Sylvia Garcia

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the impact the COMPETES Act will have on our Nation. We are seeing the best economy for American workers in decades, with people earning higher wages, better benefits, and better jobs, thanks to President Biden's leadership. With that said, when I visited with the leadership from the Port of Houston in my district a while back, they expressed their gratitude for Congress' strong investment in the maritime infrastructure needed to keep America's economy moving in the right direction. They also expressed concern, however, that more workers will need technical training than our current system will be able to provide. The America COMPETES Act will be that critical next step in providing vital maritime workforce training. My home district, Texas-29, will benefit greatly from the large grant program for domestic maritime worker training and education included in the America COMPETES Act. I was proud to see this maritime grant program language included, as it was originally part of my bill, H.R. 987, which was one that was introduced to strengthen our maritime workforce. This investment will provide more Houston area workers the technical training, education, and resources needed to become qualified for good- paying maritime jobs. For example, the San Jacinto College Maritime Center in my district helps thousands of students learn new skills so they can earn good paychecks, paychecks that hold families together. Located just outside of Houston, the San Jacinto College Maritime Program offers maritime training and deck-level coursework for all professional mariners. They cover everything from entry-level deckhands on an inland towboat to unlimited tonnage masters on the world's largest ships. The COMPETES Act will empower the maritime grant program that will directly benefit this community college; more workers for maritime work. But like the San Jacinto Community College in my district, there are also similar training centers across the Nation that will benefit. The COMPETES Act will help thousands of students learn new skills so they can provide comfortably for their families and live a good life with good benefits. This is another way the America COMPETES Act will strengthen our supply chains. While there will be plenty of large-scale improvements across the Nation, there will also be many local governments like this in our hometowns that will benefit. I look forward to President Biden signing this bill into law. And this is yet, Madam Speaker, another example of how we are building a better America for generations to come.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the country's tremendous economic improvements. While our economy is stronger than ever, the America COMPETES Act will strengthen the economy even more in the near future. But one key economic accomplishment during Biden's first year I would like to highlight is the large budget deficit decrease he produced. In his first year, the deficit decreased by $360 billion. That is an average drop of $30 billion each month. That is huge. This is a night-and-day difference from the past administration, which only increased the budget deficit year after year during his time in office. But even better, Biden is on track to reduce the deficit by more than $1 trillion this year. This is truly remarkable. We really are building a better America for generations to come.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 90th anniversary of a Houston-area community staple, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Anyone who lives in or around Houston knows about the Houston Rodeo, but outside of their legendary fried Oreos, incredibly tasty brisket, and impressive livestock shows and rodeo, it is a family-friendly place where families and communities across the region learn about agriculture. The Houston Rodeo has a special place in my heart, Madam Speaker, as it does to many Texans. Growing up on a farm, I still remember my first trip to Houston was to attend the Houston Rodeo. Today, it is the world's largest rodeo with attendance surpassing two million people. Money raised at the rodeo goes to scholarships. This year alone, 350 4-year scholarships will be awarded. The Houston Rodeo is a Houston gem. It is a Texas gem. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Houston Rodeo on its 90-year anniversary, and I look forward to the next 90 years.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate President Biden for the progress our Nation has made this past year. In early 2021, the President took office during a global crisis and was determined to get America back on track. He knew we needed a comeback. He knew we needed to focus on building a better America. So what did President Biden do? He invested in the American people, and he invested big. The boom was beginning. In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan was signed into law. In total, a historic $1.9 trillion were put to work for the American people during the severe public health and economic crisis caused by COVID. Since then, the American Rescue Plan has been helping us recover. We are now enjoying one of the strongest periods of economic growth in history, and we are building a better America. If we look at the progress we have made over the past year, Madam Speaker, we can see how successful the American Rescue Plan truly has been. The plan powered historic jobs recovery and produced the largest calendar increase in jobs on record. The unemployment rate dropped at a record pace, but we have also seen the biggest drop in long-term unemployment ever recorded in a 12-month span. Nearly 2.5 million people broke out of the cycle of long-term unemployment. Madam Speaker, this is huge. As the Representative of a majority Latino district, I was especially proud to learn there were record drops in Latino and African-American unemployment rates. African-American unemployment fell by more than 30 percent. Latino unemployment fell from nearly 9 percent to 4.4 percent, the fastest drop ever recorded. These are hardworking Americans going back to work, putting food on the table, and earning good paychecks. This is building a better America. We have seen that when Americans have job opportunities, great things happen, and they do. That is why we also saw the lowest number of home foreclosures ever recorded. We also witnessed a record low number of credit card delinquencies. The American Rescue Plan isn't only helping working adults. The American Rescue Plan's historic child tax credit benefits nearly 40 million families with 65 million children. Madam Speaker, in my own home State, the child tax credit directly benefits nearly 7 million children, many in our area of Houston. Madam Speaker, that is a whole lot of children. Most families in Texas will receive several thousand extra dollars because of the increased 2021 child tax credit. Because of these historic tax credits, child poverty rates have been slashed dramatically. In only 1 year, unemployment is at a record low, job opportunities are on the rise, and child poverty rates have been reduced. We are building a better America for all. I am so proud we have a strong leader in the White House who is leading America to full recovery. President Biden got it right, Madam Speaker. He understood that betting on the American people is always a good idea. With the right resources, America will win. We will all win. It is just that simple. Together, we really are building a better America.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council on their century of service to the girls of southeast Texas. One hundred years ago, the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council was founded in Texas. Today, the council has grown immensely to 54,000 Girl Scout members. That is a lot of girls who are being empowered to lead and serve. You see, Girl Scouts are changemakers who become bold and strong leaders. In fact, the 117th Congress boasts a record number of women members, and more than 55 percent of us are Girl Scout alums. While I never really was a Girl Scout, I served on their board for many years in Houston, and I know firsthand no matter what these Girl Scouts choose to do in life, they will be well-prepared. I can't wait to see what the next 100 years will bring to the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate President Biden and his administration following February's job report. 678,000, that is the total number of jobs created last month. But these are not just any type of jobs. These jobs are good-paying jobs that are giving Americans the dignity of a good paycheck. In the last 13 months, 7.4 million jobs have been created, and unemployment has been slashed from 6.4 percent to 3.8 percent. When the President took office, over 18 million people were receiving unemployment benefits. Today, only 2 million people remain. The bottom line, Madam Speaker, is we are seeing the best economy for American workers in decades, with people getting higher wages, better benefits, and better jobs across the board. Our national deficit has also seen improvement. Under President Biden's watch, the deficit fell by $360 billion last year. This is the first deficit decline in more than half a decade. Better yet, our Nation is on track to cut the deficit even more this year. Biden's plan of action will make sure we continue our path to building a better America. But building a better America requires much more than only economic success. It also requires healthy communities. I am proud to share that America has had much success on the public health front during Biden's first year. In my home State of Texas, only 10 percent of the population was fully vaccinated this time last year. Today, 60 percent of the entire population is fully vaccinated in Texas. On top of that, 21 percent of the population have received a booster shot. In short, Madam Speaker, our Nation is recovering, and we are powering through the challenges COVID-19 created. As we continue to recover from COVID-19 and rebuild the economy, we also must invest in our infrastructure. Investing in roads, bridges, and public transportation is critical. Shockingly, in America, one in three U.S. bridges need repairs or replacement. Biden has a plan for that, too. There are 4,000 infrastructure projects already planned, alongside 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges scheduled to be repaired. But it is not only highways and bridges that need repairs and upgrades. Our ports need improvements as well. In my home area, the Port of Houston secured $142,500,000 in new funding because of the Biden boom. In Houston, the transit authority, METRO, also received more than $137 million in Federal funds to strengthen local public transportation. The best part, Madam Speaker, this is only the beginning. I am truly excited that we are really accomplishing much for the American people as we work in partnership with President Biden and his boom. We truly are building a better America for generations to come.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in January, 14 HBCUs received bomb threats. Even worse, on the first day of Black History Month, 18 HBCUs received bomb threats. That is more than 30 threats to our HBCUs in only 3 months. That is simply appalling and unacceptable. The numbers show threats to HBCUs are rising. These threats have no place in our communities. These actions must stop now and should be condemned by Congress now. As a proud graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, an HBCU institution, and a proud member of the HBCU Caucus, I am honored to cosponsor H. Con. Res. 70, which condemns these threats to our HBCUs. Students deserve to be free from fear. College is for learning, not for bombing. I urge my colleagues to condemn these acts now and support this resolution.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, the Biden boom continues. Last month, 678,000 jobs were created, and unemployment ticked down to 3.8 percent--less than 4 percent. This follows the greatest year of job growth in American history and the fastest economic growth in nearly 40 years. But it is not only the fact that new jobs were created, Madam Speaker. It is also the fact that they are well-paying jobs--terrific and impressive. These jobs have given Americans the dignity of a good paycheck and much-needed financial breathing room. On the public-health front, vaccination rates have increased 50 percent since last March, making it possible for 99.9 percent of our schools to reopen and stay safely open. This is the result of strong leadership in the White House, Congress' partnership, and the backing of the American people. Together, we are building a better America, and we are standing strong with Ukraine.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, as we heard at the State of the Union address, President Biden's first year delivered a record-breaking number of new jobs. In total, 6.7 million new jobs were created for hardworking Americans. America also saw the largest calendar-year decrease in unemployment in the Nation's history, paired with record-breaking GDP growth. But America's economic prosperity is only one side of the equation. America's public health has also been strengthened during Biden's first year. Vaccination rates have tremendously risen from 15 percent to a whopping 65 percent in 1 year for full vaccination. That is more than 215 million fully vaccinated Americans--again, a record. In addition, 70 million households also received free COVID tests, and those numbers will only rise. While these are tremendous accomplishments, I can't say I am too surprised. You see, we have a strong leader in the White House and the backing of the American people. As President Biden said on Tuesday, never bet against the American people.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate President Biden and the significant accomplishments he shared with us during last night's State of the Union address. Last year, together with President Biden, we made a promise that Democrats would deliver for the people; and that we have. Thanks to our President's bold leadership and our work in Congress, we have been delivering. Let's look at a few areas. Jobs, jobs, and more jobs. As was mentioned last night by President Biden, in his first year, 6.7 million jobs were created, marking the strongest year of job growth in history. In my home State of Texas alone more than 37,600 manufacturing jobs were created. These are good, well-paying jobs that are putting Texans back to work. Our economy is on the rise. Wages are strong. The unemployment rate is low. Another area is our Nation's GDP. While GDP dropped 3.4 percent in 2020, it was able to shoot up to 5.7 percent in 2021--the highest rate since 1984. Simply put, the economy has rebounded during President Biden's first year in office. Another very important area to all our working families is our public schools. I am proud of the significant progress that has been made in our public schools during the President's first year. We have made huge strides in reopening our schools and keeping them open safely. One year ago, Mr. Speaker, merely 46 percent of schools were open because it just wasn't safe for teachers, students, and faculty due to COVID. Today, 99.9 percent of schools are safely opened. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as well as the American Rescue Plan both provided schools the necessary funds they needed to stay open and make up for lost learning time. Another very crucial area, vaccination rates. One year ago today, only 15 percent of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, today that number is 65 percent. The massive increase in vaccinations is the direct result of the President and this Congress' leadership to tackle this virus. Even today we do not have to wear our masks this morning. Let's look ahead. Action from the Biden administration and Congress has already resulted in significant progress on the supply chain challenges. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will improve and protect supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign oil immensely for years to come. It will help lower costs and inflation rates with time. As President Biden said last night, the plan is to lower your costs, not your wages. There is a lot more President Biden and Democrats are working on in building a better America, like investments in affordable childcare and paid and universal pre-K that would allow more working families to participate in the economy. It is those very workers and everyday hardworking Americans who deserve the greatest praise of all. Our hometown heroes have braved through this pandemic and powered through many challenges. They have been the muscle and the backbone of our Nation's record-breaking economic growth and recovery from the pandemic and we thank them. With President Biden's leadership, Congress' partnership, and the support of the American people, there is truly no limit as to what we can achieve together in building a better America. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the people of Ukraine that we stand with them. I stand with them. ``Yes, we can,'' ``si se puede.'' I want the people of Ukraine to know that we see you, we hear you, and we love you. And Russia, who has purposely invaded your homeland has been--well, I should not say the word I really want to say on the floor--but they have been inhumane, cruel, and just beyond the pale. We will not stand for this. We will stand with Ukraine. Again, ``yes, we can,'' ``si se puede.'' We stand with you.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 8-year-old Sunny Bryant from Houston, Texas. Some hometown heroes, like Sunny Bryant, might be too young to work and are certainly too young to even have a driver's license, but they inspire millions of people across our Nation. Sunny Bryant is a transgender girl who, like her transgender community, is currently experiencing fear and anxiety due to politically motivated attacks sparked by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his anti-trans actions. Governor Abbott recently directed State officials to investigate parents who support their trans children with gender-affirming healthcare, describing it as child abuse. This measure not only goes against the opinions of medical experts, but it intentionally strikes fear in the transgender community for political gain. This is appalling. But like hometown heroes across the country, Sunny is strong and resilient--and she has got some missing teeth as you can see in the photo, Mr. Speaker. Sunny Bryant, from my home district in Texas, will be my virtual State of the Union guest. I am truly honored that she will be joining me today.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and, of course, the sponsor of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of, and as a proud sponsor of, the CROWN Act. For far too long, people with hairstyles or hair textures associated with their race or their nationality have faced discrimination. Yes, there are laws on the books, but it does not protect DeAndre Arnold, who was a senior at Barbers Hill High School in the Houston area. He was told to cut his dreadlocks in order to attend prom and his graduation ceremony. Imagine, you work all those years because they tell you that you need to graduate, and then he is told you have to cut your dreadlocks. For DeAndre, his hairstyle was important to him because it was part of his Trinidadian culture and about who he is. This is wrong. It must never ever happen again. The way that individuals choose to style their hair is a direct representation of their culture and of who they are. When individuals are told to alter, cut, or change their hairstyle, what they are really being told is to alter their culture and their being. This must end. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor this bill. I urge my colleagues here today to support it, to vote for it, and let's make this wrong a right.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act. Sadly, more than 6,500 Black Americans were lynched between 1865 and 1950. My home State of Texas sadly-- sadly--has the third highest number of lynchings in history. There were 468 documented deaths by lynching in Texas between 1885 and 1942. However, many historians believe that closer to 5,000 Mexicans and Mexican Americans died by lynching around this time. Few actions are crueler, more heinous, and more inhumane than someone being lynched. Yet to this day--and shamefully so--lynching does not have a Federal hate crime legislation. Since 1900 there have been more than 200 attempts to codify lynching as a Federal crime, but each attempt was unsuccessful. Today we can correct this historical injustice. By passing this bill, we can begin the closing of this terrible and shameful chapter in America's history. Madam Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor this bill, and I urge all my colleagues to support it here today. I am pleased to hear the other side of the aisle talk about a unanimous vote. What we need is a unanimous vote to support this bill. It is time. It is time.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the critical need for Congress to act to improve our Nation's supply chain issues. Last week, the House took a big step to make sure that the products we rely on are available for all Americans by passing the America COMPETES Act. The pandemic turned all of our lives upside down. What that disruption revealed are longstanding problems in how much we rely on foreign manufacturing and foreign ingenuity. House Democrats have taken bold, decisive action to authorize $45 billion to fix these issues. We will build more critical components right here in America. We will strengthen our national security by cultivating domestic sources and investing in American workers. And we will never again face shortages of goods needed for the safety and health of our communities across America.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the important work Democrats are doing to strengthen our supply chains and keep the U.S. economically competitive. Last year, the Biden-Harris administration and their allies in Congress achieved the best record of job creation in history. Let me repeat that: The best record of job creation in history. Texans continue to find jobs with higher pay or better benefits. We are seeing the best economy for American workers in decades, with people getting higher wages, better benefits, and better jobs thanks in large part to President Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan and an effective national vaccine rollout. When I visited with leadership from the Port of Houston in my district, they expressed their gratitude for Congress' strong investment in the maritime infrastructure needed to keep America's economy moving in the right direction. But they also expressed concern that more workers were still needed in technical training than our current system will provide. Last week, the House took another great step forward to support the job creation and the American workforce by passing the America COMPETES Act. Now it is critical for the Senate to move on the America COMPETES Act to pass measures like my grant program for training at Domestic Maritime Centers for Excellence. The America COMPETES Act will also provide real solutions to the problems of how we start making more of our Nation's critical products right here at home. This will provide more job opportunities as jobs return from abroad. It will also make our futures more secure by shifting away from reliance on foreign countries for the products that you and I and everyday Americans rely on. Finally, it will invest in critical infrastructure and development we need in science and technology to encourage and support our next generation of scholars, incentivize innovation, and keep the U.S. competitive. The bottom line, Madam Speaker, is that Americans are back to work and getting their vaccines and boosters at a record pace. The America COMPETES Act can continue this trend. We must get this bill to the President's desk now. I urge the Senate to pass it.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for yielding, and I thank the sponsor of this bill, Cheri Bustos, for her hard work. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for this bill, H.R. 4445. As a former judge, I have a very deeply held belief that everybody should have their day in court. It is a simple principle: Everybody should have their day in court. That is the essence of ``justice for all'' in our country. Every time we say the pledge and we end with ``justice for all,'' we have to demonstrate that we mean it. Survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace deserve to have their voices heard. By ending forced arbitration in lawsuits involving sexual assault or sexual harassment claims, we ensure survivors are given a real choice of whether to go to court or to arbitrate their claim. Abusers will no longer be able to misuse arbitration law with dubious agreements and fine-print clauses to hide their violence and silence their victims. I am proud that we are taking firm, bipartisan action to ensure justice for sexual harassment and sexual assault victims. I am proud that we are making sure that when little kids across America say ``justice for all,'' that it truly means for ``all.'' Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4445.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Ceole Speight. Elta Ceole Branam Speight was born on June 8, 1928, and was reunited in Heaven with her husband of 63 years, Joseph, on January 24, 2022. As a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 455, Ceole was appointed as the volunteer and programs director at the Harris County AFL-CIO in 1968. She would go on to give 40 years of dedicated service to the labor movement in Houston and in Texas. She will be remembered by many as a strong, Democratic woman who fought for what she believed in, who always saw what was wrong and tried to make it right. I will remember her as a hard worker, whose hard work was really infectious. You simply could not sit by when Ceole was around. She guided, she pushed, she advised, she poked, she served as a role model for all of us. Our thoughts are with Ceole's family and the countless friends and allies whose lives she touched with her time and her generosity on this Earth. Rest easy, dear friend, you will be missed.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the continued positive economic recovery led by the Biden administration. In December, the Texas unemployment rate dropped all the way down to 5 percent compared to 12.9 percent at the height of the pandemic. Service sector employment is now up above prepandemic levels, but a strong economy for the future is only possible with smart investment today. That is why the benefits the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will bring to my home State of Texas are critically vital. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is bringing jobs, opportunities, and a better quality of life for Texans. For Texas, the infrastructure bill means more than $35 billion in projects alone, and that is just our State. These projects include replacing old lead pipes from schools, increasing broadband access, road and bridge repairs, and the maintenance of ports. And all this means jobs, jobs, and more jobs. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to outline some of the biggest provisions for Texans. First, Texas is expected to receive $537 million to repair 818 bridges across the State, many in my district. This is huge. Next, Texas will get about $1.2 billion for infrastructure development for airports. Airports are critical, not just for travelers, but because they are hubs for workers. And, of course, that means jobs. And Texas will receive at least $100 million to help provide broadband internet coverage across the State. These dollars will provide access to at least 1,058,000 Texans who currently lack high- speed internet. Mr. Speaker, every time I go back home to south Texas, I am one of those Texans at my sister's house. She has no high-speed internet. As we have learned from the pandemic, internet is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. So this funding is critical. Mr. Speaker, $2.9 billion is headed to Texas to improve water infrastructure. This will ensure that clean, safe drinking water is accessible in all communities, in their homes and their schools. For decades, Texas infrastructure has suffered due to lack of investment. We have seen it plenty of times, especially from last year's electrical grid failure to the damage to pipelines, roads, and bridges due to regrettably more frequent natural disasters. It is time for Texans to have working infrastructure that protects them, not hurts them. This law will kickstart new projects, create jobs, and put Texas on the right track. And that, Mr. Speaker, means that working families will have a better quality of life across the State.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the jobs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. By passing this historic piece of legislation, we have set in motion adding two million jobs a year for the American people. High-paying, stable jobs filled by skilled, union, American workers. These are the jobs that hold families together. They put everyday people in control of their future for themselves and for their children. We are building the roads, bridges, high-speed internet, ports, and airports we need. We are strengthening our frail electric grid. We are building back better now and for the next generation to come, for all our children.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the North Shore Senior High Mustangs for their victory at the Texas 6A Football State Championship. This victory reflects the incredible passion and dedication of the students, parents, and staff at North Shore both on and off the field. I know I can speak for the North Channel community and East Harris County when I say that we are proud of our student athletes. The Mustangs have now won 3 state championships in the past 4 years, and I know they have a bright future ahead of them. To each and every member of the North Shore football team, to Coach Jon Kay, and to all of the parents and teachers who have supported this team, I wish them continued success. Their futures are bright, and I can't wait to see them shine even more.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Federal dollars coming to the Houston area to solve the supply chain issues facing our community and to create more jobs. Yesterday, the Biden administration announced over $14 billion for projects that will improve our Nation's ports, waterways, and railroads. That includes $147 million for a project to expand the Houston Ship Channel on the way to the Port of Houston. This project will make it easier for ships to reach the docks and help more cargo move faster from the container ship to the store shelf. This will create jobs, jobs, and more jobs. This is huge for Texas, huge for Houston, and huge for the whole country. Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by this Chamber, we are solving the real problems facing everyday Americans. I am grateful for the leadership of President Biden and my colleagues in Congress for getting this done.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to an urgent problem facing my district. Each and every one of these dots represents children with elevated toxic levels of lead in their blood. The red dots represent the higher levels, the yellow dots, obviously, the lower levels. You could almost draw my district if you follow the red dots. The fact is, Madam Speaker, that many of these kids are being poisoned by lead in their homes and, yes, even in their schools. This is a problem that disproportionately affects Latinos in our community. We need action to replace these lead pipes and ensure our kids have clean, safe water, no matter where they live. That is why I am proud of our work in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This law will bring $2.9 billion to replace lead pipes in Texas schools. While we have more work to do, our work in this Chamber is a critical first step to improving our infrastructure and protecting our children.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. Our democracy is built on the sacred principle that every American has an equal and fair right to vote. But States like my home State of Texas are imposing laws that are already limiting that very sacred right. Between bills like SB1 and extreme gerrymandering, the voices of many Texans are being diluted and silenced, especially Latinos. We cannot let this stand. It is our responsibility, our duty to protect voting rights for every American, no matter what ZIP Code they live in or what language they speak. The Freedom to Vote Act will do just that for Latinos and for all Americans. By banning partisan gerrymandering, restoring the Voting Rights Act, and creating new protections for voters, we will ensure every American makes their voice heard. Mi voto, mi voz. (English translation of Spanish is as follows: My vote, my voice.)

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the critical investments we are making in our schools. Schools are the pillars of our communities. They are the places where our children learn and grow every day. Making sure that these spaces are safe for our Nation's children is one of our most important responsibilities. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, many of these facilities are not up to the task. School boards have been sounding the alarm for years about lead pipes, poor air quality, and now COVID-19 issues hurting our children's education. And for too long, help has not come. But this month, during School Board Recognition Month, I am proud to be able to tell schools in my district and around the country that help is on the way. Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by this Chamber, we are bringing billions of dollars to make safe, healthy schools for our kids. That means billions of dollars to remove dangerous lead pipes from schools; millions of dollars to buy masks and protective equipment for teachers, staff, and students; and millions of rapid, accurate COVID tests so everyone can get tested and stay safe. We are also investing billions to improve air quality in schools across America. The impact of these investments cannot be overstated. We all know how dangerous lead contamination is for our kids. Lead poisoning can cause developmental problems, mental and physical health issues, and even death. No child should be poisoned by their own school water fountain-- not in Texas, not in America, not anywhere. That is why this law is investing $2.9 billion to replace lead pipes in Texas schools and make sure our children have clean, safe drinking water. It is for those same reasons, Mr. Speaker, that we are also putting tax dollars to work for cleaner air in schools. Poor air quality hurts students every day, making it harder to learn and contributing to illnesses like asthma. Recently, poor air circulation and filters have been driving up COVID-19 cases in schools. We can keep our kids safe in their schools by installing better filters that clean out the COVID virus before it travels between classrooms; we can keep our kids safe by providing them and their teachers with masks to help stop the spread; and we can keep our kids safe by making sure that if anyone does feel sick, they can immediately get a free COVID test. There are over 193,000 schoolchildren in my district. I am proud that the investments we are making will help each and every one of them. These are important measures we are taking right now to make schools safe and a great place to learn and grow for our students, for the teachers, the bus drivers, the cafeteria workers, and all those that keep our schools open and safe. Houston ISD alone has over 29,000 employees working hard every day for our kids. They have been on the front lines of this pandemic, helping our children stay on track, even as this disease has disrupted almost everything in their lives. It is absolutely vital that we bring these important tools for safe schools to them as well. Making sure that our educators and staff have rapid tests, masks, and vaccines will keep everyone in schools stay safe and healthy. But we must also finish the job and build back better, which will include billions for universal pre-K, which boosts our education system, and reinstate the child tax credit, which will lift children out of poverty. I am proud of the work of this Congress, and I am proud of the critical investments to my district, in our schools, in Texas, and across the country. We have made incredible progress this past year to help our educators, our students, and our communities bounce back from COVID-19. I am thankful for the hard work of President Biden and my colleagues in the House and the Senate. Thanks to our collective efforts, students, teachers, and faculty will have safe schools, clean water, and a brighter future.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans. For 50 years, AAMA has helped Latinos achieve their potential. AAMA has motivated Latino youth to finish school and encouraged many to go on to college. As a Mexican American, I know first-hand how important it is to have someone fighting for you on your path to success. AAMA has always fought for every single one of our children, especially the most at risk and marginalized among us. Truly never has one been forgotten or left out. For half a century, if you were working for the greater good in Houston's East End, then you have been a part of AAMA's work or been a fruit of AAMA's labor. AAMA has helped unlock the American Dream for countless American Latinos. It has established itself as the heart of the Houston community. So today, I want to thank everyone who has served at AAMA for their incredible passion and dedication. Your service to the Latino community has been extraordinary. I look forward to what the next 50 years will bring to the AAMA and to Latinos everywhere.