May 22, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E703 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

PERSONAL EXPLANATION PERSONAL EXPLANATION CONDEMNING ASSAULT ON FAMI- LIES OF DISAPPEARED PERSONS HON. SCOTT DesJARLAIS HON. MAC THORNBERRY DURING HUNGER STRIKE IN OF TENNESSEE SINDH, PAKISTAN OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, May 22, 2018 HON. BRAD SHERMAN Tuesday, May 22, 2018 OF CALIFORNIA Mr. DESJARLAIS. Mr. Speaker, due to a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES family emergency, I was unable to be present Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on Mon- Tuesday, May 22, 2018 for votes on May 21, 2018. Had I been day, May 21, 2018, I was unable to be in present, I would have voted yes on H.R. 4830 Washington and missed Roll Call votes No. Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I express my (Roll no. 207); H.R. 4451 (Roll no. 208) and 207, To amend title 38, United States Code, to grave concerns about the human rights situa- H.R. 3832 (Roll no. 209). provide for the disapproval of any course of tion in the Sindh province of Pakistan, with f education for purposes of the educational as- special reference to enforced disappearances sistance programs of the Department of Vet- of persons at the hands of Pakistani security RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVER- erans Affairs unless the educational institution agencies. Many of the disappeared persons SARY OF NAACP BREMERTON providing the course permits individuals to at- are from the Jeay Sindh Mahaz (JSM), Jeay UNIT 1134 tend or participate in courses pending pay- Sindh Mutehada Mahaz (JSMM), and Jeay ment by Department, and for other purposes; Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM). The dis- HON. DEREK KILMER No. 208, To amend title 38, United States appeared persons also include teachers, intel- OF WASHINGTON Code, to provide for a five-year extension to lectuals, writers, and publishers. Six of my House colleagues joined me in sending a let- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the homeless veterans reintegration programs ter to the State Department on this issue in Tuesday, May 22, 2018 and to provide clarification regarding eligibility August 2017. I also raised this issue on the for services under such programs; and No. Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to floor of the House in October 2017, and this 209, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Af- recognize the 75th Anniversary of NAACP problem of enforced disappearances was dis- fairs to enter into a memorandum of under- Bremerton Unit 1134. I was pleased to cele- cussed in a February 2018 hearing of the Asia standing with the executive director of a na- brate this anniversary officially on Saturday, Subcommittee at the House Foreign Affairs tional network of State-based prescription May 19, 2018 in Bremerton, Washington. Committee. Mr. Speaker, according to the chief oral his- monitoring programs under which Department I strongly condemn an incident that occurred torian for the Washington State Legacy of Veterans Affairs health care providers shall this past weekend, when Pakistan’s security Project, in 1940 about 100 people of color query such network, and for other purposes. forces assaulted the families of disappeared lived in Bremerton. By 1944, more than 5,000 Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘Yes’’ and missing persons who were on a hunger- people of color moved to the region as part of on all three bills. strike in protest of these disappearances. a massive influx of patriots who came here to The family members of Sindhi victims of en- help the war effort. The town’s population f forced disappearances (mainly their daughters and wives, as male members are being held grew from 15,000 in 1940 to 75,000 in 1944. HONORING JEREMIAH ALLEN That growth didn’t come easily. And it only by the security forces or have moved under- RUSSELL came because people like Lillian Walker and ground or remain silent as they fear the secu- her husband James moved to the region from rity agencies) and their friends have launched Illinois and helped form what became Unit HON. SAM GRAVES a peaceful nonviolent protest for their release. 1134. OF MISSOURI The daughters and wives of the disappeared In 2009, Mrs. Walker, at 95 years old, told persons were engaged in a 72-hour hunger IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a historian: ‘‘I’ve always tried to treat people strike in front of the Press Club at Karachi that like I want to be treated. I don’t care what Tuesday, May 22, 2018 began May 20. During this nonviolent protest, color you are as long as you’re a good per- Pakistani security forces or their agents as- Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I son. I’ve never understood prejudice, and I’ve saulted two daughters of the disappeared proudly pause to recognize Jeremiah Russell. never put up with it. I always said, ‘Well, Hidyat Lohar (an elementary school head- Jeremiah is a very special young man who you’re either with me or against me. And if master who was taken away in April 2017 in has exemplified the finest qualities of citizen- you’re against me, that means we’re going to front of school children) and two daughters of ship and leadership by taking an active part in have to fight!’ ’’ Khadim Arijo (a civil servant missing since And she fought. the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 333, and April 2017). Security forces also reportedly de- Mr. Speaker, our nation still has work to do earning the most prestigious award of Eagle tained about five of the nonviolent activists, to achieve the dream that Dr. King spoke of Scout. though it seems they have been released. not far from this Capitol. The fight for equality Jeremiah has been very active with his It is crucial that Pakistan immediately cease continues, and the NAACP—as it has done in troop, participating in many scout activities. these and other related human rights viola- Bremerton for 75 years—is leading the way. Over the many years Jeremiah has been in- tions in the Sindh province. Pakistani security Anywhere in our country where there is in- volved with scouting, he has not only earned personnel and others involved in the enforced equality, the NAACP is there. The NAACP is numerous merit badges, but also the respect disappearances should be held accountable. I leading the fight against discrimination at the of his family, peers, and community. Most no- urge the U.S. State Department and Secretary polls. They are bridging the divide between tably, Jeremiah has become a member of the of State Mike Pompeo, as well as our ambas- people of color and our nation’s police officers. tribe Mic-O-Say. Jeremiah has also contrib- sador in Pakistan, to take up this issue with They are pushing for better schools that give uted to his community through his Eagle Scout the civilian and military leadership of Pakistan. all our kids the skills they need to reach their project. Jeremiah acquired, assembled and in- Our ambassador to Pakistan must receive dreams. stalled outdoor park benches at Parkville Pres- guarantees from the Pakistani government re- They’re working to end gun violence. And byterian Church. garding the protection of human rights defend- they’re pushing for more opportunities for Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in ers and of those who advocate for Sindh’s more people in more places. commending Jeremiah for his accomplish- missing persons. It will be even more signifi- Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress, please ments with the Boy Scouts of America and for cant to set up a bipartisan fact finding mission join me in celebrating the 75th Anniversary of his efforts put forth in achieving the highest to probe enforced disappearances and related NAACP Bremerton Unit 1134. distinction of Eagle Scout. killings in Sindh.

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:37 May 23, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22MY8.001 E22MYPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with REMARKS E704 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 22, 2018 GUN VIOLENCE There exists a culture of violence in Amer- This loophole allows felons, domestic abus- ica; a subculture that with today’s techno- ers, and those prohibited because of mental HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE logically advanced weaponry is far more dan- illness to easily bypass the criminal back- OF TEXAS gerous to public safety than ever before. ground check system and buy firearms at gun IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES At no point in our nation’s history has a sin- shows, through private sellers, over the inter- gle human been more capable of inflicting net or out of the trunks of cars. Monday, May 21, 2018 massive death and misery, and our society is Strengthen the National Instant Criminal Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to producing more individuals who seek to em- Background Check System (NICS) database join my Congressional Black Caucus Col- ploy such means to carry out their ill inten- to ensure it is up to date by requiring federal leagues to speak forcefully for this Congress tions. and state agencies to transfer important to listen to the children of this nation who are Far too often, the tool of choice for would- records to the database expeditiously since crying out to us for help asking that we save be killers are military-style assault weapons without the information, the reliability of a them from gun violence. with high-capacity magazines. background check is questionable. On Friday, May 18, 2018, the community of Every day, on average, 92 Americans are Pass legislation aimed specifically at crack- Santa Fe, Texas joined Parkland, Florida—as victims of gun violence, resulting in more than ing down on illegal gun trafficking and straw- the place where gun violence took the lives of 33,000 deaths annually. purchasing which often puts guns in the hands children and teachers who were at school. In raising this issue, we recognize and re- of people who are prohibited from having Our hearts still ache with sadness and dis- spect other cultures that exist in America; law- them. belief for the families and loved ones of the 8 abiding citizens who are responsible in their Straw-purchasing is when a prohibited buyer students and 2 teachers who were sons and ownership of firearms. has someone with no criminal history walk into daughters, brothers and sisters, wives and Many of these citizens are responsible with a gun store, pass a background check and mother, who lost their lives in this senseless, respect to the lethal capacity of their firearms, purchase a gun with the purpose of giving it horrific act of domestic terrorism. opting not to obtain assault weapons or to to the prohibited buyer. Enough is enough. equip assault weapons with 30, so, 75, or Restore funding for public safety and law It is safe to say that America is sick and 100–round magazines. enforcement initiatives aimed at reducing gun tired of being sick and tired of gun violence. Here is what I think the Congress can and violence. Congress has studied the issue of gun vio- must do to reduce gun violence without Congress should fund law enforcement’s ef- lence and we know the answers to reducing abridging the Second Amendment rights of forts to reduce gun violence, while supporting deaths and injuries, but what we lack is the law-abiding Americans. federal research into causes of gun violence. There is no reason the Centers for Disease will in this body to act. Extend the waiting period to purchase or Here are the top 6 actions the President transfer dangerous weapons like the AR–15 Control (CDC) or the National Institute of and the Congress can and must take now to pending completion of background checks to 7 Health (NIH) should be prohibited from re- protect our communities: days. searching the causes of gun violence. That is why I have co-sponsored H.R. 1832, Require universal background checks to That is why I have introduced H.R. 4268, legislation that authorizes the appropriation of keep guns out of dangerous hands; the ‘‘Gun Safety, Not Sorry Act.’’ funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Extend the waiting period to purchase or Raise the minimum age to purchase or Prevention for conducting or supporting re- transfer dangerous weapons like the AR–15 transfer dangerous weapons like the AR–15, search on firearms safety or gun violence pre- pending completion of background checks to 7 high-capacity magazines, ammunitions, and si- lencers from 18 to 21 years of age. vention. days; I have also co-sponsored H.R. 1478, the Raise the minimum age to purchase or That is why I have introduced H.R. 5088, Gun Violence Research Act, which repeals the transfer dangerous weapons like the AR–15, the ‘‘No Mass Atrocities with Guns Act’’ (‘No provision that in practice prohibits the Depart- high-capacity magazines, ammunitions, and si- MAGA Act’). ment of Health and Human Services from lencers from 18 to 21 years of age; Reinstate and strengthen the federal ban on sponsoring research on gun violence. assault weapons. Ban military-style assault weapons; And there is no reason for the restrictions I am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 3947, Limit high-capacity magazines; and federal law places on our law enforcement of- legislation that will reinstates the assault Increase access to mental health services. ficers’ ability to track and combat the spread Provide the tools that gun owners need to weapons ban that has been introduced by my of illegal guns. maintain control over legally obtained. colleague, Congressman DAVID CICILLINE of Close the holes in our mental-health system We can take action without infringing on the Rhode Island. and make sure that care is available for those 2nd Amendment rights of Americans. Reinstate a federal ban on bump stocks and who need it. We need to make it harder for criminals to high-capacity magazines holding more than Congress must improve prevention, early obtain guns by strengthening the background ten rounds and allowing a shooter to inflict intervention, and treatment of mental illness check system. mass damage in a short period of time without while working to eliminate the stigma associ- We need to ensure that mental health pro- reloading will save lives. ated with mental illness. fessionals know their options for reporting I will soon be introducing the ‘‘Stop Abuse, Access to mental health services should be threats of violence—even as we acknowledge Violence, and Ending Lives Act of 2018,’’ leg- improved, the shortage of mental health pro- that someone with a mental illness is far more islation to ban the sale and possession of fessionals should be addressed, and funding likely to be the victim of a violent crime than bump stocks. should be made available for those programs the perpetrator. Require a background check for every gun that have proven to be effective. We must also make safe gun storage a pri- sale, while respecting reasonable exceptions That is why I have co-sponsored H.R. 1982, ority. for cases such as gifts between family mem- the ‘‘Mental Health Access and Gun Violence As the founder and Co-Chair of the Con- bers and temporary loans for sporting pur- Prevention Act,’’ legislation that authorizes the gressional Children’s Caucus, a senior Mem- poses. Department of Justice, the Department of ber of the Judiciary Committee, and the Rank- I am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 4240, Health and Human Services, and the Social ing Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the ‘‘Public Safety and Second Amendment Security Administration to: (1) increase access Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, I Rights Protection Act of 2017,’’ legislation that to mental health care treatment and services, have listened far too often to the testimony of requires universal background checks and and (2) promote reporting of mental health in- individuals who have survived tragedies or lost closes the gun show loophole that has been formation to the National Instant Criminal loved ones as a result of gun violence. introduced by my colleague, Congressman Background Check System. In the words of President Obama after the MIKE THOMPSON of California. Help local communities get unwanted and il- 2013 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, It is estimated that four out of ten gun buy- legal guns out of the hands of those who ‘‘We’re going to have to come together and ers do not go through a background check should not have them. take meaningful action to prevent more trage- when purchasing a firearm because federal Congress should help support and develop dies like this, regardless of the politics.’’ law only requires these checks when someone local programs that get unwanted guns off our While it is certainly true that violent crime buys a gun from a federally licensed dealer. streets, such as gun buy-back programs that and homicide rates in this country have been That would be like allowing four out of ten proved so effective in Australia. declining in recent years, they are still far people to choose if they would like to go Finally, we must address our culture’s glori- above those in other industrialized nations. through airport security. fication of violence seen and heard through

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