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June 8, 2017

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks

Moss. Sergeant Moss is an inspiration and deserves to be honored. I know Sergeant Moss and his fellow soldiers did not all receive the return they truly deserved. So for Sergeant Moss and others, welcome home and thank you. Humbly, I echo the words of President Ronald Reagan, ‘‘We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we will always be free.’’ And humbly, I offer my sincere gratitude to Sergeant Joe Moss for his service and acts of bravery that allow us the freedoms we enjoy today. f

OPPOSITION OF U.S. WITHDRAWAL ON CLIMATE CHANGE

HON. TERRI A. SEWELL OF ALABAMA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in opposition to President Trump’s misguided decision to withdraw America from the Paris Climate Agreement. This agreement, which was negotiated and signed by President Obama, was a strong step in the right direction to combat climate change. The deal developed goals to reduce carbon pollution by increasing energy efficiency and investing in energy research and development. Joining Syria and Nicaragua, the United States is now one of three countries not participating in this groundbreaking pact of 195 nations. With this decision, President Trump has chosen to relinquish America’s position as a leader in global environmental policy and thus, forfeits the United States from technological advancements and solar jobs that would drive our global economic growth. To retreat from the world stage gives other countries, such as China and Russia, the opportunity to gain universal influence. Moreover, President Trump’s decision to break America’s promise on energy commitment with no plan in place to reduce our carbon footprint jeopardizes our progress toward a more sustainable energy future. Because of the lack of leadership in the White House, citizens across our nation must rely on city and state officials to lead their communities in an effort to combat climate change. More than 200 mayors from around the United States have joined the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda to adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement as well as strengthen local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I am proud to say that Birmingham Mayor William Bell has joined this initiative. Our constituents deserve a responsible energy strategy that meets our obligation to protect the environment for future generations. This strategy should also include a proposed plan to eradicate environmental injustice, an issue that affects many Americans today, including citizens of my district. For example, Perry County is a largely African American community in Alabama where coal ash from around the country is dumped. Time and time again, we see that communities of color, as well as the poor, are burdened with the negative health outcomes that stem from exposure to pollution and industrial waste.

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America deserves a President that will work to establish an energy policy that will position the United States as an energy independent country that also leads the world toward a sustainable future. f

HONORING DR. KARI MOE

HON. KEITH ELLISON OF MINNESOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the public service of Kari Moe, my Chief of Staff for over 10 years. When I was first elected to Congress, many of my friends and colleagues said the one thing I had to do was hire a great Chief of Staff. Kari has been more than great—she has been irreplaceable. Kari Moe met my personal hero and a mentor, Senator Paul Wellstone, when she was a freshman at Carleton College, where he was a professor. When the college’s conservative administration moved not to renew Senator Wellstone’s contract in 1975, Kari organized campus protests to grant him tenure. Kari and her fellow activists were victorious, and Wellstone was granted tenure. That event marked the beginning of a long and successful career in organizing and leadership. Soon after graduating, she moved to Chicago to work for another personal hero, Harold Washington, the city’s first black Mayor. After Paul Wellstone won his Senate race in 1990, he called Kari to ask her to join his team in D.C. As Senator Wellstone’s Chief, she helped achieve many progressive victories and helped develop staffers with her signature nurturing leadership style. Kari has exceeded all expectations in her role as lead staffer for my office. She has, perhaps more than anyone, shaped my Congressional career. She helped us serve the 5th Congressional District, advance our policy agenda, and build the work of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. We have worked together every step of the way and I have appreciated her leadership. I will miss her and know she will continue to advance our agenda in her future work with young leaders. She will be remembered in my office for her strength, empathy and leadership, always urging staff to act with purpose, and to remember that real change doesn’t come from the top— it comes from empowering people at the grass roots. I thank her for her service and will miss her in my office. f

RECOGNIZING MIKE CHRISTOPHER ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 40 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Mike was born March 18, 1952 and graduated from Penn State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environment Resource Management. He married his wife Andrea on May 15, 1976, and began working for Washington Township the next year as Supervisor. In 1993, Mike began serving as the Township Treasurer as well as Supervisor. Mike is one of those outstanding individuals who is a true public servant, Mr. Speaker, and he didn’t stop with working for his local community full time. He’s served on numerous boards and committees in the Waynesboro area and Franklin County including the YMCA Board of Directors and Building Committee, as President of the Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce, and as Secretary for the Waynesboro Area Drug Education Consortium. He is also the founder of the Franklin County Crime Solvers Board. I am certainly not the first to recognize Mike for his outstanding service. In addition to much recognition throughout his career, just this year he was awarded the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors 95th Annual Conference in Hershey. Mr. Speaker, Mike’s willingness to serve his community and Pennsylvania sets him apart as an outstanding individual and I am honored to represent him in the United States Congress. I ask that all of my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Mike on his retirement and wishing him nothing but continued success. f

MICKAYLA CUNNINGHAM

HON. ED PERLMUTTER OF COLORADO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Mickayla Cunningham for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Mickayla Cunningham is a student at Arvada K–8 School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Mickayla Cunningham is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Mickayla Cunningham for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments. f

HON. BILL SHUSTER

HONORING THE LIFE OF BALDOMERO VELA SR

OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mike Christopher, a devoted public servant in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Mike is retiring after 40 years of dedicated public service as supervisor of Washington Township.

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HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of prominent Rio

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