Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, the people of Nevada overwhelmingly voted to legalize medical marijuana 65 to 35 percent. Thirteen years later, the State legislature passed an enacting statute, and last week, the Las Vegas City Council and the Clark County Commission both approved the establishment of dispensaries.

Similar action has taken place in 18 States, creating a patchwork of conflicting State, local, and Federal laws and regulations. As a result, there is a great deal of uncertainty and confusion for Nevadans and doctors, patients, and businesses in other States where marijuana is legal.

As more States move towards legalizing marijuana use, it is important that Congress address the issue to ensure consumers and businesses are protected and are able to operate without fear of Federal prosecution.

That is why I am cosponsoring the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act, the Truth in Trials Act, and the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act.

I have also joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues to call on the Appropriations Committee to ensure the Department of Justice is not wasting taxpayer dollars.

These are commonsense proposals that preserve states' rights and ensure patients and businesses are protected.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the only Hellenic-American woman serving in Congress, to recognize and celebrate Greek Independence Day.

This holiday commemorates the Greek people's victory in their struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821. It is a day of singing praise, dancing, eating, and paying homage to those who fought so bravely to restore democracy to its birthplace. As Sir Winston Churchill said during World War II, ``Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks.''

This is also a day for honoring the strong bonds that have long existed between Greece and the United States. Our form of democratic government owes much to the principles established in Ancient Greece and our international success today relies on Greece as a valued NATO ally.

Our culture has also been influenced by Hellenic art, architecture, and letters dating back to the days of Homer and Euripides, Sophocles and Hippocrates. As President James Monroe said, ``The mention of Greece fills the mind with the most exalted sentiments.''

So today let us reaffirm our support for Greece in good times and trying circumstances. And let me encourage my colleagues to visit Greece and experience for themselves the beauty of the land, the power of the antiquities, and the warmth of the people.

Mr. Speaker, every year on March 21st we take a moment to celebrate Nevada's conception and our unique, Battle Born history. From Reno to Las Vegas, from the mountains to the desert, from the sage grouse to the neon lights, `Home Means Nevada.'

One hundred and fifty years ago, the country was in the middle of the bloodiest war in our history, President Lincoln's re-election was in jeopardy, and the proposed 13th amendment, which would end slavery, lacked the necessary votes to pass.

With little time left in the thirty-eighth Congress, the outlook was bleak; but the Republican-dominated Nevada Territory offered an

opportunity to secure the necessary votes to pass the 13th Amendment and ensure the reelection of President Lincoln.

Anxious to gain the support of the Nevada Territory before the end of the session, Congress rushed to pass an enabling act for Nevada statehood through the legislature. On March 21, 1864, President Lincoln signed the bill to pave the way for Nevada's admission to the Union.

This unique history proves that though Nevadans rarely do things by the book, we always endure. We may be down, but we are never out. Over the past decade we have seen Nevada hit hard by the housing crisis; unemployment soared; and our economy suffered worse than most during the Great Recession. But we are coming back. New businesses are relocating to the state; gaming revenues are up; and we've been chosen as a site for the exciting new FAA Federal UAV testing program. I have no doubt that we will come back stronger than ever, because we are Battle Born.

I rise today in opposition to both H.R. 4138, the so- called ENFORCE Act, and H.R. 3973, Faithful Execution of the Law Act.

These bills reveal a Republican majority that is more interested in undermining the President that in serving the American people.

These bills could undo the critical actions that President Obama has taken to protect DREAMers. DACA gives DREAMers, including almost 10,000 who have applied in Nevada, the chance to pursue their American Dream. We should be encouraging these bright young people to explore their options and develop their talent, not to hide away in the shadows. These bills would take that opportunity away.

The bills would also undermine another executive action that gives the undocumented families of military members and veterans the chance to stay in the United States as long as they don't have a criminal record. Do

we really want to tear apart the families of those who serve our Nation?

Instead of taking real steps to address the many problems our country faces, we are wasting time with these cheap political gimmicks, these sham constitutional arguments. So I would urge my colleagues to reject those and to vote against these harmful, unconstitutional bills.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the 1.9 million unemployed Americans, including nearly 21,000 in Nevada, people who are struggling to put food on the table, a roof over their heads, and gas in their car.

Despite the daily struggle that these people have making ends meet while looking for a new, good-paying job, House Republicans have refused to bring a bill to the floor that would extend their critical lifeline. In fact, since the beginning of the 113th Congress, House Republicans have failed to bring a single jobs bill to the floor.

The American people have made it clear that they want this Congress to work to find solutions that represent a balanced approach, not partisan ideology that is out of touch with their needs and priorities.

I urge House Republicans to set aside their do-nothing agenda, address the serious challenges facing our country, and take meaningful action to achieve real results for the people we are sent here to serve.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman for bringing this bill to the floor and my colleague and fellow educator, Mr. Takano, for yielding to me.

I rise today in support of H.R. 357, the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013. As professor emeritus of political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, I know firsthand the importance of a college education. And I am proud that my home State of Nevada already has laws in place that allow all veterans, regardless of residency status, to pay instate tuition while attending our public colleges and universities.

I was fortunate to teach a number of our Nation's heroes during my time at UNLV. Having these veterans in class was truly a win-win situation. Our veterans are able to pursue a college degree to help them with their transition to civilian life, and their fellow students are able to benefit from hearing about the veterans' experiences in the military, on the battlefield, and in foreign lands while they have served our country.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation that will improve our higher education system and help our Nation's heroes acquire the skills and knowledge to complement their experience so they can succeed once they leave the military.

I thank the chairman again for bringing this bill, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support it.

Like those who have spoken so eloquently before me, I stand in strong opposition to H.R. 7. This legislation would drastically undermine a woman's constitutional right to choose and could effectively eliminate access to safe, legal reproductive care for low-income women across the country. It would also hurt our small businesses by raising taxes on those who offer their employees comprehensive health insurance.

Republicans have repeatedly demonstrated a lack of understanding about basic women's health care, and this bill is just one more example of their continuing attack on women's rights.

H.R. 7 is a step backward. It is nothing more than a distraction from the critical work we should be doing to

pass immigration reform, strengthen our economy, and create jobs. We apparently have no time to vote on unemployment benefits for our neighbors but plenty of time to take away a woman's right to choose.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this harmful and unconstitutional legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with pride and pleasure to congratulate Dr. Michael S. Green, professor of history at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, on his recent selection as the recipient of the American Historical Association's 2013 Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award. The AHA, a leading professional organization dedicated to the study and teaching of history, awards this prize only once a year to recognize outstanding teaching and advocacy for history. This is the first time ever that this prestigious award has gone to a community college professor.

To quote Winston Churchill, ``Study history, study history. In history lie all the secrets of statecraft.'' Professor Green is encouraging the young people of Southern Nevada to do just that-- ``study history, study history.'' Through his excellent teaching, he is cultivating the minds of tomorrow. Many of his former students are found today in public service and media positions throughout Nevada.

A graduate of the University of Nevada--Las Vegas and Columbia University, Dr. Green specializes in nineteenth century politics and the American West, and has published several books including, Las Vegas: A Centennial History, and dozens of articles in scholarly journals. He writes a regular column in several popular magazines and is often called upon to serve as a lecturer, guest speaker, and expert on Nevada history and politics. He is a researcher and consultant for the City of Las Vegas Mob Museum, and is currently writing a text book on Nevada history. A man of many talents, Dr. Green is also a specialist on President Lincoln, having authored several books focusing on Lincoln and the politics of the Civil War. He is currently editing a collection of essays focusing on Lincoln as well.

Nonetheless, while many academicians often prioritize research and publications over teaching, Michael Green's number one priority has always been his students. As one remarked, ``Dr. Green loves his subject and it shows.'' I can think of no higher compliment, and I can imagine no one more deserving of this award. I commend Dr. Green for this distinction, and am proud to have him as a friend, a colleague, and a constituent, Only in District One.

Mr. Speaker, nearly 350,000 Southern Nevada residents regularly struggle to secure enough food to feed themselves and nurture their families.

During the recent recession, demand for nutrition assistance increased dramatically. As a result, charitable organizations across the country have been asked to do more with less. In my district, Three Square Food Bank has witnessed former donors becoming clients due to layoffs and long-term unemployment.

As the Farm Bill is finalized, I'd like to urge the members of the joint committee to protect funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and reauthorize categorical eligibility so Southern Nevadans struggling in this economy can continue to access the programs they rely on to make ends meet.

Let me tell you about Jennifer who lives in Southern Nevada. Jennifer, her two children, and her sister are considered a household under existing law. They live together, buy food together, and eat meals together as a family. Jennifer and her sister each own a car, which they rely on to get to work on time every day. These are not luxury cars; both are eight years old and in need of repair.

The problem for Jennifer and her family is that the SNAP program has strict eligibility requirements that make it very difficult for families with even moderate assets, like aging cars, to qualify for the nutrition assistance program. Categorical eligibility helps solve this problem by recognizing that many low-income families who qualify for other assistance programs also need basic food assistance. If categorical eligibility is eliminated, Jennifer and millions of other low-income families with gross incomes or assets just above the federal SNAP limit would become ineligible for SNAP benefits simply because of the value of the modest cars they own.

Categorical eligibility has been demonized in recent months, but it plays a critical role in helping families like Jennifer's access the programs they need so that their basic expenses are met each month. It also enables these families to keep assets, like an aging car, without having to make the difficult choice between food assistance and transportation. This is especially important for the nearly 40,000 unemployed Nevadans who need a reliable vehicle to search for jobs and secure employment once they've been hired.

I urge the members of the joint committee to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and maintain categorical eligibility so working families like Jennifer's can continue to receive this vital food assistance.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with pride and pleasure to congratulate Dr. Michael S. Green, professor of history at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, on his recent selection as the recipient of the American Historical Association's 2013 Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award.

The AHA, which is the leading professional organization in the country dedicated to the study and testing of history, awards this prize only once a year to recognize outstanding teaching and advocacy for history. This is the first time ever that this prestigious award has gone to a community college professor. Dr. Green's vitae is too extensive and impressive to be described in 1 minute, so I will include additional information in my extended remarks for the Record.

Meantime, let me just say that I can imagine no one more deserving of this award. I commend Dr. Green for this distinction, and I am proud to have him as a friend, a colleague, and a constituent in District One.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 3824 to end Republicans' refusal to extend unemployment benefits that protect over 19,000 workers in Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, President Johnson declared an unconditional war on poverty in America and established landmark programs--such as Head Start, Medicare, and Job Corps--that were designed to give all Americans the opportunity to succeed.

These programs have had a substantial impact, cutting poverty by one- third since 1967. Despite the progress, however, we still have a lot to do.

Today, 100 million Americans live in or near the brink of poverty, including 42 million women and 28 million children. In Nevada, nearly 18 percent of women and 24 percent of children live in poverty, a situation made even

worse by the gender wage gap and the lack of paid leave and affordable care. It is hard to lean in when you are barely hanging on.

What is more, cuts to SNAP and unemployment insurance have placed even greater hardships on those already struggling to get by. Denying this vital lifeline is morally indefensible and economically shortsighted.

To win the war on poverty, we must strengthen, not gut, the programs that protect and empower millions of people every day, giving everyone in this great country an opportunity to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, as of the new year, 1.3 million Americans, including 17,600 Nevadans, are without a critical economic lifeline-- the emergency unemployment insurance that has helped men and women stay out of poverty and keep their families afloat as they look for a job.

By allowing this program to expire, those already struggling to make ends meet are now facing even greater hardship as they are left to wonder how to put food on the table, keep a roof over their families' heads, or put gas in the car.

Denying this vital lifeline is not only morally indefensible, it is also economically shortsighted. Unemployment insurance benefits not only help the individual and their families who receive them, but they also boost our economy. Failing to renew this program will weaken economic growth and cost our country 240,000 jobs, including almost 3,000 in Nevada.

So, for the thousands of Nevadans who lost emergency unemployment insurance at the beginning of the year and the 842 more who stand to lose their benefits at the end of this week, inaction is unacceptable. I urge Speaker Boehner to bring this to the floor and vote in favor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Frank Flores, known lovingly by his friends and family as ``Apo,'' ``Cabeza,'' or ``Tagasi,'' who dedicated his life to his country and his family. Mr. Flores was born on October 25, 1950, in Guam. He graduated in 1968 from George Washington High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force and retired in October 1990 at Los Angeles Air Force Base (Space and Missile System Contracting Division) as a Master Sergeant. After his retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Flores continued his service to our country by joining the Veterans Administration, where he performed a number of duties to assist his fellow veterans. During his time at the VA, he rose from a GS 7 Trainee Veterans Benefits Counselor and retired as a GS 13 after just nine years. Mr. Flores served in a number of capacities, including as a Congressional Liaison Officer and as a Decision Review Officer. Following his retirement from the VA, Mr. Flores founded the Project Guiding Light Veterans Volunteer Advocacy Group, an organization focused on helping veterans navigate the benefits process at the VA. The group works closely with veterans and other Veterans Service Organizations to help veterans receive all of the benefits they have earned.

Mr. Flores worked extensively with the National Association of Chamorro Veterans in America (NOCVA), an organization seeking to unite and organize Chamorro veterans across the United States to advocate on behalf of the Chamorro people. The organization, which was founded in 2011, has focused its efforts on honoring Chamorro veterans, and serving as their voice in Washington. The Chamorro ancestry traces back to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Mr. Flores spent his entire life serving others, and helped thousands of veterans through his tireless advocacy and dedication. His legacy will endure and serve as an example to us all.

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 75th anniversary for the AbilityOne Program and the National Industries for the Blind. Since their inception, the AbilityOne Program and NIB have changed the lives of millions of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities by providing increased independence through job skills training and employment opportunities. They are our nation's largest source of employment for blind and disabled individuals and manufacture over 3,000 quality products, ranging from diesel engine glow plugs to printer toner.

In Las Vegas, the Blind Center of Nevada has helped blind and visually impaired Nevadans reach their highest potential. In addition to offering employment opportunities, computer training, braille classes, and other supportive services, the Blind Center of Nevada has built a community full of music and friendship.

I want to congratulate the AbilityOne Program and NIB on this momentous occasion and thank them for 75 years of service.