Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today and recognize my esteemed former colleague and dear friend, Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek on the occasion of her 95th birthday. Congresswoman Meek was born on April 29, 1926, in Tallahassee, Florida. She is the daughter of sharecroppers and the granddaughter of a woman who was born a slave. Despite growing up experiencing discrimination in the segregated South, she graduated from Florida A&M University in 1946 and then journeyed North where she would graduate with a Master of Science from the University of Michigan in 1948. She moved back to Florida to work at Bethune-Cookman University and then her alma matter Florida A&M, whereafter she accepted a position with Miami-Dade Community College. After a distinguished career in education as a single mother to two children, Congresswoman Meek was the second Black legislator to be elected to the Florida House in 1979. She served there until 1982, when she became the first African American woman to be elected to the Florida State Senate. As a State Senator, she served on the Education Appropriations Subcommittee and advanced minority and literacy policies. In 1992, Congresswoman Meek was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 17th Congressional District. Upon taking office, she was placed on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she led on district priorities, including the hard work of helping Florida rebuild after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Andrew. During her tenure, she successfully addressed issues such as economic development, health care, education, and housing for marginalized and underserved communities. Her efforts delivered $100 million in federal assistance to rebuild Dade County. She also sponsored legislation creating the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. These exemplary contributions have inspired countless young women and men to serve their communities. Congresswoman Meek is a strong advocate for gender and racial equality, senior citizens, the poor, and Haitian immigrants. She has received dozens of honors and awards including Juris Doctorates from the University of Miami, Florida A&M University, Barry University, Florida Atlantic University, and Rollins University. Madam Speaker, I had the great privilege of serving alongside Congresswoman Meek for many years. She is a trailblazer and inspiration to so many women. I wish her many more years of happiness as she celebrates her 95th birthday.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, this body has long recognized the accomplishments, unique heritage, and rich diversity of cultures that make up the United States. Roma have been part of every wave of European migration to the United States from the colonial period to the present day, coming from every part of Europe. There may be as many as a million Americans with some Romani ancestry, whether distant or more recent. Roma enrich the fabric of our nation, tie our country to Europe, and build the transatlantic bond. Few cultures are as geographically diverse as the Romani people. Romani people trace their ancestry to the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout Europe roughly a thousand years ago. In some places, Roma were subject to expulsion or arrest solely because of their ethnicity. In the Wallachian and Moldovan principalities, Roma were enslaved by the crown, nobility, and monasteries until the founding of modem Romania. Sometimes Roma were subjected to forced assimilation. Roma were among the many groups of people that suffered at the hands of the Nazis and their allies during World War II. At least 23,000 Roma were brought to Auschwitz; almost all of them perished in the gas chambers or from starvation, exhaustion, or disease. Some Roma also died at the hands of sadistic SS doctors, like Joseph Mengele, who performed inhumane medical experiments on Roma. Approximately 25,000 Roma were deported en masse from Romania to Transnistria by the Antonescu regime in 1942; at least 11,000 of them perished. The Romani collective farms in German-occupied Soviet territory became Romani mass grave sites. It is estimated that between 200,000 to 500,000 Romani people were killed in death camps and elsewhere throughout Europe. As chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I have supported efforts to acknowledge this tragic past, including by ensuring that survivors and historians have access to relevant archives like those from Bad Arolsen and Lety. I've also ensured that Romani voices have been heard in the Commission's work to advance safe, equitable, and inclusive societies. I welcome the groundbreaking collaboration by the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard and the Voice of Roma to collect qualitative and quantitative data about the lived realities and challenges faced by American Roma. Today I am re-introducing a resolution recognizing and celebrating the heritage of Romani Americans. This resolution does four things. First, it celebrates Romani American Heritage. Second, it supports International Roma Day and the Department of State's robust engagement in related activities. April 8 marks ``International Roma Day'' around the world and is a day to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness of the issues facing Romani people. Third, it commemorates the destruction of the ``Gypsy Family Camp'' at Auschwitz. Fourth, it commends the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum for its critically important role in promoting remembrance of the Holocaust and educating about the genocide of Roma. Through this resolution, we celebrate our shared history and applaud the efforts to promote transnational cooperation among Roma at the historic First World Romani Congress on April 8, 1971. I ask that you join me and cosponsor Chairman Gregory Meeks in supporting the resolution.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the work of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission and its continued importance in addressing challenges in our country and abroad. For over four decades, the Helsinki Commission has championed human rights, democracy, and comprehensive security across the 57 North American, European, and Central Asian countries that make up the region of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As Chair of the Helsinki Commission during the 116th Congress, I worked with my House and Senate colleagues to continue the Commission's longstanding efforts to monitor participating States compliance with the Helsinki Accords. The importance of election observation in our country and abroad, restorative justice, the safety of journalists, and the global impact of George Floyd's tragic death on racial justice efforts were just some of the issues the Commission addressed last Congress, in addition to our continued focus on Russia, Ukraine, the Balkans and continued democratic development in the region. As we continue our work of the 117th Congress, I invite you to review the report: ``Retrospective On The 116th Congress'' at https:// www.csce.gov/international-impact/retrospective-116th-congress and http://www.csce.gov/sites/helsinkicommission.house.gov/files/ 116th%20Congress%20Report%20Final. pdf. This report summarizes the Commission's activities, as well as recommendations critical for the continued promotion of democracy and U.S. national security. Madam Speaker, I look forward to continuing this critically important work during the 117th Congress.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, this chamber recently passed H.R. I, the ``For the People Act,'' significant legislation making it easier for American citizens to vote in U.S. elections and improve transparency and accountability in our election process. The White House also recently announced a new executive order to assist this effort. These are positive developments that I welcome and support, but, as we all know, not everything regarding the conduct of elections can be done at the federal level. Unfortunately, many state legislatures are now undertaking efforts that would make it more difficult for eligible Americans to participate in the electoral process and vote. As Chair and in the leadership of the Helsinki Commission, I have supported the positive steps we are trying to take on this issue, yet I remain deeply concerned about those who want to move our country backward. Perhaps it would help our debate to look at the conduct of the 2020 U.S. elections from an international perspective, including the conduct of elections in conformity with international commitments first proposed and advocated by the United States more than 30 years ago. The United States has been one of five countries thus far where the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has observed elections during the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, and a German parliamentarian reported on its findings on February 26. He did not point fingers at us and accuse. He mentioned the positive as well as the negative. He is clearly a friend who cares, as most of the OSCE observers undoubtedly were. As a previous election observer in the OSCE region, I can also attest, that the code of conduct makes it is extremely unlikely that the OSCE election observation could be steered in support of any particular agenda other than better democracy. I therefore want to commend to my colleagues the full OSCE Final report ``United States of America General Elections, 3 November 2020, ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission'', which can be found at https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/7/477823_2.pdf. It offers an important perspective on our elections from persons who rightly care about the process, not the result. They have observed not only our elections since 2002 but elections in dozens of other countries on a regular basis. The issues raised in the report are the same issues we Americans debate here in Washington, in our state capitals and through the media. I take the conclusions and recommendations, including criticisms, in this election observation report seriously. It serves as a helpful guide on what next steps we should take to improve our electoral system. I believe our election officials and state legislators should read this report; indeed, I recommend it to any American who cares about his or her country. It is a broad snapshot of our entire, complex electoral system. Several of the priority recommendations in the report deal with voting rights and voter identification. Specifically, it says that ``authorities should review existing measures to further reduce the number of unregistered voters, including addressing burdensome procedures and obstacles faced by disadvantaged groups.'' It also says that ``states should make every effort to ensure that voter identification requirements are equally accessible to all voters.'' It also makes specific recommendations regarding specific groups of American citizens. We do not need to agree about every conclusion and recommendation in this report to take it seriously. It is a contribution to our debates from a unique perspective. Moreover, our acceptance of international observation serves a useful function in our foreign policy. OSCE election observation has encouraged practices giving voters a real choice in numerous other countries, many of which were once repressive, one-party communist states but are now our friends and even, in some cases, allies. The United States initiated this effort with the OSCE and contributes significantly to election observation missions elsewhere, providing the expertise that comes with our experience. If we are to encourage other governments to take this effort seriously and implement recommendations, we need to set the example ourselves. Unfortunately, several U.S. states greatly restrict or even prohibit international observation. This is something which must change as we prepare for mid-term elections in 2022 and general elections in 2024.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor to the legacy of our late colleague, and my dear friend, Congressman John Lewis. This year marks the 56th Anniversary of the Bloody Sunday March in Selma, Alabama, over the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It is vital that we pay homage to Congressman Lewis and to the hundreds of individuals who marched beside him to protect the voices of the many, as well as to remember the history, legacy, and increasing importance of the infamous Bloody Sunday March. On March 7, 1965, about six-hundred peaceful protesters, including a 25-year-old John Lewis, were violently attacked by Alabama State troopers while attempting to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge to begin the peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery. The ongoing Civil Rights Movement led nonviolent demonstrators to the bridge that Sunday with the risk of being met with opposition from law enforcement--but the outcome was much worse. Protesters were tear-gassed, clubbed, spat on, whipped, trampled by horses, and ultimately degraded by the police. The abhorrent attacks, which were seen on television and in newspapers, shocked the nation. The events of that day mobilized Congress to pass the bipartisan Voting Rights Act of 1965--outlawing discriminatory voting laws which silenced the voices of Black Americans. Fifty-six years later, we celebrate the ``good trouble'' Congressman Lewis created that Sunday, and the decades to follow, embarking our nation down a path toward a more perfect union. Bloody Sunday is a dark moment in our country's history, but it should not be left in the past. The increasing importance of memorializing that day draws on the impact it made on our citizens as well as our legislative body. This Congress should continue to implement the principles of our late colleague and uphold his legacy. Mr. Speaker, I am so privileged to join the Congressional Black Caucus in its First Annual John Lewis Special Order Hour. Please join me in commemorating his leadership and bravery on the Edmund Pettus Bridge fifty-six years ago. May he Rest in Power, a well-earned peace, and may his memory be a blessing to all of us who loved him.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Humane Research and Testing Act of 2021. The exact number of animals used in federally funded medical research is unknown, but estimates range widely from 17 to 100 million animals utilized each year. Despite this widespread use, animal testing often fails to produce valid results predictive of human trials. In particular, more than 30 percent of candidate drugs fail human clinical trials because they are found to be toxic, despite promising pre-clinical studies on animals. On top of this, 65 percent of medications that advance to human trials fail due to lack of efficacy even after completing clinical trials on animals. Fortunately, there have been important advancements in medical research methods over the past several years. Animal testing is therefore no longer necessary in the many circumstances where non- animal alternatives are available. Some of these human-relevant methods include synthetic skin, synthetic organs, and various methods of chemical toxicity testing that can decrease the number of animals used. Recognizing the need to promote alternatives, Congress passed the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, which in part directed the National Institutes of Health to outline a plan for reducing the number of animals used in research. Unfortunately, little progress has been made since the passage of this law, and animals continue to be used extensively despite new and improved methods and mounting evidence that animal testing can often be ineffective. The delayed adoption of these viable alternatives means that every year several million animals are needlessly held in captivity and oftentimes senselessly harmed by experiments in the process. To rectify this situation, I am introducing the Humane Research and Testing Act of 2021 alongside my esteemed colleague and good friend Congressman Vern Buchanan. This legislation establishes the National Center for Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing within the NIH. First, the National Center will provide assistance, funding, and training to educate scientists in alternatives to the use of animals in research. The National Center will also facilitate collaborations that provide scientists lacking resources with access to human-relevant methods. Second, the National Center will be tasked with tallying the number of animals used in federally funded research. Scientists receiving federal funding and government agencies that use animals in research will be required to submit regular reports to the National Center that state the number of animals used in their research projects, disaggregated by species, and they will also be required to outline a plan for reducing the number of animals they use. Madam Speaker, I urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation. The establishment of a new center dedicated to encouraging human-relevant alternatives to animal testing is needed, so that the NIH can meet its goal of reducing the number of animals unnecessarily harmed in research every year.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished Hazelle P. Rogers. On the eve of 25 years of life in public service, Mrs. Rogers has demonstrated her commitment to her friends and family, her community, and the state of Florida. Along the way, she has made history. Mrs. Rogers' first election in 1996 made her the first person from the Caribbean American community to be elected to office in the southeastern United States. Furthermore, she became the first Jamaican to be elected to the Florida House of Representatives. Mrs. Rogers has dedicated herself to the public and continues to give back to her community in the humblest of ways. In 2014, former Representative Rogers was a strong advocate for in-state tuition for undocumented students which earned her the Broward College 2014 Award for support of the `Florida Dreamers' Legislation. The communities Mrs. Rogers has led have always admired her leadership and commitment as she is also the recipient of honorable community awards such as the Florida Association of Counties' Champion Award; the Jamaican American Bar Association Legislative Award; and the Florida League of Cities' Legislative Appreciation Award for four consecutive years. In November, the city of Lauderdale Lakes elevated her to an outstanding victory with a 66 percent vote to the office of Mayor. As Mayor, economic empowerment and economic development for the underprivileged in her community are her passion and fortitude. Mayor Rogers continues to build consensus around issues and support programs that are lifting community members out of poverty and into financial stability. Madam Speaker, I extend my best wishes and regards to not only Mayor Rogers, but also to Mrs. Rogers' husband, Mr. Clifton Rogers; and the rest of her family and friends for an outstanding and wonderful life in public service.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the distinguished civil rights leader and my dear friend, Mr. Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. For decades, Mr. Jordan pursued public service as a lawyer, presidential advisor, and civil rights advocate. We have lost a prominent figure of the American civil rights movement, a tremendous leader, and a dear friend. Mr. Jordan dedicated his life to social justice and civil rights activism. Born on August 15, 1935, he grew up in the segregated South and graduated from DePauw University in Indiana in 1957, where he was the only African American in his class. Jordan then attended Howard University School of Law, where he began his legal career working in the civil rights movement. In 1961, he joined the firm of Donald Hollowell and won a lawsuit against the University of Georgia on behalf of the first two Black students to attend the University. Throughout his lifetime of social justice activism, he assumed leadership positions to improve the lives of those around him. Mr. Jordan served as field secretary for the Georgia chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), director of the Voter Education Project for the Southern Regional Council (SRC), and head of the United Negro College Fund. Later in 1971, he was appointed president of the National Urban League. Upon his recovery from an assassination attempt on his life in 1980, Jordan stepped down from the Urban League and took a position as legal counsel for the Washington, D.C. firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer, and Feld. While there, he represented many prominent clients, including Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. In 1992, Mr. Jordan was chosen by President-elect Clinton to lead his transition team and then served as his advisor. He was the first Black person to be assigned such a role. Jordan knew what it meant to serve his community and our nation. His dedication for civil rights and ability to move society toward justice will always leave a mark in history. Mr. Jordan dedicated his life to transforming society and his hard work will always be remembered. Madam Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to Vernon's wife, Ann; his daughter, Vickee; and his entire family during this extremely difficult time. His life and legacy will always live on and he will be dearly missed.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2021. Corporal punishment is a form of physical discipline where adults deliberately inflict pain on children in order to punish them. In schools, it typically involves the spanking or paddling of children by school officials. Corporal punishment is harmful to long term child development. These practices are associated with physical abuse and ineffective. We as leaders should encourage our schools to adopt effective discipline strategies that will be supportive in reducing corporal punishment. Schools must be a safe place where students are protected from harm, so that our children are able to thrive, grow, and learn. To date, corporal punishment in school is banned in 128 countries around the world. Sadly, 19 U.S. states still allow corporal punishments in their schools. Over 160,000 children in these states are subjected to corporal punishment in schools each year. This is abhorrent and unacceptable. To end this cruel practice, the Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2021 would prohibit any educational institution from receiving federal funding that allows school personnel to inflict corporal punishment on students and creates a new grant program to encourage improvements in school climate by promoting positive behaviors. Madam Speaker, our schools must be a safe space for American children to learn. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critically important bill, and hope to see its swift passage in the near future.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, rise today to introduce a resolution with my colleagues, Representatives Gregory Meeks, Sheila Jackson Lee, Gwen Moore, and Bobby Rush. The Honorable John Lewis of Georgia was a previous cosponsor of this legislation. Even as we honor him during Black History Month, I also urge my colleagues to join us in recognizing People of African Descent and Black Europeans. Our resolution observes the history and current situation of People of African Descent living in Europe and Black Europeans during the United Nations designated International Decade for People of African Descent. It also encourages the U.S. Secretary of State to take a number of steps to ensure their situation is improved following recommendations from the Anti-racism and People of African Descent Weeks (PADWEEK) held with our colleagues in the European Parliament over the past few years and anti-racism measures discussed at the September 2020 Joint Meeting I hosted in my capacity as Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission with my European colleagues ``Reinforcing U.S.-EU Parliamentary Coordination to Combat Racism and Systemic Discrimination.'' Recommendations from these efforts have included the implementation of EU-wide anti-racism strategies; European Black History Month and Remembrance Day for Victims of Colonialism and Enslavement; a fund for Black European led initiatives to address continuing disparities and discrimination and support for empowerment initiatives; European-wide strategies for the inclusion of People of African Descent; and support for transatlantic exchanges on common issues of racial prejudice and discrimination. The need for recognition of Black populations in Europe became clear more than a decade ago when I chaired a U.S. Helsinki Commission hearing entitled, ``The State of (In)visible Black Europe: Race, Rights, and Politics'', where we learned that the situation in Europe is very similar to the one in the United States. A number of these similarities were most recently highlighted by global racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd. While the presence of Blacks in Europe can be traced to enslavement, colonization, military deployments, voluntary or forced migration, the movement of refugees and asylum seekers, or educational and other professional exchanges, the story of Europeans of African Descent and Black Europeans still remains largely untold--rendering many of their past and present contributions to the very fabric of Europe unseen or forgotten, which is unacceptable. Madam Speaker, it is my hope that when we gather in the years to come to review the efforts of the United Nations designated International Decade for People of African Descent, we will not only speak of how our efforts resulted in our respective nations publicly recognizing the injustices and long-term impact of slavery and colonialism, but also of how our societies reconciled these issues in a manner that ensured equal opportunity, access, and justice for all people of African descent. I am greatly encouraged by recent Executive Orders from President Biden focused on equity and justice in this country, and see the adoption of this resolution on Black Europeans as well as a bill I have introduced calling for the creation of a State Department Office on Global African Descent Affairs as complementary to the President's domestic efforts. I urge you to join me in supporting this resolution recognizing Black Europeans and other efforts in support of achieving racial justice.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution with my colleagues, Representatives Gregory Meeks, Sheila Jackson Lee, Gwen Moore, and Bobby Rush to introduce the African Descent Affairs Act. As we celebrate Black History Month and continue to highlight the International Decade for People of African Descent, we have seen a sharp increase in racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and other forms of prejudice and discrimination across the globe. Global racial justice movements in response to the tragic death of George Floyd have not only drawn attention to the problem, but also to opportunities to join international efforts to develop and implement global and national solutions. To aid these efforts, I have introduced the African Descent Affairs Act to improve the situation of people of African descent around the world by establishing, within the United States State Department, a Global Office of African Descent Affairs. In addition to developing global foreign policy and assistance strategies for people of African descent, the bill would also create a ``Fund'' to support anti- discrimination and empowerment efforts by African descent led civil society organizations; require Annual State Department Human Rights Reports to include a section on discrimination faced by people of African descent; and create similar initiatives at the United States Agency for International Development that would work in partnership with the State Department. U.S. foreign policy strategies such as these have improved the situation of vulnerable groups internationally and would greatly assist in responding to increasing levels of prejudice and discrimination faced by people of African descent around the globe. The State Department has already launched many successful initiatives that have aided specific and vulnerable populations, such as the Office of Global Women's Issues, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism--now an Ambassadorship, and special initiatives and funds focused on disability, LGBTQ+ and other communities. I am greatly encouraged by recent Executive Orders from President Biden focused on equity and justice in this country and see the adoption of the African Descent Affairs Act as complementary to these domestic actions. Implemented together, these actions could facilitate the full and equal participation of people of African descent around the world. I urge you to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Andrew DeGraffenreidt III. Andrew was the perfect embodiment of the saying: ``find something you love, and you will never work a day of your life'', as he continued to passionately study and practice law until the very end with the sole motivation to help others. As a devoted lawyer he tirelessly worked to assist others and his community. We have lost a great leader, a loving father, and a dear friend. Andrew dedicated his life to mastering law and guiding young professionals in the legal community. He touched many lives during his extensive and successful legal career that spanned over 43 years until his untimely passing. Andrew was deeply committed to his community and his legal career, and like so many incredible individuals, his story had humble beginnings. Andrew's first job after graduating from the University of Miami Law School was serving as a Research Aide for General Counsel of Broward County, Florida. He then served as Deputy City Attorney for the city of Hollywood, Florida, and later became the city of Hollywood's first African American City Attorney. Additionally, during his successful career Andrew practiced private law where he led his own law firm twice. Furthermore, his extensive litigation experience in civil law set him apart from other attorneys, and his wealth of knowledge ultimately led him to serve as City Attorney of Riviera Beach, Florida, a position he valiantly held until 2019. From 2019 to the present, Andrew spent his time handling select cases, and serving as an insightful and experienced mentor to young lawyers. He truly embodied the ethos of a ``life-long learner'' and continued to serve his community to the end. To Andrew, family, faith, and love was of the utmost importance. As a member of Christ Family Worship Assembly his love for others was magnified through his commitment to God. He was most notably the devoted husband of Mary Sheely DeGraffenreidt and the proud father of seven children: Tatanisha, Reghan, Shaundelyn, Kayla, Farren, Douglas, and Andrew IV. Madam Speaker, Mr. Andrew DeGraffenreidt III has indeed left an indelible mark on his loved ones, his community, and will be a role model for future generations to come. He will be dearly missed.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to ensure fair access and opportunity to Federal jobs for all Americans. For close to two decades now, I and many of my colleagues have been fighting to increase diversity in the federal workforce. In particular, I have focused on the international affairs and national security sector where I have called for a diversity plan from the Director of National Intelligence, as well as for the Department of State and USAID. During the 116th Congress, in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I held hearings and supported initiatives focused on equity and justice issues in the United States and abroad. And, I have not been alone in my efforts. House and Senate committees responsible for our foreign relations and national security held several hearings focused on diversity in federal agencies. Additionally, Congressionally mandated reports from the Government Accountability Office found that diversity targets set close to a decade ago were not being met at the State Department and USAID. My colleagues and I have engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the Federal government not because they are nice or correct, but because they are what is in the best interest for the longevity of our nation. The U.S. workforce is becoming more racially, ethnically, and otherwise diverse, with estimates that, by 2050, over half of the workforce will be made up of Americans from diverse populations. Jobs across our government, whether they are in the military, intelligence, foreign service, health, or education sectors, will require that we not only hire, but also retain a more diverse federal workforce to sustain the needs of our country and remain a stable democracy. To do so, we must have a plan. My bill calls for a government-wide diversity and inclusion plan that ensures that all branches of government are engaged in multi-year strategic planning that recruits, hires, promotes, retains, and supports leadership from America's diverse talent pool in the federal workforce for the good of our country. It also calls for a review of diversity, equity, and inclusion in government contracting and grantmaking, as both are often also pathways to government employment. My bill therefore complements and provides an essential tool for executing the recent Executive Orders on racial equity and addressing discrimination and disparities in the workplace released by President Biden over the past two weeks. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the underpinnings of democratic societies. It is time that we enforce democratic values by ensuring all segments of our society have equal access and opportunity to contribute to a vibrant workforce that is at the heart of our democracy for the future of our nation.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Leadership Institute for Transatlantic Engagement (LITE) Act--a bill that will create an institute to assist in strengthening ties with our allies, protect democratic institutions, and support inclusive and visionary leadership on both sides of the Atlantic. In my capacity as Chair and in the leadership of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, for over a decade, I have led hearings and other initiatives on international election observation, good governance, and democratic backsliding as part of our continued commitment to the underlying principles of the Helsinki Final Act adopted by the 57 North American, European, and Eurasian countries that make up the region of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Last Congress these activities included a hearing series entitled, ``Human Rights at Home'', hosting young OSCE parliamentarians in the U.S. Congress to discuss how we can strengthen their political inclusion to advance peace and security efforts, and commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference and Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network that have been pivotal in strengthening inclusive and strategic international relations over the past decade. These activities have identified numerous challenges in western leadership and countries--including my own--that are putting our democracies and the transatlantic partnership at risk. For instance, a 2020 Pew Research study found that in 11 of the 57 countries that make up the region of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), approximately half of those surveyed are dissatisfied with the way democracy in their countries is functioning with high rates of dissatisfaction in Italy, Greece, and the United States. Internal domestic challenges including economic decline, the rise of antiestablishment political parties, the weakening of the rule of law, increased migration, and heightened security concerns are only some of the sources of dissatisfaction. Continuing racial and other disparities in wealth, health, employment, education, justice, and other sectors have also led citizens and others to question whether democracy delivers. To renew confidence in the shared values that underpin Western democracies and the transatlantic partnership, we need to bolster initiatives that restore faith in democratic institutions. This includes identifying and strengthening the roles leaders can play in ensuring laws are equitable, transparent, and enforced; elections are free and fair; and that rights and protections are equally extended to all in their constituencies. And our efforts must include those that have long been excluded from fully participating in our society. As such, the LITE Act establishes an institute to assist Western countries in living up to democratic ideals and restoring faith in democracy, by equipping transatlantic policymakers with legislative, communications, conflict resolution and other leadership tools to strengthen democratic institutions in their societies and the transatlantic relationship. Given demographic change on both sides of the Atlantic, LITE will cultivate inclusive and intergenerational solutions to current challenges with the goal of empowering diverse individuals across generations with the knowledge, tools, opportunity, and access to fully participate in their democracies. In addition, LITE will support strategies that reunify communities by assisting leaders in building resilience against the exploitation of community grievances that can lead to dangerous divisions in our societies. The LITE Act therefore complements and provides an essential tool for executing President Biden's Executive Orders on racial equity and addressing discrimination and plans to reengage with our European allies and hold a Democracy Summit. I hope you will join me in supporting LITE to strengthen our democratic future and the transatlantic partnership.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a staple of journalistic integrity in my Congressional district. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the oldest African-American newspaper in the heart of southern Florida, the Westside Gazette. For fifty years, they produced as their motto reminds us: ``A Positive Paper For Positive People.'' The Westside Gazette was founded by Levi Henry Jr. in 1971, in an era not unlike the politically charged environment we have today. While it is now run by his son and my good friend, Bobby Henry, this weekly paper continues to be known for its crusade against racism and injustice. These are the very virtues embodied by the elder Henry, for example, when he demonstrated in support of the integration of Florida beaches with ``wade-ins'' not so long ago. Bobby Henry Sr. continues the activist tradition of his father, going beyond his role as publisher. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Angelo B. Henderson Community Service Award by the National Association of Black Journalists for making a positive impact on HIV/AIDS and poverty-stricken communities. Their fifty years of professionalism stand out even more so today as too many regions have suffered misfortune, having succumbed to modern economic pressures that deprive communities of competent, local news outlets. This misfortune leads to communities of all colors dwelling in an excess of news deserts, making it increasingly difficult to hold local politicians to account. The Westside Gazette's pursuit of truth and dedication to journalistic integrity is of continued benefit to not only its readers, but the larger community and the functioning of our democratic form of government. Madam Speaker, I am so privileged to commemorate and honor the Westside Gazette's longlasting achievement in journalism. Please join me in praising their success, fifty years informing not just the African-American community, but the broader public of southern Florida.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Teacher Victims' Family Assistance Act of 2021. American teachers are overburdened. In too many schools across our nation, infrastructure needs repair, teachers are underpaid, and classrooms are overcrowded. In addition to all these problems, teachers are also forced to contend with a gun violence epidemic, which has led to more and more deaths on schoolgrounds each year. In the face of this horrific reality, numerous teachers have died, often in an effort to heroically defend the lives of their students. Surviving family members of these slain teachers are unquestionably burdened with immeasurable grief, but they are also left without the financial support their deceased spouse or parent provided them. While we must continue to tirelessly advocate for common sense gun laws, we must also ensure that those who lose family members in such senseless acts of violence are cared for through financial assistance that will help cover final expenses and support the care of surviving family members--just like we have in the past for public safety officers and for 9/11 first responders. The Teacher Victims' Family Assistance Act of 2021 creates a compensation fund under the U.S. Department of Education that provides assistance to the immediate families of teachers and other school staff who are killed in a violent act over the course of performing their duties. The compensation fund provides funeral assistance, a death benefit to the next of kin, a monthly living allowance for the surviving spouse and children, and five years of undergraduate education assistance for each child. It is my sincere hope that over time fewer and fewer families will be in need of assistance from this compensation fund after they experience the tragic loss of their spouse or parent. Until that time comes, we must do everything in our power to honor those dedicated, hardworking teachers who died in an act of violence by caring for their surviving loved ones. Madam Speaker, I urge the House to expeditiously pass this measure. Doing so will reaffirm America's gratitude for our nation's devoted educators, who work tirelessly to enrich the lives of our children.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise to reintroduce the Congress Commission Act of 2021. This bill establishes the bipartisan Congressional Commission to Strengthen Representative Democracy to study and make recommendations on membership of the House of Representatives, the methods by which representatives are elected, and how to ensure opportunities for greater constituent and representative engagement. The United States is the least representative democracy out of all of our international peers. It has been over one hundred years since the representative chamber has increased in size. During those intervening years the United States has added four additional states, the population has expanded exponentially, and the extension of voting suffrage means our national electorate looks vastly different than it did in the early twentieth century. And yet, over the course of more than a century, there has been insufficient effort to consider or enact changes to House membership that could improve how such population growth in number and diversity are reflected by federal representatives. Too many years have passed us by without any serious consideration of how our nation's growth and progress is reflected in the People's House. We have in front of us an overwhelming amount of evidence illustrating the need for reform of the House of Representatives. Just last year, our fellow Americans took to the streets and ballot boxes demanding change and we came close to admitting a new state to our union. The completion of the 2020 Census provides us essential data on the population of the nation and the growing, disparate ratio of almost 750,000 Americans to each Member of the House. This is just the average. One Member may represent anywhere from almost 530,000 constituents, up to over 1,050,000 constituents. This Commission will determine if such a disparity in districts' populations ensures the just and equitable representation our chamber is intended to provide each citizen and district. While I speak to the challenges of our current membership structure, ultimately the Commission to Strengthen Representative Democracy is not required to change the size of the House, voting methods for Representatives, or any other House process or assembly. I expect my colleagues that will participate on the Commission will execute their duties justly, judiciously, and with the intent of what is best for our constituents and our nation. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to an article that appeared on January 20, 2021 in the Washington Post entitled, ``These Turkish brothers found their calling in D.C., championing the Black music scene'' by David Taylor. The article highlights the contributions made by Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, two Turkish brothers who fought against racial injustice. The Ertegun brothers were the sons of Turkish Ambassador, Mehmet Munir Ertegun, and navigated the heavily segregated and complex Washington, D.C. These two young Turkish men dismissed racist comments and individuals, and instead familiarized themselves with the black neighborhoods of Washington. The two quickly realized how racially divided the city was, and in order to satisfy their love for jazz, the brothers became familiar with jazz clubs on U street, record shops on Seventh Street, and were regulars at the famous ``Waxie Maxie,'' where they would meet fellow jazz enthusiasts. Ignoring the racial barriers which divided the city and country, they unapologetically hosted jam sessions at the Turkish Embassy. The Turkish Ambassador received complaints from irritated neighbors, but simply ignored those who called the music ``disturbing''. Enamored by jazz music the Ertegun brothers organized the first integrated jazz concert at the Jewish Community Center in the 1940s. Eventually, the Ertegun brothers founded Atlantic Records in 1947 and the record company became the most successful independent label in the country. Atlantic Records went on to work with Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, La Vern Baker, the Drifters, the Coasters, Aretha Franklin, and Led Zeppelin. The list of music icons also included Stevie Wonder and Mick Jagger. In 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum announced that its main exhibition hall would be named after Ahmet Ertegun. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, I hope that my colleagues will join me in honoring Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun. Their story is a wonderful reminder that despite numerous differences there is always a common unifying force between people. Especially during these times when we find ourselves deeply divided, we must remember that we are able to come together despite our differences, and work for a better future as the Ertegun brothers did through the power of music. [From the Washington Post, Jan. 20, 2021] These Turkish Brothers Found Their Calling in D.C., Championing the Black Music Scene (By David A. Taylor) Turkish filmmaker Umran Safter has a special place in her heart for Washington. She had the international premiere of her first documentary feature, ``Eye of Istanbul,'' at the 2016 Washington, DC Independent Film Festival, where it won the award for best of the festival. Her new film brought her back to D.C. for the story of Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, the brothers behind Atlantic Records, and their early years as sons of Turkish ambassador Mehmet Munir Ertegun. The Erteguns, she says, ``resisted all sorts of political pressure in the 1930s and 1940s'' as they regularly hosted ``Black jazz artists on special jazz evenings at the Turkish Embassy in Washington.'' As teenagers, Ahmet and Nesuhi were smitten by jazz when they heard Duke Ellington play in London and were excited about moving to his hometown. But when they arrived, they were disappointed to find how racially segregated the city was. ``When I first came to Washington, the stores downtown didn't carry any jazz records or blues records,'' Ahmet said in a 2002 interview. ``I had to go to the Black section of Washington for the shops that sold records of the music we wanted to buy.'' He visited jazz clubs on U Street and record shops on Seventh Street, and became a regular at Waxie Maxie, the music shop owned by Max Silverman, who built the store into a leading music retail chain. There, Ertegun found other jazz fans, such as Washington Post photographer and reporter Bill Gottlieb, later a writer for the influential Down Beat music magazine, and Billy Taylor, who would go on to become a bandleader and for decades directed jazz at the Kennedy Center. Safter, 51, had read about the jazz concerts the Erteguns organized at the embassy. ``It's a great story. I said to myself, `Let's do this story as a documentary.' '' For the film (working title: ``Leave the Door Open''), she tracked down everyone she could find who knew them. In New York, she spoke with Atlantic Records colleague Bob Porter as well as Renee Pappas, ex-wife of Atlantic producer Jerry Wexler. Pappas had been friends with both brothers and had vivid stories. (Nesuhi Ertegun died in 1989; Ahmet, in 2006.) Safter and her small crew arrived in Washington in February 2020 for filming. Everett House in Sheridan Circle--which served as the embassy during the Erteguns' era in D.C., and is now the residence of the Turkish ambassador--opened its doors to them. Safter also had sit-down interviews with jazz historians and radio DJs Willard Jenkins and Larry Appelbaum. And she interviewed people who had interviewed Ahmet (including me). She pieced together a story of race in Washington, exploring how the Erteguns cracked barriers in segregation and the blowback they faced. When they invited Black musicians to Sheridan Circle, the ambassador got complaints from White neighbors. ``They were saying, `Oh, the music coming from the embassy is so disturbing!' '' Pappas told Safter. `` `Who are these people?' '' The ambassador, opting for diplomacy, replied: ``My sons are studying anthropology. That's why they have all these people coming.'' Still, he was stunned when the embassy's White staff balked at eating meals at the same table as Black staff members. As his daughter Selma explained to Safter, segregation ``was not something we were used to.'' The stories and images create a complex portrait of 1940s Washington. Historian Maurice Jackson described to Safter an Ertegun-organized concert at the Jewish community center: ``Two Muslim brothers bringing Black music to the center belonging to our Jewish brothers and sisters. This is historic.'' While in D.C. last year, Safter had planned to film a concert in the Ertegun Jazz Series at the Turkish Embassy, but it was canceled because of political events in Turkey. However, the crew filmed a jazz concert at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Southwest Washington. They returned home just ahead of covid-19 travel restrictions. Passengers on their flight to Istanbul were already wearing masks. Safter counts herself lucky that her crew managed to complete most of the filming before the pandemic lockdown. But work on the documentary dragged. ``It's not possible to meet with the rest of my crew,'' she explained in April. ``And the main challenge is I can't sit next to my editor.'' She was working with Omer Leventoglu, who edited her 2019 film ``On the Wings of Hope,'' about Iraqi Kurdish refugees. ``He's a great editor,'' she said, but they could talk only by Skype or WhatsApp. Eventually during the summer they cobbled together a new editing process and went into postproduction in September. Now with a rough cut, Safter hopes to have a finished film very soon. But other hurdles loom, including financing and distribution. Movie theaters remain closed. ``This is a very difficult time for filmmakers,'' Safter says. In darker moments, she thinks back to her D.C. premiere five years ago. ``Because it was my first feature-length documentary film,'' she recalls, ``it encouraged me. That's the reason I produced the second film.'' She has submitted a rough cut of her new film to several U.S. competitions, including the DC Independent Film Festival and FilmFest DC. She hopes she will be able to return to the city that gave her that first boost.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce the Comprehensive Breast Reconstruction Act. This legislation will bring Medicaid and Medicare programs into compliance with the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, and will expand post-mastectomy breast reconstruction patients' access to modern and innovative procedures, products, and therapies to support their return to a healthy normal. In 2020 alone, almost 280,000 new instances of breast cancer were estimated to have been diagnosed, and anticipated deaths from breast cancer were over 42,000. However, the breast cancer survival rate has steadily increased faster than the rate of new diagnoses, which is believed to be related to new treatments and procedures, such as early detection screening. My legislation builds on past advancements and successes to heal the whole patient following a medically-necessary mastectomy. Deciding to receive a mastectomy is undoubtedly an emotional decision in an impossible situation. In order to alleviate the toll this decision has on breast cancer patients, breast reconstruction is an option for them to build a sense of well-being and confidence as well as regain a sense of wholeness. More patients are opting for breast reconstruction, with over 107,000 in 2019, a 36 percent growth since 2000. Unfortunately, many patients face a complex landscape of what exactly a breast reconstruction entails, and laws and policies intended to provide healthcare coverage for this procedure are antiquated and do not account for advances in this area. My legislation will establish a more uniform and comprehensive breast reconstruction process that can be tailored to fit each patient's needs. Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries will be guaranteed access to post-mastectomy reconstruction under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act and by expanding coverage to include nipple-areola complex tattoos for those who elect to undergo this procedure. The goal is to expand access to scientifically proven healthcare that increase patient well-being and satisfaction with their results. Madam Speaker, breast reconstruction and the nipple-areola complex tattoo are not about cosmetic change. They are about holistic outcomes and choice in what the patient and provider decide is best physically, emotionally, and mentally to attain the ideal outcome and long-term health. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this long-overdue legislation.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Civics Learning Act of 2021, a bill that aims to promote democratic ideals by ensuring that young Americans receive a strong civics education. On January 6, 2021, our country witnessed an armed insurrection on this sacred ground. This insurrection was fueled by lies and conspiracy theories that were allowed to take hold in too many minds of our fellow Americans because they have not come to understand even the most basic parameters of our democratic republic. Disturbingly, an Annenberg Public Policy Center poll conducted in 2018 found that only 32 percent of American adults could name all three branches of government. In 2017, only 37 percent of Americans surveyed could name any of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment. The failure to establish an extensive understanding of American democratic principles begins in grade school: In 2014, only 23 percent of eighth graders performed at or above the proficient level on the National Assessment of Educational Progress civics exam. This lack of civic awareness leads to an unstable bedrock for our democracy, which requires widespread knowledge of American government for it to function properly. This is why I have introduced the Civics Learning Act of 2021, which increases funding for innovative and evidence-based civics learning and teaching programs, including hands-on civic engagement activities, online and video game-based learning, service learning, and participation in student governance. Recognizing that most civics programs focus on high school teachers and students, this bill would ensure funding for elementary, middle, and high school programs to create a strong foundation for civic knowledge. In addition, this bill would prioritize funding for high-need schools, underserved populations, and low-access areas such as rural or inner-city communities. With this focus, the bill can inspire the participation of marginalized communities and better integrate them into American democracy. Madam Speaker, it is my sincere hope this body will expeditiously pass this measure. Doing so will reaffirm America's commitment to civics education, fostering a more informed citizenship that will only strengthen our democracy.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Farm-to- Market Road Repair Act of 2021, legislation that will expand eligibility for the Surface Transportation Block Grant program to include rural roads that serve to transport agriculture products from farms or ranches to the marketplace. American agricultural communities play a pivotal role in the economy within my district and across America. These farms and ranches provide the communities they serve with fresh products daily, ensuring consumers have an adequate and healthy food supply. Unfortunately, many of the roads are deteriorating. Over 70 percent of our nation's total road mileage is in rural areas, yet, between 2009-2015, these roads have only seen about 37 percent of federal highway fund. As Congress debates how to move forward with a bold plan to address infrastructure, we need to ensure road-repair projects like these do not fall by the wayside as we seek to address other larger infrastructure projects. Just because a road is in a rural area does not mean the road is small or otherwise unimportant. To the contrary, I am aware of several rural road projects in my district and the surrounding region that are major connectors that would benefit from this type of funding opportunity. Madam Speaker, my bill expands the current surface block grant program to include these roads--roads that serve as a lifeline to the people that depend on them. We must invest in our rural infrastructure now, before it is in complete disrepair. This legislation was included in H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, when it passed in the House of Representatives in the 116th Congress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure it passes again. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Build America Act of 2021, legislation that will provide $10 billion annually for merit-based infrastructure grants across the country. For years, House Democrats have called for a dramatic investment in infrastructure, and for years, these calls have gone unanswered. I am hopeful that this will be the year that we finally make the investments we need. I am proud to introduce my legislation today--not for a massive, all-encompassing infrastructure package--but rather, for a commonsense expansion of successful programs based on need and merit that will ensure we put money towards the greatest infrastructure needs regardless of any additional package passed in the House. My legislation will significantly increase the size and scope of two existing infrastructure grant programs, the Capital Investment Grant Program (CIG), also known as New Starts/Small Starts, and the BUILD Grant Program, formerly known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant Program, or TIGER Grants. These programs have been immensely successful in the past, assisting rural and urban communities prioritize their own needs. Each program requires matching funds from those seeking assistance, making them smart and effective avenues for leveraging federal funding to make a real impact across the country. My bill takes these programs out of the annual appropriations process. Instead, it establishes them as mandatory programs with permanent and expanded funding streams totaling more than $10 billion annually. This expansion will be welcome news to the thousands of communities like those I represent. Consider this, since 2009, Congress has dedicated more than $8 billion for multiple rounds of TIGER/BUILD funding. In FY2020 alone, the program received over $9 billion in applications. That is more than the total amount of funding over a 10- year period in just a single fiscal year. The process is competitive, and it allows the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reward applicants that exceed eligibility criteria and demonstrate commitments to their projects. By increasing these funding levels and removing the programs from the annual appropriations process, we will take the guesswork and uncertainty out of the programs. This in turn will allow communities around the country to submit funding requests for projects of national, regional, or metropolitan-area significance, including the construction and repair of roads, bridges, and tunnels, the installation of high- speed internet, revitalization of drinking water infrastructure, and the construction and expansion of fixed-guideway public transportation systems, including subways, light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit (BRT). Madam Speaker, we have talked about prioritizing a large-scale infrastructure package for years. Last Congress, the House passed H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, a $1.5 trillion plan to rebuild American infrastructure. However, like so many other bills passed during the 116th Congress, it was ignored by the Republican controlled Senate. We need to get serious. Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers issues a ``Report Card'' for America's Infrastructure. The report depicts the condition and performance of American infrastructure, assigning letter grades based on the physical condition and needed investments for improvement across 16 major infrastructure categories. The most recent report card was issued in 2017. Among the national rankings, transit systems were rated a D- and roads were rated a D. Dams: D. Drinking water: D. Inland waterways: D. Levees: D. We need to move this process forward. I urge my colleagues to support this critically important bill, so that our country can begin making the investments it desperately needs.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Ms. Sheila Paul. Sheila loved three things in her life: God, her family, and serving others. As a devoted member of the Usher and Diaconness teams for over 40 years, it is clear that Sheila's incredibly strong and caring soul made her a central part of her community. We have lost a great leader, a tremendous mother, and a dear friend. Sheila dedicated her life to God and to others. She radiated a vibrant, tenacious spirit that made it known she was a child of God, drove her to serve, and that infected others. Her spirituality was present in everything she did and anyone that met her knew she was grounded in her faith. Her courage and determination was evident when she journeyed from Saint Louis du Nord, Haiti to Freeport, Bahamas and finally to the United States. She embodied the immigrant spirit and the American dream. Sheila carried her successful business to Fort Lauderdale, and expanded it into a thriving storefront and ventured into real estate, forever embedding her legacy in the community. Sheila forged strong connections with everyone she met and exemplified what it means to be a child of Christ through her generosity and kindness. She would feed anyone who came to her house and extended her hand to anyone in need. She always went above and beyond to improve the lives of those around her. To Sheila, family was of the upmost importance. She was the proud wife of the late Alberto Michael Joseph and the proud mother of eight biological children: Alberta, Duval, Rosianne, Ilinda, Ancelot (AJ), Guillene, Bernadette, and Carole. As an immigrant she faced many hardships and made great sacrifices for her children, and strove to improve the circumstances of all, so they may benefit from an education, an opportunity she valued immensely. In addition to her immediate family, she was the adopted mother to hundreds of children which she considered her own. Sheila was a caring and selfless mother to all who had the privilege to know her. She was a true trailblazer, a steady leader and caregiver, and lived her life the way we should all strive to, with an abundance of love. Madam Speaker, Ms. Sheila Paul has indeed left an indelible mark on her loved ones and her community, and it will be present for future generations to come. She will be dearly missed.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, on behalf of myself and Congressman Richard Hudson, Co-Chairs of the International Road Safety Caucus, I rise today to mark the 25th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This day of remembrance is a day to commemorate the millions of people who have lost their lives or been injured on the world's roads. It is also a day to thank emergency responders for their role in responding to emergencies and saving lives on roads and highways across the globe; a day to reflect on the impact of road traffic deaths and injuries on families and communities; and a day to draw attention to the need for improved legislation, awareness, infrastructure, technology, and international cooperation to save more families from the tragedy of losing a loved one. More than one million people die from road crashes every year, and tens of millions are seriously injured. Road traffic crashes are the number one killer of young people aged 15 to 29 and the eighth leading cause of death among all people worldwide. Rochelle Sobel, President of the Association for Safe International Road Travel, highlighted the gravity of this issue and the imperative to fix it: Every 27 seconds, somewhere in the world, a person dies in a road crash. On this 25th anniversary of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, it is important to remember the history and recommit to the goals of this day. It was initiated in 1995 as the European Day of Remembrance and quickly spread around the globe to countries in Africa, South America, and Asia. In 2005 the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 60/2, recognizing November 15th as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Since that time, the observance of this day has continued to spread to a growing number of countries on every continent. This year, the stated goals of World Day of Remembrance 2020 include remembering all people killed and seriously injured on the roads; acknowledging the crucial work of the emergency services; advocating for better support to road traffic victims and their families; and promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries. Indeed, the day has become an important call to attention and an advocacy tool in global efforts to reduce road casualties. As a result of the growing awareness and global call to action that World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims has generated, in September 2020, the United Nations passed a resolution declaring the years 2021 to 2030 a new Decade of Action for Road Safety. The declaration affirms the UN's commitment to work vigorously to implement a new, ambitious agenda to halve road crash deaths by 2030. Additionally, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 calls on governments and their stakeholders, including NGOs and private citizens, to address the personal, medical, and financial burdens associated with road traffic deaths and injuries. In every Congressional district across America, families lose loved ones to road traffic crashes at home and abroad. It is an issue that affects every demographic and almost every mode of mobility, leaving behind profound trauma and economic impacts. In Florida's 20th Congressional district and North Carolina's 8th Congressional district, road traffic crashes claimed 1,947 and 669 lives respectively between 2014 and 2018, costing an estimated combined $27 billion in medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damages, administrative costs, and uninsured costs. Not to mention pain, anguish, and devastation of losing a child, parent, sibling, partner, friend, caregiver, or caretaker; the struggle of having to care for a permanently disabled loved one--these are incalculable. Those of us who have lost loved ones in a crash know all too well the ongoing pain that this tragedy causes families and communities. Road traffic crashes are preventable. We owe it to our communities to work together so that the hopes and dreams of our loved ones are not shattered on the roads of the United States and the world. Today, we call on our colleagues in the United States Congress, Executive Branch agencies, and every community in America to remember, support, and act to prevent these avoidable tragedies and save lives.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Kazakhstan. This has been a key relationship for the United States ever since Kazakhstan established its independence almost 30 years ago. The Republic of Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, oversaw Kazakhstan's emergence as the economic leader of Central Asia, and the United States' key ally in the region, as evidenced in part by the fact that U.S. companies are the largest source of direct foreign investment in Kazakhstan. This is in large part due to the fact Kazakhstan has implemented reform and liberalization policies that have strengthened the bond between our two countries. Similarly, Kazakhstan has embarked on a path of political reforms to match its successful economic reforms and is taking an increasingly visible role in global affairs. As Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I must highlight the fact that Kazakhstan chaired the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2010 and led the U.N. Security Council in 20I7-2018. In 2018, President Nazarbayev visited Washington, D.C., in connection with the announcement of an Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Kazakhstan and the United States. The countries agreed to heightened cooperation on political and security issues, including those related to Afghanistan and other defense initiatives, terrorism, extremism, the rule of law, and human rights. On November 30th, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be hosting a conference to review former President Nazarbayev's long career and highlight his efforts and accomplishments in establishing Kazakhstan as a global leader in a number of important areas. Perhaps most notably is the former president's unbending dedication to advancing the principles of nuclear nonproliferation, a stance that has made the entire world a safer place for this and future generations. I also applaud current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's efforts to prioritize additional political reforms that will increase transparency and make the government more responsive to all of Kazakhstan's citizens. Madam Speaker, as former President Nazarbayev celebrates his 80th birthday and the people of Kazakhstan approach the celebration of their country's 30th anniversary, I wish all people of Kazakhstan nothing but peace, prosperity, and continued blessings.