Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Mr. Speaker, just over 30 years ago, I made the decision

to run for the Long Beach City Council because I felt that my councilmember really didn't listen to the constituents and to my neighbors and myself.

This journey of public service has taken me from the Long Beach City Hall to the California State Capitol and now to our Nation's Capitol for the last 10 years.

When I began this journey, I did so with a commitment to listen to my community and to use all of my abilities to help make my constituents' lives better.

Over the years, with the help of my family, my colleagues, especially with the help of my staff, and, yes, my constituents themselves, I hope and believe that I have met that commitment. For this help, I will always be grateful.

Their help has led me to be a champion for the environment, to promote conservation of our wildlife and natural spaces, to clean up our ports and maritime industry, to address the growing plastic pollution and climate crisis, and to promote clean energy.

For my constituents, I have remained a dedicated advocate for human rights, introducing the International Human Rights Defense Act, securing the release of numerous prisoners of conscience and also Americans who have been detained unjustly abroad, and serving as a critical voice for the Vietnamese and Cambodian communities across our Nation, all while working to hold corrupt and autocratic elites abroad accountable for their actions.

My constituents have demanded a better future, and in their name, I have championed a strong and sustainable freight infrastructure network with the National Multimodal Freight Network Improvement Act and key provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure act, all critical issues, as we have seen in the wake of the supply chain crisis.

As a Jewish Member of Congress, I was proud to be a leading voice on the passage of H. Res. 326, a reaffirmation of our commitment as a Nation to a two-state solution and peace in the Middle East.

Throughout this journey, my constituents have remained the stars which have guided me. I have been deeply touched by their support over so many years, just as I am deeply honored by the trust and faith they have placed in me time and time again to represent them.

But as I said while announcing my retirement a year ago, just as every journey has a beginning, so does it have an end, and it is now time to pass the baton.

During this journey, I have been blessed with having the pleasure of raising two fine sons, who have blessed me with four grandchildren, whom I adore. I now look forward to spending time with them and watching them grow and flourish into wonderful people like their parents.

It is also a chance for me and my wife, Debbie, who has been my rock and partner throughout this journey, to even more deeply enjoy our lives together.

However, as Robert Frost wrote, there are miles to go before I sleep.

I believe deeply in the innate goodness of our Nation and our people. I have seen us live up to that potential so many times and, in doing so, move our Nation and the world forward, but progress must be earned. It remains up to each of us to continue that struggle.

While I am stepping away from the front lines of that struggle, I will continue to be at your side, fighting for what is right, for what is just, and for what makes us better as both a people and a Nation.

It has been a distinct honor and a true privilege to serve the people of California's 47th District during my time in Congress.