Congressional Record, House - July 23, 2020, H3697

Summary

This is page H3697 of the Congressional Record, House, July 23, 2020, with interleaved columns. It includes a tribute to Congressman John Lewis by Mrs. TRAHAN of Massachusetts, who recalls a visit to Selma, Alabama, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Mr. SHIMKUS of Illinois marks the 80th anniversary of the Welles Declaration, reading the State Department statement of July 23, 1940 on the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Mr. KELLER of Pennsylvania recognizes corrections officers and staff at FCC Allenwood and USP Lewisburg as PA-12 COVID-19 heroes, noting a deployment to other BOP hotspot facilities with diminished staffing.

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“Congressional Record, House - July 23, 2020, H3697.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-07-23-crec-2020-07-23-pt1-pgh3697-3-bae291b1bf/, SHA-256 681106bca2297b29776085a2a08d9828b714ef6ac9b960f51fb1e7235bba7e5f.

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July 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3697
As the youngest speaker at the March on ‘‘The United States will continue to great effect in changing hearts and
Washington, his was a clarion call to end ra- stand by these principles, because of minds by meeting hate with love, and
cial segregation and discrimination in the the conviction of the American people cruelty with kindness.
United States. Over half a century later, as
that unless the doctrine in which these I will forever remember and cherish
unrest over systemic violence against Black
Americans gripped our Nation in recent principles are inherent once again gov- the opportunity to join John Lewis in
weeks, John reinforced what he knew was erns the relations between nations, the Selma, Alabama, this past March with
true: rule of reason, of justice and of law—in my husband, my mom, and two daugh-
‘‘You cannot stop the call of history,’’ the other words, the basis of modern civili- ters. The time he spent with Grace and
Congressman said. ‘‘You may use troopers. zation itself—cannot be preserved.’’ Caroline, describing to them what
You may use fire hoses and water, but it can- Mr. Speaker, this declaration here re- ‘‘good trouble’’ was; walking across the
not be stopped. There cannot be any turning fused to recognize the Soviet annex- Edmund Pettus Bridge one last time,
back. We have come too far. We have made
too much progress to stop now and go back.’’
ation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lith- and reminding us what happened there
John was witness to our Nation’s history; uania. This nonrecognition lasted 5 55 years ago.
he shaped it and his legacy will forever be decades. He said: ‘‘On this bridge, some of us
part of that history. When I think of John This declaration enabled the Baltic gave a little blood to redeem the soul
and Bobby, I am reminded of Stephen Spend- States to maintain free, diplomatic of America. Our country is a better
er’s poem, ‘‘The Truly Great.’’ missions. And with this declaration, country; we are a better people. But we
. . . those who in their lives fought for life, Executive Order 8484 protected Baltic have still a distance to travel to go be-
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s centre. financial assets. fore we get there.’’
Born of the sun, they travelled a short while Today, the United States joins Esto- Thank you, John, for never giving up,
toward the sun, nia, Latvia, and Lithuania in remem-
And left the vivid air signed with their
for never giving in, for keeping the
honour.
bering this declaration and recommit- faith, and for always keeping your eyes
Sincerely, ting ourselves to peace, democracy, on the prize.
Ethel Kennedy. freedom, and the rule of law. We know the work we have left to do,
f Subsequently, their entrance into and you gave us the tools and the cour-
NATO and the European Union assures age to continue your legacy.
b 0915 them of being part of the family of Rest in peace, Congressman Lewis.
80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE western democracies.
WELLES DECLARATION f
f
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY HIGHLIGHTING CORRECTIONS OF-
Chair recognizes the gentleman from OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS FICERS AND STAFF AT FCC
Illinois (Mr. SHIMKUS) for 5 minutes. ALLENWOOD AND USP
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, in 1939, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
LEWISBURG AS PA–12 COVID–19
Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
HEROES
Communist Soviet Union signed a se- Massachusetts (Mrs. TRAHAN) for 5
cret agreement to invade and create minutes. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
spheres of influence. The Molotov-Rib- Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, walking Chair recognizes the gentleman from
bentrop agreement allowed Hitler to the halls of the United States Capitol Pennsylvania (Mr. KELLER) for 5 min-
invade the free and sovereign country this week has felt different, like a utes.
of Poland, while the Soviet Union in- piece of what makes this institution Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise
vaded the free and sovereign countries great is missing, because he is. It has today to highlight the work of the out-
of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. been a somber reminder that this body standing corrections officers and staff
Eighty years ago today the United and our country will never be the same at FCC Allenwood and USP Lewisburg
States responded with the Welles Dec- without our guiding light, our moral during the COVID–19 pandemic and rec-
laration. Let me read it. compass, Congressman John Lewis. ognize them as PA–12 COVID–19 heroes.
‘‘Department of State, July 23, 1940, I have never known someone to be Prior to and during the pandemic,
Statement by the Acting Secretary of more devoted to our Nation than John the corrections officers at these two fa-
State, the Honorable Sumner Welles. Lewis. He demonstrated that devotion cilities, located within Pennsylvania’s
‘‘During these past few days the devi- by setting standards high and requiring 12th Congressional District, stepped up
ous processes whereunder the political her continuous improvement; calling in a big way.
independence and territorial integrity out when our policies or practices These dedicated men and women
of the three small Baltic republics, Es- didn’t live up to the words written in went to work every day, overseeing
tonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, were to our Constitution; and never giving up Federal inmates, many of whom had
be deliberately annihilated by one of on the pursuit of freedom and equality been moved across State lines to Cen-
their more powerful neighbors, have for everyone in our country. tral Pennsylvania. In the face of these
been rapidly drawing to their conclu- He committed his life to the fight for unprecedented challenges, our correc-
sion. civil rights and, along the way, he per- tions officers took on expanded respon-
‘‘From the day when the people of suaded a Nation, through steadfast, sibility at great personal risk.
these republics first gained their inde- peaceful protests. These corrections officers and staff
pendent and democratic form of gov- Yes, John Lewis is a hero. He is also at USP Lewisburg and FCC Lewisburg
ernment the people of the United the closest example I will likely ever answered the call and they deployed to
States have watched their admirable know of a saint. But more than that, other BOP hotspot facilities to assist
progress and self-government with deep he was a friend. with diminished staffing capacities due
and sympathetic interest. To those of us who are new to Con- to COVID–19.
‘‘The policy of this Government is gress, John Lewis welcomed us. He Answering the ongoing call to duty,
universally known. The people of the made time for each of us; got to know USP Lewisburg was asked to step up in
United States are opposed to predatory us and, somehow, made you feel like a big way when storms destroyed por-
activities no matter whether they are the only person in his presence. He tions of FCI Estill in South Carolina,
carried on by the use of force or by the wanted you to know that he truly requiring nearly 1,000 new inmates to
threat of force. They are likewise op- heard your words and that they be moved from that facility to Central
posed to any form of intervention on mattered. Pennsylvania.

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the part of one state, however power- Part of what makes this job the For dealing with unprecedented chal-
ful, in the domestic concerns of any honor of a lifetime is serving alongside lenges under pressing conditions and
other sovereign state, however weak. giants like Congressman Lewis. Like so answering the call to duty, it makes
‘‘These principles constitute the very many in this Chamber, I stood in abso- me proud to recognize the corrections
foundations upon which the existing lute awe of him. He embodied decency, officers and staff at FCC Allenwood and
relationship between the 21 sovereign perseverance, justice, courage, and USP Lewisburg as PA–12 COVID–19 he-
republics of the New World rests. compassion, traits that he used to roes.

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H3698 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 23, 2020
RECOGNIZING ORRSTOWN BANK AS A PA–12 on T-shirts. Those T-shirts were then CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF RON
COVID–19 HERO sold as part of an online fundraiser RICE
Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, for their with $20 of each sale going to local The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
work in facilitating paycheck protec- businesses whose logo was on the shirt. Chair recognizes the gentleman from
tion loans for small businesses across As of mid-May, the project earned Texas (Mr. ARRINGTON) for 5 minutes.
Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional Dis- $5,300 for local businesses to help them Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise
trict, I recognize Orrstown Bank as a weather the COVID–19 pandemic. today to honor and celebrate the life,
PA–12 COVID–19 hero. For their ingenuity, resourcefulness, love, and special friendship of Ron
Enacted as part of the CARES Act, and generous spirit, Michelle and Caleb Rice.
and later replenished due to its suc- Fetter of Lewistown Printworks are He had a heart as big as the Texas
cess, the Paycheck Protection Program recognized as being PA–12 COVID–19 Panhandle, and he was a friend as
has been a tremendous asset to small heroes. faithful as the west Texas sunrise. His
businesses and their employees across f signature contagious laugh can be
the country, and the employees were heard from heaven even in this day of
able to stay employed. b 0930
profound grief.
In April, to highlight the success of HONORING CONGRESSMAN JOHN But Uncle Ronnie, Joy, Tracey,
the program, Orrstown Bank’s Execu- LEWIS Darren, and Rusty know what the
tive Vice President, Luke Bernstein, I The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Scripture tells us and what God prom-
was welcomed to the White House to Chair recognizes the gentleman from ises: that to be absent from the body as
discuss the bank’s work in processing Oregon (Mr. BLUMENAUER) for 5 min- a child of God is to be present with the
and facilitating loans. utes. Lord. So on this day, Mr. Speaker, we
Asked to facilitate loans with little Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it don’t grieve as the world grieves. As
Federal red tape and even less notice in is an honor and a joy to acknowledge the Scripture says, we should be pitied
order to help our economy survive this my one-quarter century relationship among all men if our hope is in this
terrible virus, banks like Orrstown with our friend, John Lewis. The better fallen world. No, sir. We rally around
have been instrumental in keeping I got to know him, the deeper my re- the Rice family today. We join them in
America employed and small busi- spect for his courage, his determina- thanking God and worshiping and
nesses operating. I thank them for tion, and his strength. praising God because Ron is home with
their work and again recognize them as People have remarked about his his Lord and Savior, Jesus, in eternal
a PA–12 COVID–19 hero. gentle spirit, his kindness, and his gen- happiness, joy unspeakable, and peace
RECOGNIZING PENN STATE UNIVERSITY AS A PA– erosity. I watched countless young peo- everlasting.
12 COVID–19 HERO ple be introduced to him in awe, in- God bless the Rice family.
Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, Penn cluding my own grandson. Guns up, Ron. You got the best seat
State University is undoubtedly a PA– I just heard Leader MCCARTHY ac- in the House.
12 COVID–19 hero. knowledge being in Selma with John REDUCING NATIONAL DEBT
During the COVID–19 pandemic, Penn on the 50th anniversary of that Bloody Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, Ad-
State University, one of the world’s Sunday. It was beyond my ability for miral Mullen was asked at a hearing
best research institutions, put their as- words to express watching John. On what he thought the greatest threat to
sets to use in a new way. They scoured that stage near where he was once al- national security was. His response was
their campuses and schools for per- most beaten to death, he spoke as a powerful, simple, and very clear. He
sonal protective equipment that might Member of Congress and then he intro- said the greatest threat to our national
be used in research or other academic duced the first Black President of the security is our national debt. I would
endeavors and found 10,000 pieces of United States, Barack Obama. add that it is not just a threat to our
PPE they donated to local hospitals to It is heartening to hear so many who security, but it is a threat to our pros-
aid in the fight against COVID–19. were polar opposites of John politically perity; it is a threat to the blessings of
Not only that, but Penn State put honor and praise his life and his serv- liberty and opportunity for our chil-
their academic skills to practice by ice. They sincerely mourn his passing dren; and it is a threat to domestic
partnering with local businesses in the and salute his career. I would hope, Mr. tranquility.
State College area to use 3D printing Speaker, however, that we would not There is not a greater threat that
to make PPE for smaller healthcare just repeat his words, but listen and looms larger on the horizon. There is
providers and nursing homes. understand and honor his lifework and not a greater challenge in this 21st cen-
While President Trump and his ad- his lifetime commitment to lifting peo- tury and for my generation than the
ministration worked to make sure our ple up and helping them find their potential and the prospects of a sov-
hospitals and healthcare providers had voices and express their wishes by exer- ereign debt crisis.
what they needed to meet the surge ca- cising the precious right of voting. We have no doubt experienced an un-
pacity and combat COVID–19, critical When John started, the vote was sup- precedented public health and eco-
community partners like Penn State pressed by violence and intimidation. nomic disaster as a result of the pan-
helped to meet the need. Today people are suppressing the votes demic. But if we don’t commit to re-
For their work in providing needed using computers, legal challenges, and ducing our national debt, we will in-
PPE supplies, Penn State University is capricious voting standards against the deed face a crisis far graver than what
recognized as a PA–12 COVID–19 hero. poor, people of color, the young, and could come out of this pandemic.
RECOGNIZING LEWISTOWN PRINTWORKS AS A PA– the marginalized. These are people We have experienced the largest gen-
12 COVID–19 HERO John knew should have special help, erational retirement in history, run-
Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, but instead he was outraged in his own away healthcare costs, and record
Lewistown Printworks is a central gentle but forceful way that they got spending. Discretionary, nondefense,
Pennsylvania small business that is special barriers shutting them out. and defense spending all have amassed
undoubtedly a PA–12 COVID–19 hero. I would hope that those who come to a whopping $1 trillion in debt. This is
Lewistown Printworks is a small the floor to issue their tributes to John pre-COVID. That is $1 trillion in an-
business in Mifflin County, Pennsyl- Lewis would join me in respecting his nual deficit spending, spending $1 tril-
vania, that experienced the struggles of life’s work. Let’s find ways to work to- lion more on our Nation’s priorities
operating a small business through the gether to protect the political process and our budget over what we have to

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
COVID–19 pandemic. This small, fam- for those whom he fought so valiantly spend.
ily-owned business saw an opportunity to be able to engage and protect. We have done that year in and year
to help others. In their ‘‘Support I will be forever grateful for his out, to the tune now of a $23-trillion
Small’’ project, Michelle and Caleb friendship and his example. I hope we debt and climbing. This is pre-COVID, I
Fetter, the owners of this small, fam- will all find it in our hearts to honor want to remind you, Mr. Speaker.
ily-owned business, asked local busi- his mission which should be the mis- Prior to COVID and the trillions of
nesses for logos that could be printed sion of us all. dollars that we are spending, we were

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