Anthony Gonzalez

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David P. Roe).

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Amodei).

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I would simply urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7995, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the legislation before us today. The gentleman was referencing the budget. We are still waiting for his budget. We will take it whenever he is ready. Let's be clear about what we are doing today. We are going to be voting on a piece of legislation that was not negotiated, will be dead on arrival in the Senate, and will do nothing for the millions of Americans who are relying on this body to find a solution. This bill before us today is about wanting the politics of the issue more than results. This is a bill that rejects $1.7 trillion in bipartisan COVID aid that will help families navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives in favor of zero dollars that will help absolutely no one except for a handful of politicians who want the message more than the result. What a disgrace. The sad truth is my colleagues know exactly what they are doing. How, in good faith, could they say that this legislation, which takes steps to federalize U.S. elections, that provides a tax break for millionaires and billionaires in blue States--that is right--and directs ICE to release individuals in custody, is an attempt to help their constituents, knowing full well that these provisions will not be signed into law? Just this morning, the Speaker of the House said that we are not only having a dollars debate, but we are having a values debate. Well, I have heard from the people of Ohio's 16th District and many around the country about what they value since this pandemic broke out. My constituents value a Congress that puts the people over the politics. They value a Congress that could care less about which party wins or loses an election, so long as, in their greatest moment of need, their government is there for them. The people are sick and tired of watching this town fight like cats and dogs over who ``wins'' the day. They want to win, and they win when we do our job. That is not what is happening today, and the American people are rightly disgusted. Just 2 weeks ago, my colleagues from the Problem Solvers Caucus, with 25 members from each side of the aisle, put forward a proposal that showed that we can and should work together on a proposal that keeps our small businesses open, protects our children and schools, helps those who are still unemployed, and offers additional aid to States and localities. I heard from people across all sides of the political spectrum that this caucus and our package gave them hope that Congress could actually do something for a change. Yet, here we are.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Yet, here we are, ready to let down the people we serve yet again. Despite all of this, there remains a path forward to a solution, but it will take leadership on both sides of the aisle to cast aside their partisan hats and negotiate in good faith. Let me be clear in saying that leadership doesn't need to just come from our elected party leaders. Each Member of the House has a say in how they choose to vote today. A ``yes'' vote is for the status quo, political messaging, and nothing for the American people. A ``no'' vote is a recognition that there is more work to be done and that there is still an opportunity for us to act in the best interest of our constituents. We have to deliver. It is time.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6270 before us here today. China is the greatest existential threat that our country has faced in my lifetime. From their efforts to displace the U.S. as an international leader, to hurting our job creators and workers, to China's human rights abuses, the U.S. needs to work in a bipartisan and strategic way with our allies to fight back against the CCP. That is why I was honored to serve on the House China Task Force that just today released our comprehensive report. From this report, we have recommended hundreds of policy proposals and ideas, over 60 percent of which are bipartisan, on the most effective ways to counter the Chinese Communist Party. Unfortunately, this piece of legislation before us today misses the mark, though I do appreciate my colleagues' intent. Once again, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are attempting to use the SEC, which has no foreign policy expertise and whose mission is to, one, protect investors; two, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and, three, facilitate capital formation. This bill seeks to make that group, the SEC, an enforcer to accomplish a policy objective completely unrelated to their mission and expertise. This responsibility is better housed in the Treasury Department, where we do have the expertise and the tools to effectively punish those who support the grotesque human rights violations that the CCP inflicts on the Uyghurs. One final point. I would like to remind everyone that this bill never went through a markup and received zero hearings on the Financial Services Committee, primarily because, as we all know, these virtual hearings are awful, to put it kindly. The virtual hearings do not work, and they serve as a tremendous disservice to our constituents. Since the pandemic struck, we have not held a single markup as a committee. What is the purpose of our committee if we can't even figure out how to mark up a bill? There is so much work to be done here, and we aren't seriously taking up any of it. We can and must find a way to safely and effectively hold real hearings and real markups in a socially distanced way so that we can do the job that the American people sent us here to do. I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, election security is an issue essential to our democracy, and I am glad to see the House taking up legislation today to address it in a bipartisan manner. My colleague, Representative Sherrill, and I have been working together on this issue since being sworn in, and I am glad to join her, as well as Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas, in supporting H.R. 4990, the Election Technology Research Act. This legislation would modernize and secure U.S. voting systems by authorizing NIST and the National Science Foundation to conduct research on ways to improve and secure voting systems. Importantly, any standards recommended by NIST under this act are voluntary, and adoption of the standards remain in the purview of the Election Assistance Commission. H.R. 4990 also provides grant funding to establish a center of excellence in election systems to promote the research and modernization of election practices. A stated purpose of this center will be to foster collaboration between universities, nonprofits, private organizations, and State and local election officials. Encouraging communication and collaboration between these groups is vital to make sure the voices of States and local election officials are heard. The Election Research Technology Act also amends the Help America Vote Act to update the definition of voting systems to match modern technology encompassing electronic poll books and voter registration databases. There is bipartisan consensus that an update of the definition is necessary to reflect the modern election technology used by States today. With new threats facing our electoral systems, it is imperative that we continue to update our election laws and improve our election security by passing bipartisan election security legislation. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Johnson, Ranking Member Lucas, and the Science, Space, and Technology staff for their hard work on this legislation, and also Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office for their input throughout the process. Madam Speaker, I also want to thank my friend, Ranking Member Davis, for his dedicated work on election issues. I look forward to continuing working with him to ensure the administration of our elections are safe and secure. The Election Technology Research Act will update Federal laws to reflect today's technology, encourage basic research and innovation on the State and local level to secure our election systems, and streamline collaboration between private and public stakeholders. This bill is a simple, bipartisan piece of legislation that will take a step forward in improving our election security. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 4990.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the heroic efforts of Dustin Nist from New Franklin, Ohio. On June 11, 2020, Dustin witnessed a car run a stop sign, drive off the road, and descend into the Tuscarawas River. Without hesitating, Dustin ran to help. Seeing the car had been partially submerged, Dustin ran to the nearby fire station to alert the rescue crew and then ran back to the scene of the accident. Dustin made his way down a hill into the water, swimming to the passenger side of the vehicle in order to break out the window. Unsure about the passenger's injuries, Dustin was hesitant about removing the woman from the car but stayed with her until the rescue crews arrived. Unfortunately, the driver of the vehicle, Franklin D. Roffe, succumbed to his injuries; but due to Dustin's heroic efforts and the work of the New Franklin Police and Fire Departments, Clinton Fire Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the staff of Summa Akron City Hospital, the woman's life was saved. Today, we honor Kent State University student and New Franklin resident Dustin Nist for his heroic actions and keep everyone involved in this tragic accident in our prayers.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves for the opportunity to briefly speak on the bipartisan 2020 Water Resources Development Act. I am pleased that this bill includes my legislation, the Tuscarawas River Flooding Study Act, which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the Tuscarawas River watershed. Northeast Ohio is justifiably proud of our historical heritage regarding the Ohio and Erie Canal. From the Portage Lakes to Canal Fulton, this heritage is embedded throughout my district. However, this legacy also means that cities and villages often encounter recurring flooding events because of the historical building patterns from the 19th century. Just last summer, southwest Summit County saw significant flooding throughout the Tuscarawas River basin. This study will serve as a first step toward beginning to find solutions to address these challenges. I would like to thank the Huntington District of the Army Corps for their extensive work with my office on this issue and Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District for their knowledge and guidance. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment No. 151 that is included in this en bloc amendment. This amendment is based on my bipartisan bill, H.R. 5051, the Accountability for World Bank Loans to China Act that I introduced with my colleague, Mr. Heck. In recent decades, China has worked to take advantage of international institutions like the World Bank, often in opposition to U.S. interests. Today, China is one of the largest economies in the world and is also one of the largest creditors to developing nations. Despite that, China still receives funding under the World Bank IBRD program, even though China has exceeded IBRD's gross national income threshold for graduation from the program. In other words, the United States' contributions to the World Bank help finance Chinese infrastructure projects, including in Zhejiang. This has to stop. This amendment would require the U.S. director at the IBRD to pursue the graduation of China and, until China graduates, prioritize projects in China that contribute to the global public good. Additionally, this amendment requires the Treasury Department to report to Congress on the level of indebtedness of countries receiving assistance through the Belt and Road Initiative that are also beneficiaries of international financial institutions.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, while I will not be supporting this bill today, I do want to commend my colleagues for bringing this debate to floor. Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Richmond, and many others who I have watched on television back in my office have spoken with a conviction and a truth that cannot be denied. As a former professional and college football player, I have been hearing these painful stories for my entire adult life from my own teammates. I have seen it myself when I went out in the community with some of my African-American friends. While I can never fully understand its effects or its impact, I know it is real. We have to address it around our dinner tables, in our communities, and here on the House floor. Black lives have always mattered. I also know a few other important things. Number one, the American people are starving for us to work together in a bipartisan way to get a passable bill on the President's desk and signed into law. This has been one of the most brutal times in our life. First the coronavirus, then the economy, so much uncertainty, and finally the brutality enacted on George Floyd as he was murdered on the streets of Minneapolis. The legitimate protest movements getting overshadowed and overrun by anarchists who simply wish to destroy America and burn it all down. This has been a brutal summer, and it is only June. Number two, with very few exceptions, this House is united in wanting to deliver for the country. I have spoken to dozens of Members on both sides of the aisle, and this body wants to act. Every call that I have been on since the murder of George Floyd has been a near-universal desire for action and meaningful reform. We believe our bill does that. I know there is disagreement there, though. But I also know we are not that far apart. Finally, we all know that today's bill will not become law. I know my colleagues are sincere in their desire to enact this law, but we know that this will never see the light of day in the Senate, and there is no chance that it will be signed into law. Yesterday, on the Senate floor, we saw Senator Scott deliver a powerful, impassioned plea for compromise and debate, true negotiation. We all know that that is the only way that we can live up to our duties as Members of Congress and deliver for the people of this country who so desperately need a win right now. We live in divided government, whether we like it or not. To the majority, I would say: You are the majority. This choice is yours. Please do not let it slip away.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. Throughout this crisis, our small businesses have done everything we have asked, and it is past time that we add this necessary funding to help them maintain payroll and survive this crisis. But we all know that this cannot be the end of our work in response to COVID-19. Local leaders across my northeast Ohio district have made it clear that their finances are in dire shape. This is forcing difficult decisions about essential services, including fire departments and police officers. While we should not bail out badly run States and cities, it is vital that we provide targeted funding to municipalities like Parma, North Canton, Medina, Orrville, Rootstown, and Green, municipalities that have done things the right way and need our help. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on this.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 is hitting our country hard and fast, but Americans across our country and in my home district in northeast Ohio are rallying together to confront and overcome this latest challenge. In Ohio's 16th District, we have seen restauranteurs with now-empty dining rooms making free meals for students in Green Local School District. We have seen businesses, like Buehler's Grocers, do everything they can to prevent layoffs and support employees who come to work every day to ensure their shelves are stocked for those who need it. Our hospitals are bracing for impact, but we have seen our healthcare providers, like at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, working their hardest to innovate through this crisis by developing their own tests and launching drive-through testing facilities. Our great Governor, Mike DeWine, is setting the gold standard of leadership in response to this crisis. He is taking decisive action to flatten the curve and save lives in the Buckeye State. This bill provides critical resources for those who need it most: our heroic healthcare workers, our small businesses, the unemployed, and our local leaders who are fighting this virus on the front lines. Mr. Speaker, I vote ``yes.''

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the life and legacy of World War II veteran Ralph Waite, a Medina native and northeast Ohio icon who died on February 18 at age 93. Ralph joined the Army in June 1944, immediately after his graduation from Medina High School. He served in the U.S. Army, 924th Field Artillery Battalion, in the European theater and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. When he came home from the war in 1946, Ralph married his high school sweetheart, Helen Clark, in 1948. Together, they raised their twin sons, Harold and Darrell. He lived a life committed to serving his community and our Nation. Ralph was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 501 for 36 years and active in Buckeye Boys State for 40 years, and he led the Medina Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Ralph's crowning honor in the community was the naming of Ralph E. Waite Elementary School in 2009. Ralph was an icon in the Medina community, known for his outstanding service to his church, our youth, and our veterans. Ralph's life motto was: ``We occupy space on this Earth, and community service is the rent that we pay for the space that we are permitted to occupy.'' Ralph lived by these words throughout his life, and his legacy and example will live on in his children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and the entire community of Medina long into the future.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Westlake, Ohio, resident Colonel Guion ``Guy'' Bluford, who received the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal last week. Guy became the first African American astronaut to travel into space in 1983. He earned the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal, the highest noncombat decoration for service awarded by the State, for his commitment and dedication throughout his historic career in aviation. Before joining NASA, Bluford flew over 144 combat missions with the United States Air Force in South Vietnam. He later went on to earn his master's and doctorate degree with aerospace engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. We are proud and eternally grateful for Bluford's military service and dedication to space exploration. As NASA looks to expand mankind's horizons in space, his life achievements and aviation accomplishments serve as an inspiration to future generations.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4031, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019. First, I want to thank my good friends from Ohio, Mr. Joyce and Ms. Kaptur, for their leadership on this legislation. The Great Lakes are an essential natural resource, not only for my district and State, but for the entire country. One of the world's largest bodies of fresh water, the Great Lakes provide fresh drinking water for over 30 million people. In addition, the Great Lakes serves as an economic engine, generating $8.4 billion in wages, and supporting over 300,000 jobs. But the Great Lakes are more than a source of revenue. Ask any of my constituents what the Great Lakes mean to them, and they will tell you they are an essential part of what makes northeast Ohio such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Over the past decade, both Democrats and Republicans have understood the importance of protecting the Great Lakes. Since 2010, the GLRI has catalyzed critical restoration action that both restores and protects the Great Lakes. In fact, for every dollar spent under the GLRI, an estimated $3.35 in economic activity is produced. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4031 and ensure the preservation of our waterways and ecosystems for future generations.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I was in the Chamber but was unable to execute my vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 32.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of U.S. Navy veteran Glenn Smith, a Stark County World War II veteran who passed away last week at the age of 95. Glenn was a Navy Seabee and served our country from August 1943 to July 1945. He was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, where his father was a coal miner for over 50 years. In a story familiar to many in the heartland, Glenn made it through the Great Depression by scrapping steel for extra money. He would grow up to be part of the greatest generation to ever live, the generation that freed the world from tyranny. Glenn was drafted into the Navy at age 19 and shipped out alongside 7,600 other men to Honolulu on Christmas Eve 1943. Glenn would go on to serve in the Pacific theater and, at the end of the war, was flown from Saipan to Pearl Harbor, where he took the USS Constellation home. My office had the honor of presenting Glenn, in October of last year, with his military service medals earned during World War II. Glenn received the World War II Victory Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. Madam Speaker, today we remember Glenn's life and service and thank him for all he did to protect this great Nation.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4704, the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act. I was proud to join my friend, Congressman McAdams, in introducing this legislation, and I thank him for his leadership and his efforts to reduce suicide rates. H.R. 4704 directs the National Science Foundation to support multidisciplinary research to discover the root causes of the growing suicide epidemic across the United States. The Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act will work to address suicide from all angles. The research authorized under this bill will look at social and economic factors, the use of technology, and the stigma associated with mental health conditions. Madam Speaker, just this past week, I participated in a suicide prevention roundtable organized by my office to hear from local community leaders and stakeholders about the ongoing efforts to prevent suicide among youth and veterans and to stop suicide contagions from spreading. I left the meeting encouraged by the ongoing efforts in my community, but I also left knowing that there is still much to be done. Madam Speaker, I want to provide my colleagues with some raw data to give a full picture of the scope of the crisis in our country and in my home State of Ohio. The National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data ranking suicide as the 10th most common cause of death among Americans of all ages in 2017. Between 1999 and 2017, the suicide rate increased by 33 percent in the United States. Nationally, the veteran suicide rate is 1\1/2\ times the rate of nonveteran adults, with 6,139 veterans dying from suicide in 2017 alone. Closer to my district, according to a report published by the Northeast Ohio Youth Health Survey, between August 2017 and March 2018, the suicide rate among Stark County youth ages 10-19 rose to more than 7 times the national rate and 11 times the 2011-2016 Stark County rate. Furthermore, between 2000 and 2016, suicide rates increased by 36 percent in the entire State of Ohio. Personally, three of my own college football teammates have taken their lives in the past 12 months alone. We all know we have a mental health crisis in this country, but for me and my constituents, the suicide problem has impacted far too many close to home, as seen by the suicide rates in Stark County and the State of Ohio. Too many times, when I have met with a group of constituents to discuss an international trade or veteran-related policy issue, often, the biggest problem on their mind is the growing suicide threat. In 2018, a high school near my district suffered from what CDC called a suicide contagion, when six students killed themselves within a 6- month timeframe. I sincerely believe that if we want to make a dent in the issue at hand, we need to be more proactive in finding the causes of suicide clusters and suicide contagions. Our children, our veterans, and our neighbors cannot wait much longer. It is imperative that we dig in and put in the work to find the roots of this crisis. The more we know about the fundamental causes, the better equipped we will be as a country to tackle the problem head-on, and that is what this bill does. Madam Speaker, again, I thank Congressman McAdams, Chairwoman Johnson, and Ranking Member Lucas for bringing this bill to the House floor today. I am encouraged by the bipartisanship already shown on this initiative, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to see this bill signed into law. Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States in 2017 and the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-34. For our Nation's veterans, it is an epidemic. We lose 17 veterans in America a day to suicide. This bill will support basic research at the National Science Foundation that will inform better interventions and improve their outcomes. Madam Speaker, I again thank Congressman McAdams for his work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 153, the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act. I thank Dr. Neal Dunn and Congressman Conor Lamb, who led the House version of this bill, for their work to support our Nation's veterans. S. 153 will help veterans put their training and experience in military service to new and important uses and help America stay competitive in research and innovation on a global scale. In the last decade alone, jobs requiring some level of STEM expertise have grown by more than 30 percent, including jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree. Nearly 7 million jobs are unfilled in the United States due to a shortage of skilled workers, many in STEM and related fields. In my home State of Ohio, we have been focusing on boosting and expanding our cyber defense capabilities to the Ohio Cyber Range. In order for the program to be more efficient and ready for any cyberattack, we need a cybersecurity workforce properly trained in the STEM field. S. 153 gives our veterans the opportunity to acquire new skills and better prepare them for jobs of the 21st century. At the same time, veterans and transitioning servicemembers represent a valuable, skilled talent pool from which to help meet this critical need. S. 153 will improve outreach to veterans through the National Science Foundation's programs to support and train STEM workers. We can serve our veterans and help them translate their experience into meaningful STEM work. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn).

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I again want to thank Dr. Neal Dunn and Congressman Conor Lamb for their work to support our Nation's veterans. This bill will improve outreach to veterans through the National Science Foundation's programs to support and train STEM workers. We can serve our veterans and help them translate their experience into meaningful STEM work. I again urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and send it to the President's desk. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of one of my district's most committed leaders, Virginia Addicott. Since beginning her career at FedEx Custom Critical in Green, Ohio in 1986, she has served as vice president of operations and chief executive officer. Under her leadership, Ms. Addicott has helped establish FedEx Custom Critical as one of Northeast Ohio's best workplaces. Her efforts have helped the company receive the Northcoast 99 award an impressive eighteen times. Recognized not just for her leadership locally, but also across the country, she was a recipient of the 2019 Moves Power Women Award. Ms. Addicott's emphasis on workplace culture and a teamwork environment serves as a model for every American business. In addition to her successful business career, Ms. Addicott has been a committed leader in the Northeast Ohio community. She is involved in several philanthropic organizations, serving on the board of Akron Children's Hospital, the Greater Akron Chamber, and the non-profit organization, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. She is also a trustee at her alma mater, Kent State University. Without a doubt, Ms. Addicott's investment in our community has made a positive impact on the livelihood of thousands of Ohioans. On behalf of Ohio's Sixteenth Congressional District, I offer my sincerest appreciation to Ms. Addicott for her service and wish her all the best on her retirement.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4841, the Prudential Regulator Oversight Act. I was pleased to cosponsor this bill introduced by my good friend and colleague, Mr. Dean Phillips. The Federal Reserve, NCUA, FDIC, and OCC play a vital role in developing a regulatory framework that promotes economic growth and sound regulator policies in all of our communities. It is important that these regulator bodies hear from Members on both sides of the aisle on how different policy decisions will impact our constituents. It is also important that Members of Congress ask questions and provide oversight on the regulators' activities. H.R. 4841 will require the prudential regulators to come before the Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee on an annual basis. They will also support various reports to the committees of jurisdiction twice a year. This includes reports on issues like soundness of depository institutions, compliance with anti-money laundering, and the utilization of fintech at financial institutions. This will help lawmakers better understand trends in the financial industry and identify potential policy proposals in response to issues facing our country. Again, I want to thank Congressman Phillips for his hard work on this bill and thank Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member McHenry for bringing it to the floor today. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio

Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor two Summit County deputies who went above and beyond their job description to rescue an elderly couple from a house fire in Green, Ohio. On November 19, 2019, just before 10 p.m., Deputies Chris Boyd and Bill Wandling were first to arrive at the scene when they heard neighbors yelling to alert them that 85-year-old Caroline Knotts and her 86-year-old husband, James, were still inside the home engulfed in flames. While neither Chris nor Bill are firefighters, they felt compelled to help. Without hesitation, the two deputies rushed through the thick smoke for nearly 10 minutes before eventually discovering the couple and taking them and their family dog to safety. According to Chris and Bill, they were just fulfilling their duty to the citizens of Summit County; but, to me and to everyone present that night, these deputies demonstrated the kindness, generosity, and love of neighbor that reflects the very best of our northeast Ohio community. Thank you to Chris and Bill for your dedicated service to our community.