Michael San Nicolas

Mr. SAN NICOLAS

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 241) to amend the Bank Service Company Act to provide improvements with respect to State banking agencies, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 241, the Bank Service Company Examination Coordination Act of 2019. I thank the gentleman from Texas, Representative Williams, for his work on this bill that would promote better coordination between Federal and State banking regulators as they oversee third-party vendors and companies that provide a wide range of services for banks. In recent years, technology has disrupted every industry, including banking, and has given the significant cybersecurity risks that come with that technology. In light of the recent Capital One data breach, which involved consumer data the bank stored on a cloud server provided by Amazon Web Services, a third-party service provider, or TSP, used by the bank and many other companies, it is important that Congress ensure there is strong oversight over these third-party companies that work with banks. Currently, the Bank Service Company Act authorizes Federal regulators to examine TSPs to assess the risks they may pose to the banks with which they work. Similarly, many State banking regulators are authorized to examine bank TSPs under various State laws. These State regulators are responsible for ensuring that these third-party relationships do not pose undue risks to the State-chartered banking system, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of all banks in the United States. However, the Bank Service Company Act is silent regarding State bank regulators, which could hamper information sharing among State and Federal regulators. While H.R. 241 would not give States any new authority to conduct TSP exams, it would recognize at the Federal level the supervisory authority that many State regulators already have under current State law and encourage Federal regulators to coordinate with them. Given the increase in fintech companies that partner with banks, especially State-chartered banks, it is important that we consider ways to encourage innovation, coordination, and consistency among Federal and State regulators in the oversight of TSPs. Furthermore, in its 2017 annual report, the Financial Stability Oversight Council recommended that Congress pass legislation to strengthen oversight of third-party companies that work with banks to improve cybersecurity. To that end, last Congress, Democrats and Republicans of the Committee on Financial Services voted unanimously, 56-0, in support of this legislation. H.R. 241 will promote consistency and strengthen oversight of our banks and the technology companies with which they work. Therefore, I encourage Members to support H.R. 241, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), the chair of the Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions Subcommittee.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Better coordination between Federal and State banking regulators will make oversight of third-party vendors and companies that provide a wide range of services for banks more effective. H.R. 241 helps accomplish that. I want to again thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) for introducing this bill, as well as the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) for his advocacy. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 241. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1690) to require carbon monoxide alarms or detectors in certain federally assisted housing, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1690, the CO ALERTS Act of 2019, which would prevent needless carbon monoxide deaths from happening in federally assisted housing. Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, and nonirritant gas that is produced by common fuel-burning products and appliances, such as gas ranges, cars, heating systems, boilers, and portable engine-driven generators. High levels of carbon monoxide can cause serious illness and, in worst cases, death. Carbon monoxide poisoning is as risky to health and safety as a fire. But while smoke detectors are required in all housing units, including public and assisted housing units, carbon monoxide detectors are not. Only some States and localities currently require carbon monoxide detectors. They are not otherwise required in federally assisted housing, such as public housing or private market units inhabited by Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher households. Therefore, public and assisted housing residents are at risk of this silent killer. According to media reports, there have been 13 carbon monoxide poisoning deaths cited in public housing since 2003. Four have occurred in 2019 alone. In April of this year, HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing sent a notice to public housing authorities and private owners of HUD- subsidized housing to encourage them to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. Unfortunately, in the absence of funding and clear statutory requirements, public housing authorities and property owners will struggle to afford the cost of these critical safety devices. H.R. 1690 will provide just over $300 million over a 3-year period to support the installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors and alarms in public and assisted housing, including units in rural areas. No family should have to learn their loved ones died because Congress did not invest in a simple and cost-effective solution that would have prevented this tragedy from happening in the first place. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia) for introducing this lifesaving legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia), the sponsor of the legislation and an active member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia).

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I just want to extend a sincere thanks to Representative Garcia for this life-saving legislation. To be able to introduce something that is actually going to save lives, not just immediately but over the generations that we are going to continue to provide for is something very profound. It is an honor to be able to serve with Representative Garcia. It is an honor to see so much bipartisan support for this legislation, as well as both Houses of our Congress. I humbly ask my colleagues to please join all of us in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Guam Territorial Band for taking home a Gold Award in the 2019 Australian International Music Festival held in Sydney, Australia. The Guam Territorial Band was organized in 1976 as the Governor's Youth Band to perform for the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in 1977. The band continues its service to the people of Guam as the Official Band of Guam by performing at graduations, military events, national holiday ceremonies, official visits, village fiestas, local government functions, and numerous venues in Guam, the United States, and abroad. The Guam Territorial Band is led by Chief Band Master Maximo Ronquillo, Jr., and the Regional Band Masters, Joanne Matanane Sosa and William Brandon Aydlett. The Guam Territorial Band has educational programs for aspiring musicians to gain experience and training. The Guam Honor Band Program provides middle and high school students opportunities to develop their musical talents. For more advanced musicians, the Guam Band Academy offers in-depth training in music theory, marching band, solo performance, and small ensemble performance under the Chief Band Master. In the 2019 Australian International Music Festival, the Guam Territorial Band was a Command Performance Band and received a Gold Award. The Australian International Music Festival is among the largest music festivals in the southern hemisphere, receiving participation from 62 ensembles and over 1,300 participants in 2019. The Guam Territorial Band has previously received numerous honors and awards, including being a Command Performance Band and received Gold Awards in the 2005 and 2014 Australian International Music Festivals, respectively. On behalf of the people of Guam, I want to congratulate the Guam Territorial Band for their success in the 2019 Australian International Music Festival. They continue to demonstrate outstanding musicianship in Guam, the United States, and abroad.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra for taking home a Gold Award in the 2019 Australian International Music Festival held in Sydney, Australia. The Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra was organized in September 2018, launching Guam's newest community youth orchestra. The Orchestra seeks to provide a platform for youth musicians from various schools to build camaraderie through music. The repertoire for the ensemble includes the grand masterworks of centuries past to the latest movie or video game soundtracks, to the delight of audiences of all ages. The Orchestra is led by Artistic Director Maximo Ronquillo, Jr. The Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra received a Gold Award for its debut performance for the 2019 Australian International Music Festival at the Sydney Opera House. The Australian International Music Festival is among the largest music festivals in the southern hemisphere, receiving participation from 62 ensembles and over 1,300 participants in 2019. On behalf of the people of Guam, I want to congratulate the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra for their success in the 2019 Australian International Music Festival.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1365) to make technical corrections to the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, as amended.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record revised CBO materials. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, July 12, 2019. Hon. Raul M. Grijalva, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1365, a bill to make technical corrections to the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act. This cost estimate supersedes the estimate transmitted on July 10, 2019. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew Pickford. Sincerely, Phillip L. Swagel, Director. Enclosure. H.R. 1365, A BILL TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE GUAM WORLD WAR II LOYALTY RECOGNITION ACT--AS REPORTED BY

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, this marks the first time that I have taken to this floor to deliver remarks as a Member of Congress. My constituents can attest to the fact that I have never been one known to shy away from a microphone. However, the gravitas of H.R. 1365 that I bring to the floor today is of such consequence that I chose to withhold the privilege of this floor until this day. While H.R. 1365 is a bipartisan bill that would simply make technical corrections to the current Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, it is the final component of a 75-year saga rooted in loyalty, faith, hope, and love in the midst of unimaginable suffering. The Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act was passed by Congress and signed into law at the end of 2016, recognizing the sacrifices the people of Guam endured at the hands of foreign occupiers during World War II. Nearly 78 years ago, foreign enemies bombed Pearl Harbor and then made their way east, taking control of Guam from United States naval forces, many of which were evacuated prior to the invasion. The civilian population of Guam, regarded as Americans by the enemy, were left undefended, for all intents and purposes. In the 974 days of enemy occupancy, too many of the people of Guam, who today are American citizens, were injured, raped, maimed, murdered, and even forced to dig their own grave sites or those of their family and friends. These atrocities occurred due to the unwavering patriotism of the people of Guam. An 83-year-old survivor clearly remembers her family risking their lives to hide and care for the only living U.S. Navy soldier left on the island, who was tasked with sending information to our forces overseas. She shared her observations of enemy soldiers going village to village, looking for radioman George Tweed and leaving a trail of tortured and dead in their path. Another 83-year-old survivor shared how he witnessed his childhood friend beaten up every day just for looking American. One survivor, who was 5 years old at the time, testified to remembering her mother, pregnant with her sibling, after being severely beaten, hemorrhage to a slow death while performing forced labor under the grueling Sun. The baby did not survive either. Though our people experienced such cruel acts, we remained vigilant with the hope and faith that the United States would return and liberate us from enemy forces. Seventy-five years ago this past Sunday, true to their word, our servicemen took to the shores of Guam, many of whom gave their lives to reclaim the island, and rescued those left who survived the brutality. These stories are the memories of our survivors who continue to carry the heavy burdens of war post-liberation. These survivors, who were steadfast in their devotion to this country, the United States of America, were left out when America forgave its vanquished enemies from any form of redress to those who suffered under their occupation. Almost 3 years ago, Congress voted to pass the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, providing those remaining survivors with a Federal claims process to seek adjudicated compensation for wartime suffering, a Federal process that, today, 75 years later, has one final hurdle to clear with H.R. 1365 to make those who qualified whole. Of the over 14,000 who suffered, 3,663 survivors have filed claims, with many of the nearly 11,000 having passed before this process could even begin. Nonetheless, the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, since October of last year, has certified over 600 claims, and the Commission continues to adjudicate all claims filed. Unfortunately, pertinent technical language was left out of the original bill, preventing the Department of the Treasury from making payments for claims adjudicated and certified for compensation by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. H.R. 1365 makes the necessary corrections to the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act to see Congress' intent through, and it was drafted in close consultation with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of the Interior, to ensure the language's efficacy. Mr. Speaker, it is important to note for my colleagues that the moneys used for payment of these claims does not create a new expense category for the budget. I repeat, H.R. 1365 does not create a new expense category for the Federal budget. Instead, the moneys deposited in the Guam War Claims Fund is funding that originates from Guam's section 30 Federal income tax transfer payments, essentially moneys already due to the government of Guam. As such, funding for these claims do not represent a new expense but a reprogramming of existing expenses. It is also important to note that these claimants are not just constituents of mine. Many claimants live in 46 other States and territories and are constituents to 265 districts across our Nation. We have claimants in Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah, the great State that my colleague this evening represents; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C.; Wisconsin; Wyoming; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and Guam. Over these past 75 years, our World War II survivors and their families have made their home throughout this country. Notwithstanding our current political status, our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters have died defending the freedom that liberators brought to our shores 75 years ago. While we struggle on Guam under inequities and supplemental security income, Medicaid, and even basic voting rights, we remain the Sparta of America, with the highest per capita armed services recruitment rates in the country. The brutality of the enemy 75 years ago could not break the resolve of our relationship with the United States of America and the generations since then and, to this very day, reflect this exemplary patriotism in our rights of service and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I humbly ask my colleagues for their support in passing H.R. 1365 so the Greatest Generation of Guam who instilled in us this faith in American democracy can finally receive the long-awaited closure they have been seeking since the end of World War II. As a gracious victor who assumed the responsibility for postwar peace, the passage of H.R. 1365 represents an unreconciled act of grace by the United States of America to a people who suffered for their loyalty to America. Perhaps most importantly, it represents an affirmation that, while slow to turn, and sometimes too slow, the wheels of justice in the land of the free do eventually come full circle. A loyal people await the ultimate passage of H.R. 1365. And I am humbled to not only represent them in this body, but to extend my thanks on their behalf to the Speaker, majority leader, majority whip, committee chairs of jurisdiction, my minority leader, and ranking committee members who have made this moment possible, and to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who, today, do us the tremendous honor of seeing this measure through this House. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle for his support. Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my appreciation to various individuals and entities for their unyielding support and assistance in pushing this bill forward. I thank Ms. Irene Sgambelluri, an 89-year-old war survivor who flew out here on her own to take meetings at the White House and who now has a White House special assistant on speed dial; Congressman Kilili Sablan for his assistance in moving this bill through the process; my predecessors for laying much groundwork over many years that brings us to this inflection point; my leadership counterparts in Guam; the speaker of the Legislature of Guam and the Republican Party of Guam, who recognized and endorsed this very important bipartisan measure. Lastly, I want to thank the senior citizens of Guam, our war survivors whose sacrifices, patience, and fortitude have given us the strength and inspiration to bring this to closure on their behalf. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 434) to designate the Emancipation National Historic Trail, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the measure under consideration.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 434, introduced by Representative Jackson Lee of Texas, celebrates the freedom of the last American slaves by authorizing the study of an approximately 51-mile route for inclusion as a national historic trail in the National Trails System. The study will examine the suitability of designating the Emancipation National Historic Trail from Galveston to Freedmen's Town in Houston. Nearly 2\1/2\ years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, United States General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, to announce the freedom of the last American slaves. Upon gaining their freedom, many of the 250,000 newly freed slaves traversed the route from Galveston to Freedmen's Town in Houston, spreading the news to neighboring communities. This bill is a fitting tribute that honors the historic journey and lasting legacy of the last American slaves. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for championing this important legislation and for her hard work moving this bill through the legislative process. I strongly support passing this bill. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 759) to restore an opportunity for tribal economic development on terms that are equal and fair, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Mr. 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 the measure under consideration.