Adriano Espaillat

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Juan Pablo Duarte, the founding father of the Dominican Republic. Duarte was instrumental in the war of Dominican independence, and he fought for a liberal democracy. January 26, this past Saturday, marked Duarte's birthday, a day that is celebrated in the Dominican Republic as a national holiday, and Dominicans celebrated it across the world. Last week, I introduced H. Res. 64, which supports the ideals of Juan Pablo Duarte Day, and urges the recognition of this day in the United States, as many Dominican Americans celebrate here as well. This resolution is one of three I introduced last week to mark the beginning of Dominican Heritage Month to honor the Dominican American community in my district and across the country. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my many colleagues join me in recognizing this important day and the contributions of Dominican Americans across the United States.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, Que Leon is a Dominican film directed by Frank Perozo, produced by Caribbean Cinemas and its executive producers Gregory Quinn, Michael Carrady and Zumaya Cordero, which shows, with humor, how love can survive all adversities. Que Leon, for its quality, represents a contribution to the Dominican filmography. Que Leon surpassed all expectations by mobilizing more than 600,000 people in its first eight weeks in markets such as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and more than eight Caribbean islands and Bolivia. In addition, it is the first Dominican film with a massive premiere in North American territory in more than 13 states, around 35 cities and more than 70 cinemas, which sets a precedent for Dominican industry in U.S. territory. What Leon is about the life of Nicole and Jose Miguel, who have one thing in common: their last name Leon. But they come from very different social backgrounds, and their love will have to deal with the opposition of their parents and with a large number of situations that will put them to the test. Que Leon has a cast of prominent Dominican and Puerto Rican actors and actresses, including singer Ozuna, Clarissa Molina (winner of the reality show Nuestra Belleza Latina in 2016, who also makes her film debut), and experienced kings of the Dominican comedy Raymond Pozo and Miguel Cespedes. Que Leon also includes in its cast important figures of theater, film and television, such as Celines Toribio, Stephany Liriano, Milagros German, Irving Alberti, Anyelina Sanchez, Roger Wasserman, Oscar Carrasquillo, Candy Flow, the salsars Victor Manuelle and Alex Matos and the Puerto Ricans Jorge Pabon ``Molusco'' and Jaime Mayol. (The statement in Spanish is as follows:) Madam Speaker, Que Leon es una pelicula dominicana dirigida por Frank Perozo, producida por Caribbean Cinemas y sus productores ejecutivos Gregory Quinn, Michael Carrady y Zumaya Cordero, que muestra, con humor, como el amor puede so-brevivir a todas las adversidades. Que Leon, por su calidad, representa un aporte a la filmografia dominicana. Que Leon supero todas las expectativas movilizando a mas de 600,000 personas en sus primeras ocho semanas en mercados como Republica Dominicana, Puerto Rico, y mas de ocho islas del Caribe y Bolivia. Ademas, es la primera pelicula dominicana con un estreno masivo en territorio norteamericano en mas de 13 estados, alrededor de 35 ciudades y mas de 70 salas, lo que establece un precedente para la industria dominicana en territorio estadounidense. Que Leon trata de la vida de Nicole y Jose Miguel, quienes tienen una cosa en comun: su apellido Leon. Pero provienen de entornos sociales muy diferentes, y su amor tendra que lidiar con la oposicion de sus padres y con un gran numero de situaciones que los pondran a prueba. Que Leon cuenta con un elenco de destacados actores y actrices dominicanos y puertorriquenos, entre los que figuran el cantante Ozuna, Clarissa Molina (ganadora del reality show Nuestra Belleza Latina en el 2016, quien tambien hace su debut en el cine), y los experimentados reyes de la comedia dominicana Raymond Pozo y Miguel Cespedes. Que Leon tambien incluye en su elenco a importantes figuras del teatro, cine y television, como Celines Toribio, Stephany Liriano, Milagros German, Irving Alberti, Anyelina Sanchez, Roger Wasserman, Oscar Carrasquillo, Candy Flow, los salseros Victor Manuelle y Alex Matos y los puertorriquenos Jorge Pabon ``Molusco'' y Jaime Mayol.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the New York State Legislature for passing the DREAM Act. States have had to step up because of the Trump shutdown, because of our inability to move forward and recognize that this continues to be a nation of immigrants. So States like New York today had to pass the DREAM Act to allow in young people, many of whom are nurses, doctors, members of our Armed Forces, and teachers who are contributing to our communities across the country. All they want is a shot to be part of the American Dream, because this is a nation of immigrants. The DREAM Act today in the New York State Legislature was named after my good friend who passed this year, unfortunately, Senator Jose Peralta. I congratulate New York. That lady still stands in the harbor with her torch lighting the bay for everyone across the world, because we are a nation of immigrants.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment and want to thank Ms. Jayapal for allowing me time to speak in support. As she outlined, this amendment would restrict the Department of Homeland Security from using any emergency funds from being reprogrammed to add beds at immigration detention centers. Last year, during the historic hurricane season that ravaged Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and parts of Texas, the White House brazenly shifted millions of dollars slated for recovery to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in order to fund the immoral detention of refugees and other immigrants as part of its horrible zero tolerance policy. Throughout the Gulf Coast, but especially in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done. Businesses must reopen, power infrastructure needs to be restored and made more resilient, and communities must be rebuilt, yet President Trump is threatening to declare a phony national emergency so he can take these critical funds and put them toward a useless, medieval wall and other components of his cruel immigration policies. I am happy to support this amendment, Madam Chair.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the new Chair of the House Small Business Committee Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez for her leadership on this issue and for working with me during the 115th Congress when the Encouraging Small Business Innovation Act first passed in the House. I also want to congratulate Congressman Rouda on his success in moving this issue forward in the 116th Congress and thank him for his commitment to spur innovation and address the issue of underrepresentation of minorities in the small business community. The Encouraging Small Business Innovation Act is thoughtful and constructive legislation. Even in this modern day, we have heard from many minority and women-owned small businesses that they continue to face institutional challenges to growing their businesses. A 2013 report commissioned by the Small Business Administration found that women-owned small businesses do not have equal access to capital from the private sector as compared to their male peers. Furthermore, the Small Business Administration's own Office of Advocacy has said that, ``There are fewer minority-owned businesses representing high-patenting industries than in all industries.'' Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the Small Business Administration works with partners in eleven federal agencies ranging from the Department of Agriculture to NASA to support small businesses, especially those that are owned by members of identified disadvantaged communities. While these programs have made some headway in encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship among women and many minority communities, this vital investment can only be used for research and development. There is no consideration given for testing and evaluation, an extremely resource-heavy task for small businesses. What good is a product or a method when you don't know if it works effectively or efficiently? The Small Business Innovation Act addresses this problem by including ``testing'' and ``evaluation'' among the activities for which SBIR and STTR applicants can seek funding. This will empower more underrepresented entrepreneurs to develop new products, expand upon new ideas, and gain respected external validators. The Small Business Innovation Act also includes a number of other provisions that I believe will significantly help expand entrepreneurship in underserved communities. For example, the bill incentivizes mentorship with previous SBIR- and STTR-recipient companies that have found success in the programs to impart their knowledge and share their experience. It also welcomes investment by Small Business Investment Companies into SBIR and STTR projects, which will increase the investment of capital from more diverse streams of funding. The bill also prioritizes data collection and reporting, ensuring that evaluation of the program leads to increased efficiency and additional participation. Finally, and most importantly, the bill makes explicit commitments to increasing the participation of underserved populations in the small business community. So again, I thank my colleague, Mr. Rouda, and Chairwoman Velazquez for taking up this important cause and I congratulate them both on a job well done.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, President Trump has threatened to build his wall and has put out of work over 800,000 Americans through his Trump shutdown, and just today he doubled down on a threat to declare a national emergency so he could usurp Congress and trample on our Constitution. These bully tactics may have worked running his business, but they will not work running our country. Let me promise the American people right now, Democrats in Congress will fight and disallow Trump to waste your hard-earned taxpayer dollars on his ridiculous wall. That is why I have introduced legislation to stop the wall. My This Land Is Our Land Act will counter the many threats Trump has made to get his medieval and ineffective wall: It won't allow him to build it on public land; it won't allow him to take away people's private land by using eminent domain; and, most importantly, it won't allow him to use fake national emergencies. So let me finish by paraphrasing Ronald Reagan: Mr. Trump, give up your wall.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank the gentlewoman and the Progressive Caucus for organizing this very important Special Order hour. It is an important opportunity for us to share stories about how the Trump shutdown is causing real damage in many of our communities and to remind the American people that President Trump is holding government hostage not for some noble cause, but for his petulant demand for an unnecessary and medieval border wall. There are 14,000 Federal workers in New York State whose pay has been impacted by this Trump shutdown, but I will share the story of one of my constituents. This is the reality of a constituent from the 13th Congressional District, someone I have the privilege to represent and know. That person is a NASA employee who, along with dozens of her colleagues, has been furloughed due to the Trump shutdown. Most Americans are unaware that NASA operates and conducts some of the most important climate change research in New York City through NASA labs right in the heart of New York City. My constituent's work is even more critical now than ever before, as our global climate is in its most fragile state, with record-shattering hurricanes pounding the Caribbean. We saw how Hurricane Maria ravaged through the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and the Gulf Coast of our country, as well as the massive wildfires burning throughout California and other parts of the West Coast. My constituent and her fellow workers, dedicated researchers, conduct observational-based climate assessment. Now, because of the Trump shutdown, these crucial studies will stop. The intensive models they build explain past climate behavior and help us predict future climate conditions so we can be better prepared in the future. This is not surprising, Mr. Speaker, because many of the folks around the White House believe that climate change is a hoax, that it doesn't exist at all. These researchers that have been furloughed are so necessary for the future of our Nation and our planet. Their periodic reports are essential for understanding our climate and how it is changing. In a response from agencies that seems almost like a cruel joke, furloughed Federal workers, like my constituent, have been encouraged to get creative, to budget closely. They have been asked that perhaps they could make ends meet if they baby-sit or if they have garage sales. This is the message that these agencies have given to some of the furloughed workers across the country, but too many in our Federal workforce simply cannot afford to miss a loan payment, a utility bill, their rent, their mortgage. This President simply doesn't understand just how hard it is for working class people and middle class people. As Speaker Pelosi aptly put it, President Trump doesn't understand that working people cannot ask their dad or their mom for money. This whole situation is unacceptable. And just like President Trump said when he accepted the Republican nomination back in 2016, he alone can fix this. He created this crisis. I bring this here to show the American people who is crossing the border. I went down to the border in New Mexico, and I saw moms and little children running away from violence, from hunger, running away from natural disasters, sleeping on a cold, dirty, dingy floor, packed like sardines. We are a better country. We are a better America. We ask you, Mr. President: Give up your wall. Give up your wall and reopen government. Free the 800,000 Federal workers you have held hostage in this manufactured, fictitious security crisis. This is the moment, this is the time. Mr. Speaker, we must fight back, we must reopen government. We will not give in to the wall. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life and accomplishments of my colleague and fellow Dominican-American, New York State Senator Jose Rafael Peralta who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 47. A dear friend, a pioneer, and a tireless advocate for the people of Queens, Jose was an ardent advocate for his constituents and New York City in his elected service in the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly. Jose Rafael Peralta was born in Washington Heights and raised in Queens by Dominican-born parents; making him the first Dominican- American to be elected to New York State Senate. He was a proud graduate of Queens College, City University of New York. Not only a dedicated student, he was attuned to local politics and driven to make his community a better place. This was when I first met Jose as a volunteer on my campaign for State Assembly. Jose was effervescent and exceedingly intelligent. And thoughtful. And my friend. Senator Peralta fought relentlessly for the rights and equity for all immigrants. He was a strong supporter of the DREAM Act for New York State. On behalf of his constituents in New York City and the greater immigrant diaspora in New York State, he was unyielding in his desire to see the New York State Dream Act passed and signed into law. He believed with every fiber of his being that we have an obligation to ensure that every opportunity for equity and advancement should be available to all persons. I have called on New York State Senate leadership and New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to rename the legislation after Jose Rafael Peralta to honor his work in advocacy of the immigrant community of New York. Jose Rafael Peralta was vibrant, an extraordinary public servant, a devoted husband, and a loving father. He fought for the marginalized, for working families, for women, for everyone who needed a voice. May God bless his family. It was an honor to call him a friend.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following Proclamation in honor of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce: Whereas, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce has been a steadfast presence in Harlem since its establishment in 1896 originally chartered as the Harlem Board of Commerce; and later to the Uptown Chamber of Commerce to better represent itself as the first and ongoing business organization in Upper Manhattan; and now as the omnipresent Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce; Whereas, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce has been committed to Harlem and Upper Manhattan with a demonstrated focus on commercial development, educational services, as well as special attention to arts & culture, travel, and tourism; Whereas, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce for over 130 years has been a key community stakeholder integral to the development of major infrastructure including the construction of the George Washington and Tri-Borough Bridges connecting Manhattan to the outer boroughs and New Jersey and New York's first subway line, the IRT (No. 2 & 3 Train); Whereas, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce brought Harlem out of the Great Depression and into the national discourse as a beacon of social-commentary and expression through the Harlem Renaissance and home to the 1939 World's Fair; Whereas, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce has been at the vanguard of the development and revitalization of Harlem including Strivers Gardens, an extraordinary example of mixed-use residential and commercial development projects, and the Striver's Center Development Project that has been a tremendous benefit to the community at large; Whereas, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce to elevate Harlem, created a singular celebration of Harlem's unique culture and history which began as ``Harlem Day'' and has since grown and scale and breadth to ``HARLEM WEEK''. This extraordinary celebration of Harlem Life features a diversity of cultural events: Afro-Cuban, Gospel, R & B, and Jazz music, sports, cinema, business fairs and vintage automobiles, and a unique ``Taste of Harlem'' at local eateries and clubs. In 2017, Harlem Week attracted more than 3.5 million people. In 2018, it included the celebration of Aretha Franklin's legacy and featuring Janet Jackson as an honoree; Whereas, The visionary leadership including Lloyd Williams, President and CEO; Voza Rivers, 1st Vice President; Andrew Reddick; Michele Scott; and, Valerie Roberson among others who have lent their talent and passion to the concern for the next generation; acknowledging historical contributions of Women and LGBTQ in the African-American community as well as creating opportunities for recruiting youth to be trainees for Wall Street firms; Now, therefore I, Adriano Espaillat, Representative of the Thirteenth Congressional District of New York in the United States House of Representatives, do hereby recognize The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and its long history and contributions to the vitality of Harlem's economic growth, arts & culture, educational institutions, health awareness, and mixed-use residential-commercial developments as well as to the creation of HARLEM WEEK which has a local and global impact, and commitment to strengthening ties to the Harlem community during the ``End of the Year'' Holiday Gala Reception, on Tuesday, December 18 2018.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues' sad news that has struck my community with the passing of Wilfred R. DeFour, Sr. at the incredible age of 100. Mr. DeFour was raised in Harlem; a proud alumnus of Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx; and later graduate of both the City College of New York and New York University School of Commerce . Mr. DeFour was an aircraft technician working on many of the planes flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. In fact, Mr. DeFour painted the tails of aircraft red by hand that lent the airmen their signature moniker of ``Red Tails''. He was a man of extraordinary dignity, the highest character and a great sense of humor. He personified the magnanimity of his generation that endured the division and animus of racial segregation in this country yet still fought for our country and its shared defense. Just a few weeks ago in New York City, I had the enormous privilege with my fellow elected officials and community leaders to officially unveil the renaming of the Post Office located at 99 Macombs Place as the ``Tuskegee Airmen Post Office Building.'' Mr. DeFour was our guest of honor and shared with us his experience and what his service meant to him. It is my intention to rename the Lincolnton Post Office located at 2266 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10037, where he worked after returning from his military service for over three decades. Just last month he said ``I regret so many of my comrades are no longer here with us. It was a great experience. We didn't know that we were making history at the time, we were just doing our jobs. That's about the size of it.'' For a man with a larger than life presence, what struck me and those around him was his humility and grace. He told us ``After looking back at it, everyone was pleased with what we did. What we did, we did our best and our best was the greatest.'' We are lesser without him and can only hope to strive to match; but never exceed his example. Godspeed Combat Technical Sergeant Wilfred R. DeFour, Sr. It was a pleasure to have known him.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and commemorate Mr. Alphonso B. Deal on the 30th anniversary of his passing, which was earlier this year, on July 7th. From his lifetime commitment in the Harlem community, Alphonso B. Deal will be remembered for his significant efforts to increase access and participation for diverse communities. This included organizing a house crawl on Saturday afternoons to encourage people to live in Harlem all while showcasing the beauty in Harlem's history and architecture. He was a staunch believer in expanding opportunities for the wider community. To expand access for Latinos, Asians, and African Americans to take the New York State Court Officer's examination, Mr. Deal also asked the Tribune Society to hold a free test preparation course. Alphonso B. Deal was a dedicated public servant who served as a New York State court officer for decades until he was tragically murdered on July 7, 1988--heroically pursuing a ruthless criminal who robbed one man at gun point and shot two others. Aside from his work for the New York State Supreme Court, Alphonso B. Deal was a lifelong member of the NAACP, an active member of the Tribune Society, and a founding member of the New York State Commission on Minorities. ``E Pluribus Unum'' is our motto in the United States. The Latin term which translates to ``Out of many, one'' is center to the values we hold dear as a nation. Alphonso B. Deal understood that diversity is this country's strength and fought to bring about impactful change in his field. We all come from different backgrounds but come together as one beautiful American people--regardless of our race or ethnicity. It is my pleasure and distinct honor to celebrate the life of Mr. Alphonso B. Deal, whose tremendous work left a lasting impact on his community.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and commemorate Mr. Alphonso Deal on the 30th anniversary of his passing, which was earlier this year, on July 7th. From his lifetime commitment to the Harlem community, Mr. Deal will be remembered for his significant efforts to increase access and participation for diverse communities. This included organizing a house crawl on Saturday afternoons to encourage people to live in Harlem all while showcasing the beauty in Harlem's history and architecture. He was a staunch believer in expanding opportunities for the wider community. To expand access for Latinos, Asians, and African Americans to take the New York State Court Officer's examination, Mr. Deal also asked the Tribune Society to hold a free test preparation course. Mr. Deal was a dedicated public servant who served as a New York State court officer for decades until he was tragically murdered on July 7, 1988--heroically pursuing a ruthless criminal who robbed one man at gun point and shot two others. Aside from his work for the New York State Supreme Court, Mr. Deal was a lifelong member of the NAACP, an active member of the Tribune Society, and a founding member of the New York State Commission on Minorities. ``E Pluribus Unum'' is our motto in the United States. The Latin term which translates to ``Out of many, one'' is center to the values we hold dear as a nation. Mr. Deal understood that diversity is this country's strength and fought to bring about impactful change in his field. We all come from different backgrounds but come together as one beautiful American people--regardless of our race or ethnicity. It is my pleasure and distinct honor to celebrate the life of Mr. Alphonso Barclay Deal, whose tremendous work left a lasting impact on his community.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent from New York's 13th Congressional District, Mr. Wilfred R. DeFour, Sr. and celebrate him on his 100th Birthday and highlight his service in defense of our nation. Mr. DeFour was raised in Harlem where he attended Dewitt Clinton High School, City College of New York, and the New York University School of Commerce. Mr. DeFour served in the 366th Air Service Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Corps and later the 332nd Fighter Group; military aviators and personnel known as a Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Mr. DeFour was an aircraft technician working on many of the planes flown by the Tuskegee Airmen. In fact, Mr. DeFour painted the tails of aircraft red by hand that lent the airmen their signature moniker of ``Red Tails''. Mr. DeFour is a lifelong New Yorker and returned to New York City after his military service to work for the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years where he demonstrated extraordinary pride in his work for the people of Harlem as evidenced by his ascendance to Superintendent of Special Delivery and Parcel. Earlier this month, Mr. DeFour celebrated his 100th birthday and over the weekend, he was recognized for his service by the Claude B. Goven Tri-State Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Mr. Wilfred R. DeFour, Sr. is a model of perseverance and success in the face of racial animus and someone who I am immensely proud to have as a constituent. His contribution to our New York City community is omnipresent and it is my personal pleasure to wish him well on his 100th birthday and highlight his life of achievement and service.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Johnnie Mae Johnson. Ms. Johnson was the District Leader of the 70th Assembly District in New York City. But this office is only one small part of her tremendous legacy. Ms. Johnson became a PTA president at PS 133--a diverse elementary school in Harlem. Ms. Johnson was a founding member of the Addie Mae Collins Head Start Program. This program has expanded education services for many students in the area and remains an invaluable resource. Ms. Johnson was a vigorous advocate for social justice and demonstrated an unceasing devotion to fair and equitable living conditions. As an enduring testament to her spirit and commitment, our NYC community came together one year ago and renamed East 130th Street and Lexington Avenue in her name. Johnnie Mae Johnson brought persuasive leadership and unshakable determination to Harlem when it needed it most. And for that, I reason I rise today to recognize Ms. Johnson.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following Proclamation: Whereas, the Inwood Canoe Club has been part of the Upper Manhattan Community since its founding in 1913; ushering the introduction and growth of this sport and recreation with this generation as well as the generation of our parents and that of our grandparents before; Whereas, the Inwood Canoe Club continues to eagerly welcome with open arms persons of all ages from different parts of New York City, and around the world for over a century; Whereas, the Inwood Canoe Club has given New Yorkers a chance to discover new activities that enable us to enjoy the natural beauty that is such a tremendous point of pride that we all share and are fortunate to celebrate with the Inwood Canoe Club; Whereas, the Inwood Canoe Club places a priority on community engagement and instills a lifelong passion for outdoor recreation through programs highlighting water sports to educate the youth about the ecology of the Hudson river and the importance of the environment; Whereas, the Inwood Canoe Club strengthens community and generational ties, contributing to our greater sense of pride in our community; Now, therefore I, Adriano Espaillat, Representative of the Thirteenth Congressional District of New York in the United States House of Representatives, do hereby recognize Inwood Canoe Club on its 116th anniversary for its contribution to the Northern Manhattan Community and New York City.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I thank Ranking Member Velazquez and Chairman Chabot for their leadership in the Small Business Committee, and the colead in this bill, the Congressman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman). Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6368, Encouraging Small Business Innovators. Mr. Speaker, access to capital remains limited for underrepresented minority- and women-owned small businesses. I hear this concern from many in New York City whose ventures in science and technology are full of promise and potential for success. However, a 2013 report commissioned by the Small Business Administration found that women-owned businesses do not have equal access to capital from the private sector as compared to their male peers. The Small Business Administration's own Office of Advocacy has said that ``there are fewer minority-owned businesses representing high-patenting industries than in all industries.'' Through the Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs, the Small Business Administration works with partners in 11 Federal agencies, ranging from agriculture to NASA, to support small businesses, and especially those that are minority and disadvantaged owned. These programs are committed to fostering and encouraging participation and innovation and entrepreneurship by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and expanding private-sector commercialization of innovations resulting from federally funded research and development. But this is limited only to research and development. There is no consideration given for testing and evaluation. What good is a product or a method when you don't know if it works effectively, efficiently, or can be used in variable ways? H.R. 6368 addresses this problem by including testing and evaluation among the activities that SBIR and STTR participants can apply for. This is how we can encourage more underrepresented entrepreneurs and their expertise into a process where they can develop new products, ideas, and gain respected external validators. H.R. 6368 also incentivizes mentorship with previous SBIR and STTR companies that have found success in the programs to share and impart that knowledge and experience. Today's bill is endorsed by the National Defense Industrial Association, an association whose majority are small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, September 20 this next week is the 1- year anniversary of Hurricane Maria. One year later in Puerto Rico, in the neighboring island of Puerto Rico where there are U.S. citizens living because Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, the schools are still closed. One year later and people are still waiting for home repairs. One year later and the death toll continues to rise. One year later and we are just now finding out that the death toll resulting from Hurricane Maria and its aftermath resulted in 2,975 deaths, a drastic, dramatic increase from the original reported numbers by the government of merely 64 people. Madam Speaker, the numbers have ballooned from 64 people who died during that terrible storm and the aftermath, to 2,975. We are just now finding out that close to 3,000 U.S. lives were lost while this administration did very little. Just this week, the President said that he has done an A-plus job. He seems to feel that there are only 64 deaths there, but that is not the case. In fact, there were 3,000 lives that perished there with slow response, and that is failure. That is an F-minus, to me, for government. But that is not all. Such is the indifference of this administration to the lives of Puerto Rico. And, Madam Speaker, we have a moral obligation to help the Puerto Rican people. They are American citizens. When we are in a time of war, when our Nation is in danger, we call upon them to defend us. Thousands and thousands of Puerto Ricans have given up their lives for democracy in the United States. We all remember the photograph of President George W. Bush on Air Force One hovering over New Orleans right after Katrina, and it was a watershed moment for our Nation that the photo became the poster child for neglect and the failed response of the government during a tragedy. Well, guess what. Puerto Rico has become our modern-day Katrina. Undoubtedly, this administration's mismanagement of Puerto Rico has become its most significant failure to date. FEMA provided roughly a third of the meals, half as much water, and just a small fraction of tarps to Puerto Rico than it provided to Texas after Hurricane Harvey in the first 9 days after the storm. Several weeks elapsed before FEMA and the Defense Department increased their presence on the island. And even though airports and ports had reopened after a few days, they still failed to bring the necessary help to that island. The agencies failed to direct the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other ships to Puerto Rico and provide first aid to the people who were hurting. We have now entered the 2018 hurricane season. As you know, we are bracing for Florence, Isaac, Helene, and Olivia to make landfall. This administration needs to do better in responding to these emergencies. It is heartbreaking and a serious tragedy for the American citizens of Puerto Rico, their families, and our Nation as a whole to have been treated this way. We cannot turn our backs on Puerto Rico, and we must continue to support our brothers and sisters along this journey to rebuild their lives during this humanitarian crisis. Mr. Speaker, the Puerto Rico crisis has become a humanitarian crisis that has proven far greater than we ever imagined.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concerns over the leadership coming from our Nation's White House. Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote the words of a White House staff member that was recently published by The New York Times in an op-ed: The dilemma--which the President does not fully grasp--is that many of the senior officials in his own administration are working diligently from within to frustrate parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations. This comes directly from a staffer at the Trump White House. It is scary to think that the policies that have come out of the White House already publicly aren't even the President's worst inclinations. It is scary to think that separating children from their mothers, as young as 9 months old, is not the President's worst inclination. It is scary to think that the rhetoric being launched at immigrants, hateful rhetoric launched against immigrants from all parts of the world--this is a nation of immigrants--that that is not part of the President's worst inclination. It is scary to think that arming teachers not with a book, not with a laptop, but with weapons is not the President's worst inclination. There is a quiet resistance within the administration of people choosing to put country first. That is what the staff member said in that op-ed. People before party. Country before party. That is what the staff member has said in this op-ed, and I stand here today to say to my Republican colleagues: Where are you? Will you put country before party? Where is your courage to do what is right? Will you put country before party? Where is your courage to hold the President accountable, to exercise the checks and balances that are given to us by the Constitution? Trump's circle of chaos runs deep within the administration. To my colleagues: Where are you?

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dear friend and civil rights champion, Ms. Beverly Alston. Ms. Alston will long be remembered for her legacy as a civil rights warrior, social justice champion, and for being a loving mother. She was an icon in Harlem; renown for her tireless fight against racial discrimination. Ms. Alston worked with Reverend Al Sharpton in the early days of the National Action Network. She saw it grow from a local grassroots organization to a nationally and internationally recognized civil rights organization. Reverend Sharpton took time this past weekend to recognize Ms. Alston on his PoliticsNation program speaking to her character and her contributions to the fight for equality that began in the Harlem Community. It was her lifelong mission to better our Harlem and Northern Manhattan community for this generation and those that follow. Ms. Alston was a dedicated public servant having served in many different positions that reflected her interests and aptitudes. She was Superintendent of the New York State Office of General Services; past President of the Jackie Robinson Park Conservatory and worked in Intergovernmental Relations for the New York State Insurance Department. In both the New York City Council and New York State Executive Chamber, Ms. Alston was always able to make a positive impact on the lives of New Yorkers in the City and throughout the State. Her legacy to Harlem will forever be remembered. May she Rest in Peace and may God comfort her friends, family, and all who knew and loved her dearly. She will be missed.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett for yielding me time as well as Ranking Member Elijah Cummings and Trey Gowdy for their support in bringing this bill to the floor. I have a special acknowledgement and thank you to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who introduced the Senate version of my bill which is before us today. I rise in strong support of S. 2692, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4558 Broadway in Manhattan as the Stanley Michels Post Office Building. Stanley Michels was a great public servant. He was a loving family man and he was from my neighborhood of Washington Heights. He served on the New York City Council from 1978 to 2001, representing Council District 6, and always did so with distinction and with integrity. As the chairman of the New York City Council's Committee on Environmental Protection from 1992 through 2001, Stanley was best known for his activism on environmental issues, particularly water quality, and also he was a strong advocate of tenants' rights. He was a very strong supporter of New York City parks. They called him the King of the Parks in New York City and he injected millions of dollars into the park system across the City of New York, but, particularly, in northern Manhattan: Fort Tryon Park, Inwood Hill Park, Highbridge Park, Bennett Park, and Isham Park. All of these parks in the long, narrow neck of northern Manhattan received tremendous funding from Stanley Michels. In many ways, Stanley was ahead of his time. In 1987, he was a prime sponsor of the Clean Indoor Air Act, which was New York City's first law regulating smoking in public places. He was also the visionary behind the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 1982, legislation that is still relevant today in New York City and New York State. He played a significant role in expanding the city's recycling program and in advocating for a memorandum of understanding among the city, the State, and upstate communities to protect the city's watershed in the Catskill Mountains. After years of public service and a long fight against cancer, Stanley passed away in 2008, but his legacy will not be forgotten. It is my honor to see a post office named in his honor. Stanley Michels and his family poured their hearts into making New York City a better place for all of us to live in. This included: his wife, Molly Michels; his sister, Ellen Grant; his son, Jeffrey; and his two daughters, Karen and Shari Michels--who is now a New York City civil court judge--and three grandchildren. Stanley Michels left a tremendous legacy and he made a difference. Naming this post office after Stanley Michels is a fitting tribute to honor his memory and all of his contributions to New York City. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have sponsored this bill, and I look forward to celebrating Stanley Michels' legacy next month.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Hastings for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I continue to urge my colleagues to find some humanity deep in your hearts. I know America has a huge heart, but I continue to ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to look deep inside of your soul and your heart and find humanity and help us pass the Keep Families Together Act to help reunite mothers like Yeni Gonzalez, who I have been pushing to help reunite with her three children. Yeni brought her three children seeking asylum as they escaped gang violence in Guatemala. President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have made it harder for victims of violence to come to the United States by stating--get this--that domestic violence should not be grounds for asylum. And in the fiscal year 2019 budget, the President proposed a $180 million cut to funding that would address the root causes of this migration, including domestic violence. The Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have among the 18 highest homicide rates in the world. We need to be doing more to address these root causes, and we need to be doing more to make sure families are kept together--freely, not in detention centers and facilities. Some of these children are being kept in cages that look like kennels. This week, the President and this administration once again failed to reunite all these children with their family. This administration is using its agency to demonize immigrants--mothers and their children. We need to save the soul of our Nation. I ask, I implore the other side of the aisle to look deep inside of their soul as they go to church on Sunday. This time our Nation's history will forever be tainted, the reputation of our Nation, as free and a beacon of hope for the entire world. I ask my colleagues to vote against the previous question so that we can immediately bring the Keep Families Together Act to the floor and stand with our Nation's children.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, in my community and in communities across this Nation, we have seen in the past year a dramatic increase in hate crimes and attacks against immigrants and, generally, against people of color. In New York City, we saw how a lawyer named Aaron Schlossberg launched a racial verbal attack against workers at the Fresh Kitchen restaurant in Midtown Manhattan simply because they spoke Spanish. Think about that for a minute, Mr. Speaker. This was in New York City, a city that prides itself on being a city of immigrants, a city which touts the presence of Lady Liberty herself on the harbor. Still, this lawyer felt compelled--without any hesitation, shame, or guilt--to confront workers at the Fresh Kitchen restaurant, verbally assaulting them simply because they spoke Spanish. Yet we keep seeing more and more examples of aggressors and harassers launching vicious attacks and directing hate speech toward those whom they wrongfully perceive to be un-American. In another recent incident, Rodolfo Rodriguez, a senior citizen, 91 years old, was brutally attacked for his ethnic background. He is of Mexican descent. He was told to go back to his country before being brutally assaulted with a brick. In another recent incident at the Caldwell Woods Forest Preserve, Ms. Mia Irizarry was another victim of verbal harassment, abuse, and physical intimidation in an almost unthinkable 20-minute racial rant. Her harasser caught sight of Ms. Irizarry's shirt, patterned with a Puerto Rican flag such as this one, and proceeded to verbally assault her simply for the sighting of a proud American wearing a flag that represents 3.5 million American citizens on the island of Puerto Rico and several million more here in the United States. The perpetrator said: If you are an American citizen, you should not be wearing that shirt in America. Let me remind him that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, that they have a long and distinguished tradition of defending freedom and democracy for our Nation across the world. They have spilled the blood of thousands in support of America and democracy. Each of these instances and situations come on the heels of a 2017 California report, the first published since President Trump took office, indicating a 17 percent increase in hate crimes. Specifically, anti-Latino, anti-Hispanic hate crimes have soared, with increases of more than 50 percent last year. Mr. Speaker, according to a Quinnipiac poll, 58 percent of Americans disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling immigration, and 55 percent of Americans say that the President has made it easier for racists to share their views publicly. Like Attorney Schlossberg in New York City, like Jones in Los Angeles and Timothy Trybus in Illinois, we find aggressors and perpetrators who do not represent our values as a nation of immigrants. The problem we have is that these individuals have seen our leaders in elected office participate in hateful and intolerant acts with hateful and intolerant words. Whether in New York City, Los Angeles, or Cook County, we have seen naked racism and blatant bigotry. To these bigots I say this: (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:) The United States is for all of us--regardless of the color of our skin or the language we speak. Los Estados Unidos es para todos--independientemente del color de la piel o el idioma hablado.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. I am opposed.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6136, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act, has been touted as ``the compromise bill.'' But don't let that fool you. This bill cuts legal immigration by 40 percent. This bill cancels diversity green cards. This bill eliminates most family reunification. And finally, this bill hurts asylum seekers. This bill is anything but a compromise. It is anything but fair. And it is certainly not pro-family. We have spent the last few days and weeks watching babies ripped away from their parents' arms. We heard their cries in the middle of the night as they missed their parents, and the American people were truly moved by this humanitarian crisis. This crisis drew attention from international institutions and organizations, such as the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, all of them condemning the separation of children from their families. This Nation has a longstanding tradition of providing asylum to those who flee death, terror, and natural disasters. We need to continue to be a beacon of hope and aspiration for the rest of the world. Asylum seekers, including women who have been raped, deserve due process, not these massive arraignment hearings, which blatantly go against our democratic traditions. Let's be honest here, last week's executive order and this morning's tweet where the President admits that this bill is about ``strong borders,'' tells us that this is not about our families or injustice. This is about him getting $25 billion for a wall and another $7 billion to hold families in detention facilities. Yes, families in jail or tent cities or maybe even in military camps, similar to the Japanese internment camps used during World War II. Children really belong in schools. They deserve to be safe with their parents, not to be jailed in cages that look like kennels. Babies as young as 9 months old are being held in my district, in East Harlem, away from their moms. If Republicans are serious about families, we should pass this motion to recommit and the Keep the Families Together Act. This act is simple. It would protect immigrant children from government-sponsored abuse, and it would keep us in compliance with the Flores decree--yes, a court decree. This decree disallows children to be held for more than 20 days. It also is in line with yesterday's preliminary injunction, which requires that children younger than 5 years old be returned to their parents within 14 days and older children be returned within 30 days. Mr. Speaker, show some basic compassion for these young children, their brothers and sisters, and their parents. Every single Member of Congress should be able to stand behind the simple idea that families, regardless of where they come from, belong together. The separation of children from their families constitutes child abuse. Mr. Speaker, we need to finally ask ourselves: will we continue to be a country of aspirations or will we continue to be a country of deportation? Will we step up to be the country that allowed me, as a young boy, to find safety next to my mother and father? Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.