education, and improving the lives of young people was unparalleled, and she served the people of Dearborn Heights with distinction during her 20 years on the board. Many changes happened during that time, and Donna was always there to serve as a steady hand, guiding the school district into the digital age and always putting the interests of students first. For 20 years, as thousands of children passed through the halls of Crestwood Schools and began their journey into adulthood, they have Donna Ancinec to thank for providing the foundation of their education. For Donna, public service was not a means to an end but a calling to serve those in her community. Her dedication to education and improving the lives of young people will never be forgotten. Donna loved her community in Dearborn Heights, and her community cherished the role she played in their lives. Besides serving on the school board, Donna always took the time to be there for her extended network of family and friends. She was very proud of her Maltese heritage and was an active member of the Detroit Chapter of the Maltese American Benevolent Society. Large gatherings at her home were frequent and that sense of community and love that she brought to her life will be sorely missed by those who knew her well. Donna is survived by her son, Joseph, and her daughter, Emily. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Donna Ancinec. She left this world too early, but her kind, loving nature will never be forgotten by those who knew her.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my heartfelt congratulations to The Custard Company on celebrating its first anniversary. This milestone is worthy of commendation. The Custard Company is an ice cream shop located in Downtown Dearborn. Although only one year old, the Custard Company has already become a local favorite. The institution has established a stellar reputation throughout the community and endeavors to continue building meaningful and lasting connections with customers. The company prides itself on creating high-quality treats and ice cream creations including frozen custard, milkshakes, flurries, sundaes, and the cookie monster sandwich, to name a few. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the first anniversary of the Custard Company has given our community a reason to celebrate. Its vibrant environment, dedicated staff, and delectable treats have drawn friends and families together and make all feel welcome. The Custard Company's demonstrated commitment to serving Dearborn and all those in it is immensely appreciated, and we are confident the institution will continue to thrive in the years to come. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating The Custard Company's first anniversary. Congratulations on a successful year, and best wishes for continued success in the years ahead.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the esteemed life of the late Hajj Mohamad Kamal Mehanna (Abu Imad). He will forever be remembered for his tremendous service to our community, and he will be deeply missed. Hajj Abu Imad was a true embodiment of the American dream. In 1988, he immigrated to the United States from Lebanon and quickly dedicated himself to supporting his local community in the Metro Detroit region. He was a founder and board member of the Islamic Institute of Knowledge, an organization that strives to support the spiritual, informational, educational, and social needs of Michigan's Islamic community. Hajj Abu Imad committed himself to furthering the vision and mission of the Islamic Institute of Knowledge, and he served as the Chairman for the Public Relations Committee for many years. Even after immigrating to the United States, Hajj Abu Imad remained faithful to honoring his heritage and supporting Lebanon. He made several trips to Lebanon to meet with the President and Prime Minister to discuss ways to promote progress and meet the evolving needs of the Lebanese community. Throughout Michigan, Hajj Abu Imad was recognized as a humble, kind, and dapper gentleman. He was a man of great wisdom who offered comforting words of guidance in troubling times. He was a loyal friend to all those who knew him and left others in good spirits. He valued friendships and sought to develop deep, lasting, and meaningful relationships with others. He was a member in a social group known as ``Khalan Al-Wafa,'' where he endeavored to make connections, discuss issues, and foster a deep sense of community and unity. Most importantly of all, Hajj Abu Imad was devoted to his family. He married his wife Hajjah Aziza Anani in 1967, and the two shared a fruitful and prosperous marriage of 53 years. Together, they raised a beautiful family. At his death, Hajj Abu Imad was the beloved patriarch of seven children and fourteen grandchildren. He will be missed by all, but his memory will endure through the countless lives he touched. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of the late Hajj Mohamad Kamal Mehanna (Abu Imad). His passing is a loss to our entire conununity. May he rest in eternal peace.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5068) to authorize the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and all the leadership on the Committee on Natural Resources, again, for making this a reality. I thank my colleague, Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton, for the work that she did. Mr. Speaker, as we are talking about this bill, several years ago with my then-Republican colleague, Candace Miller, we did the first honor flight of the Rosie the Riveters. We went to the World War II Memorial, and it was incredible. But to have a place to take them will be very special, and I hope we are able to do it while some of them can appreciate what we are doing. This bipartisan legislation will honor the 18 million American women who played a key role in our Nation's war effort during World War II through their efforts on the home front. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5068, the Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act, introduced by Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton. H.R. 5068 would authorize the establishment of a memorial to commemorate the nearly 19 million women who worked on the home front during World War II. With mass male enlistment leaving significant vacancies in the industrial and defense industries, women across the country filled thousands of jobs that were historically held by men to support the war effort and to keep America running. I am proud of the fact that my district is home to Rosie the Riveters, which were a good example of women being able to do it. As the men fought abroad, these women worked in defense plants, flew military aircraft, delivered mail, and performed countless other duties necessary to keep the home front running. In addition to the women working on the home front, nearly 350,000 women served in uniform, both at home and abroad, directly supporting the war effort as code breakers, as Air Force service pilots, and as volunteers for organizations such as the Army Nurse Corps. The work carried out by women on the home front during World War II opened the door for women to hold more types of jobs than ever before, and it is long past time that Congress recognized their contributions to our Nation. I would like to thank my colleague, Representative Norton, for introducing this important legislation. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Ms. Raya Kenney, who developed the idea for this memorial when she was in fifth grade, for her tireless efforts to ensure that the millions of women who worked on the home front during World War II are recognized and celebrated. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5068, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Graves, for all of the work that he has done. There was a lot of discussion that we had in committee on snapper. I want to thank both of my Republican colleagues and suggest that we go fishing, because there was a trip with several colleagues here who all thought I would catch nothing, and I caught more than they all caught together, so I think we need a bipartisan fishing trip. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of, again, the leadership of the Natural Resources Committee, the sportsmen's groups, and everybody who worked on this to try to find consensus on something that does matter. The DESCEND Act will help safeguard our reef ecosystems and help eliminate bycatch in a sustainable way. I thank my colleagues for the good work. Some of it got tense. I also want to thank Representative Huffman for his work on the bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5126) to require individuals fishing for Gulf reef fish to use certain descending devices, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5126, the creatively and aptly named Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy Through Novel Devices Act, or the DESCEND Act. This bill requires every commercial and recreational fisherman to possess a venting tool or a descending device when fishing for reef fish, like the prized red snapper, in the Gulf of Mexico EEZ. In addition, the bill requires the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a report on discard mortality in Gulf reef fish fisheries. The bill also requires Commerce and the Gulf Fishery Management Council to develop guidance for reporting discards and associated mortality and to develop a plan to assess the effectiveness and usage of barotrauma-reducing devices. The United States has some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world, but the issue of bycatch is still a very serious concern. Anglers sometimes catch fish that they don't want or are allowed to keep, so they need to be returned to the ocean. According to some estimates, global bycatch may amount to 10 percent of the world's total catch. However, deepwater reef fish like snapper and grouper experience pressure changes when they are brought to the surface. This can damage the fish's swim bladder and even cause death, and it can also leave injured fish exposed to predators at the surface. If the fish are just thrown back, it is very likely that they will die, which is both a waste and unhelpful for promoting healthy fish populations. Fishers can help reduce this mortality by using a venting tool or a descending device, which is inexpensive, and ease the pressure changes in these fish. Similar requirements exist in other parts of the country but have been held up in the Gulf. The DESCEND Act would get around the bureaucratic roadblock and implement this commonsense, proconservation practice. This bill offers a simple path forward for reducing the mortality of some of the most prized reef fish in this country, which will serve to create the more sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable fisheries for anglers in this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I would inquire whether my colleague has any remaining speakers.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The ACE Act is the culmination of months of bipartisan work between the House, the Senate, committee staff, and key stakeholders. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Wittman, who is managing this bill today, and all of my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee. But so many people have worked to get us here, and for me, it is almost a special moment because decades of work have resulted--today is the opening of the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge, which will benefit from this legislation. It makes me kind of emotional today. This passage will authorize critical funding for America's fish and wildlife habitat. It is an example of what happens when we all come together to protect our natural resources. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3051) to improve protections for wildlife, and for other purposes.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3051, America's Conservation Enhancement Act. This bill is an example of Democrats and Republicans coming together to pass legislation to benefit nature, fishermen, hunters, and nature enthusiasts of all kinds. Mr. Speaker, I thank and commend my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and the Hill for their hard work on this very important piece of legislation. I am greatly appreciative of Representative Mike Thompson for his leadership in the House and for Senators Barrasso and Carper for getting this package through the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I also commend the numerous bipartisan Members of Congress for their critical contributions to this legislation. The ACE Act could not come at a more necessary time, as we are reckoning with the tragic and dangerous impacts of the climate crisis. Scientists around the world are sounding the alarm that we are on the cusp of an extinction crisis caused by human impacts. The ACE Act protects and enhances wildlife and habitat throughout the country, and reduces conflicts between wildlife, humans, and livestock. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, three-quarters of the terrestrial environment and about two-thirds of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions. Protecting habitat is one of the most important things we can do for biodiversity and climate resiliency, and this bill accomplishes that in several ways. It conserves wetlands by reauthorizing the popular and successful North American Wetlands Conservation Act. It protects the largest estuary in the country, the Chesapeake Bay, by creating and reauthorizing several programs that restore the Bay and promote its resilience to climate change. It also authorizes an innovative program called the National Fish Habitat Partnership, which leverages public-private partnerships to enhance fish habitat across the country, benefiting not only the fish, but the strong tradition of angling in this country. Hunters, who are some of our best conservationists in this country, will be pleased to hear that this legislation contains provisions to combat chronic wasting disease, or CWD, a fatal disease that impacts animals like deer, elk, and moose, and which is spreading and has now been found in 26 States across this country. Invasive species are also a growing threat to biodiversity throughout the United States, and they are managed by a multitude of agencies. Crucially, this bill addresses this issue by requiring Federal agencies to consult with one another and with stakeholders when developing strategic plans for invasive species. The ACE Act also contains a bipartisan provision that I worked on with my colleague, Congressman Don Young, for a long-term reauthorization of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This strong, bipartisan program has a track record of success, and will continue to play a vital role in safeguarding our environmental legacy. Finally, the ACE Act addresses conflicts between wildlife, livestock, and humans. The legislation creates a prize competition to spur innovations that reduce conflicts between humans and predator species. It also addresses losses of livestock due to depredation by federally- protected species. With the ever-encroaching human footprint, there will inevitably be more conflicts between us and wildlife, and these provisions offer a responsible pathway forward. During the pandemic, so many Americans have found respite in nature. Whether you are a hiker, an angler, a hunter, a bird-watcher, or just a wildlife enthusiast, it is so important that we protect the iconic wildlife and habitat across our Nation. Particularly in the face of the climate crisis, the time to act is now. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation to protect species and habitat. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Luria).

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Cunningham).

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3758) to amend the Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000 to make certain technical corrections.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3758, which addresses two issues regarding Bureau of Reclamation water and power management. First, the bill amends Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000 to support water conservation and efficiency measures in the Klamath Basin. This bill provides additional authorization for Reclamation to work with Klamath Basin irrigators on activities that align water supplies and demand. Further, this legislation would extend the use of drought relief funding to certain conservation measures, land idling, and groundwater uses. Second, the bill also carries provisions to make two irrigation districts in eastern Montana eligible to continue to receive project use power rates from the Bureau of Reclamation. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the efforts from Senators Merkley and Wyden to advance this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, commend my colleague, Mr. Walden, for his leadership and trying to bring this together with Mr. Gianforte and finding an answer. I am going to miss my friend deeply so he better stay engaged to make sure we do this right. I thank Mr. Wittman for working with him this afternoon on the passage of this and several other critical bills. And all the leadership of the Committee on Natural Resources. And, again, what happens when Republicans and Democrats work together, we can really get things done. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will help address water conservation and the power challenges in the Klamath Basin. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.