Adriano Espaillat

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to pay tribute to a community leader, a pioneer, and a humanitarian. Mr. Antonio C. Martinez was one of the first Dominican-American members of the New York State Bar. He was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, in 1926, and immigrated to the United States with his mother through Ellis Island. He passed away on December 16, 1999, leaving behind a great legacy. Antonio attended Hunter College in Manhattan and graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1956. And when the call to duty came during World War II, Antonio selflessly enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably in the Pacific theater. Antonio dedicated his 43 years of legal career to immigration, assisting thousands of families through the process of legally entering the United States. His efforts and the cases he argued helped improve the law. I am privileged to speak from my heart about Antonio's great work in the legal field, because my family and I were fortunate enough to have Antonio represent us when we needed to navigate the immigration system here in the United States. Antonio's dedication to our legal system played an important role. I am proud to say that, as the first Dominican-American Congressman, my family and I are very proud of the work he did. Today, his professional legacy lives on. His son is here in the gallery. I am happy to recognize Antonio's work of many years.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 140. Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Deutch

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 985, the Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017. My amendment would exempt a claimant who is or has been living in public housing or any dwelling unit for which rental assistance was provided under the Section 8 housing program. While I firmly believe that every individual should be exempt from this outrageous provision, my amendment recognizes that we, the Federal Government, are the landlords, the owners, if you may, of public housing. Speaker Ryan is a landlord of public housing. Our leader, the gentlewoman from California, is a landlord of public housing. The President is a tenant of public housing. The White House is public housing. While the White House has hot water, a nice roof, and likely no asbestos, it is still public housing. We, the taxpayers, pay the rent. We, as the Federal Government on both sides of the aisle, are the owners and the landlords of public housing. As the owners of public housing, we have a unique obligation to the people living in these units. We are responsible for the dilapidated conditions of our public housing units, and we are responsible for the health and well-being of low-income tenants living in them. Much of our public housing was built in the 1950s and 1960s, coinciding with what was perhaps the peak time for the use of asbestos- containing products in building and construction materials. This has left thousands of our most vulnerable citizens at risk of exposure to asbestos, which has killed as many as 15,000 Americans each year. People who have a legitimate claim and have been exposed to asbestos while living in either public housing or Section 8 housing should be afforded the due process they deserve and given the opportunity to bring their claims in a timely manner. I think this entire bill is a misnomer and should be renamed the unfairness in class action litigation act. No one--no one--should have their due process rights delayed or denied. There is no doubt that the consequences of this legislation will be especially and uniquely detrimental to low-income individuals. This legislation will completely upend privacy and bankruptcy laws. As it stands today, our laws guarantee that a claimant's information is protected. This bill, however, will require that an individual claimant's personal information and the amount they have received from the trust be made available on a public website. Not only is this a complete and total disregard for the individual's privacy, but it makes the most vulnerable in our society prey for financial predators. My amendment will guarantee that tenants living in public housing and Section 8 housing are not subjected to such an outrageous shift in privacy rights. The bill sends trusts on a wild goose chase for information that may not even be there, while they should be spending their time working through the pending claims. These companies hid the dangers of asbestos for decades, for far too long, and there is absolutely no reason why we should be helping them now. Rather than wasting time and taxpayer dollars obstructing the judicial system, we should be focusing on initiatives that will update our crumbling infrastructure. And, yes, public housing is undoubtedly infrastructure. Finally, the CBO has indicated that, financially, this amendment will cost nothing. This amendment will cost absolutely nothing. But I can promise you that not adopting it will come at a great cost to our system of justice. I ask my colleagues to adopt this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in strong opposition to the Republican proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act. This is a rushed bill, Mr. Speaker, that was written behind closed doors in total secrecy with no daylight and with no access to the important content of this bill that all of us should have ample time to be able to digest the details of it and be able to make a good decision that is consistent with the will of our constituents. This is a rushed bill that was written behind closed doors, again, in total secrecy. Mr. Speaker, procedurally, we have not seen a CBO score of this bill. There have been no hearings on this bill. There has been no expert testimony on the impact of this bill, and the effect to healthcare costs for families or the quality of coverage all of those families will receive is completely unknown. Substantively, this bill is an absolute nightmare. It guts Federal requirements for essential health benefits like maternity care. It shatters working Americans' access to insurance covering abortions. It creates age-based subsidies, repeals all the ACA taxes, and completely destroys the Medicaid expansion program which so much helped many of our States. In our country, at least 11 million people will lose their healthcare insurance coverage as a result of this reckless dismantlement of Medicaid. In my district alone, over 156,000 individuals are going to lose their coverage with the repeal of the Medicaid expansion. Over 156,000 people, Mr. Speaker, will lose their coverage. This bill kicks the elderly, the poor, and the sick to the curb and benefits only the young, healthy, and incredibly wealthy. I urge my colleagues to stand with me in opposition. This bill is a serious heart attack to the American people. It is a blatantly partisan action to dismantle President Obama's successful signature project: ObamaCare. Again, the 1 percent get their way. Mr. Speaker, as we move forward, decades to come, we will be able to go back and think of health care within the context of three major programs: Medicaid, Medicare, and ObamaCare.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the United States Postal Service for its dedication of the Oscar de la Renta postage stamp. This stamp was unveiled today at Grand Central Station in New York City in a wonderful ceremony, and it is part of the U.S. Postal Service's Forever collection. As a lifelong friend, I dearly miss Oscar de la Renta and care about honoring his work and his memory. To me and so many Americans, particularly immigrants, he was more than just a designer, he was a good friend and a pioneer. As a member of the Dominican-American community and as a member of the U.S. Congress, it is my goal to highlight the achievement of immigrants who have contributed to American society and culture. Though Oscar was highly regarded by some of the most prominent figures of our time, including first ladies, he maintained his humility and never cast aside those who were less fortunate. His creativity, resourcefulness, and love for life are admirable characteristics that made him a true national treasure. Oscar was widely known for his love of country and deep affection for the Dominican-American community. I am proud to see Oscar's legacy honored and hope to keep his memory alive. Oscar is still with us. Once someone asked him how he wanted to be remembered, and he simply said: As a pretty dress.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 67, which is yet another assault on working families. Mr. Speaker, not only are my Republican colleagues launching a broad, overreaching attack on increasing access to retirement savings opportunities for our workers, but through H.J. Res. 67, they are directly targeting my home of New York City and the constituents of New York's 13th Congressional District. Once again, without any regard to the consequences of these reckless actions, Republicans are playing politics with the lives and financial security of our citizens. If passed, H.J. Res. 67 will nullify a Department of Labor rule, just 1 month after it went into effect, that supports the efforts of large cities or counties, like New York City, in establishing retirement savings plans for their residents. This rule is narrowly applied to jurisdictions that are populous enough to be their own State and whose States do not already have provided statewide payroll deduction saving plans. This is to ensure that the policy only goes into effect in cities where the people are in real need. In New York City alone, 1.5 million private sector workers--almost 60 percent of the private sector workers throughout the city--do not have access to a retirement plan through their employer or business. This rule gives New York City the ability to expand access for private sector workers to retirement savings plans. Rolling back this rule rips the opportunity to save for retirement out of the hands of millions of people. Mr. Speaker, rushing to overturn this innovative rule without offering a single constructive alternative is irresponsible. This is just another example of Republicans attempting to hastily undo provisions that have helped people in real need without even providing a replacement plan to ensure working families have financial security after their retirement. To make matters worse, using the Congressional Review Act to roll back this rule will prevent the Department of Labor from reissuing any substantially similar rule in the future. This is all on top of last year's Congress' abuse of the CRA in an attempt to nullify the fiduciary rule, which ensured that the advice workers receive is in their best interest. This only further solidifies that House Republicans are not interested in helping workers. Instead, they are interested in deconstructing rules that protect our workers. House Republicans have failed to pass comprehensive and potentially bipartisan legislation to address our Nation's retirement security crisis and, instead, are pushing partisan legislation that is harmful to our Nation's workers.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Black History Month, also known as African American History Month during this month of February. This is an opportunity to celebrate the countless contributions that African Americans have made to our great nation throughout its history. First recognized in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month allows us to reflect on the collective strength that diversity continues to bring to our great nation today and the many days to come. New York's thirteenth congressional district has a rich history that celebrates the contributions of African Americans to New York City, and the legacy of African American history in the United States. The Apollo Theater, opened in 1914, introduced the world to the transcendent voice and talent of Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, and Lauryn Hill. The Audubon Ballroom where the late Malcolm X (Malcolm el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz) was assassinated now stands in memoriam to his legacy and is also a venue for community organizing. Even after his passing, in his name the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center has become a landmark for my constituents and visitors alike seeking reflection and enrichment. Known to locals and across the country, Harlem's famous Sylvia's Restaurant founded by Sylvia Woods--the Queen of Soulfood--for 55 years stands proudly as a window to the rich culinary history of African Americans throughout the country. These institutions are cultural landmarks that help tell the story of the African American experience that runs throughout communities across the land. During this month of reflection, as a representative of New York's 13th district, it is incumbent on me to highlight and celebrate the history of my predecessors. That history begins with the Honorable Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Congressman Powell was the first African-American to represent any district of New York in the U.S. Congress. First elected in 1944, Congressman Powell served the Harlem community for more than two decades during which he worked tirelessly to raise the minimum wage, supported education and training for the hearing impaired, bolstered vocational training and endeavored to provide continued aid to elementary and secondary schools and public libraries. His presence as an African-American in the U.S. House of Representatives was not just poignant for symbolisms' sake. In 1951, Congressman Powell rose to become the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor. For his efforts, President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 wrote that Congressman Powell's record, ``represents the successful reporting of 49 pieces of bed-rock legislation. And the passage of every one of these bills attests to your ability to get things done.'' President Johnson continued ``Even now, these laws which you so effectively guided through the House are finding abundant reward in the lives of our people.'' Most striking was his affirmation that ``only with progressive leadership could so much have been accomplished by one committee in so short a time. I speak for millions of Americans who benefit from these laws when I say that I am truly grateful.'' Congressman Powell's example and work to build Harlem (formerly New York 22nd district) and provide opportunities for the African American community remain enshrined today. Most well-known is Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard running through Harlem and the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building in Harlem. While these share his name, his contributions reached beyond Harlem. Congressman Powell successfully coordinated the merger of Freedman's Hospital locally in Washington, D.C. with Howard University. Howard University has the largest concentration of black faculty and student scholars in the country and its College of Medicine stands today as a proud institution whose legacy contributing to African American society will continue to stand the test of time. To my new colleagues, the Honorable Charles B. Rangel is no stranger to any of you. He has represented Harlem for almost 50 years beginning in the New York State Legislature and then in the U.S. House of Representatives. In this chamber, Congressman Rangel was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. For over 40 years, this esteemed organization has served to ``promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens.'' Where Congressman Powell rose to chair the House Committee on Education and Labor, Congressman Rangel in his own right rose among his peers to chair the House Committee on Ways and Means; where his chairmanship represents the ``most powerful gavel ever held by an African American in Congress.'' Congressman Rangel's place in African American history transcends Harlem and New York City. In 1965 Congressman Rangel joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the historical march from Selma, AL to Montgomery, AL to advance equal civil rights for African Americans. The poignancy of this grand action over those five days guided a career advocating for nondiscrimination, developing urban neighborhoods and protecting veterans like himself from disfranchisement. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have been given the opportunity share with my colleagues the virtues of African American Heritage Month and time to celebrate the contributions of African Americans in New York's 13th Congressional District.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Further, rolling back this regulation directly targets inner-city public schools and shows, at best, indifference to our Nation's most vulnerable students. It will leave students-- specifically, low-income minority students and English-language learners--without the protections and support intended by Congress. I, of all people, understand this important measure to look out for students with special English-language needs, coming from a low-income immigrant family, and I implore my Republican colleagues to reconsider this troublesome action.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 57. Not only is the rollback of these substantive measures incredibly detrimental, but the process by which my Republican colleagues are facilitating their actions is, quite simply, wrong. This regulation is a product of months of work to come to a consensus on what is best for all of our students. Mr. Speaker, the Every Student Succeeds Act received strong bipartisan support, and it received bicameral support when it passed when 359 Members of the House and 85 Senators voted in favor of this legislation. In fact, Senator Lamar Alexander, who serves as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, said back then that this bill was truly a Christmas miracle for American children. However, just weeks into this administration, Republicans, for purely political reasons and for political purposes, are actively working to strip States and districts of the stability and clarity they need to implement this law. Approximately 50 million children attend public schools in the United States. About 1.1 million of those students are in New York City Public Schools. I think everyone agrees that we should be doing all we can do to help and prepare our students, but this resolution does the exact opposite. This regulation provides important guidance to ensure the students are college and career ready. It helps schools identify subgroups of students in need of additional academic support and help. Dismantling this regulation will disrupt ways in which information used to measure school performance and resource equity is reported, ultimately resulting in our parents, teachers, and policymakers not being equipped with the necessary data to make important decisions.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 58, which would gut States' teacher preparedness programs. This rollback is just one of many attempts by Republicans to dismantle the Department of Education by stripping its oversight and enforcement authority. The Trump administration has already made it clear its lack of regard for public education by picking an unqualified nominee to head the Department, and congressional Republicans are falling right in line by attempting to remove important rules to improve teacher preparedness. This rule came into place as part of the bipartisan reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The reauthorization brought consensus measures to improve teacher training. But given the opportunity, Republicans are willing to forego public education all together by using the CRA to prevent the Department from overseeing State-led initiatives. And there is the crux of it. These initiatives are State- led and allow great levels of flexibility, provisions that Republicans championed during reauthorization. Now, they want to take advantage of an obscure congressional provision, used only once in our history prior to this Congress. This will tie the hands of future administrations from improving the transparency and quality of teacher preparedness programs. If Republicans are happy with the rule and want to change it to improve the quality of education, this administration should use existing administrative tools to amend and revise the regulation. But that is not what this is about. This is about dismantling our public education system. Congressional Republicans want blanket deregulation of Federal education programs in order to allow States to ignore laws intended to protect disadvantaged students. I invite my Republican colleagues to bring forth a plan that improves rules protecting our students, not to dismantle them. But this is simply not the way. I implore my colleagues to abandon this backdoor workaround and to work in a bipartisan fashion, like we did when Congress reauthorized the HEA, to develop ways in which we can improve public education for all of our children.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague and ranking member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Mr. Scott, for yielding. I stand here in opposition to this resolution, which looks to undo rules that provide safety and fairness in the workplace. The Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces rule speaks for itself. It ensures that contractors entrusted with taxpayer dollars cannot exploit their workers and that repeated lawbreakers do not get a competitive advantage. This standard does not impose extra regulations on contractors. It simply requires that they follow the law. These laws make sure women are paid the same wages for the same work. They make sure that employers are paying a fair rate for overtime work. They protect employees with disabilities. And they protect workers who are victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment by ensuring those individuals have an opportunity to be heard. A 2013 Senate report found that government contractors are often among the worst violators of the workplace safety, wage, and hour laws. Nearly one in three companies with the worst safety and wage violations are Federal contractors. Americans working for Federal contractors lose up to $2.5 billion each year to violations of minimum wage laws alone. This is unacceptable and exactly why this order was executed--to protect workers. We have a duty to our constituents, and this rule rightfully asks the Federal Government to take another look at contractors who have violated labor laws before awarding a contract. By upholding this order, we can continue to ensure that taxpayers get a fair deal for their money, something my Republican colleagues certainly should be in favor of. Some Republicans will claim that this order creates a so-called blacklist by preventing companies from receiving Federal contracts. However, the opposite is true. The order, in fact, provides new tools for contractors to come into compliance with the law. This order is in the interest of the people and our constituents who we were sent here to represent. Rolling back these protections would demonstrate that we would rather side with employers who cut legal corners by not paying a fair wage than with our constituents who work day in and day out to provide for their families. Not only will rescinding this rule hurt our constituents, but it would also hurt law-abiding companies by forcing them into unfair competition with companies that cut corners and knowingly violate the law. As we look to invest in our country's infrastructure, I cannot think of a more important time to ensure that employees working for Federal contractors are treated fairly. This rule is an important safeguard that protects employees, and its rollback will be a disgrace.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. I thank the gentleman from Texas. Madam Speaker, back in 1987, then-President Ronald Reagan issued one of his most famous speeches--``tear down this wall''--as he addressed then-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to insist that he open the barrier dividing East and West Berlin. It was, perhaps, one of the most exciting times as we watched to see, finally, if the Cold War would end. It was a moment of hope and strength and character that propelled our country to a higher regard and standard of our identity throughout the global community. Today, in stark contrast to that famous speech given by President Ronald Reagan, President Trump orders the construction of a $25 billion wall that divides communities, separates families, and perpetuates fear and hate. It sets a dangerous precedent and fails to elevate our country and confidence abroad the way it was back when President Reagan gave that famous speech. The economic ramifications will be devastating to the entire country, going as far north as New York City, because it is $25 billion or more that will be spent on building this wall that could otherwise go to other meritorious projects. These executive actions also secure what I call insecure communities, not Secure Communities--a program that strains relationships between law enforcement and communities along the border and throughout that region of our country. We live in a global society and are connected with countries and citizens from around the world. To build this wall not only separates the United States from our bordering country--our neighbor, Mexico, which is one of our biggest trading partners--but the wall itself sends a strong message to citizens around the world that they are not welcome here in America. The President's wall and his anti-immigrant agenda is a continuation of the irrational and hateful rhetoric we have witnessed from him before, and it stands contrary to who we are as Americans and to what we believe as a nation. I am proud to introduce one of my first bills in Congress, called This is Our Land, which is legislation that will prohibit this divisive wall from being erected on public lands. This is a time when we should be investing in our infrastructure--in roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, housing--and also respecting our public lands. Building President Trump's wall would trample on our public lands and potentially put precious endangered species at risk and likely disrupt or destroy environmentally important ecosystems and habitats. It would also deplete precious resources from our cities. We should be building a wall around Trump to stop these irrational executive orders--instead of this ludicrous $25 billion wall between our closest ally.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 724, which will rescind President Trump's executive order to ban Muslims. Having been at JFK Airport this weekend, I stand in support of military soldiers who risked their lives and whose family members were unlawfully detained and questioned, even after their service to our country. This is un-American.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to President Trump's Muslim ban because that is exactly what it is. It is a mean- spirited ban against members of a religious faith. I love my country, and I am saddened by these divisive and hateful actions being wrongfully taken in the so-called name of national security. Mr. Trump's actions make us less secure as a nation. They take a sledgehammer right through the founding principles of our Nation. America is not this nonsensical, antirefugee Nation. Quite frankly, Mr. Trump's actions are un-American, beneath us, and downright dangerous. Let me remind my colleagues, there has been a protest every day since Mr. Trump took office. The people have hit the streets. We will continue to march, and we will keep demanding what is right. We will keep fighting to ensure American values are upheld and that our civil rights are not trashed like yesterday's news. To our Muslims, LGBT, immigrants, women, and all our brothers and sisters hurt by Mr. Trump's garbage, I mean executive orders, I am with you.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the celebration of Mrs. Larlie Henry Dixon's 100th birthday. With nearly a century passing, Ms. Dixon has dedicated her life to Second St. John Baptist Church, the City of New York, and her lifelong contribution to her community. Mrs. Larlie Henry Dixon, the third eldest of eight siblings, was born on January 28, 1917 to Lloyd & Sarah Henry in Dawson, GA. The family later moved to Largo, Florida where many of her family still reside. She married Boisey Dixon on November 17, 1935. They were the parents of one daughter, Larlie Jean, who regretfully predeceased her. The family migrated to New York in search of better opportunities in the mid-forties when Larlie entered the work force. Larlie, known for her candor and directness, had a strong work ethic and always worked hard to support herself, her daughter and ultimately a granddaughter. She was the housekeeper for a prominent lower Manhattan family for decades. She is still to this day in touch with the family whose son and daughter credit Larlie with helping raise them and are effusive in their genuine love and affection for her. Mrs. Dixon has been a member of the Second St. John Baptist Church since 1970. A great financial supporter of the church through the years, she proudly served on the Mother's Board where she enjoys mentoring and guiding the young women of the church. She also loved attending Sunday Church School until her later years, but continues to attend the 11 am Worship Service practically every Sunday. Larlie Dixon is surrounded by family and friends who love and help care for her. She has two granddaughters, Jackie and Jazmine (both of Atlanta); many, many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, spiritual daughter, Berlina Whitaker; Pastor and his wife Reverend Robert and Mrs. Dorothy Jones; Harvey and Dr. Margaret Walker, neighbors; her entire Second St. John Baptist Church family and her three caregivers, Carmelle, Margaret & Antoinette. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize and celebrate the tremendous life of Mrs. Larlie Henry Dixon and her 100th birthday celebration.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the celebration of Mr. Leon A. Thompson's 100th birthday. With nearly a century passing, Mr. Thompson has dedicated his life to his family, St. Mark's the Evangelist Catholic Church, the City of New York, and giving back to his Harlem community. Mr. Thompson was born on January 28, 1917 in Washington, D.C. At 18 years old, Mr. Thompson and his three sisters moved to New York City where he has lived since. For 32 years, Mr. Thompson operated the Number 3 and other train lines comprising the original A Division of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT). These lines later became incorporated into the modern day New York City Transportation Authority. As a subway motorman for over three decades, he contributed to an era of growth and modernization of a thriving, welcoming and inclusive New York City. Throughout his life, Mr. Thompson has dedicated all the time and effort he could exert for St. Mark's the Evangelist Catholic Church in Harlem over the last 82 years. This makes him one of the longest practicing parishioners to the church and an indelible figure serving on many boards and ministries. Mr. Thompson has known and worked with every pastor in St. Mark's the Evangelist Catholic Church during its 109-year history. For a time, Mr. Thompson worked as an electrician at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. When his work day ended he spent his remaining time working to improve St. Mark's the Evangelist Catholic Church installing a public announcement system, lighting system, and refurbishing the pews for the benefit of parishioners and students of St. Mark's the Evangelist School whose space was shared. In his spare time, Mr. Thompson taught many young men in his church and community commercial, labor and vocational skills that they employed building and improving New York City. Mr. Thompson has dedicated his life to his fellow parishioners at St. Mark's the Evangelist Catholic Church, his neighbors and residents of Harlem, and New York City for 82 years. His contributions to the Harlem community and New York City has made him a role model for all persons, regardless of creed or affiliation, as a public servant and exemplary citizen. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize and celebrate the tremendous life of Mr. Leon A. Thompson and his 100th birthday celebration.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of every woman's right to make her own informed decisions about her health, including access to family planning and reproductive health care. While the rest of the world moves forward, we are turning the tide clock back to the era of ``Mad Men.'' However, unlike President Trump and my Republican colleagues, I have heard the voices of hundreds of thousands of people I marched with last Saturday. I accept the overwhelming research opposing the outrageous policies that President Trump and the Republicans in Congress have placed at the center of their agenda, policies like the global gag rule and H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. These dangerous and irresponsible policies are a disgraceful attack on women's rights domestically and throughout the world. Let's get this straight, Madam Speaker. What this is about is keeping low-income women from accessing the health care they so rightfully deserve.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong opposition to the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. In a 2006 speech, then-Senator Sessions wrongfully misstated: ``Fundamentally, almost no one coming from the Dominican Republic to the United States is coming here because they have a provable skill that would benefit us and that would indicate their likely success in our society.'' When I was 9 years old, Mr. Speaker, I immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic without any papers, and now I am a Member of the U.S. Congress. Mr. Sessions, have I not succeeded in America? On behalf of millions of Dominican Americans and notable Americans such as fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Diaz, Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, and baseball giant Big Papi, I stand here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives as a proud Dominican American. I say to Mr. Sessions: you are wrong, wrong in thinking, and wrong for our country. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Hateful speech and racist rhetoric have no place in our American society.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Affordable Care Act. It is a promise to the American people that we must keep. It guarantees access to affordable, high-quality health care as a right for all Americans. Backing out of this commitment is irresponsible, inexcusable, and reprehensible. As a Member from a congressional district that houses some of the largest hospitals in the country, health is a crucial issue for my constituents. Under the ACA, millions of Americans now have access to affordable health care through individual marketplaces and Medicaid expansion. Children in New York can remain on their parents' plan through the age of 29. An insurance company cannot discriminate against patients with preexisting conditions. Repeal will be detrimental to our healthcare systems and medical research community. Without a plan to replace the ACA, Republicans are openly gambling with the health care of millions, many of whom will be affected, like the elderly and disabled who cannot afford to return to the old system of skyrocketing costs. I will fight for those Americans who rely on the ACA, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.