[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 199 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6271-H6272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF NORMA FINK ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Deutch) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary 
trailblazer, philanthropist, and public servant in south Florida, Mrs. 
Norma Fink, on her 100th birthday.
  Born Norma Mager, in the Bronx, New York, on November 16, 1921, Norma 
has spent a century giving back to those around her. In 1942, Norma 
graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in 
economics and a minor in geology, the only woman to graduate with that 
honor at the time.
  Shortly after, she put her degree to work by joining the Department 
of War to assist with the military supply chain while her husband, 
Robert Fink, served in our Nation's Armed Forces during World War II.
  After the war, Norma worked in her father's bakery, Mager and Throne 
Bread Bakery. During this time, she became enamored with jazz music and 
made friends with many local musicians who were involved with the civil 
rights movement. Inspired by their work, Norma began contributing the 
money she made to support civil rights initiatives in the South. This 
became an ongoing passion of hers.

  After moving to Plantation, Florida, in 1972, Norma continued her 
legacy of supporting the enrichment of the community by joining the 
city's Parks and Recreation Department, where she still works at the 
age of 100.
  Additionally, she began spending her time and money supporting local 
charities. Following the loss of her daughter, Marian, to breast cancer 
in 2002, Norma dedicated herself to helping others suffering from 
cancer.
  Norma's spirit of persistence, generosity, and service to her 
community is an inspiration to all of us in south Florida. It is an 
inspiration to generations of Americans.
  To honor her legacy, the city of Plantation, her home for nearly half 
a century, has designated Norma Fink Day in honor of the oldest and 
longest part-time employee in that city's history.
  I join the entire south Florida community in wishing Norma Fink a 
happy 100th birthday surrounded by her loved ones. I thank her for her 
dedication to bettering the lives of everyone in south Florida.


           Making History With Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the historic day 
yesterday in this Nation's history.
  The legislation that the President signed into law was overwhelmingly 
bipartisan in the Senate, and it was overwhelmingly supported by the 
American people. Why? Because it is the largest dedicated bridge 
investment since the construction of the Interstate Highway System. It 
is the largest investment in public transit and passenger rail since 
the creation of Amtrak.
  It expands broadband to every corner of our country so that every 
American has access to reliable, high-speed internet.
  It secures clean water, making the largest investment in clean 
drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in American history.
  This is what we have been clamoring for, in a bipartisan way, as long 
as I have been serving in this Congress. Yesterday, President Biden 
delivered. He did it with the bipartisan support of the Senate and the 
overwhelming support of the American people.
  Unfortunately, in this Chamber, my colleagues on the other side view 
any sort of bipartisan effort like that as too difficult to support, 
too difficult to stand with the Republicans and Democrats in the 
Senate, too difficult to stand with Democrats here, and too difficult, 
apparently, to stand with the America people in moving forward with a 
massive infrastructure plan that will help strengthen every community 
across our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I am so proud that this House joined with the Senate in 
sending this legislation to President Biden.

[[Page H6272]]

Yesterday, as I said, was a historic day as President Biden signed the 
infrastructure bill into law and as we move forward to the Build Back 
Better Act.
  Again, I note for my colleagues here, this too is so popular 
throughout America because everyone understands that if we invest in 
the American people, if we take the kind of action that is necessary to 
lower healthcare costs and childcare costs, provide universal pre-K, 
and make investments to combat climate change that we will be making 
America more competitive on the global stage, something that my 
colleagues in this Chamber often talk about.
  I hope that they will recognize the opportunity to do exactly that in 
passing the Build Back Better Act when we vote on it this week.

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