Farewell Remarks (Cong. Rec., Nov. 18, 2020)

Summary

This is a Congressional Record, House, section dated November 18, 2020, beginning at page H5929. It includes Special Order remarks in which Mr. García of Illinois states that the Heroes Act must pass now and Mr. Espaillat thanks Mr. García for his remarks. Under Farewell Remarks, Mr. Conaway is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader, encourages two members to sign a discharge petition on a bill that would reopen the PPP program to eligible small businesses, and delivers a final floor speech as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. A statement under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 from Mr. Yarmuth concerns H.R. 4644, the Libya Stabilization Act, as amended.

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“Farewell Remarks (Cong. Rec., Nov. 18, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-11-18-crec-2020-11-18-pt1-pgh5929-729f4f62c4/, SHA-256 ca5615dce52f80825d9a84a8e3a0e749335df9b56cffe76c620cf9b0e0efa980.

Full text

November 18, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5929
and equitable. The distribution must mother who had to wait 4 hours just to I want to thank all of my CHC col-
be fair and equitable. Given the dis- get tested? Or patients trying to figure leagues, including Congressman GARCÍA
parate way which this virus has hit our out how they are paying next month’s and those that were not here today,
communities, they should be amongst rent? Or children who won’t have par- that I know are on the streets every
the first to receive the vaccine and get ents sitting at the table this Thanks- day attending to their districts and
treated. giving? their communities to ensure that we
I thank the Madam Speaker for al- Most of my constituents don’t have get through this together, for all the
lowing me to address the House on this the luxury of working from home. They hard work that they have been doing
issue of crisis, of imperative action are essential workers. They are on the on a day-to-day basis since March to
that must be taken immediately to ad- front lines making sure we keep this help their constituents and keep all
dress the millions and millions of fami- country running. our communities safe.
lies that are scared in their homes with Workers are having to make tough Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal-
this pandemic raging across the coun- choices these days. Go to work with ance of my time.
try. fears of contracting or spreading f
Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- COVID–19, or stay home and risk losing
a job, health insurance, or their home. FAREWELL REMARKS
tleman from Illinois (Mr. GARCÍA).
All they are asking for is help to get The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under
b 1845 the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan-
by. People are afraid, frustrated, and
Mr. GARCÍA of Illinois. Madam worried. I am pissed off, and you should uary 3, 2019, the gentleman from Texas
Speaker, I thank Congressman be, too. (Mr. CONAWAY) is recognized for 60 min-
ESPAILLAT for organizing this Special What are we doing here? What the utes as the designee of the minority
Order hour. heck is the Senate doing sitting around leader.
Madam Speaker, we are more than 8 confirming judges while 246,000 families Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, be-
months into the COVID pandemic, and grieve? fore I get to the heart of what I came
I know that each and every one of us Yes, we are all exhausted. here to talk about, I would encourage
has been impacted. But months of willful neglect and the two gentleman who just spoke to
For months, we sounded the alarm on recklessness from the White House, sign the discharge petition on the bill
the pandemic’s disproportionate im- most Republican Governors and the that would do much of what he just
pact on Latinos, minority commu- Senate is devastating the Latino com- talked about, and that is reopen the
nities, and especially frontline work- munity and our entire country and PPP program to those small businesses
ers. economy. that would be eligible to participate in
It is no coincidence that the top five We have got to get a handle on this that. So if they would take that small
most impacted zip codes in Illinois are virus and our inaction—rather than the step, then that may be able to alleviate
in my district. And as many as one in failure for the Senate or the White some of the issues we are dealing with.
15 Chicagoans has COVID–19, with a House to act—will only lead to more Madam Speaker, the first remarks
vast majority being either Latino or death and suffering. that I gave in this Chamber were dur-
Black. We must pass the Heroes Act now. ing the debate on a concurrent resolu-
But this is a different moment. We Working people cannot wait until Jan- tion to count the electoral college
are heading into a dark winter and uary. Lives are literally depending on votes for President Bush and Vice
working families cannot wait for Con- it. President Cheney after the 2004 elec-
gress to act. I plead with all decision makers to tion. While I had been in the House
Unless we take immediate action, come to their senses to save people’s Chamber before that January day in
more will die. The sick are splitting lives and to help restore our economy 2005, stepping up to the podium was an
pills to pay rent. Diabetics are ration- by doing the right thing. Passing entirely different and nerve-racking
ing insulin to save money. People are COVID relief legislation that families, experience.
going hungry or doubling up in homes small businesses, and communities are The Capitol is quite a bit more famil-
to keep off the street. dying, literally dying, to receive. iar to me now because it has been 16
This falls on us. Congress. The White Now is the time for that action, be- years that I have been able to serve.
House. fore it gets colder and darker in Amer- The tunnels are no longer a mysterious
How can I continue to go back home ica. We have the solution and the labyrinth. I have grown accustomed to
and explain to my constituents again power to act and bring relief to all of long days packed full of hearings and
why Congress can’t pass relief for fami- those grieving and hungry and sick briefings and meetings. My walking
lies? families if we act today. speed is certainly quicker than it used
We expect everyone to do their part. It is time for action and no more to be.
Stay home or continue working the words. It is time to rise to the occasion But it is with the same awe and won-
frontlines. It is way past time that we and restore our people and our econ- derment that I felt on January 6, 2005,
do ours. omy. that I stand in this Chamber today to
$1,200 is all people were given to get Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I deliver my final floor speech as a Mem-
through the lockdown, and many of my thank my colleague JESÚS CHUY ber of the U.S. House of Representa-
immigrant constituents didn’t even get GARCÍA from the State of Illinois. As he tives.
that. Three, five, four. U.S. citizen- clearly said, this pandemic is not just When Suzanne and I began this jour-
born children could not get their $500 about health issues and the catas- ney back in 2002, we had no idea that
checks. U.S. citizen spouses could not trophe that has set on America with this is where it would wind up or how
get their $1,200 checks because they the number of folks that are COVID–19 long it would last. All I knew was that
may be married to someone who positive or dead, but also has an eco- I had a window of opportunity to serve
doesn’t have a Social Security number nomic dimension; small businesses my community, and I thought I could
yet. must also get another round of grants do a decent job.
We call them essential workers, but and PPP forgivable loans to ensure There is a verse in the Bible, Luke
really, they are expendable as far as that they continue to function, to en- 12:48 which says, ‘‘to whom much is
Donald Trump and the Republican Sen- sure that they continue to provide jobs given, much shall be required.’’ That
ate are concerned. We call them essen- and opportunities for our communities. verse has guided much of my decision-
tial, but they are expendable in the Madam Speaker, I thank you for this making. God has blessed me with a lit-

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eyes of those who hold the keys to re- opportunity to allow the Congressional tle bit of talent and an awful lot of life
lief. Hispanic Caucus to talk about the im- experiences that I thought qualified me
What do I tell the exhausted doctors portance of combating the disparities to do this job.
and nurses working days at a time at laid bare by the COVID–19 pandemic There is often an easy path in life,
hospitals quickly reaching capacity? and how we can make up for the harm but rarely is it the right path to walk.
How do I explain our inaction to the that has been wrought. I have done my very best to use my

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H5930 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 18, 2020
Judeo-Christian principles to guide my didn’t do it. My great team on the There are lots of other things that
life and my time in Congress. The work ground did it. They do all the hard are going on in this Nation that God
that I have been able to do has been ex- work, and I get the credit. It is great simply cannot bless. At some point in
tremely gratifying. being a Member of Congress. time, He is going to say enough is
This institution is important, Madam My professional staff in D.C. contrib- enough, and He will put this USA
Speaker. It is enshrined in our Con- utes mightily across the entire spec- through the same crucible that he put
stitution. The job that you and I do is trum, providing counsel on every topic the nation of Israel through through-
important. You and I, however, are not imaginable. All of my committee staff out the Old Testament when they
particularly important outside that over the years, including the House walked the path that we are walking. I
job. Ethics Committee—which is a thank- fear that is coming upon us.
We use the words ‘‘thank you’’ across less job—the terrific job that the House There is a solution, though, to that
a wide spectrum of emotions. We say Intelligence Committee staffers do to issue. The solution lies in the promise
thank you for opening the door, thank help me navigate the Russia investiga- that God has made us in 2 Chronicles
you for picking up something I tion, and most notably, the out- 7:14, which says:
dropped. The comments I am about to standing folks at the House Agri- If my people, who are called by my
make are at the other end of that spec- name, will humble themselves, turn
culture Committee, who have done in-
trum. from their wicked ways, seek my face,
credible work for me and production
I could not have done what I have and pray, I will hear them from Heav-
agriculture and rural America over the
been able to do, and I certainly could en. I will forgive their sins, and I will
last 6 years, including, Madam Speak-
not have succeeded as well as I have, heal their land.
er, passing a farm bill the same cal- I will argue tonight that our Nation
without the steadfast, loving support endar year that it was introduced. has never needed healing more than we
from my wife, Suzanne Conaway. Su- Thank you to the best staff and the do tonight except during the Civil War.
zanne has stood by my side at more most loyal staff any Member ever had. That is the promise that God has
events than I can imagine. She has lis- To my fellow Members of Congress made. That is also the solution that
tened to more town hall meetings and and the new representatives-elect who God provides us if we claim it, if we
stump speeches than anyone should all will take that new oath of office claim it as an individual, if we claim it
ever have to listen to. She has hand- next January, remember that your as communities, if we claim it as a Na-
written some 8,500 thank you notes word is your bond. It is irreplaceable. tion.
over the last 18 years. And she has, of Wisdom is not only knowing when Let’s be those people that will hum-
course, put up with the hectic schedule you are not the smartest person in the ble ourselves, turn from our wicked
you and I get to live under. Her faithful room but bringing that person on to ways, seek God’s face, and pray. He
support means more than I can put your team. That technique has worked will hear us from Heaven. He will for-
into words. Thank you, Suzanne. extremely well for me. Be an honest give our sins. And, Madam Speaker, He
The people of the 11th District of broker, no matter who you are talking will heal our land.
Texas are good and decent and kind, to. My time in Congress has been the ab-
hardworking, honest Texans who have And, Members, protect this institu- solute highlight of my professional ca-
trusted me to do right by them for the tion. It is worth fighting for. It is en- reer. I will miss wandering these halls
past 16 years. shrined in our Constitution. And never, late at night. I will miss looking up
Madam Speaker, when you and I ask ever do anything to bring discredit to from my desk and seeing the Dome.
for someone to vote for us or when any- this House. But most of all, I will miss the col-
body asks someone to represent some- leagues who have turned into friends
b 1900
one, we are basically asking them to and my staff, who has become family.
trust us. Trust us to go do something Madam Speaker, our Nation faces Madam Speaker, God bless each one
on their behalf day in and day out. You some incredible challenges. We have of you, God bless Texas, and may God
and I will make hundreds and thou- heard a description of the pandemic continue to bless the United States of
sands of decisions that will never get and the wreck that it is causing across America.
any input from the folks back home. this country. Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal-
They simply trust you and I to do it We face a debt crisis, a looming, ance of my time.
right. pending debt crisis that will soon f
That trust is earned over a long pe- swamp this Nation if we don’t begin to
address those hard comments. ADJOURNMENT
riod of time, and it will evaporate in a
nanosecond if you or I screw up some- We face a great power competition The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
thing in that regard. with China and, to some extent, with ant to section 4(b) of House Resolution
Trust is held in high regard in west Russia. 967, the House stands adjourned until 10
Texas, and I have been honored to have But I personally don’t believe those a.m. tomorrow morning for morning-
that trust from the folks in District 11 are the most threatening and imme- hour debate and noon for legislative
for 16 years. diate threats that our Nation faces. business.
No Member of Congress gets to do Our Nation faces a moral decline and Thereupon (at 7 o’clock and 3 min-
what I have been able to do by them- the inability to self-govern. utes p.m.), under its previous order, the
selves. It simply doesn’t happen. There John Adams wrote that only a moral House adjourned until tomorrow,
are hundreds and hundreds of people and religious people can, in fact, self- Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 10 a.m.
across District 11 that have played a govern. This form of governance is un- for morning-hour debate.
direct role in the successes I have had suitable for anyone else. f
in Congress. I thank the folks in Dis- There are things going on in this BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF PAYGO
trict 11. country that God cannot bless. We use LEGISLATION
I have also been blessed with the best the words ‘‘God bless you’’ and ‘‘God
Pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-
staff any Member could ever ask for. bless this country’’ often. We sing it in You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO), Mr. YAR-
My staff in the district is responsible songs. We use it particularly casually, MUTH hereby submits, prior to the vote
for helping countless constituents almost like the thank-yous I talked on passage, for printing in the CON-
navigate the Federal Government about earlier. But each time you hear GRESSIONAL RECORD, that H.R. 4644, the
through their superb casework. those three words, ‘‘God bless you,’’ Libya Stabilization Act, as amended,
Madam Speaker, I can’t tell you the think about what we are asking God to would have no significant effect on the

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number of times I have been confronted bless, whether what is going on in this deficit, and therefore, the budgetary ef-
by a happy constituent, whose life is Nation is, in fact, blessable. fects of such bill are estimated as zero.
just a little less difficult based on Since 1973, we have killed over 62 mil-
something one of my constituents’ lion young babies in this country. God Pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-
service folks has done on their behalf. can’t bless a nation that long con- You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO), Mr. YAR-
The great news is they think I did it. I tinues on that path. MUTH hereby submits, prior to the vote

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