Adriano Espaillat

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 421. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Baird (Bucshon) Bass (Correa) Bush (Garcia (IL)) Cardenas (Correa) Carter (LA) (Jeffries) Castro (TX) (Correa) Conway (Valadao) DeSaulnier (Beyer) Diaz-Balart (Salazar) Fallon (Nehls) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Jacobs (NY) (Tenney) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Jones (Garcia (IL)) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Lawson (FL) (Evans) McEachin (Beyer) Meng (Kuster) Moolenaar (Bergman) Moore (UT) (Hartzler) Moore (WI) (Beyer) Newman (Garcia (IL)) Pingree (Kuster) Rice (NY) (Deutch) Ryan (OH) (Correa) Schrader (Correa) Scott (VA) (Beyer) Scott, Austin (Cammack) Stansbury (Pallone) Tlaib (Garcia (IL)) Wexton (Beyer) Wilson (FL) (Deutch)

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, today I seek recognition and rise to address the growing barriers to homeownership and skyrocketing rents. Families that have lived in the city of New York for generations are being pushed out. These families have significant ties to the community and contribute to the cultural exchange that New York City is known for. Homeownership is one of the best ways to gain equity and build generational wealth. Yet, there are millions of Americans who aren't able to buy into the housing market. As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to draft a bill that would address this issue. But we must do more. The bill provides a total of $62.7 billion for HUD which includes funding to protect housing assistance for more than 4.8 million individuals. It also expands housing choice vouchers to more than 140,000 low-income individuals and families at risk of homelessness. We must continue to enact policies that ensure all residents can live without being burdened by housing costs.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The COVID-19 pandemic brought on an unprecedented number of mental health issues for Americans across the nation. However, America has been dealing with a crisis for years. This is particularly true for youth of color. Black children under the age of 12 are dying by suicide at twice the rate of their White peers. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Asian Pacific Islander youth ages 12 to 19 years old. That is why I am proud to have introduced H. Res. 1217, urging mental health resources be provided for adolescents of color. Similarly, I am proud to see that as of this past week, Americans can finally use the nationwide 988 Lifeline. This will afford everyone in need 24/7 confidential support if they are experiencing suicidal or mental-health related stress. Despite this stride forward in our fight to accessible mental health care, there are still systemic and institutional barriers to our children of color. Already, the lack of cultural understanding and competency by health care providers cause many to delay or forgo treatment and leads to `underdiagnosis'. We must commit to saving the lives of our children.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the life and legacy of Harlem's very own Dr. May Edward Chinn, a pioneer Black female physician in New York City. Dr. Chinn was the first Black woman to graduate from Bellevue Hospital's Medical College in 1926, which is now known as New York University's Grossman School of Medicine. She is also the first Black woman to complete an internship at Harlem Hospital in 1928. Dr. Chinn dedicated her life to serving others. Through her determination and hard work, she helped advance medical treatments for cancer screening that continue to save lives today. Like many of her predecessors, Dr. Chinn persisted and persevered. I am grateful to the Harlem Cultural Archives for its research to share this story, and I am honored to share the story of one of Harlem's gems so that her work does not go unnoticed and her legacy does not remain anonymous.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, the January 6 Committee has interviewed more than a thousand people and gathered more than 140,000 documents. Yesterday, the committee revealed how the former White House counsel agreed that there was no evidence of widespread election fraud. At hearing after hearing, the committee has proven that Trump's big lie led to a violent insurrection that attempted to end our democracy. I introduced two resolutions calling for the prosecution of insurrectionists and condemning the Proud Boys' acts of terror. Now, more than 800 insurrectionists have been arrested, and the leader of the Proud Boys has been charged with seditious conspiracy. Efforts to undermine our democracy are not over. We must remain alert and protect people's right to vote.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved constituent of our community, revered music guru and proclaimed ``Zen master''--Mr. Derek Tucker. Throughout his life, he strived to bring people together through a shared love for music. Over the course of his career, including as Vice President of a ticketing agency and veteran concert promoter, he organized worldwide tours for legendary figures like Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Justin Bieber. He's worked in what seems like every venue in New York City, from Brooklyn Steel to Terminal 5 to Central Park. Despite constantly being on the road for work--managing events and venues--he always made time for family. He had an extraordinary ability to unite people and despite being away, maintained close ties with his faith, his family, and his community. It is through his leadership and the mentorship of his fellow colleagues that Mr. Tucker will continue to shape the music industry. He will serve as an inspiration for future generations as he exemplifies the resilience of my community in face of adversity. He will be remembered by everyone in the Inwood, Albany, and music communities alike for his invaluable contributions.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the 13th Congressional District of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives to honor and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. May Edward Chinn, an American woman physician of Black and Chickahominy descent. It is an honor to highlight this remarkable story of dedication and fortitude in the field of early cervical cancer detection research. After becoming the first Black woman to graduate from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1926, now known as New York University Grossman School of Medicine, May E. Chinn was the first Black woman to complete an internship at Harlem Hospital in 1928. Because of segregation, hospitals in New York did not grant hospital privileges to female physicians of color. Dr. Chinn worked with other doctors in Harlem at a private practice, Edgecombe Sanitarium, for patients of color. She often rode in ambulances saving injured patients' lives before they reached a hospital. Denied the ability to use hospital equipment, Dr. Chinn performed surgeries in patients' homes. In 1933, she entered Columbia University's School of Public Health where she earned a Master of Science degree. Her studies there connected her to medical researcher Dr. George Papanicolaou. May Chinn contributed to Dr. Papanicolaou's research in developing cytological methods for the study of cancer. Those studies culminated in the test known worldwide as the Pap Test. In 1940, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia declared that Harlem Hospital must grant Dr. Chinn hospital privileges. Due to Dr. Chinn's expertise in cancer, she was hired at the Strang Cancer Clinic by founder Dr. Elise Strang in 1944 and worked there until 1974 while maintaining her private practice. She worked as a clinician with the Department of Health Day Care Centers from 1960 to 1977. She never married, but she offered advice and support to her 19 Godchildren. May E. Chinn was the daughter of William Lafayette Chinn of African American & Caucasian descent and Lulu Ann Evans Chinn of African American & Chickahominy descent. May's mother worked as a cook and housekeeper, saved money, and encouraged May to continue with her studies. May went to the Bordentown Manual and Training Industrial School, a boarding school in New Jersey and spent one year (1901-1902) of her childhood on the estate of Charles Tiffany, the jewelry magnate, where her mother was a live-in cook. The Tiffany's treated Chinn like family and took her to classical music concerts in New York City. She later learned to play the piano and became an accompanist to popular singer Paul Robeson in the early 1920s. Chinn played classical and gospel music throughout her life and performed for African American soldiers during World War I. For her work in cancer detection, Dr. May Edward Chinn was awarded membership into the New York Academy of Sciences in 1954, was referenced by the New York City Cancer Committee of the American Cancer Society in 1957 and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Columbia University in 1980. She also helped found the Susan Smith McKinney Steward Medical Society in 1975 to help Black women attend medical school. In her honor, the New York Metropolitan Coordinating Council of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. established the Dr. May Edward Chinn Scholarship awarded to women furthering their education in science. For over 50 years, Dr. May E. Chinn served the residents of Harlem. Dr. May Edward Chinn provided a road map for helping others. In her unpublished autobiography, she wrote, ``Become involved with the problems of your Nation, your State, your city and especially your immediate neighborhood. Help those with problems--help them to take the next step UPWARDS.'' An unsung pioneer, May Edward Chinn, Black female physician, improved the lives of thousands by providing the best health care for 53 years. Dr. Chinn's brilliance and perseverance inspires us all.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Protecting Our Kids Act. This overdue legislation will tighten gun regulations. Unfortunately, in the world's wealthiest country, we have the 32nd highest rate of death from gun violence across the planet. This is a horrific statistic that is impacting all of our districts--blue districts and red districts. In my district, gun violence has taken far too many lives, including the young life and brutal murder of Krystal Bayron-Nieves, working the midnight shift in an East Harlem Burger King. The brutal murder of two police officers in Harlem's 32nd Precinct. An 11-month-old gunshot victim in the Bronx. Yes, Madam Speaker, only 11 months old. Madam Speaker, I am here to tell my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that this epidemic is serious. In fact, it is a public health crisis. For this reason, Congresswoman Escobar and I urge our colleagues to join us in a resolution declaring gun violence a national public health crisis. This is just the beginning, Madam Speaker. We will continue to pass more gun regulations.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, after more than 2 years of instability during the pandemic, Congress must ensure that all Americans--all Americans--have resources to access the job market, especially those who are typically left behind. Each year, 600,000 individuals are released from incarceration, and nearly half of them have repeat contact with the criminal justice system within a year. There is a critical need to invest in reentry programs. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 does just that by guaranteeing the Department of Labor's Reentry Employment Opportunities program is authorized at $500 billion by 2028. This investment will not only expand reentry employment assistance for adults, but also prevent in-school youth from dropping out of school, increase the employment rate of out-of-school youth, and reduce the involvement of youth in crime and violence. Programs carried out through the reentry employment grant program recognize that youth can and will lead healthy and constructive lives. These resources can mean the difference between a revolving door of prison time or a life full of economic opportunities. For those reasons, Madam Speaker, and all the other significant provisions in this bill, such as building community college capacity and strengthening industry and sector partnership, I urge all of my colleagues to support the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, last week, family, friends, and thousands of fellow firefighters gathered to bid a final farewell to fallen FDNY Firefighter Timothy Klein. We lost Tim in the line of duty, where he made the ultimate sacrifice in the face of incredible danger, responding to a fire in the borough of Brooklyn. Tim was a 6-year veteran of the department. He came from a family of firefighters, including his dad. He made an impression on everybody he worked with, the junior men who he trained and the senior men and women who he impressed. Tim was the American Dream, fueled by the will to put on his uniform, run toward danger, and put his life on the line to save others. New York City rises today in Congress to honor his life, his service, and the memory and legacy Tim left behind.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for this opportunity to speak about H.R. 4133, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. For more than 10 years, Mr. Speaker, Congress has supported funding CBSI, appropriating during that time $831 million, and supporting 13 Caribbean nations. H.R. 4133, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act will authorize appropriations of $75 million each year from 2022 to 2026. It also requires the Department of State to develop a strategy to improve disaster resilience in the Caribbean--and to report progress made under the initiative. We all know how the Caribbean stands in the pathway of hurricanes and other natural disasters. As such, they must really improve disaster resiliency in those island nations. CBSI supports our allies in the Caribbean by promoting citizen safety, citizen security, and adhering to the rule of law. It also reduces trafficking in narcotics. It will help us interdict narcotics in the Caribbean region, which is the third border of our country. It also reduces corruption and the malign influence of foreign adversaries in the region. We all know how foreign adversaries are looking to ill-invest in that region and circumvent, in many cases, transparency measures. It strengthens the ability to respond, as I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, to natural disasters. It is so important. These island nations are in jeopardy. They are in serious trouble with hurricanes and rising sea levels and other natural disasters. You better than anybody, Mr. Speaker, know about this. This Caribbean Basin Security Initiative would also provide funding for that. By empowering our neighbors in the Caribbean, we will in turn bolster the national security of the United States. Our allies in the Caribbean are facing many, many challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, strained global supply chains, and increased energy costs. That seems to be a common problem in island nations: increased energy costs. As such, they are really up for grabs by some of our adversaries who often take advantage in a crisis. We must do more to really help out our neighbors, our allies in that region. We must continue funding for CBSI. It is critical to help Caribbean nations strengthen their economies, and in turn, strengthen our very own. It is especially important that we continue our engagement in the Caribbean as our foreign adversaries attempt to spread their influence throughout the region. A safe and prosperous Caribbean region is in the United States' national security interests. As we prepare to host the ninth Summit of the Americas in California in June, I urge my colleagues to support CBSI and reaffirm our commitment to enhancing U.S.-Caribbean relations.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, once again, we find ourselves in an unguided, misguided debate about the fundamental concept of our nation of immigrants. We find ourselves in a debate trying to deny what we really are, a nation of immigrants. Mr. Speaker, let me remind you, on average, TPS holders have lived in the United States for over 22 years--many of them hailing from Latin American countries. Redesignating and designating TPS would be a wise thing for over 2 million people already residing in the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, in addition, families often have to wait decades before they reunite with their family members; sometimes four decades, three decades, before they reunite with their children. Mr. Speaker, 4 million people are waiting to reunite with their families. United families are stronger. United families make America stronger. Let's unite the families. That is a family value. Unity of the family is a family value that we must protect. Mr. Speaker, we are a nation of immigrants.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of representing two historic and iconic districts in the 13th Congressional District. Harlem is the center, the mecca, of the African-American diaspora. It is the center of culture, of music, of literature for the Black community with the Apollo, the Schomburg, and other great historical institutions. The other neighborhood that I represent, Mr. Speaker, is East Harlem, El Barrio, which is the launching pad for the Latino experience in New York City. It was the home, the cradle, for the Puerto Rican community that opened its doors to Dominicans, Ecuadorians, Colombians, Central and South Americans. They really are two historic districts within the 13th Congressional District. Today, we mark a new day for those two communities with regard to transit access. This week, President Biden announced and submitted to Congress a strong and visionary budget. It included $4.5 billion for the Capital Investment Grant program, which includes $400 million for the construction of the second phase of the Second Avenue subway extension. The first phase was completed not too long ago, several years ago, and it went from 96th Street south to 72nd Street, touching some of the most affluent ZIP Codes in the country. This phase, the second phase, will go north to 125th Street. Some people have categorized it and called it Uptown Grand Central. It would connect East Harlem, El Barrio, and Harlem at 125th Street to the rest of the world. These stops will connect a transportation desert where over 75 percent of its residents use public transportation to the Lexington Avenue line, which is the most overcrowded subway line in the city, if not the country. East Harlem, as I said earlier, is currently a transportation desert, and this second phase will change the lives of over 100,000 New Yorkers who will use it on a daily basis. This phase will extend train services to 96th Street and 125th Street, a 2-mile stretch, and benefit thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers. But it would also connect to Metro-North, a total of 124 stations in seven different counties in upstate New York, suburban New York, as well as Connecticut. As such, it will also connect folks to LaGuardia Airport via bus and future water transportation in the Hudson River and Harlem River. This is truly a regional project that will connect Harlem and East Harlem, El Barrio, to the rest of the world. I am happy and proud that President Biden included $400 million for the second phase of the Second Avenue subway. The first phase saw 160,000 people benefit on a regular basis, $842 million in wages, and $2.87 billion in economic activity in that region. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to see this new initiative. I thank President Biden for bringing the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway to the 13th Congressional District.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now Act, to cap the out-of-pocket price for one month's supply of insulin at $35. Insulin was discovered nearly 100 years ago and costs less than $10 a vial to manufacture. Yet there are millions of American families with insurance that are paying hundreds of dollars a vial. No family in America should be forced to choose between buying insulin for their child and putting food on the table. It's past time that this Congress says no to big pharma lining their pockets, at the expense of lives of the American people.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Hiram Maristany, an East Harlem Afro-Boricua photographer whose work is an ode to his beloved neighborhood of El Barrio and the Latino community as a whole. Hiram was the official photographer and a member of the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group inspired by the Black Panthers, and a lifelong resident of El Barrio. Hiram helped found El Museo del Barrio in 1969, curating the institution's visual language in its early years, and later serving as its director from 1974 to 1977. Hiram was always giving back to his community in East Harlem, serving as a mentor to young people and as a photographer who understood the importance of self-preservation and the power of images. Hiram knew that his photos were political, representing El Barrio from the perspective of our residents: Filled with love and pride. ``Dignidad over fame,'' was his motto. I am thankful our community lived to see his work--and our people--showcased with respect and dignity. May his memory and his art live on to inspire all of us.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, yesterday, the House of Representatives heard from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as he painted a haunting picture of pain inflicted on the Ukrainian people and the war crimes being waged on Ukrainians trying to keep themselves and their families safe. It is clear, Madam Speaker, that Vladimir Putin has committed war crimes by violating international norms, including the Geneva Convention, in his violent and bloody war of conquest on Ukraine. I, along with Congressman David Cicilline, have introduced a war crimes resolution, H. Res. 964, calling on the global community to hold Vladimir Putin and the Russian Government accountable for these war crimes. Russian forces have used explosive weapons with wide-range effects near schools and populated areas, hitting them with missiles, rockets, and heavy artillery. It is clearly a violation of the Geneva Convention to target civilian and cultural sites. On March 1, a Russian airstrike hit Freedom Square in Kharkiv, killing civilians and injuring dozens of innocent people. On March 1, a Russian missile hit the location of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial site, a place where thousands of Jewish people were killed between 1941 and 1943. On March 3, 47 civilians were killed when Russia hit two schools and apartment buildings, injuring countless others. This is clearly a violation of the Geneva Convention. We have also witnessed the attack of medical units. On March 9, Russian forces bombed a maternity and children's hospital in the city of Mariupol. The world watched as a pregnant woman was being carried lifeless from the hospital wreckage on a stretcher. Both she and her child passed away. The World Health Organization has also confirmed several attacks on healthcare centers in Ukraine, causing countless deaths and injuries. It is clearly a violation of the Geneva Convention to target nuclear facilities. On March 3, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of nuclear terror as Russian tanks shot at the nuclear blocks at a nuclear power station in Ukraine. More than 3 million people are now refugees who have fled Ukraine, Madam Speaker. Each day in Ukraine, more than 70,000 children have become refugees. That accounts for 55 children fleeing the country every minute. There have been over 2,000 civilian casualties in the country, and thousands upon thousands of people have been injured. Yesterday, the International Court of Justice overwhelmingly found that Russia must immediately suspend its unlawful military invasion of Ukraine. It is clear, Madam Speaker, that Vladimir Putin and the Russian Government have committed war crimes. They have invaded a sovereign nation and are attacking the very core of liberty and democracy. We must hold them accountable and do all we can to support the brave Ukrainians fighting for their freedom.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and stand with our brothers and sisters who are fighting for democracy, Mr. Speaker, for their country, for the world, in Ukraine. As you may know, Mr. Speaker, New York City is a gorgeous mosaic of people from all over the world. In my district, the 13th Congressional District, I stand in solidarity with constituents that come from Ukraine, Ukrainian Americans and Ukrainians who are part of my district. New York City stands in solidarity with them. People in the Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn, called Little Odessa today, we stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. Vladimir Putin has waged a war--it is called Putin's war--of unprecedented proportions on the people of Ukraine, the likes of which we haven't seen since World War II, Mr. Speaker. He continues to pound on civilian sites. As he waits to assault Kyiv, the world braces for what could be, really, an attack of unprecedented proportion as he prepares to slaughter the Ukrainian people and engage in, clearly, war crimes. These unprovoked and unjustified attacks have caused tragic losses in human life and suffering. They are grandparents. They are moms with their little children being forced out of their homes out of fear of rocket attacks; fathers, uncles, cousins leaving their families behind to defend democracy in Ukraine and on behalf of the world. This week, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine at the United Nations told the Security Council that hundreds of Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including children, Mr. Speaker. Thousands of people are wounded as a result of Russia's military aggression as Vladimir Putin continues to engage, to perpetrate war crimes. This is a war without remorse, Mr. Speaker. More than 1,000 civilians have died, and more than 1.5 million Ukrainians have been displaced, causing a humanitarian crisis. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Putin, Vladimir Putin, has engaged in war crimes. This isn't just Putin's war on Ukraine. It is a rebuke of Western values. It is a rebuke of democratic structures. It is a rebuke of the will of the people and basic human rights. It is a rebuke of law and order and peaceful coexisting. He has doubled down, Mr. Speaker, and has premeditatedly, illegally, and immorally engaged in this war. But those on the front lines in Ukraine are relentless in their defense of democracy. It is our duty, Mr. Speaker, to support Ukraine to the best of our ability, to defend its freedom and sovereignty from Putin's war. President Zelensky's message is clear. He will defend Ukrainian sovereignty and statehood to the very end, and America must, we must, stand with him and every Ukrainian. I commend President Biden's rallying calls to our allies in response to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, and urge continued support for the Ukrainian people as they violently resist tyranny in the name of freedom and democracy. Putin's actions are barbaric. They are a disregard of human rights, violating Ukrainian sovereignty and posing a threat to all of us across the planet. His actions are hurting the people of Russia as well. Dozens of cities across Russia saw people being arrested as they demonstrated against this illegal war. It is heartbreaking that during Women's History Month, on International Women's Day, we are witnessing thousands of Ukrainian women fleeing their homeland with their children to bordering countries. The United States and our allies must do everything in our power to prevent this from happening again. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced a resolution calling on Vladimir Putin and the Russians to be held accountable for war crimes.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, on February 7, I was absent for recorded vote No. 32 on agreeing to the amendment on the Buck of Colorado Part B Amendment No. 1. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise today because my district is hurting. Washington Heights-Inwood is hurting because they saw how Officer Jason Rivera was taken away from us. A 22-year old son of Inwood was taken away from us by gun violence when he responded to a family dispute. But Harlem also is hurting because both Officers Rivera and Mora patrolled the 32nd precinct in Harlem, and they were both brutally shot and killed in the village of Harlem. Madam Speaker, East Harlem is hurting because we saw how a young woman, Kristal Bayron-Nieves, who worked in a Burger King, was shot and killed. Even though she gave the money from the register to the person that held up the Burger King at gunpoint, she was still brutally shot and killed--19 years old. Madam Speaker, finally, the Bronx part of my district is also hurting because an 11-month-old child, just before she turned 1, sat in the car with her mother and was shot in the face. All of this happened within two weeks of each other. So my district is hurting as we bury these two young police officers, 22 and 27 years old, of Dominican heritage, the first in their family to serve the Police Department. So gun violence is running rampant. And we see how many talk about law and order, but when it comes to gun violence, they are still in the pocket of the NRA; and they won't dare challenge the NRA. So I rise because my district is hurting. And we are supportive of Mayor Adams' plan of precision policing, which has identified 700 people that have been involved in 1,700 acts of violence involving an illegal weapon. We understand that much more has to be invested in ATF; so we cut off the iron pipeline that brings weapons to the corner of my district from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. But we also have to invest 50 million in summer youth jobs. We have to invest more money to have the violence interrupters be part of the resolution of this violence ripping our communities across the country. We must all work together to resolve this epidemic of gun violence. We must pass the package of gun laws that we have here on this floor, including ghost guns, which continue to play an increased role in the death of people across the country, circumventing background checks and other restrictions that must be put in place to keep guns away from people's hands. Madam Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to join me today for a minute of silence in the memory of Officer Rivera and Officer Mora. And in support of their two families, we join them, and we will always be by their side. Madam Speaker, I ask for a minute of silence.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4521, The America Competes Act of 2022. This legislation is the largest investment in our nation's manufacturing industries and reaffirms our reputation as a global leader across multiple industries. I am delighted to have two of my bills, H.R. 2774--the Green Climate Fund Authorization Act and H.R. 3036--the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA), included as part of this historic American-made legislative package to support and secure our technologies, research, and development at home and strengthen our collaboration on projects abroad. Communities of color, indigenous people, and low-income households in the United States and across the world are disproportionately impacted by climate change and often live near sources of pollution. It is our moral obligation to uplift these frontline communities. To effectively combat climate change, we must reaffirm our nation's commitment to work with other countries to advance environmental justice. The Green Climate Fund, established within the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, achieves this by helping economically developing countries limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. During the prior Presidential administration, our nation did not fulfill the pledge we made on the world stage to provide funding to the Green Climate Fund. As an indispensable player in financing global endeavors that achieve the Paris Agreement, we must remedy this and continue to promote environmental justice. The Green Climate Fund strengthens the economies of neighboring countries while also benefitting our nation's economy as we tackle climate change. The Tenth Report released by the Green Climate Fund, noted that 190 projects advancing climate justice around the world had been approved. These projects are helping 127 countries, including 31 in Latin America and the Caribbean. They are expected to reduce a total of 1.9 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions and reach 197 million direct and 399 million indirect beneficiaries. The Green Climate Fund benefits the American economy because it helps deploy financial flows from the private sector to investment opportunities that promote sustainable development. The United Nations Children's Fund reported last year that about one billion children are at an extremely high risk of enduring the impacts of the climate crisis. Climate change threatens their nutrition, health, education, and development. We must increase funding for the Green Climate Fund because future generations of children are counting on us to act so that they can live in a secure world. SEERA also combats climate change by addressing electronic waste (e- waste) management in the United States. It enhances our national security, advances environmental justice, and bolsters our economy by stopping the flow of e-waste to China and requiring domestic recycling of all untested and nonworking electronics, which promotes the creation of thousands of new jobs in the United States. I urge my colleagues to support The America Competes Act of 2022.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, as we come off the historic Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, it is incumbent upon all of us not just to reflect on his legacy but to really honor it. Honoring his legacy means really using our political strength, much of which was given to us by him and his struggle, to deliver the very voting rights protections he and countless other civil rights leaders, including our very own John Lewis, bled to secure. We simply cannot accept empty promises anymore, Madam Speaker, in pursuit of his dream for a more equal and just America, not from Senators who have the power to live fully in those ideals today and not from Members of this very Chamber. How can anyone, Madam Speaker, especially any Member of the Senate, celebrate this day of service, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, without standing for democracy and the rights of others? How can they, in good faith, deliver empty words or celebrate his legacy in the shadow of this current attack on access to the ballot box when they themselves have the power to stop it? But let me step back just a minute and put this in perspective, Madam Speaker. Just last year, Republicans introduced 440 voter suppression bills in 49 States. Nineteen States have already passed voting restrictions in 2021, with even more coming this year. These are acts of voter suppression occurring in nearly every State of the Union, targeting Black and Brown communities, working-class and poor communities, telling them that their votes and voices shouldn't be heard, violating the sacred concept of one person, one vote. Make no mistake, Madam Speaker: The restrictive voting laws that have passed and continue to be passed and pushed have directly targeted Black and Brown poor and working-class communities, directly targeting communities of color to make it harder for them to access the ballot box and to participate in our democracy. As we continue to honor Dr. King and his legacy today, the Senate has a choice: Abolish the filibuster or let democracy die. Madam Speaker, the filibuster is an arcane piece of Senate procedure that came to be by accident. It is a direct legacy to segregation and continues to hold back progress on civil rights to this very day. Its most famous use was against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, where its opponents filibustered for nearly 60 days. But it wasn't the first time, and it won't be the last. White southerners also invoked the filibuster to block a voting rights bill in 1891, with many of the same Senators filibustering again in the 1930s to block antilynching laws. Imagine that. The filibuster was used to block antilynching laws. We have a choice, Madam Speaker, between having a democracy or allowing racist systems to continue. It is simple. The filibuster is a monument to white supremacy, and we have to tear it down. I refuse to hear any cheap excuse about why protecting the very founding principle of this Nation isn't possible because of it, not when it has been changed 161 times. The filibuster, in the last five decades, has been changed 161 times to pass trade deals, tax cuts for the rich, Supreme Court Justices, and just recently for the debt ceiling. But that is not what we remember the filibuster for. We remember the filibuster for its racist roots, deeply embedded in Jim Crow, used to stop antilynching legislation. Madam Speaker, history will not look fondly on those who stand in the way of progress.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of Al Kurland, who has dedicated nearly three decades to supporting youth and families throughout the 13th Congressional District. From his early efforts and grassroots engagement in Washington Heights, Al's work has inspired countless youth advocates, social justice activists, and civic mentors across the city of New York. Al has long championed ensuring marginalized youth have a voice and are empowered to thrive, and I am proud to recognize his contributions today. His latest essay, ``The Soul of Adolescence Aligns with the Heart of Democracy,'' follows his journey of discovering his life's purpose and his understanding of adolescent potential and wisdom. His candor and vulnerability have led to countless young people finding their full potential through community involvement, strengthening our community. Al Kurland has significantly contributed to our community. For that, we are thankful. I commend him for his unwavering dedication to all who call our city home and applaud his tireless efforts to make our community stronger for the next generation of civic leaders.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, we are seeing a wave of voter suppression efforts show their ugly heads across this country, a crisis of unprecedented proportion that is cracking at the very foundation of our democratic process. Republicans have continued to push lies and conspiracy theories to depress voter turnout and sow mistrust in our elections at the highest levels. It is time that we choose: the filibuster or our democracy. We cannot allow arcane Senate rules to stand in the way of this Congress upholding its most basic constitutional responsibilities, at one of the most critical junctures in our history. It is incumbent on us to restore the voting rights protections that our Nation's civil rights leaders bled to secure. This Congress can and will fight against these draconian measures, to restore and expand the sacred right to vote. History will remember anyone who stands in our way.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, passage of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) serves as an act of reprieve--and justice--for every sexual assault survivor who has put their life on the line in the name of service for this country and has been left behind in the wake of injustice. The NDAA contains the revised I am Vanessa Guillen Act. For the first time, the NDAA establishes the Office of the Special Trial Counsel which empowers and requires independent investigators to investigate allegations. That means for the first time, the NDAA takes the authority to prosecute sexual assault and harassment away from the military and gives it to independent military prosecutors. The military justice reforms included in this annual defense policy bill are historic and the most transformative in our nation's history. It is the culmination of years of advocacy from military sexual assault survivors, their families, and supporters. But let me be clear: my position on our nation's bloated defense budget remains unchanged. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to address climate change, racial injustice, and guaranteeing that families across the nation receive the relief they need as we work to build back better from a global pandemic. These are all problems that no amount of military spending can remedy, and we must redirect federal resources to the people, to our future generations, and to our working-class Americans. While I have historically voted ``no'' and plan to continue to do so--this was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to finally right generations of injustice against our nation's servicemembers in uniform, to finally bring some sense of justice to the family of Vanessa Guillen and countless other soldiers who are victims of assault. I refused to leave them behind once more. With the passage of this year's NDAA, survivors of sexual assault will finally be guaranteed an independent military attorney to decide whether to prosecute and make other key, binding decisions in these cases--also ensuring that domestic violence, stalking, murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and other special victim offenses are taken out of the chain of command. We are one step closer to justice and protection for our soldiers. My constituents can rest assured that I will continue my work to rein in defense spending and to invest resources in programs that promote peace, protect our planet, and provide the American people opportunities here at home.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Bowman for yielding. Don't forget, I also represent Manhattan. I am a Latin from Manhattan. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for giving me the opportunity to address this incredible issue. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of canceling student debt for over 43 million Americans. In fact, Madam Speaker, student debt for some time now has surpassed credit card debt for America. It is mind- boggling to consider that for many Americans they could be indebted for a significant period of their adult lifespan. Those who have children and then choose to help them out could be indebted for an entire life. So this is not the way a country should move forward. For more than a decade, mounting student loan debt has made it difficult for many Americans to purchase a home, to start their own business, to move forward and aspire to be part of the middle class or the advancement that this Nation should promise all its people. They have difficulties saving for the future of their families, so this is a transgenerational crisis. It is far beyond one generation. Recent data shows that borrowers in the United States owe collectively $1.6 trillion in Federal and private student loan debt. With the surge of the coronavirus cases and the rise in unemployment claims, the student loan crisis only worsened. It became a very deep crisis not only impacting American futures but putting in jeopardy the immediate needs and well-being of American families. As a strong proponent of student debt cancelation, I was proud to join my colleagues in responding to the growing crisis. Democrats in the House of Representatives led a bipartisan effort to provide economic assistance and relief to student borrowers in the CARES Act which was extended in the American Rescue Plan. So we have a record, Madam Speaker, of trying to throw a lifeline to all these borrowers who are drowning in debt. Earlier this year I was proud to join my colleagues in calling for a bold plan to tackle the student loan debt crisis and cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt for Federal student loan borrowers. Failure to cancel student loan debt will continue to greatly affect the quality of life for millions of Americans. Like the coronavirus pandemic, student debt disproportionately affects low-income, working class, and communities of color. We must work to create a more equitable outcome for everyone. Student loan cancelation isn't only relief for debt holders, it is also one of the most effective ways to stimulate our economy. Let's be smart about this, Madam Speaker. Let's be smart about this. Let's unshackle and unsaddle people from their debt so they can have just a little bit more money in their pocket and spend it in local businesses. They will not run away on a European vacation. They will not go to the South of France. They will go to the local store and spend their money there on emergency items, milk, Pampers, and food. So let's help them out. When Americans aren't burdened by student loans, they are more easily able to start businesses and help their families. Removing the financial barriers allows Americans to more easily join the workforce, as well. So not only will it stimulate local businesses and small businesses, which continue to be the biggest employers in America, but it would also help people come back to the workforce. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus to provide relief and economic justice to the millions upon millions of struggling debt owners under a mountain of student debt. Madam Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from the Bronx, and from Mount Vernon, and from Rockland County, and all the other areas that the gentleman distinguishes and represents for yielding to me.