Dan Newhouse

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, Jake and Angie Moore of Yakima have always had a passion for children, especially those with special needs and those who are trauma affected. Angie is a speech paraprofessional for 5th and 6th graders, and Jake is a paraprofessional in a high school special ed classroom. On their first wedding anniversary, they were told that it would be a miracle if they ever became pregnant. IVF wasn't an option for them due to the cost, and after giving it a lot of prayer and thought, they decided to move forward with foster care. They felt this was God's timing. They have since opened their hearts and their home to become the loving parents of multiple children from the Yakima Valley. Though they have faced many struggles with the hardship of the foster care system, they continue to move forward and stay positive, finalizing the adoption of their daughter and welcoming a 2-year-old foster son at the end of 2019. They are excited to continue to take in more children as the years go on, so they can be the voice and advocate that many of them do not have. They have two household rules with all of the children they take in: 1. They will all be there to stay unless somebody else says otherwise. 2. Each child will be loved and cherished as their own, no matter how long they are in the Moore's home. Jake and Angie are an inspiration to parents across the country and in Central Washington. They are truly Angels in Adoption.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, President Eisenhower said: ``The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible.'' Today, I rise to recognize a man of integrity, a friend, and a true community leader. Carl Adrian has served as president and CEO of the Tri-Cities Economic Development Council for 16 years. During his tenure, Tri- Cities has added more than 35,000 jobs, over 1,300 new businesses, and nearly 90,000 new residents, which is a 30 percent increase in population. Tri-Cities is a national leader in agricultural food processing and viticulture, cutting-edge science and technology advancements, and energy sector development--in countless ways, due to Carl's advocacy and vision. From his service on numerous boards, including Visit Tri-Cities and Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, and his efforts co-chairing the search for a new WSU Tri-Cities chancellor to his lasting commitment for the cleanup at Hanford, Carl Adrian demonstrates the best of what it means to be a public servant. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Carl and Rheta on his much-deserved retirement. Our sincere thanks for all of his service to the Tri- Cities. Congratulating Kayla Barron

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, when Kayla Barron, of Richland, Washington, graduated from high school, she attended the Naval Academy, commissioning as a Navy officer, and was among the first class of women commissioned to be a submarine officer. Now she is one of just 48 NASA astronauts in the Nation and could be the first woman to land on the Moon. Kayla was chosen as one of more than 18,000 applicants for NASA's astronaut basic training program, graduating with her 12 classmates on January 10. As she works to design the spacesuit for NASA's Artemis program, she and her classmates will prepare to complete the program's mission: return humans to the Moon by 2024 and send people to Mars. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Kayla on her remarkable accomplishments. I applaud her ability and willingness to go above and beyond to set an example for women of all ages who may be interested in going where no woman has gone before. She has made, and continues to make, our community proud. Central Washington is rooting for her. Central Washington Firefighters Aiding in Australia

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, over the past month, devastating bushfires have burned over 12.5 million acres of land in Australia. More than 200 American firefighters have been dispatched to Australia to help combat and contain these devastating fires, including two firefighters from central Washington. In the West, we recognize the catastrophic impact wildfires have on local communities, on ecosystems, and on environments. My congressional district recently experienced some of the worst wildfires in our State's history. When we were in need, Australian firefighters were eager to help, and now our local heroes are returning the favor. As we work to improve land management here at home, I am proud to cosponsor a resolution introduced by my friends Representatives Panetta and LaMalfa of California to support the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and Australia as we share firefighting resources in times of crisis. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in applauding the firefighters, both American and Australian, who put their lives on the line to protect our land, our wildlife, and our loved ones.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Weigh Habitats Offsetting Locational Effects Act of 2020, or the WHOLE Act. As Central Washingtonians know all-too-well, Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing and delisting decisions have huge, lasting impacts on local communities and environments. The ESA was signed into law to protect and revitalize species of endangered or threatened animals and wildlife, but as time passes, this law, which has not been updated since 1973, has had increased negative effects on local communities-- where the true impacts of species recovery unfold. Unfortunately, the law has been used as a political spearhead for frivolous litigation that can negatively affect private property rights, public land use decisions, and American jobs. And like many other regulations coming out of the nation's capital, relying on top- down decisions from bureaucrats only limits economic prosperity, local conservation efforts, and the celebration of recovered species. Under current law, only conservation efforts taking place within the critical habitats of endangered or threatened species are considered during environmental reviews or impact studies of federal actions. But we know that habitats and ecosystems expand beyond arbitrary government-drawn lines. My legislation would ensure that all conservation measures are considered when federal decisions that impact ESA-listed species are being made. By establishing a process that considers the totality of conservation efforts, we incentivize private investment in species recovery, streamline federal decision-making, and promote the comprehensive efforts of states, local communities, and tribes. Efforts to strengthen the ESA are--and have been--ongoing. This legislation is part of a larger legislative package of 18 bills introduced by Members of the Congressional Western Caucus, a group of 75 representatives who focus on addressing issues impacting local communities in the rural West and beyond, including strengthening and modernizing the ESA. As a Western Caucus Member, I am proud to work with my colleagues to advance priorities like this for Central Washington. The package also includes efforts I have supported in the past, such as ensuring the best available science is used to make ESA listing decisions and providing more transparency by making this data publicly available. By bringing the ESA into the 21st Century, the Western Caucus aims to create a more comprehensive, streamlined approach to species recovery, while ensuring our communities are not burdened by overregulation and misleading data. We should not tie our hands when it comes to species recovery. Using the best available science, considering all ongoing conservation measures, streamlining the process for listing decisions, and empowering state and local efforts will create a comprehensive approach to advance species recovery and fulfill the true intent of the ESA. The ESA was created to protect and recover endangered and threatened species. We must remain committed to this shared goal by strengthening and modernizing the Endangered Species Act for future generations. The WHOLE Act and these legislative efforts put forward by the Western Caucus are a strong step forward, so I humbly ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the WHOLE Act of 2020.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, today has been a long time coming for President Trump, the American people, and the American farmers and ranchers. Our vote today ensures that we deliver on our promise to bring fair and equitable trade with our closest trading partners, Mexico and Canada. In my home State of Washington, exports to Canada and Mexico totaled $11.3 billion in 2018, and trade-related jobs amount to nearly 40 percent of all jobs in the State. I have heard from farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers in every county of central Washington. They all agree that today's vote to pass USMCA is exactly what we need. Most importantly, USMCA maintains duty-free access for U.S. agriculture products, including the iconic Washington State apple, which accounts for nearly $450 million in exports annually. The USMCA goes even further to advance access for the U.S. dairy and wine industries, two substantial drivers for Washington's economy. Madam Speaker, I am proud today that we are delivering USMCA for my constituents.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, the people's House should be better than this. We should be better than this. During the Member's remarks in the Judiciary Committee, the committee's impeachment proceedings, he stated: ``To my Republican colleagues: . . . How do you want to be remembered during this watershed moment in our Nation's history?'' Mr. Speaker, it won't be watching sports on a laptop during official Judiciary Committee proceedings to impeach a sitting President; It won't be using expletives to refer to our President, calling for his impeachment just hours after being sworn into Congress; It won't be using the chairmanship of the once-respected Intelligence Committee to distort the President's words in order to mislead the American people; and It certainly won't be using the most serious and solemn powers of Congress to overturn a legitimate national election for political expediency. No, Mr. Speaker, my fellow Republican colleagues and I won't be remembered in history for doing any of those things because we know this is far too grave a matter for subversions such as these of our democratic Republic. We should all be better than this.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Texas for yielding. I rise today in strong support of the underlying legislation, H.R. 5083, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. This is a critical piece of legislation for my constituents, certainly in Central Washington, but for farmers and ranchers across the country in need of a stable and legal workforce. I am grateful for my friend, Representative Lofgren, for including Republicans in these negotiations and bringing together a diverse bipartisan group of Members of Congress, agricultural stakeholders, farmers and producers, labor unions and farmworker associations to write a piece of legislation that will go a long way toward providing certainty for our Ag industry. The House has failed to address Ag labor reform since 1986. For the last 30 years, the crisis facing farmers has only been exacerbated, and the need for fixes has become even more clear. Today, we have an opportunity to continue this process and bring relief to farmers and ranchers, not just those I represent, but dairy farmers in the Midwest, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Northeast, New York and Maine; the famous peach orchards of Georgia and South Carolina; and certainly the orange groves in Texas and the salad bowl of California and Arizona--all across the country. Like past efforts, this bill may not be the perfect solution, but it is a significant improvement over the status quo. This legislation stabilizes our current workforce by implementing the first of its kind, merit-based immigration program for agricultural workers who have spent decades in our fields. The bill streamlines our current H-2A program and reduces the bureaucratic red tape for farmers. It addresses rising costs of guest worker wages and implements E-Verify for the Ag industry, something Republicans have been asking for since the rollout of the program. Despite the progress this legislation makes, there is still work to do. It does not address every sector of our Nation's Ag industry. We still have to find a solution for our processors. We need to improve the equitable housing options. There are many other aspects of our broken immigration system we must work together to fix. A ``yes'' vote today on this bill is a vote to continue the process and get this bill to the Senate. I want to thank the staff, certainly Travis Martinez and Carrie Meadows, but also David Shahoulian and Betsy Lawrence on Ms. Lofgren's staff. Many people have put a lot of time into this effort. Our farmers and ranchers desperately need relief. Men and women who contribute to our ag industry need certainty. This bill is the first step. I urge my colleagues to vote for the underlying legislation and encourage their input as we continue to perfect the bill and send it to the President's desk.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Colorado for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, if you talk to any farmer in this country, one of the biggest issues that they will raise and something they are concerned with, is their labor force, a secure and legal labor force. And that is what brought together a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, representatives from agricultural groups around the country, as well as agricultural labor groups around the country, to come up with a bill to deal with the labor situation that we have in this country, to provide a certain legal labor force; something that is simple in saying that, but very, very complex in order to get to the solution. So this has three titles. Number one deals with the current workforce. We have come up with something that the President has asked for, a merit-based system to provide legality to our current workforce that requires a history of ag labor; it requires fines because people broke the law to get here; and it requires people to stay engaged in the agricultural industry. Title two simply is to reform the H-2A program, something that we desperately need. It makes it more responsive, more efficient. It will cap the ever-skyrocketing wage growth in this country of the AEWR to 3.25 percent per year. Some States next year are facing a 9\1/2\ percent increase. On top of that, it will allow full-time employers, like dairies, to be able to take advantage and utilize the H-2A program. And third, it will require a phase-in of the E-Verify system, something that Republicans have wanted for a long time, and something that I think will remove an incentive for people to illegally cross the border and will do a lot to improve the security of our country. This bill provides certainty for farmers and farmworkers. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record some letters of support from the National Association of Counties, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, the Americans for Prosperity, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the Committee on Migration, and included in a letter to leadership, a list of over 300 agricultural organizations across this great country in support of this legislation. November 18, 2019. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy: The undersigned groups, representing a broad cross-section of agriculture and its allies, urge you to advance the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 5038) through the House to address the labor crisis facing American agriculture. A stable, legal workforce is needed to ensure farmers and ranchers have the ability to continue producing an abundant, safe, and affordable food supply. The effects of agriculture's critical shortage of labor reach far beyond the farm gate, negatively impacting our economic competitiveness, local economies, and jobs. Economists have found that every farm worker engaged in high- value, labor-intensive crop and livestock production sustains two to three off-farm jobs. As foreign producers take advantage of our labor shortage and gain market share, America will export not only our food production but also thousands of these farm-dependent jobs. Securing a reliable and skilled workforce is essential, not only for the agricultural industry but for the U.S. economy as a whole. The House must pass legislation that preserves agriculture's experienced workforce by allowing current farm workers to earn legal status. For future needs, legislation must include an agricultural worker visa program that provides access to a legal and reliable workforce moving forward. This visa program needs to be more accessible, predictable, and flexible to meet the needs of producers, including those with year-round labor needs, such as dairy and livestock which currently do not have meaningful access to any program. While the bill does include a few provisions that raise significant concerns for the agricultural community, we are committed to working together throughout the legislative process to fully address these issues. It is vital to move the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 5038) through the House as a significant step in working to meet the labor needs of agriculture, both now and in the future. Sincerely, African-American Farmers of California; AgCountry Farm Credit Services; AgriBank FCB; Agribusiness Henderson County (AgHC); Agricultural Council of California; Agri-Mark, Inc.; Alabama Farmers Cooperative; Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association; Almond Alliance of California; Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC; American AgCredit; American Agri-Women; American Beekeeping Federation; American Mushroom Institute; American Pistachio Growers; American Seed Trade Association; AmericanHort; Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association; Arizona Landscape Contractors Association; Arizona Nursery Association. Arkansas Rice Growers Association; Associated Milk Producers Inc.; Association of Virginia Potato and Vegetable Growers; Aurora Organic Dairy; AZ Farm & Ranch Group; Battlefield Farms, Inc.; Bipartisan Policy Center Action; Bongards' Creameries; Butte County Farm Bureau; California Ag Irrigation Association; California Alfalfa and Forage Association; California Apple Commission; California Avocado Commission; California Bean Shippers Association; California Blueberry Commission; California Canning Peach Association; California Cherry Growers and Industry Association; California Citrus Mutual; California Dairies, Inc.; California Farm Bureau Federation. California Fig Advisory Board; California Fresh Fruit Association; California Grain and Feed Association; California League of Food Producers; California Pear Growers; California Prune Board; California Seed Association; California State Beekeepers Association; California State Floral Association; California Sweet Potato Council; California Tomato Growers Association; California Walnut Commission; California Warehouse Association; California Wheat Growers Association; California Women for Agriculture; Cayuga Milk Ingredients; Central Valley Ag; Cherry Marketing Institute; Chobani; Clif Bar & Company. CoBank; Colorado Dairy Farmers; Colorado Nursery & Greenhouse Association; Colorado Potato Legislative Association; Compeer Financial; Cooperative Milk Producers Association; Cooperative Network; Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.; Dairy Producers of New Mexico; Dairy Producers of Utah; Del Mar Food Products, Corp.; Driscoll's; Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative; Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery; Empire State Potato Growers; Far West Agribusiness Association; Farm Credit East; Farm Credit Illinois; Farm Credit Services of America; Farm Credit West; FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative. First District Association; Florida Agri-Women; Florida Blueberry Growers Association; Florida Citrus Mutual; Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association; Florida Strawberry Growers Association; Florida Tomato Exchange; Food Northwest; Food Producers of Idaho; Foremost Farms USA; Fresno County Farm Bureau; Frontier Farm Credit; Fruit Growers Marketing Association; Fruit Growers Supply; Georgia Green Industry Association; Glanbia Nutritionals; Grapeman Farms; GreenStone Farm Credit Services; Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. GROWMARK; Gulf Citrus Growers Association; Hop Growers of Washington; Idaho Alfalfa & Clover Seed Commission; Idaho Alfalfa & Clover Seed Growers Association; Idaho Apple Commission; Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry; Idaho Association of Highway Districts; Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts; Idaho Bankers Association; Idaho Cattleman's Association; Idaho Chamber Alliance; Idaho Dairymen's Association; Idaho Eastern Oregon Seed Association; Idaho Grain Producers Association; Idaho Grower Shipper Association; Idaho Hop Growers; Idaho Milk Products; Idaho Mint Growers Association; Idaho Noxious Weed Control Association. Idaho Nursery & Landscape Association; Idaho Onion Growers Association; Idaho Potato Commission; Idaho State Grange; Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association; Idaho Water Users Association; Idaho Wool Growers; Idahoan Foods LLC; Idaho- Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association; Illinois Green Industry Association; International Dairy Food Association; Iowa Institute for Cooperatives; Iowa State Dairy Association; J.R. Simplot Company; Kansas Cooperative Council; Kansas Dairy Association; Kanza Cooperative Associaton; Kings County Farm Bureau; Land O'Lakes, Inc.; Lone Star Milk Producers. Madera County Farm Bureau; Maine Landscape and Nursery Association; Maine Potato Board; Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association; Maryland Nursery, Landscape, & Greenhouse Association; Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc.; MBG Marketing; Mendocino County Farm Bureau; Merced County Farm Bureau; Michigan Agri- Business Association; Michigan Apple Association; Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board; Michigan Bean Shippers; Michigan Cider Association; Michigan Greenhouse Grower Council; Michigan Milk Producers Association; Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association; Michigan State Horticultural Society; Midwest Dairy Coalition; Mid-West Dairymen's Company; Milk Producers Council. Milk Producers of Idaho; Minnesota Area II Potato Council; Minnesota Milk Producers Association; Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association; Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council; Montana Nursery & Landscape Association; Monterey County (CA) Farm Bureau; Mount Joy Farmers Cooperative Association; Napa County Farm Bureau; National All-Jersey; National Association of Produce Market Managers; National Council of Agricultural Employers; National Council of Farmer Cooperatives; National Farmers Union; National Grange; National Immigration Forum; National Milk Producers Federation; National Onion Association; National Potato Council; National Watermelon Association; Nebraska State Dairy Association. New American Economy; New England Apple Council; New England Farmers Union; New York Apple Association; New York Farm Bureau Federation; New York State Berry Growers Association; New York State Flower Industries; New York State Vegetable Growers Association; Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers Association; Nisei Farmers League; North American Blueberry Council; North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association; North Carolina Potato Association; Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives; Northeast Dairy Foods Association, Inc.; Northeast Dairy Producers Association; Northern Plains Potato Growers Association; Northern Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association; Northwest Ag Co-op Council; Northwest Dairy Association/Darigold; Northwest Farm Credit Services; Northwest Horticultural Council. Ohio Apple Marketing Program; Ohio Dairy Producers Association; Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association; Olive Growers Council of California; Oneida-Madison Milk Producers Cooperative Association; Orange County Farm Bureau; Oregon Association of Nurseries; Oregon Dairy Farmers Association; Oregon Potato Commission; Pacific Coast Producers; Pacific Egg and Poultry Association; Pacific Seed Association; Pennsylvania Co-operative Potato Growers; Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association; Plant California Alliance; POM Wonderful; Porterville Citrus; Potato Growers of America; Potato Growers of Idaho; Potato Growers of Michigan; Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. Premier Milk Inc.; Produce Marketing Association; Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania; RBI Packing LLC; Reiter Affiliated Companies; Richard Bagdasarian, Inc.; Riverside County Farm Bureau; Rocky Mountain Farmers Union; San Diego County Farm Bureau; San Mateo County Farm Bureau; Santa Clara County Farm Bureau; Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau; Scioto Cooperative Milk Producers' Association; Select Milk Producers, Inc.; Seneca Foods Corporation; Sierra Citrus Association; Snake River Sugar Company; Solano County Farm Bureau; Sonoma County Farm Bureau; South Dakota Association of Cooperatives. South Dakota Dairy Producers; South East Dairy Farmers Association; Southeast Milk Inc.; Southern States Cooperative; St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, Inc.; Stanislaus County Farm Bureau; State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania; Summer Prize Frozen Foods; Sunkist Growers; Sun-Maid Growers of California; Sunsweet Growers, Inc.; Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association; Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council; Texas Association of Dairymen; Texas Citrus Mutual; Texas International Produce Association; Texas Nursery & Landscape Association; The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture; The SF Market and San Francisco Produce Association; Tillamook County Creamery Association; Tree Top, Inc. Tulare County Farm Bureau; U.S. Apple Association; U.S. Rice Producers Association; United Ag; United Dairymen of Arizona; United Egg Producers; United Fresh Produce Association; United Onions, USA; United Potato Growers of America; Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.; Utah Farmers Union; Utah Horticulture Society; Valley Fig Growers; Ventura County Agricultural Association; Ventura Pacific; Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance; Virginia Apple Growers Association; Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association; Virginia State Dairymen's Association; Visalia Citrus Packing Group, Inc. WA Wine Institute; Washington Growers League; Washington State Dairy Federation; Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association; Washington State Potato Commission; Washington State Tree Fruit Association; Wawona Frozen Foods; West Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association; Western Growers Association; Western States Dairy Producers Association; Western United Dairies; Wine Institute; WineAmerica; Wisconsin Dairy Business Association; Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association; Wonderful Citrus; Wonderful Orchards; Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to take the step and do what we can to improve the labor situation for farmers and ranchers across this country.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, ``Service Above Self,'' that is the motto of the more than 33,000 Rotary clubs and 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide who provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor 100 years of the Yakima Rotary Club. From the early days in 1919, when the Yakima Rotary Club helped to install street signs within the city limits of Yakima to help guide the way for residents and visitors alike, to the $22 million YMCA and Yakima Rotary Aquatic Center that just opened last month, Yakima Rotarians ``always say yes.'' Be it from supporting children's health, literacy, and hunger to promoting our parks and public spaces and awarding thousands of dollars of academic scholarships every year, their volunteerism, fellowship, and deep love for our community has made a deep and lasting impact on the greater Yakima Valley. Congratulations on 100 years of ``Service Above Self,'' Yakima Rotarians, and enjoy what I have no doubt will be the greatest party ever.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Native American History Month and the contributions of Native Americans in my congressional district in central Washington. With 29 Federally recognized tribes across the State, Washingtonians live alongside Native Americans who serve our communities through entrepreneurship, military service, and sharing their rich and storied cultural history. They are our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. While we recognize that one month out of the year to remember the historical and cultural contributions of our Native friends, we must support them as they face a crisis that has affected Native women for decades. That crisis is of missing and murdered indigenous women. In Washington, Native Americans make up about 2 percent of the population, but indigenous women account for 7 percent of the State's reported missing women. This includes 31 open cases on or near the Yakama Nation Reservation. During Native American History Month, I challenge this body to honor the heritage of our Native friends by taking up legislation that will help ensure that missing and murdered loved ones are not part of the history of another generation of Native women.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Debbie Bone- Harris as she begins her retirement from the Franklin Public Utility District. Deb began working for Franklin PUD in 2003 and has held many roles throughout the organization. She has been a stalwart advocate for hydropower in the Northwest. She has spent countless hours educating our community about the value of the Columbia and the Snake River dams, and she has worked with both State and Federal legislators to advocate for their protection. Deb is a leader, not only with the Franklin PUD, but in the greater community as well. She has served on numerous boards and held leadership roles with community organizations, including Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tri-Cities, Tri-Cities Legislative Council, Washington Public Utility District, Northwest Public Power Association, and Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. As Deb begins her well-earned retirement, our community wishes her the best as she enjoys spending more time with her grandchildren, going on hotrod adventures with her husband, and attending those rowdy sewing conventions. I thank Deb for her advocacy and congratulate her.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, all of Central Washington's constituents are special, and I am proud to represent each of them in our nation's capital. One constituent I am most proud of is General James N. Mattis, decorated four-star general and former U.S. Secretary of Defense. He exemplifies the American principles of hard work, patriotism, and integrity. He can communicate and resonate with everyone--from heads of state and Members of Congress to local business leaders and young students. His military and civilian service serves as an example for all, and I am honored to call him my friend. Jim Mattis is a Washingtonian through and through. He was born in Pullman, raised in Richland, and attended college in Ellensburg. When he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1969, I doubt he realized the impact his service would have on the people of Washington State--and the entire nation. His devotion to defending the United States and our Constitution has earned the deepest degree of trust, respect, and admiration from our men and women serving in uniform across the globe. He was the first United States Marine Corps officer to command a Naval Task Force in Afghanistan following the attacks on September 11, 2001. He bravely commanded forces including the U.S. Joint Forces Command, NATO's Supreme Allied Command for Transformation, and U.S. Central Command. When President Donald Trump nominated General Mattis for United States Secretary of Defense, he served honorably until December 31, 2018. General Mattis is recognized around the world as an exemplary military general, and he is revered in Central Washington as a hometown hero. Despite his outstanding career and numerous awards, he remains humble and involved throughout Washington state. From volunteering with the Tri-Cities Food Bank to hosting ceremonies for Vietnam veterans, General Mattis continually demonstrates his commitment to our local community. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor the United States Congress can bestow on an individual. The greatest generals, thinkers, and leaders in our nation have received this award, including, but not limited to, George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, Douglas MacArthur, and Harry S. Truman. I believe General Mattis belongs amongst these giants of American exceptionalism. That is why I am introducing the General James N. Mattis Congressional Gold Medal Act with the full bipartisan support of the Washington congressional delegation. If signed into law, this bill would bestow our hometown hero with this great honor. As I told General Mattis, I will work my hardest to ensure he is the next distinguished leader to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. I urge all of my colleagues to support the General James N. Mattis Congressional Gold Medal Act.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and service of Assistant Fire Chief Christian Johnson of Okanogan County Fire District 3. Chief Johnson recently passed away due to injuries he sustained while fighting the Spring Coulee fire in north central Washington last September. Mr. Speaker, Chief Johnson is an American hero. He served our country honorably, retiring from the Army after 22 years before joining the fire department nearly 20 years ago to serve his local community. His wife, Pam, described him as selfless, kind, and always ready to help someone in need. He was well-known and well-loved in Okanogan County, which is clear from the community's outpouring of support in recent weeks. I encourage all in north central Washington to pay their respects at Chief Johnson's memorial this Thursday, October 24, at 1 p.m. at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds. My deepest condolences go out to Pam and the Johnson family. The people of central Washington are eternally grateful for his selfless service to protect our communities. Chief Johnson, may you rest in peace. A Renewed Vision for Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud and thank the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service for their recent announcement renewing their commitment and vision to the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center program. Operated by the USDA and the Forest Service, Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers, or CCCs, serve rural communities across the country by training the next generation of America's workforce to carry out a unique and particularly important mission: conserving our Federal lands, mitigating fire threats, and suppressing active wildfires. My central Washington district is home to two of these centers: Columbia Basin in Moses Lake and Fort Simcoe in White Swan. At these centers, students learn hands-on skills that they utilize to expand public access to Federal lands, improve campsites in national forests throughout Washington State, and serve as impactful stewards of our environment. I have strongly supported and defended Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers because I have witnessed firsthand how these programs act as catalysts for the young people I represent, giving them a chance to give back to their community while learning life-changing skills. I was sincerely grateful to Secretary Perdue for committing to work with me and my colleagues in Congress to help improve CCC programs across the country instead of transferring operations to the Department of Labor earlier this year. Now, with this recent announcement, Secretary Perdue has followed through on his word. Under the Secretary's direction, Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen announced a recommitment to Job Corps CCC students by realigning the mission of these centers with the Forest Service's own motto, which is ``Caring for the Land and Serving People.'' The U.S. Forest Service is uniquely qualified to administer Civilian Conservation Centers, which play a critical role throughout the United States and go above and beyond traditional Job Corps programs. Under this new vision, these specialized Job Corps programs will better prepare both urban and rural youth to become the next generation of responsible land managers. The Forest Service has committed to revamp the CCC's curriculum to meet the needs of Forest Service regions across the United States. Focusing on regional performance targets will allow the agency to increase student learning opportunities while making much-needed improvements to forest conditions. By strengthening the alumni network and supporting a pipeline between CCCs and the Forest Service, these centers can focus on jobs in forestry, firefighting, and conservation, which are all critical careers throughout the rural West. In the words of Chief Christiansen: ``Our Job Corps faculty and students embody the Forest Service values of service, interdependence, conservation, diversity, and safety.'' As I have seen firsthand, these students and our public lands deserve this investment. So, Mr. Speaker, I thank Secretary Sonny Perdue and Chief Vicki Christiansen for their commitment to rural America, our national lands, and the students of the Civilian Conservation Centers.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I stand with my Republican colleagues tonight as the people's House faces an unprecedented and illegitimate impeachment process. House Democrats' secret impeachment proceedings behind closed doors are keeping the American people in the dark. Members in the minority are being shut out of the process, which threatens to erode the most basic standards of transparency in our Nation's government. The Mueller investigation didn't give them what they wanted, so now they conduct secret proceedings behind these closed doors. This simply is unacceptable. As I have continued to state on behalf of my constituents, Congress should be legislating on behalf of the American people, not wasting valuable legislative time and millions of taxpayer dollars. We should be passing the USMCA and meaningful reforms for our farmers and ranchers. We should be passing bipartisan infrastructure legislation, and we should be addressing the devastating crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. Instead, House Democrats choose to continue endless partisan investigations and reckless impeachment inquiries. Madam Speaker, the American people deserve more.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, the Tri-Cities community recently lost a leader and a friend. I rise today to honor the memory of Bill Berkman, chairman of the Benton County Republicans. Bill became involved with the local Republican Party as a precinct committee officer in 2016, and later that year, as chairman. I got to know him well while encouraging our fellow community members to get out to vote. As owner of the MenZone franchises in Kennewick and Pasco, Bill was a passionate voice for limited government and policies that supported small business owners. Even with his strong personal beliefs and conservative principles, though, Bill never let partisanship rise above integrity. He was adamant that we could and should do more to bring more respect into our politics. He will be remembered for his efforts to build bridges, including with his counterparts in the local Democratic Party. We will all miss Bill's booming voice, his polite fervent candor, and his desire for facts, for truth, and for solutions for the Nation. Rest in peace, Bill.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following letter regarding the Special Order on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women on October 17, 2019. Nez Perce, Tribal Executive Committee, Lapwai, ID, September 18, 2019. Hon. Jerrold Nadler, Chairman, House Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC. Hon. Raul Grijalva, Chairman, House Committee on Natural Resources, Washington,

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of my Special Order.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to lead a Special Order alongside my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to discuss a crisis afflicting our Nation. It is the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. Each of the Members speaking tonight represents different regions of the United States and different native communities that are all affected by the disproportionate number of crimes against Native American and Alaska Native women. My colleagues and I have introduced several pieces of legislation, including Savanna's Act and the BADGES for Native Communities Act, in an attempt to improve collaboration between law enforcement agencies and empower them to seriously work toward solving many of these unsolved cases. Over the next hour, I look forward to hearing each of these Member's unique perspective on ways we can work to solve this crisis and bring justice to these women. I have spoken on this topic a number of times here on the floor, in the House Judiciary Committee, and at home with my constituents who have been directly affected by this crisis. While a lot that I might say here tonight, Mr. Speaker, may sound like a broken record--I apologize for that--I cannot stress enough how important it is that we use our voices as U.S. Representatives to address a crisis of this magnitude and offer solutions for these women and their families and their communities. Native women throughout the country face a murder rate 10 times higher than the national average, with 84 percent experiencing some kind of violence in their lifetime. In my home State of Washington, Native Americans make up about 2 percent of the population, but a recent report by the Washington State Patrol shows that indigenous women account for 7 percent of the State's reported missing women. This crisis is one that affects communities in both highly populated, urban areas, as well as rural districts, in districts like the one I represent in central Washington. I have seen firsthand how these injustices affect local communities, and I have vowed to exercise my position in Congress to help deliver justice for these women. My congressional district sits at the epicenter of this crisis. There are currently over 100 open cases in Washington State, with 31 open cases on or near the Yakama Indian Reservation in central Washington alone. This includes seven new cases in just the past 5 years. The number of open cases is alarming, but the truth is we don't even have accurate data to truly understand the breadth of this problem. Due to a lack of shared information, data, and reporting, there is no real way to know exactly how many Native American women have gone missing or whose fate hangs in the balance of an unsolved murder case. The complicated jurisdiction between Federal, Tribal, and local law enforcement causes serious problems throughout many investigations, and far too many Tribal law enforcement agencies lack the resources and access to information that would help solve missing persons cases and murders. This leaves the families and the communities of these victims frustrated, without answers, and begging for solutions. And while we represent them in the people's House, it is the voices of those who are directly affected that we should be listening to. Our communities in my district in central Washington have not been silent. Just this past Monday, the YWCA in Yakima hosted their annual vigil for the victims of domestic violence. This year, the organization partnered with the Yakama Nation to bring attention to the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis and to honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence. Citizens of the Yakama Nation and other local Tribes have hosted rallies of support in large public forums to raise awareness of the crisis and to demand action. A reporter by the name of Tammy Ayer from the Yakima-Herald Republic has done a truly excellent job of keeping the public informed of these ongoing efforts, diligently highlighting the activism on the ground and providing resources for families and friends of missing Native women. The voice she lends to the voiceless has and will continue to be a powerful agent for change. I hosted a roundtable earlier this year with Tribal members, with law enforcement officers, Bureau of Indian Affairs officials, and other local advocates to learn directly from these pillars of our local community about how we can assist them in their efforts. I have lived just outside of the Yakama Nation Reservation my entire life, Mr. Speaker, but hearing the heartfelt testimonies of the families and the loved ones of missing Native women from just down the road from me was truly an eye-opening experience, and a deeply heart- wrenching experience. I believe it is one that all Members of Congress need to hear, and that is why we are here tonight. That is also why in June I sent letters to the House Judiciary and the Natural Resources Committees asking them to hold field hearings in central Washington on this matter. The voices of communities impacted by this crisis must be heard. My request was echoed by numerous local Tribes, by advocacy groups, and by women's organizations who have all sent their own letters to the committees inviting Members to come meet with them, listen to the voices on the ground, and discuss solutions for missing and murdered indigenous women. The Yakama Nation has generously offered to host the hearing, which would provide Members with the opportunity to hear firsthand from both the Tribes, law enforcement officers, and families of these victims who are dealing with this crisis every day, about how we can best move forward. Their testimony would help demonstrate the impact this crisis is having on our communities in central Washington and in other regions around the country. Mr. Speaker, I hate to say it, but it has been 4 months since these letters were first delivered to the House Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees, but we have received no response. It has been nearly a month since I testified before the Judiciary Committee to ask for committee action and a response to my letter. Still, nothing. Thankfully, the current administration has been actively pursuing our local input. The Department of the Interior is conducting a series of roundtable events with Tribes and law enforcement agencies across the country, most recently in Arizona and Alaska. While the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs certainly have a role to play in implementing these solutions for the women and their loved ones, Congress must also pay attention and we must do our part to listen and then legislate. The two legislative proposals I mentioned earlier, Savanna's Act and the BADGES for Native Communities Act, would provide immediate assistance to Tribes and law enforcement in addressing this crisis. As you will hear tonight, Mr. Speaker, these bills have strong bipartisan support. I know my colleagues and I stand ready to develop solutions that will work for local Tribal communities and law enforcement, and I look forward to hearing from my friends and colleagues from around the country over the next hour to discuss the impact the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women has had on their communities and about what actions this body can help take to stop it. I yield to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte), my good friend who represents the great State of Montana, as well as the Northern Cheyenne and Blackfeet Tribes. Montana is a large State and with understaffed law enforcement agencies, reporting an investigation of crimes against Native American women can slip through the cracks.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate Mr. Gianforte putting a face to this very serious issue that we are experiencing all over the United States, and particularly in Montana, and pointing out some of the ways that this legislation could potentially benefit our communities. I thank the gentleman very much for sharing tonight. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, one of the pieces of legislation that my colleagues and I have introduced this Congress, is Savanna's Act, named after a young lady, Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, who was a member of the Spirit Lake Tribe and was tragically murdered in August of 2017. Earlier this year, I worked with a bipartisan group of colleagues to improve this legislation from the previous version of the bill that was introduced in the 115th Congress. It does a lot of things, but two things I want to point out, it aims to develop guidelines and best practices for law enforcement agencies and encourages agencies to enhance reporting and recordkeeping for better coordination. It also aims to improve communication between law enforcement and the families of the loved ones of the victims, which is an issue that was brought to my attention by the central Washington families who, in some cases, have waited for months just for an update on their loved one's case. So it is with that background that I want to yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres), my good friend. I really appreciate her leadership and her partnership in this effort on bringing this issue forward and bringing some good solutions forward as we work to improve law enforcement's response in the cases of these missing and murdered indigenous women. I can't say enough about the contribution of Congresswoman Norma Torres, and I would like her to share some things from her perspective.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for sharing with us her experiences, and I thank her for her leadership and being the lead sponsor on Savanna's Act, as well. It is truly a pleasure to work with my friend. I hope that, with her leadership, we will be able to get this across the finish line and get it to the President. It is my honor now, Mr. Speaker, to introduce someone who truly is in the middle of much of this issue. He cosponsors Savanna's Act, and he is a leader on not only bringing solutions to help solve this problem but probably just as importantly, if not more importantly, he is also helping to shine a bright light on an issue that, frankly, many Americans just are not aware of. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the good gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is right. This is a serious issue. As the gentleman said, something this serious should be bipartisan, and the good thing is that it is bipartisan. People on both sides of the aisle recognize the horrific nature of these unsolved crimes and are wanting to do something about it. I am really heartened by the fact that in this day and age, and in this climate here in Washington, D.C., there are some issues that we can rally around together in a bipartisan fashion. I think that is a perfect segue into introducing a friend of mine from the Bipartisan Working Group, someone who embodies the desire to find solutions and to find common ground on issues so that we can move forward. This is a great example of the work that we can accomplish when we put our heads together. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my good friend from New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, it truly is a great thing that we can come together on an issue of such importance. I thank the gentlewoman for her contributions and her sponsorship of Savanna's Act. Together, we can get this done. I thank the gentlewoman very much for coming tonight. Mr. Speaker, it may not be obvious to many of us, but some States are taking action. Some specific States have accomplished some things. In my own State of Washington, I have to mention the name of State Representative Gina Mosbrucker, who has been a critical ally in addressing this crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. We have 29 federally recognized Tribes in Washington State, so it is critical that we have the State's support to help address this crisis. Representative Mosbrucker has spearheaded legislation to improve the reporting of crimes on and off the reservations and enhance coordination between the Washington State Patrol as well as Tribal law enforcement. Earlier this year, the Washington State Patrol released a report, as mandated by Representative Mosbrucker's legislation, outlining the number and status of cases of missing and murdered indigenous women throughout the State. The report revealed that there is much more work to be done in order to empower law enforcement of all jurisdictions-- State, Federal, Tribal, and local--to accurately report and investigate these crimes. I know Washington State is not the only State that is doing things. I welcome my friend, Representative Don Bacon from Nebraska, to the podium. His State, for example, has one of the highest rates of crime against Native American women. Like Washington State, Nebraska has been active in tackling some of the shortcomings we see in the coordination between Tribes and law enforcement. I thank my friend, Representative Bacon, for his leadership on this issue and his help in getting this legislation through. He has been a strong supporter not only here but also in his home State. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).