Statements For the Record
Ms. McCollum: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of St. Paul Fire Department Chief Butch Inks on his retirement after than more than 40 years of steadfast service to the City of Saint Paul, including 31 years of dedication to public safety as a Firefighter and Chief of the Saint Paul Fire Department.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the slate of permitting bills that the Republican majority has brought to the House Floor this week. These bills roll back vital protections that ensure our constituents have access to clean air and water, and have the opportunity to weigh in on projects that will affect the health of their selves, their families, and their community.
Each November, our nation recognizes the ongoing contributions and resilience of the First Americans during Native American Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures of Native people across this country and to honor the role that sovereign tribal governments play in making the United States of America great.
Mr. Speaker, the House already passed an identical resolution to this last Congress. I voted against it then, as I will do again today. I expressed my serious concerns with how this resolution was written then, but nothing has changed.
Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives returned to work this week after a 43-day government shutdown and 55 days of recess in the House. And what pressing issues do the Republican Majority want to tackle first? Republicans want to waste more of the American people’s time by debating and overturning local laws of the District of Columbia. Republicans have decided that they know better than the residents of the District of Columbia what their local government needs.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my support and co-sponsorship of H.R. 3565, the Block the Bombs Act.
Mister Speaker,
I join all my colleagues in this body, my constituents, and the American people at large in denouncing all forms of political and ideological violence.
Democracy relies on the core principle of nonviolence.
We settle our disputes with ballots, not with bullets.
But as a social studies teacher, I can also recount a dark history of times when we lost our way as a nation, and violence was used to silence the voices of debate and sow division.
Ms. McCollum: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota. On Saturday, September 13th, residents of Lake Elmo kicked off a month of celebrations with family, friends, and neighbors at Lions Park, including a flyover from the Commemorative Air Force of South St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly object to this censure resolution which does not include a single quote from Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and seeks to punish her for comments she never said. After the unconscionable act of gun violence that took the life of Charlie Kirk, Representative Omar clearly and immediately condemned this assassination. She expressed her profound shock, sadness, grief about this despicable act of political violence. She expressed sympathy and empathy for Mr. Kirk’s wife and young daughters who are enduring unimaginable pain and sorrow.
Ms. McCollum: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Delta Air Lines, a remarkable milestone for one of the world’s most innovative and enduring airlines.