E566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 9, 2019 NEO, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, tests in Dallas against President Trump’s Mus- Month. Throughout May, my colleagues and I Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education lim ban in 2017; led a group of clergy to the will bring attention to the impact of mental ill- (NOCHE) and Northeastern Educational Tele- Mexico border that intercepted a bus of chil- nesses on American society, as well as vision of Ohio Inc. (NETO). dren taken from their parents under the family Congress’s role in addressing mental President Warren distinguished herself as a separation policy; and has worked closely with healthcare issues facing the country. It is an warm and friendly face amongst the students the families of the victims of police brutality to honor to collaborate with my colleagues in the and staff of Kent State. Whether she’s cham- amplify their cause. Most recently, he was rec- Congressional Mental Health Caucus to raise pioning academics in the board room or ognized by CNN as one ofthe 25 most influen- awareness for mental illnesses, reduce the cheering on the Golden Flashes on the field, tial Muslims in America and included amongst stigma surrounding mental illness, and create her energy, presence, and compassion can be the Frederick Douglass 200 most influential legislation that improves mental health out- felt campus-wide. Americans whose modern day work embodies comes for Americans. I was proud to work with Dr. Warren to help the legacy of the great abolitionist. Mental illnesses have a devastating effect secure funding to advance research efforts at f on those struggling to live with them. This in- Kent State. With Dr. Warren’s leadership, the cludes changes in mood, social interactions, research being done at Kent State will go a COMMEMORATING THE FIFTIETH sleep patterns, and eating habits. Sadly, the long way to help solve real-world issues. ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTH- most extreme consequences of mental illness I thank President Warren for her service to ERN TIER CENTRAL REGIONAL are when an individual inflicts self-injury or the students and community and wish her the PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT takes their life. Suicide is the 10th leading best of luck in her retirement. BOARD cause of death in the United States and the f second leading cause of death among Ameri- HON. TOM REED cans age 24 and younger. Approximately 1.4 IN RECOGNITION OF IMAM OMAR OF NEW YORK million Americans attempt suicide each year SULEIMAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and over 47,000 Americans lose their lives to Thursday, May 9, 2019 suicide. The United States has 3,700 suicide HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON attempts daily and 129 suicide deaths per day. Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to OF TEXAS This equates to one suicide every 12 minutes. commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Not only does suicide have severe emo- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and tional costs on families and communities, but Thursday, May 9, 2019 Development Board. also on our economy. It is estimated suicide Southern Tier Central has been serving the Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, and self-injury reduce the economic output of communities of Chemung, Schuyler, and Steu- I rise today to recognize and thank Imam the United States by $69 billion per year. ben Counties since 1969. As a regional coun- Omar Suleiman for offering the opening prayer The suicide epidemic is responsible for cil, Southern Tier Central promotes coordina- before the House of Representatives this nearly the same amount of deaths in the tion between the neighboring counties to pro- afternoon. United States as another prevalent health cri- vide a regional approach to improving the Imam Suleiman is a world renowned scholar sis: the opioid epidemic. It is estimated opioids economy, the environment, and the quality of and theologically driven activist for human were the cause for 47,600 deaths in America, life for citizens of the Southern Tier. Their rights. He is the Founder and President of the only a few hundred more than suicide. While work to provide planning for economic devel- Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and a solving the opioid crisis has received ample opment, transportation, human services, and professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Meth- funding and attention, and rightfully so, reduc- flood assistance helps the communities of the odist University. He’s also the resident scholar ing suicide and improving mental health treat- Southern Tier grow and thrive. of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co- ment deserves the same recognition. Con- The Southern Tier Central Regional Plan- Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at gress has a responsibility to assist individuals ning and Development Board provides a vari- Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith coalition of experiencing mental health challenges through ety of services to the region. As the des- clergy for peace and justice. He frequently effective legislation and research subsidies. ignated Local Development District of the Ap- writes for CNN, USA Today, The Guardian, Congress should advance policies that in- palachian Regional Commission and an Eco- HuffPo, and The Dallas Morning News. crease Americans’ access to mental nomic Development District of the Economic His career started in his hometown of New healthcare treatment as a mechanism for pre- Development Administration, Southern Tier Orleans where he served as the Imam of the venting self-harm incidents and suicide at- Central is able to qualify for special grant Jefferson Muslim Association in New Orleans tempts. Just one third of Americans with men- funding and project assistance to promote im- for 6 years and directed the ‘‘Muslims for Hu- tal illness receive treatment. Our country is in portant local economic and community devel- manity’’ Hurricane Katrina Relief effort. It was desperate need of additional trained thera- opment projects. Over the last half century, during this time that he was recognized on a pists, psychologists, and counselors. This lack Southern Tier Central has helped to provide national level as being a strong advocate of of access can be partly attributed to a short- more than eighty-seven million dollars in grant community service, interfaith dialogue, and so- age of mental healthcare professionals in cer- funding and technical assistance to the region. cial justice. He co-founded the East Jefferson tain communities. In order to establish a more Fifty years of serving the community is cer- Interfaith Clergy Association and was awarded reliable supply of mental healthcare profes- tainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate for his outstanding civic achievement by the sionals, Congresswoman GRACE NAPOLITANO the Southern Tier Central Regional Planning Mayor and City Council of New Orleans in and I recently introduced the Mental Health and Development Board on this impressive 2010. He’s also the founder of MUHSEN, a Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Re- milestone and look forward to their continued non-profit umbrella organization serving the payment Act of 2019. Our bill delivers profes- community to establish a more inclusive ‘‘Spe- success in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative sionals to areas that require mental healthcare cial Friendly’’ environment for our brothers & Body pause in its deliberations and join me to experts the most by forgiving their secondary sisters of all disabilities. commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the education student loans. It invests in bol- In July 2016, he marched with demonstra- stering our mental health workforce, while ex- tors in Dallas against the killings of Alton Ster- Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board. panding treatment for Americans with mental ling and Philando Castile. In the wake of the illness. tragic shooting of officers after that protest, he f Americans across the country, regardless of was chosen to lead the invocation at the Pres- MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS age, social status, or background, are affected idential memorial alongside former Presidents MONTH by mental illnesses. Mental Health Awareness Barack Obama and George W. Bush. The D- Month serves as an opportunity for any of my Magazine published a feature on him titled SPEECH OF Congressional colleagues, Republican or ‘‘The Religious Leader Dallas Needs.’’ His HON. JOHN KATKO Democrat, to join the conversation. Together, work in bringing people together was the sub- OF NEW YORK we can improve mental health outcomes for ject of a BBC documentary in 2016, and work IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Americans across the country by engaging in with refugees in Syria featured in PBS in Jan- thoughtful discussion and crafting efficient poli- uary 2017, and in 2016, he was a recipient of Wednesday, May 8, 2019 cies. the United Nations Global Goals Award with Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Finally, it is an honor to once again co-chair Faith Forward Dallas. He led the airport pro- recognition of Mental Health Awareness the Congressional Mental Health Caucus with

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Congresswoman NAPOLITANO. I am grateful for No. 185; YEA Roll Call No. 186; YEA Roll Call mental principles and norms of American de- her continued leadership and commitment on No. 187; and YEA Roll Call No. 188. mocracy have been far more comprehensive. this issue and I look forward to further collabo- f In the last three months, more than 400 attor- rating with her. neys—including former federal and state CONGRATULATIONS TO TEXAS f judges, United States Attorneys, managing A&M UNIVERSITY-SAN ANTONIO partners of large law firms, law deans and HONORING NEW ROCHELLE YMCA other distinguished lawyers from around the 120TH ANNIVERSARY HON. WILL HURD country—have stepped forward in a broad and OF TEXAS unprecedented effort to defend American de- HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mocracy and the rule of law against official lawlessness. OF NEW YORK Thursday, May 9, 2019 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The lawyers have signed and published an Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise ‘‘Open Letter to The President and Congress’’ Thursday, May 9, 2019 today in recognition of the 10th Anniversary of identifying five fundamental norms and prin- Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, it is with Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Since its ciples of our democracy which they believe great pleasure that I recognize an institution establishment in 2009, A&M-San Antonio has the President has violated. These violations in- that has helped children and families in my transformed into a bustling, centralized Univer- volve the President’s unjustified attacks on the district for an astonishing 120 years, the New sity that has awarded over 8,000 degrees on mainstream media, courts, law enforcement Rochelle YMCA. the Southside of San Antonio, so students are and intelligence agencies, his repeated lying On January 15, 1899 a group of New prepared to take on the challenges of the 21st to the public, and failure to respect civil dis- Rochelleans gathered at 56 Woodland Ave. in Century. course and peoples from all backgrounds. The New Rochelle to discuss the possibility of cre- Additionally, the University is reflective of Letter’s Appendix cites examples of violations ating a YMCA. On February 3, 1899 the New the rich heritage of the community it serves, of each principle. Rochelle YMCA received its article of incorpo- with a student body that’s 60-percent female, The Letter emphasizes that it is ‘‘NOT about ration. 72-percent Hispanic and 77-percent first-gen- disagreements over Republican or Democratic The original home of the Y was located at eration college students. I am proud to rep- policies, liberal or conservative ideology, or 480–482 Main Street where a building com- resent a University that is playing a hands-on political party advantage. The values and prin- mittee was established to create a permanent role in moving our country forward, and I know ciples threatened here are much deeper, and home. Twenty-six years later the YMCA pur- this is only the beginning. are much more important, than politics, policy chased the Hendricks property at the comer of On behalf of the Twenty-third Congressional differences and any politician’s self-interest. Division St. and Burling Lane (now Memorial District of Texas, congratulations to Texas They’re the bedrock of our American, constitu- Highway) and began raising money to build a A&M University-San Antonio on this achieve- tional, democratic form of government for all new site. Fallowing the economic uncertainty ment and go jaguars. times.’’ The Letter notes that: ‘‘[u]nless challenged of the stock market crash, the new building f was completed in 1931. and checked, the pattern of disregard weak- A true charitable organization, the Y was in- HONORING THE ROANOKE ens the norms that underpin American self- volved with the soldiers at Fort Slocum during TRIBUNE government and invites unfettered Executive both world wars, providing them with room power—transforming the United States from a and board while on leave from their base, as HON. BEN CLINE democracy to an autocracy. As members of well as providing room for the American Red the legal profession, pledged to support the OF VIRGINIA rule of law and the constitutional separation of Cross. Several local community organizations IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES used the Y facility as meeting halls for their re- powers, we must not allow this to happen.’’ I Thursday, May 9, 2019 am pleased to endorse this Letter and Appen- spective groups. Over the years the Y pro- dix by Lawyers Defending American Democ- vided many programs for the New Rochelle Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to racy, www.lawyersdefendingdemocracy.org, community, with the pool being the most pop- mark the 80th anniversary of the Roanoke Tribune newspaper in Roanoke, Virginia. and include them in the RECORD. ular feature and by 1939 had a membership of We are fortunate that, at a time of rising Founded by Reverend F.E. Alexander in over 2,200 people. Over the years, the Y de- authoritarianism around the world, lawyers in 1939, the Roanoke Tribune has played an im- veloped a rich history in diversity. the United States are standing strong for the portant role in the community of Roanoke, rep- In the 1980’s they moved into its current rule of law and the Constitution. home on 50 Weyman Avenue, a space it resenting the African-American community as OPEN LETTER OF LAWYERS DEFENDING shared with the Boys and Girls Club. it fought racial discrimination in the Roanoke AMERICAN DEMOCRACY The YMCA’s presence in the community Valley in the 20th Century. We live at a time when America’s funda- has continued to increase over the last ten Their tradition of strong, independent jour- mental values are under attack. As Amer- years, as the focus of the Y shifted from a nalism which holds leaders and the powerful ican lawyers, we’re deeply concerned about ‘‘swim and gym club’’ to a community based accountable continues today under the leader- protecting the democratic institutions and charitable organization, which offers affordable ship of Reverend Alexander’s daughter, Clau- principles that have enabled America to be programs, in addition to providing financial aid dia A. Whitworth, and his grandson, Stanley A. the world’s preeminent beacon of freedom Hale. and opportunity. for children and families in need. Currently the As lawyers, we have the responsibility to YMCA serves close to 5,000 members, with a Congratulations to the Roanoke Tribune on defend the underlying constitutional values great majority of seniors and children. The its 80 years, and here is wishing them many and norms of political behavior on which our YMCA has developed a Universal Pre-K pro- more. democracy depends. These core values and gram in partnership with the New Rochelle f principles include: the rule of law; institu- school district. tional checks and balances; separation of The New Rochelle YMCA has served the SUPPORT OF THE LAWYERS DE- powers; press freedom; truthfulness to the community for 120 years. On the occasion of FENDING DEMOCRACY ‘‘OPEN public; and the integrity of our system of their anniversary, I’d like to congratulate and LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AND justice. CONGRESS’’ Accordingly, we, as lawyers, cannot ignore thank their entire team for all they have done. or remain silent about President Donald f Trump’s disregard of these core values and HON. JAMIE RASKIN principles. We must speak out. PERSONAL EXPLANATION OF MARYLAND Yet, we recognize that elections have con- sequences. This effort to energize and mobi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. ILHAN OMAR lize our legal profession is emphatically NOT Thursday, May 9, 2019 about disagreements over Republican or OF MINNESOTA Democratic policies, liberal or conservative IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, while the na- ideology, or political party advantage. The tion has been focused on Russian interference Thursday, May 9, 2019 values and principles threatened here go with the 2016 presidential election and ques- much deeper, and are much more important Ms. OMAR. Madam Speaker, had I been tions of presidential obstruction of justice, than politics, policy differences and any poli- present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call President Donald Trump’s violation of funda- tician’s self-interest. They’re the bedrock of

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