Grace Meng

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and appreciation that I rise today to honor Brenda Connolly, who is retiring after serving 35 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ms. Connolly has been a member of my team since I was first elected to the House of Representatives. She is a trusted advisor and a centering force throughout the unpredictability of Washington. If you have met Brenda, then you know her retirement means more than just losing a staff member--it is the loss of an incredibly funny, talented and caring person who left a profound impact on everyone she has come across. I was recently asked if there was anything I would change about Brenda's time in our office, and without hesitation I simply responded `nothing.' Before coming to Washington, D.C., Brenda grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan. She then graduated from the University of Michigan--Go Blue-- where she met her husband Doug with whom she has two children, Nicholas and Caitlin. Brenda has been such a keystone of my team despite our superficial differences, because we understand one another. We both attended the University of Michigan, we value time with our families above all else, our children always come first, and we have the same sense of humor. Our team shared many of Brenda's firsts while she worked with me: her first manicure, her first Kahlua, and her first viewing of The Office. Brenda was also there for one of my most significant firsts: my first day in Congress. Brenda taught me more about Capitol Hill than she probably realizes. She put my job in perspective, made sure I was on time for the important things, and helped me understand how to let the small things slide. Brenda was always proactive about what we needed, always raising potential concerns before I thought of them. Brenda has an incredible talent for making meaningful people-to-people connections; and in her 35 years on Capitol Hill, I can only imagine the countless connections she has made through the years. I know we will dearly miss Brenda's nature paintings, holiday sweaters, and unrepeatable metaphors. From her first day on February 7, 1985, Brenda understood that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. I wish her a wonderful and fulfilling retirement with many years of happiness. On behalf of all the people she has made laugh, served, and worked with, I thank Brenda for her many years of service to New York and the United States of America. Brenda will be deeply missed.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce two pieces of legislation in recognition of this week being National Period Poverty Awareness Week, and today being Menstrual Hygiene Day. Madam Speaker, more than half of the U.S. population will likely menstruate every month for decades of their lives. Unfortunately, studies have shown that 1 in 4 women and girls report that they struggle to afford menstrual products. This lack of menstrual products is often called ``period poverty,'' and it can adversely affect a person's health and well-being. It is further heartbreaking that 1 in 5 women and girls report missing work or school due to a lack of access to menstrual products. Period poverty, in fact, is linked with self- perception and mental health. It also exacerbates the cycle of poverty by further marginalizing those who menstruate, causing them to withdraw from daily life, forego pay, or miss educational opportunities. It also impacts one's physical health, as the risk of infections increase with use of substitutes, such as paper towels or toilet paper, or because of an inability to change products as frequently as recommended. This is unthinkable and simply wrong. Menstrual equity--one's equitable access to menstrual products--is not a luxury; it is a health right, and a human right. Of course, this period poverty existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic; but today, with over 40 million Americans now out of work due to the pandemic, the socioeconomic and health challenges of individuals facing period poverty is further enhanced and heightened. Madam Speaker, periods do not wait for pandemics. Ultimately, menstrual products are essential to the health and economic well-being of individuals in both overcoming and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. My resolution raises awareness regarding period poverty. It also urges local, State, and Federal agencies to ensure free access to menstrual products for individuals in need during the COVID-19 response, including for essential frontline workers; students; low- income families; individuals experiencing homelessness; and incarcerated and detained individuals. Additionally, to encourage greater donation and distribution of menstrual products to individuals who need such products, I introduced the Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act. In times of tragedy and need, Americans have always come together in the spirit of generosity. But alas, due to certain menstrual products like tampons being considered ``Class 2'' medical products, such designations deter the donation of such products--out of fear of liability issues. As such, liability concerns, even for products donated in good faith, limit both the supply and availability of menstrual products, as well as individuals' choices in how their menstruation needs are met. As such, my bill--the Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act--would provide the liability protection for donated and distributed menstrual products that are given and received in good faith. As we strive to expand one's ability to access these products, my bill would support the generosity of those who donate and distribute these products. Madam Speaker, as I continue to fight for menstrual equity for all, I urge my colleagues to support both pieces of legislation so we can end period poverty--once and for all.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of my bill--The Farm to Fridge Act of 2020. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants across the country have been forced to close--and as a result, many farmers have been unable to sell their food. This has dramatically disrupted incomes and supply chains, and resulted in food waste. Meanwhile, families across the country are struggling to find new ways to purchase affordable food beyond grocery stores as they adhere to social distancing and experience disrupted food supplies. In the face of COVID-19, farmers are eager to pivot from selling to restaurants wholesale to selling direct-to-consumer, but in order to do so, they need expensive machinery and marketing funds to make this transition. At the same time, merchants need support to expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help communities access locally- and regionally-produced agriculture. All the while, consumers are eager to purchase food products locally and regionally. The Farm to Fridge Act would bridge all these entities by expanding two existing programs for efforts to diversify farms' and merchants' customer bases: the Value Added Producer Grant program and the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program. Both of these programs will ultimately inject necessary capital to help both farmers and merchants to close gaps in our supply chain, supplement income to farmers, and increase food access for families. I thank my colleague, Representative Fred Upton, for introducing this important, bipartisan measure and urge my colleagues to support it. After all, during this coronavirus pandemic, the last thing families should worry about is access to food.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise in the midst of a global health emergency that has re-calibrated each of our lives, including for over 55 million students across the country who are now forced into remote learning. To help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID- 19), over 124,000 public and private schools have closed across the country--many for the remainder of the academic year. These actions have laid bare to the American people the critical role internet access plays in our society. Before the pandemic struck, there were nearly 12 million students who were part of the so-called ``homework gap''--meaning they lacked internet access at home to complete their homework. This is a problem because as many as 7 in 10 teachers assign homework that requires internet access. To keep up with their connected peers, homework gap students had to travel to a library or other public places to use its free Wi-Fi--or risk not completing their homework and falling further behind academically. Fast forward to now, with millions of people sheltering at home, students are participating in remote learning that includes class meetings, explanations of new content, virtual field trips, homework, and learning exercises. As such, for those students without internet, this gap seems more like a chasm. Students without internet service will fall further behind as students with internet service at home can continue advancing in their studies. Whether they live in urban centers, suburbs, or exurbs, or small communities in rural America, all students require internet connectivity to succeed during this pandemic. That is why I introduced the Emergency Educational Connections Act, H.R. 6563 which would provide $2 billion to the FCC's E-Rate program to ensure students can continue their studies from the safety and comfort of their homes. Through this program, the FCC can distribute funds to schools and libraries, including Tribal schools and libraries, relatively quickly. We do not have to reinvent any processes to help students. Madam Speaker, it is imperative that the Emergency Educational Connections Act, H.R. 6563 be included in the next coronavirus relief package to ensure no child loses out on an education because they lack internet access at home. I urge all my colleagues to support it and see it signed into law. We must finally see an end to the digital divide.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight the critical need for translated COVID-19 outreach materials during this pandemic response. We must ensure that language barriers do not prevent individuals from accessing vital and potentially life-saving information. No one must be left in the dark. Each of us must do our part to overcome this unprecedented public health crisis. And yet, there are over 25 million people across our nation who have limited English proficiency. That is why I introduced the COVID-19 Language Access Act, which would require any federal agency that receives coronavirus-related funding to provide COVID-19 written resources to the public in 19 languages: Spanish, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Haitian Creole, French, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese, Greek, Polish, Thai, and Portuguese. These selected languages are based on the languages required in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Language Access Plan for Disaster Assistance. The CDC already provides language accessibility telephone services in 16 languages and some COVID-19-related material in up to 14 languages. Additionally, the CARES Act requires the SBA to provide resources in 10 languages. Madam Speaker, fighting this pandemic requires the collaboration of everyone. But to do so, we must eliminate any language barrier for our constituents, so that they are best prepared, informed, and ready to fight against this pandemic. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise in the midst of a global pandemic to emphasize importance and need of America's global leadership to combat COVID-19. I have seen firsthand in my district in Queens, NY--the epicenter of the epicenter--that those who were the most vulnerable before this crisis, such as individuals who were experiencing homelessness or housing instability, economic instability, or food insecure--are also the most likely to be affected by this pandemic. There is a temptation, in this moment of extreme personal suffering, to buy into the dichotomy that we can either help Americans or we can help our allies. This is a false choice. By only focusing on ``flattening the curve'' in America, we not only risk the lives of allies and partners in other countries, but we risk a resurgence of cases as the global economy re-opens. As a Member of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I believe it is more critical than ever to pass a robust international affairs budget that supports the healthcare systems of developing countries. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene programs, for example, are more critical than ever. Vigorously washing our hands has become our new normal in the U.S., but that requires access to a safe, reliable water supply, which is not available in many communities around the world. Americans leadership is not only needed to stop the physical spread of the virus, but also to deal with its serious, secondary consequences. For instance, crises and emergencies exacerbate cases of domestic violence; we have already seen this evidence here at home during this pandemic. Humanitarian programs, like the Safe from the Start program which I have strongly advocated for, supports surges in rapid deployment of senior gender advisors to at-risk communities during humanitarian emergencies. This type of programming seeks to mitigate gender-based violence and develop ways to include women in decision-making processes. With that, I am proud to have spearheaded my bipartisan legislation Safe from the Start Act (H.R. 4092)--to codify this critical program. Madam Speaker, American leadership is critical in the global fight against COVID-19; without it, this global health crisis will continue to devastate countries around the world and rebound back to our shores.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Youth, Peace, and Security Act, the first comprehensive legislation that would prioritize the inclusion of youth in conflict resolution. There are more than 1.8 billion youth in the world. Whether here in the U.S. or abroad, youth populations have long been at the forefront of building peace in their communities by creating youth-led movements, organizations, and networks to mitigate negative effects of conflict and to prevent recurring cycles of violence. Inclusive peace processes are proven to more holistically address the root causes of violence and lead to more sustainable peace. Not only is it important to include youth in conflict resolution for the sake of inclusivity, it has also been proven to lead to more sustainable peace. For example, Somali Youth Learners Initiative (``SYLI'') was created to improve Somali youths' access to education and to promote civic engagement. After learning leadership and nonviolent conflict resolution skills through the program, the students were able to implement their own youth-led community projects and communicate effectively with politicians about policies that impact youth. Youth who gained access to improved secondary school and civic engagement opportunities through SYLI and the community projects were 65 percent less likely to demonstrate moral or material support for political violence. My bill will codify the roles of a Youth Coordinator at USAID and Youth Points of Contact in relevant bureaus; integrate youth consultation into program design; and provide financial and technical assistance to youth-led initiatives in pursuit of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The Youth, Peace, and Security Act is a once-in-a-generation shift in U.S. foreign policy that would bring youth voices to the table in conflicts around the world. In countries facing conflict, it will be the young people who will bear the burden of sustaining peace over generations, leading their society from reconciliation to prosperity. I am thrilled to be joined in leading this bill by my colleagues, Representatives Susan Brooks, Dean Phillips, and John Curtis, and am grateful to our other colleagues who have supported this introduction. My bill is also endorsed by over 35 non-governmental organizations. I urge the House of Representatives to join me in passing this important legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act. On March 1st, we recognized the 59th Anniversary of the Peace Corps. Established by Executive Order 10924, issued by President John F. Kennedy, and authorized by Congress, Peace Corps has been an enduring symbol of peace and friendship between the U.S. and our global community. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) sacrifice over two years of their time, working side by side with local leaders to combat some of the most pressing challenges of our generation. This is a transformational time for many of our volunteers--and I am particularly proud of the many constituents from my congressional district of New York's Sixth who have served abroad in Peace Corps. At the same time, however, I have heard from many PCVs around the world who struggle to access and afford menstrual hygiene products. These current PCVs and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) note how menstrual products are not readily available, or these items are far more expensive than they would be in the U.S. So many of these volunteers are also placed in very remote locations. In fact, for one RPCV who served in an indigenous island, she had to travel by a combination of cargo ship rides (10+ hours), plane ride(s), small boat ride, several hour hikes, and hitchhiking to get to and from the capital, where the Peace Corps Country Office is located. Ultimately, for some PCVs, not only is there a financial hurdle, but a volunteer may have to travel extremely far distances to access menstrual hygiene products. There is also vast inconsistency in the provision of these products for the volunteers. Some Peace Corps Medical Officers provide these products for free to their respective PCVs, while others are left to purchase the products out of pocket. Other country offices provide an additional stipend to volunteers to purchase these products, while other volunteers wait to receive these items in their care packages from loved ones back home. I also heard a U.S. Peace Corps staff equate these products to mere razors and shaving cream--ultimately disregarding the medical necessity for these products. To address this inequity, I am introducing a bill--the Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act--to require the enactment of a comprehensive policy that makes available free menstrual hygiene products to PCVs, or increase stipends to allow for these expenses. Menstrual hygiene products are not luxury or toiletry items. These are medical necessities; a health right and human right. And this is a simple matter of equality. Madam Speaker, today, PCVs serve in over 60 countries around the world. Nearly 65 percent of PCVs are women, and more than 90 percent of these volunteers are under the age of 50. PCVs are already making both financial and personal sacrifices in order to represent the United States abroad, and they are a critical part of U.S. development power. Peace Corps notes that `nothing is more important than the health, safety, and security of every single volunteer.' Indeed, for the health, safety, and security of these volunteers, I urge my colleagues to support the Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act. I thank my colleagues who have already joined me in introducing this critical legislation, and I urge the House of Representatives to join me in passing this critical legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Decrease Noise Level Act. For millions of Americans, noise from aircraft is a constant source of torment, whether they live right near an airport or under a regular flight path. Chronic exposure to excessive noise can lead to sleep deprivation, task interruptions, among other negative consequences, which result in untold costs on society in diminished work productivity. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently uses a Day-Night average noise level to assess the level at which noise exposure becomes ``significant'' in residential communities. However, the level that the FAA has currently deemed acceptable is 65, a full 10 decibels higher than what Europe allows. FAA's use of 65 DNL as ``significant' is based on severe and immediate health impacts, at which point damage has already been done. It is essential that the FAA considers quality of life, long-term health impacts, home values, and overall economic impact. I believe reasonable noise congestion levels should be based on a standard that falls well before the point at which long-term health is impacted. That is why I am introducing the Decrease Noise Level (DNL) Act--a bill that would require the FAA to immediately lower the level of noise that is considered ``significant'' to 60, and create a plan to lower it to 55 within 10 years. It would also require community outreach from the FAA to promote its recent study that considers alternatives to the DNL as a metric to measure noise. I urge my colleagues to join me to pass this important legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, for over 100 years, public charge has been part of U.S. immigration law as a ground of deportation. It is time we change that part of law, especially with how the current administration is weaponizing this rule to hurt families and limit them from accessing critical safety net programs. Since the Trump administration published the new public charge rule in 2018, there are reports that this has led to chilling impacts on immigrant families participating in safety net programs for fear of jeopardizing their immigration status. One in seven adults in immigrant families reported that they or a family member did not participate in a noncash benefit program in 2018, out of fear of risking future green card status. Even permanent residents who would not be affected by this proposed rule have reported forgoing safety net programs. Madam Speaker, even more frightening is that this rule instills fear in families with children. In fact, the rule could lead up to 4.7 million people to withdraw from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program alone. This fear has resulted in parents trying to opt out of free school lunch for their children--New York State schools have free lunch for all students--out of concern that they may be deemed a public charge and even possibly lose status and be deported. That is why, I am introducing the ``No Public Charge Deportation Act'', which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to remove public charge as a ground of deportation. The Trump administration is weaponizing the public charge rule to discriminate against low-income immigrants and immigrants of color. We need to assure families that they will not be deported if they legally use critical benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance. Madam Speaker, families should not have to decide between putting food on the table and risk getting deported. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to make sure families will not forgo programs that help provide basic necessities because of a public charge rule.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the need to ensure that we protect the most vulnerable of Americans, our elderly, disabled and disadvantaged citizens, from the risk of living in poverty. Social Security was established 85 years ago, to provide a structure to maintain a collective sense of security amidst the expansion and development of our great Nation. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), about 63 million Americans received $1 trillion in benefits in 2018. SSA estimates that about one-third of beneficiaries depend on Social Security benefits for more than 90 percent of their retirement income. Furthermore, the number of Americans 65-and-older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060; their total population will rise from 16 percent to 23 percent. Unfortunately, due to inflation and wide economic disparities by region, Social Security provides an uneven distribution of benefits across the country. As you know, New York City is one of the most expensive places to live in the nation, and many, especially seniors, battle with paying for even the most basic of necessities, including food and rent. That is why I am introducing the ``Locality-based Social Security Benefits Act'', which would adjust the amount of monthly old-age, survivors, and disability insurance payments under Title II of the Social Security Act based on locality-based comparability payment rates. Madam Speaker, Social Security is an important safety net that many Americans have come to rely upon as their main source of income. We must ensure that the quality of life is not dependent upon where our senior and disadvantaged citizens live in America. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the human right of every person to have a safe and affordable home. As we know, our nation is faced with a staggering housing crisis. At least 600,000 Americans are experiencing homelessness in a given night-- and this number can vary throughout the year. In the State of New York, we are faced with more than 90,000 New Yorkers without a home. Furthermore, nationwide, only 37 affordable and available homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. In my own Sixth Congressional District of New York, these numbers are even worse; only 18 housing units are available for every I00 extremely low-income households. Madam Speaker, these are not just data points; these are heartbreaking numbers--especially when one considers the families, the children in these households. We know that children living in stable, affordable homes are more likely to thrive in school and have greater opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom. And yet, low-income families continue to face the unjust and heartbreaking decision of choosing between paying rent or paying for necessary expenses such as groceries, childcare, or prescription drugs. Madam Speaker, this is a cruel and impossible decision. In September 2019, the Trump Administration took aim at individuals experiencing homelessness in the U.S. by releasing a report that targeted a handful of states and cities by offering policy responses that adopted an ``out of sight, out of mind' approach, such as rounding up and increasing the policing of vulnerable communities. Slashing HUD programs, tripling the rents for the lowest-income subsidized residents, allowing homeless shelters to discriminate against the LGBTQ community, and evicting thousands of people will only exacerbate the homelessness crisis in America. In addition, the Administration has repeatedly taken steps to increase the number of families and individuals living in unstable housing situations and those at risk of homelessness. While Congress has continued to push back against the Administration's every attempt to gut and dismantle our federal homelessness and affordable housing programs, Congress must--and can--do more. That is why I am introducing the Pathway to Stable and Affordable Housing for All Act. We need bold and robust solutions to address these housing challenges that every single congressional district faces. That is why, today, I am introducing the Pathway to Stable and Affordable Housing for All Act--a bill sets forth a 10-year investment plan based on estimates from frontline service providers and experts that focus on meeting the challenges our states and communities face every day. Specifically, this bill consists of four provisions: two of which would help states and organizations on the ground assist individuals experiencing homelessness into homeless shelters quickly and efficiently, and two focused on getting those in the shelter system into safe, affordable housing: $10 billion per year in additional funding for Emergency Solutions Grants; $10 billion per year in additional funding for Continuum of Care grants so organizations can move those experiencing homelessness into the shelter system and provide needed supports; $40 billion per year direct appropriation to the Housing Trust Fund-- on top of the existing funding provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-- to begin to chip away at the deficit of units in our nation's affordable housing stock; and Fully funding tenant-based rental assistance to allow all eligible households to get into permanent, safe, affordable housing. The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates, if enacted, this bill would effectively end homelessness and housing poverty. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this critical bill--the Pathway to Stable and Affordable Housing for All Act--to ensure housing justice for all Americans

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Today, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. On this day in 1945, Allied troops entered the Auschwitz concentration camp and liberated the more than 7,000 still-living prisoners. During World War II, the Nazi regime systematically killed approximately 6 million Jews, as well as millions of other minority populations. At least 1.3 million of these people were deported to Auschwitz, 1.1 million of whom were murdered. Today, we not only remember the Jewish lives cut short by the heinous crimes perpetrated by the Nazi regime, but we honor the nearly 80,000 Holocaust survivors still living in the United States and telling their stories to ensure that the adage ``never again'' is realized. Anti-Semites in America and around the world continue to invoke Nazi ideology and use symbols like the swastika to vandalize synagogues and Jewish institutions. This resolution emphasizes the importance of Holocaust education in schools, urges Federal agencies and the American people to commit to addressing unchecked intolerance and prejudice, and encourages Federal and local social services agencies to support Holocaust survivors so they may live their remaining years in dignity and comfort. I thank my colleagues, Congressmen Ted Deutch and Lee Zeldin, for leading this bipartisan resolution with me, to the 98 original cosponsors of the resolution, and to over a dozen American Jewish organizations who have endorsed it. I urge my colleagues to join with me and pass this important resolution.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2020, the Year of the Rat. As you may know, Asian Americans are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. With the continued expansion of Asian diaspora, Lunar New Year is now observed by millions of Asian Americans and by many non-Asian Americans in the United States. This tradition that began in China more than 4,000 years ago, is now widely celebrated across the world. Lunar New Year, often referred to as Spring Festival in various Asian countries, is celebrated with family reunions, community activities and cultural performances. This is traditionally a time to wish upon others good fortune, health, prosperity, and happiness. Beginning on the second new moon following the winter solstice, or the first day of the new year according to the lunisolar calendar, Lunar New Year extends into the full moon 15 days later. According to the lunisolar calendar, the 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival. This year, Lunar New Year officially begins on January 25th. Lunar New Year is a special time for families to come together and celebrate the occasion, which is why, when I was a state legislator, I proposed making Lunar New Year a New York City school holiday. I later worked with the mayor and successfully established Lunar New Year as an official school holiday for all public schools in the city, and this year marks the fifth anniversary of this tradition. Students, including my two boys, are now able to fully celebrate with their families on Lunar New Year without facing any consequences for missing school should the holiday fall on a school day. This designation recognizes and appreciates the important immigrant story of AAPIs. Additionally, as the first Asian American elected to Congress from New York, I am proud to introduce today a resolution to recognize the significance of this holiday. I am also grateful to the 68 Representatives who are joining me in introducing this resolution to recognize the cultural and historical significance of the holiday in 2020. Madam Speaker, I believe Lunar New Year is not only about recognizing the many contributions the Asian American community has made, and continues to make, but it is about honoring and acknowledging that our nation's strength lies in its diversity. Happy Lunar New Year to everyone celebrating in my district in Queens and across the United States.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, as the representative of Queens, where so many Korean Americans call home, I wish everyone a Happy Korean American Day. New York State has the second largest number of Korean Americans in the country. Every day in Queens, I see the vibrant influence of Korean Americans in my congressional district. Over 117 years ago, Koreans arrived on our U.S. shores. Since then, Korean Americans have enriched every facet of American history, culture, and cuisine. Whether in the entertainment industry or academia; whether in medicine or public service--Korean Americans have made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to this nation. In fact, over 70 years ago, a Korean American became the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal, and later became the first American to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in platform diving. Since the 116th Congress, we have the first Korean American Democratic Member of Congress. We also now have the first Korean American NASA astronaut. And in January 2019, I was proud that Jin Park, the first Dreamer Rhodes Scholar and one of my constituents, joined me as my guest at the State of the Union Address. Fighting for issues that matter to Korean Americans is a personal one. After all, half of my family are Korean American; my two boys are half-Korean American. Even as we celebrate the admirable history, contributions, and of course the incredible foods of Korean Americans, we cannot ignore the critical issues like human rights, immigration, health care, and education, which impact Korean Americans. On human rights, I introduced the H.R. 1771, the Divided Families Reunification Act, which would require the U.S. Secretary of State and the U.S. Special Envoy on North Korea Human Rights Issues to prioritize helping Korean American families reunite with family members in North Korea. The Korean War was a heart wrenching event that not only split the peninsula in two, it tore families apart. I am thrilled this bill passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in October 2019, and it is now awaiting consideration before the full House of Representatives. On immigration, Koreans make up the highest number of Dreamers from non-Latin American countries. I am fighting for a path to citizenship for those individuals, including Korean Dreamers, who have known this country as their only home. In June 2019, I was proud to cosponsor and vote for the House passage of H.R. 6--the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would finally provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers like Jin Park. I am also proud to cosponsor the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2019, which would close the loophole in the 2000 Child Citizenship Act. Today, there are 35,000 adult international adoptees who are in the U.S. without citizenship and are at risk of deportation. This includes thousands of Korean adoptees who are undocumented in New York. On health, while Asian Americans only make up 6 percent of the U.S. population, our community makes up more than 50 percent of hepatitis B virus cases in the nation. This is a tragedy. That is why, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Hepatitis Caucus, I secured almost $40 million in federal funds for the CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis to eliminate this deadly disease. On education, over 40 percent of Asian Americans are in community colleges. That is why I introduced the Community College Student Success Act which would improve graduation rates at under-resourced public community colleges with high percentages of low-income and minority students. And in the most recent federal funding bill that was signed into law, I secured nearly $4.5 million grant funding for institutions that have a significant number of Asian American students. After all, everyone deserves their best chance at a quality education, no matter their background. Madam Speaker, on these and so many other important issues, it is important to recognize and continue the fight. I am excited to celebrate Korean American Day with all the Korean Americans in Queens, and across our nation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, this week is Global Entrepreneurship Week--a time to recognize the importance of entrepreneurship in our communities and economy. Entrepreneurship kindles the spark of creativity and ingenuity that has been such a cornerstone of our economy. Fostering more entrepreneurs is also a poverty alleviation solution. Studies showed that for every one-percentage point increase in the rate of entrepreneurship in a state, there is a two-percentage point decrease in the poverty rate. Furthermore, additional studies show that two-thirds of adults worldwide are financially illiterate while 57 percent of U.S. adults overall are financially literate--ranking the U.S. 14th in the world in financial literacy. Only 17 states require high school students to take a course in personal finance, and students without a financial education are more likely to have low credit scores and other financial problems. Madam Speaker, we already know that entrepreneurship requires creative problem-solving skills, leadership, teamwork, and adaptability, which are skills necessary for the 21st century workforce. Forty percent of American middle and high school students say they plan to start a business, and 29 percent said they planned to invent something that will change the world. These rates increase significantly for students who participate in entrepreneurship programs. That is why I will be introducing the 21st Century Youth Entrepreneurship Act--to create a pathway to empower our youth to become next generation of leaders and innovators through the inclusion of entrepreneurship programs within our K-12 public school system, community colleges, libraries, and other community spaces. Specifically, the 21st Century Youth Entrepreneurship Act would: Amend Title IV of ESEA to allow for local and state educational agencies to include entrepreneurship programs, financial literacy programs, and leadership programs within existing curricula, utilizing pre-existing funds; and Amend the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to explicitly include ``entrepreneurship education programs'' as an allowable use of funds. Bringing entrepreneurship into places such as schools provide youth a safe space to encourage divergent thinking, learning from failure, explore reiterative processes, gain financial literacy, and learn to communicate new ideas. Entrepreneurial thinkers can turn problems into business opportunities and stay in or return to their communities, generating employment and enlarging the local tax base. The development of an entrepreneurial mindset in youth will help lead to an empowered society. Madam Speaker, as I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize Global Entrepreneurship, I urge support of the 21st Century Youth Entrepreneurship Act. Ultimately, entrepreneurs are the backbone of American society; they drive innovation, job creation, and national economic growth. And entrepreneurship programs in our schools will empower our youth to strengthen our nation by cultivating their entrepreneurial spirit.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, an estimated 12 million school-aged children lack broadband at home. 12 million students--this is a startling number. Before the internet became ubiquitous, students completed their homework with pencil and paper. This is no longer the case. Today, many students have homework that requires internet for research or to ask their teachers questions. If a student does not have that, they must find a venue that provides free Wi-Fi, like libraries, cafes, or other public venues. Unfortunately, some of these locations are not conducive to a study environment. They may be noisy or have time restrictions on internet use at a computer kiosk. Furthermore, students, then must find transportation to and from such establishments, creating additional barriers to education for the students and their families. This is a modern-day travesty that must end. That is why I am introducing the ``Closing the Homework Gap Through Mobile Hotspots Act''--a bill that would create a $100 million grant program for libraries, schools, the territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribes to build and sustain mobile hotspot programs to close the ``homework gap.'' Many schools and libraries have already created mobile hotspot programs to help students who do not have broadband at home. Essentially, students can ``check-out'' or borrow these mobile hotspots from their schools or local libraries for a set period of time. Funds for such programs, however, may lapse after a few years or when funding is eliminated. My bill will ensure this does not happen and our students have internet to complete their assignments. Madam Speaker, the Closing the Homework Gap Through Mobile Hotspots Act is a critical bill that will help close the digital divide and address the homework gap. Every child deserves their best chance at pursuing education. For the sake of our children, I urge all my colleagues to support this timely, and necessary bill.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of legislation that would prohibit the Department of Defense from deploying strategic assets of the United States in the Republic of Turkey. Since the 1960s, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has had a nuclear sharing policy whereby NATO members can host U.S. nuclear weapons as part of a broader NATO nuclear posture. Enacted during the Cold War, this nuclear sharing policy was intended to deter the posture of the Soviet Union by involving non-nuclear NATO allies alongside the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Turkey, a NATO ally, was once considered a friend of the United States. In recent years, however, it has strengthened its alliances with Russia, Syria, and Iran. Notably, Turkey's military incursion into Syria that targeted U.S. Kurdish allies and its purchase of advanced Russian antiaircraft missile systems undermine U.S. national security. President Erdogan's domestic policies have also become increasingly autocratic, as he has cracked down on freedom of speech and political freedoms. As Turkey develops stronger relations with geopolitical adversaries to NATO, it is time to reconsider any future deployment of strategic assets. Madam Speaker, this bill would prohibit funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2020 or any fiscal year thereafter for the Department of Defense from being obligated or expended for the future deployment of any strategic assets of the United States in the Republic of Turkey. I thank my colleague, Representative Gus Bilirakis, who is introducing this measure with me, as well as my colleagues, Representatives Jackie Speier and Darren Soto, who are original cosponsors. I urge my colleagues in the House Armed Services Committee, and the rest of my colleagues in the House of Representatives, for their swift consideration and support of this urgent and bipartisan legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of Women's Entrepreneurship Day which is celebrated around the world each year on November 19th. Women are leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs that drive economic expansion and advance communities around the world. Between 2018 and 2019, U.S. women of all backgrounds started an average of 1,817 new businesses per day, representing 42 percent of all businesses. These businesses generate $1.9 trillion and employs 9.4 million workers. 5.4 million businesses are owned by women of color and 99 percent of women- owned businesses are small businesses. I applaud these women entrepreneurs and their undeniable impact. I also applaud Wendy Diamond who has personally spearheaded the Women's Entrepreneurship Day movement. Since her campaign launched in 2013, her Women's Entrepreneurship Day organization has funded 500 Syrian refugee girls in Jordan so they could attend high school, launched an initiative in Oman to empower women and girls to vote against arranged marriage, and partnered with a Uruguayan university to offer scholarships to young women. Women's Entrepreneurship Day is now celebrated in 144 countries and 110 universities and colleges internationally, with numerous global ambassadors. The Women's Entrepreneurship Day mission is to empower, celebrate, and support women in business worldwide to alleviate poverty. On Friday, November 15th, Ms. Diamond hosted a Women's Entrepreneurship Day event in New York City at the United Nations in order to empower, celebrate, and support women and girls globally to alleviate poverty. During this event, Ms. Diamond and her organization honored the following individuals with their respective awards: Leah Solivan--General Partner Fuel Capital & Founder TaskRabbit-- Technology Pioneer Award; Stephanie Newby--Founder Golden Seeds, the premiere early-stage investment firm for women-led companies & Former CEO Crimson Hexagon-- Financial Pioneer Award; Patty Baker--Philanthropist, Broadway Producer, Founder Baker Scholars, Board Member Hunter College Foundation (Baker Theater Building), New York Public Theater, Naples Players, Baker Art Museum & Milwaukee Repertory Theater--Philanthropy Pioneer Award; Norma Kamali--International Fashion Designer, Founder/CEO Normalife, Founder/CEO Wellness CAFE & STOP OBJECTIFICATION CAMPAIGN--Fashion Pioneer Award; Hannah Stocking--Global Entertainer with 25+ Million Followers-- Influencer Pioneer Award; Missy Elliott--Grammy Award-Winning Musical Artist--Music Pioneer Award; Francine LeFrak--Founder/Visionary Same Sky, Chair Harvard Kennedy School Women's Leadership Board & Founder LeFrak Productions--Accessory Pioneer Award; and Wendy Diamond--Social Entrepreneur, Impact Investor, Humanitarian, Animal Advocate, Best-Selling Author and CEO/Founder of Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization--Humanitarian Pioneer Award. Madam Speaker, I urge the entire House to recognize these remarkable role models, and to celebrate Women's Entrepreneurship Day this year and every year moving forward.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, my amendment would ensure that the United States Export Finance Agency's efforts to diversify its workforce include outreach to Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, AANAPISIs. AANAPISIs, like other minority-serving institutions, can provide pathways for underserved communities to earn a degree and secure a job in the economy. The underlying bill includes outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Tribal colleges and universities. Whenever there are discussions of minority communities, it is essential that we remember to include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. For those who are the first in their family to attend college, minority-serving institutions can open doors and fulfill their dreams. If we are to have a workforce that reflects our diversity, we must ensure that our government is reaching into all underserved communities. The AAPI community is the fastest-growing minority group in the U.S. By 2060, the AAPI population is projected to reach 40 million. By engaging with minority-serving institutions like these AANAPISIs, we can help people achieve their goals, find fulfilling careers, and ensure our Nation remains globally competitive. Again, with my amendment, I am requesting that the U.S. Export Finance Agency is inclusive and engages AANAPISIs in its workforce outreach efforts. Mr. Chair, I urge support for the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, my amendment would direct the U.S. Export Finance Agency to develop and place minorities and women in paid internships. While the agency has done important work to expand market opportunities for American businesses around the globe, diversity in the workforce is equally as important. In today's economy, internships often act as the gateway to a professional career for a recent graduate. These experiences allow people to make connections and gain valuable experiences that prepare them for a full-time job. Unpaid internships can be a barrier to entering a desired career field. While some young people can take an unpaid internship, many people lack the resources to do that. This barrier has a disproportionate impact on minorities, low-income individuals, and women. When we do not have adequate diversity in internships and low-level positions, the pool of diverse individuals who can grow to serve in leadership positions in our businesses is severely stunted. That is why I introduced this amendment, to highlight the importance of paid internships. All entities should focus their efforts on compensating interns for the valuable work they contribute to their workplaces. Mr. Chair, I urge support for the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his words, and I yield back the balance of my time.