Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Carmenita Helligar of Burbank, California.

In addition to being a successful business owner and activist, Ms. Helligar is a dedicated volunteer in the community, serving as a Board of Library Trustee for the City of Burbank and on the Burbank Unified School District's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, which fosters inclusive curriculum and equity of college prep classes for all students.

Ms. Helligar credits her grandmother, Ernestine, lovingly referred to as Grandma Stein, as her inspiration for volunteerism, as she taught Ms. Helligar that we are on this earth to help people. Earnestine also encouraged Ms. Helligar to believe that a person can do anything if they're willing to try, which is an attitude Ms. Helligar has adopted in her life.

Ms. Helligar is one of the founders of The Destiny Education Project (DEP), a non-profit BIPOC-led organization, where ``Destiny'' stands for Diversity, Equity, Sustainability, Teaching Inclusivity & Nurturing Youth. DEP strives for every student to feel safe as well as learn in an inclusive and supported educational environment.

An avid supporter of small businesses, Ms. Helligar is the Founder/ CEO of Local As Can Bee (LACB), an e-commerce marketplace for individuals who own a small business. Ms. Helligar's goal is for LACB to become a national Co-Op which will be a source for secondary income for small business owners to boost community support.

Ms. Helligar and her husband, Jeffrey, have three children, and are also raising Ms. Helligar's niece. An interior designer by trade, Ms. Helligar enjoys designing whenever she has free time and loves to bake. She is also an avid reader and tries to read at least one book a week.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Carmenita Helligar.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Janice Segall of Pasadena, California.

Ms. Segall and her family moved a great deal during her youth, given her father was in the United States Air Force. After graduating from high school in Redlands, California, she attended the University of Redlands, University of California, Irvine and University of California, Berkeley, where she obtained her teaching credential.

Ms. Segall had an outstanding nearly three-decade career with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as an elementary school teacher in east Los Angeles. During her time with the LAUSD, she also coordinated the Gifted and Talented programs, worked for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)'s Writing Project, and was a math instructional coach for seven years. With an interest in combining literature and art, she was one of the first teachers in the young children's art programs, a collaborative effort with the Museum of Contemporary Art and LAUSD. After her retirement from LAUSD in 2011, she worked part-time for the UCLA Math Project as a coach-facilitator for the CGI Math Initiative in various schools across Los Angeles.

Ms. Segall's volunteer activities have included serving the Ronald McDonald House Pasadena and as an after-school tutor at 826LA in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Her current volunteer activities include preparing lunches for Union Station Pasadena and fostering a puppy with Guide Dogs for the Blind. Passionate about supporting literacy and public libraries, she is Past President of the San Rafael Library Associates and currently President of The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library.

A long-time resident of Pasadena, Ms. Segall enjoys spending time with her sons, Alex and Peter, and two grandsons, along with reading, movies, and hiking.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Janice Segall.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Nancy Beyda of Hollywood Hills, California.

Ms. Beyda was born in Vincennes, Indiana. In 1981, she moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of California, Los Angeles and start her film career as an editor. After meeting her husband, Kent, and becoming the mother of three, Ms. Beyda decided to take a step back from her career to raise her children. It was during this time Ms. Beyda realized her passion for infant and maternal wellness that would ultimately launch her career as a midwife. Ms. Beyda has delivered hundreds of babies throughout the years to mothers in Los Angeles and ran a baby group offering support to new parents.

A tireless and dedicated volunteer driven to help the community, Ms. Beyda has selflessly given her time to support individuals who are unhoused and food insecure. She volunteered at The Center in Hollywood, a homelessness resource center focused on ending homelessness and isolation in Hollywood, and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Ms. Beyda has also led a gift drive every year for the children of the women living in Good Shepherd Shelter.

Ms. Beyda's strong spirit and love for volunteerism led her to establish an extraordinary non-profit organization, FoodCycle LA, which picks up excess food from businesses, such as restaurants and grocery stores in Los Angeles and delivers the food to organizations serving people in need. From its humble beginning as a small volunteer group, with Ms. Beyda picking up surplus food from one grocery store with help from her friends, FoodCycle LA has blossomed under Ms. Beyda's leadership and has grown to serve nearly 70,000 meals every week. They also use innovative technology to expand their impact, serving more than three million meals in

2021 in partnership with hundreds of businesses and nonprofit organizations.

During her free time, Ms. Beyda enjoys hiking with her family, being in nature, and practices yoga as often as possible.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Nancy Beyda.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Ruth Cislowski of West Hollywood, California.

Ms. Cislowski received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Miami University in Ohio, her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC), and her Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service

from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Ms. Cislowski's volunteerism began over three decades ago as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria, where she taught English and developed instructional materials and curricula for students in Kyustendil, Bulgaria after the fall of communism. She served on the staff of Community Partners, where she supported youth development, violence prevention, and access to technology initiatives. Ruth helped launch the largest interconnected educational access channel in the U.S., creating the Los Angeles Times' school literacy volunteer program, establishing a west Los Angeles consortium of social service agencies partnering to increase youth academic achievement and family incomes, and developing the California State University, Northridge Department of Social Work.

Ms. Cislowski is currently a Clinical Associate Professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, where she teaches the foundations of clinical theory and skills and application of management and leadership. She is also the Assistant Director of Field Education overseeing the development and implementation of the Working Professional Program and serves on the school's Faculty Council. She is a frequent presenter nationwide on innovative social work education practices.

Ms. Cislowski has served on the City of West Hollywood Disabilities Advisory Board, was on the City of West Hollywood Human Services Commission for 18 years and participated with the Jewish Federation's Koreh L.A. Literacy Task Force Advisory Board, Access Community Action Projects Committee, the Jewish Community Relations Committee Urban Affairs Commission, and local political organizations. Ms. Cislowski has also received the West Hollywood Women in Leadership Award and an Honorary Doctorate from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Ms. Cislowski and her husband, Joe Cislowski have been West Hollywood residents for more than twenty years and are proud parents of their son, Bailey, and daughter, Amanda.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Ruth Cislowski.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Becky Gelhaar of La Canada Flintridge, California.

Born in Spokane, Washington and raised in Illinois, Ms. Gelhaar graduated from Miami University in Ohio, married her high school sweetheart, Chuck Gelhaar, and taught high school physical education in Illinois. In the mid-1960's, the Gelhaars moved to La Canada Flintridge, where they raised their two children, Lisa and Laura.

Ms. Gelhaar immediately got involved in her new community, joining the Newcomers Club, and with other Newcomers Club members, co-founding the La Canada Junior Women's Club. The consummate volunteer, Ms. Gelhaar maintains that her life of volunteer service began with the La Canada Junior Women's Club, where she chaired many committees and became involved in other organizations, such as the American Red Cross, serving as President of the La Canada Flintridge chapter and on the board of the Pasadena chapter. Active in Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), she held several chairmanships, serving as La Canada High School 7/8 PTA President, on the PTA Council, and on the board of La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation. Ms. Gelhaar was also a Girl Scout leader and served on the Girl Scout Council.

Other organizations Ms. Gelhaar has participated in include Chapter OM, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), La Canada Flintridge Delta Gamma alumnae group, and, as a result of her interest in gardening, La Canada Valley Beautiful. In addition, she has been involved with the Assistance League of Flintridge for over three decades and the La Canada Flintridge Coordinating Council for over two decades. Her most recent activity is as Corresponding Secretary of the Daughters of the American Revolution. For her unstinting and outstanding service to the La Canada Flintridge community, she received the PTA Service Award and the Les Tupper Community Service Award.

Ms. Gelhaar and Chuck, her husband of nearly sixty years, enjoy traveling and spending time with their family, especially their five grandchildren, Jack, Kelly, Casey, Kyle, and Megan.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Becky Gelhaar.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Courtney Morris of Atwater Village, a unique neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

Originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ms. Morris received a Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Media Production from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Since 2010, Ms. Morris has been a resident of California. While Ms. Morris has moved a few times over the past few years, she has remained within the same eight block area in and around Atwater Village.

Ms. Morris served on the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council for four consecutive terms and was Board Co-Chair for nearly nine years. Passionate about community service and engagement, Ms. Morris was instrumental in organizing several events during her board tenure. She organized the Atwater Village Car Show and was part of the planning committees for the Equestrian District Open House, Movie Nights, Trick or Treat on the Boolevard, and Summer Nights on the Boulevard.

Although Ms. Morris is no longer an Atwater Village Neighborhood Council board member, she continues to Co-Chair the Atwater Village Tree Lighting Committee and is also a member of the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council Equine Committee. An avid animal lover, Ms. Morris often rescues cats and dogs and serves the Neighborhood Council as the Animal Services Liaison.

When not volunteering in her community, Ms. Morris is part of the Warner Bros. Discovery Talent Management Team. She has over ten years of experience in working with talent as a Casting Director for unscripted programming and branded content.

Ms. Morris is married to her husband, Matthew Weil, and together they have a daughter, Isla, and four rescue dogs.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Courtney Morris.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a simple, but sacred principle: No one is above the law.

Peter Navarro was one of the former president's closest allies. And, by his own admission, played a direct role in planning and coordinating the events of January 6. He speaks

to that role on television, on podcasts, and even in his own book--yet he refuses to do so before Congress, even when compelled by a lawful subpoena. That is unjustifiable, and in light of the subpoena, a criminal form of contempt.

Dan Scavino was similarly close to the former president--and similarly involved in the events leading up to and on January 6. Mr. Scavino played an intimate role in crafting former President Trump's social media strategy and served as his Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. And, like Mr. Navarro, he was called before our committee because our evidence and public reporting, suggests he possesses direct, personal knowledge of the events leading up to January 6, and while the Capitol was under siege.

Unfortunately, both Mr. Navarro and Mr. Scavino have chosen at every turn to obstruct, to conceal their knowledge, forgoing their legal duty to comply with a congressional subpoena and attempting instead to hide behind spurious claims of privilege.

But let me be clear: There is no privilege that allows a witness to simply refuse to appear. President Biden has declined to assert any privilege and properly concluded that the national interests in hearing the testimony of Navarro and Scavino clearly outweigh any other consideration. And there is certainly no privilege that allows a witness to refuse to appear before Congress while sitting for press interviews or discussing the matter in a book.

I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution. To do otherwise would set a dangerous precedent: That Congress is not a body that is capable of, or willing to, carry out meaningful oversight. That our subpoenas can be shrugged off or ignored. And that the American people can no longer have faith in our ability to investigate potential abuses of power by any president--past, present, or future.

As Judge Carter said last week in his ruling, `If the country does not commit to investigating and pursuing accountability for those responsible, the Court fears January 6 will repeat itself.' He is right. We must commit to the pursuit of accountability and justice. Not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans who love and cherish our democracy.

And I will take just one more moment to urge the Department of Justice to act with all due haste when they receive the criminal contempt referrals for Mr. Scavino and Mr. Navarro. And not just with respect to these referrals, but on any evidence of criminality connected to efforts to overturn the election. The rule of law must apply equally to all Americans, including former presidents. To do otherwise, risks another repetition of January 6th--or worse.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the 34th anniversary of the pogrom against the Armenian residents of the town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan.

On February 27, 1988, and for three days following, Azerbaijani mobs assaulted and killed Armenians--leaving hundreds of civilians dead and injured and women and girls were raped. Some victims were thrown from windows and burned alive. Tens of thousands were forced to flee.

After two years, it was estimated that only 40,000 of the 250,000 Armenian residents of Baku remained in Azerbaijan. On January 13, 1990, organized Azerbaijani mobs turned on them, too, killing hundreds and injuring many more.

The pogroms came as a direct result of years of vicious, racist anti- Armenian propaganda by Azerbaijani authorities, dehumanizing the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan and laying the groundwork for mass violence. Azerbaijani authorities made little effort to punish those responsible, instead attempting to cover up the atrocities and deny the government's role in instigating the attacks.

On such an anniversary, we honor the victims of this ghastly injustice, and pledge to speak out against hatred so that history will not repeat itself. But tragically, more than three decades later, that is exactly what has happened. Beginning on September 27, 2020, and over 44 days, Azerbaijani forces once again targeted and murdered innocent Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, and displaced tens of thousands more. Today, Azerbaijani aggression against the people of Armenia and Artsakh continues. Armenian soldiers are still illegally detained and subject to torture while thousands of civilians still live in danger. Religious and cultural Armenian sites that have fallen under Azerbaijani control are under constant threat.

These are the horrific consequences when aggression and hatred grow unchecked--and it is why, whether these crimes against humanity occurred one year, thirty years, or a hundred years ago, we can never allow them to go unrecognized. More than that, it is why the United States must fully step into its role as a defender of democracy and peace around the world. We must not relent in our calls for the safe and unconditional release of the remaining Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians, for the end of U.S. assistance to the Aliyev regime, and for stronger efforts to support democracy in Armenia and a free, independent Artsakh.

So on this tragic anniversary, let us pause to remember those who suffered in the atrocities of the Sumgait and Baku pogroms. But let us also recommit ourselves and our nation to doing everything we can, today, to bring liberation to our Armenian brothers and sisters abroad, once and for all.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Burbank, California.

The Kiwanis Club of Burbank, founded in 1922, is the first and oldest service club in Burbank. The mission of Kiwanis Clubs worldwide is to improve the world one child and one community at a time, and to that end, the Burbank club has been faithful to that mission and their steadfast commitment to Burbank's children. Their initial service project was paving the dirt road in front of Burbank High School. The club sponsored one of the first Key Clubs at the high school in 1926, and since the 1920's, the club has sponsored a Boy Scouts of America troop.

As an all-volunteer organization, the Kiwanis Club of Burbank serves the youth of our community with a vast array of programs, projects, youth groups and events; and through these many programs and projects, strive to teach children leadership skills, good citizenship and fostering the spirit of service. Projects include many music, drama and art projects in the Burbank Unified School District, the Youth Leadership Conference, Relay for Life, Burbank Singing Star Contest, YMCA Youth in Government, and Kiwanis Cares about Children, which helps disaster-stricken families in the Burbank area. The club also provides youth scholarships and teacher recognition, sponsors K-KIDS at the Boys and Girls Club, serves meals to seniors, holds food drives for food pantries, hosts innovative fundraisers such as the Kiwanis Family Fun Day Golf Ball Drop, and supports numerous non-profit organizations such as the Burbank Temporary Aid Center, Burbank Kids Community Dental Clinic, and the Burbank YMCA.

For one hundred years, through world wars and the current worldwide pandemic, Kiwanis Club of Burbank members have continuously provided outstanding service to the community, and particularly the children of Burbank, California.

I consider it a great privilege to recognize the Kiwanis Club of Burbank and I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the club upon its centennial anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 41.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Amodei (Balderson)

Baird (Bucshon)

Bass (Takano)

Bera (Correa)

Bowman (Jeffries)

Boyle, Brendan F. (Beyer)

Brooks (Moore (AL))

Brownley (Meng)

Clarke (NY) (Kelly (IL))

Cohen (Beyer)

Crist (Wasserman Schultz)

Cuellar (Correa)

DeSaulnier (Raskin)

Doggett (Raskin)

Dunn (Joyce (PA))

Fallon (Ellzey)

Frankel, Lois (Meng)

Gallego (Gomez)

Garamendi (Correa)

Gohmert (Weber (TX))

Gonzalez (OH) (Balderson)

Gonzalez, Vicente (Correa)

Gosar (Gaetz)

Grijalva (Garcia (IL))

Hagedorn (Carl)

Huffman (Gomez)

Jacobs (CA) (Correa)

Kahele (Case)

Keating (Cicilline)

Kelly (PA) (Balderson)

Khanna (Gomez)

Kinzinger (Rice (SC))

Kirkpatrick (Pallone)

Kuster (Bonamici)

Larson (CT) (Cicilline)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lofgren (Jeffries)

Lowenthal (Beyer)

Lucas (Burgess)

Malinowski (Pallone)

McEachin (Wexton)

Moore (WI) (Raskin)

Napolitano (Correa)

Payne (Pallone)

Pingree (Bonamici)

Porter (Wexton)

Reed (Johnson (SD))

Roybal-Allard (Correa)

Ruiz (Correa)

Rush (Kaptur)

Salazar (Kim (CA))

Schneider (Rice (NY))

Sewell (Cicilline)

Sires (Pallone)

Soto (Wasserman Schultz)

Strickland (Takano)

Suozzi (Raskin)

Trone (Beyer)

Vargas (Correa)

Waters (Jeffries)

Watson Coleman (Pallone)

Wilson (FL) (Cicilline)

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the contributions of Robbie Hunter upon his retirement as President of the California Building and Construction Trades Council.

Robbie grew up in Sailertown, Belfast, the son, nephew, grandson and great-grandson of the mariners, steeplejacks and dock workers that built Belfast's historic shipyards and ships, including the Titanic. Although Robbie has lived in America for decades, he has never lost either his Belfast brogue or his love for the families and Irish culture that made him who he is today and empowered him to lift up workers throughout California and across the country.

Robbie initially came to the United States in the late 70s as an ironworker, where he contributed to the construction of the American Skyline, from New York City to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Continuing the family legacy of championing the rights of unions, Robbie became the president of the largest Ironworker local in the United States and Canada, Local 433. Robbie went on to become a renowned labor leader in California and United States, taking over the leadership of the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. As executive secretary, Robbie used his previous experience in the public sector to negotiate agreements and contracts with public and private companies, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles Airport, and Port of Los Angeles.

Shortly after, Robbie was elected as the President of the California State Building and Construction Trades Council (SBCTC), which oversees over 180 local unions representing over 68,000 apprentices and 450,000 skilled construction workers. As President, Robbie worked diligently to pass landmark legislation that promoted better working conditions, more comprehensive educational programs, and reasonable wages and benefits.

I have had the personal pleasure of getting to know and working with Robbie over the years and extend my utmost appreciation for his work on behalf of the half a million hardworking construction workers he represented as President of SBCTC of California. After dedicating his life to ensuring the safety and security of apprentices and skilled workers through union work, Robbie is opening the door for the continual betterment of union members across California and the United States.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this accomplished, well-respected man, Robbie Hunter, in honor of his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Betty Marion White, renowned award-winning actress and animal welfare champion, of Los Angeles, California, who passed away on December 31, 2021, at the age of 99.

Betty was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. In 1923, she and her parents moved to Alhambra, California and later to Los Angeles, where she graduated from Beverly Hills High School, and made her professional acting debut at the Bliss Hayden Little Theatre in Beverly Hills.

Ms. White served in the American Women's Voluntary Services during World War II, and made her movie debut in Time to Kill, a film for servicemen about military educational programs. A dynamic radio personality, she appeared in shows such as the The Great Gildersleeve and Blondie, and had her own variety radio show, The Betty White Show. Moving into television, she co-hosted Hollywood on Television, a live television variety show, and later became co-producer and star of the show, Life With Elizabeth, which won her the first of many Emmy awards. Over her seventy-plus year career, she starred and appeared in numerous television shows--sitcoms, game shows, talk shows and soap operas, including the Betty White Show, What's My line, Password, The Love Boat, Maybe This Time, Boston Legal, Hot in Cleveland, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Saturday Night Live, in addition to films such as Lake Placid, The Proposal and the 2018 documentary about her career, First Lady of Television. Ms. White was best known for her two signature roles as the conniving Sue Ann Nivens in the popular Mary Tyler Moore Show and the naive Rose Nylund in the enormously successful The Golden Girls television series.

I came to know Betty through her love of animals, and she was a tireless animal welfare advocate, author, donor, and spokeswoman. She worked with and supported many organizations such as the African Wildlife Foundation, Actors and Others for Animals and the Morris Animal Foundation, serving as president and trustee, and she produced as well as hosted the syndicated series, The Pet Set. which highlighted celebrities and their pets. It was her involvement with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the support group for the Los Angeles Zoo, that was near and dear to her heart, and spanned more than fifty years, beginning at the zoo's opening in 1966. One of her major projects was to produce, write and star in Backstage at the Zoo, a television special that aired in 1974, with famous friends Mary Tyler Moore, Jimmy Stewart, L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley and others making appearances. This was significant, as the special raised awareness of the zoo, brought the zoo into the homes of many Angelenos, emphasized the zoo's outstanding animal care team and showcased the behind-the- scenes work. Since 1974, Ms. White has continuously served on the Board of Trustees for GLAZA, stepping away for several years to become an inaugural member of the Board of Zoo Commissioners, where she served for

eight years, before returning to GLAZA's board and serving as chair. For her lifelong work for animal welfare, Betty was honored by L.A. Mayor Yillaraigosa as the City of Los Angeles' ``Ambassador to the Animals,'' and made an honorary zoo keeper by the Los Angeles Chapter of The American Association of Zoo Keepers.

I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to Betty's family, friends, and fans. as well as extend my heartfelt thanks for her decades of contributions to animal welfare, the L.A. Zoo in particular, and untold hours of entertainment she provided to the world. The entire global community will greatly miss Betty White.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Patrick Healy as he prepares to conclude his long and storied career as one of Los Angeles' preeminent television reporters. For nearly four decades, Patrick has been on the front lines for just about every story that has shaped and defined the place we call home--all with unmatched integrity and dedication to public service.

Before he was an award-winning broadcaster, Patrick was an engineering student at UCLA--taking up the family's journalism tradition as a reporter for the Daily Bruin. Guided by L.A. newsroom giants like Jere Witter and Pete Noyes, he got his start writing and producing for local outlets across the Southland before landing his big break at NBC-4--a station which he would call home for the next 37 years.

Patrick has since become a fixture in Angelenos' living rooms, with his in-depth coverage of the most famous sagas of our generation: from Richard Ramirez and Rodney King to O.J. Simpson and Dr. Conrad Murray. Through them all, he always managed to bring us more than just the stories themselves--he also reveals the truths they tell about our communities, our people, and our country.

When he wasn't rushing to the scene of breaking news, Patrick has extensively covered environmental issues affecting California, including how drought and extreme weather caused by climate change are impacting the people and places we love. It is these stories that perhaps best unveil the noble motivation behind his work: to investigate and call attention to our challenges so we can ensure the Golden State remains a wonderful place for future generations to enjoy.

Patrick's love for his home state and hometown is undoubtedly what makes so many Angelenos connect instinctively with his reporting. And it is why, like his mentors before him, he will go down as one of the great L.A. broadcast journalists of our time. As Patrick likes to quote, ``News is the first draft of history''--if that is so, he has left an indelible mark. And we thank him for it.

I ask all Members to join me in thanking Patrick Healy for his service to Los Angeles, to California, and to the nation, and in wishing him good health and great adventure in retirement.

I do not. Thank you.

* * * *. Ms. Lofgren, anything?

Madam Speaker, Mark Meadows was served with a subpoena for testimony and documents 3 months ago. Since that time, he has done TV interviews, published a book, and produced over 9,000 documents about January 6, which he concedes are not covered by any form of privilege.

These documents include chilling text messages from the President's son, Don, Jr., urging Meadows to get his father to do something to stop the violence; from Members of Congress, urging that the Vice President simply ignore electoral votes he personally deems unconstitutional; and, even after the violence of January 6, bemoaning the fact that the effort to overturn the counting of the electors was a failure.

One of the texts to Meadows, on January 3, came from an unknown caller and referred to efforts to replace the leadership of the Department of Justice and said the following: ``I heard Jeff Clark is getting put in on Monday. That's amazing. It will make a lot of patriots happy, and I'm personally so proud that you are at the tip of the spear and I can call you a friend.''

But notwithstanding his texts, his emails, his interviews, and his book, Mr. Meadows refused to appear for his deposition, claiming that to discuss the same issues, documents, and book is somehow privileged. The inconsistency, the hypocrisy, grabs you by the neck, and so does his utter contempt of Congress.

Mr. Meadows is a central participant and witness to the events of January 6. He is at the tip of the spear. If he can get away with ignoring the law, if witnesses summoned before Congress can merely pick and choose when they comply, our power of oversight will be gone and along with it our cherished system of checks and balances.

Take away Congress' power to compel evidence and you take away Congress' power to protect the public from a dangerous and malign executive. People died on January 6. A Congress that cannot enforce its subpoenas in such an investigation is no more effective than a court in a homicide case which cannot compel witnesses to appear. We would cease to be a Congress and become a mere plaything in the hands of a despot.

Mark Meadows has demonstrated contempt for Congress and for the public. Now, he must be held in contempt. He should be prosecuted like anyone else who ignores the law because no one is above the law.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Protecting Our Democracy Act. I am very proud to sponsor this legislation, and I am grateful for the partnership of many chairs and Members who contributed to the effort, as well as the leadership of Speaker Pelosi.

Our system was founded upon a respect for the rule of law and a carefully constructed balance of power among the three branches. That system has, throughout history, been tested. Just as, after Watergate, Congress worked to pass reforms like campaign finance laws and new ethics rules, so we must now examine the cracks in the democratic foundation and address them.

That is precisely what this bill does. It will prevent Presidential abuses of power, ensure the independence of our justice system, and reinforce the system of checks and balances.

Specifically, among other things, it would prevent corruption or misuse of the pardon power. It would ensure that Congress may exercise its constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities and enforce subpoenas in a timely manner. It protects whistleblowers and expands the independence of inspectors general. It reestablishes Congress' power of the purse.

This bill has garnered support from groups across the political spectrum because it is not about politics; it is about the survival of our democratic system of government. Many of the reforms included in this package are sponsored and supported by Republicans as well as Democrats.

I urge all of my colleagues in Congress to support the Protecting Our Democracy Act. The day that we were sworn into office, we made a sacred pledge of allegiance and loyalty to the United States. This bill places our oath to democracy and the Constitution above party politics. This is a moment and a vote when we have the opportunity to fulfill that oath.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Ocasio- Cortez's amendment.

The GAO's expertise and technical capacity are critical to Congress' oversight. This amendment by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio- Cortez) gives GAO access to important information in the IC's possession that is necessary for the conduct of GAO's responsibilities while also ensuring the protection of sensitive sources and methods. It strikes the right balance between security, transparency, and needed oversight.

It also imposes confidentiality restrictions; clarifies that GAO officers and employees, like their IC colleagues, are subject to penalties for unauthorized disclosure; and requires the Comptroller General to consult with the Director of National Intelligence to establish protections against such unauthorized disclosures.

In sum, the amendment will enhance congressional oversight of the IC in a manner that protects our national security. I want to thank my colleague for offering it. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Will the gentleman yield?

Let me ask the gentleman, are you aware, just by way of illustration, that the President's campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly met with an agent of Russian intelligence and provided Russian intelligence with internal campaign polling data as well as strategic insights about their strategy in key battleground States? Are you aware of that?

Let me ask you, are you aware, while the Trump campaign chairman was providing internal polling data, that Kremlin intelligence was leading a clandestine social media campaign to elect Donald Trump? Are you aware of that?

Would you like me to go on?

Well, I am asking you. You asked me to present you with some of the information.

If you would like me to continue.

To get to the gentleman's question, I am aware of President Trump's son meeting secretly in Trump Tower in New York with the Russian delegation with the purpose of receiving dirt on Hillary Clinton, which the Russian delegation represented was part of the Russian Government's effort to help elect Donald Trump in 2016.

I am aware that Donald Trump, Jr., said in response to that Russian offer of dirt on Donald Trump's opponent that he would ``love it,'' suggested the best time would be in late summer, and had a secret meeting in Trump Tower. When asked about that secret meeting, both the President and his son lied about it. Are you aware of those facts?

I am happy to continue to outline the contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia, their solicitation of Russian help in the election, the former President's effort to coerce Ukraine into helping him cheat in the election. I would be happy to go chapter and verse if you would like me to use your time that way.

Right now, though, the subject of this amendment is to allow the General Accountability Office, the GAO, to help Congress oversee aspects of the intelligence community, but if you are more interested--