[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 86 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2623-S2624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 4271. A bill to reauthorize the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by Senator 
Murkowski in the introduction of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act 
Reauthorization. As we know too well, rates of suicide have risen to 
epidemic levels in the United States. On average, there are 130 
suicides every day, roughly one every 11 minutes, making it the 10th 
leading cause of death among all age groups and second among people 
ages 10 to 24. These are staggering statistics behind which there are 
stories of immeasurable loss.
  After the tragic death of his son by suicide at the age of 22, our 
former colleague Senator Gordon Smith rallied support from Members 
across the aisle and in both Chambers to pass legislation focused on 
preventing suicide among children and young people. Since 2004, the 
Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act has provided critical resources for 
schools--from elementary school through college--to help at-risk youth. 
Funding under this program has supported hundreds of youth suicide 
prevention activities in all States, as well as providing grants to 
Tribes and tribal organizations, territories, and institutions of 
higher education in order to help them in the their efforts to address 
mental health and prevent suicides among students.
  The bill Senator Murkowski and I are introducing today would increase 
the authorized grant level for proven programs and initiatives designed 
to address mental illness and reduce youth suicide. It will enable more 
schools to offer critical services and make needed improvements to help 
the Garrett Lee Smith programs better serve students.
  Nationwide, suicide rates have skyrocketed over the last decade. In 
2020, nearly 46,000 Americans lost their lives to suicide. That same 
year, there were 1.2 million suicide attempts. We must renew our 
efforts on suicide prevention and take a holistic approach. Despite the 
troubling national trend, Garrett Lee Smith programs are making a 
difference and have contributed to declines in the youth suicide rate 
in my home State of Rhode Island over the last decade.
  Today, I am pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Senator 
Murkowski in introducing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act 
Reauthorization. This bill is part of suite of initiatives Congress can 
put in place to address mental health and suicide crisis among young 
people in our country. I look forward to working with Senator Murkowski 
and advocates in Rhode Island and across the country to make a 
difference in addressing this epidemic.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. Booker, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs. 
        Feinstein, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Smith, 
        Ms. Warren, and Ms. Rosen):
  S. 4275. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Education to award 
grants to eligible entities to carry out educational programs that 
include the history of peoples of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in 
the setting and founding of America, the social, economic, and 
political environments that led to the development of discriminatory 
laws targeting Asians and Pacific Islanders and their relation to 
current events, and the impact and contributions of Asian Americans to 
the development and enhancement of American life, United States 
history, literature, the economy, politics, body of laws, and culture, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, this month, as we celebrate Asian Pacific 
American Heritage Month, we have an important opportunity to recognize 
the significant contributions Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and 
Pacific Islander, AANHPI, individuals and communities have made to the 
development and enhancement of American life and culture.
  Despite their noteworthy contributions in various spaces--including 
literature, the economy, politics and law, arts and science, and 
education--AANHPI individuals and communities have largely been 
excluded or erased from our shared history as Americans.
  Look no further than our K-12 public schools. In many instances, the 
teaching of Asian Pacific American, APA, history has been limited to 
passing references or minor footnotes that barely scratch the surface 
of these diverse and resilient communities. When it comes to APA 
history, few milestones are discussed; furthermore, the uniqueness of 
these individuals and the communities in which they live is rarely 
highlighted. Oftentimes, AANHPI individuals are depicted as foreigners, 
as opposed to people who have lived in our country for generations. 
These narratives fuel xenophobia and racism that has resulted in a rise 
in attacks and hate-related incidents against AANHPI communities in 
recent years.
  Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time of celebration but 
also a reminder of the many challenges our communities have faced, 
including the Chinese Exclusion Act, Executive order 9066, which led to 
the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII, decades of racist 
laws, and the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in recent years. Members 
of our AANHPI communities have long been the target of discriminatory 
treatment in this country, challenges we must continually work to 
overcome. That is why I am introducing the Teaching Asian Pacific 
American History Act for the 117th Congress.
  In short, this legislation would promote the teaching of APA history 
in our public schools. At a time when many are challenging what is 
taught in our Nation's schools, it is important that we work to ensure 
our K-12 curricula accurately reflect the breadth of our Nation's 
history. Many States are already working to make sure our students have 
opportunities to learn about the complex history of our AANHPI 
communities. The bill would ensure Federal resources, available through 
the U.S. Department of Education's American history and civics 
programs, highlight the important contributions of these communities. 
The goal of the legislation is to make sure our students have a better 
understanding of who we are as a people--not just some of us but all of 
us.
  As we commemorate the history and contributions of Asian Americans, 
Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, and continue to work to combat 
the legacy of hatred, violence, and discrimination against our 
communities, this bill is a step toward ending the misguided perception 
of AANHPIs as outsiders or ``others.'' The Teaching Asian Pacific 
American History Act would enable K-12 teachers and students to better 
understand the racism and prejudice that AANHPIs have endured for 
decades and the many achievements and contributions of these 
communities.
  With that, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Casey, and 
        Ms. Klobuchar):
  S. 4278. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit 
the purchase of certain firearms by individuals under 21 years of age, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing legislation 
that would help ensure that an important safety provision in place for 
handguns will also apply to assault rifles.
  Under current law, a firearms licensee may not sell or deliver a 
handgun to a buyer under the age of 21. However, this common-sense 
protection does not apply to assault rifle purchases. This loophole 
costs lives.
  Earlier this week in Buffalo, we saw the effects of allowing a young 
adult under the age of 21 to legally buy assault weapons. Tragic 
events, like the massacre in Buffalo, have become far too common in our 
country.
  Last year, our Nation suffered from nearly 700 mass shootings, and 
this year, our country has already seen more than 200 mass shootings. 
And it is still only May. On average, more than one mass shooting every 
day.
  Congress must do something to stop these incidents.
  According to Everytown, people aged 18 to 20 commit 18 percent of all 
gun homicides in the United States, despite being only 4 percent of the 
total U.S. population.
  So it makes sense that laws on books restrict individuals under the 
age of 21

[[Page S2624]]

to purchase a handgun. But the law doesn't apply to assault rifles.
  It is simple logic: If you can't buy a beer, you should not be able 
to buy an assault weapon.
  I urge my Republican colleagues to consider supporting this 
commonsense legislation that has wide public support. A recent poll 
conducted by POLITICO showed that 88 percent of Democrats and 68 
percent of Republicans support requiring people to be 21 or older to 
purchase a firearm.
  The Age 21 Act is a first step in the right direction. It is time for 
Congress to show the American public that we are taking action on an 
issue that touches the lives of millions of people every year.
  I thank Senators Blumenthal, Casey, and Klobuchar for their support 
and urge the rest of my colleagues to support the bill as well.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. PADILLA:
  S. 4279. A bill to increase efficiency and conservation in public 
water systems, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Water Efficiency, 
Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022. This legislation would 
provide $550 million for the Environmental Protection Agency to address 
water inefficiencies and losses in public water systems.
  Leaking pipes waste an estimated 17 percent of water before a drop 
reaches a consumer's faucet. In my home State of California, 8 percent 
is wasted in a State that cannot afford any waste as we face the worst 
drought in 1,200 years.
  Water efficiency is the most cost-effective way to ensure clean, 
affordable drinking water for communities across the country. Much like 
energy efficiency measures, improving water efficiency saves consumers 
money, reduces demand, decreases strain on water supply systems, and 
saves energy.
  Yet Federal spending on energy efficiency and renewable energy has 
outpaced spending on water efficiency and water reuse by approximately 
80 to 1 since 2000, resulting in millions of gallons wasted each year 
that could otherwise be saved or utilized.
  The Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022 
creates a suite of options for States, municipalities, water systems, 
and Tribal nations to address water inefficiencies and losses in public 
water systems and to support leak reduction as one of the most cost-
effective urban water management tools we have.
  Achieving widespread water efficiency will require both inside-the-
home and inside-the-system upgrades. Fixes at the individual building 
level can add up to make a big difference. The EPA estimates' that 
installation of water-efficient fixtures and appliances can reduce 
water use 20 percent, saves money for consumers as well.
  The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided a 
historic level of water infrastructure investment--including for Bureau 
of Reclamation States and for wastewater efficiency--but more 
investment is needed in the water systems that deliver drinking water 
to our homes and businesses across all States.
  As the Western United States and much of the Southeast enter another 
year of historic drought, investing in resilient water supplies is an 
increasingly urgent priority for the States, water systems, and 
families facing rising water rates.
  In a survey completed as part of a 2014 GAO report, 40 out of 50 
State water managers expected water shortages in some portion of their 
State in the next decade. Improving water efficiency saves money, 
decreases strain on water supply systems, and saves energy.
  I would like to thank my House co-lead, Congressman McNerney, for 
championing this effort with me, and I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to enact the Water Efficiency, Conservation, and 
Sustainability Act of 2022 as we enter into the third year of this 
unprecedented, unrelenting drought.

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