John Larson

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address my fellow townspeople of my hometown of East Hartford. In what was a heartbreaking loss for them in the primary on September 11, I wanted to especially thank them for the number of thank-yous, the cards, and the media attention that I received from all of them from the bottom of their hearts. Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to rise and at the same time acknowledge someone who rarely gets thanked. Mr. Speaker, I think this is true of most Members of Congress. The people who often don't get the praise they richly deserve are the spouses. Having gone through several elections--having been here for what will be 28 years--I can't think of anyone who did more on behalf of me and my children and, frankly, the First Congressional District and this great country of ours than my wife, Leslie. Why do I say that? Like most spouses, Mr. Speaker, they do their job quietly. They do it without recognition. They do it because of their belief in the spouse who is running, but also to nurture their children. Oftentimes, they are viewed as an appendage. Oftentimes, they are the ones who don't get the attention, nor do they ever seek it. My wife is a master gardener, and she is incredible. She knows more about soil and soil content and the right kind of fertilizer, and what to do. Our backyard and front yard are ablossom with flowers and vegetables that come from her nurturing and caring. Do you know what, Mr. Speaker? None of those flowers or those plants or the gardening ever say thank you. They don't speak at all. What she revels in is how she is able to take them from seedling to flowering-- without a thank-you and without applause. It is the same way that she has stood by me over all these many years of public life and, also, our children, who she had to nurture and to explain after September 11 what was happening in Washington, D.C., and whether Dad was okay. It is spouses who give up so much of their lives on behalf of the elected officials that they represent. They do so willingly. They don't complain. They never seek the footlights. They never truly receive the thanks that they richly deserve. More than a master gardener, my wife, Leslie, has been there for me and my children and has done so persistently, even when things have been tough and even when there is unfair scrutiny and expectation. I don't think Congress does enough, Mr. Speaker, for our spouses. In fact, we seem to have done less and less over the 28 years that I have been here. There ought to be more recognition for the true sacrifice that they have made. I don't think there is a Member here in the body, married, unmarried, or whatnot, who can think of people who have sacrificed more than the loved ones who they represent. Mr. Speaker, I rise today--and I will submit remarks later for the Record--to thank my wife, Leslie Larson, for her continued support and love for me but, as importantly, for her children, the community she lives in, the great State, and, of course, this great Nation we all love.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following eulogy, which was introduced by Raymond D. Larson on behalf of his dear friend, Nolan W. Callahan. Nolan gave this eulogy for his father, Mark E. Callahan. The eulogy encapsulates an extraordinary life of an everyday American, husband, and father. Delivered on February 1, 2018, the eulogy commemorates a life defined by resilience, warmth, and an unwavering love for his fellow man. More than a tribute, it serves as a timeless guide on how to live life, urging us to laugh hard, look at the stars and feel small, and dedicate ourselves to making others brim with joy. It is one of millions of stories of the American Experience made possible by the will, determination, and perseverance of Mark E. Callahan. First of all, thank you all for being here. Looking out today I see Mark's close friends and family all gathered to celebrate his life, and it's an honor to address you all, as you were the reason that Mark fought as hard as he did against his illness. I especially want to thank the clergy and staff here at Saint Patrick's and Saint Anthony's, as well as the staff at Newkirk & Whitney funeral home. You all helped give my father a beautiful ceremony and you've helped my family and I garner a sense of grace and closure. Thank you. I believe it was in the middle of summer in 2013 when Mark suffered an accident that severely damaged his right eye. After countless procedures and surgeries, he ended up losing a majority of his vision, rendering him all but blind in one eye. It was later that year, in December, when he got the fateful phone call that brings us all together today, over four years later. Yet, a while after being diagnosed with his cancer, Gary McKeone, who was one of Mark's friends, organized a party for him with the help of Sully's Cafe of East Hartford and a few other coworkers. The Gazette, a local newspaper, heard that the jolly good fellow was having drinks raised to his name, and naturally sent a reporter to cover the event. My father was a very popular man. Days pass, and soon enough I see the edition of the paper that had the article about Dad. And I'll never forget the headline. It was a quote from Mark, and it simply said, ``I feel like the luckiest man in the world.'' The luckiest man in the world. This was after losing half his vision, while in the midst of staving off a terminal disease, and he was the luckiest man in the world. I believe that almost everyone in the world, myself included, would have given up if they were dealt the hand Dad was, but not him. Instead he thrived. He didn't merely say that he felt like the luckiest man in the world, he truly believed it, and lived that way: every day a celebration and every moment a new memory waiting to be had. While I was writing this I had a hard time deciding which stories to share with the congregation today that might illuminate the kind of man my father was. It wasn't difficult because there weren't enough stories to choose from, just the contrary. I sat for hours running through my mind, thinking of the things he did, as well as the lore I've heard from his family and friends of his colorful past. I thought maybe I could talk about his endless quest for knowledge, perhaps tell you all of the time he had a question about space and decided the best and only way to get to the bottom of things was to pick up the phone and call NASA. (They didn't help at all. They were only concerned with finding out how on earth he had gotten their number.) Or, maybe I could try to explain his spontaneous and fun loving nature, and tell you all about the time he gave Tiny Tim a ride to one of his shows in one of Uncle Kevin's flower shop delivery vans. That's a true story, but not one that would adequately describe the man he was. Instead, when I think about my father I think about two things; his unfaltering love for his fellow man, and his sense of humor. Years ago when I was a boy, Dad used to take Molly, Rose and I to Terry pool on Saturday mornings to swim. This was a dream come true for us, an Olympic sized pool all to ourselves in the dead heat of summer. We would cool off while Dad took care of maintaining the pool, which would open up a few hours later to the public. Needless to say, every time we got the opportunity to go to work with him, we would always pounce on the opportunity. Now, one night he and I were coming back from the beach when he suddenly realized that he had left a pump on at the pool, and he told me that we needed to stop by Terry so he could turn it off. When we got there, I stayed in the car as he walked into his pump room, affectionately called ``The Cave''. When he came back out, he was preceded by two people, pool hoppers as he called them, soaking wet wrapped up in towels. Dad came out right behind them, shook their hands, locked the pool, and got back in the car. He proceeded to tell me what had happened. Apparently, when he walked into The Cave, he could hear distinct voices and splashing coming from the water. He walked out to the deck, and saw two people: a father and a son. Upon their seeing him, they jumped out of the pool and began to climb the fence, assuming my dad would call the police or chase them out or something like that. I'm sure that's what most people would do in his situation, but not my father. Instead, he asked them to get down off the fence because he was afraid they might hurt themselves on the way over. He introduced himself and offered them towels, and asked why they were there. It turns out the man was trying to teach his son how to swim, and couldn't afford the entry fee to the pool during regular hours. My dad, hearing this, made a deal with them; that he would let them into the pool during regular hours for free so long as they didn't try to hop the fence again. A laugh and a handshake later, a deal was struck and abided by. I don't know why, but that sentiment stuck with me forever. Help your fellow man. Regardless of the circumstances, if someone is in need of help, provide. My father was also, without a doubt, the funniest man I've ever met. At any party or event, the seat next to him was always the best seat in the house. His sense of humor was discrete and dry, his laughter contagious, and his wit razor sharp while somehow also benevolent. He never laughed at anyone, only with them. If he decided he wanted you to laugh, within minutes you'd be gasping for air and drying your eyes. Him being a master of the craft of comedy, he could take any situation and turn it into the hardest you've laughed all week. It was a showing of his love, he genuinely only wanted people to have a good time, even if it meant putting a cheese doodle in each nostril and staring at you until you noticed. He was a man who enjoyed creating laughter more than he enjoyed laughing himself, a sentiment that was dramatically increased whenever he was surrounded by family. Now, there aren't words that can describe how much he loved his family. His brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, children and wife were his entire world. These are the people he lived, and ultimately fought for. His time on earth was brief, but he provided a bounty for all who knew him. I think about everything he gave me, and at the end of his life I realized the greatest thing he ever gave me was this family, the people sitting in this very church. He gave me the world through all of you, and my sisters and my mother. I sometimes wonder, when he walked into Michael's Bakery and proposed to the woman standing behind the counter, if he knew at the time that he was in fact asking the strongest woman in the world to marry him. Mom, the care and affection you provided for Dad not only in the past four years, but during the entirety of your marriage has changed my definition of love. Your complete selflessness and awe inspiring dedication to his well-being is nothing short of miraculous. I'll leave you now asking you to live the way Mark did, let his life be an example of how to be happy. Laugh hard and often. Unconditionally love not only your family and friends but the strangers you meet on the way. Dedicate yourself to the mission of making others brim with joy. Read a book and share it. Look at the stars and feel small. Get a running head start and dive headfirst into the ocean. Rise with the Sun. Drive with the windows down. Eat pancakes before they get cold. Go to a wedding and dance all night. Hug your children. Work hard. Call NASA. Take a nap in a bath of sunlight. Hug a dog. Be honest. Fight for what you want. But most of all, live in the moment and smile for every second of it.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable constituent, Joe Caminiti of Bristol, a 101-year-old World War II veteran whose service record includes storming the beaches of Iwo Jima and liberating Guam. At age 18, Mr. Caminiti left school to join the US Marine Corps on behalf of his Nation. After training at Parris Island and Camp Lejune, Mr. Caminiti was deployed with the 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion to New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, and Guam. Once Guam was liberated, the Marines set their sights on Iwo Jima, an island used by the Japanese military to launch airplanes that attacked Saipan and American bombers. The heavily fortified island had been under bombardment for 66 days, but the military was still unable to take control. Mr. Caminiti was part of the 10th wave landing at Iwo Jima. While offloading troops, his amphibious tractor took on water and became difficult to steer. As his tractor returned a second time to replenish supplies, the tractor stalled on the beach, and Mr. Caminiti repaired it while Japanese snipers were firing. The following morning, Mr. Caminiti returned to the beach, shuttling soldiers and supplies to the island, returning with the wounded for treatment aboard a ship docked offshore, saving the lives of many American soldiers. Mr. Caminiti still remembers seeing the flag raised over Mt. Suribachi, now one of the most famous photos in history. ``We never thought it was going to be a historical thing. The first time, you couldn't really see it. They called for a bigger flag. I saw the bigger flag go up. We had a clear look at it. We looked right at it, and I said. `it's about time!' '' After spending more than a month on Iwo Jima, Mr, Caminiti embarked to Maui, Hawaii, to retrieve new equipment to be used in the invasion of Japan. Before they could redeploy, Japan had surrendered to the US, and the war had ended. Returning to the U.S., Mr. Caminiti met and married Germaine La Fleur, with whom he raised his three children. Mr. Caminiti's service to his community did not end with his military service. He helped raise funds to construct an Iwo Jima Memorial in Connecticut, volunteered at his church, and fundraised for the Woody William Foundation. In 2025, Mr. Caminiti returned to Iwo Jima, now called Iwo To, to participate in remembrance services. He placed one of three wreaths alongside the Japanese Prime Minister, and he carried with him leaflets containing the names of the 100 soldiers from Connecticut who died during the Battle of Iwo Jima, which he circulated during his trip. On behalf of the United States Congress, I extend my gratitude to Joe Caminiti for his service to our country.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, during this weeks Ways and Means Committee hearing, I had the opportunity to speak about Jeff Flaks, President and Chief Executive officer of Hartford HealthCare. During this hearing, I said: ``I want to note the CEO of Hartford Hospital, in my home state, Jeff Flaks. This is a CEO who goes out in the winter and finds people that are homeless, sleeping under bridges, etc., and brings them back to the only place that they will have refuge and care.'' Jeff is an extraordinarily leader in the healthcare industry and I am proud to have him working in my district. I include in the Record an article from the Hartford Courant about Hartford Hospital's new facility. This tower will be on the cutting edge of medicine and will ensure that residents of Central Connecticut continue to get first rate care. I thank the team at Hartford Healthcare for their work to make this plan a reality. CT Hospital's $950M Tower Is a Whopper, `Most Advanced' in Nation. What it will Look Like and When. (By Kenneth R. Gosselin) A $1 billion-plus investment in Hartford Hospital over the next decade is spurring an unprecedented building boom not seen in the hospital's 172-year history--with its centerpiece now coming squarely into focus: a $950 million in-patient and surgical tower that will not only give the hospital a more prominent place in the city's skyline but, hospital leaders say, among hospitals across the country. The tower, expected to open in 2031, will rise 14 stories, double the height of the next tallest building on the 70-acre campus. The tower will be built on a one-acre patch now used for valet parking near the corner of Seymour and Jefferson streets, its half a million square feet of space so massive that the upper floors will need to be built out over the top of the neighboring Jefferson Building. Construction on the tower is expected to begin next year and will include 216 private-room patient beds--increasingly sought for hospital stays--20 surgical areas organized around recovery rooms and specialties by floor, all outfitted with cutting-edge technology. ``So this is a massive investment in the future of Hartford Hospital,'' said Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and chief executive of Hartford HealthCare, the parent of Hartford Hospital and seven others in Connecticut. ``And this building will be the most advanced, most sophisticated hospital building anywhere in the country.'' Hartford HealthCare's plans to spend more than $1 billion over a decade at Hartford Hospital have been well-known since at least the end of 2024, with a new, in-patient tower considered a significant part of those plans. But the specifics weren't disclosed until now, as financing is falling into place. The reshaping of the hospital's campus seeks to strike a balance among lifting the hospital's national profile, providing more efficiently for the health care needs of the local community and recognizing the reality of an aging population that needs increasingly sophisticated care. The hospital's $1 billion-plus plan also includes other major projects, some already in construction. The projects include a much-needed expansion of the hospital's emergency department; a Hartford HealthCare-Go Health urgent care center with more services than is typical; and a 1,600-space parking garage that is part of a larger ``arrival center'' with a restaurant and conference space for up to 500. The hospital also intends to launch the redevelopment of three historic structures at the northeast corner of Washington and Jefferson streets later this year. The project will anchor a growing presence of community clinic space in historic structures along the north side of Jefferson Street. ``This is a generational moment for us,'' Flaks said. ``This will position us for decades to come.'' Flaks comments on the details of the new tower came in an interview with The Courant prior to a public announcement Saturday at Hartford HealthCare's annual Black & Red Gala fundraiser, the hospital's largest of the year. The in-patient tower has been part of the hospital planning since at least 2021 when an $80 million addition to the Bliss Building was completed, adding critical care space. The addition came on the heels of the 2016 opening of the $150 million Bone & Joint Institute orthopedic center. Both projects helped reshape not only the hospital's expanding capabilities but were intended to project a modern image of a destination for increasingly sophisticated health care. In addition to new technology, the planned tower will increase the percentage of overall private rooms from the hospital's current 60% to about 80%, hospital officials said The hospital now has 867 patient beds. Flaks said the projects will be financed primarily through bond funding supported by the corporation's endowment and other philanthropic gifts. `A variety of options' The expansion and reorganization of the hospital's emergency department comes as it annually treats about 110,000 patients, a number that is forecast to grow in the coming years, hospital officials said. The department already is seeing a severe space crunch, with some patients routinely seen in hallways. According to hospital officials, the emergency department has 108 rooms and averages 305 patients a day. Cheryl Ficara, the president of Hartford Hospital, said plans call for an expansion into the adjacent Conklin Building into space where as many as 30 beds will be set aside for patients who are ``under observation.'' ``And why that's so important is because many of the people that come into the emergency department, probably, I would say only 25 to 28% are admitted,'' Ficara said. ``The rest are on observation and will be transitioning back out.'' The exact number of beds that will be added has yet to be determined. The entrance to the emergency department also is getting a makeover, with separate entrances being created for walk-in patients and those transported by ambulance, Ficara said. In addition, the hospital expects to open in June a Hartford HealthCare-Go Health urgent-care clinic in the recently-acquired former Girl Scouts of Connecticut headquarters at the corner of Washington Street and Retreat Avenue. The urgent care center is seen as relieving some of the pressure on the emergency department, giving patients another option when they don't necessarily need emergency department care. The clinic, expected to open in June, will offer expanded services such as the opportunity for blood work and more sophisticated imaging not typically available at the hospital's other urgent care locations. ``We're working with the community very closely to be able to educate them on the variety of options,'' Ficara said. Arrival Center The new parking garage--running the length of the south side of Jefferson Street between Washington and Seymour streets--will add about 1,000 new spaces to help ease a longstanding parking crunch at the hospital. Built in two phases on the site of a now-demolished garage and a former gas station, it is expected to gradually open beginning in 2027. The valet service also will be based in the garage. The garage also will anchor what the hospital describes as an arrival center. The venue also will include a restaurant on Seymour Street and a conference center located near the corner Washington and Jefferson streets. The conference center is expected to accommodate up to 500 people--a size that has the potential to attract national meetings and bring more visitors to the city of Hartford, Flaks said. ``So this is all part of that broader strategy to really have Hartford Hospital be magnetic, to be a destination for research, teaching, innovation, clinical discovery,'' Flaks said. ``And it just adds another piece of the puzzle that we need to be able to elevate and be competitive with anyone across the country to host meetings of this scale. So we're very excited about that.'' The parking garage will be connected to the new tower via a skywalk that will lead to the tower's two-story lobby, the new main entrance to the hospital. And as construction of the new tower starts to take shape, two concourses--one interior, one exterior--will be built to connect all the structures at the heart of the campus: the new tower, the Jefferson Building, the emergency department, the Conklin Building and the High Building--now the main entrance. ``The internal concourse allows patients, families, colleagues to move patients, products--everything--throughout the buildings without the need to access any other pathway,'' Keith Grant, vice president of operations for the Hartford region of Hartford HealthCare, said. ``It becomes the outer spine of the building.'' An exterior concourse will overlook redesigned landscaping, with a new ``healing garden'' the focal point. Honoring historic properties. Up until a few years ago, Hartford Hospital came under intense criticism for its poor stewardship of historic structures on its campus and allowing them to become blighted. The hospital met with strong opposition in 2023 from neighborhood leaders and preservationists when it moved to demolish a historic, yet decaying, 1920s apartment building at the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets. Today, plans call for the building and two neighboring ones--primarily their facades--to be incorporated into a new community-based clinical space. Those plans are evidence that the hospital says respect the past while also looking to the future. The hospital also points to the $2 million-plus renovation 1879 Queen Anne-style house on Jefferson Street. The house, which had fallen into disrepair, was singled out as one of the most notable properties when the Jefferson-Seymour National Historic District was formed in 1979. The hospital's evolving perspective on historic structures also was evident in reversing a plan to demolish the historic, 1920s Hall-Wilson Laboratory in 2021. Instead, the hospital took the unusual step of converting the interior of the brownstone structure into an electrical substation plant, in a $23 million project. While most efforts at incorporating historic structures into a modern hospital campus have been focused along Jefferson, Ficara, Hartford Hospital's president, said the hospital also is now looking along Retreat Avenue. ``All the buildings that we own that are historic and need work, if you will, it's a partnership of making sure from a historic perspective, that we honor them,'' Ficara said. ``But, at the same time, renovate them and then use them for today's day and age, and I think that is very possible.''

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert A. Kret on the occasion of his retirement after an extraordinary 35- year career in museum leadership, historic preservation, and public service. It is especially fitting that Rob retires at this pivotal moment in our Nation's history, as the United States prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. At a time when our country is reflecting on its past and looking toward its future, Rob's lifelong work preserving history, elevating community stories, and strengthening civic institutions has never been more important. His imprint on the museum field, and particularly on the role of state and local history organizations at this crucial national juncture, will endure for generations. Throughout his distinguished career, Rob Kret has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to preserving our shared history, expanding access to culture, and ensuring that museums remain vibrant institutions that educate and inspire future generations. Most recently, Rob has served with distinction as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, a role he assumed in 2019. During his tenure, he guided the institution through a period of remarkable growth and transformation. Under his leadership, the Museum successfully navigated the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, completed a strategic rebranding and name change, broadened statewide and national awareness, and launched significant expansion planning efforts. Thanks to Rob's vision and dedication, annual visitation grew to more than 100,000 visitors, contributed revenue increased substantially, and both the Board of Trustees and professional staff expanded and diversified. He also helped secure two Community Project Funding awards totaling $2 million, strengthening the Museum's ability to preserve and share Connecticut's rich and diverse stories. Through his efforts, the Connecticut Museum has become an even more dynamic and relevant institution as it celebrated its historic 200th anniversary as the Nation's 7th oldest history organization. Importantly, Rob has been a leading voice in highlighting the indispensable role that state and local history organizations will play in the upcoming America's 250th anniversary as the institutions best positioned to connect Americans to our Nation's story and preserve it for generations to come. He has helped remind the Nation that the story of America is not told only through national landmarks or famous figures, but through the towns, neighborhoods, cultural institutions, and communities whose histories collectively define our democracy. His leadership has elevated the importance of investing in historical societies, museums, and archives so that every community can see itself reflected in this once-in-a-generation commemoration. Before coming to Connecticut, Rob brought decades of leadership experience to some of the Nation's most respected cultural institutions. He served as Executive Director of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he oversaw major capital projects, strengthened collections stewardship, and expanded public engagement. Earlier in his career, he led the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Miami University Art Museum in Ohio, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin, and the Ella Sharp Museum in Michigan. In each role, he left institutions stronger, more sustainable, and better positioned to serve their communities. Rob's career has been marked not only by administrative excellence, but by a deep belief that museums are essential civic spaces--places where communities can see themselves reflected, where history is preserved with honesty and care, and where curiosity can flourish. His leadership has helped countless people connect more deeply with art, culture, and history. As Rob steps into retirement, we recognize not only his many accomplishments, but also the integrity, wisdom, and generosity with which he has led. We thank him for his decades of service and for the lasting legacy he leaves in Connecticut and across the museum field. On behalf of the United States Congress, I extend my sincere congratulations to Robert A. Kret on his retirement and offer my best wishes for health, happiness, and continued success in the years ahead.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, good morning. This is a great day for the Larson and Messier family. My granddaughter Soleil Audrey Messier turns 1 year old today. She is the sunshine of our lives and a bundle of joy. We wish her and her mom a happy birth day. Mr. Speaker, also on her birthday, I come to the floor as a concerned Member of this body and note that we are in a constitutional crisis, a constitutional crisis where this administration is currently ignoring the rule of law. The President of the United States treats the Constitution as though it is a mere suggestion and that he is above the law. Article I of the Constitution means little to him. Mr. Speaker, fortunately, there are citizens in this country who care deeply about this. I am honored to have such a citizen who is one of my constituents, the renowned, legendary, and iconic Ralph Nader. Ralph Nader is coming to Washington, D.C., on April 8, along with Bruce Fein, a constitutional lawyer and authority on the Constitution. I will be holding meetings open to staff and open to people here in the Rayburn Building on this campus to talk about governmental accountability. Ralph Nader has long been a voice throughout his history of public service since he first published ``Unsafe at Any Speed,'' where he went after the automobile industry because of what they were doing to the American people and citizens. He has been a voice, and I have to read this, Mr. Speaker: An author, lecturer, attorney, political activist, and in 2006 he was cited by The Atlantic as one of the 100 Most Influential Figures in American History. Time magazine called him ``the U.S.'s toughest customer.'' The New York Times has said of him that Nader stands apart because he is moved beyond social criticism to effective political action--beyond criticism to effective political action. In 1974, a survey conducted by the U.S. News & World Report rated him the fourth most influential person in the United States. I am proud to have him as a constituent. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Nader along with Bruce Fein will be discussing articles on government and corporate accountability on April 8. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Nader also gets up and says every day that there can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship. That is so true. We just heard Mr. Comer over here talking before about the need for bringing forward whistleblowers. Yet, on the Committee on Ways and Means, we have been asking for the whistleblowers who have said that every person, including all the viewers here today, Social Security information has been stolen and placed in an insecure cloud--not one whistleblower, but two. Who brought them forward? The Trump Judiciary Department, the judicial branch of the Trump administration. I listened to Mr. Comer call for whistleblowers coming forward in Minnesota and California. How about right here in the United States Congress, we hold accountable people who are looking at every Member of Congress' 435 districts, all of their data and information. The public should be outraged. We should be demanding that they come before us as we have. Instead, we voted yesterday, once again, to alleviate resolutions of inquiry, the minority's choice to get answers.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I regrettably missed a vote on January 21, 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted: Nay on Roll Call No. 38, on passage of H.J. Res. 140, Providing for congressional disapproval under Chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader of the Ways and Means Committee and rise in strong support of this legislation. We have heard an awful lot of talk about subsidies over there. Let's cut right to the chase. It is about subsidies. You care about subsidies for billionaires, and you are willing to do it on the backs of the American people. You would rather see them--thank God for the people who are standing up on your side. They deserve the Profile in Courage award because they are able to stand up to a President who would rather see 15 million people lose insurance and another 20 million see their prices double. Thank the Republicans on that side for profiles in courage. Vote your conscience. Vote your constituents. This is not about politics. It is about people.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Neal for the time. Mr. Speaker, a constituent in my district in Middletown is going to be paying more for health insurance than he does for his mortgage. Let's cut right to the chase. This is about a vote for the American people. This great democracy that we live in, this Chamber that could once actually discuss and debate issues, Speaker Johnson should be bringing this bill to the floor today. Do Republicans have the courage to vote, or are they going to run and hide? Four Republicans have stood up and said: You know what, in a democracy, this deserves a vote. Listen carefully, American people, how they decry this bill, yet they won't even have a vote.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, this Saturday, November 22, will mark 62 years since we lost a President of the United States, a person who gave so much to his Nation, an individual who was taken from us in the summer of his years. His daughter, Caroline, back in 2017 gave us these buttons, pins, that I proudly wear. It is an image of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. President Kennedy epitomized placing service above self. He was a national hero and a leader who had the grace, the dignity, the wit, the intelligence, and the love of his Nation and mankind. That past year we also lost someone by the name of Connie Francis who sang a song at the time called ``In the Summer of His Years.'' In that song, she wrote: A young man rode with his head held high Under the Texas sun And no one guessed that a man so blessed Would perish by the gun Lord, would perish by the gun A shot rang out like a sudden shout And Heaven held its breath For the dreams of a multitude of men Rode with him to his death Lord, rode with him to his death Yes, the heart of the world weighs heavy With the helplessness of tears For the man cut down in a Texas town In the summer of his years The summer of his years. It is we who carry on from this very person who served in this Chamber and the United States Senate and went on to become the President of the United States and, as important, a leader not only for this Nation but the world. I note, especially in these times, Madam Speaker, that it is service above self that matters. It is service to your Nation, service to your family, service to your community, and service to your State that matters most. I rise to salute the life of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All- Holiness Bartholomew, who is traveling to the U.S. this month to receive the prestigious Templeton Prize, on his achievements in interfaith dialogue. As this year's Templeton Prize Laureate, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will join the esteemed ranks of past recipients, including Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. His All-Holiness has been a pioneer in merging spirituality with science as a force for change. As head of the Eastern Orthodox church, he has gathered scientists, scholars, politicians with Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim clerics. He also became the first Christian hierarch to visit countries like Libya, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Bahrain, building on his church's 550-year history of coexistence with Muslims. In 1997, Ecumenical Patriarch Batholomew was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal ``in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to religious understanding and peace.'' That same year, he decried pollution, deforestation, and climate change as ``ecological sins.'' His All-Holiness' dedication to preserving our planet for future generations is an inspiration to us all. I thank The Ecumenical Patriarch for his work on interfaith dialogue and protecting the environment, congratulate His All-Holiness on being recognized by the Templeton Prize, and welcome him back to the United States.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to discuss something that should alarm every American citizen. Mr. Speaker, as you know, DOGE or so-called DOGE employees, have been rummaging through people's individual Social Security records. For the general public's awareness, DOGE is the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, initially led by Elon Musk until there was a breakup of the bromance between he and President Trump, but DOGE still persists. Mr. Speaker, as you know--and it has to be as much a concern to you as it is to me--having more than 127,000 Social Security recipients in your district whose information is private and secure, is being rummaged through by twentysomethings who have no accountability, have never been vetted, and who will not come before Congress. I asked Chairman Estes last week in our subcommittee meeting to bring DOGE forward to please tell us what they are doing rummaging through everyone's personal data and information. Ranking Member Neal and I are going to introduce a resolution of inquiry to bring DOGE before Congress. Every Member, Republican and Democrat, should be concerned about this. Every American citizen should be aware that DOGE has taken all of that information and stored it in a cloud, a/k/a another site that is vulnerable, that anyone can hack into, and that the Social Security Administration has no access to. No one is allowed to look at that data who hasn't been vetted, as was testified before the Ways and Means Committee last week. How is it that DOGE employees are exempt because they are above the law? It requires the United States Congress to call them in front of us. If they are doing such a great job with efficiency, and if that was their goal, clearly they ought to be able to come before Congress and testify as to what they have found. Mr. Speaker, I think every American should be aware that what is really going on here is an attempt to get at your data and your information and to further attempt to privatize Social Security. That is the end goal. When you look at the layoffs that have occurred at the Social Security Administration, when you look at what has happened to the regional offices, when you look at the basic phone service and the inability of people to contact and speak with a human being, it should astound and awaken every single American. I hope that all Americans who may be listening to this or people in the audience who may be listening to this take to heart what is happening with their personal data and information. Why should anyone, let alone unvetted, unaccountable DOGE people, go through your personal records? Why do they need that information? What does that have to do with government efficiency, and why did they steal them and put them in an unsecure cloud that anyone could hack from the outside? This is an abomination, and it needs to be corrected. It can very easily be corrected by the legislation that we have introduced calling to make sure that DOGE comes before Congress. Mr. Speaker, Republicans need to stand up and call them to come before us.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise this morning because Democrats have introduced a resolution of inquiry to get the information from the whistleblower who has talked about what happened to the more than 300 million Americans who depend on Social Security. This impacts all 435 congressional districts. Madam Speaker, you have 161,000 Social Security recipients in your district. I know that you do not stand for having their personal information gone through, looked over, and utilized for anything that was unintended, let alone having been taken from its secure position in Social Security and stored in a cloud that no one from the Social Security Administration has access to. That makes everyone's information vulnerable. Democrats are calling for DOGE to come before the Committee on Ways and Means so that they can tell the American people, number one, why they needed to look at their personal data to begin with and, number two, what they are doing with it and why they took it from a secure location. No one on DOGE has been vetted by the United States Senate or Congress. None of them are accountable for what they are doing. For the President to allow them to have access to every American's personal data is an outrage. Democrats and Republicans should join together and do our responsibility as a separate branch of government and the branch of government that has control over Social Security to make sure that these DOGE individuals are held accountable. Democrats demand answers, and I am proud to be joined by Rich Neal in making sure that, on the Committee on Ways and Means, the committee of cognizance for Social Security, we have DOGE come before us. If they are doing such a great job and are exposing all of this fraud and abuse, why aren't they in front of Congress to tell us about it? Democrats demand that DOGE be held accountable for what they have stolen and put into a cloud.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, first and foremost, I rise today with our deepest condolences for the family of Charlie Kirk. Violence of any kind, especially violence that we have seen in this country way too often, should never be condoned. Whether it is the Kirk family or the families of the kids who were shot in Colorado, it is gut-wrenching and sorrowful that our Nation continues to go through this plague of gun violence. Madam Speaker, it has been 13 years since Sandy Hook in my home State of Connecticut. It is long overdue for Congress to have a vote. Universal background checks are a commonsense way that we can deal with this, and I see no reason why we can't pass this as a Congress. Frankly, I believe that we should ban assault weapons, as well. Hopefully, people in this body will come to their senses and have Congress take a vote, at a minimum, for the families who were impacted and for our future. That is all that is required of us. Again, our hearts go out to the Kirk family and, certainly, the families of the students at Evergreen High School in Colorado. Demanding Answers from DOGE

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to talk about a very troubling concern that is taking place in Congress. Madam Speaker, you may be aware that the so-called DOGE group, a group of individuals that was put together by Elon Musk and President Trump that were unvetted and unaccountable, have now gotten the data of more than 300 million of our fellow Americans. They have taken that data and put it in a cloud, making it vulnerable to being hacked. It is an unsecured position by people who had no right to go into individuals' personal data and information. Madam Speaker, I asked Chairman Estes yesterday if he would call a hearing on this so that we could bring the whistleblower in who made this evident and clear that this data is being kidnapped and taken to the cloud, which means, for those of you that don't understand this, an unsecure place. The Social Security Administration has no idea. When I asked my fellow Republican colleagues if they had any idea where this data was, they had no idea either. It is long overdue that, as an equal branch of government, we hold the executive branch accountable when they are taking people's personal data and Social Security information and exposing it. There is no reason why any 24-year-old, unvetted, unaccountable person should have access to any American's Social Security information. Madam Speaker, you have more than 177,000 Social Security recipients in your own district. Is there not one Republican who will stand up and say: We need a hearing. We demand to know where this information is. We want to know why they need this information. I think you know why. It is because they want to privatize Social Security. They are dissembling Social Security from within. Democrats are aware of this, but all citizens--whether Republican, Democrat, or unaffiliated--ought to be concerned and shocked by the fact that your data, your personal information, has been hacked by people who were not vetted and are unaccountable and have placed this in a cloud, meaning in an unsecure place, that anyone could hack into. Imagine that the Social Security administration has no idea what they have done with this data. We asked Elon Musk and DOGE to come before this Committee on Ways and Means, and they refused to come. Why? Because they believe they are above the law. They don't believe that they are accountable to an equal branch of government. Now they have gone in and taken the data that they were after. Why is Elon Musk after it? Because that data contains information about the $2.7 trillion of the people's money that is in Social Security. If I sound a little angry, it is because I am. Every American ought to be angered and outraged that this is going on. We vowed to protect their information and keep it safe and secure. This administration and Elon Musk have sent DOGE into Social Security to take this information. It is morally wrong. It is not legal, and it is long overdue that we take action.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the pending issue of Social Security. Madam Speaker, for you and the people in the audience, it might come as a shock that Social Security has not been adjusted in more than 54 years. What do I mean by that? Some would argue that Social Security was adjusted in 1982 under Tip O'Neill, Ronald Reagan, and Bob Dole. Indeed, it was addressed, but Ronald Reagan wanted to privatize Social Security. Bob Dole, a Senate Republican, said no, that this is too important a program. They agreed that what they would do was to keep the program intact, under the assistance of Tip O'Neill, but they raised the age. That sounds like a reasonable compromise until you realize that for every year you raise the age, that is a 7 percent cut in benefits. In essence, back in 1982, there was a 14 percent cut in benefits. Today, we have a comprehensive proposal with regard to Social Security to help everybody across the board, including a 2 percent overall increase in Social Security--again, something that hasn't been done since Richard Nixon was President of the United States. We also want to make sure that no one receives a below-poverty-level check from Social Security. Currently, more than 5 million of our fellow Americans--most, Madam Speaker, you will find interesting, are women--primarily because they were the caregivers and providers at home and, when they were in the workforce, were making less than their male counterparts. No matter how you look at it, it is unfair and unjust. Social Security is the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly, and it is also the number one antipoverty program for children. Madam Speaker, more veterans rely on Social Security disability than they do the VA. Yet, Congress has not acted. This is not anything that can be done through executive order or anything that is before the Supreme Court. What all Americans should be demanding is that their Congress not only pay attention but act. Democrats have a proposal that does just that. It expands coverage across the board. It makes sure that no one can retire into poverty, like more than 5 million current Americans do. It also makes sure that we provide a cost-of-living increase that will benefit everybody. Where do they spend that money, Madam Speaker? They spend it right back in the congressional districts where they live. They put it right back into buying groceries and going to the pharmacies; paying to heat and cool their homes; paying their rent, bills, mortgages; and putting gasoline into their automobiles. That all helps the American economy. During this time of inflation, it is not understandable why a Republican-controlled House and Senate will not take up Social Security as the main issue facing the American people, including the best step forward during these times of inflation. Where do people spend that check: right back in the communities that they live in. That is the most important thing. Madam Speaker, that is why I come to the floor today: to make sure that we are acting on Social Security and to make sure that all Americans understand how vital and important this is. We can no longer afford to kick this can down the road. Kicking the can down the road doesn't help anyone out in your district, in my district, and in the 435 districts across this Nation. Quite the contrary, it will help everyone out. This is not about being a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent. This is about Americans, again, demonstrating the brilliance of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and what they had in mind to get us out of the Great Depression. We are still hanging on from the recession of 2008 and 2009. If people say it can't happen again, they are wrong. It can.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, the eagle will keep flying because they have the most dependable workforce and build the most dependable engines ever assembled in the world. I am proud to have been born and raised in East Hartford, the home and the start of Pratt & Whitney aircraft, the engine company that makes the most dependable engines in the world.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I also include in the Record an op-ed piece that was presented in the Hartford Courant by Pratt & Whitney President Shane Eddy, again, talking about that great workforce over this past 100 years and their dedication then, now, and well into the future. This op-ed ran in the Hartford Courant July 22nd: Celebrating 100 Years of Aviation Innovation--and Investing in Connecticut's Future (By Shane Eddy, President, Pratt & Whitney) In 1925, an engineer named Frederick Rentschler founded Pratt & Whitney in Hartford with an idea for an air-cooled radial engine that would revolutionize American aviation. Rentschler was driven by a unwavering belief that ``the best airplane could only be designed an the best engine'' and a powerful vision for dependable propulsion to connect people, grow economies, and defend freedom. His first creation, the R-1340 Wasp, became an engineering landmark--setting a new standard in performance and reliability over the liquid cooled engines of the era. It also marked the beginning of an enduring legacy of safety, innovation and Dependable Engines forged right here in Connecticut by generations of employees, who have quite literally shaped the world we live in. Over the past century, the skilled men and women of Pratt & Whitney have designed, built and supported products that have powered more than 500 different aircraft types, achieving many commercial and military aviation milestones. We powered the first major commercial air travel in the 1930s, provided more than half the total horsepower for Allied aircraft during World War II, and led the transition of commercial air travel into the jet age in the late 1950s--among countless other examples. Today, our products power everything from the most advanced fight aircraft, such as the F135 engine for the F-35, to the GTF engine for most fuel-efficient narrowbody commercial jets. Both of these marquee products are built in Middletown, with critical parts produced in East Hartford as well as suppliers located across the state. The impact of our work extends far beyond Connecticut's borders. Our global team is spread across more than 40 major sites worldwide--including locations in Canada, Poland as well as Singapore--and plays an important role in the design, manufacture and support of our current and future engine programs. The dedication and expertise of our global workforce are at the heart of our success. As we've gown from a single site in Hartford to a global propulsion leader with 45,000 employees and more than 90,000 engines in service worldwide, Connecticut has and will continue to be our home--just as it's been for the past 100 years. That commitment is reflected in the significant investments we've made in our facilities, our workforce, and our community here in the state. Looking ahead, Pratt & Whitney is well positioned to shape the future of flight for the next 100 years--with Connecticut's industrial base leading the way. For example, the new GTF Advantage engine for the Airbus A320neo was recently certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and will begin delivering soon. Additionally, we are growing the capability of the F135 with the development of our Engine Core Upgrade to ensure the F-35 fighter remains ahead of threats for years to come. In partnership with our parent company RTX, we are also actively developing technologies such as hybrid-electric to secure positions on the next generation of platforms. The future for Pratt & Whitney is exciting and incredibly bright--and will be powered by the talented and dedicated men and women at our sites in Middletown and East Hartford, along with the approximately 100 suppliers across the state that support our engine programs. Connecticut's industrial base is a national asset, producing advanced commercial and military technology at scale that no other country can match. But it's also fragile, and it's imperative that we keep the conditions strong, so it continues to thrive. That includes having a stable and predictable business climate so companies can invest for the long-term and a robust talent development ecosystem that identifies and trains the next generation of aerospace talent. While Connecticut's leaders have made significant progress on both fronts, there is still more work to do to grow and protect the state's industrial base for generations to come. To our employees, suppliers, partners, and neighbors across the state--thank you for helping make Pratt & Whitney what it is today. Let's shape the next century of flight, together.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to recognize Pratt & Whitney aircraft in my hometown of East Hartford, Connecticut. July 22, 1925, yesterday, marked the 100th birthday and anniversary of Pratt & Whitney aircraft. Pratt & Whitney builds the most dependable engines. They have led the aerospace industry in this country and are the greatest manufacturing force in the world. They are located in East Hartford and in Middletown, Connecticut. My father and mother both worked there. My mother worked there during the Second World War. She had just gotten out of high school. My mother was 17 years old. She had been in the National Honor Society, and was recruited by Pratt & Whitney to help take down the details, information, and categorizing of parts, et cetera, which was desperately needed. My father went off to war, and when he came home, he worked there. My brothers have worked at Pratt & Whitney. In 1925, East Hartford was an agricultural community, and overnight it became the leading manufacturer of airplanes and aircraft and now aerospace. We salute Pratt & Whitney aircraft. When my father would go to work, we would say: Dad, are you going to work? He said: Yeah. I said: What do you do? He said: We keep the eagle flying. The symbol of Pratt & Whitney aircraft is the bald eagle in flight, and underneath it, it says: ``Dependable engines.'' That was true in 1925, and it is true today. I am proud to be part of the F-35 Caucus and to understand that not only is it important to America, but it is also important to our allies all across the globe who still depend on Pratt & Whitney and their production of the most dependable aircraft engines ever assembled. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the resolution introduced by Governor Lamont of the State of Connecticut recognizing this 100-year anniversary celebration of Pratt & Whitney aircraft. Executive Proclamation Whereas, 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Pratt & Whitney, founded in 1925 by Frederick Rentschler, whose vision revolutionized aviation with the creation of the dependable air-cooled Wasp engine; and Whereas, Pratt & Whitney, headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, has since become a global leader in the design, manufacture, and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for commercial, military, business aircraft, helicopters; and Whereas, Pratt & Whitney has contributed to every major advancement in powered flight over the past century, helping drive innovation, support national defense, and enable safe, efficient air travel around the world; and Whereas, for 100 years, the people of Connecticut have been at the heart of Pratt & Whitney's success--engineers, technicians, veterans, and countless other skilled employees whose dedication and ingenuity continue to power the future of aviation; and Whereas, the company's continued investment in workforce development, manufacturing, sustainability, and community partnerships has strengthened Connecticut's economy and aerospace leadership; and Whereas, the State of Connecticut proudly celebrates the achievements and legacy of Pratt & Whitney, recognizing a century of excellence in engineering, innovation, and public service; Now, Therefore, I, Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of Connecticut, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26, 2025 as Pratt & Whitney 100th Anniversary Week in the State of Connecticut and encourage all citizens to join in honoring this iconic company's extraordinary contributions to our state, our nation, and the world. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the State of Connecticut to be affixed this 25th day of July, 2025.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning, first and foremost, to pay tribute to Louise Kronholm. Mr. Speaker, when you are in Congress, oftentimes you are unable to be home for wakes and funeral services. Louise Kronholm was the daughter of the legendary John Bailey. John Bailey was the chairman of the Democratic Party in Connecticut. He was the national chairman of the Democratic Party in 1960 when we elected the first Catholic President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The Bailey and Kennedy families were extraordinarily close, and Barbara Kennelly, Louise's sister, was the Congresswoman from the First District in Connecticut whom I succeeded. Our hearts and our thoughts and prayers are with them today as they mourn and bury their beloved Louise Kronholm, John Bailey's daughter and Barbara Kennelly's sister. Recognizing Pratt & Whitney Aircraft

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury) for yielding to me. Her work and effort are exemplary. Here is the data, the facts, Mr. Speaker: Over 70 million of our fellow Americans rely on Social Security, and Social Security, throughout its history, has never missed a payment. Today, it is even more crucial as 10,000 baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security, and for more than 40 percent of all Social Security recipients, this is the only benefit that they have. Representative Stansbury is part of legislation that seeks to expand benefits, not just protect Social Security. Congress hasn't acted on Social Security and its expansion since 1971. Richard Nixon was President of the United States. Mr. Speaker, because of the initiative, energy, and enthusiasm of Members of Congress like Representative Stansbury, people in New Mexico and all across the country--Mr. Speaker, it might surprise even you, as well, to know how many people in your district are equally served. More than $300,000 comes in monthly to recipients in your district in the great State of Virginia, but that hasn't changed in over 54 years. Now is the time to act. Now is the time to get behind Representative Stansbury's legislation that will be incorporated into the Committee on Ways and Means' configuration on Social Security that will benefit the people. As Representative Stansbury has indicated, this is America's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and number one antipoverty program for children, and more veterans rely on Social Security disability than they do the VA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Stansbury for her efforts and initiatives.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to commend Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita, for always making judgments, and sitting next to President Kennedy certainly was one of them, as well. What a great story. We are here today because oftentimes, Mr. Speaker, as you might know, there isn't enough bipartisanship. Today I rise, since the Speaker Emerita mentioned President Kennedy, to talk about profiles in courage. I commend the Republicans and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for the courage they demonstrated when they decided to get rid of ``Sesame Street.'' I don't know how many people know this, but a lot of people think that ``Sesame Street'' is about the education of children, especially in rural areas, and teaching the basics, like reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, our colleagues on the other side have pointed out that: No, this is about wokeism, and it has a direct impact on reconciliation, reconsideration, and inquiries of resolution. Those are three Rs that I didn't know about. I had to explain to my daughter when she said: Do you mean your granddaughter won't see these programs? I said: Well, I went to Jim Himes on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and I asked him if he had heard anything about wokeism or what does woke mean? Jim looked around the room. He was a little cautious, and he said: Well, woke means we are okay with Elmo. I didn't realize that the Republicans had actually broken the code, and that anyone who is okay with Elmo has to be suspect of wokeism. He further said to me: We have discovered that this is a real issue. I said: What is the threat that exists here? Has there been a classified briefing on this? Are we aware of this? He said: No, there has been no classified briefing yet, but there is grave concern about the Cookie Monster. Anytime you have ``monster'' in your name, the American people ought to be made aware of it, and you ought to be vitally concerned about what kind of habit this monster could create. I couldn't believe it. Imagine, Mr. Speaker, for more than 50 years, they have been providing this kind of education, teaching kids how to read, write, and to inquire, but it was all code. This was part of leftwing wokeism. Regarding the Cookie Monster, that should have been obvious. He said that a lot of people are wondering why the supreme Commander in Chief had been talking about Greenland, other invasions, and everything like this. There is grave concern, and I asked Rosa DeLauro if she had heard about this. She is a known friend of Big Bird, and because of that relationship, she, obviously, along with others, is locked into this wokeism that has been plaguing the country. I didn't even get into the relationship that Joe Courtney had with Bert and Ernie on the Armed Services Committee. However, Mr. Speaker, you can only imagine the job and the skill that our colleagues used on the other side to say that we have to end the public funding of this because of the great threat that this poses to our democracy. How could we possibly let the Cookie Monster run rampant like this? Where was everybody? How did it take so long? However, the supreme commander was able to figure it out, and his willing partners joined with him in making sure that ``Sesame Street'' was banned. I congratulate him. We are nominating him for Profiles in Courage.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I, first and foremost, will associate myself with the remarks of Mr. Neal from Massachusetts about our dear friend and colleague, Charlie Rangel. Also, Mr. Speaker, I will point out, as well, that I believe the Representative from Indiana was on the floor talking about how we should go after PBS and NPR. ``Sesame Street'' and Big Bird are really culprits here, and every American ought to be really concerned about that. We still have something we call free press and free opinions. If you think that they are the kind of organization that they are--I believe the other night on the floor they were called communistic, as well. How about we have an open public hearing and debate on that and put legislation forward not in the dark of night but when the public can actually view what you are saying. Mr. Speaker, I am here today primarily, though, to talk about Social Security and also to enlighten, I hope, my colleagues on the other side. I am very concerned about the Supreme Court's most recent ruling that overturned two lower courts with no logic and said, no, there shouldn't be a pause, that DOGE ought to be able to look at everyone's personal data and records. To all Social Security recipients and all Americans out there that are tuned in to this, understand what this is about. This is about DOGE having access to the more than 70 million Social Security recipients and everybody who, in fact, is on Social Security, which will include basically the whole Nation. Why they need this data they don't make clear, but then again, they have never been vetted. They have never had to go through a Senate process. They are a special group status that has no responsibility or accountability and have been given unfettered access to everyone's personal data and information. I would hope that one Republican--perhaps you, Mr. Speaker--will stand up and speak out against this outrage, because you know how important Social Security is to your district and how many recipients you have and how much money comes into your district on a monthly basis. Imagine, that hasn't been altered in over 54 years because this body hasn't taken action, but now Elon Musk and Trump will get over the dispute they had because their focus is on privatizing Social Security and going after the $2.7 trillion of the people's money that is in trust. Their goal is to privatize Social Security by both dismantling it from within by laying off people, cutting phone service, closing regional offices, and suspending more than 7,000 workers under the guise of ``we are after fraud and abuse.'' They are about to take and use something that could be a very constructive tool in AI, but, no, they are going to be using that tool to go after the people's data and information and the $2.7 trillion in the trust fund. Will anyone on the other side of the aisle join Representatives Neal and Jeffries in putting forward a bill that stops DOGE from looking at and taking people's personal data and information? They have no accountability. The only accountability over Social Security is the United States Congress. If the Republicans remain silent and let this happen, shame on them for letting this happen. There is no way that Americans should be subject to a person who hasn't been verified, people who are going in and looking at their personal data and information. I think it is disgusting what is going on, and there ought to be hearings and, most importantly, there ought to be a vote. We have a plan. We have a plan not to privatize Social Security, but to enhance it for the first time in over 54 years, to lift the 5 million people that get below-poverty-level checks out of it.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rabbi Philip Lazowski and his wife of 70 years, Ruth Lazowski--both Holocaust survivors and pillars of the Greater Hartford community. On June 14, 2025, a kiddush will be held in their honor, along with their granddaughter, Jesse, as they all celebrate birthdays in the month of June. This joyous occasion will take place at the Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford, Connecticut, where Rabbi Lazowski serves as Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Lazowski will turn 95 on June 13, 2025; Ruth Lazowski celebrated her 90th birthday on June 9, 2025; and Jesse will turn 35, also on June 13, 2025. The Lazowski name is synonymous with service in Connecticut and beyond. For the past 70 years, Rabbi Lazowski has been widely regarded as the spiritual leader of Greater Hartford's Jewish community, having served at Congregation Beth Sholom Synagogue in Hartford and later as spiritual leader at Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield, until his retirement in 2000. In addition to his leadership in these synagogues, Rabbi Lazowski served as Chaplain for Hartford Hospital's Institute of Living, where he spearheaded a mental health initiative, and as Chaplain for the Hartford Police. He also recently retired, after 25 years, as Chaplain of the State Senate. Upon his retirement, Rabbi Lazowski declared, ``As a Holocaust survivor, I am grateful to be alive, to live in this free and noble state of Connecticut, in our blessed United States of America.'' Rabbi Lazowski and his family's story is one of courage, triumph, and perseverance in the face of adversity. He and Ruth narrowly escaped Nazi-occupied Poland, only to be reunited in Hartford after World War II. Philip was separated from his family in a round-up in the Zhetel ghetto in Bielica. In an extraordinary act of selflessness and bravery, a nurse named Mirian Rabinowitz helped save Philip's life by pretending to be his mother while also protecting her two young daughters (one of whom was Ruth). Philip evaded capture by hiding in the ``White Russian Woods'' with his father and brother for years before eventually making his way to the United States in 1947. It is a true honor to recognize Rabbi Lazowski, Ruth Lazowski, and Jesse Lazowski on this special occasion. I am deeply grateful for the friendship of the Lazowski family and for all they have done for the Greater Hartford community, the State of Connecticut, and the United States of America. I look forward to the Torah service and kiddush and wish them very happy birthdays and continued health and prosperity.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the gentlewoman from Wisconsin. I wasn't going to speak, but I came to the floor, and I heard Mr. Gill talk about how proud he was of the President doing away with PBS. What a shame. Is this Brandenburg? Are we going to be burning books next? What do we stand for in this great country? In the United States of America we have free speech, and everybody gets to express their opinion whether you agree with them or not. PBS does an exceptional job. Thank God for them. God bless them and America. If you want to help out, all you citizens out there, donate to PBS, and don't put up with any of this nonsense.