Elissa Slotkin

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute to a legendary Lansing family that has broken barriers across generations and continues to make history to this very day. The story begins in 1927 when the family matriarch, Ms. Hortense Canady, was born in Chicago. While she didn't grow up in Michigan, she came to Michigan State University to pursue her graduate studies after attending Fisk University, where she met her husband, Clinton. In the Lansing area, Hortense and Clinton, a World War II veteran and member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, settled, put down roots, and left an indelible mark on our community. Clinton became a well-known and well-loved dentist, while Hortense put her passion for education and civil rights into action, becoming the first African American elected to the Lansing School Board of Education in 1968. Four years later, she and several other board members were recalled for advocating for desegregation, but Hortense did not let that deter her from working toward her core belief that everyone deserves access to quality education. She sat on the State's Women's Commission, served as the first executive director of the Lansing Community College Foundation, and helped fund a debutante club in Lansing to fill a void for young Black women, who at the time were not permitted to share in this tradition. Hortense founded the Lansing alumnae chapter of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, and served as its national president from 1983 to 1988. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2002 and was named one of Ebony magazine's Most Influential People. Hortense Canady died in 2010 at the age of 83. Not only was Hortense Canady impressive in her own right, but her children have continued to blaze their own trails. Her daughter, Alexa Canady, is the first African-American woman in the Nation to be a neurosurgeon and served as the chief of neurosurgery at the Children's Hospital of Michigan from 1987 until her retirement in 2001. She devoted her brilliant mind and numerous talents to healing and welfare for thousands of young patients over the course of her career. Like her mother, she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. She was also named a Michigander of the Year by the Detroit News in 2002. All three of Hortense Canady's sons became attorneys, including the Honorable Judge Clinton Canady III. Before ascending to the bench, Canady practiced law for 37 years. He was a founder of the Lansing Black Lawyers' Association, director of the Ingham County Bar Association, a commissioner for the Lansing Board of Water and Light, a member of the NAACP, and served on the board of the Lansing Symphony Association, Central Michigan Legal Aid, and so many other organizations. Elected to the Ingham County Circuit Court in 2010, Judge Canady served through his retirement in 2022 but returned on assignment to help address the backlog of cases during the COVID pandemic. He and his wife, Rita, have two children who are continuing the Canady tradition of service, one as an administrative law judge in California and the other at the United States Department of State. The Canady family is part of the very fabric of the Lansing community, a fabric stitched with their incredible work ethic and commitment to breaking new ground and to clearing a path for others to follow. Madam Speaker, I ask that their accomplishments be forever enshrined in the permanent Record of the United States House of Representatives. honoring elsie mcpherson-brown

Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, each year in February, we have the opportunity to study the past and use it as a learning tool to move closer to a future of social equity for all. As we are now in the midst of Black History Month, it is both fitting and necessary that we look inward to our own communities and the legacy of the pioneers who paved the way. From the foundations of our great State to the present time, Michigan's Seventh District, which I am proud to represent, has been home to many pioneering Black men, women, and organizations who have made significant contributions to every aspect of life in our State. The great State of Michigan stood tall as an anti-slavery State in the Civil War and played an important role in aiding Freedom Seekers on their path via the Underground Railroad. Today, Michigan is a hub of arts, culture, athletics, and innovation, thanks to the contributions of our diverse citizenry who call it home. It is my profound honor, for the fourth time annually, to highlight stories of Black Michiganders, past and present, from the Seventh District and to read their stories into the archives of this great Chamber. Honoring the Canady Family

Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute to two members of the Michigan State University faculty who have contributed to the rich artistic landscape of our great State and helped shape the next generation of musical talent, all set to a distinctive jazz beat. As a young recording artist in Detroit, Rodney Whitaker likely never imagined he would one day build and lead one of the most distinguished jazz degree programs and performing faculties in the world. But the legendary bassist known for his distinctive ``bear-sized'' tones, today serves as director of jazz studies at MSU, a program he has transformed into a world-class training ground whose students have gone on to perform alongside some of the top jazz artists in the world. It is a case of those who can do, teach. Whitaker himself spent 7 years as a bassist with Wynton Marsalis' Septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, followed by a quarter-century touring around the world, collaborating and performing with legendary jazz artists from Dizzy Gillespie to Diana Krall. He continues to teach master classes at universities around the world, all while serving as the artistic director at the MSU Professors of Jazz, the East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra in Orlando, Florida, and the Gathering Orchestra in Detroit to name a few of his many involvements. He has earned one of the highest distinctions in academia, the title of University Distinguished Professor of Jazz Bass and he is proud to serve as a special assistant to the dean's office, directing the College of Music's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts. In 2006, he was nominated for the Juno Award, Canada's equivalent to the Grammy, and in 2011, he received an Emmy nomination. Just last year, he was named 2023 Detroit Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association. But strip away all the titles, all the awards, and Whitaker is simply a man who understands the power of the gift that he has been given and the necessity to pass it on. In his own words, Dr. Rodney Whitaker said: That is my truth. I love passing on the knowledge of the history of music, and it is life-changing to see that lightbulb go off in someone. It certainly changed my life. For all the lives he has enriched, changed, and set to music, I ask that his contributions forever live here in the permanent Record of the United States House of Representatives. Madam Speaker, I would also like to shine a light on the incredible accomplishments of another member of the Michigan State University jazz community: Associate professor of jazz piano, Xavier Davis. It was 1994 and Xavier Davis, then a college student from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was performing with a small ensemble at a convention in Boston when his tunes caught the ear of the legendary jazz vocalist Betty Carter, a native of Flint, Michigan. Carter scooped him up and brought him to New York, hiring him to work exclusively as a pianist for her jazz trio. Davis spent many years in New York, cultivating his talent, learning from and playing with some of the greatest names in jazz, including: Carl Allen, James Williams, Billy Hart, Regina Carter, and Wynton Marsalis. He served as musical director for the Boys Choir of Harlem during its 1999-2000 season, he played keyboard for the television series ``The Cosby Show,'' and has been featured on more than 50 albums, including a Grammy-winning collaboration with Christian McBride in 2012. We are so fortunate that after 6 years of teaching at the famed Juilliard School in New York, Davis brought his talents back home and has been teaching jazz piano at Michigan State University since 2014. In addition to the many students who have benefited from his instruction, Davis has also dedicated himself to uplifting his own hometown of Detroit through his music. Supported by a grant from Michigan State University's Humanities and Art Research program, Davis began composing music about Detroit, which eventually became a powerful album titled ``Rise Up Detroit.'' Through his music, Davis focused on the role Detroit has played in the lives of African Americans and in the world at large, highlighting the Underground Railroad, the Great Migration, and the boon days of the auto industry. Professor Davis is a gifted composer, arranger, and producer of music, and widely recognized as one of the most accomplished jazz pianists in the world. He is also a proud Michigander, continually giving back to the community and the State that put the music in his soul. While he is a recording artist, it is my distinct pleasure to record his accomplishments and convey my gratitude for his contributions here in the permanent Record of the people's House. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a woman who defied not only the odds but her own family's wishes to become a pioneer in the pulpit at a landmark Black church in Livingston County, Michigan. Though her father was a devout Baptist preacher in the early part of the 20th century, Lillian Archibald was taught from a young age that ministry was strictly for men. The fourth of five children, Lillian's father was clear in his message to his daughters: Love the Lord, but find another calling of work. Skeptical but obedient, Lillian attended a business college in her hometown of Memphis and spent time as a missionary before starting a family of her own. Tragically, the youngest of her four children was killed in 1977 in a crash between a car and a train. Despite her profound grief, Lillian took solace in her unshakable faith and made the decision that it was time to answer the call that had been placed upon her heart. Lillian enrolled at Payne Theological Seminary and enlisted in the ministry at age 50. She spent some time as an itinerant elder before being ordained as a full minister in 1985. And, of course, she broke the news to her father, who she says grew very quiet before finally giving his blessing. She brought that blessing to Michigan, first serving 6 years assisting the pastor at a church in Jackson, Michigan, before being assigned to pastor St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brighton--the only African-American church in predominantly White Livingston County in 1990. With her melodic voice and charismatic style, Reverend Archibald is credited with breathing new life and hope into her congregation where she stayed for 4 years. During her tenure, the church grew in size and in spirit, and began reaching out to the community and joining other churches with a sense of common purpose and passion. Though her time in Livingston County was brief, her impact was profound. She received numerous recognitions for her commitment to community, including her work with victims of domestic violence at the Women's Resource Center in Howell and her efforts to shelter the unhoused through Habitat for Humanity. Perhaps one of her greatest gifts was the mentorship she offered to other women contemplating the ministry. Reverend Archibald is still warmly remembered today by many of them as a compassionate guide and a listening ear. Just as her courageous ministry and her golden voice still guide the work of St. James AME Church, I ask that her memory be forever enshrined in the permanent Record of the United States House of Representatives. Honoring Rodney Whitaker and Xavier Davis

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to shine a light on the incredible accomplishments of a member of the Michigan State University jazz community: Associate Professor of Jazz Piano, Xavier Davis. It was 1994 and Xavier Davis, then a college student from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was performing with a small ensemble at a convention in Boston when his tunes caught the ear of the legendary jazz vocalist Betty Carter, a native of Flint. Carter scooped him up and brought him to New York, hiring him to work exclusively as the pianist for her jazz trio. Davis spent many years in New York, cultivating his talent, learning from and playing with some of the greatest names in jazz, including Carl Allen, James Williams, Billy Hart, Regina Carter, and Wynton Marsalis. He served as musical director for the Boy's Choir of Harlem during its 1999-2000 season, played keyboard for the television series ``Cosby,'' and has been featured on more than 50 albums, including a Grammy-winning collaboration with Christian McBride in 2012. We're so fortunate that after six years of teaching at the famed Juilliard School, Davis brought his talents back home and has been teaching jazz piano at Michigan State University since 2014. In addition to the many students who have benefited from his instruction, Davis has also dedicated himself to uplifting his adopted hometown of Detroit through his music. Supported by a grant from Michigan State University's Humanities and Arts Research Program, Davis began composing music about Detroit, which eventually became a powerful album titled ``Rise Up Detroit.'' Through his music, Davis focuses on the role Detroit has played on the lives of African-Americans and on the world at large, highlighting the Underground Railroad, the Great Migration, and the boom days of the auto industry. Professor Davis is a gifted composer, arranger, and producer of music, and widely recognized as one of the most accomplished jazz pianists in the world. He is also a proud Michigander, continually giving back to the community and the state that put the music in his soul. While he is the recording artist, it is my distinct pleasure to record his accomplishments and convey my gratitude for his contributions here.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a woman who defied not only the odds but her own family's wishes to become a pioneer in the pulpit at a landmark Black church in Livingston County, Michigan. Though her father was a devout Baptist preacher in the early part of the 20th century, Lillian Archibald was taught from a young age that ministry was strictly for men. The fourth of five children, Lillian's father was clear in his message to his daughters: love the Lord, but find another calling for work. Skeptical but obedient, Lillian attended a business college in her hometown of Memphis and spent time as a missionary before starting a family of her own. Tragically, the youngest of her four children was killed in 1977 in a crash between a car and a train. Despite her profound grief, Lillian took solace in her unshakeable faith, and made the decision that it was time to answer the call that had been placed upon her heart. Lillian enrolled at Payne Theological Seminary, and entered the ministry at age 50. She spent some time as an itinerant elder before being ordained as a full minister in 1985. And of course, she broke the news to her father, who she says grew quiet before finally giving her his blessing. She brought that blessing to Michigan, first serving six years assisting the pastor at a church in Jackson, before being assigned to pastor St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brighton--the only African American church in predominantly white Livingston County-- in 1990. With her melodic voice and charismatic style, Reverend Archibald is credited with breathing new life and hope into the congregation, where she stayed for four years. During her tenure, the church grew in size and in spirit, and began reaching out to the community and joining with other churches with a sense of common purpose and passion. Though her time in Livingston County was brief, her impact was profound. She received numerous recognitions for her commitment to the community, including her work with victims of domestic violence at the Women's Resource Center in Howell, and her efforts to shelter the unhoused through Habitat for Humanity. Perhaps one of her greatest gifts was the mentorship she offered to other women contemplating the call to ministry. Reverend Archibald is still warmly remembered today by many of them as a compassionate guide and a listening ear. Her courageous ministry and her golden voice still guide the work of St. James AME Church.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I honor a man who was a trailblazer in athletics and education, and used his talents to break barriers and change the lives of generations of young people. Dr. Samuel Edward Holloway lived to serve others: his nation, his community, and his family. It is fitting that as we mark Black History Month, we shine a light on his place in the history of Michigan's 7th District and the many doors he opened for others to pass through. But before he was Dr. Holloway, he was simply ``Sam,'' a young man who came to Michigan with his father, who had left the deep South as part of the Great Migration. After spending his childhood in various parts of the Midwest, Sam and his family settled in Michigan in the 1940s, where he would eventually join the Ann Arbor High School class of 1951. Sam's athletic abilities were evident from a young age, as he was crowned state champion in his wrestling class during his high school years. Also clear was his desire to use his life for the greater good, as he enlisted in the United States Army upon graduation, and was honorably discharged in 1953. It was then that Sam began embarking on what would become his life's calling: public education. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Eastern Michigan University, during which time he also began his teaching career. And so it was, at the height of the civil rights movement in 1963, when Samuel Edward Holloway became the first Black faculty member in the history of South Lyon Public Schools. During his tenure there, he is also credited with becoming the first Black person to serve as head wrestling coach for a high school team in the state of Michigan. Eventually Holloway earned his PhD in education, and went on to serve in numerous districts, including Ypsilanti Public Schools and Romulus Public Schools. In the late 1970s he became a building administrator at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, a full circle moment for the man who had graduated from that very district. He held that post until his retirement in 1990, a retirement that he and his wife Janet enjoyed to the fullest. Still an athlete at heart and in practice, Holloway competed each year in the Arizona Senior Olympics, and rode his motorcycle across the United States and Europe. Dr. Samuel Edward Holloway passed away in 2022, leaving behind his devoted wife, his four children, a large and loving extended family, and an incredible legacy. Dr. Holloway didn't set out to be a pioneer; he simply wanted to do the things he loved in the service of others. I now ask that the People's House reflect his groundbreaking contributions and the gratitude of the institutions forever changed by his presence.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a legendary Lansing family that has broken barriers across generations, and continues to make history today. The story begins in 1927 when the family matriarch, Ms. Hortense Canady was born in Chicago. While she didn't grow up in Michigan, she came to Michigan State University to pursue graduate studies after attending Fisk University, where she met her husband, Clinton. In the Lansing area, Hortense and Clinton, a World War II veteran and member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, settled, put down roots, and left an indelible mark on the community. Clinton became a well-known and well-loved dentist, while Hortense put her passion for education and civil rights into action, becoming the first African American elected to the Lansing School District Board of Education in 1968. Four years later, she and several other board members were recalled for advocating for desegregation, but Hortense did not let that deter her from working toward her core belief that everyone deserves access to quality education. She sat on the state's Women's Commission, served as the first executive director of the Lansing Community College Foundation, and helped found a debutante club in Lansing to fill in a void for young Black women who, at the time, were not permitted to share in this tradition. Hortense founded the Lansing alumnae chapter of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, and served as its national president from 1983 to 1988. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2002 and was named as one of Ebony magazine's Most Influential People. Hortense Canady died in 2010 at age 83. Not only was Hortense Canady impressive in her own right, but her children have continued to blaze their own trails. Her daughter, Alexa Canady, is the first African American woman in the nation to become a neurosurgeon, and served as chief of neurosurgery at the Children's Hospital of Michigan from 1987 until her retirement in June 2001. She devoted her brilliant mind and her numerous talents to the healing and welfare of thousands of young patients over the course of her career, and, like her mother, is an inductee in the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. She was also named a Michigander of the Year by the Detroit News in 2002. All three of Hortense Canady's sons became attorneys, including the Honorable Judge Clinton Canady III. Before ascending to the bench, Canady practiced law for 37 years. He was a founder of the Lansing Black Lawyers' Association, director of the Ingham County Bar Association, a commissioner for the Lansing Board of Water and Light, a member of the NAACP, and served on the board of the Lansing Symphony Association, Central Michigan Legal Aid, and many other organizations. Elected to the Ingham County Circuit Court in 2010, Judge Canady served through his retirement in 2022, but returned on assignment to help address the backlog of cases from the pandemic. He and his wife, Rita, have two children who are continuing the Canady tradition of service, one as an administrative law judge in California, and the other with the United States Department of State. The Canady family is part of the very fabric of the Lansing community, a fabric stitched with their incredible work ethic, commitment to breaking new ground, and to clearing a path for others to follow.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to two of the most beloved residents to ever call the St. Johns, Michigan, community home: Orrin and Luvina Wilson. Settling in Clinton County post-Civil War, the Wilsons were a ``power couple'' before such a term existed, but it was never about seeking power for themselves. Rather, the Wilsons lived their lives in quiet but devoted and groundbreaking service to their nation and to their neighbors, and forever changed the face of St. Johns. Orrin was just 16 years old in 1864 when he enlisted in Michigan's all-Black regiment, the 102nd United States Colored Infantry. Company K, out of Kalamazoo. He served until the war's end, and returned to Michigan where he met and married his bride. The two would soon settle in St. Johns, where they lived out the next 60 years of their lives. In addition to his military service, Orrin was a trailblazer in so many ways. First. he took up the trade of barbering and owned his own shop for nearly 50 years, serving a mostly white clientele out of the old Steel Hotel in downtown St. Johns. He was also a founding member of the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic, a national union of Civil War veterans, and served as its post commander for a time. Not only was he the only Black member of the St. Johns Charles Grisson Post of the GAR, it's believed he was the only Black man in the state to hold such a leadership position outside of the all-Black posts in cities like Detroit. Luvina was a trailblazer in her own right, serving as president of the local chapter of the Women's Relief Corps, the auxiliary organization to the Grand Army of the Republic. The WRC not only supported the mission to aid Union veterans, but also assisted former Army nurses and promoted patriotism through education. And just like her husband, Luvina is believed to be the only Black woman in the state to have led an all-white post. Orrin and Luvina raised two sons together: George and Arthur, who continued the family barbering trade. The family was active in the St. Johns United Methodist Church, where Orrin served as a trustee and treasurer for three decades. They were married for 58 years, and linked in their common goal of creating a better, more just community and nation. And united they also were in death, leaving this world just one day apart in late December of 1928. The two were buried together in the veterans' section of Mt. Rest Cemetery, with flags flown at half-mast and a large funeral procession going past the family home on South Clinton Avenue. May their life story and memory be a blessing and inspiration to all of us.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a basketball coaching legend who helped lead the Michigan State University Spartans men's basketball team to 19 NCAA tournaments, 10 Big Ten Championships, seven Final Fours, and a National Championship. But as impressive as those statistics are, former MSU Assistant Coach Mike Garland quite literally came back from the dead and is now using his second chance at life to pay this incredible gift forward. As much as Mike Garland loved coaching basketball, and as many great things as his teams accomplished on the court, he was content with his decision to retire from MSU in June of 2022, and looking forward to spending more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Not long after, however, he went into cardiac arrest while driving his car. Fortunately two good Samaritans were driving by at the time, saw Garland's car go off the road and into a tree, called 911, and performed CPR until paramedics and police arrived. In total, 13 people worked on Garland for an agonizing 18 minutes to restart his heart. It turned out the electrical failure in Garland's heart was the result of a birth defect, one that required open heart surgery to fix. Three months later, Garland was back up and running- quite literally- on the treadmill. Not long after that he honored all those who helped save his life with an emotional public thank you at MSU's Breslin Center, home to many of his great coaching moments. Today, the Breslin Center is also home court for his new passion: a foundation he launched called Champions of the Heart. Through this non- profit, Garland works to inform the Spartan community and others on how to save lives during episodes of cardiac arrest. Attendees at these free trainings learn how to perform CPR, how to recognize sudden cardiac arrest, and how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator. Mike Garland is a man who has lived two lives, both defined by statistics. In the first, his focus was on wins, losses, and free throw percentages. His second life, however, is summed up in a single stark numerical reality: only one person in ten survives a cardiac arrest. He has done much to defy the odds and change the course of history for himself and others.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the groundbreaking service of a Livingston County woman who never even planned to live in the area, much less to make history there. Fortunately, life had its own plans for Elsie McPherson-Brown, and the community is so much better for it. Livingston County sits at the crossroads of several major highways, and when Elsie McPherson-Brown, was driving one of them to visit friends, she took a wrong turn and ended up in the northern community of Hartland. Elsie liked what she saw on that unexpected outing, and after further investigation, including meeting with the superintendent and school principals, she convinced her husband to relocate to Hartland from Detroit with their two elementary school-aged boys. It's worth noting that Livingston County was, and remains to this day, an overwhelmingly white community, but Elsie and her family were undeterred. From the beginning of their time in Hartland, Elsie dove into community service, volunteering in her kids' classrooms, organizing fundraisers, chairing Teacher Appreciation Day events, and serving on the PTO. In 2003, Elsie took her service to a new and historic level, when she successfully ran for the Board of Education of Hartland Consolidated Schools, becoming the first African-American woman and only the second African-American in modern history to be elected to public office in Livingston County. Her story is not without its challenges, particularly when it comes to race relations. She often shares how a grocery store manager insisted her personal check was fraudulent because he refused to believe that a Black woman lived in Livingston County as the address stated. Or the local police officers who questioned her younger son and refused to believe he was simply heading home for the same reason. But Elsie chose to rise above, and set her focus and her intentions on the things she loved about the community and the commonalities she shared with her friends and neighbors. Supported by the voters, Elsie served ten years on the school board and fulfilled her goal of having a voice in shaping the education of the next generation. She was known for her calm demeanor, her colorful outfits, and the many hats she wore about town, perhaps representative of the different hats she wore in life: wife, mother, advocate, and trailblazer. While she has stepped down from public office, today she continues her life of quiet service to the community in her work with the Livingston County Sheriffs Office. Elsie McPherson-Brown may have stumbled upon Hartland accidentally, but it's no accident that she changed the course of Hartland's history. Her story deserves to be told, uplifted, and forever preserved.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a member of the Michigan State University faculty who has contributed to the rich artistic landscape of our great state and helped shape the next generation of musical talents, all set to a distinctive jazz beat. As a young recording artist in Detroit, Rodney Whitaker likely never imagined he would one day build and lead one of the most distinguished jazz degree programs and performing faculties in the world. But the legendary bassist, known for his distinctive ``bear-sized'' tones, today serves as Director of Jazz Studies at MSU, a program he has transformed into a world class training ground whose students have gone on to perform alongside some of the top jazz artists in the world. It's a case of those who CAN do, teach, as Whitaker himself spent seven years as bassist with Wynton Marsalis' Septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, followed by a quarter-century touring around the world, collaborating and performing with ]egendary jazz artists from Dizzy Gillespie to Diana Krall. And he continues to teach master classes at universities around the world, all while serving as artistic director of the Michigan State University Professors of Jazz, the East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra in Orlando, Florida, and the Gathering Orchestra in Detroit, to name a few of his many involvements. He has earned one of the highest distinctions in academia, the title of University Distinguished Professor, and he is proud to serve as a special assistant to the dean's office, directing the College of Music's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts. In 2006, he was nominated for the Juno Award, Canada's equivalent to the Grammy, and in 2011, he received an Emmy nomination. Just last year he was named 2023 Detroit Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association. But strip away all the titles, all the awards, and Whitaker is simply a man who understands the power of the gift he has been given, and the necessity to pass it on. In his own words, Dr. Rodney Whitaker said, quote: ``That is my truth. I love passing on the knowledge of the history of music, and it's life-changing to see that lightbulb go off in someone. It certainly changed my life.'' For all the lives he has enriched, changed, and set to music, I ask that his contributions forever be remembered.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I came out today to address the issue that is top of mind for so many Americans: Immigration. We find ourselves at this existential moment on the issue. As a Nation of immigrants, where nearly every single one of us has our own immigration story to tell, we know in our bones that our immigration system is broken. It is not working for, literally, anyone. When I say ``anyone,'' I mean, everyone. It is not working for our businesses, who desperately need vetted immigrant labor. It is not working for the immigrants who are walking a thousand miles in some cases to cross our border. It is not working for our border agents and for our customs and border folks who are trying to manage an astounding number of people coming over the border. It is not working for our communities who are having people bused to them. It is not working for the strain on those cities and the services. It is not working for anyone. We can say with clarity and certainty that immigration system in a Nation of immigrants is broken, and there is blame enough to go around. Democrats, Republicans, multiple White Houses, multiple administrations, Congress plays a big part in this, Washington departments and agencies over many, many years have used this issue to play politics rather than actually doing anything about it. Finally, as you can see from the speeches here tonight, there is agreement that we have a problem, right? The first step you can take to dealing with your problem is admitting you have a problem, but the fundamental question is: What are we going to now do about it? I am a national security person by trade. I am a former CIA officer, a former Pentagon official. I did three tours in Iraq alongside the military. My whole life before I came to this body was about protecting the homeland from external threats. Not only that, but I come from Michigan, a northern border State. I was just at our border in Detroit this past week where I got to see a healthy, functioning border and what it looks like. There is no greater responsibility for those of us who are elected than to protect our citizens, and no greater responsibility than to work on solutions that do just that. Two months ago in December, I thought we finally had gotten over a major hump. We were at a moment where Democrats and Republicans here in the White House, in the Senate, across the country were all saying that we needed to work on immigration. The Speaker of the House, the Speaker of this body, wrote to President Biden personally, saying that if the President wanted more things on Ukraine, it was ``dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our Nation's border security laws.'' Those were his words. In the Senate, a group of Democrats and Republicans did what people pay them to do, what they actually expect them to do, which is sit in a room, negotiate, argue, debate over policy to deal with the extreme pressure on the border, and they came to a solution. Yesterday, we got our first look at what that proposal actually is, but no sooner was it out, than it is now sailing down the river like a dumpster fire, being trashed by the very people who negotiated it, being trashed by the very people who asked for it, being trashed by the Speaker of the House who desperately said: I won't consider any future assistance without border security. No piece of legislation is ever perfect, but it does help us curb who is coming in. It gets people working legally in our businesses like on our farms, which desperately need that labor. In the meantime, these people would be paying taxes, paying into Social Security, paying into Medicare. I can't understand why we continually refuse to take up bipartisan solutions like the one that is being debated in the Senate and the one that we are presenting on today, the Dignity Act. We need something to move the ball forward. I know that all of us are willing to work with anyone across the aisle on solutions, but you have got to come to the table and acknowledge we have a problem and say you want to work on the solution. Just two months after the Speaker laid out this existential problem with border security where he said: What is happening at the border is nothing short of a catastrophe and demanded immediate changes to the administration policy and to our laws. He has now reversed course. He did a complete 180, changed his views and now we can't talk about the border. Why? Because former President Donald Trump told him to. He is out there saying that I am in control of my caucus. If you have to say you are in control of your caucus, you are not in control of your caucus. Donald Trump told him he didn't like the bill. He told Mitch McConnell he didn't like the bill. The thing we have been working on as a healthy bipartisan negotiation falls apart in a day because Donald Trump wants to make ads about it; he wants to do political rallies about it; he wants to use it as a club against Joe Biden; he wants to use it for himself instead of doing what the country expects, which is dealing with the crisis at the border. The leaders who were elected to protect their constituents are bowing to this pressure with barely a bat of the eye. It is embarrassing actually. It is sad to watch, but definitely embarrassing, and another sign of how toxic and ill our politics have become. I was trying to think about what would happen when I was a CIA officer or at the Pentagon if I had identified a real national security crisis with facts and data, if I had said this is a threat to our country, talked about it publicly, constantly came back to it to raise attention to this issue, and then refused to do anything about it? There is a term for this in the military. It is called dereliction of duty. It is a fireable offense. The next time I hear one of my colleagues railing about the border, railing about immigration in the same breath that they are refusing to actually do anything about it, I am going to remember that in other places other than this body, that is completely unacceptable, that it is a joke to care about something and then ignore it. Remember this, our colleagues had the chance to work on this issue. If they don't like that bill, come and talk to us about the Dignity Act. Come to the table to negotiate, but stop choosing yourself instead of your constituents and the safety of the country.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the life and legacy of a man who defined the word patriot. Guy Stern was just a teenager when he escaped the horrors of Nazi Germany and landed in this country, where he went on to live a remarkable life devoted to service, scholarly pursuit, and historical preservation. It is now incumbent upon us to share, learn from, and forever safeguard his incredible story, which stretched across more than a century. Born Gunther Stern on January 14, 1922 in Hildesheim, Germany, the future hero was the son of a humble textile merchant and homemaker, and only 11 years old when Adolf Hitler seized power. Life under Nazi rule quickly became untenable for this Jewish family, and in 1937 the elder Sterns sent their son to live with his uncle and aunt in St. Louis. Sadly, the rest of the family were never able to escape; Stern's parents and two siblings were killed by the Nazis. Wanting to adapt as best he could, Gunther changed his name to Guy on the advice of a high school girlfriend. But Guy sought not just to fit in but to serve his new country, and attempted to join the armed forces following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Rejected by the Navy because he was not native born, Stern was drafted by the Army in 1943 and took his oath of citizenship after completing basic training in Texas. He was then transferred to a highly secretive facility in Maryland where he became part of the so-called ``Ritchie Boys,'' an elite group of about 11,000 soldiers--many of them German-speaking European Jews like Stern--trained to use their language skills for interrogation, counter- intelligence, and psychological warfare. Stern landed in Normandy shortly after D-Day, and served in Germany, Belgium, and France until the end of the war. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and was decorated with a bronze star for his innovative methods of gleaning information from German prisoners of war, developing critical techniques that gathered actionable intelligence from captured Germans while remaining well within the bounds of the law of war. Ultimately, the Ritchie boys were credited with securing more than half of the actionable intelligence gathered in Europe during World War II, and were instrumental in the defeat of the Nazis. Post-war, Stern turned to academia when he returned stateside, becoming a leading global scholar in German literature and culture. He taught for decades at Denison University then later at Columbia University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Maryland, and finally, Wayne State University in Detroit. In 1978 he was named provost and vice-president for academic affairs at WSU, posts he held for 12 years before stepping down to return to the classroom as a professor in Wayne State's Department of Romance and Germanic Languages and Literature. During his tenure, he also founded the Academy of Scholars at Wayne State University, and was director of the International Institute of the Righteous at the Zekelman Holocaust Center, a post he held until the end of his life. Dr. Stern was passionate about sharing his story, publishing numerous papers and books, including his memoir, ``Invisible Ink.'' He was featured in multiple documentaries, including Ken Burns' landmark series on the American response to the Holocaust. I'm so fortunate he also shared his story with me on several occasions, including in 2021 when we convened a group of Jewish veterans from across the area and across time for a roundtable at the Holocaust Center. When he spoke, all of us in the room could sense we were in the presence of a once-in- a-generation national treasure. Guy Stern left this world on December 7, 2023 at the age of 101: a Holocaust survivor, a decorated war hero, a prolific author, a celebrated scholar, and so much more. He once said that the United States saved his life, and that in return, he became an American patriot. What a gift he gave us. On behalf of a grateful nation, I ask that we forever remember his extraordinary life, and that his memory be an inspiration and a blessing to all.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I honor a dear friend, a former colleague, a devoted public servant, and a true American hero. Rear Admiral Brian Davies was not only one of the kindest people I have ever known, he was the epitome of valor, honor, and dedication. He bravely navigated the challenges of both a distinguished career in the United States Navy and a battle with cancer, and in doing so left a lasting legacy. When a young Brian Davies enrolled at the United States Naval Academy, he didn't do so with the goal of earning accolades or climbing the ranks; he simply wanted to use his talents in the service of his nation. And that service was extraordinary, proof that there is no limit to what a person can accomplish in the rare instance when a brilliant mind, a humble spirit, and a leader's heart come together. Much can be said about Rear Admiral Davies' remarkable career: his service on both fast attack and ballistic missile submarines, his six strategic deterrent patrols, his deployments to the Arctic, Western Pacific, North Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Much can also be said about his long list of awards and decorations, including a Distinguished Service medal, the Defense Superior Service medal, five Legion of Merit awards, three Meritorious Service medals, four Navy Commendation medals, three Navy Achievement medals, and various campaign, unit, and service awards. There are even awards and circumstances we can't discuss in detail, like those surrounding the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation he and his entire team received for their top secret work when he commanded the USS Jimmy Carter. But what should never be lost in the litany of awards, honors, and accolades he so rightly earned was his profound humanity. I came to know him as Captain Davies when we served together at the Pentagon; he was the Special Military Assistant when I was Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. Despite his rank and resume, he was approachable and humble in ways that belied his many accomplishments, and someone who went out of his way to uplift and encourage all those around him. Never the loudest voice in the room, and despite his challenging responsibilities, Rear Admiral exemplified kindness in every interaction. His profound impact extended far beyond the military or the office, as he was a devoted family man whose love for and pride in his daughter radiated through all he did. I will always remember how he went out of his way to support another colleague through the challenges of her husband's deployment, and the way he treated every person he encountered with dignity and respect. His commitment to the principles of ``not self, but county,'' will forever stand as a beacon for all who worked and served with him and those who had the privilege of learning from him. May his memory be a blessing and a source of inspiration for generations to come. Fair winds and following seas to Rear Admiral Brian Davies. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, and here, in the United States House of Representatives.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, now that we are back in Washington and starting some very serious conversations, I wanted to make clear where I stand on an issue that I think most Americans, certainly most Members of Congress, believe is of urgent importance, and that is on the issue of immigration. Immigration is now part of a larger negotiation that is going on, largely in the Senate, in addition to funding things like Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and support in Taiwan. It is all in the mix. Truth be told, since becoming a Member of Congress, I have never seen an issue more politicized than the issue of immigration. I think most of us, regardless of party, would agree that our immigration system is broken. It is not working for anyone--not the communities struggling to handle thousands of migrants; not our own economy, where we actually really need immigration; not the migrants themselves who are walking, in some cases, a thousand miles with their children to get to our border. Both Democrats and Republicans share blame on this situation. We have had chances to reform this totally broken system in the past, but we have fallen short over and over again. It does not have to be this way. I think, as rational, practical people, we should be able to come together and have a conversation about how we think this most American of issues should go, and as we do, we should follow what I consider the five core pillars to address this comprehensive crisis: Number one, immigration in the United States should be based on the needs of the U.S. economy and the employers in the United States. Right now, every single employer that I know is looking for legal labor, and our economy can take new people coming into the workforce. We should key our immigration numbers to the economy. Immigration numbers, visa numbers, are set by Congress--not by the White House, but by this body that I sit in, so if we want to raise the caps of legally allowed visas in the United States, that is on this body. Number two, we have to change the system so that immigrants can come to this country by applying from their home countries. Have it be faster to get a legal work permit from your home country rather than walking, as I said, a thousand miles, making this dangerous journey to the border, or paying a whole bunch of unsavory people to get themselves over. This is how it works on the northern border. I am from Michigan. You don't have border agents making decisions about whether someone gets to come into our country or not. They are checking the visas and the paperwork, stamping approved or unapproved and moving them through. Number three, we need to invest in border security. Every country in the world deserves to know who is coming inside their borders. I am a national security person. I spent my entire life trying to make sure our homeland was protected. Every country has the right to know who is coming in. We need strong border security, and there are plenty of bipartisan proposals, including ones that I have presented, that can accomplish this. Number four, we have to address the root causes of migration. Why are people risking their life to come to this country in the first place? It is poverty. It is violence back home. We have got to help those countries improve their situation, so we don't have such a flood of people feeling desperate to come to the United States. That is in their interests and ours. Lastly, we need to live up to our values and morals as a country of immigrants, as a Nation of immigrants. I am guessing everyone in this room right now owes their lives in America to an immigration story, and we always should remain a place where people fearing persecution and death can come to for a chance to live. I am willing to talk with anyone, Democrat or Republican, who wants to uphold commonsense conversations. I am willing to make progress, even if it is not popular, even if plans are imperfect. The truth is there are a lot of bipartisan ideas out there. They are just not sexy. They just don't get attention. I am the cosponsor of something called the Dignity Act. It is a comprehensive reform plan. It is bipartisan. It was put together by folks in the Problem Solvers Caucus. To be honest about those future negotiations, we have to be honest that our immigration system is broken because of that partisanship, because all sides--Members of the House, the Senate, and the White House--are pointing fingers at everybody else. There is a way out of this mess. It is the same thing our constituents do every day. They go to work. They have negotiations. Not everyone is happy, but they come up with a compromise. As we kick off 2024, we know that this issue of immigration is on the top of all of our news feeds. It is being discussed in the Senate right now. I am willing to work with anyone who is actually focused on getting something done.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I celebrate Genesis House, which for the past 30 years has provided meaningful opportunities and hope for people living with mental health challenges in Livingston County, Michigan. Founded in 1998 in Howell, Genesis House is a program of Livingston County Community Mental Health and part of the evidence-based Clubhouse International model designed to improve the lives of those who participate by providing social support, education, and employment. One of more than 300 such clubhouses worldwide, Genesis House is so much more than a physical gathering space; it's a place members can call home. At Genesis House, people navigating life with mental illness can learn, grow, and develop the individual skills they need to increase their independence and continue their recovery. In this model, Clubhouse members and staff work together to carry out daily duties, with staff mainly serving as coaches, cheerleaders, and talent scouts, pouring their faith into those who may not yet believe in themselves, In addition to providing a place for meaningful social and recreational opportunities for hundreds of members, over the past 30 years Genesis House has partnered with dozens of local employers and organizations to help members find and retain gainful employment. It's a powerful vision of social and economic inclusion, and one that I had the chance to see firsthand when I visited Genesis House in 2019 at its Fowlerville location. There, as members answered phones, prepared meals, and tidied the facility, I heard how much the Clubhouse meant to them. I saw what a restorative atmosphere it was, and that it was clearly a community of people dedicated to walking alongside one another on the path to a better life, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it is. Recently, Genesis House returned to its Howell roots and took over a larger, brighter space with the capacity to serve even more members. The new location, where sunlight pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows, is a powerful metaphor for the light that Genesis House shines in the community, and the glow of resilience of its members. As we mark 30 years of success for Genesis House, I salute all those who have supported this organization along the way, by fundraising, volunteering, and helping to spread the word about the organization and break the stigma around mental illness. I pay tribute to the members and the staff for the hard work they do each day to make this house a home. Long may Genesis House, a beacon of hope for so many, continue to shine in Howell and beyond.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a dedicated public servant and community leader who has been a constant voice and a steadfast advocate for the city of Lansing, Michigan, for decades. Carol Hallman Wood was first elected to Lansing's City Council in 1999, but has been involved in neighborhood and community issues her entire life. As she now steps back from elected office, I offer my deep gratitude for all she has done to make Lansing a better, stronger place. Carol was just a toddler when her parents and two siblings moved across the country from Colorado to Michigan. They settled in Lansing and quickly instilled in their children the notion that there was nothing more important than being part of a community and helping the people in it. A proud product of Lansing Public Schools, Carol attended Michigan Avenue Elementary School, Genesee Street Elementary School, West Junior High School, and graduated from J. W. Sexton High School. After high school she made a big move to Anchorage, Alaska, where she worked for the state's public school library system, but returned to Michigan following the death of her sister in a plane crash. This would unfortunately not be the only time Carol and her family experienced profound tragedy. Upon her return to Lansing, Carol picked up where she left off, working alongside her mother, Ruth Hallman, to build up the community. The two were so close Carol eventually moved right next door, living in the very same neighborhood where she grew up. In partnership with community groups, the two spearheaded the effort to change the city's housing code, turning rentals back into ownership opportunities for low to moderate-income residents, They also worked with local law enforcement to implement team policing, and in collaboration with Neighborhood Watch and the Genesee Neighborhood Association, brought the number of homes in the community with documented drug activity down from a high of 137 in 1988 to just 6 today. But the neighborhood that made Carol who she is also brought her greatest pain, when her beloved mother was brutally attacked in her home in July of 2007, and died a few days later of her injuries. Devastated but unbroken, Carol refused to let this horrific incident drive her from her home, and instead redoubled her efforts to fight for her community, an angel no doubt fighting right alongside her. Six times the voters returned Carol to the Lansing City Council, and during her nearly quarter-century tenure she has chaired every committee and held virtually every position, including Council President on five occasions. She continues to give back to the community by serving on various boards and commissions, and as executive director of Retired & Senior Volunteer Programs of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties. She is the proud mother of two sons, and a grandmother to four. Carol personifies the ideals of service, and has shown us all the power and true definition of living in community. I thank her for her extraordinary devotion to Lansing.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr Speaker, today I pay tribute to a remarkable woman who dedicated her professional career to making the state of Michigan, its government, its institutions, and its character stronger and better. Kathy Wilbur was a fierce advocate and a devoted public servant in both government and higher education, and brought her two passions together in the role she held for the past five years at her alma mater, Michigan State University. I was fortunate enough to call her my friend, and as her sudden passing leaves a deep hole of grief for so many, it is fitting that we pause to reflect on all she gave to our state. Kathy began her career in the Michigan Legislature, where she served as chief of staff to former Senator Bill Sederburg. From the start, she was known for her prowess in communications and policy issues, and she went on to serve in the administration of former Michigan Governor John Engler, heading up three different departments during her tenure--the only woman in Michigan history to do so. In the early 2000s, she began the next chapter of her career with our state's public universities, first at Central Michigan University where she served as interim president, vice president of advancement and external relations, and vice president for government relations. But of the many titles Kathy held over her decades-long career, one the closest to her heart was Spartan. Kathy was a super-alumna, holding not one, not two, but three degrees from MSU: a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a master's degree in higher education administration, and a Ph.D in the same, and even served one term on the university's Board of Trustees. In 2018, she joined Michigan State University's staff, where she served as senior vice president for government relations. Under her tenure, the university secured funding and support for landmark projects, including the Engineering and Digital Innovation Center, the MSU greenhouses, and the MSU Apple Academy. Her steady hand helped guide the university through good times and bad, driven by an unshakable faith in the power of higher education, clothed in green and white. Over the years, Kathy was a mentor to so many, and I personally benefited from her knowledge and her wisdom. Her door was always open, her invitation to coffee sincere, her cup of kindness bottomless. She graciously shared her experience with all, and was truly invested in seeing others succeed. From Kathy, I learned what it means to advocate, and the power of active listening. Her life was a testament to the power of getting things done, and the role one person can play to make positive change. I send my deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Kathy, particularly her husband, Tom, their four sons, Tom, Will, Sam, and Ray; her granddaughter, Mary; and the entire Michigan State University family. Kathy Wilbur's accomplishments, her passion, and her compassion will live on in our hearts and on the banks of the Red Cedar in East Lansing.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr Speaker, today I pay tribute to the life of a mid- Michigan icon who was a builder in every sense of the word. Lonnie McKissic, Sr. passed away on November 3, 2023, but the legacy he worked so hard to construct in his 88 years on this planet--physically, emotionally, and spiritually--lives on in this community and in the many lives he touched. Lonnie was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1935, the son of Robert and Myrtle McKissic, and his early years were by no means easy. His father passed away when he was just a toddler, and Lonnie was only able to attend school through the third grade. Though still a child, he was sent to work in the cotton fields, and later at a mill yard, to help support the family. He was just 16 years old when he married the love of his life, Odell, and shortly after the two made the move north to Lansing, Michigan. When Lonnie picked up his first construction job at age 18 in Lansing, he likely didn't know he was laying the foundation for his future. After years of hard work and learning the ins and outs of the industry, in 1969 he was ready to make a go on his own and launched the family business: McKissic and Sons Construction. Not only did the company break ground on numerous homes, churches, and well-known Lansing-area buildings, Lonnie broke barriers by becoming one of the first Black contractors in the region. Over the years he also built a large and loving family, raising six sons, three daughters, and ten grandchildren, and prided himself on passing the trade to younger generations. Today, the construction company continues with his son Michael at the helm. In addition, Michael shares his father's lessons with the community through his non- profit, which teaches construction skills to young people in an effort to provide a meaningful path for the future that can help turn the tide of violence in the Lansing area. A man of profound faith, Lonnie was deeply involved with Mt. Zion All Nations Church, where his 69 years of devotion earned him the title of longest-serving member. During that time, he held various other titles, including Chairman of the Board, Deacon, Vice-Chair of the Executive Council, Elder, and choir member. He mentored hundreds of young people over the years, and was known as a spiritual father to many. In everything he did, Lonnie McKissic used his hands, his heart, and his life to build up the community. Brick by brick, word by word, lesson by lesson, he laid out a blueprint for what it means to be a servant leader, and constructed his life on a bedrock of faith, family, and hard work. I send my condolences to his family, and ask that we now dedicate ourselves to building upon his memory, which will live on in Lansing.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a Lansing, Michigan- based organization that is creating innovative partnerships to improve the future for Black residents by assisting them with the cost of higher education, starting a small business, or purchasing a home. Officially launched in 2022, the Justice League of Greater Lansing has worked tirelessly to engage the faith community in the area in dialogue over the historic harms done to African Americans through the institution of slavery in this country, and to foster greater understanding of its structural and systematic aftermath. Since the program's launch, ten churches in Greater Lansing have either committed a percentage of their endowment funds, a lump sum donation, or regular contributions from the congregation as a whole and/or individual members to the effort. To date, the League has received more than $350,000, making it one of the most successful programs of its kind in the nation. That money will be used to provide scholarships for college-bound students, home loans for first-time buyers, and financial assistance for local entrepreneurs. Among the churches the League has successfully engaged, many of whom have been involved since the organization's infancy, are First Presbyterian Church of Lansing; Edgewood United Church of Christ, East Lansing; All Saints Episcopal Church, East Lansing; First Presbyterian Church, Holt; and Red Cedar Friends Meeting, Lansing. I have had the pleasure of attending meetings of the Justice League of Greater Lansing, and its board members regularly participate in roundtables I host for faith leaders on gun violence prevention and on many other topics related to the betterment of the community. I applaud this organization's commitment to justice, equality, and positive change through meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding. At a time where so many look to further tear the fabric of our society, I am very grateful for their thoughtful efforts to repair and strengthen it. I look forward to seeing how this project will continue to take root in the community.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with others from the Michigan delegation and onward to recognize Samantha Woll, a former member of my staff, a member of the House of Representatives' staff, and a passionate advocate who was taken from us on October 21, 2023. It is important to me, as I know it is to my colleagues who knew her directly, that we honor the way Sam lived. From working in my very first congressional office to serving as the president of her synagogue in Detroit, Sam had profound faith, not just as a Jewish woman but an abiding faith in humanity and a passion for interfaith relations, something that right now is more than ever important to our country. In closing, I ask my colleagues for a moment of silence for Sam, for her family, for her community, for our State, and send my deepest condolences to her loved ones in Michigan.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr, Speaker Pro Tempore, it is with profound grief that I pay tribute to the life of a passionate advocate, a dedicated former Congressional staff member, an organizer, and a true believer in interfaith dialogue, Samantha Woll. Sam had a brilliant mind, a generous spirit, and was a true light in the community. While we do not yet know the circumstances of her death, we do know how she lived, so today I ask that we remember the profound impact she had on her community, our state, and the Nation in her short time on this earth. Sam worked for me from nearly the moment I became a Congresswoman-- helping us set up the Lansing office in 2019 and helping to lead it for my full first term as Team Slotkin's Deputy District Director. Like everyone who met her, I was immediately struck by her kindness, her sharp mind, and her ever-present smile. Though she was young, Sam came to our team already well-established, having worked for multiple members of the state legislature, as well as many different causes close to her heart. She would go on to work for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and State Senator Stephanie Chang, among others. I was also struck by her profound faith; not just her personal faith in Judaism, but her profound faith in humanity. Sam dedicated her time on my staff, and truly her entire life, to building understanding and bridges between people, and bringing light in the face of darkness. She helped establish our first interfaith roundtable and continued that work when she left our office, serving as president of the Isaac Agree Synagogue in Detroit where she was known for her outreach and dialogue with her Muslim and Christian neighbors. As the Detroit Jewish News noted in naming her one of the ``36 Under 36'' influential young people in the Jewish community, ``By extending her hand and creating space for connection between Muslims and Jews, she has exemplified the values of healing the world.'' She also played a vital role in the revitalization of Detroit, including the renovation and reopening of her historic synagogue just a few months ago. It is deeply painful that we have lost someone so dedicated to healing, and connecting so many people, no matter their background, to such a destructive act. Sam's senseless death has left a hole not just in our hearts but in the fabric of our community. She was a beacon of light and I ask that as we grieve her loss, we recommit ourselves to the principles by which she lived. Sam firmly believed in the power of government to do good: to lift people out of poverty, to give a voice to the voiceless, and to bring justice and equality to all. She was deeply committed to the idea that what united us as Americans and Michiganders was much more important than the ways some try to divide us. I send my deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her. May her memory be a blessing forever in our hearts.

Ms. SLOTKIN

Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, today I pay tribute to the hardworking men and women of the Lansing Board of Water and Light, a municipally-owned public utility in Michigan's 7th Congressional District for their efforts to restore service following storms that moved through Michigan on Thursday, August 24 and Friday, August 25, 2023. In a matter of hours, six tornadoes swept across the state, leaving a trail of devastation from west to east. Five people died, dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of Michiganders were left in the dark due to power outages. Under these most pressing circumstances, more than 40 percent of LBWL's customers were affected by the storm, including 612 unique power outage locations, 835 downed wires, 47 broken poles, and 187 transformers knocked offline. In the challenging days that followed the storms, LBWL sent an unprecedented number of crews into the field, calling in mutual aid from across Michigan and around the country. In total, 45 tree crews, 57 line crews, and 162 spotters worked around the clock in difficult conditions, restoring power to 98 percent of customers in a matter of days. That effort was born of experience. After a similarly devastating ice storm hit the region 10 years ago, LBWL implemented all the recommendations from an independent investigation into the storm response, spending millions on proactive tree-trimming, expanding mutual aid agreements, hardening its communication plan, and revamping the entire corporate structure. This organizational soul-searching has paid off, with vastly improved reliability and response time when it matters most. The work of LBWL crews, and crews from across the country, was difficult and even dangerous, requiring long hours and high skill to bring the power back for hundreds of customers. That hard work and dedication deserve recognition here.