CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E800 HON
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E800 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks August 28, 2020 Under Mark’s leadership, the laboratory as- the community to eliminate poverty and create Additionally, besides the changes being sembled the power source for the Mars 2020 social change through advocacy and essential made by new Postmaster General, the ongo- Perseverance Rover, continues to meet the services, envisioning a thriving, equitable and ing COVID–19 pandemic that has befuddled Army’s needs for tank armor, is helping DoD diverse community free from poverty and in- this Administration also poses a clear threat to explore the use of microreactors, and is pro- justice informed by the values of equity, dig- the short-term and long-term fiscal health of ducing new nuclear fuels and materials. nity and diversity, service, inclusion and com- the Postal Service. I am pleased that the bill A personal priority of mine has been revital- munity action. Specifically, Doug has served before us today includes needed funding to izing the lab’s infrastructure and putting INL’s as the Program Director of CAB’s Santa Cruz address mail volume declines to support the talented workforce into world-class facilities. County Immigration Project (SCCIP, promoting Postal Service and its workers through these Mark has been a great ally in this process, an the wellbeing of the immigrant community by trying times. innovator and collaborator. helping immigrants acquire legal status, reunit- We need to protect and maintain a strong He brought the Department of Energy and ing immigrant families, and making U.S. Citi- Postal Service which is what this bill does. I lab together with the State of Idaho to build zenship more accessible. support this legislation and urge my col- two new facilities on INL’s in-town campus. For more than 20 years, Doug’s leadership leagues to do the same. One of those facilities is dedicated to pro- at SCCIP has provided professional legal f tecting our nation from cyberattack. The other services, tenure. He has mentored hundreds is dedicated to collaborations in high-perform- of staff and volunteers, motivating and acting INSULAR AREA LIQUIDITY ACT ance computing. as a role model for future community leaders Dr. Peters has worked hard to introduce the and attorneys who will continue to fight for HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO lab to all corners of our state and region, dem- human rights, the immigrant community and SABLAN onstrating to the people of Idaho that our na- overall support of underrepresented groups. OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize tional laboratories are places of innovation and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES intellectual curiosity rather than secretive out- Doug Keegan’s commitment to service with Friday, August 28, 2020 posts often rumored about, but rarely under- honesty, humility, intelligence, compassion, stood. and integrity as he has advocated tirelessly for Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, today, I in- Mark has been dedicated to partnerships, immigration justice on a local, statewide, and troduce the Insular Area Liquidity Act, which building relationships with universities, indus- national level. It is no surprise that Doug’s rep- requires any department or agency of the fed- try, governments, and schools. He showed our utation as a trusted source of solid, unbiased, eral government, awarding a grant to any of state and region that so much can be accom- and plain-spoken answer to complex immigra- the four smaller insular areas, to provide at plished when we work together and in pursuit tion questions has made him a trusted expert least 50 percent of the award amount up front of lofty, even idealistic, goals. and advisor to countless elected officials, jour- in an advance payment as defined in 2 CFR Finally, Dr. Peters has a decency and opti- nalists, educators, service providers, and, 200.3. My bill will also require the awarding mism about him—an intangible quality that most importantly, immigrant families. I ask my department or agency to provide enhanced makes everyone around him more positive colleagues to join me in celebrating Doug grant management assistance and technical and excited to work together for a brighter fu- Keegan’s lifetime of service. assistance to the recipients to assure the ad- ture. f vanced funds are properly used. Unlike most states, the insular areas have Mark is a thoughtful person who cares DELIVERING FOR AMERICA ACT deeply for the people he works with, his com- limited cash flow. Our districts generally rely munity, and our state. SPEECH OF heavily on a single economy, tourism, that is Mark has implemented policies to support highly sensitive to natural disasters and the employee safety, work/life balance, inclusive HON. GWEN MOORE economic fallout that follows. When that hap- recruiting and retention, a shared sense of re- OF WISCONSIN pens, and even in the best of times, insular sponsibility, and duty to give back. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES government have little or no fiscal cushion. My wife, Kathy, and I have developed a Saturday, August 22, 2020 Of course, I am very grateful for the many close relationship with Mark and his wife, Ann Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong grants the Marianas receives to shore up the Marie, who has distinguished herself through support of H.R. 8015, legislation that is sorely limited resources of our islands and, of her work with the College of Eastern Idaho needed to help protect the integrity of our course, especially now to help respond to the and various eastern Idaho charities. Postal Service. coronavirus crisis. But many grants awarded Mark and Ann Marie are an incredible asset Our communities depend on a reliable Post- require that the awardee spend their own cap- to Idaho and Kathy and I are grateful for their al Service. The hardworking men and women ital up front to be reimbursed later. passion for our community and friendship. of the Postal Service every day help ensure One result is that federal funds are slow to Mark and Anne Marie will be missed, but I that critical mail reaches every part of this be spent and the projects and programs those look forward to working with Mark in his new country, even in the middle of a pandemic. funds are intended to support wait to be imple- role. These essential workers make sure that this mented. The legislation I am introducing today f essential public service is carried out. addresses this problem by providing an ad- Despite the challenges of moving mail in a vanced payment of at least 50 percent of any HONORING DOUG KEEGAN country as large as ours and longstanding fis- grant awarded. Projects and programs would cal challenges, it is no wonder the Postal be less subject to delay. HON. JIMMY PANETTA Service continues to score high in public opin- This advance award is not a new concept. OF CALIFORNIA ion polls. It is after all, the public service that Some federal grant programs already provide IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES touches most Americans almost every day. for an advance payment to recipients. The The Postal Service is not a business. Nor is FEMA Public Assistance Grant program, to Friday, August 28, 2020 degrading its level of service a viable business name one, under section 428 of the Robert T. Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today plan. Doing so would only hurt the Postal Stafford Act, P.L. 93–288 provides a 100 per- to ask that my colleagues in the House join Service, its workers, and the American public, cent advance on project cost estimates, there- me in recognizing D. Douglas (Doug) including those in rural areas. Yet, that is un- by removing the burden of capital availability Keegan’s more than 3 decades of service to fortunately the direction that the Postal Serv- from the awardee. the central coast of California. ice’s leadership. In the Marianas, we are still recovering from Doug is a graduate of Holy Cross College I have heard from so many of my constitu- the devastation caused by 2018 Super Ty- and Boston College Law School and was li- ents who are concerned about the damaging phoon Yutu. And now we have the censed by the California State Bar to begin recent changes to Postal Service operations coronavirus pandemic, which has ground our practicing attorney in 1977. His career on the under the leadership of the new Postmaster tourism reliant economy to a halt and left our Central Coast began at California Rural Legal General, changes which are already being felt government short of funds. But capital limita- Assistance and then moved to the Community in our communities through reports of delays tions are not unique to the Marianas—it is a Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. in getting critical mail. challenge shared by all of the insular areas. (CAB). While the recent announcement that these That is why I introduce this bill today, along- At CAB, Doug has been a tireless advocate changes would be suspended for a short time side my colleagues Mr. SAN NICOLAS, Ms. for the organization’s mission to partner with is a step forward, that is not enough. PLASKETT, and Mrs. RADEWAGEN. I urge all my VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:25 Aug 29, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A28AU8.019 E28AUPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS.