Madeleine Dean

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Speier and Representative Marcy Kaptur. It is a solemn privilege to be with them tonight as we lift up the people of Ukraine, as we lift up the women and children of Ukraine on this International Women's Day. It is a sad day. It is a solemn day around the globe, and I hope that the people of Ukraine know that we are heartbroken and determined alongside of them. I will begin by saying, ``Slava Ukraini. Slava Heroyam,'' and recognize this International Women's Day. I am the co-chair of the bipartisan Women's Caucus, and on behalf of that caucus, I stand here to lift up the people of Ukraine, in particular, the women and children in their suffering. I want to say personally for me--I am speaking for no one in this case other than myself--I don't believe that we are actually witnessing a war here. I believe we are witnessing a series of war crimes; that we are witnessing a series, the world is witnessing a series of atrocities. There is no justification for this attack on the sovereign nation of Ukraine. These are war crimes, and they are Mr. Putin's alone. I represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. It is Montgomery and Berks Counties, suburban Philadelphia, proud home, in both Jenkintown, Abington, and in Bridgeport and other areas of our community, to terrific Ukrainian-American members of my community. I have known them for my entire time of public service: As a State representative for 6\1/2\ years and now in my fourth year in Congress. I have always been proud to call them my community members, but sadly never so proud as I have been in the last 3, 4 weeks, as they prepared for this horror that we all hoped would not come. Just a few days ago, I was with the Ukrainian organizations and volunteers at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Abington, many of whom still have close family and friends in Ukraine. And, in fact, the children there made me this beautiful headband; made for me and for many others. What was fascinating that day is everyone was coming together, community coming together--not just Ukrainian Americans, but others--to say we will not stand for the horror that is going on. The globe, the world will not stand for the atrocities, the murderous brutality of Mr. Putin on sovereign people. One woman who started a donation drive was amazed. She went to U-Haul and bought 30 boxes, and she wondered if they would be able to fill those 30 boxes with donations of humanitarian food, medicines, blankets, clothing, and others. Well, I think there were about three container trucks later. The place was teeming with people, volunteers of all stripes, towering with boxes of donations and people furiously and very hopefully sorting those things. It was an amazing snapshot of what I already knew about the Ukrainian-American community. They are leaders in Montgomery County. They are leaders in this country. They are leaders we are watching and witnessing in this world. Their generosity and strength, their determination is extraordinary, and we cannot imagine the pain and suffering as they watch their homeland, they watch their family, their neighbors, their friends struggling with this set of atrocities. No amount of warnings from the Biden administration and our intelligence could have prepared us for the sheer brutality and devastation we have seen. Mr. Putin expected that he would quickly topple Ukraine's young democracy. He was wrong, and he will be forever wrong, as we have watched in all the resilience and the heroism of the Ukrainians, especially President Zelensky. Over the weekend, President Zelensky got on a call with Members of Congress, both House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats, hundreds of us. What a man of determination and dignity. I took notes. He said to us: We just want peace. We want to hold and kiss our children. We want to go to work. We want to sip coffee at our kitchen table. We want to be neighbors with the Russians. What bravery. What dignity. And yet this war has brought on him and us a humanitarian crisis, with the number of people fleeing Ukraine already exceeding 2 million. But death, displacement, and destruction must not be forever. We must provide necessary aid, weapons, medicines, food, fuel, refuge in a bipartisan universal way. I know we all in Congress will continue to do all we can. Ukrainians worldwide, please know we are here for you. You are welcome here. God bless Ukraine. The U.N. has recorded 406 civilian casualty deaths. Sadly, I think it will be far more than that. An 18-month-old boy was killed in his home after he was shelled by Russian forces; 13 civilians killed in an air strike on the town of Makariv, their bodies recovered from the rubble; a 26-year-old woman killed while attempting to deliver supplies to a dog shelter in Buka; eight people killed during Russian shelling while trying to flee the town of Irpin--children, mothers, civilians; a preschool in northeastern Ukraine hit while civilians took shelter, killing three of them, including a child and wounding another. These tragedies are inspiring a Nation and the many women in it, and I applaud the women of Ukraine fighting to keep their country free and the women of Russia protesting and speaking out against Mr. Putin, even at the risk of imprisonment and worse. I think of Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.N., whom we have met with this past summer and this last week--what a tower of strength; and Julia, a teacher and volunteer who wept and said, ``I just want to live in our country, and that is all,'' as she waited to be deployed to fight Russian troops. Putin will forever be a pariah. The globe recognizes him for the murderous, brutal dictator that he seeks to be. Yet, I have hope. I have hope in the Ukrainian people and the globe that has recognized the horror that is this series of war crimes. Representative Speier, thank you for heading this tonight. Slava Ukraini. Slava Heroyam. God bless Ukraine.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, no amount of warnings from the Biden administration and our intelligence could have prepared us for the sheer brutality and devastation we have seen from Mr. Putin, who expected a quick toppling of Ukraine's young democracy. He was wrong. We have watched in awe the resilience and heroism of the Ukrainians led by President Zelensky. But their bravery alone is not enough. We must meet their bravery with global support. This is a war and a humanitarian crisis--families, children, forced to leave their homes in the carnage of war. The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine has already exceeded 1 million, and it is estimated that it will go as high as 5 million. But death, destruction, and displacement must not be forever. Madam Speaker, I thank President Biden and his administration for their steadfast leadership in the West's support of Ukraine. Alongside the President, this Congress must continue to provide necessary weapons, medicines, food, fuel, and refuge. Ukrainians worldwide, please know: We are here for you. You are welcome here. God bless America. God bless Ukraine.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, in an important moment of bipartisanship on Monday, this Chamber passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. Over 75 percent of Members voted to restore power to women, who far too often have been at the mercy of powerful men and even more powerful companies. This bill is not simply about arbitration, but about ending forced arbitration. According to the EEOC, one in four women have been sexually harassed at work. For many, the fear of retaliation and being blackballed stops them from coming forward. And the women who do find the courage to come forward can be challenged by the confidentiality clause so often tied to forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts. This legislation will give sexual harassment and assault survivors the freedom to decide legal action. This bill goes beyond recourse for the victim. It is about redress in a court of law, not in a closed arbitration room. Because that is justice. I look forward to Senate passage.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, for decades we have heard elected officials rightfully decry the loss of American jobs, and then promise to bring them back. And for generations Americans have waited for that promise. Here is the chance. Since January 2000, the United States has lost over a quarter of all domestic manufacturing jobs. That means a decline of more than 4.7 million jobs in just two decades. Real people have paid the consequences. I have seen it in my own district, suburban Philadelphia; in places like Pottstown, Boyertown, Norristown that have lost manufacturing jobs and opportunities. The America COMPETES Act is a chance to revitalize these and other communities as well as to strengthen our national security. Here are some highlights: $52 billion to maintain and expand our production of semiconductor chips right here at home, which run our cars, phones, computers, healthcare system; $45 billion to improve our supply chains, with a special focus on producing more of our critical goods here; and Investments in scientific research and innovation so that we are not only in this century but we are globally leading it. This bipartisan legislation should be an easy ``yes'' for everyone in this Chamber and everyone in the Senate to pass. The America COMPETES Act is not a political win. It is a win for America.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on the opening of their second inpatient hospital, in my district, in King of Prussia. CHOP's Middleman Family Pavilion will dedicate more than 250,000 square feet of space solely to children. In our continued fight with COVID-19, we need more facilities like this one that families from all over our region can access. As the first pediatric emergency room in Montgomery County, CHOP will ensure that more children in Pennsylvania will have timely, nationally acclaimed care. The Middleman Family Pavilion will also create many jobs for the Montgomery County community, bringing needed jobs to communities like Norristown, Bridgeport, and Conshohocken. Now more than ever, with CHOP, it is all about children. That is the same for me. We need healthcare facilities that meet the demands of today, that treat our children with expert care and our families with compassion. Congratulations to CHOP.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1192) to impose requirements on the payment of compensation to professional persons employed in voluntary cases commenced under title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight Management and Economic Stability Act (commonly known as ``PROMESA'').

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, H.R. 1192 closes a loophole under current law by establishing disclosure requirements regarding actual or potential conflicts of interest in the bankruptcy process under PROMESA. In doing so, this legislation promotes transparency and accountability in the Puerto Rico restructuring process. I thank my colleague, Representative Velazquez from New York, the author of the bill, for her leadership on this issue, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this commonsense measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1192, the Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy in Disclosures Act of 2021, or PRRADA, is commonsense legislation that would promote greater transparency and integrity with respect to the ongoing financial reorganization of Puerto Rico. This will be the third time in just over 2 years that the House will vote on this legislation, but, Mr. Speaker, I think the third time will be the charm. In response to dire fiscal issues facing Puerto Rico at the time, Congress passed the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, or PROMESA, in 2016. That legislation established the Financial Oversight and Management Board with control over Puerto Rico's budget, laws, financial plans, and regulations, and the authority to retain professionals to assist the Board in executing its responsibilities. Although largely patterned on Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, PROMESA did not incorporate all facets of Chapter 11 and other relevant provisions of the code. Importantly, this includes the code's mandatory disclosure requirements regarding actual or potential conflicts of interest that professional persons seeking to be retained in a bankruptcy case must make to the court prior to their retention. This bill would close that loophole by conditioning the compensation of professional persons retained under PROMESA under certain disclosures similar to those required under the Bankruptcy Code. Additionally, the bill would require the United States Trustee to review these disclosures and to submit comments in response to the court, and it also authorizes the United States Trustee to object to compensation requested by professionals. And finally, H.R. 1192 would allow courts to deny compensation for services and reimbursement of expenses if the professional person did not comply with the disclosure requirement, was not a disinterested person, or represented or held an interest adverse to the bankruptcy estate. Common sense. The House passed H.R. 1192 last February, and the Senate passed an amended version of the Act last December. The Senate amendments streamlined PRRADA's reporting requirements, strengthened the incentives for good faith compliance, and clarify other provisions of the Act. Now, Puerto Rico's restructuring is drawing to a close, which makes passage of this legislation especially urgent. I thank Representative Velazquez for her leadership in championing this bill and for her relentless dedication to ensuring that the people of Puerto Rico receive the fair, efficient, and transparent restructuring process they deserve. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which was passed out of the House last year and the year before by unanimous votes, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1404) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23d Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company, popularly known as the ``Ghost Army'', in recognition of their unique and highly distinguished service in conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1404, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts, Senator Markey, and the gentlewoman from New Hampshire, Congresswoman Kuster, for their work on this bill which honors the resourcefulness, imagination, and artistry of the men of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Company in conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II. This 1,100-man unit, known collectively as the Ghost Army, was made up of individuals recruited from creative fields, including art schools, theater and communications companies, and advertising agencies. Their mission was to draw upon their creative and artistic talents to lure the German Army away from the Allied combat units through a series of tactical deception operations meant to confuse, deceive, and mislead. Following the D-Day landing in France, the Ghost Army undertook a traveling road show utilizing fake radio transmissions, inflatable tanks, and theatrical sound and atmospheric effects to misdirect German units away from actual Allied unit locations and toward larger imaginary ones. The artists, architects, and engineers of the Ghost Army were so effective that a later Army analysis of their performance found that ``rarely, if ever, has there been a group of such few men which had so great an influence on the outcome of a major military campaign.'' Yet, despite the overwhelming success of the citizen soldiers of the Ghost Army, their contributions remained classified for over 40 years, and their bravery and ingenuity was never formally recognized. This bill honors their unique contributions to the war effort by directing the Mint to strike a gold medal in honor of the Ghost Army. The gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be available for display and serve as recognition of the incredible service of the men of the Ghost Army during World War II. I thank Mr. Markey and Ms. Kuster for their work on this bill, and I urge Members to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster).

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. On a personal note, I would like to recognize First Lieutenant Bernard Mason, mentioned in the text of this bill, for his leadership in leading the 16-man detachment of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops during the invasion of Normandy. Lieutenant Mason was a constituent of mine before his passing, and his wife and children still live in my district. I want to thank them for Lieutenant Mason's life and service. Today we are finally honoring his service and those of his brothers-in-arms in perpetuity. The stories of the creativity and innovation displayed by the members of the Ghost Army during World War II read like something straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster script. The only thing missing is a Hollywood ending where the brave members of the Ghost Army are finally recognized for their lifesaving contributions to defeating the Axis Powers during World War II. This bill ensures official recognition for this heroic group of citizen soldiers and their unique contributions to the war effort. I thank Mr. Markey and Ms. Kuster, the lead sponsor of the House version of this bill, for ensuring that the stories of these men of the Ghost Army receive the recognition they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 452) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Willie O'Ree, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions and commitment to hockey, inclusion, and recreational opportunity.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley).

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 452, the Willie O'Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act. I thank Michigan Senator Stabenow and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for their work on this bill which honors Willie O'Ree, a trailblazer for diversity and inclusion in sports and the first Black player in the National Hockey League. Born in 1935 in the predominantly White town of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, O'Ree made a name for himself as a standout athlete in both ice hockey and baseball. At age 21, he was being scouted by professional baseball teams in the United States. However, upon experiencing racial discrimination and the effects of segregation firsthand while in the south for minor league tryouts, he shifted his focus solely to ice hockey. In 1958, at the age of 22, O'Ree was called up to play professionally as a winger for the NHL Boston Bruins. In doing so, he became the first Black professional ice hockey player in the league. Despite being blind in one eye from an injury during his time as an amateur hockey player and enduring racist attacks from hockey fans and players alike, O'Ree persevered and continued to play professional hockey for 22 years. In 1996, the National Hockey League hired O'Ree as its first-ever diversity ambassador, which set out to transform the predominantly White sport of ice hockey by providing greater access and opportunity for children of all races, ethnicities, and origins. O'Ree has personally devoted thousands of hours to Hockey is for Everyone programs which provide community outreach and support for youth participants to partake in physical fitness and live out hockey's core values of commitment, discipline, and respect for your teammates, coaches, and parents. In 2018, 60 years after O'Ree first broke the color barrier for ice hockey, he was inducted into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame in recognition of his longstanding support for greater access and diversity in the sport. This bill honors O'Ree's trailblazing legacy both on and off the ice. I thank Ms. Stabenow and Mr. Quigley for their work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge members to vote ``yes'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley).

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from Massachusetts an additional 1 minute.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Higgins).

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Willie O'Ree is often referred to as the ``Jackie Robinson of ice hockey'' for helping to end racial segregation in the National Hockey League. Mr. O'Ree's positive impact on the sport of ice hockey goes far beyond his role in ending racial segregation in the sport. This bill honors O'Ree for both his barrier-breaking role and his decades of championing diversity and greater youth access to the sport. I thank Ms. Stabenow and Mr. Quigley, the lead sponsor of the House version of the bill, and our other colleagues who worked so hard on this bill for ensuring that Mr. O'Ree and his trailblazing legacy of sportsmanship and inclusion receive the recognition he so richly deserves. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.