Marcy Kaptur

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following proclamation honoring Reverend Anthony ``Father Tony'' Gallagher: Whereas, the Reverend Anthony ``Father Tony'' Gallagher, a beloved son of Toledo and a priest of the Diocese of Toledo since his ordination in Rome in 1961, has devoted more than six decades of his life to faith, service, and the pursuit of justice for all people; and Whereas, as the eldest of six children, Father Gallagher has exemplified a lifetime of humility and leadership, serving parishes from Port Clinton to Grand Rapids, and providing spiritual guidance rooted in compassion, inclusivity, and a steadfast belief in the dignity of every human being; and Whereas, Father Gallagher has embodied the principles of social justice throughout his ministry, walking in the proud tradition of priests such as Monsignor Geno Baroni and Father Martin Hernady, tirelessly advocating for the poor, the marginalized, and those without a voice in our society; and Whereas, in retirement from assigned parish ministry since 2009, Father Gallagher has continued his vocation of service--working with the Multifaith Council, Social Justice Advocates, Care of Creation, the CCMT School, and the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests--to advance understanding, promote equality, and strengthen bonds among people of all faiths and backgrounds; and Whereas, his ministry of presence, his philosophy to ``show up, shut up, and cheer,'' has inspired generations of Toledoans, demonstrating what it means to encounter and accompany others with grace and humility; and Whereas, Father Gallagher's deep empathy and compassion are reflected not only in his advocacy, but in the quiet acts of kindness that have defined his life from feeding the hungry at Claver House and St. Paul's Community Center to offering comfort and companionship to those in prison and on the streets; and Whereas, as Father Gallagher celebrates his 90th birthday on November 21, 2025, the people of Northwest Ohio and all who his ministry has touched give thanks for his enduring witness to faith, justice, and love of neighbor; Now, therefore, be it proclaimed, that I, Marcy Kaptur, Member of Congress for the Ninth Congressional District of Ohio, do hereby recognize and commend Reverend Anthony ``Father Tony'' Gallagher for his lifetime of selfless service, his moral courage, and his unwavering commitment to the common good. Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the City of Toledo hereby recognizes and commends the Reverend Anthony Gallagher for his outstanding service and significant contributions to our community and to our common good; and be it further Resolved, That the City Citation of Merit be presented to Father Gallagher as a token of this city's deep appreciation and gratitude for his unwavering dedication to making Toledo a better place for us all.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable public servant, educator, and friend to many across Northwest Ohio, the Honorable Margaret ``Marge'' Brown, former Mayor of the City of Oregon, who passed away on October 19, 2025, at the age of 88. Marge Brown was a woman whose life embodied the spirit of service, faith, and community. Born on July 21, 1937, the twelfth of thirteen children to John and Mildred TenEyck, she grew up in Oregon, Ohio, in a home filled with love, laughter, and the values that would guide her entire life. A proud graduate of Clay High School's Class of 1955 and Mary Manse College, she went on to dedicate nearly four decades to the teaching profession, shaping young minds in Graytown, at St. Thomas Aquinas, and throughout the Oregon School System. To her, teaching was a calling she pursued with compassion, patience, and joy. Her deep commitment to her community extended well beyond the classroom. Elected to the Oregon City Council in 1989, Marge Brown went on to serve as Mayor from 2001 to 2009, the first woman to hold that office in Oregon's history. As Mayor, she led with grace, integrity, and a steadfast belief in the power of collaboration. Her leadership helped strengthen the city's infrastructure, expand its recreational opportunities, and build bridges, literally and figuratively, across Northwest Ohio. Marge also served in regional leadership through the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, where her voice carried the interests of local communities to the broader stage of regional development. She believed deeply that progress was not the work of one city alone, but of neighbors joining hands to meet shared challenges. Beyond public office, Marge's faith guided her every step. A lifelong member of St. Ignatius Church, she served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and volunteer. She often said her greatest joy came from serving others. A truth that was evident in the way she lived, loved, and led. She was also a woman of adventure, traveling with her husband, Lenny Fetterman, to every state and county in America, as well as to all seven continents. Even crossing the equator, the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Hers was a life lived fully, humbly, and with gratitude. Marge Brown leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, and public service that will endure for generations. She is survived by her beloved children, Joani, Jean, and Jeff; her grandchildren and great- grandchildren; and countless friends, colleagues, and former students who will forever remember her warmth and wisdom. May the life of Marge Brown stand as a testament to what one dedicated citizen can accomplish through service, compassion, and perseverance. Her light will continue to shine in the city she loved so dearly and in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. On behalf of the people of Ohio's 9th Congressional District, the United States House of Representatives, and myself, I extend our deepest condolences to her family and to the entire Oregon community. May she rest in eternal peace, and may her example continue to inspire us all.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker. I rise to recognize a significant milestone in the life of St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Millbury, Ohio. The congregation celebrates its 150th anniversary on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Only one year after the founding of Millbury, St. Peter's Church was founded in 1875 by twelve families of German immigrants who came together to form the German Evangelical United St. Peter's Congregation. It is the oldest continuous church in the community. Church records show that the first meeting took place at the home of Adam Martin, a home that stands yet today, and was officiated by Reverend Andrews of Genoa St. John's Church. A fire sparked by a passing train burned the newly constructed building in 1878 and a new building was finally completed in 1884 using the railroad settlement. That year, the church adopted its first constitution. In 1908 a parsonage was built and a minister was hired. The following years brought growth along with stained glass windows and a pipe organ. In 1934 following a national merger the congregation was renamed St. Peter's Evangelical and Reformed Church. Since a 1957 merger the church has held its current name, St. Peter's United Church of Christ. Branching out into the community in the 1950's, adjacent land was purchased and a park was built which serves the neighborhood, gardens and athletic teams. Uniquely, a boulder which resembled the image of Christ at Gethsemane was unearthed in 1969. Moved next to the church, a plaque was inscribed with Mathew 16:18, ``And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'' Believing that ``every generation is called to live out its faith in meaningful worship, honest reflection and sincere devotion to God,'' the church continued to grow through the decades. A youth program produced musical groups Kid's Praise and The Light Brigade which toured the states in our region and visited the Creation Music Festival in Pennsylvania. Community services continued throughout, as the congregation supports food pantries, partners with service organization, has hosted an AA chapter for over forty years, opened its doors following a devastating tornado and became a Red Cross command post, and adapted to COVID by offering a ``parking lot church'' and live streaming which continues to this day. Also during this time the congregation merged with its shared church Eastminster United Presbyterian Church so the two congregations now worship as one. For an astounding 150 years, St. Peter's United Church of Christ lives up to the faith's motto, John 17:21: ``That they may all be one.'' The church demonstrates this message while living Christ's message of Love and being ``a welcoming place for all--no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey.'' As today's congregants celebrate this journey of 150 years, looking back with inspired recollection and renewed with a faith-filled purpose, we look forward to the next centuries of servant leadership in the community of Millbury and surrounding neighbors.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very special occasion for UAW Local 14 in my District. Tomorrow, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the union will celebrate 90 Years of Solidarity: A Milestone for UAW Local 14 . . . a testament to the enduring strength, unity, and unwavering spirit of our membership. Throughout the decades, UAW Local 14 has been at the vanguard of manufacturing while at the same time ensuring worker rights, dignity and economic fairness, making history while leaving a legacy of accomplishments that continues to benefit workers across the Nation. In 1935 a strike was called at Chevrolet Toledo. During the three- week strike, full bargaining rights were established as well as seniority. These key elements laid the foundation for the union's strength yet today. In 1936 a national agreement, led by founder Bob Travis, allowed for the saving of the Chevrolet plant. This effort to spread unionization began with a 44-day ``sit-down strike'' and demonstrated the strength of solidarity. One of the most difficult strikes in Toledo--fifty years after the deadly Auto-Lite Strike--was the 285-day AP Parts strike. The union held firm through this challenge to bring about a resolution beneficial to all. Turning toward the future, UAW Local 14, General Motors, and Toledo Public Schools came together in partnership to establish the Toledo Technology Academy. The legendary Local 14 leader Oscar Bunch, understanding the critical need for training in the advanced technologies taking shape, secured this innovative Toledo Public School in 1997 which thrives today. Through the years UAW Local 14 has been an established and integral part of the fabric of our community, ensuring security for current workers and retirees, as well as making its mark on our community. The union notes: ``We stand on the shoulders of giants and are immensely proud of our history. As we move forward, UAW local 14 is committed to remaining a powerful, essential voice in our union and our community for many years to come.'' The great labor leader Walter Reuther explained, ``There is no greater calling than to serve your brother. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.'' Throughout it's nearly century of service, UAW Local 14 has met this challenge with honor. I thank the Local 14 leadership--Tony Totty, Bernie LaPoint, Jr., Sue Rodgers, Rhoni Clark, Henry McCoy, all the shop stewards, and all their predecessors for their courage, consistency, and care. Ninety years is no small achievement. It is a testament to shared purpose, to collective power, and to neighborhoods knit together by trust and work. May the halls of this Union always echo with the voices of the proud and the hopeful. May Local 14 forever remain a pillar for workers, for Toledo, and for Northwest Ohio. We applaud 90 glorious years of solidary, struggle, and strength and look toward a future carrying forward these ideals.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Women of Toledo. This remarkably dynamic organization is celebrating 10 productive years of advancing good works, opportunity, sorority, and leadership in northwestern Ohio. What began as a simple focus group has grown into a vibrant hub, connecting thousands of women and girls to mentorship, education, and resources to build lives forward. Through initiatives like HerHub, which champions women-owned businesses, and Girl's Hub, which inspires our next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, Women of Toledo is shaping the future of our community. Bravo. Their story is a testament to the power of vision and persistence with good people and good women. From coffee shop conversations to packed ballrooms, they have built a movement rooted in ``e pluribus unum''; ``out of many, one.'' Women of various heritages are working together for community betterment. Women of Toledo forges partnerships with business, not-for-profits, and neighborhoods who believe that when women rise, our entire community rises. Congratulations, Women of Toledo.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, today what a privilege it is to join with a dear dozen Members from across the Congressional Labor Caucus and Congressional Steel Caucus to address the devastating harm the Trump administration and DOGE have exacted on people, our communities, the cost of living, and job losses across our Nation. Job loss and the withholding of funding by the Trump administration of awarded contracts, Federal contracts, withdrawing those from investment across our country, has caused real ruptures in district after district after district. We are going to summarize just some of those tonight. Today, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter percent. Why did they do that? It was to soften the ongoing damage of an unsteady economy. From our region of northwest Ohio all the way to Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Louisiana, New Mexico, Maryland, Michigan, Hawaii-- the list is long--please listen to the stories of real U.S. companies, workers, and communities that are being devastated by job losses and broken promises. Meanwhile, inflation and prices are steadily on the rise due to the GOP's reckless tariffs. First, we must ask why the Trump administration is stopping the investment of billions upon billions of dollars in projects that were awarded to make America great again. The answer is the Trump trade war. Well, but then on top of that, this tariff regime is raising prices on everything for American households. The American people are being squeezed hard every time they try to buy a home, buy a car, afford health insurance, go to the grocery store, or go shopping for clothes, toys, tools, and school supplies. It is a reality that our Nation functions under the weight of unfair global supply chains. While we can all agree that it is great to manufacture as much as possible in America, that requires real investment in companies and in their workforce. It means building new factories and production capabilities that can compete in the 21st century. For example, in my district of northwest Ohio alone, the Trump administration just canceled $107 million in investment for three major projects aimed at modernizing U.S. manufacturing production and distribution. All of those projects were debated and passed last year in both Chambers of Congress under regular order. They were the result of compromise within the Budget and Appropriation Committees, as well as the authorizing committees, and then advanced to the floor for a vote in both the House and the Senate. That is called regular order. They were signed by the President and awarded--first of all, they were vetted inside these departments and awarded, then, based on merit back in March of 2024. In essence, they were legal, following standard procedure, and were regulated by Federal agencies with receivables awarded and contracts signed. The recent appointees to the Cabinet agencies, however, reneged on all of these promises. That is not just unfair, it is a breach of legal contract. These breaches of contract for strengthening U.S. manufacturing included $45.1 million taken from Libbey Glass in Toledo, Ohio; $16 million taken from Kraft Heinz in Fremont, Ohio; and $57.3 million taken from Owens-Illinois Glass, which is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, and also operates a facility in Zanesville, Ohio. These cancellations, these upendings hurt Ohio manufacturing jobs. The Trump administration should reconsider where and who is being harmed. These projects based in our country were part of 24 projects approved by the Department of Energy for a total of $3.7 billion to modernize and make more efficient facilities across America to combat fierce foreign competitors like China, Mexico, Korea, and others. Make America Great Again means investing in America to improve and modernize here at home. I have other companies to mention who had the rug pulled out from under them, but I yield now to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Budzinski) from Illinois' 13th District, who is vice chair of the Labor Caucus. I thank her for participating.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congresswoman and Labor Caucus members for participating this evening and for their tremendous leadership, and I thank them for being with us tonight and telling this story. Mr. Speaker, when we had the joint session here not so many months ago, I said to the new Vice President, who ran from the State of Ohio as a Senator, then-Senator JD Vance, now Vice President Vance, please don't forget Ohio. The biggest of the cancellations of these investments that was stolen back in Ohio by the Trump administration was another major Ohio company, steel producer Cleveland-Cliffs. Please let me remind folks that steel helps create America's spine, certainly for manufacturing, and Cliffs traces its roots in our Great Lakes region back to 1847. Get ready for this: Their canceled project amounted to over $500 million, half a billion dollars, in an industry where China manufactures four times as much as the world uses and then strategically dumps, including in countries like ours, and diverts production in order to get in here through the back door. Shockingly, Vice President Vance himself helped cancel this hydrogen- based modern steel project in his own hometown of Middletown, Ohio. Our Ohio community knows that China produces way too much steel and knows exactly how to wipe out elements of production. Thus, the Vice President's actions make absolutely no sense. Mr. Speaker, also joining us this evening is Congressman Bill Foster, a real leader, including in the scientific community, and he represents, as co-chair, the Research and Development Caucus. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster).

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressman for participating and for that excellent information that we will share across both Chambers. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan), a Steel Caucus vice chair and a Labor Caucus member from the great State of Indiana in the industrial north.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Mrvan. I have traveled over to Indiana many, many times. When I first ran for office, it was part of the Congressional Steel Caucus and remained one. I saw the U.S. steel industry crushed, and I have spent my entire career trying to help rebuild it in America. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to serve with Representative Mrvan because I know he shares that same commitment. I thank him for coming down to the floor tonight. After Mr. Tonko's presentation, I will turn to Representative Val Hoyle from Oregon's Fourth District. She is also a vice chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko), the Representative from upstate New York and also a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Tonko for his time. He is such a leader. He doesn't have to be here this evening, but I know how hard he works on his committee and on his subcommittees. I know how grateful the people of New York are to have his service here. I thank him for helping to trace the history of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, which connects his part of America, all the way west to Duluth, Minnesota. It takes us to the Atlantic and to the world. I thank him so very much for being here tonight, and it is an honor to serve with him. Mr. Speaker, before I call on Congresswoman Hoyle, I thank her for coming. I am reminded, as I was listening to Congressman Tonko, there is a plaque way up practically at the top of the ceiling here. We have to have really good eyes to see it. For those who can't be with us in the Chamber tonight, let me remind them of the quote of Daniel Webster, one of the Founders of our Republic, who called on us to: ``Let us develop the resources of our land, draw forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests and ask whether we also in our day and generation may not perform something worthy to be remembered.'' That is why we are here tonight. Each of us is working in our regions to perform something worthy to be remembered. It is quite painful when the President of the United States and his minions inside the administration take away something that was legally passed, signed, juried, awarded, and then taken back. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle), who represents Oregon's Fourth Congressional District and is the vice chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. Coast to coast, New York to Oregon, I thank her for joining us.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congresswoman so much for participating and for her focus on tariffs and how devastating those have been. In our part of the country we call ourselves the Great Lakes nation, and we work with Canada in almost a seamless economy. We are the third largest economy in the world. These tariffs are wreaking havoc every time parts cross the border. Just in automotive, for example, a part can cross the border seven times from Ohio to Ontario, Canada, and back again and back again and into Michigan, so we really are being harmed deeply every day by these tariffs. I wanted to just place on the record a few extra details of the plight of Libbey Glass in Toledo, Ohio, in my hometown. I mentioned that $45.1 million was canceled by the Department of Energy to Libbey Glass, and it was part of $6 billion in funding through the Department of Energy for industrial decarbonization. This is where America lost so much ground, as Congressman Foster talked about, to China. We are trying to rebuild the muscle of America. The company was going to retrofit its plant with a new electric furnace technology to reduce CO2 emissions significantly. The award aimed to add to the capacity of the plant that still operates in its original facility and creates living-wage jobs in the heart of Toledo, Ohio. They call Toledo the Glass City. It is our identity, but now that opportunity has been quashed unnecessarily, so carelessly and thoughtlessly. Instead of new, modern furnaces that could have lasted more than a decade, the plant will be forced to invest in less efficient and environmentally unfriendly furnaces that will last for 2 to 3 years only. Because the Trump administration has cut the funding for 2025, the firm will be forced to spend even more in 2028, 2031, 2034, and 2037. You get the picture, Mr. Speaker. It is backwards math that just doesn't add up. It means America becomes less competitive in manufacturing. That does not make America great again. Please, please, Trump administration, pay attention to the details. I don't think the President would want this outcome. I think there must have been a blip somewhere in the bureaucracy. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from the Fourth District of Maryland (Mr. Ivey). Representative Glenn Ivey is a distinguished judge, as well as a very great intellect, and I am very grateful for his participation this evening.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Ivey. We sure are glad that cancer research resulted in extending his life for these many decades because we sure need him here in Congress. His constituents have really elected a great man here. I thank him so much for being here tonight and working with us to bring these issues before the American people. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining?

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury), who is an active member of the Labor Caucus. I will say to anyone who is listening to us here this evening, these Members have worked all day. They started very early this morning. You can say they are doing a double shift, in my part of the country. They haven't eaten dinner. I just want the American people to know that there are Members of Congress who work very hard, who respect our Constitution, and who respect the laws of this country. It is now almost nearly 8 o'clock in Washington, D.C., moving on that, and they are here to represent you. Congresswoman Stansbury is amazing, and I thank her for joining us.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury) for that impassioned plea, and I stand with the gentlewoman. Coming from New Mexico, with everything happening there with the climate and so forth, the gentlewoman really is such an excellent Representative. I thank her for joining us as a member of the Labor Caucus. The gentlewoman gave just a fantastic delivery. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Mannion), a Labor Caucus member from the 22nd District. I thank the gentleman for waiting this evening. It is now 7:45 p.m., and the gentleman is still on the job.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Mannion for his passion and for his obvious dedication throughout his life to restore the economic might of his district. I know that struggle. Our Federal Government has been too slow to respond to the washout of jobs and capacity across this country, and that is what is making our politics so rocky. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for your generous gavel this evening. Mr. Speaker, I will include in the Record some materials that we were not able to verbally enter this evening. Mr. Speaker, I will invite Secretary of Energy Wright, President Trump, and Vice President Vance to come and stand with the workers at Libbey Glass in Ohio so they completely understand what it takes to rebuild manufacturing in America. I hope they will show up. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my Ohio colleagues, rise in grateful memory of Ohio Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar, who served from 1977 to 1993 in this House. She was the first Democratic woman elected to Congress from Ohio. Mary Rose was elected from the heart of the working class of people. She exhibited raw courage, loyalty, perseverance, high learning, precious humor, and stellar insight into human nature. Her hearty giggle elevated people's spirits, and she suffered no fools. She stood her ground, and she plowed her own ground, establishing herself as a preeminent advocate for women's economic rights. She championed senior citizens and the refinancing of Social Security in April of 1983, serving on the House Select Committee on Aging, while also advocating for housing, pay equity, improved healthcare for women, breast cancer research, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and the NASA Glenn Research Center, to name a few. Eventually, she moved into the ranks of House Democratic leaders where she firmly stood as vice chair of the Democratic Caucus. As the first Arab-American woman, the first Syrian-American woman, and the first Lebanese-American woman to serve in Congress, she fiercely dedicated herself toward peace in the Middle East. Mary Rose worked hard to promote an economy that serves everyone across northern Ohio and throughout our Nation. Her abilities sparkled as she brought joy, wit, keen insight, kindness, and dynamism to every occasion. She and her heart of gold were truly one of a kind. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House join me in a moment of silence. In addition to the eloquent words offered in tribute to our late colleague, the following statement commemorates the extraordinary accomplishments of Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar. Congresswoman Oakar's career was defined by trailblazing leadership, moral clarity, and a fierce devotion to those who too often lived in the margins of public policy. A daughter of Cleveland, she carried the voices of working families, seniors, women, and immigrants into the halls of Congress at a time when few women were present to do so. Among her enduring accomplishments, Congresswoman Oakar: Championed economic justice through the Pay Equity Act of 1984, ensuring that the federal government could not undervalue work performed by women. Fought for inclusion in medical research, shaping the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 so that women and minorities could no longer be excluded from the clinical studies that guide lifesaving treatments. Co-founded the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, a bipartisan forum that remains a cornerstone of women's advocacy in Congress today. Secured a historic increase in federal breast cancer research funding, exceeding $400 Million, and mandated insurance coverage for mammograms--work that continues to save lives. Advanced protections for America's seniors, authoring legislation to combat elder abuse and later advising President Bill Clinton at the White House Conference on Aging. Beyond her legislative record, Congresswoman Oakar was instrumental in shaping Cleveland's future--helping bring the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to her beloved city, securing affordable housing for seniors, and championing NASA Glenn Research Center as a hub of innovation. She also stood as a symbol of representation. Her legacy of courage and conviction inspired countless women and minorities to enter public service, knowing that their voices would be heard at the national table. Congresswoman Oakar's public service was marked by persistence, compassion, and vision. She left our country better than she found it, and her record of achievements continues to touch lives every day. In remembering her, we not only honor her history, but we recommit ourselves to the unfinished work of justice and inclusion she so valiantly advanced.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great honor to welcome to our Nation's Capital His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. He is the Spiritual Head of the Orthodox Christian Church worldwide and shepherd to over 300 million faithful. For Orthodox Christians across the globe, including many of my own constituents in Northwest Ohio, His All-Holiness is not only their spiritual father but also a guiding light for interfaith understanding, religious freedom, and environmental stewardship. Part of his visit to the United States is to receive the distinguished Templeton Prize in New York City. This recognition, bestowed previously on figures such as Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, acknowledges his lifetime of service in advancing the harmony of faith and reason, and his courageous leadership on behalf of peace and the protection of God's creation. His All-Holiness is no stranger to the halls of Congress. On his first visit to our Nation's Capital in 1997, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in the Rotunda, where he delivered an address that remains a touchstone in the history of religious freedom and international dialogue. Through subsequent visits under both Democratic and Republican administrations, the Ecumenical Patriarch has been received with the highest honors by our Nation's leaders. For more than three decades as Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness has been a bridge-builder between peoples and nations. He has convened leaders of the Abrahamic faiths in pursuit of peace and reconciliation. He has boldly raised the conscience of the world to the urgent moral imperative of environmental responsibility. For these efforts, he is rightly known as the ``Green Patriarch.'' He has also been a steadfast advocate for human rights and religious liberty across the globe, strengthening the cause of freedom for all people. On behalf of the people of Northwest Ohio, and especially our vibrant Greek Orthodox community, I am proud to extend our heartfelt welcome to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as he returns to Washington. We rejoice in his recognition with the Templeton Prize, and we pray that his ministry of peace, love, and reconciliation will continue to inspire our Nation and our world.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, as I returned home to northwest Ohio this weekend, I found soul searching among people who I represent following the tragedies of last week in Colorado and Utah. Then, in the Point Place neighborhood of Toledo, I saw a church sign that read: Love Always Heals. Hate Always Harms. All Welcome Sunday. These are simple words but profound. Governor Spencer Cox of Utah observed that social media is a cancer on our society right now, and he encouraged people to log off, turn off, touch grass, hug a family member, and go out and do good in their community, and I couldn't agree more. Today in Toledo, we did exactly that. We celebrated the completion of a $13.5 million water project to restore the Delaware, Clark, and Horseshoe Islands in Walbridge Park on the Maumee River, the largest river that flows into the Great Lakes. This restoration means cleaner water, aquatic and wildlife habitats renewed, and a healthier Lake Erie. As co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, I am profoundly grateful that our citizens united to restore the heart of our islands along the mighty Maumee by, quite literally, constructing bridges for the future. Our community keeps delivering progress, and we all must lift our Nation's motto up: ``e pluribus unum''; ``out of many, one.'' Not against one another but working together for the future of America.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a treasured northwest Ohio tradition in Ohio's Ninth District, the Fulton County Fair. It is the second largest fair in the State of Ohio, which has 88 counties, surpassed only by the State fair. Hallelujah, Fulton County. I was honored to spend the day there recently with residents and visitors from other counties. I was able to listen to farmers and veterans at the hallowed Veterans bean dinner and people both young and old from far and wide. The show barns were full of animals and people, and the weather was heavenly. I spoke with constituents from six of the eight counties I represent and got a famous Fulton County Dairy Association milkshake, a farm- fresh cheeseburger, and got to meet hundreds from across the vast northwestern Ohio region I represent and beyond, even Michigan. The Fulton County Fair welcomed a record 180,000 visitors over the opening weekend. Last but truly not least, I spent time speaking with the dedicated director of the Fulton County Farm Bureau, Roy Norman. I learned about some of the great soil and conservation work being done in this mighty, hardworking county. Let me invite all visitors from our region and across our country to check out the Fulton County Fair next year. Set up your campers. You won't be disappointed. Onward, Fulton County.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight a discussion of the advances in Chinese electric vehicle technology and the importance of American investment in battery technology. While the Republicans scale back their ambitions for American leadership in energy technology, Communist China is racing into the future. We all know that they stole American technology to get where they are, but now they're lapping us-- especially in batteries where they control 85 percent of the global market. Further, the Chinese automaker, BYD, is making electric vehicles that cost as little as $8,000, and they are gobbling up the global market share. Even more troubling, BYD and another Chinese firms have announced that they will soon be selling EVs that can recharge in 5 minutes to travel as much as 320 miles--equivalent to a typical traditional gas- powered car. Another Chinese battery firm has announced the development of a battery they claim will be able to go 3,000 kilometers on only a 5-minute charge. Now, not everyone loves electric vehicles--my car has a traditional internal combustion engine--but think of the national security implications of falling behind in batteries and advanced manufacturing. We see in Ukraine that the future battlefield is electrified. We need to be pressing forward, not just in electric vehicles and batteries, but on all fronts. We should be investing in new forms of transportation, more in biofuels, and more in sustainable aviation fuels. We cannot retreat from the future of energy and transportation, and certainly not from our history of leading the world at the forefront of new technologies. I would like to include in the Record a Wall Street Journal article from April, ``Five-Minute EV Charging Is Here, but Not for U.S.-Made Cars''. I would also point my colleagues to the following articles on this topic: Electryk's ``BYD's low-cost Seagull EV now starts at under $8,000 in China,'' and ``Breakthrough EV Battery Patent Could Charge in Minutes and Cross a Continent,'' by Carscoops. Five-Minute EV Charging Is Here, but Not for U.S.-Made Cars Catl's and BYD's rapid-charging technologies underscore china's dominance in the EV sector, a technological priority for Xi Jinping (By Yoko Kubota, April 23, 2025) Shanghai.--Two of the world's leading battery developers are locked in a technological race that has brought the charging time for an electric vehicle to just five minutes-- about the amount of time it takes to refuel a traditional gasoline-powered car. And, in a twist with geopolitical ramifications, both of the technological leaders are Chinese. It is a show of prowess that underscores just how far China has extended its global dominance over next-generation technologies, in some cases leaving the U.S. years behind. The claimed leap forward on EV batteries is merely the latest technological feat for a country that has stunned Western governments with a string of breakthroughs on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and EVs--a vindication of leader Xi Jinping's ambitions of turning China into a global technological powerhouse. Contemporary Amperex Technology, the world's biggest automotive battery maker, said this week on the sidelines of Auto Shanghai, China's biggest auto show, that it has developed a new fast-charging system that, within five minutes, can power a car for 320 miles of driving. By getting the charging time down to roughly the same time as it takes to refuel a gasoline-powered car, the Ningde, China-based company, known as CATL, appears to have further eroded a major obstacle to wider EV adoption. CATL's announcement came just after that of fellow Chinese battery maker BYD which also manufactures its own EVs that rival Tesla's products. In March, BYD, based in the southern Chinese technology hub of Shenzhen, said that its new charging technology is capable of providing 250 miles of range in five minutes. The technologies won't be introduced on a wide scale right away. The batteries can only be charged at a network of superfast charging stations that is still being built out. Still, CATL's and BYD's technologies serve as the latest example of how China is years ahead of the U.S. in EV technology, even as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to curtail Chinese companies' access to cutting-edge technology. China, under Xi, has long positioned EVs as a technological priority, while in Washington, concerns have grown among officials and lawmakers about energy security. CATL is now responsible for making more than one-third of the EV batteries on the global market, including those inside made-in-China Teslas. CATL and BYD's claimed technological advancements are unlikely to benefit American consumers, at least in the near term, given sky-high tariffs levied by the U.S. against Chinese goods--and in particular EVs manufactured in China. It is a reminder of how divergent the automotive landscape, and the consumer experience, have become between China and the U.S., the world's two biggest economies and auto markets. Chinese electric cars are an exceedingly rare sight on U.S. roads because of tariffs that were already at around 100% last year under import taxes levied by the Biden administration. Then, in a string of recent moves, President Trump slapped additional tariffs on most Chinese goods, including cars, of 145%. Meanwhile, within China, Xi's top-down push has been broadly embraced by ordinary consumers, who are now as likely to buy electric and plug-in vehicles as traditional gas- powered cars, aided by relatively low electricity costs and a batch of consumption-related subsidies. In March, 52% of passenger cars sold in the country were battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids of range-extended vehicles, according to the China Passenger Car Association. As adoption rapidly increased in China, homegrown players came to dominate the global EV supply chain--including, crucially, batteries, perhaps the single most important technology underpinning EV performance. Many of these players got a big boost working alongside Tesla, the American EV pioneer that started making cars at its Shanghai plant in late 2019. Now, global dependence on Chinese battery suppliers, paired with concerns that Chinese EVs could flood overseas markets and pose a threat to domestic players, have raised alarms in the U.S. and other Western markets. In a bid to catch up, Ford Motor is building--a battery plant in the U.S. where it plans to manufacture batteries using CATL technology. Chinese battery makers are leading producers of lithium- iron-phosphate, or LFP batteries. These iron-based battery cells cost less than the nickel-and-cobalt combination used widely in North America and Europe. CATL's newest fast-charging battery, the second generation of its Shenxing lineup, is an LFP battery with a range of about 500 miles. CATL said it improved electron transmission efficiency to avoid overheating during rapid charging. How quickly such batteries will be adopted on a wide scale is another matter, because of the need to develop the charging infrastructure. BYD has said that it is working to build 4,000 compatible stations in China and that its charging system will be initially available only for two models, limiting its uptake in the near term. Lihong Qin, president of Chinese EV maker NIO, which uses CATL's battery cells and offers its own battery-swap system, said carmakers need to see how quickly the rapid-charging technology scales up, referring to the infrastructure build- out. ``There is still a big difference between theoretical calculations and practical applications,'' Qin said. Mike Dunne, who runs a namesake automotive consulting firm, said CATL's and BYD's superfast charging technologies are a genuine breakthrough, but several challenges remain. The new technology will cost more, and frequent usage will wear out the battery cells, he said. ``It's more sizzle than steak,'' Dunne said. China has more than 13 million EV-charging facilities nationwide, counting both publicly and privately operated ones, state media has reported. The U.S. has around 77,300 charging locations with about 230,000 EV-charging points in total, data from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation showed. It is unclear if the two figures are directly comparable, but industry experts widely regard China's EV-charging environment to be far ahead of the U.S.'s. Separately on Monday, CATL introduced a new sodium-ion battery that it calls Naxtra. At the moment, mainstream EV batteries are reliant on lithium, creating a potential bottleneck around supplies of the material. CATL says sodium- ion batteries, if mass-produced, could help reduce its dependence on lithium. Sodium-ion batteries are made from a sodium compound called soda ash, which can be produced using table salt. Unlike lithium, sodium is easily accessible everywhere. The U.S. has also been working on developing this technology.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, as the designee of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), I move to strike the last word.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Budzinski).

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I listened to the gentleman, and he and I share a piece of the continent in a way. Part of Pennsylvania drains into Lake Erie believe it or not. I don't believe the gentleman's district does. Congressman Perry represents a capital city. Capital cities tend to do a little better than other parts of the country economically because all the tax dollars flow there. Harrisburg and the general region my friend represents is very different from the Great Lakes region that I am privileged to try to help represent here in the Congress. I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment because I think it comes from a lack of understanding of the challenges that are faced in our region of America which the gentleman does not share, even though Erie, Pennsylvania, will benefit, assuming the commission can be stood up. Maybe our Vice President can help us with that. He calls Ohio his home, though he does not come from the Great Lakes region of Ohio. Mr. Chair, if you look around our country, for many, many years my part of America lost jobs and economic growth to California and the West because of the Bureau of Reclamation. It is important to understand what the Bureau of Reclamation does and the fact that places like I represent have enormous environmental debt because we had to self-finance our water systems and so forth. If I go to the South and I look at the Tennessee Valley Authority, they take our jobs because of their ability to produce power because of the Federal Government's presence in that region across several States extending all the way through down to Alabama, from Tennessee to Alabama. I support that. Those regions needed help with economic growth and environmental restoration. I represent an important part of the Great Lakes watershed. It is one actually that we share with Canada. Let me tell you, Mr. Chairman, we don't get the attention that these other places do, and our people have gone through a lot. We have not had a trade balance in this country for almost one-half century. Mr. Chair, whether you are talking about Kenosha, Wisconsin; whether you are talking about Flint, Michigan; or whether you are talking about Erie, Pennsylvania, there are places in the gentleman's State that would benefit from what is being proposed in this particular measure. The Great Lakes Authority was passed in both Chambers, and we are waiting. The reason that the dollars are sitting there is because the executive branch has not chosen a co-chair to actually stand up the authority. So what is it there for? First of all, it is to pay attention to communities like Flint, Michigan, that had its water shut off. My hometown lost its water in 2014. Until you go through that, Mr. Chair, you really won't understand. When you look at the environmental debt of these cities and what they are trying to do and what has happened to production, as NAFTA, CAFTA, all these trade agreements, the Korean agreement, is that they outsourced our jobs to cheap labor, and these communities are trying to restore themselves. There is a greatness to these communities. There is an industrial muscle and a patriotism that is important to acknowledge and not to say: Well, we are done with them. No. We need to focus on these regions just as we do in Appalachia and with the other kinds of instrumentalities that exist across our country. We are very proud of our working-class people. We have a company right now in my hometown of Toledo, Libbey Glass, where we have a major strike. Why? It is because they are in competition with China, Mexico, and France with no help from the Government of the United States. The workers are sort of on their own. They are trying to say: Hey, wait a minute. We want to work. They work hard. The gentleman from Pennsylvania should sit in front of a glass furnace 8 hours a day in 90 degrees blowing in his face. That won't happen to people from Harrisburg, largely because they are more of a middle-class community. They are a State capital. However, where I come from people work hard for a living. They work in industry and agriculture every day, and they deserve the attention of the Government of the United States. No region should be left out when it faces what our region does. What do we use the Great Lakes Authority for? We use it to create and foster innovation and advance world-class workforce, education and training, and adjustment institutions for better jobs in places like I represent. I am not the only one. The Great Lakes nation we share with Canada. That is another complexity. Parts of New York get energy from working with Canada. It is not so simple to create production in our part of America. By the way, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway is built too small because the coast didn't want us to succeed. We are far from the Atlantic. We can't get to the Pacific out of our part of the country other than by train, so we needed a way to move our product. They figured it out with the help of President Eisenhower and a lot of others who preceded him in order to move our product globally. However, we don't have some of the benefits that the other coast does. I would ask the gentleman to reconsider his opposition.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.