Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was absent from the floor and the vote on the Motion to Adjourn. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 722, Motion to Adjourn.

Mr. Speaker, I invite all of my colleagues to join me and the members of the Nevada delegation in honoring the three precious lives that were lost to a heinous act of gun violence on December 6, 2023, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where I

taught in the political science department for 35 years.

Patricia Navarro Velez, an assistant professor of accounting at the university and a mother of four, devoted her career to educating the next generation of business professionals, particularly among underserved populations and minorities. She is remembered for her infectious smile and her larger-than-life personality.

Cha Jan ``Jerry'' Chang, a professor of management information systems and devoted UNLV colleague for more than 20 years, was known for his even-keeled, positive, and unwavering presence. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Naoko Takemaru was an associate professor of Japanese studies and a noted author, academic, and award-winning educator. In her 20th year at UNLV, Ms. Takemaru's colleagues remembered her as lionhearted in kindness.

Today, I stand here in solidarity with my colleagues from Nevada with a heavy heart for the victims, their families, and all of the UNLV students, faculty, and staff who experienced this horrific event.

Mr. Speaker, we honor the lives we lost and uplift the UNLV community during this trying time.

I ask that we not only use this time to commemorate the important and selfless contributions of each of these individuals who were part of the UNLV community and also to remember the heroic actions of our law enforcement, but also to reflect on the pressing need to enact commonsense legislation to protect our communities from the epidemic of gun violence.

I ask all of my colleagues to consider signing on to a resolution to this effect, which I will be introducing tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House observe a moment of silence to honor the three lives lost and to uplift the UNLV community.

Mr. Chair, due to the tragic shooting at UNLV, I have been working with law enforcement and the public to address the situation, and I was absent from the floor and the vote on the Molinaro Amendment No. 5 to H.R. 5933.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 698, Agreeing to the Molinaro Amendment to H.R. 5933.

Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Ogles

Madam Speaker, I was absent from the floor and votes on the Motion to Table H. Res. 829, Adoption of H. Res. 559, Final Passage of H. Res. 340, Motion to Recommit H.R. 4364, Final Passage of H.R. 4364, and Adoption of H. Res. 773. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 559, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 560, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 561, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 562, ``no'' on rollcall No. 563, and ``no'' on rollcall No. 564.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate the Las Vegas Aces on winning the 2023 Women's National Basketball Association Finals.

On October 18, 2023, the Las Vegas Aces defeated the New York Liberty, 70-69, in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. The Aces won the championship three games to one and became the first professional team in Nevada to win two championships. They won despite two of their starters being out with injuries, star guard Chelsea Gray and center Kiah Stokes.

They also became the first WNBA team in 21 years to win consecutive championships.

Hall of Fame head coach Becky Hammon led the team to victory and became the third coach in either the NBA or WNBA to win two championships in her first two seasons.

Even before the playoffs, the Aces had an incredible season, clinching first seed in the playoffs after dominating the regular season with a record of 34-6. They set a new league record for wins and led the league in points per game and field goal percentage.

At home, the Aces went 19-1 in the regular season and undefeated in the postseason, setting attendance records and even hosting the All- Star Game.

Owner Mark Davis and Team President Nikki Fargas proved once again that investing in women's sports is investing in success, thereby setting an example for others to follow.

In the championship-clinching game, Finals Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson led the way with 24 points and 16 rebounds, while Jackie Young added 16 points and seven assists. And Kelsey Plum delivered a well- rounded performance of eight rebounds, five assists, and seven points. The Aces never trailed in the fourth quarter.

The Aces certainly raised the stakes when securing another championship for Vegas, firmly establishing District One as the Sports Capital of the World.

All of Southern Nevada is very proud and I can't wait to cheer the team on next year as they go for three in a row.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge, congratulate, and celebrate the victory of the Las Vegas Aces, who won the 2023 Women's National Basketball Association championship.

On October 18, 2023, the Aces defeated the New York Liberty 70-69 in game four of the WNBA Finals. They won despite two of their starters being out with injuries, star guard Chelsea Gray and center Kiah Stokes.

They won and have had an amazing two-cycle victory as champions under the leadership of Hall of Fame Head Coach Becky Hammon.

Owner Mark Davis and team president Nikki Fargas have proven once again that investing in women's sports is investing in success.

In the championship game, the Finals Most Valuable Player, A'ja Wilson, led the way with 24 points and 16 rebounds; Jackie Young added 16 points; and Kelsey Plum--Plum Dawg, they call her--delivered a well- rounded performance of rebounds, assists, and points.

The Aces certainly raised the stakes when securing another championship for Vegas, firmly establishing District One as the sports capital of the world.

All of southern Nevada is very proud, and I can't wait to cheer the team on next year as they go for three in a row.

Mr. Chair, I join my colleagues in support of this vital amendment to avert more widespread harm to civilians in areas contaminated by unexploded ordnance. We should ban these cluster bombs and the transfer of them to other countries.

Thousands of communities across Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe face lingering dangers from landmines and explosive remnants of war dating back to World War II, the Vietnam war, and the Indochina wars. Many Pacific island nations are still contaminated by unexploded ordnance following World War II battles between Japan and the Allied forces.

Cluster munitions have continued to be lethal decades after they were originally deployed. Laos, the most heavily bombed country per capita in history, has suffered an estimated 50,000 civilian casualties from explosive remnants of war since 1964. Cambodia and Vietnam have seen over 64,000 and 105,000 casualties since 1975, respectively.

If you have visited these countries, you may have encountered little musical groups on the streets of the victims

of these cluster bombs. As you heard, what is really tragic is about two-thirds of those who are injured or killed are children.

The land in Ukraine that has been contaminated by explosive ordnance has increased tenfold and now takes up 30 percent of the country, representing an area the size of Florida or twice the size of the entire country of Portugal.

There is a reason why a vast majority of the international community, our allies, have banned cluster bombs. It is time for the U.S. to follow suit.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to support this amendment, and I thank my colleagues for bringing it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize September as Responsible Gaming Education

Month. Twenty-five years ago. the American Gaming Association established Responsible Gaming Education Week to promote responsible gaming nationwide and to educate employees and customers on the subject. This effort was expanded to Responsible Gaming Education Month in 2022.

I am proud to represent Las Vegas which sets the gold standard when it comes to gaming and gaming regulation. Casino gaming is legal in 44 states and sports betting is legal and operational in 35 states, providing jobs to 1.8 million individuals around the country. Last year, consumers spent a record $60 billion at commercial casinos. This translated to $13.5 billion in direct gaming taxes to state and local governments, exclusive of the billions of dollars in income and sales tax that casinos contribute to communities. All this revenue supports a range of needed public services like hospitals, schools, transportation, and public safety.

Responsible gaming is a central tenant of the gaming industry which goes to great lengths to make sure employees are trained in best practices for recognizing and dealing with problem gaming and patrons are aware of options for help if they need it. Last year, states earmarked $104 million for problem gaming research and the promotion of responsible gaming resources. Many operators go above and beyond the minimum, partnering with organizations to educate consumers and employees and adhering to voluntary responsible gaming and marketing codes. This includes deploying responsible gaming tools like limits on deposits, wagers, and play time.

This year, Responsible Gaming Education Month has four themes: Empowering Customers to Play Responsibly; Legal, Regulated Gaming Protects Players; Building a Responsible Gaming Culture Within; and Advancing Responsible Gaming Research.

I commend operators around the country for their work on these important issues and for ensuring that the customer is always put first. I thank the many employees of the gaming industry in my district and around the country for their efforts to educate patrons about responsible gaming.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Saturday, October 7th, as Ageism Awareness Day. Ageism Awareness Day provides us all with an opportunity to recognize the existence and impact of ageism in our country.

We are fortunate to live in a time in which medicine and technology can allow individuals to live long and full lives. As society begins to grow older, however, too many individuals experience ageism, or stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on age.

Ageism is the most widespread and socially accepted form of prejudice. It can be found throughout society, from our workplaces to our health systems to stereotypes broadcast in the media. Not only is ageism harmful in and of itself, but it also exacerbates many of the other ``isms'', including racism, sexism, and ableism, which compound and worsen mental and physical health outcomes for affected individuals.

I am proud to represent Southern Nevada, a place that has long been a welcoming home to nearly 375,000 seniors. They enrich our community tremendously, and their value should not be diminished by undue prejudice and discrimination. Organizations such as Nevada Senior Services provide essential services to individuals across Southern Nevada as they age and ensure that aging is not viewed with fear or hostility. Nevada Senior Services not only operates the Adult Day Care Centers of Las Vegas and Henderson, but also Caregiver Support Programs, Respite and Personal Care, RAMP Home Modifications, Hospital 2 Home Assistance, and the Care Partner Institute.

I applaud and support the goals and ideals of Ageism Awareness Day which sheds light on the plight of many individuals and brings the Nation together to promote acceptance and appreciation of the gifts of aging persons. I thank all the family members, professionals, and volunteers who assist aging individuals every day and help fight the stigma of ageism.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Carol Harter, the first female and longest serving president in the history of the University of Las Vegas.

I was fortunate to teach at UNLV during her tenure, where I witnessed firsthand her dedication to higher education, her student-centered leadership style, and her passion for research and learning. She was a recognized scholar, an able administrator, and one tough lady.

Carol served as president from 1995 to 2006 during one of the university's most productive stages: creating 100 new programs, overseeing construction of 17 new buildings, and cofounding the internationally recognized Black Mountain Institute. It is in large part thanks to her that UNLV is a leading institution today.

My condolences to Carol's family and the entire UNLV community. We will remember her through the inimitable footprint she left on campus and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an article titled, ``Let Her Record Prove Them Wrong.''

Let Her Record Prove Them Wrong

President Emerita Carol C. Harter, who broke down barriers

while building up UNLV's status as a research institution,

passed away at age 82.

Mr. Chairman, as a member of the Aviation Subcommittee and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus, I support the FAA reauthorization bill that passed unanimously out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee just weeks ago. It includes provisions that will benefit all the airports in Nevada's First District, and it will remove regulatory hurdles for drones so they can be used commercially, for search and rescue, and for fire detection and suppression.

Furthermore, my district, which is one of the world's top travel destinations, welcomes visitors from all backgrounds and abilities. I am proud to say that this bill includes provisions from the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act. This was an act previously introduced by my good friend, former Representative Jim Langevin. It will protect the rights of disabled passengers by establishing aircraft accessibility standards and setting a timeline for DOT to investigate and respond to disability-related complaints.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Cohen, and Chairman Graves for their hard work and cooperation on this bill, as well as Chairman Van Drew, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the airlines for their collaboration on the disability provisions.

Mr. Chair, I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 40 brave Nevada Bureau of Land Management wildland firefighters who have selflessly offered their support to battle the raging fires in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I include their names in the Record.

Anderson, Truett, Southern Nevada District; Arroyo, Omar,

Carson City District Office; Atwater, Trevor, Carson City

District Office; Brunjes, Bailey C, Southern Nevada District;

Chatham, William A, Carson City District Office; Daniels,

Aaron Lee, Carson City District Office; De Raedt, Nick Peter,

Carson City District Office; Drake, Lauryn Emily, Carson City

District Office; Duenas, Kevin Gerardo, Carson City District

Office; Engdahl, Alyssa Grace, Carson City District Office;

Esh, Heidi, Carson City District Office.

Evers, Tommy, Carson City District Office; Fonseca, Alex,

Southern Nevada District; Giordano, John M, Carson City

District Office; Henderson, Theodore A, Carson City District

Office; Hucks, Roman B, Carson City District Office; Kalb,

Jonathan Matthew, Carson City District Office; Kavle, Henry

James, Winnemucca District; Kelly, Kevin, Carson City

District Office; Koski, Christine Marie, Carson City District

Office; Kracaw, Will A, Winnemucca District.

Li, Ren X, Carson City District Office; Livie, Nathan

David, Carson City District Office; May, Wyndham F, Carson

City District Office; McGovern, Nicholas B, Southern Nevada

District; Mini, Daniel Raymond, Carson City District Office;

Monson, Victor Charles, Carson City District Office;

Mortimore, Jennifer Lee, Carson City District Office; Murphy,

Ayden Patrick, Carson City District Office; Quenga, Kevin,

Carson City District Office; Richmond, Levi Robert, South

Nevada District.

Rodriguez, Roberto, Carson City District Office;

Satterfield, Nathan Robert, Carson City District Office;

Shoemaker, Don, Carson City District Office; St Cyr, Andrew

T, Carson City District Office; Stephenson, Karl Joseph,

Battle Mountain District; Tartaglia, Vincenzio Cesidio,

Carson City District Office; Wadsworth, Justin Allen, Carson

City

District Office; Wagner, Lane Nicholas, Carson City District

Office; Williams, Joshua David, Carson City District Office;

Whipple, Tyler Jeffrey, Southern Nevada District.

When smoke covered Washington, D.C., and New York for hundreds of miles recently, people across the East Coast witnessed the impact of the devastating wildfires Canada is currently experiencing.

To date, the United States has deployed more than 600 firefighters and support personnel to respond to these wildfires in Canada, including our Silver State Interagency Hotshot Crew.

Nearly every major wildfire in the U.S. relies on response from Federal wildland firefighters and the services their specialized crews provide, but right now they are paid significantly less than their counterparts at State and local agencies.

I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the Nevada Federal firefighters, the Hotshots, who are on the front lines. I urge support for a needed increase in their base salaries. It is the least we can do for their service and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Vegas Golden Knights on winning the Stanley Cup last night defeating the Florida Panthers in a 9-3 rout at home in game five and securing the first major men's professional sports championship in the history of Las Vegas.

The Knights have been a uniting force for southern Nevada since their founding, playing their first home game just 9 days after the October 1 shooting in my district where they retired the number 58 in honor of the 58 victims of the shooting.

Jonathan Marchessault was named playoff MVP. Last night's dominant performance was capped off by team captain Mark Stone's hat trick.

The franchise had many detractors in the beginning despite these accomplishments. Nate Silver even wrote an article titled: ``Las Vegas is a Terrible Place for an NHL Team.'' Owner Bill Foley nonetheless promised that the Golden Knights would bring home a Stanley Cup within 6 years, and that is exactly what they did.

Indeed, the Vegas Golden Knights organization and its fans have proven that Las Vegas is a hockey town.

Congratulations to owners Bill Foley and the Maloof family and other members of the team as well as the players and coaches. We are very proud of them, and we are excited to have the Stanley Cup at home in fabulous Nevada's District One.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 4 o'clock and 52 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues across the aisle are shamelessly trying to make this into a veterans' issue. It is an NRA bill plain and simple, and they are just trying to put lipstick on a pig. If they cared so much about veterans, then they would have voted for the PACT Act, but they didn't seem to worry that much at that point.

Over the years we have seen the gun industry circumvent existing laws by developing new and advanced accessories to increase the power and lethal capabilities of certain firearms.

From bump stocks to auto sears to pistol braces, these unnecessary accessories serve the primary purpose of making guns more deadly.

Unfortunately, we have seen this play out in events so tragic that we just have to refer to them by their first name and people know what we mean: Pulse nightclub, Sandy Hook, Nashville, the October 1 shooting in my district, and others; every time every precious life was taken with the help of one of these accessories.

Time and time again, we have reminded our Republican colleagues of these facts, yet they offer nothing but thoughts and prayers and then proceed to try and expand access to guns and conversion devices.

Mr. Speaker, vote ``no'' on this.