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Rep. Smith Visits Seattle Fire Department to Discuss Health One Program

May 24, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after visiting the Seattle Fire Department to discuss the award-winning Health One Program and its impact on the community.

“The Health One program saves lives and helps countless members of the community,” said Congressman Smith. “This program ensures that dedicated, specially-trained professionals are available to provide care for our individuals experiencing non-emergency medical or mental health issues. I want to thank the Seattle Fire Department for hosting me and I’m proud to have submitted a Community Project Funding request for Health One to the House Appropriations Committee intending to help expand this vital program. We must continue to support public safety alternatives like Health One which allow our first responders to focus on emergency situations they are trained to handle and ensure better-suited professionals can help those in need.”

Congressman Smith submitted a Community Project Funding request for Health One Expansion in Seattle which would add capacity to Seattle’s existing Health One program to respond to referrals and nonviolent emergency 911 calls with behavioral health professionals and crisis care management teams. Health One is oriented toward service to under-represented communities and individuals who struggle to access health and social services – another response team would allow Health One to reach an additional 1,000 individuals through referrals each year.

The current Health One program, and similar diversion programs for non-violent 911 calls, have demonstrated success in providing more appropriate behavioral and mental health support than traditional 911 response, reducing unnecessary calls to the police, and improving emergency response by providing long term solutions and services to people in need.

Earlier this year, Congressman Smith introduced the 911 Diversion to Unarmed Personnel Act, which would provide funding for unarmed 911 response programs that divert nonviolent 911 calls to specialized service providers like Health One. These diversion programs will help ensure that individuals who are experiencing addiction crises, homelessness, or developmental or intellectual disability, or other mental health issues are met with professional service providers capable of providing screening, assessment, de-escalation, and transportation to immediately necessary treatment.

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Rep. Smith Statement on Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

May 21, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“I am relieved to see a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, a vital first step to ensuring no more Israeli or Palestinian lives are lost. The United States must support efforts to relieve the resulting humanitarian crisis and help prevent this vicious cycle of violence from resuming. We must work with Israel, the Palestinians, the UN, and other countries in the region towards a two-state solution and a lasting, durable peace for all Palestinians and Israelis.”

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Rep. Smith Votes to Pass Resolution Condemning Horrific Shootings in Atlanta

May 19, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.Res. 275, Condemning Horrific Shootings in Atlanta/Reaffirming Our Commitment to Combat Hate and Violence Against AAPI Community, a resolution on which he is a cosponsor.

“The horrific surge in violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the pandemic is unacceptable. On the heels of the spike in anti-Asian attacks due to misinformation and xenophobia, the shooting at three Asian-owned spas left 8 dead including 6 Asian American women. I’m proud to join my colleagues in condemning the heinous and inexcusable acts of gun violence that led to this tragic loss in Georgia in March.

“Today, we honor the memory of the victims, offer our condolences to their families, and stand in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community through this difficult healing process for all who were impacted. It's incumbent upon all of us to speak out against hate and violence directed at the Asian American community, and this resolution reaffirms the commitment of the federal government to combat hate, bigotry, and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again.”

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Rep. Smith Votes to Establish National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack

May 19, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act.

“On January 6, 2021, Members of Congress were voting to certify the results of the 2020 Presidential election when a mob breached the U.S. Capitol following then-President Trump’s rally to march. The violence resulted in hundreds of injuries to D.C. and U.S. Capitol Police officers and the death of an officer and four civilians. Several officers have taken their own lives since the insurrection, and countless are still struggling with their mental and physical wellbeing in aftermath of that day.

“It is appalling that some Congressional Republicans, the former President, and others want to deny the realities of what happened on January 6. In addition, many of these same Republican leaders continue to perpetuate lies about the 2020 election, denying its legitimacy and undermining faith in the electoral process. A commission will help us better understand what happened on and leading up to January 6, but it is also crucial that Republican leaders finally acknowledge the reality of the insurrection on January 6 and the outcome of the free and fair election in 2020.

“H.R. 3233 will establish a 9/11-style commission comprised of ten bipartisan experts appointed by House and Senate leadership to investigate the causes of the January 6th attack on the Capitol. The commission’s report will provide a full understanding of the facts of January 6 and the influences that led to the assault so we can help ensure it never happens again.  

“This assault by extremists on the U.S. Capitol was a criminal act aimed at undermining and ending our democracy as we know it. While some of my colleagues continue to deny the seriousness of the attack on the Capitol, this commission is an honest effort to better understand and prevent future attacks like January 6.”

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Rep. Smith Strongly Supports House Passage of COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act

May 18, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed S. 937, the Senate-passed COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act which will now go to the President’s desk for his signature.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes and racist incidents against those of Asian descent. Recent reports show a total of over 6,600 reported incidents of anti-Asian hate against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community across the country, and many more incidents have gone unheard or unreported.

“Currently, state law enforcement officers do not have to report hate crimes to federal authorities. The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act designates a point of contact in the Department of Justice to expedite the review of COVID-19 hate crimes and report out their findings to improve coordination between federal, state, local, and tribal resources and better understand the incidence of hate crimes across the country. The bill also provides funding to train law enforcement to better identify, investigate, and report hate crimes that occur in their jurisdiction.  Finally, it funds further prevention and response tools such as establishing hate crime hotlines and creating rehabilitation programs for perpetrators of hate crimes to receive better education and provide restitution through community service.

“Misinformation and racist characterizations about COVID-19 has led to the stigmatization of those of Asian descent based on fear and xenophobia, putting the wellbeing of our communities and public health at risk. We must remain unified and vigilant to finish the fight against COVID-19 and uphold our resilient and diverse communities in Washington’s ninth district and across the country. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to take collective action to crush the widespread anti-Asian American racism amidst this pandemic and beyond.”

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