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 conyer