Extensions of Remarks E97 HON. STEVE SCALISE
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February 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E97 HONORING THE LIFE OF CON- PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION nearly nine months ago, only to languish on GRESSMAN-ELECT LUKE J. OF H.R. 447, NATIONAL APPREN- the Republican Senate Majority Leader’s desk LETLOW TICESHIP ACT OF 2021; PRO- while hundreds of thousands of our fellow VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF Americans succumbed to the virus and mil- H. CON. RES. 11, CONCURRENT lions of others lost their livelihoods and busi- HON. STEVE SCALISE RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET nesses, and everyone faced an uncertain fu- FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021; AND FOR ture. OF LOUISIANA OTHER PURPOSES It would send a powerful signal to the Amer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ican people if our colleagues across the aisle SPEECH OF would join us in this effort because nothing Wednesday, February 3, 2021 HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE would better show them that elected rep- Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I rise today OF TEXAS resentatives can put partisanship aside and put America first. to honor the life of our friend and colleague, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES And that bipartisan achievement would por- Congressman-elect Luke J. Letlow. I know I Tuesday, February 2, 2021 tend success for similar initiatives in the area speak for all of my colleagues in Congress Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a sen- of infrastructure, energy, national and home- and for my family and staff when I express ior member of the Committees on the Judici- land security, and criminal justice and immi- how deeply saddened and heartbroken we ary, on Homeland Security, on the Budget, gration reform, all of which I am ready and were to learn of the passing of Luke on De- and as the Member of Congress for a con- willing to reach across the aisle to find com- cember 30, 2020. We lost him far too early, gressional district that has experienced the mon ground. and our thoughts and prayers are with his worst of COVID–19 as a public health emer- So if our Republican colleagues are ame- wife, Julia, and children, Jeremiah and Jac- gency and economic catastrophe, I rise in nable to reaching an agreement on a legisla- queline. strong support of the rule governing debate on tive response that is commensurate to the H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of challenge facing Americans, nothing in the Luke’s interest in public service began at a 2021, and H. Con. Res. 11, as well as the un- legislation before will preclude that from hap- young age on a field trip to Washington, D.C. derlying legislation. pening. As a fifth grader visiting Arlington Cemetery, The National Apprenticeship Act has the po- But have no doubt, if they refuse to be part he was chosen to place the wreath on the tential to yield $10.6 billion in net benefits to of the solution, the unified and bicameral tomb of the unknown soldier, and it was that U.S. taxpayers in the form of increased work- Democratic congressional majority, in coordi- moment that stuck with him for years to come. ers productivity and decreased spending on nation with the new Democratic Administra- Understanding the ultimate sacrifices made by public-assistance programs and unemploy- tion, will take the lead and act boldly to ad- our men and women in uniform to protect the ment insurance and which bring America’s in- dress and overcome the present crisis. vestments in apprenticeship more in line with I would urge my Republican colleagues to freedoms we enjoy as Americans inspired countries around the world. heed the words of Republican Governor of Luke. It was this inspiration that motivated him Mr. Speaker, this legislation could not be West Virginia who said colorfully just a few to fight for the principles that make America more timely because during a time of record days ago, ‘‘At this point in time in this nation, great during his time as chairman of the Lou- unemployment, the National Apprenticeship we need to go big. We need to quit counting isiana Tech College Republicans and the Lou- Act of 2021 creates an additional 1 million the egg-sucking legs on the cows and count isiana Federation of College Republicans. His new apprenticeship opportunities and invests the cows and just move. And move forward passion for service continued after college as more than $3.5 billion over 5 years in expand- and move right now.’’ he served on the staffs of Congressman John ing opportunities and access to Registered The same sentiment was expressed more Cooksey and Governor Bobby Jindal. A short Apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and eloquently by Abraham Lincoln in 1862 when time later, Luke returned to work in the office pre-apprenticeships. he memorably wrote: I also strongly support H. Con. Res. 11 be- of Congressman Ralph Abraham, where he ‘‘The dogmas of the quiet past are inad- cause it reorders budgetary priorities to pro- equate to the stormy present. The occasion served as Chief of Staff for six years. Known vide $1.9 trillion to allow Congress to take im- is piled high with difficulty, and we must as a servant’s servant, in 2020, Luke made mediate and decisive action to crush the virus rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so the decision to launch a bid to replace his and vaccinate our people, build the economy we must think anew and act anew.’’ boss and represent the people of the Fifth back better, reopen schools, and provide Mr. Speaker, the bipartisan action we took Congressional District of Louisiana. needed support and assistance to state and last December was a step in the right direction After a successful campaign and election, local governments that have been asked to do but only a long-delayed down payment; we Luke was looking forward to serving the peo- too much with too little for far too long. cannot afford any more delays, especially Mr. Speaker, by an overwhelming margin since Republican stalling already caused a ple of Louisiana in Congress, and we were ex- (79 percent), the public wants and is demand- painful lapse in critical unemployment assist- cited to welcome him into our delegation. He ing that we act to provide more economic re- ance last year, and additional unemployment was ready to make an even greater impact on lief to address the damage caused by the co- assistance is set to expire in March. our state and our nation. Luke’s favorite rona virus pandemic. That why this resolution, which creates a phrases were ‘‘win the day’’ and ‘‘go, fight, Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of Repub- failsafe alternative to debating, voting, and win,’’ which he was fully prepared to do when licans and Republican-leaning independents passing the American Rescue Act, is abso- he was set to be sworn into the United States believe an additional relief package is nec- lutely crucial and the right thing to do, right House of Representatives on January 3, 2021. essary, while more than nine in ten (92 per- now. We are saddened that we could not share that cent) Democrats and Democratic leaners say The American Rescue Plan proposed by day with Luke and his family. more coronavirus aid will be needed. President Biden takes a multiprong approach Even the most conservative Republicans to tackling the public health and economic cri- While I wish I was standing here welcoming favor more relief by a 56 percent–44 percent ses stemming from the COVID–19 pandemic. him to Congress, I rise today to honor all that margin. To beat the virus and safely reopen schools, Luke accomplished in his 41 years of life. He Nearly nine-in-ten of all adults (88 percent) the plan will mount a national vaccination pro- will be remembered in this chamber, in Lou- in lower-income households say an additional gram that includes setting up community vac- isiana, and across the nation for his servant’s package is necessary, while 81 percent of Re- cination sites nationwide and makes the in- heart and the kindness he extended to all that publicans in lower-income households (81 per- vestments necessary to safely reopen schools. had the chance to meet him. As Luke is look- cent) say additional aid is needed now. It will also take complementary measures to ing down at us from Heaven, I ask my col- Let me make clear at the outset, Mr. Speak- combat the virus, including scaling up testing er, that nothing in this resolution precludes the and tracing, addressing shortages of personal leagues to join me in recognizing and hon- reaching of a bipartisan and bicameral agree- protective equipment and other critical sup- oring his life and accomplishments. ment to pass and fund the President’s Amer- plies, investing in high-quality treatments, and ica Rescue Plan, which in nearly all material addressing health care disparities. respects mirrors the Heroes Act passed by the The American Rescue Plan delivers imme- House Democratic majority on May 15, 2020, diate relief to working families bearing the VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:55 Feb 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A03FE8.007 E03FEPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS.