[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H3461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

  (Mr. Subramanyam of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, this Military Appreciation Month, we 
honor those who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces 
and those who continue to wear it today.
  We celebrate veterans and their families who carry the burden of war 
with them and the American servicemembers currently standing watch in 
dangerous and uncertain places around the world. Every day, they choose 
duty to their country over comfort.
  I was proud to begin this Military Appreciation Month at the Top of 
Virginia Honor Flight sendoff, standing by the veterans whose service 
helped shape our Nation's history and preserve the freedoms that we 
enjoy today.
  As we honor those who serve and have served our country this month, 
we also need to ensure that our veterans receive the care that they 
deserve. This includes mental health support for those who carry the 
invisible wounds of war.
  That is why I was proud to announce the Susan E. Lukas 9/11 
Servicemembers Fairness Act to extend PACT Act benefits to those who 
returned to work in the Pentagon following the 9/11 attacks before it 
was safe.
  That is why I have spoken out about cuts to the VA and threats to 
veterans' disability benefits. That is why I am pushing for legislation 
to ensure surviving spouses have the resources they need.
  Military Appreciation Month is about more than just celebrating 
service. It is also about honoring those that still serve today, 
supporting veterans who sacrificed so much for this country, and making 
sure America keeps its promises to the people willing to risk 
everything to defend it.


                          Uyghur Forced Labor

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, for years, the People's Republic of 
China has carried out and operated a vast network of forced labor 
against ethnic minorities.
  More than 1 million Uyghurs, in particular, have been detained since 
2017. Most have been forced to work in labor camps.
  More must be done to combat this practice of forced labor. The Uyghur 
community in my district has told me terrible stories of family and 
friends in China being forced to work long, strenuous hours or face 
brutal punishment or torture in detention camps.
  Unfortunately, many U.S. companies purchase products produced by 
these forced labor camps. Many Americans don't understand that our 
phones, clothes, and daily products could all have parts made from that 
forced labor without us even knowing.
  That is why I am joining Representative Moran and Representative 
Carson in introducing the Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act.
  The bill is straightforward. It requires companies to review and 
disclose whether any of their products have been produced with Uyghur 
forced labor. The American people deserve to know if what they buy is a 
result of forced labor, and this legislation is a step towards stopping 
those terrible practices.
  As President Trump heads to China this week to meet with President Xi 
Jinping, he must take this opportunity to highlight human rights abuses 
against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities during this trip.
  Let's put an end to forced labor and pass this bill.


                    Recognizing National Police Week

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize National Police 
Week.
  We celebrate it by honoring the brave law enforcement officers who 
serve our communities across the country and the great work that 
organizations do to support them. That includes Federal law 
enforcement, like the U.S. Capitol Police who keep the entire Capitol 
Hill complex safe.

  I especially thank the law enforcement personnel in my community, 
including all of our men and women who serve in our town and county 
sheriff's offices and police departments all across northern Virginia 
and Shenandoah.
  We are also grateful for airport, metro, university, and State law 
enforcement officials who help protect our community in so many ways.
  This is also a time to honor law enforcement that we have lost, 
officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, like 
Ashley Guindon, a Prince William County officer who was shot and killed 
on her first day 10 years ago.
  Every year, an average of 57 police officers are killed by suspects. 
Far too many, at least 184 public safety officers, die by suicide each 
year.
  As we honor and remember servicemembers we have lost, let's continue 
to support our commitment to law enforcement officials and their 
families. It takes all of us to keep them safe too.
  I thank all of law enforcement out there.

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