Elaine Luria

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the INVEST in America Act. I am pleased that this bill includes funding for projects that are critical to our community in coastal Virginia. The parallel Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel will expand to four lanes, will make the roads safer, and reduce traffic. Updating Tidewater Drive in Norfolk will facilitate access to Norfolk Naval Station, the world's largest Navy base. The funding will create a much-needed evacuation route for the Sandbridge community and Virginia Beach in the event of flooding or extreme weather, which happens more frequently due to climate change. This bill will also fund the replacement of aging buses that serve Hampton Roads Transit. Madam Speaker, finally, the INVEST in America Act will fund planning for the Craney Island Marine Terminal, connecting Route 164 with the Commonwealth Railway that services the Port of Virginia, which is responsible for one in nine jobs in the Commonwealth. Members of Congress must be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, and I advocated for these projects that will support our constituents. Investing in infrastructure strengthens the backbone of our economy, keeps America running, and puts a down payment on the future. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for these critical projects.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Cathy Lewis upon the culmination of her time as host of WHRO's HearSay. Twenty-five years ago, Cathy became the founding host of HearSay, WRHO's flagship public affairs program. During her time with HearSay, Cathy has connected listeners with a variety of guests, from political candidates, to business owners, and civics leaders, including President Barack Obama. Cathy has used her exceptional ability to lead civil discussion to educate audiences about governance and inform them about important issues in their communities. Her work has made Cathy a prominent voice in Coastal Virginia, and she has routinely made lists of the most influential individuals in the region. I am grateful for Cathy's service and for the outstanding contributions that she has made to our community and beyond. Again, it is an honor to congratulate Cathy for her 25 years with HearSay, and I wish her the best as she moves on to the next chapter of her career.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, like all of us, I watched with horror as our Capitol was overrun on January 6 by those seeking to overturn a free and fair election. As a 20-year Navy veteran, I swore an oath multiple times throughout my career to support and defend our Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. As Members of Congress, we swear the same oath, and we swear this oath, not as a member of a political party, but as Americans. There is no carve-out for political expediency. I implore every Member of this body to uphold their oath and vote in support of this bipartisan commission. The American people deserve to understand exactly what happened that day in January. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues not to turn this into a partisan litmus test, not to pit Republican against Democrat, and not to perpetuate the big lie. Finding the truth should not be controversial or a question of partisanship. This is about our shared future, the future of this Congress, and the future of democracy. We must do this together, and I urge an ``aye'' vote.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg in celebration of her 25 years as an ordained Rabbi. Rabbi Mandelberg, also affectionately known as Rabbi Roz, serves as the Senior Rabbi of Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk, Virginia, where she has led the congregation for the last 16 years. Through her teachings, her relationships, and her dedication to faith, Rabbi Roz has instilled an enduring sense of community in the Hampton Roads area. Rabbi Roz was ordained on May 16, 1996, by the Hebrew Union College. Before joining Ohef Sholom Temple, Rabbi Roz served in the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and Westchester Reform Temple. In her 16 years at Ohef Sholom Temple, she has successfully engaged multiple generations within the Jewish faith and has fostered a growing knowledge and appreciation of Judaism within the broader community. Rabbi Roz has also embraced and demonstrated an understanding of faith-driven selflessness and compassion for others. I am thankful that Rabbi Roz has been such a powerful voice in our community for positivity. I am proud to join the Ohef Sholom Temple congregation and the Norfolk community in congratulating Rabbi Roz upon 25 years of service and leadership.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, throughout history, the Jew has never been safe. People have demonized, ostracized, and murdered Jews for millennia. From the ashes of the Holocaust, the massacre of 6 million of our brethren, Jews return to their ancestral home to build an oasis in the desert and a democracy of their own. Jews persisted, even in the face of ultimate evil. And, today, in their rightful homeland, they are attacked from within. Some call them villains for defending their home and their families; for not turning a cheek and a blind eye to terror, bombings, and missiles raining down. Who would turn a cheek when their mere right to exist is questioned? Or turn a blind eye when history has been so unkind? Not you and not the Israelis. And we as Americans, and me as an American and a Jew, must stand for what is right. We must declare that Israel has a right to exist; that Israel has the inherent right to defend itself; that we have a duty, as Americans, to stand by the side of Israel in the face of attacks from terrorists and suicide bombers and malign regimes, who, again, have the same goal in mind, to kill Jews. Now is the time to stand with Israel.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the CALIPSO satellite mission upon the 15th anniversary of its space-based lidar measurements. CALIPSO's unique observations have revolutionized our knowledge of the vertical distributions of clouds and of layers of dust, smoke, and pollution. These findings have also greatly improved our understanding of how these vertical distributions affect climate, weather, and air quality. CALIPSO data are widely used by the international science community and academia, and this data has contributed to significant new findings by state and U.S. government agencies, including NASA, the NOAA, the DoD, the USDA, and the EPA. CALIPSO measurements are the foundation of over 3200 peer-reviewed publications that have appeared since the mission launched on April 28, 2006--a tremendous accomplishment for a first-of-its-kind measurement system. Furthermore, CALIPSO discoveries now appear in textbooks for the next generation of climate scientists. NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, manages CALIPSO with operations accomplished through a strong and enduring partnership with the French Space Agency, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). The mission's longevity and scientific success is a testament to international collaboration, especially when it is employed to solve global issues. NASA Langley is now looking forward to developing new instruments needed to improve our understanding of extreme weather events and regional climate change. The next generation spaceborne lidar, which has been identified for a new observing system, will build upon knowledge and experience gained from CALIPSO and will benefit from innovative technology developments now underway at NASA Langley. CALIPSO continues to be an on-going tribute to NASA's tremendous can- do spirit and engineering excellence. While CALIPSO began its challenging mission with an expected lifetime of only 3 years, it has continued to deliver valuable measurements for 15 years. The longevity of the mission and the large number of scientific discoveries emerging from CALIPSO is a huge credit to the project and to the Agency. With these many accomplishments, it is my honor to recognize the 15th anniversary of CALIPSO's launch, and I wish the international mission team continued success in the future.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record remarks submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman, of Temple Lev Tikvah and is a reflection of his views: Distinguished Israeli historian Tom Segev was born in Jerusalem in 1945, earned his doctorate at Boston University and his books were translated into fourteen languages. In his A State At Any Cost (The Life of David Ben-Gurion). Farrar, Straus and Girous. 2018, he treats us to a mesmerizing account of Israel's first prime minister's tumultuous life in the context of fateful times for the Jewish people and humanity. It is based on a newly released treasure trove of archival material shedding more light on the interaction between complex times and a complex personality of significant contrasts. Ben-Gurion was a politician-philosopher-poet, or equally the other way around, which he probably preferred. Born in Plonsk, Poland on October 16, 1886 as Daveed Yosef Green, he died on December 1, 1973 in Tel Aviv, Israel shortly following the traumatic Yom Kippur War. Indicative of his total attachment to realizing the Zionist dream, he regarded his arrival in Jaffa, Palestine on September 7, 1906 from Odessa, Russia as his preferred birthdate so engraved on his stately memorial besides his wife Paula, in the Negev, Israel's mostly desert land. Admired as likely Israel's leading founder, his finest hour, rightly identified by Segev, was his heroic decision to declare Israeli statehood on May 14, 1948 immediately following the British departure which upended its Mandate since 1917. Early on in his budding career as a Zionist politician in Poland, he proved to be a master of detail, thoroughly studying any given subject before him, particularly recording in his notebook statistical and economic information. Ben- Gurion was also known to be a lover and obsessive collector of books, which he shipped home when abroad, amassing an impressive library. He favored Plato though he copied in ancient Greek from Aristotle; identifying with Plato's model of the philosopher-ruler he sought to blend his statesmanship for the reborn Jewish state given a long lack of sovereignty with a rabbinic tradition celebrating argumentation. The late Professor Yigael Yadin, the famed Dead Sea Scrolls' scholar who served as IDF Chief of Staff and Deputy Prime Minister, is purported to opine that Ben-Gurion was envious of those with academic standing and thus his enormous drive for acquiring books. Ben-Gurion regarded Dr. Chaim Weitzmann, Israel's first President, who was instrumental in the breakthrough 1917 Balfour Declaration, as his archrival and refused to allow him to sign the Independence Declaration. Ben-Gurion felt some guilt for not doing more to save fellow Jews during the Holocaust and his encounter with the surviving remnant was painful. He could not even bring himself to visit Poland at war's end and was relentless about the survivors leaving Poland for Germany's American zone through the B'richa (Escape) organization headquartered in Paris. My family and I were among some 200,000 surviving Jewish refugees enabled to leave Poland. Ben-Gurion's goal was to bring them all to the emerging Jewish state with my own family arriving there as Israel celebrated its first Independence Day. Earlier, Ben-Gurion sought to create a temporary Jewish State in Germany's Bavaria but denied by General Eisenhauer, who did agree to settle in the American Zone many fleeing East European Jews. Ben-Gurion bemoaned that the Holocaust deprived the nascent nation of its best human potential, more than the high number of Jewish victims. He credited the leadership and financial support of American Jews for making a critical difference in the 1948 War. He was concerned during the Cold War years that a Soviet nuclear strike on New York would deprive Israel of Jewish support, becoming convinced that Israel required a nuclear capability for its very survival, ever-worried of a second Holocaust. He believed in the potential of nuclear energy in developing the vast wilderness of the Negev's desert. Ben-Gurion viewed Israel as the only authentic Jewish center with ``Hebrew Education'' as the link with the Diaspora. Back in 1900 when he was only fourteen in Plonsk, Poland, he established with two friends the Ezra Association, pledging to speak only Hebrew. The multi-faceted Ben-Gurion opposed the watershed 1967 War, afterwards preferring a smaller Israel at peace with its Arab neighbors, attested in his support for the 1947 U.N. Partition Resolution. He died before witnessing Israel's negotiated peace with Egypt and Jordan along with the recent Abraham Accords, adding four more Arab countries. Ben- Gurion's single-mindedness and utter devotion to his cause of creating a Jewish state in times of unparalleled pain and messianic promise, remains his crowning glory. Both visionary and practical, Segev aptly concludes, ``People believed in him because he believed in himself.'' Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is the founder of Temple Lev Tikvah in Virginia Beach. He was born in Chu, Kazakhstan, in 1945 to Polish Holocaust survivors and was raised in Haifa, Israel.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize two young women from Norfolk, Virginia, Katie Heine and Morgan Nottingham, who were awarded the Medal of Honor--Lifesaving Award from the Girls Scouts of the USA. While setting up a booth to sell Girl Scout cookies, Morgan and Katie noticed a man collapse nearby. Inferring that the man was having a seizure, the two Girl Scouts sprang into action. Morgan rolled the man on his side and placed a jacket under his head to stabilize him. Meanwhile, Katie quickly called 911 and alerted a nearby security officer for assistance. The two young women cared for the man until the paramedics arrived at the scene. Terri Nottingham, Katie and Morgan's troop leader and Morgan's mother, credited their experience as Girl Scouts in preparing them for the intense situation. With the poise and bravery that they displayed in such a critical moment, Morgan and Katie are more than worthy of the National Medal of Honor--Lifesaving Award. It is important that we recognize individuals in our communities who go above and beyond to make a difference. I am proud to represent these two young heroes in Congress, and I congratulate Katie and Morgan on receiving this well-deserved honor.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2368, the COVENANT Act, legislation to ensure our Nation's veterans can receive the benefits they deserve after being exposed to toxic substances in the course of their service. Mr. Speaker, protecting the quality of life of our veterans is a top priority of this Congress, and particularly for my colleagues on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, where I chair the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee. One such veteran I have the privilege of representing, Master Sergeant Brian Graves of Virginia Beach, flew missions over the Middle East for the United States Air Force. Today, he lives with breathing problems after inhaling jet fumes and being exposed to other toxins during his time of service. The COVENANT Act will dramatically streamline the VA benefits process for thousands of veterans like Master Sergeant Graves. Between June 2007 and February 2021, we know that 13,900 veterans filed a disability benefit claim related to toxic exposure. Mr. Speaker, of those nearly 14,000 veterans, only 4,000 claims were granted. That is simply unacceptable. We cannot allow history to repeat itself. Veterans like myself watched our peers who served in Vietnam wait decades for the benefits they deserve. The recent veterans who served in the Middle East, southwest Asia, east Africa, and the Philippines need our help today. Mr. Speaker, they are hurting and, in some cases, dying. Congress must not neglect them in their time of need. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the COVENANT Act, a comprehensive approach to securing benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances overseas.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize two young women from Virginia Beach, Gabriella Gonzalez and Morgan Harvey, who were awarded the National Medal of Honor Lifesaving Award from the Girls Scouts of the USA. After practice on a hot summer day in August 2019, Morgan and Gabriella's rowing club team decided to take turns jumping from a rope swing into Virginia Beach's Lake Joyce. The summer fun took a turn for the worse when their coach, Dr. Mark Winters, severely fractured his ankle on the bottom of the lake. Gabriella and Morgan both sprang into action to assist Dr. Winters. Gabriella swam along with other crew members to help her coach, holding his body above water and comforting him as he went into shock. Morgan rowed back to shore, helped guide rescue crews to the location, and organized team members to provide additional support. With their help, Dr. Winters was able to receive prompt medical attention, likely saving his life. Both Gabriella and Morgan credit their experience as girl scouts in preparing them for the intense situation. With the poise and bravery that they displayed in such a critical moment, Morgan and Gabriella are more than worthy of the National Medal of Honor Lifesaving Award. It is important that we recognize individuals in our communities who go above and beyond to make a difference. I am proud to represent these two young heroes in Congress, and I congratulate Gabriella and Morgan on receiving this well-deserved honor.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, legacy, and advocacy of Gabrielle Aldea. Gabby was a tireless fighter for expanding access to healthcare for those with preexisting conditions. She was born with a bladder the size of a thimble. Gabby spent the first 7 years of her life in and out of the hospital. A tenacious voice for reform and compassion, Gabby overcame this adversity and took to civic engagement. She became a voice for those who too often cannot speak for themselves and an inspiration for our community. I rise today to call on my colleagues to join me in honoring Gabby's legacy by recommitting to the value of expanding access to healthcare and fostering a more equitable community for this generation and for generations to come.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, the perpetrators of this heinous attack on our Nation's democracy were Americans encouraged and emboldened by President Trump because he could not accept the outcome of a free and fair election. His actions are seditious, and the President has proven that he is not fit to serve. History will look back on this moment to see who stood strong in support of American democracy. As my colleagues have said, we must come together, but our Nation cannot begin to heal until there is accountability for the atrocity we witnessed last week.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Nancy Stern upon her retirement from Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc. For over 20 years, Nancy has led Rural Health as the center's Chief Executive Office. In her time as CEO and beyond, Nancy has exhibited extraordinary passion for the Eastern Shore community and has been a staunch advocate for Community Health Centers nationwide. Nancy began her career as a health educator, originally working part- time as she raised her young family. She worked in health education for over a decade before taking the role of Director of Human Resources for Rural Health. After three years in this role and another two years as the Director Operations, Nancy was appointed as Rural Health's CEO where she has remained for the last 20 years. Nancy has been a key figure in Rural Health's growth, modernization, and expansion to meet 21st century standards. Under Nancy's leadership, Rural Health added adult dental and behavior health care to better assist Eastern Shore residents. Nancy also oversaw the Eastville Community Health Center's construction as well as the expansion and replacement of the Onley and Atlantic Community Health Centers respectively. Additionally, she led Rural Health in acquiring a partnership with Kiwanis International for the Chincoteague Community Health Center. In her 20-year tenure, Rural Health's workforce expanded from 100 employees to 300 and increased its budget from $6 million to $29 million today. Nancy's dedication to providing for the health and well being of the Eastern Shore community is truly inspiring. I am proud to honor and recognize her leadership and the role she has played in making our community a better place. Coastal Virginia is a better place because of her efforts.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. This NDAA will provide the tools and resources essential to maintaining our national security. I am pleased that the conference report includes a 3 percent pay raise for our troops and invests robustly in initiatives to compete with China, Russia, and others who threaten our security around the world. The conference report includes vital investments in our fleet, our readiness, and continued construction of the Virginia-class submarine and the modernization of our nuclear deterrence through the Columbia- class submarine. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to supporting the final passage of this bipartisan legislation and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3587) to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the accessibility of websites of the Department of Veterans Affairs to individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes.

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials to S. 3587.

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 3587 will require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the accessibility of VA websites to our veterans and VA employees with disabilities and to ensure that these websites comply with the accessibility standards established by section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 508 ensures that disabled Americans have equal access to electronic and information technology. As it stands today, the VA has not brought all of its online services into compliance with this existing law. This bill forces the VA to take a closer look at all of its websites and electronic services, identify the ones that are not legally compliant, and develop a correctional plan to make those services functional for the disabled. This will be particularly helpful to our blind veterans. According to a 2018 study conducted by the Veterans Health Administration, our country has an estimated 131,500 legally blind veterans, though that number is projected to grow in the coming decades. Because these individuals depend on screen readers and magnification software when using websites, apps, kiosks, and telehealth tools, it is imperative that all VA programs be compatible with accessible communications technologies. That way, every veteran has equal access to the essential information and services that the Department provides. Mr. Speaker, not only will this legislation better assist veterans seeking care and benefits from the VA, it will also assist the Department's own disabled employees. Far too often, the VA utilizes inaccessible PDF formats when conducting internal operations, hindering its own employees who rely on screen readers in their work and in their service to our veterans. This legislation will identify and improve these barriers for services to the public. Last year, I met with a group of blinded veterans, and they explained the structure of the VA websites and how it makes it difficult for them to learn about treatments and schedule doctor appointments. To remedy this problem, I introduced the House companion to this bill, H.R. 1199, the VA Website Accessibility Act. Blinded veterans deserve equal access to all VA services, and I am honored to champion their cause. Our heroes should not have to wait a day longer. Today, we can help thousands of veterans receive better access to healthcare resources. I urge support of the VA Website Accessibility Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 900) to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bozeman, Montana, as the ``Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'', as amended.

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous materials on S. 900, as amended.

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the life of Army Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins, who was killed in Iraq on June 1, 2007. I thank my colleague, Mr. Gianforte from Montana, for bringing this bill before us so we may all pay tribute to a selfless public servant. Travis was born on December 9, 1975, to parents Jack and Elaine. Growing up in Bozeman, Montana, he was an active outdoorsman, spending most of his time fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling. After high school, he worked as a painting and concrete contractor but soon felt called to serve. On November 9, 2000, 24-year-old Travis joined the Army. He deployed to Kuwait with the 101st Airborne Division in March of 2003 and was an infantry team leader during the invasion of Iraq later that month. After that deployment, he decided to pursue college and was honorably discharged in December of 2003. But as his father put it, the civilian life just didn't do it for him, and he rejoined the Army in December of 2005 as part of the 10th Mountain Division and was again deployed to Iraq. Mr. Speaker, on June 1, 2007, during a route clearance in a town outside of Baghdad, Atkins' unit noticed two men trying to cross a road that they were securing. Atkins asked the men to stop. When trying to search one of the men, a fight broke out. Realizing the man was wearing a suicide vest, he fought to keep him from finding the trigger. Eventually, he did. Without hesitating, Staff Sergeant Atkins bear- hugged the insurgent, threw him to the ground and pinned him there, shielding his fellow soldiers only a few feet away. Staff Sergeant Atkins saved three men that day. In every account of his character from his battle buddies, the word most used to describe him was a ``leader,'' and a fine leader he was, right up until his final moments. Surviving Sergeant Atkins are his parents and his son, Trevor. Trevor said that he wants his father to be remembered as the best dad and the best soldier that anyone could ask for. At the White House, on March 27, 2019, Trevor accepted his father's Medal of Honor. The legacy of Staff Sergeant Atkins--of loyalty, of dedication, of leadership--must never be forgotten. As the citizens he protected, we honor him by trying to live by his example to care deeply and lead well. While we will never be able to fully convey the depth of our gratitude to the Atkins family, I hope that this bill, the naming of the clinic in his hometown, will offer some fraction of that comfort. Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in passing S. 900, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LURIA

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous materials on S. 3147.

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3147) to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress reports on patient safety and quality of care at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.