Teresa Leger Fernandez

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Keller from the State of Pennsylvania for their support of this much-needed legislation. Alcohol and substance misuse is a devastating issue across the country and on college campuses. It steals the dreams and futures of too many of our community. I lost two brothers to addiction--alcohol and drug misuse. That misuse began during their time in college. My family has never recovered from the loss of those two beautiful brothers of mine, and I understand all too well the pain substance misuse inflicts on students, their families, and their communities. Sadly, my family's story is not unique in New Mexico or across this country. Since the start of the pandemic, States have reported increased numbers of drug overdoses. Campuses have reported increased mental health concerns in students as well. College students who deal with substance misuse and addiction often find themselves isolated and without a support network. Congress has an opportunity to address this serious issue by making sure that colleges and universities support students through strong prevention and recovery programs. I don't want to see another headline or obituary of a promising young person lost to overdose. That is why I introduced the bipartisan Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act along with Representatives Dusty Johnson, Lucy McBath, John Joyce, and Michael Guest. I would also like to acknowledge Representative David Trone who is co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Addiction Task Force of which I am also a member. He led this bill during last Congress. Our bill will help to cut the chains of addiction and unlock access to treatment and prevention for countless students across the United States. Specifically, it will reauthorize the drug and alcohol abuse prevention provision of the Higher Education Act to promote evidence- based prevention and intervention strategies on college campuses. I have met with college students across my district to hear from them what is needed. What is needed is what is in this bill. It encourages campus collaboration and service integration to address substance use and mental health concerns in a holistic manner. The bill also authorizes $15 million to implement those grants for fiscal year 2023 and the 5 following years. I was pleased to see my bill pass unanimously during its markup in the Education and Labor Committee. I thank Chairman Scott and his staff for working to get this bill to the House floor. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6493 and to vote ``yes'' in support of our students.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Melissa Sandoval and Marvin MacAuley. Currently, wildfires are devastating my district. These fires have ravaged sacred, cultural, and familiar spaces while destroying everything in their paths. Tens of thousands of people are displaced and uncertainty surrounds us. But, in this time of devastation, there are people who continue to give so much of themselves to meet the needs of their communities. Some of these exemplary people include Superintendent Melissa Sandoval of Penasco Independent Schools and Superintendent Marvin MacAuley of Mora Independent Schools. Many communities in rural New Mexico are unincorporated or census- designated places without mayors, a town council, emergency managers, or special project coordinators. Despite this, communities like Penasco and Mora are fortunate to have extraordinary superintendents. When evacuation orders were looming and the need to prepare was imminent, Superintendents Sandoval and MacAuley got together and coordinated a response to provide shelter, warm meals, and a safe space for hundreds of displaced community members. They stepped up for their communities when it was least convenient. I had the privilege of meeting with Superintendents Sandoval and MacAuley at the Penasco Middle School evacuation site. As I walked through the gym and spoke to evacuees, their gratitude for the space created by Sandoval, MacAuley, and their teams, was evident. While these individuals and families were losing their homes, Sandoval and MacAuley ensured that they had fewer things to worry about. People like Melissa and Marvin exemplify the strength of our communities. Their efforts remind us of the importance of showing up and stepping up for our neighbors whether through small everyday actions or large collaborative efforts. Superintendents Sandoval and MacAuley represent the best of us. I commend these two remarkable individuals for their leadership. I am thankful to them for all they have done and continue to do for their students and communities throughout northern New Mexico.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the recipients of the Davis New Mexico Scholarship for their outstanding academic and personal achievement. Founded in 2014 to ensure that more first-generation college-going New Mexican students complete a four-year degree, the Davis New Mexico Scholarship's mission is to break the generational opportunity gap in higher education. I congratulate and commend each of the 2022 Davis New Mexico Scholars. The recipients include: Joshua Abeyta, Yamilenia Aguilar Diaz, Edwin Aranda Martinez, Jessica Arevalo, Diego Armendariz, Andres Arroyo-Cano, Norely Breceda Mendoza, Amanda Carey, Omar Carmona, Rodriguez, Simrat Chauhan, Jorge Chumacero, Aiden Cruz, Kaylin Francisco, Nathaly Galindo, Kevin Granillo Hernandez, Antony Ha, Jeisha Hernandez, Dominique Herrera, Minh Hoyer, Esmeralda Jasso Laguna, Mary Jensen, Perla Juarez, Hariah Lewis Gleason, Kylen Littlehat, Hailey Loya, Juan Loya, Ingrid Luevano Flores, Jamie Lujan, Rayvan Luna, Isaiah Madril, Megan Manzanares, Elvis Marin, Mariah Mejillas-Rivera, Isabella Pacheco, Araceli Pena, Tse-Whang Pena, Veronica Perez, Betzabed Ramirez, Aldo Rios, Abigail Rios Guevara, Victoria Rivera, Amy Segura, Alana Smith, Clara Sotelo, Bridget Valdez, Joaquin Valencia, Ximena Valencia Lozoya, Pete Velarde, Alec Vigil, and Ajahrain Yellowhair. These students are among the best in New Mexico. It takes a tremendous amount of willpower and hard work to pursue a college education, especially when you're the first in your family to go to college. Whether they study in New Mexico or elsewhere, the recipients of the 2022 Davis New Mexico Scholarship, they will continue to make our state proud. I join their families and communities in wishing them well on their college journey.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, last week, I was approached by Larry Martinez who was there when the Community Service Block Grants first started in New Mexico. He told me that my late father worked tirelessly to secure funds so the State of New Mexico could match this new program. He called my late father the conscience of the Senate. My father knew that these funds would make a real impact in the lives of New Mexicans, and he was right. It has made a difference. The benefits are undeniable. Instead of a family shivering in the cold in northern New Mexico, we have families using LIHEAP to keep their children warm. Instead of a family being turned out of their home because they couldn't afford rising rent, CSBG provides rental assistance. Instead of a promising young man falling into homelessness or despair without an income, we have CSBG programs helping with career training and job searches. One of my favorite programs is Head Start. I started my academic career as a Head Start baby and fell in love with learning, and we know that an investment in our children at the earliest age is the biggest and best investment we can work; and this provides Head Start. CSBG touches every aspect of our community because there is not one root cause of poverty. We need to uplift our most vulnerable by meeting them where they are because they have aspirations that we need to help them achieve. The Communities Services Block Grant Modernization Act would strengthen CSBG by increasing its authorization for annual appropriations. The bill would allow the Community Action Network to serve more people by increasing the income eligibility for services. We should not kick people off a cliff back into poverty when they can rise into the working middle class. These are changes that will strengthen CSBG and strengthen our communities. We must be the conscience of our communities in the House.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Norma Jean Valdez. As Senior Management Analyst with the Los Alamos County Fire Department (LACFD), Ms. Valdez has demonstrated a deep commitment to public safety through her work on fire accreditation. Our state is all too familiar with the devastation that fires can cause. Ms. Valdez's work is so important for keeping New Mexicans and their property safe. Ms. Valdez's leadership in the fire and emergency service is well- recognized among her colleagues and community. This leadership earned her the 2022 Center for Public Safety Excellence Ray Picard Award. I would also like to recognize the historic nature of Ms. Valdez's selection as the first civilian, woman, Hispanic, and New Mexican to ever receive this prestigious award. Ms. Valdez's work is commendable, and I'm proud to represent such a dedicated public servant in Congress. I join the Los Alamos community in congratulating her on this incredible accomplishment.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank every single veteran in New Mexico and nationwide for their service and sacrifices to our country. But we cannot only thank our veterans for their service. We must honor their service by providing veterans the services they have earned. In 2018, President Trump's VA began a process under the Asset Infrastructure Review Act to develop a list of recommendations to modernize and realign VA medical facilities. Two weeks ago, the VA released its recommendations to the Infrastructure Review Commission and proposed the closure of four community-based outpatient clinics in rural areas of my district, closing the Gallup, Las Vegas, Raton, and Espanola clinics. Combined, these four clinics serve thousands of veterans in predominantly Hispanic and Native American communities. Hispanics and Native Americans serve our country at higher rates. We are incredibly patriotic. The VA wrongly assumes that these patriotic veterans can receive care from other community providers. They fail to understand that, in our rural areas, there aren't enough healthcare providers. The VA clearly doesn't seem to understand rural America. The VA's own report listed veterans' statements that they have serious issues driving long distances for care and can't receive critical care and quality care in many areas due to limited community providers. While these were listed in the report, the VA may have listened, but I don't think they heard. But I do hear. I hear my veterans and their stories. I hear their needs. I heard Harry. Harry is a 75-year-old Cold War veteran who is also a cancer survivor. He is a survivor today because his clinic doctor, Dr. Gomez, ensured Harry received a biopsy, and he received it quickly. It caught his cancer and saved his life. The clinic doctor knew Harry. He knew his history and could respond quickly to Harry's concerns. Harry told me: ``It was my pleasure serving this country, but the thing is that they need to take care of us.'' Chris, another veteran I spoke to, told me: ``Congress is quick to send us to war, but when it comes to healthcare, the government is severely lacking.'' Shirley cried as she told me she believes she is alive today because she could drive herself to the clinic where she was immediately triaged, stabilized, and sent to a hospital for the chest pains she was experiencing. Her heart still beats today because of that clinic. It breaks my heart that after all that these brave veterans have done for us, we are abandoning them just because they live in rural America. I know how my communities struggle to receive care and the toll it takes on their loved ones to take a full day off work to drive them 6 hours just to draw labs or to have an annual checkup when it could be done in 25 minutes or less in town closer to where they live. Some veterans would be forced to drive those 6 hours round trip for care at the VA hospital in Albuquerque, which is itself overwhelmed, where veterans wait months for appointments. Do you know what? The VA never spoke to the local Espanola VA clinic. I did. The Espanola clinic doctor told me that other local clinics are not specialized to the unique needs of veterans and don't understand the mental toll that military service has had on our veterans. He asked: ``Don't veterans deserve more?'' Veterans do deserve more. I have traveled to rural parts of my district to meet with veterans and hear what they need. The veterans I spoke to were upset, and rightly so. I am upset, too. They gave years of their lives in service to our country. It is our Nation's solemn obligation to provide veterans the healthcare, education, housing, and honorable services they have earned, regardless of where they live. This is about respect. This is about service. This is about saving lives. I will not stop until we convince the VA and, when it gets to him, President Biden to reject these recommendations. Instead of closing clinics, we should be expanding care and services to our veterans, meeting their needs wherever they happen to live--in cities, suburbs, or beautiful rural America and rural New Mexico. That is how we truly thank our veterans.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Leroy Arthur Petry of Santa Fe, New Mexico for his life of service to our nation and in recognition of tomorrow's National Medal of Honor Day. Just one year after graduating high school, Mr. Petry joined the United States Army in 1999. Mr. Petry was deployed eight times. which included deployments to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. On May 26, 2008, Mr. Petry and his regiment came under fire from Taliban forces in Afghanistan. During this skirmish, he was wounded by a round that pierced both of his legs. Although wounded, Mr. Petry led another Ranger to cover. When a Taliban fighter threw a grenade that landed just a few feet from him and his fellow soldiers, Mr. Petry selflessly lunged forward, picked up the grenade, and threw it back in the direction of the Taliban fighters as it exploded. At great personal cost, Mr. Petry saved the lives of his fellow soldiers. For his courageous actions in Afghanistan, Mr. Petry was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama on July 12, 2011. He is the second living recipient of the medal after the Vietnam War. Mr. Petry continues to serve his fellow veterans and his community. I am thankful to Mr. Petry for his service and tremendous sacrifice for our nation. It is an honor to represent him in Congress.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Hiroshi H. ``Hershey'' Miyamura of Gallup, New Mexico for his incredible life of service to our nation and in honor of tomorrow's National Medal of Honor Day. At a time when Japanese Americans faced widespread persecution, Mr. Miyamura bravely volunteered to serve in the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, during World War II. Mr. Miyamura answered the call to service again during the Korean War and proved himself to be a model of leadership as a Corporal in Company H, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. On the night of April 24, 1951, Company H was ambushed by enemy forces. Aware of the imminent danger to him and his men, Mr. Miyamura ordered the squad to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. Courageously fighting off more than 50 enemy combatants by himself, Mr. Miyamura gave his squad enough time to escape and was captured as a Prisoner of War (POW). As a POW, Mr. Miyamura was forced to march 300 miles over five weeks. He then endured 28 months in a POW camp with little food or water. Following his release in 1953, Mr. Miyamura was presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Dwight D. Eisenhower for his tremendous display of fortitude and heroism. Since his discharge from the military service, Mr. Miyamura remains a staunch advocate for his fellow veterans and his community. I'm proud to serve Mr. Miyamura in Congress and recognize him for his invaluable service, both as a wartime hero and peacetime mentor, to the State of New Mexico and to the United States of America.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, yesterday President Biden stood in this very room and addressed a Nation during the State of the Union that was looking to the kind of unity, strength, and commitment that we heard last night. We saw a President who is concerned as our leader for the people. We saw a President who has the empathy for the families and what they have gone through because he, himself, has lived that experience. We saw a leader who is not afraid to stand up to those that threaten all we love. America sent a clear message to the world that the United States stands steady and steadfast with the people and government of Ukraine. We are united against the unforgivable, unjust, and unprovoked Russian invasion. America is united against Putin, his actions, and what he represents. The difference is striking. The difference is striking as to what Putin represents with his strong-man mentality, with his autocracy, with his hatred of those he does not know versus what America stands for. America stands for the embrace of democracy because it is democracy that looks to maintain that when a people elect their government, that when a people vote for a President, such as we have seen in Ukraine, that that democracy must be honored, and nobody should be allowed to take it away. President Putin is not allowed to take it away. We saw a President who is building bridges. He is building bridges across our country and the world. He is building actual bridges, the kind of bridges that will connect a school bus to the student who needs to get to school in my district. He is building the kind of bridges that needed to be fixed decades ago that are falling down right before our eyes when he goes to dedicate them. Those are real bridges that we need in America, that so many Presidents--the President before talked about bridges and infrastructure, but who delivered? President Biden delivered together with this Congress. He delivered together with a bipartisan House vote where we actually thought it was bipartisan because we got 10 Republicans in this House to vote for that Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. But the other kind of bridges he is building are equally important to talk about because those are the bridges of unity. Our former President, he cared about walls. He cared about walls that divide us. He cared about walls that did not do anything that we need. Instead, we now have a President who builds the bridges of unity. Imagine the kind of work and diplomacy that this President had to do to overcome the threats that the United States would leave NATO, which is what our former President tried to do. Imagine the unity that had to be called out and that had to be cajoled, given that this President was faced with overcoming from our former President's admiration for Putin. Everyone might remember, he has even recently called him a genius. Right? Instead, we had a President that said no, and that called Putin what he really is, a man who is delusional about what you can accomplish with force. This President, President Biden, has united a world together to repel and to impose sanctions that you wouldn't have imagined. The idea that we now have Switzerland saying: No, it is not right, we shall not stay neutral because this is so wrong. We must stand up against the darkness. We must stand with the American people who seek light. We will stand against those who seek darkness. We stand against those who want to govern from a place of hatred and fear because we will govern from a place of love for our communities, of love for our families, of love for democracy, and of love for the idea that we must be a world united in the pursuit of peace. Madam Speaker, I loved the fact that I was able to invite a virtual guest to the State of the Union. I was able to invite Victoria Dominguez as my hometown hero. My hometown hero comes from Cuba, New Mexico. I had the great fortune of visiting with Victoria Dominguez and the Cuba School District just the Friday before we flew out here. I can tell you, the love that Victoria Dominguez has for her community and for the children who attend her school is visible in that smile that she shares with you when she talks about them. Cuba is quite special because Cuba is nestled close to the mountains. The people of Cuba cut firewood to warm their home. The people of Cuba are connected with each other. The people of Cuba don't necessarily have other resources. So when the pandemic hit, the children of Cuba did not have internet, they did not have the ability to remotely learn. The children of Cuba School Districts did not necessarily have the nutrition they needed, the supplies they needed to make it through that dark winter. But what did Cuba do? Cuba rallied. I love the fact that not only is Victoria Dominguez a hero, but the bus drivers of Cuba, New Mexico, are heroes. They have appeared on the cover of Time magazine because of the work they did. You see them standing in front of their buses because those school buses--working together with Cuba CARES--which our beautiful Victoria Dominguez organized--those school buses took to the students and their families the work that they needed for their schools. They took them the food that they needed to nourish their bodies so that they could also nourish their brains. They took them what they needed. The thing is that as we are coming out of COVID--thank you, thank you--as we are coming out of COVID and we are learning to handle and to respond to it, as we are able to remove our masks, Cuba CARES isn't going away because we know that caring for your community is not something you do once and walk away from. I know that Victoria Dominguez is going to continue caring for those beautiful children who attend the Cuba schools. I am so pleased to talk about the work that Victoria Dominguez does because it is the epitome of what we want to support within the Congressional Progressive Caucus because this is the Congressional Progressive Caucus' Special House. This is when we want to talk about the way in which we can promote and move agendas that focus on our communities. That we can promote and pursue policy that comes from a place of love, that is about creating opportunities, that is about imagining the possibilities, as President Biden said last night. That is what we need to do as a government. The last thing I want to say about our wonderful hometown hero is that Victoria Dominguez received both her undergraduate and graduate social work degrees from New Mexico Highlands University. I need to give a shout-out to New Mexico Highlands University because my father received his degrees from New Mexico Highlands University. My mother went to school when she had seven kids and she worked so hard on that typewriter, and it would imprint those letters on her head. We would tease my mother, but she got that degree from New Mexico Highlands University. New Mexico Highlands University is rated as one of the top--number 19--of those minority-serving institutions that help elevate their students from one socioeconomic ring to another. It is a minority- serving institution that is key in the upward ladder of social mobility. Now, the Congressional Progressive Caucus had some very key priorities, and I am so pleased to talk about the manner in which we have addressed those priorities. We believe that it is very important that we strengthen the care economy and that we invest in Medicaid home- and community-based services. We are going to make sure that we do not give up on the image of making sure that childcare is a universal benefit; that we cap out- of-pocket childcare costs so no family pays more than 7 percent of their household income; and that we provide the kind of training and support so that those children are cared for often and most often by women and often and most often by women of color and often by immigrant women; and that these caretakers of our most precious gifts--our children--will receive the pay that they deserve. We are not giving up on our importance of making investments--bold investments--in housing because we need that housing. When I was in Cuba, guess what they asked about? They asked about the importance of getting housing for their teachers at Cuba School. They want teacherages. I went and visited the Presbyterian Medical Services where those doctors, nurses, and clinical workers serving their community were, and I said: What do you need? They said: We need housing for those so that they can come and work here because we are not close to a city center. When we go and we visit Santa Fe, Taos, Las Vegas, all the different communities in my large district and all of the communities in the districts of our hundred strong Congressional Progressive Caucus members, housing comes up over and over and over again. So we are going to continue to fight so that we have housing choice vouchers. We are going to continue to fight so that we address the backlog of public housing. We want to make sure that we create affordable housing and that it is available so that we can begin creating the kind of wealth that families need when they are able to acquire a home of their own, because a home is one of the best ways of both providing that warmth and that care for your family and building wealth for not only yourself but future generations. I loved it last night when that President of ours focused on what do we need; and, yes, we need to focus on lowering drug prices. We need to use those savings to expand the availability of health to all because who, who should pay the outrageous sums that too many pay, including his special guest last night, for diabetes? We have said we need to cap it. I am proud that New Mexico has already capped it at $25. But not all States are as forward thinking as New Mexico, and so I applaud the President for his initiative that we cap it at $30 a month for insulin because it must not be something that we read in the papers where too many people ration their insulin. And if you ration your insulin, you can die. If you ration your insulin, your health condition will worsen. You may lose your limbs, you may lose your life. And I have seen those who have lost their limbs, and I have seen those who for the rest of their lives are attached to dialysis because they could not afford to pay for the insulin that they needed to treat their diabetes. Madam Speaker, we want to make sure that we make bold investments in climate jobs and that those investments go to the most impacted communities. It is not and never has been a choice of jobs or environment. We can have both. I am very proud of the orphaned well bill that I introduced. It is called the Orphaned Well Cleanup and Jobs Act. In the Senate, Senator Lujan has been carrying this mantle, and he introduced the REGROW Act. Out of these two bills we saw $4.7 billion invested into cleaning up orphaned wells because orphaned wells don't do anything for anybody. What they represent is that companies walked away from their obligation, from their legal obligation, from their obligation to the communities where they dug those wells, where they drilled those wells, and where they pumped oil and gas from those wells. They walked away from their obligation to plug that well and to remediate the land around it once they were done. Those wells threaten our water table. They threaten our ability to have clean water when we turn on that tap. And very, very sadly, they worsen the climate crisis. What comes out of those wells when they are doing nothing for nobody--nothing for anybody--what comes out of them is the venting of methane, the leakage of methane. You can smell it when you go near those wells, Madam Speaker. I have visited those wells, and they are in places where they should not be. They are next to schools, and that methane is simply leaking and leaking and leaking. It is 28 times or more--more potent--more potent than CO2. So we need to make those kinds of investments where we are both creating jobs and addressing the climate crisis. I was so pleased when we heard the President speak last night about immigration reform, because let me tell you, Madam Speaker, there isn't anybody in this Chamber who hasn't benefited from the work of immigrants. There isn't anybody in this Chamber, except Sharice Davids and we had our wonderful Deb Haaland, who can't say they are not descendants and daughters and granddaughters of immigrants at one time. I am a descendant and a granddaughter of immigrants even though I can trace my lineage back 17 generations. But still they were immigrants then. They caused good things and bad things which we must recognize. That is our history. There was tension in our history. We have done both good and bad over the years, and we must recognize it. But in terms of today, looking at what immigrants provide us, those Dreamers that we have are studying to be nurses, they are studying to be doctors, they are studying to be teachers, and they are studying to be physicists, perhaps the engineers that will help us invent what we need to move on to the 22nd century on a planet that still exists and a place we still love. We must provide for those Dreamers. We must make sure that DACA does not expire. This House did its job. This House passed the DREAM Act and sent it over to the Senate. But immigrants are not just students who will become our next teachers and nurses that we are sorely in need of right now. Immigrants are also those who care for our elderly, who care for our very young, who pick our fruits and vegetables, who clean the chickens and pork and prepare them to come to our supermarkets, and who stock those shelves. So we must also recognize that they are the essential workers who kept our regular lives going. When we were able to still get food from that supermarket, who was putting their life on the line to provide it to us? It was immigrants. We must treat them with the respect that they deserve because they have fed all of us. So I was very pleased to listen to the President speak that we must do that. We are going to be calling upon the President because for some reason we could not get Republicans in the Senate--even though many of them supported these same immigration procedures before--to vote to move those immigration bills forward. So we are faced with this Republican wall that divides. Why do we have these walls that divide? Why do we have these walls that stunt progress? We will continue to meet, ask, and implore the President to lean into those words that he shared with us last night so that we can achieve through executive orders so much. I look forward to extending the temporary protected status so that it applies not just to the countries from our American continents but also to those who are coming from Ukraine, because we cannot just condemn what Putin has done; we cannot just send the billion dollars that we have already sent to Ukraine for munitions and for assistance; we cannot just do the more work that we have authorized today in this Chamber, but we must also recognize that wars like this, that those who flee dangerous situations, those who flee their country, the place they love, with so little with them, that we have an obligation under international law and under our own law to welcome those who seek asylum in our country. A temporary protected status for the Ukrainians is the right thing to do, and we support that as well. So I am very pleased that we did, indeed, listen to the President talk about that importance last night because we know--that is the other thing we know--is Americans support--in overwhelming numbers--a majority of Americans support fixing our broken immigration system. They know because they live it daily that immigrants provide for our country and that without immigrants the issues around the supply chains would have been so much worse. I am also really pleased about the way the President talked about delivering for Tribal communities and about delivering for rural communities. What this President and this Congress have done with regards to investments in rural America, in the small towns and villages that I find throughout my district, in the small towns, villages, and hamlets that we find throughout America where people are working to provide us with the food we eat, with everything we need, with the pasture lands and the grass that our cattle need, with all of the bounty that we receive here in America, that we must also invest in those places. I was very happy to see that we had the CEO of Intel because in my district we have an Intel plant, and that plant is going to be benefiting from the investment that we have announced and that we passed out of this House with the COMPETES Act, because we are going to make it in America, we are going to invent it in America, and we are going to make sure that it is made and it is made everywhere in America because the priorities that we have in that COMPETES Act are things that are going to be done everywhere in America. I am so proud of the fact that we do have those huge gains in manufacturing jobs. Other Presidents keep talking about having gains in manufacturing jobs, but it is under this President--and that in 1 year--we had more than half a million jobs created, 600,000-plus jobs. In New Mexico, we had 3,600 manufacturing jobs created. Now, our problem is we need to make sure everybody knows about that. We need to make sure that these voices about the possibilities and how we are creating opportunity and how we are delivering for those communities where we serve gets out there because sometimes all we listen to is those who vilify, is those who complain, and those who just want to tear everything down and don't really have any good solutions. What we are doing in this House and what we are passing out of this House are solutions. We know, and we heard the President speak eloquently last night, about the difficulties of inflation. But we also heard the President speak about how we address inflation; how we address inflation without penalizing workers; how we pay workers more and make sure that costs come down. That is what the infrastructure bill will do. That is what the COMPETES bill will do. And that is what we do when we operate and we pass policies that focus on lifting up our communities, not dividing our communities. Madam Speaker, I am also so pleased at the President's words that he said last night when he said: When we invest in our workers, when we build the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, we can build a better America. Madam Speaker, unions are critical to establishing the good jobs with a fair pay and safe working conditions that make that possibility of building a better America from the bottom up and the middle out. That is a key distinction of what we have done in this Congress in the 14 months that I have been so lucky to serve. In those 14 months, we have focused and we have invested in us. We have been with the people because the people have moved us along, and they have told us what we need because we have gone and visited and we have listened. I was trained as a rebellious lawyer. Why do I say that? People say, what does a rebellious lawyer do? I was very lucky. I got trained as a rebellious lawyer at Stanford Law School. What the most important and powerful thing a rebellious lawyer can do is listen. What you saw last night was a President responding to what America has shared with us about what they need, about what our families need, what our communities need. That is what we have done in these last 14 months. We did not give away a whole bunch of money to the rich and the big corporations because they don't need it. They are recognizing incredible profits in the last 14 months, and they are passing on higher costs. So, the people who are carrying the burden of those profits are our families, our working families. But what we have done is, instead of giving away money to those who didn't need it, we have invested in our communities. We have invested in our communities, in the American Rescue Plan, by giving people the money they needed to make it through those harsh, dark days. Do we remember what it was like in 2020? It was dark. It was ugly. It was scary. We didn't know if we were going to come out of it. People thought they were going to be losing their homes. How were they going to pay their rent? We helped them out. The number of small businesses that we have saved is amazing. Then not only did we save those businesses, but the other thing that we have done in the last 14 months is we have had record growth of new businesses starting. Those are the kinds of things that we need to celebrate even as we put our task to the metal, even as we work really hard to make sure that we address the new issues that we face because our work is never done. Our work is never done. I have studied liberation theology in college and in graduate school. We talked about what it means to try to honor the creator, to honor what we are to do. It was about the fact that we need to try to create here on Earth the kingdom of God because it is not enough to say that you need to wait for it. Those of us who believe in whatever our beliefs are, we each need to move to say how we work today and every day to make the lives of those in our community better, to make sure that we welcome the stranger, because as the Scripture says, we were once strangers, too. To me, that is what we should do when we talk about immigration. We need to honor the words of love that are in those Scriptures. Today, as we celebrate Ash Wednesday, we must remember that we have a job to do here while we are on this Earth, and that is to make this place better for those who are less fortunate, for those who are on the bottom up and the middle out, for all of those. That is our job. We have a job for this beautiful place we call home, this beautiful planet we call home. As the Pope has pointed out, we have an obligation to protect this beautiful creation we have against climate change, which is part and parcel of, as the Pope has noted, greed. We must move away from being greedy and being mean and move to a place where our policies are made from a place of love, where we are waking up and fighting for our workers. We are allowing them to unionize because it is through unionization that this country has always improved the conditions of our communities. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Ms. Hope Cahill of El Dorado Community School in Santa Fe for her incredible commitment to New Mexico's children, schools, and community. The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently awarded Ms. Cahill the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The award program is administered by NSF on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to recognize the invaluable contributions of exceptional K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science teachers. It is the highest honor our nation can bestow to a math or science teacher. Ms. Cahill, a 25-year resident of New Mexico, serves as an inspiration to not only her students but to her entire community with her dedication to the next generation of our nation's future leaders. She has received numerous other awards including theTeachers Who Inspire Award from the Santa Fe Partners in Education Foundation. She is also well known for her ability to incorporate writing and communication skills into her curriculum and for her work to inspire girls to pursue STEM education. Describing teaching as a calling, not a profession, Ms. Cahill says that she wanted to be a teacher since she was a child and loves the way that science has the ability to engage her students. She of course incorporates New Mexico's incredible landscapes and geology into her lessons to excite students about both the beauty of science and the land of enchantment. Selflessly, Ms. Cahill extends credit and thanks to her colleagues, administrators, and family and professes that her greatest accomplishments are the students that she has ``hooked'' into science. Ms. Cahill is a shining example of the passion and dedication that define our great state, and we are proud that she calls New Mexico home. I offer my congratulations to Ms. Miranda and thank her from the bottom of my heart for her contributions to the future of New Mexico-- our youth.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Ms. Silvia Miranda of Mesa Elementary School in Clovis, New Mexico, for her incredible commitment to New Mexico's children, schools, and community. The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently awarded Ms. Miranda the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The award program is administered by NSF on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to recognize the invaluable contributions of exceptional K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science teachers. It is the highest honor our nation can bestow to a math or science teacher. This prestigious award is only one of many things Ms. Miranda has achieved over her illustrious career. The award echoes the praise offered by Ms. Miranda's administrators and colleagues who describe her as an asset and a blessing to Clovis Municipal Schools and to those whom she works with. In addition to being an experienced bilingual educator, Ms. Miranda also engages students by helping to organize the Mesa Science Fair and Spanish Spelling Bee. Her dedication and passion is the foundation for the academic and personal growth of her students both when she is their teacher and long after. Ms. Miranda is a shining example of the passion and dedication that define our great state, and we are proud that she calls New Mexico home. I offer my congratulations to Ms. Miranda and thank her from the bottom of my heart for her contributions to the future of New Mexico-- our youth.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, today I stand here to honor Nina Otero-Warren, a New Mexican educator, suffragist, and politician who created a legacy of civil service through her dedication and work. As the first female superintendent of the Santa Fe Public Schools, she advocated to improve education, especially for the Hispano communities of her beloved State. She preserved the language and cultural heritage of our communities. One hundred years ago, Nina made history in our country as the first Hispanic woman to run for U.S. Congress. She did so immediately after she led the suffragist movement and helped New Mexico sign the law. So, 100 years ago, she led the effort and was the first Latina to run for Congress, and 100 years later, I am the first Latina to represent Congressional District Three and her Santa Fe home. Her work paved the way for Latinas like myself and my colleagues to raise their voices and the needs of our families and communities in the people's House. As we continue the fight for election reform here in Congress, it could not be a better time to honor her legacy with this year's American Women Quarters. She will join Maya Angelou, who we celebrated earlier this week. Maya's words still inspire so many of our colleagues. We are so happy that the women poets, educators, and astronauts will finally be the faces on the coins of our land. Protecting Human Rights of LGBTQ-Plus Communities

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, whether it is in New Mexico or across the world, no one should be in danger for living as their authentic self. Yet, in many places, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex individuals are continuously targets of horrifying human rights abuses. Many suffer cruel and inhumane punishment, imprisonment, and even death just for being who they are. This is unacceptable. That is why I proudly cosponsor and support the Global Respect Act. This bill demands accountability for individuals around the world who commit human rights violations against LGBTQ-plus communities. It also ensures that we track international human rights information more accurately so that we can help end these egregious crimes. Madam Speaker, I look forward to voting for this lifesaving legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. There is absolutely no justification for violating another individual's human rights for simply being who they are. Building on Black History's Foundations of Progress

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, Black history is American history. From the dream of Dr. King to the good trouble of Congressman John Lewis, Black History Month is a powerful reminder to honor those before us who built the foundations of progress for our Nation. Their unyielding dedication to the cultural, economic, and political advancement of all people paved the way for others to follow, but their legacy continues on in the Black leaders of today in New Mexico like Judge Shammara Henderson. I campaigned with her and met her and just came to rejoice in her wisdom. She is the first Black woman judge to serve on the New Mexico Court of Appeals and win a statewide election in New Mexico. She is blazing trails never traveled before. It is also through people like Dr. Charles Nwankwo, who served as the president of Clovis Community College. I had the honor of touring Clovis Community College and meeting with Dr. Nwankwo just a couple of weeks ago. His work opens doors and unleashes the potential of so many New Mexicans. He is truly dedicated to inspiring the next generation to achieve new heights and conquer new frontiers. It is through people like Beverly McMillan, who works at the Family Advocacy Center to support victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and domestic trauma. Every child, single mother, or victim of abuse who opens the door of a better future is a testament to the power of love and compassion. These are just a few of the many heroes we have in the great State of New Mexico writing the next chapter of leadership, courage, and service in the Black community. Judge Henderson, Dr. Nwankwo, Ms. McMillan, and so many more, thank you for the work you do to create a more just world.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, with the America COMPETES Act, we will invent it in America; we will build it in America; and we will create American jobs. Importantly, the America COMPETES Act gives us the opportunity to discover, develop, and make what we need everywhere in America. That is why I introduced, and I urge my colleagues to support, four amendments that could expand jobs to rural, Latino, Native American, and minority communities. The workers who produce what America needs must look like America. The America COMPETES Act could invest billions of dollars to build chips and conduct research in New Mexico and other rural communities facing economic despair. With my amendments, this bill can create jobs for that beautifully diverse workforce that powers our Nation as we transition to clean energy. Energy workers deserve economic opportunity in a changing world. Let's ensure we have innovation, training, and jobs for American workers everywhere as we power a prosperous future.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following letters of support for the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5746. Friends of the Earth, January 13, 2022. Dear Representative: On behalf of Friends of the Earth's millions of members and supporters, we write in strong support of the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which will ensure that voters can safely and freely cast their ballots, protect against election sabotage, stop partisan gerrymandering, and limit the influence of dark money in politics so that billionaires can't buy elections. Guaranteeing a strong and functioning democracy, including the right to vote, is critical to ensuring that our government can adequately address the many environmental challenges our country faces, from climate change to environmental justice. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act will ensure that voters can safely and freely cast their ballots, protect against election sabotage, stop partisan gerrymandering, and limit the influence of dark money in politics so that billionaires can't buy elections. Nineteen states enacted 34 new laws that restrict access to the ballot box in 2021 alone and more are under consideration today. Candidates are running for top election offices peddling the Big Lie. States are passing racially- gerrymandered maps that dilute the power of Black and Brown voters. This legislation would fight back against all these attacks and ensure the ability for every American to participate in safe, accessible, and transparent elections. Our organization fully endorses this bill and urges you to support this legislation. Sincerely, Michelle Chan, Vice President of Programs, Friends of the Earth--United States.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible lives and work of the Taos News 2021 Tradiciones unsung heroes. It was my honor to join all of them on their big night of celebration. The stories they shared and the work they do for the community are more important than words can describe. I feel very fortunate to have attended such a special event surrounded by such selfless and inspiring people. It was an honor to hear Benito Concha share his heartfelt story in person. I'm happy that he shared a gift with all the unsung heroes of the night. We all need to do more to uplift the good work and the heroes who deliver. All and all he's an incredible example of why it is so important to listen to the wisdom of our Native elders. I thank Judy Weinrobe for bringing the wonderment and love of our state to a group like Los Jardines. I often hear how easy it is to fall in love with our state. She is an example of why. She adds beauty to our community through her work. We recognize the beauty of her labor. Keep planting the seeds. Bette Myerson can't retire for the last time if she does what she loves. Especially if what she loves is a necessity, repairing the world. I think we were destined to meet because we do the same work. Best wishes to Bette and her family. I know she'll continue to do good. Anita Bringas is a true asset as a strategic support manager. The way she can easily connect people, time, and tradition is the essence of New Mexico. We are all different and beautiful. It's understanding each other and caring that makes this place truly unique. The moment she shared with her mom was one I'll always remember. As a founder of the women's shelter, HEART of Taos, the world needs more people like Kathryn Herman. Someone who is called to action to fill a void without the intention of becoming a hero but is one. She's saved countless women and children. There is nobody who has a bigger heart than Kathryn. She is the person who we all should aspire to be. The beauty of Questa, New Mexico doesn't end with its scenery--it extends to its people and there is no better example than Malaquias Rael, Jr. He is an inspiration. The work he has done to diversify and promote sustainability serves as a model for the state and other communities. In small towns, it's important we remain a community and truly live as neighbors who look out for each other. It's a rarity to see people as generous as Roels ``Roy'' Cunnyngham, especially when it comes to donating land for the community. Those actions promote the health, welfare, and economy of our community, echoing long after the deed is handed over. It's people like Roy who will ensure that Taos grows and prospers for decades to come. Lisa Abeyta-Valerio is a treasure to her community but more importantly, to our youth. Her passion as a cheerleader coach constantly reminds us of this. Taos may be a small community, but there is no shortage of champions. With someone as caring as Lisa in the driver seat, we'll never get lost. Pauline Mondragon's story as a fighter and cancer survivor inspires all. Having been there myself, I understand how strong she must be to do as much as she has. Pauline devotes her time and energy for everything that we value as Nuevo Mexicanos. When the pandemic passes, we will all be able to celebrate her and the great heroes of our community. David Elliot, Citizen of the Year, is an outstanding citizen for the community of Taos. The progress and change he fostered during the pandemic are a beautiful example of the power of love for community. The world is a better place because of the work he's done. It was my honor to invite David to President Biden's State of the Union address to Congress, and I appreciate him inviting me to hear the stories of many of New Mexico's other unsung heroes. I look forward to seeing the incredible things he continues to do. After listening and meeting with them, my heart is filled with inspiration and hope. It is their passion and the passion of so many more that bring peace, prosperity, and harmony to our beloved communities.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Anselmo ``Chemo'' F. Arellano. As a historian, educator, author, and activist, Anselmo used his talents to preserve New Mexico's rich culture and history. In Northern New Mexico, he was what we call a seeker of el oro del barrio--the knowledge which is the gold of our community. Anselmo was born on April 27, 1944, in Springer, New Mexico. His family instilled in him a love for his heritage and culture which remained with him throughout his life. Anselmo spent many years as a postsecondary educator in New Mexico. His passion for learning and sharing his knowledge was apparent to those who had the opportunity to meet and learn from him. Anselmo's career in education began at Fresno State University at the age of 25, where he taught courses in ethnic studies and directed a program for first-generation minority college students. While working at Fresno State, he also volunteered for the United Farmworkers Organizing Committee. As a distinguished Ford Foundation Fellow, Anselmo received his Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico in 1990. He used his education to preserve the history, culture, and traditions of Northern New Mexico and taught others to do the same. Anselmo was nationally recognized for his work and was selected as a featured historian by the Smithsonian Institute for its New Mexico exhibit. Like many Nuevo Mexicanos, Anselmo knew the power of community and that acequia es comunidad. That's why he worked to secure land and water rights for New Mexicans across the state. Understanding the hardships that his community faced, Anselmo also worked to improve access to education, housing, and health care. He served on boards for numerous community organizations and institutions including the National Hispanic Cultural Center. On behalf of Nuevo Mexico's, Third District, I am honored to recognize the extraordinary life of Anselmo ``Chemo'' F. Arellano--a humble and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. I hope that his legacy will be carried on by everyone he shared his knowledge with and by those who knew and loved him.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, our democracy is precious and it must be protected. The last administration did test and attack it. We know we must take action against tyranny. Tyranny battered our doors on January 6, and on this floor today, we are going to fight back and strengthen our democracy. This act restores accountability, ensures no one--no one, not even, and more importantly, never the President--is above the law. Foreign governments are interfering in our elections. The last President welcomed and clamored for interference in his bid for reelection. This bill in contrast protects whistleblowers, it roots out corruption, it prevents Presidential abuses of power to keep our system of checks and balances sound. These principles are not partisan, they are simply American. There is nothing more American than voting for a bill to protect our democracy and the future of our Nation. Madam Speaker, I stand and I ask all my colleagues to stand with our Constitution.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4352) to amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes, and for other purposes.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. I see that in the Chamber, we have Representative Young, who is a cosponsor. I would also like to thank Representatives Cole and Radewagen for joining in this bill. It does have bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I, too, wish to thank the really incredible support and working relationship that we have developed with the ranking member and other members of the committee. This is a bipartisan bill, and it has taken some work to get it where it is today, but I think that we are all supportive of it. The really wonderful thing is that when I am home in New Mexico, I am asked about this bill repeatedly, because the Nations want to see their works protected. These are cultural items that belong with those who know how to revere them, who know how to protect them, who know how to care for them. It is something that you will hear Tribes across this country, not only in New Mexico, ask Congress to take action on. I am very pleased that we are taking action today on the STOP Act. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2930) to enhance protections of Native American tangible cultural heritage, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. 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 the measure under consideration.