Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today to introduce my first bill as a Member of Congress. It's Let the People Draw the Lines Act, or H.R. 2978.

My bill does exactly what that title says: it lets people, not politicians, draw the district lines for the United States House of Representatives. My bill empowers the States to create independent redistricting commissions, much like we have in my home State of California.

The Let the People Draw the Lines Act will remove redistricting from the political process. It will provide clear and uniform redistricting criteria that give all communities a fair and equal voice in the political process. This entire process will be transparent and open to the public, the way it should be.

If my bill becomes law, Mr. Speaker, political gerrymandering will finally become a closed chapter in our Nation's journey towards a more perfect democracy.

Let the people draw the lines, Mr. Speaker. America deserves true representation.

Mr. Speaker, I sadly come before the Congress to recognize and honor a person that I loved very much, Lillian Kawasaki. Lillian Kawasaki was a dedicated public servant, a respected community leader, a beloved wife, a sister, and she was a dear, dear friend of mine.

Sadly, on July 18, Lillian passed away, and a memorial service will be held this Saturday, August 3.

Lillian was a generous soul. Her generosity of self always was done with grace and enthusiasm. She engendered tremendous respect and love from all who knew her. She possessed an infectious smile. Her laugh made everybody feel better.

Her work for the last two decades was on environmental efforts, first with the Port of Los Angeles, and then with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. It brought not only recognition to her throughout California but also throughout the Nation.

She was an expert on water issues and when she passed away was a member of the Water Replenishment District, elected.

Long Beach has lost one of its finest. I, and countless others in California, already miss Lillian. She will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, climate change is a long-term threat to my home State of California and to all coastal States. Climate change will increase the risk of flooding and eventual submersion of millions of American low-lying homes.

Mr. Speaker, I hold up this article that a group of scientists from Princeton and the University of Arizona recently published, a journal article that quantifies State by State the coastal populations that are exposed to storm surges and sea level rise.

The researchers found that in California there are more than 138,000 housing units and over 325,000 Californians living on land that is below one meter of high tide. And in the entire United States, there are approximately 3.7 million Americans living on land below one meter of high tide.

Mr. Speaker, if Congress and the world does nothing, climate change will have a devastating impact on these 3.7 million Americans who are on the front line of climate change. And that number will only grow.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following.

Whereas, the Long Beach Central Area Association (LBCAA) is a 22 year old non-profit organization; and

Whereas, MusicUNTOLD is the program and event production arm of the LBCAA, dedicated to educational art programs that promote diversity and human dignity; and

Whereas, all of MusicUNTOLD events and programs are free to the public, except annual signature/ticketed concerts; and

Whereas, the signature concert for 2013, is the 50th anniversary of the ``Martin Luther King, Jr. Symphony of Brotherhood'' Concert, on August 18 at the Zipper Hall-Colburn; and

Whereas, the chamber music concert is celebrating the 50th Anniversary ``March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs'' and Dr. King's ``I Have A Dream'' speech, featuring national and local classical and opera artists; and

Whereas, the concert will present MLK Jr.'s little known appreciation of classical and opera music, a correlation between Beethoven and MLK Jr., and the historical footprint of MLK Jr. in Los Angeles; and

Whereas, the world premiere of ``Candlelight'' for soprano by South Korean educator and composer Dr. Joopoong Kim.

More information can be found http://wvvw.brownpapertickets.com/ event/385424 and www.musicuntold.com.

Madam Speaker, 118 million Americans--seniors, low- income families, the disabled--all rely on Medicare and Medicaid services in one way or another. These services guarantee benefits that give our Nation's most vulnerable peace of mind and an increased quality of life.

Today, we proudly acknowledge almost five decades of Medicare and Medicaid services. While most service providers are honest and law- abiding, it has recently come to my attention that there are a few that have affected the delivery and integrity of services to the people who rely on these programs. Congress has the power to change that.

Today, on the 48th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid being signed into law, Congress must recommit itself to the safeguarding and strengthening of America's Medicare and Medicaid service systems. The promise of Medicare and the morality of Medicaid must never be compromised no matter how hard the political battles are.

Mr. Chair, to build a vibrant economy, we must invest in building our nation's infrastructure in a strategic and cost- effective way. Our businesses and communities need efficient transportation and goods movement; our aging neighborhoods need help to eliminate blight and to encourage additional private investment and business growth; and, our country needs to invest in job creation.

H.R. 2610 does not meet any of these needs. The uncompromising austerity of this bill strips our economy of its footing and imparts damage that will be felt for generations.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) programs--critical investments in our infrastructure--will be cut in half by H.R. 2610. These grants are used to stabilize low income neighborhoods with tools that support and stimulate economic vitality. For every federal dollar spent in CDBG funds another $3 in private and public investment is leveraged.

In Long Beach, CA last year, these grants provided services for 384 new and existing small businesses, creating many new jobs; provided comprehensive services to 18,000 Long Beach community members, promoting progress towards permanent housing and self-sufficiency-- lifting people out of poverty and off government assistance; and, completed exterior repairs and upgrades at 115 business sites revitalizing Long Beach neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, H.R. 2610 eliminates TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program) grants and it eliminates all funding for the Sustainable Communities Initiative--both are models of collaborative and efficient government. These two models support sustainable regional transportation systems and land use planning to promote economic health and workable communities, respectively.

America cannot afford to divest in its infrastructure. I ask for a ``no'' vote on H.R. 2610.

I'd like to thank Chairman Young and also Ranking Member Visclosky for providing me the time to speak today.

Mr. Chairman, providing STEM education to America's youth is critical to the global competitiveness of our Nation. This will rely, however, on a solid pipeline of STEM-degree graduates.

I stand here today to offer my revenue-neutral STARBASE amendment No. 99 to H.R. 2397, the Department of Defense Appropriations, to increase funding to the STARBASE youth program by $5 million.

STARBASE is currently active in 79 congressional districts throughout the country and engages local fifth-grade elementary students by exposing them to STEM subjects through an inquiry-based curriculum. The program is carried out by the military services because the Department of Defense has identified a shortage of young adults graduating from these difficult and hard sciences.

The STARBASE academies work with school districts to engage students through ``hands-on, mind-on,'' experiential activities. They study engineering, nanotechnology, navigation and mapping. These are all critical

fields that will keep our country competitive.

My no-cost, revenue-neutral amendment makes a significant step towards providing and engaging America's youth with the tools they need to pursue careers in STEM, a field where jobs are available and there is a significant lack of trained workers.

A recent Brookings Institution study said that as of 2011, there are now 26 million U.S. jobs--or approximately 20 percent of all jobs in the country--that require a high level of knowledge in any one of the STEM fields. I urge my colleagues to support this revenue-neutral amendment to H.R. 2396. Our students and our workforce need this.

Mr. Chair, education is our greatest investment in our future. As with any long term investment, the real rewards of the investment are often not seen until decades later. Investment takes patience and foresight and a thoughtful approach.

Studies show that U.S. businesses are in need of workers that are collaborative and creative critical thinkers. We must build an educational system that supports the development of this workforce. To achieve this, we in Congress must reflect these values by working collaboratively and tapping the full complement of creative minds in this House. Our work product can only be as good as we are.

I ask that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle work with us to develop the kind of educational system that will provide the opportunity for every child to meet their potential and become assets to our country.

Let's begin by finding our common ground. We all can agree that our current accountability system goes too far and too often acts as the enemy of creativity. Our challenge is to develop policy that supports inspired learning environments while also accounting for ELL

students, students at risk, and special needs students. I believe we can find that balance.

We can agree that an educated workforce is good for the country. Perhaps we can agree that we need an educational system that supports the diverse talents of all students--those that shine academically and those that shine in career tech classes. I believe we can achieve this too.

Our current educational system is losing on the international stage. Contrary to the recent years of economic struggle, the U.S. continues to be a land of plenty on the world scale. If we hope to remain a world leader, it is essential that we stop looking at our educational system with a scarcity mentality--a mentality that acts to take from one to give to another, where there is not enough for all. We must recognize that our educational system is our greatest investment and fight to put all we can into it. We can't afford to lose children, to lose their talents and their potential contributions to our country. We need every one of them.

H.R. 5 has some good components that move us in a better direction. Unfortunately, this legislation lacks the kind of investment needed to educate our future workforce. Education is the key to a strong democracy, economic competitiveness and continued global leadership for the U.S.

I thank the gentlewoman from California, who has been an outstanding champion of ocean protection.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. It would not only honor the wishes of the Governor of California, but also the vast majority of the Federal and State representatives, especially all those that are closest to where this misguided bill would not only authorize, but would force the sale of offshore oil and gas leases. These are the people who would bear the greatest risk of any oil spill, which, as we all know, has already occurred in the past in these waters.

As I just said, the underlying bill we are considering today not only just authorizes, but it mandates lease sales in vast portions of the Outer Continental Shelf, including southern California, forcing the Interior Department and the States to accept leases in their backyards, regardless of the opposition from potential impacts. And it not only does that, it bars citizens from properly participating in the process.

What do I mean? This bill lacks meaningful environmental review and a chance for Americans to voice their informed consent by not allowing any consideration of any nonleasing alternative in the NEPA process.

Instead, what does the bill do? It dictates to the public, it dictates to the States, it dictates to the Interior Department, without any of their input, where oil and gas leases will be held. This would occur regardless of whether the public has legitimate concerns or not. Too bad. They're going to drill in our backyard.

Mr. Chair, instead of focusing on dead-end legislation, this body should be preparing for our energy future, which I believe the public will demand more and more.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the amendment.

I thank the distinguished gentleman from Oregon.

Mr. Chairman, today we are considering a messy conglomeration of retread ideas that wastes this Chamber's time. The various titles in this bill have been rejected by the Senate, by many of the affected States, and have a zero chance of being signed by the President.

Even when some of the ideas in this bill have merit, such as codifying the reorganization of the former Minerals Management Service, or addressing the temporary nature of Interior's authority to collect inspection fees, these ideas are cobbled together with provisions that are a mess of ``drill-baby-drill'' slogan-over-substance dead ends. So I get it; this is a message bill.

Well, here's where I think the message is wrong: Americans have a right to weigh in on government actions in their backyard. This bill eliminates that opportunity by mandating lease sales and gagging the National Environmental Policy Act.

Americans should all be able to share in the value of their public lands. This bill, however, takes the sale of a public asset and sends much of the revenue to only a few States, instead of either paying down the deficit or spending it on programs of national benefit to all Americans.

Again, Americans should be told the truth about the nonexistent effect on gas prices of expanded U.S. drilling. As my colleague from Oregon explained so well, the price of crude is set in a global market, one where the countries with the greatest reserves have formed a cartel, which decreases supply to the world when we increase production in order for them to keep the prices propped up. So, unfortunately, we are actually not keeping gas prices down by increasing U.S. production.

I am also very disappointed that an amendment that I filed was not made in order. My amendment would have prevented the Interior Department from doing business with companies that did not have a formal policy preventing discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity. This amendment would have required oil companies that are not in compliance to certify that they would only hire individuals based on merit and not sexual orientation or gender identity, and they would prevent other discriminations and harassments if they want to purchase oil or gas leases.

These policies are not unusual that I'm asking: 88 percent of Fortune 500 companies have formal nondiscrimination policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In fact, all of the major integrated oil companies have sexual orientation nondiscrimination policies except one, ExxonMobil. In the past, ExxonMobil has explained that they're not in violation of State and local nondiscrimination laws because of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, and that trumped local statutes. Well, that argument has been vitiated since the Supreme Court struck down DOMA as unconstitutional.

There is also extensive precedent of the Federal Government requiring contractors to have nondiscrimination policies based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Our government dollars and resources should only be used when we are assured that the most qualified individuals are all equally considered.

Now is the time for ExxonMobil to respect the Constitution and enact a formal policy preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We Americans should not accept discrimination in any form.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

I claim time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, we do not oppose this amendment at this time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

As part of the Interior Department's 5-year plan, they are preparing to allow companies to reevaluate the potential oil and gas resources in the Mid- and South Atlantic using seismic and other testing. The Interior Department is currently going through the process of preparing a programmatic environmental impact statement for that testing because they have received nine permit requests for seismic airgun surveys. They have determined that because of the scope of interest, a programmatic EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act is needed prior to permitting any new, large-scale seismic surveys. The programmatic EIS would establish a framework for future NEPA evaluations of site-specific actions while identifying and analyzing mitigation measures for future programmatic use.

Despite the claims of the majority, Mr. Chair, the Interior Department already intends to finish the programmatic EIS by the end of this year. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Beaudreau testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on May 16 of this year that:

In the spring of 2012, BOEM released the draft programmatic

environmental impact statement, or PEIS, for proposed

geological and geophysical activities in the Mid- and South

Atlantic for public comment. The completion of this PEIS is

part of a region-specific strategy with respect to oil and

gas exploration and development that will focus on the need

to update information in order to inform future decisions on

whether, and where, leasing would be appropriate. The final

PEIS is expected to be published this year.

That's just what Interior said just over 1 month ago. Their intention is to finish this work by the end of this year. But if for some reason Interior needs to complete additional surveys, we should not prevent them from doing so. But that's what this amendment would do. It would potentially short-circuit the NEPA process. We should allow the Interior Department to finish its work to ensure that these activities can occur in a way that does not adversely impact the environment and not tie their hands, as the gentleman would do.

I urge defeat of this amendment that would potentially truncate a proper environmental review, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Virginia for his arguments. And we have no problem with the underlying process. The question is, why should we truncate this process at this time when important work is now being done by the Department of Interior? We do not object to the Department of Interior going forward. The Department has said in a timely manner they will finish this this year. That is appropriate. It is not necessary at this moment to eliminate the environmental process when in fact we know it's moving forward in a fair and a judicious way. If anything comes up, we need to hear that and understand that for future oil leases.

And so I really request that we urge the defeat of this amendment and allow the proper process to go forward because we do not oppose the underlying theme of the bill but we do oppose the truncation of the process.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Virginia. But the Federal Government does have a commitment in the Department of Interior to finish this in a timely manner. It has just been reported in the past month that they are working at this. They will finish it this year. So notwithstanding the very strong arguments of the gentleman from Virginia, we do not support truncating the environmental review process, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I'm here today, and I stand in support of the Smith amendment to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

Guantanamo Bay has become a symbol around the world for an America that has lost sight of its own cherished principles: due process, habeas corpus, and the rule of law.

I recently visited the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Seeing this camp made it clear to me that we cannot keep these detainees forever without charging them with crimes and giving them their day in court. It is not humane. It is not just. It is not American.

Some prisoners must go home; some must face trial; some prisoners will spend the rest of their lives in jail. In the end, though, we must close this chapter and ensure that justice is done. Guantanamo must close.

Keeping the Guantanamo camp open is a complete waste of taxpayers' money. The solution is to support Congressman Smith's amendment to close the Guantanamo detention center.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following.

Whereas, Marvin Nachlis, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away peacefully in his home from Amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), surrounded by family and friends; and

Whereas, Marvin Nachlis was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Dorothy and Arnold Nachlis; and

Whereas, Marvin Nachlis graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School, served in the United States Navy, and earned a combination Bachelor's degree and Law Degree from Western State University; and

Whereas, Marvin Nachlis, after 25 years of practicing law, challenged himself to start a new career as a teacher; and

Whereas, Marvin Nachlis taught math and coached girls' basketball for 12 years at David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach, with patience and encouragement, always taking an interest in the students' well being and potential; and

Whereas, Marvin Nachlis was devoted to his wife of 35 years, Gayle, and took great pride in their two children, Alex and Sara; and

Whereas, Marvin Nachlis was an avid golfer, devotee of all sports, adventurous and curious, always seeking knowledge; and

Whereas, Marvin Nachlis loved sharing his life with friends and family members and was well known for his ever present smile; and

Therefore, be it remembered that Marvin Nachlis touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation.

Whereas, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection report cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. This tragic disease is detected in nearly 15,000 of our nation's young people each and every year; and

Whereas, founded nearly twenty years ago by Steven Firestein, a member of the philanthropic Max Factor family, the American Cancer Fund for Children, Inc. and sister organization, Kids Cancer Connection, Inc. are dedicated to helping these children and their families; and

Whereas, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection provide a variety of vital patient psychosocial services to children undergoing cancer treatment at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Mattel Children's Hospital at Ronald Reagan-UCLA Medical Center, Miller Children's Hospital-Long Beach, as well as participating hospitals throughout the country, thereby enhancing the quality of life for these children and their families; and

Whereas, through its uniquely sensitive and comforting Magical Caps for Kids program, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection distributes thousands of beautifully hand made caps and decorated baseball caps to children who want to protect their heads following the trauma of chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation treatments; and

Whereas, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection also sponsor nationwide Courageous Kid recognition award ceremonies and hospital celebrations in honor of a child's determination and bravery to fight the battle against childhood cancer.

Now therefore, U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal declares the week of February 17-23, 2013 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Week.

Mr. Speaker, for sixty years the United States and Taiwan have fostered a close relationship that has been of mutual political, economic, cultural and strategic benefit. When the United States shifted diplomatic relations from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People's Republic of China in January 1979, Congress moved quickly to pass the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to ensure that the United States would have continued commercial and cultural relations with Taiwan. This year marks the 34th anniversary of the TRA.

This important piece of legislation codified the basis for relations between the U.S. and Taiwan and has been instrumental in maintaining peace, security and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Today, Taiwan is one of the leading U.S trading partners and, in my district, accounts for the second-largest percentage of cargo activity at the Port of Long Beach.

It is my hope that the United States and Taiwan will continue to work together to promote enduring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr. Speaker, today is Equal Pay Day, a day to remind all Americans and all my colleagues here in Congress that discrimination and paycheck inequality still exists in the general workplace.

Nationally, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That income disparity must end now. And while women in my home State of California are paid 85 cents for every dollar paid to men, we must do more. To live in a country where women do not earn equal pay for equal work is sad and embarrassing.

What does equality look like, Mr. Speaker? Equality looks like the Civil Rights Act of 1964; equality looks like the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and equality needs to look like the Paycheck Fairness Act, which has yet to be passed.

I urge the Speaker to bring this much needed bill to the House floor as soon as possible.

To my constituents, please join me on Facebook tomorrow for a town hall meeting where I will be answering your questions about equality and what steps we should be taking to achieve equality for all. Please visit Facebook.com/RepLowenthal to join the conversation.