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July 24, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6199 scribes in Department of Veterans Af- the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. cess to affordable housing, public fairs medical centers, and for other ROE) that the House suspend the rules transportation, education, healthcare, purposes.’’. and pass the bill, as amended. and employment. Full access and in- A motion to reconsider was laid on The question was taken; and (two- clusion remains a fundamental aspira- the table. thirds being in the affirmative) the tion, but it is not yet a reality. Mr. Speaker, we must remain vigi- f rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. lant in defending the intent of the ADA VA PROCUREMENT EFFICIENCY A motion to reconsider was laid on so that future generations can live in AND TRANSPARENCY ACT the table. an inclusive, accessible world, where The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- f the unique talents and abilities of indi- finished business is the question on viduals with disabilities are innately HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY TO recognized. suspending the rules and passing the LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS bill (H.R. 2006) to amend title 38, f (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was Code, to improve the REMEMBERING KATE FRONEK procurement practices of the Depart- given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given ment of Veterans Affairs, and for other permission to address the House for 1 purposes. her remarks.) Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I minute and to revise and extend his re- The Clerk read the title of the bill. marks.) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The would like to congratulate Log Cabin Republicans as it celebrates 40 years of Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise question is on the motion offered by today to remember Kate Fronek, an ex- the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. advocating and advancing equality and justice for LGBT Americans. Formed traordinary 13-year-old from Eden ROE) that the House suspend the rules Prairie who just passed away this last and pass the bill. by a small group of LGBT conserv- atives in , Log Cabin Repub- week. The question was taken; and (two- Kate was an active girl who played licans emerged to defeat what is known thirds being in the affirmative) the hockey, lacrosse, and soccer through- as the , a measure pro- rules were suspended and the bill was out our Eden Prairie community. She hibiting gay teachers from teaching in passed. attended Central Middle School, and public schools. A motion to reconsider was laid on people often noted her love for music. the table. This measure was rejected, thanks to This past February, Kate was diag- the tireless work of this organization f nosed with acute myeloid leukemia. In and President Reagan with his forceful the following months, she underwent PROTECTING BUSINESS OPPORTU- opposition to the discriminatory pol- multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a NITIES FOR VETERANS ACT OF icy. bone marrow transplant. Amid these Since then, Log Cabin Republicans 2017 challenges, Kate was brave and spir- have expanded their presence and cre- ited, and friends and family remember The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- ated over 50 chapters across our great her positively and, above all, her warm finished business is the question on Nation, including in my hometown of suspending the rules and passing the smile. . Together we have won many But over the weekend, in memory of bill (H.R. 2749) to amend title 38, great victories and have taken a his- United States Code, to improve the Kate, neighbors and friends began put- toric stride toward equality with the ting orange balloons outside their oversight of contracts awarded by the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to small homes, on the streets, and the bridges legalization of marriage equality. as a part of a tribute. Driving around business concerns owned and controlled Mr. Speaker, as a proud ally of the by veterans, and for other purposes, as Eden Prairie and seeing the streets LGBT community, I commend Log lined with these balloons to honor her amended. Cabin Republicans for advancing our The Clerk read the title of the bill. memory shows that she clearly principles of , indi- touched very many lives. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The vidual freedoms, and personal responsi- question is on the motion offered by Mr. Speaker, I wanted to extend my bility to create a more inclusive party thoughts and prayers to the Fronek the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. that ensures fairness and equality for ROE) that the House suspend the rules family. She will be missed, but her all Americans. spirit will not be forgotten. and pass the bill, as amended. Happy 40th to LCR. The question was taken; and (two- f f thirds being in the affirmative) the PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS SHOULD rules were suspended and the bill, as RECOGNIZING THE 27TH ANNIVER- BE TRANSPARENT amended, was passed. SARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH (Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI asked and A motion to reconsider was laid on DISABILITIES ACT was given permission to address the the table. (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given House for 1 minute and to revise and f permission to address the House for 1 extend his remarks.) minute and to revise and extend his re- Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speak- ENSURING VETERAN ENTERPRISE marks.) er, last week, The Post re- PARTICIPATION IN STRATEGIC Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise ported that President Trump was con- SOURCING ACT in recognition of the 27th anniversary sidering pardoning his aides, his rel- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- of the Americans with Disabilities Act, atives, and even himself. Any of these finished business is the question on which was signed into law on July 26, actions would disrupt the investigation suspending the rules and passing the 1990. of Special Counsel Mueller. bill (H.R. 2781) to direct the Secretary This landmark, bipartisan civil Beyond simply pardoning those con- of Veterans Affairs to certify the suffi- rights legislation enables people with victed of crimes, the President has the cient participation of small business disabilities, including me, to experi- power to grant a pardon before charges concerns owned and controlled and ence more inclusive and fulfilling lives. are even brought, as President Ford’s owned by veterans and small business The prohibition of discrimination on pardon of President Nixon dem- concerns owned by veterans with serv- the basis of a disability has helped to onstrated. ice-connected disabilities in contracts promote equal opportunity, full par- There is no requirement that Presi- under the Federal Strategic Sourcing ticipation, independent living, and eco- dential pardons be publicly announced, Initiative, and for other purposes, as nomic self-sufficiency. meaning that President Trump could amended. Mr. Speaker, it is true that we have grant pardons in secret to prevent his The Clerk read the title of the bill. made incredible progress since 1990, but associates from cooperating with the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The we still have work ahead. Too many special counsel. That is why I am in- question is on the motion offered by people with disabilities still lack ac- troducing the ‘‘Presidential Pardon

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:06 Jul 25, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K24JY7.076 H24JYPT1 lotter on DSKBC18HB2PROD with HOUSE H6200 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 24, 2017 Transparency Act.’’ The President may bling infrastructure, and offering ap- b 1930 have the power to pardon, but the prenticeship programs to new workers. SNAP UPDATE AFTER PATHWAYS American people have a right to know Mr. Speaker, I will continue to fight HEARING how and when he does it. for affordable housing programs so all This bill requires the White House to Americans can have the ability to (Mr. THOMPSON of publicly disclose every pardon the achieve the American Dream. asked and was given permission to ad- dress the House for 1 minute and to re- President grants. Our Founders estab- f lished the Presidential power to pardon vise and extend his remarks.) REMEMBERING HEROES JACOB Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. to protect the American people from CHESTNUT AND JOHN GIBSON Mr. Speaker, last week the Nutrition their government, not for the Presi- Subcommittee hosted a hearing on how dent to protect himself. This bill up- (Mr. OLSON asked and was given per- eligible SNAP participants can im- holds that principle. mission to address the House for 1 prove their education and labor force f minute and to revise and extend his re- marks.) involvement as they aim for independ- REMEMBERING ROY HERRINGTON Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, every day ence. Over the past 21⁄2 years, the House (Mr. ALLEN asked and was given on Capitol Hill, we have heroes among Agriculture Committee has done a permission to address the House for 1 us, our Capitol Police. Five weeks ago, comprehensive review of the Supple- minute and to revise and extend his re- three of these heroes saved lives. They mental Nutrition Assistance Program. marks.) killed a deranged man who opened fire We have looked at how it is adminis- Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, recently, on the Republican baseball team. Two tered and how it can be improved. We the Appling County community heroes were wounded, Crystal Griner have also looked at how we can help mourned the loss of lifelong resident and David Bailey. Our brave Capitol Americans climb the ladder of oppor- Roy Herrington. Police prevented a massacre. tunity and get out of poverty. He was a loving husband to his wife Another massacre was prevented by The subcommittee hearing looked at of 59 years, , and a dedicated fa- the Capitol Police on June 24 of 1998, 19 ways to sync employers with work-ca- ther to his three children: Tami, Jeff, years ago today. My hometown of pable SNAP participants whose edu- and Julie. Roy was an active member Sugar Land, , still hurts over a cation, skill set, and backgrounds of the community. He was a member hero we knew well, Detective John Gib- match their needs. This comprehensive and a deacon at the Baxley First Bap- son. He was killed a few feet from approach brings together resources, tist Church; a past director of Appling where I am standing. funding, data, policies, partnerships, Like Crystal and David, Detective County Chamber of Commerce; and a and, perhaps most importantly, shared Gibson was assigned to protect a mem- recipient of the Chamber Award of Ex- performance measures that continue to ber of House leadership, my neighbor, cellence in Agriculture. allow the development, scaling, and Roy was awarded the Appling County and my predecessor, Majority Leader sustainability of these pathway pro- Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Tom DeLay. Gibson heard Officer grams. Year award in 1981. Jacob Chestnut being killed by an in- Stable employment that provides a During my time traveling the 12th truder. He shot the attacker, despite living wage is essential to helping indi- District of Georgia, Roy was one of being mortally wounded. viduals and families rise out of pov- those people who I would always make Our Capitol Police are true heroes. erty. As chairman of the sub- sure to visit to gain insight on serving May we always remember two special committee, I am committed to explor- the great folks of the 12th District. heroes, Jacob Chestnut and John Gib- ing ways to couple services with em- Mr. Speaker, we are losing our great- son. ployment and education to empower est generation, but as Members of Con- f work-capable recipients and help them gress and as Americans, we must not NO APPROPRIATIONS FOR BORDER achieve self-reliance. forget the lessons they have taught us. WALL Every village, every community, has a f man of peace and influence. In Appling (Mr. CARBAJAL asked and was given FIRST, DO NO HARM County, that man was Roy Herrington. permission to address the House for 1 (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of Baxley, Georgia, is a better place be- minute.) asked and was given permis- cause of Roy Herrington. He will be re- Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise sion to address the House for 1 minute.) membered often. in opposition to the House appropria- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New f tions package that will provide $1.6 bil- York. Mr. Speaker, over this weekend, lion for the construction of President I heard nonstop from people—people SUPPORTING NATIONAL HOUSING Trump’s border wall. from all walks of life—who are living WEEK OF ACTION As a member of the House Armed each day in fear that this Congress is (Mrs. BEATTY asked and was given Services Committee, I have heard from going to strip them of the healthcare permission to address the House for 1 many military leaders who all agree, a insurance they so desperately need, minute.) wall won’t make our borders more se- causing them to lose access to afford- Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I come cure or our Nation safer. able care. to the House floor today in support of There are more effective ways and These good, decent, and hardworking National Housing Week of Action and technology that would be a better in- people have told me again and again, in to stand up for a better deal for hard- vestment of our limited resources. no uncertain terms, that they or some- working Americans. Moreover, the President has failed to one whom they love dearly will suffer Access to affordable housing directly provide a cost for this wall, and it or die if our Republican colleagues impacts the ability of Americans to would be irresponsible for Congress to carry out their catastrophically ill- have a better job, better wages, and a write him a blank check, especially conceived plan to repeal and replace or better future. However, far too many after he promised over and over that repeal and delay. They scoff at the oft- families are struggling to keep a roof the American taxpayers would not foot repeated Republican plan that they over their heads as the cost of rent is the bill. would merely be choosing not to have rising, mortgages are harder to get, This wall only serves as a symbol of coverage, for they know the bitter and wages remain stagnant. xenophobia and hate, while doing noth- truth. Due to cuts in Federal rental assist- ing to address our broken immigration To strip these people of the very cov- ance, only one in four people eligible system. Immigrants strengthen the erage that keeps them, their children, for it actually are receiving it. Our fabric of our Nation, they serve in our and their parents alive would be as im- constituents deserve a better deal. I military, they teach in our schools, moral an act as was ever perpetrated join Democrats in standing up to cre- and some, like myself, are fortunate under the guise of governance. ate millions of good-paying jobs, full- enough to serve as Members of Con- When it comes to setting healthcare time jobs by investing in our crum- gress. policy, this Congress, like every decent

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