Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution. If this was oversight, I would be in strong support of any effort to seek production, but it is not.

This is not oversight. It is collaboration with the Executive masquerading as oversight. Or if this is oversight, it is oversight of the most obsequious kind.

It is oversight in the nature of: How may we serve you, dear President? It is oversight that asks: What is your will, dear President? It is oversight that says: We are not worthy, dear President.

It is oversight that says: We shall seek, but you shall find, Mr. President, because what we obtained we shall provide to your legal defense team, or we shall selectively leak or misrepresent in your service.

It is oversight in the nature of not desiring an outcome, not desiring the production of documents, but, rather, the production of a fight, the production of a pretext to give the dear President a pretext to fire Rod Rosenstein or Bob Mueller.

I have served on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence now for almost a decade, and while I cannot disclose the number of FISA applications during the course of those 10 years, I can tell you the number of times that my Republican colleagues have sought the underlying investigatory materials behind a specific FISA application, and that number is one. That case is this case, and that case just happens to implicate our dear President.

It is not that there are no areas that call out for oversight right now. There are too many to count. Why is it that after sanctioning ZTE for violating Iran sanctions and violating North Korea sanctions, the President abruptly changed course out of an ostensible concern for Chinese jobs? Is it because the Chinese invested $500 million in a Trump-branded property? That is worthy of oversight.

Is the First Family seeking to do business with Gulf or other allies while making U.S. policy? Is U.S. policy for sale? That is worthy of oversight.

Is the President seeking to raise postal rates on Amazon to punish The Washington Post and suppress the freedom of press? That is worthy of oversight.

But none of this is oversight. Speaker Boehner recently said that the Republican Party was off taking a nap somewhere. If that is so, then despite the best efforts of our capable ranking member, Elijah Cummings, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee that should be doing this oversight is in the midst of the deepest slumber.

Wake up, my colleagues, and do your jobs. Wake up and end this duplicitous attack on the Department of Justice and the FBI and our special counsel because this is surely not oversight. It is not what oversight looks like. But it is what an attack on the rule of law looks like. It is what happens when we whittle away our democracy one piece by terrible piece.

When this chapter of our history is written, it will condemn the actions of a President who little understands or respects the institutions of our democracy. But it will reserve some of the harshest criticism for this Congress that enabled him, this Congress that knew its responsibility but failed to live up to it.

Wake up, Republican Party. Wake up, my colleagues. The country needs you.

Wake up, my colleagues. True oversight, when the President occupies the same party as the majority in Congress, requires that majority to put country over party. It is incompatible with the corrupting principle of party over everything else.

Wake up, my colleagues, and do your jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Californian Ron McMaster on his retirement after 38 years of outstanding contributions to American music.

In the heart of my Congressional district, near the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine, stands the iconic Capitol Records Tower. It's fitting that many think the landmark building looks like a stack of records, as the building has produced some of our country's most notable and treasured recordings--from the Beach Boys to Pat Benatar and the Blue Note catalog. For 38 years, legendary vinyl mastering engineer Ron McMaster has called that Tower home and, thanks to his unique artistic talent, helped to make it the epicenter of the American Sound.

From his Audio Mastering studio on the ground floor, Ron McMaster takes studio recordings and--using a distinctive blend of math, science, technology, art, a touch of magic and years of unparalleled expertise--delicately fashions the masters used to create vinyl records, CD's and commercial online music products. If you've listened to the Beach Boys, Don McLean, Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chet

Baker, David Guetta, Radiohead, and countless others, you've witnessed his genius.

T-Bone Burnett, who worked with McMaster on the 2007 Grammy winning collaboration between Allison Krauss and Robert Plant, called Ron ``the final aesthetic arbiter of the work. Ron, and the people who do what they do, are creative artists. They're closer to creative artists than technicians.''

Ron has been nominated for Grammy awards in recognition of his artistic excellence. He's a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of The Recording Academy and widely recognized as one of the world's preeminent jazz mastering engineers.

McMaster's magical touch will be missed, but his legacy is cemented in the countless records he helped create. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Ron McMaster for his contribution to the American Soundtrack and wishing him all the best on his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Assistance League of Glendale upon its seventy-fifth anniversary.

The Assistance League of Glendale began with a small group of women dedicated to performing selfless acts for the local community and has since developed into a multifaceted philanthropic organization targeted at providing aid to women, men and children in need of guidance, assistance and care. The members work to ensure that the needs of children and seniors in Glendale are met with care and respect, and dedicate thousands of hours to improve the city.

Committed to promoting education and enriching the lives of students, the Assistance League of Glendale provides clothing to elementary school children in need, reading support and books, as well as thousands of dollars in scholarships for students graduating from high schools and college in Glendale.

In addition to its exceptional work for young students, the Assistance League of Glendale provides social programs and meals for seniors, weekly training for developmentally challenged adults to learn vocational skills, and quality pre-owned merchandise as well as clothing at affordable prices.

This volunteer-driven organization continues its mission to assist and uplift as it strives to address the increasing needs of the community with innovative, dynamic and creative philanthropic programs that promote emotional and physical well-being, and over the years has evolved to meet the shifting needs of the community.

The Assistance League of Glendale serves as a brilliant example of the power of volunteerism and what people can do when inspired to connect with others in the spirit of humanitarianism. The time, effort, and care that the organization has given to the community is outstanding, and the residents of Glendale and the greater Los Angeles area have benefited greatly from their work.

I ask all Members to join with me in commending the Assistance League of Glendale for seventy-five years of dedicated, outstanding and invaluable service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 169.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, Schiff No. 29, which requires the FAA to create a program that utilizes remote detection and identification technologies to identify unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that are not in compliance with applicable Federal aviation laws and regulations.

I first came to this issue several years ago when fire fighters responding to a wildfire had to ground support aircraft due to civilians operating drones in the airspace. This problem seems likely to grow more pronounced, not just in response to wildfires but also in the airspace near airports. According to the FAA, the agency projects there are 1.1 million unmanned aircraft systems in the United States and they expect that number to grow rapidly in the corning years, putting airline passengers, firefighters, and others at risk.

I want the owners of these vehicles to be able to enjoy them, but in a complicated and crowded airspace like the one we have in Los Angeles, we need to be sure we are putting public safety first. That is why it is so important for Congress to give the FAA and law enforcement the appropriate tools to address this increase in drones entering restricted airspace.

Furthermore, we still do not know how many unmanned aircraft enter restricted airspace, whether at airports, above forest fires, or in other restricted areas. That is why my amendment also requires annual reporting by FAA to Congress to report the number of drones entering restricted airspace, the number of enforcement cases brought by FAA or other agencies, and recommendations by FAA for detection and mitigation systems. There are a variety of vendors developing technology to counter unauthorized UAS operation in restricted airspace, some of which show great promise and have already been tested in pilot projects by the FAA. My amendment would direct the FAA to continue this important work.

With the adoption of UAS technology continuing at a rapid pace, I am worried it is more a matter of when and not if a drone will collide with a commercial airliner or first responder, with potentially devastating results. We must be proactive to ensure that the next time we read about this issue, we are not also reading about casualties that could have been prevented.

I thank the Chairman and Ranking Members of the committee and appreciate the inclusion of my amendment in the FAA Reauthorization bill. It is my hope it will remain in any conference agreement finalized by the House and Senate.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the world marked the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenians and the displacement of millions more in the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923.

In my district in Los Angeles, I joined tens of thousands of descendants of genocide survivors and others to march through the streets, a living testament to the resilience of the Armenian people. Yet, in our Nation's Capital, the White House and Congress were once again sadly silent, failing to properly recognize the genocide.

More than a century after the Armenian Genocide, it is our solemn responsibility to remember those who were lost, to seek justice and restitution, and to educate Americans and the world about the crime of genocide.

A recent poll of Americans found that the details of the Holocaust are increasingly fading from memory, particularly among younger generations. Two-thirds of millennials do not know what Auschwitz is or what happened there, and many others of all ages couldn't answer basic questions about the Holocaust. As someone who lost family members in the Holocaust, I find these results horrifying.

There is no doubt that public understanding of the Armenian Genocide is far lower, and that is due, in part, to the silence of those who should be leading the conversation about it and to Turkey's nefarious campaign of denial.

How many Americans know of Red Sunday, the day in 1915 in which Armenian leaders and intellectuals in Constantinople were rounded up to be sent to camps from which many would never return?

How many know of the concentration camps in Deir ez-Zor, where Armenians were tortured, raped, and starved?

How many Americans know that, in the years after the genocide, through

the Near East Relief effort, the generosity of the American people saved the lives of thousands of survivors and helped secure the future of the Armenian people?

And finally, how many Americans know that the Congress and the President have refused to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, intimidated into silence by Turkey?

Turkey has invested heavily in the cause of denial, and to our shame, the U.S. Government has been intimidated into silence. Though Turkey remains a member of NATO, under the autocratic and repressive rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has become the leading jailer of journalists in the world and discussion of the genocide can bring criminal punishment.

U.S. citizens have also been the victims of Erdogan's crackdown on free expression. Last year, Erdogan's security detail brutally assaulted peaceful protesters in Washington, D.C. Charges against 11 of the 15 Turkish nationals charged have been dropped, and there is little indication that Turkey will pay any diplomatic price for this attack.

In northern Syria, where the United States has worked closely with partners to devastate ISIS, Turkey has chosen to place its paramount focus on fighting the Kurds, even launching a military offensive into Syria that threatens our own soldiers and those of our allies. Erdogan has even gone so far as to threaten the United States with an ``Ottoman slap.''

These are not the actions of an ally. They are the actions of a nation that feels emboldened to act with indifference to the United States. And who can blame them? For over a quarter century, Presidents and Congresses of both parties have been bullied into genocide denial for fear Turkey will withdraw their already transactional and fleeting cooperation.

It has never been in our national security interest to be complicit in another country's denial of human rights, let alone denial of genocide. It is time for America to speak plainly about the Armenian Genocide and the violation of human rights anywhere in the world.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 148 and YEA on Roll Call No. 149.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the YMCA of the Foothills in La Canada Flintridge, California upon its 60th anniversary.

In 1952, a small group of community leaders and parents were concerned about the lack of positive activities for youth in the foothills, and reached out to the Glendale YMCA for assistance in offering programs and events. Six years later, in a home in La Canada, the Crescenta-Canada Family YMCA opened; later renamed YMCA of the Foothills. In 1962, led by civic leaders Jack and Bob Samuelson and Scott McDonald, the community built what is now the Crescenta-Canada YMCA facility in La Canada. Having grown from an organization based around camping, the YMCA of the Foothills has expanded its operation to include a variety of programs and community activities with hundreds of participants and volunteers.

The YMCA of the Foothills' mission is to strengthen communities through social responsibility, healthy living and youth development, and to enrich the quality of life physically, mentally, spiritually and socially for all persons. For sixty years, they have done just that, by providing children and families with programs ranging from youth leadership, such as the Model United Nations program that teaches youth about global cooperation, healthy living and spiritual awareness to activities for senior citizens. Since the YMCA's inception, almost 4,000 children have been taught about health and fitness, nearly 5,000 girls and boys have learned to swim, and over 10,000 hours of emotional support have been given to help youth with issues such as childhood obesity and suicide prevention.

A lifeline to the community, the YMCA of the Foothills provides resources needed to address critical social issues such as housing, substance abuse, child welfare, education and employment. By uniting people from all walks of life, the YMCA seeks to motivate a spirit of service to be active in and work for positive social change in these and other areas of life.

Today, YMCA of the Foothills has three locations and serves more than 40,000 children, teens, families, and seniors in the Sunland, Tujunga, Sun Valley and northern Glendale areas, in addition to La Canada Flintridge and La Crescenta. Under the leadership of President Tyler Wright, programs like the 2018 Arts Initiative that support children in their creativity and the Balance and Thrive Initiative to teach senior balance fitness have been launched. Additionally, with events such as the bike-a-thon, fiesta days and pancake breakfasts, the YMCA of the Foothills has become a center for community engagement.

I am proud to recognize the YMCA of the Foothills for sixty years of dedicated service to

the La Canada Flintridge and La Crescenta communities. I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the YMCA of the Foothills for their remarkable achievements.

Mr. 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, Medea Kalognomos of Sunland, California.

In 1962, Medea moved to the United States from Iran to pursue her education. After graduating from Belmont High School in Los Angeles, she attended North Carolina State University and Point Loma Nazarene University in California, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in French and a Master's Degree in Pupil Personnel Services.

Medea fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a school teacher when she was hired by the Glendale Unified School District, where she worked for a quarter of a century. She taught French and English as a Second Language (ESL) at Eleanor J. Toll Middle School, and then became an ESL Program Specialist at Eleanor J. Toll Middle School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School, and was also a Counselor at Glendale High School, where she patiently and compassionately advised students. She also guided many immigrant students and made a lasting impact in their lives, by instilling in them the importance of civic involvement and education.

An avid student advocate and civic leader, Ms. Kalognomos has dedicated countless hours to the community, and has served in over sixteen community and academic organizations in the past thirty-five years. Currently, she is a member of the Armenian Educational Foundation, the Armenian National Committee of America--Western Region Education Committee, and co-president of the Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools, which is an organization that has been a positive influence and inspiration to students in public schools. Most recently, Medea served as chairperson of the Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools Leadership Workshop, where Glendale Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District high school juniors with a 3.5 and higher grade point average gathered to learn valuable leadership skills and the importance of volunteering in the community. In addition to her tireless service in the local communities, Medea has volunteered at schools, orphanages and hospitals in Armenia for many years.

Medea's extraordinary work has not gone unnoticed as she has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Ruby Award from the Soroptimist International of the Verdugos.

Ms. Kalognomos has been married to Sergeant Major Alexander Kalognomos for 50 years, and they have two children, Alex and Helen.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Women's History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions 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, Patricia Anne Kinaga, of Pasadena, California.

A third generation Japanese American, Patricia Anne Kinaga was born and raised in Los Angeles County. Her parents, Rose and Thomas Kinaga, met when they were interned during World War II. After the war, her parents moved the family to Palos Verdes Estates, where she experienced discrimination, and it was this negative childhood experience that set Patricia on a life-long path to advocate for the lives of Asian Pacific Islanders everywhere.

Patricia received a B.A. cum laude in urban anthropology at University of California Los Angeles and obtained a Master in City Planning at the University of California Berkeley. Upon graduating from UC Berkeley she secured a position with the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development in Sacramento, where she was selected to participate in a White House sponsored program in the Sierra Nevadas to improve housing and economic conditions for the rural impoverished in that region. She graduated from Georgetown Law in 1984 and moved back to Los Angeles to begin her legal career at the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office and in this position, she served as a prosecutor specializing in domestic violence and child abuse cases and as a civil trial attorney in the Employee Relations Section. After working as a partner in serval prestigious law firms including her own, Ms. Kinaga joined LTL Attorneys LLP as a partner.

A community leader for well over thirty years, Patricia served on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles, is a founding member of the Los Angeles chapter of Asian Pacific Islanders for Choice, Co-Founder of The Center for Asian Pacific American Women, and the Chair and Co-Founder of Asian and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California. She is a former member of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, an alumni of the Japanese Leadership Delegation, past president of the Japanese American Bar Association, and is an appointed member of the American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights.

Ms. Kinaga has received numerous awards, including from Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, the State Assembly and Senate Women in Business Award, and the prestigious Peter E. Haas Public Service Award from UC Berkeley. In addition, Patricia is also an award winning writer/producer who received a Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards nomination for the film ``About Love'' on domestic violence. Other major works include a documentary on the 442 Regimental Combat Team, which has been distributed to schools by the History Channel.

Patricia, her husband Peter Wong and their two children, Brandon and Emily live in Pasadena California.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Patricia Anne Kinaga.

Mr. 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, Vicky Marachelian of Burbank, California.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Ms. Marachelian's dedication to community service and passion to volunteer for humanitarian efforts stems from her childhood. When she moved to the United States with her family at a very young age during the civil war in Lebanon, Vicky realized that she had the opportunity for a better life, and to this day, she strives to give back to the community and support the less fortunate.

Since 1995, Vicky has been an active member of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), a remarkable organization with thousands of members in dozens of chapters around the world, serving the educational, social, and humanitarian needs of Armenians and non-Armenians alike. Over the years, Vicky has served in many capacities with the organization. She was elected to the ARS Burbank ``Araz'' Chapter as an executive member for 4 consecutive terms, served on the Regional Executive Board of the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA from 2003-2005, and was reelected in 2008 to serve as Chairperson of the Regional Executive Board. Impressively, only four months later, Vicky was elected as Chairperson of the Armenian Relief Society, Inc. Central Executive Board, the highest international executive position of the global organization, where she served for two terms. During her leadership as Chairperson, a number of projects were undertaken, including the construction of a new building for the ARS ``Soseh'' Kindergarten in Stepanakert, Artsakh, which was completed in September 2017.

In addition to her tireless advocacy with the Armenian Relief Society, Ms. Marachelian was active at Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School in Los Angeles, where her children attended, helping to raise funds for the construction of a new gym and library on the campus.

Currently, Ms. Marachelian continues her service to the community through the ARS Burbank ``Araz'' Chapter, where she presently serves as an executive member, and is instrumental in fund-raising for the chapter and doing outreach to Armenian and non-Armenian organizations.

Ms. Marachelian's impressive work has not gone unnoticed as she has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce ``Woman in Service'' award in 2011 and the ``Vachagan Barepasht'' medal in 2015, awarded to her by Bako Sahakyan, President of the Artsakh Republic, for her service in the Artsakh Republic.

Vicky has been married to Art Marachelian for 36 years, and they have two children, Chris and Raffi.

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

Mr. 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, Nina Sorkin of Silver Lake, a unique neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

Nina's parents immigrated from Mexico, so Nina is a proud first generation Californian. She was raised in the San Fernando Valley, until she moved to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake with her beloved husband Al Sorkin 51 years ago. A diehard Bruin, Ms. Sorkin received both her bachelor's degree in Sociology and her master's degree in Social Welfare from the University of California Los Angeles. With over 40 years of service in both the public and non-profit sectors, Nina has an impressive record of giving back to the community, supporting a diverse range of causes that demonstrate her passion for helping women, children, and the homeless.

A steadfast women's advocate, Ms. Sorkin was appointed to the Los Angeles City Commission for the Status of Women by then-Mayor Bradley, where she served for a decade and was instrumental in developing a city campaign to bring awareness about women and AIDS. As a breast cancer survivor, Nina has been involved with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life for the past 15 years, chaired the Relay For Life of Pasadena, and has been volunteering for the Relay for Life of Griffith Park Communities and Hollywood since its inception over a decade ago; currently she serves as the Luminaria Chair.

During her seventeen-year tenure on the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families, Ms. Sorkin established a Healthy Nutrition program for children in foster care and was a member of the Child Court Committee to improve child visitation. Reinforcing her commitment to enriching the lives of children, she has been reading to three and four year olds at the Bellevue Recreation Center for the last five years, serves on the Bellevue Park Advisory Board, and championed the importance of language development in small children by her involvement with the Children Planning Council and First 5 LA.

Ms. Sorkin is a member of the Griffith Park Lions Club, which administers eye examinations and provides free eye glasses to Ribet Academy students and four elementary schools in the Atwater Village area. In addition, Nina volunteers with the Hollywood SDA Church Homeless Program, is a member of the Griffith Park Adult Community Center Spring Faire planning committee, and is a facilitator for a grief support group.

Married to the late Al Sorkin for 47 years, she has one son, Stephen and four grandchildren.

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

Mr. 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, Ivy Bottini, of West Hollywood, California.

Ivy Bottini is a legendary activist, professional artist, mother, award-winning actress, and community leader. Renowned from coast to coast for her feminism and fight for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, she paved the way for many of the advances in civil and human rights we enjoy today.

Ivy was a founding member of the first chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966. She designed the iconic logo for the organization, which is still in use today. In August of 1970 Ivy and over 150 of her fellow activists made headlines by unveiling a banner reading ``Women of the World Unite'' over the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

Ivy moved to Los Angeles in 1971, and from the time she set foot in the community, she has been working to improve the quality of life for its people. She speaks her mind and amplifies the voices of those in need around her. She founded AIDS Network LA, Los Angeles' first AIDS organization and the Los Angeles Lesbian/Gay Police Advisory Board, cofounded AIDS Project LA and served for over 15 years on the West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board. In 1981, she was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the California Commission on Aging making Ivy the first ``out'' lesbian or gay person to be appointed to a state board or commission. She was instrumental as an advocate for affordable housing for Gay and Lesbian seniors in the opening of ``Triangle Square,'' the first in the nation assisted living, affordable income apartment complex for LGBT elders.

Over the years, Ivy has received numerous recognitions for her years of service and most recently, she was recognized as the 2016 Woman of the Year for the 3rd Supervisorial District of the County of Los Angeles and as the 2017 Woman of the Year for the 50th Assembly District of the State of California.

Ivy is an inspiration throughout the country. Her life's work is an example of finding one's voice and using it forcefully for the benefit of all Americans.

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

Mr. 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, Kelly Erin Decker of Kagel Canyon, a unique neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

After graduating from Princeton University with Bachelors of Arts degrees in Politics and in Visual Arts and Art History, Kelly pursued her love for the arts as a regional theater performer on the East Coast. With several years of theater experience under her belt, Kelly took a chance on herself for a future in film and television and embarked on a cross country journey that brought her to Los Angeles, where she enrolled at the Playhouse West School and Repertory Theater in North Hollywood. Ms. Decker has appeared in many stage performances, short films and movies, such as the Ghost of Christmas Past at the Sierra Madre Playhouse and as Michael Madsen's girlfriend in the movie Devil's Domain.

In 2009, Ms. Decker and her husband, Jeffrey Leeson, became Kagel Canyon residents and quickly became involved in their community by joining the Kagel Canyon Civic Association. For the last several years, Kelly has served on the Kagel Canyon Civic Association Board, first as Vice President and since 2015 as its President. Her chief mission is to expand community involvement in the association and community engagement in issues affecting the foothills area at large. She works closely with local, county, state and federal offices to advance the concerns of Kagel Canyon residents. Kelly is an ardent preservationist of the last remaining rural and equestrian communities in Los Angeles and serves on the board of Save Angeles Forest for Everyone.

A compassionate advocate for her Kagel Canyon community, Kelly's dedication to the residents is nothing short of extraordinary. As editor of The Hot Sheet, the Kagel Canyon monthly newsletter that is hand delivered to every home, she keeps residents informed about local issues. During the December 2017 Creek Fire, she quickly responded by serving as Kagel Canyon's unofficial community information officer, working day and night to provide residents with up-to-date information on the status of evacuations, organizations to reach out to for help and generally assisting with whatever was needed at the time. Ms. Decker's efforts did not cease after the fire was extinguished; and to this day, she continues to support and be an exceptional resource for all the residents of Kagel Canyon, but in particular for the sixteen Kagel Canyon families who lost their homes in the fire by organizing numerous fundraisers, coordinating efforts to collect food and clothing donations and providing resources to assist with the rebuilding process.

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

Mr. 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, Donna Ford of La Canada Flintridge, California.

A civil litigator for several years in New York and Pennsylvania, Ms. Ford relocated to La Canada Flintridge with her family in 2005. Since moving to California, she has been an active member of the local community, serving as a dedicated volunteer and board member of several non-profit organizations.

Believing that all children have tremendous potential regardless of their background or circumstances, Donna is a passionate advocate for young people and is committed to enriching the lives of children and adolescents. To that end, for twelve years, she has served on the board of directors of Hillsides, an organization dedicated to fostering a stable, healthy environment for at-risk children and their families by providing a range of innovative services, including residential treatment, individualized education, counseling and adoption assistance. Ms. Ford currently serves as chair of the Hillsides Board of Directors, co-chaired Hillsides' annual gala in 2011, and has served on several committees over the years.

In addition to her work with Hillsides, Donna is a longtime volunteer of the Cottage Guild at Rosemary Children's Services in Pasadena, which provides education, therapeutic support and permanency planning to children and adolescents, and residential housing at Rosemary Cottage for young girls between 13 and 18 years of age.

Donna has continued her commendable work with children by mentoring African American girls at John Muir High School in Pasadena and serving as a board member of the Institute for Educational Advancement, a Pasadena organization that assists gifted children in reaching their full potential, for a decade. In addition, she volunteers for the University of Southern California's Medical Faculty Family and Friends, which raises scholarship funds for medical students, and has served on the diversity committee for the Pasadena Playhouse.

Donna is married to Dr. Henri R. Ford and they have two children.

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