He is also a member of the ways and means committee. We appreciate your time. The house of representatives is just about to come in. We will take you to them now. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. The chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. The clerk the speakers rooms, washington, d. C. October 30, 2019. I hereby appoint the honorable Henry Cuellar to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. Signed, nancy pelosi, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house of january 3, 2019, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties. All time shall be equally allocated between the parties and in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. Each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip shall be limited to five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Vela, for five minutes. Mr. Vela mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Speaker, last friday many of us attended the funeral for our colleague, Elijah Cummings. His story and the service were inspirational. On that same day, this article concerning the deteriorating conditions at the Mexican Border appeared in the Texas Tribune about the consequences of the trums Trump Administrations migrant protections protocol. The article describes americas inhumanity unfolding in a border town which i as a child spent much of my time and which my ancestors are buried. It is a story about americas cruelty for which the president of the United States is directly responsible. As i thought about what i could do about this situation, i couldnt help but ask myself, what would elijah do . By creating obstacle after obstacle, the Trump Administration does everything within its power to prevent asylum claimants from having their rightful day in court, whether they are entitled to stay or not. Its the latest obstruction is a migrant protection protocol which is anything but protection. The m. P. P. Forces asylum claims to wait in dangerous Mexican Border towns as their claims are processed and proven to be nothing more than a weapon used to destroy americans longstanding reputation as the worlds greatest melting pot. It is a blatant violation of the due process clause of the u. S. Constitution. Our nations asylum laws guarantee the right to live in the United States while claims are adjudicated. Over 1,500 people now live in squalor in mexico. They have no running water, with a marginal number of toilets for all of them. They are housed in tents and forced to bathe naked out in the open in the rio grande river. Their daily subsistance depends on the goodness. Volunteers from the Rio Grande Valley and across this nation who cross into mexico every day to provide a simple meal. The conditions are worse than those i have seen in syria refugee camps. This is not the way america is supposed to work. The administration claims that by creating secret sham tent courts along the border it is a processing asylum claims. This is nothing more than a glaring effort to obliterate due process. In these courts constitutional protections vanish and Civil Liberties disappear. The administrations policy is severely restricting and imposing barriers on the fundamental bedrock of our legal system. The attorneyclient relationship. Lawyers representing these asylum claimants are reporting that the m. P. P. Policy is making something as simple as the opportunity to meet their clients an impossibility. As of this august, less than 2 of those in m. P. P. Court even had lawyers representing them. The forceable removing of claimants to another country while they await adjudication is a judicial charade. Represents abdication of the principles of fairness that are the foundations of our justice system. Not only are asylum clinton administrationants being denied their rights, the public and press are consistently denied access to these proceedings. What is there to hide . The president ence of attorneys, advocates, press, and public at these hearings preserve our democracy. The president of the National Association of Immigration Judges states as follows, normal Immigration Court is opened to the public. In civil proceedings in america one of the fundamental tenets of our judicial system is that there has to be accountability to the public. We do not do stuff behind closed doors. That is not what america is about. And yet with each immigration policy decision the last three years, we are moving closer and closer to a model that does not resemble anything in the american judicial system. Its more like what you might see in china or russia. In our system of criminal jurisprudence, a person may be guilty or not. With regards to civil jurisprudence a party may be culpable or may not. But one thing every gets is the opportunity to be heard. So, we have a choice. We can turn a blind eye to the horror that is this administrations asylum policy or answer our colleague elijahs call to create a system that stands for justice. Lets tear down the migrapt protection protocols. Lets hire the judges so that we can officially and flare adjudicate their claims. Let the asylum claim nant live in dignity and give them back the right to be in this country while they wait for their cases to be heard. If asylum is denied after a fair and just adjudication, let the claimant leave this country knowing that the United States system of justice gave them a fair shake. If, on the other hand, a claimant is given refugee stay turks lets rally behind them. Show them what america is really like. Lets help them achieve the american dream. I think thats what Elijah Cummings would do. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Hern, for five minutes. Mr. Hern mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house and revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hen did mr. Hern ladies and gentlemen, oklahoma native Christopher House reporton is one of the name sakes of House Resolution 107 which passed the house yesterday. Army specialist Christopher House reporton served in the Oklahoma National guards first battalion, 2p 9th infantry regiment, 45th infantry brigade. He grew up in conlsville, oklahoma and was an exceptional sharpshooter. He was killed in action on september 9, 2011 in afghanistan while serving in opopration enduring freedom. His bravery and patriotism are remembered today as his legacy is enshrined eight years later. Family members of Fallen Heroes hold a special place in our society. The program started with this legislation will give family members of our Fallen Heroes the unique opportunity to experience our government up close with a 12month fellship in congress. A front row fellowship in congress. A front row seat to the legislative process is a valuable asset to a person deciding where they want to go in their career. These yearlong fellowships will allow the family members of our fallen veterans to become a part of the same democracy that their loved ones fought to defend. I applaud the passage of this bill and the bipartisan work of colleagues, trent kelly as well as the tenacious perseverance of both families of the fallen soldiers. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from ohio, ms. Fudge, for five minutes. Ms. Fudge thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Speaker, today i rise to honor Vanessa Whiting of cleveland, ohio, the recipient of the 2019 black professional of the year award. Miss whiting will become the 39th individual to receive this distinguished award given by the black Professionals AssociationCharitable Foundation at their annual scholarship and awards gala. Each year the Organization Honors a africanamerican professional for their career accomplishments, community engagement, and civic contributions. Throughout her considerable achievements through her considerable acheements as an attorney, entrepreneur, civic leader, shes most deserving of this long overdue recognition. She embodies the mission of the black Association Charitable foundation which is to create opportunities for fringe fren professionals by providing scholarship, leadership, and career development. As president of a. E. S. Management, a kitchen. Kitchen franchisee, shes made hiring people people from her community a priority. Creating the gentleman from options where there are few options. She has more than 30 years of experience as an attorney. Throughout her law career, she focused her work on revitalizing struggling neighborhoods and helping small and minorityowned businesses succeed. Miss whiting has committed her time and talents to address affordable housing, the need for community centers, and other projects in our area designed to uplift the community and empower its residents. Miss whiting was recently elected chair of the Metro Health Hospital board of trustees where she continues her work promoting diversity and inclusion throughout cuyahoga countys Public Health system. She has served in many keyboard position notice cleveland community, including the naacp, cleveland branch, the tric foundation, and the Cleveland Housing Network board of trustees. I commend miss whiting for her outstanding contributions to ohios 11th Congressional District. My sincere congratulations go to miss whiting on this distinguished accomplishment. Thank you for your leadership and your service. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from georgia, mr. Carter, for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize clinch Memorial Hospital for being named the hometown Health Hospital of the year for 2019. I am proud of the work that clinch Memorial Hospital is doing to provide high quality care to our Rural Communities in the first Congressional District of georgia. With unique challenges facing Rural Health Care systems across the nation, clinch Memorial Hospital has met these challenges headon and is using groundbreaking programs to better the care for individuals in the surrounding Rural Communities. Over the last two years, the hospitals c. E. O. Has added new programs to help people with Substance Abuse issues, a swing bed system to more efficiently use their resource, and a new room care unit. But most importantly she is nearly miraculously turned around the hospitals financials, maintaining the communitys access to health care and keeping the local economy churning. Clinch Memorial Hospitals more than deserving of the hospital of the year award. Congratulations and keep up the good work. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize october as being National Pharmacist month, 2019. According to census data there are over 200,000 pharmacists across the u. S. With another 25,000 of pharmacy age. Every day shes pharmacists are providing ackzeens for a number of illnesses and carefully counseling patients on prescriptions to help heal sickness and reduce pain. Through this work, pharmacists are considered one of the top two most trusted professions in america. This month as well as throughout the rest of the year i encourage everyone to visit your pharmacist, ask questions about your prescriptions, and get to know the people who provide your medicine and work to keep you healthy. As the only pharmacist currently serving in congress, im proud to recognize the work these individuals are doing every day to serve their local communities around the country. Keep up the good work. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize all those participating in the 40 days for life vigil happening september 25 through november 3. For the past 40 days, individuals in cities across the world have been fasting, praying, campaigning, and holding a vigil in order to end abortion. In the first Congressional District of georgia, we have been contributing to the cause through their own vigil luncheon. The organization has helped 104 6,000 lives, close assenters, and 119 abortion workers to quit their jobs. As a medical professional, father, and grandfather i believe that every life is sacred and cannot thank these individuals enough for their important work. After the 40 days vigil was over, i hope you will join me in continuing the fight to save the lives of our o children. Of our children. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize miss Sheila Mcneil for receiving the 2019 distinguished civilian award by the Naval Submarine league. Mrs. Mcneil is the first ever woman to win this award and coy not be more proud of the work she has done in the first Congressional District of georgia over the last 20 years. Living in Camden County near the Submarine Base shes advocated for the u. S. Submarine force at both the national and local levels, often traveling to washington and meeting with dozens of members of congress to keep our submarines at sea protecting our nation. On one specific occasion mrs. Mcneil was critical in retaining the nations first four Ballistic Missile submarines by converting them into guided missile submarines. Her commitment to the armed forces extends deeply into the surrounding communities, ensuring they maintain close knit relationships through her work as president of the camden partnership. Thank you, mrs. Mcneil, for your work in the first Congressional District of georgia. Congratulations on your award. Thank you, mr. Speaker. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california, ms. Lee, for five minutes. Ms. Lee thank you. Ask unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes and revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Lee thank you, ms. Lee i rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late congressman, john conyers, and extend my deepest condolences to his wife, his children, his former staff, and the people detroit who he served so well for more than 50 years. Congressman conyers was a tireless advocate for racial and Economic Justice and ar dent defender of civil rights. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his unwavering commitment to push our nation to live up to its ideals of liberty and justice for all that is his legacy. I met congressman conyers during my time as a staffer to our beloved late congressman rondellham, a cofounder of the Congressional Black Caucus with congressman conyers. They were very Close Friends and worked together on many issues including the establishment of the Martin Luther king jr. Federal holiday. Ill always remember staffing the many meet wgs ron, congressman conyers, and the legendary stevie wonder, who worked with us as we planned our outsideinside strategy for the holiday legislation. And it worked. John believed in our democracy and the pow oh they have people. He recognized that the only way demongcy can work is with the input, vision and voice of the people. Congressman conyers stood on the frontlines of the fight for so many important issues in his time in office and was cosponsor of the Voting Rights act of 1965. I probably wouldnt be standing here as a member of congress had it not been for congressman conyers. As a cofounder of the cofounder of the Congressional Black Caucus, he focused the nation on the injustices face bird africanamericans around the country from inequity in education, poverty, to mass incarceration. He stood up for those who needed his advocacy the most. Of course when rosa parks fell on hard times after refusing to give up her seat on a seg regated montgomery bus in which launched the civil rights fight, john hired her to work in his office, where she worked until he retimplede he worked for h. R. 40, which call farce commission to study reparations for descendants of enslaved people from africa. Chairman conyers was masterful, drawing a connection between the historical injustices faced by africanamericans and the present day inequities experienced in our communities. I am so proud to support h. R. 40 today and to continue his work and in his honor i hope that my colleagues support congresswoman Sheila Jackson lees efforts to take h. R. 40 over the finish line. Congressman conyers was a progressive champion who fought for all of us. He was an early supporter of Single Payer Health care. I believe the bill was h. R. 676, which i was proud to cosponsor. He was fought to ensure that every american has access to quality, afordable health care. He fought to protect our safety net so that folks who kneed a helping hand no matter their color, can keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. He spoke out vocally against the Trump Administrations civil rights and human rights for people of color and the lgbtq community. Indeed, though congressman conyers represented detroit, he truly fought for all americans and earned his affectionate name of americas congressman. Also, john formed the poor peoples caucus in the house of representatives where he encouraged members to speak out for the poor and lowincome folks. In his memory, let us fight for the most vulnerable americans. Like our friend, congressman Elijah Cummings, who we recently lost as well, congressman conyers legacy and impact will live on, though he is no longer with us. His legacy should continue to inspire us to keep up the fight for justice and equality which he dedicated his life to. So today, once again, i offer my condolences to monocars, to congressman Conyers Family and loved one, and join them in celebrating his life and legacy. May he rest in peace and may he rest in power. Thank you, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from iowa, mr. King, for five minutes. Mr. King i ask unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes and revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. King thank you, mr. Speaker. It is my privilege to be recognized to address you here on the floor of the house of representatives. I rise to honor this week and to celebrate what actually took place on monday the 28th the 28th of october, the 79th anniversary. I wanted to address this because of the strong spirit of the greek people who rose up against the axis powers 79 years ago this week when the representative of hitlers axis powers happened to be the minister from the italians arrived at the residence of the greek leader and demanded that they surrender greece to the italians and axis forces. Metaxis looked him in the eye and said boldly and strongly, no. The most resounding no that i know of in history, mr. Speaker. It inspired the greek people and within hours the axis forces started their invasion of greece, they were overconfident they had all sorts of military firepower but what they underestimated was the tenacity of the greek fightersing their knowledge of the terrain and defending their own soil. They were defeat and the greeks chased the italians back to italy, which forced, then, Adolph Hitler to divert five divisions down to greece and down through the balkans and into greece to put down the, they called it they called it a revolution or resurrection. What it really was inspired people defending their country, the very cradele of democracy. And as hitler diverted the five divisions down to greece he was already planning operation barbarosa. I want the body to know that the original date for the invasion of russia by hitler and his nazi forces put together was scheduled to be may 12, the following spring. This is late october, the last difes october. So when he diverted five division down to suppress what he said was theres. Election resurrection in the balkan, egreeks defending the cradele of freedom that delayed his ability tone vade into russia. And this tenacious battle on the part of the greeblings, i should also put it into context here. No one expected such a small nation to derail this unstoppable axis forces. They had watched as the axis orces had gone through czechoslovakia, polan, romaine ark france, and the balkans, and it looked like they would sweep over the world. Didnt look like much hoeppner United Kingdom and the British Empire across the channel. When you think about the inevitable clash that was going to take place between the nazis and russians, that would have been the clash that would have determine chd power ruled the world, coupled with japanese imperialism, american isolated as a lone island sitting over here on this continent in the western hemisphere, tough to battle on both sides when youve got the resources of the globe lined up against you. The future of america may well have turned in that battle as well, mr. Speaker. Support, with to honor and awe, the greek fighters who, George Berris ights writes, greeks can be stubborn against all odds. The wourd no in greek may sound negative but in this case it was positive. Had hit her been able to launch peration barbaro is a barbarossa, when he planned to, it would have changed the entire course of the world. The greeks did it twice for with us crete and then on this day starting the 79 years ago this week. Im awfully proud of the snoifert greeks and id like to close, mr. Speaker, with this ote from Winston Churchill which says, in the aftermath of the battles, the greek battles against the nazis, Winston Churchill said this. Hence, we will not see greeks fight like hero, but that heroes fight like greeks. Let us honor them and were a nation that has descended from the democracy that was formed in greece. We modified to it a constitutional republic, did a little improvement on it, but we could use for more greeks in this country, theyre great fighters. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the congresswoman from washington, ms. Jayapal, for five minutes. Ms. Jayapal i rise today to honor the memory of longtime seattle resident jenny mccarthy. She was a wonderful friend, author, activist and advocate. She was humble, brilliant, and deeply compassionate and she changed the lives of tens of thousands of people across the world through her writing and her activism. She passed away at the age of 92 last month, choosing to die gracefully on her own terms before dementia could take over her life and mind. Yenmy was born in 1927 in san francisco. She was the youngest of five and her father once served as mayor of redwood city. Redwood city, california, that is. Her mother worked as a switchboard operator, passionate about social justice as a young woman, jenny moved to seattle and became involved in her new citys artistic and political scene. She pursued a teaching certificate in the 1960s, going on to teach middle school in seattles central district. Informed by her experience working as a caseworker at a meantal hospital, she decided to pursue a masters in social work and became a practicing therapist. Born with the last name mccarthy he changed her sur maim to nccarthy to use a prefix that means daughter of, rather than mc which means son of. She challenged the status quo in every aspect of her life. In 1972, she cofounded seattle rape relief which at the time was the only Rape Crisis Center in the country. The volunteerrun organization managed a 24hour hotline for Sexual Assault victims. A decade later she published her Ground Breaking book, getting free, a handbook for women in abusive relationships. Her book, baseded on the premise that womens voices needed to be heard and believed, became a bible for Domestic Violence survivors. Translated into multiple languages, he book had and continues to have a global impact. She went on to publish several more books on abuse at home and in the workplace, as well as many articles addressing issues of disability, race, sexuality, youth and aging. She volunteered on behalf of countless groups, advocating for womens rights, criminal Justice Reform and antiwar efforts. We first met when i approached her to join the board of an organization that supports south asian survivors of Domestic Violence i was on the board of. Later she gave me some of her writings that turned into a book about her travels arn the world for peace and justice. I was amazed by her curiosity and las vegas of life even with all the traumas she herself had been through. I was struck by the way she listened to others and absolutely refused to stop living life to her fullest. She was fearless in questioning what she saw as unjust as her commitment to equity was striking. She was arrested mull pl times if civil disobedience actions, even at the age of 86 for speaking out for fairer and more just immigration policies. Jenny always found meaning in politics and social justice activism and her legacy lives on strong in her books, her friendships and the tremendous work she did, her entire life on behalf of survivors of violence and her quest for justice for all. Jenny saw the intersection intersectionality of gender, race, and class very clearly. She was right there on every major issue that we fought for. Whether that was a 15 minimum wage, rights for immigrants, mass incarceration of black and brown people, Sexual Assault, and lgbtq rights. It is fitting that the New York Times devoted a substantial part of one of their pages of obituaries to jenny and her national impact. I would like to commemorate jennys lifetime of achievement, her decades of service to our community, and her neverending dedication to the firingt for justice my heart is with her loving family and friends. Rest in peace, rest in power, jenny, you will long be remembered and missed by all of us. Thank you, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from alabama, mr. Byrne, for five minutes. Mr. Byrne mr. Speaker, there are crossroads in the history of every great nation, so historically significant so fraught with dramatic consequences, that those in position to influence that nations direction are compelled to do all they can to ensure it does not fall to the dust bin of history. We have arrived at one of those moments. That is why last week my colleagues and i demanded this majority end their secret impeachment proceedings and bring them into the light of day. Impeachment of the president of the United States is next to the declaration of war this bodys most solemn, important authority. Impeachment begins the process of removing the duly elected executive of the United States who was chosen not by this house but by the American People. In the past this body has always treated that authority with the solemnnyity and respect it demands. Certainly in the clinton and nixon impeachments, this house respected our obligation. In this house, under this majority, no longer. In this house under this majority, no longer n secret closed proceedings in the basement of the capital the Majority Party has monopolized all power, denied the accused the right to participate and offered the Minority Party little more than token rights all outside the public eye. The American People and even most elected members of Congress Like myself have been able to glean only whatever lies, leaks, and misinformation the majority disseminates. During watergate this house specifically wrote in our rules that we cannot shut out the public as an extraordinary circumstances. And for over 40 years our rules prohibited the exclusion of members from attending hearings on investigations. Yet this majority has put an end to those practices, using secret depositions to get around the sunshine rules of this house. Everything is carefully represent prehenceably designed to obscure reality. This is a watershed moment of monumental historic significance. For the sake of our constitutional republic, we must start over and do it the right way. Unfortunately, today the rules committee will meet to mark up a resolution that does absolutely nothing to change our dark horse. Dont risen to democrat talking points. This resolutions political cover disguised as good will. This is not a vote to authorize impeachment but a vote to validate and continue the committees disgraceful improperly conducted proceedings. This resolution permits the majority to continue holding proceedings in secret whenever the majority arbitrarily decides to do so. And unlike previous impeachment proceedings, this majoritys empty assurance to offer the minority the right to issue subpoenas is a sham. In fact, the minoritys only authorized to issue subpoenas if adam schiff and the democrats on his committee agree with them. The exact same situation the minority currently faces in all but name. It gives the president no right of due process and instead instructs the chair of the rules committee to determine down the road what the procedures will be for participation of the president and his counsel. In the resolution presented by the majority, the president is given no right to see evidence. Presented evidence, call witnesses, have counsel present at all hearings and depositions, crossexamine witnesses, make objections on the examination of witnesses, or the admissibility of testimony and evidence or respond to evidence and testimony. How can President Trump defend himself if he cannot see the evidence against him . Just as importantly, how can the American People make an informed judgment . Under this resolution the house would deputize adam schiff and jerry nadler, handpicked by speaker pelosi, to be prosecutor, judge, and jury. The majority chooses what is seen and unseen by the American People. This is a Star Chamber Proceedings reminiscent of some of the most egregious practices of tin pot dictators. Political coops are often shrouded inle political overtones. We must expose with that resolution really does and the consequences for due process and separations of powers it will unleash. Silence in this matter is complicity. We must rally together to fight back for the sake of the country we hold dear. The fate of our nation depends on it. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from, mr. Case, for five minutes. Mr. Case mr. Speaker, aloha and mabuhai. I rise today to recognize october as Filipino AmericanHistory Month, a time for all americans to remember and celebration the incredible past, present, and future of our fellow citizens whose heritage lies in the great country of the philippines. I am especially humble to do so as the proud representative of hawaiis first Congressional District where there are more Filipino Americans, close to 200,000, than any other of our 440 districts throughout our country. With hawaiis second Congressional District number two, at about 175,000, our community in hawaii stands at about 375,000, one quarter of all hawaii residents. We observe Filipino AmericanHistory Month in october because the first recorded arrival of filipinos in the continental United States took lozanos 587 when the came ashore in california. In 1906, 113 years ago, the first 15 sacata, or Contract Labor laborers arrived in honolulu marking the furs sustained immigration into our country and Humble Beginnings in hawaii. Today our community numbers some four million throughout our contry, second largest of our Asian American groups. The store riff Filipino Americans is the story of america. From very Humble Beginnings they have risen through hard work, sacrifice, commitment to advancing the next generations and mutual support to achieve so much already. Trail blazers. Benjamin became the first pilam justice of the hawaii state september. Ben was the first pino american governor of the u. S. State, Major General antonio was the second Filipino American promoted to general officer rank in our army. Eddie flores jr. Bought the first l and l drive in in honolulu in 1976. Turning it into a national franchise. Carol lina was the first to obtain an m. D. Degree. Identify necessary was the first graduate of the school of Public Health, nursing, and social work at the university of hawaii. She received the jefferson award in 1986 for her service. Francisco flores trinidad jr. Of honolulu was an award wing editorial cartoonist who became the first asian editorial cartoonist syndicated in the United States. And a loyal Filipino American who fought alongside our troops in world war ii was the first Filipino American school principal. I was cently honored to join the promotion ceremony from colonel to Brigadier General in the Hawaii National nard the rs Filipino American to in history. We also regularly honor the over 250,000 filipinos who answered the call to protect and defend the United States and philippines in the pacific theater. In 2016, president obama signed into law the filipino veterans of world war ii Congressional Gold Medal Act to bestow congress highest honor upon these worthy veterans. We also celebrate right here in congress our proud Filipino Americans who serve our country here, my colleagues bobby scott of virginia and t. J. Cox of california. Each and all of these lives of achievement but are a very small sampling of a Broader Community that has contributed so much to the rich fabric of our country. Filipino americans is still in its early chapters. Why are Filipino Americans among our most successful communities . The general spoke to some of that at his promotion ceremony when he credited his own success to the hard work and sacrifice for him and his five siblings of his father, a laborer, and mother a teacher. To the values they instilled, and the constant nurturing and support of his Broader Community. That well describes Filipino Americans overall. That and the full and constant embrace of the values, responsibilities, and opportunities of america well honoring and treasuring the Rich Heritage of their ancestral homeland. All of this is why i recently joined congressman cox in introducing h. Res. 621, a resolution to express support for the permanent designation of october as Filipino AmericanHistory Month. We urge our colleagues support to promote an ongoing appreciation of the contributions of Filipino Americans to our country and the rich diversity of our nation. To Filipino Americans everywhere [speaking a foreign language]. Congratulations. I truly look forward to partners with you on in your next proud chapters. Mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman om pennsylvania, mr. Fitzpatrick, for five minutes. Fitzpatrick, for five minutes. Mr. Fitzpatrick mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the pensberry 12 under and 8 and under baseball teams. The 8 and under team had an undefeated regular season. They went out to win the district state, midatlantic, and world series championships. The teams final record was an impressive 3381 which included going undefeated during the cal ripken world series. The 12 and under had a great season winning the annual keystone cup state tournament and winning is nothing new for this team. In the last four years they have won two state titles and four district titles. Theyll be finishing the season with an amagse trip to cooperstown for the national tournament. Mr. Speaker, the accomplishments of these teams show the important sports can play in our childrens lives. Team sports teaches the importance of hard work, being part of a team, dedication, and sportsmanship. All these skills help mold our children and help mowled our children into the leader of tomorrow. I commend the accomplishments of these amagse kids and coaches. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize two Police Officers from bristol township. Officers c. J. Winic and kirk leecongress were promoted to the rank of sergeant in front of family, friends, and colleagues. Both office oers serve on the bucks county homicide by vehicle task force. Sergeant winic has been a part of the Bristol Police force since 2006. He has worked as a Field Training officer, accident reconstructionist, firearms instructor, Community Response unit office oer, and on the swat team. He will serve in the Administrative Division supervising professional standards, accreditation, and training management. Sergeant leecongress has been part of the Department Since 2007. He served as a Field Training officer, drug recognition expert, and on o the crisis intervention team. He will share duties with shift commander on patrol. The role both these officers play in keeping our Community Safe is admirable. Mr. Speaker, i want to wish the best to both of these men in their new positions and thank them for all their service to our o community. To our community. It mr. Speaker, i rise today to support National VeteranSmall Business week which will take place from november 4 through november 8. Our veterans are some of the most highly skilled workers in our nation. They are the product of rigorous training and ironclad commitment to team work and remark ability to succeed where others might fail. Veterans not only fight for and protect this country with you trained with the skills and Leadership Qualities needed to own and operate successful businesses. Our veteran Small Business owners are job creators, entrepreneurs, and heroes. Im proud to recognize the Important Role that veteran owned Small Businesses play in our community and we thank all of them from a grateful congress for their service. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from new york, mr. Jeffries, for five minutes. Mr. Jeffries mr. Speaker, earlier today President Trump urged his republican defenders in this house to focus on substance. Thats exactly what House Democrats have been doing from the very beginning of this impeachment inquiry. We will continue to proceed in a serious, solemn, and somber fashion. Thats what the constitution requires at this moment. House democrats will continue to follow the facts, apply the law, be guided by the constitution, and present the truth to the American People. President trump said focus on substance. What is the substance underlying this impeachment inquiry . Well, congress in a bipartisan asis, allocated 391 million in military and economic aid to ukraine. At a time when ukraine is under attack by russianbacked separatists. Ukraine is in a vulnerable state. Ukraine is a friend. Russia is a foe. Ukraine is a democracy. Russia is a dictatorship. The United States is probably the only thing standing between Vladimir Putin and ukraine being completely overrun. As part of putins fantasy to reconstruct what he views as the glory days of the soviet union. We allocated that money because it is in the National Security interests of the United States of america. What happened to it . In february, the Trump Administration wrote to congress and said, the aid is on the way. But it never showed up. And then in may trumps department of defense wrote to congress again and said the aid is on the way, and all necessary preconditions to release the aid have been met, including the implementation of anticorruption protocols. Wice Mitch Mcconnell during twice Mitch Mcconnell during this summer call tipped the Trump Administration and said, wheres the aid. Mitch mcconnell couldnt get a good answer. Then on july 18, we know that the office of management and budget in the white house held a meeting where it was made clear that the reason the aid had been held up is because of a directive from the president of the United States. A week later, on july 25, the president made a phone call to the ukrainian leader and pressured a Foreign Government to target an american citizen for political gain and solicited foreign interference in the 2020 election. That undermined our National Security. The American People have a right to ask is that an abuse of power . Thats what the impeachment inquiry is all about, mr. President. Thats the substance. It doesnt look good. No one is above the law. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the president. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from ohio, mr. Stivers, for five minutes. Mr. Stivers thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to address our broken refugee system and its very real effect on families in my hometown of columbus, ohio. Our nation has always been a beacon of hope and light for those who face violence, persecution, and oppression. In recent year we was not been living up to that standard and our failure has a severe impact on good, hardworking people, that would make our nation stronger. Take for example, mashea who lives in columbus, ohio. Mashea embodies what we know to be a good american. Shes the wife of a man who served in our military, shes built a life for herself an her family in ohio. In many ways her story is much like ours. Unfortunately, one piece of her story is missing. Her husband, hambings mab, his on the other side of the world in australia. He served alongside the u. S. Army as an interpret for the iraq and the repayment for his bravery was repeated and sustained threats against him, mashea, and their young children. It drove the family apart. The rejeef process, the special immigrant visa process, designed to protect people like hamab failed him the application and vetting prosess was dragged with no end in sight and the continued threats convinced him that he needed to flee for his life. So he fled to australia. That was in 2012. Mashea and the two children continued to wait for approval of the special immigrant visa program and finally in 2016, seven years after they applied, they got the news they were waiting for. They were approve nousmed its been seven years since shes seen her husband and since hes seen his children. The system has torn the family apart. Her story is not uncommon. There are others. Jackie, a dedicated and compassionate social workers from uganda, is the mother of two sons. Jackie has not seen her oldest since she since 2014 fled nay rerowe bee, kenya, to the United States. Arinda will turn 8 years old on november 13678 on november 21, his case to join his mother will have been pending for two years. For two years, that family has been in bureaucratic limbo and its taken its toll. Jackie is seriously considering having her son adopted by a family in canada so that shell at least be separated by less time and geography. Our system is broken. We are forcing refugees to other countries like australia and canada and were not living up to the standards of the shining bee kohn of people facing persecution and violence. We are a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of opportunity. And we need to act like it. We will continue to encourage the administration to increase the refugee cap, make the vetting process under the state department more efficient, and to ensure resources are available to give refugees the certainty that they need. I hope that my colleagues will join me and make a difference for people like mashea and jackie and make a difference for our communities because we are all stronger when we embrace our history as the worlds melting pot. Thank you, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from georgia, mr. Woodall, for ive minutes. Mr. Woodall thank you, mr. Speaker. Appreciate you making some time in the day today. Its not very often that one of us gets named the very best in our field. Such a recognition is very powerful. And today, mr. Speaker, you cant see it from where youre stand bug i have a list of the three finalists in the National Association of secondary principals principal of the year program. Mr. Speaker, i want to congratulate each and every one of them. Joey jones from robert frost middle school, right around the corn for the rockville, maryland. Linza mcintyre from Jeremiah Burke high school in massachusetts. And corinza wing from collin Hills High School in georgia. We cannot succeed in our communities without dedicated Public Servants like these and it will come as no surprise to you since im down here on the floor today congratulating these three finalists that the National Association named as the principal of the year my very own, from the begin et corinne hool system, zawing. Wing the first thing you notice is the charisma that connects her with her students and their parents that partnership she develops with administrator and teachers, thats the partnership we strive for here and the one thats recognizing keresa wing out of 90,000 principals across the country. Mr. Speaker, ms. Wing has spent her entire career in service to my Community Back home. I only represent two counties. She lives in one, makes that her familys home. She works in the other, having spent 30 years in the Gwinnett County school system. These pictures reflect her work in her last five years as principal at collins hill high school. Shes also served at Shiloh High School as a teacher. Helped open our brand new lanier high school. And then returned there to collins hill. Mr. Speaker, the passion that is at the center of her Decision Making is that love of students. A teacher at heart, this work as you know is not the work done far salary. Its not a work done even for national recognition. Its a work done out of a sense of opportunity to be transformative in the lives of the young people around us. Whether you sit on the far left or the far right, mr. Speaker, whatever your politics of the day are, if theres one thing thats worth celebrating, its those men and women back home who make differences for the young people in our lives. Principal kerensa wing is such a person. It is with no small amount of pride that i congratulate her today. She was here in town, mr. Speaker, with her family and if only youd had the house in session i would have been here to congratulate her. We were back home working that week so i missed that opportunity to be with her here in this chamber. But i am not going to miss the opportunity today in this chamber to tell her how much we appreciate her, how much her students appreciate her, and how much better both Forsyth County and Gwinnett County are that she with her talents could work anywhere, live anywhere in the great United States of america, mr. Speaker, and shes chosen our community to serve. Thank you, principal wing and congratulations. I yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess ning your case it could be one that could be crucial to getting russia to the table in a way that this issue could be resolved . Thank you, senator. Russia is the key actor in this whole drama. We have the situation we have in crimea solely because of russias actions