Eleanor Norton

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, this month's job report gives Americans something to cheer about. Unemployment is down a full 2 percentage points under Democratic congressional and Presidential leadership since President Biden took office. The corollary to this impressive unemployment figure is the record 6 million jobs created, a record for a new President. With the signing of the new transportation and infrastructure bill, more jobs, for example, in my own district, the District of Columbia, are on the way--$1.1 billion for roads and bridges. Build Back Better promises even more economic dividends. Analysts say Build Back Better is the biggest cost-cutting bill for the middle class in modern American history. With costs down, job growth will be spurred. Democrats are creating a new economy featuring record jobs for the American people.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce a bill that would exempt from federal government shutdowns the federal and independent civil and criminal justice system law enforcement agencies that are exclusively or primarily federally funded but have exclusive jurisdiction over District of Columbia matters. This bill is modeled on a provision I have been able to get enacted each year since the 2013 federal government shutdown to exempt the D.C. government from federal government shutdowns. This bill would exempt the following agencies from federal government shutdowns: Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for D.C., D.C. Courts, D.C. Public Defender Service, D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission and D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. With one exception, these agencies are not under the District's control and are funded exclusively by the federal government. The D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is an independent agency within the D.C. government with federal members that is primarily, but not exclusively, funded by the federal government. These agencies provide critical local services to the District, including law enforcement, and should continue to function during a federal government shutdown. Each of these agencies has been adversely affected by federal government shutdowns, including canceled services and furloughed employees. My bill would allow these agencies to continue to function during a federal government shutdown, in much the same way that the D.C. government itself is now exempt from shutting down during a federal government shutdown. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act. This bill would make the District of Columbia eligible for two federal programs that support the development and revitalization of public transportation systems in the same manner that states are currently eligible for these programs. D.C. residents pay the same federal taxes as residents of the states, and D.C. should be treated as a state in federal programs. First, the bill would treat D.C. as a state in the High-Density States Formula for certain grants from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. Currently, only states are eligible for these grants. Second, the bill would treat D.C. as a state under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program. Currently, each state is authorized to receive $1.75 million annually and each of D.C. and the territories are authorized to receive $500,000 annually. The programs in the bill fund the modernization of bus and rail fleets, the purchase of zero-emission transit vehicles, the improvement of station accessibility for all users and the extension of transit service to new communities. They especially benefit communities of color, since these households are twice as likely to use public transportation. The House-passed surface transportation reauthorization act, the INVEST in America Act, would have made D.C. eligible for these two programs in the same manner as states. Unfortunately, the enacted surface transportation reauthorization act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the Senate wrote, did not. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to provide funding for effective, efficient and sustainable transportation options for D.C. in same manner as states.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I thank both of my friends for their kind remarks on my bill, the Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act. As my friend has just said, this is really an unusual bill because it came to me from a fifth grader. I am particularly pleased and proud to speak in favor of her bill, the Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act. This is all her idea, including getting the funds for the memorial. This bill would authorize the establishment of a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia commemorating the efforts of the 18 million American women who kept the home front running during World War II. Madam Speaker, I thank Senators Tammy Duckworth, Marsha Blackburn, and Mike Braun for introducing the companion bill in the Senate. Last Congress, the House passed this non-controversial bill by a voice vote, and I am hoping for that result again in this House and in the Senate. As a teenager, Raya Kenney, the founder--and I emphasize ``founder'' for this very young woman--of the non-profit Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation--her own foundation--and my constituent, as she is, came up with the idea of a memorial to honor the women on the home front who supported World War II in its effort. She rightfully questioned why the women on the home front, whose efforts were so instrumental in maintaining the stability of our country during World War II, have not received as much recognition for their contributions as the men who fought bravely in World War II. This bill would authorize the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation to establish a memorial to honor these women. The memorial is designed to be interactive and to educate visitors on the important role women played during World War II. Between 1940 and 1945, the percentage of women in the workforce increased from 27 percent to nearly 37 percent. By 1945, one in four married women worked outside the home. The work done by women on the home front opened the doors for women in the workplace widely and has had a profound and lasting effect on the job market ever since. As a result of their efforts, millions of American women on the home front redefined so-called women's work and paved the way for future generations. Many women also played critical roles in support of the war effort. More than 10,000 women served behind the scenes of World War II as codebreakers. Due to the classified nature of their work, they did not receive recognition for their tireless efforts until recently. Women were also trained to fly military aircraft so male pilots could leave for combat duty overseas. More than 1,100 female civilian volunteers flew nearly every type of military aircraft as part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the WASP program. The WASPs flew planes from factories to bases, transported cargo, and participated in simulated strafing and target missions. These women were not given full military status until 1977, and it was not until 2010 that they were recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal. Women have been historically underrepresented in our memorials, particularly the memorials on Federal land in our Nation's capital. It is fitting to authorize a memorial that would allow millions of visitors to the Nation's capital to understand and honor the heroic efforts of these women and their lasting impact on the fabric of our society. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, Democrats in the House have much to be proud of as we approach the end of the year. In the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, we have passed two of the most significant bills in the history of the House of Representatives-- the Transportation and Infrastructure bill and President Biden's Build Back Better bill. I chaired the Highways and Transit Subcommittee and I was pleased to attend President Biden's signing of the bill at the White House. The bill directs $39 billion to public transportation--like D.C.'s Metro-- expands broadband, and funds replacing lead service pipes. Our Build Back Better bill is an omnibus bill that catches up with years of needs Congress has failed to meet, from affordable childcare that will free women and men to work, to combating climate change, a clear and present danger to the planet. It would be difficult to find more significant bills passed by the House of Representatives in a single session.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Government Accountability Office Home Rule Act. This bill would repeal the authority of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the District of Columbia. GAO, a federal agency that conducts investigations and audits for Congress, has the same authority over D.C. that it has over federal agencies. GAO's authorizing statute defines D.C. as a federal agency. In addition, GAO's authorizing statute and the D.C. Home Rule Act require GAO to engage in specific types of oversight of D.C. D.C. is not a federal agency, and it should never be treated as such. The District already has a locally appointed auditor and inspector general, so GAO's authority over D.C. is both redundant and offensive. GAO does not have general authority over states and cities, and therefore should not have such authority over D.C. This is an important step to increase home rule for the District and does not require statehood. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, Build Back Better not only meets long- awaited critical needs, such as clean energy technology, it is fully paid for, unlike the 2001 and 2017 tax cuts under Republican Presidents. This is because the largest corporations and the highest income Americans will pay their fair share, are not rewarded for shipping jobs and profits overseas, and will have more difficulty avoiding IRS compliance. Moreover, 17 Nobel Prize-winning economists say the bill's investments enhance productive participation in our economy and ease the long-term inflation pressure that is the frontline concern of Americans today. Congress will make history by passing this historic legislation.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Bridges Home Rule Act. This bill would repeal a redundant 1997 federal law that makes it a crime for a person in the District of Columbia to obstruct any bridge connecting D.C. and Virginia. The District already had, and continues to have, its own local law prohibiting obstructing a bridge in the District. There is no federal law that prohibits a person in Virginia from obstructing such a bridge or a person in any state from obstructing a bridge connecting two states, and, fortunately, D.C. does not need a federal law to keep our bridges clear either. This law is as offensive as it is redundant. It harks back to a time when a private group in D.C. attempted to block the 14th Street Bridge into Virginia, although there is no evidence that D.C. authorities failed to act. The District's local criminal law prohibiting obstructing a bridge takes care of any obstruction occurring here. Under the 1997 federal law, ``whoever in the District of Columbia knowingly and willfully obstructs any bridge connecting the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia . . . shall be fined not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000, and in addition may be imprisoned not more than 30 days. . . .'' Under D.C. law, a person may be subject to imprisonment and/or fines for ``crowd[ing], obstruct[ing], or incommod[ing] . . . [t]he use of any street, avenue, alley, road, highway, or sidewalk.'' The courts have long held that D.C. may repeal federal laws that predate the Home Rule Act of 1973 (HRA) and apply exclusively in or to the District, but have not ruled on whether D.C. may repeal post-HRA federal laws that apply exclusively in or to the District. My bill would avoid any court challenge the District could face if it tries to repeal this 1997 federal law. This bill is an important step in increasing home rule for the District, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School's 150th anniversary and particularly Carrie Thornhill for her phenomenal leadership with the Dunbar Alumni Federation. I am fortunate to be an alumna of Dunbar High School and a member of the class of 1955. Dunbar High School, which started in a church basement, was the first public high school for African Americans in the United States and remained segregated until 1954, when the District of Columbia was one of the six Brown v. Board of Education jurisdictions that successfully challenged segregated schools in the United States. Dunbar was instrumental in making the District of Columbia a bulwark of education for almost a century, attracting students from across the District, who were drawn by the school's excellent reputation. That same reputation was reinforced by Dunbar's remarkable record of graduating more distinguished African Americans than any high school in the country. Among them were Edward Brooke, the first Black popularly elected United States Senator; Robert C. Weaver, the first Black cabinet secretary; Benjamin O. Davis Sr., the first Black general in the U.S. Army; Wesley Brown, the first Black graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy; Charles R. Drew, the discoverer of blood plasma; and Mary Jane Patterson, the first African American to achieve a college degree. Dunbar also drew teachers with advanced degrees who would have been college professors but for segregation in higher education. In 2002, Dunbar High School established the Dunbar Alumni Federation, which works in partnership with school leadership to create better futures for Dunbar students and graduates, which has already awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships to over 700 students. Dunbar has been recently rebuilt into a state-of-the-art facility and became a neighborhood school following the Brown decision. Its storied history continues to inspire generations of students. I have introduced a bill directing the Secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative coins in recognition of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the proceeds from the sale of which would benefit of the Dunbar Alumni Association. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Dunbar High School for 150 years of educating the students of the District of Columbia.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act. This bill recognizes one of the first influential African-American poets in American literature and benefits the Dunbar Alumni Federation, the alumni association for the Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in the District of Columbia, which is historic for being the first public high school for African Americans in the United States. I myself am a proud graduate of Dunbar, a storied African-American high school in our country. Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on June 27, 1872, to freed slaves, and went on to pen such classics as Majors and Minors and Lyrics of Lowly Life. He also composed the lyrics to In Dahomey, the first all-African- American musical produced on Broadway. By the late 1890s, Dunbar had become a prominent author, having had his poems published in major national newspapers, including The New York Times. Dunbar died on February 9, 1906, at age 33. Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School was established in 1870 as the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth. It was the first college preparatory high school for African-American children in the United States. The school was renamed for Dunbar in 1916. The Dunbar Alumni Federation was organized in 2002 to provide scholarships and other financial support to students and graduates of Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School. The Federation has alumni from more than 35 graduating classes, and supports the school through its scholarship efforts, community activities and other endeavors. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 50,000 five-dollar coins, 400,000 one-dollar coins and 750,000 half-dollar coins, with a surcharge on each coin. The surcharges will benefit the scholarships and similar activities of the Dunbar Alumni Federation. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment Home Rule Act. This bill would give the District of Columbia the authority to appoint all members of the D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment (Board), except when the Board is performing functions regarding an application by a foreign mission with respect to a chancery. The Board issues special exceptions, or variances, to the regulations issued by the D.C. Zoning Commission (Commission). This bill does not alter the authority of the Board. Like every other jurisdiction in the United States, the District should be free to set its own local land-use policies. As the District continues to contend with rapid population growth and economic development, it is more important than ever that the members of the Board are accountable to District residents and local elected officials. Under current law, in general, the Board consists of a representative each from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the Commission, each of whom may be a federal official, and three mayoral appointees, subject to D.C. Council approval. The Board has no authority over federal property. Under current law, when the Board is performing functions regarding an application by a foreign mission with respect to the location, expansion or replacement of a chancery, the Board consists of the Executive Director of NCPC, the Director of the National Park Service, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator of General Services, as designated by the President, and the three mayoral appointees. This bill does not change this composition. This is an important step to recognize and increase home rule for the District, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, Congress is close to delivering the Build Back Better Act this week containing our most comprehensive social provisions ever. Build Back Better will afford a plethora of gains our country has long sought--from our first significant action on climate change to urgently addressing the 100,000 teacher shortage as our children are returning to school. Congress is in the end zone on this bill now, although many of us are still trying to get prescription drug prices done. And Congress is paying for Build Back Better without adding to the deficit--unlike the last administration that gave tax breaks to those least in need. Mr. Speaker, we will make history with passage of Build Back Better.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2021. The bill would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to include the nation's capital in the definition of ``coastal state.'' Senator Tom Carper, the Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, has introduced the companion bill in the Senate. Our bill would correct an apparent oversight in the omission of the District of Columbia from the CZMA by making the District eligible to receive federal funding and oversight for federally issued permits, facilities and actions that affect our coastal waters. The District urgently needs the protection of the CZMA because of serious flood risks that currently affect federal assets, residents and businesses, including the National Mall and the cluster of downtown federal agencies. Congress has authorized a number of programs to help states and territories respond to floods and mitigate risk through resiliency projects. An effort to reduce coastal flood risk, the CZMA provides planning and technical services to assist states in protecting, restoring and developing coastal communities and resources. Once the federal government approves a state's coastal management plan, the state becomes eligible for grants. Federal actions must be consistent with the state plans and vice versa. Even though the District, including the federal complex, is located on two rivers, and has suffered substantial coastal floods in the past, it was omitted from the list of eligible states and territories in the CZMA. It is notable that under Section 304 of the CZMA, ``coastal state[s]'' include the states and U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands and American Samoa). Because territories are included in the definition of ``coastal states'' while D.C. is absent, it appears that D.C.'s omission is a mistake, which only Congress can correct. This oversight likely occurred because the CZMA was passed in 1972, which was before the District achieved home rule. Scientists have predicted that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could rise two to four feet by the year 2100, causing property worth as much as $7 billion in the District to be routinely under threat by floodwaters. This damage includes private homes and businesses and the National Mall, federal buildings and three military bases located in the District. The Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, which surround the District, are tidally influenced, part of an ``intertidal zone'' between high and low maritime tides. In addition, the Maryland and Virginia coastal zones each include the tidal Potomac River, with Maryland's zone ending at the District line. I initially offered the D.C. Flood Prevention Act in a previous Congress. The bill passed the House as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act. And again, last month, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed this bill as part of the Ocean- Based Climate Solutions Act of 2021, Chairman Raul M. Grijalva's effort to modernize federal ocean management policy to account for climate change. The District should be eligible under the CZMA just like the states and territories already listed in the CZMA. I urge support for this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, as the daughter of a public school teacher, an essential and prized profession, I never expected to see a shortage of 100,000 teachers. It is catastrophic, especially now when children are being vaccinated and returning to in-person learning. The teacher shortage adds urgency to President Biden's Build Back Better agenda, which features teacher residences and grow-your-own programs to improve outcomes and develop more teachers of color. As a ranking member who helped write the pending infrastructure bill, I particularly applaud the Build Back Better agenda's investments in upgrading school infrastructure with resilient, energy-efficient buildings enriched with technology and the labs students need for the jobs of the future.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate the Howard University Medical Alumni Association (HUMAA) on its 150th anniversary. Founded in 1871, HUMAA is one of the oldest medical alumni associations in the country and consists of more than 5,000 alumni. In the 1957-58 school year, it granted its first scholarship, $550. In recent years, HUMAA has been awarding $200,000 annually in scholarships. Today, HUMAA's mission is to promote the mutual professional interests of the graduates of the Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM), assist in the development of HUCM's programs and support the welfare of HUCM's students. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing HUMAA for 150 years of providing education and networking opportunities for the alumni and students of HUCM. I wish them many more years of success.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Willie James ``Bill'' McNair, Sr. who passed away after a long and fruitful life at 102 years of age on September 26, 2021, in Port Saint Joe Florida. Mr. McNair served honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of VFW Post 10069. On his return from service, he served for 30 years as a mail carrier for the St. Joe Paper Company. As a licensed chauffeur, Mr. McNair also drove top executives to and from the airport before retiring in 1981. Willie James McNair Sr. celebrated his 100th birthday in July 2019 with more than 200 family members and friends, including the last of Mr. McNair's surviving siblings, Mildred 98 and Mercedes 96 years old at that time. All three siblings share the same birthday--July 16th, born two years apart. Mr. McNair was presented with a commemoration for his birthday signifying his service on the Trustee Board of Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church and another honoring his service to the community. Madam Speaker, again, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the long life of Willie James ``Bill'' McNair, Sr.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, the President's Build Back Better plan has become the most important legislation in our history because it is essential to overcome the effects of the first pandemic in more than 100 years. So essential are the bill's ingredients that Congress faces a daunting task in trimming the bill. One ingredient that is particularly essential is childcare because it relates to so much else: the ability of both women and men to work, the ability of children to go to school. The United States is the only democratic country that does not afford quality childcare to all of its families. The reason so many more women than men are still out of work is the disproportionate responsibility women absorb for childcare. This makes childcare an essential ingredient in the President's Build Back Better plan.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill would prohibit the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) from exercising authority over non- federal property in the District of Columbia. Under presidential executive orders (EOs) and federal law, the CFA has review authority for D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as for certain private land in D.C. Under the relevant EOs, CFA has review authority for the design of D.C.-owned parks and buildings. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in the District ``adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance,'' such as Rock Creek Park and the Potomac riverfront. Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as ``Old Georgetown'' in the act. The members of the CFA are appointed by the President. The federal government, including the CFA, has no business in local land-use policies and decisions unrelated to the federal presence. Not only is the federal government's authority over D.C. buildings and private property anti-democratic, it also delays and increases the cost of public and private development in the District. This is an important step to increase home rule for the District, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the REAL ID Gender Requirement Reform Act, which would remove the requirement from the REAL ID Act that REAL ID-compliant licenses include gender. Instead, the decision whether to have gender on a state's REAL-ID compliant would be left to the states. The bill would also require that if a state requires gender designation for licenses, an individual wishing to change their gender designation on their license be allowed to do so through self-attestation. It would also require states to have a neutral or other designation gender field, in addition to male or female. This is an important bill for equality, especially for transgender Americans. Under the REAL ID Act, gender must be included on a license. This can be problematic for transgender or nonbinary individuals. I recognize that some LGBTQ individuals do not want gender designations on licenses at all, while others do want gender designation so as to express their identity. I believe this bill strikes the middle ground, while showing Congress' support for LGBTQ individuals. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating three District of Columbia schools recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools. For the past 39 years, the Department of Education has recognized schools for overall academic excellence or for reducing achievement gaps. Since 1982, over 40 schools in the District have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools. This year, BASIS DC Public Charter School, Eaton Elementary School and Lafayette Elementary School were selected as National Blue Ribbon Schools. BASIS DC Public Charter School, located in downtown near the Smithsonian museums, was established in 2012 and serves 640 students in grades 5-12. BASIS DC's school mascot is the Red Giants. Students at BASIS are proactive in attaining college scholarships. The total amount of college gift aid earned by the Class of 2017 was over $700,000. I applaud BASIS DC and its students for securing scholarships for college education and for its recognition this year as a National Blue Ribbon School. Located in Cleveland Park, Eaton Elementary School strives to provide a culturally enriching education for its diverse student body. Established in 1910, Eaton Elementary serves 467 students in grades PK- 5. Partnering with the Humanities Council of Washington, D.C., Eaton Elementary created its Student Sleuth Program, which allowed fourth- grade students to learn grass-roots research in investigating their school's history. I applaud Eaton Elementary School for its recognition this year as a National Blue Ribbon School. Lafayette Elementary School, located in Chevy Chase, serves 940 students in grades PK-5. Lafayette Elementary was established in 1928 and emphasizes the importance of integrating the arts into all subject areas to enrich their students' learning experiences. I applaud Lafayette Elementary School for its recognition this year as a National Blue Ribbon School. Madam Speaker, again, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating BASIS DC Public Charter School, Eaton Elementary School and Lafayette Elementary School for their recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, for his retirement in September 2021, I rise today to thank Bobby Small for over 47 years of outstanding service to the House of Representatives. Bobby grew up in the District of Columbia, where he was enrolled in an experimental program at School Without Walls. Following graduation, he worked in construction for J. W. Bates & Son. It was through family members that he heard of an opportunity to work in Congress. He was hired by Ed Kelleher, and began work with the Labor Force, which eventually became the Logistics Group. Initially, the Clerk of the House oversaw this work, but when the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) was established, he began working for the CAO. Bobby's hands-on approach and rapport with the staff led to an Assistant Supervisor position. He would eventually become the Supervisor and will retire in a Manager's position with Logistics & Support, supervising up to 20 employees. Some of his former bosses include Cosmo Quattrone, Jerry Bennett and Walt Edwards, to mention a few. Bobby remarked that these were some of his favorite bosses and credited Cosmo and Jerry for grooming him and helping him to navigate the Logistics world. He remarked that they always gave good advice, treated him fairly and mentored him. Given his long House career, Mr. Small has witnessed and been involved in many events, notably his contribution during the October 17, 2001 ``Response Project'' related to the anthrax attack. All Members, committees and staff were able to be relocated to an alternate location, and Mr. Small and his team were among those responsible for all logistical aspects of this project. He and his team were commended for making it possible to ensure that everyone remained safe and that the legislative business of the House of Representatives continued uninterrupted. Another big project that Bobby was involved with is the ongoing Cannon Renewal Project, which began in 2013. It is a 12-year project that he and the Logistics staff work on daily. While the oversight for this project remains with the Architect of the Capitol and the CAO Office Design and Move Services department, the Logistics group has an integral part to play in this multi-year renovation, moving and relocating furniture between offices. After such a long career, Bobby has collected many fond memories of his time in Congress. Chief among them is meeting the Tuskegee Airmen when they were honored in the Rayburn Committee Room. He has said that the meeting with the late Representative John Lewis was one of the highlights of his career, noting what an impressive man he was and how moving it was seeing the Memory Wall in John Lewis's office showing the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Years ago, Bobby met with a congressman from Cleveland, Ohio to discuss discrimination in Congress, making a case about diversity and highlighting a lack of opportunity in Congress. Bobby believes that following his meeting with the congressman, measures were taken to improve the House environment for diversity and inclusivity. The list of people he has worked with is long and distinguished--too many to mention. He has known some of his coworkers for many years, including, Lewis Maiden for over 40 years, Kevin Allison for 35-plus years and Steven Janifer, recently retired, who he supervised and knew over his entire work career. I have met Bobby on several occasions. Bobby has lots of hobbies, including fishing, hunting and watching sports. He is known to have a bit of a green thumb, raising fruits and vegetables, an activity he shared with his dad on an acre of land. In retirement, he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and children and continuing to take occasional trips to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Hilton Head, South Carolina. When not traveling, he hopes to get involved in more volunteer work. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Bobby Small for his many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the House of Representatives. We wish him many wonderful years in fulfilling his retirement dreams.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, on his retirement in September 2021, I rise today to thank Kevin Harris for over 37 years of outstanding service to the House of Representatives as a distinguished wood finisher. Kevin Harris first came to the Capitol as a 15-year-old to work on the grounds crew with the Architect of the Capitol on the Senate side. He was lucky enough to have an aunt who worked for the then Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy, who later hired him on the House side. He started working with the House restaurant system in 1984, which was eventually contracted out. He was able to secure a position with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Labor Room, now known as CAO, Office of Logistics & Support. Kevin worked for the logistics department for three years, where he remembers being mentored by Bobby Small, Lew Maiden and Steve Janifer, who showed him the ropes. Later, it was determined that since he had gone to trade school, Kevin would be a good addition to the finishing shop and he made the move when a position opened. Back then, the finishing shop not only finished the furniture but also moved the furniture between offices. Some of his most memorable bosses were Mr. Kelleher, who hired him into the shop, Walter ``Teenie'' Woodburn and Robert Lee. One his most memorable pieces was a special gold leafing project he completed with the staff on a bookcase for Representative William Clay. He had learned this technique through special training on this intricate skill. Kevin recalls a table he finished for Speaker Tip O'Neill, a very special stripping technique using the ``old style'' to strip down the finish. The Speaker was most appreciative. Kevin was also among the staff who refurbished the entire House floor, stripping the chairs and seats in the House Chamber, caked with shellac from years of usage. In his long career in the halls of Congress, Kevin has personally met five Speakers of the House--Speaker Tom Foley, Speaker John Boehner, Speaker Tip O'Neill, Speaker Jim Wright, and Speaker Paul Ryan. Kevin has also reflected on the many lifelong friendships he has made in his office, including Timothy ``Tim'' Magruder and Vincent Plowden, who all motivated each other on the job. He has also made special mention of his favorite and current manager, John Garcia, who came into the shop and really heard their concerns, made the necessary changes and motivated the crew. He felt that Mr. Garcia really cared about their conditions. Because of the encouragement of Mr. Garcia, he had a newfound desire to perform his job at a new level and credits Mr. Garcia for the changes in the finishing shop. Kevin felt lucky to be able to attend the first Inauguration of President Barack Obama, an opportunity afforded him since the finishing shop worked behind the scenes on the stage preparation. Another fond memory occurred in 2004 when an unexpected celebrity made an appearance on Capitol Hill--musical superstar Michael Jackson. He had been summoned to a hearing to call attention to the AIDS crisis. As he tells it, Kevin and some of his coworkers were standing outside near the Rayburn Building in anticipation of his arrival. They had almost given up when they saw his motorcade pull up right beside the wall near Rayburn. Michael Jackson got out of the car and walked directly toward Kevin, Tim Magruder and others, wearing his iconic glitter gloves and boots. Kevin was starstruck and barely able to speak, but Michael Jackson engaged them briefly, shook hands and then he was off. Coworkers later teased Kevin about being so moved in that moment. Kevin has witnessed many different events in his 37-year career. With a heavy heart, he remembers being present on 9/11. He will never forget being outside and seeing the smoke from afar, which was the moment the Pentagon had been hit by a plane. But like others, he did not know the implication at the time of this terrorist attack and how it changed our lives forever. He was also present during the anthrax attack, when he and his crew were called in to clean all the furniture that was exposed to the anthrax. Kevin was working when the earthquake hit Capitol Hill in 2011. He was in the office when the buildings, doors and floors started to sway. After the buildings were evacuated, he had to shelter on the comer for several hours until the building inspections were concluded. He was present when two Capitol Hill police officers were. And most recently, he was at work during the insurrection on January 6, 2021. So many memories, both good and bad, because of his long career with Congress. In retirement, he plans to pursue some of his hobbies, like boxing on a punching bag, traveling abroad, catching up on movies, a particular interest, and volunteering with the homeless community. He will continue to attend the church in Baltimore where his cousin is the pastor, which he has attended since childhood. Kevin is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and daughter and including them in his retirement activities. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Kevin Harris for his dedication and outstanding contributions to the House of Representatives. We wish him many wonderful years in fulfilling his retirement dreams.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, the Build Back Better Act is historic, but I want to focus on two of its most important programs: climate change and much-needed social programs. First, climate change, the most important issue facing the entire world, without exception. The U.S. can double its impact--reducing carbon emissions 50 percent while creating 2 million jobs annually over the next 10 years in clean technologies. And the Build Back Better social programs respond to needs Americans have long prioritized. Among them, childcare and lower costs for Medicare and college tuition. Build Back Better pays over the long run with investments for reducing fast-rising climate change issues and pays right now with investments in much-needed social programs.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to introduce a bill to redesignate the National Park Service (NPS)-owned Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia as ``Rock Creek National Park.'' Renaming this park will highlight its significance to the nation, including visitors to the nation's capital, and will draw much-needed funding for the park's inviting trails, waterways and other unique features. Rock Creek Park is already a ``national'' park, as it was established by Congress in 1890 ``for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States.'' Rock Creek Park was the first federally managed urban park and the third federal park ever created, after Yellowstone and Sequoia. Rock Creek Park was designed to preserve animals, timber, forestry and other interests in the park, and to ensure that its natural state is maintained as much as possible not only for D.C. residents, but for all Americans. The park also preserves the ancient history of the land, as it was used for temporary settlements and as a quarry for weapons and tools by Native Americans from 7000 BCE until the 1600s. Since Congress first designated Rock Creek Park, several structures and properties have been established or donated to further preserve Rock Creek Park, creating a vast connected park area that falls under a central NPS jurisdiction. In 1892, the federal government acquired Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, one of the mills used by local farmers during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. In 1950, the Old Stone House located in Georgetown, with its great pre-Revolutionary War architecture, was acquired by the park. The building was restored and programs explain the house's rich history from the colonial period to the present day. The Fort Circle Parks were also acquired to interpret and preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington, which created a ring of protection for the nation's capital during the Civil War. The Carter Barron Amphitheater, established in honor of the 150th anniversary of the nation's capital, became an integral part of D.C.'s live music scene, and has featured acts including Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross and Earth, Wind and Fire, as well as local artists. The redesignated ``Rock Creek National Park'' would encompass these later additions to the park. Today, Rock Creek Park offers residents of D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia, as well as thousands of visitors, an escape from our increasingly urban environment. Residents and tourists alike enjoy many activities in the park's 2,000 acres, including hiking and biking on the historical trails, horseback riding, picnicking, tennis and other recreational activities in some of the open fields. Our residents have expressed their appreciation by volunteering to clean up and maintain the forests, trails and waterways. In 1918, landscape architects John Charles Olmstead and Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. wrote of Rock Creek Park, ``No matter how perfect the scenery of the park may be or may become, no matter how high its potential value, that value remains potential except insofar as it is enjoyed by large and ever larger numbers of people, poor and rich alike.'' Redesignating Rock Creek Park as Rock Creek National Park will help recognize the national status of the park and protect and revitalize this remarkable resource in our nation's capital. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., for his service this past year as the national president of the American Library Association (ALA). A fourth- generation native of Washington, D.C., Julius received his bachelor's degree in history from Howard University and his master's degree in library science from the University of Maryland. As a librarian, Mr. Jefferson has spent his career committed to advocacy, information policy, diversity, equity and inclusion and professional and leadership development. In recognition of his leadership and dedication to librarianship, the members of the ALA elected Mr. Jefferson to be their 2020-2021 president. Like so many of us, libraries have had to adapt to changing circumstances during the pandemic, and Julius provided extraordinary leadership throughout this time. Mr. Jefferson began his term as ALA president with a virtual tour of 12 libraries. The ``Holding Space'' tour is what he called a series of virtual conversations that highlighted the innovation and impact of a diverse range of libraries around the nation. The ``Holding Space'' tour engaged stakeholders, including elected officials at every level of government, to advocate for libraries and the communities they serve. I note that many of us in Congress benefit directly from the work of Mr. Jefferson, who serves as a section head of the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. Mr. Jefferson has also served as president of the national Freedom to Read Foundation and of the Washington, D.C. Library Association. As a member of several boards, including the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Mr. Jefferson has worked to diversify the profession of librarianship and elevate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Once again, I want to congratulate Julius Jefferson on his term as President of the American Library Association.