Hank Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2061, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017. This is an important piece of legislation and I am pleased to support it. H.R. 2061 reinstates the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004, which was originally designed to address the ``deplorable human rights conditions'' for North Koreans, as well as support various human rights groups and provide solutions toward permanent resettlement for North Korean refugees. Since 2004, the United States has resettled 244 North Korean refugees, making it the largest refugee resettlement program in the world. However, Congress has found that human rights conditions still have not improved as refugees remain at risk of losing their lives. As Americans, we have an enduring bipartisan interest to promote freedom for human rights, the transparency of human rights, and the importance of refugee protection. As members of Congress, we should work with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to expedite the resettlement of refugees, to increase our diplomatic efforts to cooperate with neighboring countries, and to urge China to work with us to help tackle the status of North Korean refugees within their territory. I have seen, firsthand, the positive impact that refugees have had on my community. Clarkston, a city within my district, has received over 40,000 refugees over the past 25 years and almost 1,500 within the past year. These refugees have contributed to our economy and democracy. Clarkston embodies the American spirit, providing a chance to these individuals who left everything behind in the hopes of finding a better life here in America. I am proud of the hope and opportunity of what Clarkston stands for, and that is why I am pleased to support H.R. 2061.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, my friend from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Congressman Dwight Evans, for anchoring this Special Order hour, the subject of which is Root Out Racism, #rootoutracism. It is a sensitive topic, somewhat uncomfortable for people, both Black and White, or shall I say dark-skinned and light-skinned. It is an uncomfortable subject, and no one wants to be accused of being a racist. It has all kinds of emotional connotations and negative connotations, as it should. Because what racism actually is, is a belief, or a doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievements, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior, and has the right to rule others. So in other words, what racism is, is a concept that one believes that their race is superior to the race of someone else. And how racism manifests itself in America, historically, has been that if you are a racist, you are a White person, and you believe that your race is superior to that of a dark-skinned person, a Black person. That has been how racism has unfolded here in America since the White man came to America. Of course, when Christopher Columbus, an Anglo-Saxon from Spain, came to America and discovered America, America was populated, at that time, by what we called the Red man, the Indian, a dark-skinned individual-- darker than the Anglo-Saxon. And so this country has a history of mistreating people severely who are of a different color than white. First, it was the Indians. The feeling was that the European was superior to the Native American. That is the bottom line. Now, also, on that ship coming over in 1607, landing at Jamestown, Virginia, were some indentured servants, some of whom were dark-skinned people. Racism was not necessarily a part of slavery, or indentured servitude, but racism was used to ensure that the multitudes of dark-skinned people who were brought over here from Africa, who outnumbered in the South the number of Europeans, or White people there, racism was used to keep those Black people in their place. In other words, it was not indentured servitude. It was racism based on the subjugation of one group of people, or one race of people by another race of people because the race of people doing the subjugation impressed upon themselves and their children that those dark-skinned people are beneath us. And so slavery became an institution, as did racism. Those ideas of racial superiority still exist today, but it is so sensitive for people to talk about the fact that racism still exists, and even more uncomfortable when someone is accused of being a racist. What is a racist? A racist is a person who believes in racism; the doctrine that the human race is superior, and that one's race is superior to that of another. That is a racist. The problem is, when we don't understand that we are racists. Now, some even say that folks like Black Lives Matter are racists. But that cannot be further from the truth because Black Lives Matter activists are not saying that Blacks are superior to Whites. They are, in fact, saying that all lives are equal; that Black lives matter. So you can't call a Black person a racist when they are not proclaiming their race to be greater than the White race. No. Racism tends to rear its ugly head in America when White people use it to preserve their position on top, superior. And that is what Make America Great Again was all about. It really wasn't make America great again. It was make America White again. That is what the message was. The message was a racist message. It began 4 or 5 years ago when our President started this rumor that President Obama was not an American; he was not one of us; he was from Africa. That is appealing to the subliminal messaging, that subliminal messaging that has been implanted in each one of us since we were born. White folks have been led to believe that they are superior. Now, I am not accusing all White people of being racists, but I think it is a question that all White people have to ask themselves, whether or not they harbor feelings of superiority. Because I do know that when we look at the mass media, the images that Black folks get of themselves by looking at the media are that we are inferior. That is what is implanted in us. That is the legacy of slavery, the legacy of racism and slavery, and it has implanted in our minds that we are inferior. And we have to fight feelings of inferiority just to feel equal. White people, on the other hand, have been implanted with the theory that they are superior. And so this is the American society that we live in. When President Trump, 4 or 5 years ago, accused President Obama of not being an American, not being one of us, and being from Africa, it was code to provoke the racist instincts in people who harbor them. And not all White people harbor that. That is not the point that I am making. But the point is, there was an appeal made to those instincts. That instinct was further aggravated by the insinuation that President Obama was a Muslim; he is not one of us. It is almost dehumanizing. And so that was the code word. Then, when he descended those steps at the Trump Tower and said that all Mexicans were racists and murderers, that was another appeal to the racist instincts in people--in White people, not Black people, not Hispanics, but in White people. And so playing the racist game is what got President Trump elected, bottom line. And so now that he is in office, we see all kinds of racist policies coming back to fruition. My colleagues who have spoken before me have talked about it: criminal justice, drugs in society, the prison industrial complex. They have talked about it. I am not going to point out or go over what they have said, but I will say that racism is alive and well in America. We will never be able to root it out until we all have a conversation with ourselves to ask ourselves, and to probe our own minds and souls to determine whether or not we feel that we are superior, whether or not we place ourselves in line before others just because that is the way it has always been, and we want to make America great again. It is something that we have to think about. It is something that we have to discuss. I, for one, love my fellow man regardless of color, and I know that even many people who don't know that they are racists love their brothers and sisters, and so they will at least sit down and talk. That is what I have to do as a Black man, is to talk with as many people of different colors as I can to show them my humanity, to let them know that I appreciate their humanity, and that I love them. Maybe through love, we will be able to overcome the scourge of racism that is historical here in America and that is alive, well, and in living color today.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 3440, the DREAM Act, to protect DREAMers like Rey, a priest at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to reauthorize the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. While this bill will reauthorize the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Southwest Border Regional Commission, and the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, I will focus my remarks on the need for a commission that covers parts of my district--the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission encompasses most of the counties of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and parts of my district in Georgia. This area is home to millions of rural and impoverished Americans still reeling from decades of job displacement and a lack of investment. Families in Georgia and all across the South need the help of this Congress as well as the Trump Administration to break out of the unacceptable cycle of poverty and unemployment. Although the Commission was first authorized by Congress in 2008, a federal co-chair has never been appointed and thus, has not yet had a chance to make a difference. In addition to the introduction of this legislation, I will be calling on President Trump to appoint a federal co-chair so that the full potential of this program can be realized to put the Southeast Crescent region on the road to recovery. Working with the states and localities, the Commission can assist in leveraging public, private and philanthropic resources to improve the overall economy and infrastructure of the region to encourage private investment and promote growth in distressed areas. We have seen the success achieved through targeted investments by other regional economic development agencies, it is now time for the Southeast Crescent region have the same opportunity. The Commission can help develop the community's economic competitiveness and leverage private investment to help improve infrastructure and public transportation, so that workers aren't stuck in endless gridlock and can get to and from work seamlessly. It can help provide job skills training and entrepreneurial development, ensuring that the jobs that are available can be filled by competent workers. We have an historic opportunity to help create good jobs and develop an historically disadvantaged region. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and finally giving a region that has suffered from historic disadvantages the chance to thrive and succeed.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congresswoman, and I rise in strong support for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on the important topic of forced arbitration. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 111. Forced arbitration is a modern twist to an old trick, tricking people out of their day in court. Forced arbitration tricks people out of their constitutional right to a jury trial on their claim against corporate special interests. Forced arbitration prohibits consumers from taking their case to court for a jury trial and forces the consumer into the back room with a secret arbitrator selected by the corporation who then decides the case for the corporation. It doesn't take a genius to know what happens when you get behind those closed doors. The outcome will be against the consumer. It is not fair; it is not right; and it is not justice. Corporate special interests trick consumers into giving up their rights to a jury trial by hiding forced arbitration clauses in the fine print of consumer agreements that they require consumers to accept when there is no other choice. Consider the latest example from Wells Fargo, which was caught red- handed engaging in unscrupulous banking practices to the detriment of their customers. They were ruining the credit of their customers by opening millions of fake accounts in the names of their unsuspecting customers. When Wells Fargo got caught, their customers were barred from going to court because they had unknowingly agreed to the forced arbitration. If this is not adding insult to injury, I don't know what is. Congress authorized CFPB to consider banning or limiting forced arbitration in cases of consumer financial products or services. The CFPB found that forced arbitration clauses denied consumers the ability to obtain justice. That is why Congress should vote in approval of the rule for the CFPB and reject H.J. Res. 111.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, July 24, 2017, I was unavoidably detained attending to a funeral in my home state. Thus, I was not present for the rollcall votes that were cast. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: 1. H.R. 3180--Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018--I would have voted ``no.'' 2. S. 114--A bill to authorize appropriations for the Veterans Choice Program--I would have voted ``no.'' 3. H.R. 3218--Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act--I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the United States has been a leader welcoming refugees for decades. Refugees seek our shores to escape war, political and religious persecution, and sometimes fear of imminent death. People flee danger seeking refuge and safety. As Americans, we should be the last to perpetuate an environment that causes refugees to live in a state of fear and terror right here in America. I represent the residents of Clarkston, Georgia. As a refugee resettlement hub, Clarkston is often referred to as the most diverse square mile in America. Clarkston's refugees have established themselves as taxpayers; they have started thriving businesses; and 91 percent obtain jobs and become completely self-sufficient within 6 months of arriving in the U.S. The great diversity and cultural richness that they bring to our communities has made the Fourth District a better place to live, work, and play. Today we show our support for refugees. Today we should all stand to send a message that we will continue our work to support refugees as they continue to boost local economies and contribute to our communities with their unique and enriching cultures.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to bring this bill up for a vote soon. This country's employees and businesses deserve quick action.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Nadler for yielding. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1393, the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2017, is an important, bipartisan bill that will help workers and small businesses across the country--large businesses, also. As the proud sponsor of this legislation in both the 110th and 111th Congresses, I am very familiar with how hard legislators on both sides of the aisle have worked since then to bring this bill to this point. I want to thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, for ushering this bill to the House to this point, and I ask my colleagues to please vote in favor of this legislation. H.R. 1393 would provide for a uniform and easily administrable law that will simplify the patchwork of existing inconsistent and confusing State rules. It would also reduce administrative costs to the States and lessen compliance burdens on consumers. Take my home State of Georgia as an example. If an Atlanta-based employee of a St. Louis company travels to headquarters on a business trip once a year, that employee would be subject to Missouri tax, even if the annual visit only lasts for 1 day. However, if that employee travels to Maine, her trip would only be subject to tax if her trip lasts for 10 days. If she travels to New Mexico on business, she would only be subject to tax if she was in the State for 15 days. Acuity Brands is a leading Georgia-based lighting manufacturer that employs over 1,000 associates and has over 3,200 associates nationwide who travel extensively across the country for training, conferences, and other business. In a letter in support of a prior, nearly identical version of this bill, Richard Reece, Acuity's executive vice president, writes that current State laws are numerous, varied, and often changing, requiring that the company expend significant resources merely interpreting and satisfying States' requirements. He concludes that ``unified, clear rules and definitions for nonresident reporting and withholding obligations would undoubtedly improve compliance rates, and it would strike the correct balance between State sovereignty and ensuring that America's modern mobile workforce is not unduly encumbered.'' We should heed the concerns of Acuity, and numerous other businesses across the country, by enacting H.R. 1393 into law.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. With over 57 cosponsors during this Congress, it is clear that the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2017 is an idea whose time has come. I thank my colleagues for their work on this bill and, in particular, Congressman Bishop, for his leadership on this bill in the 115th Congress. He has carried the torch for our esteemed former colleague, the late Howard Coble, who passed this bill out of the House in the 112th Congress. I also thank our staffs, who have worked tirelessly to build support for this legislation along bipartisan lines. This bill is a testament to the good that can come from working across the aisle on bipartisan tax fairness reforms. I am optimistic that the passage of H.R. 1393 augurs well for the passage of other e- fairness legislation, which is critical to countless small businesses across the country, during this Congress.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with great disgust that I rise in condemnation of President Trump's withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate accord. Despite his promise to make America great again, the President's pullout from this agreement does exactly the opposite. It puts America behind 194 other countries that have placed truth and reality over ignorance. Climate change is real and it is manmade. It is a threat that must be addressed, and it is extremely frustrating that this administration has chosen to withdraw from the global fight against global warming. This pullout sends a message that the United States is no longer interested in leading the efforts to stop global warming, and it is a self- inflicted wound and undercuts trust in American leadership. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will not save the coal industry, it won't make America great again, and it is another impulsive and destructive decision by this administration that hurts our future.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to H.R. 1842, the Strengthening Children's Safety Act of 2017. Crimes against children are abhorrent, and those who commit them should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In 2015, in my home state of Georgia, 22,163 children were victims of abuse. Eight hundred of those children were subjected to sexual abuse. I recognize the merits of H.R. 1842. However, as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, I cannot support a bill which brings sweeping changes to Federal code without a thorough review process. This bill creates mandatory minimum sentences, which will effectively remove discretion from the judges who should be making sentencing decisions--not Congress. This bill has good intentions, and as a member of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, I am in favor of strengthening the laws that protect our nation's children. However, this bill also enacts major changes in the criminal law, and I do not believe it is right for our committee to pass this bill without holding the appropriate hearings. I believe that the testimony of experts in the fields relevant to this bill would be of great use and would help ensure that this committee does not pass a bill that will impose unfair, mandatory sentences on individuals. This committee does not know the facts of every child abuse case--but the judge that hears those cases will. That is why I believe we should not bind judges to give mandatory minimum sentences. For this reason, I urge my colleagues to vote NAY on this resolution.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to Robert ``Ian'' Maloney. Ian is a May 2017 graduate of Georgetown Preparatory School. Georgetown Preparatory School is the world's oldest Catholic and Jesuit school for boys. Ian's time at Georgetown Preparatory School closes the chapter on a stellar high school career. At Prep, Ian maintained a four year ``A'' average and was recognized as a National Hispanic Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and President of the Black Student Association. Volunteer work, tutoring inner city students, renovating homes for Habitat for Humanity, feeding homeless families at Thanksgiving were but a few of his selfless community activities. Aside from academics, Ian has also been a scholar athlete, lettering in tennis and leading as Captain of the Varsity team. In fact recently, Ian was certified by the internationally recognized Professional Tennis Registry as an Instructor. As the chapter closes on Georgetown Prep, it opens for Ian at Brown University. Of the 32,720 students who applied to Brown University's class of 2021, Ian was accepted early decision. According to the Dean of Admission, ``this admitted student group is extraordinary in every way. . . .'' Mr. Speaker, Robert ``Ian'' Maloney is extraordinary in ``every way.'' He is a young man of integrity, intellectual excellence, and caring for others. Please join me in saluting Ian and wishing him every success as he brings great pride to his family and our country as a member of the Brown University class of 2021.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition of H.R. 1862, the Global Child Protection Act of 2017. Studies completed by the Centers for Disease Control show that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are sexually abused before the age of 18. Furthermore, these numbers may not be completely accurate--acts of child sexual abuse are often not reported, and experts agree that incidence is higher than what is discovered by authorities. These acts can be detrimental to youth, multiple studies have shown that child sexual abuse victims are twice as likely to develop mental health conditions. In my home state of Georgia, 800 children suffered from sexual abuse in 2015. As a member of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, I am in strong support of giving law enforcement any and every legal tool they need to protect children and punish abusers. However, as someone who is passionate about criminal justice reform, I cannot support the current version of this bill. Crimes against children are pathetic and disgusting, and those who hurt children must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. While we want to protect these vulnerable individuals, it is also important to consider the legal ramifications of this bill. We are considering a bill that would impose a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment in many cases. Repeat offenders should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, I do not believe that mandatory minimum sentences are an effective solution. Congress does not know the facts of every case--but the judges will. That is why I do not support legally binding judges to give mandatory sentences--but instead giving the judges the freedom to consider each option available. Again, I fully support the goal of this bill--punishing those who commit horrible crimes against children. However, if we are going to make such substantial changes to U.S. federal code, I believe that this bill requires more discussion. In its current form, I cannot support H.R. 1862. I would encourage my colleagues to vote NAY on this resolution.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1428, the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017. This bill will positively affect the way we fight crime in our nation. The American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017 provides for the prioritization of the hiring of veterans to police forces across the nation and will allow public funds granted by the Community Oriented Policing Services program to be allocated towards the hiring and training of veterans entering local police forces. Our veterans are some of the bravest and most honorable men and women in this nation. They have voluntarily risen to the occasion to protect our nation from foreign threats. These men and women have served in far flung, dangerous places around the globe, from Iraq and Afghanistan to Vietnam to Lebanon. They have risked their lives to fulfill the goal of President Woodrow Wilson: to ``make the world safe for democracy.'' These veterans helped bring freedom and security to oppressed peoples, while protecting and serving all Americans, to protect our unique and comfortable existence. Our veterans are currently plagued with issues such as mental health issues often stemming from combat experience, drug abuse, unemployment, and homelessness. Veterans are currently more likely to become homeless after serving, more likely to be unemployed, and more likely to fall under the oppression of hard drugs. By implementing the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017, we, as a Congress, will be continuing our commitment to our veterans by helping to provide them with jobs. These jobs will provide a stable income and resources for our veterans to access, in case of debilitating mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Our veterans will be able to continue serving the American people with the particular training and expertise provided by the greatest military in the world. They have had access to education and are highly skilled at a plethora of jobs that municipal police departments can utilize to their advantage. By hiring these men and women, police forces around the nation can make the nation a safer, more secure place. I give my full support to the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017. This bill not only provides employment for our veterans, who have provided so much for our nation, but also makes our cities safer places to live.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 510, the Rapid DNA Act of 2017. The Rapid DNA Act, or H.R. 510, will aid law enforcement in its effort to solve cases and bring justice to the victims of crimes. In particular, victims of rape and sexual assault will be able to regain peace of mind because this legislation increases the likelihood that these perpetrators will be captured. The language of the Rapid DNA Act gives law enforcement investigators the ability to facilitate the quick testing of DNA tests, such as rape kits. DNA material is sensitive and has only a limited time before it is rendered useless. This act addresses the issue by removing some of the preexisting regulations and red tape that have hindered this process in the past. It is a disservice to the American people to deny them the results from a Rape Kit. They deserve the truth. The Constitution of the United States ensures that every citizen of the United States of America has the right to privacy, as stated in the Fourth Amendment to the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. The Rapid DNA Act of 2017 will increase the chance that those who committed such wrongs and those who have inhumanely violated the basic rights and dignity of another person are brought to justice by streamlining the process and by reducing regulations around the testing of these kits. H.R. 510 would provide amendments to the DNA Identification Act of 1994 and the DNA Backlog Analysis Backlog Act of 2000 that require more external regulation for all Rapid DNA tests. Organizations performing such tests would still be audited by the Federal government to ensure the quality of test. It will also be accredited by credible, nonprofit institutions that will lend the imprimatur of reliability. I fully support this measure and I am firmly committed to bringing justice to offenders of these crimes. This bill will provide relief to the countless victims of sexual assault. Rape kits often go untested because of existing regulations that make it more difficult to test such time sensitive data. I support this legislation.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1616, or the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017. This piece of legislation will help our local and state agencies protect against the rising threat of cybercrime. The Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017 will provide more protection for our citizens by sharing the expertise and knowledge of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with local and state agencies so that they have the ability to stop these threats at a local level. Law enforcement officials in states, tribes, and territories will be provided with additional training to identify potential issues. Cybercrime is a growing threat to American security. Hackers have become notorious lately, stealing a plethora of information including credit cards numbers, security codes, bank numbers, and other personal information that can compromise the security of an individual. Further protections and training in cyber security also protect local municipalities and state government intranets and cyber services which are also at risk of compromise. In DHS, there is an organization known as the National Computer Forensics Institute that is under the oversight of the United States Secret Service. The Institute oversees the fight against cyber threats on a national level. Under H.R. 1616, the members of the Institute will be able to provide high quality training to lower echelon departments at state and local levels, to assist them in the battle against cybercrime. On top of the training, the Institute will provide new, advanced technology to these agencies to even further their ability to combat cybercrime. As technology has progressed, hackers have found new ways to dishonestly make a living. We are at the precipice of a new age of technological advances that come with more sinister implications. With new technology, new threats have materialized that can have major impacts on all of our lives. Hackers can steal personal files, ruin our reputations, and destroy our financial stability. They can slow or destabilize our local governments, making our lives harder. This bill helps to put the United States at an advantage against hackers. We will now be able to more effectively combat these criminals

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1892, The Honoring Hometown Heroes Act. This bill will be crucial in giving the courageous first responders the recognition they deserve. The Honoring Hometown Heroes Act, or H.R. 1892, will help give honor to those who have passed away while serving their communities. First responders are some of the most important people in the country. They put out the fires that threaten our homes. They keep our streets safe to live on. They bring people who are suffering from a medical issue to the hospital to provide them with the care that they need. They investigate the crimes that have been committed and bring the perpetrators to justice. These brave men and women are often volunteers, who merely want to help their communities. These jobs are often dangerous. They involve fires, carbon monoxide, violence, and other hostile acts. Unfortunately, due to the dangerous nature of this work, not all of these men and women survive. They are killed serving their communities, making them better places to live. These men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice to their towns and cities. They deserve as much honor and respect that can be bestowed upon them and their families. I have the utmost respect and admiration for these men and women and believe that this bill gives proper public respect to fallen first responders. Governors will now be able to declare the flag to be lowered to half-mast. This gives governors the ability to immediately honor the fallen first responders. These men and women deserve as much. I believe that Congressman Larson's bill is a necessity for the United States. It is regrettable that such legislation has not been passed before this time. I put my full support behind this effort to honor those who have fallen in the service of others. This bill is an example of true patriotism that all members of this chamber, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, can get behind for the benefit of the fallen first responders, their families, and the American people. I therefore urge passage of H.R. 1892.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Saturday, May 20 marks the one- year anniversary of the inauguration of President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan. President Tsai's election was not only historic, in that she is the first woman to be elected to that high office, but as the third peaceful election transferring power from one political party to another. It also demonstrates the maturity of Taiwan's democracy--a system where the will of the people is respected and followed. The relationship between Taiwan and the United States is one of shared values, and is cemented by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, a creation of the Congress, and the Six Assurances of 1982 by President Ronald Reagan. It is supported by countless freedom-loving Americans, many of whom are members of Taiwanese-American communities all over the United States. While our two countries have much to celebrate on this occasion, old challenges are resurfacing where Taiwan's participation as a constructive member of the global community is concerned. This is most recently manifest in the withholding of the invitation to the World Health Assembly that begins on May 22. Taiwan's 23 million people have much to offer the other peoples of the globe, and in a time of unique challenges, the best minds and talents everywhere in the world should have a part in creating our solutions. We in the Congress, who have been supportive of Taiwan's participation countless times in the past, must make ourselves heard again on this matter. On this occasion, I wish President Tsai every success as her administration continues to unfold, and I want her--as well as her fellow citizens--to know that we stand with them.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1678, which I rise in support of, is a bill that will clarify the existing statute of limitations for public assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to State, tribal, and local grantees. Pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, or the Stafford Act, FEMA provides public assistance grants to State, tribal, and local governments to assist in their recovery efforts after a disaster strikes. Generally, FEMA approves the use for public assistance funds immediately after the disaster or while the project is being completed. This is the appropriate time to decide how a grantee should spend disaster funds. Once the project is completed, the grantee submits documentation of completion to FEMA. However, in some instances, FEMA or the inspector general has reviewed projects many years or even a decade after the grantee has submitted project completion documents. At times, FEMA has changed its policy determination on the appropriate use of the funds, or the inspector general has second-guessed FEMA's decision on the appropriate use of the funds. FEMA then tries to recover project funds years later. Under this bill introduced by Congresswoman Frankel, FEMA may still attempt to recover funds but must do so within 3 years after the project is completed. I commend Representative Frankel for her commitment to address this issue. She has worked tirelessly to bring this matter to the forefront. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1678, as amended. I am pleased and proud to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel), the author and sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.