Ruben Gallego

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2023. I congratulate my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee for bringing forward a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for the 62nd consecutive year. I especially want to thank Ranking Member Trent Kelly of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations for his leadership and contributions to this bill. I also thank the subcommittee staff-- Shannon, Craig, William, and Patrick--for their tireless efforts, as well as my personal office staff members Michelle and Charlie. This year's bill contains crucial investments in America's allies and partners to address the threat the world faces from Vladimir Putin, including $225 million for the Baltic Security Initiative, which I started last year with my friend and cochair of the House Baltic Caucus, Congressman Don Bacon. This bill also takes historic strides to prevent and mitigate civilian harm by creating mechanisms to increase transparency and accountability at the Department. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, I am proud of this bill's critical investments in intelligence modernization and special operations forces. Specifically, our bill invests in agility across the defense intelligence enterprise, protects our warfighters, and builds pandemic preparedness by adding $91 million to the Chemical and Biological Defense Program's top priority of accelerating the Department's biodefense capabilities. Our bill provides the resources to ensure Special Operations Command has the hardware it needs to conduct our Nation's most sensitive operations. This year's bill strengthens oversight of intelligence collection, information operations, and irregular warfare to ensure our intelligence professionals and special operations forces are positioned to prevail in the complex threat environment they face every day. Colleagues, in addition to meeting the most pressing security challenges we face today, this bill supports our servicemembers with a 4.6 percent pay raise, codifies the $15 minimum wage for all workers, includes $111 million in research activities at HBCUs, and improves women's healthcare. This an important bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this month. Founded in 1922 by Reverends Jake Howard, R. Thomas, and M. Boyd, Pilgrim Rest has been serving the Phoenix community ever since. In addition to its well over twenty ministries, Pilgrim Rest offers a wide range of human services that assist not only their congregation, but any in the community who are in need. These services include family support, employment assistance, a monthly food bank, and much more. As the church has grown, Pilgrim Rest has expanded its sanctuary, built the Word Center to house classrooms and the Family Services Resource Center, and opened the Wellness Center to care for the physical body as well as the soul. Since 2018, Pilgrim Rest has been under the able leadership of Pastor Terry E. Mackey, who has continued to develop Pilgrim Rest and the community it serves. Pilgrim Rest's mission is to be, ``like a city that sits upon a hill; a beacon of hope for all.'' They have been spreading that hope for the last 100 years, and I look forward to seeing all they will do next. I would like to again congratulate Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church on 100 years of faith and service.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and celebrate the life of Rita Brock-Perini, who passed away in April. Rita was the first woman in her family to join the military, and she dedicated her life to service and inspired many--including myself--to do more in support of our Nation's veterans. Rita was born in Phoenix in 1938 as one of ten children. After graduating from St. Mary's High School, she earned her nursing degree and spent ten years working as a nurse before becoming a captain in the Air Force Nursing Corps, serving during one of the most violent periods of the Vietnam war. As one of the more experienced nurses, she cared for not only the soldiers wounded in war, but for her fellow nurses as well. Rita left the Air Force in 1971 to take a job with the American Red Cross, continuing her service to those in need. Even after retiring in 2003, Rita never lost her passion for service. She became Vice President of the Veterans Medical Leadership Council (VMLC), an organization dedicated to ensuring quality care for veterans in Maricopa County. At VMLC, Rita managed the Returning Warriors program, which worked with the local VA to provide emergency services to veterans. I am lucky to have been able to consider Rita a friend. She was one of the first people to welcome me to the American Legion when I moved to Phoenix as a young veteran, and I will never forget her kindness and support. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and our community. She will be greatly missed.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, on January 6 we witnessed a violent coup attempt in our Capitol fueled by the big lie. Our country continues to face a slow-moving coup in the form of voter suppression. I have seen firsthand in my home State of Arizona voter suppression laws targeting people of color and a State senate that would rather waste taxpayer money on a sham audit instead of upholding our sacred democratic right to vote. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act is critical to protecting the vote in my State and States across the country where restrictive laws are being put into place to strip people of their right to vote. Arizona will stand strong together this weekend. Thousands will gather this Saturday in Phoenix for democracy and voting rights. Passing this bill today answers their call by guaranteeing access to democracy for every Arizonan. Today the House showed where it stands. We won't shrink from protecting our democracy and the voting rights of all Americans. It is past time for the U.S. Senate and Senator Sinema to do the same.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1605, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. I am proud that we in the House and Senate have completed our work on this defense bill and reached bipartisan consensus in support of our national security and our men and women in uniform. This year's bill contains multiple provisions to address strategic challenges presented by China and Russia, to strengthen our ability to operate in the grey zone of conflict, and to deepen relationships with key allies and partners. As chair of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, I am proud of the provisions of this bill that represent critical reforms to the defense intelligence enterprise, Special Operations Forces, and our ability to counter weapons of mass destruction. Our bill creates more agility across the defense intelligence enterprise by expanding information sharing with allies and partners and breaking down barriers to information sharing. This enhances our warfighters' and combatant commanders' ability to counter China and Russia in the information environment. The bill authorizes investments in emergent technologies for intelligence systems, including increasing funding for Project Maven, military information support operations, and the continued use of Small Business Innovation Research to develop AI-enabled data storage system solutions. Our bill authorizes a $105 million increase to the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which will enhance our efforts to detect and fight emergent chemical and biological threats and develop medical countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics. It also establishes an office and organizational structure and provides authorities to address unidentified aerial phenomena. Finally, the bill strengthens alliances and partnerships with key countries in the Indo-Pacific, like South Korea and Taiwan, and in Europe. I am particularly proud that for the first time this bill recognizes the Baltic Security Initiative, which will provide robust support to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and further strengthen deterrence in the region at a time of heightened tensions. I want to thank my subcommittee ranking member, Trent Kelly, for his contribution. I also want to thank the staff, Shannon Green, Jessica Carroll, Zachary Taylor, and Patrick Nevins, as well as my MLA, Michelle, for their tireless efforts. Madam Speaker, in addition to meeting the most pressing security challenges we face as a Nation today, this bill supports our servicemembers with a 2.7 percent pay raise, implements landmark UCMJ reforms, and combats extremism in the military. It is a good bill and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Friendly House, which turned 100 years old in 2020. Friendly House first started in 1920 as part of a local initiative to help immigrants in Arizona obtain citizenship and adjust to the United States. Today, Friendly House's services have expanded to include youth and adult education, family and emergency services, and workforce development, while still maintaining their original commitment to providing immigration and citizenship services. For the past 100 years, Friendly House has advanced America's identity as a nation of opportunity by helping individuals and families fully participate in American life. After being delayed by a year due to COVID-19, Friendly House will celebrate its 100th anniversary at its 85th signature Tamale Dinner on December 3. For many, tamales represent coming together with loved ones, especially around the holidays. Friendly House's annual Tamale Dinner has been bringing together the Phoenix community for over eight decades, making it the longest standing fundraiser in the State. I would like to thank Friendly House for 100 years of service to the Phoenix community and wish them the best as they continue to grow their impact over the next 100 years.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Reverend Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas Sr., who recently celebrated his 30th Pastoral Anniversary at the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church, the oldest African American church in Arizona. Reverend Thomas first came to Tanner Chapel in October 1991 and since then has been dedicated to serving not only his church, but the whole Phoenix community. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including as Commissioner of the Arizona Commission on African-American Affairs, member of the Arizona Department of Economic Security Board of Directors, and President of the Arizona Ecumenical Council of Churches. In 2001, he founded Tanner Community Development Corporation to help families meet their spiritual, economic, educational, health, and housing needs. Prior to coming to Phoenix, he served as the pastor of AME churches in Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; and Joplin, Missouri. A dedicated family man, Reverend Thomas is husband to Beverly Thomas, father to Rev. Benjamin Thomas Jr., and a proud grandfather. Reverend Thomas has been a role model to so many throughout the years. Although he has had opportunities to pastor elsewhere or to move up within church leadership, he has remained dedicated to Tanner Chapel and the Phoenix Community. I would like to congratulate Reverend Thomas on 30 years of pastoring at Tanner Chapel, thank him for his decades of service to the Phoenix community, and wish him the best as he continues his journey with members of the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of Lisa Sandomir. Ms. Sandomir was a longtime Phoenix- area educator and principal of Maurice C. Cash Elementary School for the past sixteen years. She passed away tragically last week as the result of a car accident. Ms. Sandomir was beloved by students, parents, and fellow teachers. During her time as principal, M.C. Cash was named an A+ School of Excellence and, in 2015, she was awarded the prestigious Rodel Exemplary Principal award for her leadership. Ms. Sandomir believed in creating a positive environment where every student was given the opportunity to succeed and often reminded her students to never stop believing in themselves, just as she never stopped believing in them. My thoughts are with Ms. Sandomir's family, the students and staff of M.C. Cash Elementary School, and the entire Laveen community during this difficult time. Although Ms. Sandomir will be greatly missed, her legacy will be carried on through the thousands of students whose lives she touched.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th annual Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade which will take place on November 6th and 7th. Each year, this event brings together Arizonans, entertainers, vendors, and community resources to celebrate and uplift members of the Arizona LGBTQ+ community and to further Phoenix Pride's mission of creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equal Arizona. In addition to celebrating the 40th anniversary of Phoenix Pride, I would also like to recognize and thank the Phoenix Pride Community Foundation which has given over $1 million in contributions since its creation. The Phoenix Pride Community Foundation supports the work of non-profits serving the LGBTQ+ community in Arizona through its grants programs and helps LGBTQ+ students and allies achieve their dreams of higher education through its scholarship program. Since its founding in 1981, Phoenix Pride has been a beacon of hope and acceptance for the Phoenix LGBTQ+ community. Thanks in part to the hard work of Phoenix Pride, Phoenix ranks among the most LGBTQ+- friendly cities in the state, with protections against discrimination and a strong, involved LGBTQ+ community. While significant progress has been made in recent years, Phoenix Pride continues to tirelessly work to combat homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination in Arizona and across the country. I would like to again congratulate Phoenix Pride on their 40th Festival and Parade, thank them for their work to make Phoenix a more inclusive and just city, and wish them all the best on another 40 years.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and say goodbye to my friend and my brother, Sergeant Major Dan Altieri. We served together in Iraq. I have one minute to speak about a man who gave thousands of marines years of their life back, one minute to speak about a marine, a patriot, a brother, a legend, who loved us, unconditionally, both on the battlefield and off. In this magic minute, I must tell you about a marine that is timeless, one who will not be forgotten by his men. He laughed with us in the good times. He mourned with us in the bad times. He was always ready to be there and say: ``Hey, brother, how are you doing?'' And like a father that many of us never had, he would always say: ``I am proud of you.'' My minute is up, my Sergeant Major is gone, but his legend will live on. Semper fi, Sergeant Major Altieri.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022. I congratulate my colleagues for fulfilling our obligation to debate and pass the National Defense Authorization Act. This year's bill contains multiple provisions to address strategic challenges presented by China, to confront our adversaries in the gray zone of conflict, and to strengthen the relationships with key allies and partners. As chair of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, I am proud of the provisions in this bill that represent critical reforms to the defense intelligence enterprise, special operations forces, our ability to counter weapons of mass destruction. Our bill creates more agility across the defense intelligence enterprise by breaking down barriers to information sharing to enhance warfighters and combatant commanders in their ability to counter China and Russia in the information environment and focusing on expanding access to partners such as India and our steadfast Nordic partners such as Finland. The bill further supports rigorous oversight of our security posture in Afghanistan and includes provisions to better understand the Department's plans to address the threat environment while postured in an over-the-horizon capacity. Importantly, the bill also contains $500 million in relocation support for Afghan SIV holders. Finally, our bill authorizes an increase of $105 million to the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which will enhance our efforts to detect and fight emergent chemical and biological threats and develop medical countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics. Most importantly, I want to thank subcommittee Ranking Member Trent Kelly for his contribution to this bill and his bipartisanship, which helped create the foundations of such a strong bill during a particularly challenging year. I would also like to thank the staff-- Shannon Green, Jessica Carroll, Zachary Taylor, and Patrick Nevins--for their tireless efforts to get it across the finish line. Colleagues, in addition to meeting the most pressing security challenges we face as a Nation today, this bill supports our servicemembers with a 2.7 percent pay raise, increases parental leave for military families, improves women's healthcare, and combats extremism in the military. Madam Speaker, this is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate The Black Theatre Troupe's 50th season. Founded in 1970 by civil rights activist Helen K. Mason, this Phoenix troupe is one of the oldest continuously operating Black theater companies in the United States. Despite having to push back their 50th anniversary season by a year due to COVID-19, the show will go on as The Black Theatre Troupe returns to the stage this month. The Black Theatre Troupe was born of the need to create a space for Black voices to be heard in the Southwest. Today, it has grown into a nationally recognized, award-winning theater company that continues to tackle issues of racism, prejudice, and discrimination. Fifty years later, The Black Theatre Troupe remains a vital platform for illuminating the Black experience and culture, provides unique opportunities for multiethnic and underserved artists to train and perform, and educates and entertains a diverse audience. Throughout its history, The Black Theatre Troupe has faced many challenges--lack of funding, a fire that destroyed its stage, and even a global health pandemic--but thanks to the tenacity and enthusiasm of its members and supporters, the Troupe has continued to grow and thrive. I'd like to congratulate The Black Theatre Troupe on 50 seasons and wish them all the best for 50 more.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jimmie Munoz, Sr., who passed away on August 16 due to complications from COVID-19. Jimmie was a longtime south Phoenix community leader whom I had the honor of knowing. Jimmie was the son of Mexican immigrants who grew up in the former Golden Gate barrio in Phoenix and took great pride in where he came from. He served in the U.S. Army for six years, during which he met and married his wife, Norma. After retiring from the Army, Jimmie returned to Arizona, where throughout the course of his life he started several different businesses including a ranch, a telecommunications business, and a local hangout called The Batters Cage. For Jimmie, family and community always came first, which is why he and Norma helped start the South Mountain Youth Development Association and organized an annual Cinco de Mayo festival. As part of his commitment to his community, Jimmie was elected constable of the South Mountain Justice Court in 1998. This was a difficult and sometime dangerous job that Jimmie conducted with compassion and dedication until his retirement in 2017. Jimmie was a truly kind man whose spirit will be greatly missed in the south Phoenix community. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It is because of the courage and sacrifices of civil rights leaders like Congressman John Lewis that we were able to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But for over a decade, we have witnessed a new era of voter suppression and Jim Crow laws pursued by Republican State legislatures, including in my State of Arizona. These attacks on our right to vote are nothing new. For too long, Black, Latino, and Native American voters have overcome incredible barriers to cast their votes. That is not how American democracy should work. That is why Representative Mondaire Jones and I were proud to add a provision to this bill today that bans discriminatory voting laws that harm voters of color. I strongly urge my colleagues to pass this bill and this provision with it.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Valle del Sol Community Health, which the organization celebrated in 2020. For the past fifty years Valle del Sol has inspired positive change by empowering people to live healthy, productive lives. Founded in 1970, Valle del Sol's original mission was to make behavioral health and social services more available and accessible to the Latino community and other underserved populations. Today, Valle del Sol's services range from primary health care to substance abuse treatment and youth leadership programs, all with a focus on providing culturally competent and holistic care. Valle del Sol has now grown to eight locations across the Phoenix area and 50 school and community co- locations to provide services to people where they learn, work, and live. The coronavirus pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge to Valle del Sol, which they quickly rose to meet. The amazing team at Valle del Sol has been working tirelessly for over a year to test and, now, vaccinate high-risk individuals and frontline workers against COVID-19. Their work helps protect not only their patients, but the entire Phoenix community. I wish to congratulate Valle del Sol and thank them for their work to make our community healthier, happier, and more empowered. I look forward to continuing to work with this outstanding organization.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 256 to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force that sent me and thousands of other young Americans into war in Iraq. Even though the mission in Iraq has been over for almost a decade, this authorization remains on the books. This is not a mistake or an oversight. It is a dangerous abdication of Congress' responsibility. The longer this AUMF is on the books, the more opportunity it has to be abused as a blank check for military action in the Middle East without the input of the American people. The longer this AUMF is on the books, the longer we in Congress are bending our own moral and constitutional duty to debate and to decide when to send American soldiers into harm's way and to look into the eyes of servicemen and -women when we do. We cannot run from this incredible responsibility any longer. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this bill and retaking Congress' constitutional role in exercising our war powers.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 2726, the VA FOIA Reform Act. Madam Speaker, I thank Chair Takano and Ranking Member Bost for bringing this bill to the floor and Representative Murphy for co- leading this important legislation with me. The bill is a simple, bipartisan measure to improve efficiency and transparency at the VA. As we all know, transparency is critical in ensuring that the VA is serving our veterans as effectively as possible. Veterans, their caregivers, VSOs, and the public all deserve easy and timely access to information about veteran care, VA performance, and other data when requested. Unfortunately, VA currently has among the worst backlogs of Freedom of Information Act requests across Federal agencies. Among these backlogged requests are inquiries about VA performance and decisions, as well as requests from veterans for their own personal records. My bill will ensure that the VA takes concrete steps to reduce its FOIA backlogs so that these veterans get answers. It also calls for the National Archives and Records Administration to review VA's FOIA process. Finally, the bill requires the VA to analyze the root causes of its FOIA backlog and to identify technology needs and procedural improvements that will increase efficiency in responding to requests. This straightforward bill is a commonsense step toward improving the flow of information from the VA to all the stakeholders it serves. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support it today, and I look forward to working to get it signed into law.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, when I joined the Marine Corps, the most sacred part of my oath was to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I took that oath again when I was sworn into office as a Member of Congress. I never thought I would have to defend this oath against domestic enemies on the floor of Congress--but on January 6, I did. Democracy is fragile. We have seen it across the world: When leaders cower in the face of an attack on democracy, it can be lost. Let's be clear: Democracy itself was violently attacked on January 6. If we don't stand up for it, it will happen again. If we don't tell the truth about what happened on January 6, it will happen again. If we don't have swift and harsh accountability for everyone involved in January 6, it will happen again. If all of us don't stand up to traitors and cowards in defense of our Constitution, January 6 will happen again. That is why all of us have an obligation today to defend our democracy and support the creation of a national commission to investigate the January 6 attack, because it can never be allowed to happen again.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 2878, the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act. I thank Chair Takano for bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank my co-leads on this legislation: Representative Dusty Johnson, Representative Tom O'Halleran, and Representative Tom Cole. Native Americans have served our country in every war since the American Revolution. To this day, Native Americans volunteer to serve at higher rates than any other demographic group. I, myself, served alongside Native American Marines in Iraq. Indigenous peoples have a decorated history of service, yet Native veterans have less access to benefits than other groups of veterans. That must change. Today, we consider a bill that will give Native veterans attending Tribal colleges and universities access to an already successful student veteran program, the VetSuccess on Campus Program. The VetSuccess program helps student veterans graduate on time, successfully enter the workforce, and access VA benefits at over 100 colleges and universities. H.R. 2878 would extend this successful program to TCUs in a regional model to reach as many Native veterans as possible. There is no time to waste in passing this important legislation. In addition to expanding the VetSuccess to Native veterans, H.R. 2878 includes emergency funds for veteran technology education courses, known as VET TEC. The VET TEC program was created to allow veterans to pursue vocational training for 21st century careers in high-tech fields like software development, programming, coding, media, and more. During the pandemic, more veterans than ever are looking for training in high-skilled, high-tech careers, so much so that the VET TEC program has run out of money for this year already. That is why H.R. 2878 includes an immediate influx of funds for VET TEC so more veterans can receive this critical funding. H.R. 2878 also includes a provision to fight veteran homelessness. The COVID-19 pandemic devastated our economy and healthcare system in general, disproportionately hurting veterans. We don't know yet the full impact of the pandemic on veteran homelessness, but we know veterans need our help immediately. My bill will extend the authorization allowing the VA to partner with nonprofits, States, Tribes, and localities to help more veterans find both temporary shelter and permanent housing. This provision will save veterans' lives, period. Finally, H.R. 2878 includes a provision to help student veterans keep their housing benefits in their final semester of education. Ensuring student veterans can remain housed for the duration of their education is essential to ensure that veterans graduate on time and can successfully enter the workforce. Before I close, I want to especially thank Representatives Miller- Meeks, Levin, Mann, and Pappas for their work with me on this bipartisan bill. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1688, the Native American Child Protection Act. I first want to thank my friend and the dean of the House, Congressman Don Young, for working with me on this bill to ensure Native American and Alaska Native Tribes have the resources they need to keep Native children safe from abuse and neglect. Last week, I joined my colleagues in recognizing the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. When I was chairman of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States last Congress, I held the first-ever House committee hearing on MMIW, which paved the way for critical bills like the Not Invisible Act and Savanna's Act. At that hearing, we learned that, in addition to experiencing incredibly high murder rates, one in three Native women experience domestic violence in their lives. That statistic is even more horrifying when we recognize that, in 49 to 70 percent of cases, men who abuse their partners also abuse their children. Despite this fact, Tribes have never received the resources they need to address child abuse and neglect in their communities. My bill changes that. My bill will improve the prevention, treatment, investigation, and prosecution of child abuse and neglect in Indian Country by ensuring Tribes have the resources they need to take care of Native children in culturally competent ways. It does so by modernizing and reauthorizing three programs originally passed as part of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act became law in 1990, after being authored by the late Arizona Senator John McCain in response to widespread reports that Native children were being physically and sexually abused in BIA-run boarding schools in the 1980s. The original purpose of the law was to identify the scope of the underreported child abuse in Indian Country, fill gaps in Tribal child welfare services, improve coordination between child welfare and domestic violence programs, and provide funds for treatment in Indian Country. But the horrible truth is that the grant programs created by this law in 1990 were never funded, never enacted, and were allowed to expire in 1997. My bill revives the three grant programs from the original act that are still sorely needed in Indian Country because the problems identified by Congress in 1990 still exist today. Specifically, my bill does: one, provides Tribes with more funding for culturally competent child abuse treatment; two, allows Tribes to choose to partner with urban Indian organizations or Tribal consortiums to identify and treat victims of abuse; three, creates a national child resource and family services center to provide technical assistance and support to Tribes in maintaining child welfare programs; four, authorizes enough funds for every Tribe to hire at least one child welfare case manager to help investigate and prosecute instances of abuse; and, five, authorizes the only Tribal-specific grant program aimed at preventing child abuse in Indian Country. A core part of the Federal Government's trust responsibility is protecting the most vulnerable members of indigenous communities, Native children. Right now, we are failing in that responsibility. Passing this bill today allows us to take an important step forward in protecting Native children and upholding our trust responsibility to Tribes. I am proud of the strong bipartisan support this legislation received in the Natural Resources Committee last year when it passed and when it passed by a voice vote in the House. I urge all of my colleagues in the House to join me once again in supporting this important piece of legislation.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the faithful service and hard work of Elisa de la Vara, who will retire this month after nearly fifty years of service to the people of Arizona. Born and raised in the small border community of Somerton, Arizona, Elisa has dedicated her life to following her father's example by giving back to her community. Elisa most recently served as Chief Community Officer for the Arizona Community Foundation. In this role, she oversaw the investment of nearly half a billion dollars in grant funding to community organizations across Arizona and brought diverse voices and perspectives together through her work with the Latinos Unidos Initiative, the Black Philanthropy Initiative, the Asian Pacific American Women's Giving Circle, and the Native American Initiative. She also led the Foundation's affordable housing initiative and rural philanthropy work, where she developed innovative solutions to make sure more Arizona families had access to housing. Elisa has also served in many other roles including as District Director for my distinguished predecessor, Congressman Ed Pastor, Special Assistant to Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt, Executive Vice President for Chicanos Por La Causa, and Assistant to the President of the League of United Latin American Citizens. Elisa's work often focused on housing. She opened and led Fannie Mae's Arizona Office and she developed and hosted Arizona's first Spanish language real estate television show on Univision entitled Bienvenido a Mi Casa, which was devoted to informing and educating viewers on the rights and responsibilities of home ownership, including the mortgage process. Throughout her distinguished career, Elisa rightfully earned many awards and recognitions. I would like to share my deep appreciation to Elisa for her years of service to our Congressional District, to our community, and to all of Arizona, and I wish her all the best in her retirement.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of tribal nations in Arizona and across the nation that are struggling to protect the health and welfare of their citizens. As Chairman of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the U.S. last Congress, I heard from countless leaders about how this pandemic has impacted them. We heard their stories about the loss of elders, the challenges their children face trying to engage in distance learning without access to broadband internet, and the near total collapse of on-reservation economies that provide critical jobs for tribal members and funds for government services. While the CARES Act funding passed last year for Tribes was a lifeline, it was not nearly enough to address the disparate impact of this pandemic on Indigenous people and communities across the country. That is why I fought so hard to ensure that Tribes would not be short- changed in further COVID-19 relief efforts and why I am so proud that House and Senate Democratic leadership has approved the largest one- time investment in Native communities in our history. The American Rescue Plan includes more than $28 billion for tribal governments. This is a real, meaningful investment that will allow Native communities to respond to the wide-ranging effects of the virus on their communities and that will begin to address the shameful federal history of ignoring the needs of Native communities. The package specifically includes $20 billion in direct relief for Tribal governments. Importantly, these funds will be able to be used more flexibly by Tribes than CARES Act relief dollars, enabling Tribes to help struggling businesses cover the cost of employees, develop 21st century infrastructure, and address the health and economic barriers that worsened the pandemic in Tribal nations. Additionally, many tribal communities have lost elders who are the keepers of their languages, history, and cultural teachings at an alarming rate--the loss of this knowledge exacerbating the existing crisis of Native language loss. American Rescue Plan funding will be critical for Tribes to cover government programs that will help preserve Native languages and culture. Last Congress, the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples heard from Tribes about inadequacies in the distribution of Coronavirus Relief Funds to Tribes under the CARES Act. The decision to solely rely on Indian Housing Block Grant formula for the calculation of tribal population resulted in dramatically inaccurate counts for many Tribes. I have been very encouraged by this administration's renewed commitment to Tribal consultation, and I urge the administration to continue to make good on that commitment by consulting with and deferring to Tribes on the fairest and most accurate way to determine Tribal enrollment population for the purposes of the American Rescue Plan. Finally, in order to maximize the effectiveness of this historic investment in Native communities, the American Rescue Plan relief funding must be distributed on an equitable basis. That is why I am proud of the American Rescue Plan's establishment of a minimum payment to ensure every Tribe receives a strong baseline of support. We also heard from Tribes that equitable distribution should include the utilization of both Tribal population and economic and employment data. Once again, it is my hope that the Biden Administration will rely on Tribal consultation in this area when deciding how best to distribute this desperately needed relief in an equitable, timely, and effective manner. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to highlight this important and historic investment in Tribal Nations, who have showed leadership and resilience even as COVID-19 devastated their communities. I look forward to working with my colleagues and with this Administration to ensure quick and effective implementation of this bill in the coming weeks.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Calvin C. Goode, a civil rights leader and longest-serving Phoenix City Council member in the city's history. Mr. Goode passed away in December 2020 at the age of 93, but his impact on Phoenix will be felt for generations to come. Calvin moved to Arizona with his family when he was just 10 months old, and later had to move across the State to find a high school that would enroll Black students. He eventually graduated from Carver High School in 1945 and went on to earn a master's in education from Arizona State University. In 1971, Calvin became only the second Black American ever elected to the Phoenix City Council. In his 22 years on the council, Calvin advocated for historic preservation, affordable housing, more accessible neighborhoods, and educational programs such as Head Start. Calvin was married to his wife, Georgie Mae Goode, a Phoenix activist and educator, for 55 years. As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I would like to recognize and share my appreciation for Calvin C. Goode's commitment to the Black community in Phoenix and to advancing the lives of young people in the city. His spirit will be missed, and his leadership will be felt for years to come.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Arizona Informant, a newspaper which for the past fifty years has reported on news that directly impacts the Black community across the Phoenix Valley. The Arizona Informant now reaches 100,000 weekly readers and is the only Black owned weekly newspaper in our state. The Arizona Informant started with an investment of just $1 in 1971 by brothers, Clovis Campbell Sr. and Charles Campbell, who noticed there was a lack of coverage on issues affecting the Black community in Arizona. Clovis, the first Black Arizona State Senator, and Charles, an educator with a doctorate in higher education administration, were pillars of the Black community in Phoenix whose impact across the Valley is still felt today. Still family owned and operated, the Arizona Informant has stayed true to its mission of bringing to the forefront stories of accomplishment and achievement in the Black community. The protests that erupted after George Floyd last summer and the ongoing struggle for racial justice have shown that the work of the Arizona Informant is needed now as much, if not more, than it was fifty years ago. As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I am proud to be able to recognize and uplift the Arizona Informant. I wish to congratulate the Arizona Informant on fifty years of `Recording Black History Every Week' and thank them for their continued work.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the objection.