Raja Krishnamoorthi

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to condemn the violence inflicted upon Armenians on the 34th anniversary of the Sumgait 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 lime Armenians were burned alive and thrown from windows, 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 killed hundreds of unarmed civilians and displaced tens of thousands of Armenians fleeing systematic violence as refugees. These pogroms set the stage for decades of aggression by Azerbaijan. In September 2020, Azerbaijan bombed the Republic of Artsakh with Turkish support, targeting Armenian schools and religious sites, and killing innocent civilians. Over a year later, Azerbaijan still illegally holds and tortures Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) from 2020, despite signing a joint statement requiring all captives to be released. Madam Speaker, on this 34th anniversary of the Sumgait 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 respect the rights of all minorities living within its borders. I condemn Azerbaijan's ongoing aggression against Armenia, and call on the Azerbaijani government to immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian POWs and captive civilians.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize the seminal contributions of Dr. Nasir Ahmed in the field of computer science, whose work on image processing underlies much of the video conferencing and photo sharing technology that we now take for granted--technology that has been essential to getting us through this pandemic. Born in Bangalore, India, Dr. Ahmed immigrated to the United States in 1961 to pursue a masters and then a Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico. It was there that Dr. Ahmed met his wife, Esther Parente-Ahmed, whose love and support proved instrumental to Dr. Ahmed's career. Describing Esther, Dr. Ahmed said, ``she helped me all through my career; she was always next to me.'' After receiving his doctorate from the University of New Mexico, Dr. Ahmed became a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Kansas State University in 1968. While at Kansas State, Professor Ahmed developed the discrete cosine transform, known as DCT, as a way to compress digital images. Working with his Ph.D. student, T. Raj Natarajan, and colleague, Dr. K. R. Rao, Professor Ahmed developed a working DCT algorithm, and the results, first published in 1974, ``appeared too good to be true,'' in Dr. Ahmed's words. Indeed, the new algorithm performed better than any other method of digital image compression. In layman's terms, digital files that contain images, photos, videos, and audio are simply too large to practically send over the internet; to share this data, it must be compressed. The discrete cosine transform is the most widely used method for compressing digital images, and DCT would become the basis for innumerable other technologies for sharing and streaming photos, video, and audio that we now take for granted. Our zoom calls, that JPEG your friend sent you last weekend, the MP3s you listened to jogging this morning--it's all thanks to Nasir Ahmed. Madam Speaker, on behalf of all of us who use these essential technologies every day, I want to thank Dr. Ahmed for his contributions to computer science, which have brought us together and reshaped our world in ways we could have scarcely imagined when the discrete cosine transform was first published.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of our Korean War veterans, who fought so bravely to repel an invasion intended to overthrow the government of the Republic of Korea and subjugate its people to authoritarian rule. On June 25, 1950, the armed forces of North Korea attacked South Korea with the goal of imposing a totalitarian regime on the men, women and children living south of the 38th parallel at the demarcation line of the two countries. That same day, the Security Council of the United Nations unanimously condemned this violation of South Korean sovereignty, and two days later published Resolution 83, which authorized the use of force by member states to repel the invasion. President Truman immediately sent United States troops to assist in responding to this aggression, but the conflict rapidly expanded to include armed forces from the People's Republic of China. After three years of bloody struggle, and the deaths of nearly 37,000 members of the Armed Forces of United States and millions of Korean civilians, an armistice was signed by the governments of North Korea, the People's Republic of China and the United States ending hostilities and establishing a demilitarized zone at the 38th parallel to formalize the existence of North and South Korea. The Korean War is often referred to as the ``Forgotten War,'' as contemporaneous news coverage was censored, and its three years of conflict were overshadowed by the Second World War and the war in Vietnam. Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, however, liked to display in his Pentagon office a night-time satellite image of the Korean peninsula. This image, which revealed a thriving, brightly lit South Korea and a pitch-black North Korea emblematic of the painful suffering of its citizens, was kept on display by Mr. Rumsfeld to remind himself and his visitors that the sacrifices of our veterans were not forgotten by, and had a transformative impact on, the people of South Korea. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the brave veterans of the Korean War as we approach the seventh decade since the 1953 armistice ending the conflict. On behalf of a grateful Nation, we honor our veterans' courage and their sacrifices to preserve peace and the blessings of liberty for an important ally and for the men, women and children who live in the Republic of South Korea.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my good friend, Fred Andes, of Chicago, on receiving J Street's highest honor, the Tzedek v'Shalom Award. This is the Justice and Peace Award. No one is more deserving than Fred. I am honored to call him a good friend and be close with his family, including his lovely wife, Melanie. He is empathetic, Fred is generous, and he is a leader in the community. Fred practices the ancient expression ``tikkun olam'' every day in repairing the world. He serves as a co-chair of the U.S. International Advisory Committee for EcoPeace Middle East. He is also a lay co-chair of the Joint Israel Committee for the Reconstructing Judaism movement. And he has served as a critical member of J Street's Chicago Executive Committee. Fred is one of those people whose actions speak louder than words. We are so honored by his presence in the community. Congratulations to Fred, again, in receiving the Tzedek v'Shalom Award.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Dr. Lorna Breen Act. My wife, Priya, is a physician. Like her colleagues, she has worked tirelessly during the pandemic. During the pandemic, people have referred to these healthcare workers as heroes, but as you know, our heroes are human. They struggle with the trauma of losing colleagues and patients, and they expose themselves to the daily risks of COVID. They suffer from burnout, depression, and suicide. In fact, before the pandemic, one physician every day committed suicide. That rate has gone up significantly during the pandemic. I am reminded of the situation of Dr. Scott Jolley in Utah. He would sometimes work until 3 a.m. as the only physician on duty at his hospital in Utah. By November 2020, he was diagnosed with PTSD, and by February 2021, he had committed suicide. These tragic losses and stories from medical professionals are unending. Today, in honor of one of these heroes, Dr. Lorna Breen, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act was created and will expand access to mental and behavioral health resources to help our heroes, to help them cope with the stresses and anxieties that they face every single day. Unfortunately, some of those stresses and anxieties will continue after this pandemic. That is why this act is so important. I look forward to passing this necessary piece of legislation today.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join the many devout followers of Jainism in honoring in the month of October the life of the remarkable Jain poet, scholar, religious leader, and philosopher Shrimad Rajchandraji, and to acknowledge his many writings, in particular his poetic spiritual masterpiece, Atmasiddhi Shastra. Born in 1867 in the Indian port city of Vavania, Rajchandraji was drawn to a religious life from an early age. His spiritual odyssey led him to Jainism and its core belief of ahimsa or non-violence (the ethical principal of not causing harm to other living beings). Shrimad Rajchandraji scaled great spiritual heights and demystified the path to self-discovery in an effortless manner relevant to the contemporary social environment. Even in a short life of 34 years, Rajchandraji gave the world a rich heritage that continues to guide generations of seekers. His life and works have been compiled and published in a volume titled Shrimad Rajchandra, the contents of which are an inspiration to turn within and discover life's eternal truths. In his early spiritual and philosophical writings Rajchandraji wrote about the importance of women's education and the practices that cultivate the essential mindset of non-attachment, and authored many commentaries on spirituality and Jain religious beliefs. Shrimad Rajchandraji was a visionary who laid the foundations of Jain spirituality for a new era. He composed Atmasiddhi Shastra in the late 19th century to present the six spiritual truths and the path to self- realisation. The poem is revered by many seekers as a masterpiece of spiritual enlightenment and guidance. In 1891, Rajchandraji was introduced to a young Indian lawyer named Mohandas Gandhi. This encounter led to a long friendship and mentorship between Rajchandraji and the future father of modern India. In his autobiography, Gandhi paid homage to his spiritual mentor by noting that ``[i]n my moments of spiritual crisis, Shrimadji was my refuge.'' Madam Speaker, I also take this opportunity to commend Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, spiritual visionary and global humanitarian leader, who has devoted his life to sharing the wisdom of Shrimad Rajchandraji through the work of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur. Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji's impact in fostering peace and serving society, aligned with Rajchandraji's philosophy, has been recognised by various prestigious forums and contemporary spiritual leaders globally. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Shrimad Rajchandraji's teachings on the importance of nonviolence, truth, and peace, which are as relevant today as they were to Mahatma Gandhi over a century ago, and the guidance and comfort provided to his devotees by the epic masterpiece, Atmasiddhi Shastra.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to join the many Hindu faithful in the United States in recognizing the month of October as Hindu heritage month. The 8th Congressional District is home to many followers of this uniquely pluralistic religion, and I wish to celebrate the Hindu community's valuable contributions to my district and to our state and country. I believe this acknowledgment is especially timely, given the disturbing rise of prejudice and racism in this country, including Hinduphobia as manifested in hateful speech and violent acts perpetrated against Indian-Americans and Hindu houses of worship. The Hindu religion dates back millennia and has profoundly influenced both ancient and modern cultures. Its message of religious tolerance, non-violence, and the universality of the human experience was introduced to this country in 1893 by Swami Vivekananda in his landmark address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Illinois. Swami Vivekananda's words of peace and his emphasis on self-perfection and service to others sparked interest in the Hindu faith and contributed to the growth of Hinduism in the United States. His spiritual understanding had a profound influence on one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi, who in turn inspired the important work of one of our nation's most revered leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr., to advance the cause of civil rights in the United States. The Hindu faithful in our country include physicians, lawyers, scientists, economists, philosophers, artists, academics, business leaders, government officials--and Members of Congress. They are guided by Swami Vivekananda's call to service and respect for all religions and all people. Madam Speaker, I know all Americans of goodwill share these beliefs, and today I would like to celebrate the work of the Hindu faithful in building bridges of understanding between all Americans, for their important contributions to our economy and our cultural and civic life, and for the part they play in creating our wonderful and distinctively diverse American experience.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of my amendment, which would permit the Secretary of HHS to receive unused and oftentimes just about to expire COVID vaccines from States and be able to redistribute them to foreign partners or allies. Now, my primary legislation before the body in Congress is called NOVID. It is a play on words, no more COVID. And this legislation would actually establish a program to help vaccinate 60 percent of the population of the world's 92 poorest countries. I hope that this legislation is taken up by this body and supported by the administration. In the meantime, the very least that we can do is to donate unused vaccines from the States. Now, these vaccines are about to expire. They are going to be no good in just a matter of months, and so instead of allowing them to go to waste, we should donate them abroad. This is not only the right thing to do to help to end suffering abroad, but it is the smart thing to do because then it helps to prevent variants that are generated abroad from coming back home to the United States and further wreaking havoc on our economy. On top of that, we see the Chinese Communist Party going around the world peddling their ineffective Sinovac vaccine, and we should be instead vaccinating those populations with effective vaccines. Again, I hope that the administration utilizes this amendment to great impact, and I hope that they also do more and endorse my NOVID legislation.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I wish to honor the work of the American Tamil Medical Association, an organization devoted to promoting charitable work both in the United States and around the world. Formed by ten Tamil physicians in 2005, ATMA has grown to include 13 chapters in 3 countries. Its annual convention brings together the brightest minds in the Tamil medical community to share ideas and initiate projects to create healthier conditions for the poor and underserved in this country and abroad. As a Tamil American, I share a deep sense of pride in the accomplishments of fellow Tamil Americans. ATMA has raised thousands of dollars to underwrite relief efforts for natural disasters all over the world. Its charitable endeavors support homeless shelters in the United States, construction of children's hospitals in India, and organizations that prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ATMA provided funding and resources for hospitals, and operated a 24-hour helpline to aid those in need of medical assistance. ATMA also serves as an important educational resource through its efforts to mentor medical students of Tamil origin, and the Continuing Medical Education seminars it offers in the United States and India. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize and commend the American Tamil Medical Association for the contributions its members make to improve public health around the world.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I wish to honor the life and talent of Avasarala Kanyakumari, a revered master violinist, composer, and teacher in the Indian Carnatic musical tradition. Born in the city of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, India, Kanyakumari began her musical life on the violin at the age of eight. Blessed with an abundance of natural talent and nurtured by her family and dedicated teachers--including the eminent violinist Maestro Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao--Kanyakumari was soon performing in small concerts and building a reputation as a musical prodigy. After graduating high school, Kanyakumari moved to Chennai, where she continued her education and her musical career as an accompanist and soloist of great renown, deeply admired by critics and aficionados alike for her technical skill and exquisite musicality. The Indian Government recognized her talent and contributions to Indian music and culture with the Padma Shri Award in 2015. The following year, Kanyakumari was honored with the Kalaimamani Award from the state of Tamil Nadu, and the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi Award from the Madras Music Academy. Kanyakumari is revered for her commitment to cultivating the next generation of Carnatic musicians. She offers her services without charge, as her way of paying it forward and honoring the contributions made by her teachers to developing her talents. And Kanyakumari is a wonderful musical ambassador, sharing the beauty of the Carnatic tradition with music lovers all over the world. (I was especially moved by a recent rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner on this Fourth of July, performed by Kanyakumari and her student disciples.) Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the contributions of maestro, guru, and composer Avasarala Kanyakumari to Indian music and culture, and the gift of her talent to the millions of devotees of the Carnatic musical tradition.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support this en bloc amendment, which includes mine and Representative Porter's amendment to improve booster seat safety. In December, my Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy released a concerning report on the safety of booster seats for children. Booster seatmakers have been marketing their booster seats as safe for 30-pound children, a standard not recommended by experts. And these makers have been left largely unregulated when it comes to side- impact testing. Some makers gave passing grades to booster seats because the seat maintained its structural integrity. Meanwhile, the dummy was damaged. And we all know what a damaged dummy equates to: The severe spinal cord or other injuries to a child. We expect the products we buy to be tried and true, but, sadly, that is not the case with booster seats. And when it comes to our children, we cannot continue to stand idly by. My amendment would require NHTSA to revise their recommended minimum weight for a booster seat to 40 pounds, and would require booster seatmakers to produce labels that display recommendations clearly for parents.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise to salute my departing chief of staff, Mark Schauerte, for his devoted service to my office and to my constituents. Mark and I have been friends since the third grade, having grown up in Peoria, Illinois, and today Mark is one of my most trusted advisers. His intelligence, decency, and grit informed every initiative undertaken by my office. I will miss Mark's daily presence and his warm sense of humor. My loss, however, is his family's gain, and I am glad Mark's lovely wife, Chris, and his son, Eddie, will now enjoy more of Mark's time. Madam Speaker, I thank Mark for his dedicated, stalwart public service, and I thank him for his friendship of more than 40 years. I wish Mark great success in this new chapter of his life.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Roofing Contractors Association headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and its efforts to designate the week of June 6-12, 2021, as National Roofing Week. The roof is one of the most important components of any home or business. It is the first line of defense against natural elements, such as rain, snow or wind, and yet it is often taken for granted until it falls into disrepair. National Roofing Week honors the thousands of roofing-related businesses and workers across the country, as well as the industry's commitment to public service. National Roofing Week is a valuable reminder of the significance quality roofing has on every home and business in the U.S. Established in 1886, NRCA is one of the nation's oldest trade associations and the voice of professional roofing contractors worldwide. NRCA has nearly 4,000 roofing company members who represent the entire roofing supply chain. Using its vast network of roofing contractors and industry-related members, NRCA is responsible for the installation of new construction and replacement roof systems on commercial and residential structures in America. Most of its members are small, privately held businesses that provide family-sustaining jobs for thousands of hardworking individuals who are the backbone of our economy. Professional roofing contractors provide vital services to their communities, on and off the clock. NRCA members will recognize National Roofing Week June 6-12 by supporting numerous charitable projects and employee training programs throughout the nation. I commend NRCA and the vital role the organization and its members play in every community, and I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging their contributions during National Roofing Week.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join thousands of organizations and individuals around the country in observation of Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Ten years ago, a mother who lost her daughter to a distracted driving crash successfully petitioned this body to have April officially designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Unfortunately, we are still dealing with the impact of distracted driving on our roadways. Research shows that using electronic devices increases cognitive distraction. This can be deadly on the road, where a split-second distraction can cause a crash. Approximately 3,142 people died in distraction affected driving crashes in 2019--that's eight people every day dying from a completely preventable cause--and this number is widely believed to be undercounted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the roads have become much more dangerous. Motor vehicle deaths in 2020 are estimated to be the highest in 13 years, despite dramatic drops in miles driven Americans stayed home. While it's too early to have a full understanding of what caused this increase in the number of people dying in crashes, distraction certainly played a part. Recognizing these dangerous trends, I'm proud to be the leader of the SAFE TO DRIVE Act with my colleagues Mike Gallagher and Steve Cohen. SAFE TO DRIVE incentivizes states to pass laws eliminating distraction on our roadways. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting passage of this legislation. I encourage all motorists to commit to driving attentively and safely, without the distraction of cell phones or other devices. I also hope my colleagues will join me this month in raising awareness about this important issue. Do it for all of our constituents. Their lives are more valuable than any call, email, or text.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the month of April as ``Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month'' in my home state of Illinois. The 8th Congressional District is home to many Sikh- Americans and Sikh faithful, and I wish to recognize their valuable contributions to my district and to our state and country, I believe this recognition is especially timely, given the disturbing rise in hate crimes and violent acts perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, most recently on April 15, 2021 at a Federal Express facility located in Indianapolis. The first followers of the Sikh religion emigrated to the United States over 125 years ago, where they found work on farms located in California and in the lumber mills of Washington state. Despite suffering persecution and discrimination, these patriotic Sikh- Americans persevered and found ways to participate in civic life, including service in the United States Army. In 1918, Sergeant Bhagat Singh Thind was the first serviceman in the history of the United States Army allowed to wear a turban as part of his military uniform. Sikh-Americans continued to proudly serve with distinction in the Second World War, Korean War, Vietnam War and in our conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. In addition to military service, Sikh-Americans have made countless contributions to our common good. They include scientists like Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany, who is widely known as the ``father of fiber optic technology,'' and Dr. Gurtej Singh Sandhu, one of the world's most prolific inventors. They include artists and musicians like Grammy nominee Snatam Kaur Khalsa, and activist and award-winning filmmaker Valarie Kaur. They include entrepreneurs like Waris Ahluwalia, an actor, model and businessman. And they include men and women called to public service, like Dalip Singh Saund, who in 1957 became the first Asian-American, Indian-American and member of a non-Abrahamic faith to be elected to serve in this House of Representatives. 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 good thoughts. These tenets of service and respect for the rights and dignity of all stand in painful contrast to the recent vile speech and acts of violence directed at Sikh communities. Madam Speaker, during this month of appreciation for Sikh Americans, I want to officially recognize the contributions of the more than 700,000 members of the United States Sikh community to business, the arts, science, medicine, literature and philosophy. Additionally, I ask all Americans to take to heart the Sikh religion's belief in the sanctity of each person, respect for freedom of religion, and creed that community service is the foundation for living a good life.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Coach Sean Desai, the first person of South Asian and Indian heritage to attain the elite position of Defensive Coordinator in the National Football League (NFL). Sean's trailblazing ascent with the Chicago Bears football team serves as a shining example of what South Asian and Indian-Americans can achieve in our nation and in professional sports. Coach Desai was born in Shelton, Connecticut and attended Boston University, where he majored in Philosophy and Political Science and graduated Cum Laude in 2004. He then earned a master's degree in higher and postsecondary education from Columbia University, and a doctorate in educational administration from Temple University. Postdoctorate, Coach Desai served as an adjunct professor at Temple and Defensive and Special Teams' Coordinator for the Temple Owls football team. He joined the University of Miami as Assistant Director of Football Operations in 2011 and spent the 2012 season as the Running Backs' Coach and Special Teams' Coordinator at Boston College. In 2013, Coach Desai was hired by the Chicago Bears as a Quality Control Assistant, working with defensive backs and linebackers while assisting the special teams' coaches. Coach Desai held this position until 2018, when he was promoted to Safeties Coach. His colleagues attribute Coach Desai's meteoric rise to his experience as an educator and his ability to connect with his players. In his own words: The ability to develop and have a chance to lead young men and bring them past what they can do . . . opened my eyes to a whole new world of education. To me, that's what an educator has to do-whatever you are teaching . . . I mean, if you're not out there to develop and help bring kids to a place that they can't be on their own, then I don't know what the purpose of education is. Racial biases have thwarted upward mobility for men and women of color since the NFL's inception in 1920. As the first South-Asian and Indian-American Defensive Coordinator in the NFL, Coach Desai will inspire young men and women of all ethnicities and races to believe that they can and should aspire to positions of leadership in professional sports. As a die-hard Chicago Bears fan, I am thrilled to congratulate Coach Sean Desai on his remarkable achievement with the Bears and the trail he is blazing for future generations. I wish him great success in his new role and in all his future endeavors. Let's Go Bears!

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, my parents brought me as an infant to America because they knew it is the land of democracy. It is the beacon of hope for all the world. We called it the American Dream. When Donald Trump told rioters to go to the Capitol and, quote, unquote, ``fight like hell,'' he incited an attack on the Capitol and the ideals comprising the American Dream. I am voting for impeachment because I know we are still the country my parents believed in, and I will fight like hell for it.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I am so glad our friends have changed their mantra from ``stop the steal'' to ``start to heal.'' But in order to heal, you have to take strong medicine, and that medicine happens to be the truth. My friends, the truth is, unfortunately, this President is no longer fit to serve. We cannot trust this President to protect American democracy after he encouraged his supporters ``fight like hell'' in storming the Capitol. We cannot trust him to protect American safety after he told these violent seditionists, ``We love you. You are very special.'' We cannot trust this President to tell right from wrong even today when he said that his remarks on January 6 were ``totally appropriate.'' Mr. Speaker, we cannot trust this President to protect us when he instigated a mob that tried to kill us.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Carol Marin and to honor her distinguished career in print and electronic journalism. Few reporters have done more to build public trust in the press than Carol Marin, and her lifetime commitment to unbiased, in-depth reporting has elevated public discourse and held public officials accountable to their constituents and to the principles of good government. Born in Chicago, Carol spent her childhood in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, part of the 8th Congressional District that I represent. After graduating from the University of Illinois, she worked briefly as a high school English teacher before moving to Tennessee and beginning a career in journalism, first as a talk show host and reporter in Knoxville, and then as a news anchor and reporter in Nashville. In 1978, Carol returned home to Chicago as a news anchor and reporter. She quickly established a reputation as a relentless investigative reporter, and demonstrated a deep commitment to the highest standards of integrity and journalistic excellence. In 1997, that commitment became a national news story when she resigned from her news anchor desk to protest the hiring of a controversial talk show host whose presence she believed would undermine her credibility as a journalist and the work of her newsroom. She moved on to national broadcast work, serving as a correspondent on the CBS Evening News and ``60 Minutes,'' covering important stories, including reporting on the September 11 terror attacks while covered in ash from the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. In 2002, Carol formed Marin Corp Productions, an independent documentary company providing content to media outlets including CNN and the New York Times/Discovery Channel. She also authored political commentary for the Chicago Sun-Times, and served as a contributor to Chicago Tonight, an award-winning nightly news show broadcast on WTTW, Chicago's public television station. Carol Marin has been honored with almost every important award in broadcast journalism. She is the recipient of three George Foster Peabody Awards, two DuPont-Columbia Awards, a George Polk Award, two national Emmy Awards and at least 15 regional Emmy Awards. Carol has been inducted in the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame, and the Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Carol recently announced that she is stepping away from her work as a broadcast journalist after the November 2020 national elections. I am glad to note that she will continue to inspire and mentor the next generation of journalists as co-director of the Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence at DePaul University in Chicago. At a time when journalism is under relentless attack by forces that seek to undermine our democratic norms, I am honored to celebrate the career of a reporter who personifies honesty, integrity and a fearless willingness to speak truth to power. Carol Marin's passion for her life's work is best expressed by her own words: ``There's a sense of mission for most of us in my business, a sense of purpose . . . the biggest lesson I have learned of all--every story, every day, every year that I do this--is that it is a privilege to be a reporter.''

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join thousands of organizations and individuals around the country in observation of Distracted Driving Awareness Month. First recognized by Congress 10 years ago, this commemoration brings attention to the persistent problem of distraction on our Nation's roadways. More than 700 people still die or are injured every day in the U.S. as a result of distracted driving crashes. According to a recent survey released by the National Safety Council--a nonprofit based in my district--only 62 percent of drivers were ``very willing'' to obey state laws preventing cell phone use. This tells me drivers fail to see the dangers of distracted driving. Research shows that using electronic devices increases cognitive distraction. This can be deadly on the road, where a split-second distraction can cause a crash. Approximately 2,841 people died in distraction-affected driving crashes in 2018--that's eight people every day dying from a completely preventable cause--and this is widely believed to be undercounted as many states do not include the option on crash reports to document distracted driving. We have to close these gaps, and that starts with raising awareness. Despite a decrease in traffic volume during the pandemic, crash fatality rates have risen at an alarming level, with estimates that the rate of death on our roadways was 20 percent higher in the first six months of 2020 versus the same time period last year. We've taken cars off the roads, but we haven't reaped any safety benefit. Recognizing these dangerous trends, last year I was proud to introduce the SAFE TO DRIVE Act with my colleagues Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Cohen, to incentivize states to pass laws eliminating distraction on our roadways. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting passage of this legislation. We need it now more than ever. As we mark the 10th Anniversary of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, I encourage all motorists to commit to driving attentively and safely and to avoid using cell phones and in-vehicle technology that take attention off the task of driving. I also hope my colleagues will join me this month in raising awareness about this important issue. Do it for all of our constituents. Their lives are more valuable than any call, email, or text.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy, who devoted his life to preventing blindness in India and across the world. His work preserved the vision of millions of men, women and children, allowing them the blessing of sight and the opportunity to enjoy independent, productive lives. Dr. V, as he was affectionately called, was born October 1, 1918, in a small village in Tamil Nadu, India. After graduating from medical school, he joined the Indian Army Medical Corps, but had to resign after contracting a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis that left his hands permanently disfigured. Unable to practice in his chosen field of obstetrics, Dr. V. returned to medical school to complete specialty training in ophthalmology and, despite his infirmity, mastered the art of cataract surgery. In 1956, he was appointed head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Madurai Medical College, where he performed thousands of ocular surgeries until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 58. Dr. V's work at the medical college sensitized him to the terrible impact of blindness on those without means to pay for care or cope with disability. That experience, and his deep religious conviction that the noblest purpose in life is to serve others, inspired him to pursue an extraordinarily ambitious program to end preventable blindness in India. In 1976, immediately after retiring from government service, Dr. V and members of his family founded the first Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, India. Dr. V took a special interest in the lean business processes of highly efficient enterprises like McDonald's restaurants, while maintaining the highest standard of care. The self-sustaining Aravind Eye Care System is notable for its imaginative division of labor, consistent delivery of positive patient outcomes, and intense focus on reducing costs. One highly successful byproduct of this focus: Aurolab, a Dr. V innovation that manufactures high-quality intraocular lenses so competitively priced that it exports the majority of its production to clinics all over the world. The Aravind Eye Care System has been acclaimed by Harvard Business School and is the focus of an HBS case study; was recognized for excellence in publications including Fast Company, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal; and has inspired health-care organizations throughout the developing world. From its humble beginnings in Madurai, the Aravind Eye Care System now provides care to over four million patients and performs over five hundred thousand surgeries each year in hospitals and clinics in South India. Its consulting and training arm-- the Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology (LAICO)-- supports ophthalmologic health care programs throughout the world, and the Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute investigates causes and evaluates treatment options for various eye diseases, and provides clinical and operations support. Thankfully, Dr. Venkataswamy's service to humanity did not go unnoticed during his lifetime. The Government of India bestowed upon him one of its highest civilian honors, the Padma Shri Award, in 1973. Other honors include recognition by Helen Keller International, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Harold Wit Lectureship at Harvard Divinity School, and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Additionally, in 2008, the Aravind Eye Care System received the prestigious Gates Award for Global Health from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. V passed away in 2006, but his legacy continues to give eyesight to those who otherwise would be blind, and his story continues to inspire. His life is best celebrated by his own words: ``[when] we identify ourselves with all that is in the world . . . there is no exploitation. It is ourselves we are helping. It is ourselves we are healing.''

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, today, on the 102nd anniversary of his birth, I rise to honor Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy, an Indian ophthalmologist who devoted his life to preventing blindness in India and across the world. Dr. Venkataswamy's work preserved the vision of millions of men, women, and children, allowing them the blessing of sight and the opportunity to enjoy independent, productive lives. Though Dr. V suffered from a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis that left his hands permanently disfigured, he defied all odds to become an expert ophthalmologist and mastered the art of cataract surgery. Having witnessed the terrible impact of blindness on those without the means to pay for their own care, Dr. V pursued an extraordinarily ambitious program to end preventable blindness in India. In 1976, Dr. V and members of his family founded the first of what would later become a network of Aravind Eye Hospitals in Madurai, India. The Aravind Eye Care System has been acclaimed by Harvard Business School and is the focus of an HBS case study. It has also been recognized for excellence in publications, including Fast Company, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal, and it has inspired healthcare organizations throughout the developing world. From its humble beginning in Madurai, the Aravind Eye Care System now provides care to over 4 million patients and performs over 500,000 surgeries each year in hospitals and clinics throughout south India. Dr. V passed away in 2006, but his legacy continues to give eyesight to those who otherwise would be blind, and his story continues to inspire millions. His life is best celebrated by his own words: When we identify ourselves with all that is in the world, there is no exploitation. It is ourselves we are helping. It is ourselves we are healing.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Davis for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank John Shimkus and wish him the very best in his retirement. Now, John, you may not remember this, but 4 years ago when I joined this Congress, I said I would like to come and meet you, so you invited me to your office. You could not pronounce my name. Few people can. I said, Just call me Raja. My last name allows me to get on a first-name basis with everybody in this place. From that point forward, we developed a relationship, a friendship, to the point where very recently, I came to him and asked him to cosponsor a piece of legislation, and he just said, ``Put me on it,'' without even asking me what I was asking him to cosponsor. It was moving to me, because he trusted me, and it was based on a friendship rooted on shared values. Even though we may not be in the same party, we are all Americans, and that is something that I deeply cherish about our relationship. Now, as a wise man once said, we can find common ground only by moving to a higher ground, only by moving to a higher ground. Working with John proved to me that we can ascend to higher heights, but only if we try. John Shimkus represents the epitome of a legislator who tries to ascend to higher ground every day. Madam Speaker, I thank John and his excellent staff, including his long-time chief, Craig Roberts, for their incredible devoted service to their family, to their community, and to their country.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 908, condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment related to COVID-19. Since this pandemic began, there have been thousands and thousands of reports of discrimination and xenophobic attacks against Asian Americans in the United States, including in my district, which has one of the highest concentrations of Asian Americans in the country. As an Asian American myself, this is deeply personal and offensive to me. When people, including those in the White House, refer to COVID-19 as the Chinese virus or the kung-flu, they encourage bigotry or discrimination against Asian Americans. To put it simply, promoting anti-Asian-American sentiment or anti- Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19 is un-American, which is why I am proud to cosponsor this resolution and encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York for her leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise as a proud cosponsor of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. Madam Speaker, the USPS is under attack. In the last month, Postmaster General DeJoy has made irreversible changes causing mail delivery backlogs as long as 3 weeks. But don't just take my word for it; 1,612 constituents of mine have contacted us about delayed mail. Denise Winchar contacted us saying: I run a small business and rely on the post office to receive payment for my clients. Without payment, I have no income. Any delay in getting paid is a big hardship for me. In the past month, I have had to wait several weeks for payment. Take Vanesa Deben's word for it. She says: My insurance forces us to get our prescription delivered by mail, I have diabetes and I need to take my meds or risk health problems. The USPS is a service that we all pay for with our taxes and as a paying customer we need to demand that we get our service back now. The Delivering for America Act includes three important provisions, Madam Speaker. It reverses the dangerous operational changes implemented by Postmaster DeJoy. It includes $25 billion in relief to the USPS. It requires the USPS to treat all official election mail as first- class mail. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.