[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 25, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4507-S4510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
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By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms.
Cantwell, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Harris, Ms.
Hassan, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Markey, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Rosen, Mr.
Schatz, Mrs. Shaheen, and Ms. Warren):
S. 1964. A bill to support educational entities in fully implementing
title IX and reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of
education, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to discuss the
Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act,
which I was proud to reintroduce today with several of my Senate
colleagues. I also want to thank Congresswoman Matsui, who introduced
the bill in the House.
Our legislation recognizes and builds on the progress started by two
gender
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equity champions: Patsy Mink of Hawaii and Louise Slaughter of New
York.
Patsy Mink, the first Asian American woman and woman of color to
serve in Congress, was a pioneer and a strong champion for gender
equity in education as one of the principal authors of Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter's
commitment to public service and fierce advocacy for women's equality
and empowerment helped strengthen educational opportunities for all
Americans.
The Gender Equity in Education Act (GEEA) would honor their legacies
by providing more resources for K-12 schools, colleges and
universities, States, school districts, and others to fully implement
Title IX, also known as the ``Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in
Education Act,'' which has transformed the educational landscape in our
country by reaffirming the fundamental principal that sex-based
discrimination has no place in our nation's schools.
Since its enactment, Title IX has opened countless doors for women
and girls, and created important opportunities for students across the
country--whether in the classroom, on the playing field, or in the
boardroom. But barriers still exist, and more work remains to make sure
all students have access to safe learning environments free from bias
and discrimination. We need to work to make sure schools treat students
equally with regard to athletic participation opportunities, athletic
scholarships, and the benefits and services provided to athletic teams.
We need to work to improve gender equity in career and technical
education, in higher education, and in science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) fields while strengthening the STEM
pipeline. We need to address sexual harassment and assault in our
nation's schools.
We need to address discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting
status by providing better accommodations and increased support for
pregnant and parenting students, because currently only half of teenage
mothers earn their high school diplomas before they turn 22 years old,
and nearly one-in-three young mothers never get their diplomas or GEDs,
which is unacceptable.
And, at a time when nearly nine-in-ten LGBTQ students reported being
harassed or assaulted based on a personal characteristic, we need to
address discrimination based on stereotypes of actual or perceived
sex--including sexual orientation and gender identity.
GEEA provides important resources to continue this work--not only to
protect the progress we have made, but also to build on that progress
and create more opportunities for students.
By improving and strengthening Title IX, we uphold the great work of
champions like Patsy Mink and Louise Slaughter, who fought to make sure
no students are denied equal access to educational opportunities or
have to worry about whether they are safe on campus. We must remain
vigilant in this endeavor.
I thank my colleagues for joining me in reintroducing this important
legislation as we continue our work to advance Title IX and to ensure
equal access to educational opportunities for all.
I yield the floor.
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By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Ms. Ernst):
S. 1967. A bill to promote innovative approaches to outdoor
recreation on Federal land and to increase opportunities for
collaboration with non-Federal partners, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am joined by my colleagues Senator
Joni Ernst, Congressman Rob Bishop, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to
introduce the bipartisan Recreation Not Red Tape (RNR) Act. In Oregon
and nationwide, the outdoor recreation economy is growing. Nationally,
outdoor recreation generates $887 billion in annual consumer spending
and 7.6 million American jobs. As those numbers keep rising,
communities across the country are benefiting from growing American
interest in enjoying the great outdoors. Our bill will help grow the
economic potential of the outdoor recreation economy by opening access,
reducing red tape, and updating Federal recreation guidelines.
Unfortunately, getting outside often requires permits, parking passes
and camping fees that are important to maintaining public lands, but
too often involve confusing, complicated and lengthy processes to
obtain. This bill removes barriers to outdoor recreation, making it
easier for visitors from near and far to get outdoors and enjoy
America's treasures. By streamlining paths for more people to get
outdoors, the Recreation Not Red Tape Act will encourage outdoor
recreation opportunities, giving communities an economic boost.
The RNR Act includes provisions from Senator Heinrich's Simplifying
Outdoor Access for Recreation Act. The bill improves the Federal
outdoor recreation permitting process by eliminating duplicative and
bureaucratic reviews, requiring time limits for processing permit
applications, reducing fees, and simplifying multi-jurisdictional
trips. The bill also ensures recreation permits are available for
online purchases.
The RNR Act encourages all military branches to include information
about outdoor recreation opportunities as part of the basic services
provided to service members and veterans, and encourages all military
branches to allow active-duty service members to engage in outdoor
recreation or environmental stewardship activities without taking away
their hard-earned leave.
For the first time, the RNR Act directs Federal land management
agencies to enhance recreation opportunities when making land and water
management decisions. The RNR Act ensures Federal land managers have
and maintain recreation access goals. Importantly, the RNR Act
highlights the recreational values of public lands across the county
and encourages more National Recreation Area designations in the future
by creating a system of National Recreation Areas to manage recreation
lands in uniform guidelines.
Additionally, the RNR Act encourages volunteer opportunities to help
agencies carry out public lands maintenance projects, such as trail
maintenance on Federal lands. The bill establishes a pilot program to
create uniform interagency trail management standards for trails that
cross agency jurisdictional boundaries.
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By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. Portman, and Mr. Van Hollen):
S. 1969. A bill to authorize the Fallen Journalists Memorial
Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of
Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Fallen
Journalists Memorial Act of 2019. I am proud to be introducing this
bill with my long-time friend and colleague, the junior Senator from
Ohio (Mr. Portman).
The purpose of the bill is to authorize the Fallen Journalists
Memorial (FJM) Foundation to establish a commemorative work--a
memorial--in the District of Columbia or its environs honoring
journalists, photographers, and broadcasters killed in the line of
duty, defending freedom of the press. The bill directs the Federal
government to make eligible Federal land available for the memorial.
The bill explicitly prohibits the use of Federal funds to design or
construct the memorial, and stipulates that the memorial must be
designed and built in compliance with existing federal standards for
commemorative works. Furthermore, the FJM Foundation must provide the
funding necessary for the National Park Service or General Services
Administration to maintain the memorial. The bill conforms to the
structure of other similar bills.
Across the National Capital Region, we have monuments and memorials
to honor those who have helped make our Nation and our democracy
stronger since its founding days. Currently missing from that honor
roll, however, are journalists who have sacrificed everything to gather
facts, ask questions, and report the news in the spirit of the free,
open, and transparent societies and governments that Americans--and all
people--deserve.
Why do we need this memorial? Well, according to the Committee to
Protect Journalists:
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Worldwide, at least 1,337 journalists have been killed in the line of
duty since 1992;
each year, hundreds of journalists are attacked, imprisoned, and
tortured;
the majority of the journalists killed are murdered in direct
relation to their work as journalists; and
in 9 out of 10 cases, the killers of journalists go free.
When we think of casualties, we tend to think of war correspondents
on the front lines. in battle. Intrepid reporters and photographers and
cameramen and women put themselves in harm's way, and many have been
killed and wounded. But then we have cases like the Saudi Government's
savage dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in its Consulate in
Turkey last October. That was a state-sanctioned killing. And here at
home, barely 30 miles from here, we had the horrific shooting at the
Capital Gazette in Annapolis that left five people dead and two
wounded. The attack at the Gazette offices occurred one year ago this
Friday, on June 28th. So it is fitting that we are introducing the
Fallen Journalists Memorial Act today to remember and honor the Gazette
victims, Jamal Khashoggi, and all other journalists who have been
killed in the line of duty, defending freedom of the press. The Fallen
Journalists Memorial will be a visible symbol and reminder of what is
at stake and the price people have paid.
We Americans have certain rights and responsibilities granted to us
through the Constitution, which established the rule of law in this
country. Freedom of the press is one of those most basic rights and it
is central to our way of life. This precious freedom has often been
under attack, figuratively speaking, since our Nation's founding.
Today, attacks on the American media have become more frequent and
more literal, spurred on by dangerous rhetoric that is creating an
``open season'' on denigrating and harassing the media for doing its
job--asking questions that need to be asked, investigating the stories
that need to be uncovered, and bringing needed transparency to the
halls of power.
One year ago this Friday, a 38-year-old man who had a long-standing
spurious grudge against the Capital Gazette newspaper, made good on his
sworn threats. He entered the newspaper offices, headed to the
newsroom, and by the time he was done, he had shot and killed five
employees of this community newspaper and wounded two others.
The Capital Gazette is the local paper of record in Annapolis. It is
one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the U.S. It
traces its roots back to the Maryland Gazette, which began publishing
in 1727 and The Capital, which dates to 1884.
This loss of life is personal to so many in Annapolis and around our
State. You need to understand that the Capital Gazette is as much a
part of the fabric of Annapolis as the State government that it covers
better than anyone in the business.
On that day one year ago, the Anne Arundel County Police Department,
the Annapolis Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Sheriff's
Office all responded to the first 9-1-1 call within two minutes,
rushing into the offices and into the newsroom to apprehend the gunman
and prevent further bloodshed, according to Anne Arundel Police Chief
Timothy Altomare.
State and Federal law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives (A TF), and many others agencies quickly had personnel there
to support local officials in their efforts to clear the building and
meticulously investigate the scene.
I want to thank, again, all law enforcement officers and other first
responders--from the individuals who rushed into the newsroom not
knowing what danger they might encounter to those helping get others to
safety; from those gathering evidence to ensure nothing was lost in the
bustle or chaos of the moment to those diverting traffic so that people
could be evacuated and investigators could do their jobs in safety.
The swift law enforcement response undoubtedly saved lives but not
before the gunman managed to kill five people. Among them were Gerald
Fischman, 61, who was an editor with more than 25 years of service with
the Capital Gazette admired at the newspaper and throughout the
community for his brilliant mind and writing.
Most often, it was his voice and his insightfulness that came through
on the editorial pages of the Capital Gazette. Rick Hutzell, the
Capital Gazette's editor, described Fischman as ``someone whose life
was committed to protecting our community by telling hard truths.''
Rob Hiaasen, 59, was a columnist, editor, teacher, and storyteller
and brought compassion and humor to his community-focused reporting.
Rob was a coach and a mentor to many. According to former Baltimore Sun
columnist Susan Reimer, he was ``so happy working with young
journalists . . . He wanted to create a newsroom where everyone was
growing.''
John McNamara, 56, was a skilled writer and avid sports fan and
combined these passions in his 24-year career as a sports reporter at
the Capital Gazette. Former Capital Gazette sports editor Gerry
Jackson, said of McNamara, or ``Mac,'' as he went by, ``He could write.
He could edit. He could design pages. He was just a jack of all trades
and a fantastic person.''
Rebecca Smith, 34, was a newly-hired sales assistant known for her
kindness, compassion, and love for her family. A friend of her fiance
described ``Becca'' as ``the absolute most beautiful person'' with
``the biggest heart'' and called her death ``a great loss to this
world.''
Wendi Winters, 65, was a talented writer who built her career as a
public relations professional and journalist. She was well-known for
her profound reporting on the lives and achievements of people within
the community. She was a ``proud Navy Mom''--and daughter.
As we learned the details of the shooting from the survivors, it
became clear that Wendi saved lives during the attack. She confronted
the gunman and distracted him by throwing things at him--whatever she
could find within reach. As the paper noted: ``Wendi died protecting
her friends, but also in defense of her newsroom from a murderous
assault. Wendi died protecting freedom of the press.''
My heartfelt condolences and prayers continue to go out to the
victims and their families. The surviving staff members also deserve
our prayers and praise for their resilience and dedication to their
mission as journalists and respect for their fallen colleagues. During
and after the attack, staff continued to report by tweet, sharing
information to those outside, taking photos and documenting information
as they would other crime scenes. Despite their grief, shock, anger and
mourning, the surviving staff--with help from their sister publication
the Baltimore Sun, Capital Gazette alumni, and other reporters who
wanted to lend a hand to fellow journalists--put out a paper the
following morning and they have done so every day since. This is grace
under pressure.
Fittingly, the editorial page the day after the shooting was
purposefully left blank, but for the few words: ``Today, we are
speechless. This page is intentionally left blank to commemorate the
victims of Thursday's shootings at our office.'' The staff promised
that on Saturday, the page would ``return to its steady purpose of
offering our readers informed opinion about the world around them, that
they might be better citizens.''
I want to repeat one quote from the Capital Gazette editorial page
that bears repeating: ``Wendi died protecting her friends, but also in
defense of her newsroom from a murderous assault. Wendi died protecting
freedom of the press.'' Wendi Winters and her colleagues died
protecting freedom of the press.
Here in the United States, the Capital Gazette shooting was not an
isolated incident; other journalists have been vulnerable to attack or
reprisal for their work:
a freelance photojournalist was killed in the September 11, 2001,
attacks on the World Trade Center;
in October 2001, a photo editor with the Sun newspaper in Boca Raton,
Florida, died from inhaling anthrax, a substance that was mailed to a
number of journalists across the United States;
in August 2007, a masked gunman shot and killed the editor-in-chief
of
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the Oakland Post, a prominent African-American newspaper; and
in August 2015, a reporter and cameraman for television station WDBJ7
were shot dead during a live broadcast in Smith Mountain Lake,
Virginia.
At least 59 journalists have been murdered or killed in the United
States while reporting, while covering a military conflict, or simply
because of their status as a journalist.
While Annapolis and most of the Nation rallied in support of the
survivors of the Capital Gazette shooting, the paper reported receiving
new death threats and emails celebrating the attack. This is not right
in America or anywhere else.
Journalists, like all Americans, should be free from the fear of
being violently attacked while doing their job--both figuratively and
literally. The right of journalists to report the news is nothing less
than the right of all of us to know, to understand what is happening
around us and to us. Media freedom and media pluralism are essential
for the expression of, or ensuring respect for, other fundamental
freedoms and safeguarding democracy, the rule of law, and a system of
checks and balances.
Every one of us in this body--Democrats and Republicans--has sworn an
oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of
America. We bear the solemn responsibility of defending freedom of the
press. It is time for us to redouble our efforts both here at home and
abroad. We must lead by example. The very foundation and legitimacy of
our democratic republic are at stake. One way to start is by
memorializing those brave men and women who have died or been killed,
as the New York Times' Adolph S. Ochs put it in 1896, ``to give the
news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect, or
interests involved.''
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