Andy Kim

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Knowles Teacher Initiative of Moorestown, New Jersey, for their 20 years of work developing teachers that transform math and science education for students across the United States. Established in 1999 by Janet H. and C. Harry Knowles, the Knowles Teacher Initiative supports a network of math and science teachers nationwide in expanding innovative practices and teaching expertise. Through their programs like the Knowles Teaching Fellows Program and the Knowles Senior Fellows Program, Knowles brings in early-career high school math and science teachers to aid in their professional development and create a lasting network of highly qualified educators across the country. Over their 20 years serving our nation's teachers, Knowles has supported more than 400 Fellows who have taught math and science to more than 250,000 students. There is no doubt that the Knowles Teacher Initiative has made a lasting impact in not only the lives of the educators that took part in their fellowships, but also the students that have benefitted from the high-quality instruction stemming from Knowles programs. I commend the Knowles Teacher Initiative for the important work they have done to help to provide development opportunities for our nation's math and science teachers. I'm proud to support their work and look forward to many impactful years to come.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael Dunlea of Tabernacle Elementary School in Tabernacle, 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. Dunlea 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. Dunlea'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. Dunlea, 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 move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise because Congress needs to take bold action to help seniors afford healthcare. I have talked with countless seniors in Burlington and Ocean Counties who see the costs of healthcare rise with no relief in sight. That is why, today, I am proud to introduce the Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act. By expanding access to the Medicare Savings Program, we can help millions of seniors afford prescription drugs and other critical care. When our seniors can't afford their healthcare, they are forced to decide between their own health and essentials like rent and food. That is not a choice that any senior should have to make. We have a chance in this Congress to make an impact for the people we serve. We owe it to our senior citizens who have worked hard and contributed so much to this country to help them realize the American Dream of a healthy, affordable retirement. Madam Speaker, I hope you stand with them and join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The Joint Base, and the tens of thousands based there who serve our country, is a critical part of the fabric of our community, economy, and national security. Bases McGuire, Dix and Lakehurst have stood as a unified base for a decade, but each has a rich history. Fort Dix was established during World War I, and trained soldiers that helped liberate Europe During World War II. McGuire Air Force Base was a hub for operations during the Cold War, and Lakehurst Naval Air Station was home to some of the Navy's most historic missions. Today, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst continues in that proud tradition of serving at the vanguard of our nation's defense. The servicemen and women training and operating at the Joint Base continue to be deployed overseas to project American security and protect America's interests. Furthermore, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is an absolutely critical part of New Jersey's economy. The Joint Base is one of our state's largest employers and generates billions in income to support our communities. It is also a point of incredible pride for the people of Burlington and Ocean Counties. I appreciate the work that those stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst do on a daily basis to keep our nation safe and support families living in New Jersey. On behalf of my neighbors in Burlington and Ocean Counties, I congratulate our base leadership and servicemembers for a successful ten years serving our community and country, and look forward to continuing that work in the years and decades to come.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Barbara Kim-Hagemann, who recently made history by being the first woman elected to the position of State Commander in any major New Jersey veterans organization. Barbara has dedicated her career to serving her country and the veteran community in New Jersey. She served in the U.S. Army for eight years as an illustrator deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After being discharged from the Army, Barbara attended Georgian Court College, and later began her work serving New Jersey's veterans. Barbara first started out with the Ocean County Veterans Affairs in Toms River, where she worked with veterans and their families to help them secure health care and disability benefits. After joining the Jackson, NJ VFW Post 4703, Barbara became the first female Post Commander in Ocean County, and later became the first female District Commander. She has also served on a number of VFW state committees, including the Legislative Committee, in an effort to advocate for veterans, military personnel and families. Barbara has remained a leader in the veterans community in our area, coordinating the Ocean County Veterans Thanksgiving Food Drive and Christmas Toy Drive, working as an instructor at the Marine Corps ROTC Leadership and Character Development Academy at Fort Dix, and serving as the Grand Marshal for the Point Pleasant Memorial Day Parade and Toms River Veterans Day Parade. For her years of service to the veterans community in New Jersey, Barbara was recognized twice by the New Jersey State Assembly, and was inducted into the Jackson Township Hall of Fame. On June 22, 2019, Barbara was installed as the State Commander of the New Jersey VFW, becoming the first female to ever hold that position. The importance of the work that Barbara has done throughout her career to help the veterans community in New Jersey cannot be understated. After serving in the U.S. Army, Barbara returned home and went to work to make sure that other servicemembers returning home received quality care and resources to live a comfortable life. I would like to thank Barbara for the incredible work she has done over the years, and I look forward to working with her as the first female State Commander of a major New Jersey veterans organization.

Mr. KIM

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

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment today is a simple one. It provides more support for two critical programs that have helped jump-start small businesses, create jobs, and foster the American Dream. The Small Business Administration's Veterans Business Outreach Centers and Small Business Development Centers may not be household names to some, but they have been a lifeline and resource to small business owners across our country. Veterans Business Outreach Centers provide counseling and training to eligible servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses. With 22 centers nationwide, this program provides the skills aspiring entrepreneurs need to get their ideas and businesses off the ground. At a time in which military spouse unemployment is more than six times the national average, these programs can help provide opportunities for those who have served and their families. Small Business Development Centers also provide essential services to small business owners who fuel our economy. These centers have trained hundreds of thousands of Americans in developing business plans and accessing capital. These programs touch each and every one of our districts, but let me tell why it is important to the people of Burlington and Ocean Counties in New Jersey. Small businesses are the backbone of the New Jersey economy. According to the Small Business Administration, approximately half of New Jersey's private-sector workforce is employed by a small business. By voting for this amendment, we can empower these job creators to continue to strengthen our economy. By voting for this amendment, we can give back to those who have served our country in uniform. By voting for this amendment, we can continue to invest in our programs that have proven to work. I urge adoption of this commonsense amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. KIM

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

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, as the vice chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, improving road safety at and around our military facilities is an important part of maintaining and enhancing military readiness. Simply put, if our servicemen and -women can't safely drive, they can't safely train, and that puts our military at a distinct disadvantage. We have dozens of military facilities across our country, but I want to give you one example of how prioritizing road safety will improve our readiness. My district, made up of Burlington and Ocean Counties in New Jersey, is home to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The joint base is a key military training facility, but the lack of proper investment in road safety projects has impeded our military's ability to train. By building a simple overpass over Route 539, the Army Reserve would have access to more than hundreds of additional training acres. Because one-third of Army reservists live within a short drive of under 4 hours from the joint base, additional training would save us money and give them more time with their families. Furthermore, this would allow the Army Reserve to conduct much-needed training exercises with night vision equipment used in war zones, training exercises that they simply cannot execute because the roads aren't safe enough. This is one example, but it is not the only one. This is a chance for us to stand with our servicemen and -women, a chance for us to stand for readiness, and a chance for us to stand for safety. Mr. Chair, I urge support for the men and women across our country who serve and the adoption of this commonsense amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her words of support here. This is something that I find all of us are committed to, in terms of ensuring that our armed services men and women have everything that they need to be able to do their jobs and be able to have the success of their missions. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Chair, earlier this month, I held a town hall in Toms River, New Jersey, focused on the opioid and addiction crisis. At this town hall, and nearly every day since I was sworn in to represent the Third District of New Jersey, I have heard heartbreaking stories from people in my community on how they've struggled with opioid addiction issues. The bill we're debating today provides important funding to fight this epidemic. This amendment directs that funding to prioritize funding for medication assisted treatment. This treatment is proven to make a positive impact in the lives of those dealing with these issues and proven to save lives. According to the CDC, more than 70,000 Americans died in 2017 due to drug overdoses. Reducing that number should be an absolute priority of this Congress and is the intent of this amendment. I want to thank Congressman Foster for his leadership on this issue and urge support and passage.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of taking action to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs. In each of my townhalls, I heard from my neighbors that they are tired of the politics; they can't afford the partisanship; and they need Congress to be the adults in the room and to act now. I am proud that my bill, the SAVE Act, has been incorporated into the bill that we will be voting on today. The SAVE Act came from a conversation, a single conversation, as I reached across the aisle to Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, put aside our parties, and worked together to help the people we wake up every day committed to serve. Congress needs more conversations like that. Congress needs bold action like the one we will be taking today. I call on our colleagues in the House to recognize that our neighbors need healthcare relief, and I call on our colleagues in the Senate to recognize that our neighbors cannot wait for that relief to come. This is our moment to act to lower healthcare costs. This is our moment to get something done for the American people.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible contributions that small business owners across Burlington and Ocean Counties are making to our communities. This week is National Small Business Week, and I have talked with New Jersey small business owners about the opportunities they see and the challenges that they face. One owner is Kristofor Sabey, who runs Surf Liquors and Market with his wife, Patty, in Seaside Heights. In 2012, Kristofor and Patty faced the unthinkable when Superstorm Sandy destroyed their store. But as Kristofor told me, small business owners are nothing if not determined, and they have rebuilt, even though they still face challenges. It is that determination that drives more than 860,000 small businesses in New Jersey, and it is that determination that makes them the backbone of our economy and our communities. I hope my colleagues take a moment this week to reach out, listen, and thank our small business owners. When we do better for our small business owners, they do better for our communities. We should strive for that this week and every week forward.

Mr. KIM

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

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer my amendment to H.R. 9. My amendment is straightforward. This bill requires the President to submit a plan to Congress to meet our obligations under the Paris accord. This amendment ensures that we do not forget the impact of our infrastructure when addressing the threat of climate change. We know that climate change is real. We know that we are already feeling its effects and that it will only intensify. Strong scientific research tells us that storms are getting stronger and more frequent. Sea levels are rising, and this poses a direct threat to our coastal communities. While this bill and the Paris accord take significant steps to address the root causes of climate change, we must be prepared to address the significant impact it is having on our Nation's infrastructure today. My district in New Jersey was among the hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy. Toms River alone saw $2.25 billion in property damages, the highest out of any township in New Jersey, and we are still recovering from that storm that hit our State years ago. In 2017 we saw three of the five costliest storms in our history in Harvey, Maria, and Irma. Rising sea levels are increasing the severity and frequency of flooding and are contributing to beach erosion, posing a major threat to our coastal tourism economy. Climate change isn't just measured by rising tides and rising temperatures. It is measured by the rising costs that will incur on our communities and the investment needed in infrastructure to keep our communities resilient in the face of that threat. In the coming months, as we hopefully take up and pass a bold infrastructure package, this amendment will provide guidance towards achieving the infrastructure resiliency our communities need. We know that infrastructure improvements don't only need to come in the form of potholes fixed and bridges rebuilt, they need to lessen the impact of rising storm surges from the next big storm and make sure communities like mine in Ocean County can remain a place for people to raise a family, create jobs, and achieve the American Dream. The Paris Agreement's loss and damage provision recognizes the importance of updating our infrastructure to help communities deal with the adverse impacts of climate change. I urge that we include this amendment because it is crucial that there is an understanding from top to bottom of the threat that climate change poses and the impact that it will have toward infrastructure resiliency across our country. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and ensure we are not only protecting our climate but the infrastructure we need to support our communities, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), who is the Speaker of the House.

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I reiterate that my amendment is straightforward. It recognizes the importance of safeguarding our communities and updating infrastructure to protect against the adverse impacts of climate change. We can see that storms are getting worse and worse and costlier. The storms are not hitting just red States or blue States. They are hitting all of us. I urge all my colleagues to stand behind my amendment and lend your support to ensure that our communities are resilient after the next big storm so that they can remain a place for people to raise a family, create jobs, and achieve the American Dream. Mr. Chair, I urge adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Korean School of Southern New Jersey. Since its founding in 1979, the Korean School of Southern New Jersey (KSSNJ) has been central to developing and strengthening ties in the Korean American community in New Jersey. The school focuses on teaching Korean cultural heritage and sharing it with the local community. KSSNJ provides various performing arts and culture classes, organizes community events, facilitates student competitions and offers exciting summer camp programs for their students. Over the years, the school has received numerous accolades for their outstanding work supporting Korean American youth, cultural heritage and classroom achievement. I am honored to be the first Asian American Member of Congress to serve the state of New Jersey, and the only Korean American to be currently serving in Congress. I am proud of the work that KSSNJ has done to bring the Korean American community together in Southern New Jersey, and to help develop the next generation of Korean American leaders. I wish them continued success in the many years to come.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Melissa Antinoff, a devoted educator who has helped shape the minds of New Jersey's youth throughout her 19 years as a public school teacher. Ms. Antinoff was recently named Burlington County's Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Department of Education for her tireless work as a 3rd grade teacher at Ashbrook Elementary School. Passionate from an early age about working with and educating children, Ms. Antinoff has developed a classroom environment that fosters innovation, creativity, and self-confidence within her students. Ms. Antinoff recognizes the importance of reading to developing a child's sense of confidence and therefore strongly encourages independent reading in her classroom. She credits this practice with instilling in her students greater self-esteem and willingness to take risks in their other areas of study. Ms. Antinoff's colleagues praise her for her ingenious ability to integrate interdisciplinary elements, such as music, into her classroom as well as her eagerness to take risks in her instruction methods including granting her students the independence to work' and learn collaboratively in small groups. Ms. Antinoff is a prime example of the kind of teacher who goes above and beyond to ensure that the well-being of the entire student, including his or her emotional and mental needs are attended to just as much as his or her academic needs. Above all else, she wants her students to have the confidence to enjoy school and feel safe and secure there so that they can learn and grow creatively. For these reasons, I am proud to honor Ms. Antinoff for her efforts and sincerely thank her for the positive influence she has had on countless students throughout her distinguished career.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Bill Smith, a dedicated and enthusiastic educator who has worked as a public school teacher for the past 11 years and was recently named Ocean County's Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Department of Education for his work as a Social Studies teacher at Southern Regional Middle School. Mr. Smith is a leader and a mentor in a classroom that values teacher-student collaboration, critical thinking, and character development. A product of the New Jersey public school system himself, his enthusiasm as an educator stems from a lifelong love of history and teaching. In his own words, Mr. Smith tries to make history come to life in his classroom in order to foster the same passion in his pupils. This, combined with his keen ability to build an exceptionally strong rapport with his students creates a dynamic and engaging classroom environment that has led to a notable score increase in interdisciplinary summative assessments among his classes. Recognizing the importance of a holistic education, Mr. Smith works vigorously to collaborate with the other teachers at Southern Regional to develop interdisciplinary educational opportunities. A lifelong learner, Mr. Smith continuously explores new educational opportunities for himself as well. Combining his love of learning with a passion for travel, he has journeyed from Dallas where he studied President Kennedy to Scotland to study the Enlightenment. A testament to his educational efforts, Mr. Smith has been published in academic, peer-reviewed journals as well as awarded various summer learning grants. Perhaps the most telling testament to Mr. Smith's life and career, is the informal conversations with his students that reveal that deep admiration for their teacher as well as a genuine excitement for his class. Mr. Smith's work as an educator thus far serves as a great example to teachers throughout the country regarding the power of applying dynamic instruction and building strong, positive relationships with students. I thank Mr. Smith for his service to our nation's young people and congratulate him on his well-deserved recognition as Ocean County Teacher of the Year.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Moorestown High School Quakers boys' basketball team, who on Sunday won the Group 3 State Championship for the first time in 60 years. Led by 2018 Burlington County Coach of the Year, Shawn Anstey, and a strong roster from starters to reserves, the Quakers showed incredible teamwork and perseverance all season. From clutch shooting, to diving for loose balls and making hustle plays, the team's balance and focus helped them play through a tough schedule to bring home the school's first state championship since 1959. In the State Final, Moorestown's strong fundamentals and a focus on doing the little things right helped propel them to victory: they shot well from the free-throw line late in the game to secure the title. The Quakers played through pressure in the final to finish the season on a 14-game winning streak, ending the year at 27-5. 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 Anstey and the Moorestown boys on their tremendous season and wish them luck in the Tournament of Champions.

Mr. KIM

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