Jennifer Kiggans

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Madam Chair, I disagree with my colleague. Privatization is one solution, and privatization of family housing has come a long way. Is it perfect, no, but it is a step in the right direction, and it is certainly a lot better than what we used to have, which was simply the defense budget and the government running all of family housing. Family housing has come a long way since we have privatized it. There is a lot of oversight needed, and Congress needs to continue to provide the oversight so that we have the best family housing available for our military families who serve right along with our Active-Duty servicemen and -women. Privatization is one way that we can think outside the box. The defense budget is always inadequate. We just don't have the amount of money that it takes to refurbish and redo all of the unaccompanied housing, all of the barracks that we have seen and that were listed in that scathing GAO report that came out. It is one solution. Right now, we just have two. We have one in Norfolk and one in San Diego. We have two models of privatization. Having visited the one in Norfolk, it is amazing to see the quality- of-life differences. They have private bedrooms. They have a communal kitchen that has actual spaces for them to make nutritious meals. We have things like a gym. There is a pool and even a Jacuzzi and basketball courts. There is a theater room. There is a library. There is plenty that offers the good quality of life that we know our servicemen and -women need, especially when they come home after a long deployment or after a long working day. Those are the things that we can provide in privatized housing. Is it a perfect solution, no, but it is a way to augment what we have right now, and it is certainly a step in the right direction. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast).

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Madam Chair, as a daughter of a veteran, the wife of a veteran, as a veteran myself, it is particularly important to me that our country keeps its promises to those who served. Virginia's Second District is home to one of the highest populations of veterans in the country. An estimated 90,000 veterans live not within our borders but across the ocean in U.S. territories and Freely Associated States such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and other islands across the Pacific. We are responsible for providing care to all veterans, including those that reside within U.S. territories and Freely Associated States. However, there is evidence that VA's estimate of the number of veterans living in these areas is far too low, and the Government Accountability Office has consistently criticized the model used by the VA to make these estimates. This prevents the VA from allocating sufficient resources to serve those veterans, leading to gaps in care. In addition, the VA does not have community care network providers in the Freely Associated States and limited local options for medical care, and healthcare is often only available after traveling by plane. Most veterans who live in one of the Freely Associated States do not qualify for the VA travel benefits program, even though the closest VA clinic is sometimes thousands of miles away on another island. VA care in these areas does not live up to its promise. I urge the VA to maintain and expand services available to these veterans, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Madam Chair, just to close, again, about the privatization of housing. To look at and to compare and to enter both facilities, those that are privatized, and those that are purely funded by the Department of Defense, is it perfect, no, but it is a heck of a lot better than the current conditions that we have our unaccompanied servicemembers living in right now. There are stark differences in those two pathways of life. I cannot speak more favorably to the privatized model. Again, is it perfect, no. Is there a lot of accountability and oversight that needs to happen, yes. That contract process could probably be perfected and worked on. That is something that I think is in the responsibility of Congress. We need to make sure that we have a contract with those privatized companies who also have reputations on the line so they are not just building and forgetting about those housing situations. They have reputations too, and they want to take care of our servicemembers. In reality, what is happening in the two models we currently have in San Diego and Norfolk is a stark contrast to the DOD-funded, DOD-built, and DOD-supervised housing that we currently see on base, and I can't think of a better direction for our servicemembers. As far as the VA carrying U.S. territories and Freely Associated States, I again encourage my colleagues to support this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Chair, I had the honor of growing up in a family with a strong history of service to our country. My grandfather served in the Navy in World War II. My father served as a United States Army Green Beret in Vietnam and later served in the Army Reserves. I spent some of the best years of my life in the Navy as a helicopter pilot with many members who became like family to me. As a third-generation veteran, the wife of a veteran, and a mother of future veterans, I know how important it is to take care of our men and women in uniform after they return home from service. Unfortunately, these issues surrounding mental health are a complex and unfortunate challenge for many of our Nation's heroes. Since 9/11, it is estimated that over 30,000 Active-Duty servicemembers and veterans have died by suicide. Most statistics average approximately 20 a day. This is four times more than the number of servicemembers killed in combat during the global war on terror. We have the responsibility to provide those who have served our country with the medical care, including the mental health care and support that they deserve. While the VA has expanded their suicide outreach and mental health initiatives, there is more work to be done. We cannot allow the men and women who have served our country to slip through the cracks. We can and we must do better. That is why I have offered this amendment, to ensure the VA fully funds and effectively executes mental health care programs with a special emphasis on suicide prevention and outreach. Returning home from combat and transitioning to civilian life is often extremely difficult for our servicemembers. Access to programs and resources for suicide prevention can help those who are struggling and ultimately save lives. We must protect our veterans, just as they have protected us. I urge my colleagues to stand up for veterans and vote in favor of my amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, just to clarify, there is a stark difference between family privatized housing and unaccompanied privatized housing for our single servicemembers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 219, H.R. 5863, and YEA on Roll Call No. 220, H.R. 3019.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record remarks submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his views: At its 76th anniversary, the State of Israel, the Middle East's only democracy and America's staunch ally, has been plunged into a national trauma given the unfathomable October 7th massacres by Hamas, Iran's radical proxy, rivaling Nazis, al-Qaida, ISIS and the likes' inhuman conduct with revolting sexual violence aimed at enraging and destabilizing Israel's psychological well-being. In 2006 Gaza's population callously elected terrorist Hamas, America's avowed adversary, rejecting international norms and Judeo-Christian values. Those were the last elections held in Gaza. Hamas triggered the current Gaza War bringing much suffering on their own oppressed Palestinians as well as the Israeli neighbors who benefitted them. Incredulously, majority of Palestinians yet uphold Hamas and the October 7th vile assaults. The ensuing existential threats to Israel's very security and essential deterrence, followed years of rockets' bombardments that no nation would have tolerated. The world's only Jewish entity and ironically a nuclear power, experienced a described 9/11 tragedy, the darkest day since its 1948 establishment, a second Independence War, and a page taken from the Holocaust's unsettling lexicon. Israel was forced to mobilize 350,000 civilian reservists while handling the trying dislocation of thousands of Israelis from the country's invaded south as well as the heated up north where Hezbollah, the other Iranian and even more toxic proxy, disallows normal living with its constant shelling from Lebanon. Uprooting unrelenting Hamas from ruling Gaza which Israel is rightfully insisting upon, is exacerbated by dense urban terrain and a system of unparalleled tunnels, all shielding an enemy with hellish treatment of torturing and murdering hostages of all ages, including American citizens, with many still captive without Red Cross visitation. The terrorists use hospitals, schools and mosques as launching pads with shocking impunity and a duplicitous United Nations. This mega eruption affecting the entire region and beyond is directly tied to the growing relationship between Israel and the Sunni Arab world with the near historic alliance between Israel and Saudi Arabia that belligerent Iran is seeking to forestall. A game changer is the April 14th massive air onslaught including over 100 ballistic missiles, though thwarted, exposing Iran's intent to destroy the Jewish state. Israel's limited response did however send a powerful message of penetrating so close to Iran's threatening nuclear facilities. The essential American support for Israel benefits both allies, protecting the entire world. The provoked Gaza War increased Israel's familial bonding with American Jewry, the largest Jewish diaspora, which Jews at large have faced since October 7th an alarming rise of antisemitism, repugnantly visible on American campuses. Dr. Rabbi Daniel Gordis' recent book, Impossible Takes Longer (New York: HarperCollins Publishers 2023), written for Israel's 75th anniversary, lays bare Israel's astonishing progress along with challenges in light of promises and premises of Israel's May 14, 1948, Declaration of Independence. The author asserts, ``Today, one needs to exert considerable effort to recall the world as it was only recently precisely because Israel's mere existence not only has fulfilled the promise to afford Jews security and an end to heartbreak but has been successful far beyond what Herzl (Israel's founding visionary) and his compatriots could have dared imagine.'' Thus, reflecting Israel's foremost asset as a safe haven to a long--suffering people at the mercy of others, finally seizing an historic opportunity to radically alter as treacherous trajectory. Notwithstanding October 7th shaking aberration catching Israel so agonizingly off guard, just as the 1973 Yom Kippur War did fifty years earlier. Gordis ponders since a ``new Jew'' arose with Israel's establishment, will Israeli society be one ``based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel,'' so stated its Declaration of Independence. I believe that Israel's under duress remarkable accomplishments, along with world's leader in non-profits, are admirable though lofty Jewish aspirations face a regressive Middle East, and an Israel with unresolved core issues of Judaism's intersection with democracy, calling for a needed guiding constitution. Clearly, Israel spearheads the indispensable defense of the West and its civilization which the Jewish people mightily gifted. Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is founder of Temple Lev Tikvah in Virginia Beach, and son of Polish Holocaust survivors. He is Kazakhstan's only born Rabbi (1945) and grew up in Haifa, Israel.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman, who was recently honored for his 50th year of service as a rabbi. Rabbi Zoberman is the founder and spiritual leader of Temple LevTikvah in Virginia Beach. He was born on November 12, 1945, in Chu, Kazakhstan to Polish Holocaust survivors. He spent his early childhood in Displaced Persons Camps in Austria and Germany following an escape from Poland. Immigrating to Haifa, Israel in 1949 with his family, he served in the Israel Defense Forces in the 1960s. Following his military service, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Hebrew Literature from Chicago's College of Jewish Studies in 1969, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Chicago's Roosevelt University in 1970. He has a Master of Art in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1971. He was ordained as a Reform Rabbi at the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1974, along with a M.A. in Hebrew Letters. His alma-mater granted him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1999. He is the only rabbi to earn a doctoral degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the McCormick Theological Seminary (affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA) in Chicago, Illinois in 1980. He led his former Congregation Beth Chaverim for over 30 years. Also, he spent 10 years at the Catholic Church of the Ascension in Virginia Beach. Rabbi Zoberman represents the Jewish community at civic events in Chesapeake, Virginia. He is the first rabbi to serve as chairman of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and is a long-time member of the Federation Holocaust Commission. Since1981, he has served on the spiritual panel of Lee's Friends, has been the past national interfaith chair of Jewish Counsel of Public Affairs and served as president of the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis and Cantors, as well as president of the Virginia Beach Clergy Association. He is the only Hampton Roads rabbi to serve as a volunteer police chaplain with the Virginia Beach Police Department. He is a commissioner with the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission. I congratulate Rabbi Zoberman on his 50 years of service as a rabbi and his dedication to our community.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to speak in support of my legislation, the Securing the Chain of Command Continuity Act. At a time when our Nation is facing threats around the world, we cannot afford for those who are critical to America's national security to disappear without explanation and a clear delegation of their responsibilities. As someone who served in the Armed Forces for nearly 10 years, I was alarmed by reports back in January that those at the highest levels in the chain of command were not informed when Secretary of Defense Austin required an unexpected leave of absence due to health challenges. For days, essential members of the National Security Council, including the President, were left in the dark regarding his status, causing a serious breach of command and control that is the bedrock of America's defense supremacy. I am concerned for Secretary Austin's health and wish him well. However, the Department of Defense's lack of transparency surrounding his absence is very concerning. Critical communication breakdowns like these could have disastrous results and put our men and women in uniform at risk. To ensure America remains capable of combating threats wherever and whenever they occur, we not only need an unparalleled fighting force but also a strong chain of command among our military's leadership that cannot be compromised. That is why I introduced the Securing the Chain of Command Continuity Act alongside my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Congressman Davis of North Carolina, to prevent any similar chain of command breakdowns in the future and preserve the integrity of our national security. My bipartisan legislation would amend existing law to require all members of the National Security Council to notify the executive office of the President, the Comptroller General of the United States, and to each Chamber of Congress within 24 hours of any planned or emergent medical incapacitation. In the event this notification does not occur, a comprehensive report must be submitted providing transparency surrounding the incapacitation and related notification failure within 30 days. At a time when our servicemembers are facing lethal attacks from our adversaries overseas, my bill will help ensure continuous chain of command so that our military and national defense systems can operate seamlessly in case of an emergency and achieve mission success. It is my goal in Congress to advance legislation that protects our country, our citizens, and our men and women in uniform. That is why I drafted this national security bill in a way that all commonsense Members can support, no matter which side of the aisle they are on. I was pleased when the Securing the Chain of Command Continuity Act was passed unanimously out of the House Oversight Committee in February, proving just how nonpartisan this effort is. I thank Congressman Davis of North Carolina for his partnership with me on this critical issue. The world is a dangerous place. We can't afford a lack of transparency from our senior military leaders. We must preserve the integrity of our national security, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will keep our country and our military men and women safe.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of the first naturalized Asian American to become a flag officer in the United States Navy, Rear Admiral Ming Erh Chang. He was born in Shanghai, China, in 1932. Just over a decade later, in 1946, his family immigrated to the United States to escape the Chinese Communist Party. His dream was to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. However, because he was not a citizen, he was not allowed to do so. He was not deterred. Instead, he attended the College of William and Mary. After graduating, he joined the Navy in 1958, becoming one of the first officers to earn the rank of admiral after completing officer candidate school rather than the Naval Academy. Rear Admiral Chang served our Nation honorably for 34 years before retiring in 1992. He dedicated the rest of his life to mentoring and promoting young Asian Americans so they could achieve the American Dream as he had done. Rear Admiral Chang passed away in October 2017. He embodied what it meant to an American, to serve our great Nation, and to carve a path forward for future generations of Asian Americans. It is a privilege to honor his legacy here today.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3722) to require a pilot program on activities under the pre-separation transition process of members of the Armed Forces for a reduction in suicide among veterans, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3722, the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act. I commend the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn) for introducing this legislation and for his leadership on this important issue. H.R. 3722 seeks to improve the Transition Assistance Program run by the Department of Defense and the Solid Start program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Both programs provide critical assistance to the over 200,000 warfighters who transition to civilian life each year. Every departing servicemember is required to complete the TAP program before leaving the service. The program provides valuable information, education, and training on veteran benefits, financial planning, how to find a job and start a business, as well as mental health resources available to servicemembers and their families. Departing military service can be a very stressful time for servicemembers and their families. Servicemembers often experience feelings of isolation and loss of community that can exacerbate other mental health conditions. H.R. 3722 seeks to ensure that all departing servicemembers receive information on how to recognize and cope with these stressors, as well as help them identify risk factors for suicide. On behalf of the Armed Services Committee, we look forward to working with the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn) as this bill moves forward to address some issues that may hinder its proper execution by the DOD. It is important that we regularly review transition programs like TAP and Solid Start and make sure they are meeting the needs of our departing servicemembers and their families. The men and women of our Armed Forces sacrifice tremendously when they agree to serve our Nation. When that service is complete, the least we can do is ensure they have an opportunity for a healthy and successful civilian life. That is the goal of H.R. 3722. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn).

Mrs. KIGGANS

Mrs. KIGGANS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, just to reiterate some of the statements and points that have been made by my fellow veteran colleagues, it is hard to transition out of the military. We wake up every day with a mission, and that is a great mission--to defend our great Nation. We are part of a team, and it gets us out of bed in the morning. There is no better, no higher calling than that. The day that that stops and the day that you are not a part of that team, and you might not know what is next ahead in life, and there is a lot of transition with a lot unknown, it is hard. We have to do better for our servicemen and -women that are transitioning out. We are so thankful for the service of the two young Marines that we spoke about today, but even one veteran suicide is too many. I know that even in my district in Hampton Roads, Virginia, when we take ships out of commission, we put them in the yards, or we put people on medical hold, we have seen suicides there as well. Again, taking those servicemembers out of their role, their mission of defending the country every day and putting them in a holding pen, is very hard on their mental health. When we transition them out of the service, there is no more challenging time than that. This is the least we can do. It is a step in the right direction, but education is a powerful tool. It is one of the tools we have here in Congress. Mandating that this education be given to our servicemen and -women who are often young people transitioning out who have great lives ahead, long lives ahead, and just helping them to know what resources are available to them, especially for mental health, can be such a challenging time. I urge all of my colleagues here to support this bill. I look forward to supporting it myself, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained due to family obligations, I regret missing the one vote today. If I had been present, I would have voted to support H. Res. 1160. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 142.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. I urge Congress to support our ally now more than ever, and stress the need to defeat Hamas and all Iranian proxies. Israel is a strong and resilient country. Born in the aftermath of the horrors of the Holocaust and the Second World War, Israel's short history is full of successes. Israel has become one of the world's leading nations for innovation and technology. Its contributions to fields like cybersecurity, healthcare, and agriculture benefit Americans every day. Most importantly, Israel is and always will be our closest ally in the Middle East. I recently returned from a trip to Israel last week with several of my House colleagues, where we saw with our own eyes the devastation of the October 7 terror attacks. We visited the Nir Oz Kibbutz miles outside of Gaza and also visited the site of the Nova music festival, where hundreds of young people were murdered or kidnapped. We heard from the parents of an Israeli-American hostage who has been held captive by Hamas for 188 days. We saw burned homes with posters of hostages on the outside. We saw children's toys scattered throughout yards. We could almost feel and smell life there, the life that had been, that was no longer. Everything I saw and everything I learned verified the brutality of Hamas' unprovoked attacks and reinforced the need to support our longtime ally. The message we all walked away with was the same: Hamas must be eliminated. During our trip, we met with President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who shared with us the importance of continuing a strategic partnership between our two nations. The U.S.-Israel relationship is truly the embodiment of peace through strength. By standing together, we demonstrate to our adversaries that we will not be intimidated and that we will defend our shared values and interests. As malicious regimes like Iran continue their quest for nuclear capabilities and ramp up their backing of radical terror organizations, it is essential that America remain committed to ensuring a strong and secure Israel. This starts with defending Israel's right to self- defense. Israel did not start this war, but they have a right to defend themselves from brutal terrorists. Hamas' horrific October 7 attacks, as well as the more than 170 attacks against our own Armed Forces by Iranian proxies that have occurred since, are concrete evidence that our enemies are emboldened. Because of weak foreign policy choices made by this administration, starting with the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, I worry that our friends don't trust us as much, and our enemies certainly aren't fearing us as much. We must make smarter choices on the world stage to fight the evil that unfortunately exists in the global arena. As a Navy veteran who deployed twice in the Persian Gulf, I know how volatile this region is and understand that a key element of our own national security is the strength and security of Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East. Now more than ever, the United States must stand with Israel to ensure the safety of not only one of our closest allies, but also that of America and all freedom-loving people across the globe. I remain steadfast in my support for Israel and will do everything in my power to provide the Israeli people with the military and security assistance they need as they fight to defend their nation. In a world that gets more dangerous by the day, we cannot fail to project strength abroad. Standing with our allies and providing unwavering support is the right place to start.

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of the EXPLORE Act today. It has been a privilege to work on this legislation with the chairman as a member of the Natural Resources Committee. I am particularly proud that it includes my Military and Veterans in Parks Act, nicknamed the MVP Act after the invaluable role our former servicemembers have played in protecting our great Nation. As a wife of a veteran, the mother of future veterans, and a former Navy helicopter pilot myself, I have a unique understanding of the challenges facing those who have served. As a geriatric nurse practitioner who spent years caring for our Greatest Generation, I have also seen the effects of all types of injuries sustained on the battlefield, including post-traumatic stress disorder and countless other invisible wounds. Unfortunately, almost two-thirds of all post-9/11 veterans are experiencing mental health issues, while 27 percent of all veterans have a service-related disability. We should be going above and beyond to give those heroes every opportunity to reintegrate into civil society and lead happy and healthy lives. That is why it is incredibly frustrating to me that accessibility remains a significant obstacle for disabled veterans in our national parks and other outdoor recreation sites. Steep trails, inaccessible facilities, and inadequate accommodations limit the ability of veterans with disabilities to fully enjoy all of the fantastic recreation opportunities our Federal lands have to offer. Between the beach and the bay, southeast Virginia is home to some of the most beautiful natural resources in the country. Residents and visitors alike enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, camping, and countless other forms of outdoor recreation often in one of our many national wildlife refuges as well as Park Service-managed lands. The MVP Act ensures these outdoor activities are available to all of our veterans by directing the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service to each develop adaptive trails and campgrounds in the regions they manage, as well as accessible hunting, fishing, and kayaking opportunities. As a primary care provider, I know the connection between outdoor recreation and improved mental health outcomes cannot be denied. Research consistently demonstrates that spending time in nature can reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhance overall psychological well-being. For our veterans who suffer from both the physical and the invisible wounds of war, these benefits are particularly critical. Though I have not been in Congress long, I have made it my mission since day one to advocate for the mental health of our servicemembers and veterans. It is a mission that guides everything I do here in Washington. That is why it is my great honor to be standing here today in support of the EXPLORE Act. I thank Chairman Westerman for his continued support for the MVP Act and for implementing it within the EXPLORE Act. I know this legislation will help improve the lives of our Nation's heroes. These brave men and women have selflessly served our country, defended our freedoms, and protected our way of life. It is our duty to ensure that they receive the support and opportunities they deserve even after their service has concluded. I hope my colleagues recognize the great need for the EXPLORE Act, and I urge them to vote ``yes.''

Mrs. KIGGANS

Mrs. KIGGANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of five United States Marines lost in an H-53 helicopter crash in San Diego, California, last week. These young men embodied what it means to be military pilots and U.S. Marines. As aviators, we know that risks, even during routine training missions, are part of the job. Our Nation will be forever indebted for their sacrifice. Captain Jack Casey was a 2019 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute from Dover, New Hampshire. He was 26. Captain Miguel Nava was a United States Naval Academy graduate from Traverse City, Michigan. He was 28. Captain Benjamin Moulton was from Emmett, Idaho. He was 27. Lance Corporal Donovan Davis was from Olathe, Kansas. He was 21. Sergeant Alec Langen was from Chandler, Arizona. He was 23. These five marines will forever be remembered in the military aviation community. Please keep their family and friends in your prayers. We are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice to our great Nation.