Newsletter: News from the Tenth District

News from the Tenth District

Over the last several days we have watched our nation convulse with raw emotion and great frustration following the inhumane murder of George Floyd by four police officers.

In cities large and small, including here in the Tenth District, people reflecting the mosaic of our nation are gathering in solidarity to call for justice. George Floyd's death was the spark, but the true motivation is the systemic racism that continues to target and oppress Black Americans throughout our country. The recent murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery made national news, but too many communities and too many families know the daily pain and indignity we saw laid bare in Minneapolis.

We all need to listen to make the reforms our justice system so desperately needs. That's what I experienced on Tuesday when I participated in a prayerful vigil organized by the North Shore Baptist Ministers Alliance and community leaders from Waukegan, North Chicago and across Lake County (picture above).

At the national level, we desperately need leadership and empathy. Instead of uniting the country, the President's rhetoric and actions seek to divide and dangerously escalate the situation. We cannot allow it. In particular, President Trump's bombastic threat on Monday to deploy the military to our states to ‘dominate' American citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble and petition their government for justice is as dangerous as it is outrageous.

I am encouraged by leaders across our country who have spoken out and offered guidance during these difficult times, including former President Barrack Obama, former President George W. Bush, as well as former Secretary of Defense James Mattis and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.

At times like these, it is more important than ever that neighbors look out for each other and take care of one another. The small few using these events to engage in vandalism or looting should be held accountable. We will not allow those with ill hearts to use these events for division or destruction to distract from the important message of the vast majority demanding justice

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Congressional Response to Structural Racism

Legislatively, we also need to act. I believe the nation is at an inflection point and we can, to paraphrase Martin Luther King, bend the moral arc towards justice. That starts with naming and condemning the problem of police brutality and racial profiling. Which is why I am a co-sponsor of Rep. Ayanna Pressley's resolution (H.Res.988) condemning all acts of police brutality, racial profiling, and the use of excessive and militarized force throughout the country.

In addition, my colleagues and I in the House, with the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), are crafting a package of substantial reforms to address police brutality, hold law enforcement accountable for excessive use of force, and promote community-based policing solution. These are just a few of the actions being developed. As details are finalized, I will update you on our progress,

Update on Ethylene Oxide and Responding to EPA's MON Rule

Earlier this week, the EPA announced a new rule regulating ethylene oxide (EtO) within the Miscellaneous Organic Chemical Manufacturing (MON) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). The final MON rule represents only one of two important EPA rules related to EtO. We are still waiting for the second rule from EPA related to iuse of EtO as a sterilizer for medical devices.

On the one hand, this final rule represents progress: the EPA is now actively regulating EtO in official acknowledgement of the public health risk this chemical poses and in line with the 2016 IRIS determination on cancer risks. Regrettably, however, this week's announcement still falls significantly short of a fully adequate response to the dangers posed by ethylene oxide. Our communities are demanding and justly deserve ambient air monitoring to ensure the safety of the air we breathe – anything less is yet another half-measure from an Administration that continues to drag its feet addressing this threat.

Read our full press release on our website.

CENSUS EVENT THIS FRIDAY

With so many important and pressing concerns, it can be easy to lose sight of the importance of the still ongoing 2020 Census!

This Friday June 5 at 10:45am, I am hosting a discussion on Facebook Live with the Highwood Public Library and United Way of Lake County.

We will be discussing why it's so important that everyone is counted and how it's so easy to participate.

Portions of the conversation will include Spanish translation, and full Spanish-language subtitles will be available on the recording following the event.

I hope you can join us on our Facebook Live page!

ENDING ON A POSITIVE NOTE

On Saturday I joined Beacon Place in Waukegan to help with their program distributing food and educational enrichment materials during the coronavirus pandemic. I also visited stopped at Greater St. James Church in North Chicago to help with their food distribution program for seniors. Thank you for all you are doing to serve our communities. Looking out for one another and caring for one another is how we are going to make it through.

Also this weekend, I had the chance to meet Marcos Montano, a Korean War Veteran and former Waukegan Alderman. A few months ago his daughter contacted our office to seek replacement medals for his service - the originals, including a Purple Heart, were stolen more than 65 years ago when he was recuperating in a hospital. It was an honor to surprise him with Mayor Sam Cunningham to present the medals, and thank him for his service to our nation.

As always, please stay safe, stay healthy and stay strong.

Sincerely,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress