Marcy Kaptur

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to welcome a new chapter for Ohio's Sixth Congressional District and all of us from the delegation on both sides of the aisle gather to extend a warm welcome to Congressman Michael Rulli, who steps into the shoes of our former colleague, the esteemed Bill Johnson. For 13 years, Bill served Ohio's Sixth District with dedication and commitment. Congressman Rulli prepares to continue this legacy of service to the people of Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Mahoning, Monroe, Noble, Stark, Tuscarawas, and Washington Counties. As the dean of Ohio's delegation and a fellow Ohioan who understands the profound responsibility that comes with representing the hardworking people of our State, I welcome Congressman Rulli to Congress. His background as the director of operations for Rulli Brothers Markets, a century-old family-owned grocery store in Youngstown brings a refreshing perspective to our delegation. Having grown up in a family business myself that also operated our family's grocery called Supreme Market in Rossford, Ohio, I already feel a special kinship with Michael. I hold high hope that his experience in business and community service, coupled with his time in the Ohio State Senate will help our delegation craft policies that foster economic growth and community well-being for our Buckeye State. Mr. Speaker, I welcome Michael. May he never lose sight of what brought him here. May he be guided by his faith to serve and make a difference in the lives of others. As members of the Ohio delegation, we are middle America and we know the importance of bipartisanship as we work together, across party lines, to tackle the challenges that face our State and Nation. The people of Ohio and our Nation deserve no less. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to embracing a spirit of collaboration with him and all of our colleagues with a shared commitment to the common good. Together, let us commit to working side by side, not as partisans, but as partners in progress for Ohio and America. We welcome his new ideas and energy that he will bring to our discussions and legislative discourse. Once again, I welcome Congressman Rulli. May his tenure in Congress be marked by success, fulfillment, good health, and a legacy of service. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner), our diligent friend and chair of the House Intelligence Committee.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, it is now my distinct honor to yield to the newest Member of our body and delegation, the Honorable Michael Rulli.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and gratefully share the news that the U.S. Department of Transportation's RAISE grant program has awarded over $19 million for Toledo, Ohio's Glass City Riverwalk. This new support, coupled with $23.6 million received from the U.S. Department of Transportation's BUILD program in 2020, signifies a transformative investment of over $42 million in the heart of the city of Toledo for infrastructure modernization and environmental restoration. The Glass City Riverwalk spans 5 miles along both sides of the Maumee River, the largest river that flows into the Great Lakes by drainage area. It truly embodies our commitment to sustainable development, equitable access to green spaces, and enhancement of local quality of life. The riverwalk was conceived and built by our Metroparks system and has won national top awards for its design and innovation. As community redevelopment occurs, now is the moment to imagine new possibilities showcasing our freshwater bounty, creating new energy conservation and production in the heart of Toledo, and growing and processing fresh vegetables and foods in the heart of our city on both sides of our magnificent river, our life source. Toledo, it is time to celebrate building forward.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, Ukraine is fighting valiantly to regain its freedom, but today I wish to highlight the sheroes of Ukraine, its women. These Ukrainian women work hard in the fields and farmsteads to feed their families, neighbors, and nation during war and during peace. These women labor day after day in the hot sun. By hand--you should see their hands--they plant precious seeds they carefully saved from last year using worn, simple implements, and small handheld shovels. They harvest with scythes and use simple pushcarts to pull their harvest by hand back to their small villages. Underequipped, they toil year after year as best they can against the forces of nature of the season of the hardscrabble circumstances of their dear lives. Along Ukraine's eastern front where Russia has brutally invaded and is systematically destroying villagers and villages, these courageous women are planting. They are planting between land mines. Who can even fathom their heroism? They feed their children, their families, their neighbors, their countrymen and -women. Let us celebrate these inspirational women of Ukraine, women of hope. Their extraordinary sheroism is perseverance. Their grace under pressure is defined by what U.S. President John F. Kennedy called ``pure raw courage.''

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor and remember Mr. Morgan Williams, a remarkable red, white, and blue patriot who loved freeholder agriculture and its connection to liberty. An experienced agriculturalist with a deep passion for farming, Morgan was a friend and tireless advocate for U.S.-Ukraine relations. For the last four decades of his life, he devoted himself halfway around our world to developing the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and Business Council, profoundly influencing the growth and strength of business ties between our two nations. He understood the precious potential of Ukraine to our world. He also compassionately assembled the largest collection of artworks about Stalin's forced famine in Ukraine in the last century, the Holodomor, in which millions upon millions upon millions of innocents perished. He was a fervent supporter of Ukrainian culture and history. He was one of a kind. Morgan's efforts and love for Ukraine have left an indelible mark, and his absence leaves a great void in many hearts. We honor his memory and commitment to liberty and his understanding of the land freely held or not freely held, and when not freely held, how permanent serfdom locks down. May his legacy inspire us all to strive for a free and prosperous Ukraine. Rest in peace, Morgan. Your life has made a difference on planet Earth.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to champion the American solar industry and its dedicated workers. Northwest Ohio, the glass capital, is home to thousands of jobs in solar manufacturing, proving American ingenuity and hard work can drive our Nation's clean energy future. Yet, these jobs and this critical industry are under severe threat. China's state-subsidized solar companies are flooding our markets with illegally dumped products, routing their operation through Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam to dodge U.S. tariffs. This blatant circumvention not only undermines our domestic manufacturers but also jeopardizes our energy security. Both I and Senator Sherrod Brown, with our House and Senate colleagues, have sent a letter urging the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce to thoroughly investigate these unfair practices. Thankfully, the ITC has heard our call and announced an investigation last Friday into these illegal practices. By enforcing strong trade policies, our Nation can foster a diverse, competitive, and secure solar manufacturing base inside the boundaries of the United States of America. Only then will our Nation create middle-class jobs that deliver economic value but also pave the way for our Nation's path to energy independence in perpetuity.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life and legacy of Richard Neller, affectionately known as Rico, who passed away recently. Rico's life was a living testament to dedication, passion, and community service. After choosing Toledo, Ohio, as his home, his commitment to education shown through. He began his career as a high school teacher in Toledo Public Schools, but his journey didn't stop there. He then pursued a law degree from the University of Toledo and became a highly respected criminal defense attorney, but his true passion was journalism, pursuing truth. That passion led him to found LaPrensa Newspaper in 1989, and he became the vital voice for Toledo, Ohio's Latino community. He also established numerous scholarship funds and awards, enriching our cultural landscape and providing opportunities for so many. His contributions extended far beyond his professional life. Richard's love for his family was paramount, and he is survived by his children and numerous grandchildren, who carry forward his legacy of learning, seeking truth, and generous philanthropy. Today, we celebrate Richard's life as a true beacon of America's creative spirit and generosity. Rico's life inspires us all.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, more than 1 year ago, the people of East Palestine, Ohio, faced a crisis that shook their community to its core, caused by a train derailment. The Norfolk Southern train derailment unleashed a torrent of toxic chemicals, leaving a trail of uncertainty and toxic clouds of environmental fear in its wake. Today, we stand here not just to acknowledge the pain of the past, but to act for the future. Alongside my Ohio colleague, David Joyce, we recently introduced the bipartisan East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act of 2024. It is about ensuring that the voices of the affected communities are heard and that their concerns are addressed. By authorizing funding for a comprehensive study of the long-term health impacts, we commit to understanding the full extent of the damage caused and providing necessary support for recovery. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in this crucial bipartisan and bicameral endeavor. Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of all Americans, and let us ensure that no community is left behind.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following speech I gave commemorating the 20th anniversary of The World War II Memorial on the National Mall.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a matter of profound importance: the implementation of the bipartisan and bicameral REPO Act. This legislation, signed into law on April 24, grants the President the authority to seize Russian sovereign assets frozen in the United States and transfer them to Ukraine for its reconstruction. As co-chair and cofounder of the Ukraine Caucus, I cannot overstate the urgency of this action. Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine demands a decisive response from the international community. By swiftly implementing the REPO Act, we can provide crucial support to Ukraine. REPO proceeds will demonstrate our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and efforts to rebuild once the war is over. Let me commend the administration's efforts to collaborate with our G7 and European allies in this endeavor. Together, we can establish an international compensation mechanism that leverages frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's benefit. The time to act is now. Let us show the world America's resolve and stand resolute with Ukraine against Putin's aggression and tyranny.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the inspiring story of Antrone ``Juice'' Williams, a remarkable individual from Lucas County, Ohio. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Williams 2 years ago, and since then, his journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Antrone is not just a dedicated athlete with the Special Olympics Lucas County Lightning, but also a relentless advocate for his community. As the former president of the Central Resident Advisory Board, he tirelessly represented over 11,000 residents in Lucas Metropolitan Housing. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to Ivy Entrepreneurs business school where he rose to new heights, becoming the CEO and founder of the H.O.W. Inc. Foundation, Helping Others Win. Antrone's achievements are vast, but perhaps most notable is his pioneering accomplishment as the first physically challenged man to become an independent provider. Antrone's story is a beacon of hope for those living with physical challenges. His story is a powerful reminder that our circumstances do not define us, our spirit and determination do. To Antrone I say: Onward. We are so proud of you.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to applaud a convening that took place yesterday at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library in northwestern Ohio. We gathered community leaders from across our region with representatives from the Departments of Energy and Treasury, local organizations, businesses, and municipalities and focused on ways our enterprising region can think big. The Inflation Reduction Act, which passed Congress in 2022, is paying huge dividends. IRA tax incentives and related infrastructure support, especially the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are helping to achieve private and public sector cooperation and investment to fix our roads, produce more affordable energy, and improve old water and wastewater systems across our vast region. Domestic energy independence begins right here in northwestern Ohio. When we think big, together we can transform our local economy, attract major investments from industry and agriculture, and create good- paying, union jobs. I thank all those who visited our region. We are prepared for a modernized future. We want to use all the tools this Congress passed to help to make America sustainable. We begin that right in northwestern Ohio. Congratulations and onward to all.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to advocate for the brave men and women who serve our Nation's defense selflessly, often at great personal sacrifice. Congresswoman Jennifer Kiggans of Virginia and I recently introduced the bipartisan Care for Military Kids Act. Our legislation aims to ensure servicemembers can maintain critical healthcare coverage and medical services for their children and families no matter where their service assigns them. Our servicemembers relocate frequently and uproot their families in service to our Nation wherever their orders lead them. Yet, despite their sacrifices, healthcare coverage for some of their children remains uncertain due to Medicaid and CHIP coverage being administered at the State level. We cannot allow military families to face this added burden of healthcare insecurity. By establishing a streamlined Medicaid plan, we provide clarity and consistency to ensure no child of a servicemember goes without essential medical services. Let's stand together in full support of our military families. Over 3 million children are involved. With the Care for Military Kids Act, we have the opportunity to fulfill our duty to those who serve and nobly protect our Nation and us. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to sign on to this bipartisan bill.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advocate for the designation of May 15 as National Senior Fraud Awareness Day. This bipartisan resolution we are introducing aims to draw attention to the alarming increase in fraudulent schemes targeting seniors across the United States. In 2023 alone, individuals over 60 reported losses totaling nearly $2 billion from various forms of fraud spanning all 50 States. Senior fraud is not merely a regional concern. It is a pervasive national challenge that demands our collective attention. We must collaborate to implement effective policies and measures aimed at preventing these scams to protect our seniors from financial exploitation. One of the major obstacles to combating senior fraud is the significant underreporting of incidents. Many victims hesitate to come forward due to feelings of shame, stigma, and a lack of awareness regarding where to report such crimes. By designating May 15 as National Senior Fraud Awareness Day, we can raise public awareness, empower seniors with knowledge, and provide them with the resources they need to report fraud effectively. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in our bipartisan effort to end fraud against seniors.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Larson, for his persevering leadership on this critical issue to millions and millions and millions of Americans and Assistant Leader Neguse for his leadership. I thank them for being here this evening. I appreciate Mr. Larson yielding me time to highlight the importance of Social Security but also his tireless work to safeguard and ensure coverage in Social Security for all Americans who qualify for their earned benefits which the gentleman and every single Member who got up here tonight have talked about this evening. This is not a welfare program. This is an earned benefit. For nearly a century, America has made a sacred promise: Those who work hard throughout their lives will benefit from the fruits of their labor during their retirement. Social Security promises the safe and secure retirement for tens of millions of Americans during their golden years. However, we are here tonight because without action by this House leading, that promise is at risk. Like my colleagues, I represent probably over 150,000 retirees, the majority women, in northwest Ohio who want to see responsible solutions to protect Social Security going forward. For Ohio that includes eliminating the windfall penalty. I agree with Congressman Larson. The billionaire class must join the vast majority of Americans in paying their fair share into this critical system. Yes, it is a retirement system, but it is also an insurance system, it is a disability system, and it is a survivorship system for children. By making that happen, the Social Security 2100 Act championed by Congressman Larson will increase benefits for current and new beneficiaries. It will protect retirees against inflation, and it will repeal the windfall elimination provision once and for all. The Social Security 2100 Act is one of the most important bills before this Congress, and we must push leadership for a vote on this House floor as soon as possible. It impacts 68 million beneficiaries. Already there are 184 House cosponsors of this bill, and Speaker Johnson could move this bill to the floor for a vote tomorrow. Additionally, the Social Security Fairness Act has 319 bipartisan cosponsors, more than two-thirds of the Chamber, and they can't get a vote. It is stopped up in the leadership. America made a promise to workers, and Democrats are committed to making good on that promise. I am a granddaughter of immigrants who worked at the lowest wage and worst jobs. First fired; last hired. They simply could not have existed if it were not for Social Security in their retirement years. The same is true for our parents. You see, Mr. Speaker, Social Security is not just a program. It is a trust, a sacred trust, and that trust is intergenerational. I may be the only Member here this evening who was present in the 98th Congress in April of 1983 to vote for the refinancing of Social Security Title 2 for the next generation. It was among the most critical votes I ever cast, and I remember it to this day. We stood on this floor, and we cheered. That vote was extremely important because it refinanced Social Security for the first time in a generation. It left some work undone, which we must repair, but it resulted from a brokered compromise between Republican President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker Tip O'Neill. They knew how to compromise. Now, Congress must meet its responsibility to do the same for this generation and those that follow. Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure that we place in the Record information about that brokered compromise and also reports from U.S. News and World Report and other materials that attend to that extraordinary moment in history. Let's get the job done. We ask Speaker Johnson to bring up H.R. 2100 for a vote. I thank Congressman Larson, Congressman Neguse, and Congressman Cartwright, who are here this evening as part of this important messaging to the American people to say: The time is now. Bring up H.R. 2100. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his extraordinary and persevering leadership.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate National Police Week. This week comes at a time when Republicans have spent the past year trying to cut local law enforcement budgets to the bone. Current Republican Study Committee plans threaten to cut funding for nearly 30,000 law enforcement jobs nationwide. Our police forces perform their duties with great honor and courage. However, Republican efforts to defund our local police will only make their jobs harder. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support COPS funding and ask them to please cosponsor our bipartisan legislation that equips our law enforcement with the tools they need to adequately address the ongoing mental health crisis in the field, our jails, and our prisons. H.R. 3501, the Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act, will provide funding to law enforcement at all levels for responding to behavioral health crises. Our Nation has a severe mental health crisis. Law enforcement officers are often the first to respond. It is vital for them to have all the right tools and training to manage sensitive incidents safely and effectively. Mr. Speaker, I send a big salute to our dutiful law enforcement officers in northwest Ohio and across our Nation, who we value.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of a milestone in our region's history. Toledo Public Schools celebrated 175 years of education today. As the school system notes, ``or 175 years, Toledo Public Schools has been one of the most influential institutions in the history of our city. The lives of hundreds of thousands of Toledoans have been formed within the walls of their neighborhood schools, leading to each one's mark on the future of our society. From its inception on May 8, 1849 to present day, TPS remains a progressive, forward-thinking school district.'' The first Toledo Public School Board was convened 175 years ago today. Only two years later, in 1851, Lagrange School was the first school to open. Two years after that, on August 15, 1853, the cornerstone was laid for the high school. When it opened in 1854 it also provided an education for girls, graduating the first young lady in the original Class of 1857. Leading social change again and again, Toledo Public Schools became integrated in 1871 and opened a school for children with disabilities in 1918. Toledo has long been at the forefront of the election of women to public office, starting with the election of Pauline Steinem to the board of education in 1904, the first woman elected any office in the city. Many years later, in 1990 Toledo Public Schools would once again prove itself a progressive agent for change with the appointment of Dr. Crystal Ellis, a longtime educator, as the first African-American Superintendent. In addition to academic excellence, vocational and college preparatory training, Toledo Public Schools' students have won praise on the athletic field as well. From its beginnings, when Scott High School was declared the national football champs in 1916 and subsequent years, Toledo Public Schools have boasted many powerhouse athletic teams. At the same time, leading citizens in our community trace part of their success to the lessons learned in Toledo Public Schools. Reflecting the general population growth during the baby boom generation, Toledo Public Schools saw its highest numbers of both schools and students during the 1960s. Even now, it remains one of the area's largest employers and the fourth largest school district in the State of Ohio. Today, Toledo Public Schools is led by Dr. Romulus Durant, himself a product of Toledo Public Schools, who ably leads the school district's navigation in the 21st Century, declaring students, teachers, parents, administrators, and community to be ``TPS Proud.'' Toledo Public Schools is the core of our city. Graduates of years past, present and future are tied to one another with an invisible thread with memories and experience connecting them. In the Fall of 1967, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited the student at Scott High School, delivering inspiring oratory. Since its inception 175 years ago, Toledo Public Schools has delivered on the promise of words Dr. King once spoke when he explained, ``The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education.'' As Toledo Public Schools marches TPS Proud into the next years, that goal remains strong. Onward.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, northwest Ohio mourns the passing of W. Charles Welch, who passed on Sunday, April 21, 2024. He became known far and wide simply as ``Charlie Chuck.'' Born in 1938 in Talladega, Alabama, he later moved to Detroit and joined Greater St. Peter AME Zion Church where he met his wife Marjorie Chester at choir rehearsal. They became sweethearts at 13 and 14, eventually marrying and raising five children--Rosalind, Katrina, Debra, Charles Bernard, and Trina. Charles played piano at Detroit nightclubs, but his true calling came when he started his radio career in the 1960s. He was working for free at WJLB when he was hired by Toledo's WKLR in 1969. Charlie Chuck was off and running. He spent years in radio, later founding The Juice FM 107.3 WJUC, the first African-American radio station in Ohio in 1997. It became known as the People's Station. He lived by the credo that if you have a good idea about a dream, think of the three P's: prayer, perseverance, and patience. May his inspiration bring comfort to his dear family, friends, and listening audience for whom he created a beloved community.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate and recognize Quinyon Mitchell, a cornerback from the University of Toledo. Quinyon was recently selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Northwest Ohio is undeniably proud of Mr. Mitchell. He became the first Toledo Rocket selected in the first round in 31 years. Mr. Mitchell was the first defensive back taken in this year's draft, and he also became the first UT player ever named as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award given annually to the Nation's top defensive player. His selection in the draft now marks three straight years that a Toledo player has been selected by an NFL franchise. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Quinyon Mitchell for his remarkable achievements. He truly embodies the spirit of excellence that the University of Toledo and northwest Ohio strive to achieve. We all know Quinyon will continue to make us proud as he shines on the national stage. Go Rockets, go Quinyon, go Birds.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, the relationship between Poland and the United States and the contributions of Poles and Polish Americans to liberty during and since our American Revolution in 1776 are legendary. As Polish Constitution Day approaches this Friday, May 3, our bipartisan House Polish Caucus will introduce a resolution recognizing the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and the United States. Those began on May 2, 1919, following the devastation of World War I. Our Nation's enduring friendship dates back even further to Polish Generals Tadeusz Koscuiszko and Casimir Pulaski who nobly served during America's Revolutionary War fighting for America's independence. During World War I, famed pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Henryk Sienkiewicz traveled to the United States to promote the idea of an independent Poland. Following World War I, President Woodrow Wilson delivered a compelling speech to Congress on January 22, 1917, advocating for Polish independence. Let us pay tribute to the many contributions of Polish Americans and Poles to liberty on this Earth. As Poland's first President Lech Walesa observes: ``Every Pole is born with the Freedom gene.'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to co-sponsor this bipartisan resolution.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the passing of a towering, transformational leader of northwest Ohio and Toledo Public Schools, Dr. Crystal Ellis. Indeed, he has been a crystal-clear force for today and the tomorrows to come. Dr. Ellis was born in 1933 in Springfield, Ohio, in the depths of economic struggle. As an African American pre-civil rights, he faced raw discrimination but was determined to overcome that by playing basketball at Bowling Green State University like his idol, Charlie Share. In 1951, Dr. Ellis became the first African American to play for the Falcons at Bowling Green. He left college to join the U.S. Army and continued playing basketball on a military team, finishing his education at BGSU and the University of Toledo, and he became BGSU's most valuable player. He moved to Toledo to raise his family and work for the YMCA and was then hired by the Toledo Public Schools in 1969 and rose to superintendent, serving from 1969 until his retirement in 1996. He was a teacher, coach, mentor, principal, prophet, leader, and the district's first African-American superintendent. Superintendent Ellis, a very measured man, led by example. Toledo and our region are deeply grateful for his life and legacy and contributions to educating every child and every person in our community. Rest in peace, Dear Superintendent Ellis. He will be deeply missed. In his name, may our community move forward with his unfinished dream to educate every child and person, no matter how difficult their circumstance.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I thank the distinguished ranking member of the full committee for yielding me the time, and I rise to support liberty for Ukraine. Let us defeat the spiderweb of tyranny between Putin's regime, Iran, China, and North Korea. We see their evil and their weaponry. Ukraine does not ask us to fight for her, only to arm her valiant soldiers to push Russia back inside its own borders. Ukraine's soldiers have recaptured half of its stolen territory. Let's arm them to finish the job. For those who may naively think America can sit on the sidelines and seek isolation, please know this old adage: If you take no interest in foreign affairs, foreign affairs will find you. I recall Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, 83 years ago, the United States, caught in a stupor of isolationism, closed its eyes as the rest of the world fell into deep conflict. There is no killing field on Earth like Ukraine. Millions upon millions upon millions of innocent people have died at the hands of deadly dictators--Lenin, Stalin, and now Putin. If Putin is permitted to conquer Ukraine, he will not stop there. He has promised that. Support from the American people will ensure victory for Ukraine, with the free world girding liberty's shield. Let's recall the ancient words of Ukraine's poet laureate, Taras Shevchenko, who died almost two centuries ago in a ghastly prison just like Alexander Navalny died a few weeks ago in a ghastly Russia prison. Why? Because they believe in liberty. The time is near when on Ukraine's plains, A shackled folk will burst its chains. Blessed be your children in these lands, By touch of your toil-hardened hands, Then shall our day of hope arrive, Ukrainian glory shall revive. Today is that day. Let's support liberty for Ukraine and defeat Russian tyranny.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I rise in full support of the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024. Allow the American people to help free Ukraine from Vladimir Putin's illegal, unprovoked, and brutal invasion of its sovereign territory. Ukraine--the poorest country in Europe--is not asking us to fight for her, ONLY to help arm her. Let's help free Ukraine from Putin's unprovoked, illegal, brutal invasion of its sovereign territory. Russia should go back inside its own borders. What liberty-loving person can watch the valiant people of Ukraine confront the 3rd largest military in the world in this grueling war and not rise to Ukraine's defense? Ukraine's soldiers endured through 2 brutal winters and have recaptured over half the land Russia stole. They have destroyed as much as 40 percent of Russia's fighting force. Bravo to the people of Ukraine, for their miraculous defense of their Homeland. For those here in Congress who may naively think America can sit on the sidelines, and seek isolation, please be instructed by this old adage: ``if you take no interest in foreign affairs, foreign affairs will find you!'' That proved true on December 7, 1941--83 years ago--when the United States caught in the stupor of isolationism closed its eyes as the rest of the world fell into deep conflict. America was violently awakened to the reality of tyranny by Imperial Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. That terrible event thrust America not just into war, but into a global fight for liberty that shaped the history of the world each of us inherited. A short distance away from this Capitol stands the National World War II Memorial. Its shining marble is a timeless reminder of the moral strength and power that flows when free people are united and bonded together in a just, common cause. It should also remind us of the terrible costs that are exacted should the Free World allow the emerging Axis of Evil to unleash its aggression on our world. Today, the increasingly destructive coalition of Russia, Iran, North Korea, China, and allied terrorist organizations are uniting as enemies of liberty. They are intent on upending American alliances and liberty's global security shield. Recall, exhausted at the end of World War II, the Allies negotiated a tenuous peace that allowed Russian tyranny in the form of the USSR's Soviet Union to gulp down half of Europe, as far west as Berlin. It then took another four decades for that usurpation of captive nations to collapse of his own corruption and calumny, beginning in 1989 in Poland. The Free World did that despite the $13 trillion cost (in 1996 dollars). The Soviet Union collapsed of its own failings as the last remaining tyranny on the European continent. The vast region it had encompassed entered into an era of political upheaval and nation-building. With Ukraine, liberty faces not a new enemy, but an old one. Putin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine tells us exactly where this rerun is headed. The alliance of free nations simply cannot go backward. If you ask yourself the price of our own liberty, remember over 500,000 U.S. veterans lay at rest on fields, forests, and cemeteries across Europe from World Wars I and II. They bequeathed to us the umbrella of Alliances to push back tyranny and preserve liberty in this modern era. As a percent of GDP, 15 European countries have so far provided a higher level of aid to Ukraine than the United States. Our Allies are measuring up. Putin is not counting the number of Russian lives he is throwing into this conflict, nor the rubles he is earning off barrels of oil he is selling to fund this war. What he is counting are the number of votes FOR Ukraine that will be tallied in the U.S. Congress. He knows that American support will decide Ukraine's victory in this conflict. So should this House. If Putin is permitted to conquer Ukraine, he will not stop there. Putin has made his intentions clear as Russian troops already are concentrated at the borders of the Baltic states and Finland, with Russia's consistent violations of NATO airspace and territorial waters. If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, or if liberty's alliance grows tired of a forever war, Putin is more likely to test our resolve over smaller, much harder to defend NATO member nations. That would involve our troops directly. America can't repeat the mistakes of the last century by withdrawing our support and then inevitably forcing the Free World to pay a higher price for freedom as tyranny deepens its roots. America must be resolute. This Congress must pass support for Ukraine to secure liberty for Ukraine. We bow to the valorous, persevering, industrious people of Ukraine. We bow to those willing to fight and die for their liberty. The support of the American people will ensure victory for Ukraine, victory for the Free world, and strengthen liberty's shield in this new, dangerous era of hybrid warfare. Ukraine's revered poet laureate Taras Shevchenko--who was a clarion, sacrificial voice for liberty--was tortured and died in a ghastly Russian prison in St. Petersburg in 1861. He had penned on December 24, 1845: ``The time is near when on our plains A shackled folk will burst its chains. Ask yourselves by whom were you enslaved? To the dead, the living, to those yet in Ukraine, My country must tell all who live in Ukraine Then in your own house you will see justice, strength, and liberty. Blest be your children in these lands, By touch of your toil-hardened hands, There shall our day of hope arrive. Ukrainian glory shall revive! No twilight but the Dawn shall render And beckon forth into novel splendor.''

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, the bills that will come before this House this weekend, especially tomorrow, make our choices clear: liberty or tyranny, democracy or dictatorship, allies or enemies, resolve or accommodation, strength or surrender, rule of law or rule of rogues, security or vulnerability. As Daniel Webster's inspirational missive carved into the marble above this rostrum challenges: Let us ask ourselves in our time and generation, may we not perform something worthy to be remembered? Yes, liberty first, last, and always. Through its historic fight against tyranny, Ukraine has reminded us how stark a choice the free world has. Ukraine aspires to ascend into the coalition of free nations sheltered by NATO's shield. Ukraine will grow to prosper in the European Union. Ukraine's warriors and people have inspired the world. Liberty demands this institution remain true to our Nation's founding principles. Republicans and Democrats, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries are all working together so the majority can work its will, not minority factions. Mr. Speaker, the middle has coalesced to meet Congress' first sworn duty to protect the Nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. We will meet that obligation.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a very historic occasion for the people of Williams County, ``nestled in the extreme Northwest corner of Ohio.'' The community will begin a weekend of celebration to commemorate the milestone. Williams County was named for David Williams, a Revolutionary War hero involved in the capture of British officer Major John Andre. Originally encompassing a larger area of Northwest Ohio, Williams County was part of territory set aside for Native American people in the Treaty of Greenville. Part of the territory was also disputed between Ohio and Michigan, a dispute settled in 1836 which placed the county in Ohio. The land was part of the ``Great Black Swamp'' and was the last in Ohio to be settled. Because it was swampland, the earliest settlers faced severe hardship with travel, farming, and insects. Towering native trees blocked sunlight, and conditions were harsh. Yet these hardy Ohioans persevered, turning this corner of Northwest Ohio into an abundant fertile watershed. The Williams County Courthouse, today on the National Registry of Historic places, was completed in 1891. It replaced an original log structure and one completed in 1845. The latter was considered the best such structure in Northwest Ohio at that time. With rail and telegraph came opportunities for trade and development, leading to ``vibrant economic growth of the 1800's and 1900's, through to the diversified local economy of today,'' according to the history. Today, Williams County is home to 2,399 businesses including 111 manufacturing companies offering solid employment and good wages for a diverse and skilled workforce. Famously, Williams County is home to Ohio Art--and Etch-A-Sketch--and Spangler Candy which originated and produces Dum Dum lollipops and other nostalgic treats. Williams County, Ohio is made up of hardy farmers and pleasant towns including Alvordton, Blakeslee, Bryan, Edgerton, Edon, Holiday City, Kunkle, Lake Seneca, Melbern, Montpelier, Nettle Lake, Pioneer, Pulaski, and Williams Center: lovely communities all. Well known to most Ohioans is the late Ohio State University football coach Woody Hayes. Coach Hayes said, ``I speak at a lot of banquets in small towns, because small towns have so many great people.'' I couldn't agree with him more. I have been privileged to represent Williams County and can attest to the character and kindness of its people. As they take a peek at yesteryear during a weekend of ceremonial and enjoyable events, I know they also look to the future with hope and celebration. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and we build the community forward together. Onward.