Greg Stanton

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. On this Transgender Day of Visibility, I want to speak about a young constituent of mine, an 11-year-old girl from Mesa, Arizona. She wrote me a few days ago to say that one day she wants to grow up to be a doctor or maybe even President. Her favorite color is pink. She loves cats and the yellow minions. She also wants to play on the local soccer team with her friends. However, because of the wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced in Arizona and other legislatures around the country and right here in Congress, she is afraid, and so is her family. To that little girl, I want you to know that you are anything but. You are exceptional and you are deserving of every opportunity to pursue your passions and your dreams. Please know that you are loved and you are not alone, and that I and many of my fellow colleagues right here in Congress will continue to work to protect your rights. Trans youth are kids and they should be able to spend their time being kids, not writing their Congressman to defend their basic rights.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 5060.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, in closing, this bill honors the life of a dedicated public servant, a United States Senator, Paul Wellstone. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 5060) to redesignate the Federal building located at 212 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the ``Paul D. Wellstone Federal Building'', and for other purposes.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of S. 5060, a bill to designate the Federal building located at 212 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the ``Paul D. Wellstone Federal Building''. S. 5060 was introduced on October 25, 2022, 20 years to the day that Senator Wellstone; his wife, Sheila; his daughter, Marcia; his staff members, Todd Lapic, Mary McEvoy, and Will McLaughlin; and pilots, Richard Conry and Michael Guess, were killed in a plane crash near Eveleth, Minnesota. Paul Wellstone was born in Washington, D.C., on July 21, 1944; attended Arlington, Virginia, public schools; received his BA from the University of North Carolina in 1965; earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina in 1969; taught political science at Carleton College in Minnesota for 21 years; served as a director of the Minnesota Community Energy Program; was elected to represent Minnesota in the United States Senate in 1990, was reelected in 1996, and served from January 3, 1991, until his death in a plane crash on October 25, 2002. Paul Wellstone was a champion college wrestler and a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, a college professor for 21 years, a prolific legislator who sponsored 608 bills during his time in the U.S. Senate, and a mentor to generations of future public servants and advocates. Upon introduction of S. 5060, Senator Klobuchar said, ``During his time as an educator, an activist, and a United States Senator, Paul Wellstone touched the lives of people throughout Minnesota and across the country. That is because he stood up for people, persistently fighting against injustices, small and large. From his passionate advocacy for better care and services for those suffering from mental illness to his leadership on civil rights and campaign finance reform, Paul showed how getting involved in public service can make a real difference in improving people's lives.'' Madam Speaker, I support S. 5060, and I urge my colleagues to join me. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Omar).

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 4017) to designate the United States courthouse located at 111 South Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee, as the ``James D. Todd United States Courthouse'', and for other purposes.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 4017.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I support the passage of S. 4017, a bill to name the United States Courthouse located at 111 South Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee, the James D. Todd United States Courthouse. Judge James Todd was born in Scotts Hill, Tennessee, in 1943. He received a bachelor of science from Lambuth College in 1965 and his juris doctorate from Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1972. He was in private practice in Jackson, Tennessee, from 1972 to 1983, and served as a judge on Tennessee's Circuit Court from 1983 to 1985. In 1985, Judge Todd was nominated and confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee where he served as chief judge from 2001 to 2007. Judge Todd assumed senior status in 2008. Madam Speaker, I support S. 4017 to name a courthouse after the Honorable Judge Todd, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1082) to require ride-hailing companies to implement an enhanced digital system to verify passengers with their authorized ride-hailing vehicles and drivers, as amended.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, this bill honors the memory of Samantha Josephson and takes steps to ensure that a similar tragedy does not occur. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important safety bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1082, as amended.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1082, as amended. I applaud the gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Smith, for his tenacity for getting the bill to the House floor for its consideration today. The gentleman and his staff have worked tirelessly through many iterations of this bill. We are here today to take the first steps toward ensuring the safety of passengers and drivers who utilize ride- hailing platforms. Specifically, we are here to pass Sami's Law, a bill to honor and remember Samantha Josephson. Sami, a 21-year-old college student, was brutally murdered after she entered a car that she mistakenly thought was the Uber that she ordered. Her parents, Seymour and Marcie Josephson, have shared their heart- wrenching story firsthand with so many of us on Capitol Hill. Throughout their grief, they have been committed to working so that no other family will have to go through this kind of pain, and that millions of people who use ride-hailing services can do so with safety protections in place. Mobility and transportation patterns in many cities have been upended in recent years by companies that through transformative technology platforms have revolutionized how we travel. In a very short time, many people have come to rely upon transportation network companies, or TNCs, such as Uber and Lyft, as a regular transportation option. These services, however, have operated with little transportation safety or regulatory oversight. There are many aspects of TNCs that the Committee on Transportation has examined, including their impacts on congestion, on wages, and on public transportation used, as well as gaps in regulatory oversight of TNCs and drivers. We held a hearing in 2020 where we examined a number of troubling aspects of the TNC model. While the bill under consideration today is a scaled-back version of legislation as introduced, it marks an important step in oversight of TNCs. H.R. 1082, as amended, prohibits the sale of any signage that is designed to help a passenger identify a TNC vehicle or that contains TNCs proprietary trademark or logo, unless authorized by the TNC. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the incidence of assaults, including sexual assaults, on TNC passengers and TNC drivers. In addition, it directs GAO to study the type of background checks conducted on prospective drivers of TNC vehicles, including any State and local laws which may require such background checks. Strong and thorough vetting of potential drivers is the first line of defense to ensure passenger safety. The study initiated by this bill will yield important data and will inform decisions on what more needs to be done to protect the ride-hailing community. Lawmakers at the Federal, State, and local level will need to think beyond whether ride-hailing gets people from point A to point B, and work to ensure that TNC drivers deliver a public service safely and equitably. Madam Speaker, I support this important legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC, December 13, 2022. Hon. Peter A. DeFazio, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman DeFazio: I write concerning H.R. 1082, ``Sami's Law.'' This legislation was additionally referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and amended in such a manner that would likely result in the Committee having primary jurisdiction over this measure. In recognition of the desire to expedite consideration of H.R. 1082, the Committee agrees to waive formal consideration of the bill as to provisions that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee. The Committee takes this action with the mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues within our jurisdiction. I also request that you support my request to name members of the Committee to any conference committee to consider such provisions. Finally, I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter into the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the measure. Sincerely, Frank Pallone, Jr., Chairman.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Native American Connections on 50 years of empowering our community and ensuring more people have access to health care, can overcome substance use disorders, and have a place to call home. Through services rooted in Native American culture, it has filled unmet need in our community and created opportunities for people beyond indigenous groups to thrive. NAC has grown quickly from its days as a small grassroots organization. Thousands of lives have been improved by its programs, which range from helping families and individuals transition into permanent housing to helping people recover from substance abuse issues. A constant figure in NAC's history is its president and CEO, Dede Yazzie Devine, who has led the organization for 43 years. Dede's work is intertwined in NAC's legacy and embodies the principles of stewardship, compassion, and tenacity. It is for her work and all those who have contributed their time and talents that NAC's vision has moved forward. NAC has created an impact that's felt far beyond our indigenous communities and across our state. I join our community in celebration of 50 incredible years of this organization.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Janet Arnold Rees. Janet was tirelessly devoted to our community and made it a better place to live through her work as a teacher, theatre producer, entrepreneur, and social worker. Janet and her family moved to Phoenix in 1957, and she quickly immersed herself in the community. It was through her experience in Jewish youth organizations that she learned the value of making connections between people. She believed in the power of a community and made it a constant theme of her work. Janet had a creative spirit that helped her inspire others, combat anti-Semitism, and create change. In 1988, she founded the award- winning Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, a point of pride in the Valley and where she served as producing director for 24 years. It was a staple in the performing arts scene and produced plays meant to reflect diverse views within Judaism. The AJTC brought people of all walks of life together--from its cast to its audience--and challenged us all to reject hatred. Even after the AJTC closed its doors. Janet's boundless passion for serving her community continued, and she joined the Jewish Family & Children's Service. It was there that she continued to change peoples' lives by empowering them through resources that gave them stability and peace of mind. Janet worked closely with seniors, and after the COVID- 19 pandemic left many isolated, her creativity led seniors to the internet. It helped many reconnect with loved ones and continue to enjoy special moments with their friends and family. Janet touched so many lives and leaves behind a legacy that will be felt by generations. We join her loved ones in grief and gratitude, thankful we bore witness to her work. Godspeed, Janet.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Tempe Sister Cities on its 50th anniversary. For five decades, this organization has empowered students and teachers through diplomacy, cultural awareness, and education. It has enriched the lives of hundreds of local families who have hosted international exchange partners. Tempe Sister Cities serves as an enduring bridge that connects our people to 11 cities and countries throughout the world, including nine communities where high school students participate in exchanges with fellow students. Many of these exchanges create lasting lifelong friendships that transcend borders and transform how people in our community see and connect to the world. It is no secret that Tempe Sister Cities is one of the leading sister cities organizations in the world--distinguished by an unyielding commitment to make sure that each generation of Tempe students can learn and grow. So many lives have also been improved through its humanitarian programs, which range from medical support for individuals with disabilities to empowering women and children through resources that elevate their status. I want to recognize and thank every person who has dedicated their time and talents to make Tempe Sister Cities the tremendous change- maker that it is today. I join our community in celebration of 50 incredible years and wishes for many more.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time. Today, I rise in support of H.R. 3843, the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen antitrust enforcement and better protect U.S. consumers, workers, and businesses. I support the full slate of bills in this package, and I am pleased that it includes legislation that I introduced with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Fitzgerald). Our bill, the Foreign Merger Subsidy Disclosure Act, will create a more transparent picture for our antitrust enforcers by requiring merging companies to disclose foreign government subsidies. We know that China continues to use state-owned entities to acquire our emerging technologies and intellectual property in an attempt to surpass and suppress United States companies. Our bill provides an important guardrail so that China and other government-backed competitors can't discreetly buy up U.S. companies, unduly influence our free market economy, steal intellectual property, and stifle competition. Our bill will ensure that these investments are not undermined. This is good, commonsense policy. It is a step in the right direction. Mr. Speaker, I intend to vote ``yes'' on this package, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor an Arizona legend, Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., and congratulate him for reaching the milestone of 45 years of service as the senior pastor of First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix. Our community is so fortunate that Pastor Stewart has devoted his life to meaningful service that has made a difference in the lives of many, and I am personally grateful to call this civil rights leader, humanitarian, scholar and author a friend. Pastor Stewart answered the call early in life and preached his first sermon when he was just 17 years old. Several years later he became the pastor at First Institutional Baptist, the youngest--and eventually longest serving--in the church's history. During his tenure, he has led his congregation through transformative growth and his impact stretches far beyond his spirited sermons from the pulpit. He created a family resource center, the Samaritan House for homeless families, a home for teenage mothers and expanded the church's education and outreach services. Each of these have changed the trajectory of people's lives for the better. Through many challenging moments in our community's recent history, Pastor Stewart has offered a voice of moral clarity. He's stood up to the darkest forces in our state and prevailed. When the extremists first stopped Arizona from recognizing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, it was Pastor Stewart who organized, mobilized and energized the campaign to make that day a reality in our state. It's not just Arizona where his legacy lives. He's preached throughout the United States and in more than 50 countries. While overseas, Pastor Stewart helped build a new church edifice and parsonage in the Republic of South Africa. Arizona is fortunate to have experienced 45 years of Pastor Stewart's leadership, and we are hopeful for many more. I thank Pastor Stewart for his friendship and service, and extend congratulations to him on this significant milestone.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation, and I thank Chairman DeFazio and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves) for working with me on it. Our country must do a better job inspecting infrastructure. There is a nationwide backlog, and it is because traditional methods of inspecting critical infrastructure are often time-consuming, dangerous, and expensive. Inspections are essential, though, and we have seen tragic results around the country when structural flaws go unnoticed. Modern technology has given us a great tool that we can use for inspections: Drones. Using a drone to inspect infrastructure in hard- to-reach places, such as underneath bridges, can speed up the inspection process so that we can get through the backlog more quickly, and it can help save money, as well. In fact, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials estimate that utilizing drones reduces the cost of infrastructure inspections by 74 percent and the time needed to conduct the inspection by 88 percent. Not only that, but drone inspections are much safer for the workers than having a human hang under a tall bridge. It is an easy way to improve job safety. In my home State, the Arizona Department of Transportation has been using drones for several years to inspect hard-to-reach areas on bridges, and survey near highways where falling rocks or ground movements are potential hazards. What this bill does is simple: It gives more States, Tribes, and local governments the opportunity to use drones. It creates competitive grants to purchase, contract for services, or develop program capability for American-made, small, unmanned aircraft systems to perform critical infrastructure inspection, maintenance, operation, or repair projects. And it provides resources to train the next generation and upskill our existing workforce. This bill has broad support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of State Aviation Officials, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, and many, many others. I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan bill.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Chair, I join my colleagues in support of the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act. I support this bill because we are in the midst of a crisis. After decades of severe drought, the Colorado River, which supplies water to 40 million people across seven States, is on the brink of collapse. The future of Arizona and the entire American Southwest depends on how we respond. Bold action to protect our water supply has never been more important, and the Federal Government needs to act with the urgency before it is too late. The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act is a necessary step to help our communities deal with the impacts of climate change and a drier future. It builds on the investments in the bipartisan infrastructure law to use our water more efficiently, and it includes my legislation to provide $500 million for immediate action to protect critical water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Time is of the essence. We must act now. We cannot allow this crisis to turn into a catastrophe. I urge my colleagues to save the Colorado River, save the American Southwest, and support this bill.