William Keating

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Pilgrim Hall Museum's 200th anniversary. Two centuries after the Pilgrims landed, the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts chartered the Pilgrim Society in 1820 to preserve the history of early Plymouth. It was decided that a museum should be constructed to tell the Pilgrim's story. Tasked with the responsibility of constructing the museum, builders Job and Abner Taylor laid the cornerstone on September 1, 1824, and on December 17, members of the Pilgrim Society met for the first time inside the Pilgrim Hall Museum. Pilgrim Hall Museum is the oldest continuously operating public museum in the U.S. and is home to a collection of 17th century artifacts, including several pieces that were originally on the Mayflower. Over the last two centuries, the museum has continued to collect artifacts, books, and documents to tell the stories of the Wampanoag--who were in Southeastern Massachusetts thousands of years before early settlers arrived--and the Pilgrims. Artifacts include the Bible of William Bradford; William Brewster's great chair; the only portrait painted from life of Edward Winslow; the cradle that Susanna White rocked her son, Peregrine, in; and the earliest sampler embroidered in America by Loara Standish. Of the 33,000 museums in the U.S., Pilgrim Hall Museum is one of less than 1,100 museums accredited by the American Association of Museums. This is a notable achievement that signifies a museum's credibility and quality and further ensures the integrity of a museum's collection. In addition to serving as a museum, Pilgrim Hall also hosts lectures and small concerts, as well as the Annual Pilgrim Society Meeting, which is held on Forefathers' Day in the Main Hall. Today, Pilgrim Hall Museum continues to tell the story of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in a manner that is both accurate and inclusive, while highlighting and recognizing narratives that have traditionally been silenced. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Pilgrim Hall Museum, and I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating this monumental occasion of the museum's 200th anniversary and wishing Pilgrim Hall Museum continued success in the years to come.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Cape Cod Baseball League's 100th anniversary. Now 1 of the country's top collegiate summer baseball leagues, the Cape Cod Baseball League was founded in 1923. At its inception, the league consisted of 4 teams: Chatham, Falmouth, Hyannis, and Osterville. During the early years, teams were not limited to only playing other teams within the league. Falmouth even played the major league Boston Braves, who later became the Atlanta Braves, in 1929 and lost by only 1 point in the exhibition game. Recovering from the Great Depression and with World War II on the horizon, the Cape League shutdown in 1940. However, when the league reopened in 1946, fans and players quickly came back. The league continued to grow and was divided into the Upper Cape and Lower Cape divisions. When the Cape Cod Baseball League returned after the war, the league also implemented a new rule that teams could no longer hire professional or semi-professional baseball players who received a salary. Previously, teams consisted of a mix of local, semipro, and college players, but as the Cape Cod Baseball League grew in popularity, teams like the Sagamore Clouters began to recruit college baseball players. This strategy helped the Clouters to secure 4 championship titles in the 1950s. With more college players being recruited, the Cape Cod Baseball League was sanctioned by the NCAA as a summer collegiate league on March 9, 1965. Today, the Cape Cod Baseball League is an elite collegiate baseball league made up of 10 teams: the Bourne Braves, Brewster Whitecaps, Chatham Anglers, Cotuit Kettleers, Falmouth Commodores, Harwich Mariners, Hyannis Harbor Hawks, Orleans Firebirds, Wareham Gatemen, and Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. The Cape Cod Baseball League has more than 350 alumni playing in the major leagues each year. Since the league's inception in 1923, over 1,600 Cape Cod Baseball League players have gone on to play in the major leagues. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the Cape Cod Baseball League. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing the league continued success and all the best in the years to come.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mary LeClair and the groundbreaking of LeClair Village. Born in Ogdensburg, New York LeClair first came to Cape Cod in the late 1950s, after her husband was stationed at Otis Air Force Base. Soon after moving to the Cape, she began working at the Barnstable County National Bank as a teller in the Hyannis office. In 1966, LeClair moved over to the newly opened New Seabury branch, and a few years later, she was named 1 of the bank's first female branch managers. Using her experience in the banking industry, LeClair was named Barnstable County Treasurer in 1978. She served in this for 18 years, before being elected as a county commissioner in 1996. LeClair was elected for 3 4-year terms, stepping down from the role in 2008. She additionally served as an aide to former Congressman Bill Delahunt for 2 years and worked in the Cape Cod Housing Assistance Corporation's resource development department for 5 years. Throughout her career, LeClair has always been deeply involved in the Cape Cod community. She has served on the board of Gosnold Inc. for nearly 3 decades and has worked closely with the women at Emerson House, Gosnold's all-female facility. LeClair has also worked with the Children's Cove--the Cape and Islands Child Advocacy Center--for close to 25 years, after playing a pivotal role in creating the organization. She has additionally been a board member and volunteer with the Housing Assistance Corporation, as well as several other organizations for many years. LeClair's efforts across Cape Cod have not gone unnoticed, as she has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the 2007 Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Award and the Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands 2019 Outstanding Volunteer Award. She has established herself as a pillar of the Cape Cod community, and through her work, she has inspired many others to get involved in local government and the community. Over the years, LeClair has remained an active advocate for increasing affordable housing. This is why when the Housing Assistance Corporation and Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. partnered to build a new affordable housing complex in Mashpee, Massachusetts, there was no question as to who they would name the complex after. Built on town land, LeClair Village will house 39 families, offering affordable housing to low- and moderate-income households. After an 8-year effort between the Town of Mashpee, the Housing Assistance Corporation, Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc., and many other local non- profits and stakeholders, the project broke ground on May 31, 2023. LeClair Village is expected to complete construction in the summer of 2024. LeClair looks forward to all the children who will soon be able to go to school and say that they live in LeClair Village. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Mary LeClair. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Mary LeClair and all the work that she has done for the Cape Cod community.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Abolition Row Park and Historical District in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The park will sit across from three buildings on the National Register of Historic Places--the Nathan and Mary Johnson properties and the Friends Meeting House. Each of these buildings, and the people who lived and met in them, played a significant role in New Bedford's abolition movement. The park was developed through a partnership between the New Bedford Historical Society, the City of New Bedford, and local organizations to reclaim and preserve the 19th century neighborhood that was once home to key members of the Underground Railroad and the city's antislavery movement, including Frederick Douglass. Nathan and Mary Johnson's house was the first home that Frederick Douglass lived in after escaping slavery in Maryland in 1838. It was at this house that Douglass changed his name from Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey to Frederick Douglass, and it was in New Bedford where Frederick Douglass and his wife, Anna, started their family and Douglass earned his first wages as a freeman. On June 23, 2023, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the opening of Abolition Row Park and to commemorate the new local Abolition Row Historical District, which includes four blocks of historic buildings, many of which were the homes of critical anti- slavery advocates leading up to the civil war. The Abolition Row Park will also include a seven-foot statue of Frederick Douglass, who spent his first years of freedom right across the street from that very park. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate the opening of the Abolition Row Park and Historical District, and I ask that my colleagues join me in acknowledging and honoring the crucial role that the City of New Bedford played in our country's abolition movement.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Kenneth ``Ken'' Quigley as he steps down from his role as president of Curry College. Raised in Milton, Massachusetts, Ken graduated from Milton High School in 1975, before attending Boston College, where he received his bachelor's degree from the Carroll School of Management in 1979. With a passion for education and learning, Ken continued his studies at Villanova University and completed his Juris Doctor in 1982. Ken additionally holds an honorary degree from Quincy College and was awarded the Boston College Alumni Achievement Award for Excellence in Education. Ken first joined Curry College in 1985 as an adjunct professor. Ken then went on to be become a professor of business management before being named Curry College's 14th president in 1996. Throughout Ken's 27-year tenure as president, student enrollment tripled. and the school added numerous undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Under Ken's leadership. Curry College considerably grew its endowment and constructed several new residential and academic buildings. Outside of his work as president, Ken is involved in a variety of programs and organizations across the South Shore and Cape Cod. Throughout his career, Ken has also served as chair of the Board of Trustees of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Board of the Associated Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts, and the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Ken has served as a member on the Board of Trustees at Xaverian Brothers High School and as an honorary director of the Cape Cod Baseball League. After 27 years of leadership, Ken steps down from his role as president of Curry College on June 15, 2023. Ken's dedication to both the students and faculty of Curry College over the years serves as an example to all. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Kenneth Quigley, and 1 ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his career and commitment to the students of Curry College and the greater South Shore community.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Nicholas Motlowitz, a resident of Orleans, Massachusetts, who turns 100 on June 19, 2023. Mr. Motlowitz was raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. In 1943, he joined the war effort in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and bravely served our country as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Motlowitz was officially discharged from the Navy in 1956. After returning home from his service in the Philippines, Mr. Motlowitz met the love of his life, Joan, an accomplished ballroom dancer, on the dance floor of Terrain Hall. They married on June 3, 1950, and together they had 2 daughters--Maureen and Marilyn. Following his service in the Navy, Mr. Motlowitz worked as a chief design engineer at Pratt Whitney Aircraft along with his wife, who worked as a personal secretary and blueprint machine operator for the company. After retiring, the couple moved from Springfield to Orleans, Massachusetts in 1986. Mr. Motlowitz now enjoys spending time with his 5 granddaughters and 6 great grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Mr. Nicholas Motlowitz on this joyous occasion of his 100th birthday. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing him many more years of health and happiness.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 30th anniversary of Falmouth Community Television. Founded on May 31, 1993, Falmouth Community Television is a nonprofit community media center that creates content covering the issues that matter most to the people of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Highlighting oral histories, scientific discoveries at Woods Hole, documentaries, political dialogues, local government discussions, as well as sporting and school events, Falmouth Community Television produces media to represent and serve the local community. Through unfiltered coverage, Falmouth Community Television strives to uplift diverse voices across its platforms and encourage civic engagement and conversations surrounding public discourse. Whether broadcasting town emergencies and other vital information or working with local nonprofit organizations and community groups to communicate their programs and services, Falmouth Community Television is a pillar of the Upper Cape. Not only does Falmouth Community Television work to represent the people of Falmouth through the media that it broadcasts, but it also encourages members of the community to participate in the media production process. At the Falmouth Community Media Center, a state-of- the-art facility completed in 2019, people of all ages can take a variety of video production workshops and classes. Using the two production studios, as well as a post-production space, animation suite, audio booth, and podcasting and vlogging set, community members can access and utilize the training and technology necessary to bring their media ideas and concepts to realization. Additionally, Falmouth Community Television offers the Youth Producers Club. This after-school program helps students to develop storytelling skills and learn more about media production and literacy. Across all of Falmouth Community Television's offerings, members can learn more about their community, the television production process, and how to be a critical consumer of media. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the 30th anniversary of Falmouth Community Television, and I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the organization for its service and wishing Falmouth Community Television all the best in the years to come.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Reverend Nell Fields and her commitment to both the Waquoit Congregational Church and the people of Cape Cod. The youngest of five daughters, Nell was raised in Kentucky, where her father was stationed at Fort Knox as an Army officer. Nell attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 1981. Nell then went on to receive her Master of Fine Arts in English as a graduate fellow at Mills College in Oakland, California. Nell worked in a variety of positions over the years in the publishing, financial services, and technology sectors, but after her bus was evacuated in Manhattan on September 11, 2001, Nell felt a strong calling to ministry. The CEO of Clickshare at the time, Nell started taking courses at the Andover Newton Theological School in 2002. After four years of attending part time, Nell enrolled in school full time and later graduated with her Master of Divinity in 2008. During her time at the Andover Newton Theological School, Nell was required to serve as a pastoral resident in a hospital. Believing that it was important to increase the number of chaplains within the mental health field, Nell worked at the Westborough State Psychiatric Hospital and served as the chaplain for three years. Nell then worked at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, where she also helped to create an animal therapy program. Nell has continued her service in the mental health field at the Waquoit Congregational Church by collaborating with the Gosnold Center to set up a series of workshops addressing addiction. Now the Rector of the Waquoit Congregational Church, Nell first joined the congregation in 2010 as the church's first female pastor. Throughout Nell's time at Waquoit, she has established herself as a pillar of the Falmouth community and has continuously worked to ensure that all who come to the congregation feel welcome, no matter who they are or where they are from. Nell's commitment to supporting and bettering the lives of those around her has not gone unnoticed. On May 25, 2023, Nell is being honored by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce as their 2023 Citizen of the Year. Nell is being recognized not only for her contributions as a pastor, but also for her work across Falmouth and Cape Cod. Nell has served on several boards within the community including the No Place for Hate Falmouth Steering Committee, Belonging to Each Other, and the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission. Additionally, Nell is the Director of Neighborhood Falmouth and the Falmouth Service Center. Mr. Speaker, I am proud honor Reverend Nell Fields and ask that my colleagues join me in thanking her for her dedication to her congregation and community.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life of John Reed, a history teacher, civil rights activist, and cherished member of the Cape Cod community. The third of five children, John was born on September 28, 1950, to parents George and Rachel Reed. John was raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts. It was in this same the neighborhood where John first met his wife, Karen, in junior high. The two attended Dorchester High School together and had their first date at their junior year prom. After graduating from Dorchester High School in 1968, John attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he received both his bachelor's and master's in history and education. Tutoring his classmates and peers all throughout school, John always had a passion for mentoring and helping others from a young age. John continued this passion as a teacher at Barnstable High School in 1973, where he taught history for 35 years. During his time at Barnstable High School, John served as a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association, as well as a member and the President of the Barnstable Teachers Association. John constantly strove to support and better the lives of his students, especially his students of color. In 1993, John took on the role of Barnstable High School's attendance and equity officer. John also started the Imani Club, which celebrates and advocates for students of color at Barnstable High School. The club's name comes from the Swahili word for faith and belief. John's commitment to improving equity and diversity in schools did not go unnoticed, John was awarded the Human and Civil Rights Award from the Massachusetts Teachers Association in 1993 and the H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award from the National Education Association in 2008. John's efforts to further human and equal rights were not just limited to the classroom. John served as the President of the Cape Cod chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for 17 years from 1991 until 2008. Additionally, he founded the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission in 2005, as well as the Barnstable County Human Rights Academy for students across Cape Cod. John was also a co-founder of the Zion Union Heritage Museum in Hyannis, which celebrates the African American and Cape Verdean population on Cape Cod. Sadly, John left us too soon on February 10, 2023, at the age of 72. A celebration of life is being held on April 29, 2023, to celebrate and reflect on the lasting impact John has left on the lives of his students and so many others across Cape Cod. Whether during his time at Barnstable High School, his years as the Cape Cod NAACP President, or his work with the Zion Union Heritage Museum, John's dedication to advancing civil rights and giving a voice to marginalized communities serves as an example to all. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of John Reed and ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his lifetime commitment to supporting and advocating for those in his community.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Bourne Intermediate School as the students celebrate Purple Up Day on April 15th during the Month of the Military Child. April was first named the Month of the Military Child in 1986 by former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger to recognize military children and the social and emotional challenges they face with frequent moves, starting at new schools, and having their parents deployed. Military families often move every 2 to 3 years, which can greatly impact children. Combining the colors of all the service branches, Purple Up Day is the day during the month of April to wear purple and show support for the 1.6 million children with a parent serving in the military. This day allows us to celebrate and honor military children and the sacrifice they make for our country. With Joint Base Cape Cod located in the ninth district, many students in our community understand the challenges and sacrifices that come along with having a parent serve in the military. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor military children at Bourne Intermediate School and across our country. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the resilience and strength that military children demonstrate each day as their parents serve our country.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Charles Bauer, Jr., a resident of Halifax, Massachusetts, who turns 100 on April 21, 2023. Mr. Bauer was born in Hanover, Massachusetts, in 1923 to parents Charles and Alice Bauer. In 1942, Mr. Bauer joined the war effort in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and diligently served our country as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he operated the ball turret gunner on B-24 planes. Mr. Bauer's commitment to protecting our country throughout his years of service did not go unnoticed; Mr. Bauer was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with three battle stars. Mr. Bauer completed his military service in 1945, and married his wife, Mary, that same year. Together they had three children: Nancy, Linda, and Charles. Following the war, Mr. Bauer returned to Massachusetts and worked as a plant electrician supervisor at Goddard Memorial Hospital for 30 years until he retired in 1988. Mr. Bauer now enjoys working with ham radios and spending time with his friends and family, including his 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Mr. Charles Bauer, Jr., on this joyous occasion of his 100th birthday. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing him many more years of health and happiness.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 13th annual Congressional Hockey Challenge, a charity game played between our congressional Lawmakers hockey team and the Lobbyists, which has raised over $1.2 million for charity since 2009. This year's matchup saw the Lawmakers pull out a hard-fought 8-3 win over the Lobbyists, continuing what is now a five-year winning streak. This year's charities include the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, the nation's oldest minority youth hockey program, founded by iconic U.S. Hall of Fame coach Neal Henderson; four chapters of the Warriors Hockey program, which are teams comprised of disabled American military veterans; and the Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association, an organization committed to the establishment of a professional women's hockey league in North America. Through its partnership with the National Hockey League, Ted Leonsis and the Washington Capitals, Jeremy Jacobs and the Boston Bruins, the Canadian American Business Council, and other key supporters, the annual congressional hockey game aims to ensure that the sport of hockey is accessible to all who wish to play. In past years, the congressional hockey game has been supported by appearances from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, Kevin Weekes, Anson Carter, Peter Bondra, Alan May, and Rod Langway, with play by play at times called by sportscaster Joe Beninati. Legendary Hall of Famer and Congressional Gold Medal recipient Willie O'Ree, who shattered hockey's racial barrier with our Boston Bruins in 1958, has been honored in the past and remains a familiar face of the annual game as an unrivaled ambassador to diversity and inclusion. This year, our Lawmakers team was once again skillfully helmed by former University of Alaska-Fairbanks captain and my colleague Tom Emmer, along with congressional staff, administration officials, and anchored by Olympic women's hockey standouts Haley Skarupa, Megan Keller, and Hayley Scamurra. Haley Skarupa, a dynamic and prolific scorer with a name peppered throughout both the NCAA and team record books from her time at our shared alma mater of Boston College, earned a gold medal as a forward during the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang. Another standout BC Eagle, Megan Keller, long regarded as one of the best defensive players in the world, sports a gold medal from the 2018 Olympic campaign and a silver from 2022. And Hayley Scamurra, an elite two-way threat out of Northeastern University with a litany of All-Star, MVP, and Player of the Year awards, brought back home silver from Beijing in 2022. The commanding presence of these three Olympians made this year's game one to remember. Knowing that events such as these are never easy to organize, it's also important to acknowledge that this year's game was once again supported through the foundational efforts of Nick Lewis, Michelle MacGregor, Tim Regan, Kevin Coroneos, and many others who have selflessly volunteered their time and effort toward the game's sustained success year after year. Mr. Speaker, it is with this in mind that I once again congratulate all the supporters and participants in this year's Congressional Hockey Challenge and recognize the inspired work of these charities. The Fort Dupont Cannons' devotion to equity in the youth community, the Warriors' provision of opportunity for our veterans, and the PWHPA's commitment to broaden the horizon for female athletes, truly helps to both demonstrate and ensure that hockey is for everyone.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Again, I thank Congressman Joe Wilson, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia for his work on this resolution. It is important to recognize that the U.S. is joining the whole international community, again, at a time of need. It is in our self- interest to move in this respect, too. There are countless aftereffects as well as aftershocks that will come about as a result of this earthquake. We are going to see time and time again swift action and humanitarian action. Action for support will really come back in a very cost effective and humanitarian way to provide dividends moving forward in the future. That being said, too, our NATO ally, Turkiye, is suffering a great deal. We want to demonstrate not just through NATO and other alliances that we are there for the Turkish people as well who have often come to our aid in areas of critical security needs. The people of Turkiye and Syria have suffered tremendously as a result of these earthquakes and thousands of the aftershocks. I support this resolution to signal globally that the United States stands with the people of Turkiye and Syria and the United States will continue to support any and all humanitarian efforts to bring aid and assistance to the victims of these disasters. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that all our colleagues join together in this bipartisan effort to support this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for his strong bipartisan support in this gathering together of people on both sides of the aisle for America's interest. As he pointed out, we have an interest not only with our own defense facilities not far from that region and not only associating as he has his own experience the devastation of earthquakes, but also a stark contrast that occurs to the people of Syria when they find out the U.S. and other countries are coming together to their aid while the Syrian regime under Assad continues to wreak havoc and damage to the everyday lives of the people of Syria. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean), who is a new member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. We all look forward to working together with the gentlewoman.

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in strong support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor in support of my friend, Congressman Joe Wilson's resolution, H. Res. 132, responding to the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023. This timely and important resolution comes just weeks after multiple 7.5-plus magnitude earthquakes caused widespread devastation across central-southern Turkiye and northern Syria. This natural disaster was so powerful that the shaking could be felt as far away as Egypt. The numbers are just staggering. Following the initial shaking, Turkiye and Syria have borne the brunt of over 1,000 aftershocks, furthering the massive death and destruction that has decimated infrastructure and communities across the region. Even today, Mr. Speaker, there was another aftershock with reported loss of death. As of February 25, 2023, Reuters estimated that 160,000 buildings containing over half a million apartments have collapsed or were severely damaged. The earthquake has killed more than 48,000 people and injured 118,700 others in Turkiye and Syria combined. Today, the U.N. Development Programme estimates that 1.5 million people have been left homeless. As ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and as an original cosponsor of this resolution, I want to express my deepest condolences to the people of Turkiye and Syria who have been so deeply impacted by these earthquakes. Tens of thousands have lost their lives and even more have been left without a safe place to call home. As a result, once vibrant cities and communities across the entire region have been shattered and left in ruin. In addition, I want to commend the efforts of thousands of international humanitarian aid and rescue workers, as well as national entities, local organizations, and individuals from across the region who have come together to provide lifesaving assistance to those impacted by this devastating earthquake. During the past few weeks, these aid workers have provided lifesaving resources and support, all while working in freezing winter conditions, just to get help and relief for this enormous devastation and provide the greatest help to the people who need it the most. Mr. Speaker, I applaud those humanitarian and rescue workers from across the United States Government who have joined the international community in a global response. In total, as of February 19, 2023, the United States has allocated $185 million in humanitarian assistance for the earthquake response in Turkiye and Syria. As part of its coordinated response, USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance quickly deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team, also known as a DART, which is working in close coordination with government authorities and partners on the ground. The DART included USAID-supported search and rescue units have drawn domestic voluntary help, as well. It is important to recognize Fairfax County, Virginia's, and Los Angeles County, California's, fire departments have come to aid and help these people in such great need. They provide heroic assistance in working with USAID. USAID has deployed a total of 160 urban search and rescue personnel to Turkiye who have now returned to the United States. We thank them for volunteering and their heroic acts. Furthermore, through its implementing partner, the World Food Program, as of February 23, USAID had also supported the provision of food assistance to 660,000 individuals in Syria and 900,000 earthquake- affected people in Turkiye. In addition, 840 metric tons of USAID in- kind relief commodities, including water, hygiene materials, kitchen sets, and disaster relief materials were all delivered to support the earthquake survivors. Finally, the Department of Defense, in coordination with USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, has air-lifted 541,100 pounds of critical relief items, including blankets, emergency food commodities, generators, space heaters, tents, and winter clothing. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support those efforts and commend President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Administrator Power for their swift response to this disaster. As the international community has responded, the Assad regime has made that effort far more difficult. For example, while the Department of the Treasury has taken important steps to clarify existing sanctions licenses required to ensure the transfer of vital humanitarian aid to the region, the exploitation of this disaster by the Assad regime is reprehensible and cynical. I wholeheartedly condemn these efforts by the Assad regime, which have included preventing the United Nations from providing assistance through multiple border crossings between Turkiye and Syria. The people of Syria have suffered tremendously under the Assad regime, which since 2011 has used any means available, including the use of chemical weapons, to suppress the voice of the Syrian people. (1715) There is intense need for international assistance in Syria, and I support the call in this resolution for the Biden administration to continue to use all diplomatic tools, including through the U.N. Security Council, to open and keep open all Turkiye-Syria border crossings for United Nations assistance. Despite barriers from the Assad regime, the United Nations has worked tirelessly in coordinating and facilitating life-saving humanitarian assistance efforts by providing hot meals, food, tents, clothing, medical supplies, and personnel to affected areas. Psychosocial support services are also being provided, as well. Child-friendly spaces and safe spaces for women to ensure those most vulnerable are cared for are also in motion there. U.N. programs like the World Food Programme and the U.N. High Commission for Refugees have also crossed into Syria at the Bab al- Salam border crossing to ensure the people of Syria receive the vital aid that they need. All together, the United Nations has sent health supplies to more than 400,000 people impacted by the earthquake and has released $50 million from its Central Emergency Response fund to jump-start the response. The U.N. has also issued a flash appeal to raise all the necessary funds to help meet the needs of those affected by these earthquakes. I, again, thank Congressman Joe Wilson for his efforts on this legislation as well as over 35 bipartisan cosponsors. This resolution sends a strong message of solidarity from the United States to the people of Turkiye and Syria as they begin to cope with the aftermath of these devastating earthquakes, and I am proud to join in supporting this effort. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6611 to authorize the French Embassy in the United States to establish a commemorative work in Rock Creek Park to honor the extraordinary contributions of Jean Monnet. Jean Monnet, a French citizen living in Washington, DC, played an extraordinary role promoting cooperation and peace on both sides of the Atlantic, which has furthered the national interest of the United States and is also of lasting historical significance to the American people. Specifically, he is credited for his skillful efforts to restore peace between European nations, playing a critical role during both World Wars, and is often referred to as the founder of the European Union. Having sowed the seeds of the European Union, we continue to reap the benefits of Monnet's work today as evidence through the strength of the European Union and the continued coordination of the transatlantic alliance countering authoritarianism wherever it exists. To provide more color on the importance of establishing this commemorative work, I would like to speak about the great accomplishments of Jean Monnet. He was a French diplomat and businessman, as well as a dedicated citizen of Europe and a devoted friend of the United States. Monnet was a thoughtful individual who played a critical role in many of the 20th centuries major events. Today, he is most known for his efforts during both World Wars, the rebuilding of Europe, and the founding of European Union. Specifically, Monnet is recognized for his creative thinking that was essential to the U.S. and Allied victory over Nazi Germany. After seeking refuge in the United States during Nazi-Germany's occupation of France, Monnet served as an adviser to U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and as a special envoy of the United States to the Free French. During that time, he also became a member of the British Purchasing Commission. There, he worked with senior U.S. officials to coordinate Allied resources, galvanize U.S. war production, and unleash the ``arsenal of democracy,'' a phrase coined by Monnet and later made famous by President Roosevelt. In fact, economist John Maynard Keynes once said that Monnet's contributions shortened the global conflict by an entire year and, through his actions, saved tens of thousands of European and American lives. Following the Allied victory of WWII, Monnet started several initiatives which are known to have been the catalysts for the eventual creation of the European Union. For instance, Monnet proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), an initiative that pooled the coal and steel resources of 6 counties in Europe, greatly contributing to increased production and resolving a centuries old dispute over these resources. In addition, he established the Action Committee for the United States of Europe, a political organization that united parties across Europe to advocate for further European integration. These 2 actions, the creation of the ECSC and the Action Committee, were both critical steps in the formation of the political union that the European Union represents today. Monnet's legacy continues today as the transatlantic alliance stands united in the face of Russian aggression and rising autocracy globally. The United States and Europe must continue to face our challenges as he so strongly encouraged: by working together towards a more peaceful future. With that being said, I want to acknowledge the bi-partisan effort it took to move this legislation forward and I thank my fellow Co-Chairs on the House French Caucus, Representatives Latta, Schiff, and Wilson for their original co-sponsorship and all efforts to advance this legislation. I'd also like to thank Chairs Grijalva, Neguse, and my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee for consideration of this measure and for allowing it to move to the floor so expeditiously. I also want to thank the leadership of this House for taking on this important issue, and supporting the passing of H.R. 6611. The commemoration to Monnet will stand as a continual reminder of the historic and continuing importance of the transatlantic partnership between the United States, France, and the greater European community. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Peter Morin as he retires after 36 years of public service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the South Shore community. Inspired by Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Peter knew from a young age that he wanted to be a lawyer. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in political science from George Washington University and his Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law, Peter first began his extensive career in public service as counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in 1986, and later became the agency's director of investigations. For over two decades, Peter diligently served the people of Massachusetts, working for the state government in a variety of roles, including general counsel to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine; senior litigation counsel and director of performance measurement for the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and director of civil process and investigations for the Norfolk County Sheriffs Office. Seeing how measures passed at the municipal level could help and directly impact those in his community, Peter was always involved with local government in his hometown of Braintree, Massachusetts. Even throughout his years working as an attorney for the Commonwealth, Peter consistently volunteered for town committees and meetings and was elected to town wide office as a selectman and assessor. After serving as chairman of the Braintree Charter Commission, Peter moved from volunteering to working for the Town of Braintree fulltime in 2008, as the chief of staff and operations for Braintree's first mayor, Joseph Sullivan, and helped the town transition from a town meeting form of government to a mayor-council form. Peter then served as Braintree town solicitor before continuing his work at the municipal level as town administrator for the nearby Town of Norwell in 2015. Over the past 7 years as town administrator, Peter has acted as Norwell's chief operating officer, overseeing the daily operations of the town, and handling the budget and much of the behind-the-scenes operations. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter helped the town navigate and integrate new safety protocol and remote work to allow town operations to continue while ensuring that his colleagues felt safe and supported in their work during a time of uncertainty. After three decades of public service, Peter retires from Nowell this December. Peter has dedicated his career to serving the people of Massachusetts and the South Shore, and I wish him many years of well- deserved happiness in retirement. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Peter Morin, and I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his career and commitment to serving his community and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Chief Frank Frederickson as he retires from the Yarmouth Police Department after 45 years of dedicated service. Chief Frederickson first began his extensive career with the Yarmouth Police Department in 1977 as a summer officer and was brought on full- time as a patrol officer in 1979. Over the years, Chief Frederickson rose through the ranks, being promoted to detective, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant, deputy chief of police, and finally chief of police in 2010. During his time with the Yarmouth Police Department, Chief Frederickson continuously worked to make sure that residents felt safe in their community and strove to foster a strong relationship between the people of Yarmouth and their police department. Through an active outreach program, the use of social media, and programs like Coffee with the Chief--a monthly event that allows the community to come together to connect with the Chief and the Yarmouth Police Department to ask questions and hear more about the police department's work-- Chief Frederickson aimed to ensure that the community felt informed and that their voices were heard. These efforts did not go unnoticed; the Yarmouth Police Department was the recipient of the New England Association of Chiefs of Police Community Policing Award several times under Chief Frederickson's leadership. Holding an associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree in criminal justice from Cape Cod Community College, Northeastern University, and Anna Maria College, respectively, Chief Frederickson has been a leader in public safety and criminal justice not only in his own community, but also across the Commonwealth and throughout the New England region. During his 12 years as chief, Frederickson sat on the Executive Board of the New England Association of Chiefs of Police and served as president of the Cape and Islands Police Chiefs Association and the Southeastern Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association. After 45 years of service, Chief Frederickson retires from the Yarmouth Police Department on October 31st. Chief Frederickson has dedicated his career to serving the people of Yarmouth, and I wish him many years of well-deserved happiness in retirement with his children and wife, Michelle. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Chief Frank Frederickson. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his career and commitment to serving his community.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lt. Col. Jason Cullinane as he retires from the U.S. Army after three decades of service. Raised in Falmouth, Massachusetts, Jason Cullinane had a passion for running from a young age. One of the seven ``Running Cullinanes,'' Lt. Col. Cullinane ran in multiple Falmouth Road Races, served as captain of the Falmouth High School cross country team, and was named a Boston Globe All Scholastic and Cape Cod Times All Star athlete. After graduating from Falmouth High School, Lt. Col. Cullinane went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in communications media from Fitchburg State University, where he was also a four-time NCAA All American in track and field. At Fitchburg State University, Lt. Col. Cullinane began what would be an extensive career with the U.S. Army, joining his school's Army Reserve Officers Training Corps program in 1989. Following graduation, Lt. Col. Cullinane served his country and continued his passion for running, competing as an athlete for the U.S. Army multiple times at the International Military Sports Council (CISM). Lt. Col. Cullinane also ran in the 1996 Olympic trials in steeplechase and came in ninth at the 1998 U.S. Track and Field Championship. He then went on to run professionally for Reebok Boston and the Nike Farm Team, and wrote LogbookONE, a running training manual. Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, Lt. Col. Cullinane returned to the U.S. Army and has been on active duty since. During his many years of service, Lt. Col. Cullinane was deployed to Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq, managed training operations at several military bases, served as a policy analyst at the Pentagon, and received a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. After officially retiring from the U.S. Army this September, Lt. Col. Cullinane plans to spend ample time with his daughters, Niamh and Mayumi, and coach Falmouth Youth Running and the Falmouth Academy cross country team. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Lt. Col. Jason Cullinane. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his career and commitment to serving his community and country.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life of Rosemary O'Neill, who dedicated her life and career to public service. A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and daughter of former Speaker of the House, Thomas ``Tip'' and Millie O'Neill, Rosemary was born on March 20, 1943. Following in the family tradition of public service and diplomacy, Rosemary first began what would be an extensive career with the Department of State as special assistant to George Feldman, Ambassador of Malta and Luxembourg, shortly after graduating from Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross. Rosemary then continued to work at the Department of State's headquarters in Washington, D.C. for several years, before receiving her posting as a foreign service officer in Morocco in 1980. In 1992, Rosemary was elected chair of the Secretary of State's Open Forum, and was tasked with supervising the Open Forum Channel, monitoring the Dissent Channel, and managing the Open Forum's Speaker Program. The Secretary of State's Open Forum was established in 1967 to encourage U.S. government employees to share new or alternative policy recommendations with the Secretary of State in a confidential manner, free of bureaucratic restraints. Under Rosemary's leadership and guidance, the Speaker's Program and Open Forum Working Group on Conflict Resolution, Civil Society, and Democracy flourished. An advocate for strong American Irish relations, Rosemary served as advisor to the Department of State's Director of Policy Planning on Northern Ireland. Even in retirement, Rosemary continued her relationship with the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition and often travelled to her family's ancestral home of Mallow, County Cork, serving as the Grand Marshall of Mallow's St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2017. Whether travelling to the USSR to promote human rights for individuals with disabilities or working to establish the State Department's Afghan Women's Program to advance educational opportunities for women and girls throughout Afghanistan--Rosemary dedicated her life and career to bettering the lives of all, across the globe. After a remarkable career as a Foreign Service Officer, Rosemary retired in 2004. However, retirement did not stop her from continuing to help and support those in her community. Rosemary went on to serve as Chair of the Board of the Family Pantry of Cape Cod and on the Harwich Democratic Committee. Surrounded by family and loved ones, Rosemary left us too soon on July 20, 2022, at the age of 79. Rosemary's legacy will carry on through the lasting impact she left on the lives of so many through her work advancing women's rights and advocating for underrepresented and underserved groups. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of Rosemary O'Neill. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing her life's commitment to serving her community and country.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that has been reinforced by this administration, the past administration, the administration before it. With all due respect to a lot of other people in uniform, in combat positions and in leadership positions, it has been a consistent strain of continuous concern. If you are worried about diverting DOD, this approach shares that responsibility. In fact, this amendment alone places it all with the Department of State, in that respect. Again, some of the arguments you gave really are arguments that I have, and I think some of the arguments you gave clearly reinforce the fact that this is an important amendment and should pass. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Each year we gather and get information from our top security officials. There are three issues that are existential that are at the top of the list: nuclear war, pandemics, and climate change. Those are the big three. The gentleman from Pennsylvania might have his own opinions, but I dare say he is far out of step with the priorities of all of our defense leaders and our top security officials. In terms of being efficient, this couldn't be more efficient. Instead of creating new bureaucracies within the Department of Defense, we are taking an existing framework that is there globally by using our embassies. We are being more efficient, reducing more expense, and reducing more bureaucracies in a way to deal with this most important issue. Again, I urge all of my colleagues to join with me on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Defense Department's National Defense Strategy has consistently included climate change as one of the most critical enduring threats. The 2022 National Defense Strategy is no exception. In fact, Secretary Austin, just 8 months ago, called climate change an existential threat and has said: ``No nation can find lasting security without addressing the climate crisis.'' Intelligence officials have repeatedly warned that climate change leads to food and water shortages, ecological degradation, and extreme weather patterns, conditions that reduce our military readiness, enable mass population displacement, terrorist activity, and other forms of violence and conflicts between nations. In fact, U.S. national security experts have dubbed climate change disaster response the military's new forever war, and a 2021 Pentagon report detailed how recent extreme weather has already cost billions of dollars in damages to U.S. military installations like Florida's Tyndall Air Force Base, Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base, and other military installations as well. It interrupts our training and our other operations. It is also projected to undermine bases vulnerable to rising seas, such as Guam and the Marshall Islands. This legislation does not necessitate any additional funds, despite the billions of dollars it costs to our military. It simply requires the Department of State to establish climate change officer positions at major U.S. Embassy hubs across the world. The U.S. State Department already hosts energy and science officers, but these climate change officers would have environmental issues front of mind and be responsible for supporting U.S. global efforts to combat climate change and advance climate solutions. Currently, there is no individual at these embassies who focuses on climate change priorities, and I believe that the training provided to energy or science technology attaches really doesn't equip them with the tools they need to prioritize and tackle environmental issues. The imminent, complex, and destructive threat posed by climate change demands our primary attention. This bill would ensure that our diplomatic delegations designate personnel whose sole focus is to work with international partners to combat this common challenge to our global security. This is one of DOD's highest priorities, and it is a challenge that our country can't face alone. Using our existing embassies with their existing global footprint is an efficient way to plus-up our ability to tackle this challenge with our international partners. This amendment is a vital, long-overdue step toward advancing global geopolitical stability, human and environmental health, and U.S. national security. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KEATING

Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Chief Kevin Nord as he retires from the Duxbury Fire Department after 44 years of service to our community. With a passion for helping others from a young age, Chief Nord first began his career in 1978, as an on-call firefighter with the Kingston Fire Department. Rising through the ranks, Chief Nord went on to become an EMT, paramedic, and fire captain in 1994. During his tenure with the Kingston Fire Department, Chief Nord established the Plymouth County Fire & Rescue Training Association, served as president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 2337, and was appointed as the Kingston Fire Department's first medical system coordinator. Chief Nord's commitment to protecting both the public and his fellow emergency responders did not go unnoticed. In 2004, after 26 years with the Kingston Fire Department, Chief Nord was named fire chief of the Duxbury Fire Department. During Chief Nord's 18 years with the Duxbury Fire Department, Nord worked to increase diversity within the department by hiring more women, supervised the growth of the department with a new firefighters' quarter being added to the Central Fire Station, and served as the director of Duxbury's Emergency Management Agency, leading the town's response during blizzards, hurricanes, and power outages. Recognizing the advantages and importance of his medical training, Chief Nord advocated for his firefighters to become paramedics, hired more EMTs to the department, and had the Duxbury Fire Department incorporate advanced life support protocols. Chief Nord has served as a leader not only to those in the Kingston and Duxbury Fire Departments, but also to firefighters across the Commonwealth. Throughout his career, Chief Nord chaired the Massachusetts Technical Rescue Coordinating Council and the Southeastern Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team, initiated the Regional Old Colony Communications Center, which handles 911 calls and dispatches emergency services to Duxbury and several other surrounding towns, and established the Plymouth County Critical Incident Stress Management Team--a group that assists first responders address job related stress and trauma. As a founding member of the Plymouth County Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Chief Nord and his team provided support to first responders at the World Trade Center following the attacks on September 11, 2001. Chief Nord has devoted his career to helping and protecting all throughout the South Shore. After 44 years of service, Chief Nord will officially retire on July 15th, and plans to travel across the Trans America Trail on his motorcycle. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Chief Kevin Nord. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his career and commitment to serving his community.