E490 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 17, 2018 the celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniver- TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THERESA America, one of the richest countries in the sary. I wish them the best today and for many RANDLEMAN world, should be able to help families caught more blessed years to come. in, to use the celebrated LBJ biographer Rob- HON. MIKE BISHOP ert Caro’s famous phrase, the ‘‘tentacles of f OF MICHIGAN circumstance.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES However, we have a president who is insen- HONORING JACKSON SCOTT sitive to the plights of every day Americans. GARRETT Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Trump and the conservative acolytes who Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I in- seek to implement his agenda paint an inac- HON. SAM GRAVES clude in the RECORD the following Proclama- curate portrayal of poor people as lazy ‘‘Wel- tion: fare Queens’’ who would rather depend on the OF MISSOURI Whereas, the 8th Congressional District of government than pull themselves up by their IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Michigan joins in celebration as we com- bootstraps, but nothing could be further from Tuesday, April 17, 2018 memorate Theresa Randleman as she is rec- the true reality that millions of Americans face. ognized with the Business Excellence Award Mr. Speaker, the President should know that Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I by the Greater Lansing Area Club. it is unreasonable to expect the poorest peo- proudly pause to recognize Jackson Garrett. Whereas, Ms. Randleman has dedicated ple to pull themselves up by their bootstraps Jackson is a very special young man who has her career to speaking on behalf of women when they do not have boots. exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and female youth with an emphasis on pro- Our nation’s social safety net programs al- and leadership by taking an active part in the ducing, hosting, and sponsoring female em- ready fail to help all of the families in need: Boy Scouts of America, Troop 314, and earn- powerment programs. Her work ranges from Only 1 in 4 poor families with children re- ing the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. international speaking which empowers ceive Temporary Assistance for Needy Fami- Jackson has been very active with his troop, women across the globe, to hosting local lies (TANF); participating in many scout activities. Over the Expos which guide aspiring female entre- SNAP only provide $1.40/per meal; and many years Jackson has been involved with preneurs on the path to success. She has Housing assistance reaches just 1 in 5 eligi- scouting, he has not only earned numerous shared her knowledge and passion all around ble families. merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- the world and dedicated herself to the ideals That is because the federal government has ily, peers, and community. Most notably, Jack- that advance our community. failed to raise the minimum wage in almost a son has contributed to his community through Let it be known, that the Member of the decade, so even if you work a full-time min- his Eagle Scout project. United States Congress, the Honorable MI- imum wage job, you are still living in poverty. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in CHAEL D. BISHOP of the 8th Congressional Dis- Members of the CBC are here to tell the commending Jackson for his accomplishments trict of the State of Michigan, hereby recog- American people, do not be fooled. with the Boy Scouts of America and for his ef- nizes Theresa Randleman for her outstanding Donald Trump says this is about a ‘‘poverty forts put forth in achieving the highest distinc- achievements. Therefore, this document is trap,’’ but the real trap is not raising the min- tion of Eagle Scout. signed and dedicated to honor this milestone. imum wage. May others know of my warmest wishes and The President opposes increasing the min- f continued support in the future. imum wage and eliminating labor protections f for middle and lower income workers in the Af- STEM PROGRAM AT WHEAT RIDGE rican American community. HIGH SCHOOL TRUMP REPUBLICANS ARE WAG- Mr. Speaker, raising the minimum wage to ING WAR ON THE WORKING just $12 per hour would save $53 billion in HON. ED PERLMUTTER POOR SNAP benefits alone. Wage gaps between are larger today than OF COLORADO HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE they were in 1979. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF TEXAS For example, African American men’s aver- Tuesday, April 17, 2018 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES age hourly wages were 22.2 percent lower than those of white men in 1979 and declined Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise Tuesday, April 17, 2018 to 31.0 percent lower by 2015. today to honor the STEM Program at Wheat Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise Young African American women have been Ridge High School for being recognized as the today to voice my opposition to Executive hardest hit since 2000. 2017 Horizon Award winner by the Jefferson Order 13828, entitled ‘‘Reducing Poverty in The racial wealth gap is much larger than County Economic Development Corporation America by Promoting Opportunity and Eco- the wage or income gap by race. (Jeffco EDC). nomic Mobility,’’ issued by the President last Average wealth for white families is seven The Horizon Award recognizes an organiza- Tuesday, April 10, 2018. times higher than average wealth for African tion or program that is a rising star in the com- The President would have the American American families. munity and will contribute to the future eco- people believe he is bringing the country to- Worse still, median white wealth (wealth for nomic vitality of Jefferson County. Established gether and growing the economy for all Ameri- the family in the exact middle of the overall in 2014, Wheat Ridge High School’s STEM cans. distribution—wealthier than half of all families Program focuses on taking science, tech- Nothing could be further from the truth. and less-wealthy than half) is twelve times nology, engineering & math taught in class Executive Order 13828 is a thinly-veiled at- higher than median African American wealth. and using it in a real-world application through tempt to restrict access to health care, hous- Wage gaps are growing primarily because the building of concept vehicles. Since it was ing, food, and many other basic living pro- of discrimination and racial differences in skills created, it has expanded to 80 students. The grams by adding onerous ‘‘work require- and worker characteristics. cost to run the STEM program is approxi- ments.’’ Declining unionization has also had a role in mately $50,000 per year and 80 percent of These social safety net programs provide the growing black-white wage gap, particularly these funds are raised by the students them- necessary government assistance to help for men newly joining the workforce. selves, expanding their learning opportunity Americans families maintain a basic standard African Americans have been disproportion- into fundraising and finance. Participating stu- of living, and are a safety net for the poorest ately affected by the growing gap between pay dents are responsible for all their own fund- of the poor. and productivity. raising, marketing, social media and Millions of Americans, despite working two Not only are the President’s policies divisive videography. The Wheat Ridge High School jobs, depend on these programs just to keep along racial and cultural lines, they also serve STEM Program gives students real world ex- food on the table and a roof over their heads to further increase economic inequality due to perience from concept to implementation and for their families. their clear design in favor of the wealthiest everything in between. In addition, the vast majority of full-time among us at the expense of everyone else. Congratulations to the STEM Program at workers live paycheck to paycheck. Trump’s billionaire tax heist robs the U.S. Wheat Ridge High School for this well-de- In fact, 70 percent of Americans rely on at Treasury of $1.5 trillion in resources that could served award, and I thank them for their con- least one means tested federal program be invested in economic growth in under- tribution to our community. throughout their lives. served communities.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:19 Apr 18, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17AP8.042 E17APPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS April 17, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E491 The President has proposed doubling down HONORING THE 90TH ANNIVER- ing the 1989 Loma Prieta and 2011 Napa on mass incarceration and the war on drugs, SARY OF CALTRANS STRUCTURE earthquakes. which drains the African American labor pool. MAINTENANCE & INVESTIGA- Mr. Speaker, Caltrans Office of Structure TIONS Maintenance & Investigations and its employ- The President has taken every opportunity ees have kept California’s highways and to harm health care for African-Americans HON. MIKE THOMPSON bridges safe. It is therefore fitting and proper from sabotaging the ACA to ending Medicaid OF CALIFORNIA that we honor the Office and employees past as we know it. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and present today. This president is no friend to African Ameri- Tuesday, April 17, 2018 f cans, or their pocket books. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, ZIMMER BIOMET SPINE Trump also wants you to believe that he I rise today to honor the California Department wants a bipartisan infrastructure plan. of Transportation (Caltrans) Office of Structure Maintenance & Investigations upon the occa- HON. ED PERLMUTTER Do not be fooled. sion of its 90th anniversary since its creation. OF COLORADO Trump’s review of ‘‘welfare programs’’ is an The Office of Structure Maintenance & In- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES immoral attempt to gut the programs that pro- vestigations engineers and structural techni- Tuesday, April 17, 2018 vide a basic standard of living for Americans cians perform ongoing inspection of more than Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise struggling to make ends meet, all to pay for 24,000 state highway and locally owned bridges within the boundaries of the Golden today to honor Zimmer Biomet Spine for being massive tax cuts to himself and the richest 1 recognized as the 2017 Business Recognition percent. State. They ensure the safety of the traveling public and to protect the public’s multi-billion Award winner by the Jefferson County Eco- Instead, he should raise wages and invest dollar investment in its bridge inventory; and nomic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC). in job training programs to prepare Americans Since its creation in 1927 California’s bridge The Business Recognition Award shows ap- for the work of the future. inspection unit has completed nearly 770,000 preciation for a local company who has shown exceptional growth in primary employment, Mr. Speaker, our nation still has a long way routine bridge inspections, and thousands of special steel, underwater, hydraulic, sign sales and/or capital investments in the last to go before we achieve economic equality for structure and tunnel inspections. The bridge year. Zimmer Biomet Spine is a leader in re- all its citizens. inspection program has become the model for storing mobility, alleviating pain, and improving The President and Congressional Repub- other bridge departments in the United States the quality of life for patients around the world licans should work with Democrats to put and around the world. by delivering surgeons a comprehensive port- more money in the pockets of hardworking Structure Maintenance & Investigations, folio of quality spine technologies and proce- Americans. based on the findings of its inspections, has dural innovation. It maintains world-class sci- worked with its District Maintenance counter- entific facilities and resources and collaborates At the end of the day, our constituents parts to complete hundreds of millions of re- with leading clinicians and researchers around should be able to support their children with pairs to ensure the safety and structural integ- the world. Today, it has operations in more one full-time job. rity of each public agency bridge in California. than 25 countries and sells products in more Ultimately, we need to give families the The dedicated personnel of Structure Mainte- than 100 countries. tools they need to rise out of poverty, not un- nance & Investigations has responded over its Congratulations to Zimmer Biomet Spine for dercut programs that keep them afloat. nine decades of service to every emergency this well-deserved award, and I thank them for impacting the state’s bridge inventory, includ- their contribution to our community.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:19 Apr 18, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17AP8.045 E17APPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS