Debbie Dingell

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, 52 years ago, on June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers, a native Mississippian and the first field officer in that State for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which we have come to know as the NAACP, was shot in the driveway of his home in Jackson, Mississippi. This horrific event occurred hours after President Kennedy made a televised speech in support of civil rights. This was a critical moment in the modern civil rights movement as it moved towards the seminal March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Evers was a World War II veteran, fighting in the Battle of Normandy. He returned home to find his path to the voting booth literally blocked at gunpoint. He personally fought to integrate the University of Mississippi Law School and was integral in assisting James Meredith successfully enroll as an undergraduate. Evers was an activist, an organizer, a loving father, a husband, and, finally, a martyr. He is a true American hero whose time came too soon, yet his name and what he stood for continues to inspire so many. It is time that his service and loss be properly recognized by our Nation. H.R. 959, the Medgar Evers House Study Act, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Medgar Evers House in Jackson, Mississippi, for potential inclusion in the National Park system. We estimate that this study will cost approximately $200,000 to $300,000. Funding for this proposed study would need to be allocated from the set amount of funding that Congress appropriates for all special resource studies. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, for his very hard work on this legislation and for his leadership on this critical issue. The Medgar Evers House is a piece of American history that must be preserved, which is why this legislation is so important. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the adoption of H.R. 959. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge all Members to support H.R. 959. 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, H.R. 1214 amends the Small Tracts Act to provide the Forest Service with more flexibility to sell or exchange small parcels of national forest land. This increased flexibility will allow the Forest Service to identify opportunities where the sale or exchange of small parcels of land will increase efficiency and improve the overall integrity and health of our national forests. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Amodei, the sponsor of this legislation, for working with the Forest Service to update this bill so that it could be supported by both sides of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, I support adoption of H.R. 1214. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge all Members to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1289 will authorize the National Park Service to expand the boundary of the John Muir National Historic Site and acquire, by donation, 44 acres of land from the Muir Heritage Land Trust. The donation will expand the site and help carry on Muir's important legacy of conservation and environmental stewardship. John Muir is one of our Nation's most respected and revered ecologists. His writings have inspired millions, and his activism and advocacy led to the establishment of some of our first and most iconic national parks. From the moment he set foot in Yosemite Valley, John Muir was consumed with its natural wonder and beauty. He became Yosemite's most vocal champion, but he didn't spend his whole life there. From 1890 until his death in 1914, Muir lived on a farm not far from San Francisco. It was from this corner of the Bay Area that Muir cofounded the Sierra Club and helped lay the groundwork for a century of conservation. Muir's tireless advocacy led to the creation of the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, and his spirit and enduring legacy led to the protection of much more. Since he is known by some as the father of our national parks, I know he would be proud of all of our national parks today, especially as we are approaching the 100th anniversary of the National Park System. My home State of Michigan has several beautiful national parks, including the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale, and the River Raisin National Battlefield. The passage of H.R. 1289 will contribute to John Muir's legacy, and it will help to protect and conserve the place where he found solace and inspiration in his later years. I want to thank the bill's sponsor, my good friend Representative Mark DeSaulnier from California, for his leadership. I urge the swift passage of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge all Members to support the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1554 will convey 148 acres of land to the Gordman-Leverich Partnership, a Colorado Limited Liability Partnership, and remedy a land dispute between a private landowner and the Forest Service. In 1947, an administrative error occurred that shifted the boundary between the Elkhorn Ranch and the White River National Forest. This survey placed 148 acres of private land inside the forest boundary without providing consideration to the landholders. Since then, the title to the ranch has changed hands several times, but the administrative error has not been corrected. This bill will correct the error and acknowledge the correct boundary of the Elkhorn Ranch, providing the current owner with a free and clear title. I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Polis and Congressman Tipton, for their good work on this legislation. The Forest Service testified in support of this bill, and I urge its adoption. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Public Law 112-239 authorized the establishment of a fund to create the National Liberty Memorial, dedicated to the honor and sacrifice of more than 5,000 enslaved and free Black people who served as sailors, soldiers, or provided civilian assistance during the Revolutionary War. This is a long overdue memorial, which recognizes the early military role Black people played in securing our Nation's freedom. In June 2014, the General Services Administration identified a location for the memorial at 14th and Independence Avenue, Southwest, here in Washington, D.C. The approved site is on the grounds of the Department of Agriculture campus. In the interest of eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy through overlapping jurisdiction, H.R. 1949 would make the Department of Agriculture responsible for the consideration of the site and design proposals, doing so on behalf of the Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission. This responsibility would be transferred from the GSA or the Department of the Interior, as it was originally written. I want to thank my good friend and colleague, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Butterfield of North Carolina, for his years of hard work and leadership in establishing the National Liberty Memorial. We are all looking forward to seeing it open sometime in the future, and it will be a fitting tribute to those who sacrificed so much to create this great Nation of ours. I ask all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1949, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2791 is the culmination of years of work to address the wrongs of the past. The ``termination era'' in Federal Indian policy is one of the darkest chapters in American history. In Oregon, all but one of the tribes lost their Federal recognition. Fortunately, the Federal Government eventually saw the error of their ways and restored the recognition of the tribes, but they were now left with nonexistent or inadequate land bases. H.R. 2791, the Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act, will go a long way in helping reestablish long-promised land bases for the Oregon tribes, while also giving them the ability to effectively manage their land on their own terms. Like my colleague, I want to thank our colleagues from Oregon, Mr. DeFazio and Mr. Walden, for listening to the needs of the Oregon tribal people and continuing to push for this bipartisan legislation. All the sections included in this bill passed the House by voice vote last Congress, and I urge my colleagues to do the same now. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 230, as my colleague has so eloquently stated, will provide for the conveyance of approximately 23 acres to the YKHC, located in Bethel, Alaska, for the purposes of constructing a primary care clinic attached to the existing hospital. This bill is identical to H.R. 521, introduced by our colleague and my very dear and good friend, Chairman Don Young, which we passed by unanimous consent out of the Committee on Natural Resources. The land transfer is needed so that the YKHC might participate in the Indian Health Service Joint Venture Construction Program. Access to quality health care is a fundamental part of our trust responsibility to tribal members, and passage of this bill will ensure that the YKHC can meet the current and future needs of its residents. I urge my colleagues to support passage of S. 230. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, before I yield back for the day, I want to thank my colleague, Chairman McClintock, for his collegiality today and his leadership in making this a pleasant afternoon and a bipartisan afternoon. I urge all Members to join me in supporting S. 230. 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. S. 501 would make technical corrections, as my colleague has stated, to the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, which was authorized by Congress in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The legislation will help provide a reliable water supply to tribal communities on a faster timeline and promote economic growth in northwestern New Mexico. This legislation has the administration's support and has already passed the Senate by unanimous consent. I want to thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, the sponsor of the companion legislation here in the House, for all of his hard work and leadership on this critical issue. I fully support S. 501 and urge its adoption by all Members. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 381.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle: let's work together for peace in the Middle East and across the globe. Senseless politics and inflammatory rhetoric only complicate an already difficult decision. September 11 should be a day that we use to remind us of what binds us together, the values we share, the love of America that every one of us in this institution has, and let's work together to protect this Nation we so dearly love.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, first, I rise with so many of my colleagues today in remembrance of one of the worst days in our Nation's history. It is a solemn day of remembrance and prayer for those who lost their lives on that fateful day. As Americans, we must be united as a nation in fighting terrorism, which we know remains a threat every single day in this country. September 11 is a day burned in the hearts and souls of all Americans, and we must work hard together--together--to ensure that we never witness such a horrific tragedy in our homeland ever again. We all agree, never again. I say that, like my colleague from New York, Mr. Crowley, as a woman who lost a cousin in a terrorist act and watched a woman I love never recover from her son's death. We all care. Congress and this country, as a whole, have a responsibility to work with nations across the world in pursuit of peace. My district is home to one of the largest populations of Arab Americans in the country who, like so many of us, came to the United States as immigrants. They are among the most patriotic Americans I know. They are proud to be Americans and have made numerous contributions to this great Nation. Today, I ask you to also remember this. I rise in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Like so many, it was not an easy decision, and it was made with the utmost respect for my colleagues and friends on both sides of the aisle. This process has shown me that, no matter what decision one reaches on this issue, almost everyone shares the same concerns, and they have been named and reviewed many times, so I am not going to go over them. What I do want to say is--and we have said many times--it is not based on trust. It is based on verification. That is the last point I want to address today. Congressional oversight of the Iran deal will not end with this vote. In fact, it will just be the beginning. This effort must be bipartisan, and I hope it will be divorced from the acrimonious politics that have dominated too much of this discussion

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Taylor Dance Program and celebrate its founder, Joy Squire. Since 1966, Joy has made it her life's mission to promote awareness and appreciation of the art of dance across Southeast Michigan. Joy understands the importance of kindness in instruction, as evidenced by the affection of her hundreds of students from more than 30 metropolitan Detroit communities across generations. From the very first class she taught, Joy has always sought to awaken and promote the creative gifts that exist in each student. She has nurtured the talents of dancers of all ages, even supporting scholarship opportunities for her pupils to attend prestigious dance programs across the country. It should be no surprise then that Joy has been noted for her excellence by the Downriver Council for the Arts and has been inducted into the Taylor Sports and Recreation Hall of Fame. Her dedication to keeping the Taylor Dance Program a place for high-quality, affordable dance instruction has led to it being named one of the ``premier'' dance training centers in the country. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor Joy Squire and the Taylor Dance Program for inspiring generations of students in Southeast Michigan toward reaching their full potential. I thank her for her devotion to the community and wish her many more years of success.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and service of a good friend, Congressman Louis Stokes. He was the voice of the people of Cleveland, Ohio in the House of Representatives for 30 years and will be missed by every person he touched. Although I never had the privilege of serving with Lou, he was a dear friend to my husband and they did much good work together on many critical issues, including civil rights. I will always remember him for his thoughtfulness, graciousness, and integrity. Born on February 23, 1925 in Cleveland, Congressman Stokes revealed the true nature of his character at an early age when he started shining shoes and clerking at an Army/Navy store to supplement the income of his widowed mother. A man dedicated to public service, he served our nation honorably in the U.S. Army and continued his service when he returned home through working at the VA and Treasury Department offices in Cleveland. He also made a name for himself as a civil rights lawyer while working for the Cleveland NAACP, and ran for Congress successfully in 1968. In Congress, Lou was a strong voice for minorities and the disadvantaged. A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Stokes served as Chairman of the group for two consecutive terms beginning in 1972. Through his seat on the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Stokes advanced civil rights in this country by fighting against segregation and in support of affirmative action and fair housing. His legacy on these issues can still be felt today. Congress would do good to follow the example that Congressman Stokes set for all of us--that what matters most in this body is that you put your head down, do what is right for your constituents, and vote your conscience. The thing I remember most about Lou is that he never forgot where he came from and always put the people of Cleveland first. My thoughts and prayers are with the Stokes family during this difficult time. It is my hope that all members of this Congress will be inspired by the great example that Congressman Louis Stokes set for all of us and by the contributions he made to this country.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William Griggs for his forty two years of service to the city of Wyandotte. First elected in 1973, Bill is one of the longest serving public officials in the Downriver communities. Bill is described by his colleagues as dedicated and kind, and is praised in the community for the dignity and professionalism he has brought to the clerk's office. His presence as a leading voice in Wyandotte has been recognized by generations of residents, and with the dedication of the City Council chambers in his honor will be recognized by many more. Bill has served as a role model in our community, serving as the director of Wyandotte's adaptive recreation program and on the Board of Directors for the National Wheelchair Athletics Committee. He inspired people with disabilities with his participation in the 1968 and 1972 Paralympics Games, and was inducted into the Michigan Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame in 2002. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor William Griggs for his forty two years of service and his lasting impact on the Wyandotte community. I thank him for his leadership, and wish him many years of success.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Janet Sikes for her 29 years of service to the Woodhaven Fire Department, 18 of those served as Fire Chief. During her career, Janet has saved many lives, and enriched countless others. Janet has served as a role model in our community as Woodhaven's first female fire chief. Her qualifications and professionalism as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, and arson investigator have inspired others towards public service and her ability to coordinate with the department's partners is much-praised among her colleagues. Her dedication and good humor has been a tremendous asset for the city, and has helped the Fire Department offset budget restrictions and foster a greater sense of community in Woodhaven and beyond. Janet is a true gem in our community and Woodhaven is fortunate to call her their own and grateful for her contributions. Janet's commitment to education has been evidenced by her annual trips to each elementary school in the city to teach fire safety. ``Firefighter Jan'' is no stranger to the classroom, and has used her experience as a physical education instructor to promote fire prevention techniques that students find as exciting as they are informative. Jan has also promoted higher education in Woodhaven, partnering with Wayne County Community College to provide two full scholarships for students in her community to pursue a career in public safety. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor Chief Janet Sikes for her twenty-nine years of service and her lasting impact on the Downriver communities. I thank her for her leadership, and wish her many years of success.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize SOS Community Services for its 45th anniversary. For 45 years, SOS has worked to end homelessness for families in Washtenaw County by providing resources and support to the community. As a result of their dedicated service and their mission to promote housing stability and self-sufficiency, SOS has immensely bettered Washtenaw County. SOS Community Services was started in 1970 by students and faculty at Eastern Michigan University. Originally, the group provided a 24-hour crisis phone line to EMU students. It has grown into an effective and critical non-profit organization committed to ending familial homelessness in all of Washtenaw County. SOS Community Services provides a wide range of services and support. They run a food pantry, provide temporary shelter and re-housing services, and work with families to find employment, pursue further education, and after-school and tutoring programs for children and young people. They also provide struggling families with everyday necessities such as utility assistance, bus tokens and access to computers and phones. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor 45 years of ardent service to their community. With compassion and respect, vital services are provided to maintain and raise the quality of life for approximately 4,700 people. I look forward to seeing further inspiring work from SOS Community Services.