July 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E603 help finding affordable rentals, and some the commitment and dedication of our asso- Soon after, he returned to to run the case management. RRH is widely credited ciates and supplier network. Every BMW X5 Orleans County Grammar School in with a steep nationwide reduction in family in the world comes from Plant Spartanburg. Brownington. To accommodate increasing en- homelessness. We are proud to call South Carolina home.’’ Among homelessness services providers, More than half of the BMW vehicles sold in rollment, he organized the funding and con- the operative maxim is: ‘‘it’s a marathon, the United States are built at Plant struction of a new school building to house not a sprint!’’ This pandemic will last well Spartanburg, according to Bernhard Kuhnt, and educate students. He also served as the into calendar year 2021, and they know their president and CEO of BMW of North Amer- local pastor, delivering sermons decrying slav- workload will likely get even heavier. There- ica. ery and supporting temperance. His sermons fore, it is imperative that the federal govern- ‘‘We cannot overstate the importance of reveal a man of strong convictions, who ment sufficiently resource those providers Plant Spartanburg to our sales network,’’ he viewed human history as a progression to- through enactment of Section 201. said in the news release. ‘‘BMW Group has wards greater individual freedom guided by 2. Section 202 would authorize the estab- long considered the United States to be our lishment of $1 billion in emergency housing second home and we are proud to say that conscience. vouchers which could provide permanent the U.S. is in fact home to the biggest BMW In 1836, Twilight became ‘‘the first’’ again, housing to homeless Americans, those at plant in the world. We congratulate our col- this time as the first African American elected risk of becoming homeless, as well as those leagues on this historic achievement.’’ to serve in a state legislature. He continued to escaping from domestic violence. With re- BMW celebrated 25 years of manufacturing teach at the Orleans County School and in spect to homeless families and individuals, in the Upstate last year, when it built a until 1855, when a stroke left him par- specifically, these vouchers could be used to record 411,620 vehicles. Nearly 70% of the alyzed. He died two years later, on June 19, provide safe spaces to those most vulnerable plant’s production was exported from 2010– 1857. The next year, Vermont passed a com- to the virus—the elderly, the disabled, and 2019. Last year’s value of exports was $9.6 bil- plete ban on slavery, declaring that anyone the sick—who need deeper subsidies. Addi- lion, more than any other U.S. carmaker for tional funding beyond what is provided here the sixth consecutive year, according to the who entered the state was free. will be needed to ensure a permanent hous- news release. The plant has expanded seven Today, Twilight’s house, the school where ing solution for all homeless people who are times, with $10.6 billion in investment, and he taught, and the dormitory he built still stand elderly or have serious disabilities, and we has 11,000 workers on site. as part of the Old Stone House Museum in look forward to working with you to fulfill ‘‘BMW changed the very fabric of our the Brownington Historic District. His legacy as this need. state’s economy when it decided to locate in an educator lives on through the Museum, 3. Section 101 would establish a $100 billion South Carolina nearly three decades ago,’’ where his ideals are reflected in the museum’s rental assistance fund in order to prevent a Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release. educational programs, community services wave of homelessness from sweeping across ‘‘That this great company built its 5 mil- and his personal collection. Twilight’s memory the nation and overwhelming homelessness lionth American-made vehicle in services providers. Many renters, who were Spartanburg should be a source of great is etched in Vermont’s higher learning institu- already spending unsustainable amounts of pride for our people and a reason for celebra- tions, such as ’s Alexander their incomes on rent, are incurring signifi- tion. It’s one more example of South Caro- Twilight Hall and Alexander Twilight Audito- cant arrearages during state and federal linians sharing in the success of a company rium at Northern Vermont University—Lyndon. eviction moratoria, and they are in danger of that has become an integral part of our state I hope that Alexander Twilight will continue eviction when those moratoria expire. because of its dedication to our people.’’ to be remembered and celebrated as a pio- Your legislation offers homeless and f neer who persevered against long odds. He unstably-housed Americans hope and inspi- should also serve as a reminder of how far we ration during this terrible time, so thank HONORING ALEXANDER TWILIGHT you for your extraordinary leadership. have come as a nation, and how far we still Sincerely, have to go to achieve equality for all Ameri- STEVE BERG, HON. PETER WELCH cans, regardless of skin color, race or eth- Vice President for Programs and Policy, OF VERMONT nicity. National Alliance to End Homelessness. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f f Wednesday, July 1, 2020 PERSONAL EXPLANATION BMW PRODUCES 5 MILLION Mr. WELCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the birth HON. BRETT GUTHRIE HON. JOE WILSON of a trailblazing Vermonter, Alexander Lucius OF KENTUCKY OF SOUTH CAROLINA Twilight, and to honor his legacy. Alexander IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was not only the first African American to Wednesday, July 1, 2020 Wednesday, July 1, 2020 graduate from a U.S. college or university, but the first African American to serve in a state Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I was un- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam legislature. In recognition of his contributions able to vote in person due to a family commit- Speaker, South Carolina has become Amer- and his legacy as a trailblazer, the Vermont ment. Had I been present, I would have voted ica’s number one exporter of autos with the legislature passed a resolution in June 2020 NAY on Roll Call No. 130. success of BMW and now enhanced with new marking his birthday, September 23, 2020, as f Volvo production and Mercedes vans. With the Alexander Twilight Day. IN RECOGNITION OF RAY PETER- vision of the late Governor Carroll Campbell Alexander was born on September 23, 1795 SEN’S DECADES OF REMARK- who recruited BMW, thousands of jobs have to mixed-race parents. His father, Ichabod ABLE PUBLIC SERVICE TO UTAH been achieved at BMW and its suppliers. Twilight, fought with the Second New Hamp- The achievements of 5 million produced by shire Regiment in the Revolutionary War. After HON. JOHN R. CURTIS BMW was highlighted by The Columbia Busi- the war, Ichabod and his wife, Mary, moved to OF UTAH ness Report of June 22nd: Bradford, Vermont. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BMW MANUFACTURING PASSES PRODUCTION Vermont’s 1777 constitution prohibited adult MILESTONE slavery, but the letter of the law was not re- Wednesday, July 1, 2020 BMW has made 5 million vehicles in flected in practice. In the decades following Mr. CURTIS. Madam Speaker, I rise to con- Spartanburg County. Vermont’s acceptance as the 14th state, Black The milestone U.S.-made BMW is a red X5 gratulate Mr. Ray Petersen on a remarkable M Competition equipped with a 617-horse- children were still held as slaves and all Black career of indispensable service to the great power M TwinPower Turbo V–8 engine, ac- Vermonters continued to face the threat of State of Utah. By virtue of Ray’s enduring cording to a news release. It was completed being kidnapped and sold out of state. Against commitment to overseeing proper land man- June 5 and will remain at the factory to be- this backdrop of widespread discrimination, agement practices, Emery County flourishes come part of the BMW history collection. Twilight graduated with a bachelor’s degree with beauty and opportunity. The residents of Others in the collection include the first car from Middlebury College in 1823. He is the Emery County, and the countless visitors who made at the plant. first known African American to receive a enjoy the region, have Ray to thank for his 18 ‘‘You cannot be successful in business if you do not have great products and great bachelor’s degree from any U.S. college or years as Emery County’s Public Lands Admin- people,’’ Knudt Flor, president and CEO of university. istrator, and his lifetime of public service to BMW Manufacturing, said in the news re- After he graduated, Twilight became a rural Utah. lease. ‘‘This BMW X5 M Competition is a teacher and a minister. He moved to New Ray has dedicated his career to addressing symbol of the success of our products and York to teach and married Mercy Ladd Merrill. critical rural issues. As a fourth-generation

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:34 Jul 02, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A01JY8.019 E01JYPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with REMARKS E604 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 1, 2020 resident of Emery County, Ray understands Madam Speaker, I send my sincerest con- $1.725 billion for electric bus purchases. well the challenges facing rural communities gratulations to Ms. Elizabeth Carr for earning This is important to Foothill Transit and LA and the profound impact that federal, state, the highly prestigious Outstanding Teaching of METRO in my district who are rapidly pur- and local policy decisions have on the liveli- the Humanities Award. Her dedication to her chasing electric buses for their fleet. It also hoods of so many. In his role as Emery Coun- students and passion for the humanities is helps these transit agencies with funding the ty Public Lands Administrator, Ray was con- commendable, and her contributions to South electric charging infrastructure and the mainte- sequential in assisting policymakers—from the Texas students and the school district will re- nance of these new-age buses. This will also county commission to the federal govern- verberate for years to come. support the workers in the electric bus industry ment—reconcile differences and find solutions f including my constituents who work at Proterra for the county’s land management, whose ex- bus company in Industry, CA. We must con- pansive plans fall heavily under state and fed- INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR tinue to improve the air quality of our region eral domain. THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUR- with clean bus implementation. Sustained opportunity and access to Emery FACE TRANSPORTATION IN $7 billion for bicycle, pedestrian, and safe County’s lands are paramount for its economic AMERICA ACT routes to school projects. Many of the resi- vitality, particularly to its agriculture, recreation dents and cities in the San Gabriel Valley use and tourism industries, and its local mining, SPEECH OF this funding to improve bike trails and walk- gas and oil development. Ray has helped HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO ways that allow students and workers to safely these key local industries navigate the chal- OF CALIFORNIA get to school, work, and the Metro station or lenges and opportunities of land management IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bus stop. issues, to find compromise and success. The bill updates competitive grant funding A fitting final accomplishment to his career, Tuesday, June 30, 2020 requirements for transportation grants so that Ray was instrumental in helping Utah’s con- Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in projects in the San Gabriel Valley have a bet- gressional delegation secure a victory for strong support for H.R. 2, the Moving Forward ter chance of being selected based on the Emery County and the state’s public lands as Act. merit of their applications. Southern California the Emery County Public Lands Management I want to thank Chairman DEFAZIO, Chair- transportation projects such as the 57/60 con- Act was signed into law. This legislation woman NORTON and Chairman LIPINSKI for fluence project and the Alameda Corridor East marked the culmination of years of collabora- their tremendous work on the Surface Trans- Highway Rail grade crossing separation tion and cooperation with local partners and portation portions of this bill. I would also like projects are the highest ranked projects in the officials, ensuring ongoing uses will be en- to thank the leadership for including water pro- country but consistently get overlooked be- joyed in Emery County without fear of a poten- visions from my Water Resources and Envi- cause of politics. This bill makes the grant re- tial national monument designation from D.C., ronment Subcommittee, and thank Chairman quirements more associated with project qual- and consolidation of Utah trust lands that will GRIJALVA for including my water recycling bill ity and less by politics. generate millions in revenue for our school from the Natural Resources Committee in this The bill allows states to use federal trans- kids. It also included long-sought local land package. portation funds to build suicide barriers on transfers to meet city government needs while Mr. Speaker, the surface transportation sec- bridges. Studies show that the vast majority of expanding Goblin Valley State Park, a truly tion of this bill will make a significant impact in suicides on bridges are because of a sudden unique place that will now be better managed improving American lives by reducing com- impulse, and if a barrier were erected the per- for future generations. mute times, increasing safety on our high- son would not continue with a suicide attempt. Ray Petersen has championed rural lands ways, bridges, buses and rails, and improving This is based on my bill with Rep. BEYER of issues of extraordinary significance to Utah our environment. Virginia called the Barriers to Suicide Act throughout his esteemed career. Our great As the senior Californian on the Committee, (H.R. 4309). The bill includes a provision that would re- state owes him a debt of gratitude for three I am proud that this bill will provide $37.5 bil- quire the Department of Transportation when decades of selfless public service. I thank lion in transportation funding for California, in- working with local agencies on transit oriented Ray. cluding $26.5 billion for Highway projects and development projects to address homeless f $11 billion for Transit. housing assistance. The expansion of the H.R. 2 includes important provisions I have CONGRATULATING MS. ELIZABETH Gold Line in my district has created important worked on to improve transportation in the CARR housing opportunities for residents that could San Gabriel Valley, California, and our nation. be used to also address the homeless crisis These provisions are: we are facing in the San Gabriel Valley. HON. FILEMON VELA A new Transit Worker Protection Program OF TEXAS The bill creates a Truck Driver Leasing Task providing $60 million per year for transit agen- Force that is based on a bill I introduced last IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cies to work with transit unions to identify and Wednesday, July 1, 2020 Congress, H.R. 4144, the Port Truck Driver implement transit worker safety measures Bill of Rights. This will focus federal regulators Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to such as bus driver barriers and blind spot re- and policy experts on creating solutions to recognize Ms. Elizabeth Carr for receiving the movals. This will improve security and safety controversial leasing arrangements in the 2020 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities for all passengers, the bus drivers, and pedes- trucking industry that are especially found at Award presented by Humanities Texas. trians. This program is based on my bill H.R. the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Humanities Texas presents annual state- 1139, the Transit Worker Protection Act. These illegal tactics by some trucking compa- wide awards to encourage excellence in The bill includes a provision to allow local nies underpay truck drivers by forcing them teaching and recognize Texas teachers who transportation agencies and cities to give pref- into leasing arrangements that require them to have made exemplary contributions in teach- erence to our local residents when hiring work long hours without abiding by minimum ing, curriculum development and extra- workers for transportation projects. With wage laws, let alone reasonable pay and ben- curricular programming. Ms. Carr was one of Southern California raising incredible funds for efits. This task force will address these unfair 16 teachers selected to be recognized, com- local transportation projects, taxpayers in our practices against workers. peting against an application pool of over 700 region should be given preference to work on The bill allows electric vehicle charging sta- educators. Along with this prestigious award, the local projects they are paying for. This will tions at park-and-ride lots and rest areas lo- Ms. Carr will also receive a $5,000 prize and allow that. cated along the highway. Federal law currently a supplementary sum of $1,000 designated to $2.5 billion for a new highway rail under- prohibits electric vehicle charging stations at help her school further humanity-based edu- pass construction program (known as a grade these locations and my provision will fix that. cation. separation grant program). This was created This is a huge problem at 20 park-and-ride Ms. Carr has been a teacher for almost fif- after we had the San Gabriel Valley Council of lots in Los Angeles County including the El teen years, and currently teaches U.S. History Governments testify earlier this year regarding Monte Bus Station in my district, which is the and World Geography at South Texas ISD the importance of highway rail safety and the largest bus transit station on the West coast. Medical Professions High School. Her work to very successful Alameda Corridor East under- Electric vehicles owners should be allowed to promote high-quality and equitable education pass construction program in my region. This drive to the metro station and charge their car to students in my district is admirable and crit- will create important safety and commuter while taking transit. ical in ensuring our students are well-prepared benefits by separating the rail line from the The bill stops the Trump Administration from once they complete high school. roadway. threatening to withhold $250 million annually

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:34 Jul 02, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A01JY8.023 E01JYPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with REMARKS