[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 85 (Thursday, May 16, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3283-H3284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100
        COMMEMORATING ANNIVERSARY OF BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Porter) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 70th anniversary 
of Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court's decision to 
desegregate public schools.
  Despite this landmark case and the integration that followed, 
segregation in schools has increased by more than 60 percent over the 
last few decades, driven by so-called school choice and Federal courts 
rolling back desegregation commitments.
  Every student should have the opportunity to get a quality education. 
Federal, State, and local leaders must work hand-in-hand to reverse the 
harmful policies, including the housing costs that have contributed to 
this new wave of segregation.
  In Orange County, which I represent, students challenged school 
segregation in one of the first cases of its kind, Mendez v. 
Westminster, which integrated California schools and laid much of the 
groundwork for Brown v. Board of Education.
  Mr. Speaker, as we mark the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of 
Education, I hope my colleagues will join me in recommitting to 
fighting segregation.


                       Thanking Military Spouses

  Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my sincere gratitude to our 
Nation's military spouses.
  We recently celebrated National Military Spouse Appreciation Day, a 
reminder to reflect on how military families support our servicemembers 
and our country through their selfless dedication.
  The Biden administration recently came to an agreement with the 
Department of Defense and State Department to strengthen the Federal 
Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas program for military spouses 
working for

[[Page H3284]]

the Federal Government. This agreement will help military spouses keep 
their jobs and advance their careers while their partners are stationed 
overseas.
  Yesterday, I joined my Oversight Committee colleagues to build on 
this success and advance a bill that would codify these protections 
into law.
  Our military is stronger and more capable when military spouses can 
build their careers because families choose to reenlist. I applaud 
their service and selfless dedication to our country.


                   Paying Tribute to Jeffrey Jackson

  Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the passing of the 
past president of the Orange County Realtors, Jeffrey Jackson.
  Jeff's presidency came at a tumultuous time for real estate, with 
changes to commission structures, historically low inventory, and high 
interest rates. Those challenges didn't inhibit his willingness to 
serve. As his association stated, he willingly embraced the 
opportunity.
  Jeff was a passionate advocate, and the struggles of his clients to 
find housing drove him to fight for housing for all. He fulfilled all 
of his roles, including at the State and national associations, until 
the final weeks of his battle with cancer.
  Jeff had four loves: his Hoosiers; his dog, Niles; jazz; and housing. 
He moved to California in 2010 and, in 2014, began his 10-year real 
estate career.
  Jeff was loved by many, including me, and he will be dearly missed.


                Pausing Expansion of LNG Export Capacity

  Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, Big Oil has long exploited and profited from 
our dependence on fossil fuels.
  I rise today proud that our President is finally standing up to Big 
Oil and putting people over polluters. I applaud President Biden's 
decision to pause the expansion of America's liquid natural gas export 
capacity.
  For too long, the United States has rapidly approved LNG terminals 
without verifying economic benefits and making sure that Big Oil 
companies are accountable to clean up their messes.
  The United States is already the top exporter of LNG, and future 
projects are not expected to go online for several years, handcuffing 
future generations with the harms of pollution.
  We need rigorous oversight of LNG exports to protect families, 
communities, the environment, and our national security.
  The Biden administration's announcement is an incredible first step 
to making sure the American people, not just Big Oil companies, 
actually benefit from changes to our energy policies.

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