[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 184 (Wednesday, October 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H5686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       EXTENDING CHILD TAX CREDIT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. School supplies, gas for the car, swimming 
lessons, payment for rent, these are just a few of the ways my 
constituents in southeast Louisiana are spending their child tax credit 
payments. Especially as my community recovers from Hurricane Ida and 
has unexpected costs, the dependability of monthly child tax credits--
an average of $410 for my constituents--has meant a lot.
  While this program expires at the end of December, the problems 
facing American children and families will not. The Build Back Better 
Act includes provisions to continue this program.
  Studies show that extending the child tax credit permanently is sound 
economic policy and that it can be done better to have better 
healthcare, better health outcomes, and more economic opportunities for 
families.
  We need to put our money where our mouth is and invest in our 
children, invest in our families, and pass the Build Back Better Act.


                    Remembering Musician Bennie Pete

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has taken over 725,000 
lives. One person gone too soon that I want to highlight is Bennie 
Pete, a New Orleans jazz musician. He passed away at the age of 45 from 
complications of COVID-19, shortly after deciding to get his first 
vaccine shot.
  Bennie played the tuba and cofounded the celebrated Hot 8 Brass Band. 
Born in the Upper Ninth Ward, he helped found the band by the age of 
18. They played on street corners, parades, and funerals, and then at 
bars and bigger venues, and as second lines.
  When Hurricane Katrina hit, Hot 8 brought music to the city in a way 
that only New Orleans can in the challenging days after the storm, 
playing at evacuation shelters and medical centers. The band became 
local heroes, a sense of hope, a sense of energy in the days 
immediately following great despair.
  The Hot 8 grew in popularity, touring in Europe and playing at 
Tipitina's and the Jazz and Heritage Festival.
  New Orleans will never be the same. We have lost a little bit of our 
soul with the passing of Bennie Pete. May he rest in peace.


             Improving Louisiana's Environment and Industry

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, Louisiana's Second 
Congressional District includes an industrial corridor of nearly 150 
oil refineries, plastic plants, and chemical facilities. Many sites 
provide high-paying jobs that lift families out of poverty or build a 
better life. But it is, foremost, a place that my constituents call 
home.
  As their Congressman, it is my job to make sure that it is a safe and 
prosperous place to live. Sadly, there have been longstanding concerns 
over elevated and disproportionate rates of cancer and respiratory 
conditions in this region. It shouldn't be this way. Industry and 
community can coexist, with proper monitoring and regulation.
  That is why I am calling on EPA Administrator Regan for Federal 
assistance to study, monitor, and improve the impacts of emissions and 
polluting substances in the river parishes. No one should have to die 
for their job.
  I stand ready to bring both environmental stewardship and a robust 
economy to Louisiana. We can do this. We must do this.

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