Val Demings

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, but our brothers and sisters, our fellow Americans on the island of Puerto Rico are not recognized as a government by the people. Puerto Rican Americans received citizenship 105 years ago today. If we are going to truly be the land of the free, we must make good on America's promise to be a government of the people for all people. We need to be who we say we are. We need to be the country where every voice and every person matters. For over a century, the residents of Puerto Rico have been treated as second-class citizens within our country. It is un-American and it is unjust. Second-class citizens not only in their vote, but also in healthcare, senior assistance, and the Child Tax Credit. This is wrong. Today, on the 105th anniversary of the citizenship for Puerto Rico, it is time for us to stand up, yet again, and declare that equal rights are an American value, and that fairness and justice are American values, and that the Americans on the island of Puerto Rico must have justice, must have fair treatment, and must have statehood. We fought this year to ensure that the residents of Puerto Rico would start to receive equal treatment on Federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, and the Child Tax Credit. This fight is not over, and we are not giving up. Yet, even with the weight of this fight for a century, I feel optimistic. In fact, I feel better than I ever have before. Puerto Ricans have spoken with a clear voice, with a fair and open vote, and demanded that it is time for full representation. I am grateful for the leadership of Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon and Congressman Soto on this issue, and I look forward to continuing the work in Congress until we get this done.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA), which has for 50 years provided opportunities to Latino peace officers throughout the United States. As the former Police Chief of Orlando, Florida and now in my role as U.S. Representative for Florida's 10th Congressional District, I would like to celebrate the NLPOA for supporting the engagement, rights, and training of Latino law enforcement officers across the country. Founded in 1972 by Vicente Calderon of the California Highway Patrol and John Parraz of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, the National Latino Peace Officers Association was formed to address the unique challenges that impact Latino peace officers in American law enforcement agencies. The organization works tirelessly to recruit, mentor, and train qualified Latino peace officers. As a result of their engagement with law enforcement offices, communities throughout the United States, and Latino peace officers in particular, the NLPOA has contributed to important reforms related to its founding mission. For instance, the organization obtained bilingual pay for officers in the California Highway Patrol, which convinced other California police agencies to do the same. Moreover, members of the organization's Santa Clara Chapter in 1977 were instrumental in requiring Santa Clara County to increase diversity in the hiring and promotional processes for the county's law enforcement officers. This action helped set a precedent for the promotion of diversity in police ranks, something now widely agreed upon as a priority. As a former law enforcement officer and the first woman police chief of Orlando, I recognize the importance of having well-trained officers that reflect the communities they serve across the country. The work of the NLPOA has been extremely important in this effort. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition and thanks to the National Latino Peace Officers Association for 50 years of service.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, during his inaugural address in 1960, President Kennedy said these words: ``Let every nation know . . . that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.'' We know what freedom means in America. It is the lifeline of our Nation. The people of Cuba have cried out for freedom, and because of who we are, America must answer the call. The failed socialist regime in Cuba has delivered tyranny instead of freedom, poverty instead of prosperity, and violence to silence its own people instead of protection and safety. We denounce that regime and we stand with the people because we stand for freedom. One protester said this: ``It's only human to feel fear but that moved to the background because you knew you were doing the right thing.'' I say to America, this statement should be familiar to all of us. We will not stay neutral for neutrality helps the oppressor, never the oppressed. Democracy and a free economy are the right path forward for Cuba. We stand today and we support this resolution so that every Cuban, like every American and every Floridian, will know that they have a God-given right to safety, liberty, and the right to freely choose their own future. Together we stand.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, America is a great Nation, but with all the challenges we face--protecting our homeland, repairing our broken infrastructure, taking care of our seniors, creating an economy that works for working people--extremist politicians continue to find time for their war on women. When I was a police officer, I put away rapists, stalkers, and domestic abusers. Now, extremist politicians in Texas and my State of Florida are instead trying to empower those same criminals to sue victims if they get an abortion. Let me be clear: No Florida woman needs to justify her healthcare decisions to anyone. It is our freedom to decide versus your attempts to control. When I chose to start a family, I did not ask my Senator, my Congressman, nor my Governor for permission. Every woman has the right and the freedom to make her choice for herself and to do so based on her own personal, individual circumstances. The Constitution is a stubborn thing. This week, we will preserve the constitutional protections of the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. I ask my colleagues to support women by voting for the Women's Health Protection Act.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, my mother was a maid and my father a janitor, but they were good, decent, honest people who saw voting as their duty and knew their vote mattered regardless of who they were and where they lived. When did some of us, as elected officials, start believing it is okay to no longer protect basic rights but to lie if you have to, cheat if you have to, suppress the vote if you have to, and then stand up and claim victory? John Lewis called the right to vote ``precious, almost sacred,'' and he was willing to risk his life to protect it. We reject the politically motivated lies that seek to undermine faith in our elections. We are the United States of America. Yes, we are the greatest Nation in the world. Let's live up to America's promise once again by protecting the precious, almost sacred right to vote.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for this opportunity. We all know the United States is a diverse nation with diverse people, diverse viewpoints, and diverse perspectives. Every community in America--no matter their age, gender, ZIP Code, or income--should be allowed to tell their stories in their voices. Whether in news, movies, television, music, or more, it is important that our media represent the wonderful diversity of our great Nation. This resolution simply states that all Americans should have the opportunity to tell their story and hear their story told through their own eyes and voices. I am glad that our resolution reaffirming Congress' support of media diversity will be voted on this afternoon. As we work together to remove barriers, I am grateful to all of the congressional cosponsors on both sides of the aisle and media representatives who helped move this bill forward. Every child in America should hear a voice that sounds like theirs and see a face that looks like theirs. As we face some of America's greatest challenges, I am excited about the work still yet to come. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues again on both sides of the aisle for their support of this resolution.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, my colleagues way on the other side of the aisle asked a question: How can we better protect our Capitol Police? Well, as a former police chief, let me tell you how. First, do not replace truth with lies. Second, uphold the law yourselves. Third, hold those who beat the police down accountable. How can you do that without knowing the complete truth, without a thorough investigation? My colleagues way on the other side of the aisle brought up the 9/11 Commission being about foreign actors. Well, let me remind you that the oath that we took says that we will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Madam Speaker, did they forget? Did they ever really know? Or were they simply too afraid to care? Well, I care, and so do my brothers and sisters in blue. We will not forget, and we will not let you forget either.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, as you know, our Nation was created with the highest ideals and values. Our new Nation was set aside to be a beacon of hope where we could build our hopes and dreams and calm our fears. We are known as the home of the brave and land of the free. Yes, the history is clear, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, America demonstrated its ability to rise to its values. But America's history, as we all know, is complicated. For it took 2 years, from January 1 of 1863 to June 19 of 1865, for the last group of enslaved Americans to receive official word that they were indeed free. But we know today, Madam Speaker, that our work is not yet done. We are still a work in progress. We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, we are a work in progress. Let us celebrate Juneteenth, as we should. But celebrating freedom must be more than just a special day. It must be a celebration of who as a Nation we say we are; one who says we believe in justice for all. Yes, America celebrates being free, celebrates our freedom from physical bondage, but we must also celebrate freedom from discrimination. We must also celebrate freedom from racism. We must also celebrate freedom from poverty. We must also celebrate freedom from injustice. And we must also celebrate freedom from complacency. Mrs. Coretta Scott King said this: ``Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.'' Madam Speaker, regardless of the color of our skin, what State we are from, how much money we have in the bank, our religion, our gender, or our political party, we all have an obligation, and we all must carry the torch of freedom. Madam Speaker, I thank our chair who is leading this Special Order.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, the insurrectionists attacked this very building we are standing in right now. The violent mob attacked, bear- sprayed, and beat down the police officers who protect us every day. 140 officers were injured, and we need to care about that. Some have died, and they deserved better. Mr. Speaker, accountability and truth are the foundation upon which all of our rights and freedoms exist. We need answers, and this commission will give them to us. We need accountability, and this commission will pave the way for full accountability. We need an independent commission, and a vote against it is a vote for a cover-up. Choose ye this day whom you will serve. Our democracy or the big lie? History will remember us. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 49 to finally designate the Pulse nightclub as a national memorial in honor and remembrance of the 49 people who lost their lives on this tragic night 5 years ago. ``Orlando Strong'' is more than just a slogan. It is a promise to support each other and to never forget those we lost and those who were injured on that tragic night. By establishing Pulse as a national memorial, we will honor their memories and remind ourselves of that promise. My bishop once called the Pulse nightclub a place for late-night fellowship, a place for fun, laughter, family, and friendship. These are such fundamental things. We know this now more than ever. After the pandemic, we see just how precious these things truly are. Madam Speaker, I thank the House for moving forward with this legislation. I thank my constituents. I thank the cosponsors, Congresswoman Murphy and Congressman Soto, for their work to make this day a reality. As we pass this legislation, I know that the memories of those who died will live on in our hearts. They will not be defined by their tragic deaths through gun violence but by the lives they lived, the people they touched, and the love they gave. Paraphrasing Dr. King: So I decided as an individual to stick with love because, yes, hate is too great of a burden to bear, and it has been on me, my community, my city, and my Nation for too long. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues for joining us in supporting this legislation.

Mrs. DEMINGS

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 15 as National Police Week. Established in 1962 by a joint resolution of this body, National Police Week pays special recognition to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. My home State of Florida, during 2020, lost 19 law enforcement officers, and we gather today to honor their memory and to thank them for their service. We thank all law enforcement officers across the Nation who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we remember those who are out there patrolling our communities to keep us all safe. I want to thank my colleagues for joining us today to give honor to whom honor is due. Mr. Speaker, many have given much, but these men and women--our law enforcement officers--have given all. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran), who is a former law enforcement officer.

Mrs. DEMINGS. We are able to be here today, Mr. Speaker, to conduct the people's business because of the good men and women who protect us in the U.S. Capitol, the men and women who wear the uniform and the badge every day. Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader.

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Carson), a former law enforcement officer.

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Bustos), who comes from a law enforcement family.

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, because they are willing to risk their lives without hesitation, my colleagues and I honor them today. To continue the tribute, it is now my honor to yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Hayes), who is also from a law enforcement family.

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), a former Federal law enforcement officer.

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin).

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Mrs. Lee).

Mrs. DEMINGS. I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Swalwell), also from a law enforcement family.

Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Wexton).

Mrs. DEMINGS. Thank you so much for that tribute. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), the chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus. We are so grateful for the work that he is doing.

Mrs. DEMINGS. Thank you again to the chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus. I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez).

Mrs. DEMINGS. I thank the gentleman from Texas for that tribute to our law enforcement officers. I now yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Phillips).

Mrs. DEMINGS. We thank the gentleman from Minnesota for that tribute. I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan).