Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hanford Christian School on their 80-year anniversary and to thank them for their significant contributions to the Kings County community.

Since its founding in 1944, Hanford Christian School has provided students with the tools they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives. Hanford Christian School pushes students in and out of the classroom to reach their academic potential, through a challenging curriculum, Christ-centered teaching, and hands-on learning experiences.

The students, faculty, and families at Hanford Christian are dedicated to serving their community. Every year, they contribute to food drives and volunteer with the Salvation Army and Gleanings for the Hungry. Their community service impacts the community all year long, including during the holiday season when families donate blankets to the homeless and sing at retirement homes. These experiences at Hanford Christian and within the community empower students to become thoughtful leaders inside and outside the classroom.

The dedication of the teachers and staff at Hanford Christian School plays a vital role in helping students across the Central Valley thrive. I want to thank the entire faculty for fostering a learning environment that helps our youth become the best they can be.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Hanford Christian School on their 80-year anniversary. Their work to enrich the lives of students in the Central Valley will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Hanford Civic Auditorium on their 100th anniversary. For the past century, this iconic building has stood as a symbol of Hanford, California's rich history, architectural heritage, and cultural identity.

Since opening its doors in 1925, the Hanford Civic Auditorium has served as the cornerstone of community life--a vibrant hub for artistic performances, civic engagement, and social events. From city council meetings and public forums to receptions, family reunions, and community celebrations, it has hosted countless gatherings that reflect the heart and spirit of Hanford. More than just a venue, the auditorium plays a vital role in fostering civic pride, cultural expression, and a shared appreciation for the city's rich local history--ensuring its legacy will endure. The original vision for the Hanford Civic Auditorium was not only to meet the needs of a growing community, but also to honor the brave members of our military who answered the call to arms during WWI--and to memorialize those who never returned. Today, the City of Hanford proudly designates the auditorium as a local historical and cultural landmark. This recognition is made possible by the dedicated staff and team members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the auditorium's continued success.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to those who have contributed to preserving and promoting the Hanford Civic Auditorium. Their commitment ensures it will continue to serve the people of Kings County and stand as a living testament to the community's values and history.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the Hanford Civic Auditorium on their 100th anniversary. Its contributions to the cultural and civic life of Hanford will continue to resonate for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city of Delano, California as it celebrates its 110th anniversary.

Incorporated in 1915, Delano was originally established as a railroad town, serving as a hub for hundreds of workers building the southern terminus of the Southern Pacific railroad. Over the years, Delano has been the site of several historically significant events, particularly during World War II. The Voice of America Delano even operated as a vital broadcasting facility, relaying news and information to VOA stations across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Okinawa, and the Philippines.

In more recent history, the Delano Municipal Airport gained distinction as the home of a squadron of Northrop P-61 Black Widow aircraft--twin-engine fighters that played a key role in defending the Pacific Coast during the war.

Today, Delano is best known for its thriving agricultural industry. The city is a major producer of grapes, oranges, almonds, pistachios, and cotton. Alongside its agricultural success, Delano has experienced steady commercial growth, attracting major businesses such as Wonderful Citrus, the company behind the widely popular Halos brand.

Delano is also a culturally rich and diverse community, shaped by generations of residents from around the world. Since the arrival of early settlers under the Homestead Act, Delano has welcomed people from Latin America, Asia, and Europe, each contributing to the city's distinct character and traditions.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my congressional colleagues to join me in celebrating Delano on its 110th anniversary, and to honor its rich history, diverse community, and the spirit of those who call it home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michelle Nuckols for being named the 2025 Cattlewoman of the Year by the Tulare County Cattlewoman's Association.

Michelle moved to Visalia, California in 1975 with her parents at the age of six. She discovered her love for agriculture in high school through Mt. Whitney High School's FFA program, where she quickly immersed herself. Her involvement in FFA inspired her to pursue a career in agricultural education, leading her to attend the College of the Sequoias and later Fresno State University. While at Fresno State, Michelle met her husband, Justin Nuckols, who came from a farming family in Porterville. The two married in 1995 and made their home near Justin's family farm. Following graduation, Michelle began teaching at Tipton Elementary, where she has now served for over 29 years. In addition to teaching English, she offers an agriculture elective that introduces students to FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. Her class includes hands-on lessons about dairy and beef cattle, visits to local farming operations, and a variety of experiences designed to connect students to agriculture. Michelle also has a deep passion for photography, which has inspired her to preserve the farming traditions of Justin's family farm through the lens of her camera. She captures branding events, assists in tagging calves, and most importantly, ensures that donuts and cold drinks are available for all who attend.

Since Justin's unexpected passing in 2022, Michelle has taken on a more active role in the family's cattle operation alongside her sons, Tanner and Carson. She also joined Tulare County Cattlewomen, continuing her lifelong support for agricultural education and honoring Justin's legacy through advocacy and community involvement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Michelle Nuckols on being awarded Tulare County's 2025 Cattlewoman of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Tulare County Court Appointed Special Advocates on their 40-year anniversary.

The Tulare Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) provides support to the juvenile court and its dependent children, who are innocent victims of abuse and neglect. CASA was established in 1977 to combat misrepresentation of these victims and Tulare County CASA was created in 1984 by concerned members of the community. These strong advocates step into the court room on behalf of victimized children to help ensure their cases go smoothly and they can get on track for a better life.

To date, 15,000 children have been served by the Tulare County CASA volunteers who have worked over 300,000 volunteer hours. CASA volunteers come from every walk of life and share a commitment to improving children's lives and protecting the welfare of our community's youth.

Organizations like the Tulare County CASA help create a safe community for our children and I want to thank every volunteer for their commitment to our youth. Thanks to their work, the children in our region have an advocate to help protect them from further violence, abuse, and neglect.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the Tulare County Court Appointed Special Advocates on their 40th anniversary for their hard work, which will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Vincent Sola, as he is awarded

the title of Farmer of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Tulare.

Mr. Sola was born in Porterville, California and developed his love of farming at two years old from his father, John Sola. As a high school student, he rented his first twenty acres of land as part of a Future Farmers of America (FFA) project, and Dave Linder from Linder Equipment financed his first tractor and disc. He later served as FFA president during his senior year and earned his FFA State Farmer Degree. Mr. Sola graduated from Tulare Union High School in 1978 and from the College of the Sequoias with a degree in agriculture in 1981.

Mr. Sola is a fourth-generation farmer who has devoted his life to nurturing the land his family has tended since it was homesteaded in 1903. Mr. Sola has extensive experience growing products including cotton, corn, wheat, tomatoes, sugar beets, broccoli, cauliflower, and watermelons, all of which are important crops to Central Valley. He also uses these skills to help his neighbors, members of the community, and landowners in the area with their commercial farming.

Mr. Sola is committed to fostering the Central Valley's next generation of farmers. He spends his time teaching his son, Vin, about the family business, emphasizing the hard work and dedication needed to run a successful farm. It is because of farmers like Mr. Sola that the Central Valley thrives, and I want to thank him for his commitment to our agricultural community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Mr. Vincent Sola, as he is awarded the Farmer of the Year Award by the Kiwanis Club of Tulare. His contributions to the Central Valley will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my colleague Congressman Vince Fong to recognize Ms. April Woody on being awarded the 2025 Cattlewoman of the Year by the Kern County Cattlewomen's Association.

Nearly sixty years ago, April Woody joined her husband, Ron Woody, in continuing his family's cattle ranching operation. Though new to ranching, she quickly learned the ropes and became an essential part of the operation, helping to carry forward a legacy rooted in hard work and dedication to the family business. Ms. Woody joined the Kern County Cattlewomen in 1969 and became deeply involved in the organization's community work. She organized the fair booth, served on the Cattle Princess Selection Committee, and brought humor to the High Fever Follies fundraiser by wearing the group's famous ``beef cut suit.'' Following her early involvement with the Kern County Cattlewomen, Ms. Woody began a distinguished career in education. She taught both junior high and high school English before earning two master's degrees in Pupil Personnel Services and Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. For the final sixteen years of her career, she served as a counselor at Centennial High School in Bakersfield, where she dedicated herself to the academic and personal development of all students. Since her retirement, Ms. Woody has reconnected with the cattle community and remains involved with the Kern County Cattlewomen. Over the past nine years, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Vice President and President. Currently she serves as Secretary and on the Board of Directors, chairs the organization's annual Clay Shoot, and has chaired the Scholarship Committee for seven years. Beyond her service to Kern County Cattlewomen, Ms. Woody also remains active in her church and throughout the community.

Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in congratulating Ms. April Woody on being named Kern County's 2025 Cattlewoman of the Year. Her dedication to agriculture, education, and service to the community embodies the values that define the Central Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge support for my bill, the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act.

Our veterans put their lives on the line to defend this country. When they come home, they shouldn't have to fight another battle just to get the benefits that they deserve.

Unfortunately, outdated systems at the VA are causing unnecessary delays that create real hardships for both veterans and their families.

To speed up disability claims, the VA has used automation tools, like AI, to draft letters and gather documents. That same technology has not been applied to other types of claims, such as pensions or survivor benefits. This has led to a growing backlog and, in some cases, missed benefits altogether.

My bill takes steps to fix this. It requires the VA to expand the use of automation tools, ensure that documents are properly labeled in the system, and improve coordination between offices. It also directs the VA to use the tools for pensions and survivors' benefits, so families aren't left behind.

By improving coordination across the VA and other Federal agencies, we can reduce overpayments and prevent families from being hit with unexpected debt notices.

This is a commonsense bill that would help to ensure that our veterans and survivors receive the benefits that they deserve in a timely and efficient manner.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I also thank Chairman Bost and his staff at the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for their work on this very important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge support for my bill, H.R. 1044, which authorizes seven permit renewals for the Kaweah Hydroelectric Project in Tulare County, California.

Southern California Edison has operated the Kaweah Hydroelectric Project since 1899, marking well over a century of reliable, clean power.

For decades, Congress has allowed for the continued use of the Federal lands for this purpose, but unless we act now, the authorization will expire in 2026.

Without authorization, Southern California Edison would be forced to dismantle critical infrastructure, costing ratepayers in the region tens of millions of dollars and eliminating a clean, reliable, and affordable source of energy.

This bill ensures that Kaweah can keep operating without disruption or unnecessary costs for families across California.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman and his staff at the Committee on Natural Resources for their work on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and protect the Central Valley's clean energy future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michelle Nuckols for being named the 2025 Cattlewoman of the Year by the Tulare County Cattlewomen's Association.

Michelle moved to Visalia, California in 1975 with her parents at the age of six. She discovered her love for agriculture in high school through Mt. Whitney High School's FFA program, where she quickly immersed herself. Her involvement in FFA inspired her to pursue a career in agricultural education, leading her to attend the College of the Sequoias and later Fresno State University. While at Fresno State, Michelle met her husband, Justin Nuckols, who came from a farming family in Porterville. The two married in 1995 and made their home near Justin's family farm. Following graduation, Michelle began teaching at Tipton Elementary, where she has now served for over 29 years. In addition to teaching English, she offers an agriculture elective that introduces students to FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. Her class includes hands-on lessons about dairy and beef cattle, visits to local farming operations, and a variety of experiences designed to connect students to agriculture. Michelle also has a deep passion for photography, which has inspired her to preserve the farming traditions of Justin's family farm through the lens of her camera. She captures branding events, assists in tagging calves, and most importantly, ensures that donuts and cold drinks are available for all who attend.

Since Justin's unexpected passing in 2022, Michelle has taken on a more active role in the family's cattle operation alongside her sons, Tanner and Carson. She also joined Tulare County Cattlewomen, continuing her lifelong support for agricultural education and honoring Justin's legacy through advocacy and community involvement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Michelle Nuckols on being awarded Tulare County's 2025 Cattlewoman of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge support for my bill, the Romance Scam Prevention Act. Every year, millions of Americans from all ages and backgrounds use dating apps and websites to make connections.

For many, online dating has made it easier to build relationships. Unfortunately, there are countless stories of criminals using these sites for fraudulent activity.

While it is sadly common to see users lie about things like their age and occupation, romance scammers use fake profiles to develop connections and emotionally or financially exploit unsuspecting users. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $1.1 billion in 2023 alone, with senior citizens being the age group most at risk.

There have been countless stories of people being conned out of their entire life savings, all because they believed they had found love online. People who meet online often take their conversations to other communication platforms and might not know that they are talking to someone who has been removed from the original dating app.

This bill requires dating platforms to issue fraud ban notifications to users who have interacted with an account who has been removed for fraudulent activity.

As criminals are becoming more sophisticated when it comes to exploiting victims online, it is time to put safeguards in place to protect users from financial fraud.

I thank Chairman Guthrie and his staff at the Committee on Energy and Commerce for their work on this important bill, as well as my co-leads, Representatives Brittany Pettersen, Tom Suozzi, and Craig Goldman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city of Delano, California as it celebrates its 110th anniversary.

Incorporated in 1915, Delano was originally established as a railroad town, serving as a hub for hundreds of workers building the southern terminus of the Southern Pacific railroad. Over the years, Delano has been the site of several historically significant events, particularly during World War II. The Voice of America Delano even operated as a vital broadcasting facility, relaying news and information to VOA stations across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Okinawa, and the Philippines.

In more recent history, the Delano Municipal Airport gained distinction as the home of a squadron of Northrop P-61 Black Widow aircraft--twin-engine fighters that played a key role in defending the Pacific Coast during the war. Today, Delano is best known for its thriving agricultural industry. The city is a major

producer of grapes, oranges, almonds, pistachios, and cotton. Alongside its agricultural success, Delano has experienced steady commercial growth, attracting major businesses such as Wonderful Citrus, the company behind the widely popular Halos brand.

Delano is also a culturally rich and diverse community, shaped by generations of residents from around the world. Since the arrival of early settlers under the Homestead Act, Delano has welcomed people from Latin America, Asia, and Europe, each contributing to the city's distinct character and traditions.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my congressional colleagues to join me in celebrating Delano on its 110th anniversary, and to honor its rich history, diverse community, and the spirit of those who call it home.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 157.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act, which would make the Department of Veterans Affairs more accessible for our disabled veterans.

Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we have a responsibility to make sure they receive the benefits and services they have earned.

Sadly, too many disabled veterans face unnecessary obstacles in accessing care because of avoidable barriers at the VA.

This bipartisan bill would create a permanent advisory committee within the VA, made up of disabled veterans, experts, and advocates who understand these challenges firsthand.

This committee will give our veterans a direct line to the Secretary of the VA, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are prioritized.

This is a commonsense, bipartisan step to improve oversight, enhance accessibility, and uphold our Nation's commitment to the men and women who have sacrificed so much defending our freedoms.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost and his staff at the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for their work on this important bill which makes the VA more accessible for our disabled veterans that it serves.

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal family matter, I was not able to make the voting series today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 100, NAY on Roll Call No. 101, and YEA on Roll Call No. 102.

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