Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 548, providing for consideration of H.R. 205, Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act of 2019; H.R. 1146, the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act; and H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act. The rule provides for consideration of each bill under a structured rule. The rule provides one hour of debate on each bill equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources. Additionally, the rule provides one motion to recommit on each bill. Mr. Speaker, together these three bills block oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Atlantic and Pacific Coast, and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. For those of you that have worked with me over the years, you know that I have said, and I mean, that I will be the last person standing before offshore oil drilling is expanded off the coast of Florida. I am a native Floridian, and I have seen substantial changes in my State, and I have seen that coastline on either side threatened by a variety of issues that man should not be undertaking. Mr. Speaker, I am glad it didn't have to come to that. I am glad that the people's House is taking up these measures that undoubtedly will protect our Nation's environment, climate, and the economies of coastal communities that rely on tourism, outdoor recreation, and fishing. I am glad that the House of Representatives is demonstrating to the American people that we work for them, not for the oil and gas industry. Mr. Speaker, last year, in a radical move, the Trump administration proposed a plan to open nearly all U.S. coasts to oil and gas drilling. This disastrous plan brought to mind the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, where the explosion not only killed 11 people and injured many, but it poured millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf waters and also killed hundreds of thousands of birds, marine mammals, fish, and sea turtles. Just the prospect of oily beaches led to hundreds of hotel cancellations along Florida's Gulf Coast, even in places the oil never reached. Mr. Speaker, I was living there during that period of time, of course, and many around this Nation saw that continuous loop shown on television of oil spilling into the Gulf. It has not all gone away, and much of the industry along that coastline has been decimated. Mr. Speaker, the Trump administration's plan is risking billions of dollars and millions of jobs from the industries that depend on a clean, healthy ocean. Make no mistake about it, our coastal communities are the backbone of the United States economy. According to the National Ocean Economics Program, coastal States encompass over 80 percent of the Nation's population, GDP, and employment. Moreover, the ocean economy's tourism and recreation industry singlehandedly provides 71 percent of the jobs to the United States economy. In fact, our coastlines provide 12 times the amount of jobs of the offshore oil industry. If that is not enough, in 2016, the U.S. Atlantic Ocean economy and California's ocean economy contributed more than $94 billion and $43.5 billion to the country's GDP, respectively, during that period of time. National parks on both coasts and in the eastern Gulf States contributed $6.2 billion to the local economies. And the Department of Defense has made it abundantly clear that the continuation of the moratorium in the Gulf on oil and gas leasing is essential to vital military readiness activities. Mr. Speaker, there is widespread bipartisan support for ending offshore drilling. Mr. Speaker, I thank the entire Florida delegation for the work that they have done, with special emphasis to Ambassador Rooney, Ms. Castor, Ms. Shalala, and others of our colleagues who have been drilling down on these issues legislatively. Opposition includes nearly all the coastal Governors; over 2,200 elected officials across the political spectrum; more than 300 municipalities, including all in my district; 47,000 businesses; and 500,000 fishing families. Mr. Speaker, America needs to conserve energy, safeguard our natural resources, and look to clean energy and innovative ways to build a sustainable energy portfolio. Offshore oil drilling is simply not the answer. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), my good friend, just enunciated the number of jobs that the oil and gas industry provides, and the figure that she reported was 300,000. There are 242,000 jobs as a result of solar energy in this country, 102,000 jobs on wind farms in this country, and the coastline that we are talking about provides 12 times the amount of jobs than the offshore oil and gas industry. Mr. Speaker, I won't be here with you all 20 years from now, but I predict for you that the fossil fuel industry, interestingly enough, the leaders in that industry will own a lot of the solar in this country. It is just a matter of time. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala), my dear and good friend, and a member of the distinguished Rules Committee.

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson), my good friend.

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the previous speaker that eight Republican amendments were made in order; perhaps none that he offered, but I thought that the rule was particularly fair. I would also say to him that no oil that is being produced in this country right now is affected by anything having to do with this legislation. Yesterday, Ambassador Rooney made it very clear to us in the Rules Committee that, at the present rate of production of oil, we are producing enough oil to go into 66 years of oil production. That is at the present rate, without going anywhere else.

Mr. HASTINGS. I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman had done well until he, in the words of my grandmother, ``stepped on the cutout'' when he talked about the eastern Gulf. I just offer BP as an example of what happens. If he were to come and go down that coastline with me and see the businesses that went out of business, including all of those in the fishes industry, oysters, the whole coastline has been impacted. We are still suffering the residual. And I might add, on the floor of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, they call it snow something that is on the floor. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's position, but I will be the last man standing on not having oil drilling off the coast of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, through you, I would advise my good friend from Arizona that I have no further speakers and I am prepared to close whenever she is.

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my friend just said that the three measures that we offer are going to be dead in the Senate. One of the regrets in this country is that virtually everything that we are doing in the House of Representatives goes over to the Grim Reaper's office and dies on his desk. And that includes substantial measures having to do with prescription drugs, sensible gun regulations, and a variety of measures, adding up to close to 75 that are on his desk now that could be sent to the President of the United States. I would imagine that we are going to continue down this path of when we offer sensible measures that will help the United States citizens, that one person is going to hold them up for whatever reason, and that includes sensible gun regulation, such as background checks that more than 90 percent of the American people want us to pass. I don't know how the Senate works, but I do know that the Senate ain't working right now, and it is being held up by one person. Mr. Speaker, it is not enough to oppose drilling off one's State's coastline. Oil spills travel and climate change knows no borders. Our Nation's coastlines are vital, recreational, economic, and ecological treasures that will be polluted by expansion of offshore drilling. Let's underscore that all of the drilling that is going on in the Gulf right now is not affected by this particular measure. What we are saying is, no more. Please, don't give us your oil on our beaches, BP, and others in that industry. House and Senate Republicans can stick their heads in the tar sands all they want, but pumping more fossil fuels out of the ocean and into the atmosphere will not sustain the American economy nor provide the economic prosperity that will benefit all Americans. As I said earlier, I won't be with you 20 years from now, but I can assure you that during that period of time, we will have electrically driven cars. We will have moved substantially in the solar, and wind, and thermal areas in this country, and it will benefit us immensely as well as benefit this planet. I can't imagine that we will have fossil fuel in 2050, and I can't imagine that our children would not be worse off if we did. Now, one thing that you can be assured, the people with the money are going to control the deal. So when we move to solar energy, the existing energy mongrels are going to be about the business of owning solar energy. It is just that simple. They will know when the transition is going to take place. In the meantime, what they want to continue to do, is to pollute the environment that we live in, destroy the habitat of the ocean that is provided for mammals that are there as well as fish and a variety of other spinoffs in our ocean activity. We have polluted the ocean in a very bad way in many forms. We don't need to add to that with further development at this point. I might add, America is the leading producer of oil and gas in the world. We are exporting oil and gas. Therefore, I don't see that we are suffering a single bit as we transition from fossil fuels to solar, wind, thermal, and other forms of energy that will be developed along the way. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and a ``yes'' vote on the previous question.

Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce the Services for Ending Long-Term Homelessness Act, legislation that will help our nation address the long-term homelessness crisis. Since the first Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness was launched in 2010, rates of homelessness among veterans, families, and chronically homeless individuals have fallen significantly. Our country has successfully taken thousands of individuals and families off the streets. Unfortunately, last year, the homeless population in the United States increased for the second year in a row since the inception of the Federal Strategic Plan. According to the annual U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Point in Time count, there were about 88,484 chronically homeless individuals and 8,429 people in households with children, for a total of 96,913 chronically homeless. Allowing men, women, and children to live on the streets is not a standard America should be willing to accept. Unstable housing impacts the lives of millions of Americans every year and addressing this problem forthrightly, as this bill does, will help get chronically homeless individuals and families off the streets. I ask that you join me in prioritizing these efforts to combat long-term homelessness in our country. Madam Speaker, this important legislation addresses our country's homelessness problem in the following ways: Requires the Secretary of HHS to design national strategies for the establishment of supportive housing services and programs to assist in ending chronic homelessness and to implement programs that address chronic homelessness. Requires the Secretary of HHS to make matching grants to eligible entities to provide services promoting recovery and self-sufficiency and augment the HUD-administered McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants. Requires the Secretary of HHS to report performance outcome data on the projects carried out under the Act. Madam Speaker, as you know, the most recent data available shows us that more than a quarter of those currently living without permanent shelter are chronically homeless. We must continue to invest in the needs of these vulnerable and marginalized members of society, which will result in healthier, safer, and more productive communities. I urge my colleagues to join me in working to end homelessness across our nation by supporting this important piece of legislation.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, it is my great privilege to rise today to honor Dillard High School for being the recipient of the 2019 SupportMusic Merit Award by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). The Support Music Award recognized Dillard High School for outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. It recognizes the commitment and dedication of Dillard High School to music and the arts as innovative learning opportunities for a well-rounded education. Dillard High School has always supported and encouraged students in music education from the beginning, starting with Julian Edwin ``Cannonball'' Adderley teaching jazz to students to today when students get to work and perform with professionals at the Broward Center for Performing Art and the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art. Dillard High School is one of 98 schools across the nation to be a SupportMusic Merit Award recipient demonstrating an unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive music education. I applaud the hard work and dedication of each person making Dillard an exceptional school. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization that advances active participation in making music throughout a person's life. The SupportMusic Award given by NAMM recognizes that Dillard High School is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA recognizes that music is an important element of a well-rounded education for all children. Madam Speaker, Dillard High School is an exceptional High School in our community, one that we can all admire and respect. I commend the students, faculty and staff for their inspiring commitment to music, and wish them many more years of continued success.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, as a co-sponsor of H. Res. 430-- Authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas and for other purposes--I would have voted YES on roll call No. 247, had I been present.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation requiring the Department of Defense (DOD) to review and modernize any of its in use forms utilizing outdated and racially insensitive terminology. Today, Senator Tammy Duckworth will introduce the same legislation in the U.S. Senate. I thank her for joining me in this effort, and express my gratitude for the 42 members of the House of Representatives and the four Senators who have joined us in introducing this legislation. It was recently brought to my attention that the Defense Department's DD-2064 Form, which is issued when a service member loses his or her life while deployed overseas, utilized the term ``Negroid'' as one of the means for denoting race. Quite frankly, I was shocked to see this term listed on documentation sent to the family of one of my constituents just a few months ago, after their son lost his life in service to our country. Imagine for a moment what this must feel like. In the midst of the pain and crisis of losing a son, a daughter, a husband, or a wife, to receive a form from the Federal government identifying that loved one with outdated, offensive, pseudoscientific terminology once used to justify racism and concepts like racial inferiority or racial superiority. No family should ever have to cope with such added injury when mourning a family member in a time of crisis. This terminology is not compliant with requirements from DOD and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). In 1997, OMB set guidance for federal data on race and ethnicity, and in the years that followed, DOD released several issuances guiding the implementation of OMB's direction. I also want to acknowledge--and I want to be very clear--that the Department of Defense acted expeditiously to rectify this oversight once my office brought it to their attention. While I commend them for addressing this issue with the seriousness it requires, the fact that this document retained outdated terminology for more than two decades calls into question the status of other forms in use by the Department. It is my understanding that the Department has begun a process of reviewing hundreds of other forms to ensure that no others are out of compliance. However, this review is just a small fraction of the forms and surveys utilized by the Department, individual service components, and military installations world-wide. That is why this legislation is a necessary step that is in the best interest of our service members and our country. This is a short, straightforward bill. It requires the DOD to review each of its forms and surveys currently in use to determine if any others contain terms or classifications that may be considered racially or ethnically insensitive. If they find any, they must take the appropriate steps to modernize them. I would again like to thank my colleagues who have supported this measure, and ask that we move expeditiously to bring it to the floor for a vote.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Ynette Lopez, a student at Piper High School and Class of 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. This remarkable young lady has a current weighted GPA of 3.4, while taking a rigorous schedule of all Honors classes. Additionally, she is passionate about her extracurricular activities, hobbies, and volunteer work. She is a six-year professional clarinetist and currently occupies the 1st chair position with the Bengal Band of Pride. Ynette has volunteered at the Department of Veterans Affairs since 2017. Her father is a disabled veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder. Growing up and learning so much about his disability, she was inspired to give back in the best way possible. She has accrued more than 200 hours of volunteer work in her many different capacities. Ynette has gained valuable experience by scheduling appointments, communicating with others, and delivering important documents to various offices at the Broward County Veterans Hospital. She is currently preparing to take the next step in her future and will apply early admission in November of this year. Ynette plans to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, where she will study Sociology with a Psychology minor. Ynette's persistence, dedication, and ambition has carried her far and I wish her much success in the future.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 6-- American Dream and Promise Act, I would have voted YES on roll call No. 240, had I been present.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark National Stop the Bleed Day. More than 200,000 Americans lose their lives every year from traumatic incidents, including shootings, vehicular crashes, and workplace accidents When injuries involve traumatic blood loss, death can occur in as little as five minutes. These deaths, however, are oftentimes preventable. National Stop the Bleed Day is a day to raise awareness of how to respond to severe bleeding incidents. Just as people learn CPR so that they can help a person having a heart attach, or the Heimlich maneuver for when someone is choking, learning how to respond to a traumatic bleeding incident can be the difference between life and death while waiting for professional help to arrive. This month, my colleague Dr. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and I introduced H.R. 2550, the Prevent Blood Loss with Emergency Equipment Devices Act of 2019 (the Prevent BLEEDing Act), to provide this lifesaving training and expand access to Bleeding Control Kits (BCKs). This legislation will help place tens of thousands of emergency blood loss prevention materials in schools, places of worship, and other public gathering places across the country, so that if disaster strikes, bystanders can be better equipped to respond. I ask my colleagues to support this effort and work with me to ensure its speedy passage.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to rise today to recognize and celebrate World Dog Day 2019, which will take place on Saturday, May 18th in West Hollywood, CA. Created by my good friend, Lisa Vanderpump and the Vanderpump Dog Foundation in 2016, World Dog Day is a day focusing on the celebration of our furriest family members by recognizing the impact that dogs bring to our everyday lives. This celebration draws attention to the amazing, empathetic creatures that dogs are, while also raising awareness about global dog abuse that sadly still exists today. Our love for these animals, without the necessary activism, can't protect themselves from abuse or neglect. This event is so critically important in taking a stand against the abuse of animals and being united in the love that we hold so dear for our beloved dogs. Sadly, dogs and other animals across our nation and around the world suffer abuse from animal fighting, to torture, inhumane research testing, and abuse in puppy mills. We must advocate for all animals who cannot defend themselves and ensure their overall well-being and safety. In the 115th Congress, I was proud to work with Lisa, Dr. John Sessa, and the Vanderpump Dog Foundation on passing H. Res. 401, a resolution urging all nations to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce existing laws against such trade. Their steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to the welfare of animals is truly inspiring. Passage of H. Res. 401 was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. From the bottom of my heart, I cannot thank them enough, along with the thousands of activists around the country and across the globe for all of their efforts. Lisa, John, and the Vanderpump Dog Foundation have never wavered in their commitment in the fight against the global dog meat trade. I am honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them to champion this effort, sending a strong signal to the world that the welfare of animals must be taken seriously. As we celebrate World Dog Day 2019, we must come together to raise awareness about global dog abuse and work to end this horrific and barbaric practice once and for all. Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Lisa Vanderpump, Dr. John Sessa, and the Vanderpump Dog Foundation on what I am certain will be another successful World Dog Day. I look forward to our continued work on animal welfare issues for years to come.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Prevent Blood Loss with Emergency Equipment Devices Act of 2019--the Prevent BLEEDing Act--legislation that would expand access to Bleeding Control Kits (BCKs) in public gathering places across the country. I would like to thank my colleague, Dr. Brad Wenstrup, for introducing this legislation with me, which will help to save lives during emergency situations. Approximately 214,000 people die every year from traumatic incidents. Motor vehicle crashes, shootings, natural disasters, and workplace accidents, to name just a few, oftentimes result in situations where people suffer traumatic blood loss. Such an injury can lead to death within five minutes, where many of these deaths can be prevented. The Prevent BLEEDing Act will help states to distribute thousands of BCKs to schools, libraries, places of worship, concert venues, shopping malls, and any other place where people gather, while providing staff and volunteers at these facilities with the necessary training to utilize the materials. Following the disaster at Sandy Hook in December 2012, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as well as others in the medical community, the federal government, and the U.S. military, convened the Joint Committee to Create a National Policy to Enhance Survivability from Active Shooter Events and Intentional Mass Casualty. The committee's recommendations are called the Hartford Consensus, and they led to the establishment of the Stop the Bleed Program, a national awareness campaign to train and equip everyday Americans with the skills to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. To date, Stop the Bleed has trained nearly 125,000 Americans anti blood-loss skills, empowering them to help prevent unnecessary deaths from blood loss. This legislation builds on that program's successes by amending the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make it easier for states to apply for BCKs through the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). By making these materials more accessible during times of disaster, bystanders with little or no medical training can save lives when confronted with traumatic injury, similar to the use of CPR or automatic defibrillators (AEDs). Madam Speaker, this bill will help save lives. We can't prevent disasters, but we can help to ensure we are ready to respond to them. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 40 high school seniors from Florida's 20th Congressional district, who have chosen to enlist in the United States Armed Forces. Of these forty fine young people, seventeen have joined the United States Army, to include: Yvelande Blanc, Brisa Gonzalez, Coraleigh Little, Josue Aguilar-Gonzalez, Terry Akins, Jovaughn Campbell, Rusheem Gibbs, Richard Joseph, Patrick Newton, Andrea Velez, Christopher Whyte, Tyreik Kelly, Brandon Lee, Yuliana Osoria, Terry Hines, Vanessa Perez-Morales, and Tae'Lonte Wainwright. Eleven have joined the United States Marines Corp, to include: Ernesto Ibarra, Jefremias Mazariegos, Harold Khyle Ong, Caleb Walker, Jose Diez Munoz, Jesus Juarez, Jay Marine, Anthony Medina, Shiloh Robinson, Joseph Saavedra and Alberto Velazquez. Furthermore, eleven have joined the United States Navy, to include: Alessandro Riccio, Shahine Beaumont, Jacob Carrigan, Juliandra Faust, Shakarra Haigood, Julia Hernandez, Dakota Downs, Noah Gonzalez, Jorge Salmeron Gomez, Ciclary Rosas Carranza and Brandon Diaz Guzman. One has joined the Air Force, to include: Alexia Ayers. Thanks to the dedication of patriots such as these, we are able to meet here in the United States House of Representatives and openly debate the best solutions to the diverse issues that confront our nation. On behalf of myself and all my constituents in Florida's 20th Congressional District, I thank them for their service. I wish them the very best of luck now and in the future.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 9-- Climate Action Now Act, I would have voted YES on rollcall #184, had I been present.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor my dear friend, Maude Ford Lee. Maude was a long-time civil rights activist and truly one of a kind. A native of Tallahassee, Maude spent her life advocating for equality. She participated in a bus boycott in her hometown in the 1950s. That action led Tallahassee to desegregate its public transit. She moved to West Palm Beach in the 1960s and spent decades working as a manager of county social programs. Among her many accomplishments, she was the first black candidate elected to the Palm Beach County Commission, where she served for ten years. Her husband, the late Percy Lee, ran the Urban League of Palm Beach County. Maude lobbied for the creation of commission districts as the only way for a black candidate to win a seat in a mostly white county. Through her efforts, single-member districts were created, expanding opportunities for African Americans to run and win in those districts. After stepping away from politics, Maude became president of the West Palm Beach chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In that role, she continued her advocacy for the needs of the African American community, working to address inequities locally and nationwide. She reveled in another first, the 2008 election of Barack Obama as president. ``This is our greatest accomplishment,'' she told the Palm Beach Post at the time. Madam Speaker, if there was such a thing as a community servant, than Maude Ford Lee was it. She will always be remembered for her tireless efforts to bring resources to Florida and the African American community. Her legacy of public service speaks for itself, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew her. I offer my deepest condolences to Maude's family, during this extremely difficult time.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge in honor of the late Nathaniel P. Reed. Nathaniel, who was known as Nat, was an enviromnentalist and champion of Florida's environment. He served as Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the United States Department of the Interior from 1971 to 1977, under President Richard Nixon and President Gerald Ford. Furthermore, had it not been for Nathaniel, our nation would be without the Marine Mammals Protection Act, the intact and expanded Redwoods National Park, the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. Originally born in New York City, Nathaniel spent much of his time growing up in Hobe Sound, Florida. His concern for the environment developed from his firsthand experience with the threat of overpopulation to Florida's natural landscape and by the example of his mother, who was a lead organizer in opposing the development of a theme park on an island near their home. Nathaniel started his career in the family real estate and hotel business in Florida, where his concern for the environment steered him into public service. He went on to serve six Florida governors. He was a member of many environmental advocacy groups, most notably the 1000 Friends of Florida, an organization which he founded, and served as president and chairman. He also served on the boards of the Everglades Foundation (which he helped found), the Nature Conservancy, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Audubon Society, Yellowstone National Park, the National Geographic Society, and the South Florida Water Management District. Throughout his career, he was one of the most eloquent and effective advocates for fish, wildlife and nature of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Hobe Sound National Wildlife refuge is a part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge system, and is the type of vulnerable land Nathaniel dedicated his life to protecting. The newly named Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge will rightly honor his life's work. Madam Speaker, Nathaniel was a powerhouse of Florida politics, but more than that, he was a dear friend and a mentor to me, as well as to countless others. During his six decades of activism, he was a tireless crusader for the environment and the Everglades. Nathaniel inspired generations of conservationists, and what he did for America's River of Grass is immeasurable. Hobe Sound represents the starting place of Nathaniel's love for our nation's environment, and this dedication of the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge in his honor will allow his life and legacy to always endure.

Mr. HASTINGS

Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Jubilee Day, which is celebrated on October 6th of every year by the Fisk University community. Just after the end of the Civil War, the Fisk School was founded in Nashville, Tennessee as an educational institute that would be open to all, regardless of race or age. However, just five years after its founding, the school faced dire economic struggles. In an effort to save the University from closing, a group of students formed a choral group, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, with the goal of raising money to fund the institution. They took all of the funds in the university's treasury for travel expenses, hoping that the enormous risk would pay off. Despite a few initial struggles, the Jubilee Singers eventually came to tour throughout the United States and Europe and raised enough funds to not only preserve the University, but also to pay for the construction of Jubilee Hall, the first permanent structure built for the education of African American students in the South. The singers performed for such notable figures as William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Ulysses S. Grant, William Gladstone, Mark Twain, Johann Strauss, and Queen Victoria. Through their music they introduced the world to the spirituals of enslaved Africans as a musical genre. Since its founding in 1866, Fisk University has educated countless intellectuals, artists, and civic leaders, and has played a pivotal role in the advancement of education for African American students. None of its accomplishments would have been possible without the talents and sacrifices of that first group of nine students. Madam Speaker, as a proud alumnus of Fisk University, I urge my colleagues to honor the hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments of the original Jubilee Singers by cosponsoring this resolution, and I urge its immediate consideration.