Mary Peltola

Mrs. PELTOLA

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 989, the Native American Languages Resource Center Act of 2022. By 1990, some 150 remaining Native American languages were dying out after decades of policies that worked to eliminate Native American languages. While Congress has previously acted to reverse those efforts, Native American languages are still at risk. To that end, I applaud Senator Brian Schatz for championing the Native American Language Resource Center Act. Specifically, this bill will create a center that will provide support for Native American language programs in schools serving students of all ages and at all levels of learning from pre-K to Ph.D.; serve as a resource to Federal, Tribal, State, local governments, and other organizations to spread best practices for the development of Native American language teaching and learning; and support teacher preparation programs that prepare teachers to teach Native American languages. Madam Speaker, research shows that the best way to reverse Native American language extinction is to invest in Native American language education. The Native American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 will accomplish that goal. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Now more than ever, Congress needs to take action to reaffirm our commitments to indigenous populations and make good on our promise to preserve Native American languages. The Native American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 is a critical step to achieving that goal. By creating a hub for resources and learning, Congress will signal their commitment to protecting Native American languages. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. PELTOLA

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill, (S. 1402) to amend the Native American Languages Act to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages, and for other purposes.

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1402, the Durbin Feeling Native American Languages Act of 2021.

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, now more than ever, it is critical that we work together to preserve Native American languages. During the pandemic, Native Americans lost their lives at higher rates compared to other demographics in the United States. The loss of Tribal members inflicted an immeasurable loss to Native Americans' traditions and languages. Today, we have an opportunity to help correct the course. I urge my colleagues to pass the Durbin Feeling Native American Languages Act of 2021 and support and preservation of Native American languages. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. PELTOLA

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 5329, a bill to amend the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act to improve the program, and for other purposes.

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 5329, the Food Donation Improvement Act of 2021, championed by Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts, Mr. Newhouse of Washington, Ms. Pingree of Maine, and the late Mrs. Walorski of Indiana. Nearly 40 percent of the food in the United States is wasted, and the U.S. spends over $408 billion each year disposing of food that has never even been eaten. Meanwhile, in 2021 more than 10 percent of households in America struggled with food insecurity. The Food Donation Improvement Act of 2021 addresses food insecurity by tackling food waste. Specifically, the bill makes improvements to the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act by expanding liability protections that will encourage food donation, including by protecting direct donation to needy individuals. Madam Speaker, simply put, the Food Donation Improvement Act of 2021 makes it easier to donate food that might otherwise go to waste. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in tackling food waste and insecurity and vote ``yes'' on S. 5329. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Mrs. PELTOLA

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 5016, the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System Act. Colonel Rasmuson was an inspiration and driving force for advancing the role of women in the military and engaging in critical community service. Her presence was felt in every community she touched, and her legacy has lived on for future generations. In 1942, as the United States engaged in World War II, Mary Louise Rasmuson wanted to serve her country and joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. She was part of their first graduating class and laid the groundwork for millions of women to come. As she continued her military career, Colonel Rasmuson soared through the ranks and took on multiple leadership roles in the Army. In 1957, she was appointed as the fifth director of the Women's Army Corps and was appointed again in 1961 by President Kennedy. Colonel Rasmuson retired from the Army in 1962, but her legacy and community impact expanded well beyond these years. Following her military retirement, Mary Louise Rasmuson moved to Alaska, where she was a monumental philanthropist and pivotal member of the community. She secured funding for dozens of programs to support Alaskans, most notably for the Anchorage Museum. Most importantly, Colonel Rasmuson was a strong leader for veterans, especially female veterans, assisting them in securing their benefits. This bill is a perfect tribute to Mary in many ways. It highlights her dedication to veterans in Alaska, philanthropic work, and deep commitment to improving the lives of all Alaskans. This bill would designate the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Anchorage as the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System, a fitting tribute to a woman who gave so much to the veterans of Alaska. I thank Chairman Takano, Ranking Member Bost, and leadership on both sides for scheduling this bill. I also thank Senators Murkowski and Sullivan for sponsoring and securing its passage in the Senate. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. PELTOLA

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, though I was present and attempted to vote, due to technical difficulties, my vote of ``yea'' for H.R. 1948 was not recorded. Had my vote been recorded, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 530.

Mrs. PELTOLA

Mrs. PELTOLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on S. 3115, the POWER 2.0 Act. This bill is the Senate companion to my bill of the same title, H.R. 9113. Both bills address the same flaw in our system, that survivors of intimate partner-related violence and intimidation often lack the legal resources they need to protect themselves from future injury. In this paradigm, victims are too often unable to escape their perpetrators, often to devastating effect. Thankfully, in 2018, Congress offered an avenue to relief. The Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent Act, sponsored by my Senate colleague, Senator Sullivan, authorized a pilot project calling for each district court to hold at least one event annually in concert with domestic violence service providers to promote pro bono legal services for victims of partner-related violence and intimidation. Additionally, to address the appalling victimization rates among Alaska Natives and American Indians in particular, the bill also mandates partnerships between district courts and Tribes and Tribal organizations. Since its enactment, the POWER Act has brought together dozens of service organizations and tens of thousands of lawyers, all with the aim of combating our skyrocketing rates of violence and intimidation endemic across many parts of our country. As one of my first legislative actions in Congress, I am proud to introduce the POWER 2.0 Act. This bill removes the sunset on the POWER Act and will ensure more victims have the ability to protect themselves from further violence and intimidation. I am both grateful and filled with anticipation to see this body act so uniformly in favor of this bill, S. 3115, today.

Mrs. PELTOLA

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for providing consideration of my legislation today. I particularly want to share my appreciation with committee Chair Takano and Ranking Member Bost on the Veterans' Affairs Committee for moving quickly on this important issue for the 18 million veterans in our country. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on a topic of vital importance to my State where veterans comprise about 10 percent of the population, and I know many veterans who face food insecurity. This is my first bill as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, which is appropriate. There is nothing more important than ensuring our veterans and their families can enjoy a safe and healthy life after their service for our country. This bill would create an Office of Food Security within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The office would be charged with providing information to veterans on the availability and eligibility requirements for Federal nutrition assistance programs. The office would work with other government agencies to implement policies to help veterans at risk or experiencing food insecurity. A report just 4 months ago from the Center for Strategic and International Studies was clear, ``Food insecurity among U.S. veterans and military families is a national security concern: it multiplies stress on Active Duty personnel, diminishes well-being among servicemembers and their children--who are more likely to serve in the military as adults--and may hinder recruitment for the armed services.'' Madam Speaker, I know this bill will not solve the problem entirely, but I believe it can help in Alaska and throughout the country. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 8888.

Mrs. PELTOLA

Mrs. PELTOLA. Madam Speaker, I thank Leader Hoyer for the very kind introduction and most especially for his words about my predecessor, Congressman for all Alaska, Don Young. I thank you, Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, and so many of my colleagues from both parties who have been very kind in welcoming me to the House of Representatives. I am also so grateful to have my husband, my seven children and their loved ones, two grandchildren, and two sisters here with me this week. I couldn't do this without their love and support and votes. It is the honor of my life to represent Alaska, a place my elders and ancestors have called home for thousands of years, where to this day many people in my community carry forward our traditions of hunting and fishing. I am humbled and deeply honored to be the first Alaska Native to be elected to this body, the first woman to hold Alaska's House seat. But to be clear, I am here to represent all Alaskans. I will work every day to make all Alaskans proud that they have entrusted me to carry their voices here. I am excited to work with all of you, to explain and take action to address Alaskans' needs, just as you did with my predecessor, the Congressman for all Alaska, Don Young. Like all Alaskans, I mourned his passing. In Yupik, when we lose a loved one, we say ``this is not the end.'' ``Tua-i-ngunrituq.'' Don was a true institution, an Alaska icon, someone who fought so hard and so well for our State for 49 years. I know many of you loved Don, and I am sorry for your loss, too. I am committed to securing his legacy of bipartisanship and a deep respect for this institution. In my few days in Washington, I have already begun forming friendships with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Now, I might have a different approach than Don. You know how soft- spoken he was. But you will still be hearing all about Alaska, our people, and our State's unique needs. I promised Alaskans I would fight for our families, to lower the cost of living that is pushing too many of us to the brink, to invest in high-quality childcare and early education, and to grow Alaska's economy with good jobs that pay a fair wage. Resource development is important to Alaska's economy and our national energy security, and I look forward to working to ensure our State remains a global leader. I also committed to fighting for our fish. For so many Alaska communities, fish are life. Our fish harvest is the best in the world. Half of the wild salmon sold in the world comes from our State, supporting good jobs that sustain strong communities. Subsistence fishing is not only an essential food source for so many Alaska families and communities, it is a sacred part of our traditions. Again, thank you for your warm welcome. We have a lot to get done, and I am looking forward to getting to work. ``Thank you very much.'' ``Quyana cakneq.''