Greg Stanton

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievements of Cindy Dach, a leader and visionary entrepreneur in Arizona. Throughout her career and in every endeavor she takes on, Cindy has always been tireless in her pursuit to make our community a better place for everyone. Cindy's work was recently acknowledged with the 2019 ATHENA Businesswoman of the Year award, an honor from the Greater Phoenix Chamber awarded to women who demonstrate excellence in leadership, community service, and mentorship. That Cindy should be awarded an honor in the name of the Greek goddess Athena is fitting. Like Athena, Cindy is a force a nature, who lives her life with fearlessness, bravery, and authenticity. It was these qualities that led her to co-found the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation. The organization revitalized a downtown neighborhood into the Roosevelt Row Arts District, now a walkable arts district in Phoenix's urban core, nationally known for its arts and cultural events, rotating exhibits and wonderful local restaurants. Most emblematic of her spirit of service is Cindy's role as co- founder and CEO of Changing Hands bookstore, a gathering place for people all over the Valley to exchange ideas. The bookstore has served as a touchstone in our community for more than 45 years, and has hosted presidents and leaders including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and Madeline Albright. Cindy has also helped inspire a generation of young women to build and create in their own art studios, craft breweries, and boutiques on Roosevelt Row. While Cindy has been a pillar of Roosevelt Row for decades, she is saving space and a saving grace for women in business. Not only does she lend square footage of her own properties, but she also mentors and actively supports female entrepreneurs in the arts district. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating Cindy Dach as a leader and entrepreneur behind the helm of a rising Phoenix. I'm grateful for the opportunity to witness her work and to call her a friend.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Coy Payne, the first African-American to serve as mayor in the state of Arizona, who passed away Sunday, December 8, 2019, at the age of 90. Arizonans will remember him as a trailblazer who overcame the struggles of poverty and racism to dedicate his life to serving his community. From his time as a soldier in the Korean War, to his time teaching elementary school students, to his time as a civil rights leader, Mayor Payne's enduring legacy was love for his community. The second of nine children born to sharecroppers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, on May 22, 1929, Payne's family relocated to Eloy, Arizona in the 1940s, where they worked the fields to earn enough money to buy a car. They relocated to Chandler shortly after, where Payne attended segregated schools in Chandler and Mesa. After graduating from the only high school he could attend, George Washington Carver High School in downtown Phoenix--an hour bus ride and 30-minute walk away from home-- Payne was drafted by the U.S. Anny to serve in the Korean War. After returning from Korea, he received a degree in education from Arizona State University and taught in the Chandler Unified School District-the very district that denied him an education as a child. He continued teaching students there for more than thirty years. It was during this time as an educator and administrator that he also became an advocate. He joined the Chandler Human Relations Committee and worked to improve race relations in Chandler. In 1980, Payne won a seat on Chandler City Council. And in 1990, Payne won a landslide victory in the mayoral election, becoming the first African American to serve as a mayor of any city in the State of Arizona. Chandler's population ballooned 96 percent during his tenure as mayor--and he steered that growth in a positive direction. The impact of his leadership is still felt in City Hall, and his spirit of service is carried on by the many he influenced and mentored. Thank you, Mayor Payne, and Godspeed.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 698.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Passing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is essential to creating new jobs and strengthening the economy of my home State of Arizona. Those of us in border States understand the value of trading with our neighbors, and I can tell you, growing trade relationships with Mexico and Canada is essential to Arizona. This new agreement will offer a big lift to our local companies. Already in Arizona, nearly 230,000 jobs rely on across-the-border commerce. That means 230,000 paychecks buying holiday gifts, 230,000 paychecks putting food on the table for their families, and 230,000 paychecks contributing to our State's economy. Today we have a real opportunity for job creators, from multi- national companies, to mid-size and small businesses, from tech workers to farmworkers. There is no doubt that the new USMCA is a win for all Arizonans. This is a bipartisan agreement. It sets a new standard for creating trade rules that are enforceable, good for American workers, and effectively consider how business is done in the 21st century. Importantly, it reasserts Congress' role in trade policy. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Neal and the trade working group for their hard work in getting this deal done.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the ongoing efforts to secure our Nation's economy. In Arizona, that means giving job creators, large and small, access to markets in Mexico and Canada. Sadly, Arizona's recent trade history was shaped by State leaders who damaged our relationship with Mexico with divisive, self-defeating rhetoric and policies, such as SB 1070. That hurt our economy and cost us jobs. So, as Phoenix mayor, I worked overtime to rebuild those relationships, leading 18 trade missions to Mexico and Canada. Our business community helped me make the case for increasing trade, and we saw results. Since 2012, while the Nation's exports grew 0.1 percent, Phoenix's exports grew 20 percent. In 2017, trade with Mexico and Canada produced nearly $10 billion in exports statewide. Simply put, trade with our North American allies is essential to Arizona's economy. Now we have a real opportunity to improve these relationships through the USMCA. A new trade agreement, with improved labor standards, can provide certainty for small and medium-sized businesses. Trade with our North American allies provides paychecks to more than 230,000 Arizona workers, and it is Congress' duty to reassert its role in U.S. trade policy. I thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Neal, and the working group for working so hard on getting this agreement done. I continue to be encouraged by the progress being made on USMCA.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor Jake Plummer, a legendary former student athlete at Arizona State University who has earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. ``Jake the Snake'' made his first pass as a Sun Devil quarterback count: a 78-yard touchdown in the team's shutout win over the University of Utah. It's clear that the world should have known at that time, at that place, that Plummer's Sun Devil career would be one for the ages. But few could have predicted the heights the young gunslinger from Boise, Idaho would take the program. The Sun Devils needed a savior. After the team consistently earned bowl game appearances in the 1970s and 1980s, it was in the midst of a decade-long drought as Plummer entered his senior year as the team's captain. That year, 1996, there was renewed promise. And under the guidance of head coach Bruce Snyder, the team began the season with a gritty roster and a Top 25 ranking. Hopes for a Pac-10 championship nearly ended as soon as they began. During the season opener, ASU squandered a 42-21 lead, allowing the University of Washington to score three straight touchdowns to tie the game. With just a minute left in the fourth quarter, the Sun Devil offense took the field and Plummer orchestrated a 42-yard drive that set up a game-winning field goal. Plummer and the team showed they could overcome adversity--an inner-strength they would need several times throughout the season. The nation finally took notice of this special Sun Devil squad when it shut out two-time defending national champion and top-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers before more than 74,000 fans at Sun Devil Stadium on September 21, 1996. Plummer sparked the team's stellar performance, leading the team 80 yards down the field on its first offensive drive and connecting with wide receiver Keith Poole for a 25-yard touchdown to put ASU on the board. The Sun Devils' 19-0 victory ended Nebraska's 26-game winning streak and marked just the second time a No. 1 team had been shut out in college football history. For Plummer, highlights continued throughout the year. After the Sun Devils fell behind on the road to the UCLA Bruins, Plummer delivered on what is now one of the most memorable plays in ASU history. With 6:45 left in the fourth quarter, and the Devils on the Bruins' 16-yard line, Plummer handed the ball off to halfback J.R. Redmond. Redmond moved right, then faded back to throw the ball back to Plummer, who caught it at the 10-yard line before slithering past four Bruin defenders and into the end zone for a touchdown. After vanquishing its remaining Pac-10 opponents, Plummer and the Sun Devils pummeled their arch-rival Arizona Wildcats with a 56-14 win in Tucson. The undefeated Sun Devils earned the Pac-10 championship and represented the conference in the 1997 Rose Bowl. Plummer's season--and career--remains one of the best in Sun Devil history. After the 1996 season, during which he threw 24 touchdowns and for more than 2,500 yards, he was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, recognized as the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, a second team All-American, and was a two-time All-Academic All-Conference player. Jake Plummer went on to be drafted into the National Football League by the Arizona Cardinals and also started for the Denver Broncos, but it is his time at ASU--and especially his legendary senior season--that earned him his spot in the Hall of Fame. He remains a fan favorite in Tempe, and I am honored to recognize his career and contributions to Arizona.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 4863, the United States Export Finance Agency Act, which will reauthorize the Export-Import Bank for 10 years. I am proud to cosponsor and support this bill for one simple reason: Businesses across Arizona looking to create great jobs and export their products across our international borders need certainty to succeed. Main Street is still the backbone of my State's economy, and the Export-Import Bank is an essential tool to ensure they remain competitive in an increasingly competitive global market. I want to highlight one business headquartered in Tempe in my district. First Solar focuses on securing the energy of the future by developing next-generation PV technology. The company exports solar panel technology around the world and has benefited from nearly $4 million in export financing from the Bank. First Solar is just one of the many environmentally friendly companies that benefits from the Export-Import Bank. In Arizona, four out of five exporters supported by the Bank are small businesses. In the last 5 years alone, it has supported upward of $2 billion in exports in my State. Congress has a duty to reassert its role in U.S. trade policies as exporters continue to face challenges on all fronts. If we can't find common ground and reauthorize the Bank, we will be removing one of the most essential tools American companies have. Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important bill in order to provide certainty and to level the playing field for American businesses across the country. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairwoman Waters for leading this important effort.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4258) to authorize the Marshal of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Police to protect the Justices, employees, and official guests of the Supreme Court outside of the Supreme Court grounds, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to thank Chairman Nadler and Ranking Member Collins for moving H.R. 4258, the Reauthorizing Security for Supreme Court Justices Act of 2019, through the Judiciary Committee in a swift manner. I would also like to thank my friend and fellow member of the Judiciary Committee, Congressman Steube, for joining me in introducing this important piece of legislation. The Supreme Court Police currently has permanent authority to protect Justices on Supreme Court grounds; however, its authority to protect them outside of the Supreme Court grounds is temporary and has been reauthorized in a bipartisan manner since 1928. H.R. 4258 is a bipartisan bill that will permanently reauthorize the ability to protect the Justices outside of the Supreme Court grounds. With the increase of potential threats against the Justices of the Supreme Court in recent years and the current authorization set to expire on December 29 of this year, this bill is needed to remove the threat of disruptions and security gaps caused by the temporary authority. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4258. I hope the Senate acts swiftly and considers this bill. It is critically important that we protect the Justices of the highest court in our land. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman, Chairman Grijalva, for yielding, and for his leadership as the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, and as the senior member of our Arizona delegation. Today, I rise in support of H.R. 1373, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act. When people think of Arizona, they most often conjure up images of the Grand Canyon. It is our State's greatest treasure and one of the most iconic natural wonders on Earth. It took nearly 2 billion years for the Colorado River and its tributaries to cut through layer after layer of rock to form the canyon. The spectacular scene is something best experienced in person, which is why it is one of the most visited national parks in our country. The park is a key economic driver for northern Arizona's economy. Last year, the Grand Canyon welcomed 6.3 million visitors, bringing almost $1 billion of value to our local economies. President Teddy Roosevelt, who designated the Grand Canyon a national monument in 1908, said: ``Leave it as it is. You cannot improve upon it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.'' We could not agree more. As we celebrate the park's centennial this year, we must take the necessary action to preserve this natural landscape for future generations to experience. The bill before us today, which makes permanent a ban on new uranium mining permits on nearly 1 million acres around the canyon, is that necessary action. It is a vital step to protect this delicate ecosystem, the significant number of species that call it home, as well as the Colorado River watershed on which millions of people rely for water. This legislation has strong support from leaders and industries across our State, from our Tribal nations to cities and counties, to recreation and environmental organizations. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to join us in preserving the Grand Canyon and supporting this important bill.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, few things are as patriotic--as American--as serving our Nation in the United States Armed Forces. My amendment, amendment No. 17, would ensure that noncitizens defending our country receive the resources they need to pursue the citizenship they have earned. Specifically, my amendment will modify the pre-separation counseling checklist administered to servicemembers to provide them an opportunity to request further information regarding expedited naturalization. Throughout history, many legal permanent residents have demonstrated their commitment to the United States by volunteering to serve their adopted country by putting on the uniform and joining the United States Armed Forces. Unfortunately, we have all seen reports that there may be thousands of deported U.S. veterans because they failed to apply for citizenship for a variety of reasons. Deporting these patriotic veterans does not reflect our American values. As a country that honors our veterans, we need to take the appropriate steps to ensure that those who volunteered to serve are not deported because they were unaware of the benefits available to them. My amendment provides a safety net that ensures noncitizen servicemembers who defended our country are aware of these benefits. Mr. Chairman, my amendment No. 14 allows veterans who are enrolled in their respective service's Wounded Warrior program to continue their enrollment in the Military Adaptive Sports Program for an additional year after separation. Currently, once a servicemember separates from the U.S. Armed Forces, they no longer qualify for their respective service's Wounded Warrior program. My amendment would change this by extending eligibility for an additional year during their transition to civilian life. It is reported that veterans, in their first year after separating from uniformed service, sadly, experience suicide rates at approximately two times higher than the overall veteran suicide rate. This is even higher for wounded veterans. My amendment looks to combat this devastating statistic by providing veterans with continued physical, psychological, and social rehabilitation during the first year of transition. Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment package.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1569) to amend title 28, United States Code, to add Flagstaff and Yuma to the list of locations in which court shall be held in the judicial district for the State of Arizona.

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1569, a bill unanimously supported by our entire Arizona delegation that will amend title 28 of the U.S. Code to add the cities of Flagstaff and Yuma to the list of locations in which Federal district court can be held in my home State of Arizona. The U.S. Code is outdated. It has not been amended since it was enacted in 1948. It is preposterous that right now, district court matters can only be held in Globe, Phoenix, Prescott, and Tucson. That means Yuma and Flagstaff residents must travel at least 100 miles to attend a hearing or report for jury duty. That is totally unacceptable and unnecessary. A pillar of the United States structure of democracy is for all Americans to have access to the courts, whether that is by literal location or by reducing cost barriers. We are weakening that pillar when residents must drive over 100 miles for their day in court. Access to justice should not be dictated by where you live. I am proud to support this legislation because it will have a tremendous impact on the residents in these parts of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I hope the Senate acts swiftly and delivers H.R. 1569 to the President for his signature. It is time for Arizona to have a more efficient and effective court system. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran), the sponsor of H.R. 1569.

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman O'Halleran for his leadership on this important legislation. I also thank Chairman Nadler for working with me and advancing this bill through the House Judiciary Committee. It is going to make a positive difference to Arizonans. And I thank Representative Collins, as well, for his support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. For so many, this day is a long time coming. It would not be possible without so many amazing people and organizations, including in my home State of Arizona, who never stopped fighting, who never gave up hope on this dream. We are here today to pass a bill that will provide permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for our Dreamers, a solution that is long overdue, one that will lift up 2 million people across our Nation. For many, giving them a permanent place in the only home, the only country that they have ever known. But this bill does more than the right thing. It does a smart thing. Make no mistake, this is an economic stimulus bill. The economic gains in communities across the country will be significant, and fewer stand to benefit more than my community. The Phoenix metro area ranks among the top areas that will experience real economic benefit from the passage of this bill. When we bring stability to eligible immigrants, we bring stability to our local economies as well. The American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 is a case of doing both the right thing for people and doing the right thing for our economy. Dreamers are an integral part of our community, our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends. They are woven into the social and economic fabric of our entire region, and we have a responsibility to make sure that they can continue to contribute and participate fully without fear. When our Dreamers succeed, our communities will be stronger.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my fellow colleagues from Arizona to celebrate the life of a phenomenal woman. Geraldine Emmett, ``Jerry'' to most of us, was 104 years old when she passed away on April 30, 2019. Many Americans got the chance to see Jerry sparkle in 2016 at the Democratic National Convention, where she served as an honorary delegate and, along with Congressman Gallego, proudly announced our State's votes for Hillary Rodham Clinton. But her devotion to the democratic process started long before that. Part of what captured the attention of the rest of the country during the national convention is that Jerry symbolized just how far women in America had come. She was born before the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. She lived through the civil rights movement, the women's liberation movement, and the women's suffrage movement. She brought a sign to the convention that read ``Centenarian for Hillary,'' a reminder that you can be politically active at any age. Jerry represented the best of our State. She graduated from Northern Arizona University, and in her first job she instructed children with disabilities and chronic illness on the Navajo Reservation. She served as a public schoolteacher in Arizona for 43 years and actively promoted civic engagement and participation. She was a pillar in Democratic politics in Arizona for decades. Each of us here today had a chance to witness Jerry's fierce passion up close. We wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate her life and contributions to our community. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran).

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Kirkpatrick).

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gallego).

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the members of the Arizona delegation for those beautiful words about Jerry Emmett. Now the rest of the country can see why she was such a treasure to those of us in Arizona and what an honor it was today to honor her life. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STANTON

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5, the Equality Act. I want to thank my friend and fellow recovering mayor, Congressman Cicilline, for his strong and unwavering leadership on this historic civil rights legislation. When it comes to equality, there is no doubt that we have come a long way. But following the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage in all 50 States, the hard truth is that discrimination based on sexual orientation is still permitted under the law. LGBTQ individuals face this reality every day--that they may receive different, unfair treatment in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, and more. We are better than that. We are a nation that believes all are created equal, that this truth is self-evident. I rise today in fervent support of the Equality Act because everyone should be treated equally no matter who they are, whom they love, or how they express themselves. Whether you are in Phoenix or Philadelphia, Mesa or Montgomery, you deserve to be seen, to be heard, and to be welcomed.