Andy Kim

Mr. KIM of New Jersey

Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Doris Terrett. She was a beloved member of the New Jersey community who passed away on February 4, 2021 at the age of eighty-eight. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Kim and David Keosian and her dear grandson Christopher Michael Keosian. Doris lived a full life and leaves behind a legacy of service that has touched many. I know I speak for the entire 3rd Congressional District when I say we are grateful for Doris' contributions to our community. My heart goes out to Doris' entire family. They will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time when too many New Jersey families are grieving.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Sally Landrum. She is one of just twenty-three officers in our nation to receive the U.S. Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. I, and the town of Willingboro, cannot be prouder of her. The Attorney General Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing is given to exceptional officers who have gone above and beyond their call of duty to protect their communities, implementing ``innovative community policing strategies, criminal investigations, and field operations that have proven effective in enforcing our laws.'' The Attorney General could not have picked a better officer than Officer Landrum, who exemplifies good community policing. Officer Landrum has been a stalwart of the community. Throughout her time at the Willingboro Police Department, Officer Landrum has organized story times, toiletry drives for the homeless, a resiliency program for officers in distress, and elderly training programs. I commend Officer Landrum for her work, and I know I speak on behalf of my constituents across Burlington and Ocean County when I say this award is well-deserved.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution and in strong opposition to the rise of hate crimes and acts of racism toward Americans of Asian descent. We all know that these are divisive times. They are tough times. Hateful language, petty name-calling, and acts of violence are not the way for us to get through these tough times. This resolution allows Congress to come together to speak with one voice, that hate targeted at the Asian-American community has no place in this country and must be condemned. I am especially proud to speak here today with so many of my AAPI colleagues. Many of us have been the victims of these hateful and harmful actions. We have seen firsthand the vitriol of racism. We have felt the sting of the distrustful look or a harsh word. I hope you will join me today in acknowledging the impact of racism and forcefully renouncing it. I hope you will join me here today in calling on unity and calling out division. And I hope you will join me here today in passing a resolution that can remind us that even in the darkest times we are strongest when we reject hate and embrace America's diversity.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Moorestown 8U baseball team, who on August 26, 2020, became the eight-year-old Southern New Jersey Baseball State Champions. Led by Coach Andy Berman and Assistant Coaches Geoff Degener, Dustin Jerdan, and Ron Obermeier, the Moorestown 8U baseball team displayed incredible perseverance all season amidst a global pandemic. Their countless hours of practice, dedication to safety, and commitment to their teammates led them to win Moorestown 8U Baseball Team's first State Championship while staying safe and healthy. Throughout the entire season they dominated their opposition, losing only one game and making it to the State Final, which they won 9 to 2. I congratulate team members Ben Berman, Braden Castner, Austin Degener, Jack Finazzo, Jace Jerdan, Jack Krumins, Shane Krumins, Matt Laufer, Brett Obermeier, Eshaan Panchal, Alex Seamon, and Nate Seibel on their incredible season and state championship. I'm proud to be able to celebrate the success of some of the talented student-athletes from New Jersey's Third District. I want to congratulate the entire coaching staff, the team, and their parents on their tremendous season.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Staff Sergeant Vincent P. Marketta of Brick, New Jersey, who tragically passed away following an accident while conducting aviation training with this Regiment. He was just 33 years old. Staff Sergeant Marketta enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2011 as a 15T UH-60 ``Black Hawk'' Repairer, and was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). While assigned to the 160th SOAR, he was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and deployed multiple times to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. During his service, Staff Sergeant Marketta was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal with V Device for heroism against an armed enemy, and an Army Commendation Medal with C Device. Staff Sergeant Marketta represents the kind of uncommon courage and sacrifice that defines our service members and their families. Vincent was a loyal and dedicated member of his family and community and served bravely alongside his Regiment in defending our nation abroad. His passing is a tragedy that is felt in Brick, and across the State of New Jersey. The immense sacrifice that Vincent and his family have made in service to our country is a reminder to all of us in Congress that we are here serving something greater than ourselves. My heart goes out to Staff Sergeant Marketta's family, and the entire Brick community during this incredibly difficult time. Vincent Marketta's dedication and service to our country will not be forgotten.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today because my community has lost a leader, a mentor, a friend, and a father. Corporal Rory Patrick Hamill of the United States Marine Corps tragically passed away on May 1, 2020 at the age of 31. Rory leaves behind not just a legacy of decorated service to his country, but also of leadership, compassion and a commitment to helping those in need. Rory deployed three times with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan before his medical retirement in 2012. During his time in service, Rory received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat ``V'' for valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy, two Combat Action Ribbons as well as many other awards, medals, and citations. Rory was also awarded the Purple Heart by President Obama for the many injuries he sustained during his deployments, including the loss of his right leg. Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Rory found his calling in learning about himself and Post Traumatic Growth, which led him to a career in motivational speaking. Rory also volunteered with the Veterans Diversion Program at the Ocean County Prosecutors office where he acted as a mentor to veterans who had found themselves in the legal system as a result of their experiences while serving. Most recently, Rory was enrolled in an accelerated Masters Program in pursuit of a degree in Social Work at Monmouth University, where he worked to identify successful pathways for Post 9/11-era Veterans to reintegrate into their communities in New Jersey. Rory's commitment to his community and to those struggling is best said in his own written words: ``The more we share our pain, open up and discuss our mental health; the more power we take away from those same traumas that affect us, and the more we can begin to heal. In sharing my story, I have found purpose, catharsis, and humility. I have found my life's purpose in helping those who suffer as I used to. . . .'' ``This is what I live for. Helping my fellow brothers and sisters, showing them that there is a way to overcome any obstacle in their path; whether during service, or after.'' Rory's impact on the veteran community was immeasurable, and his passing is a tragedy for our state and nation. It is now up to us to continue his legacy, to lift each other up and be there for those in our community that are struggling as Rory would have. My heart goes out to his family, his three children, and all of the friends who Rory touched through his work over the years. He will truly be missed.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, 5,000 of my fellow New Jerseyans have died and many more will in the weeks to come, and still we can't get enough tests for those who need it. We are the richest, most powerful country in the world, and we are now tired of excuses. We need a national testing program to let us know if our loved ones are healthy or sick so we can reopen our country and help our small businesses. That is our challenge. It is what history will judge us by. Let's get it done.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great American and prominent leader in the veteran community in Burlington County, Joe Tamayo. Joe Tamayo's life was defined by his service to his country, his community, and those in need. Joe was drafted into the Army to fight in the Korean war, where he served five tours and earned a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat during the battle of Pork Chop Hill. After he left Korea, Joe served two tours of duty in Germany, as well as a tour in Vietnam, before eventually returning to the United States on assignment at Fort Dix, New Jersey. In addition to his Purple Heart, throughout his time in the Army Joe received a number of awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star with ``V'' for Valor, a Combat Infantry Badge, a National Defense Service Medal, and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal. After twenty-two years of service to his country, Joe retired from active duty in 1973. Despite his retirement, Joe continued to seek out ways to serve his community and care for those in need. Joe focused his energy on troubled youth and took a position working at the New Jersey Children's Home in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. For thirty years at the Children's Home, Joe worked to instill a sense of pride, self-respect, discipline and self-worth in his students. After retiring from his work with the Children's home, Joe continued to be an active member of several Veteran Service Organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Purple Heart Association, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the 24th Infantry Regiment Combat Team Association, otherwise known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Throughout his life after his time in the military, Joe maintained his commitment to service and helped to support his fellow veterans in Burlington County. Joe Tamayo's story is a reminder to all of us that our veterans make incredible sacrifices not just to defend our nation, but also to support our communities and those most in need. I thank Joe for his lifetime of service to our nation and offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I would like to remind my colleagues that this bill isn't just a matter of national security; it is a matter of life and death for the men and women we depend on to keep our airline passengers and crews safe every day. Mr. Chair, I urge everyone to join me in standing up for them and to put an end to this crisis, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I rise today to introduce this simple amendment that addresses a complex and tragic problem. The U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service, men and women tasked with protecting the thousands of airline passengers and crew who fly across the United States and globally every day, is in a state of crisis. The public servants who are committed to our safety are subject to high-stress work environments that have led to a drastic increase in health issues, turnover in staff, and even a number of highly disturbing murders and suicides. In a story published by ABC News last year, Sonya Hightower LaBosco, the president of the Air Marshal National Council, a union which represents thousands of air marshals, said: ``The crisis is here--it's an epidemic.'' My amendment addresses that epidemic by requiring that the TSA consult with the Federal Air Marshal Service and the bodies who represent its members to address concerns that have led to this crisis. It provides a path to finding solutions on mental health and suicide, while improving morale, recruitment, and retention. The cost of inaction is simply too high. We see the cost of inaction in the story of Mario Vanetta. Mario was a New Jersey air marshal who fatally shot his wife and himself in a murder-suicide last October. Mario left behind three children, and his tragic story is one we cannot ignore or forget. When our neighbors answer the call to service, they deserve our full support. Members of the Federal Air Marshal Service serve our country every day under incredible stress and difficult conditions. We have seen what those conditions do and the lives they impact. The time is now to act, to honor their service, and to put an end to this epidemic before it takes more American lives. Mr. Chair, I hope you will join me in passing this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado, my friend, for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrifices of America's Gold Star Mothers and families and to further the cause of building a monument to acknowledge their contributions to our country. One of these Gold Star Mothers is Judith Young, a neighbor of mine down the street in Morristown, New Jersey. In October 1983, Judith lost her son, Jeffrey, in the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut. Judith said that Jeffrey always wanted to be a soldier. He graduated from high school in 1980 and went right into the Marines. He was proud to be a Marine. He was proud to serve his country. In the more than three decades since his death, Judith has been a fierce advocate for her fellow Gold Star Mothers and Families. She represents thousands of loved ones and family members who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is that sacrifice that we seek to honor in the Gold Star Families National Monument Extension Act. By passing this bill, we can give Gold Star Families, like Judith's, the time they need to complete a monument acknowledging that sacrifices aren't just made by those in uniform, but by the loved ones left behind. This is a monument that has a site selected; that won't cost taxpayers a single dime; and that has truly bipartisan support. If we don't pass this bill, the authorization for this monument will expire. Our Gold Star Families have already been through so much. They have already endured and sacrificed beyond what so many of us here can understand; the least we can do is support them by giving them the time to remember and honor those lost. The futility in finding the words and actions to thank loved ones like Judith isn't new. In a letter to Lydia Bixby of Massachusetts in 1864, President Lincoln wrote: ``I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming.'' Lincoln understood that there is nothing we can ever do to truly repay patriots like Judith. But he continued: ``But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.'' Let us show the thanks of the Republic that so many brave men and women have given all to save. Let us show the thanks of the Republic that so many Gold Star Families have given so much to keep free. We can do that by passing this bipartisan bill and allowing the completion of this monument. I hope you will support me, my co-lead, Congressman Ratcliffe, and the Gold Star Mothers and Families across the country in this effort.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate one of my constituents, Max Fisher of Moorestown, New Jersey, for being named as his town's 2020 Citizen of the Year. Each year, the Citizen of the Year Award is presented by the Moorestown Service Council to a resident who through service activities has significantly contributed to improving the quality of life of the community and their fellow citizens. This year's recipient has not just been contributing to his community in the last year, but has been an institution of service and volunteerism in Moorestown for decades. Max Fisher moved onto Main Street in Moorestown when he was just four years old, and he and his wife Beth have lived and raised their children here since. Max has been an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Moorestown, organizing and participating in over 25 church mission trips in New Jersey and around the nation, helping to rebuild in communities devastated by Hurricanes Charlie, Katrina and Sandy. He been a mainstay on the Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development Committee (MEND) for 20+ years, and has been Chairman for the past 12 years. He was an original member of the YMCA's Men's Service Club, and has been a member of the Moorestown Volunteer Fire Department since 1971. Max has also run the Taylor Rental Center in Moorestown for the last 30 years. His generosity has been legendary around Moorestown: Max was always quick to lend a hand and say ``yes'' when a service organization needed to borrow some of his equipment for a project. To all that know him, Max is quiet and unassuming; but behind the scenes he has been a powerful force for good in Moorestown and the surrounding community for years. It is a privilege to be able to congratulate Max Fisher as the Moorestown Service Council's 2020 Citizen of the Year. I thank Max for all the work he has done to improve the lives of those in need, and appreciate his relentless dedication to the people of Burlington County.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Tom Kelaher, of Toms River, New Jersey, on the occasion of his retirement from public service. Mayor Kelaher has devoted his career to serving his country, and his community in Ocean County. While attending college, Mayor Kelaher enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served in various roles during his deployments, eventually ending his active duty service as the executive officer of the Marine Barracks at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. After his release from active duty, Mayor Kelaher remained in the Marine Corps Reserves. Mayor Kelaher then began a 49-year career practicing law in the state of New Jersey. He served as Deputy Attorney General of New Jersey by Governor Hughes in 1963, and was appointed as the Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor from 1969 to 1974. He also served as Prosecutor for various Ocean County municipalities. Throughout his career, Mayor Kelaher remained dedicated to improving health care services in Ocean County, serving as a volunteer member of the Community Medical Center Board of Trustees for 25 years, Chairman of the Board for Clara Mass Medical Center, member of the Board of Trustees of Kimball Medical Center and St. Barnabas Behavior Health Center. In 1998, Mayor Kelaher was named Hospital Trustee of the Year by the New Jersey Hospital Association. Mayor Kelaher was sworn in as Mayor of Toms River on January 1, 2008, and was reelected again in 2012 and 2015. Over the course of his career, Mayor Kelaher has served Toms River, Ocean County, and New Jersey dutifully, and has made strides to improve the lives of his neighbors. Mayor Kelaher's will be hard shoes to fill. I thank Mayor Kelaher for all he has done for our community in Ocean County. I hope that he will enjoy spending more time with his wife, Carol, and their eight grandchildren, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Barnegat, New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10092, which recently received a National Outstanding Community Service Award for their efforts supporting the veterans' community in Ocean County. Over the last several years, the Barnegat VFW Post 10092 has dedicated itself to being an active leader in supporting the veterans, families and students of Barnegat, and Ocean County community as a whole. Post 10092 offers two scholarships for Barnegat High School students, and coordinates two essay contests, the Patriots Pen and the Voice of Democracy, directed towards high school students from the area. In 2017, the Post began to offer a police, fire and EMS recognition awards program for Barnegat, a Junior ROTC recognition awards program for the local high school, as well as a Christmas in Camouflage program with the elementary schools. These programs have succeeded in honoring those who serve and have engaged the community with the important work the VFW does every day. Recently, the Barnegat VFW Post found that their neighbors lacked a VFW chapter and so could not engage in the same VFW programs that Barnegat residents had. Just this past year, Post 10092 expanded their programs to include Stafford Township schools and Southern Regional High School. Through this expansion, the Barnegat Post has lived up to the VFW's legacy of service to communities across our nation. I'd like to thank the Barnegat VFW Post 10092 for their years of service to the veterans and their families, and to our schools in Ocean County. I am proud to fight in Congress for the needs of our veterans and servicemembers, and am proud to work alongside distinguished colleagues like the men and women of the VFW Post in Barnegat.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Willingboro High School Chimeras football team, who last week won the NJSIAA Group 1 South Regional Championship. Led by head coach Steve Everette and a strong roster from starters to reserves, the Chimeras showed outstanding teamwork and perseverance all season. From a dominant offensive line to their lockdown defense, the team's balance and focus helped them bring home the Group 1 South Regional title. In the final, Willingboro's strong defense, rushing attack and ability to stretch the field helped propel them to a 50-14 victory over Penns Grove. The Chimeras played through pressure in the final to finish the season on a 12-game winning streak, ending the year 12-1. I'm proud to be able to celebrate the success of some of the talented student-athletes from my district in New Jersey. I want to congratulate Coach Everette and the Willingboro team on their tremendous season, and for bringing the title back to Burlington County.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Shawnee High School Renegades football team, who last week won the South-Central Jersey Group 4 Regional Championship. Led by head coach Tim Gushue and a strong roster from starters to reserves, the Renegades showed outstanding teamwork and perseverance all season. From a stellar offensive line to their lockdown defense, the team's balance and focus helped them bring home the South Central Group 4 Regional title. In the final, Shawnee's strong passing game and dominant defense helped stand up the opposing rushing attack and propel them to a shutout 34-0 victory over Hammonton. The Renegades played through pressure in the final to finish the season as South Jersey champs, ending the year at 10-3. I'm proud to be able to celebrate the success of some of the talented student-athletes from my district in New Jersey. I want to congratulate Coach Gushue and the Shawnee team on their tremendous season, and for bringing the title back to Burlington County.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call for bold action to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Over the last year, I have held 15 townhalls across Burlington and Ocean Counties, and the number one issue I continue to hear about is the high cost of drugs and healthcare. We have a real chance right now to pass critical legislation that will have a tangible and real impact on the lives of the people we serve: By passing H.R. 3, we can help lower the cost of critical drugs like insulin for the tens of thousands of New Jersyans struggling with diabetes. By passing H.R. 3, we can save lives by making cancer medication more affordable. By passing H.R. 3, we can finally deliver comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing benefits for seniors under Medicare, including over 130,000 people in our district. And by passing H.R. 3, we can expand access to the Medicare Savings Program, a provision I was proud to introduce and champion to help 3.5 million seniors afford quality healthcare. Mr. Speaker, we must take big, bold action because the challenges that our neighbors face in affording their healthcare is critical. I hope my colleagues will join me in passing this bill and making an impact we can all be proud of.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today in strong support of the TRACED Act, a bipartisan effort to crack down on the scourge of predatory robocalls. Over the past year, I have heard from my neighbors in Burlington and Ocean Counties about their frustrations from constant robocalls. In fact, more than 400 neighbors from Beachwood to Bordentown and Toms River to Tabernacle contacted our office to complain. That is exactly why I dug into the issue and teamed up with four Republicans and two Democrats to offer H.R. 3325, the Locking Up Robocallers Act of 2019, which would strengthen enforcement of current laws aimed at ending the scourge of predatory robocalls. I am glad our bill was incorporated into this legislation, because these calls aren't just annoyances; they are used by scam artists to target people in our community. According to the FCC, they receive over 200,000 complaints a year from residents receiving predatory robocalls. An estimated 26.3 billion robocalls were made to mobile phones, and more than 47 billion were made in total to phones in the U.S. in 2018. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill and taking a real step to end predatory robocalls.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jaron Brown of Mount Laurel New Jersey, who was named as the Rutgers University-- Camden male Student Veteran of the Year. Jaron served in the U.S. Air Force from 2005 to 2017, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his service, Jaron deployed five times with his unit to Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey and Kyrgyzstan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. After his overseas deployment, he transferred to Joint Base McGuire- Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, where he spent three years as a contingency response team chief, and from which he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. After ending his active duty service in 2017, Jaron chose to pursue his bachelor's degree at Rutgers University--Camden, enrolling in the fall of 2018. Upon his arrival to campus, he began to work in the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at the University, and became active in the student veterans' group on campus, where he now serves as president. Jaron remains a leader supporting the military and veteran community on campus, assisting other veterans in their transition from military life to college life. Jaron Brown serves as an example of tremendous sacrifice, determination and dedication to his fellow servicemembers. I commend him for his desire to not only pursue his degree, but also to engage with the campus community and assist other veterans in their transition. I'd like to thank Jaron for his service to our country, and for continuing to engage the student veteran community in South Jersey.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand up for small business owners across our country who want to do the patriotic thing and provide economic opportunities to those serving in the military Reserves. I represent Burlington County and Ocean County in New Jersey, home to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Approximately 5,500 reservists are currently serving at our joint base, and 99 percent of New Jersey businesses are classified as small businesses. For those small business owners who are members of the Reserves or want to hire reservists, there is uncertainty and risks that come with unexpected deployments and activations to Active Duty. During times of war, we not only ask these reservists to sacrifice during their service but to sacrifice their economic well-being. In 2003, during the Iraq war, a small business owner and servicemember named Stanley Adams was called to Active Duty. Mr. Adams, who owned two thriving livestock trailer companies, had to close one down and saw revenue plummet during his deployment. In an interview, Mr. Adams said, ``Everything came to a halt, and all this money still had to be paid.'' We owe our servicemembers more than that. Serving our country shouldn't be a barrier to those who want to start or work for a small business. We should reward these patriots, not create an environment of economic uncertainty. That is why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Patriotic Employer Protection Act with Congressman Burchett. The Patriotic Employer Protection Act would restructure two programs--the Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and the Repayment Deferral for Active Duty Reservists program--so that they better reflect the current deployment trends of reservists. The bill would allow these programs to be used for any reservists being ordered to Active Duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, broadening the program to more people in need. In addition, the bill would create a new business training program to provide counseling and assistance to support members of the Reserves and their spouses, as well as direct the Small Business Administration to develop more targeted and effective outreach to reservists and small business owners. The American Legion, which has endorsed this bill, has called these important programs ``underutilized because their eligibility restrictions do not fully reflect current deployment practices.'' This bill fixes that and empowers small business owners across the country to provide a path to the American Dream for those servicemembers who fight to protect it every day. Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join myself and Congressman Burchett in supporting this bill.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today because America's veterans deserve America's best. They deserve the best healthcare and the best government service. I introduced this bipartisan VA Overpayment Accountability Act with Congressman French Hill, because sometimes our veterans do not receive the best. Through several programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides monthly payments to veterans and other beneficiaries. Because the VA often relies on outdated systems to provide those payments, those recipients sometimes receive overpayments at no fault of their own. When this happens, it is the veteran who pays a price. In order to compensate for their mistake, the VA will withhold payment from veterans. At a time in which 1.4 million veterans across the United States are struggling with poverty issues, withholding payment can have severe consequences for Americans who earned these benefits. Because there is no limit on how much the VA can ask a vet to repay and no limit on how far back it can go to collect the debt, these sums can impact the credit and financial stability of veterans. The VA Overpayment Accountability Act aims to fix these issues by improving the VA IT systems that are often the cause of these overpayments. It also provides credit protection for veterans who are the victims of overpayments and become targets of unfair practices. As a grateful Nation, we should aim to honor our veterans, not send debt collectors after them because of a failure at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Barbara Kim-Hagemann, the State Commander of the Department of New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars said in her endorsement remarks of this bill that it is imperative that Congress work to correct ``harsh Veterans Administration procedures in recouping benefit overpayments from veterans who are barely living paycheck to paycheck.'' Madam Speaker, on behalf of the thousands of veterans that Barbara fights for every day and the millions across our country who sacrificed in their service, I call on my colleagues to join me and Congressman Hill in this bipartisan effort to make the VA work and honor our veterans.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Siobhan McVay of Delran High School in Delran, New Jersey, as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Each year, the PAEMST recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers for their contributions to the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. Recipients of the award are widely respected by their peers, displaying strong expertise in STEM education, and having made a lasting positive impact on their students. Only 108 teachers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories receive this selective recognition each year. I commend Mr. McVay for his fine work as an educator and mentor to his students, building important skills that will help them succeed in a rapidly developing world. STEM education is a building block to an increasingly complex economy that relies on a strong technological skill set. Today's students with strong STEM backgrounds will be those that discover a cure for cancer, help to bring an end to climate change, and gets an American on Mars. The important skills that Mr. McVay's students develop from his instruction will bring important individual achievements, and will aid our nation in the future. I'm proud to say that we have excellent quality teachers in New Jersey like Mr. McVay, and I look forward to seeing his important work develop in the growth and success of his students.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Patricia Lee of Lumberton Middle School in Lumberton, New Jersey, as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Each year, the PAEMST recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers for their contributions to the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. Recipients of the award are widely respected by their peers, displaying strong expertise in STEM education, and having made a lasting positive impact on their students. Only 108 teachers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories receive this selective recognition each year. I commend Ms. Lee for her fine work as an educator and mentor to her students, building important skills that will help them succeed in a rapidly developing world. STEM education is a building block to an increasingly complex economy that relies on a strong technological skill set. Today's students with strong STEM backgrounds will be those that discover a cure for cancer, help to bring an end to climate change, and gets an American on Mars. The important skills that Ms. Lee's students develop from her instruction will bring important individual achievements, and will aid our nation in the future. I'm proud to say that we have excellent quality teachers in New Jersey like Ms. Lee, and I look forward to seeing her important work develop in the growth and success of her students.