Todays washington journal because the houses is about to gavel and for the day. Live coverage beginning in a minute on cspan. We will see you tomorrow morning back here on the washington journal. A communication from the speaker. The clerk the speakers room, washington, d. C. , june 25, 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. Green, for five minutes. Mr. Green thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, and still i rise because i love my country, and i rise now knowing that we are some 69 days since the Mueller Report, which means that we are some 69 days with the president being above the law since the Mueller Report was made public. I rise today with a special message. This message has to do with leadership. I rise today with this message, and id like to hearken back, 1963. Ay, to april 16, i have my pneumonic notes in front of me. April 16, 1963, when dr. King wrote his letter from the birmingham jail. Now, dr. King did not wake up one morning and decide, i think ill go down to birmingham, get arrested, and ill write a letter from the birmingham jail. Hardly the case. Dr. King was responding to a letter from some of the leading citizens in birmingham. These were persons who were cloaked with the robe of the clergy. These were persons who had moral positions. They took firm, hardcore positions when it came to morality. These were persons who would set the standards, if you will, and maintained the standards for morality. There were eight of them. They decided to write a letter to dr. King explaining to him why he should not do what he was about to do in birmingham. And by the way, they were also aided and abetted by some of the leading negro citizens. In fact, in their citizens they mentioned we should meaning them at the time allow persons to meet with our leading negro citizens. Ey didnt say leading, but negros, and lets try to work this out with dialogue. I marveled at how persons in positions of great leadership with great responsibility can be so wrong on some of the crucial issues of our time. And, dear brothers and sisters i say brothers and sisters because i believe there is but one race and thats the human race. I think all persons were created equal. As dr. King put it, we are created equal from a base black to a treble white. I call you dear brothers and sisters. So, dear brothers and sisters, this issue concerning be babies at the border, i just thank god the media has finally discovered this issue and is taking it and bringing it to the forefront to the extent they are. I thank cspan, by the way, for the opportunity to be heard. Cspan and all of the outlets that allow this opinion to be voiced. But im pleased that this is being taken up now by the major media, because what is happening to these babies at the border is unconscionable, and some months ago after visiting the border, i indicated that the spca would not allow animals to be housed in the conditions that we see at the border currently. This is a tragedy, not in the making, but a tragedy that continues to exist because of inaction and because of actions that have been taken by the chief executive officer of the United States of america in an attempt to deter people from coming to this country. How heartless can you believe to use babies as a means of deterring people from coming to the country . I am here today because i love my country, and i believe that we cannot allow this to 69 days above the law for the president. He knows we are not going to do anything. Thats why he behaves the way that he does. He knows that he can can do this without guardrails because back when he fired mr. Comey and it was called to our attention that this was an obstruction, we did nothing. But i thank god that members are signing on now and understand the importance of it. So the question is no longer whos going to be among the first to sign on to impeach, the question is, who will be the last to sign on to impeach . And i beg all who have not to please give serious consideration to this, this notion that you can be part of this impeachment, because we cannot allow this injustice to continue. Finally this, im working on a manuscript, a book, if you will. The title of it is you cant walk back history. You cant walk back history. You can walk back your comments, but you cant walk back history. And the History Associated with is time, how will we vote on bigotry emanating from the president . More will come. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the president. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Thompson, for five minutes. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the participants of the 2019 pitch fest, which was held in conjunction with this ears showcase for commerce in johnstown, pennsylvania. This is designed to honor the generation of next ideas. The shark tank style competition was created as a way you for local entrepreneurs to present their innovative ideas and creations to potential investors. Programs like these are essential to attracting new businesses and a Skilled Workforce to our region. One of the competitions categories is specifically for students at the university of pittsburgh in johnstown. These students are a part of the summer accelerated program with pitch fest which is used as a launch pad for their work. This years top student ntrepreneurship teams included alex. This teams project provides architects, designers, artists to use imagery that can be instantly shared with clients in real time. The spirit skill spirit, led by ben. His team developed an incremental learning app providing incentives and rewards for learning new languages. Nd laura johnson, her team focused on helping women manage hot flashes and effects of menopause creating fashionably created mattresses to provide for a cool and full night sleep. The pitch fest included the social Entrepreneurship Category which highlights efforts for building vibrant communities. The top teams in this category included the Conservancy Team which is developing plans to expand the path of the flood trail, which would be the first safe and easily followed bicycle route from downtown river wn to the historic gorge. The Central Park Square gallery on the ga zbo team, which aims to promote the arts in downtown gazebo team, which aims to promote the arts in downtown. And the incline plain Riverside Park to include zip lines and a downhill biking course. The three finalists in each category received a cash award that supports their innovation. The judges for pitch fest represented various aspects of the community including social agencies, private industries, advocacy groups, and Higher Education. Finally, mr. Speaker, id like to thank the sponsors of pitch fest that made this event possible, including Ben Franklin Technology partners, the regional chamber, the Community Foundation for the alleganies, the coral nielson therapeutic association, enterprise Venture Capital corporation, the entrepreneurial alchemy, jarry, j. W. F. Industries, and the university of pittsburgh in johnstown. Pitch fest was a tremendous success as it showcased a Community Spirit and the Innovative Minds of the greater johnstown region. As their motto proclaims they are, quote, growing great ideas right in our backyard, end quote. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Peters, for five minutes. Mr. Peters thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate three of my constituents. Susan ackerman and William Mcguinness at the university of californiasan diego. And jeremy of scripps, for their election to the National Academy of sciences. Susan works to enrich the field of norology through her dedication of mow he can lahr pathways and william is a leader in cell and developmental biology, studying the systems that control development and regeneration of tissues in animals. Susan joins a Record Number of women who make up 40 of the newly elected class, the most ever elected in any one year to date. This is another milestone for representation of women in science. Jeremy is a renowned echologist, paleobiologist at the Scripps Institution of oceanography where he reference human impacts on the environment and the evolution of coral reefs. San diegos Research Institutes are vital scientific discoveries and each member helps fuel the economy through their work. Susan, william, and jeremy join 111 others. This year the National Academy of sciences celebrates 156 years of furthering science in america. The academy has helped inform engineering and Health Policy and susan, william, and jeremy will help the Science Community as the academy fulfills its commission. Since congress chartered the academy, it has been the forefront for what makes america an innovative part of the world. I want to thank them for their fine work. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize judy, a chinese american in my district who has been a force for change. Shes originally from hong kong, taught for 30 years. She has a b. A. In sigh colings, a master of science and Computer Technologies and five teaching credentials. During her teaching career, she received a certificate from thenvice president al gore acknowledging her for her work in environmental education. Judy has also recognized as a distinguished educator by whos who among americas teacher in both 2002 and 2003 thanks to nominations from her students. Since retiring from teaching, hes been very involved in the poway community and mentoring in the asian and Pacific Islander community. I thank judy for her years as an educator and her commendable leadership in providing a voice for the san diego aapi community. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize elliott, winner of the 50th annual San Diego Tribune countywide spelling bee and participant in the 92nd Scripps National spelling bee. As an active student at the inspired charter school, elliott is an inspiration to his peers and the poway community. It teaches students to be critical thinkers and responsible san diego citizens. Elliott upheld the pillars of inspired admirably showing integrity and confidence under pressure. He demonstrated tenacity and levelheadedness beyond his years. Since 1925, the National Spelling bee has cultivated a passion for learning among Young Americans reaching 11 Million Students each year. It offers a platform for students like elliott to engage with likeminded students and represent their communities and encouraging environment that fosters sportsmanship and respect. The valuable experience of competing allows these students to showcase their academic abilities, skills that are key to their future discuss. Elliotts achievements in the National Spelling bee represent the future of san diego and the 52nd district. Please join me in congratulating elliott on his achievements here and at home and on the national stage, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from south carolina, mr. Norman, for five minutes. Mr. Norman mr. Speaker, i rise today to enter in the congressional record a special poem that was written by harold to his daughter, penny, on her 2nd birthday. He never delivered the poem as he was killed in action during the vietnam war. The poem was discovered by captain bennett and mailed by a friend of his, major charles king, and mailed to his wife, pennys mother, in march 22, 1968. The poem is entitled now you are 2. Rejoice and be happy this fine day. Have fun in the games you play. Run, sing, be happy and gay. For you are 2, my daughter today. Of all the wonderful days of the year, today, especially, i wish i could be near. To hold, hug, share your world, of being a year older and being a girl. But alas, my child, for you i cannot be, because there is a need to keep the world free. A need that was created many years ago, when a peoples thirst for freedom began to grow. You do you do not know these people. They are strangers to us. You may you ask, daddy, why all the fuss . For people who live in a land far away, daddy, why cant you be with me on my birthday . As you grow older, my child, you will learn that immense hearts a spark will burn. A spark to intent that it cannot be denied. As so strong is that men have died. Fighting for what they believe is true, fighting for freedom the way all men do. We have watched enough television to know that in this world bad people will go. To try and hurt and harm the good guys, cheat, steal, and tell all kind of lies. These are some of the things these bad people do. This is the reason that your to flew across the ocean a land to a land far away, to help other daddies with the children to play, to help these daddies see their struggles through so they can say happy birthday, you are now 2. Dont wait, my child, for this birthday ill miss. Go to your mama and she will give you a kiss. For me to remind you are not forgot, you see, my child, i do love you a lot. So much in fact that to you i do pledge, that a world of freedom shall be your heritage. Sleep, my child, the night is here. Sleep, my child, and awake without fear. Grow, my child, be happy and free. For these are the dreams i have for you. This poem was written in 1968, over 51 years ago, and i submit to you that now is a time for america to heed these words of this poem, written by a father who voluntarily made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. Mcgovern, for five minutes. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, 50 years have passed since the Historic Stone wall riots in new york city which brought us one step closer to full equality for all americans. As we wrap up pride month and celebrate all we have accomplished over the last five decades, i want to take this time to race the issue of hunger in the Lgbtq Community. A study by the Williams Institute at ucla found more than one in four lgbtq adults do not have enough money to buy food for themselves or their family in the past year. Thats an alarming number, more than the National Food insecurity rate. The snap benefit provides only 1. 40 per person, per meal. That only covers a fraction. While many households go to food pantries, some of these food banks and pantries are affiliated with groups that may not accept people from who they are. Thats because discrimination due to Sexual Orientation and genderer identity is everywhere. Over half of the country there were no expolicity statewide laws that protect people from discrimination based on Sexual Orientation or genderer identity, employment, housing, and public accommodations. This type of discrimination has real consequences. Lgbtq americans are more likely to end up homeless, particularly as kids can and teens. More likely to live in a food desert where they have trouble purchasing nutritious food nearby. As if this werent bad enough, these numbers are more devastating across racial demographics. For example, in the Lgbtq Community a staggering 42 of africanamericans, 33 of hispanics, and 32 of native americans reported being food insecure. That is unconscionable and unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, this is not some abstract problem. These are our friends. These are our family members, neighbors, classmates, our coworkers. We should be uplifting and supporting them. But the numbers dont lie. Our ontry is facing a fullblown hunger crisis and the Lgbtq Community, in particular communities of color within it are bearing brunt of that crisis. We cant allow their stories to be erased or muted. We must Work Together to address interconnected issues like housing and hunger, by gathering more data on how to specifically respond to these problems. We must increase outreach to these communities so that everyone who qualifies for hunger assistance programs can access benefits. Sadly, instead of working to solve this problem, this president and his administrationer have tried to roll back the clock on equality. Whether its blocking questions related to Sexual Orientation or pushing halfbaked rule changes to enact a definition of gender which would essentially erase people from our official population counts, they are working overtime to threaten the rights of americans. We are working overtime to stop them. Last month the house passed the equality act which aims to extend civil rights protections to all americans regardless of gender identity and Sexual Orientation. Passing this bill into law would play a key role in addressing hunger in the Lgbtq Community. Im proud that the house has taken action and i urge th