Designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
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
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
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., for his outstanding service to our country as we celebrate his 100th birthday.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source