Andy Kim

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. President, I rise today because it is inevitable that at some point in the near future, President Trump will have to convene his national security team in the Situation Room at the White House in response to a global crisis, whether in Ukraine or in the Taiwan Strait or in some other hotspot. The Situation Room is a room that I have had the privilege of working in as staff on the White House National Security Council. It is a room where the most consequential decisions are made, where the safety and security of our country is decided, and where the lives of people are determined. But who will be in the room with the President, advising the President during these difficult and stressful times? As the President sits at the end of the table, flanking him will be some of the most senior advisers. One of them, the closest to him, will be the Secretary of Defense. Mr. President, I rise today because I know the importance of that role in that room. I have seen what it means for the President to turn to the Secretary of Defense for counsel. In fact, I even worked at the Pentagon, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. I have seen the massive operation that the Secretary needs to lead every day and what it takes. I have seen the readiness necessary for the Secretary of Defense to turn to the President and provide the right recommendations for America's national security. I have seen Mr. Pete Hegseth make his case. I have seen his answers in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I have seen the reports. I can say from my experience in the Secretary of Defense's Office as well as in the Situation Room, that Mr. Hegseth's appointment is an unnecessary risk in a dangerous global moment. Now, I get it. President Trump wants to be a disruptor. He wants to bring in people who are going to shake up the system. He wants people who represent a change from the status quo. I am sure a number of us here in the Senate would like to see some changes at the Pentagon-- changes as to how things are done and understanding that the status quo is not something we can lean on. We certainly have disagreements on how best to add certainty and stability to the world that seems to be off the rails in this moment. But there is talking about change and there is actually having the skills and the capacity to implement change. The Department of Defense is our largest employer in our government and one that requires critical leadership. Let's look at the world that Mr. Hegseth would inherit as Secretary of Defense, the world that President Trump will ask him about in the Situation Room. On Ukraine, it is clear that Mr. Hegseth simply doesn't know his history. During his nomination hearing, he called Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea a ``minor incursion.'' He has also downplayed the threat that Putin's Russia poses to our NATO allies. On China, Mr. Hegseth demonstrated a lack of depth of knowledge when asked by Senator Duckworth to name the importance of even one of the ASEAN countries and the type of agreement we have with them. He could not name one. These countries--including multiple treaty allies--are on the frontlines of our competition with China. Multiple ASEAN members are locked in territorial disputes with China. This is a critical partner, so much that the Department of Defense 2 months ago released a strategic document called ``U.S. Department of Defense Vision Statement for a Prosperous and Secure Southeast Asia'' that was centered on ASEAN and even mentioned that ``The United States has worked closely with ASEAN on defense and security in the Indo- Pacific region since former Defense Secretary Robert Gates attended the inaugural ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting . . . in 2010.'' It goes on to say that the ``U.S. Secretary of Defense has attended and supported ASEAN at every single one of those gatherings ever since.'' In a moment where these disputes could easily flare up to conflict, the President needs a Secretary by his side who doesn't draw a blank on questions about our allies. And on the Middle East, Mr. Hegseth remarked that ISIS was ``raging across Iraq'' when President Trump was first sworn into office in 2017 was simply not reflective of the reality on the ground at the time. Combined, that lack of knowledge and qualifications alone should disqualify Mr. Hegseth from this role. But there is one more disqualifying factor, which is his character. Now, there has been a lot said about this already in terms of personal challenges and behaviors, so I will leave it at this: Someone who is being asked to lead millions of uniformed and civilian personnel, his statements on women and transgender servicemembers are simply unacceptable. Claiming that standards have been lowered for women and that allowing LGBT Americans to serve in the military is somehow part of a Marxist agenda is beyond offensive; it is absurd. And it is far beneath the person that is supposed to be setting the standard and serving as a leader for the men and women who have dedicated themselves to protecting this country. I have said before that every President, including President Trump, has the prerogative to choose the people who sit at that table with him in the Situation Room. But our job here in the Senate is to make sure that those people have the competence and the character to serve our country. This is not a reality TV show. This is real life, and there are real lives at stake. Mr. Hegseth should be recognized for his service, but he should not be Secretary of Defense. If that is not enough, we are voting also to approve someone to be the sixth in line of Presidential succession. Is Mr. Hegseth ready for either of these distinctions? The answer for me is no. For the sake of our country and our national security, I encourage my colleagues who want to support this President to oppose this nomination and bring forth another nominee more qualified for the role, more ready for the role. I encourage my colleagues who want to deliver change to oppose this nomination and bring forth another nominee with the experience and credibility to deliver it. I encourage my colleagues who want to make our country safe, who want to make our world a more stable place, and who want to leave a legacy of peace and strength, to oppose this nomination and bring us a nominee ready to deliver for the American people. I urge a ``no'' vote on Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues to call for section 708 of the NDAA to be removed from the final bill. As you know, I am new to the U.S. Senate. I come to the floor today with great humility but also great urgency because, while I am new to the U.S. Senate, I have had the honor of serving the past 6 years as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, just on the other side of this building. During my time as a Member of the House, one of the things I have been most proud to work on is issues involving our military servicemembers and their families. As a House Member, I represented Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the only triservice joint base in the country. Because of that, I represented tens of thousands of military families who signed up to serve our country. When you talk to military families, the last thing you hear about is politics. In fact, the last thing they want to talk about is politics. Military families often struggle with sufficient housing or putting food on the table. They face inadequacies in healthcare. Military spouses often face barriers to finding work. While it is only the servicemember who swears the oath, it is the whole family that serves. I come to the floor with great urgency because Speaker Johnson sought to politicize this important National Defense Authorization Act by inserting a dangerous provision after the Armed Services Committees in both the House and the Senate came to bipartisan agreement. This kind of action undermines trust in negotiations and sets a dangerous precedent for what is widely considered the last true space of traditional bipartisan legislation. Let's be clear. Section 708 would harm those who serve by denying healthcare for military families. By banning TRICARE from covering gender-affirming care for minors, we are standing in the way of military families and the healthcare their doctors have prescribed. We are putting politics into a bill where it simply does not belong. We are sending a signal to our military families that if your loved ones are transgender, we don't have your backs or theirs. As the former ranking member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee, there is a lot about this National Defense Authorization Act to support. Our junior enlisted servicemembers will receive a 14.5-percent pay raise, and all others will receive a 4.5-percent pay raise. Our servicemembers will have greater access to meal support so we can address hunger in our ranks. They will have additional funding to improve military construction of housing so they will have better roofs over their heads. And we have made real progress in improving access to healthcare. These are all wins we should be proud of. They are bipartisan. They build a stronger national defense. That is all the more reason to strip this harmful provision, section 708, from the bill. We shouldn't play politics with our national security. We shouldn't target transgender youth and further spread fear into a community that has seen so much hate directed toward it. We should pass an NDAA that supports our servicemembers and their families--all of them--without politics or prejudice. I hope my colleagues join me to that end.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today one final time in this sacred chamber to thank my neighbors in the Third District of New Jersey for the honor of getting to represent them in Congress over these past six years. It is an honor that I never thought I would have. This was the district my parents chose to create a life and build a family. This was the district that raised me. I went to public schools in the same area I represent now. I played little league on the same fields I drive by heading to meet constituents. It's these places--and these people--that shaped me. I am forever grateful for that. As I grew up, I watched my parents--my mother, a nurse, and my father, a medical researcher working to find cures for cancer and Alzheimer's--work to give back to the community that gave us everything. They had a saying that service isn't just a job, it's a way of life. And so, it was for my community and for my parents that I served. If service is a way of life, then it's important that you start by understanding the people you serve. To do that, I held at least one town hall every month I served--81 in total--to hear directly from the people I represent. Sometimes, those people didn't agree with me. Oftentimes, I came away learning something new. Every time, I walked away with a renewed dedication to working for them--no matter who they supported or how they labeled themselves. From town halls to small business walks to tours of organizations just trying to help, I carry with me still a million conversations that inspired me. Whether it was the Superstorm Sandy survivors who just wanted a fair process in rebuilding, volunteers at food pantries who just wanted to make sure that their neighbors didn't go without a good meal, or those military families who were looking for ways to give back after their service was over, I want to say thank you for every constituent who helped give me purpose. It was that purpose that drove my actions. Last month, I helped to cut the ribbon on a brand new VA health clinic in Ocean County--one of my first major priorities and a reminder that there should be no mountain too big to move to help our veterans. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was proud to deliver wins for our servicemembers, their families, and my own community. From pay raises to better health care to improved childcare, I would like to thank every person who served and for the honor of getting to work for you as a member of the House. And it was the purpose I derived from those conversations that helped me start to lay the groundwork for building a brighter future for our state. From delivering on infrastructure and passing bills like the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to make investments in the jobs of the future, we can better prepare New Jersey to lead in the rest of the 21st century. If there is one thing I am most proud of during my six years representing my community in the House, it is the seemingly small acts that made a massive difference to our constituents. The thousands of casework cases closed and tens of millions of dollars returned back to our community showed that public service can make an impact. It doesn't matter if it was a passport expedited so a grandparent could see their new grandchild or critical Medicare or VA benefits secured so someone could put food on the table and pay rent, this work mattered and was our way of giving back. No member of Congress does this alone. While our names are on the doors, it's the people behind the doors that work every day to serve and make our communities better. I want to thank each and every one of them for their hard work--often under very difficult conditions--to give back. Every win that I have been lucky enough to achieve is theirs too. As a thank you, I would like to submit their names for the record so that they can be properly recognized for the imprint they've made on this district. My current team: Elizabeth Antonowicz, Marshall Burkhardt, Thomas Carnes, Amanda Carte, Anna Connole, Anthony DeAngelo, Kristen Foca, Ben Giovine, Danielle Giulino, Gabriela Hartney, Julianna Heck, Jason Ingle, Catherine Melman-Kenny, Hafiza Kazi, Amy Oliver, Amy Pfeiffer, Nikitha Rai, Forrest Rilling, Jerome Townsend, Lynette Whiteman. Previous staff: Riham Amin, Sharon Anderson, Hillary Caron, Anna Conn, Gianna Djuric, Sophie Friedfeld-Gebaide, Sean Gregory, Sarah Izaak, Benjamin Kamens, Matthew Knowlton, Yujin Lee, Benjamin Olarsch, Susan Pansius, Antoinette Miles, Nathan Riggins, Cecily Scott Martin, Thomas Smith, Tyrus Stokes-Ballard, Virginia Walkey, Maura Weaver. As I look ahead at my new role getting to serve my state, I do so with excitement and humility. I look forward to get to serve my community again--this time in the United States Senate--but always remembering the work done, the conversations had, and words that will forever echo from my parents, that service isn't a job, it's truly a way of life.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the selfless service and incredible accomplishments of Dr. Calvin Moon, a United States Navy Veteran, who passed earlier this month. Born in Yardville, Calvin spent his life in southern New Jersey. After graduating from Bordentown High School, he served in the United States Navy Submarine Service as a Petty Officer First Class Radar Operator on the Razorback Submarine in World War II. His bravery during his service played an integral role on the Pacific Front. After his service, he returned to New Jersey and earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural research from Rutgers University. Calvin then continued his studies at the University of Pennsylvania earning a doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1952. Calvin was also a devoted veterinarian practicing in his hometown. While he began his career at the Wood Veterinary Hospital, he later helped launch the Hamilton Veterinary Hospital. Additionally, Calvin was a key player in establishing the Columbus Central Veterinary Hospital and served 20 years as their Medical Director, in addition to his service as a diplomat with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. His devotion to ensuring the beloved pets of families were taken care of was an inspiration to all those who knew him. Outside his professional work, Calvin was an active member of his community. Having served on the Northern Burlington High School Board of Education and as scoutmaster for Troop 55 in Crosswicks, Calvin received the Father of the Year Award in Chesterfield, New Jersey. In addition to all those contributions, he was also a radio operator for Mercer County Emergency Service, a member of the Rutgers Oral History Society, the Base Commander of the New Jersey South Submarine Veterans, and Honorary Life Member of the USS Razorback Association. I commend him for his deep roots in our community, and for his desire to uplift youth, veterans, and all of his neighbors. Calvin was, at his core, a loving husband to June Ann Moon. In their 76 years of marriage, the Moons had four children, seven grandchildren, and now five great-grandchildren. While many community members locally know Calvin and his positive impact in our community, today I'm proud to honor his tenure as a veteran of the United States Navy, a valued member of our community, and as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We are fortunate to be able to carry on his legacy of service and to have his life's work as inspiration in our community.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Commissioning of the Naval Vessel, the USS New Jersey on September 14, 2024. The third naval vessel named after the great State of New Jersey, this Virginia class submarine is a nuclear-powered cruise missile fast- attack vessel that will prove invaluable to the efficacy of our great Navy. After rigorous tests and trials at sea, this ship has proved its capability to perform her designed mission and join America's strong Naval fleet. Upon being commissioned. the USS New Jersey will welcome our brave sailors from the Commanding Officer to the crew who are entrusted with maintaining and operating the submarine during peacetime and time of war. Not just a phrase but a guiding light through high seas and troubled times, the submarine's motto--Firepower for Freedom--inspires all of its crew members to preserve our Nation's values in fighting for valor and freedom across the globe. With many Americans coming together in Monmouth County to celebrate the commissioning of the USS New Jersey, we also celebrate the long legacy of tenacity and bravery that the Navy has proved time and time again. The brave sailors on all three USS New Jersey vessels, and vessels across the globe, exemplify the honor, courage, and commitment stated in the Navy's core values. As the crew begins their service aboard this exceptional naval vessel, I am grateful for the devotion each and every one of them has to serving their country. I look forward to continuing to support the USS New Jersey and its' servicemembers in achieving their many missions to come.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and retirement of Channell Wilkins, President and CEO of O.C.E.A.N., Inc., and his commitment to bettering the lives of communities across New Jersey throughout his years of service. A public servant most of his life, Channell has worked at the Municipal, County and State levels before serving in the Federal government as the Associate Commissioner of the Office of Head Start at the Department of Health and Human Services. His principled work has always been driven by his innate goal to improve the communities in which he served. His desire to serve has also been borne out in finding new and innovative ways to solve problems--bettering communities here across the state. While at O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Channell was also active in many organizations like Planned Parenthood of North, Central and Southern New Jersey and Jobs for America's Graduates New Jersey. Throughout all of his leadership positions he worked to foster an environment where public service is seen as a way to better one's community. As President and CEO, Channell provided direction to frontline staff that interfaced with the public on a daily basis and reflected the mission and nature of the organization throughout New Jersey. His leadership led to many programs that improved the lives of so many people living in Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties, including Head Start and Early Head Start, Home Energy, Affordable Housing, Housing Counseling, and Intensive Case Management Services programs--all of which are designed to assist low income people and families across the state. Channell embodies the spirit of service that makes me proud to represent people like him in New Jersey. We are lucky to have him as a member of our community and I wish him the best of luck as he endeavors on the next chapter of his life.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Chair, the bipartisan bill that passed out of committee includes some incredible support for our servicemembers and their families. The bill includes a 19.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers and reverses a 5 percent reduction in basic allowance for housing. These provisions mean more money in servicemembers' pocketbooks and more food on the table. The bill also fully funds childcare fee assistance programs to eliminate wait lists and expand on the ongoing success of spouse employment programs by making permanent the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot, which provides employment support to military spouses through a paid fellowship with employers across various industries. It is no secret our Armed Forces are facing an unprecedented recruiting crisis, so we are asking the Department to take a second look at how medical treatments, conditions, and medications are evaluated. Finally, the bill addresses the ongoing healthcare needs of servicemembers and their families by waiving fees and copays on the TRICARE Dental Program for all members of the Selected Reserve. We bring this bill to the floor to show, in a bipartisan way, that our country is determined to support our servicemembers and their families, that we support readiness and recruitment efforts that are proven to work, and that we support servicemembers no matter who they are. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject poison pill policy riders that could destabilize this important work and not put partisan politics over the well-being of our servicemembers. Promoting a strong national defense and taking care of our servicemembers are bipartisan issues.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my colleague and my friend, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. It is difficult standing in this Chamber knowing that we will never see Donald walk in here and sit with us again. I remember the first time that I sat with him here in these chairs, I was a brand-new Member of Congress, and he was willing to share a quiet moment with me as I was unsure of myself in this extraordinary yet overwhelming place. When I sought his advice, he told me there is no single way to be a Member of Congress, but he suggested that all of us focus on being ourselves and delivering for our State and our constituents. In some ways, with so much going on, it helped give some clarity and elegant simplicity to this intimidating yet complicated work that we do. I will remember Donald for his kindness, as many have talked about today. I will remember Donald for the pride he took in his community and his State, and I will remember Donald for his incredible dedication. These are the things we would all be proud to be remembered by, the things we carry with us as we pick up his work to move it forward. He loved his job. It was an honor he never took for granted, and you could see it in everything he did. My thoughts are with his family and his community. Donald, we will miss you.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and retirement of Dr. Robert `Bob' Prud'homme, a Senior Scholar and Professor at Princeton University who's work pioneering key facets of COVID-19 vaccination distribution helped save millions of lives across the globe. A Mercer County resident, Bob is a retired Captain of the United States Army who proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. After his bravery in Vietnam, Bob was an environmental engineer in the U.S. Army Armaments Command where he received the Bronze Star and an Army Commendations Medal. Bob excelled in his studies, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University, a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Harvard University, and finally a Doctoral Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin--Madison. After this illustrious academic career, he began his tenure at Princeton University in 1978 as an adjunct professor in chemical engineering. Bob has spent these last 46 years educating the next generation of engineers in New Jersey, and dedicating his own research to developing technologies that help make cost effective medicines and vaccinations. His work proved invaluable at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The technology he developed allowed for quick dissemination of COVID-19 vaccinations that helped save millions of lives across the globe. This technology is just one of many achievements Bob has pioneered throughout his long career. His research has been published over 400 times in national and international publications and his work has received support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has also received many accolades and honors throughout his career, including recently being elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Not only is Bob an exceptional engineer and researcher, he has been an active member at Princeton Community Church for over two decades. It was here that he met his wife, Dottie. The couple now continues to bring the community together through twice-monthly bible study sessions at their home. Husband, father to six, and grandfather to eleven, Bob is always available to read a story, take a kid fishing, or perform a scientific experiment with his family. Students, colleagues, and neighbors all know Bob's passion for fly fishing through the many trips with friends he has planned to fishing locations across the country. Bob embodies the spirit of service that makes me proud to represent people like him in New Jersey's Third Congressional District. We are lucky to have him as a member of our community.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 116th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army Reserve. For over a century, generations of Americans have served their country in the reserve, leveraging a wide array of skills, educational backgrounds, and expertise to respond to crises across the country, and the globe. In cities and towns across the country, the Army Reserve has always been composed of brave, strong, purposeful men and women with great passions, talents, and abilities. Since the creation of the Federal Reserve Force in 1908, the Reserve Corps has been ready to serve at a moment's notice, mobilizing more than one million Army Reserve servicemembers in defense of our country. Through two World Wars, the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and the Global War on Terror, our brave reserve soldiers have served through crises, emergencies, and natural disasters, making positive impacts on people's lives around the globe. Year after year, the Army Reserve continues to prove critical to our nation's national security apparatus by harnessing civilian expertise across professions like artificial intelligence, medicine, and engineering, among so many others. There are more than 190,000 Army Reserve Soldiers and 11,000 civilians are currently stationed across all 50 States and 23 countries across the globe. Right here in New Jersey we are proud to have 4,000 soldiers and 68 units contributing to their forward-positioned force. Their service to our country and our great state is invaluable to the readiness and capability of our Joint Forces, and the safety of our communities. This force begins their next 116 years of service as one of the most experienced outfits in American history, and I am grateful for the service of each and every one of them. I look forward to continuing to support Army Reserve servicemembers in achieving their mission of-- ready now, shaping tomorrow.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the selfless service and incredible accomplishments of Francis `Frank' Hummel, Jr., a United States Army Veteran, who passed earlier this month. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Frank spent his adult life in southern New Jersey. In December 1950, he joined the United States Army where he completed his basic training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, right in his own backyard. Frank was then transferred to a small town in Germany where he went through military intelligence training and served in the Army Security Agency. During this time, Frank enjoyed boxing, playing center and linebacker for the Seventh Army Special Troops Ramblers football team, and being a member of the 97th Signal Satans basketball team. Today, we all remember him for his brave service, and love for sports with his fellow soldiers. After the Army, Frank opened his own mechanical engineering firm, Hummel Engineering Corporation, which served New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. Frank also served as the Executive Vice President and then President of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, and was the Secretary of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau of Philadelphia. Beyond that he was a member of the Christian Business Men's Association, where he helped mentor young men to succeed in their faith, business, and life's endeavors. Frank also taught project management at the Pennsylvania State University, Media campus. A man of faith, Frank was an active member of his congregations and served on many church boards throughout the years. Formerly a member of Cherry Hill Baptist Church, he most recently was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Mount Laurel. Frank was active in supporting Christian mission work around the world and was an author in the Wiley Mission Community Newspaper. Frank was not only a veteran, entrepreneur, and man of faith, he was a family man who loved spending time with his large family. He was known to spend his time visiting historical societies, libraries, and cemeteries across the United States and Europe where he listened to and learned about histories from ancestors and distant family members. He enjoyed recording family genealogy by hand, writing stories about his life experiences, and photography. Frank married Lorraine Miller in 1951 and in their over 70 years of marriage, they had three children, eleven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. While many community members locally know Frank and his positive impact in our community, today I'm proud to honor his tenure as a veteran of the United States Army, and husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We are lucky to have his inspiration in our community.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the selfless service and incredible accomplishments of Dr. Sandra Ortega, a United States Air Force Veteran and retired Chief Master Sergeant. She was the first African-American woman to join the Air Force in 1958. Under the direct commission of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Dr. Ortega dedicated her military career and life after serving to improving the lives of countless military families and communities. It was in the Air Force where she challenged and broke down racial and gender stereotypes and barriers. During her service, Dr. Ortega worked as the Chief of Social Actions where she implemented programs to help servicemembers and their families remain as constructive members of their military community and educate them on drug and alcohol addiction prevention. Her service has had ripple effects across New Jersey and the Nation. Not only did Dr. Ortega dedicate her life to serving our country, she has worked to improve the lives of communities around the world. She worked to improve education and health infrastructures across Africa, rebuild and stabilize communities in the former Soviet Union after its dissolution, and other emergency management and relief efforts in disaster-stricken communities. Dr. Ortega earned a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Morgan State University, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from La Salle University. Today, she spreads her love for, and the importance of, education through her role as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The scope of Dr. Ortega's work has touched so many lives, including some in my home of Burlington County. A resident of Marlton, she has been elected three times as the Democratic Committeewoman representing Evesham Township, New Jersey in the Burlington County Democratic Committee. Dr. Ortega not only excelled at serving her country and community, but she is a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was married to her late husband, Julio Ortega, for over 60 years and has four daughters and nine grandchildren. While many community members locally know Dr. Sandra Ortega and her positive impact in our community, today I'm proud to honor her tenure as a public servant and veteran of the United States Air Force. We are lucky to have her inspiration in our community.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible accomplishments of Dr. Cleophus A. Robinson of the Willingboro Fort Dix/McGuire Air Force Base Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Serving as a Tuskegee Airman in the United States Air Force during World War II, Dr. Robinson dedicated almost 40 years of his life to serving our country. It was in the Air Force when he joined the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, of which he has been a member for 74 years. In 1975, Dr. Robinson became a Grand Chapter Life Member of the fraternity and went on to become a founding member of the Willingboro Fort Dix/ McGuire Air Force Base Alumni Chapter which aims to inspire interest in public service. Dr. Robinson's dedication to the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and service has had ripple effects across our communities in Burlington County, New Jersey, and across the Garden State. Not only has Dr. Robinson dedicated his life to serving his community and bettering the lives of those around him, he also received his Masters of Public Administration from the City University of New York, and later went on to earn his Doctorates in Education from Rutgers University. The scope of Dr. Robinson's work has touched innumerable lives. He was one of the founding members of the Southern Burlington County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served 15 years as a member of the Executive Committee of the New Jersey State Conference of NAACP. Through his work with this organization, Dr. Robinson uplifted the voices of his community and empowered underrepresented families across the state to stand up for what is right and just. Dr. Robinson not only excelled at serving his country and community, but he is a family man, married to his wife, Leonia McCelland, for over 60 years with three adult children. While many community members locally know Dr. Cleophus Robinson and his positive impact in our community, today I'm proud to honor his tenure as a public servant and veteran of the United States Air Force. We are lucky to have his inspiration in our community.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. I rise today to honor the achievements and outstanding athletic career of Crystal Langhorne, a resident of Willingboro, New Jersey and a trailblazer on the basketball court. A former member of the Willingboro High School's girls basketball team. Crystal became the all-time highest scorer with over 2,000 points in her high school career. Not only did she possess athletic prowess on the court, she continuously showed sportsmanship and camaraderie to her teammates, coaches, and opponents. Crystal continued her basketball career at the University of Maryland, where she led the team to an historic national championship in 2006 as a key starter for the Terrapins. A fierce athlete, she became Maryland's all-time highest scorer and record holder with 2,247 career points. Upon graduating Crystal started her tenure as a professional basketball player in the WNBA, playing for the Washington Mystics and, later, the Seattle Storm. She continued to demonstrate her love for the game and unparalleled talent racking up more remarkable accolades, including Most Improved Player and All-WNBA honors. Crystal's talents don't end within the 94 feet of hardwood. Since her retirement from the WNBA she has been a force for social justice across our country. As the Director at Forece4Change, a social justice platform for the Seattle Storm, Crystal helps amplify the voices of black women, fights for voting rights for all Americans, and supports BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities through a wide variety of initiatives. Recently, she had the opportunity to speak about racial and social justice platforms at the White House. The scope of her work has touched the lives of thousands across the country, including many in New Jersey's Third District. This month, Crystal's alma mater, Willingboro Township School District, dedicated the high school gymnasium in her honor. Crystal was able to celebrate the special night and notable achievement with the Willingboro community, former coaches and teammates in what is now the Crystal Langhorne Gymnasium. Crystal Langhorne embodies the tenacity and spirit of Willingboro Township that makes me proud to represent this community. We are lucky to have her as one of our own as an inspiration to young basketball players and community leaders throughout our district.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this effort to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. It is a strong bipartisan, bicameral compromise to address many of the quality-of-life needs of our servicemembers and their families. The conference report that I signed reiterates America's commitment to supporting a diverse force that reflects our Nation and protects the reproductive rights of servicemembers by keeping DoD's travel policy for noncovered medical care intact. The bill includes a well-deserved pay raise for our servicemembers and expands eligibility for the basic needs allowance program so our military families can have more money in their pockets. These and several other provisions, like improvements to barracks and housing facilities and other issues, will address recruitment and retention of our military, which is vital. Our servicemembers and their families make incredible sacrifices for us. By passing this bill, we are reinforcing our commitment to them. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues in both parties to support and pass this important piece of legislation.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and retirement of Christopher Burnett, Chief of the Mount Laurel Fire Department who selflessly served his community for over thirty years. A lifelong Burlington County resident, Chief Burnett first started with the Mount Laurel Fire Department in 1992 when he joined as a volunteer firefighter in high school and later became an Emergency Medical Technician. In 1997, Chief Burnett began his tenure as a career firefighter. During this time he climbed through the ranks, always focused on protecting his community and neighbors. After 10 years as Deputy Chief, Chief Burnett was appointed as Chief of Department in 2021 and Chief of Emergency Medical Services in 2022. During his tenure at the Mount Laurel Fire Department, Chief Burnett received several notable recognitions from various universities and from the State of New Jersey. These include the Certified Public Management designation from Rutgers University and the Class 6 Merit Award Citation for his bravery during an apartment fire in 1992 in which he rescued a trapped elderly female. Chief Burnett's dedication to his community knew no bounds, as throughout his tenure he served in various roles on the Burlington County Fire Chiefs Association, Eastern Division of the international Association of Fire Chiefs, and the New Jersey Fire and EMS Institute. In addition to his tireless commitment to the Fire Department, Chief Burnett is a friendly face in our community who dedicates his time to the betterment of his neighbors. He is the creator of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program in Mount Laurel, in addition to the `Get Fired Up for Literacy' program in the Mount Laurel School District and Library. Through these programs, Chief Burnett connected and uplifted his community, dedicating every aspect of his life to public service. A father, husband, and neighbor, Chief Christopher Burnett believes in servant leadership and organization above oneself. His work ethic and dedication to the Fire Department will leave a lasting legacy of service and leadership for decades to come. Outside of his family, he believes his service to the Fire Department and community is his greatest achievement. Chief Burnett embodies the spirit of service that makes me proud to represent people like him in New Jersey's Third Congressional District. We are lucky to have him as a member of our community.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Captain James McFarland American Legion Post 79 in Burlington City as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Post's building this Veterans Day. After starting operations in 1919, both veterans and community members of Burlington City came together to erect the building that currently stands today. Originally constructed to honor those who bravely served our nation in World War I and completed in 1923, this weekend marks the Post's 100 years of service to our community and continued mission of honoring the service of our veterans. Named after Captain James McFarland, a resident of Burlington, who served as a medical doctor in the 113th Infantry during the first World War, his legacy lives on today in Post 79 and the veteran community that continues service to others by following in his footsteps. While many community members locally know Post 79 for their success in maintaining a Drum and Bugle Corps and attending many local events and parades, the Post has also coordinated many efforts to connect our neighbors with crucial resources. From blood drives to their annual Thomas Ryan Scholarship for students, they have made an indelible impact on those around them. Now as an organization consisting of 55 members, Post 79 is undoubtedly an integral pan of what makes our community thrive. Beyond these first 100 years of service to our community, Post 79 is taking even more steps to honor our veterans' stories through establishing their Memorial Walkway. This will provide all families of veterans with a place to reflect and honor our servicemembers' sacrifice for many years to come. This weekend as we honor both the 100th anniversary of Post 79 and Veterans Day, I wish our veteran community all the best in honoring this momentous occasion. I look forward to continuing to work to honor our veterans' memories for many more years to come.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Chair, I rise today in concern over implications and consequences of what is before us with this bill. I rise in opposition to proposed cuts to Amtrak that will diminish the funding it needs to provide the service Americans rely on every day. I know how important Amtrak is because I am one of those Americans who rely on its service. I am one of 9.3 million Americans who used the Northeast Corridor in 2022 to get home, see family, or conduct business. In fact, I just rode the Amtrak train down today to be here at the Capitol to do the work of this country. I am one of nearly 23 million Americans nationwide who have used Amtrak last year to bring our communities closer together and help create economic opportunities for working people. For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee and will insert this as text into the Record. If the House rules permit, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would increase the level of grants for the Northeast Corridor and National Network to match the fiscal year 2023 enacted level. In short, it would help make sure a critical program that millions rely on has the funding it needs to continue operating at the level the American people expect. Unfortunately, delivering for the American people is not a priority in this Republican budget. This budget guts Amtrak funding by 64 percent. It guts funding for the Northeast Corridor by 92 percent, and it eliminates critical programs for rail safety at a time when we should be prioritizing safety for our workers and our communities. This Republican budget impacts my home State of New Jersey particularly hard. At a time when train derailments are costing lives, this budget would result in nearly 200 fewer safety inspections in my State of New Jersey alone. At a time when we should be investing in our infrastructure, New Jersey stands to lose nearly $173 million in funding for our transit and highway projects. New Jersey deserves better, and America deserves better. We can start to make this right for them by passing this MTR to provide the funding we need for programs that millions of Americans depend on. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of this amendment. Mr. Kim of New Jersey moves to recommit the bill H.R. 4820 to the committee on Appropriations with the following amendments. Page 55, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $1,160,769,000)''. Page 55, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $416,624,000)''

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the life and selfless service of Kenneth A. Mills, a U.S. Army veteran who bravely served during the Korean War and passed earlier in October. A beloved member of our Evesham community, many knew Ken as a person that was deeply committed to family, his community, and our country. After graduating high school, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was later stationed in Korea and served there for 3 years. After his honorable discharge in 1955, Ken's service was highly honored, as he earned two Bronze Stars, the Korean War Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. Beyond his service to our country, Ken went above and beyond in his personal and professional life to care for those around him. While starting a family of his own in Rockwood, Michigan, with his wife, Betty, Ken also started his career as a union representative, before eventually transitioning into a long, accomplished tenure in Human Resources. Eventually stepping up as the Director of Human Resources for Allied Signal, Ken became a strong leader of their department, working on behalf of the people, and traveling across the country before eventually settling in Marlton, New Jersey. It was in Marlton that Ken became a dedicated member of the St. Joan of Arc parish, our local government, and the town watch. Through his involvement across multiple organizations, he took every opportunity to facilitate projects to make our community a better, safer place. Most recently, he focused his vision on the Evesham Township Veterans Wall of Honor in the Evesham Township Municipal Building. Ken played a vital role in the `Coffee with a Vet' program as well as the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter. No matter the task--big or small--Ken proved every day that he was a deep believer that it was always possible for each person to create positive change in their community. Even beyond Evesham's borders, he dedicated his time as the President of the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia, uplifting kids and young adults across the area. I know Ken will have the lasting memory of being a friendly face around town, often riding his lawn mower through the neighborhood with a warm smile and helping hand for whomever may need one. We were lucky to have Ken as a member of our community. He was a beloved husband, father, and neighbor. My heart goes out to his entire family, his friends, and for anyone who knew him and grieving his loss. Though he will be deeply missed, I am sure his legacy will live on for years to come through his positive impacts on all our lives.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Police Chief Richard Calabrese who is being honored by Temple Sinai in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, for his unwavering commitment to community safety and combating antisemitism. Richard has been the epitome of service both in his professional and personal life. After serving our country in the United States Marine Corps, he began his long career in law enforcement with the Camden County Park Police before eventually joining the Cinnaminson Township Police Department in 2004. For eight years, Richard took the time to enhance his skills within the computer forensic investigation field, and soon after was promoted to Sergeant within the Department. Richard's leadership did not end there, and he continued to rise through the ranks as Lieutenant, Internal Affairs Commander, and eventually, Chief of Police in 2019. No matter the role, our community has seen Richard be there to ensure each and every person feels safe and respected. His work with Temple Sinai specifically goes to show that, for him, his work is more than a job--it is about public service, and building a community we can continue to be proud of. Not only has he served his neighbors in times of emergency, but he took extra time to ensure the synagogue had proper security systems in place, and train community members on how they can stay safe in a crisis. While fulfilling all the day-to-day duties of his job, it is certainly also true that Richard has become a pillar of trust and leadership to those around him. As we see a rise of antisemitic incidents across the country, we are collectively reminded that it is on us to continue pushing back against harmful bigotry that seeks to divide us and incite violence. I hope more people will follow in Richard's footsteps and work together to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome in our communities. We are grateful to Richard for his dedication to public safety and for working to create a society that looks out for one another, regardless of our differences. I wish him all the best as he is deservedly honored by Temple Sinai for his outstanding contributions to New Jersey's 3rd District.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, everyone should have the ability to work in safe conditions, receive competitive pay and benefits, and at the end of the day, be able to put food on the table. America's hardworking families keep our country running, but right now a lot of families are finding they don't have the support they need. Autoworkers made concessions in 2008 to save the auto industry and new contracts have not been reinstated to help them recover from those cuts and keep up with the economic demands. Meanwhile, auto company profits at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis have skyrocketed 92 percent over the last 10 years, totaling $250 billion. In 2023 alone, they are expected to profit more than $32 billion. Despite their efforts, worker pay has only gone up 6 percent over the last 10 years. Companies can and should do better because Americans deserve better. Workers deserve a fair deal. They aren't asking for the moon; they are asking for fairness and dignity.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional member of the Army National Guard, Major Miranda Summers Lowe and her distinguished service and dedication to my office and her work to connect me and my office better with the National Guard. A native of Muncie, Indiana, Major Summers Lowe enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard and was later commissioned as an intelligence officer. She has served 21 years in Indiana, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C. National Guards in a broad range of drill status and Active-Duty assignments, including deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Djibouti in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Currently, she is excelling as a military personnel liaison for the National Guard Bureau Office of Legislative Liaison, where she is working on ways to improve the quality of life for our National Guard Servicemembers and Airmen. This work builds off of her years of experience in the Legislative Liaison Division as the Congressional Activities Branch Chief and an Army Congressional Fellow in my office. Major Summers Lowe has served Active-Duty tours in the Chief of Staff of the Army's Operation Enduring Study Group and the Office of the Director, Army National Guard. Her attention to detail and responsiveness strengthened the relationship between my office and the National Guard immeasurably. It's my understanding that Major Summers Lowe formulated the congressional engagement plan and prepared National Guard leadership for over 130 meetings and hearings, as well as playing a pivotal role in informing congressional members about the National Guard Bureau's legislative priorities. Her efforts played a pivotal role in developing National Guard healthcare access improvements. In my office, Major Summers Lowe answered hundreds of congressional inquiries and was an integral part of my office's process in reviewing and making amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act. After concluding her current assignment in August, Major Summers Lowe will take on another challenging role as the deputy director of the National Guard History Office. She embodies the qualities that our country expects from our officer corps. It's clear she has a promising career ahead in continued service to our Nation. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to Major Summers Lowe for her work with my office and her steadfast dedication to National Guard missions. I want to thank her for the work she's done for me, my office, and wish her all the best in her next chapter.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent and a true friend to veterans across my district and throughout New Jersey, Ronald F. Dash. Ronald served his country with honor and valor as a member of the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. After his service in Vietnam, he served in the Army Reserves and later transitioned to the Army National Guard attaining a final military rank of Staff Sergeant. Ronald's dedication to service did not end with his military career. He continues to give his time generously as an adviser to the Willingboro Township Veterans Advisory Committee which is active within area VFW organizations and American Legions. Most notably, Ron serves as Commander in the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 26 right here in New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. Ron can also be found at many community events in Willingboro--providing those in need to a hot meal or connecting a fellow veteran to benefits they have earned. August 7th is Purple Heart Day, and as we prepare to honor and remember the brave men and women who were wounded during their service or paid the ultimate sacrifice. Today, I want to say thank you to Ronald F. Dash for all that he has done to uphold the solemn commitment we have to veterans and their families. The Willingboro community, my district, and the State of New Jersey are all better off thanks to his tireless efforts.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. I think about this brief that was put forward to the Supreme Court that was written by former military officials that said: ``The importance of maintaining a diverse, highly qualified officer corps has been beyond legitimate dispute for decades. History has shown that placing a diverse Armed Forces under the command of homogenous leadership is a recipe for internal resentment, discord, and violence.'' This is written by former military leaders who are advising us to make sure that we let the military be able to control and be able to have the tools they need to build a force that our country needs.

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Chair, I want to respond to what was just said. It is absolutely important that we set straight that diversity does not mean we are talking about people who are less qualified. We are not talking about reducing standards. We are talking about recognizing one part of the decision as one part of many. This is not a situation where it is the overriding factor. I agree with what Chairman Banks said, which is that we want the best and brightest, but what we recognize when it comes to our service academies, in particular, is that this is a situation where we are trying to also build a force. This is not just about an individual. Yes, we want the best and brightest, but we also want the most cohesive and effective fighting force for our country. We recognize we are building an entity where our servicemembers are part of something bigger than all of them.