Kaialiʻi Kahele

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on a critical issue for indigenous people of the United States, specifically Native Hawaiians. Yesterday, in this august body, I introduced H.R. 9614 to amend the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, legislation critical to the preservation, protection, and restoration of the sovereign rights of the Native Hawaiian people. Madam Speaker, 129 years ago, on January 17, 1893, 13 White men with the support of U.S. troops of the USS Boston illegally overthrew the Kingdom of Hawaii. In the years that would follow, the kingdom's beloved monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, was imprisoned; millions of acres of sovereign royal lands were stolen; olelo Hawaii, the Hawaiian language, was prohibited to be taught or spoken in public schools; the United States illegally annexed Hawaii via a simple majority joint resolution after failing to gain treaty ratification in the United States Senate; and by 1920, Native Hawaiians--decimated by Western diseases, the loss of their land, culture, and identity--were on the brink of extinction. Realizing the plight of his people, Hawaii's second Native Hawaiian and territorial Delegate to the Congress, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, 102 years ago, authored one of the most important pieces of Federal legislation for Hawaiians, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920. The act would set aside 203,000 acres to restore land and dignity to Native Hawaiians of 1/32 blood quantum, giving them leasing opportunities for homesteading, farming, ranching, and mercantile purposes. However, Delegate Kuhio ran into fierce opposition and was forced to compromise with Western powerful sugar and ranching business interests by accepting a blood quantum requirement of 50 percent to qualify for a lease. This requirement would serve as a poison pill in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act dividing Native Hawaiians--a divide that remains to this day. Inadequately funded and managed by the United States from 1921 to 1959, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and its day-to-day management was punted to the new State of Hawaii as a condition and requirement of statehood in 1959. Realizing that Native Hawaiians were being quickly displaced from their land due to interracial marriages, the State of Hawaii and the United States lowered the blood quantum requirement for qualified beneficiary successors to 25 percent. Madam Speaker, 100 years later, due to interracial marriages and blended families, many descendants of beneficiaries do not meet the 25 percent requirement for successorship. In addition, the failure of both the State of Hawaii and the United States to meet its fiduciary, execution, management, and oversight obligations to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act has resulted in less than 10,000 Native Hawaiians being awarded a lease while an applicant wait list of almost 29,000 exists to this day. As the applicant wait list grows, the median average age of an applicant grows, creating a sense of urgency as thousands have died on the wait list, and thousands more will die on the wait list, never fulfilling the true vision of Prince Kuhio to Aina Ho'opulalula, or return Native Hawaiians to their land. This bill, H.R. 9614, will reduce the blood quantum requirement to Delegate Kuhio's original intent of 1/32 for the successors of those who have, while also addressing the inequity of those who don't have by lowering the 50 percent blood quantum requirement forsuccessorship to \1/32\ for the thousands of applicants and their successors on the DHHL applicant wait list. With the 117th Congress coming to an end in just 13 days, it is my sincere hope that the 118th Congress will address this important issue and that an emerging new generation of Native Hawaiian political leaders in Hawaii will elevate this and the myriad of other issues that continue to suppress and harm the Native Hawaiian community. Madam Speaker, I am confident that if we do that, we can effectuate sustainable and positive change across Hawaii and our Nation where all of our people thrive, not just a privileged few.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I stand before you to share the passing of one of Hawaii's most beloved individuals, my friend and mentor, Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli. Uncle Emmett, as many affectionately called him, dedicated his life to the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians. He graduated from the University of Hawaii and later opened and practiced at Molokai Family Health Center and Clinic. He helped draft the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act that was signed into law in 1988 to improve the health status of Native Hawaiians and cofounded Na Pu'uwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System that serves the island of Molokai. Dr. Aluli also served as a member of the Second Congressional District's Native Hawaiian Health Task Force, helping set Federal policies to advance Native Hawaiian healthcare. Uncle Emmett leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of the people of Hawaii, and his contributions will be felt for generations. He will be greatly missed by his family and his beloved people of Molokai.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7321, as amended.

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7321, the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act, introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Peter DeFazio. One level of safety. For over a decade, that has been the single- minded goal of Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration in setting aviation policy. But until domestic and FAA-certificated foreign repair stations are subject to the same oversight and safety standards, there is no hope we can achieve one level of safety. In fact, existing safety rules make clear that there is not truly one level of safety. Under current FAA regulations, domestic repair station workers are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Workers at foreign repair stations are not. Domestic repair station workers are subject to comprehensive background investigations; foreign repair station workers are not. Unfortunately, more and more maintenance work for U.S. air carriers is being sent overseas. The number of these facilities has grown by nearly 40 percent in the past 6 years. The global pandemic has only exacerbated this trend, as more than 8,200 aircraft maintenance jobs left the United States in just the past few years. The Department of Transportation inspector general has also been ringing the alarm bell in five audit reports containing 41 recommendations since 2002 to improve the FAA's dangerously weak oversight of repair stations overseas. How many more inspector general reports will it take for the FAA to be brave enough to take a leadership role in the international community and apply strong standards to foreign repair stations? This bill will require the FAA to take a number of specific and decisive steps to improve oversight of foreign repair stations. These include, among other things: requiring all foreign repair stations to be subject to at least one unannounced inspection each year; requiring supervisors and individuals who authorize aircraft for return to service to meet minimum requirements and hold FAA mechanic or repairman certificates; and requiring the FAA to, one, comply with the 2016 mandate for a final rule on drug and alcohol testing of employees at foreign repair stations, and, two, initiate a rulemaking mandating background checks of such employees. I thank the stakeholders for their support and the tireless efforts in working toward an agreeable solution as well as Ranking Member Graves and his staff. Madam Speaker, this bill is a giant step in the right direction, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7321) to amend title 49, United States Code, to require certain air carriers to provide reports with respect to maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue to honor September as Hawaiian History Month in my home State of Hawaii. Today, in ``olelo Hawaii'', ``Hawaiian language'', I will honor Joseph Kaho'oluhi Nawahi. Joseph Kaho`oluhi Nawahiokalani`opu`u was born on January 13, 1842 in Kaimu, Puna on the Island of Hawai`i. Keaweolalo was his true mother. Nawahiokalani`opu`u was his true father. Joseph Pa`akaula was his foster father. Joseph Pa`akaula was a teacher at Ke Kula `Aiakala. Nawahi attended 4 schools, Ke Kula`Aiakala, Ke Kula Hanai O Hilo, Ke Kulanui O Lahainaluna and ke Kula Ali`i O Kahehuna. Ua hanau `ia `o Iosepa Kaho`oluhi Nawahiokalani`opu`u ma ka la `umikumuakolu o Ianuali makahiki `umikamawalu kanahakumalua ma Kaimu, Puna, Moku o Keawe. `O Keaweolalo kona luau`i makuahine. `O Nawahiokalani`opu`u kona luau`i makua kane. `O Iosepa Pa`akaula kona makua hanai. He kumu `o Iosepa Pa`akaula ma ke Kula `Aiakala. `Eha kula a Nawahi i komo ai. `O Ke Kula `Aiakala, Ke Kula Hanai O Hilo. Ke Kulanui O Lahainaluna a me Kula Ali`i O Kahehuna. Mr. Speaker, these words that I just shared are a simple recitation of biographical facts regarding Joseph Kaho'oluhi Nawahiokalani'opu'u, who was a Native Hawaiian nationalist leader, legislator, lawyer, newspaper publisher, and painter. This speech has been memorized by hundreds of elementary school students--my own keiki included--who attend the Hawaiian language immersion school, Ke Kula `o Nawahiokalani'opu'u. These keiki not only honor these Native Hawaiian heroes but ensure that their names are heard, and their work lives on through them for generations to come. ``E ola kou inoa e Nawahi.''

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Honolulu Little League on winning the 2022 Little League World Series. This is Hawaii's fourth Little League World Series, and it is a true privilege to represent the team, their coaches, families, and fans. The Honolulu Little League played their first season in 1954 and is one of the oldest Little League teams in the State. This particular team's character and sportsmanship will be remembered long after their victory this year. Their enthusiasm and love for baseball is contagious, and all of Hawaii couldn't stop watching as they hit home runs, struck out batters, and invoked the mercy rule over their opponents. I extend special commendations to Coach Gerald Oda, the team's manager and coach. I also congratulate the families of the players who have undoubtedly made their own sacrifices to provide this team with the opportunity to succeed. This team represents Hawaii's values of unity, teamwork, and resilience. These Little Leaguers have become role models to our larger community, and I am sure the next generation of Little League World Champions in Hawaii watched this team and will be inspired by them. I know I speak for all of Hawaii, Mr. Speaker, when I say how so very proud we are.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Hawaiian History Month in my home State of Hawaii. Today, I recognize David La'amea Kalakaua, who was elected king in 1874 and served until his death in 1891. He was the first governing monarch to visit Washington and circumnavigate the globe. In 1882, he completed the construction of Iolani Palace, the only home of royalty in the United States, which still stands today on the island of O'ahu. A man of science, King Kalakaua outfitted Iolani Palace with indoor plumbing, a telephone, and electric lights. Iolani Palace even had electricity before the White House. A patron of Hawaiian music and dance, Kalakaua is fondly known as the Merrie Monarch. In my hometown of Hilo, the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival is held in his honor and attracts thousands from around the globe. This year marks the festival's 60th anniversary. We are forever grateful to King David Kalakaua for inspiring the continuation of our people and our Native Hawaiian culture.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to continue to honor September as Hawaiian History Month in my home State of Hawaii. Today, I am honoring Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole. Prince Kuhio was the second Native Hawaiian to represent Hawaii in Congress, when he was elected in 1903, and he served for two decades until his death in 1922. He is best known for the establishment of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu in 1918 and the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act in 1920. Throughout his life, Prince Kuhio, revered by Native Hawaiians as Ke Ali'i Maka'ainana, a prince for the people, was a tenacious leader and used his voice to preserve and strengthen the Hawaiian people. Prince Kuhio championed the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which was signed into law by President Warren G. Harding in 1921. The Act enables Native Hawaiians to return to their lands in order to support self- sufficiency and self-determination. This Act created a homeland to build homes, farms, ranches, and otherwise engage in economic activities. This legacy of championing Native Hawaiian causes and preserving Native Hawaiian history is what Prince Kuhio is most remembered for, and I am proud to continue that legacy here in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September as Hawaiian History Month in my home State of Hawaii. It is a time of celebration, recognition, and reflection. Throughout this month, we honor individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of Native Hawaiians everywhere. Today, we recognize Edith Ke'kuhikuhiipu'uoneonaali'iokohala Kenao Kanaka'ole, a revered Native Hawaiian dancer, chanter, teacher, kuma hula and founder of Halau o Kekuhi. Edith was one of only five women in the country honored this year in the 2023 American Women Quarters Program. ``Grant us knowledge.'' ``E ho mai ka'ike,'' is inscribed on the commemorative coin for Edith Kanaka'ole. It is a reminder of her lasting legacy and a guiding principle for Hawaiians. That is, to look to those who came before us so that we may find success in the present and prosperity in our future.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a friend, leader, and a Marine. In August of 2020, Colonel Hennigan was hand-selected by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to assume the duties as the Director of the Marine Corps House Liaison Office. Colonel Hennigan's selection was the result of an impeccable record of service and her vast experience in the Marine Corps. Throughout her tenure, Colonel Hennigan led the daily operations of the House office with uncanny skill and aplomb. Her acute awareness and in-depth insight allowed her to facilitate a shared understanding between the Marine Corps and the House of Representatives. Her relationship with myself and many Members of Congress is one that we have valued greatly. Colonel Hennigan's unique leadership skills and interpersonal abilities allowed her to be an incredible advocate on behalf of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. After graduating from the University of Mary Washington, she was commissioned in 1994. Throughout her career she has commanded various units from platoon to group levels, and deployments to combat zones. She served as a Marine Corps Commandant's Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace and studied Women, Peace and Security. She also has held multiple assignments in Hawaii at both Marine Corps Air Station Kane'ohe, and United States Pacific Command. In 2022, President Biden nominated Colonel Hennigan for the rank of a Brigadier General, making her only the 16th female general officer in the history of the Marine Corps. On behalf of myself, and all my colleagues in the House of Representatives, we wish her luck in all her future endeavors and success leading Marines of the future. She will always have a home in the great state of Hawaii. She will be greatly missed. Pomaika`i, Maura.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Honoring our PACT Act. The PACT Act will finally expand benefits and comprehensive healthcare for millions of veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances while serving their country. Included in this bill is the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, championed by my dear friend, the late Congressman Mark Takai, who served his country admirably as a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard and as Hawaii's First Congressional District Representative. The United States conducted 43 nuclear tests on Enewetak Atoll, located in the Marshall Islands. In the 1970s, U.S. servicemembers risked their lives to clean radioactive material from Enewetak Atoll. Without the PACT Act, veterans who served at Enewetak are not eligible for much-needed benefits. I am honored to continue Congressman Mark Takai's legacy by proudly casting my vote for the Honoring our PACT Act to ensure that we improve on our sacred obligation to care for our veterans and their families.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, today I urge the United States Senate to pass the Protecting Our Kids Act. The Uvalde shooting in Texas is one of many mass school shootings that will remain a forever stain on our country. We find ourselves here again, in the wake of another elementary school massacre, expressing condolences, sympathy, and outrage. As a parent to two elementary school-aged children, when my wife and I take our daughters to school, we expect them to run to our car, with smiles on their faces at the end of every fun-filled school day. Once more, the House took action this week and voted to move this forward. We worked in a bipartisan fashion to pass the most basic measures to keep our families safe from gun violence. This commonsense bill will save lives. It makes crucial changes, raising the age for buying an assault rifle to 21, working toward safe gun storage, and reducing the unregulated trafficking of guns. We are many school shootings past thoughts and prayers. Sandy Hook, Parkland, Columbine. We need action now. Time and time again, this Nation has failed to act. We must pass comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation to protect my children, to protect your children, to protect America's children. The American people are demanding for us to act. It is time to act now.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of the fiscal year 2022 Water Resources and Development Act, legislation which will invest in America's ports, harbors, and inland waterways, as well as build more climate-resilient communities. For the first time ever, WRDA includes Section 219 environmental infrastructure projects for the State of Hawaii, which will ensure that Maui, Kauai, Hawaii and Honolulu County are able to address wastewater infrastructure and confront these challenges head-on today, because the cost of waiting is too great. This WRDA will also, for the first time ever, include a provision that will enable NHOs, or Native Hawaiian Organizations, to waive local cost-sharing requirements of up to $200,000 for critical environmental projects, which will open the doors to new environmental restoration projects and career opportunities in every county. This provision will help to provide more parity between indigenous communities, and I applaud its inclusion in this bill. I am proud to support this bipartisan effort to invest in our ports and harbors, build more resilient communities, and support our indigenous brothers and sisters across the country.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor University of Hawaii football coach Bob ``Wags'' Wagner on his 75th birthday. Coach Bob ``Wags'' Wagner is a two-time Conference Coach of the Year and led the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors to their first bowl game in 1989, their first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title in 1992, and he represented the WAC as its Champion in the 1992 Holiday Bowl with a win over Illinois. Coach Wags is the only University of Hawaii head football coach to have beaten rival BYU on multiple occasions in 1989, 1990 and the Holiday Bowl season in 1992. Coach Wags' record is 58-49-3. Bob Wagner was born on May 16, 1947 in Newark, Ohio to the late George and Jessie Wagner. The youngest of six siblings--George, Mary, Harriet, Dolores and Teresa--Bob grew up playing neighborhood pickup football and following regional collegiate football powerhouse, the Ohio State Buckeyes, with his family. A two-sport collegiate athlete, Bob was a two-time all-conference selection in football and two-time all-region selection in lacrosse. Bob graduated from Wittenberg University in 1969. He began his career in coaching at Gallipolis High School and River View High School in Ohio, before coaching at the collegiate level at Muskingum University and at the College of Wooster. Always drawn to the Pacific, Coach Wags had his first opportunity to coach Division I football as an assistant at the University of Washington under coach Don James in 1976. In 1977, Coach Wags came to the University of Hawaii as an assistant coach under Larry Price, and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1983 under head coach Dick Tomey. Coach Wags became head coach of the Rainbow Warriors in 1987, and served the University of Hawaii football program for almost two decades. He was inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame, the Wittenberg Athletics Hall of Honor, and the University of Hawaii Sports Circle of Honor. Coach Wags concluded his career in athletics leadership at Kamehameha Schools--and is the author of a 1993 book titled, ``Getting the Edge: Hawaii Football'' which details the history of football in Hawaii and Coach Wags' time as one of the first major college head coaches to embrace the spread concept of the triple-option philosophy. He currently enjoys his retirement on Hawaii Island with his wife and University of Hawaii alumna, Gloria. I wish Coach Wags a happy birthday, and continued health and happiness to he and Gloria in the years to come.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, today, just like I did 1 year ago to this day, I rise with extraordinary pride to congratulate the 2022 NCAA Men's Volleyball National Champions, the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. This past Saturday our Hawaii Rainbows defended their title on the legendary court of Pauley Pavilion against Long Beach State University. Emulating their victory in 2021, they proved that lightning can strike twice by sweeping their opponent in a decisive three-set match. Our Warriors displayed acute focus, tenacity, and bold dominance, boasting a 27-5 season record while remaining undefeated at home. As a proud alumnus and former Rainbow Warrior volleyball player, I, along with the rest of Hawaii, congratulate our back-to-back national champions. ``Thanks very much.'' ``Mahalo nui loa'' to head coach Charlie Wade, the coaching staff, the UH athletics program, the Manoa Aunties, our loyal boosters, and dedicated fans who support our players on and off the court. To our 2022 NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship Team, ``all the best,'' ``no ka`oi,'' and Go `Bows!

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, mahalo, Congressman Palazzo for organizing this Special Order to celebrate the achievements of the National Guard across the Nation. I am proud to be co-leading the bipartisan National Guard and Reserve Caucus with you this year. I am here to recognize the Hawaii National Guard and highlight its growing role in our Nation's competitiveness and strategic level of defense priorities. In my 21-year career of service to my State and Nation, I have seen the Hawaii Air National Guard transform from a quiet, off-the-radar, C- 130, F-15, and KC-135 squadrons out in the Pacific to lethal and almost full-time composite associate squadrons. The Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing and their flying squadrons serve alongside Active Duty counterparts flying C-17s and F-22s, as well as the KC-135, each and every day. There are Active Duty pilots flying with Guard pilots, side-by-side, deploying overseas. An important aspect of my job is to listen and hear from our men and women in the National Guard. Many of my policy proposals are the result of hearing directly from our guardsmen. For example, members of the Guard contacted my office last year to raise their concerns about the number of days a reservist can serve on Active Duty. As a result, my colleagues and I authored the ``1095 Rule'' Amendment Act, legislation that increases the maximum number of days that reservists can serve on Active Duty to maintain mission readiness. We are pleased that this legislation was signed into law and took effect last month. This is a huge victory for National Guardsmen across the Nation and ensures the full capability of our most talented Reserve component members without affecting end-strength limitations. Now, I believe we can all agree that our success, the success of our National Guard, is directly linked to the strength of our leadership. The Hawaii National Guard is positioned as a key strategic defense priority for our military in the Pacific, and for that I personally thank the adjutant general of the Hawaii National Guard, Kenneth Hara, for his direction in leading the Guard in Hawaii. General Hara has been central to our State's early success with the COVID-19 pandemic. He and his team have been pivotal to the coordinated effort between our States, counties, and community organizations. Finally, mahalo nui loa. I am grateful for the airmen and soldiers for being the best and most diverse National Guard organization in the Nation. The important work that each and every one of them does makes our country strong. I also thank their families for their sacrifice and enduring support of their important work. Their commitment and participation to the Hawaii National Guard Association and National Guard associations throughout the Nation is vital to its success and advocacy in Washington. Mahalo nui loa. Onipaa mau loa.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and women of the crew of the U.S. Flag commercial ship Horizon Reliance, sailing out of Honolulu and operated by third-generation, family-owned Pasha Hawaii. On the evening of November 6, 2020--over 1,000 miles northeast of O`ahu--a private turbo-prop plane with two individuals onboard was enroute from California to Honolulu before suffering an engine casualty. As a pilot myself--with thousands of hours logged in both military and commercial passenger aircraft--believe me when I say that this is the worst possible scenario in aviation: to be in the middle of the ocean, 1,000 miles from the closest land, in the middle of the night when your one and only engine fails. As water rapidly filled the cabin, the two pilots managed to escape the aircraft, clambering into their life raft and called the Honolulu Coast Guard Search and Rescue center via satellite phone. With 8-10 foot seas and 30 knot winds on-scene, the Coast Guard realized the gravity of the situation and quickly dispatched a mayday alert calling out for volunteer commercial ships to lend aid, as the distance from shore prevented a search-and-rescue helicopter operation. Due to the hazardous conditions, the first ship to arrive on scene was unable to rescue the desperately heaving life raft, but was able to remain on scene rendering a glimmer of hope for the crash survivors. Shortly thereafter, the Horizon Reliance, under the command of Captain Mark Tuck, arrived and expertly commenced a small-boat operation to retrieve the survivors. Cautiously maneuvering the vessel under arduous conditions, the men and women of the Horizon Reliance--union members of the Masters, Mates and Pilots, Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, and Seafarers International Unions--recovered the pilots aboard the vessel and brought them to safety. I cannot overstate how truly close this incident came to tragedy; the lives of these two aircraft crash survivors, their families and friends were forever changed due to the actions of the crew of the Horizon Reliance that fateful evening. It speaks even more to the dedication and devotion to duty of the mariners of the U.S. merchant fleet--the brave men and women who carry goods across the globe in support of the U.S. military, as well as humanitarian food-aid, research cargo to Antarctica and countless other missions in support of our country.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I rise to express the serious concern that our aviation community has regarding the rollout of 5G service. The Federal Aviation Administration has warned that potential 5G interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments, such as radar altimeters, which would significantly hamper low-visibility operations, and so we must delay the rollout of 5G at select airports until we can address all aviation safety concerns. Pilots across America are flying in low-visibility conditions, from snow to sea fog to other zero-visibility conditions, and they need all the instruments and procedures at their disposal so that they can safely protect the lives of their passengers and crew. We cannot and must not compromise on safety. It will be safe to fly when pilots say it is safe to fly. The United States has the safest air transportation system in the world, and we must continue to safeguard this system. I am thankful that wireless carriers have decided to delay the implementation at key airports, but that does not go far enough. The FAA needs to ensure that 5G services will not be implemented at any of the 50 airport locations that have been identified as vulnerable until safety can be ensured.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, December 2, I was not present for Roll Call votes 397 and 401. Had l been present, l would have voted: Yea on the Table Motion to Reconsider on providing for consideration of H.R. 6119, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes; and Yea on H.R. 2390 the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021, as amended. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Adams (Brown (MD)) Butterfield (Ryan) Cardenas (Soto) Cawthorn (Nehls) Crist (Wasserman Schultz) Curtis (Meijer) DeFazio (Carbajal) Donalds (McClain) Frankel, Lois (Kuster) Fulcher (Johnson (OH)) Garcia (TX) (Jeffries) Green (TX) (Cuellar) Hagedorn (Moolenaar) Lawrence (Johnson (GA)) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Lesko (Miller (WV)) Luetkemeyer (Meuser) Meng (Kuster) Moore (UT) (Owens) Palazzo (Fleischmann) Payne (Pallone) Porter (Wexton) Posey (Cammack) Reed (Kelly (PA)) Reschenthaler (Meuser) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Quigley) Sires (Pallone) Stewart (Owens) Swalwell (Gomez) Takano (Chu) Underwood (Casten) Vela (Gomez) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, as a native Hawaiian, I am excited to highlight how the Build Back Better Act will benefit the native Hawaiian community and all of the original indigenous peoples, the first peoples of these nations, across the United States. The Build Back Better Act will strengthen our collective indigenous communities through investments in culturally relevant healthcare, housing and community development, professional development for indigenous languages and early childhood educators, accelerator programs for small businesses, and funding for native Hawaiian healthcare systems. These programs further the trust responsibility from the United States Government to indigenous communities. The Build Back Better Act also creates opportunities for Federal consultation on land use planning, development, and infrastructure projects--something our indigenous communities have requested for years. That is why we must pass the Build Back Better Act and add its investments to the initiatives we just passed in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Build Back Better Act supports our indigenous communities and creates opportunity for indigenous peoples while ensuring that America's richest citizens pay their fair share. Mahalo, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, we face a now-or-never moment to reverse the severe consequences of the climate crisis. Our narrow margin to avert catastrophe is shrinking, and right now, Democrats hold the power to enact aggressive policies to turn that tide. Failing to meet the moment in the Build Back Better Act is frankly a nonstarter. In my home State of Hawaii, the devastating effects of climate change are crystal clear. Each year, we experience unprecedented flooding, which causes landslides, washes out bridges, and creates dam failures; rising sea levels that lead to coastal erosion are visible along every island; and warming waters that cause widespread coral bleaching that kill our fish populations and threaten our economy. As we face these challenges, Hawaii has been a leader in green energy sources, including geothermal, ocean, solar, and hydro-energy. However, while my State can do its part, we need a robust national effort if we are to sustain our planet for future generations. Madam Speaker, the global climate crisis is our greatest national security threat, and I urge all my colleagues to answer the call to action by passing the Build Back Better Act.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, Mr. Richard Trumka blessed our nation with leadership, courage, and dignity, fighting for working men and women throughout his life. Born into a coal mining family in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, Richard never forgot his working-class roots. At the age of 19, Richard followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather--straight into the mine shafts, alternating several months below ground and several months in school. He graduated from Pennsylvania State and received a law degree from Villanova. Then for 13 years, he led the United Mine Workers of America as its elected president before bringing his staunch advocacy to the AFL-CIO, first as its secretary-treasurer, then as its president. Many will remember Richard as a leader who opened the door of opportunity for millions of Americans. I, too, will remember Richard in the same vein. Today, Hawaii's working men and women share more of the nation's wealth because of Richard's leadership at the AFL-CIO. I will also remember Richard for his fight for social and racial justice when in the early 1980s, he took a strong stand in solidarity with Black mineworkers in South Africa. Richard chaired the U.S. Boycott Committee, mobilized the support of other unions, and rallied opposition to apartheid. He urged the AFL-CIO to support the boycott against the Royal Dutch Shell, who, as he explained, was a critical multinational corporation propping up the South African government. At a 1988 rally in Chicago, Richard stated that ``true labor solidarity cannot be limited by national boundaries or the color of a person's skin. My opposition to apartheid comes not only from my personal beliefs and values, but is also deeply rooted in the history of my union.'' Richard was a true traditional union leader who fought for economic, social, and racial justice for all. Richard stood for true solidarity. Looking upon us from above, Richard just might be saying, ``Don't mourn, Organize!'' Aloha oe, Richard. Mahalo for devoting your life to uplifting the lives of all Americans and working people throughout the world.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, for far too long, America's broken for- profit healthcare system has left millions of Americans uninsured or underinsured. While out-of-pocket costs and corporate profits continue to rise, 8 million Americans have turned to a new form of health insurance, online fundraisers like GoFundMe, to pay their medical bills. My nephew, Sean Day, was one of them. He passed away from cancer earlier this month at just 22 years of age. Mr. Speaker, we live in the richest country in the world. No one should be priced out of the healthcare that they need or delay seeing a doctor just because they can't afford it. No one should be forced to ask strangers online to crowdsource their medical bills. It is simply not right. This is why we must pass the Build Back Better Act. The Build Back Better Act will invest in our communities' healthcare, expand medical coverage for our kupuna, and lower prescription drug prices. It will save lives. During the deadliest pandemic in U.S. history, we must deliver the care that American families deserve. We must leave no one behind.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, first, I thank the appropriations chair, Ms. DeLauro, and Ranking Member Granger for their leadership in bringing these appropriations bills to the floor. I rise before you today, Mr. Speaker, to speak on behalf of my bipartisan amendment co-led by Representatives Ferguson, Davis, Fitzpatrick, and Bergman. For the last 10 years, some foreign airlines have sought to undermine international standards, the rights of U.S. workers, and to erode the competitiveness of our U.S. domestic airlines. These foreign airlines are unfairly using atypical business practices to register their airline away from its home country in more convenient locations to find countries with more permissive legal, regulatory, labor, and safety standards which creates a serious disadvantage for our U.S. workers and carriers, as well as undermines the safety standards the U.S. has worked so hard to cultivate. Commercial aviation contributes over 5 percent to the U.S. GDP and supports hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs. My bipartisan amendment seeks to prevent flags of convenience airlines from undercutting U.S. jobs by ensuring that no Federal funds can be used to approve a new foreign air carrier permit unless certain conditions are met, including evaluating if it is in the best public interest. This commonsense amendment, Mr. Speaker, will enable the Department of Transportation to prevent foreign airlines that use atypical or flags of convenience business models from flying to and from the United States which will support American jobs, American workers, and the U.S. airline industry.