Petitions and Memorials (Cong. Rec., Sept. 16, 2020)
Summary
This is the Congressional Record, Senate, September 16, 2020, covering pages S5650 and S5651 under the heading Petitions and Memorials, with interleaved columns. It lists executive communications EC-5472 to EC-5477, mostly reports on vacancies and rules received on September 10 and 11, 2020. It prints state resolutions, including POM-234 from the New Jersey Senate opposing HUD's proposed changes to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, and POM-235 from the New Jersey Assembly urging equal funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and 1862 land-grant institutions. POM-236 is Michigan Senate Resolution No. 130, urging Congress to explore further relief for businesses affected by the COVID–19 pandemic, noting more than 56,000 cases and more than 5,000 deaths in Michigan.
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“Petitions and Memorials (Cong. Rec., Sept. 16, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-16-crec-2020-09-16-pt1-pgs5650-55677d009c/
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S5650 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 16, 2020
on September 10, 2020; to the Committee on recipients to meet their longstanding legal Whereas, Today, there are more than 100
Commerce, Science, and Transportation. obligation under the federal Fair Housing HBCUs in the United States, all of which em-
EC–5472. A communication from the Asso- Act to reduce barriers to fair housing and body many of our most deeply cherished val-
ciate General Counsel, Department of Home- equal opportunity; and ues such as equality, diversity, opportunity,
land Security, transmitting, pursuant to Whereas, The AFFH rule was promulgated and hard work; and
law, a report relative to a vacancy in the po- in response to the recommendations of the Whereas, HBCUs have their roots in the
sition of Deputy Administrator, Federal United States Government Accountability federal Morrill Act of 1862, which required
Emergency Management Agency, Depart- Office and affected stakeholders centered on that each state have at least one land-grant
ment of Homeland Security, received in the the need for HUD to bolster its fair housing institution. Historically, most of these insti-
Office of the President of the Senate on Sep- planning obligations by providing greater tutions have been predominantly white.
tember 10, 2020; to the Committee on Home- clarity and support to HUD funding recipi- Since African-Americans were barred from
land Security and Governmental Affairs. ents and facilitating local decision-making many of these land-grant institutions, a sec-
EC–5473. A communication from the Asso- on fair housing priorities and goals; and ond Morrill Act was adopted in 1890 requiring
ciate General Counsel, Department of Home- Whereas, The AFFH rule achieves these states to show that race was not a factor in
land Security, transmitting, pursuant to ends by providing clearer standards for meet- the admission criteria of land-grant institu-
law, a report relative to a vacancy in the po- ing fair housing obligations, greater trans- tions or else they would lose federal funding;
sition of Under Secretary for Intelligence parency, increased access to data concerning and
and Analysis, Department of Homeland Se- fair housing conditions and access to oppor- Whereas, Instead of unifying the institu-
curity, received in the Office of the Presi- tunity, and new mapping and customizable tions, some states opted to create separate
dent of the Senate on September 10, 2020; to assessment tools, as well as by encouraging land-grant colleges for African-Americans,
the Committee on Homeland Security and collaboration between jurisdictions and com- which allowed those states to keep seg-
Governmental Affairs. munity input and participation; and regated colleges and at the same time not
EC–5474. A communication from the Direc- Whereas, The AFFH rule ultimately serves lose federal funding; and
tor, Office of Acquisition Policy, General to help HUD funding recipients take mean- Whereas, 1890 land-grant institutions—HBC
Services Administration, transmitting, pur- ingful actions to overcome historic patterns Us—have largely received less funding per
suant to law, the report of a rule entitled of segregation, promote fair housing choice, student when compared to their 1862 land-
‘‘Federal Acquisition Regulation: FAR Case and foster inclusive communities that are grant counterparts, in some instances receiv-
2019–009, Prohibition on Contracting with free from discrimination; and ing only half the funding given to other in-
Entities Using Certain Telecommunications Whereas, On August 9, 2018, HUD issued an stitutions; and
and Video Surveillance Services or Equip- advance notice of a proposed rulemaking Whereas, It should be a public policy goal
ment’’ (RIN9000–AN92) received in the Office that would undo much of the AFFH rule for of the federal government to enact laws
of the President of the Senate on September the stated reasons that the rule impeded the aimed at eliminating the existing funding in-
10, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Se- development and rehabilitation of affordable equity between HBCUs and 1862 land-grant
curity and Governmental Affairs. housing and provided inadequate autonomy institutions; and
EC–5475. A communication from the Acting to HUD funding recipients; and Whereas, By increasing funding to HBCUs,
Director, Office of Personnel Management, Whereas, The AFFH rule has not been in the federal government would be providing
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of effect long enough to adequately assess its vital support to these institutions as they
a rule entitled ‘‘Federal Employees’ Group effect on the development and rehabilitation continue their endeavor to improve the qual-
Life Insurance Program: Clarifying Annual of affordable housing, the rule does not in ity of life of African-Americans by providing
Rates of Pay and Amending the Employment fact dictate how communities should meet them with high quality education; and
their fair housing obligations, and the rule Whereas, It is important, therefore, that
Status of Judges of the United States Court
has produced concrete improvements in fair Congress and the President of the United
of Appeals of Veterans Claims’’ (RIN3206–
housing, such as the commitment of Chester States enact legislation which eliminates
AN52) received during adjournment of the
County, Pennsylvania to reduce the number the existing funding inequities between
Senate in the Office of the President of the
of Section 8 recipients living in high-poverty HBCUs and 1862 land-grant institutions in
Senate on September 11, 2020; to the Com-
census tracts by five percentage points; and order to have equal education opportunity
mittee on Homeland Security and Govern-
Whereas, It is altogether fitting, proper, through equal funding for all land-grant in-
mental Affairs.
and in the public interest, for this House to stitutions: Now, therefore, be it
EC–5476. A communication from the Acting Resolved by the General Assembly of the State
express opposition to HUD’s proposed rule-
Director, Office of Personnel Management, of New Jersey:
making that would upend the AFFH rule and
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of 1. The General Assembly of the State of
exacerbate housing inequities in both this
a rule entitled ‘‘Employment in the Ex- New Jersey respectfully urges Congress and
State and across the United States; now,
cepted Service’’ (RIN3206–AN30) received dur- the President of the United States to enact
therefore, be it
ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office Resolved, by the Senate of the State of New legislation aimed at eliminating the existing
of the President of the Senate on September Jersey: funding inequity between Historically Black
11, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Se- 1. This House expresses its opposition to Colleges and Universities, which are the 1890
curity and Governmental Affairs. and disapproval of the United States Depart- land-grant institutions of higher education,
EC–5477. A communication from the Asso- ment of Housing and Urban Development’s and the 1862 land-grant institutions of higher
ciate General Counsel, Office of Management proposed rulemaking revising its Affirma- education.
and Budget, transmitting, pursuant to law, a tively Furthering Fair Housing rule adopted 2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with
report relative to a vacancy in the position in 2015. the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted
of Director, Office of Management and Budg- 2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the
et, received during adjournment of the Sen- the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted President and Vice-President of the United
ate in the Office of the President of the Sen- by the Secretary of the Senate to the Presi- States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of
ate on September 11, 2020; to the Committee dent and Vice President of the United the United States Senate, the Speaker and
on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- States, the United States Secretary of Hous- Minority Leader of the United States House
fairs. ing and Urban Development, and each mem- of Representatives, and to every member of
f ber of Congress elected from this State. New Jersey’s Congressional delegation.
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS POM–235. A resolution adopted by the Gen- POM–236. A resolution adopted by the Sen-
The following petitions and memo- eral Assembly of the State of New Jersey ate of the State of Michigan urging the
rials were laid before the Senate and urging the United States Congress and the United States Congress to explore further
were referred or ordered to lie on the President of the United States to eliminate avenues of relief for businesses affected by
funding disparities among land-grant insti- the COVID–19 pandemic; to the Committee
table as indicated: tutions of higher education; to the Com- on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
POM–234. A resolution adopted by the Sen- mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 130
ate of the State of New Jersey expressing op- Pensions. Whereas, The COVID–19 Pandemic has dra-
position to the Department of Housing and ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 125 matically affected Michigan and the United
Urban Development’s proposed changes to
Whereas, Historically Black Colleges and States. The first cases in Michigan were re-
the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
Universities (HBCUs) have been providing a ported on March 10, 2020, and since these ini-
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Rule adopted in 2015; to the Committee on
crucial means for the educational and eco- tial reports more than 56,000 cases have been
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
nomic advancement of African-Americans confirmed and more than 5,000 Michiganders
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 76 for more than a century; and have lost their lives to the novel
Whereas, In 2015, the United States Depart- Whereas, By serving the African-American coronavirus. Nationally, there have been
ment of Housing and Urban Development community, HBCUs serve all Americans by more than 1.7 million cases and 100,000
(‘‘HUD’’) adopted an Affirmatively Fur- preparing gifted young men and women to deaths; and
thering Fair Housing (‘‘AFFH’’) rule that es- achieve their dreams and succeed in their Whereas, Mitigating the spread of the virus
tablished a new framework for HUD funding life goals; and has required extraordinary public health
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September 16, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5651
measures. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has 150 people and wounded over 5,000 others. Ac- POM–240. A petition from a citizen of the
issued executive orders prohibiting large cording to experts, the blast registered on State of Texas relative to recipients of pub-
gatherings, closing all primary and sec- seismographs at 3.3, and the blast was the lic financial assistance; to the Committee on
ondary schools, and requiring the temporary third most powerful explosion in history Finance.
closure of all nonessential businesses. At the after Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan dur- POM–241. A petition from a citizen of the
federal level, the White House Coronavirus ing World War II; and State of Texas relative to territory and
Task Force’s guidelines recommended the Whereas, In addition to the tragic loss of statehood status; to the Committee on En-
closure of places where people gather, in- life, the explosion has largely destroyed the ergy and Natural Resources.
cluding businesses, where there is evidence port and its infrastructure, which was re- f
of community transmission. While some in- sponsible for 60 percent of Lebanon’s imports
dustries and regions of the state have begun and was one of the largest and busiest ports EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF
to partially reopen, it is unclear how long on the eastern Mediterranean Sea. As a re- COMMITTEES
mitigation measures will be necessary before sult of the explosion, most of the city’s grain
reserves and food imports were destroyed, The following executive reports of
normal operations can resume; and
Whereas, These measures have greatly im- which is likely to cause widespread food in- nominations were submitted:
pacted the livelihoods of business owners security for years to come. In addition, the By Mr. WICKER for the Committee on
across the state and our nation. With the city of Beirut is suffering billions in dam- Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
forced closures, small business owners have ages, with the explosion shattering glass as Eric J. Soskin, of Virginia, to be Inspector
been forced to lay off workers and forgo in- far as 15 miles from the scene. In response to General, Department of Transportation.
come for months, while still needing to the widespread devastation from the blast, a * Sarah E. Feinberg, of West Virginia, to be
make payments for utilities, mortgages and two-week state of emergency has been de- a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors
rent, and other expenses. According to a sur- clared; and for a term of five years.
Whereas, The people of Lebanon were al- * Chris Koos, of Illinois, to be a Director of
vey by the Small Business Administration of
ready suffering from daily power outages, a the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of
Michigan, one in seven, or about 14 percent,
lack of safe drinking water, food and fuel five years.
of small businesses are not confident that
shortages, and limited public health care be- * Robert E. Primus, of New Jersey, to be a
they will survive the Pandemic. Nationally,
fore the explosion. The COVID–19 Pandemic Member of the Surface Transportation Board
a survey found that 7.5 million small busi-
exacerbated these issues, resulting in Leb- for a term expiring December 31, 2022.
nesses are at risk of shutting down; and * Theodore Rokita, of Indiana, to be a Di-
anon’s worst economic crisis since the 1975–
Whereas, Federal and state governments rector of the Amtrak Board of Directors for
1990 Civil War. Now with the devastation
have a responsibility to assist small busi- the remainder of the term expiring January
from the explosion, it has become nearly im-
nesses since government mitigation meas- 3, 2021.
possible for the Lebanese people to obtain
ures, while for the greater good, contributed * Theodore Rokita, of Indiana, to be a Di-
basic human rights without humanitarian
significantly to the current economic crisis. rector of the Amtrak Board of Directors for
aid; and
The economic uncertainty and devastation Whereas, Rescue efforts have been ham- a term expiring January 3, 2026.
caused by the COVID–19 Pandemic and the pered by the lack of electricity, and medical By Mr. JOHNSON for the Committee on
related mitigation policies are not the fault professionals are stitching the wounded in Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
of small business owners. It would be unjust the streets under their cellphone lights. Pub- fairs.
to fail to help them and to allow them to lic Health Minister Hamad Hassan said Leb- * John M. Barger, of California, to be a
bear an unfair share of the burden of address- anon’s health sector is short of beds and Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift In-
ing this crisis; and Jacked the equipment necessary lo treat the vestment Board for a term expiring October
Whereas, The failure of these businesses injured and care for patients in critical con- 11, 2022.
could have wide ranging negative effects for dition. Meanwhile, many buildings and * Christopher Bancroft Burnham, of Con-
Michigan and the United States. Since the homes have been reduced to an uninhabit- necticut, to be a Member of the Federal Re-
beginning of the crisis, more than 40 million able mess of glass, leaving as many as 300.000 tirement Thrift Investment Board for a term
Americans have filed for unemployment, in- people homeless. Furthermore, the toxic expiring September 25, 2024.
cluding more than 1.7 million in Michigan. If gases released from the explosion. combined * Frank Dunlevy, of California, to be a
small businesses are unable to reopen, many with the impact of COVID–19 and the thick Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift In-
of these claimants may not be able to return Mediterranean summer air, have created a vestment Board for a term expiring Sep-
to work, magnifying the already devastating deeply oppressive atmosphere where the peo- tember 25, 2022.
economic impact of COVID–19; and ple of Beirut cannot breathe; and
Whereas, The small business relief already
* Nomination was reported with rec-
Whereas, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan
enacted by Congress is not sufficient to miti- Diab and his government have stepped down
ommendation that it be confirmed sub-
gate these effects. As part of the Coronavirus after citing mass corruption that contrib- ject to the nominee’s commitment to
Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) uted to the disaster. Before the resignation, respond to requests to appear and tes-
Act, Congress created the Paycheck Protec- Prime Minster Hassan Diab made a plea to tify before any duly constituted com-
tion Program (PPP) to provide loans to other countries for aid. France, Russia, Iraq, mittee of the Senate.
small businesses. Even though additional and Iran have sent planes full of doctors, (Nominations without an asterisk
money was subsequently appropriated to the medical supplies, medication, and more to were reported with the recommenda-
program, the PPP has been unable to prove help Lebanon through this crisis: now, there- tion that they be confirmed.)
relief to millions of small businesses that fore, be it
have been affected by the crisis: Now, there- Resolved by the House of Representatives, f
fore, be it That we urge the Congress and President of INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND
Resolved by the Senate, That we memori- the United States to send humanitarian aid
in the form of medical supplies, medications,
JOINT RESOLUTIONS
alize the Congress of the United States to ex-
plore further avenues of relief for businesses and emergency funding to Lebanon in the The following bills and joint resolu-
affected by the COVlD–19 Pandemic; and be wake of the Beirut Port Explosion, and be it tions were introduced, read the first
it further further and second times by unanimous con-
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be Resolved. That copies of this resolution be
transmitted to the President of the United
sent, and referred as indicated:
transmitted to the Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives, the Presi- States, the Speaker of the United States By Ms. STABENOW (for herself and
dent of the United States Senate, and the House of Representatives, the President of Mrs. BLACKBURN):
the United States Senate, and the Michigan S. 4584. A bill to amend the Energy Policy
members of the Michigan congressional dele-
congressional delegation. and Conservation Act to modify the defini-
gation.
tion of water heater under energy conserva-
POM–238. A resolution adopted by the City tion standards, and for other purposes; to the
POM–237. A resolution adopted by the
Council of the City of Oberlin, Ohio, express- Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
House of Representatives of the State of
ing the support for the passage of Senate sources.
Michigan urging the United States Congress
Joint Resolution 6 to remove the deadline By Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr. CAR-
and the President of the United States to im-
for state ratification of the equal rights PER, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR):
mediately send humanitarian aid to Lebanon
amendment; to the Committee on the Judici- S. 4585. A bill to maintain prompt and reli-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
in response to the Beirut port explosion; to
ary. able postal services during the COVID–19
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
POM–239. A resolution adopted by the health emergency, and for other purposes; to
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 303 Pennsylvania State Council of the Junior the Committee on Homeland Security and
Whereas, On August 4, 2020, a cache of the Order United American Mechanics memori- Governmental Affairs.
chemical substance ammonium nitrate alizing its opposition to the desecration and By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for
which was being stored in a warehouse on destruction of American war monuments in himself and Ms. SINEMA):
the Pon of Beirut in Lebanon caught fire, re- this country; to the Committee on Energy S. 4586. A bill to amend the CARES Act to
sulting in an explosion that killed more than and Natural Resources. require the uniform treatment of nationally
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