Rashida Tlaib

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, as the only Palestinian American serving in Congress, I am a reminder to many of my colleagues in this Chamber that Palestinians do indeed exist, we are human beings, that we deserve to live, that we have dreams of freedom and human dignity. I read this quote: ``When you tell a people to forget its past, you are not proposing peace, you are proposing extinction.'' This is from Peter Beinart. As we mark 76 years of the Nakba, we honor the thousands of Palestinians who were ethnically cleansed in 1948 and nearly 800,000 Palestinians who were violently and forcibly displaced, many, Madam Speaker, still carrying their keys in hopes of one day returning to their homes, to their villages. We honor their trauma and the painful loss of their connections to their families, land, olive groves, and villages they grew up in. We honor all those around the world who have suffered from the impacts of settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid. Madam Speaker, the Nakba did not end in 1948.

Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, my office is bringing home over $17.1 million in Federal funding for 15 community projects throughout the 12th Congressional District this year. I am so proud to have partnered up with civic and community leaders throughout the district to prioritize the needs of our residents with transformative projects, Madam Speaker, from home repairs to affordable housing, to removing lead out of our water, to helping our seniors with flood recovery resources, to workforce development, to neighborhood revitalization, and also to help decrease pollution in our neighborhoods because our residents deserve to breathe clean air. We got $4 million for Wayne County, our largest county in the district, and $3 million to the city of Detroit to facilitate lead service line replacement. We all know that our children cannot learn if they are being poisoned with lead-contaminated water. We received over $1.9 million for our Lathrup Village and the village of Beverly Hills for water main replacement and reliability, which is so critically important for their water infrastructure. We also got $1 million for our incredible, beautiful neighborhood in Cody Rouge, as well as Detroit's Aviation Sub and Far West neighborhoods. The Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance is prepared to help hundreds of seniors and those in need of home repairs. We also helped secure $1.1 million, Madam Speaker, to Alternatives For Girls to construct the Dr. Maya Angelou Village to create 45 housing units that are affordable and permanent support housing for at- risk families, mothers with children. We also were able to secure $1 million for After the Storm for the Metro Detroit Flood Recovery Project, again, helping many of our residents struggling with flooding. We also were able to obtain $1.5 million for the city of Inkster and the city of Dearborn Heights for their fire station, as well as firefighting resources. We were able to secure half a million dollars for the city of Dearborn for their Dearborn Industrial Green Beltway to fight pollution. Again, this is one of our neighborhoods that is facing some of the worst air pollution throughout the district. We secured over $1.2 million for the city of Livonia for their new Livonia Civic Park Senior Center. Again, that is an incredibly important project. The $17.1 million builds on the tireless work we all have done in each of these previous two budget cycles to invest in our communities with the hard work and the incredible partnership and dedication of my team, but especially our 12th Congressional District chief of staff because she is not just my chief of staff, she is my district's chief of staff. Larissa Richardson helped over the last 3 years in partnership with me to get $52.1 million for community projects throughout our district. We are just getting started, Madam Speaker. To our families and our communities throughout the 12th Congressional District, you deserve your fair share of resources. You deserve not just to be able to survive but also thrive. Redford Township Wellness Center Groundbreaking

Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I am thrilled to announce that Redford Township is getting a new recreation and wellness center. I would like to congratulate our incredible Mayor McRae and the township's administration and trustees on the groundbreaking ceremony for this new community space in our district. Our team was able to provide $2 million in Federal funding for the community project there. The event marks a significant milestone for our community, as it will be the first new building focused on recreation and wellness in the township in over 50 years. The center provides space for residents to engage in health and wellness activities, strengthening our community bonds, promoting healthy lifestyles, and many, many more different programs, again, to create a space for our families and our community. I congratulate Redford Township. They deserve this space, and I am so excited to have been a part of this positive impact and again look forward to seeing the completion. Nakba

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Vermont for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as you can see even behind her, it says, ``Facing mental health challenges doesn't make you weak. It makes you human.'' Even as I say this, I think about Damon in my community who took his life. He was a veteran. He served our country. He came home. He continued his service by being one of our firefighters. When I read that every single day in our country, in our Nation, about 17 veterans die by suicide, I was shocked. That is 17 families, Mr. Speaker, whose lives will never be the same. This is just one of the heartbreaking effects of war and the reality of the mental health crisis in our Nation. We must work harder than ever to ensure that no person, no human being, or veteran is left behind, and everyone receives the mental health support and love that they need to survive. The forever wars of the past decades have left behind immense trauma, and far too often our government fails to provide our veterans with the support they need and deserve. If we cannot provide the necessary mental health care in support of our veterans when they return home, we should not be sending them to war. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we must prioritize improving access to mental health services to every single American and every single family across our Nation. This is critical to creating a better quality of life for our communities and their families and everyone in our communities that continue to struggle. I will let every veteran know in this moment, as you hear me, I hope I can save a life by telling you this, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, which offers free confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for those experiencing a mental health crisis or contemplating suicide. For our veterans looking for care that is designed for the unique challenges facing your community, please know that you can now access the Veterans Crisis Hotline by dialing the 988 number and pressing 1 to get connected. This is important because on that other line, you may be connected to a veteran who understands how you feel. By shedding light on the realities of the mental health crisis in our Nation, we can create an environment where people feel seen, they feel heard, and understood. We must break the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and ensure that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. If you are a veteran in crisis, a person in crisis, please know that there are people that care deeply about you, and we want to support you. Please reach out for help if you need it. Again, that crisis line is 988. You only need to dial 988. Again, from the bottom of my heart, please believe me when I tell you, you are not alone.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize a historic milestone for Redford Township as they break ground on their community Recreation and Wellness Center, serving the residents throughout the township. As the Congressperson for Redford Township, I am blessed to have played a small part in obtaining funding for the Center. This is the first recreation-focused building in Redford Township in more than fifty years. The project reflects the hard work and contributions of many who helped bring it to life. With a nearly 50,000-strong population, Redford has made strides to create opportunities to enjoy outdoor and recreational activities. I am confident that this project will be a treasure and resource for countless residents for years to come. The 12th Congressional District joins in celebration of this momentous occasion with Redford Township and our residents of the groundbreaking of its Recreation and Wellness Center.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record.

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, as the chair of the Congressional Mamas' Caucus, I would like to take a moment and truly celebrate Mother's Day and recognize the contributions of mothers across our country. We must continue to center mamas in the policies we develop and champion here in the United States Congress. As the mother of two incredible boys, I stand here today as an advocate for the needs of all mothers. Mothers should not be struggling like they are today, and we can act. As the founder of the Congressional Mamas' Caucus, I want to ensure that mothers have a seat at the table every day in our policies and legislative work. I always say to folks, we can't keep enacting laws that impact mothers, that are about mothers, but not with mothers. From the incredible mothers in Michigan's 12th District Strong to mothers in other movements for justice, I want to tell you, I love you deeply. You are literally anchors within our communities and neighborhoods. Many of you are community mothers. Your voices deserve to be heard in this House, the people's House. Mothers, as we all know, embody strength. They nurture. They come into spaces with unconditional love. Today, we honor and celebrate mothers for their tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to their families. Mr. Speaker, motherhood is a journey filled with joy but also challenges and sacrifices. It is a universal experience that transcends race, religion, and socioeconomic status, yet many mothers continue to face great, great disparities. Mothers are often the primary caregivers, so this Mother's Day, I ask all my colleagues, please, don't just say ``Happy Mother's Day,'' show your love with action, action that uplifts moms. The challenges they face can be overcome with actions here in Congress. From the daily struggles of balancing work and family responsibilities to the barriers that negatively impact our marginalized communities, mothers often bear the brunt of inequity and injustice. One of the most pressing issues that I see continued over and over, no matter which townhalls, whether I am having it in the city of Detroit or in suburban communities, mothers and families today are facing high levels of poverty and really, truly struggling every single day with the economics of their family around healthcare and so much more. Millions of children, Mr. Speaker, in the United States live in poverty, lacking access to basic necessities like food, shelter, and healthcare. In Michigan, close to 20 percent of children under the age of 18 live in poverty. In the richest country in the world, that is unacceptable. Working families in our country should not worry about where their next meal should come from. If we have the money for endless wars, this body can find the resources to end child poverty. Ending child poverty is a policy choice, and in Congress we can start by expanding programs like the child tax credit. I introduced the End Child Poverty Act, which would cut poverty by over 60 percent. This bill would implement a universal child benefit program. This bill would lift millions of people out of poverty by providing about $428 per child per month to every family in America so that nobody is left behind. Universal school meals are critical in ensuring that no child goes hungry. Of course, we all know and have been taught by the incredible Shirley Chisholm, the first African American to serve in Congress, that children cannot learn when they are hungry, so let's feed them. Access to meals is essential for every child's development. By investing in universal school meals, we can ensure that every child has access to the resources they need to thrive at school. This is how we support mothers. I am proud to cosponsor the Universal School Meals Program, which many of my colleagues are championing here, to provide free meals to every child in America. Again, many of the programs I want to talk about tonight will continue. Now I want to yield to one of my colleagues who I consider an incredible community mother and partner in this fight to, again, uplift mothers. She has championed so much work around reproductive health and been at the center of movement work, from the movement for Black lives, movement around Black maternal health, and so much more. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts, Ayanna Pressley.

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, as a mother myself, I know that there are circumstances out of our control that require families, especially the mothers, to take time off from work, especially new mothers. Whether it is your sick child, a parent, or a personal illness yourself, taking unpaid leave is not a reality for millions of our American families, our mothers. Too many mothers are forced to choose between taking care of their families or keeping their jobs. We need paid leave for all by providing mothers with the time off they need to care for themselves and their families. No one, Mr. Speaker, not a single person should have to fear losing the income they need to keep a roof over their families' heads in exchange for literally just being able to take care of their child. The Healthy Families Act would guarantee employees the right to earn paid sick days each year--again, earn it. Now, I don't want us to forget a big crisis that we have, and I think the pandemic exposed this crisis. We have a childcare crisis in our country. Affordable childcare is also incredibly essential for working mothers and the well-being of our children. Access to quality, affordable childcare allows mothers to continue to pursue their careers while knowing that their child is safe and taken care of. By investing in affordable childcare, we can support working mothers and help them achieve economic justice and be able to thrive, not just survive. I am proud to support as, again, the cofounder of the Congressional Mamas' Caucus to be pushing for the Childcare for Working Families Act to be sure families can afford the childcare they need and expand access to high-quality options and help ensure that childcare workers are paid living wages. I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Ramirez), a wonderful colleague from Illinois who is not only championing tenants' rights, which is the center to many mothers, but also is a proud child of immigrants. I will tell you just how incredibly connected she is to her community on the ground and brings a lot of that lived experiences here in the Chamber that has been really missing for a long time.

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, as you heard from my colleague, again, incredible lived experience is so needed because mothers come from all different backgrounds, all in different income classes. Again, we could be doing more as Mother's Day comes up, not just saying happy Mother's Day but uplifting policies that uplift all mothers. In the Congressional Mamas' Caucus, we have been centering our work on Black maternal health. The crisis is real, it is here, and I know many of my residents continue to tell me: We don't want just task forces and commissions and to be studied. We know that there is a crisis. We know that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications. We know it is not because Black women are less capable of bearing children or giving birth but because our healthcare system has consistently neglected and mistreated them. We must address the racial health disparity in our healthcare system and face that fact. I am also incredibly proud to be a cosponsor of the Black Maternal Momnibus Act, a comprehensive bill, Mr. Speaker, that would ensure Black mothers are safe and supported in their decisions and journeys to have children. Every person should have the right to make decisions about their own body, including whether and when and how to have children. There is a clear attack on women's rights as we know across our Nation. Rather than prohibit safe and legal contraception, we need to provide support for women and families that lack the means to access such treatment. The relentless attacks on reproductive freedom are making it more difficult for mothers to access the care they need. Today, I say to my colleagues that it is time to do better for our mothers. This Mother's Day, let's celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of our mothers everywhere and thank them by continuing to fight for policies that will change their lives for the better. I can't leave this House floor without talking about the fact that I grew up in the most beautiful Blackest city in the country. When you grow up in Detroit, Mr. Speaker, you don't have one mother. There are all the Black mothers and the neighborhood mothers so that even when my mom's eyes were not on us, all the other mothers on the block had eyes on us. I take this moment and acknowledge these community mothers throughout my district, and I know I am going to leave some out, and I love them all. There are particular ones that really, really, really have touched me and shaped the person that I am today. From Mother Christina Guzman to Mother Monet Davis to Mother Angie Webb, Linda Campbell, Mother Dr. Leonard who is fighting, fighting for the right to breathe clean air, Mother Braxton who is embedded in the community. These are mothers that after they take care of their family, they are trying to take care of the neighborhoods they live in. I thank again Mother Nan Berry, Mother Laveta Browne, who is my former high school teacher who continues to check on me and make sure that I am okay and literally is always in the background saying that we have to do better as a country. Again, as we come together, we honor and celebrate every single mother every day, and we can do it every single day, not wait until Mother's Day to say Happy Mother's Day but do it with action. I would be remiss in not speaking about my mother. My Yama was born and raised in Palestine in the occupied territories in the West Bank, a little village, Mr. Speaker, Beit Ur al-Foka. It is an olive farm that she grew up on, picking olives and harvesting in October, a family that literally struggled every single day, but they lived off their land. My mother came to the United States after marrying my father with only an eighth-grade education. She was pregnant with me, 3 months. She came to the city of Detroit, and she raised 14 children, and I am the eldest. When people call me mama bear, it is really real. My mom, to this day, after we all left, now she is an empty nester, and I kid you not. I have people come up to me. Can you tell your mother to stop sending food because she cooks for the whole block, even folks that are, like, I am fine. I have children that take care of me. She sees a person that is limping or maybe had an accident, one of her neighbors, she will bring them food, all kinds of Middle Eastern food, all kinds of food. You have to take it. If you don't take it, she gets very angry. She takes care of her block. I think people don't realize just the incredible compassion that my mother has, was really filled with living again in Palestine with the most compassionate woman I have ever met, my grandmother. These mothers--sorry, Mr. Speaker. I just lost my grandmother. These mothers deserve us to do more here, and the Congressional Mamas' Caucus centers this. We can't keep talking about how we love our mothers, but they are struggling from food insecurity to housing. When I am at a town hall, I do not ever want a mother to tell me she is struggling to feed her children. It should be easier for them. Again, if they are doing everything they are supposed to do, why can't we help them? I feel very compelled that we need to move with the same urgency that many of my colleagues do when it is corporations. When it seems to be the defense budget, it seems like we find the money. When it is somebody that literally comes to my office and says: Rashida, I found out I have MS. How am I supposed to take care of my family? I have MS. A young girl came to my office at 31 years old telling me she is on dialysis, spending 3 to 4 hours in treatment. These mothers deserve us to do more in this Congress. We deserve to do it in action. We have to do more. This is incredible to sit there and tell you all that these mothers come to us, and they are not even asking. They are saying: Tell us what we need to do, but it is hard out there. It is hard. I am working, but if my child gets sick, I am out. I can't make up those hours. Again, our families right now are struggling with sick care in our country, not healthcare. Literally, people are making money off of the fact that folks continue to be sick. I am asking our Congress this Mother's Day as the Congressional Mamas' Caucus member and many of us in this Chamber; we know that we love our mothers, but we can do more. We can do more through policy and through action to really protect and to uplift them, to make sure that they are not only surviving in our country, but they are thriving. Because I will tell you, if we take care of our mothers, I know the children will be taken care of. Our neighborhoods and communities will be taken care of. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to celebrate the 60th birthday of Lady Bonita Shelby, a community leader in Michigan's 12th District. Lady Shelby is a leader of the Burning Bush International Ministries, along with her husband, Bishop Don Shelby, Jr. As the leader of Burning Bush's Flare Women's ministry, she has spearheaded the Good Days women's weekend of events to serve the incredible women in our district. She is also a mother, author, public servant, and mentor figure to so many in our community. In addition to their ministry at home in Westland, she and her husband travel all around the country to provide services for underserved communities and pray with families in need. Mr. Speaker, I thank Lady Bonita Shelby for her commitment to serving our communities. Please join me in wishing her a happy 60th birthday and a meaningful year ahead.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize AgeWays, a human services agency, as they celebrate fifty years of service to our seasoned residents of Southeast Michigan. Formerly known as Area Agency on Aging 1-B, AgeWays has been a resource for seniors and their caregivers since 1974. They take an active role in helping older adults access services and assistance they need to live independently. They serve over 700,000 people in their six-county service areas, providing comprehensive services such as direct care, meals on wheels, transportation, and health and wellness programs. They have been a steadfast partner for the communities of the 12th Congressional District who rely on their work. The 12th District is proud to recognize their incredible and dedicated leadership to serving our seasoned residents and we offer our congratulations as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. Please join me in recognizing AgeWays in celebration of fifty years of commitment to our community.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Bishop Robert Delano Taylor, of Glad Tidings Church in Detroit, as he is promoted as the Presiding Bishop of Southwest Michigan Agape Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Since 1987, Bishop Taylor has served as the pastor of Glad Tidings Church, where he has led his family in faith and spearheaded numerous programs in service to the community. He has launched initiatives to provide vital resources to children, youth, and families, as well as offering essential support to the homeless during winter months, as well as providing backpacks, free haircuts, and dental services during annual back-to-school rallies. In his new role, Bishop Taylor undertakes the monumental task of overseeing a vast network of over fifty congregations. In addition to his administrative duties, Bishop Taylor dedicates himself to nurturing and guiding the pastors within his jurisdiction, ensuring they are equipped with the requisite resources to foster their spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth. His steadfast commitment to the betterment of others is evident in every aspect of his leadership. The 12th Congressional District offers our congratulations and recognition of Bishop Robert Delano Taylor for his spiritual leadership and impact on our community.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned about the escalating repression of First Amendment protected speech and assembly on college campuses across our country. To all the elected university boards and appointed presidents, it needs to be very clear: Your students' constitutional rights don't end when they enter your campus grounds. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record statements from the ACLU and from Bend the Arc. [April 26, 2024] ACLU Urges College and University Leaders to Protect Free Speech and Academic Freedom New York.--In response to the anti-war protests happening at colleges across the country, and the disturbing arrests that have followed, the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to leaders at both public and private universities. The letter states: ``As you fashion responses to the activism of your students (and faculty and staff), it is essential that you not sacrifice principles of academic freedom and free speech that are core to the educational mission of your respected Institution.'' Authored by ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero and National Legal Director David Cole, the letter offers university leaders five basic guardrails to ensure freedom of speech and academic freedom are protected on campus: 1. They must not single out particular viewpoints for censorship, discipline, or disproportionate punishment. 2. They must protect students from targeted discriminatory harassment and violence, but may not penalize people for taking sides on the war in Gaza, even if expressed in deeply offensive terms. 3. They can announce and enforce reasonable content-neutral time, place, or manner policies on protesting activity, but they must leave ample room for students to express themselves. These rules must be applied consistently and without regard to viewpoint. 4. They must recognize that armed police on campus can endanger students and are a measure of last resort. 5. They must resist the pressures placed on them by politicians seeking to exploit campus tensions. The letter also informs university leaders of relevant Supreme Court precedent: ``The Supreme Court has forcefully rejected the premise that, `because of the acknowledged need for order, First Amendment protections should apply with less force on college campuses than in the community at large.' '' The letter strongly advises university leaders to be ``cognizant of the history of law enforcement using inappropriate and excessive force in responding to protests, particularly against communities of color,'' and that--as events of the past week have made abundantly clear--arresting peaceful protestors is likely to escalate, not calm, tensions on campus. The letter also reiterates that violence is never an acceptable protest tactic and that ``physically intimidating students by blocking their movements or pursuing them aggressively is unprotected conduct, not protected speech.''

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, the ACLU statement says: ``As you fashion responses to the activism of your students (and faculty and staff), it is essential that you not sacrifice principles of academic freedom and free speech that are core to the educational mission of your respected institution.'' From Bend the Arc's statement: ``Protest is essential to our movement work and must be protected, and we firmly stand against anti-Semitism being used as an excuse to threaten free speech and criticism of university and U.S. policy. To be clear, criticism of American policy towards Israel is not inherently anti-Semitic.'' Mr. Speaker, dissent is a fundamental American value, from the civil rights movement to antiwar protests to the movement for Black lives, immigrant rights, our country has a long history of students leading movements for change and challenging the status quo that oppresses and normalizes genocide across the world. I am deeply moved by the courageous young people in more than 100 encampments at colleges across our Nation that are demanding divestment in support of a genocide in Gaza and apartheid Government of Israel. I had the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to visit an encampment at the University of Michigan that has public programming. They put it online for families on various issues. The day I went, they were recognizing the anniversary of the Armenian genocide and having someone also speak about the connectivity to the Palestinian Nakba. It was inspiring to see these brave students across races, of all faiths and backgrounds, standing side by side in solidarity to protest for peace. From Jummah prayer to Shabbat, they are coming together in a way I wish my colleagues would welcome. Sending in militarized police forces and even snipers to stop these students from exercising their First Amendment rights is truly disgusting. My colleagues are so outraged by students opposing genocide and apartheid, but many of these same Members were completely silent last year when we saw the dramatic increase of threats, literally death threats on historical Black colleges and universities across the country. This state-sanctioned violence, including the arrests and threatened felony prosecutions of students, can only be seen as an explicit effort to silence students and take away their First Amendment rights. Mr. Speaker, no student--not one--should be met with academic repercussions or police brutality on their own campuses for exercising, peacefully, their rights to free speech and assembly. Why is it, Mr. Speaker, that my colleagues and every headline from mainstream media are more concerned and outraged about these protests than they are about the over 35,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza? Seventy percent of them are women and children. There are no universities left in Gaza, but no outrage. Multiple mass graves have been uncovered at several locations that Israeli forces have recently withdrawn from. Two hundred bodies were found at al-Shifa Hospital, literally fresh bodies found with their hands tied behind their backs, naked. Where is the outrage for these war crimes? This is not just me. This is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Our government isn't just complicit in this genocide. We are actively participating. Students are occupying their campuses to peacefully protest for an end to these atrocities and for divestment in this genocide and apartheid. They are even renaming some of the buildings after Palestinian children who have been killed. These students should be praised for standing up for what they believe in, not vilified, smeared with misinformation campaigns and silence. I call on these universities to end the repressive tactics, exercise restraint, denounce ongoing police brutality, and stop suppressing the very activism, academic freedom, and thoughtful debate that they seek to inspire in their students. Mr. Speaker, we don't want to see an apology years later. No. We want to see action today to protect these students. We don't want to have you all, in 10 years, praise the same students for doing what was right. We don't want to see it. We need it now. They deserve it now.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and stand in solidarity in the remembrance of the millions of lives lost during this tragic event. Let us not forget the hate and mistreatment Armenian families faced and make sure that this terrible event is never forgotten in the minds of Americans and our history. The Armenian Genocide was one of the darkest moments in human history, resulting in the deaths of approximately a million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Today, let us be reminded to always treat our neighbors with love and human dignity, and inspired by the memory of those lost, to never stop fighting for a better world in their honor. I join the Armenian communities of Michigan and across my district in recognizing the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as we remember the lives of the loved ones lost a century ago.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to congratulate Laila Nasher, a resident from our district and a dedicated leader in our community, for becoming the first Yemeni-American woman to earn the prestigious Truman Scholarship award. Born in Aden, Yemen, Laila is a proud immigrant and was raised by her mother in Detroit. In 2021, I had the honor and privilege of Laila interning in our office, and since then I have watched from afar her incredible commitment to public service, and it continues to just grow. Laila is committed to advancing equity in our public education and supporting underserved communities and first-generation college students like herself. As a student at Harvard, she is now studying social anthropology and history and inspiring young Yemeni-American women in our community and across our country to pursue their dreams. I am so proud of Laila in receiving the Truman Scholarship award and cannot wait to see all that she is going to be able to accomplish in the years to come. Please join me in congratulating Laila for her outstanding achievements and deep commitment to our community.

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional Mamas' Caucus, I am asking our Chamber to please take a moment to recognize that we are experiencing a Black maternal health crisis in our country. In Michigan's 12th Congressional District, we are experiencing not only the Black maternal health crisis but also an infant mortality crisis. We don't want another study. We want action. Michigan has had one of the highest death rates among Black women in our country because our systems and institutions have failed to provide our Black neighbors with the comprehensive, high-quality care they deserve, a system free of systemic racism. To address the Black maternal mortality crisis, we must understand and acknowledge our country's racist history and the ways in which it has manifested in our healthcare system. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. This is unacceptable. Black women have consistently been neglected and mistreated in our healthcare system. They should feel safe and supported by their healthcare professionals, and they should be believed. Black women in frontline communities like ours also live with the devastating effects of preexisting conditions from air and water pollution. I founded the Congressional Mamas' Caucus with Mothering Justice because we were tired. We were tired of policies created about mothers but not with mothers. I am also incredibly proud to have been a supporter and cosponsor of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, a comprehensive bill that would address every dimension of the maternal health crisis in America. This legislative package will extend WIC eligibility, fund community- based organizations, prioritize Black maternal mental health, support incarcerated mothers, and invest in Federal programs to address the Black maternal health crisis. Mr. Speaker, I will not stop until Black women receive the equitable, nondiscriminatory, comprehensive care they deserve. Get the Lead Out

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, water contaminated by lead service lines can be found in every single congressional district in our country. From rural areas to densely populated cities, lead service lines are widespread and pose serious health risks to all of us, but particularly our children. I founded the Get the Lead Out Caucus with the goal of eliminating lead from our drinking water once and for all. Experts have estimated that we need $60 billion to replace every single lead pipe in America in the next 10 years. We continue to wake up to stories about children being poisoned and cities having to hand out bottled water because they have failed to invest in our water infrastructure. We are now seeing our own food supply being impacted by toxic water being used to wash produce that ends up in our refrigerators and on our dining room tables. People across our country are being forced to drink, bathe, cook, and wash dishes with water that is literally poisoning our bodies. This is a public health crisis, Mr. Speaker, and it affects all of us in the United States. I am proud that I am leading, in partnership with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Lisa Blunt Rochester, an appropriations request to provide $1.5 billion in additional funding for lead service line replacement in Michigan and throughout the country in the next fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in this initiative. I know that many of our municipalities have talked to all of us about struggling to find the resources to meet the urgent need for lead pipe detection and replacement, so this $1.5 billion would keep us on track for our goal of total nationwide lead pipe replacement in the next decade. Tribal nations across the Great Lakes remind us that water is life. There is no more precious resource than water. We must continue to demand that clean, affordable water is a human right in our country. Congratulating Laila Nasher

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize longtime Inkster and 12th District resident Nobie Mae Hill as we mourn her passing at the age of one hundred eleven. Born and raised in Alabama, Ms. Hill was no stranger to a life of hard work, having spent years working on a plantation. After marrying and starting a family, Ms. Hill and her family moved to Michigan, settling in Inkster in the 1940s. She lived a full and vibrant life and became an integral part of the community. A trailblazer, Ms. Hill owned and operated two beauty salons in Inkster. She was also an active member of Inkster's Springhill Baptist Church. Nobie Mae Hill was a beloved member of the community. Her kindness and warmth will be missed by all who knew her. Please join me in honoring her memory.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his courage and trying to save lives, especially the lives of our children and trying again to address the crisis that we have in our country. It is always an honor to be able to serve the families of the 12th Congressional District in Michigan. Before I was a Congresswoman, my two sons made me a mother. I am speaking to you all as a mother more than anything. It is important to understand--this is a true fact--that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in our country. As of today, there have already been 106 mass shootings--that is more mass shootings than the days in the year so far. You know what is more horrific? It is more horrific that the gun violence in our communities that is happening every single day doesn't even make the news anymore. Congress has become so numb--this institution--truly numb to the gun violence crisis in our country that they are not even paying attention any longer. We cannot continue like this, Mr. Speaker. I refuse to accept that the death of kids is the status quo. We have not voted on a single gun violence prevention bill under this Republican majority. Guns now have more rights in our country than women do. It is sick. It is disgusting that campaign donations from the NRA and gun manufacturers have bought inaction and bought the silence of many of my colleagues and blocked many, many important, major reforms that we need to keep our communities safe across our Nation. Every one of our colleagues that refuses to vote for commonsense gun violence prevention I truly believe has blood on their hands-- responsibility. It is clear. They value guns more than the lives of our children. I truly believe our children deserve so much more than, again, inaction and our continued silence. I thank my colleague for hosting this Special Order. I have seen him on this floor being a father, being a Congressman, and we know what is at stake. Again, no parent ever should worry about their child when they leave home, that they would be a victim of gun violence.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, the most successful internet affordability program in our Nation's history will soon run out of money unless Congress acts. There are 23 million families who rely on the Affordable Connectivity Program in our country. If Congress doesn't reauthorize this funding, the program will run out of money in a matter of weeks. This is deeply concerning for thousands of our residents who depend on this program for internet access. In Michigan's 12th District alone, this program has benefited 110,000 households, reducing broadband costs in the district by $52.1 million annually. Losing this access would jeopardize the well-being and opportunities, Mr. Speaker, for an estimated 64 million Americans, especially our seasoned residents. That is why the program is so important and why I cosponsored the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act and I urge Speaker Johnson to bring this bill to the floor for a vote. Access to internet is a necessity for our communities; not a luxury. From education to employment to scheduling healthcare appointments to access to health services, everyone deserves affordable internet access. Mr. Speaker, we cannot let this crucial resource expire and leave our residents disconnected. Disability Justice

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, disability rights are human rights. Everyone in our country and around the world, including people living with disabilities, deserves to lead a fulfilling life with dignity. I am committed to dismantling the barriers and injustices our neighbors with disabilities face to ensure our country is living up to our values of equity and equal rights for all people. Our neighbors with disabilities cannot receive the quality healthcare they need and deserve when medical facilities lack accessible equipment like examination tables, weight scales, dental chairs, and radiology devices. I can't even imagine. This is why I joined my sister in service, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, in urging the Justice Department to address this issue and help the disabled community access equitable healthcare. I am so grateful for her leadership and partnership. Please know that studies have shown that women with disabilities have a higher risk of dying from breast cancer and cervical cancer but are less likely than able-bodied women to receive mammograms and other tests to diagnose those conditions because of the lack of access to equipment. Mr. Speaker, we must address this injustice with the urgency it deserves. Recognizing Eid Al-Fitr

Ms. TLAIB. Today, Mr. Speaker, is Eid Al-Fitr, an end to the holy month of Ramadan. Eid Mubarak to all my fellow Muslims in Michigan's 12th Congressional District, across the country, and the world. May Allah accept our fasts and deeds of the past month and forgive us for our shortcomings. Mr. Speaker, this Eid is not the same for the Muslim communities that our Members represent. Gaza is on their minds and hearts today as they witness the starvation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians continue. The images of children in Gaza celebrating Eid on top of the rubble of their homes, schools, and masjids that no longer stand brings them to tears. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to please listen to them. Listen to our fellow Americans of the Muslim faith when they urge my colleagues to not just pray, but also demand a permanent cease-fire. Mr. Speaker, saving lives should not be controversial. Housing Crisis

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, no one can disagree that we are facing a housing crisis in our country. Today, the average renter now pays over 30 percent of their income toward rent, and 78 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. In metro Detroit alone, there are three extremely low-income renter households for each unit that is both affordable and available. Our investments in public housing have long been insufficient. The Detroit Housing Commission needs hundreds of millions of dollars in capital improvements, but they only have $12 million annually to spend. I introduced the Public Housing for the 21st Century Act to ensure that public housing developers have access to the latest, best practices using local policy tools and financing. When it comes to homeownership, after the 2008 financial crisis, Michigan experienced the largest decrease in Black homeownership compared to any other State in the country. The Black homeownership rates in Wayne and Oakland counties in my district dropped more than 10 percentage points. This is a crisis that must be addressed. This is Fair Housing Month. I am urging my colleagues to please support the largest investment in funding for HUD's affordable housing and homelessness programs for the next fiscal year.