July 24, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E981 The Grand Coulee Dam is the largest power opportunities for historically disadvantaged 6. It’s what the vast majority of Americans station in the nation. With a 6,809-megawatt workers in low-wage sectors. With a federal want. generating capacity, the Dam supplies an av- minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, a full-time Vast majorities (up to three quarters, in- worker may only make $15,080 a year, a sal- cluding a majority across party lines) sup- erage of 21 billion kilowatt hours of clean, af- ary that is almost $4,000 below the poverty port raising the wage. Even in a poll spon- fordable, and reliable electricity to 11 States line for a family of three. sored by the National Restaurant Associa- and Canada each year. Reservoirs from the The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 would ben- tion (which has worked to block state min- Dam are the backbone of the Columbia Basin efit over a quarter of the workforce: nearly imum wage increases and preempt local sick Project, which supplies irrigation to 10,000 40 million workers and their families. The day laws), 71 percent of Americans indicated farms on 671,000 acres of farmland in the Co- act would raise the federal minimum wage to support for raising the wage, ‘‘even if it also lumbia Basin. $8.55 this year and increase it over the next increases the cost of food and service to cus- While residents throughout the Pacific five years until it reaches $15 in 2024, then tomers.’’ adjust it each year to keep pace with the In fact, over half the states have raised Northwest reap these benefits, many are un- typical worker’s wages. their minimum wages to restore basic fair- aware of how the Dam came to be or how the Here are six reasons why raising the wage ness to the workforce. work of a father and son changed Central makes sense. CONCLUSION Washington, our state, and the region forever. 1. It is long overdue. Raising the minimum wage offers benefits In 1908, Nat Washington, Sr., a decedent of In the decade since it was last raised, the to workers, children, taxpayers, and the President George Washington’s family, left his minimum wage has failed to keep up with in- economy as a whole. It increases buying flation, failed to keep up with average wages, power and reduces the daily struggle for peo- home in Virginia and established a homestead and—most dramatically—failed to keep up along the Columbia River, not far from where ple to pay their basic expenses. It enables with incomes of the top 1 percent and CEOs, people to save for and invest in their future. the Grand Coulee Dam sits today. Shortly contributing to America’s growing inequal- after arriving in Washington, Nat Sr. was elect- It contributes toward building a work force ity. that is healthier, more stable, better edu- Low-wage workers are not benefiting from ed as Grant County Prosecutor and the first cated, and more productive. president of the Columbia River Dam, Irriga- economic growth and productivity. If the Raising the minimum age will require tion, and Power District. In this role, Nat Sr. minimum wage had kept pace with produc- members of Congress of both parties to be tivity increases, it would be around $20. willing to overcome the divide: to be open to played a key role in the conception, approval, Just 30 years ago, the average pay gap be- the debate, to consider the needs of hard- and construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. tween CEOs and workers was 59 to 1; last working constituents and taxpayers, to con- Nat Jr. shared his father’s passion for public year, it soared to 361 to 1. The average CEO sider the wide range of benefits—and ulti- service. After earning his law degree from the makes $13,940,000, while a minimum wage mately, to give a raise to the people who University of Washington, Nat Washington, Jr. worker makes $15,080: a gap of 924 to 1. 2. It would address longstanding racial and need it the most. also served as Grant County Prosecutor and We strongly urge every member of Con- gender inequities. later in the Washington State Legislature for gress to vote for the Raise the Wage Act and Historically marginalized people do more enact this important piece of legislation as 30 years. During this time, Nat Jr. was instru- than their fair share of low-wage work, and quickly as possible. mental in the development of several hydro- would stand to benefit disproportionately Sincerely, power projects across the region, including the from the bump. Columbia Basin Project, which is the largest While 27 percent of the total workforce MINOR SINCLAIR, water reclamation project in the United States, would benefit from the raise: Director, US Domestic Program, Oxfam America. providing nearly $2 billion in economic benefits 39 percent of Black and Latina women would benefit (vs. 18 percent of white men), f to the region each year. 38 percent of African American workers With these immeasurable contributions to would benefit, RETIREMENT OF MR. MICHAEL J. Central Washington in mind, I rise to introduce 33 percent of Latino workers would benefit, SULLIVAN, GOVERNMENT AC- legislation to rename the Third Power Plant at 32 percent of women workers would benefit COUNTABILITY OFFICE the Grand Coulee Dam as the Nathaniel ‘‘Nat’’ (vs 22 percent of men). Washington’’ Power Plant in honor of Nat Jr. 3. It would reduce poverty. The bump from $290 a week to $600 a week HON. JOE COURTNEY and Sr. I urge my colleagues to join me in rec- would lift millions of family out of poverty. OF CONNECTICUT ognizing the contributions of these pioneers of Two-thirds of all working people in poverty IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Northwest hydropower. (67.3 percent) would see a raise in wages. Wednesday, July 24, 2019 f 4. It would fuel economic growth. The roughly $120 billion extra paid to Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise RAISE THE WAGE ACT workers would be pumped back into the today, on behalf of myself and the members of economy for necessities such as rent, food, the House Committee on Armed Services, to SPEECH OF clothes. congratulate and celebrate Mr. Michael J. Sul- Economists have long recognized that HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT boosting purchasing power by putting money livan, the Director of Defense Weapon System OF VIRGINIA in people’s pockets for consumer spending Acquisitions for the Government Accountability IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has positive ripple effects on the entire econ- Office (GAO), on the occasion of his retire- omy. ment after 34 years of distinguished federal Thursday, July 18, 2019 In one recent poll, 67 percent of small busi- service. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I in- ness owners support the minimum wage in- Mr. Sullivan’s dedication to his profession, crease to $15 an hour. They say it would clude in the RECORD the following letter in his selfless public service, and his role helping spark consumer demand, which would enable GAO meet its mission have exceeded every- support of H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act. them to retain or hire new employees. OXFAM, And raising the wage doesn’t seem to com- one’s expectations. During his time at GAO, July 16, 2019. pel employers to cut jobs. As states and cit- Mr. Sullivan has been an effective thought- MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- ies across the country have raised wages, re- leader, most notably in GAO’s work to expertly TIVES. search has found no statistically significant identify and apply best acquisition practices for Ms. EUNICE IKENE, effect on employment. product development, production, testing, and Labor Policy Advisor at House Committee on 5. It would save taxpayers money and re- fielding for many of DOD’s most complex, ex- Education and the Workforce. duce use of government programs. pensive, and critical weapon system acquisi- DEAR MS. IKENE AND MEMBERS OF CON- When employers don’t pay people enough GRESS: On behalf of Oxfam America, I urge to survive, those workers are compelled to tions. Over the years, Mr. Sullivan’s efforts re- you to vote for the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. seek government assistance, meaning tax- sulted in numerous modifications and alter- 582) and vote against any amendments that payers are essentially subsidizing the cor- ations to DOD’s acquisition policies, processes would weaken the bill. porations. and implementation. Mr. Sullivan significantly Oxfam America is an international devel- In 2016, EPI found that, among recipients contribute to the development and enactment opment and relief agency committed to of public assistance, most work or have a of the Weapon System Acquisition Reform Act working for lasting solutions to poverty, family member who works; and they are con- of 2009 (P.L. 111–23), which lead to improved hunger and social injustice in over 90 coun- centrated at the bottom of the pay scale. tries, including the United States. Oxfam has Raising wages for low-wage workers would acquisition outcomes and effective returns on carried out development and humanitarian ‘‘unambiguously reduce net spending on pub- investment of billions of dollars on behalf of programs across the globe. lic assistance, particularly among workers the Congress and the American taxpayer. Within the United States, we have focused likely to be affected by a federal minimum- Mr. Sullivan testified numerous times before our efforts to elevating the rights and life wage increase.’’ the House Armed Services Committee,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:23 Jul 25, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.028 E24JYPT1 E982 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 24, 2019 expertly representing GAO’s work on high pro- Her touchstone is immeasurable, her serv- VENEZUELA TPS ACT OF 2019 file, complex, and sensitive DOD acquisition ice is deeply appreciated, and her retirement programs including the F–22 Raptor, the F–35 is well-deserved. SPEECH OF Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, among other HON. BRENDAN F. BOYLE high-profile programs such as the B–2 Spirit, f OF PENNSYLVANIA the KC–46A tanker, the B–21 Raider, the Next IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Generation Air Dominance concept, and nu- HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY merous unmanned aircraft programs such as OF SUSAN ‘‘LEANNE’’ POWELL Tuesday, July 23, 2019 the MQ–1, MQ–9, RQ–4, UCAV, UCLASS, Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. and MQ–25. He consistently delivered insight- Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of ful, independent, and fact-based analyses that HON. RICHARD HUDSON H.R. 549, the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019. I informed the decision-making of the Armed cosponsored this bill because I believe this is Services Committee made regarding many of OF NORTH CAROLINA the right policy to protect the thousands of DOD’s largest and most complex acquisition IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Venezuelans fleeing horrific conditions in their programs during many cycles of the Com- Wednesday, July 24, 2019 country. They don’t want to leave. They are mittee during formulation of annual National being forced to leave. Defense Authorization Acts. He has been a Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today Today, the people of Venezuela face eco- constant voice for good government and a to honor the life and legacy of Susan nomic, political and humanitarian crises. The force for positive change. In addition to his ‘‘Leanne’’ Powell, a dear friend of more than economy has shrunk by nearly 30 percent program oversight noted above, Mr. Sullivan 15 years. Leanne was a passionate and fierce over the past four years, declines often seen has also been greatly involved in reviewing leader whose light reached across North Caro- only in wartime. Their currency erodes daily issues related to science and technology port- lina’s Eighth Congressional District and bright- and is experiencing the highest inflation rates folio management, technology maturation and ened our great nation. Leanne departed this in the world. Poverty rates have skyrocketed requirements development efforts, and Depart- life on July 20, 2019 at Carolinas Medical with over three out of every four Venezuelans ment of Defense tactical aircraft force struc- Center in Charlotte. Exemplary of her devotion living in dire straits. Venezuelans can no ture planning and execution. to others, Leanne requested her organs be longer meet the recommended 2,000 calories We all are eternally grateful for Mr. Sulli- donated to her community and now three a day. 75 percent of the population reported van’s contributions to oversight of national se- Notth Carolinians will benefit from her contin- significant weight loss in the last year alone. curity issues and fiscal resources of the most ued generosity. Hospitals are without basic medicines and importance to Congress and the American tax- Leanne led a life of distinction and at age equipment to treat the sick. payer. Mr. Sullivan’s exceptional work and 12 started a career in politics that would span Venezuela used to be South America’s rich- many accomplishments over more than three more than three decades. As a young woman est nation, now the majority of Venezuelans decades are deeply valued by me, the com- she served as a campaign volunteer for the live in unsustainable conditions. mittee, and the Congress. We sincerely thank late Congressman Bill Hefner and later joined This crisis is also affecting regional stability. Mr. Sullivan and wish him the best success in his office staff. This experience foreshadowed Brazil and Colombia are dealing with esca- all of his future endeavors after retirement. the extraordinary woman she was to become. lating migrant and refugee flows, as millions of f Leanne went on to serve the White House Venezuelans cross into their borders. Colom- RECOGNIZING THE EXEMPLARY Women’s Office under President Bill Clinton bia has taken in almost 1.5 million Venezuelan SERVICE OF JUDY SCHNEIDER and Department of Agriculture Undersecretary refugees, straining their countries resources. ON THE OCCASION OF HER RE- Jill Long Thompson. Following this time in our The U.N. called the exodus from Venezuela TIREMENT nation’s capital, she returned to North Carolina the ‘‘largest in recent history of Latin America and founded a successful campaign consulting and the Caribbean.’’ HON. JOYCE BEATTY firm before managing the campaign of Con- It is time for the United States to step up. gressman Larry Kissell. Leanne helped elect President Trump has been tough on Ven- OF OHIO this history teacher-turned-candidate to Con- ezuela’s dictator, Maduro, but has shown no IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gress in 2008 and served two terms as Con- mercy to the thousands of Venezuelans that Wednesday, July 24, 2019 gressman Kissell’s Chief of Staff, a tenure de- have applied for protection in the United Mrs. BEATTY. Madam Speaker, I rise today fined by ideological purity and constituent States. The conditions in Venezuela are ex- to recognize Judy Schneider on the occasion service. actly what TPS was designed to address. It of her retirement. After deciding to leave politics in 2013, prevents foreign nationals from being deported Throughout her time on the Hill, Judy Leanne would tell colleagues she wanted to back to countries facing civil unrest. served as an unparalleled testament to biparti- ‘‘make an honest living’’ making whiskey. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the sanship, hard work, and public service. There Today, Southern Grace Distilleries stands as aisle to support this critical bill tonight. is no one more deserving of being recognized one of North Carolina’s premier distilleries and This is how we help Venezuelans in the for a lifetime of exemplary public service. a testament of Leanne’s hard work and dedi- short term. Cherished mentor to a lucky few and friend cation. Reflective of Leanne’s innumerable ac- f to countless Members of this body, Senators, complishments and devotion to public service, and Hill staffers, including my Chief of Staff, REMEMBERING STEFANO North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper inducted GIUSEPPE RIBOLI Judy embraced each day of her four decades Leanne into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine of service as an opportunity to improve the on July 17, 2019, the highest civilian honor the processes of Congress. governor can bestow. Throughout Leanne’s HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD Her expertise knew no bounds. She has au- life she made service to others a priority. OF CALIFORNIA thored countless reports and mentored thou- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sands. Judy was a tremendous help in the My thoughts and prayers are with Leanne’s Wednesday, July 24, 2019 successful orchestration of the 2014 Women’s husband, Drew Arrowood; her mother, Judy Fly-In. M. McCord; her brother, Albett ‘‘Chip’’ Powell Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I Committing forty years to Congress takes Jr.; and all who loved her, including her be- rise to remember a great Angeleno, Stefano resilience and a passion for public service. But loved canine companion, Bleu. Renee and I Giuseppe Riboli, who passed away on July 3, to embrace those years with her unwavering join our entire community as we grieve to- 2019, at the age of 97. He was a devoted belief that Congress can always do better is gether during this difficult time. husband, father, grandfather, and great-grand- her shining legacy. I know I speak for the entire community father, and lived a joyous life filled with the Many of you know that I am fierce advocate when I say Leanne lives on in the hearts and love of family and friends. To the people of for the 3 P’s of public service: Policy, Process, minds of all who felt her kindness and gen- Los Angeles, he was also cherished as the and Politics. Fewer know that it was Judy who erosity and I will do everything in my power to patriarch of San Antonio Winery, who led the took the time to teach me the three P’s, and honor her extraordinary life. winery’s growth into the thriving, century-old emphasize that they are the key to fostering- Madam Speaker, please join me today in local institution it is today. bipartisanship, even in the most contentious of honoring the life and legacy of Susan Stefano was a Los Angeles native. He was times. ‘‘Leanne’’ Powell. born in the city on September 8, 1921, to

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