Raja Krishnamoorthi

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the upcoming retirement of the Reverend Doctor Nathaniel Edmond of the Second Baptist Church of Elgin, and to commend his many decades of service to our community. Pastor Nate can begin the next chapter of his life secure in the knowledge that he built a foundation of spiritual leadership that continues to support the youth he mentored, the local entrepreneurs he advised, and the faithful who found comfort in his ministry. Pastor Nate began his professional life at Alcoa Corporation, rising to a position of high executive leadership. Although committed to excellence in his chosen career, Pastor Nate found time lo assist his church, serving as an Associate Minister, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, spiritual advisor to several church organizations, and coach of many church sports teams. After 31 years in the world of business, Pastor Nate answered a call to the ministry, and on February 20, 2000 was installed as Pastor of Second Baptist Church. Under his stewardship, Second Baptist Church delivered strong moral leadership and tended to the needs of communities devastated by poverty, disaster, famine and disease. Under his guidance, the church partnered with local schools lo mentor at-risk youth, and led initiatives including the Prison Ministry, ``Operation Joshua'' street ministry, and SAFE Ministry (to break the often multi-generational cycle of domestic violence). In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Second Baptist Church rallied to aid families rendered homeless by the storm's devastation, and in 2007, as part of its effort to support the ongoing ministry of World Vision, extended its compassion lo the people of Africa, helping to build a housing complex for teachers in Tanzania, and pledging continuing monetary support to over 130 Tanzanian children. This ever-expanding circle of service to others was accompanied by growth in Second Baptist's membership. Pastor Nate can take great satisfaction in the organization that will continue after his retirement, a structure that has evolved in size and sophistication enabling 32 active ministries to flourish and attend to its members' spiritual needs. He can rest easy knowing that under his leadership, Second Baptist Church acquired and constructed a campus sufficient to serve its community for years to come. Pastor Nate's ministry extended well beyond his church. He served on boards or in other capacities for many important organizations in the Elgin area, including the Alignment Collaborative for Education, Advocate Sherman Hospital, the United Way, Judson University, U-46 School District, the NAACP of Greater Elgin, and the African-American Christian Minister's Alliance. He has been honored for his work by the Rotary Club of Elgin and received the Partner in Peace Award from the Community Crisis Center for Domestic Violence, the City of Elgin's Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Lasting Impact Award from Elgin Community College, and the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin Distinguished Citizen Award. For 26 years, Pastor Nate has ministered to his community and guided a vibrant congregation whose love and generosity reached far beyond its church walls. While he may be ending his service as Pastor, I know Pastor Nate will continue his life's work of service to others. On behalf of the people of Illinois and all Americans, I wish Pastor Nate and his family great happiness and fulfillment in the journey ahead.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud cosponsor of the Moving Forward Act and to urge support for two public safety amendments I authored. The first amendment is based on a bipartisan piece of legislation, the SAFE TO DRIVE Act, which is co-led by my colleague Congressman Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin. This legislation creates a new grant program for States that ban non-navigational viewing, ensuring States have robust resources to promote campaigns against distracted driving. Every day, nine people are killed in the United States from distracted driving. Mr. Speaker, my second amendment, which I authored as chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform's consumer protection subcommittee with Congresswoman Katie Porter, requires clearer height and weight requirement labels on children's booster seats to better protect children and their health and safety. Most parents believe the booster seats that they buy are safe, but research shows that 7 out of 10 children are improperly restrained. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge adoption of this measure.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. In 2019, USA Today published the largest public database of disciplinary records for police officers. They found that fewer than 10 percent of officers in most police forces had been investigated. But of those who are investigated, most have 10 or more misconduct charges, and worse, some face more than 100 allegations. Almost all still have their badges today. To address this issue, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act includes a national registry to bring transparency to disciplinary decisions, to bring transparency to police misconduct, and to bring transparency to the high cost of irresponsible individuals to taxpayers. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is about transparency and sunlight. We need that now more than ever.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in support of the HEROES Act. Why? Because our firefighters and first responders are heroes. They deserve to remain employed. Because our frontline and healthcare workers are heroes. They deserve to have more testing and PPE. Our small business people are heroes, too, and they deserve relief, also. Heroic people need our action today. Inaction would not be heroic.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. As a small business person, I am glad that it helps small businesses. As the husband of a physician who is treating COVID patients today, I am glad that it helps hospitals. But as an American, I am glad that we are coming together to help those whose lives are falling apart. We must do more, but let's come back together again and resolve to do this in a bipartisan fashion once again.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the month of May 2020 as Save Your Tooth Month, and beginning on May 3, 2020, the 13th annual observance of Root Canal Awareness week, as we recognize our nation's highly skilled endodontists and their work to preserve their patients' natural teeth. There was a time when state-of-the-art dental care meant having a painful tooth pulled by a barber, blacksmith or wig maker. Modern dentistry ushered in the use of anesthesia, radiography, sterile technique, and increasingly sophisticated methods to address pain caused by an infected or broken tooth. But despite incredible advances in restorative dentistry, peer-reviewed studies continue to demonstrate that the best solution to preserve a patient's quality of life still lies in saving the natural tooth whenever possible. Modern endodontic treatment is devoted to preserving our natural teeth when decay, trauma, a failed crown or repeated procedures to treat dental caries lead to inflammation or an infection of a tooth's root pulp. Using the latest techniques and skills acquired after completing years of advanced training, skilled endodontists can often save a painful tooth and spare their patients the discomfort and expense of additional treatment required to fill the gap caused by an extraction. Like their colleagues who specialize in general dentistry, through organizations including the American Association of Endodontists and the American Board of Endodontics, our nations' endodontists devote thousands of hours to professional development, funding research on advancing the standard of care, fundraising to support clinics that provide free dental care to the underserved, and educating the general population about the importance of practicing good oral hygiene and preserving one's natural teeth. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the thousands of patients who have had their teeth and their smiles preserved by our nation's skilled endodontic practitioners, I salute the skills, years of training, and dedication of our nation's endodontists, and the more than 350 endodontists practicing in my home state of Illinois.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to condemn the violence inflicted upon Armenians on the 30th anniversary of the Baku Pogroms in Azerbaijan. I believe that condemning these actions today will help prevent renewed aggression against citizens of Armenian descent who continue to live in Azerbaijan, while bringing attention to efforts to erase these atrocities from our collective memory. Further, I reaffirm our nation's commitment to an enduring, peaceful, and democratic resolution of the Artsakh conflict. From 1988 to 1990, the Armenian population in Soviet Azerbaijan was the target of ethnically targeted pogroms in the cities of Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku. Beginning on February 27, 1988 in Sumgait, Armenian Christians were indiscriminately murdered, raped, and maimed by mobs of criminals and thugs. According to independent reporting, police in Baku allowed the pogroms to continue for 3 days, during which time hundreds are estimated to have been murdered in cold blood. Despite vocal U.S. and international protests over the Sumgait pogroms, renewed anti-Armenian pogroms were launched in Kirovabad on November 21, 1988 that lasted for seven days. Fourteen months later in the capital, Baku, another pogrom was launched against its Armenian minority. These vicious attacks against unarmed civilians led to the displacement of thousands of Armenian families fleeing systematic violence as refugees. Madam Speaker, on this 30th anniversary of the Baku pogroms, I want to emphasize the importance of remembering these crimes against humanity. I call on the Azerbaijani government to acknowledge that these atrocities occurred, and that it seeks justice for the victims by prosecuting those who committed these horrific acts of violence. I also call upon the government of Azerbaijan to take all appropriate action to prevent further tragedies of this nature, and to do whatever is necessary to begin the healing process for the families of the victims. I call on the Azerbaijani government to respect the rights of all minorities living within its borders.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion. The 8th Congressional District of Illinois is home to many Sikh-Americans and Sikh faithful. I wish to acknowledge Guru Nanak's birth anniversary in the history of the Sikh religion and the important influence of Guru Nanak and Sikhism on other religions. Born the child of Hindu merchants, Guru Nanak spent his childhood in the village of Talwandi, which is located in the modern-day province of Punjab in the modern nation of Pakistan. In keeping with the custom of the times, he married at an early age and was quickly blessed with two sons. He began his adult years working at a storehouse for tax collections, and exploring his spiritual side through meditation, writing hymns, and poetry. Guru Nanak soon felt an irresistible calling to pursue spiritual enlightenment, however, after his thirtieth year embarked upon a series of pilgrimages in search of wisdom and religious truth. During this phase of his life, he composed a series of hymns that formed the basis of the Sikh religion and the foundation of the Adi Granth, the sacred text compiled in the early 17th century by the Fifth Sikh Guru Arjun. As revealed by Guru Nanak and the Adi Granth, Sikhism teaches that there is only one God, that God is without form or gender, that we are all equal before God, and that a good life is lived as part of a community and expressed by good deeds (and not merely by faith or good thoughts). Sikh spirituality encompasses a belief in an unending succession of birth, life, death and rebirth until perfection is realized and one's soul is released from this cycle after achieving a complete understanding and acceptance of the nature of God. Guru Nanak is recognized as the first of the ten gurus revered by Sikh faithful throughout the world. His truths continue to guide the Sikh community and form the bedrock of its commitment to public service and deeply ethical behavior. Madam Speaker, on this 550th anniversary of his birth I want to recognize the founding contribution of Guru Nanak to Sikhism, one of the world's great religions, and also the many gurdwaras in the greater Chicagoland area and the Sikh faithful in the 8th Congressional District, for their service to their communities.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, every day, dozens of Americans lose their lives to guns. If a virus killed dozens of Americans each day, we would treat it as a public health emergency. But despite that loss of life from gun violence, our country has failed to implement commonsense gun reform. One of those solutions is my bill, the COOL OFF Act, which would establish a 3-day waiting period on all handgun sales, to take the passion out of crimes of passion. Research has shown waiting periods reduce murders by 17 percent and suicides by 10 percent. A national waiting period would save hundreds if not thousands of lives each year by preventing handgun sales to those motivated toward crimes of passion. Thousands of Americans have died as we have waited to pass gun reform. By passing the COOL OFF Act, we can ensure that a wait of just 3 days starts to save lives.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Sivananthan Laboratories as it celebrates the tenth anniversary of its founding, and its founder Dr. Sivalingam Sivananthan for his many contributions to science and applied technology. Dr. Siva began his pioneering research on molecular beam epitaxy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he was awarded a Ph.D. in physics. His success in developing technical applications for MBE, and his awareness of the confluence of our state's great research universities with the scientific and engineering talent located in the Chicago area, forged a vision to create a technology incubator in the mold of Bell Laboratories and Xerox PARC. That vision was fulfilled by the incorporation of Sivananthan Laboratories in the fall of 2009. Since its creation, Sivananthan Laboratories has assisted emerging Chicago-area small businesses to research new technologies and convert that knowledge into innovative new products and services. Sivananthan Laboratories also has provided foundational support to InSPIRE, a not- for-profit whose mission is to spark interest in the sciences among Chicago-area students and nurture the growth of a renewable energy ecosystem in Illinois. In recent years, Dr. Siva and Sivananthan Laboratories have turned their interest towards innovation in artificial intelligence and machine learning tools that support automatic data processing of infrared imagery. Sivananthan Laboratories has also increasingly explored the use of infrared imagery in the agricultural and medical sectors. Based on their long history of groundbreaking research and track record of converting that research into commercially viable technologies, we can look forward to exciting new contributions to our scientific understanding and the development of new economic enterprises in Illinois and beyond. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the great achievements of Dr. Siva and Sivananthan Laboratories on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of its founding, and acknowledge their tireless efforts to advance research in both hard science and applied technologies. As a former member of the Sivananthan Laboratories team, I take special pride in their achievements and wish them the very best in all their present and future endeavors.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I never ran for Congress wanting or expecting to impeach anybody, let alone the President of the United States. However, given the facts, here we are. While some questions remain unanswered, two key facts are clear and compel me to support the Articles of Impeachment. First, President Trump attempted to pressure a foreign government to help his reelection campaign. And second, the President used the powers of his office to obstruct a congressional investigation into that wrongdoing. The President has falsely claimed he has been denied the chance to defend himself, but at the same time, he is preventing the testimony of witnesses with direct knowledge of the events under investigation. If the President were innocent, as he claims, surely these witnesses would be able to testify to that. If there had been no quid pro quo, these witnesses could say that. If aid to Ukraine were not intentionally delayed for improper purposes, they could surely testify to that also. But rather than giving these witnesses the chance to speak, the President has silenced them. The President has silenced witnesses at the Defense Department. The President has silenced witnesses at the State Department. The President has silenced witnesses at the White House. He even silenced the loquacious Mick Mulvaney, who uttered at a press conference that there was a quid pro quo and ``get over it.'' By choosing to block this testimony, the President is not proving his innocence; he is just proving he is afraid of what they have to say. As a wise man once said, the truth will come to light. And it has. It is our duty to act on it.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Michael Carrigan for a lifetime of vigorous and effective advocacy protecting the rights of workers in my home state of Illinois and working men and women across the United States. Michael Carrigan's life is a quintessentially American story of talent, determination and deeply felt ambition to build a better world. He began his career as a journeyman wireman and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Displaying an early talent for organizing, Michael quickly rose through the ranks to become business manager and financial secretary for IBEW Local 146, and then assumed greater positions of responsibility in the Illinois AFL-CIO as Secretary-Treasurer and President. Michael also held a variety of positions of national leadership in organized labor, somehow found time to serve nearly four terms on the Decatur City Council, and briefly as the Mayor of Decatur. During his tenure as president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, Michael played a key role organizing support to increase the Illinois minimum wage to $15 an hour, and to enact a $45 billion dollar capital improvements bill that will fund the repair of aging infrastructure in our state. He continues to work tirelessly to build support for a progressive state income tax that asks our wealthiest citizens to shoulder their fair share of the cost of government, while providing revenue streams sufficient to balance our budget and fund education, important social services, and our state's pension obligations to its workers. In 2018, Michael was the first Illinois resident to receive the World Peace Prize ``Roving Ambassador for Peace'' award. In accepting this honor, Michael observed that all peaceful societies are built upon foundations of economic justice: ``The Labor Movement and its allies build peace through economic and social justice causes . . . Our fight for justice knows no borders, and the enemies of peace are the enemies of [social and economic] justice.'' Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 900,000 members of the Illinois AFL- CIO and the millions of hard-working men and women in our country who owe so much to Michael Carrigan, I offer my gratitude for his years of dedicated and selfless service to our country. Although Michael may be retiring from the Illinois AFL-CIO, I know he will not retire from his commitment to public service, and I wish him great success in all his future endeavors.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Village of Lombard, and to celebrate its beginnings and the important contributions made by its citizens over its long and vibrant history. The first European settlers to the region arrived in the early 1830s, enticed by rich farmland and the promise of a better life. Originally known as Babcock's Grove, the Village of Lombard was officially incorporated in 1869 and named in honor of Josia Lewis Lombard, a Chicago banker and real estate developer. Among the early pioneers to the region were Sheldon and Harriet Peck. Sheldon was a folk artist of some renown, but he and Harriet also are remembered for their vigorous activism in support of women's rights, public education, temperance, and most importantly, the anti-slavery movement. The Pecks made their home a stop on the Underground Railroad and assisted numerous runaway slaves on their journey to freedom. To commemorate their courage, the Peck homestead was inducted in August of 2011 into the National Park-sponsored `Network to Freedom' program. The women's suffrage movement also enjoyed one of its earliest triumphs thanks to the inspired advocacy of a Lombard attorney. Ellen Martin successfully argued that the Lombard town charter gave women the right to vote, as it conferred voter status on any resident of Lombard who had reached the age of majority. On April 6, 1891, Ellen Martin cast the first vote by a woman in our state, nearly 30 years before the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution. I believe the original settlers of Lombard would be deeply proud of the village they established and its distinguished history. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize this profoundly American story of courage, determination, and good works, and to acknowledge the vibrant history and future of the Village of Lombard.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor his Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a Hindu spiritual leader and humanitarian who has devoted his life to eliminating violence and spreading compassion throughout the world. I also wish to acknowledge the America Meditates guided meditation conducted today in Denver, Colorado by His Holiness as part of the National Summit for Mental Health and Mental Fitness, an event that will be livestreamed nationwide and joined by thousands of His Holiness' devotees. His Holiness's teachings emphasize the close relationship between spirituality, compassion for others, and concern for the environment. According to his beliefs, spirituality is open to all people regardless of religion or culture, because the bond that all humans share is stronger than any characteristics that may divide us. His Holiness has taken part in extensive humanitarian work around the world. Volunteers from his many service organizations have distributed food and emergency supplies, and provided spiritual support and counseling, to victims from natural disasters including Hurricane Katrina in the United States and the 2004 tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a champion of peace, and has actively sought to assist in efforts to mediate conflicts in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America and on the Indian subcontinent. His Holiness has dedicated himself to social initiatives all over the world and especially in India, where he has worked to increase voter awareness and establish free health camps, and address social problems ranging from drug abuse to the rehabilitation of prison populations. His Holiness has also worked to protect our environment with an assortment of water and river rehabilitation projects, and through efforts ranging from programs to help train farmers on creating seed banks to building waste management facilities. In recognition of his decades of service, His Holiness has been honored with awards from countries including India, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Russia and the United States. In 2016, the Government of India awarded him the ``Padma Vibhushan'', its second highest civilian honor. His Holiness continues his work throughout the world to bring peace and understanding through meditation and spiritual growth. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for the good work he has done through his spiritual leadership and humanitarian service, and commend him for his continued efforts to make a more just and peaceful world.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda). Madam Speaker, I would like to rise in support of my own legislation, H.R. 1844, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 66 Grove Court in Elgin, Illinois, as the Corporal Alex Martinez Memorial Post Office Building. Corporal Alex Martinez, a lifelong Elgin resident, wanted to join the Marine Corps since he was a little boy. From a young age, he yearned to follow in the footsteps of his father, Enrique Martinez, who was a longtime Navy reservist, and an aunt who served in the Army. As a senior in high school, with his whole life ahead of him, he decided to follow his dreams. He surprised his friends and family by attending summer school to graduate early, enlist in the Marine Corps, and marry his high school sweetheart, Juliana Martinez, at the age of 18. After graduation from basic training, Corporal Martinez was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, One Marine Expeditionary Force, where he excelled as a combat engineer. In this role, he had the dangerous but crucial responsibility to guide ground forces away from life-threatening obstacles, such as lethal improvised explosive devices. In his second deployment on April 5, 2012, a unit that Corporal Martinez was guiding began receiving enemy fire. Despite facing an immediate threat to his own life, he continued to calmly and systematically clear lanes for marines to maneuver against the enemy. Tragically, Corporal Martinez was killed after an explosive device detonated in Helmand province. In that moment, Alex Martinez became the first and only Elgin native to fall in combat since the terror attacks on September 11. While in Afghanistan, Corporal Martinez would tell his loved ones his plans to start a family and to continue his selfless service by becoming a fireman or a police officer. But as a consequence of his sacrifices to this great Nation and the people who inhabit it, he never could pursue those dreams. Madam Speaker, you and I and the many Members of this Chamber are fortunate to live in a diverse nation with innumerable freedoms, but we can only enjoy these freedoms and the peace and prosperity that accompany them because of the sacrifices made by Corporal Martinez and the millions of men and women who dedicate their lives to defend our democracy. To honor Corporal Martinez's honorable sacrifices to this country, to recognize the sacrifice of his loved ones, and to express solidarity with all servicemembers and veterans in the United States, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1844.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, known simply as ``Amma'' to her many admirers over the world, for her exemplary humanitarian and conservation efforts and her work to build bridges of love, peace and understanding not only to the people of India, but to all nations. Amma was born in 1953 in a small, coastal village in the South Indian state of Kerala. Drawn from a very early age to a life of service to others, Amma began her lifelong practice of trying to alleviate suffering by sharing food and clothing from her home while still a young girl. This devotion to service was not always appreciated by her family, who faced their own economic challenges and could ill afford to give away any of the little they had, but Amma persisted and soon began her practice of embracing those in need of comfort and support. As she matured, Amma grew to understand that hugging and personal acts of kindness were not sufficient to heal our world, and she began to speak publicly on the importance of selfless service, compassion towards all beings, conservation, the importance of inter-religious harmony, and against human trafficking and slavery. She founded two important charitable organizations, Mata Amritanandamayi Math and Embracing the World, which have provided essential disaster relief, food, clean water, housing, health care and education to thousands of needy men, women and children in India and in Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Spain, Kenya, Brazil, Slovenia and Australia. Amma is beloved by many as their guru and has a large following in my district. Her humanitarian efforts have been recognized and celebrated by, among others, the United Nations, the Parliament of World Religions, and Rotary Club International, and she has been awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters from the State University of New York in Buffalo. Amma continues to share her vision of peace, understanding and love through speaking programs, meditation retreats and her willingness to embrace all in need of blessing. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Amma's selfless and compassionate devotion to all people, the work of her charities to relieve poverty and provide health care and education, her outspoken advocacy against human trafficking, and her efforts to encourage sustainable practices and protect our shared ecosystem.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1044, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation with over 300 cosponsors. I want to thank Chairwoman Lofgren for her excellent leadership on this legislation which will end discrimination based on national origin in our employment-based immigration system and strengthen our economy. Our current system limits the number of employment-based green cards to 7 percent per country, regardless of population. As a result, high- skilled workers from certain countries face backlogs of upwards of 70 years, while applicants from other countries go to the front of the line. That is not fair. This legislation ensures that all high-skilled visa applicants have an equal opportunity to contribute to American economic development, regardless of their country of birth. Many highly educated and high-skilled workers who come to this country on temporary visas in the tech industry and other sectors raise their children here, are a part of our communities, pay their taxes, and want the opportunity to become lawful, permanent residents. This legislation helps keep families together, and it helps American businesses retain top talent, growing and making them more prosperous. Mr. Speaker, it is long overdue that we end the discriminatory per- country cap on employment-based visas. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. I salute the bipartisan cooperation between Chairwoman Lofgren and Congressman Buck.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the International Association of Tamil Research, the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America, and the Chicago Tamil Sangam on the occasion of the 10th World Tamil Conference, commencing on July 4, 2019 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Since the first World Tamil Conference in 1966, various cities around the world have hosted this important gathering of scholars and the Tamil community. The oldest sangam in the United States, Chicago Tamil Sangam is honored to observe its Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary in concert with the four-day World Tamil Conference, its important scholarly presentations on Tamil language and history, and its celebration of the rich heritage of Tamil culture and art. This year's research conference theme is ``New Historicist, Scientific and Comparative Study of the Antiquity of the Tamils, Tamil Language, Literature, Culture and Civilization.'' In addition to this scholarly focus, the World Tamil Conference will feature a host of cultural programs, the International Conference Seminar on Tamil Studies, a Global Tamil Entrepreneurs meeting, and a festive parade and banquet. Above all, the conference is a celebration of the vibrant Tamil community and preserves and shares the rich history and culture of Tamil people worldwide. The 2019 World Tamil Conference also will recognize the passing of the late Dr. V.C. Kulandaiswamy, former Vice Chancellor of Anna University and Vice Chairman of the International Association of Tamil Research. In addition to his outstanding contributions to the science of hydrology, Dr. Kulandaiswamy was instrumental in bringing the International Association of Tamil Research conference to the United States, and was honored for his contributions to science, engineering and education by the nation of India with the prestigious national Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the World Tamil Conference and the Chicago Tamil Sangam, International Association of Tamil Research, and Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America for their tireless efforts to bring together proud Tamils from around the world, for their commitment to preserving one of the world's oldest languages and civilizations, and for their many years of service to the Tamil diaspora in the United States.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the International Association of Tamil Research, the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America, and the Chicago Tamil Sangam on the occasion of the 10th World Tamil Conference, commencing on July 4, 2019 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Since the first World Tamil Conference in 1966, various cities around the world have hosted this important gathering of scholars and the Tamil community. The oldest sangam in the United States, Chicago Tamil Sangam is honored to observe its Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary in concert with the four-day World Tamil Conference, its important scholarly presentations on Tamil language and history, and its celebration of the rich heritage of Tamil culture and art. This year's research conference theme is ``New Historicist, Scientific and Comparative Study of the Antiquity of the Tamils, Tamil Language, Literature, Culture and Civilization.'' In addition to this scholarly focus, the World Tamil Conference will feature a host of cultural programs, the International Conference Seminar on Tamil Studies, a Global Tamil Entrepreneurs meeting, and a festive parade and banquet. Above all, the conference is a celebration of the vibrant Tamil community and preserves and shares the rich history and culture of Tamil people worldwide. The 2019 World Tamil Conference also will recognize the passing of the late Dr. V.C. Kulandaisamy, former Vice Chancellor of Anna University and Vice Chairman of the International Association of Tamil Research. In addition to his outstanding contributions to the science of hydrology, Dr. Kulandaisamy was instrumental in bringing the International Association of Tamil Research conference to the United States, and was honored for his contributions to science, engineering and education by the nation of India with the prestigious national Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the World Tamil Conference and the Chicago Tamil Sangam, International Association of Tamil Research, and Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America for their tireless efforts to bring together proud Tamils from around the world, for their commitment to preserving one of the world's oldest languages and civilizations, and for their many years of service to the Tamil diaspora in the United States.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Indian Business Association (IBA) for its achievements representing Indian-American businesses and its assistance to numerous Indian- Americans across the country. The IBA was conceived in Edison, New Jersey by a group of concerned citizens who felt the need to act when they witnessed injustices within their community. This experience was a catalyst for the IBA's founding principles of fairness, solidarity, and social activism. The IBA has played an important role nationwide to encourage the Indian-American community to embrace entrepreneurship. As their members use their voice to build a better America, the IBA has worked to become a leader in reinforcing civic participation in Indian-American community. Members of the IBA have worked tirelessly to generate greater voter engagement by organizing non-partisan voter registration drives. These efforts by members of the IBA have garnered significant attention and helped make the IBA a pillar of the community. As the IBA has expanded its footprint, the organization continues to uphold and share Indian culture and tradition with Americans of all walks of life. In its 39th year of existence, the IBA will host and celebrate its annual New Jersey India Day Parade, our nation's largest such parade honoring India's independence and the creation of the world's largest democracy. Attended by nearly 40,000 people and includes more than 100 organizations, giving the parade and opportunity to celebrate the rich and cultural heritage of Indian-Americans and their contributions to our country. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the great achievements of the IBA and acknowledge its continuing actions to support Indian-American entrepreneurs and the jobs they create, its dedication to civic engagement, and its steadfast efforts to advance civil rights protections for all Americans.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of amendment No. 267 and in support of H.R. 3055, legislation that includes robust funding for the Department of Transportation. Simply put, H.R. 3055 will bolster our infrastructure and increase the safety and security for citizens across the country, and I am proud to support it. But, Mr. Chair, when we use billions of dollars in taxpayer money to invest in our infrastructure, our constituents are relying on us to do so in a manner that is fair, transparent, and ethical. That is why I am introducing, today, amendment No. 267, which would prohibit any funding in the appropriations bill from being used in violation of section 2635.702 of title 5, which is the law mandating that no public office be used for private gain. In light of recent reporting alleging potential misconduct by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, it is imperative that we remind Federal officials that public money cannot be used for private purposes. Government officials across agencies should not make policy decisions with the intent of benefiting family businesses. They should never use their position in an official capacity to promote their own personal financial interests, and when tasked with any decision where there are potential conflicts of interest, they must recuse themselves. Government officials should make decisions only for the public good, not private gain. Favoritism corrodes trust in government and in the vital institutions that have kept our democracy strong for over 200 years. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price).

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chair, I have no further speakers, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment because we must operate in the public interest, not for private gain, as Federal employees and people in trust in the Federal Government. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2740 and its amendments. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation is a self-sustaining government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. This October, it will become the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the DFC, with increased capabilities to invest and drive economic growth around the developing world. Critically, the DFC will be able to compete with China on a global stage, strengthening our relationship with nations around the world. However, these agencies do not have specific national security processes or reviews in place. They are entirely dependent on Federal standards. My bipartisan amendment, which I introduced with Republican Congressman Chris Stewart, prohibits any agency from violating the Export Controls Act, which lays out what goods, items, and knowledge can be exported. This amendment would ensure that an American business investing funds and technology in foreign ventures are not inadvertently exporting equipment that is, for example, Huawei supported.