E468 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 30, 2021 freelance producer for Milwaukee Profiles, a gress has not yet taken action to support Forty-seven states, four U.S. territories, program on Milwaukee Public Television. She their self-governance, which creates a prob- and the District of Columbia have legalized has owned the Wisconsin Black Pages for the lem for businesses operating legally under some form of recreational or medical can- nabis, including CBD. Yet current law re- last two decades, which not only serves as a state law. Because of the federal treatment of marijuana, the owners or employees of le- stricts legitimate licensed cannabis busi- directory for African-American owned busi- gitimate cannabis-related state businesses nesses from accessing financial industry nesses, but also provides resources to the are forced to make cash-only sales rather services and products, resulting in businesses community. than doing business with federally regulated operating in all cash—posing a serious public Shelia’s belief in the power of education in- banks. Additionally, proceeds from any le- safety risk for communities. spired her and her parents to create the gitimate state cannabis-related business can The conflict between state and federal laws Payton-Price Family Scholarship Fund. The currently be considered unlawful ‘‘proceeds’’ forces businesses to operate on a cash-only scholarship helps African American students from a crime and subject to federal anti- basis and has created significant legal and compliance concerns for financial institu- from the City of Milwaukee pursue higher edu- money laundering and forfeiture laws. The SAFE Banking Act provides safe har- tions that wish to provide banking services cation at historically black colleges and univer- bor and other protections for financial insti- to cannabis related businesses in states sities. It is clear that Shelia has a passion for tutions—banks and credit unions—that where it is currently legal. The SAFE Bank- education, community, advancing the eco- transact with legitimate cannabis-related ing Act would allow legitimate cannabis nomic power of African Americans and people and hemp-related businesses. (Hemp was fed- businesses to access the safety and security of color. erally legalized in 2018.) The bill also pro- of the banking ecosystem in states that have She also possesses a strong interest and tects ancillary business entities that trans- legalized cannabis. This legislation is an im- numerous accomplishments in the creative act with legitimate cannabis-related legiti- portant step toward enabling financial serv- arts. She authored two non-fiction books, Cul- mate businesses and creates a regulatory ices for cannabis-related businesses. By di- framework. recting FinCEN and the federal banking reg- tures of America: African Americans and What The legislative history of the SAFE Bank- ulators to issue for financial institutions Counts Most Is How You Finish: Thoughts on ing Act shows broad bipartisan support. In doing business with cannabis-related legiti- Living Life to the Fullest. As a playwright she the 116th Congress, the SAFE Banking Act mate businesses. Having access to the bank- wrote her first professionally produced play, passed with 229 Democrats and 91 Repub- ing system makes it easier for businesses to Facing the Shadow, which was staged in 2012 licans voting for the bill. The SAFE Banking track revenues for taxation purposes, de- at the Black Rep in St. Louis. Shelia has also Act the House will vote on this evening has creases a public safety threat as cash inten- written a libretto for an African American 168 co-sponsors, boasting diverse support sive businesses are often targets for criminal themed opera, Black Caesar. from across the ideological spectrum. activity, and allows proper tracking of fi- Due Process Institute encourages Members nances for BSA/AML compliance. Shelia is devoted to family, especially her to vote YES on the SAFE Banking Act, ETA takes no position on the legalization mother, brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, H.R.1996. or decriminalizing cannabis at the state or and other extended family members. She was Due Process Institute is a bipartisan non- federal level for medicinal or recreational close to her late father and serves as a loving profit that works to honor, preserve, and re- uses. However, ETA does support legislation companion and sometimes caregiver to her el- store principles of fairness in the criminal that would resolve the conflict between state derly mother, Gertrude Payton. Shelia is very legal system. and federal laws to allow financial institu- active in the community and her church. In ad- tions to serve cannabis related businesses in Hon. ED PERLMUTTER, dition to previously being an avid skier, Shelia states where these businesses are legal under House of Representatives, state law. loves writing, attending the theater, traveling, Washington, DC. ETA is pleased to support the SAFE Bank- and other hobbies. Hon. NYDIA VELA´ ZQUEZ, ing and urges Congress to quickly consider Madam Speaker, after 16 years of dedi- House of Representatives, this important issue. cated service on my staff, I wish Shelia well in Washington, DC. Sincerely, her retirement and continued success in all Hon. STEVE STIVERS, JEFF PATCHEN, her future endeavors. I am so proud to honor House of Representatives, Manager of Government Affairs. my dear friend and thank her for her service Washington, DC. to the constituents of Wisconsin’s 4th Con- Hon. WARREN DAVIDSON, NATIONAL ARMORED CAR ASSOCIATION, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, April 19, 2021. gressional District. While she has closed this Washington, DC. Hon. NANCY PELOSI, door, another one is opening for her so that Hon. JEFF MERKLEY, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, she may pursue life at her own pace. U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. f Washington, DC. Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, Hon. STEVE DAINES, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, SUPPORTING H.R. 1996 U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Washington, DC. DEAR SPEAKER PELOSI AND MINORITY LEAD- HON. STEVE STIVERS DEAR REPRESENTATIVES PERLMUTTER, ER MCCARTHY: On behalf of the National Ar- VELAZQUEZ, STIVERS, AND DAVIDSON AND SEN- mored Car Association (NACA), I write to ex- OF OHIO ATORS MERKLEY AND DAINES: press our support for H.R. 1996, the Secure IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES On behalf of the members of the Electronic and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act Friday, April 30, 2021 Transactions Association (ETA), I am writ- of 2021. While NACA’s members do not take Mr. STIVERS. Madam Speaker, I include in ing in support of the bipartisan Secure and a position in favor of or opposed to the legal- Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2021 (SAFE ization of cannabis or marijuana, we support the RECORD the following letters of endorse- Banking Act). We appreciate your leadership H.R. 1996 because it would address the exist- ment for H.R. 1996, the SAFE Banking Act of on addressing the conflict between federal ing conflict between federal and state law 2021. and state laws to allow states that have le- with respect to proceeds from marijuana-re- DUE PROCESS INSTITUTE. galized medical or recreational use of can- lated businesses and allow for safer transpor- Washington, DC. nabis to bring that commerce into the bank- tation, storage and oversite of such proceeds. SUPPORT H.R. 1996—SAFE BANKING ACT ing system. Formed in 1929, NACA is a business asso- Due Process Institute supports the SAFE ETA is the leading trade association for ciation that brings together the three major Banking Act, H.R. 1996, and urges you to the payments technology industry, rep- companies of the armored car industry— vote in support of this bipartisan bill when it resenting over 500 companies that offer elec- Brink’s, GardaWorld, and Loomis—with a comes to the House floor this evening. tronic transaction processing products and focus on protecting and promoting the com- Nearly every state has legalized a form of services. ETA’s members include financial mon interests of the industry. These three marijuana, including medical marijuana or institutions, mobile payment service pro- organizations comprise approximately 90% cannabidiol (CBD). Seventeen states and the viders, payment processors, mobile wallet of the armored car industry in the United District of Columbia have either decriminal- providers, and non-bank online lenders that States, and NACA members have handled ized marijuana or legalized recreational use make commercial loans, primarily to small virtually every dollar and coin in circula- for adults. The cannabis industry is growing. businesses, either directly or in partnership tion. They provide secure transportation and The American cannabis industry saw $17.5 with other lenders. ETA member companies cash management services for the Federal billion in sales in 2020, a 46 percent increase are creating innovative offerings in financial Reserve, financial institutions, state and over the previous year. The industry, which services, revolutionizing the way commerce local governments, and private businesses already supports 250,000 jobs, is expected to is conducted with secure, convenient, and re- and individuals across the United States and continue to grow, particularly as more warding payment solutions and lending al- internationally. states legalize marijuana. ternatives—employing millions of Americans Currently thirty-six states and several ter- Although nearly every state has taken and enabling over $22 trillion in payments in ritories, including the District of Columbia, some step to liberalize marijuana laws, Con- 2019. Guam, and Puerto Rico, have legalized the VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:32 May 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A30AP8.005 E30APPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS April 30, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E469 use of cannabis to some extent. However, be difficult to identify in states that have le- have access to an employment-based savings federal law prohibits cultivation, distribu- galized cannabis, and potentially create a plan.