Stacey Plaskett

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 6720, the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) and this bipartisan legislation. The Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act calls for an end to the global dog and cat meat trade. Sixty-eight percent of Americans own pets. We treat our pets as members of the family. That is why I am surprised to learn that we don't already have a law on the books that prevents the killing of dogs and cats for their meat. While this remains an extremely rare issue in the United States, the practice does occur elsewhere in the world. By passing this bill, Congress will outlaw the slaughter and transfer of dogs and cats for human consumption in the United States. The farm bill currently in conference includes similar language from both the House and the Senate, so regardless of what our colleagues across the Hill do on this important issue, we can send an important message today. With this legislation, we have the chance to be a leader and set an example for those countries in which the cat and dog meat trade is most prevalent, including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, China, and elsewhere. By passing this bill, we draw a clear line on this issue and send a message to the world that we will hold countries who abide this practice accountable. It should be pointed out that while prohibiting the killing of dogs and cats for food may be seen as a no-brainer, this legislation does take a sensitive approach to the issue with regard to the diverse cultural practices within our great Nation. I appreciate the work of the two gentlemen from Florida, Messrs. Buchanan and Hastings, and their leadership on this issue. It is an opportunity to come together, and we should be united in our opposition to this unconscionable practice. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), my very distinguished colleague.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 6720, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago today, Hurricane Irma struck my home, the Virgin Islands of the United States. Much was lost, but we were bent but not broken, and our good God has preserved our spirit. This week, many Virgin Islands students return to school. Some still await their facilities being prepared for them. It is a significant step forward. It also serves as a reminder that there is much work yet in restoring an environment wholly conducive to the needs of our students. After the hurricanes, both school districts lost estimates of $700 million in facility supplies and food for educational purposes. It is incumbent on all of us--all of us--to put our shoulders in to push our children forward. I want to thank those who have been gifted with one of the most important roles in our community: the hardworking teachers, administrators, faculty, and staff who played an integral role in our students returning to school this week in the Virgin Islands. We are grateful for your efforts.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I thank the committee for the opportunity to express my strong support for this amendment to the Department of Interior division of this bill. This amendment amounts to a small uptick in critical funding for assistance to territories at the Department of Interior's Office of Insular Affairs, to the amount that has already been recommended by the majority in the Senate. This is a modest uptick of just under $4 million in Federal support for Americans in insular territories of the United States, namely, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Nearly a half million Americans reside in these islands, which have been part of this great country for over a century. Since then, the Federal Government has supported the territories largely through Department of Interior assistance activity, with funding channeled towards technical assistance to local governments and to assist in upgrading essential community facilities like schools and hospitals and critical infrastructure, including waste disposal and wastewater systems. Even before two Category 5 hurricanes struck the Virgin Islands, our schools faced structural deficiencies not conducive to a healthy learning environment. Our hospitals face serious deferred maintenance issues due, in part, to their extremely high proportion of uncompensated care, because we face inequitable treatment in the Federal health programs like Medicaid and Medicare. There are few facilities for assisted living among a growing population of aging citizens. Construction or repair to schools and hospitals account for much of the Capital Improvement Project expenditures that come directly out of this Assistance to Territories account. I believe it is imperative that the Federal Government enhance its commitment to address the pressing needs of Americans living in the territories as we face grave natural disasters and security threats. I continue to be concerned about the catastrophic impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria to the Virgin Islands, especially in light of financial solvency issues, coupled with the anticipated amount of time before government industry and utilities are able to fully function and generate revenues. There are also additional revenue losses and other operational needs stemming from passage of significant tax reforms last year. The Virgin Islands and most of the insular territories have mirror tax codes of the United States, meaning that when we make changes to the Federal Tax Code, they automatically apply as a tax code of the territories, with few exceptions. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changes bring in a host of unintended new revenue and economic loss issues that the local governments of the territories will need significant technical assistance to mitigate. The U.S. territories are part of the United States, and jobs in these territories are American jobs. According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate in the Virgin Islands is currently at least 12 percent, three times the national rate. The people living in American island territories are citizens of this great Nation and entitled to equality to the people living in the 48 contiguous States, Hawaii, and Alaska, but the Virgin Islands and other territories are not included in the same formula grants as other locations. We do not receive the same funding for grants, technical assistance, programs that provide jobs, or infrastructure. A continuation of level funding to the small assistance account is highly inadvisable at this time, for the reasons I have outlined previously. Americans residing in the U.S. territories may be the first to be hit by a major hurricane, but have no vote on the budget for FEMA or anything else. They continue to be severely tried, and in circumstances beyond their control. Please approve my amendment as a simple matter of fairness to them and equitable to the majority of the Senate's requests at this time. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman, the ranking member, and the members of this committee for supporting this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on my bill, H.R. 4446, to extend the Virgin Islands Centennial Commission. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Gowdy and Ranking Member Cummings, House leadership, and staff for their work to bring this bill to the House floor. The Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission Act was signed into law in 2016 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Virgin Islands of the United States becoming an unincorporated territory of the United States and to facilitate discussions and events on its relations with the territory. Since its creation, the Commission has seen the appointments of Senators Lisa Murkowski, Bill Nelson, and Marco Rubio, Representatives Tom MacArthur and Mia Love, and Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Douglas Domenech. The Commission expires September 30, 2018, without the extension of such time. The Commission has been formed to plan, develop, and carry out such activities as the Commission considers fitting and proper to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Virgin Islands of the United States becoming part of the United States. The Commission also will provide advice and assistance to the Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, as well as civic groups, to carry out activities to commemorate this milestone in the movement of the Virgin Islands in its relationship with the United States. Passage of this bill would allow the Commission additional time to accomplish its mission to study specific issues related to the Virgin Islands of the United States by extending the final report termination deadlines by a year to January 31, 2019, and September 30, 2019, respectively. In June, the Centennial Commission met and selected a chair and interim executive director. We are currently in the process of collaborating with the National Museum of African American History and Culture on public programs as well as hearings here and in the Virgin Islands. The Commission is also in the process of engaging stakeholders to become involved in developing future projects to meet its goals and objectives. Last September, as we all know, the Virgin Islands faced catastrophic damage from two unprecedented back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes. The recovering American citizens residing on the islands would benefit greatly from continued congressional recognition, as well as the work of the Commission not only in commemorating our past, but, more importantly, talking about our future and our continued relationship with the country. This Commission has received national and international support, and an extended lifespan of the Commission would allow it to better benefit from this support and further examine the often inadequate relationship between the territory and the rest of the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4446, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 4890 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9801 Apollo Drive in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, as the Wayne K. Curry Post Office Building. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Brown) to tell us more about Mr. Curry.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time. I urge passage of H.R. 4890, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 5238, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1234 Saint Johns Place in Brooklyn, New York, as the Major Robert Odell Owens Post Office. This is particularly important to me, as Congressman Owens was my Congressman as a child growing up, and Saint Johns Place was the street on which my mother lived when she came from the Virgin Islands to live in New York City. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke), and from that great place called Brooklyn, to tell us more about Congressman Owens.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge passage of H.R. 5238, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 4407 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service at 3s101 Rockwell Street in Warrenville, Illinois, as the Corporal Jeffery Allen Williams Post Office Building. Corporal Jeffery Allen Williams began his military career in 2003, completing his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and qualifying as a 91W specialist and basic medical technician. He was deployed to Iraq in February 2005 and was tragically killed in action on September 5 of that year while serving as a medic for the regimental commander's personal security detachment. Corporal Williams' awards include the Purple Heart, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Bronze Star, as well as the Combat Medic Badge. Corporal Williams was well loved in his community and held a special regard for the post office, having spent many days in his youth becoming friends with the office staff. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to name the post office in Warrenville, Illinois, in memory of Corporal Williams and the ultimate sacrifice he made to his community and this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 4407, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge passage of H.R. 4407, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of S. 2692, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4558 Broadway in New York as the Stanley Michels Post Office Building. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat), to tell us more about Stanley E. Michels.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time. I urge passage of S. 2692, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of S. 931 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4910 Brighton Boulevard in Denver, Colorado, as the George Sakato Post Office. Born in California in 1921, George Sakato overcame discrimination to become an American hero. Classified as an ``enemy alien'' because of his Japanese heritage, Mr. Sakato was rejected by the Army Air Forces when he tried to enlist shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Mr. Sakato did not quit though, saying decades later, in 2009: ``What do you mean `enemy alien'? I am an American.'' Mr. Sakato continued trying to enlist until he was finally accepted by the Army Ground Forces in 1944 and sent to fight in Europe, and we are glad that he did. There, he exemplified hard work and selflessness, serving with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit of Japanese Americans that would become the most highly decorated combat unit of its size and time serving in U.S. history. Private Sakato would contribute to that legacy, earning the Army's second highest combat honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, after courageously leading his fellow soldiers to overtake the enemy in France after his platoon leader was killed. In the year 2000, Private Sakato was awarded, as we heard, the Medal of Honor along with 21 other Asian American World War II veterans. Private Sakato worked for the United States post office in Denver for more than two decades and passed away at the age of 94 in 2015. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of S. 931 to commemorate Private Sakato's service and to honor the contributions he and so many other Japanese Americans have made to this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, as part of the Immigration Act of 1990, the diversity visa lottery was established as a way to diversify the United States. Over the past 28 years, the visa lottery has helped to fortify the image of our country and enlarge the greatness of America through the immigrant population. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program awards up to 50,000 visas each year that presents permanent residency in the U.S. and serves as a pathway to citizenship. The lottery has been imperative in creating new opportunities for African and Caribbean individuals seeking citizenship in the U.S. The proposed immigration bills today that will be coming to the floor aim to limit refugee admissions, eliminate the diversity lottery, and reduce the number of employment-based visas distributed each year. As Americans begin many of the pastimes of summer that are quintessentially American--baseball, backyard barbecues, and family road trips--Caribbean Americans reflect on our contributions and the melded culture in the United States through Caribbean American Heritage Month. Ironically, the bills that are coming on the floor this same month will end the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, which has allowed many Caribbean people to come and be part of the American experience. In a month of polarized politics and the Trump administration's assault on increasing diversity in this Nation, Caribbean American Heritage Month serves as a perfect counterpoint example to support the doctrine of Americanism. Congress and President George W. Bush adopted Caribbean American Heritage Month in 2006. While the act establishing Caribbean American Heritage Month emphasized the present influence of Caribbean Americans, American history would not be complete without the integration and support of the Caribbean people. From America's founding to the present, Caribbean people have supported and assisted in the creation of a collective American identity: the articulation of this Nation's rightful place in the world, its traditions, its language, and its cultural style. From Alexander Hamilton, to American Revolution Haitian gens de couleur libre--free men of color--fighting troops, to slave revolt leader Denmark Vessey, to Colin Powell's shock and awe doctrine, the Caribbean emphasis on revolutionary and righteous ideals enforced through martial action have supported American ideals both at home and abroad. In today's culture, many are surprised by the placement of Americans of Caribbean descent. They include former Attorney General Eric Holder to iconic personalities like Lenny Kravitz and Beyonce; economic minds such as Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic; to actors Kerry Washington and Jada Pinkett Smith; to athletes Tim Duncan, Mariano Rivera, and Carmelo Anthony; to journalist Joy Reid and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris. These scions of the Caribbean region are completely American, yet, in many ways, their Caribbean heritage informs and accounts for the attributes which have assisted them in their advancement and supported American greatness. That philosophy is borne out with recent immigrants and naturalized Caribbean people. According to the Migration Policy Institute, Latin American and Caribbean people account for the largest percent of foreign-born military personnel, and that group constitutes 38 percent of all foreign born that are in the Armed Forces. Additionally, according to the 2014 U.S. Census Bureau Report, about 66 percent of Caribbean immigrants and immigrants overall were in the civilian labor force, compared to 62 percent of the native born. According to the Caribbean Policy Institute, Caribbean Blacks have labor force participation rates that exceed the averages for U.S. natives and all immigrants combined. The study from this institute has shown that, collectively, Caribbean people have higher median income earnings than all the immigrants in the U.S. The proposed zero-tolerance immigration policy has resulted, as we have seen, in thousands of children being torn apart from their families. Children are being held in prolonged family detention centers, and this bill eliminates protections that are in place to ensure safe and basic living needs. It is our duty to stop the separation of children. It is our duty to see that America remains great through the diversity that it entails. We cannot allow this bill to go forward, which would eliminate the diversity lottery that has created the diverse American culture that we have. Through service, through ideals, and even through protests, immigrants have made this a great nation. President Trump issued a proclamation on May 31, 2018, which stated that Caribbean American Heritage Month is a time in which America will honor America's long-shared history with our neighbors, but he would appear to be ignorant of the fact that it is not a shared history. Our neighbor's history is our American history.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5294, the Treating Barriers to Prosperity Act of 2018, introduced by subcommittee Chairman Barletta and subcommittee Ranking Member Titus. The Appalachian Regional Commission, or ARC, as it is known, has made significant progress in addressing the persistent poverty and economic despair in Appalachia. However, the current opioid epidemic sweeping the Nation threatens ARC's progress. The high rates of substance abuse and mortality in Appalachia compared to the rest of the United States is a serious impediment to sustained economic growth. Employers are seeking a healthy workforce when making decisions about where they will locate their businesses. High rates of substance abuse and mortality make it difficult for employers to find and hire qualified candidates. Appalachia continues to face significant disparities in its journey to catch up to the rest of the Nation with respect to educational attainment, employment, income, and health outcomes. Sadly, the scourge of opioid abuse in Appalachia makes the road only that much longer. The opioid mortality and overdose rates in Appalachia are shocking, with rates in West Virginia reaching three times the national rate. Moreover, drug abuse jeopardizes the region's ability to retain and attract economic development with a high-performing workforce that is healthy and drug-free. The cycle of despair only continues. Unfortunately, this tragic backdrop highlights the failed campaign promises of President Trump. President Trump campaigned about the scourge of opioids and how he would designate the opioid crisis as a national emergency and combat the problem. However, the President did not declare this epidemic an emergency under the Stafford Act and provided little to no new funding to combat this epidemic. Instead, the administration named White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, a former pollster with no public health background, as the administration's point person on the opioid crisis. The opioid epidemic is a full-blown crisis that demands Congress' attention. Because President Trump refuses to take substantive action, Congress must take the lead on this issue. The ARC, in its mission to promote economic development in the region, has always understood the grave threat of opioid addiction to the economic viability of the region. I am grateful and thankful that this bill provides funding specifically focused on impediments to job creation and economic development; ensures the States in Appalachia can effectively share best practices; and ties in clearer authority to attract health-based businesses, workers, and technology to the region. While the ARC's existing authority has provided ARC the ability to support certain efforts to combat the opioid crisis, clarifying and strengthening that role is critical to economic development in the region. We are grateful that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has been able to step in in this area of economic development and job creation, but we must do more throughout the country, not just with opioids but with other drug issues and the related scourge in this country. I applaud Ranking Member Titus for taking the issue seriously and being an original cosponsor of this bill. This bill will address some of the impacts of drug abuse on economic development in the Appalachian region. I support this bill, and urge my colleagues to support this measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, last year's natural disasters in the U.S. Virgin Islands have left thousands of properties damaged and destroyed. The vast majority of those homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure have yet to be repaired. It is imperative that any funds authorized and intended to be allocated for the Virgin Islands be released to the territory immediately. While the Federal funding does not include the full amount or all of the requests of the Virgin Islands, it will help substantially in the rebuilding efforts to create better housing opportunities, to help build a resilient utility system, burying lines, creating microgrids, and implementing renewables in our energy portfolio. Due to the tenuous position of the U.S. territories, the U.S. Virgin Islands has been unable to pay contractors up front for critical repairs. We don't have the millions to pay up front and seek reimbursement from the government. Treasury and its Secretary has been unwilling to lend us or loan us, under reasonable terms, the money that Congress allocated for us to be loaned. I am requesting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency expedite the release of the funds to the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power pilot program immediately so that project contractors and subcontractors may be paid as soon as possible and recovery efforts continue. Mr. Speaker, when contractors lay off workers, our economy falters. And as hurricane season is beginning, this needs to be done now.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the recent graduates of the University of the Virgin Islands. Unfortunately, I could not attend the graduations last week due to the bad weather up here and the debate on the farm bill. Despite two hurricanes, no power, damaged classrooms, personal tragedies galore, revised class schedules, et cetera, UVI graduates lived up to their names. On St. Thomas, they were known as the Ambitious, Resilient and Hardworking Class of 2018; and on St. Croix, they were known as the Enriched, Elite and Educated Class of 2018. During the ceremony, honorary degrees were also awarded to former local elected officials and radio personalities, Holland Redfield II and Addie Ottley. The class of 2018 is made up of a diverse group of students. Whatever their individual plans, as a class, these UVI graduates have proven that they can take on anything life and nature have to offer. I commend the 2018 UVI graduates for their hard work. Additionally, I would like to commend Briana Winslow and Jermaine Ferguson, who are shadowing me today as young adults in the national foster youth care program. Their lives, their stories are an inspiration to us all, and I commend them for what they are going to be doing in the future.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I am thankful for the opportunity to express my strong opposition to the amendment. It is deeply unfair to the United States Territories and contrary to the original intent of the Federal law in question: the Animal Welfare Act amendment, under which States have always been defined to include the territories. First, the characterization of this amendment is closing a loophole and bringing the territories in with the States is highly misleading. The Animal Welfare Act adequately addresses interstate and foreign commerce of fowl for gaming purposes. The intent of the Federal law in this area has always been to aid States and other local law enforcement in jurisdictions where gamefowl events are illegal, and to prohibit the transport of animals from areas where they are, in fact, allowed. The reason that there is a ban in all 50 States is not because of Federal law, but because of States' laws, and those States have banned them in their States. So for the Federal Government to impose that on the territories at this time, I believe, is deeply unfair. This is a highly regulated, cultural, and historic activity in the territories. Let's not forget that the real author of this bill is The Humane Society which--when the Federal Government gets into this--becomes a slippery slope, as The Humane Society also wants to ban sporting activities or hunting activities in which animals hunt another animal. Is the gentleman from Illinois going to then offer an amendment to stop dogs who assist humans in looking for ducks and in other places? No. But all of the territories' Delegates are against this amendment. And for someone from another State to offer an amendment to restrict something in the U.S. territories is deeply unfair. At the last hearing of the committee in which this issue was addressed, which was nine sessions ago, The Humane Society also testified that legislation at State level should be the proper fora to ultimately decide whether fowl gaming is permitted within those State's borders. And, again, States also meaning territories. I agree, and so should this body. If only they were true to their word--and the gentleman from Illinois agreed with them--and the well- documented legislative history, we wouldn't be here. And hopefully, we would be talking about much more important matters--matters related to the farm bill, such as SNAP, such as school lunches, such as subsidies to our farmers. Those are the things that should be in this farm bill, not this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, may I ask how much time do I have remaining.