Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), who is the chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from New York an additional 15 seconds.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is the majority leader of the House.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch), a distinguished member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close debate on this measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield to no one, no one in this Chamber, when it comes to support for Israel. I supported moving the Embassy to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people. I am happy to have an honest debate about the Middle East so long as that debate is on the policy, on the merits. That is true when it comes to my friends on the other side and with Members of my own party. That is why we are here, and that is what the House of Representatives is all about. I want also to point out that this resolution, an important part of this resolution, says that there are to be no conditions on U.S. aid to Israel. That is something that is very important, and I think it is very important that we state that. The debate on foreign policy turns toxic when the issue is tainted by party politics, when support for Israel is politicized through motions to recommit or poison pill amendments. Politics should stop at the water's edge, and that is what normally guides our work on the Committee on Foreign Affairs. What happens when we ignore that? What happens is that decisions about our own security and leadership on the world stage are trumped by decisions about our own political interests. That makes us less safe. What happens is that decisions about how we treat our friends and partners around the world are trumped by decisions about what may be more appealing to our political base or political supporters. That makes our friends and partners less safe, less trusting, less confident in America. If we allow partisan politics to contaminate our foreign policy, we do so at our peril and the peril of many others around the world. We cannot allow that to happen when it comes to Israel, our most important ally in the Middle East. For two decades, support for a two-state solution has won bipartisan support. Even when they disagreed on many policy issues, Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama agreed on this. Of course, no one said anywhere along the line that it would be easy to achieve, but that doesn't mean we give up. It means we dig in and keep pushing and working to change minds. That is what American leadership is all about. I sincerely hope that my colleagues don't walk away from that. Those of us who are strong supporters of Israel understand that Israel is best served by a two-state solution, that a two-state solution is not good for only Palestinians but also good for Jews, also good for Israelis, also good for all people in the Middle East. That is what we are trying to do. My commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship is second to none, to nobody. That is why I do believe, by passing this resolution today, we are attempting to bring the parties together, attempting to state U.S. policy, acknowledging the fact that U.S. and Israel are unshakeable allies. This is simply saying that there is a dispute, that there are two peoples, two states for two peoples. That seems fair to me, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act. The right to vote is sacred and must not be infringed upon. Sadly, our Nation has a long and even bloody history of racial voter suppression, but lately that suppression has been supercharged by the terrible decision in Shelby County v. Holder. This case gutted key protections of the Voting Rights Act, allowing for States to prevent certain groups from accessing the ballot through voter ID laws, closing polling locations, and even purging voter rolls. I will be pleased to vote in favor of H.R. 4, as it represents a major step toward ensuring every citizen has the ability to vote. H.R. 4 will create a new coverage formula for repeated voting rights violations in the last 25 years and establish practice-based preclearance to focus administrative or judiciary review narrowly on suspect voting practices. With the House approving H.R. 4, we take a major step forward, and I urge prompt action by the other body.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1838) to amend the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, and for other purposes.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1838.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act today will once again demonstrate our support for the people of Hong Kong. The House passed our version of the bill several weeks ago, and this version passed the Senate last night as well, demonstrating, without a doubt, that the U.S. Congress stands with the people of Hong Kong even during a particularly troubling time. We are seeing the escalation of violence in unprecedented ways, indiscriminate use of force against students, and troubling reports of Chinese forces directing and manipulating the security forces in Hong Kong. However, as Joshua Wong said when he was last here with us on Capitol Hill just a few weeks ago, the ``people of Hong Kong will never walk alone.'' That is a quote. Never has this been truer than today. Although the abuses and injustices that have been endured by the people of Hong Kong are clear and evident to everyone, the policy challenge that this presents for the United States is far more nuanced. It is my expectation that, when implementing this legislation, the Secretary of State will understand congressional intent that this legislation is designed to help the U.S. Government and the U.S. Congress better evaluate the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and, ultimately, stem the tide of China's aggressive behavior toward the people of Hong Kong. Our objective is not to punish Hong Kong, but to help preserve and protect Hong Kong's autonomy in the face of Beijing's flagrant disregard for ``one country, two systems,'' which they had promised. As such, we believe it is in the national security interest of the United States to protect the autonomy of Hong Kong. It is with that intent that this entire legislative exercise has been undertaken. I hope that in evaluating how to apply the mandates in this bill, this administration, and any future administration, will give the best interest of the people of Hong Kong the highest consideration. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our Speaker of the House, who has been very, very active in Hong Kong freedom.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), an important leader on this issue.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), and I ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control the time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to be here today to help welcome back to Washington a true hero of democracy, former President Lech Walesa. Thirty years ago, we all watched with surprise and jubilation at the fall of the Berlin Wall, for decades the symbol of repression and tyranny that had fallen over the states behind the Iron Curtain. As it happens, that was my first year as a member of Congress. What followed the fall of the wall was the collapse of the totalitarian regimes and the restoration of those countries to their place among the world's democracies. This was an incredibly momentous occasion, we in Congress understand that. In November of 1989, a humble electrician from the working-class Polish city of Gdansk spoke before a joint session of the United States Congress. I remember it well. He described his years-long struggle for freedom and asked for support from the United States. That man, of course, was soon-to-be President Walesa. More than anyone else, President Walesa helped us understand the heroic and honorable fight that the people of Poland and others throughout central and eastern Europe were waging to win their freedom over dictatorship. We understood that the people of Europe needed our help in this struggle for freedom. And U.S. support was indeed critical in helping those countries transition to democracy. Thirty years later, some of those countries need our help again. While the specter of communism has faded, many countries in central and eastern Europe face renewed threats to democracy. Today at a hearing of the European subcommittee, President Walesa and other experts described some of these new threats, in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Turkey, where increasingly authoritarian leaders are undermining democracy and the rule of law. We owe it to President Walesa and all the others who continue to fight for democracy in the region to show our support. I want to close by thanking President Walesa for everything he has done in support of freedom and democracy, and for visiting with us today. And I want to urge everyone that we can best honor President Walesa's legacy by continuing the fight against authoritarianism wherever we may find it.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great frustration that I rise today to speak on the Supreme Court hearing arguments today in three cases relating to former President Obama's DACA policy. President Trump's decision to rescind DACA has thrust fear into hundreds of thousands of Dreamers. These individuals are active members of our society who pay taxes, create jobs, and help drive our Nation forward. To subject these individuals to the threat of deportation is absolutely wrong. I have heard directly from many constituents who depend on DACA, and I am heartbroken by the trauma and fear they now face. My colleagues and I did our job earlier this year in passing H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act; however, Senator McConnell has failed to consider this important legislation. As a result, we are now dependent on the Supreme Court offering a favorable decision that upholds DACA. I urge Senator McConnell to bring H.R. 6 for a vote and hope the Supreme Court will give a favorable decision on these cases.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize an institution in my district, United Hebrew of New Rochelle, as it celebrates its remarkable 100th anniversary this year. Founded in 1919 as The United Home for Aged Hebrews, the home quickly grew over its first decade to include 51 elderly men and women in need in a large two-story frame house surrounded by three park-like acres on Pelham Road in New Rochelle. In 1934, a three-story, red-brick addition to the original building was made possible by a generous contribution from Adolph Arber. The United Home was at that time the largest institution of its kind in Westchester County with 155 residents. In 1954, ground was broken for a $1.5 million building to replace the original house and 1934 wing. The new development, the Saul and Ada Gutner Pavilion, opened 3 years later and this new 102-bed facility was hailed as ``an entirely new concept in living for the elderly in need and the first major departure from the institutional atmosphere of the traditional old age home.'' The building incorporated the newest architectural concepts with modem social thought. In 1976, the Lola and Saul Kramer Pavilion, a $5.25 million skilled-nursing facility, was built with the assistance of a mortgage loan from the New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency. The four-story building brought the United Home to a 270-bed capacity. From there, United Home continued to grow. In 1983 it launched a Long-Term Home Health Care Program. In 1996, AZOR Licensed Home Health Care was launched, extending our award-winning services into the community to serve those who chose to stay in their own home. In 2003, the Beverly and Alfred J. Green Pavilion--Willow Towers Assisted Living--opened its doors. And in 2009, in its 90th year, United Hebrew Geriatric Center was renamed United Hebrew. The new name and logo honored their founders while reflecting the essence of United Hebrew's comprehensive services: united for its residents, caregivers, and their families. Madam Speaker, this is the 100-year legacy of United Hebrew: a dedication to caring for those in need. As we mark this special occasion, I want to congratulate and thank the leadership and team at United Hebrew for serving our community with great distinction for a century.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, as we approach the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, I would like to take a moment to honor a true American hero, George Mergenthaler. George was born on August 5th, 1920 and was the only child of Alice and Hermann Mergenthaler of Rye, NY. He grew up in Rye and was later accepted into Princeton University in September of 1939. A gifted athlete, dedicated student, handsome and charismatic, ``Merg'' as he was known, was well liked by all who knew him. With studies that focused on History and English, George's time at Princeton was everything he could have hoped for. All that changed on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Like many of his generation, George enlisted soon after the attack, but his enlistment was deferred until he graduated in January 1943 in an accelerated program. Just days later he was sent to Camp Hood in Texas for basic training. Discovering his fluency with German and French, the army assigned George to the 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop. Following overseas training in Wales, George and the rest of the Recon Troop entered the European Theater of Operation in mid-July 1944 with the 28th Infantry Division and would fight their way through France, into Belgium and on to Luxembourg. In mid-November the Troop arrived in Eschweiler, Luxembourg, their home for the next month. Because of his ease with language, George more than any of the other soldiers, endeared himself to the people of the small farming town. Together they shared meals, church services, hopes and dreams. Then on December 16th, 1944, the Germans launched a surprise attack in the Ardennes Forest. The Battle of the Bulge was underway. By mid-afternoon on December 18th, the German attack had pushed deep into Luxembourg, and Eschweiler was nearly surrounded. The Recon Troop held the town as long as possible before pulling out. Just a mile outside of town, their convoy drove into a German ambush. Pinned down on the narrow, treelined road, death or capture were their only options. Realizing their desperate situation, George sprang to action. Showing no regard for his personal safety, George jumped into the back of a jeep, manned a 50- caliber machine gun and provided enough covering fire for the rest of the Recon Troop soldiers to make their escape. Seconds later the machine gun jammed. As George tried to clear the breach, German bullets cut him down. George's selfless and heroic actions that day allowed the rest of the Recon Troop to survive not only that ambush but the war. Madam Speaker, George Mergenthaler made the ultimate sacrifice that day so that others could live in peace. I would like to thank this body for posthumously recognizing George Mergenthaler, a true American hero.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman and rise to support moving forward to the next open phase of this impeachment inquiry so that the American people can hear from witnesses, see the evidence, and understand the troubling story of what has taken place in this administration. As chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, my priorities are supporting American diplomats and diplomacy, working with partners and allies, and ensuring that our foreign policy advances America's interests. This administration has, unfortunately, undermined all of those priorities since its first day. But in the last month, we have learned more and more about just how deep this goes. The facts are clear: The White House launched a shadow foreign policy that circumvented and undermined our normal diplomatic channels. A distinguished career ambassador was publicly smeared and pushed aside. Critical military aid for Ukraine, a valued partner--locked in a life-or-death struggle with Russia--was blocked. The goal? Not some foreign policy priority; not an effort to make our country safer or stronger--quite the opposite, as delaying these resources hurt Ukraine and directly benefited Vladimir Putin. Why, then? To pressure a foreign government to interfere in our 2020 elections. It is what the Framers feared most. The President's own words say it best from the record of the call with President Zelensky as he sought the tools to push back against Russia. Mr. Trump's answer: ``I would like you to do us a favor, though.'' Since that first damning piece of evidence came to light, the Intelligence, Oversight, and Foreign Affairs Committees have worked to fill in the pieces of the puzzle, thanks to the courage of public servants who obeyed the law and testified, even in the face of bullying and intimidation from the administration and of ugly, baseless smears from the President's allies. I condemn the shameful efforts to identify and harass the whistleblower whose life may be jeopardized for coming forward to tell the truth. I salute all of those patriots, and I salute my fellow committee chairs Mr. Schiff, Mrs. Maloney, and the late Mr. Cummings--

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize a beloved place of worship in my district that is celebrating its remarkable 150th Anniversary this year, St. Luke's Lutheran Church in New Rochelle. The mission of St. Luke's Lutheran Church is one of hope and service to the community. St. Luke's exists in order to communicate the Lutheran understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone through a community that seeks warmth and meaning in everyday life. St. Luke's mission is to address the community with respect through teaching, hospitality, Word and Sacrament in a fellowship faithful to Jesus Christ and committed to growth in response to our Lord's Great Commission: ``Go therefore and make disciples.'' In the words of church Reverend Dr. William J. Damrow, ``We have been marked as a people called to reach out and welcome all. We are a people who enjoy diverse backgrounds, yet, in common we share our struggles while affirming the gifts of faith, hope, love, and forgiveness. Come visit, worship, and grow with us.'' It is in this spirit of inclusivity that St. Luke's Lutheran Church has blossomed, with a loving and dedicated congregation. As Representative for New York's 16th Congressional District, I want to congratulate Reverend Damrow, the staff, leadership, and congregation of St. Luke's Lutheran Church on reaching this blessed milestone. Here is to 150 more years of serving the people of New Rochelle and the surrounding community in Westchester.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, today I recognize one of the great religious institutions in New York's 16th Congressional District, the Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church, which this year is celebrating its 80th year of ministry in the community. The Mount Vernon Church's journey began in the Fall of 1932 when Thaddeus Wilson, Sr., a layman and local elder of the New Rochelle S.D.A. Church, purchased two thousand Present Truth tracts in hope of starting a bible study. A weekly Bible study class began in a private home at the corner of East Third Street and South Seventh Avenue. In less than a month the interest and attendance had grown so much that two adjoining rooms had to be used to accommodate the people. From there, the gatherings grew, to tented meetings whose patrons later formed the nucleus of the Mount Vernon Mission. The Mission's first home was in a loft at 3 West Third Street, at the comer of West Third Street and South Fourth Avenue. In 1939, the mission was organized into a church. This was a milestone in the history of the Mount Vernon Church. In 1942, a drive was started to raise funds to purchase a lot on South Fifth Avenue and by the 1950's the church building was complete. Over the years it became apparent that the building had become too small for its growing membership, and a new place was sought. The present edifice located at 230 South Columbus Avenue was purchased and a grand reopening came in 1975. As the church grew it continued to welcome many new individuals into the church. It also expanded its youth programming and community outreach. The Mount Vernon Church is also responsible for starting two daughter churches. The Mount Vernon Church has a remarkable history and an equally wonderful legacy in this community and beyond. I want to congratulate the entire congregation and church leadership for 80 incredible years.