[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

[[Page S4508]]

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:

[[Page S4509]]

  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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