Debbie Dingell

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers. So I would like to say that perhaps, today, this House can act together and save a life, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2345. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 4881, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018. Access to broadband internet service is essential for participating in modern American life for both individuals and businesses. Farmers are no different. For them, a reliable, high-speed internet connection has become a necessity for managing their businesses efficiently. Farmers use it to collect realtime data on crops, buy equipment, verify weather forecasts, and check grain and feed prices. Studies estimate that the use of broadband in precision agriculture can increase crop yields by 70 percent by the year 2050 and significantly reduce operation costs. Yet many people living in this country still do not have reliable high-speed internet service. The Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018 would help facilitate the deployment of broadband to agricultural land by establishing a task force, led by the Federal Communication Commission in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture. The task force will identify and measure gaps in the availability of broadband on agricultural lands. It will also develop policy recommendations to promote the rapid expanded deployment of broadband on unserved agricultural lands and promote effective policy and regulatory solutions to encourage the adoption of broadband on farms and ranches. Moreover, the task force will recommend specific steps that the FCC should take to obtain reliable and standardized data on the availability of broadband and make sure that such data is reflected in future FCC broadband infrastructure programs. H.R. 4881 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill, and I want to thank the authors, Mr. Loebsack and Mr. Latta, for the very hard work they have put into this measure. I urge my colleagues to support it today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 5709, the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, otherwise known as the PIRATE Act. Unauthorized radio operators, called pirate broadcasters, are a growing threat to the public airwaves. Not only do they cause an annoyance by interfering with news and entertainment programs of legitimate broadcasters, but they pose a serious risk in time of emergencies by preventing the public from hearing critical public safety alerts and messages. And they put their own listeners at risk because they are not equipped to carry these messages. They may also interfere with the communication channels of important agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration. The FCC has stepped up its enforcement against pirate broadcasters, but we can do more. The bill before us today increases the fines that can be levied against pirate broadcasters from $10,000 per day, currently, to $100,000 per day. It also sets a maximum penalty of $2 million for pirate broadcasters and those that knowingly and intentionally facilitate pirate broadcasters. The bill also ensures that the FCC continues its sustained enforcement efforts on pirate broadcasters, while balancing the other important missions of the enforcement bureau and its field staff. State and local prosecutors can be partners in this effort. The bill ensures that laws prohibiting pirate broadcasters enacted by States and cities are not preempted. H.R. 5709 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill. And, yes, I agree with my colleague here about what a good bill this is. I thank the authors, Mr. Lance and Mr. Tonko, for the very hard work they put into this measure, and I urge my colleagues to support it today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5709, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Chair, I thank the chairman and I thank the ranking member, Representative McCollum, who shares the love of the Great Lakes with me. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my bipartisan amendment to H.R. 6147, the Interior Appropriations Act, which I am proud to introduce with my friend and colleague from Michigan, Congressman John Moolenaar. Our amendment would provide funding to continue and advance the great science that is being done in the U.S. Geological Survey's Fisheries Program. We need more research to protect important ecosystems, like the Great Lakes, from invasive species and better understand how to conserve and protect important fishery resources. The Great Lakes Science Center, which is strategically located near access fishery resources in communities across the eight Great Lakes States, would be an appropriate recipient of these additional resources. The Great Lakes are a way of life for so many across Michigan and many other States, including agriculture, commercial and sport fishing, transportation, shipping, power generation, recreation, and tourism. Whether you live, work, or vacation on the Great Lakes, we all benefit in preserving and conserving the Great Lakes for future generations. The Great Lakes Science Center would be able to adopt cutting-edge technologies to support fisheries management, native prey fish restoration, and invasive species control by deploying autonomous underwater systems to assess impacts of bottom-dwelling invasive species on economically important fisheries and recreational resources. The Science Center would continue to do their work on piloting gene silencing techniques to control zebra and quagga mussels in lakes and rivers with nationwide applications. Fisheries science has been broadly recognized as a national and regional priority for many years, and nearly every action in the past has been to either maintain or increase the funding for the USGS fisheries assessments in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Fishery Program also has enjoyed long bipartisan support from Congress. The Great Lakes are a treasured national resource, with more than 20 percent of the world's freshwater, 9,000 miles of shoreline, and supporting a $16 billion outdoor recreation economy. It is critical we maintain funding to continue the United States Geological Survey's research and to enhance exploration in cutting-edge technologies to support fisheries management, native prey fish restoration, and invasive species control that is being done at the Great Lakes Science Center. Madam Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important bipartisan amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5333, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act of 2018, and I want to thank Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone for bringing this important bill to the floor. The monograph system for regulating over-the-counter drugs is broken, plain and simple. Mr. Speaker, 60 percent of all medicines sold in the United States are over the counter, yet the FDA only has 18 full-time employees overseeing the market. It doesn't work for patients; it doesn't work for companies; and it doesn't work for the FDA. Companies cannot bring new, innovative products to market and the FDA cannot act quickly when they are faced with a safety risk. This is not reflective of how our healthcare system should be run, and it is putting patients at risk. Our legislation helps bring the agency into the 21st century by creating a user fee program at FDA for OTC drugs and by making it easier to bring a new, innovative product to the market. From past experience, we know that user fee programs have been very successful at FDA, and this bill extends that successful model to the OTC space. Today, the FDA has to go through the cumbersome rulemaking process to update a monograph, which is problematic for many different reasons. Not only does it make it harder for innovative products to come to market, but it also makes it nearly impossible for the FDA to amend existing monographs if they see safety concerns in certain products. We need to make sure FDA has the ability to act quickly if they see unsafe products in the market, and our legislation makes it easier for the agency to do so. This is why the bill has the support of industry groups and consumer groups. Mr. Speaker, I know that there has been much discussion about the exclusivity provisions of this legislation. It has been debated in committee, and we compromised with 18 months of exclusivity. I will be the first to admit it is not perfect, but, on balance, the public health benefits of this bill outweigh any concerns about exclusivity. Americans deserve to have the most innovative products on the market available to them, while ensuring the FDA has the resources they need to protect public health. I am proud to say that this legislation accomplishes both these goals. I, too, want to thank my colleagues, Bob Latta, Diana DeGette, Brett Guthrie, Gene Green, Dr. Burgess, Chairman Walden, and Ranking Member Pallone for all their hard work on this legislation. Their staffs worked tirelessly as well on this, and I want to thank all of them for their efforts. Passage of this bill represents another step towards getting our legislation signed into law this year. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5333.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Honorees of the Black Family Development Corporation's 2018 Community Champions Arise Detroit and Impact Detroit awards amid its 40th anniversary. The BFDI has played a critical role in helping empower families in Michigan by giving them the help they need. Since its founding in 1978, the BFDI has promoted and provided excellent social services in Detroit that are suited to the particular cultural needs of communities. The Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers, which was the precursor to BFDI, was based on the community derived needs and resulted in a programmatic focus by BFDI on child abuse and neglect. The BFDI works on behalf of children and families in their own communities in a culturally competent and respectful manner. These services have improved the lives of both parents and children in Detroit for forty years, and the success of their programs suggests it has a very long and bright future ahead of it. The BFDI's work has been indispensable in helping forgotten communities of color. Its efforts have increased graduation rates, improved the skills of parents, and set guidelines to develop positive behaviors in at-risk children. I am proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of the BFDI and its members, and it is my hope that they will continue to be an influential and positive voice for countless families. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Black Family Development Inc and its 40 years of success. Its work on behalf of neglected communities in Detroit has played a key role in caring for American families.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Carmine Palombo of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). His leadership efforts have been critical in serving southeast Michigan for decades. After receiving his bachelor degree in civil engineering from the University of Detroit Mercy, Mr. Palombo started what would be a lifelong career in southeast Michigan. Since he was young, he has had a deep interest for transportation planning and bettering accessibility throughout the state he loves. He has served in various roles related to transportation planning since joining SEMCOG almost 40 years ago. SEMCOG supports local planning with coordinated intergovernmental resources and serves to improve the quality of transportation systems and encourage economic development. Mr. Palombo has played an integral role in furthering SEMCOG's mission throughout his career. Mr. Palombo has served as SEMCOG's director of transportation planning for over 20 years and played a key role in many statewide transportation efforts. Throughout southeast Michigan, Mr. Palombo is known for his dedication to his work and keen understanding of the needs of various Michigan communities. He has been at the forefront of Michigan's transit changes over the past two decades and plays a key role in the decision-making processes that occur in communities throughout southeast Michigan. In addition to his work with SEMCOG, he has served as Chairman of the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council and is a former chair of the Michigan Intelligent Transportation Systems board of directors. Mr. Palombo has had a tremendous impact on the future of Michigan's transportation infrastructure, and we look forward to his continued positive impact on our state in the coming years. We know his next chapter will continue to help all of us. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Carmine Palombo upon his retirement for his leadership at SEMCOG and in the southeast Michigan community. Mr. Palombo's career and efforts have been critical to transit innovation in our state.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Linda Carter for her outstanding career in public education. Ms. Carter has served the city of Ann Arbor and its young people well through her work with the Ann Arbor Educators Association. After graduating from the University of Michigan with two music education degrees, Ms. Carter started a career in Ann Arbor Public Schools. She has taught in every Ann Arbor middle school and most of the elementary schools and took a deep interest in engaging with students, parents and faculty during this time. As a teacher, she catered to the needs of each individual student and helped them achieve success in her class. After years of teaching, Ms. Carter was named vice president of the Ann Arbor Educators Association in 1990 and became president in 1992. Through her work, she has bettered the lives of countless educators. The Ann Arbor Educators Association represents the educators, administrators and support professionals who work in the Ann Arbor Public School District. As president of the union, Ms. Carter serves as a voice for teachers throughout the district. From negotiating contracts to hosting board meetings, she is a trusted voice in the southeast Michigan education community and a tireless advocate for education professionals. She is known by her colleagues, local teachers and Ann Arbor officials for her kindness, sharp wit and passion for the education professionals within the school district. Although they may sit on different sides of the table, she is well-respected by the 13 superintendents that she has worked with as president of the union. As a result of her leadership efforts, Ann Arbor Public School teachers are consistently recognized for their excellent work. She has had a tremendous impact on the direction of public education in Ann Arbor, and her hard work and expertise will be missed. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Linda Carter for her distinguished career in public education. Ms. Carter has effectively served the city of Ann Arbor and its students through her work with the Ann Arbor Educators Association.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Less Cancer, founded by Michigander Bill Couzens, to help remediate the alarming increases of cancer diagnosis and raise awareness about cancer risk reduction and prevention strategies. Less Cancer facilitates continuing education for physicians, nurses and public health professionals to highlight the 50 percent of cancers that are preventable, and how to best educate patients on specific contaminants, pollution sources, and healthy lifestyle choices. Less Cancer also founded National Cancer Prevention Day, the National Cancer Prevention Workshop and facilitates the U.S. Congressional Cancer Prevention Caucus. On June 23 and 24, cyclists from all over the country will team up for the Less Cancer ``Split the Mitt'' Bike Ride, an epic two-day 238- mile charity ride through the heart of Michigan. The Less Cancer cycling tradition started in 2012 when Suzi Tobias rode to Mackinac City to honor her friend Aileen O'Brien who lost the battle with cancer. This year's cyclists will travel from Flint to Traverse City and conclude their overnight ride with a Cancer Prevention and Survivors' Picnic at the Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City, Michigan. The yearly ride could not happen without the many cyclists that participate year after year including Tom Petzold, Brian Dooms, Dave Toutant, Tricia Petzold, Ed Shumaker, Lars Perkins, Jeanne Petzold, and Andrew Bowman. Tireless volunteers include Melanie Awe, Sue Coughlin, Steve Theil, John Kretzschmar, Miles O'Brien and Ted Shaw along with support from the Less Cancer Board of Directors and Board Chair Donna Eacho. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Less Cancer's tireless efforts to highlight cancer prevention strategies, and wish them luck in their yearly bike ride. Nonprofits like Less Cancer are a huge form of support for cancer survivors, their families, and future generations of cancer-free Americans.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share with my colleagues the crisis facing families across the country whose fear is growing daily about their healthcare. This week, I took John to the doctor, and so many people stopped us, it ended up being an unscheduled town hall meeting. A 50-year-old woman who had had a stroke last year, who was now walking and talking, scared to death that she would lose her insurance and about what she would do. A mother of an 8-year-old who has juvenile diabetes crying and saying: What am I going to do? I don't know how I will afford it, or if her life could even end. There were 10 more stories that morning. This isn't a war of words. These are real people with real consequences, and, for some, it is a matter of life and death. They are depending on all of us. We must come together. So many of my colleagues said: ``We will never go back to the days that people would be denied insurance because of preexisting conditions.'' Let's work together to help people who need us.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rory Gamble for his work as director of the United Automotive Workers' (UAW) Region 1A. Mr. Gamble has effectively served the working men and women of southeast Michigan through his leadership and efforts. Mr. Gamble began his career with the UAW in 1974 after joining the Ford Motor Dearborn Frame Plant as a weld fixture repairman. The following year, he was elected to the position of plant trustee and has since served a wide variety of assignments in the UAW throughout his career. These include membership on the UAW-Ford national Negotiating Team, as well as prominent roles in UAW Local 600, which currently represents 27,000 active and retired members with over 40 autonomous bargaining units in southeast Michigan. Since June 2006, Mr. Gamble has been elected to three four-year terms as director of UAW Region 1A, which covers approximately 150,000 active and retired members from the Big Three automakers, health care facility employees, and many other workplaces. Mr. Gamble's efforts on behalf of the workers UAW represents has been critical to helping them secure the pay and benefits that they have earned. Because of his leadership, the UAW has been able to navigate a challenging political and economic environment while ensuring that the working men and women of southeast Michigan received pay and benefits commensurate with the important work they perform. Additionally, Mr. Gamble is active in the community, serving on numerous local organizations and boards, including Bridging Communities, a collaboration between Southwest Detroit businesses, labor organizations, churches and residents, as well as founding a food program for at-risk children in area public schools. As a result of his efforts, Mr. Gamble has received widespread acclaim, including receiving the 1999 Spirit of Detroit Award as well as the 2006 Horace L. Sheffield Jr. Humanitarian Award for these and other activities in the community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Rory Gamble for his leadership with the UAW and in the southeast Michigan community. Mr. Gamble's career and efforts have been critical to the well-being of Michigan's working men and women.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it is a good bipartisan day for Michigan right now. It shows you that when we want to work together, we can and do and are going to make a difference. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5041, the Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act, which I am proud to sponsor with my colleague from Michigan (Mr. Walberg). I thank him for all of his good, hard work on this issue as we have learned together about things that are happening. Hospices perform an essential role in our healthcare system and we need to make every effort to support hospice employees, who do incredible work providing care and comfort in those final days of life. We need to make their jobs as easy as possible. We also need to make sure that we are doing everything we can to stop opportunities for the diversion of opioids. This is essential if we are going to make a real impact in ending this epidemic, which is so devastating to families in every corner of our country. This is an important bill, which achieves both goals of supporting hospices and stopping opportunities for diversion. The Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act closes a critical gap in our laws that prohibits hospice employees from disposing of unused opioids after a patient has, unfortunately, passed away. Right now, the way the law is, if a patient dies in hospice care and they have a large vial of unused opioids, the family cannot get any help from the hospice staff to dispose of them. For the family, these are very difficult moments. They have just lost a loved one and they don't need any additional problems, like trying to figure out how to dispose of the unneeded opioids. This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to permit hospice employees to handle controlled substances in a patient's residence in order to assist in drug disposal upon a patient's death. This commonsense fix is a win for patients and their families, a win for hospice employees, and a win for public health efforts to crack down on this diversion. If we continue to improve our efforts to dispose of unused opioids, like what we are doing in this legislation, then we will continue to ensure there are fewer opportunities for those pills to end up in the hands of those who abuse them. By passing this legislation, we can provide for the safe destruction of thousands, literally hundreds of thousands, of unused opioids that might end up otherwise on the street and feed the addiction of too many. I am pleased, as has been noted, that it has the support of both the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, as well as the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I, again, thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Walberg, for his bipartisan work on this bill and other opioid issues, and I urge all Members to vote in favor of H.R. 5041.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for yielding to me, and I again want to thank Chairman Walden for bringing this bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5009, Jessie's Law, and I am very proud of the work that I have done with my colleague, Tim Walberg, from Michigan. In Michigan, we are really trying to address this problem together. This story is personal to me, as it is to Congressman Walberg and my colleagues who have gotten to know Jessie's story. It has been a moving experience to be part of a process to pass this legislation in her honor. In March 2016, we lost a brave, young woman named Jessie Grubb. She was a great student, a loving daughter, a sister, and an avid runner. She was, as has been noted, recovering from an opioid addiction issue. She moved to Michigan hoping for a reset and a better future. When she had surgery for an infection related to a running injury, her parents came to take care of her and made it clear to the doctors at the hospital that she was a recovering addict and should not be prescribed opioids. As you have heard, she was discharged from the hospital with 50 oxycodone pills. Very soon after, she suffered from a fatal overdose. The story of Jessie breaks your heart, mostly because this death was preventable. We must ensure that doctors are notified when a patient has consented to sharing information related to an addiction. Jessie's Law would require that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services establish best practices for ensuring that medical professionals have full knowledge of their patient's opioid addiction if that patient gives consent. This is absolutely essential. If a patient has given their consent that their history of substance abuse can be part of their medical record, then it should be displayed prominently. We don't know all of the facts of this case, but we do know that Jessie's parents did tell her doctor that she had a history of substance abuse, and yet they were prescribed anyway. We can't have this kind of information lost in the jumble of a medical record. If a patient consents, it needs to be prominently displayed. Our legislation convenes a panel of stakeholders to make recommendations as to how to best achieve this change, including a patient with a history of opioid use disorder, an expert in electronic health records, an expert in the confidentiality of patient health information and records, and a healthcare provider. Jessie's death was 100 percent preventable. And today, the House of Representatives is sending a strong message that her loss was not in vain and that no other family should ever have to go through what the Grubb family has gone through. This story is a real tragedy. Hopefully, passing Jessie's Law will bring hope to the Grubbs and others throughout this country. This legislation represents a commonsense step that deserves our support, and I urge my colleagues to support Jessie's Law.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for yielding and thank both Chairman Walden and Chairman Burgess for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 5002, the ACE Research Act, which I am proud to author with my dear friend and colleague from Michigan, Fred Upton. I have lived on all sides of the opioid epidemic. My father was addicted to opioids before anyone knew what it was or before anybody talked about it. My sister died of a drug overdose. My husband lives in chronic pain, and because there are no alternative drugs that are safe for him to take, he requires opioids for his debilitating pain. We cannot let the pendulum swing too far in either direction, and we need to find medication for those who need it. Mr. Speaker, 25 million Americans suffer from pain every single day. While pain may not be the fifth vital sign, it is still a major issue that needs to be addressed in modern medicine. We cannot stigmatize people who legitimately suffer from real pain. That will only make the opioid epidemic worse. If you have lived with someone in chronic pain like I have, you know how complicated this is. People in chronic pain are being stigmatized now for seeking treatment that will allow them to live a decent life. People are coming up to me with metastatic cancer, concerned that they are not going to be able to get medicine to take care of their pain. Unfortunately, here is a reality none of us talk about: Nonopioid pain medicines, like Tylenol or Motrin, come with serious side effects, especially for those who take them every day. One thing on which we can all agree is that we need more alternatives to opioids in this country. This way, we can give people the relief that they need from crippling pain while not subjecting them to the risk of addiction. This is going to require a lot of work and a lot of research to accomplish, which is why it is so essential that this work begin now. The ACE Research Act accomplishes this goal by spurring innovative research into nonopioid pain medications at NIH, which will ultimately lead to the next big breakthrough and bring benefits to patients. This bill gives the NIH director what is known as Other Transaction Authority, so the NIH will be able to more easily partner with innovative companies who are working with cutting-edge technology to address the opioid drug crisis and other public health threats. In congressional testimony earlier this year, NIH Director Francis Collins said that giving the agency this authority would improve their ability to do the research into nonopioid drug alternatives. We heard that, and that is what we are trying to do today. It is what we are delivering on. There are so many people focused on the opioid epidemic these days, but many small startup companies are hesitant to partner with the Federal Government on research because the terms of a grant or a contract are too rigid and no other options are available to them. The ACE Research Act will ensure that NIH is able to partner with real innovators on research. You never know where that next breakthrough might lie, and this bill will ensure that we leave no stone uncovered. By funding research on new treatments quicker, we are ensuring that we are going to reach patients faster. A future with more effective nonopioid, nonaddictive drugs is a future that we all want. That is something on which we all agree. I want to thank my friend and colleague, Fred Upton, for working with me on this. This is a first step toward ensuring we are doing the best research in the country on alternatives to opioids for pain medication. I also want to thank our chairman and our ranking member, and all the members, for making today the first step. I know too well what the pain is across this country, and what we are doing today is a beginning. We need to work together in a bipartisan way to address what is hurting families across this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5002.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the opening of the Ypsilanti YMCA Child Development Center. The facility will provide childcare and educational programming to local children. An affiliate of the Ann Arbor YMCA, the Ypsilanti branch is an association of men, women and children that seeks to promote health and the growth of children and teens. Due to the success and size of the Ann Arbor facility, the YMCA expanded its reach into the Ypsilanti community in 2009. The local organization seeks to support Michigan residents of all ages, incomes and backgrounds through its extensive programming and activities. Specializing in youth development, the Ypsilanti YMCA continually adds new programming to reach and nurture children throughout southeast Michigan. Currently, the Ypsilanti location hosts camps throughout the summer, including a free learn-to- swim program and leader-in-training opportunity for middle schoolers. As it opens an early childhood development center, the Ypsilanti YMCA will continue to better the lives of local youth through its programming. The Ypsilanti YMCA's Child Development Center was established in partnership with the Ann Arbor YMCA, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti Schools and the Ypsilanti Housing Commission. The center will provide childcare for children 18 months to 5 years old from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. Financial assistance will be available to Ypsilanti residents, allowing for low-income community members to provide childcare to their children in a safe and nurturing environment. The facility consists of three classrooms, a playground and a gymnasium, and is located within the former Chapelle Elementary School. This visionary center will offer children and parents quality childcare in our local community, and we are grateful for the YMCA's ongoing commitment to Ypsilanti residents. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Ypsilanti YMCA's years of service to our southeast Michigan community. Their newly opened childhood development center will create a brighter and more healthy future for local youth.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pat Montgomery for years of devoted and distinguished leadership as she is recognized by ATHENA International. Her service to her students has given them the confidence to go out into the community and make a difference. ATHENA International was founded in 1982 by Lansing businesswoman Martha Mertz to honor the contributions of those who help woman to succeed. Ms. Mertz has long held the belief that it takes a village to help women in our communities thrive and has seen her small nonprofit grow exponentially over the years. Today, ATHENA International is a global organization that mentors and trains women in more than 500 cities and 8 countries around the world. The ATHENA Leaders of Huron Valley help develop and support women through various programming initiatives including entrepreneurial classes and one-on-one mentoring. The great work of Michigan's female leaders is honored at the ATHENA Awards each year. This year's winners include Pat Montgomery, an educator who sees endless potential in each one of her students. Inspired to promote education in an unstructured setting, in 1967, Ms. Montgomery founded Clonlara School in Ann Arbor in an effort to further her vision of a school that allowed students the freedom to explore their interests in an intellectually stimulating learning environment. Initially consisting of only 8 students, Clonlara's education offerings have grown and expanded over the decades, and the school today runs a homeschooling program that serves students through international offices in Europe and Central America, as well as with online offerings. Ms. Montgomery was the driving force behind the conception and development of Clonlara, serving as a teacher, executive director and in other roles and has been fundamental to the school's longevity. Her efforts have created a lasting impact on the Michigan educational community and have bettered countless lives. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Pat Montgomery for her years of service. She has set a high bar for educators in Michigan and across the country.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Theola Jones for being named a Woman of Achievement by the Kappa Foundation. Mrs. Jones has impacted countless lives through her career at Wayne County General Hospital and work in the Inkster community. The Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was established on December 6, 1958. The organization was founded in order to foster relationships between Michigan Kappa Alpha Psis, provide leadership to current students at Michigan universities and mentor youth in suburban Detroit. Since its founding, group members have come together to serve the local community in a variety of ways including golf tournaments, college fairs, pancake breakfasts, Meals on Wheels programs and robust scholarship programming. In addition to their myriad civic endeavors, the fraternity's Kappa Foundation honors female leaders in southeast Michigan annually at their ``Women of Achievement'' event. This year's honorees include Theola Jones, a beloved public servant in Inkster. Mrs. Jones distinguished herself throughout her 33-year career at Wayne County General Hospital, serving in numerous roles, including Ward supervisor and Worksite supervisor for students involved in Wayne County's Score program. Additionally, Mrs. Jones was a regular contributor to local newspapers and published the Caregiver's Companion, a collection of prayers and reflections drawn from her career and work as a caregiver to her mother. Mrs. Jones has also been active in community organizations, chairing the first federally sponsored food programs in Inkster, serving on the local YWCA Board of Directors, and remaining engaged in supporting many other local organizations. As a result of her service to the city of Inkster and its residents, Mrs. Jones has received numerous awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award and Key to the City of Inkster from city mayor Byron Nolen. She is well-known in the community for her engagement and activism and remains involved in civic life. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Theola Jones for being named one of The Kappa Foundation's Women of Achievement. Mrs. Jones' work and involvement in the Inkster community has been critical to its growth and development.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lois Richardson for being named a Woman of Achievement by the Kappa Foundation. Mrs. Richardson has distinguished herself through her civic activism and advocacy on behalf of the Ypsilanti community. The Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was established on December 6, 1958. The organization was founded in order to foster relationships between Michigan Kappa Alpha Psis, provide leadership to current students at Michigan universities and mentor youth in suburban Detroit. Since its founding, group members have come together to serve the local community in a variety of ways including golf tournaments, college fairs, pancake breakfasts, Meals on Wheels programs and robust scholarship programming. In addition to their myriad civic endeavors, the fraternity honors female leaders in southeast Michigan annually at their ``Women Of Achievement'' event. This year's honorees include Lois Richardson, a spiritual and beloved leader in Ypsilanti, Michigan. A lifelong resident of Ypsilanti, Mrs. Richardson received a B.S. in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University in 1965 and has served the community in various capacities during her distinguished career. She is a licensed and ordained minister, having graduated from Freedom Center Bible College in 1977, where she also served as an instructor. Mrs. Richardson has also compiled an outstanding record of public service through her time on the Ypsilanti City Council. She was first elected to the Council in 2000 and has been a strong advocate for strengthening the city's public education system, as well as spearheading initiatives to address the needs of working families and children. Mrs. Richardson's selection as Ypsilanti Mayor Pro-Tem from 2008 through 2016 by her fellow Council members underscores the respect she has earned for her outstanding service on behalf of Ypsilanti and its residents. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lois Richardson for being named one of The Kappa Foundation's Women of Achievement. Mrs. Richardson has distinguished herself with her work as a public official and through her involvement in Ypsilanti civic life.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) for years of devoted and distinguished leadership as they are recognized by ATHENA International. The organization's devotion to the professional and athletic development of women is deserving of acclaim. ATHENA International was founded in 1982 by Lansing businesswoman Martha Mertz to honor the contributions of those who help women to succeed. Ms. Mertz has long held the belief that it takes a village to help women in our communities thrive and has seen her small nonprofit grow exponentially over the years. Today, ATHENA International is a global organization that mentors and trains women in more than 500 cities and 8 countries around the world. The ATHENA Leaders of Huron Valley help develop and support women through various programming initiatives including entrepreneurial classes and one-on-one mentoring. The great work of Michigan's female leaders is honored at the ATHENA Awards each year. This year's winners include the Ladies Professional Golf Association, an organization dedicated to promoting women in sport. Founded in 1950 by a group of female golfers dedicated to integrating women into the sport, the LPGA is the oldest women's professional sports organization in the country. The association's 13 founders are revered as trailblazers for standing up for equality in a time where women's sports organizations were not in existence. In the 78 years since LPGA was established, the tenacity and courage of the organization's founders has translated into today's leadership and programming. In addition to its publicized competitive tours, the LPGA supports golf teachers and develops young players through its qualifying school. The association is known for its dedication to the players of tomorrow and gives young golfers playing privileges on the LPGA tour. Their years of work have both equipped and inspired countless women to follow their dreams and reach their full potential as golfers and community leaders. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Ladies Professional Golf Association for their dedication to cultivating the athletes of tomorrow. We are grateful for their years of service.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tekisha Lee and her acknowledgement as Ypsilanti's Woman of Achievement by the Kappa Foundation. Ms. Lee founded DiverseNote, a career management social network for professionals within an all-inclusive community of professionals. The Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was established on December 6, 1958. The organization was founded in order to foster relationships between Michigan Kappa Alpha Psis, provide leadership to current students at Michigan universities and mentor youth in suburban Detroit. Since its founding, group members have come together to serve the local community in a variety of ways including golf tournaments, college fairs, pancake breakfasts, Meals on Wheels programs and robust scholarship programming. In addition to their myriad civic endeavors, the fraternity's Kappa Foundation honors female leaders in southeast Michigan annually at their ``Women On Achievement'' event. This year's honorees include Tekisha Lee, a well- respected leader and businesswoman in our community. A graduate of Howard University, Ms. Tekisha Lee has turned her lifelong passion for educating and mentoring the next generation of leaders into a successful career. She is the Founder and CEO of DiverseNote, a career recruitment and retention platform that connects candidates with organizations, recruiters, Fortune 500 companies, colleges, universities and alumni associations seeking top talent across the United States. Ms. Lee was also selected as a U.S. Department of State Delegate to the Maghreb region of Africa to advise on job creation and economic development and serves in leadership positions on various non-profit boards including Jobs for Michigan Graduates, the state's top workforce development organization. Ms. Lee has devoted her life to helping others succeed, and she is truly deserving of the Kappa Foundation's recognition. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Tekisha Lee for being named one of The Kappa Foundation's Women of Achievement. She has distinguished herself with her entrepreneurship and service to the state.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ana McCune van de Velde for being named a Woman of Achievement by the Kappa Foundation. Mrs. McCune has distinguished herself through her leadership and community involvement. The Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was established on December 6, 1958. The organization was founded in order to foster relationships between Michigan Kappa Alpha Psis, provide leadership to current students at Michigan universities and mentor youth in suburban Detroit. Since its founding, group members have come together to serve the local community in a variety of ways including golf tournaments, college fairs, pancake breakfasts, Meals on Wheels programs and robust scholarship programming. In addition to their myriad civic endeavors, the fraternity honors female leaders in southeast Michigan annually at their ``Women of Achievement'' event. This year's honorees include Ana McCune van de Velde, a well regarded leader in southeast Michigan. A lifelong Midwesterner, Mrs. McCune moved to Michigan after graduating from college. She is an accomplished entrepreneur and businesswoman, serving at various companies including AT&T Corporation, New Detroit and the Automotive Strategy Corporation. Although she is an accomplished leader in the private sector, Mrs. McCune's real passion lies in civic work, specifically children's education. She sponsors the Pink Panthers, an all-girls robotics team in Detroit and has served on the Indiana University Alumni Association Executive Council. Her distinguished career and philanthropic engagement has bettered countless industries and individuals and we are grateful for her commitment to southeast Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ana McCune van de Velde for being named one of The Kappa Foundation's Women of Achievement. Mrs. McCune has distinguished herself with her work as an entrepreneur and through her philanthropic work.