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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks nity.

Over the course of 40 years, Tony’s un- wavering dedication and staunch commitment to both his craft and community has been im- measurable—and for this, I am grateful.

E560 the Congressional Black Caucus’ collective vi- sion for honorable prosperity for Africans, Afri- can Americans, and the American public in partnership and unity with Africa.
The Congressional Black Caucus com- mends Ward Holdings International for its leadership and innovation, in cooperation with the Nation of Tanzania and other African Na- tions, to strengthen the economies of these nations from within and to assist them in adopting and applying value-adding processes to their agricultural crops.
By this resolution, we encourage like-minded companies to emu- late and deliberately engage in ushering in a new dynamic of African and African American empowerment and partnership that signals tangible progress toward overcoming the sor- did history of African peoples deliberately im- posed disempowerment and disunity.

The Congressional Black Caucus believes that now is the time for all in the African Dias- pora to make an equal commitment toward building Africa together.
We declare that a strengthened Africa is a strengthened African Diaspora.

The U.S. is the world’s leading importer of cashews—a growing industry.

It’s a mutually beneficial decision for our city to be the door- way for TanzaNutz to join the market under fair and profitable practices in the region of sub-Saharan Africa.

TanzaNutz is an exciting addition to the New Orleans import family, and I’m thrilled to have played a role in welcoming you here.
I’m committed to strong advocacy for New Orleans’ economic development, and to continue to foster a mutually beneficial rela- tionship with our neighbors in Tanzania.

f RECOGNIZING TONY ANDERSON FOR LIFETIME OF SERVICE HON.

JACK BERGMAN OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Mr. BERGMAN.
Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Tony Anderson for his upcoming retirement after 40 years of service with elec- tric cooperatives, including 20 years with the Cherryland Electric Cooperative as their Gen- eral Manager.

During his time at Cherryland Electric Cooperative, Tony cemented himself as an indispensable member of their leader- ship team and a key contributor to their overall success.
Tony’s career is worthy of celebra- tion and his impact on all he served will con- tinue to facilitate positive change in his ab- sence.

While becoming one of the cooperative’s most valuable team members, Tony also di- rected his energy towards helping others.

In an effort to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan, he ran mara- thons in each state and Washington, D.C., soon accumulating more than $500,000 to help his community.
He was also named Michigan’s Volunteer of the Year, attending the Governor’s Service Awards in 2012.

Tony continues to pay it forward in his new capacity of President of the NRECA Board of Directors, where he will share his insight and wealth of knowledge dealing with cooperatives across the Nation.
Tony deserves immense praise for all he has done throughout his career and the self- less ways in which he’s served the commu- Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Tony Anderson for his steadfast service to Cherryland Electric Cooperative and our great state.

On behalf of Michigan’s First District, I extend my gratitude to Tony and his family and wish them the best in their future endeav- ors.

f CELEBRATING ANN O’BRIEN FOWKES ON HER 60TH BIRTHDAY AND HER CAREER IN EDUCATION JUDITH HON.
STEPHEN F. LYNCH OF MASSACHUSETTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Mr. LYNCH.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to rise today in celebration of my dear friend, Judith Ann O’Brien Fowkes of Brain- tree, Massachusetts, in recognition of her 60th birthday.

I want to commend her for her tire- less dedication to educating and inspiring hun- dreds of students in the Archdiocese of Bos- ton for more than thirty years.
Born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territory, Canada on June 14, 1963, to Kevin O’Brien and Patricia Bowser O’Brien, Judith graduated from Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, Nova Scotia in 1981, before pursuing and earning a Teacher’s License from Nova Scotia Teachers College in Truro, Nova Scotia in 1984.

One year later, Judith received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Mt.

St. Vin- cent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.


After completing her education in Canada, Judith arrived in the United States in 1987, and began her teaching career for the Arch- diocese of Boston in the fall of that same year.

Inspired and driven to always continue learn- ing, Judith earned a Master of Arts in Teach- ing from Emmanuel College in Boston, Massa- chusetts in 2002.
Furthermore, Judith contin- ued her call to education by serving on the faculties of St. Brigid School in South Boston, the Sacred Heart School in Weymouth, and is currently serving as an aide at the St. Brendan School in Dorchester.

Through her countless examples of compas- sion and selfless service, she has inspired many of her former students to become life- long learners and educators themselves.
Many of her former students have gone on to pursue careers in public service, serving as police of- ficers, firefighters, and government officials.

Judith has enriched the lives of her family, friends, and all who know her.

Her quick and warm smile, her kindness, her compassion, and sense of humor are impossible to dodge.

Judith’s sincere empathy and care for each of her students over the years is immeasurable.
Judith resides in Braintree, Massachusetts with her adoring co-captain and husband of 32 years, Robert, who served as District Director in my office.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take the floor of the House today to congratulate Judith on her 60th birthday and to thank her for her over thirty years of dedicated service in the Commonwealth.

I urge my colleagues to join with me, and with Judith’s family and friends in recognizing Judith’s dedicated ca- reer in education.
June 14, 2023 SUPPORTING THE RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION ACT HON.

SHEILA JACKSON LEE OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Ms. JACKSON LEE.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the right to contraception for all Americans.

Last year, Justice Clarence Thomas’ con- currence to the Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health decision called for the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the right to contraception.
Emboldened by this statement, Republican- controlled state legislatures across the Nation began limiting access to birth control.

Nine states have already adopted restric- tions to emergency contraception.

I stand with my colleagues, Congress- woman MANNING and Senator MARKEY, as they reintroduce the Right to Contraception Act.

Last year, this bill passed the U.S. House with a bipartisan vote of 228–195.
I am proud to be a part of the effort to bring this important issue into legislative focus and protect women’s health.

This bill sets out statutory protections for an individual’s right to access and a health care provider’s right to provide contraception and related information.

Generally, the bill prohibits measures that single out and impede access to contraception and related information.
However, a party may defend against a claim that a measure violates the bill’s prohibitions by demonstrating, through clear and convincing evidence, that the measure significantly advances access to contraception and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means.

The Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.
This Act would codify into law a person’s right to obtain contraceptives and to engage in the use of contraception.

It would also define and protect a health care provider’s corresponding right to pre- scribe contraception and to provide informa- tion about the use of contraception to their pa- tients.

The ability to make personal choices about one’s own body is a fundamental human right.
The right to contraception is internationally recognized by the World Health Organization, and by the United Nations as intrinsically linked to women’s health, economic mobility, and self-governance.

Birth control pills, IUDs, and other forms of contraception are all forms of safe and essen- tial healthcare.

They are central to women’s ability to par- ticipate equally in the workplace, in academia, and in society.
Contraception allows individuals, couples, and families to be in control of their own fu- tures.

Contraception can allow a young woman to achieve her dreams of earning a college de- gree.

It can allow a young couple to prioritize their careers before raising a child.

It can allow parents to focus their financial and emotional resources on the care of a spe- cial needs son or daughter.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks RECOGNIZING POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH (PTG) June 14, 2023 It is a tool that allows those who wish to be- come parents, and those who do not, the agency to make the decision that is best for them.
A 2010 study found that access to contra- ceptive care resulted in approximately one mil- lion fewer unplanned conceptions per year.

That is one million fewer children born into families who are unprepared to support them.

When access to contraceptives is limited, more children are born into lives of difficulty and hardship.

The ‘‘Right to Contraception Act,’’ would help ensure that children are born into families who are eager, equipped, and prepared for their arrival.
The right to contraceptives has long been an expectation held by the American people.

In 1965, the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Griswald v. Connecticut affirmed a married couple’s right to birth control.

In 1972, Eisenstadt v. Baird protected that right for sin- gle people.

Then in 1977, the right to contra- ception for minors was secured in Carey v. Population Services International.

For more than 50 years, the right to contra- ception has been settled law.
That is, until the Supreme Court’s recent rul- ing in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Or- ganization, when five conservative Justices chose to let their personal opinions and beliefs supersede decades of established precedent by overturning women’s right to abortion.

Since then, the American people have wit- nessed the abhorrent consequences of Re- publicans’ radical agenda to criminalize wom- en’s reproductive health decisions.
In his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas made it very clear that the extremist ruling that ended Roe v. Wade could be used to chop away at other rights—including the right to access contraception.

Reproductive rights opponents are now in- cluding emergency contraception, IUDs, and other forms of birth control in their anti-abor- tion legislation.

These anti-abortion laws shackle women to unwanted pregnancies.
Conservative lawmakers now seek to stop women from exerting agency over the preven- tion of pregnancy, as well.

If a woman is not permitted to end a preg- nancy, and she is not permitted to prevent a pregnancy, I ask, what rights to her body does she have left?

Even before the barbaric Dobbs ruling, con- servative lawmakers across the country have been moving to limit women’s ability to make decisions about their own healthcare and bod- ies.
In 2021 alone, at least 4 states attempted to ban access to some or all contraceptives by restricting public funding for these products and services.

Those laws work in conjunction with actions conservative legislators in red states have taken to curtail funding for family planning services at reproductive health centers like Planned Parenthood.

Such actions would limit access to birth con- trol, particularly for Black and Brown low-in- come women.
We cannot allow human rights to be so cal- lously stripped away from the American peo- ple.

We must fight back and codify these rights into law.

HON.

JACK BERGMAN OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Mr. BERGMAN.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD the following Proclamation on Posttraumatic Growth (PTG).
Whereas, Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) re- fers to the transformative positive changes that can occur in individuals following trau- matic experiences, leading to personal growth, resilience, and a newfound sense of purpose; Whereas, Boulder Crest Foundation, a re- nowned nonprofit organization headquartered in Bluemont, Virginia, has been at the forefront of providing Posttraumatic Growth-based sup- port and resources to veterans and first re- sponders experiencing trauma; Whereas, the Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Helping Heroes) Program, developed by Boulder Crest Founda- tion, is a groundbreaking initiative that offers a comprehensive and evidence-based approach invisible to help wounds of war and trauma; individuals overcome the Whereas, Ken Falke, a distinguished Vet- eran and entrepreneur, and his wife Julia Falke founded Boulder Crest Foundation and have dedicated their lives to assisting fellow veterans and first responders in their journey towards healing and growth; Whereas, Josh Goldberg, the Chief Execu- tive Officer of Boulder Crest Foundation, has displayed exemplary leadership and unwaver- ing commitment to the well-being of those im- pacted by trauma; Whereas, Dr. Richard Tedeschi, the Execu- tive Director of the Boulder Crest Institute, and co-founder of the science of Posttraumatic Growth has created a pathway for trans- forming pain into purpose and loss into gain; Whereas, the tireless efforts of Boulder Crest Foundation, Ken Falke, and Josh Gold- berg have positively impacted the lives of countless individuals.
empowering them to overcome adversity and thrive; and Whereas, recognizing promoting Posttraumatic Growth can help foster a great- er understanding and acceptance of the po- tential for growth and resilience that exists within individuals who have experienced trau- ma; Whereas, it is essential to acknowledge the significance of Posttraumatic Growth and to encourage initiatives that promote healing, re- silience, and personal development; I, Jack Bergman, do hereby resolve: June 13th shall be designated as ‘‘Posttraumatic Growth Day’’ to recognize the transformative potential and resilience dem- onstrated by individuals who have experienced trauma.
I commend Boulder Crest Foundation for their outstanding contributions in the field of trauma recovery and their development of the Warrior PATHH Program.

The commitment and dedication of Boulder Crest Foundation, Ken Falke, Josh Goldberg, and Dr. Richard Tedeschi to helping Veterans, first responders, and others affected by trauma are deserving of the highest recognition.
I strongly encourage individuals, commu- nities, organizations, and educational institu- tions to observe Posttraumatic Growth Day by E561 raising awareness of Posttraumatic Growth, sharing stories of resilience, and promoting ini- tiatives that support healing, personal growth, and the well-being of those affected by trau- ma.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordi- nation with other relevant federal agencies, should take appropriate measures to dissemi- nate information about Posttraumatic Growth, Boulder Crest Foundation, the Warrior PATHH Program, and the efforts of Ken Falke, Josh Goldberg, and Dr. Richard Tedeschi to ensure widespread awareness of the available re- sources and opportunities for growth and heal- ing.
I recognize the significant contributions of Boulder Crest Foundation, Ken Falke, Josh Goldberg, and Dr. Richard Tedeschi in ad- vancing the field of trauma recovery and com- mend their dedication to improving the lives of individuals impacted by trauma.
I pledge my support to further research, education, and initiatives aimed at under- standing and promoting Posttraumatic Growth, and acknowledges the importance of com- prehensive trauma recovery programs such as the Warrior PATHH Program in supporting in- dividuals on their journey toward growth and resilience.

f HONORING GLADYS KNIGHT, SING- ER, SONGWRITER, ACTRESS, AND BUSINESSWOMAN HON.

ANDRE´ CARSON OF INDIANA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Mr. CARSON.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul, who will be inducted into the Madam Walker Legacy Center Walk of Fame on June 16.

2023.

The historic Madam Walker Legacy Center is in Indiana’s 7th Congressional Dis- trict.

Gladys Maria Knight was born in 1944 in At- lanta, Georgia, to Sarah and Merald Knight.

Her musical career began early in life in a church choir, where her singing talent was quickly recognized.
Ms. Knight performed with her siblings and cousins in a quintet that would later become known as The Pips.

In 1961, the group signed with Fury Records and changed their name to Gladys Knight & The Pips.

The group released several successful albums until 1987, when Ms. Knight began to pursue a solo career.

She went on to release several solo albums and achieved incredible feats in the music industry, becoming an icon for R&B and soul music across the world.
Ms. Knight has been widely recognized with prestigious awards for her achievements.

She has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.

In 2008, Rolling Stone named Ms. Knight one of the ‘‘100 Greatest Singers of All Time,’’ and the American Academy of Achievement pre- sented her with the Golden Plate Award in 2019.

She also received an Honorary Doc- torate in Performing Arts from Shaw Univer- sity.
However impressive, these achievements do not capture the true brilliance of Gladys Knight.

Her love of family and children shines through in her philanthropic efforts, including S