Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bipartisan compromise to fund our Federal Government for the remainder of the year. It is frustrating that the Trump administration inserted itself into our congressional funding negotiations last year, which unnecessarily delayed this bill for 7 months. The delay created uncertainty and instability for local governments, schools, businesses, and the families we represent. Nevertheless, this final funding package we have under consideration today is a win for Minnesotans and Americans. Democrats stood strong and united. That is why this bill does not include any funding for President Trump's wasteful border wall, which he wanted to pay for with cuts to our priorities here at home. As the ranking member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, I am proud that we removed more than 75 poison pill riders from our part of the bill. These destructive policies would have delisted endangered species, rolled back environmental protections, and chipped away at our public lands. In addition to removing these harmful Republican riders, Democrats also succeeded in holding off many devastating cuts proposed by the Trump administration. We protected the EPA from steep cuts to its work to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink. We fully funded the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to keep our lakes and communities that rely on them healthy. We increased funding for the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities, which enrich the quality of life across this Nation. This final, bipartisan agreement will protect our environment, meet our trust and treaty obligations to Native Americans, and safeguard our natural and cultural heritage. Sadly, the President's 2018 budget would undo all this work, so we must stay vigilant. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the chairman of the full committee as well as the ranking member, Mrs. Lowey. I would also like to give a special thank-you to the chairman of the subcommittee, Ken Calvert, and to all of our staff, both Republican and Democrat, on both sides who worked so hard to make this bill possible, along with my personal staff. Mr. Speaker, I encourage an ``aye'' vote on this bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday marked President Donald Trump's 100th day in the White House. Over the last 100 days, Mr. Trump's policy proposals, irresponsible rhetoric, and controversial appointments have made our families and communities less secure, our businesses less confident about the future, and our nation more isolated in the world. Despite total Republican control of Congress, President Trump has been incapable of governing responsibly. Just this week--because of Republican dithering--Congress was forced to pass another stopgap spending bill to keep the government open for just seven days, denying Americans the certainty they deserve. The first 100 days have revealed a President who is proposing legislation and taking executive actions that hurt working Americans at every turn. TrumpCare, the Republicans' disastrous health care bill, leaves 24 million Americans uninsured and causes out-of-pocket costs to skyrocket. It forces older Americans to pay higher premiums, rations health care for vulnerable children, seniors, and people with disabilities, and weakens the solvency of Medicare. Huge opposition from Democrats and active, engaged citizens has stopped this legislation for now, but Mr. Trump is still working to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. He has even threatened to cause the total collapse of our health care system and undermine the coverage we all depend on for purely political purposes. That is despicable. If working families were unsettled by Mr. Trump's threat to their health care, his proposed budget shows just how far backwards he wants to take our country. He wants to slash job training programs, hurt American seniors by cutting Meals on Wheels, slow down our communities by gutting infrastructure funding, and eliminate important investments in health research, education, and the arts and humanities. And Mr. Trump's backwards budget strips the Environmental Protection Agency of the resources it needs to protect public health and safety. As the Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I know that the attack on the EPA's budget is just one part of Mr. Trump's all-out war on clean air, clean water, and our public lands. In his first 100 days, Mr. Trump and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt have undone protections for clean water, allowed the continued use of dangerous neurotoxins, and reversed clean air rules that help stem the threat of climate change. In doing so, they have repeatedly ignored the findings of their own scientists. Mr. Trump and Mr. Pruitt's denial of climate science and pledges to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement are transforming our nation from the global leader in combating climate change into an environmental rogue state. The only winners? Billionaires, the fossil fuel industry, and polluters that profit at the expense of our families, our communities, and our planet. Billionaires and big corporations are also the big winners in Mr. Trump's so-called tax reform plan. His proposal amounts to a massive giveaway to the wealthiest Americans adding trillions to the federal debt and leaving working families holding the bag. Since Mr. Trump has broken with precedent and kept his tax returns secret, we can only speculate about how much he and his family businesses will benefit from his tax plan. In fact, until Mr. Trump releases his tax returns, a cloud of suspicion will hang over his entire White House. Given that Russia interfered in our electoral process to help Mr. Trump win the election and his first National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, left amid a Russia-related scandal, Americans deserve a complete and independent investigation. Yet Congressional Republicans continue to cover up for President Trump and are still blocking accountability and transparency. Every time President Trump has made alarming decisions, from an unconstitutional ban on immigrants and refugees to attacks on women's health care at home and abroad, millions of engaged Americans have spoken up and spoken out against his dangerous and divisive policies. In Minnesota, I have seen engaged citizens make their voices heard at my town hall meetings and vibrant demonstrations, like the Women's March, the Tax March, and the March for Science. There is a consensus among the tens of thousands of Minnesotans I have spoken to: We want America to move forward and we will work to resist and stop Trump administration policies and proposals that take our nation backwards. After President Trump's first 100 days, it is clear that we must join together to hold his White House accountable. In the next 100 days, and all the days that follow, I will keep standing alongside my constituents fighting for the values we believe in.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act (H.R. 534). World Expos are gatherings of millions of people from around the globe exploring ideas, innovation and international understanding. A World Expo is a six month long event that highlights the very best that the host city and nation has to offer in science, technology, innovation, and culture. It is no wonder that states and cities across the United States are interested in competing on the global stage and hosting a World Expo. A city that hosts a World Expo instantly becomes a global destination. My home state of Minnesota is competing against Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lodz, Poland to host the 2023 World Expo. Minnesota's bid intends to focus on health innovation based on the theme ``Wellness and Well-Being for All.'' Minnesota's healthcare industry is advanced, global, and innovative--and it deserves the spotlight. Hosting the World Expo in 2023 would be a remarkable event for the people of my state. Unfortunately, an American state or city competing to host a World Expo is currently at an almost insurmountable disadvantage because the United States is not a member of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE)--the governing body for World Expos. Unless Congress affirmatively authorizes the State Department to rejoin the BIE, from which the United States withdrew almost two decades ago, it is unlikely that Minnesota or any other state or city will be awarded a World Expo. The U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act is a bipartisan effort that levels the playing field. It authorizes the Secretary of State to take the steps to rejoin the BIE immediately. By ending this harmful self-imposed isolation from the BIE, the United States will once again be in a position to host a World Expo and showcase the innovation, culture, and beauty of our great nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 534, legislation that lets our country compete for the many benefits provided by hosting a World Expo.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize the last surviving member of the Stillwater, Minnesota ``Last Man's Club'' of World War II veterans, Mr. Jean DeCurtins. At age 98, Mr. DeCurtins is the only survivor of the 180 men who left Stillwater in February 1941 as part of the Minnesota Army National Guard's 34th Infantry Division Red Bulls mobilization for World War II. The A&D Last Man's Club was named for the A and D Army Companies in which members served and in honor of Stillwater's original Last Man's Club of 34 Civil War veterans. Private DeCurtins served in Company D, the heavy-weapons company of the 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. He fought in six battles and 14 engagements in North Africa and Italy, including the Battles of Monte Cassino and the Gothic Line. Injured twice during his service, taking shrapnel to his hand at the Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisa and in the head at the Anzio beachhead in Italy, DeCurtins returned to the battlefield both times. For his brave service, DeCurtins was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. The day after Christmas in 1944, Mr. DeCurtins returned to his parents' home in Stillwater, a decorated Army Private First Class. He took a job on a line crew for Northern States Power Co. where he worked until he retired in 1981. He still lives in his parents' home with his brother Johnny, also a World War II veteran, a home he has lived in for over 90 years. Still active in his community and an avid reader, DeCurtins visits the Stillwater Public Library twice daily and attends Mass at the Church of St. Michael every Saturday evening. His humility, perseverance, and sacrifice certainly personifies those known as ``the Greatest Generation,'' and we are proud to recognize him today as we remember all with whom he served. Mr. Speaker, please join me in rising to honor Mr. DeCurtins's courage and commitment to our nation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1430, which makes it harder for the Environmental Protection Agency to do its job. This bill would bring the EPA's work to a halt, undermining protection of America's health and safety. This legislation interferes with the use of sound science and creates obstacles that stop the EPA from enforcing the law. This bill is just one part of President Trump and congressional Republicans' attacks on science and our environment. Shortly after the inauguration, the Trump administration removed taxpayer-funded scientific data from public websites. Now, that is not open, that is not honest, and that is not fair to the taxpayers. This month, President Trump proposed dramatic budget cuts that would make it impossible for the EPA to enforce clean air and clean water laws. Yesterday, President Trump rescinded the Clean Power Plan, paving the way for more air pollution. We cannot go backwards. I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and other Republican efforts to weaken the environmental protections. We must put public health and scientific integrity before polluters' profits.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I missed a vote on March 24, 2017 to approve the Journal. I would have voted to approve the previous day's Journal.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, TrumpCare is a disaster for children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. The bill we are considering today has been strong-armed through this House with no public hearings. Today as we vote, we don't have an updated estimated cost from the Congressional Budget Office, but here is what we do know: Under TrumpCare, families will pay more for their insurance premiums and their deductibles. Under TrumpCare, older Americans will be forced to pay higher insurance premiums, five times higher than what others pay. Under TrumpCare, health care for vulnerable children, seniors, and people with disabilities will be rationed. Unbelievably, TrumpCare even attacks the solvency of Medicare. It will be weakened by giving big tax breaks to billionaires. TrumpCare was made even worse overnight. Now insurance companies will be able to sell policies that exclude basic health care like cancer screening and preventative care and even some hospitalizations. Mr. Speaker, this is not a healthcare bill. It is a prescription for disaster. I urge my colleagues to strongly oppose TrumpCare.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, asbestos is a deadly poison. It can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. Once detected, these patients survive only, on average, 8 to 14 months. It was true for Congressman Bruce Vento, who proudly served the families of Minnesota's Fourth District for more than 23 years in this House. Bruce was a friend, and he died from mesothelioma 8\1/2\ months after he was diagnosed. Congress has a responsibility to find real solutions to support mesothelioma victims and their families, but H.R. 985 would not support the families. In fact, it exposes families at a time of great vulnerableness. It exposes them by putting their identity, their name, their address, and the last four digits of their Social Security number on a public website--a public website--when this information has already been given in a confidential manner. It is especially outrageous to me that once again this legislation is on the floor and it fails to protect children who are victims of asbestos exposure from having their information shared publicly. Parents should have the peace of mind knowing that their child's privacy is secure and not on the internet where who knows who would be out possibly preying on them. I ask my colleagues to stand with me, stand with the mesothelioma victims, stand with their families, stand with their children, and oppose this bill, as they have asked me to do.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2017. Last year, I was unable to vote for this legislation, but the bill before us today is improved, and it is one that I can support. I was unable to vote for the previous bill because it included budget gimmicks that would have jeopardized a full year of funding for our troops and threatened readiness. I am very pleased to see this problem has been resolved. This bill provides the funding for the remainder of the 2017 fiscal year without breaking the budget caps. It also includes a much-needed pay raise for our servicemembers and ensures that they will have the equipment that they need to complete their missions and come home. What is disappointing is that we are voting on this legislation today, halfway through the fiscal year. This work should have been finished months ago. Instead, a stalled appropriations process has left the Defense Department and our troops operating under a damaging continuing resolution. Right now it doesn't appear that the FY18 process will go any smoother. President Trump's proposed $54 billion increase for defense will come at the expense of essential domestic programs that our servicemen and - women and their families depend upon: education for their children, quality healthcare for their families, safe roads to drive on, protection of our clean air and drinking water. The list goes on and on. Mr. Speaker, I am voting for this bill today, but I want to make it clear that I am very concerned about President Trump's proposed cuts that would pit our national security against the domestic needs of all Americans.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today is International Women's Day and I am proud to be a strong advocate for equity, opportunity, and full rights for women and girls both in the United States and around the world. Over my tenure in Congress, I have fought to improve women's healthcare, advance pay equity, and make sure girls have access to every educational opportunity that is available to boys. With the Trump administration now in the White House, I am very concerned that the significant progress made to improve women's lives are under threat of being diminished, rolled back or extinguished. I remain fully committed to standing up, speaking out and championing the rights of women and girls. This past weekend I attended an event hosted by the International Institute of Minnesota (IIM) to celebrate International Women's Day. It was a tremendous honor to receive IIM's 2017 Olga Zoltai Award for Service to New Americans. Special thanks to Jane Graupman, IIM's amazing executive director, and Kitty Gogins, IIM's board chair and daughter of Olga Zoltai. IIM's staff works hard doing the important work of resettling refugees. Their work builds a strong foundation for new American families that helps them achieve success and self- sufficiency. Unfortunately, the anti-immigrant executive orders issued by the Trump administration, especially the refugee ban, can only be called a betrayal of our values as Americans and the core beliefs that make this a great country. As I said in my remarks upon receiving this special award, ``There is amazing strength and perseverance in each and every refugee story. The millions of women, men and children who have found their way to America have made this country better. Their courage must now be our courage as we resist isolationism, bigotry, and the scapegoating of good people seeking freedom and a new life in America.'' I include in the Record my full remarks and a brief biography of Olga Zoltai who was truly an amazing woman. Throughout my career in Congress I have made the rights of women and girls a priority. We want a more peaceful, prosperous world, a world where children are healthy and families are strong, then let us invest in women and girls. The United States is the wealthiest nation on Earth. We must be investing in women and girls, not cutting funding and assistance that saves lives, protects the vulnerable and builds better futures. Empowering women and girls is not controversial, it is essential. It means giving every girl the opportunity she deserves--the right--to go to school and receive an education. It means eliminating discrimination, exploitation and violence against women and girls-- whether it be trafficking, forced marriage of girls, or pay discrimination right here in the United States. Empowering women means access to employment, healthcare, and safe childcare. And, empowering women means asking a room full of women to think about standing up and be leaders--maybe running for elected office one day--for school board, city council, mayor, the state legislature, or the even the U.S. Congress. I am sure that each of us here today is very concerned about new policies that are coming out of this White House that impact refugees. In my view, these policies are a betrayal of America's values and the core beliefs that make this a great country. We must resist these close minded and harmful policies. We must resist in Congress, in the courts, and in our communities. But it is also critical to continue to be welcoming, caring and embracing of all New Americans. It is more important than ever. There is amazing strength and perseverance in each and every refugee story. The millions of women, men and children who have found their way to America have made this country better. Their courage must now be our courage as we resist isolationism, bigotry, and the scapegoating of good people seeking freedom and a new life in America. Olga Zoltai was a refugee who dedicated her life to welcoming refugees. Olga's work is now our work and must continue this important work the same passion and commitment. Thank you for this very special award--I will treasure it. And, I will carry Olga in my heart as we fight to keep America a country that welcomes refugees and strives to offer hope, opportunity and freedom to all people. Thank you, Kitty. Thank you, Jane. And, thank you to everyone here today. Olga Zoltai, Patron Saint of Immigrants On Thursday, June 9, 2016, former Institute staff member Olga Zoltai passed away. Olga was a tireless advocate for refugees and immigrants. Her tenacity and dedication improved the lives of thousands of New Americans in our community. A refugee herself--at the age of 13, Olga and her family fled her hometown of Sopron, Hungary as Soviet forces invaded-- Olga worked at the International Institute of Minnesota from 1971 to 1993. During her years at the Institute, Olga designed innovative programs that responded to the needs of New Americans, transforming and strengthening our community. When Olga heard that a new federal program to resettle refugees was beginning in 1974, she knew the Institute had to do this work. The Institute's Executive Director was on his honeymoon in Thailand when Olga heard about this opportunity. No one knew exactly where in Thailand he was honeymooning, but they did know he would not be back until after the application deadline had passed. Not to be deterred, Olga began calling hotels to see if a guest matching his description was staying there. She eventually found him, received his approval, and applied. Thanks to Olga, the Institute has welcomed more than 25,000 refugees to our community. Olga was the caseworker who welcomed the first Hmong refugees to Minnesota in February 1976. She got the call of their arrival the night before the family's 6 a.m. arrival. The youngest child arrived wearing just a t-shirt, but Olga and the church sponsoring the family brought blankets to the airport. Olga Zoltai with her three children Kitty, Lili, and Peter (left to right). It is now common for refugee resettlement agencies to have caseworkers who are from the communities they serve, and it was Olga who hired the first bi-lingual case manager in Minnesota. Olga founded the Nursing Assistant Training Program in 1991 to provide New Americans access to entry-level jobs in healthcare. In the program's 25 years, more than 1,900 nursing assistants have been employed. At a recent Nursing Assistant graduation, the class speaker declared: ``Today is the greatest accomplishment of our lives. Today, we begin our lives as caregivers. You are changing not just our lives, but our family's lives as well.'' Additionally, Olga worked on hundreds of political asylum cases and was known to be a unwavering advocate for those the most complex cases. ``I was so lucky, you know?'' Olga said when she reflected on her life's story. When her chance came, ``I was able to help.'' Olga was awarded the eponymous ``Olga Zoltai Award for Outstanding Service to New Americans'' at the Institute's International Women's Day Tea in March 2016.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Woodbury, Minnesota. Located east of Saint Paul on the picturesque high ground between the Mississippi and St. Croix River Valleys, Woodbury has quickly grown from a small farming community to a bustling suburb of 68,000 residents. The city of Woodbury enters its 50th year as a thriving community for all ages, with excellent schools, vibrant businesses and beautiful neighborhoods, lakes and parks. In the 1840s, settlers primarily from the eastern U.S. and Germany arrived to the area, then called Red Rock by the native Dakota. Settlers soon incorporated the area as a township and named it after former U.S. Senator, Secretary of the Navy and Treasury, and Supreme Court Justice, Levi Woodbury. Much of the wooded land was converted into farmland, and agriculture dominated the area over the course of the next century. As development pressures increased, in 1967 residents chose to incorporate as the city of Woodbury to retain local control over rapid development of the community. Today, Woodbury is one of the fastest growing Minnesota communities and is currently the state's ninth largest city. Twenty-thousand new residents flocked to the city between 2000-2016 and many more are expected to arrive in the coming years, attracted by its tremendous amenities and easy access to freeways and planned transit connections. Woodbury is home to a flourishing health and wellness industry, and has also drawn countless other businesses to the area, which benefits from one of the most highly educated workforces in the nation. It is no surprise that Woodbury is regularly rated one of the ``Best Places to Live'' in national rankings. Since its founding, residents of Woodbury have always demonstrated a giving spirit to improve their community and welcome newcomers. As Woodbury grows and thrives, new residents are bringing diversity, creativity and energy that ensure the city will be an even better place in the next 50 years. I encourage all residents to recognize this special anniversary year and share their memories and their vision for the next half century. Mr. Speaker, as residents of Woodbury prepare to gather on March 27, 2017 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the city, please join me in honoring this milestone.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the volunteers, staff, visitors and supporters of the Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center in West Saint Paul, Minnesota on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the center. Founded in 1967 by Olivia Irvine Dodge, the center has served as a pioneering venue for environmental education and a premier outdoor classroom for generations of Minnesota students. Dodge Nature Center is a rare jewel, located on 460 acres of land minutes from downtown Saint Paul, where visitors can hike for miles through prairies, hardwood forests, lakes, wetlands, and visit a working farm, orchard and bee apiary. The various biomes and landscapes provide an ever changing classroom for which to learn about the natural environment of Minnesota. Olivia Irvine Dodge was a true trail blazer in environmental education, and the core mission of Dodge Nature Center is teaching children about the inherent beauty and complexity of the natural world around us. Throughout the past five decades, environmental educators at the center have developed an expansive environmental curriculum that has introduced hundreds of thousands of students from the Twin Cities to the science of the great outdoors. Because of the vision of Olivia Irvine Dodge and the center board and staff, children and adults alike learn how to care for and appreciate the incredible splendor of Minnesota's natural surroundings. Growing up in neighboring South Saint Paul, I was fortunate to have many opportunities to visit and learn at Dodge Nature Center both as a child and as a young. Leading groups of children through the nature center to learn about the plants and animals around us was a highlight of my summers as a YMCA camp counselor. Then as it is now, the Dodge Nature Center is an integral part of our community that allows children and adults alike to connect with nature, and enables them to learn about science and conservation. Today, opportunities to visit Dodge remain special events for me. Whatever the season, I look forward to walking trails to experience nature right in the backyard of Minnesota's capital city. On February 9th, Dodge Nature Center staff, volunteers, friends, family and supporters will gather to celebrate five decades of the center's mission to connect people to nature through education. In honoring this occasion, it is particularly fitting that Richard Louv will headline the gathering. As a world renowned author and environmental educator, Mr. Louv literally wrote the book about how to counter nature-deficit disorder and reconnect children and their families with the natural world. His work has sparked an international movement for the great outdoors that builds on the foundation forged by Olivia Irvine Dodge. Mr. Speaker, please join me in rising to recognize the 50th Anniversary of Dodge Nature Center, and commend the passion and dedication of so many volunteers, staff and board members for providing exceptional environmental education for today's youth and for future generations of Minnesotans.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 7, a bill that makes it harder for women to access comprehensive reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion. It is outrageous that, in 2017, women still have to fight for our right to make basic health care decisions. Under the Hyde and Helms Amendments, no federal dollars fund abortion. H.R. 7 would codify these unjust limitations and in fact goes much further by restricting women's access to comprehensive health care even when no federal funding is involved. Most egregiously, H.R. 7 provides no exception for abortion in cases where a woman's health is at risk. By providing no ``health of the mother'' exception, this legislation callously disregards the well- being of American women. H.R. 7 makes it impossible for women, especially low and moderate- income women, to access comprehensive health care on Healthcare.gov or state insurance exchanges. This would deny access to safe and legal abortion to American women. This legislation prevents women serving our country in the military from receiving comprehensive health care through their military or veterans' health care. H.R. 7 punishes small business owners who offer comprehensive health care to their female employees, even when it comes entirely from private funds. Finally, this legislation directly attacks the rights of women in the District of Columbia by making it harder for them to access safe and legal abortion. Every woman should be able to make her own decision about her health care without interference from either the government or her employer. Regardless of her income or her insurance policy, each woman should be able to access quality health care services that are right for her and her family. Instead of restricting access to critical health services and threatening the health and economic security of women and families, President Trump and Congressional Republicans should be supporting affordable, quality health care as a basic right for all Americans. This past weekend, I stood with millions of women across the United States, including 100,000 in Minnesota, marching to demand our voices be heard and our health care be protected. My constituents can count on me to keep standing up and speaking out against President Trump and Republicans' attacks on women's rights and women's health.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 11, Objecting to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 as an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace. H. Res. 11 is a gross mischaracterization of the U.S. position on U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 and of President Obama's steadfast commitment to Israel. The United States has always been, and will remain, a loyal friend of Israel. In fact, President Obama recently reinforced the U.S.-Israeli bond with the signing of an agreement providing Israel with $38 billion in U.S. security assistance over the next decade, the largest agreement in the history of our security relationship with Israel. While President Obama has been steadfast in preserving our relationship with Israel over the course of his presidency, he also understands that friends need to tell friends hard truths. Lockstep U.S. support for all of Israel's policies is in fact counterproductive to maintaining the strong bonds of friendship between our two countries. This is particularly true when it comes to the issue of illegal Israeli settlement expansion. This policy is one of the most serious obstacles to achieving a two-state solution, the only viable avenue to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. It has long been the bipartisan policy of U.S. administrations to oppose settlement expansion on land belonging to Palestinians before the 1967 war precisely because these settlements diminish the prospects of reaching a two-state solution and are not essential to Israel's security. Even President Ronald Reagan said of the issue in 1982 that ``further settlement activity is in no way necessary for the security of Israel and only diminishes the confidence of the Arabs that a final outcome can be freely negotiated.'' It was for this reason that President Obama chose to abstain on U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334, and I strongly supported his decision to do so. Unfortunately, H. Res. 11 ignores the history of this conflict, distorts decades of bipartisan U.S. policy and completely disregards the facts on the ground today. The U.S. abstention on U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 was not an aberration in the history of our relationship with Israel. Dating back to President Johnson, both Republican and Democratic Administrations have repeatedly abstained from U.N. Security Council resolutions related to Israel. These abstentions have often been at odds with the position of the Israeli government. Mr. Speaker, achieving a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians is not an easy task. It requires both sides to make hard choices and embrace steps necessary to making the two-state solution a reality. Right now, neither side seems willing to make the necessary sacrifices needed to resolve this conflict. Unfortunately, H. Res. 11 embraces the extreme policies of the Netanyahu government that are designed to make the two-state solution impossible, and I oppose it precisely because I am committed to securing a lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. ``. . . he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.''

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the Affordable Care Act, a law that has made a real difference in the lives of Minnesotans and Americans. After 7 years of attacking the ACA, Republicans still have not come up with a plan to replace this law. Instead, they plan to work with President-elect Donald Trump to repeal the law and destroy the progress we have made. Repealing the ACA would leave tens of millions of Americans uninsured. Repealing the ACA would let insurance companies deny coverage to more than 2 million Minnesotans with preexisting conditions. Repealing the ACA would eliminate free, high-quality preventive health care for hundreds of thousands of families in my district. Make no mistake, Republicans' ACA repeal plans would turn back the clock, leaving millions of Americans just one illness away from bankruptcy. For the sake of Minnesotans and all Americans who have benefited from this law, join me in fighting to save the Affordable Care Act.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the National Park Service Centennial Act. This year, our nation is celebrating the first one hundred years of what filmmaker Ken Burns so accurately labelled ``America's best idea''. With this legislation, we are helping to strengthen the National Park Service for its second century of serving visitors and conserving our national treasures. America's National Parks are the best example of our commitment to preserve and celebrate the natural wonder and cultural heritage of the United States. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations can have the same chance our families do to experience our national landscapes and history. The Centennial Act will support that goal by building upon the public-private partnerships created by the extremely successful National Park Service's Centennial Challenge. Federal investments of $25 million over the past two years have been more than doubled by private investments. These public-private collaborations provide an opportunity to reinvest in our parks and to re-engage with the hundreds of millions of visitors who come to our parks every year. In Minnesota's 4th District, the Centennial Challenge supported a vibrant new visitor center in the heart of St. Paul to connect families to an urban National Park: the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. In addition, the Centennial Act establishes an endowment for the National Park Service. The gifts and donations that go into the endowment will form a base of funding to address future park projects and needs. This endowment fund will protect ancient landscapes and tell the ever evolving story of the American people and our nation. It will help to preserve the unique ecosystem within our oldest parks, like Yellowstone and Yosemite. It will demonstrate the diversity of the American dream at the newly created Stonewall and Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monuments. For a century, the National Park Service has conserved our natural treasures, preserved our cultural heritage, offered unparalleled opportunities for recreation, and taught young and old alike about the history of our land and our people. This is an impressive legacy, and it is one we must build upon to keep our national parks a part of our national fabric for generations to come. The National Park Service Centennial Act is an important step forward to protecting that legacy, and I urge all my colleagues to support it.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor the career of Doug Peterson, who will retire from his position as President of the Minnesota Farmers Union on December 31, 2016. For more than two decades, Doug has served Minnesotans as an elected official and as leader of the state's largest nonprofit representing farmers and their families. As a member of the Minnesota State Legislature from 1990 to 2002, Representative Peterson protected the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and rural communities. As a fellow legislator, it was an honor to serve with him for eight years and work closely with him on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and later on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee. I witnessed first-hand the level of expertise and commitment he brought to his work. It is a privilege to continue to call him a friend and an ally on issues important to Minnesota's families. Beginning in 2002, Peterson became president of the Minnesota Farmers Union. Few people have had more of a positive and lasting impact on Minnesota agriculture policy. A fierce advocate for Minnesota's family farmers, he has worked tirelessly to shape and promote policies that protect their financial interests. His hard work on behalf of the farming community was most recently acknowledged when he was awarded with the 2016 Distinguished Friend of Extension by the University of Minnesota. His leadership as the head of the Minnesota Farmers Union and work with Extension has advanced family farming and helped ensure that farmers are provided with the tools they need on and off the farm to succeed, Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the distinguished career of Doug Peterson and his tremendous work on behalf of Minnesotans.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, once again, this Congress has abandoned its responsibility to provide a full-year appropriation. Months of hard work were thrown away, pushing important funding decisions down the road. I have heard from families and business leaders in my district who are worried about the uncertainty that continuing resolutions create in their daily lives. It is not a good way to govern. It is not a good way forward for our country. As the ranking member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I am disappointed that this bill only provides 5 months of funding for priorities like clean air, clean water, national parks, and our treaty obligations. We need to secure funding for hospitals and for schools in Indian Country, and it should be for a full year. We need to manage our national forests and parks and the Environmental Protection Agency's monitoring of toxins that threaten the health of our families. The decision that we have before us today only allows these programs to continue for 5 months and be in jeopardy again in April. This bill does take one important step, however, to assist with the lead poisoning crisis in Flint; although, it is less than what is needed and it comes far too late. I thank, however, Chairman Calvert and Chairman Rogers, and I thank Ranking Member Lowey for their work to ensure that this bill does not contain any new policy riders that would impact the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee's jurisdiction. My biggest concern with this legislation, however, is not interior- related, but, instead, involves the fundamental principle of our democracy. The decision by Republican leadership to include language that would limit a full public debate on Senate confirmation for the nominee of Secretary of Defense is alarming. Civilian control of our military has been a cornerstone of American democracy since our country's founding. When the Secretary of Defense position was created in 1947, this principle was enshrined into law. I think the decision moving forward in this bill is deeply concerning to all Americans.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Minnesota's vibrant Somali-American community and the many cultural, economic and social contributions members make to our state as they begin preparations to celebrate 2017 Somali Independence Day week next summer in Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Annual commemoration of Somali Independence Day is the culmination of Somali Week celebrations in Minnesota, which drew together more than 30,000 participants last July. Somali Week has grown into the Minnesota Somali communities' largest community event of the year and is one of the largest gatherings of the Somali Diaspora. Hosted in locations throughout Saint Paul and Minneapolis, this week- long festival unites people from around the world and around the state to share in cultural, entertainment and athletic events. The most notable of these activities include a multicultural soccer tournament known as `The Cup of Nations,' hosted by Concordia University in Saint Paul and a family-friendly street festival on Somali Independence Day. `Promoting Diversity through Unity and Inclusion' is the 2017 Somali Week theme established by organizers. Kajoog, a local Somali non-profit organization is leading efforts with other community partners to plan exhibitions, performances, and wide ranging panel discussions, aimed at uplifting the strengths of inclusivity. Kajoog Executive Director Daud Muhammad has forged strong collaborations with the Minnesota Historical Society, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, the Somali Museum of Minnesota, among many others to plan this vibrant festival. In addition to organizing Somali Week, Kajoog has earned recognition by local, state and federal officials, as well as law enforcement for their effective job-training and positive youth programs, and efforts to combat extremism throughout the community. Mr. Speaker, Minnesota's Somali community has added greatly to the fabric of our state and our nation. Please join me in paying tribute to community members who come together each year to celebrate Somali Week, and every day work to foster, educate, and promote cultural understanding and traditions among all Minnesotans.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize residents of the historic Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota as the community comes together to seek hope and healing. Earlier this fall, it was an honor to join community leaders to break ground on a Rondo Commemorative Plaza as a first step toward reconciliation for this neighborhood that was torn apart during the construction of the National Interstate Highway System in the 1960s. Like so many predominately black urban neighborhoods around the nation, cultural, social, and political trauma stemming from this civic wound still scars our community today. Old Rondo was Saint Paul's largest and most prominent African American community centered around a once thriving street called Rondo Avenue. From the 1900 to the early 1960's African Americans migrated from the south to seek good jobs and Saint Paul's rich and vibrant quality of life. Generations created and invested in businesses, schools, civic organizations and families. When plans were made for a National Interstate Highway System, people of color, those of limited means or political representation were not at the table. Designs for Interstate 94 landed squarely on Rondo. Over the cries and protest of its residents, bulldozers were brought in, and Rondo Avenue and the homes and businesses nearby were razed. This tight-knit community was devastated. During the decades since the freeway was built, longtime residents have worked hard to rebuild a community lost. Thanks to them today the spirit of Rondo's neighbors still burns bright. Immutable leaders like Marvin ``Roger'' Anderson, Floyd Smaller, Nathaniel Khaliq, Debbie Montgomery and countless others have brought tireless dedication and commitment to restoring the Rondo spirit and community. They've begun successful local festivals like Rondo Days and the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival which bring community together in new ways to celebrate and chart a new future. While, nothing can be done to undo the injustice that was done to the Rondo community more than four decades ago, that doesn't mean nothing should be done to help our residents remember our history so that we don't repeat it again. Anderson and other Rondo leaders are planning the Rondo Commemorative Plaza as a tangible place to acknowledge and confront the dark chapter in Saint Paul's relationship with its African American community. It will be a place to remember the vibrant Rondo neighborhood, and continue moving forward into the 21st century--with all voices at the table. This plaza will be a beautiful community gathering spot to learn about Rondo through written and oral presentations, music and art. It will serve as a social gathering place for all generations, for visitors to appreciate and remember the history of Rondo and the strength of residents that lives on. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the strong will and unassailable pride of the Rondo community as they build the Rondo Commemorative Plaza. We look forward to the grand opening of this special place and the big step in healing and reconciliation of the past.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Saint Paul District on 150 years of service to residents of Minnesota and the entire upper Mississippi region. The Saint Paul district has, over the past century-and-a-half, conserved our aquatic habitats, managed the effects of drought and flood damage, provided outdoor recreation areas for the public, and ensured that the products and services produced in our region have the ability to be transported safely via our waterways. This is only to name a few of the critical tasks performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Saint Paul District. The Saint Paul District celebrates its birthday on August 17th every year because it was on that day in 1866 that Major General G.K. Warren, a West Point Graduate acclaimed for his leadership in the battle of Gettysburg, arrived in Saint Paul. His orders were seemingly modest: To establish an engineering office. He could not have known at the time, but the office that he established would go on to be entwined with the economy and history of the entire region. The first emergency that the St. Paul District responded to was the collapse of the Eastman Tunnel of Nicollet Island in Minneapolis. With expertise and precision, the Saint Paul district constructed structures to save both the island and nearby St. Anthony Falls. The structures that they built are still in use to this day. Later on its history, the Saint Paul District supported the nation's mobilization during World War II. The Saint Paul District dredged the Minnesota River to the Port of Cargill, where Minnesota-based Cargill was building ships for the war effort. In addition, they also built an ordnance plant in Arden Hills, Minnesota, and airports in Fargo and Devil's Lake, North Dakota. Today, any visit to the Mississippi River in St. Paul, showcases the work that the Saint Paul District does. The 13 locks and dams, and 9 foot navigation channel that the Saint Paul District operates and maintains, goes to support economically crucial inland navigation that benefits the entire upper Mississippi region. One of the most important tasks that the Saint Paul District has is to help communities combat the effects of flooding through disaster support and by the construction of flood risk management projects. This includes 16 large reservoirs for flood risk reduction that also offer recreation and fish and wildlife habitat. Another little known operation of the Saint Paul District is the operation of 49 separate recreation areas open to the public. The Saint Paul District has supported the citizens of the Fourth Congressional District, and thousands of people in the upper Mississippi River region for 150 years. Every task that they undertake goes to benefit the people they serve by strengthening the local economy, enabling the movement of goods and people, maintaining and restoring natural aquatic ecosystems, and reducing and preventing the effects of floods and droughts. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Saint Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 150 years of service.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, my dear friend, Frank J. Indihar, MD passed away on October 23, 2016. He leaves a legacy of both medical excellence and committed service to my community, the state of Minnesota, and our nation. From 2002 through 2008, Dr. lndihar led Bethesda Hospital as Chief Executive Officer, after serving as its Medical Director for several years and decades as a practicing physician. Bethesda Hospital, located steps from the State Capitol in Saint Paul, is a long-term acute care hospital with a reputation for first-class specialty care. Under his management, Bethesda improved its programs and services and undertook major facility renovations. The entire Midwest greatly benefited from Dr. Indihar's long list of accomplishments at Bethesda, including establishing the Capistrant Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, starting an innovative clinic to treat young people injured from concussions, and creating a therapeutic garden for patients, families, and employees. With Bethesda's specialty in treating brain injuries, Dr. Indihar was a key resource to me as we worked to ensure that our servicemembers and veterans receive the health care they need, including assessment and treatment for those who sustained traumatic brain injuries during their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. Indihar greatly assisted me with my work on this issue in Congress. As a Major in the United States Army Medical Corps, Dr. Indihar began his medical career serving in Vietnam and Washington, DC, and was awarded a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster in 1970 for his brave and meritorious service. In 1973, he served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine Service at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Indihar demonstrated a steadfast commitment to excellence in medicine. Among his numerous professional positions, he was President of the Ramsey County Medical Society and served as Delegate and Chair of the Minnesota delegation to the American Medical Association House of Delegates for many years. His dedication to medicine was especially apparent through his lifelong mentorship of medical students. Frank was known as a Renaissance man and demonstrated strong support for the arts community in Minnesota. He also made extensive civic contributions to the boards of Catholic Services to the Elderly, the Minnesota Orchestra, New Connections, and the Saint Paul Seminary. I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Frank's wife, Anita Pampusch, as well as his sisters, nephew and nieces, and grandnieces. My heartfelt condolences also go out to his colleagues at Bethesda Hospital and HealthEast for their loss. It was an honor to work with Frank, and I valued our continued friendship in his retirement. He was a kind and extraordinary person who will be deeply missed.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, each November we celebrate the contributions of First Americans with National Native American Heritage Month. The people of the 567 diverse, federally recognized tribal nations--including the 11 Ojibwe and Dakota nations in Minnesota--play a complex and vital role in our nation's history, and make our communities and our country stronger today. Despite centuries of violent discrimination and abusive policies, our country's Native American cultures and nations have endured. Tribal governments and Native communities have made monumental progress. Our federal trust relationship with tribal nations has grown stronger in the current era of self-governance among Native American tribes--a proud accomplishment that will continue to require the federal government's full and respectful engagement. As a co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and the Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I have had the honor to meet with hundreds of tribal leaders to discuss the needs of Indian Country. Working together, we have succeeded in making substantial progress on education, health, and criminal justice issues through measures like the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, increased funding for the Bureau of Indian Education, and special tribal jurisdiction in domestic violence cases. Despite these concrete steps, we have much more work to do to address disparities, invest in Indian Country, and create more opportunities for all Native Americans--especially Native youth. As we honor the achievements and resilience of our First Americans, I pledge to continue working to ensure that our Native American brothers and sisters have every opportunity to succeed.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, on November 13, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to appoint Stephen Bannon, a Breitbart News executive, as chief strategist and senior counselor to the President. In response to this announcement, Richard Cohen--the president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups in the United States--issued the following statement about Mr. Bannon and his past work: ``Stephen Bannon, a man who led a media empire into becoming what a former Breitbart editor called `a cesspool for white supremacist mememakers,' simply has no business in the White House. ``In July, Bannon boasted that Breitbart News was `the platform for the alt-right.' The alt-right, as we know, is simply a rebranding of white nationalism and is the energy behind the avalanche of racist and anti-Semitic harassment that plagued social media platforms for the entire presidential campaign. Once the news of Bannon's appointment hit white supremacist websites last night, forums like Stormfront erupted in celebration. ``In his victory speech, Trump pledged to be the president for `all Americans' and to `bind the wounds of division' in our country. Appointing someone like Bannon, who will have the president-elect's ear every single day, makes a mockery of that pledge.''