Jamie Raskin

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Sorensen).

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 7887, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of an extraordinary Marylander, John ``Paul'' Molloy, who we lost two years ago this week. Paul was a public servant and a former Capitol Hill staffer with a storied career in both the House and Senate, having helped craft and pass such landmark laws as the National Rail Passenger Act of 1970 establishing AMTRAK, the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act of 1976, the nation's bedrock law governing the safe disposal of solid and hazardous waste. He was always committed to bipartisanship and insisted on celebrating the passage of every bipartisan law with the teams--Democrats and Republicans alike--who made them happen. Even in the midst of all these professional achievements, all was not as it seemed. In 1975, Paul found himself living on the streets, divorced and alone because of his stubborn battle with alcoholism. Fortunately, Paul was able to seek help and begin the long road to recovery. He checked himself into a Montgomery County-run halfway house in Silver Spring. This started a new chapter in his life that would in turn come to touch the lives of so many others in similar situations. When the County-run halfway house closed, Paul joined with his fellow residents to take over the house's management. They all agreed: they would split the rent and utilities equally; they would all contribute to the cooking and cleaning together; and they would accompany one another to treatment. If anyone relapsed, they would have to leave to protect the health of their fellow residents. They called this new sober-supportive living environment ``Oxford House,'' and began a new addiction recovery model that would spread across the country and the world. Today, there are over 3,300 Oxford Houses helping people maintain their sobriety in a supportive environment. The reason the first Oxford House wasn't the only Oxford House is simple--one of its cofounders was a congressional staffer. Paul had the knowledge, experience and contacts that proved instrumental in passing provisions in the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 that created a revolving loan fund for supportive sobriety models like Oxford House. This fund was instrumental in establishing the network of recovery residences that has spread across the country. From the 1980s until the end of his life, Paul found renewed purpose as the Director of Oxford House, overseeing its resident-driven expansion into new neighborhoods and new states. Even as Paul carefully stewarded the expansion of new Oxford Houses, he was careful to maintain the organizational commitment to democratic self- governance within each house, which has empowered generations of Oxford House residents to navigate the inevitable obstacles of life with persistence and patience. After his recovery, Paul and his wife, Jane, decided to remarry, and enjoyed another 34 years together. When he passed away two years ago, Paul left behind not only his beloved Jane but his five children and eight grandchildren. He is sorely missed, but his legacy of good humor and incomparable compassion lives on among his family and Oxford House family. I join the people of Maryland's beautiful Eighth District and people across the United States in expressing the warmest gratitude for Paul's work as we celebrate his life.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, our colleagues invite us today to become the first Congress in the history of the United States to hold someone in contempt for complying with our demands, and their target is the Attorney General of the United States. Attorney General Garland gave us the special counsel's report on President Biden in full. He made the special counsel available to us in committee for hours of testimony, where he answered all our questions, and he provided the full transcript of the President's voluntary 5-hour interview with the special counsel, all 250 pages of it. The whole world can read President Biden's interview and his answers unedited, but that is apparently not enough. Now they want to hold the Attorney General in contempt for not turning over the audiotape of the interview that we have the verbatim transcript of. Why is that important? Well, in case America has lost the thread of this madcap wild goose chase, remember, this is an impeachment investigation. Do they think that the Holy Grail of the 118th Congress evidence of a Presidential high crime and misdemeanor is lurking in the pauses or the background throat clearings and sneezes on the audiotape? Well, of course not. They know there is no high crime or misdemeanor to be found because they have spent the last 17 months and millions of our taxpayer dollars looking for it, and it simply does not exist. They literally don't even know what they are looking for anymore. Why do they want it? Well, they are hoping that in the 5 hours of President Biden's testimony, they can find a mispronounced word or phrase or a brief stammer which they can then turn into an embarrassing political TV attack ad. Get it, America? That is what this is all about. Holding the Attorney General of the United States in contempt is one more useful distraction from the complete and devastating implosion of the Biden impeachment probe which, of course, was the number one priority of these talented leaders. Remember, they promised to reveal the greatest Presidential high crime and misdemeanor in American history, an act of treachery and deceit that dwarfs even the incitement of a violent mob insurrection and an attempted political coup that took place right here against our Constitution, our Congress, and our Vice President in this Chamber. However, after their truly prodigious investigation, punctuated admittedly by some unfortunate mishaps like Chinese spies, fake evidence, pornographic displays in committee, and their own witnesses testifying that there were no grounds for Presidential impeachment, they have nothing to show for their arduous work other than one more debunked Russian disinformation operation and one more indicted GOP informant and star witness. Rather than admit defeat in this bumbling operation and look for some other way to actually aid the public good, they have decided to flail about in mock outrage against a series of phantom tyrants in the hopes of distracting everyone from this epic flop. Their first distraction was to impeach Secretary Ale Mayorkas as a paltry consolation prize, but that pathetic decoy action blew up in their hands. Then, the plan was to skip the mundane work of casting votes and actually doing committee business to travel on a collective spiritual pilgrimage on Amtrak to New York City to attend the criminal trial of an unmentionable American felon, 1 of 19 million in the country. That strange journey to mecca also blew up in their faces when this mystery political false prophet was convicted unanimously by a jury of his peers on dozens of felony criminal counts in a fair American trial. They tried to salvage the credibility of this bizarre expedition by blaming the American justice system for being weaponized against Republicans, but this political extremism quickly melted away when the son of President Biden, the original target of their wrath, was also prosecuted and convicted, like another disarmed felon whose name may now not be spoken on the floor, apparently, by a unanimous jury of his peers on all counts against him. That trial, unlike the trial whose very existence must be sent down the Orwellian memory hole to save someone's hurt feelings, was actually tried in the Federal system. What is left to do now? Well, let's hold the Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland, in contempt, of course. This will be sure to placate an unrepentant and anonymous convicted felon from New York and distract everybody else for a day or two. I confess it is a bit rich, Mr. Speaker, to be asked to hold the Attorney General of the United States in contempt of Congress for overwhelmingly complying with the committee's demands by Members who voted against contempt citations for Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, two persons subpoenaed by the January 6th Select Committee who never spent a single minute with the January 6th Select Committee.

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, Bannon and Navarro never spent a minute with the January 6th Committee and never turned over a single document to our committee. These people had zero percent compliance with Congress. They demonstrated true contempt, which is why they have been sentenced to jail. Chairman Comer, in his wisdom, would hold the Attorney General of the United States of America in contempt for what I think is 100 percent compliance, but in any event, it is something like 98 or 99 percent compliance. If you think a Federal official has not rendered proper compliance, you take them to court. You don't hold them in contempt. It is rich beyond measure, like billionaire rich, to be asked to hold the Attorney General in contempt by people who themselves received subpoenas to testify before the January 6th Committee who never rendered a single document nor a single minute of testimony to the January 6th Committee. Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress to reject this absurd motion.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my constituent and beloved friend, Ms. Gigi Godwin, as she concludes a chapter of exemplary service to the people and businesses of Montgomery County. Gigi's vision as President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) expanded the organization into a nationally recognized resource for innovative business practices and inclusive programming. The communities of Maryland's beautiful Eighth District owe her a debt of gratitude for developing vital services for local business owners from all walks of life. Gigi's career has spanned across the U.S. Congress, the National Academy of Sciences' Climate Research Board and the alternative energy sector. She found her way to MCCC in 2003 as Director of Education and Outreach before rising to become MCCC's President and CEO. She played a pivotal role wearing the additional hat of the MCCC Foundation's Treasurer, developing educational programs and initiatives to support the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation's Veteran Institute for Procurement. This remarkable program has provided training at no expense to nearly 2,500 veteran-owned small businesses to improve their access to the federal contract and procurement process. Gigi not only recognized our important obligation to ensure that economic opportunities are available to veterans--she made it happen, and earned a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for her efforts in 2010. As a passionate advocate for Montgomery County's local economy, Gigi also helped broaden government contracting opportunities to many more businesses in Montgomery County. In addition to her work to establish veteran-centered procurement training, Gigi seized on the potential of Montgomery County's proximity to the engine of federal government to start the GovConNet Council, which educates business owners on the latest contracting opportunities, and advocated for the unanimous passage of the Small Business Runway Extension Act. Gigi's service has extended beyond MCCC to encompass some of Montgomery County's most beloved and foundational institutions. She earned an Honorary Degree from Montgomery College for her five years of service advancing education equity on the College's Board of Trustees. She also served on the boards of the Montgomery County Business Roundtable on Education, the Committee for Montgomery, the Montgomery County Executive's Business Advisory Board and Imagination Stage. I would be remiss if I failed to mention Gigi's signature grace and her steady leadership during some of the most tumultuous economic periods in American history. Her service as the head of MCCC spanned the depths of the Great Recession and a global pandemic. The economic recovery in Montgomery County and the resilience of our small businesses is due in no small part to Gigi's leadership and agile responses to these crises and her focus on building the resources, infrastructure, and capacity to support our local small businesses. In addition to her outstanding professional achievements, Gigi is also a beloved wife to her husband Jeff, and amazing mother to three children. As she begins this exciting new chapter, I am extending my warmest wishes to Gigi and my deep gratitude for her plentiful and enduring contributions to the businesses and people of Montgomery County.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5640. Sergeant Weninger joined the Marines in 2015. Tragically, on June 16, 2020, he passed away at the age of only 28 years due to an accident during a parachute training jump exercise. Madam Speaker, I encourage all of our colleagues to join us in honoring the life of Sergeant Weninger by naming a post office in Chesterland, Ohio, after him. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for bringing forward the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 3608. Megan McClung was raised in Orange County, California, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995. She was tragically killed by a roadside bomb in Ramadi, Iraq, on December 6, 2006, and thereby became the first female officer to be killed in the Iraq war. We stand united in honoring the life of Major McClung by naming a post office in Mission Viejo, California, after her. Madam Speaker, I encourage the entire body to join us today, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 5476, and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his remarks. Susan Barnhart was a beloved public servant in the Bucks County community. She was a resident of Titusville, New Jersey, but was a longtime postal service worker at the Newtown and Washington Crossing offices. She passed away during an extreme flash flooding incident on July 15, 2023. Designating the post office in her honor will ensure that her legacy of passionate dedication to the community and public service will be forever recognized and remembered. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6188, the legislation that would rename a post office in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, after a dedicated public servant and accomplished law enforcement officer, Nancy Yount Childs. Childs broke barriers as one of the first women to serve as a U.S. Capitol Police officer. She also served as a member of the U.S. Fraternal Order of Police. I encourage all my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Ms. Childs by naming the post office in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, after her. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1687, and I yield 6 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 1687. I thank the gentleman from California for his moving remarks. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in very strong support of H.R. 6073. I would be delighted at this point to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Mr. Boyle) for any remarks he might choose to make.

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, we urge everyone to support H.R. 6073. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania for his thoughtful remarks. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 7893, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7893, and I yield 4 minutes to the very distinguished gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell).

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 5034. I thank the very distinguished gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for her very moving remarks, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 5034, and I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from the U.S. Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett) for any remarks she may have.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from California for his thoughtful remarks, I urge passage of H.R. 5985, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 7192. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 1098, and I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), for any remarks he may choose to have on this significant occasion.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6651. Sergeant Murphy is a lifelong resident of Necedah, Wisconsin, and this legislation would rename a post office in Necedah after him. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. As squad leader, Sergeant Murphy assisted multiple wounded soldiers and led his fellow servicemembers to overwhelm his adversaries on a search and destroy mission in November 1966. He is the recipient of a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Service Cross for his valiant service. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in honoring the efforts of Sergeant Murphy by naming the post office in Necedah, Wisconsin, after him. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5712. After graduating high school, Trevor Casper pursued a degree in criminal justice from Lakeshore Technical College and graduated from the State Patrol Academy on December 18, 2014. Trevor was stationed at the Fond du Lac State trooper base when he was tragically killed in the line of duty March 24, 2015. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in honoring the life of Mr. Casper by naming a post office in Kiel after him. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RASKIN

Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7606. First Lieutenant Carlton Hand was born October 14, 1917, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as a technical sergeant and acted heroically in combat efforts against the Nazis. Lieutenant Hand received numerous medals and awards, including two World War II battle stars and a Purple Heart, for his dedicated and passionate service to America and to the free world. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join us in honoring the life of Lieutenant Hand by naming this post office in Rio Grande, New Jersey, after him. It is hard to think of a more fitting way to name this post office. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.