Bill Foster

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize three schools in the Illinois 11th Congressional district that have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022: Eisenhower Academy, Elmwood Elementary School, and Highlands Elementary School. These schools are recognized for their overall academic excellence on their progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups, demonstrating that all students can achieve at high levels. Throughout its 40-year history, the National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program has affirmed the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The award flag gracing a school's building has been widely recognized by everyone--from parents to policymakers-- as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and students at these three schools for their great accomplishment.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of the International Atomic Energy Agency, commonly known as the IAEA, and to urge Congress to continue its support so it can continue its mission to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The primary task of the IAEA is to verify that countries comply with their commitments to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by monitoring and upholding standards for nuclear safety and security. But it is more than that. Earlier this month, we witnessed shelling and damage to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in Ukraine, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The persistent fighting in the area and the occupation of the nuclear plant by Russian forces have raised concerns about the safety and the dangerous conditions that plant workers face. So, who are you going to call? The IAEA. Its response to the situation in Ukraine demonstrates the crucial importance of its mission. The IAEA stands as a trusted and stabilizing influence and reduces the danger of potential nuclear disasters worldwide.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the legacy of Mr. Daniel D. Dolan, Sr. Mr. Dolan was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving his country during the Korean War, who went on to serve both in the Aurora, IL Fire Department and the U.S. Postal Service before starting his own business, Dolan & Murphy Real Estate in 1965. Dan loved selling and buying real estate throughout his career, especially land. His legacy development being Farnsworth International, which encompassed 450 acres of land on the North side of the I-88 and Farnsworth Avenue Cloverleaf Interchange in Aurora and is home to millions of square feet of Commercial and Industrial buildings (including Chicago Premium Outlet Mall) and is the largest Real Estate Tax base in Kane County, Ill. Dan was also very proud and instrumental in the extension of Indian Trail Road from Farnsworth Ave to the far eastern boundary of Aurora. Dolan and Murphy had just celebrated their 55th year in business when Dan passed on February 20, 2020. Born and raised in Aurora, IL, Mr. Dolan believed strongly in giving back to his community. He often did so through his business and life's passion, Dolan & Murphy Real Estate. Dolan & Murphy has sponsored little league baseball for over 50 years and fastpitch softball for over 35 years and Dan was inducted into the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame in August of 2016 for his long-time contribution as a sponsor. Dan believed that ``what's good for Dolan & Murphy is good for Aurora'' and worked hard to be charitable to the hometown he loved so deeply. Dan also spent much of his personal time giving back. He was instrumental in the funding and construction of Aurora Central Catholic High School's current campus, which opened in the fall of 1995. As a graduate of East Aurora High School, he was committed to being a ``lifelong Tomcat,'' coaching and mentoring many Aurora students throughout his life. Dan was honored by his Alma Mater in 2011 by receiving the coveted East Aurora High school ``Distinguished Alumni Award''. I am proud to represent Aurora, and I am grateful for the support and kindness Dan and his family have shown over the years. Daniel D. Dolan, Sr. was an Aurora icon, is an Aurora legend, and his generosity and contribution to the city will never be forgotten. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mr. Dolan's incredible life.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fox Valley United Way. Since 1922, United Way's numerous grants and programs have provided invaluable resources to our community, acting as the backbone of many different social services programs. Throughout their 100 years, Fox Valley United Way has been inspiring hope for a brighter future, first in Aurora, and today in 23 communities throughout Kane and Kendall counties. They have continually invested in the health, education, and financial stability of the families in these communities, laying the foundation for each community to grow and thrive into the future. United Way's programs provide assistance and support at many different stages of a family's development. For example, the SPARK early childhood program gives students entering kindergarten the tools they need to succeed. Kane County 211 has filled a crucial gap in social services resources by providing referrals to services for those with nowhere else to turn. Through these, and many other valuable programs, United Way has proved their commitment to aiding the communities they serve in whatever way possible. Fox Valley United Way is a vital resource to this community. Not only have they created an incredible wealth of resources of their own, they have supported and continue to support other local social services and programs to maximize the good they put out into their community. Their investments in the health, education, and financial stability of local families are commendable, and I am grateful to join in the celebration of this organization and its prolific contributions to the community. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing United Way all the best for another 100 years of service.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council's 50 years of incredible service to the Aurora community, as well as the leadership of Ms. Iris Miller, board president. Through two years of loss and hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council, under Ms. Miller's excellent leadership, managed to maintain their position as a pillar of the Aurora community. The council has continued promoting their Puerto Rican heritage through civic activities and cultural education despite the circumstances. Today, as we celebrate both the return of the Puerto Rican festival and the 50th anniversary of the Council, this organization continues to serve their community through the $20,000 in multicultural educational scholarships they are awarding. These achievements have happened under the guidance of Iris Miller, Board President of the Aurora Puerto Rican Council. Born and raised in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, Ms. Miller has shown exemplary leadership and commitment to the Council since she began her term in 2017. Ms. Miller is an avid community servant and has consistently gone above and beyond to provide humanitarian aid to Puerto Rico and Mexico during recent natural disasters. In Aurora, she has acted as a supporter and volunteer for multiple non-profit organizations, as well as the City of Aurora. I am proud to represent the city of Aurora, and I am grateful to be celebrating this organization and its prolific contributions to the Aurora multicultural community. I ask my colleagues to join me and wish Iris Miller, as well as the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council, all the best for another 50 years of service, education, and leadership.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment to reverse the fiscal year 2018 NDAA provision restricting U.S. funds to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization's Preparatory Commission, also known as the CTBTO's PrepCom. As the only physicist in Congress, I feel a special responsibility to speak out on the importance of strengthening our global nuclear security architecture and maintaining U.S. leadership in this area. The Preparatory Commission is tasked with monitoring countries' compliance with the comprehensive ban on nuclear explosive testing, including onsite inspections. Before the PrepCom funding ban went into place, the U.S. experts regularly provided training to the PrepCom's international team of inspectors and worked with our international partners to continually refine the state-of-the-art methods used in these inspections. When the funding ban was enacted, it removed our ability to continue this work, which resulted in Russia, China, and even Iran stepping in to fill the gap. Their efforts may be more focused on dumbing down the capability of PrepCom's verification regime, instead of strengthening it under U.S. leadership. President Trump recognized the importance of nonproliferation and of oversight into our adversaries' nuclear testing. He worked for years at attempting to negotiate the dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear testing and development program. Although it failed in the end, it was not a dumb thing to attempt. If a final deal had been reached, onsite inspections by a trusted international team of technically competent inspectors would have been a key factor, and that is what PrepCom is and what it should be under renewed U.S. leadership. As our Nation fights against the unprovoked Russian aggression in Ukraine, and China and Iran's increasing belligerence, repealing this funding ban, and getting the PrepCom out from under our adversaries' control and back into U.S. control has never been more important. As a Nation, we must continue our efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons and continue longstanding commitments to our allies. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper).

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would just like for the Members on the other side to ask themselves: assume that President Trump had succeeded at his negotiations with North Koreans, that would have required a technically competent team of international inspectors there the day after the agreement to make sure that there was not testing and other weapons- related activities. This is why you keep the PrepCom alive and working and under U.S. leadership. It makes the U.S. stronger, safer, and more able to deliver on the treaties that I think all of us hope may some day be passed to actually reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons. So until that time, we have to have a competent team in place. They, unfortunately, have to be international if they are going to be trusted by all sides on this. That is why it is important to keep the PrepCom as strong as we can, and it has to be under our leadership. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, when I first took office in March of 2008, one of my first official acts was to attend memorial services for the 17 students killed and injured in the mass shootings at Northern Illinois University. In the 14 years since, I have attempted to comfort families in my communities again and again, suffering from gun violence like incidents of the shooting at Henry Pratt. But until today, we had nothing to offer them but our thoughts and prayers. What we are going to pass today may not be enough, but it is a start.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak as a father and a new and excited grandfather to advocate for a country that is dedicated to helping all of its children thrive. As a scientist, I recognize that one of the most important issues our children face is the fragility of children's brain development. Early brain development in children lays the foundation for their success in adulthood. During the first few years of life, millions of new neural connections are formed every second. It is during this time that the brain is the most flexible but also the most vulnerable to the environment around it. Polluted environments, chronic stress, extreme poverty, or repeated abuse are toxic for brain development, and this has a lasting negative impact on a child's success in life. It is important to continue research on the impact of children's environment on early brain development and then to take action to provide early intervention services for children whose brain development is at risk. In fact, as Representative Jacobs mentioned, early childhood intervention has one of the highest returns on investment of any investment that our country can make. Although my grandson is growing up in a supportive, loving, and hopefully chemically nontoxic environment, I recognize that many children in the United States are not. But I remain hopeful that we will continue to combat the challenges that all of our children face and continue to provide them with the best future possible.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, as May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, I rise today to draw my colleagues' attention to the importance of knowing the risks for common skin cancers and treatment options. I am a skin cancer survivor, thanks to regular screenings and early detection. My father was not so lucky and passed away from untreated skin cancer. Our skin is our largest organ, protecting us from temperature extremes, injury, and infection. When our skin is exposed to the sun for an excessive amount of time, particularly our face, neck, arms, and hands, DNA damage can occur, resulting in non-melanoma skin cancer. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, making this the most common type of cancer amongst Americans. On average, 3.4 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year, with thousands of those cases resulting in death. With early detection, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent. Today, treatment options include both surgery and non-surgical radiotherapy. Everyone should take steps to avoid skin cancer. Do self-exams. See your primary care doctor or dermatologist annually and tell them about your risk factors, including sun exposure, use of indoor tanning devices, age, prior skin cancer or family history, and other health conditions. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen that filters both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and offers a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher every day. Limit your exposure during peak sun hours (10 am to 4 pm), and wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection and a wide-brimmed hat.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of my legislation, H.R. 700, to name the Elwood, Illinois, post office after Larry Walsh, Sr., a public servant and a dedicated member of the Will County community. Mr. Walsh was raised in Joliet and was a graduate of Joliet Junior College and a lifelong resident of Elwood, Illinois. Larry loved the State of Illinois and devoted his life to making it a better place. He first began his career in public service as a member of the Elwood School Board and continued to serve his community as an elected Jackson Township supervisor, a member of the Will County Board, and an Illinois State Senator representing the 43rd District, a time during which he was widely reputed to have spent a certain amount of time playing poker with his colleague, then State Senator Barack Obama. Larry finished his career in public service as the Will County executive, a position he held from 2004 until his passing in 2020. Larry was a family man and a devoted farmer, a voice for disability issues, senior citizens services, and agricultural workers. He championed the largest infrastructure improvement investment in Will County's history, alongside modernizing his county's public safety resources. Simply put, Will County is a better place today because of the decades of work that Larry devoted to it. The Lawrence M. ``Larry'' Walsh Sr. Post Office will be a justifiable source of pride and a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to local government and his community. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation, one of the collegial and noble things that Congress can do for a collegial and noble man.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, on April 1, 2022, I missed one recorded vote. I would like to indicate how I would have voted had I been present. On rollcall No. 103, I would have voted ``yea.'' Stated against:

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, for decades, the issue of homeless LGBTQ- plus youth hasn't gotten the attention it deserves, even as it is estimated they make up between 20 and 40 percent of all homeless youth in the United States. That is why I am so proud that the Federal omnibus recently passed by Congress included $3 billion for 360 Youth Services in Naperville so that they can launch a youth-affordable housing resource center to provide youth-specific housing and homelessness prevention services in DuPage, Kane, Will, and surrounding counties. In the 11th Congressional District, we value our young people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. I am proud of what 360 Youth Services has planned for this funding. Altogether, our office secured nearly $19 million for very worthwhile projects in Illinois' 11th Congressional District that will benefit our entire community. This will be taxpayer money well spent.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Ngozi Ezike, a dedicated public servant whose last day as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health was yesterday. For the past 3 years, Dr. Ezike worked tirelessly to protect the health and well-being of the people of Illinois, including leading our State's public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of historic challenges, she remained dedicated to her job and making sure that the people of Illinois always had the most accurate information about how to best protect themselves and their families. Amid an onslaught of social media misinformation and conspiracy theories, Dr. Ezike helped make sure that Illinois' COVID response operated in reality and was grounded in science. She always made sure that the scientists and public health experts were heard by our elected officials. Dr. Ezike is a trailblazer--not only because she was Illinois' first Black woman to serve as the director of the department of public health but because she was called to lead a Statewide public health response to an unprecedented pandemic, and she did not blink. There is no doubt that her work helped save lives in Illinois. So on behalf of the people of our State, I thank Dr. Ezike for her service, and I wish her nothing but the best in whatever she decides to do next. Community Projects: Clean Drinking Water

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, for decades the city of Joliet has lived under the threat of unsafe drinking water from lead pipes used in service lines to individual homes. In recent years, the lowering of the water tables has threatened even the long-term availability of drinking water to Joliet, and that is why I am so proud that the Federal omnibus recently passed by Congress included $3.5 million for the city of Joliet to help tap into Lake Michigan as the primary source of drinking water and to accelerate the replacement of lead service lines, thereby helping to secure clean and safe drinking water for the entire Joliet community for decades to come. Altogether, our office secured nearly $19 million for very worthwhile projects in Illinois' 11th District that will benefit our entire community, and this will be taxpayer money well spent. Community Projects: Stepping Stones

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, for decades substance abuse disorder has torn apart families in Will County and around the country. Often families with young children had nowhere to turn to. That is why I am so proud that the Federal omnibus recently passed by Congress included $2 million for Stepping Stones--a nonprofit that provides clinical services and recovery support for those seeking treatment for substance use disorders so that they can build new housing units for women seeking treatment. Altogether, our office secured nearly $19 million for very worthwhile projects in Illinois' 11th District that will benefit our entire community, and this will be taxpayer money well spent. Community Projects: Affordable Housing

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, for decades, Will County has grappled with issues of affordable housing, an issue that has become more and more important in communities large and small across our country. That is why I am so proud that the Federal omnibus recently passed by Congress included $3 million for the Housing Authority of Joliet to help turn a shuttered golf course into quality, affordable housing for hardworking families who deserve access to the dream of homeownership. Altogether, our office secured nearly $19 million for very worthwhile projects in Illinois' 11th District that will benefit our entire community, and this will be taxpayer money well spent. Community Projects: The Old Joliet Prison

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, for decades the Old Joliet Prison has served as the backdrop of Hollywood movies like ``The Blues Brothers'' and hit TV shows like ``Prison Break.'' But years of neglect have left the site unsafe and closed to visitors. That is why I am so proud that the Federal omnibus recently passed by Congress included $3 million for the Joliet Area Historical Museum so that they can rehabilitate the site of the Old Joliet Prison and make it safe for visitors once again and enhance its potential as a tourist attraction. This project is shovel-ready and will help create and sustain much-needed construction jobs while restoring a historically and culturally significant site in an economically challenged part of the city. Altogether, our office secured nearly $19 million for very worthwhile projects in Illinois' 11th District that will benefit our entire community, and this will be taxpayer money well spent. Community Projects: Aurora Quad County Urban League

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, for decades, America has faced a deficit of job training opportunities from underserved and underrepresented communities, and that is why I am so proud that the Federal omnibus recently passed by Congress included $425,000 for the Aurora Quad County Urban League so that they can launch a youth careers program in Aurora to connect young people with jobs and apprenticeship opportunities in construction, transportation, distribution of logistics, and all fields facing an increase in and need for Federally trained workers.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The White Oak Library on 100 years of service to the community. In 1922, the Lockport Woman's Club began a volunteer library and led a seven-year fight to solidify the library as a mainstay in the community. The library has persevered, putting the needs of the people first, changing locations and selling land to mirror the ever changing community landscape. A couple of location and name changes later, the Lockport Women's Club's vision has surpassed their initial dreams, with not one, but three libraries serving the greater Crest Hill, Lockport, and Romeoville communities. The White Oak Library's mission is to be a community anchor while balancing innovation and tradition. The library leaders and staff have tirelessly met this mission with offerings ranging from Citizenship Prep and English-Second Language classes, STEM Fest, Grandparents Day, and various children, teen and adult programming. The thoughtful and far-reaching goals of the White Oak Library are met every day. Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent the communities White Oak Library serves. and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this milestone with best wishes for many more to come.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the men and women who have been on the front lines of this pandemic from the very beginning: our healthcare workers. On MLK Day, I had a chance to deliver care packages to hospitals and clinics in my district in Joliet, Aurora, and Naperville as a small token of appreciation for the tireless work of our healthcare workers. As our Nation confronts this, hopefully final, winter surge of COVID, we should all keep in mind the people who are still going to work every day to care for people who are sick. Their dedication to their jobs is truly inspiring, and they are literally saving lives every day. After almost 2 years of battling COVID, our healthcare workers are mentally and physically exhausted, but yet they still show up every day to provide care for others. We can all learn so much from them. I am honored to represent so many of them in my district in places like Edward Hospital in Naperville, Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, and Aunt Martha's Health Center in Joliet; just to name a few. So I want every healthcare worker in America--doctors, nurses, and support staff--to know that they are not alone. I thank them for being there.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share some great news about our efforts to protect Lake Michigan and the rivers and lakes throughout Illinois and the entire Great Lakes region from invasive Asian carp. Yesterday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, $225 million of new funding is headed to Illinois for the Brandon Road Project. The Brandon Road Lock and Dam on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois, is the last best line of defense against the spread of this invasive species into waterways not just in Illinois but to lakes and tributaries throughout the entire Great Lakes basin. The economic and environmental consequences of allowing this infestation to spread would be massive, and that is why securing Federal funding for the Brandon Road Project has been one of my most important priorities for several years. Last year, I joined my colleagues on the Great Lakes Task Force to urge the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize the Brandon Road Project. And 3 years ago, I hosted members of the then-Republican- controlled Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for a tour of the Brandon Road site so that they could have a first-person look at the importance of this project. This injection of much-needed funding means that we can move forward on getting this project done and protecting our waterways, and not just our Great Lakes, but the beautiful lakes and rivers that define the entire Great Lakes region for generations to come. I just wish that more of my Republican colleagues had actually voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill to provide the funding for this great project. Infrastructure

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, for decades, Americans have been asking their elected leaders to fix crumbling roads and bridges and modernize our Nation's transportation infrastructure. For decades, politicians of both parties promised to deliver on an infrastructure package. President Trump even promised that he would be the one person to get it done. But he didn't, not even when Republicans controlled the House, Senate, and Presidency. It was President Biden and this Democratic Congress that finally got it done even though more than 90 percent of my Republican colleagues voted against it. Thanks to this new law, people in my State will benefit from robust Federal investment in the infrastructure that they rely on every day: $11.2 billion for highway and bridge repairs; $1.7 billion to make sure that everyone has access to clean drinking water; $4 billion to enhance public transportation; $616 million for infrastructure enhancements at Illinois airports; and over $100 million for broadband internet expansion. Just last week, the Department of Transportation announced that $1.4 billion was already on its way to Illinois to repair bridges all across the State. This is the largest investment in our State's bridges since the construction of the Interstate Highway System, and it is just the beginning of the infrastructure investments that will benefit the people of Illinois every day. I have to say, I look forward to meeting my Republican colleagues at the ribbon cutting ceremonies for all of these projects that they voted against.