Stacey Plaskett

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Thank you so much to my colleague, Sheila Jackson Lee. I want to thank you and the Congressional Black Caucus for this Special Order Hour, a special tribute to the lives and legacy of Representative Louis Stokes, Amelia Boynton Robinson, and Julian Bond. Thank you, Ms. Jackson Lee, for your work here in Congress, your tireless efforts to raise awareness to issues which many Americans may have forgotten or not given thought to. Thank you for your mentorship to us younger members here and your tireless efforts to support not only the people of Houston, but the people of America. Thank you for allowing us this most important opportunity to pay tribute to these remarkable individuals. Mr. Speaker, today we gather in reverence and in solemn reflection to honor the lives and legacies of some exceptional people, some exceptional Americans, who we have lost in these recent months. These were civil rights activists, statesmen and women, trailblazers, members of a great generation of individuals who gave so much of themselves to the Civil Rights Movement and to the advancement of minorities in our country. They are former Congressman Louis Stokes, former chairman of the NAACP and Georgia State Senator Julian Bond, and civil rights icon Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson. A centenarian--Mrs. Robinson's 110 years of life, that in itself is a great honor--she was dedicated to education, fighting state-sanctioned discriminatory practices against African Americans, and voter disenfranchisement. One can make the argument that her role in Selma's civil rights demonstrations, including the infamous march on Bloody Sunday where she was beaten unconscious by State police, paved the way, through the subsequent passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, for both Congressman Stokes and State Representative Bond to serve in elected office. As the first African American elected to Congress from the State of Ohio, Congressman Stokes was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and spent his 30-year career in Congress advocating issues of importance to Ohioans and to African Americans across the country. Julian Bond, that great statesman from Georgia, was one of 11 African Americans elected to the Georgia House of Representatives after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Bond served 20 years in both legislative chambers in the State of Georgia and served as the first president of the Southern Poverty Law Center. He also served as chairman of the NAACP. These individuals have impacted the lives of so many African Americans and have undoubtedly advanced the rights and interests of minorities in both our States' and our Nation's governments. Similarly, I would like to just take a moment to recognize two individuals from my own home district of the Virgin Islands who, like Congressman Stokes, Julian Bond, and Amelia Robinson, have changed the landscape of the Virgin Islands through their advocacy and education. I would like to recognize a former judge and Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands, the late Julio A. Brady, who, like Julian Bond and Congressman Stokes, used his training as an attorney to contribute to his community outside of the courtroom. As a U.S. attorney, judge, and attorney general, Judge Brady fought to remove barriers of injustice. He was laid to rest this week. Like Congressman Stokes and Amelia Robinson, Judge Brady's legacy of service will carry on. Ursula Krigger was also a centenarian, like Amelia Robinson, and, at age 113 was the oldest living Virgin Islander until her passing this month. She was a griot, an educator whose longevity afforded a unique perspective of witnessing the modern advancement of our territory. The lives and legacies of these individuals are etched in the annals of our history and their impact forever ingrained in the minds and hearts of the many lives they touched. I am a better person; and, indeed, we are a better nation through the work of these individuals. I have listened to my colleagues tonight speak about Representative Louis Stokes, Amelia Boynton Robinson, and Julian Bond and the personal impact these individuals had on the work of my colleagues with whom they served and have known personally. Understand, that while many like myself may not have had the great honor and pleasure of toiling and working with them shoulder to shoulder in the struggle for civil rights and the advancement of minorities in our country, Americans like myself understand and appreciate their sacrifice, and we understand the work that must still be done. We will continue their legacy here today and in Congress in the future. Thank you so much, Congressional Black Caucus, for this time. And thank you again to my colleague from Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee, for the time that I have been afforded to speak on behalf of these great Americans.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Over these summer months my colleagues and I have engaged in--what I believe has been--enormous thought, analysis, consultation, and heartfelt introspection in taking a position on a matter that may determine the safety of the Middle East, and the United States' continued leadership in the world. For several years our nation has spearheaded sanctions, which have brought Iran to the negotiating table, and our President has presented to our nation a path to peace. For the last 30 years, American-Iranian relations have been trapped in not only suspicion and mistrust, but intractability; denying us the ability to develop even an agreement as to how we will manage our and our allies' relationship and interests in Iran. As a nation of democracy, dignity and freedom, fought for and defended by ourselves and our allies, I believe that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the best means to protect and advance the best interests of our nation and those of our allies. I choose to support measures designed to build bridges to a future that may one day lead to peace. I fundamentally support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and commend Secretary John Kerry and Secretary Ernest Moniz for their leadership in these negotiations. We are not the only party to this Agreement and we are well aware that all other nations in the negotiation are ready and willing to sign the JCPOA. They are also ready to resume commercial relations with Iran, which will effectively remove economic sanctions, the stick which initially brought them to the table. Our leadership role demands that we follow through with the terms of this Agreement and continue to be at the helm of monitoring Iran. We must never walk away from our commitment to peace in the region and our alliance with Israel. If we walk away now, however, we have no voice. We isolate not only our leaders, but also our nation. No one believes this is a perfect outcome or that we have entered with complete faith in the other side. As a lawyer, I understand that no party is ever completely satisfied with agreements such as this. I am particularly concerned that the Agreement will require lifting the sanctions against Iran, which has been our main enforcement measure. Iran stands to recover approximately $100 billion once released from previously imposed sanctions. If we reject this deal, we waive any leverage to ensure the money is not used to advance a regime that would threaten our national and international security. I will work with my colleagues in Congress and the Administration as we ensure Iran abides by the terms of the Agreement and uses the money to promote economic stability globally and within the region. I have met with my constituents including those from both the Muslim and Jewish communities and am thankful for their thoughts on this subject, and even more so for their commitment to uplift the people of the Virgin Islands, our country and the world. Most important to this decision is my fear that military action would be the likely alternative to rejecting the Agreement, and my constituents--mostly underserved and unemployed minorities--will be the individuals to bear the brunt of the fight. As the Representative of a community that serves in our Nation's military in greater proportion than most communities on the mainland, and as a mother of three service-age sons, I cannot support this outcome. On this anniversary of the attack of September 11, 2001, and our nation's subsequent decision to enter war, we see that we must exhaust every option before entering war and suffering the casualties of such conflicts, which rob us of the most precious resource of our nation; our people. The alternative to not supporting the Agreement is not a viable option for our nation. We as leaders must work diligently for peace in the Middle East, and to ensure we protect the interests of Israel, our must trusted ally in the region. I believe that President Obama has secured enough votes in the Senate to advance the Agreement, and hope we in Washington will now focus on efforts towards addressing and improving our long-term infrastructure needs, maintaining our social safety net system, alleviating the continued inequities in this great country, and uplifting the lives of all Americans.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I am upset that the House is heading to August recess today with so much unfinished work in front of us. We could be working to find a transportation bill that both we and the Senate can agree on, a bill that would begin to fix our broken roads, bridges, and highways. My district, the Virgin Islands, has been hit by nearly 6 years of substantially reduced Federal highway funding. We could be working on an appropriations bill to fund important work for this country. In my district, the Virgin Islands, the Interior Appropriations bill is vitally important. This funding would go toward the children in our schools. Right now the schools are not structurally sound and are decaying. In fact, a new school hasn't been built in my home district on the island of St. Croix or St. Thomas in the last two decades. It is shameful to leave town without working on a Voting Rights Act. The ability and ease of access to voting must be expanded, not restricted. It must also be further expanded to include the 4 million Americans who do not have the right to vote for their President simply because they live in a territory. These men and women love their country, they fight for their country, but they are excluded from the most basic democratic function. We could be working to fix these and a myriad of other things, but, instead, we are leaving with these matters unattended. This is an embarrassment to this body and must not happen again.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago the President announced resumption of diplomatic relations with Cuba. While we celebrate the implications of a renewed relationship both for Cuban and American citizens, the citizens of my own home district do so with guarded welcome. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. territories of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and our geographic proximity to Cuba makes us a direct economic competitor. All indicators point to massive growth in Cuba's tourism industry. While the U.S. Virgin Islands continues to be a premier tourist destination particularly for Americans, with more than 2.7 million tourists in 2014 alone, Cuba is shaping to be a formidable competitor. Prior to resumption of relations, a report from the Caribbean Tourism Organization showed just over 3 million visitors to Cuba in 2014 compared to 2.7 for the Virgin Islands and 3 million in Puerto Rico. However, in the first quarter of 2015, the Cuban Government has already reported more than 1.4 million tourist visits, a number that more than doubles the amount reported for the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico during this same time. Mr. Speaker, the United States must consider its own island territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in the advancement of diplomatic relations with Cuba. Investments must come to the U.S. Virgin Islands. I wish all of our French citizens a happy Bastille Day.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 2822.

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chairman, as one of the five Members of Congress representing America's offshore territories and as the Representative from the U.S. Virgin Islands, I am disappointed to see the underfunding made to the FY16 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Aside from the underfunding to environmental protection programs that protect important natural resources and, among a myriad of things, assures Americans have access to clean water, the cuts to this bill come largely at the expense of America's island territories. The Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Marianas have been a part of this great Nation for more than a century. Since then, this country has augmented the support to critical areas of activity by the respective local governments in these territories. This is done, largely in part, through the Interior's territorial assistance activity, in which this bill proposes to underfund by $13,684,000. Mr. Chairman, this is unacceptable. Funding through Interior's territorial assistance activity go toward many important functions in these territories, like capital improvement projects. These capital improvement projects, CIP, funds address a variety of infrastructure needs in the U.S. territories, including critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, wastewater, and solid waste systems. For example, funding through CIP helped the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority complete the repair of a severely deteriorated force main water line that threatened to leak in nearby ocean water. Improvements to critical infrastructure not only benefit the current population of these territories and the businesses that invest in those communities, but lay the groundwork to attract new investment to the territories, which promotes economic development and self-sufficiency. An example of the importance of this funding to the territories is highlighted in the fiscal year '16 budget request, in which my home district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, proposes to use approximately $2 million to address health and safety deferred maintenance items that have been identified in Interior's insular assessment of buildings and classrooms initiative. This is imperative, as our schools are not structurally sound or conducive to the healthy learning environment. Many of the schools in the Virgin Islands are overrun with mold and have severe structural deficiencies, some of which are over a half a century old. The St. Croix Central High School had to close its doors last year because of noxious odors that made teachers and students sick. This recurring incident began midway through the 2013 school year and forced the entire student body of more than 1,000 students to join a similarly populated high school in double session for the remainder of the school year. This coming fall, the Virgin Islands government will again close schools on the island of St. Croix, but this time, students from three schools will be relocated to other schools for at least an entire school year, maybe longer, while the local government works to repair the severely decrepit buildings that house those young people. Mr. Chairman, there hasn't been a school built in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the last two decades. The children in my home district, as well as in the other five territories, deserve better and need the assistance afforded through this funding. A breakdown of CIP expenditures in 2014 underscores how important this funding is to not only students in our territories, but also to our senior citizens as well. Construction or repair to schools and hospitals account for nearly half the total amount of CIP expenditures last year. In St. Croix, our hospital is without an adequate mental health facility, as well as St. Thomas, and there are few assisted living facilities and a growing population of aging citizens. The U.S. Virgin Islands also proposes to use $1 million in 2016 CIP funding for structural renovations and equipment upgrades at a variety of public libraries on the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. These repairs and upgrades will help provide a safe, secure, and comfortable location for citizens to use library archives and public resources. Mr. Chairman, the people living in America's island territories are citizens of this great Nation, the same as people living in Alaska, Hawaii, and the 48 contiguous States. We are constitutionally entitled to fair and equal representation and full inclusion by this House, as well as by this government. I look forward to continuing to work on this issue. Mr. Chairman, I want to also point out that unlike the States, the Virgin Islands and the other territories are not part of the formula grants that the other locations have. We do not receive the same funding for grants, programs that provide technical assistance, jobs, or infrastructure. In fact, today, with the announcement of the Supreme Court, while we are thankful for the rest of the United States, with the Affordable Care Act, we are not included in it to the full extent the other States are. I am asking, Mr. Chairman, at this time, that this body, as well as this Congress and, in fact, the Federal Government, look to the Virgin Islands and look to including us and all of the territories in full inclusion. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate not only the students, but the community of the Virgin Islands on so many graduates of our high schools these last weeks. While I have not been able to be there in body for some of the graduations, I am there in spirit and in heart. The Gifft Hill School, AZ Academy, Good Hope Country Day, St. Croix Central High School, St. Croix Educational Complex, St. Croix Seventh- day Adventist School, St. Joseph High School, Antilles School, All Saints Cathedral School, Charlotte Amalie High School, Church of God Academy, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral School, Seventh-day Adventist High School, the Virgin Island Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, and the Wesleyan Academy. Students, you know that you are our future, we love you, that you represent the best of us all as a community, and that we expect great things for you. You are entering a world at war, a nation with challenges and conflicts, and our islands in crisis. But we know that, with your passion for learning, discipline, and an ability take risks, we are in great hands.

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 supporting H.R. 891, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 141 Paloma Drive in Floresville, Texas, as the Floresville Veterans Post Office Building. This legislation commemorates the sacrifices made by the servicemen and -women of Floresville, Texas. Whether they served abroad or at home, our military men and women have courageously given their time and energy to defend the many freedoms we Americans hold so dear. Recognizing the loyalty and bravery of our veterans by naming this post office in their honor is the least we can do. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill that would recognize the honorable service and countless sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. I urge the passage of H.R. 891, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar).

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting H.R. 728, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7050 Highway BB in Cedar Hill, Missouri, as the Sergeant First Class William B. Woods, Jr. Post Office. Born in Hermann, Missouri, William Woods, Jr., studied photography at Montana State University. Following in the footsteps of a long line of military men in his family, William enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1996. There, he served as a scout sniper until joining the U.S. Army Special Forces as a senior medical sergeant in 2003. He was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group and was stationed in Glen Arm, Maryland. Tragically, while serving as a doctor in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Sergeant First Class Woods, Jr., was shot and killed while on patrol on August 16, 2009. Sergeant First Class Woods, Jr., is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and two daughters, Lily and Ella. He is remembered as an adventurous outdoorsman, as well as a dedicated family man, loyal husband, and loving father. Sergeant First Class Woods, Jr., received a number of awards, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, for his service. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to honor the valiant service and sacrifices of Sergeant First Class William B. Woods, Jr., and of his family. I urge the passage of H.R. 728. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

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

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano). (Mr. SERRANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As a Virgin Islander living next door to Puerto Rico and as a former assistant district attorney in Bronx County, where Mr. Badillo lived, it gives me great pleasure to join my colleagues in supporting H.R. 1350, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 442 East 167th Street in Bronx, New York, as the Herman Badillo Post Office Building. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on August 21, 1929, Mr. Badillo went on to become America's first Puerto Rican-born Congressman and a prominent figure in New York City politics. The only son of Francisco and Carmen Rivera Badillo, he suffered the loss of both his parents by his fifth birthday. He was taken in by relatives, and at the age of 11, without knowing English, moved to East Harlem, New York. He learned English and excelled in school, working his way through college and law school as a dishwasher, bowling pinsetter, and accountant. After graduating with high honors from City College in 1951, Herman went on to become valedictorian of his Brooklyn Law School class in 1954. Herman Badillo practiced law in New York and won election as Bronx Borough president in 1965. He ran for Congress and won in 1970. While Mr. Badillo was considered a Democrat during his 7 years in this Chamber, he did not view himself as bound by party loyalties. Mr. Badillo served this Chamber with honor and distinction for 7 years before resigning his seat in 1977 to serve the people of New York as deputy mayor to New York Mayor Ed Koch. Mr. Badillo continued to serve the city of New York and remained involved in education reform until he died at age 85 on December 3, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Gail, and his son, David. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill to honor Herman Badillo's lifetime of service and dedication to the city of New York and to this country. I urge the passage of H.R. 1350, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

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

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting H.R. 1326, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2000 Mulford Road in Mulberry, Florida, as the Sergeant First Class Daniel M. Ferguson Post Office. Born and raised in Mulberry, Florida, Daniel Ferguson was a standout athlete at Mulberry High School, where he lettered in five sports, including baseball, football, and track. After joining the Army in 1993, Daniel dedicated the rest of his life to the service of our country. Over the next 20 years, Daniel completed tours in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Following his final deployment, Sergeant First Class Ferguson was stationed as an Army transportation supervisor at Fort Hood, Texas, beginning in March 2013. On April 2, 2014, Sergeant First Class Ferguson made the ultimate sacrifice. Sergeant First Class Ferguson witnessed a shooting rampage break out on base, and seeing the shooter approaching the room where he and his colleagues gathered, held himself against an unlocked door and used his body as a shield. Tragically, Sergeant First Class Ferguson lost his life that day, but through his courage and selflessness, many of his colleagues survived. Sergeant First Class Ferguson is remembered by his fiance, fellow soldier Kristen Haley, and all those who knew him for his loyalty, bravery, and heroism. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Meritorious Service Medal, among others, for his military service. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by Sergeant First Class Daniel Ferguson, and to honor his devoted service to the protection of our country abroad, as well as his fellow soldiers at home. I urge the passage of H.R. 1326, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment as the designee of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gallego).

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is very straightforward. It simply urges the CFTC Office of the Chief Economist to encourage applicants for employment by members of minority groups, women, disabled persons, and veterans. This is a basic standard that I believe every corporation and Federal agency in America should and is willing to strive to meet. Our government is stronger when its workforce reflects the rich diversity of the American people, and this is especially true when it comes to our financial regulatory agencies. In the years preceding the financial crash, CFTC and the SEC fell down on the job. Their failures helped set the stage for the crushing recession that followed, an economic downturn that disproportionately impacted communities of color. In the wake of this crisis, Dodd-Frank wisely established the Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion to promote diversity at the Nation's financial regulators and to ensure that the interests of women and minorities would be protected by these agencies. I was pleased when, earlier this month, six regulatory bodies came together to announce the creation of joint standards for assessing the diversity practices of the financial institutions they oversee. Though long overdue, this is a critical step forward that will help to promote a more inclusive financial industry. While CFTC did not participate in crafting these standards, I hope that by passing this amendment today we can send a clear message that Congress expects the agency to demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion moving forward. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is narrowly crafted, but it promotes a far-reaching goal, advancing the fundamentally American principles of equal opportunity for all. I urge all Members to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 2289, pursuant to House Resolution 288, amendment Nos. 2 and 3 printed in House Report 114-136 may be considered out of sequence.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 2615 and H. Res. 291, both of which I introduced earlier this week. Nearly a century ago, the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark for its geopolitical importance. The citizens of the Virgin Islands of the United States commemorate the events of that date, March 31, 1917, each year. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 291 asks the United States Postal Service to create a commemorate stamp in honor of the centennial. The purpose of H.R. 2615 will form a bipartisan congressional commission to research, plan, develop, and carry out activities the commission considers appropriate to commemorate the 100th anniversary. The commission will bring a national awareness to the events commemorating the centennial, engage lawmakers here in Congress, as well as the administration, and a new national discussion around the relationship and place of the Virgin Islands with the United States. The coming centennial anniversary of the inclusions of the Virgin Islands in America affords us an opportunity to revisit this history and our ongoing relationship. It is also an opportunity to highlight the enormous contributions to the United States by Virgin Islanders and the richness of our Virgin Islands heritage.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support an important initiative. We celebrate and show honor to our veterans, fallen servicemembers, and those in the Armed Forces during Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and then in some respects we go on about our business. Those veterans and the men and women in the National Guard and Ready Reserve need our continued support. We do that through health care, educational initiatives, and other ways. We must do it as well to support them economically with jobs. Too many American servicemembers remain unemployed. Although the overall veteran unemployment rate has dropped in recent years, the rate of unemployment among our post-9/11 veterans is 7.2 percent. As our economy continues to improve, we must be sure that those who fight to defend this country are not left behind. The men and women who serve in the National Guard and Reserve are highly trained, well- qualified individuals who add tremendous value to our employer's workforce. Let's make it easier for those employers--and even incentivize them-- to bring the men and women who continue to serve in the National Guard and Reserve on their payroll. Through the Hire A Hero Act, H.R. 2457, employers would receive a tax incentive to hire our National Guardsmen and Reservists. This would support small businesses by providing them with highly skilled workers and assist our great men and women. Please join me in supporting the Hire A Hero Act.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of our armed forces who have given their lives in defense of our democracy. The men and women whose dedication has been to protect not just our land and people, but also the principles we hold so dear: the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The veterans from my home district in the U.S. Virgin Islands have long been among the first to answer America's call to duty. In some cases, even fighting in defense of this great nation before they were officially a part of it. Our territory had only been under the U.S. flag for a few months when America entered into World War I. Virgin Islanders had not yet been granted American Citizenship, but our people served--and they did so bravely, and with honor. In the fight to preserve our democracy all Virgin Island veterans have given, but there are some, like the nine brave Virgin Island souls, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This Memorial Day, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting the sacrifice and honoring the memory of these men. They are: Army SSG Kendall Thomas; Army PFC Jason Lynch; Marine Lance Cpl. Shane L. Goldman; Army SPC Jose Rosario; Army SSG Gregory Rivera- Santiago; Army LTC David C. Canegata; Army SFC Floyd Lake; Army SGT Jorge Scatliffe and Army SGT Errol James. This nation owes these men, and the countless others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, a great debt; one which we can never really repay. Our resolve is that their sacrifice is not in vain as we rise up in their stead in the continuing fight for liberty and justice for all.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of Head Start in this country, and to honor the many professionals whose dedication to early childhood education has kept the program going. But as we are celebrating the successes of Head Start, let us not overlook the fact that our commitment to early education and our efforts as a body to preserve the Head Start program are not exactly even-keeled. While Head Start has served more than 30 million children and families in urban and rural areas across the country, in many cities, families see long waiting lists. In my home district in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the funded enrollment in Head Start is just under 900, but there are more than 750 children on the waiting list--an increase from the 600 who were on the list the year before. This in part, comes as a result of funding constraints that has prevented the expansion of Head Start. I don't have to stress the importance of this program. Access to Head Start not only improves children's preschool outcomes, but has been shown to positively impact high school graduation rates and even help families move out of poverty. It is my hope that this body continues to hold firm the commitment to providing quality early education for our children and work together in closing the educational opportunity gap. Half a century later, President Lyndon Johnson's vision and words still hold true: this is, in fact, ``one of the most constructive, and one of the most sensible, and also one of the most exciting programs that this nation has ever undertaken.'' Let's continue investing in our most valuable resource: our children.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate National Police Week, I solemnly rise to honor and salute the sacrifice of our law enforcement officers around the country and in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands. Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to ensure the safety and security of our communities. With endless dedication they bear a great responsibility, as their family and friends share their sacrifices. I know that sacrifice first-hand as my father was an NYPD officer for 30 years and my grandfather was the Virgin Islands Deputy Police Commissioner. While we should honor their acts of valor and memorialize the sacrifice of the fallen daily, National Police Week affords us the opportunity to join together as a nation to honor their courage and salute their sacrifice. I ask that the members of the 114th Congress join me in saluting the sacrifices of the Virgin Islands Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. They are: Patrolman Leopold E. Fredericks; Patrolman Leroy Alvaro Swan; Patrolman Rudel Albert Parrott; Patrolman Allan Williams; Patrolman Patrick Emmanuel Sweeney; Patrolman Wilbur Horatio Francis; Officer Dexter L. Mardenborough; Officer Steven Hodge; Officer Cuthbert Ezekiel Chapman; Officer Ariel Anton Frett; Officer Akeem Basil Newton and Officer Colvin Terrance Georges, Sr.

Ms. PLASKETT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, today, 1 day after the 1-year anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria, I rise to encourage my colleagues here in Congress to continue in their efforts to help bring back our girls. We have protested, demonstrated, tweeted, and spoken about this issue on a number of occasions. Now, with a new Nigerian leader in place, I encourage Muhammadu Buhari to do all that is within his power to defeat Boko Haram and bring back our girls. In an effort to improve the quality of life of their young daughters, can you imagine, as a parent, sending your child off to school and never seeing them again? This is the case for hundreds of families. This is not right. No family or child should feel threatened when it comes to improving their lives through education. Therefore, as we continue to call for the total annihilation of Boko Haram, we should also use this moment to emphasize the importance of establishing safe learning environments for all children. I commend USAID and other human rights organizations for the work that they have done to accomplish this goal. As a person of color, a mother, and an American, I urge you all to do much more to stop Boko Haram and promote safe, quality education for young girls and boys around the world.