Brad Schneider

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, our Nation was again stunned by yet another horrific attack on Americans gathered at worship. Saturday's shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in California came as Jews around the world celebrated the last day of Passover. One woman, Lori Gilbert Kaye, was murdered in the attack and three others were wounded. I continue to pray for the recovery of those injured in the shooting and offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims. The latest attack happened exactly 6 months to the day after the assault on worshipers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, which claimed the lives of 11 people, the deadliest attack on the American Jewish community in our history. These shootings were committed against a backdrop of rising anti- Semitism both here at home and around the world. According to the Anti-Defamation League, in 2017, anti-Semitic incidents surged in the United States by 57 percent. This represented the largest single-year increase on record and the second highest number of incidents since the ADL started tracking such data in 1979. In 2018, we saw nearly the same number of reported incidents as in 2017. In recent weeks, there have been other chilling displays of anti- Semitism beyond our borders as well. In February, a Belgian carnival float featured grotesque caricatures of Orthodox Jews standing on large piles of money. On Easter Sunday in a small Polish village, adults and children beat and burned an effigy of Judas, but the effigy did not look like a character from Biblical times. Rather, it was a stereotypical Orthodox Jew dressed in ninth century Hasidic garb. Feeding into these dangerous incidents, just last week, the international edition of The New York Times published a disgusting anti-Semitic cartoon. The paper subsequently apologized, but the damage was already done. It was an astonishing editorial failure by one of the Nation's most important papers of record. I was pleased today to see the editorial board of the Times directly address this issue. Especially at these times of growing anti-Semitism, we must all be extra vigilant, lest we add fuel to the flames of hate and intolerance. Whenever and wherever we see anti-Semitism, we must speak out to stanch it, for what begins as stereotypes and cartoons far too often leads to violence that has claimed so many lives throughout our history. Our Nation was founded on the idea that every American of every religion has the fundamental right to practice their faith without fear of persecution or violence. This was established in the very first amendment to our Constitution and enshrined in our Bill of Rights. But this right has been shattered far too many times at the synagogues in Poway and Pittsburgh; at an African American church in Charleston, South Carolina; and at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. I will not repeat the Poway shooter's name or give him the notoriety he sought, but it is clear that he was motivated by white supremacism and anti-Semitism, citing the shootings at the mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in his manifesto. The sad truth is, far-right white supremacists have been responsible for more terror attacks and deaths in the United States in the past two decades than any other domestic extremist movement. We need to update our laws to reflect the growing threat of domestic terrorism. That is why I introduced, with Senator Richard Durbin, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, legislation that would strengthen coordination among the Federal agencies in monitoring radicalized groups and individuals and, hopefully, preventing hateful acts of violence. This is a necessary first step to help our law enforcement agencies contain the threat, and I urge my colleagues to join me on this legislation. We also have a duty to responsibly update our gun laws. I am proud that this House voted earlier this year to pass universal background checks and close the Charleston loophole, a loophole that allowed the Emanuel AME shooter to acquire a firearm before the results of his FBI background check were complete. We need the Senate to stop stonewalling and bring these bills up for a vote. Mr. Speaker, I cannot help but reflect that, this week, the United States is observing Holocaust Remembrance Week and honoring the 6 million Jews and millions of others murdered by the Nazi regime. In the memory of all of those lost to anti-Semitism and other forms of hate, we have a moral responsibility to stamp out intolerance and prejudice in our time. Otherwise, as the late Elie Wiesel famously said: ``To forget the victims means to kill them a second time.''

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, it has been nearly 2 years since President Trump recklessly announced the United States' withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. We are now the only country in the world not firmly behind this agreement. There are times where we must stand alone. This is not one of them. Climate change and its impacts are an existential threat, and American leadership has an important role to play, but under the Trump administration, we are retreating from our responsibility and giving up our seat at the table. Two years ago, more than 180 Representatives joined my resolution condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, but the Republican leadership refused to let this body vote its will. Today, that changes. That is because this House is finally reflecting the will of the American people, which, by a 5-to-1 margin, support staying in the agreement. We need to work with the rest of the world, and the nations of the world are looking to us to lead. Staying in the Paris Agreement and developing a plan to meet emission reduction targets agreed to would be an important first step. As this House takes action to pass H.R. 9, I hope the Senate will follow our lead and promptly take up the legislation, and I hope today's vote--this vote--represents just the first of many efforts to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and prevent a global climate disaster.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the amendment offered by my colleague, Congressman Rouda, of which I am a cosponsor. It was a low point of the Trump Presidency when President Trump announced his plans to recklessly begin withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate agreement. This was an abandonment of our global leadership. But I took heart watching the many cities, States, and localities step forward to declare their intention to keep the emission reduction commitments of the Paris accord. These include 20 cities and villages in the 10th District that have joined the Greenest Region Compact to implement sustainability plans to reduce the risk of global climate change and mitigate its effects. Regardless of the lack of leadership from the White House on addressing climate change, our cities continue to drive the change needed to prevent a climate disaster. I am glad this House is finally taking action with H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. I fully support this amendment to recognize the actions of our cities and States that continue to uphold the spirit of the Paris climate agreement.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, last month, I spoke on the floor about the urgent need for EPA ambient air testing at two manufacturing facilities in Lake County that use ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen. As well, I and my colleagues in the Illinois delegation have written to the EPA urging them to undertake ambient air monitoring. The neighbors living near these plants, as well as the local governments, need to know that the air they breathe is safe. Yet the EPA still refuses to conduct any ambient air monitoring, instead insisting on using dispersion models based on estimates of smokestack emissions. Such dispersion monitoring is completely inadequate because it fails to account for what are known as fugitive emissions, EtO escaping into the environment from locations other than the smokestack. Absent EPA leadership, the local municipalities and the Lake County Public Health Department have stepped up to pursue monitoring on their own. Good for them, but it should not have come to this. They are only doing so because the EPA has failed to do its job. Our communities deserve far better from the EPA. This is about our families and the public health. I urge the EPA to do its duty and to begin this vital testing immediately.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the bipartisan reauthorization today of the Violence Against Women Act. In 2013, this legislation was one of the first votes I took as a new Member of Congress. This year, I was proud to be an original cosponsor of the bill to ensure survivors have access to essential services and justice. It is a sad fact that VAWA remains critically important. Despite some progress, the rate of domestic violence remains far too high. I recently acquired a painting created by a survivor of domestic violence. It is a beautiful scene of a woman standing in a field of sunflowers with a blue sky. But upon a closer look, you see the broken chains at her feet, chains representing her former prison of domestic abuse. While the woman in the painting was fortunately able to break free, so many others cannot. Today's legislation helps both groups. I am particularly glad that this year's bill makes improvements to help the victims of dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and increases resources available to vulnerable populations, including Native American women and the LGBTQ community. In our communities, there are many local organizations doing amazing work to help women escape situations of domestic violence and rebuild their lives, including A Safe Place in my district. I commend their work and the work of all groups like this across the Nation, and I hope this legislation will provide additional support and resources for their important mission.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, this week we celebrate Medal of Honor Day, dedicated to the recipients of America's highest military honor. Today, there are just 72 living Medal of Honor recipients. The 10th District is home to one of these, Allen J. Lynch of Gurnee, who was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1970 for his actions in Vietnam. While serving as a radio telephone operator near the village of My An, Sergeant Lynch risked his life to move three wounded comrades to safety and single-handedly defended their isolated position for 2 hours against an advancing and numerically superior enemy force until they could be safely evacuated. Sergeant Lynch's service did not end in Vietnam. He has spent his entire life serving his fellow veterans with the Federal Veterans Administration as well as the Illinois State Government Veterans Department. In an interview, he said: ``There are many servicemembers, first responders, and citizens who serve this country above and beyond who are never recognized for what they do. We hold the Medal of Honor for all those men and women who have never been recognized for the great things they did.'' My friend, Allen Lynch, is a true American hero and a role model for us all. On Medal of Honor Day, we reflect on all those who have acted above and beyond the call of duty and the hard-fought freedoms we enjoy because of their service and sacrifice.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate UL as they celebrate their 125th anniversary this month and to recognize their important role empowering trust in the safety, security and sustainability of products, organizations, and supply chains. Most consumers will recognize the familiar UL Mark that appears on more than 22 billion products, likely including some of the appliances, electronics, and other goods in your home. This recognized mark is a symbol that the product has demonstrated conformance to UL's internationally-recognized standards of safety. As an approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), UL tests and certifies certain equipment found in U.S. workplaces and has improved safety for countless American workers. The district I represent is proud to be the home of UL. Their Northbrook, Illinois headquarters employs more than 1,800 people, but the company's reach is truly global. A century and a quarter after their founding as Underwriters Laboratories in Chicago, the company now operates across 143 countries worldwide, touching 20 industries, and employing more than 14,000 individuals. Each year, over 2 billion consumers--nearly a third of the planet's population--are touched by UL safety messages. Despite their immense growth and influence, UL remains true to its founding principle to ``promote safe living and working environments.'' I wish the team at UL many more years of success improving safety and empowering trust over the next century.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life Mr. Stephan Kaminsky, an esteemed veteran, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post Commander and community volunteer who passed away in January at the age of 73. Mr. Kaminsky served four years in the Navy during the Vietnam War, where he was stationed on the USS Epperson DD719, a destroyer. After his service, Mr. Kaminsky remained active with community veteran organizations as a member of the Mundelein American Legion No. 867 and Commander of the Libertyville VFW Post 8741. He also served as President of the USS Epperson DD-719 Association, participating in reunions of former shipmates around the United States every two years. Within VFW, Mr. Kaminsky was particularly active in the Buddy Poppy Donation Drive. The poppy is the official flower of the VFW, and represents the blood shed by American service members. Mr. Kaminsky's work to ensure the drive's success benefitted local veterans' welfare in the Lake County area. He was also a vital leader in the VFW ``Patriots' Pen'' essay contest. He was also a member of the Color Guard and Honor Guard and could frequently be seen marching in community parades for events ranging from the high school homecoming dance to the Fourth of July. A graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago, Mr. Kaminsky was Vice President of the First American Bank of Elk Grove Village. He was also an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing volleyball and rooting for Notre Dame and the White Sox. I extend my sincere sympathies to his wife, Elizabeth, and the many family and friends who mourn his passing. It is my great honor to recognize Mr. Stephan Kaminsky today and celebrate his service to our nation and to the veterans in our community.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jim Robbins, a veteran of the Marine Corps who honorably served our country and his community, and who passed away in January at the age of 90. Upon graduating from Libertyville High School in 1946, Mr. Robbins immediately enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in China and Guam in the years following World War II. During his service, Mr. Robbins was stationed in Tangku, China and was one of the Marines who defended the Hsin Ho Ammunition Supply Depot against attack in April 1947. After returning to the U.S. in 1950, he served as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8741's commander for several years and as the Post's quartermaster for 32 years. He was especially known for his work with young people and recent veterans. In addition, Mr. Robbins was the primary leader in making the veterans' monument in Lakeside Cemetery in Libertyville a reality. Every Memorial Day, Jim read off the names of former Libertyville township residents who had died in service to our nation at a community observance ceremony. He viewed this as a great honor and carefully wrote down their names phonetically in a personal notebook to ensure he properly pronounced the name of each fallen hero. In his professional life, Mr. Robbins was a contract glazing salesman for 30 years. He also worked with the Lake County Forest Preserve for many years at the Fox River Preserve. He leaves behind two children, five beloved grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. It is my great honor and privilege to recognize the life of Jim Robbins and thank him for his service to our country and tireless work on behalf of other veterans in our community.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, no American should face legal discrimination because of who they are or who they love. As a Nation, we have made stunning progress toward realizing this dream of full equality and acceptance for our LGBTQ family, friends, and neighbors. But despite our success, including repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell and achieving marriage equality as the law of the land, there is more work to do. In many States across this country, LGBTQ individuals remain vulnerable to discrimination, with little recourse. Unlike other groups protected by civil rights laws, LGBTQ Americans can be fired from their jobs, evicted from their apartments, or refused service at a restaurant simply because of who they are. The current patchwork of State laws is not enough. That is why I am proud to join with my colleagues to again introduce the Equality Act to ensure protections already extended to other protected classes are equally available to LGBTQ Americans. It is time we prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, Federal jury service, public accommodations, and the use of Federal funds. Let's make full equality a reality for all of us.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, forcing Americans to pay Federal tax money they have already paid to State and local governments is double taxation, and it is wrong. But that is just what the tax law passed by my Republican colleagues in 2017 did. The law places a severe $10,000 restriction on the State and local tax deduction. According to the United States Department of the Treasury, more than 11 million households will exceed this new cap. In my district, around 42 percent of filers use the SALT deduction, and I have heard from many constituents stuck this year with a higher tax bill. Madam Speaker, Illinois already pays approximately $1.36 for every dollar we receive in Federal spending. It is not right that our communities now must bear the burden for the President's irresponsible tax law. Lifting these punishing caps is a top priority for my constituents, and I am pleased that there is growing bipartisan support for the effort. This week, I cosponsored legislation introduced by Chairwoman Nita Lowey, a Democrat, and Peter King, a Republican, to restore the full SALT deduction. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in this effort and help bring needed tax relief to the communities we all represent.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Chair, I want to thank my colleague for yielding. Madam Chair, the American people elected a new Congress to clean up corruption and make Washington work for them. To that end, this week we will pass H.R. 1 to elevate the people's voice in our politics, restrict the influence of dark money in our campaigns, expand voting rights protections, and limit corporate influence. At the foundation of this effort is a commitment to increasing transparency, so the American people know who is behind the money funding the political ads they see and how much these individuals are spending. Currently, too many political action committees, including so-called super-PACs, have an easy way around the important disclosure requirements. By officially organizing a PAC or super-PAC just before an election, these committees can spend on ads to influence an election, without disclosing anything until after the voting has already occurred. In another scheme, PACs borrow money to pay for advertising and operations and incur debts that are not paid off by donors until long after the election. Both of these practices are extremely troubling and obfuscate who is donating to PACs. Voters are left in the dark until it is too late. This amendment is a simple first step to address these abuses by requiring the Federal Election Commission to report recommendations to Congress for how we can crack down on these practices by PACs. I call on my colleagues to join us to increase transparency and support this amendment.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019, and I applaud the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), my good friend, for his leadership and enduring commitment to reducing gun violence and making our communities safer. I also appreciate my friend from Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee, for her leadership on this issue as well. Madam Chair, it is unconscionable to think that convicted felons, domestic abusers, and others who are prohibited by law from purchasing a firearm could end up with these weapons anyway. Sadly, this is the reality we currently live in due to the default proceed sales, also known as the Charleston loophole. I have introduced legislation on this problem in the past because we must do everything we can to ensure firearms do not end up in the hands of those who should not have them. This is why I am also a cosponsor of Mr. Clyburn's Enhanced Background Checks Act. The FBI should and, in fact, needs to know if a default proceeds sale has taken place. Currently, this is not the case unless the FBI eventually completes a background check, determines the purchaser should be prohibited from owning a firearm, and subsequently contacts the dealer. We need more information throughout this process, and my amendment would do just that: require the FBI to report on the number of background checks that they are not able to complete within the designated time period. This information will help keep track of the FBI's ability to clear background checks in a timely manner as well as give better understanding of where there is still room for improvement. It will also provide much-needed transparency to the default proceed process. All who support commonsense solutions to reduce the gun violence epidemic in this country should support this amendment and the underlying legislation. I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), my dear friend and a tireless champion and leader on the efforts to reduce gun violence.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), chairman of the committee.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Chair, does the gentleman from Georgia have any speakers on this issue?

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, every parent deserves to have confidence that the air they and their children breathe is safe. That is why we have environmental standards and why we have an Environmental Protection Agency to monitor, update, and enforce the rules. So, when communities face a known public risk, new or recently reclassified, we rightly expect the EPA to act--quickly, comprehensively, and transparently. In the Chicago area, this, sadly, has not been the case. Ethylene oxide, or EtO, was reclassified as a known carcinogen more than 2 years ago, yet we just recently learned facilities around Chicago could be emitting it at elevated levels. The EPA has been unacceptably slow to respond and has failed to keep affected communities informed. This month, I partnered with Senators Durbin and Duckworth and other colleagues in my delegation to introduce legislation that would require the EPA to immediately revise and update its EtO standards and to keep the public fully informed. We are also demanding that EPA evaluate ambient levels of EtO in these communities immediately, something it should be doing already. Our communities deserve more from the EPA. This is about our families and their public health.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Dr. Mary Lacey, a pillar of our community who passed away this month at the age of 80. Dr. Lacey made an indelible mark on our communities by tirelessly serving those at the margins. Across Lake County, children in need, the homeless, and inmates and their families directly benefited from her generosity and boundless energy. Dr. Lacey broke multiple barriers throughout her life. She was born to humble beginnings, as one of ten children in rural Mississippi. At age 21 she moved to Florida to further her education, where she met her late husband William, and eventually settled in his hometown of Waukegan. She found work as a contractor at Naval Station Great Lakes as well as handmaking elegant hats. Never one to rest, she continued to study and was ordained a pastor, became a foster parent, and earned a certificate in social work. In Waukegan, her memory lives on as the namesake of Mary's Mission, a homeless shelter she founded that has provided shelter to hundreds of individuals in times of need, and has helped them develop the job training and skills they need to get back on their feet and live independently. Dr. Lacey was also a fierce advocate for children, bringing joy to young residents during the holidays. She teamed up with the Waukegan police department to start a toy giveaway program for children who might not receive a gift during the holidays. I had the privilege to join several of her annual Christmas parades from Mary's Mission to the Lake County jail, where she handed out turkeys and toys. Her perseverance in helping vulnerable people, touched and improved the lives of countless Illinoisans. Dr. Lacey truly lived her faith every day, and she will be sorely missed. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her many family and friends who are mourning her passing.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Rev. Mary Climons Lacey, a pillar of our community who passed away this month at the age of 80. Rev. Lacey made an indelible mark on our communities by tirelessly serving those at the margins. Across Lake County, children in need, the homeless, and inmates and their families directly benefited from her generosity and boundless energy. Mary broke multiple barriers throughout her life. She was born to humble beginnings, as one of ten children in rural Mississippi. At age 21 she moved to Florida to further her education, where she met her late husband William, and eventually settled in his hometown of Waukegan. She found work as a contractor at Naval Station Great Lakes as well as handmaking elegant hats. Never one to rest, she continued to study and was ordained a pastor, became a foster parent, and earned a certificate in social work. In Waukegan, her memory lives on as the namesake of Mary's Mission, a homeless shelter she founded that has provided shelter to hundreds of individuals in times of need, and has helped them develop the job training and skills they need to get back on their feet and live independently. Mary was also a fierce advocate for children, bringing joy to young residents during the holidays. Mary teamed up with the Waukegan police department to start a toy giveaway program for children who might not receive a gift during the holidays. I had the privilege to join several of her annual Christmas parades from Mary's Mission to the Lake County jail, where she handed out turkeys and toys. Her perseverance in helping vulnerable people, touched and improved the lives of countless Illinoisans. She truly lived her faith every day, and she will be sorely missed. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her many family and friends who are mourning her passing.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Nathan Firestone, a resident of the Tenth District and a World War II era veteran prisoner of war on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Mr. Firestone entered the service in 1943 as a member of a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber squadron. He flew 27 successful missions over Europe as an officer and navigator. In 1944, his bomber was shot down under heavy enemy fire, and Mr. Firestone sustained serious injuries. He and his crew spent six days wandering through the Austrian Alps before being captured by local police and taken to a Nazi POW camp near the German-Polish border. As a prisoner of war, Mr. Firestone persevered despite access to little food, adequate clothing, heat and other basic necessities. When his captors interrogated Mr. Firestone and asked him why he bombed Austria, he responded simply: ``Ich bin Juden (I am a Jew).'' During a relocation march, Firestone and several other prisoners managed to escape and reunited several days later with American soldiers. After returning home to the United States in 1945, Mr. Firestone studied at Northwestern University and became a certified public accountant. He married, had children and raised his family in Highland Park. He suffered lifelong repercussions of his internment as a POW, seeking medical assistance from Hines VA Hospital near Chicago. He is an active member of the American Legion, Jewish War Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also published a nonfiction book in 2002 about his experience in the war. As he celebrates his 100th birthday, it is my great honor and privilege to recognize Nathan Firestone for his service to our country during World War II and his deep involvement in our community.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jacob Joseph, a World War II veteran and member of the greatest generation, ahead of his 100th birthday, which he will celebrate on April 3. Mr. Joseph grew up in Knox, Indiana as one of five children. At age 17 he moved to Chicago and took a job working the soda fountain in the lobby of the Hotel Sherman, where he met an Army Lieutenant who encouraged him to enlist. Mr. Joseph completed his basic training at Fort Sheridan in the Tenth District, and then was stationed in North Carolina and New York before shipping out to Europe. He served in the Seventh Army, which was the first U.S. field army to experience combat in World War II, as a Staff Sergeant in the 682nd Ordinance Ammunition unit. The Seventh advanced over 1,000 miles in nine months of continuous fighting, capturing Palermo and Messina, and liberating Marseilles and other cities during the course of the War. Joseph worked supplying food to the armed forces. He received several awards for his service, including the Bronze Service Arrowhead and a Good Conduct Medal. After the war ended, Mr. Joseph returned to Indiana and soon married his late wife, Beatrice. The couple then moved to Chicago, where they opened ``Jake's,'' an innovative burger joint on Armitage Avenue. ``Jake's'' became a hometown favorite, and Mr. Joseph opened several other locations in the Chicago-land area and in the Tenth District, as well as launched a retail line of frozen foods. Eventually, Mr. Joseph and his wife moved to Northbrook to raise their two children. In Northbrook, Mr. Joseph continued to exercise his entrepreneurial spirit, receiving patents for designs of a paper towel holder and a napkin holder. He still enjoys creating and building replica models and spending time with his two grandchildren. As he approaches his 100th birthday, it is my great honor and privilege to recognize Jacob Joseph for his service to our country and allies during World War II and his continued contributions to the Tenth District community.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, the death of a child is a loss like no other, and I extend my heartfelt sympathy to any parents who face such circumstances, but our current laws leave no time for parents to grieve and begin the recovery process before returning to work. The current Family and Medical Leave Act allows Americans to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child or the care of a loved one experiencing a serious health condition. We need to extend these same protections to parents grieving the loss of a child, which is why I introduced the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Parental Bereavement Act. This is bipartisan legislation. I was proud to be joined by three Republicans and two Democrats in introducing the bill. This is a commonsense and compassionate step we should all agree on. I am particularly inspired by the families of those in whose memory the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act is named. They have turned the pain of the loss of a child into advocacy on behalf of other families facing the same terrible tragedy. I urge my colleagues to join us in this bipartisan effort to support parents in the toughest times imaginable.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, the American people sent us here to clean up corruption and make Washington work for them. Restoring public trust in our system of government has to be one of our top priorities. I am proud that the very first legislation I introduced this Congress is aimed at strengthening ethics rules and slowing the revolving door between industry lobbyists and executive branch agencies. We need to bolster the firewall between public service and corporate lobbying to ensure public servants are putting the needs of the people first, not the industries they regulate. I am very pleased the Ethics in Public Service Act was included in H.R. 1, the For the People Act, the first major government reform package we will consider this Congress. This bill will go a long way toward elevating the people's voice in our politics by restricting the influence of dark money in campaigns, defending voting rights protections, and limiting corporate influence. Working together, we can build a government more responsive and effective in making progress for the American people.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here today, 33 days into the longest shutdown in our history, hundreds of thousands of Federal employees are being forced to work on our Nation's behalf without pay. We are all able to confidently shop for groceries and eat in restaurants because FDA food inspectors are on the job. We are able to pass through airport security and fly across the Nation because TSA agents and air traffic controllers continue to do their jobs. We can all sleep soundly at night knowing our shores are protected because the men and women wearing the uniform of the Coast Guard remain resolutely at their posts, on the job. The list goes on and on, and all of these Federal workers, these Americans, are working without pay. Mr. Speaker, this situation is unconscionable. It is unjust. It is immoral. This past weekend, Jason, an 8-year-old boy from my district, presented me an impassioned letter, remarkable for its wisdom. He writes: ``Dear Mr. President. . . . All of us work hard for our money. . . . I hope you see my point of view and end this shutdown.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask the President to listen to Jason and the majority of the American people. End this shutdown and pay the American workers who every day keep our Nation safe, secure, and strong.