[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1955-H1956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DESIGNATING LEBANON FOR TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Tlaib) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to renew our fight to 
designate Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status to prevent Lebanese 
nationals in the United States from being forced back to the dangerous 
crisis facing their home country.
  Between the pandemic, the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion, 
economic devastation, and the ongoing political crisis, Lebanon is 
experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, resulting 
in widespread lack of access to medical care, clean water, food, and 
electricity.
  According to the United Nations, Mr. Speaker, over 3.5 million 
Lebanese people are estimated to live in poverty and 1.38 million 
people are experiencing extreme poverty. The Presidency has been vacant 
since last October and the parliament just extended the terms of local 
officials without elections to avoid a complete collapse at the local 
level.
  Mr. Speaker, 40 percent of the doctors there in Lebanon have left the 
country and we continue to see huge amounts of illnesses spreading 
throughout on top of the pandemic.
  Our country must not retreat from its long tradition of providing a 
safe haven for those that need it the most. Temporary Protected Status 
for our Lebanese neighbors is critical to prevent more hardship. I call 
on my colleagues to support this legislation.


           Celebrating Lee Vernon Newby, Jr.'s 100th Birthday

  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lee Vernon Newby, 
Jr. He is a veteran of World War II, and a longtime resident of Detroit 
in Michigan's 12th District Strong. He is celebrating 100 years of 
life.
  Mr. Newby is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served from 
April 1, 1943, until January 8, 1946. He served and was wounded during 
World War II, where Mr. Newby was one of our courageous Montford Point 
marines and one of the first barrier-breaking African Americans to 
enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
  He fought against prejudice and hostility while serving our country. 
Mr. Newby, Jr., proudly serves as a member of the Montford Point 
Marines of America, the Detroit chapter, and was awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest civilian award in the Nation, 
under President Obama's administration.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Mr. Lee Vernon Newby, Jr.,

[[Page H1956]]

for his outstanding service to our country as we celebrate his 100th 
birthday.

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