Jennifer Wexton

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark A. Shaffer, Unit Chief of Human Rights Violators and War Crimes, Homeland Security Investigations. Mr. Shaffer retired from his post with the Department of Homeland Security on December 31, 2021, after 30 years of federal service. The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU) is dedicated to identifying persons involved in the commission of atrocities throughout the world, preventing them from entering the United States and if located within the jurisdiction of the United States, work with HSI field offices to investigate, prosecute and remove them from the United States. As the HRVWCU Chief, Mark oversees ICE's Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, an HSI-led multi-agency effort to ensure those individuals and organizations responsible for the commission of human rights violations and war crimes are held accountable. Prior to joining the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit, Mark served as the Chief of HSI's Worksite Enforcement Unit and as a Domestic Operations Chief at HSI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Prior to his service at HSI Headquarters, Mark served as the ICE Attache in Mexico City and as the ICE Deputy Attache in Bogota, Colombia. As a field Special Agent and Supervisor, Mark conducted a wide variety of criminal investigations in the areas of terrorism, gangs, fraud, narcotics, financial and worksite investigations. Mark began his federal career as a staffer for a California U.S. Senator and then as an agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1993. Over the last 30 years, he has served the agency in various capacities. Mark is a graduate of the University of California at Davis. He and his wife Kristen have two children, daughter Sofia, and son Jean- Claude. I would ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mark for his service to our country and wishing him all the best in life's next chapter.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Dr. Terry Sinclair of Winchester, one of the most respected physicians in Virginia's 10th Congressional District. Dr. Sinclair passed away on November 26th. Dr. Sinclair is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Diane, two daughters, one son, and eight grandchildren. Diane tells us, ``he loved his family passionately, we laughed, we had fabulous experiences. We were blessed.'' In any setting, whether as a physician, administrator, musician, or community leader, he was known for his compassionate and caring nature. As a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Michigan Medical School, he then completed his surgical residency at the University of Missouri. He then went on to serve his country for two years with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Moving to Winchester in 1974, he first practiced vascular and general surgery. However, his service in the Navy during Vietnam provided him with a significant amount of experience in trauma-related surgery, and he began to develop an expertise in the field. During that same time period, he joined the staff at Winchester Medical Center and eventually became vice president of medical affairs for the hospital's corporate parent, Valley Health. By 1976, he was at the forefront of bringing Emergency Medical Services to the area, serving as President of the Lord Fairfax EMS Council for twenty years, and as a member of the governor's EMS Advisory Board and Virginia Federation of EMS Councils. Since the 1970s saw the creation and development of some of the original free health clinics, it meant that those who were unemployed, uninsured, or couldn't afford medical help could receive treatment. On October 23rd, 1986, Dr. Sinclair spearheaded the opening of the Free Medical Clinic, now known as the Sinclair Health Clinic. Today, the Sinclair Health Clinic is the second-oldest free medical clinic in Virginia. The current director of the clinic notes that, ``His legacy is woven into the memories of everyone he's touched in the clinic--all of the people who work here, the volunteers that make things happen and the thousands of patients who have passed through our doors.'' As his loving wife Diane said to him gently in his final moments, ``it was OK to go. Well done now, good, and faithful servant. You can rest.'' Dr. Sinclair will be missed by the many lives he touched.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Judith Ann McKiernan, wife, mother, public servant, and community leader. Mrs. McKiernan passed away on November 30th. Judy is survived by her husband of twenty-nine years, Michael and their two children, Hannah, and Adam. Lovingly known to Judy as, Team McKiernan. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Judy grew up in Houston, Texas and made her way to Winchester in the late 1980s. Judy dedicated her life in Winchester to community service, as a social worker, public school counselor and administrator for over thirty years, and as a Member of Winchester City Council. She was currently serving as Director of Student Support Services for the Winchester Public Schools. Judy was known for her spirited personality and fierce determination to advocate for those she loved. She enjoyed dancing, being out in nature, and welcoming all who came through her door. She loved serving her community and found great joy in supporting the development of making it a more equitable place to thrive and grow. Judy supported the many organizations whose missions aligned with her values, including Bright Futures, Winchester Area Thermal Shelter (WATTS) NAACP, and many others. Judy McKiernan leaves behind a lasting legacy of dedicated public service and will be missed by family, her many friends and the community she served.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today with great pleasure to extend my best wishes and congratulations to my constituent, Ms. Katherine Burch, on her 100th birthday. Ms. Burch was born on November 28, 1921 in Baltimore, Maryland, where she lived until her marriage to John Thomas Burch when the couple moved to Virginia. John and Katherine Burch were married for 60 years and have two sons, Thomas and William. Ms. Burch currently resides in Morningside House of Leesburg. Ms. Burch has lived through remarkable times in our country, progress and change unimaginable at the time of her birth. Our community is blessed by her experience, accomplishments, and the family she has built. I would ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the grace and wisdom that comes with such longevity and wish Ms. Burch many more happy years of celebration.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Meeks, Speaker Pelosi, and Chairman McGovern for bringing this important legislation to the floor and shining a light on the atrocities taking place in Xinjiang. I represent the largest Uyghur diaspora in the U.S. and this legislation is critically important to the Uyghur community. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that will prohibit the importation of goods from Xinjiang unless it can be proven by clear and convincing evidence that they were not made with forced labor. Despite international condemnation, the Chinese Government's brutal campaign of repressive surveillance, mass detention, forced labor, and even genocide, is rapidly expanding, and we must take steps to ensure that U.S. companies and consumers are not complicit in the abuses. This legislation will hold the PRC accountable for these heinous acts and will make it clear that the U.S. will not turn a blind eye to the plight of the Uyghurs. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Meeks for bringing this bill to the floor and to Speaker Pelosi for her steadfast commitment to holding the PRC accountable for its human rights abuses. Thank you also to my colead on the resolution, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Waltz). It has been a pleasure to work with him in such a bipartisan way. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my resolution calling on the People's Republic of China to immediately guarantee the safety and freedom of Peng Shuai and condemning the International Olympic Committee for its shameful handling of the situation and failure to uphold its own human rights standards. Over 1 month has passed since tennis superstar and three-time Olympian Peng Shuai was censored and disappeared after alleging her rape by a senior member of China's Communist Party. Within minutes of posting the allegations on Chinese social media site Weibo, the post disappeared, and shortly thereafter all mentions of Peng on social media did, too. Since then, Peng has not been seen or heard from in public and has only been seen in videos released by the Chinese state media, raising serious questions about her safety and freedom and leaving the world to ask: Where is Peng Shuai? Her case has drawn support from all over the world, including from tennis stars Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic. The hashtag ``Where is Peng Shuai'' has trended globally on Twitter. Women's Tennis Association CEO Steve Simon called for a full and transparent investigation into Peng's allegations and eventually suspended all WTA tournaments in China, citing concerns about the risks players could face at the hands of the PRC. The WTA's actions and Peng's bravery in coming forward stand in stark contrast to the IOC, which is undermining efforts to secure Peng's safety by working hand-in-hand with Beijing to cover up her allegations and disappearance. Instead of prioritizing the safety of an Olympian who may be in danger, the IOC is once again putting its bottom line over athletes' safety and allowing itself to be used as a tool by the world's worst human rights abuser. In a matter of weeks, our athletes will be in Beijing for the opening ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Games, and the IOC's complicity in this coverup raises serious questions about the organization's ability or even their willingness to protect our athletes. Today, we are calling on the PRC to provide independent and verifiable proof of Peng's whereabouts and that she is safe and to allow Peng to communicate directly with the WTA and the United Nations. The IOC must call on the PRC to undertake these actions immediately, stop legitimizing Beijing's coverup, and uphold its own human rights commitments to protect the safety and speech of Olympic athletes. The world is watching.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Build Back Better Act to deliver on the promises we have made to the American people. This bill is about families and fairness. Even before the pandemic, parents in Virginia and across the country have been weighed down by the cost of raising their kids, caring for their elderly parents, and providing for their families. The Build Back Better Act will lighten that burden. The investments we are making with this bill, universal pre-K, affordable childcare, and lower prices for healthcare and prescription drugs, will bring everyday costs for families down and set all of our children up for a bright future. It will take long-overdue action to tackle the climate crisis by making the historic investments that we need to create a clean energy future for our kids, while creating millions of good-paying American manufacturing jobs in the process. We have the opportunity to enact once-in-a-generation change that will improve the lives of our families and keep our economy on a path to a strong and full recovery. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support a swift passage of the Build Back Better Act.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life and legacy of a young constituent, Gabriella Miller, who passed away on this day 8 years ago due to an inoperable brain tumor. Gabriella was a fierce fighter not just in her own battle with cancer, but as an advocate on behalf of the millions of other children who have suffered from this disease. In the months following her terminal diagnosis at age 9, Gabriella became a national force for change, urging Congress to grant increased funding and to develop better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. Her passionate plea for lawmakers to ``stop talking, start doing'' helped deliver a successful push to pass the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, bipartisan legislation named in her honor. Gabriella's family joined sponsor Representative Eric Cantor from Virginia and President Barack Obama in the Oval Office in 2014 for the bill signing. The Kids First program established a 10-year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund and led to the creation of the National Institutes of Health Kids First Pediatric and Data Resource Center. It has allocated millions of dollars to research grants looking into pediatric cancer and rare diseases, supporting over 60 research projects. I am honored to carry on Gabriella's mission by sponsoring the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, which would deliver a new sustained and expanded funding source for this lifesaving program. It has been 8 years since we lost Gabriella, and there is still a long fight ahead to better understand, treat, and ultimately cure childhood cancer. The 2.0 bill would give a dramatic boost to that fight and help demonstrate that Congress is serious about ensuring that no other family has to go through what the Miller family has. Madam Speaker, I share Gabriella's story today so that her legacy continues to live on. May Congress have the courage to answer Gabriella's call to ``stop talking, start doing'' and deliver the resources needed to treat and cure childhood cancer.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Ms. Tina Ballard on her retirement and thank her for 30 years of dedicated federal service. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of the Commission, an independent federal agency responsible for directing and managing the AbilityOne  Program through which federal activities purchase products and services from nonprofit agencies associated with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and SourceAmerica . AbilityOne Program procurements provide high quality products and services needed for the operation of the Federal Government while providing employment and training opportunities for tens of thousands of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. She served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Policy and Procurement) as the Army's principal acquisition and procurement policy authority for all Army acquisition programs, responsible for the management and execution of the Army's contracting function worldwide As Functional Chiefs Representative for the Army Contracting and Acquisition Career Program, Ms. Ballard was responsible for the recruitment, training, education, and professional development of the contracting professionals who are part of the Army's acquisition workforce and industrial base policy. As Director of Combat Support Operations and the Deputy Executive Director of Contract Management Operations in the Defense Contract Management Agency, she managed agency policy in multiple theatres of military operations. Ballard joined the Federal service as a Stay-in-School and continued her service as a college Cooperative (Co-op) Education student. Upon graduation, she began as Contract Specialist and Procuring Contracting Officer with the Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base She later transferred to Air Force Plant Representative Office, Boeing Military Airplanes, Wichita, Kansas where she was the Principal Administrative Contracting Officer and the Director of Contract Operations. In 1994, Tina Ballard became the Director of Pacific/Caribbean Contract Operations in DCMA International, where she served as a liaison to the Air force Materiel Command for four years with responsibility for more than 200 personnel located in six countries. In January 1999, she accepted an assignment in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she led several projects for the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Ballard received her B.A. in English (1980), a M.S. in Management (1989), and a M.S. in National Resource Strategy (2001). She has completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces Senior Acquisition Course and Leadership for a Democratic Society at the Federal Executive Institute. Ballard has received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence, two DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Awards, and Department of the Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service (2008), Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal (2003) and named the Federal Executive Association Unsung Heroine. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in recognizing the outstanding contributions Ms. Tina Ballard has made over the course of her career to the military, the commonwealth, and the country. On behalf of a grateful Nation, we wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 1444, to rename the Winchester, Virginia, post office in honor of country music legend and proud daughter of Virginia, Patsy Cline. In January 1957, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts introduced their live television audience to Patsy Cline, from Winchester, Virginia, and launched her to stardom after her winning performance of ``Walkin' After Midnight.'' Virginia Patterson Hensley was born in Winchester in my home district in 1932. She spent her childhood years there growing up in the beautiful northern Shenandoah Valley. It was also where she discovered her dream of becoming a singer. The only thing that matched Patsy Cline's talent was her determination. From the local Winchester radio station to the Grand Ole Opry, she sought out opportunities to showcase her abilities in bold ways--writing letters, approaching other singers backstage, and even showing up at a studio waiting room to request an audition. That talent and determination took Patsy Cline to places no woman country music singer had gone before. Patsy Cline was the first female solo artist to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1960 and the first female solo artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973. CMT has ranked Patsy Cline as the number one greatest woman in country music history. She continues to inspire generations of future artists. Her tragic and untimely death in 1963 took Patsy Cline away from us too soon. But her trailblazing legacy and her music live on. Mr. Speaker, it is important to me that among the many great and well-deserved honors this American icon has received, she should be forever remembered in her hometown of Winchester, Virginia. I am proud to sponsor this legislation to rename the post office along Winchester's pedestrian walking mall after Patsy Cline. Her legacy is still very much felt in her hometown. The Patsy Cline Historic House, where she lived from 1948 to 1953, is in the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register and remains a popular tourist attraction in the Winchester area. Patsy Cline's final resting place is just a few miles south of the house, in Shenandoah Memorial Park, where a bell tower was built in her memory in the 1980s. Renaming this post office will serve as further acknowledgement of Patsy Cline's legacy in the Winchester community and of Winchester's influence on Patsy Cline. The support this bill has received from across our great Commonwealth shows the enduring legacy of Patsy Cline and the popularity she still holds. Nearly 60 years after her death, people still ``fall to pieces'' over her music, and this bill proves that we are still ``crazy'' about her.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a leader in our business and transportation community, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Jerome L. Davis, on his upcoming retirement. As the Airports Authority's highest-ranking executive under the president and CEO, Davis has overseen the Office of Revenue, which includes Marketing and Consumer Strategy, Concessions, Airline Business Development, Real Estate, Commercial Parking, Communications and Government Affairs. Davis' retirement caps off a career that has spanned more than four decades as a key executive in major U.S. corporations. Under Davis' leadership, overall passenger traffic at Reagan National and Dulles International airports increased by more than nine percent, led by growth at Dulles International through the addition of 30 new international routes and 15 new airlines. Davis' efforts to increase non-airline revenue boosted it to an unprecedented 57 percent of total revenue, a $90 million increase since 2015. In addition, he led a 2015 rebranding of the corporation, including the creation of a new logo to more closely tie the organization to the air travel industry and the National Capital Region. Davis also led an expansion and upgrade of the airports' concessions program, recruiting many popular global and local brands to provide a greater ``sense of place'' for the National Capital Region. His accomplishments in this area included the complete redevelopment of over 180 concessions locations, including shops and restaurants in Reagan National's newly constructed concourse; launching new valet parking services; and executing agreements for new passenger lounges, including the American Express Centurion Lounge coming to Reagan National in 2022. Prior to joining the Airports Authority, Davis held key executive positions in corporations including Procter & Gamble, Maytag, Waste Management, Electronic Data Systems and Frito-Lay. He also recently retired from the boards of two public companies, Apogee Enterprises and GameStop Corp. Davis also has represented the Airports Authority on the board of directors of Destination DC, the District of Columbia's official convention and visitors' bureau. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Mr. Davis and his service to our regional economy, the traveling public, and the gateways for our nation's capital, and I wish him all the best in retirement.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in gratitude for the service and sacrifice of the brave troops, diplomats, aid workers, and others who served in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, and for those who are still there on the ground working heroically to defend and evacuate American civilians and our Afghan partners. Madam Speaker, I remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and I am calling on the administration to use every available tool to ensure that we not only protect and evacuate American personnel, but as many of our Afghan partners as possible. I applaud the administration for picking up the pace of evacuations over the weekend and for expanding the perimeter around the airport in Kabul in order to increase access for evacuees and to avoid the developing humanitarian crisis. But we cannot stop there. Thousands more are at risk, including journalists, women's rights activists, and NGO employees. I am calling on President Biden to establish a special humanitarian program specifically for these groups and other highly visible activists in Afghanistan; to increase processing capacity at USCIS; and to immediately ensure the safe exit from Afghanistan of all priority 1 and 2 visa holders to third countries. Getting citizens out of harm's way must remain our top priority, but we also cannot abandon our Afghan allies.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the Liebengood Family Statement on the January 6 Commission and Security Supplemental. Liebengood Family Statement on the January 6 Commission and Security Supplemental ``We believe a thorough, non-partisan investigation into the root causes of and the response to the January 6th riot is essential for our nation to move forward. Howie's death was an immediate outgrowth of those events. Every officer who worked that day, as well as their families, should have a better understanding of what happened. Uncovering the facts will help our nation heal and may lessen the lingering emotional bitterness that has divided our country. We implore Congress to work as one and establish the proposed Commission. Additionally, improved mental health for USCP officers has been one of our goals for the past four months. Through the tireless efforts of Congresswoman Wexton, we are honored a wellness program bearing Howie's name has been proposed in the security supplemental along with more resources for the program. We welcome and support the new funding and staffing initiatives that will help prevent future tragedies among the

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation. The January 6 insurrection led to the deaths of U.S. Capitol police officers Brian Sicknick and Howie Liebengood and Metro Police Officer Jeffrey Smith. We have heard many stories of the broken bones and broken spirits that officers are still suffering to this day. They have been working around the clock since the insurrection, and are facing unsustainable hours due to being understaffed. It is heartbreaking. And it is also infuriating to hear other Members on this floor attempt to rewrite history and gaslight those officers with lies about January 6. I am proud to have helped secure millions of dollars in funding through this bill for enhancement of mental health services, which includes six new counselors who will help the Capitol Police during this crisis and into the future. I want to especially thank the family of fallen Capitol Police Officer Howie Liebengood, his wife, Serena, his siblings, John and Anne, for their advocacy on this bill. I hope that it is some solace to them that during this tragic time, that once this bill is signed into law, the Capitol Police Wellness Center will be renamed after Howie, so his life, legacy, and service to our Capitol will forever be remembered. Madam Speaker, the Capitol Police cannot wait until the end of the year for the funding. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Captain George Siragusa (USN, Ret.) on his retirement as the longtime Board Chair for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, Service Academy Advisory Board. Captain Siragusa has served on the board since 2010 and as the Virginia District 10 Board Chairman since 2014. The board has a body of over fifty military officers who annually screen high school students applying for a Congressional Nomination, a requirement for eligibility to obtain an appointment to the four Federal Service Academies. Under Captain Siragusa's leadership, the board has successfully recommended nomination and subsequent admission to over 150 future members of the United States Armed Services to the four service academies. In addition to his leadership to the board members, Captain Siragusa has served as an advisor and mentor to many of the candidates as they entered this rigorous and challenging endeavor. Outside of his service with the Federal Service Academy Advisory Board, Captain Siragusa is a private sector consulting firm entrepreneur, investor, and adviser. He is also a seasoned leader- instructor at the university level for 10 years, having taught at the United States Naval Academy, George Washington University, Wake Forest University, and currently George Mason University where he is an adjunct professor at their Volgenau School of Engineering. He also serves as a Senior Business Adviser and Counselor to over 100 clients in his portfolio at the George Mason's Enterprise Center's Small Business Development Center. I congratulate Captain Siragusa on his retirement and thank him for his service to Virginia's 10th Congressional District. I wish nothing but the best in all his future endeavors.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to honor the life U.S. Capitol Police Officer Howie Liebengood. Howie served as a Capitol police officer for 15 years and before that as a Senate page. He continued a 50-year family legacy of service to the Senate, following in the footsteps of his father, a former Senate Sergeant at Arms. Howie died by suicide on January 9, after working around the clock in the days following the January 6 insurrection, defending our Capitol and the Members, staff, workers, journalists, and others inside of it. There is no doubt that Howie would still be with us today but for the events on and immediately following January 6. And yet, the leaders Howie served under at the Capitol Police still refuse to acknowledge his tragic loss as a line-of-duty death, despite his heroic sacrifice on that day and in the days that followed. Howie's widow, Serena, and his family deserve better. Our Capitol Police deserve better, too. The PTSD and trauma of January 6 and April 2 are still prevalent for U.S. Capitol police officers. The reluctance many officers feel asking for help is real as well. Leadership is failing these officers when they refuse to validate the pain of that trauma and the tragic consequences it can lead to. That is why we must provide U.S. Capitol police officers with the resources they need to take care of themselves and to fight the stigma not only for them, but for law enforcement officers around the country to know that it is okay to ask for help. According to a report from the nonprofit Blue H.E.L.P., the number of officers who died by suicide in recent years has outpaced those killed in the line of duty. It is incumbent on us as lawmakers to end the stigma around law enforcement mental health and to give these officers the support they need in times of crisis. We must thank them not just with our words, but with our actions. I have been working with my colleagues and with the Liebengood family to honor Howie's legacy of service to our Capitol community. To Serena, his family, and all those who knew and loved Howie, I hope it brings you some solace to know that Howie's life and sacrifice will never be forgotten by those of us here who he gave his life to protect.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Lara Larson on her retirement and to thank her for over 30 years of dedicated public service with Fairfax County. Lara dedicated her career to supporting the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), which provides services for people of all ages who have mental illnesses, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities. She contributed her wisdom and guidance to the staff agency-wide, and especially with the CSB Communications Team. Her career is exemplary of her commitment to the many residents of Fairfax County, and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. I thank Lara for all the years of faithful service to her community and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, we all want to get out of this pandemic and back to normal. We want to ensure that our kids can learn safely and in their classrooms. We want to get more shots into arms. We want to put money directly into the pockets of the Americans in need. We want to restore jobs in our communities. We have to take action now, and the American Rescue Plan is the best way forward. Our colleagues across the aisle want to gaslight the American people on this, but they know that this bill has the support of over 70 percent of Americans, and there is a reason for that. The American Rescue Plan meets the needs of our families and communities right now. With this bill, we will finally put this pandemic behind us. We will cut child poverty in half. We will deliver transformative tax cuts for our families, especially working moms. This is a great day because help is on the way.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize three young women from Virginia's 10th Congressional District who made history as the first female Eagle Scouts in the Shenandoah Area Council. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank to earn in Scouts BSA, and Lauren Reed, Amelia ``Mia'' Lunceford, and Elaina Truban of Winchester have all exemplified the remarkable leadership, talent, and perseverance to earn this distinction. To achieve the Eagle title, scouts are required to earn 21 merit badges, complete and lead a service project that benefits their community and sit before the Eagle Scout Board of Review. For their thoughtful community projects, Lauren planted shrubbery and landscaping around a flag pole at Locust Grove Cemetery in Stephens City, Mia worked on a wildflower rain garden at Izaak Walton Lake in Frederick County, and Elaina made a raised flower bed and planted seven trees on the grounds of her church. Until recently, girls and young women were not allowed to join the program. Now, there are 83 female scouts in five different troops in the Shenandoah Area Council. All three of the first class of female Eagle Scouts in the Shenandoah Area Council are members of Troop 2G of Winchester. These young women were honored and recognized in Winchester, Virginia on January 26, 2021. All three are following in the footsteps of their male siblings and other family members who attained the same recognition. Lauren, Mia, and Elaina now help pave the way for future female scouts to pursue the ranks of Eagle Scout, and they are just beginning their journeys as impactful community members and strong, female leaders.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate City of Manassas Mayor Harry J. Parrish, II on his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated service. A life-long resident of Manassas, Mayor Parrish was appointed to the Manassas City Council in 1993 and was elected to the Council in 1996, 2000 and again in 2004. He had the honor of being elected by the Council as Vice Mayor in 1999. He continued in the Vice Mayor position until May of 2008 when he was elected Mayor. Mayor Parrish now completes his third term as Mayor of the City of Manassas. Mayor Parrish has played an active role in his community as a member of many service organizations, including the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company, the Kiwanis Club of Bull Run, and the Prince William Hospital Foundation. He is also a member of the city's thriving business community, leading his family business as President of Manassas Ice & Fuel Company. Mayor Parrish earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering and Physics at the University of Virginia. He went on to serve our nation in the United States Air Force from 1973 to 1978. He then earned a master's degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University before returning home to Manassas. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the citizens of Virginia's 10th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mayor Parrish on his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated and honorable service.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Frederick County Fire Rescue's Chief Denny Linaburg on his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated service. Denny has served in the Frederick County Fire Department for 30 years, and began his career in the fire service as a volunteer at Greenwood Fire and Rescue in 1983. He is a Nationally Registered Paramedic, a Fire Officer, Fire Investigator and certified Law Enforcement Officer and Instructor. He holds various certifications in each field. Prior to his appointment as Chief, Denny was the Chief Fire Marshal, responsible for code enforcement, law enforcement and emergency management and planning. Denny graduated from both the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy and the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy. Outside of his service with the Frederick County Fire Department, Denny is also an active member of his community and is involved with several civic organizations. He is a current Board Member of the Virginia Association of Arson Investigators and served as the President from 2011 to 2012. Currently, he is a member of the Virginia Fire Prevention Association, the Virginia Association of Fire Chiefs and the Shenandoah Valley Joint Committee of Arson Investigators. He was appointed to the Virginia Fire Services Board by Governor Terry McAuliffe and is currently serving his second term. Now that Denny is retiring, he will have more time to enjoy his family and some of his favorite pastimes, which include hunting, fishing and hiking, as well as working on collector and antique vehicles. I wish him well and thank him for his dedicated service.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, which I introduced today. If enacted, this bipartisan bill would make great strides to fund the fight against childhood cancer, birth defects, and other rare childhood diseases. Cancer is the number one cause of disease-related death in children age 14 and younger. This year alone, it's estimated that more than 10,000 children in the U.S. under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer. In addition, one in 33 babies born in the U.S. are affected by a birth defect and birth defects are the leading cause of death among infants. Unfortunately, these childhood diseases are still poorly understood, and additional funding is greatly needed to augment existing research to promote new discoveries for children affected by them. Congress passed the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act in 2014 to uncover new insights into the biology of childhood disease. The law established a Ten-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund within the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Common Fund and authorized $12.6 million in funds annually for pediatric disease research through the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program, commonly known as Kids First. Since the original law was enacted, Kids First has made progress towards understanding childhood cancer and disease. It has initiated the Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource Center--a comprehensive data resource for research and patient communities meant to advance discoveries. The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 builds off the important progress made by the 2014 Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act by providing a new source of funding for the Kids First Research Fund. Specifically, the bill would redirect civil monetary sanctions levied against pharmaceutical, medical device, supplement and cosmetic manufacturers by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. By diverting penalties going into the General Treasury from these companies that break the law, the bill would sustain Kids First's critical childhood disease research for generations to come. The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 is named to honor 10-year-old Gabriella Miller who passed away from an inoperable brain tumor. She was a fierce advocate for childhood cancer research and her efforts to boost awareness of childhood cancer helped raise funds for children's cancer charities. January 13, 2021 would've been Gabriella's eighteenth birthday. I can't think of a better way to celebrate her birthday than introducing this bill to honor her memory. I would like to thank Gabriella's mother and my constituent, Ellyn Miller, for her tireless advocacy on behalf of children with cancer through Smashing Walnuts. I am honored to have worked closely with Ellyn on the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0. Although we are experiencing tough times on Capitol Hill, this bipartisan bill demonstrates that we can all come together for this great cause. I'm proud to introduce this bill to help find treatments and cures so that our nation's children will have a fighting chance to survive cancer and other rare disease. The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 will reaffirm our strong commitment to finding cures for childhood diseases.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, COVID cases in my district are doubling, tripling, or worse. From the D.C. suburbs to the rural areas, no part is immune. What is it going to take to burst the bubble our Senate colleagues are living in and wake them up to reality? Because in this reality, 12 million Americans are going to lose their unemployment benefits next month if we don't act. In this reality, tens of thousands of small businesses are on track to close their doors for good by the end of the winter. If our Senate colleagues continue to sit on their hands and continue to do nothing, then on top of a public health crisis and an economic crisis, we are also going to have a homelessness crisis as eviction and foreclosure moratoriums expire. Mr. Speaker, I am urging leaders of both parties in both Chambers of Congress to come together, and let's vote on something we can agree on. Let's extend the deadline for CARES Act funds to be used by States and localities. Let's continue the eviction moratorium, student loan relief, and unemployment benefits that have been a lifeline for millions of workers. Let's do the work our constituents sent us here to do and help the American families and small businesses who are hurting. We owe it to the millions of people who need our help.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is trying to make this about me, and nothing could be further from the truth. This is about the Uyghur people. This is not about me. This is not about an election. Before I was even elected to Congress, I met with Uyghur Muslims in my district. I have one of the largest populations of Uyghur diaspora in my district, and they told me their horrible stories about relatives who disappeared into the camps, who perished in those camps. So don't try to make this about me. Before I came to Congress, I served in the Virginia State Senate, and there we had an expression for when people tried to change our bills on the floor or on the fly, and that was, ``Get your own bill.'' It is disappointing that my Republican colleagues are politicizing this issue and opposing this bill, especially when we have been hearing for so long how Democrats are weak on China. But, when given the chance to hold the Chinese Government responsible for gross human rights abuses and reveal the extent of the system of forced labor, it turns out Republicans aren't all that interested. Crimes against humanity, and perhaps even genocide, are being committed by the Chinese Government. Republicans talk a good game, but only if it doesn't create any kind of burden on U.S. corporations or their profit margins, profit that may be earned off of the backs of slave labor. During debate on this bill, the other side made it clear that they don't believe that corporations, publicly traded companies, should be held responsible for knowing the origins of their products. The other side is saying that companies can turn a blind eye to genocide and not have to disclose to their shareholders about the use of slave labor in their supply chains. This MTR is more of the same. It neuters the bill and adds a sense of Congress. Well, Congress has a sense already: The exploitation and enslavement of the Uyghurs must stop. Americans don't want to purchase goods made with slave labor. So maybe my colleagues are following the lead of the President, who seems to be okay with what is happening in Xinjiang. When given the opportunity to confront Xi over the mass internment of Uyghurs, Trump actually encouraged them to carry on building the camps. He said it was ``the right thing to do.'' That is according to his former National Security Advisor, John Bolton. With only the interpreters present, Xi had explained to Trump why he was basically building concentration camps in Xinjiang. According to our interpreter, Trump said that Xi should go ahead and build the camps, which Trump thought was exactly the right thing to do. Maybe you don't believe John Bolton--I certainly question his integrity--but Donald Trump admitted it. When he was asked, he said: ``Well, we were in the middle of a major trade deal.'' Mr. Speaker, we are better than this. With this bill, we can stand up against forced labor; we can stand up against genocide; we can stand up for religious freedom and the Uyghur people by defeating this motion to recommit and passing the Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WEXTON

Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Norman Duncan, a World War II veteran who dutifully served our country, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and his Loudoun County community throughout his life. Mr. Duncan was born in 1919 to Lithuanian immigrants and grew up in Manhattan before moving to Washington, D.C. He was drafted during World War II, and, following a training accident, was reassigned to General Eisenhower's extended staff and special services division. In this role, he oversaw logistics and supply for U.S. bases in Great Britain and supported Operation Torch in North Africa and Operation Overlord in Normandy. He was awarded the Legion of Honor from France in 2018 for his service. Following his military career, he made his home in Virginia and worked as a transportation logistics specialist. He was an advocate for minority participation in the transportation industry and volunteered his expertise to serve on President Carter's National Defense Executive Reserve and to consult on logistics for President Reagan's inauguration. Mr. Duncan was also very active in his community and was named one of the 100 most influential people in Loudoun County in 2016. He served on the Loudoun County Transportation Economic Development Committee and as a board member of the Loudoun Symphony. He was also a passionate advocate for caregivers, having cared for Elsie, his beloved wife of 72 years, as she struggled with Alzheimer's disease in her final years. Labor of Love Day, which he founded, is celebrated every Labor Day in Loudoun County to raise awareness of family caregivers and their loved ones who struggle with Alzheimer's. Mr. Duncan passed away last year at the age of 100, two months after he attended the 75th anniversary and commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. He is deeply missed by his three children, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Today, the House of Representatives will honor Mr. Duncan's life and memory by passing legislation to name the post office in Leesburg, Virginia after him. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Duncan's life and his lifelong commitment to service.