Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump promised that he would cut prices. Instead, his administration is killing people.

No Democrat should vote to give ICE another penny for public executions. ICE started by chasing people through the fields and factories where they work, then deporting U.S. kids with stage IV cancer, pulling women by their hair down the street, and now just murdering citizens in daylight. We have an unqualified, masked militia eager to escalate.

One lady who I met recently in San Jose asked me: We have only been through 1 year of this. How will we survive 4 years?

We won't. Not until we do the right thing. No other policy matters if we can't protect our people.

Today, let's send a message. That is why I voted to shut down their funding so that we never again see the murder of a nurse named Pretti or a mom named Good.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Pete's Ace Hardware on the momentous occasion of its 100th anniversary, marking a century of service to the community of Castro Valley, California.

Founded in 1926 by Peter Selmeczki, Pete's Ace Hardware proudly holds the distinction of being the oldest business in Castro Valley. Peter and his wife, Mary, were hardworking Hungarian immigrants who built their livelihood through determination, resilience, and a deep commitment to their community. Together, they opened their store on historic Castro Valley Boulevard, where it remains a local landmark to this day.

In its early years, the business ambitiously offered both hardware supplies and automobile spray-painting services. While balancing these two ventures proved challenging, the Selmeczki family ultimately focused their full energy on the hardware business, laying the foundation for long-term success.

Initially serving local ranchers and farmers, the store evolved in tandem with the growing community. As Castro Valley expanded, so too did the business, adapting its inventory to meet the needs of contractors and homeowners. Throughout its growth, Pete's Ace Hardware remained deeply rooted in the community it served, thriving thanks to the loyalty of its customers and the support of trusted suppliers.

Pete and Mary's dedication to their business extended well beyond their lifetimes. Following their retirement and passing, their sons, Frank and Ernie, assumed leadership and guided the store through a period of growth and modernization.

Today, Pete's Ace Hardware is now a fourth-generation family-owned business led by Ernie's daughter Linda, her husband Jeff, and their son Jason.

As Pete's Ace Hardware celebrates this extraordinary milestone, I commend the Selmeczki family for their enduring commitment and entrepreneurial spirit. I extend my warmest congratulations to Linda, Jeff, and Jason as they continue to serve the Castro Valley community for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Hayward Fire Department Interim Chief Eric Vollmer on the occasion of his upcoming retirement on December 30, 2025, after nearly three decades of exemplary service to the City of Hayward and to communities throughout California.

Eric grew up in Fremont, California, where he first developed a strong appreciation for community and public service. That commitment would later define a distinguished career in the fire service spanning nearly 30 years, including service with CAL FIRE, the Manteca Fire Department, and the City of Hayward.

Eric earned an Associate of Science in Fire Technology from Columbia Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from California State University, Hayward.

Eric began his service with the City of Hayward in 1999, where he rose through the ranks, serving as Firefighter, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Deputy Chief of Special Operations, prior to his current assignment as Interim Fire Chief. His leadership, professionalism, and dedication have left a lasting impact on the department and the residents it serves.

Before being promoted to management, Eric dedicated ten years as a member of the Local 1909 Executive Board, including four years as President, where he advocated for firefighters and worked collaboratively to strengthen labor-management relations.

Among his proudest accomplishments is his time in the Training Division, where he managed three recruit academies and helped shape the next generation of firefighters. Eric also worked to introduce local youth to the fire service through a partnership with the Eden Area ROP First Responder Program, expanding access and opportunity for students interested in public safety careers.

Eric played a critical role in renewing the department's Critical Incident Stress Management program, ensuring firefighters had the support they needed during challenging moments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also managed the Hayward Emergency Operations Center, providing steady leadership during an unprecedented public health crisis.

As Eric prepares for retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Mallory, and their daughter, Sloane.

We extend our deepest gratitude and congratulations to Mr. Vollmer as he embarks on this new chapter of his life, with utmost respect for his service and with the best wishes for his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act.

Air travel with children is a nightmare, and I am just talking for the nonparents who have to deal with them at an airport. For parents, it is hell. It is like an Olympic sport. It is like going through a gauntlet dragging little kids who just want to be attached to tablets or anything but the directions that you are giving to them to hopefully get them from the entrance of the airport to the plane.

Oftentimes with little kids, you have, in transit with them, a mother who is breastfeeding. Many of us have experienced going through airport security where our TSA agents, who are good natured and just doing their jobs, can really slow down, jam up, clog, and delay this experience.

For practicality's sake, the last thing you want for your kids to experience when you are trying to move them from the gate to the plane, is any interruption or delay. For traveling moms, it is humiliating to have your breast milk sorted through by TSA agents. It doesn't feel very safe to have agents open up the breast milk. Too many moms have shared with me that working moms are often traveling on their own without their kids, but they are still pumping, pumping and dumping as they would call it, and are asked by TSA agents, what are you doing with breast milk if you don't have kids with you, which is another level of shame that is brought upon the mothers because they already feel guilty that they are not with their kids.

It doesn't have to be this way.

My friend from New York (Mr. Garbarino), who has helped me shepherd this bill through the Homeland Security Committee, has given me a good snicker and a smirk over there because he probably sees me as the least likely person to bring this bill forward and he is the least likely ally that I have on the other side, but the two of us are smart enough to listen to women and families.

Madam Speaker, I will share the origin of this bill because it is a success story for anybody who believes that they can write to their legislator and see a change in the laws that govern us. I thank scientist Emily Calandrelli, a Californian whose advocacy and personal testimony brought national attention to this issue. She wrote about the exact experience I described, traveling as a working mother without her kids and being asked why she had breast milk but no children. Her experience made it clear to many parents who have faced similar challenges.

I thank Senator Duckworth for leading the charge in the Senate and sending us this bill so quickly as well as Representatives Salazar, Pettersen, and Luna for their unwavering advocacy for traveling mothers.

I also thank my former colleague, Katie Porter of Orange County, who introduced this bill in prior Congresses. It is a commonsense bill, and it is rightfully a bipartisan effort.

Compounding the chaos with the anxiety that mothers face are TSA screeners who have inadequate or confusing guidelines as to what they are supposed to do with breast milk. The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act strengthens and streamlines TSA's screening procedures so parents can travel with dignity, confidence, and peace of mind.

It requires TSA to work with maternal health experts to create clear, science-based guidelines for screening breast milk, formula, and pumping equipment. It ensures TSA officers receive proper training so that every parent can travel with confidence that they will not be forced to discard essential nutritional products.

Again, this is not a partisan issue. It is a parenting issue. Unsanitary handling of breast milk and formula puts kids at risk. Mothers who can't pump because TSA held up their equipment can suffer painful, preventable medical complications. Every parent who has traveled with young children knows the stress, as I mentioned, that this creates.

This bill is also about accountability. It directs an independent body to audit TSA's compliance with its own policies, ensuring that violations like those experienced by Ms. Calandrelli and by countless moms who shared their stories do not continue.

Madam Speaker, families deserve better than unnecessary stress at the airport. They deserve clarity, dignity, and a safe travel system that works for them, not against them.

Passing this bill now will send it to the President's desk. I can't promise that passing this bill will make your plane get there on time or give you the upgrade you are so desperately hoping

goes through or make sure that your kids behave, but it does finally make our airports a more welcoming place for parents.

I welcome my colleagues' support and encourage them to support this legislation by voting ``yes'' on S. 260.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Afghan American Community Organization on the celebration of their tenth anniversary on September 20, 2025.

For a decade, the Afghan American Community Organization has served as a trusted, compassionate partner to Afghan and Afghan American families--strengthening civic participation, expanding opportunity, and celebrating a rich cultural heritage that is now a vibrant part of my district and the American story.

Whether it has been English language and citizenship classes, youth mentorship and college readiness, small business advising, or workforce development, the Afghan American Community Organization has opened doors for thousands in the Afghan American community. Its legal and resettlement clinics have helped newcomers navigate complex systems with dignity. The mental-health and women's empowerment initiatives have provided care and community, and its cultural events have fostered understanding between neighbors.

When Afghans arrived in large numbers following the fall of Kabul, Afghan American Community Organization mobilized volunteers, partnered with faith and civic groups, and worked together with local, state, and federal agencies to secure housing, enroll children in school, connect families with health care, and ensure that no one was left behind.

On this milestone anniversary, I congratulate the Afghan American Community Organization Board, dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners whose steadfast efforts made this achievement possible. Their work reminds us that welcoming the newcomer and lifting our neighbors are enduring American values.

I congratulate them on ten years of service, and wish the Afghan American Community Organization continued success in the decades ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral Anthony Tiongson on relinquishing his command of the Pacific Area in Alameda on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Vice Admiral Tiongson has dedicated his entire adult life to education and national service. After high school he attended the United States Coast Guard Academy, graduating in 1989 with a BS in electrical engineering. He went on to earn two master's degrees from George Washington University, one in mechanical engineering and another in environmental and energy management. From there, he went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he was a System Design and Management Fellow, earned an MS in Engineering and Management, and completed the Seminar XXI program on foreign affairs and international relations.

A career cutterman, Vice Admiral Tiongson served aboard five Coast Guard Cutters and the United States Navy Ship, USS Normandy, including deployment during Operation Desert Storm.

Ashore, he served as assistant project officer for a $30 million configuration management project as well as a nearly $1 billion Rescue 21 project. He held key positions in the Office of Budget and Programs as a budget coordinator and office chief. He also served in the Office of Congressional Affairs as senior policy advisor to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives on domestic and international drug issues. This is all in addition to his service as Executive Assistant to the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Since 2022, Vice Admiral Tiongson has served as Commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Commander of Defense Force West. His distinguished service has been recognized with the Defense Superior Service Medal and four Legions of Merit.

Over more than three decades, Vice Admiral Tiongson has left an indelible mark on the United States Coast Guard and the broader maritime community, protecting coastal communities and upholding international law. His leadership and dedication exemplify the mission and values of the Coast Guard. As he concludes his commendable career, his legacy will continue to set a high standard and benefit our Nation for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Castro Valley Pride on the occasion of their 50th annual Pride Festival for their commitment to creating an inclusive community that celebrates each person for exactly who they are.

Castro Valley Pride is a LGBTQ+ Pride organization that has been a beacon of advocacy and resilience since its founding in 2010. It is the only Pride group focused on advocacy within the unincorporated areas of my district and the longest continuously running Pride organization in Alameda County.

Over the past 15 years, Castro Valley Pride has been a driving force for equity in public education. It has led the distribution of over 5,500 Pride flags for classrooms and homes across the region, fostering solidarity in the community.

Working alongside activists from across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, Castro Valley Pride helped develop a regional network of allies to oppose hate and discrimination and foster understanding and inclusion.

This organization has held a series of community events, including porch decorating contests during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Project Eden/ Lambda Youth Pride Prom, and Fremont and San Leandro's first LGBTQ+ Pride events. At this year's Pride Festival, over a dozen welcoming faith groups will be featured to support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals.

I am proud to represent a district demonstrating such leadership and served by an inclusive organization advocating for progress and change. I commend Castro Valley Pride for their extraordinary service and look forward to all they will continue to accomplish.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Livermore Stockmen's Rodeo Association (hereinafter the ``Association'') on the occasion of its well-earned induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this Saturday, July 12, 2025.

The Livermore Rodeo has been a valued part of California's Tri-Valley community for over a century. Founded in response to a national call for help during World War I, the Livermore Rodeo began as a local fundraiser and effort to support the American Red Cross and wounded soldiers overseas. The first event, held at James Anderson Ranch, raised over $1,200.00, an extraordinary sum for the time. Its success caught national attention after being filmed by Universal Studios and displayed in theatres across the country, turning a community fundraiser into a cherished annual tradition.

The event earned the nickname, ``The World's Fastest Rodeo,'' and since moving to Robertson Park in 1967, it has continued to

grow and attract thousands of spectators each year for top-level competition. Its years of operation, led by the Association, have brought a great deal of pride and belonging to the Tri-Valley. The Association stays true to its local roots, supporting not only the rodeo itself, but also the broader community. Today, the event includes charities such as ``Tough Enough to Wear Pink,'' in support of breast cancer awareness, and ``Patriot Day'', in honor of military service. Accompanying events like the ``Lil' Pardners Rodeo'' and the Rotary Club parade make rodeo weekend an annual regional highlight.

This year, the Association celebrates its 107th year with its most distinguished honor yet, joining a select group of inductees to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, recognizing its long-standing contributions to the sport. The ProRodeo Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to professional rodeo and its legacy. This honor reflects the work of many volunteers, fans, directors, and community members who have kept the tradition alive for over 100 years.

Congratulations to the Association, the rodeo competitors and participants, and all the fans that have enjoyed the shows and made the Livermore Rodeo the success that it has become.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Pamela Ott on the occasion of her retirement after more than two decades of distinguished service to the City of Pleasanton, California.

Pamela has dedicated over 22 years to serving Pleasanton with vision, leadership and unwavering commitment to public service. She began her career in Pleasanton as Executive Director of the Downtown Association and joined the city government in 2003 as the Economic Development Director. In 2021, she was appointed Assistant City Manager, a role in which she has excelled in until her retirement on June 20, 2025.

Pamela holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida and a Master's in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. In addition to her public service, she has given her time to local causes, including the Valley Humane Society Board and the Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Advisory Board.

Throughout her career, Pamela has played a vital role in shaping Pleasanton's economic development. She led major business recruitment efforts that brought transformative companies such as Workday, 10x Genomics, and Veeva Systems to the city. Her work on the Johnson Drive Economic Development Zone helped deliver a vibrant new commercial hub, including a Costco and two new hotels.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Pamela took swift action to support local businesses by designing and implementing innovative recovery programs that helped them stay afloat and connected to their customers. Her leadership was essential during a time of great uncertainty and change.

As a Pleasanton resident since 2001, Pamela has been more than a public servant, she has been a dedicated neighbor, a compassionate leader, and a steadfast champion for her community. As she steps into retirement, I offer my deepest gratitude for her service and wish her all the best as she is afforded more time with her husband, Jim, and daughters, Melissa and Kelsey.

The President has our troops sleeping in squalor, not on the battlefields of Afghanistan or Iraq, but in Los Angeles. I guess this is what you would expect from somebody who has described our brave war dead as suckers and losers.

We were promised that the immigration policy would deport the most violent criminals. That is something I support. That is something everyone here supports. Instead, it has deported a 4-year-old American citizen battling cancer. It detained a U.S. marshal over the weekend. Nobody is asking for this. Our troops deserve much better.

The cost of this is $134 million of your hard-earned tax dollars, $134 million.

Mr. President, take the troops out of Los Angeles and get back to a sane immigration policy that only deports the most violent in our community and addresses the real workforce crisis in agriculture, hospitality, childcare. We can do better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable journey and achievement of Kate Dilnott-Cooper, a lifelong learner and family historian whose decades-long travels across the United States have culminated in a personal milestone and a celebration of cultural connection and exploration.

Kate Dilnott-Cooper, a resident of the United Kingdom, has spent much of her life nurturing a deep appreciation for American history and heritage. Guided by a desire to understand the breadth and diversity of this country, she committed herself to the extraordinary goal of visiting and spending meaningful time in all 50 states. In July 2025, she will complete this lifelong dream with a visit to the state of Hawaii--her fiftieth and final state

Kate's travels reflect more than personal ambition. They represent a profound respect for the American story in all its complexity--from the majesty of its landscapes to the warmth of its people and the unique identities of its communities. Along the way, she has gathered family stories, local traditions, and historical narratives that bridge the personal with the universal.

Guided by a deep respect for heritage and its role in shaping generations, Kate has gathered family stories and personal histories, including that of her father-in-law--an orphan from Kansas sent to Canada--preserving these narratives as part of a broader cultural tapestry.

Through her curiosity and care, she has woven together the voices of small towns, the majesty of national parks, and the warmth of the people she encountered, reflecting the shared values of compassion, resilience, and the importance of memory.

Kate's travels have become more than a personal accomplishment--they serve as a model of cultural appreciation, international friendship, and the enduring impact of honoring the past to shape the future.

It is my honor to recognize Kate Dilnott-Cooper for her remarkable achievement in visiting all 50 states of the United States, and commend her for her contributions to history, storytelling, and the strengthening of global understanding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of Parvin Ahmadi, a lifelong educator whose 36 years of service in public education have profoundly shaped the lives of students, families, and educators across California.

Parvin Ahmadi began her career as a classroom teacher in San Jose before taking on administrative roles in Fremont and ultimately serving as Superintendent of the Castro Valley Unified School District for the past decade. Her unwavering belief that ``nothing you do for children is ever wasted'' has guided her leadership and inspired a generation of educators to pursue equity, access, and excellence in every classroom.

Over the course of her distinguished career, Superintendent Ahmadi has served as a teacher, principal, director, assistant superintendent, and superintendent--holding the latter position for 15 years. Throughout her journey, she has built inclusive learning environments by collaborating with school boards and communities to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Superintendent Ahmadi holds a bachelor's degree from San Jose State University, a master's in teaching from Chicago, and a master's in educational leadership from Saint Mary's College of California. She also earned a School Management Certificate from UCLA.

In addition to her district leadership, Parvin Ahmadi has made a lasting impact at the state level. As President of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), she represented more than 18,000 administrators serving six million students. She continues her advocacy as Past President, mentoring new superintendents through ACSA's professional development academies. In 2019, she was named Senate District 10 Woman of the Year by Senator Bob Wieckowski and also contributed her expertise as a member of Assemblymember Anthony Rendon's State Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood.

It is my honor to recognize Parvin Ahmadi for her decades of service, leadership, and enduring impact on public education. Her legacy is one of integrity, dedication, and a deep commitment to the belief that every child deserves a champion. We thank her for her remarkable career and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Reverend Dr. Arlene K. Nehring on the occasion of her retirement as the pastor of the Eden United Church of Christ, in Hayward, California.

Like me, Reverend Arlene was born in Iowa. She has dedicated her life to ministry and started on the path that led her to pastoral service when she was just 14 years old. Reverend Arlene found her way to California when she joined the Eden United Church of Christ in November 2002, serving as lead pastor and teacher, staff supervisor, pastoral care provider, and community organizer, and retiring as the church's Senior Minister and Executive Director.

Prior to joining the Eden United Church of Christ, she served at the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, the Park Church, and the Old South Church in Boston. She earned a Master of Divinity Degree from the Andover Newton Theological School and a Doctor of Ministry from the Chicago Theological Seminary.

Throughout her career, Reverend Arlene has worked tirelessly to help immigrant families throughout the Eden area. Under her leadership, the Eden United Church of Christ has provided sanctuary to immigrants and has coordinated interfaith accompaniment ministry with asylees, including unaccompanied immigrant youth and children from Central America, Mexico, and Colombia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reverend Arlene worked to coordinate Eden's meal program to continue serving its community, many of those who relied on public schools that were closed for their breakfasts and lunches.

As Reverend Arlene enters retirement, I reflect on her career with immense gratitude for all that she did to serve our community over the last 23 years. I wish Reverend Arlene and her spouse, Stephanie, rest, relaxation, and the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Moreau Catholic High School Football Team as they attend their ring ceremony today, May 15, 2025. The Mariners are being celebrated in the rotunda in Hayward's City Hall after making high school and local history for winning the California Interscholastic Federation 7-AA Football Championship--the first in school history and a first for the city of Hayward, as well.

The Moreau Catholic Mariners secured this win on December 13, 2024 with a resounding victory over the Cardinals of Lindsay High School by a score of 42-8 in the title game. Prior to this victory, no Hayward high school football team had competed for a CIF championship.

I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to each of the Moreau Catholic High School football players, parents, support staff, and to Head Coach Keith Minor, who joined the coaching staff just three years prior to this momentous victory. This achievement is a testament to all the hard work and dedication put in by the students and adults throughout the season. Moments like this make all the long hours, early morning, and late-night practices worth it.

I am proud to represent California's 14th Congressional District because of hardworking individuals such as these young athletes and coaching staff. Congratulations on their victory and best wishes for a wonderful celebration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with my esteemed colleague from Illinois, Representative Darin LaHood, to honor the life and legacy of David ``Dave'' Gerlach, a dedicated educator, loving husband, father, and grandfather, on the occasion of his passing on March 26, 2025, at the age of 62.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1962, Dave grew up in Bethel Park alongside his brothers Jeff and Steve before moving to Fairport, New York. After graduating from Fairport High School, Dave attended SUNY Canton, where he earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration and met his wife of 39 years, Lisa McIntosh.

Dave dedicated his life to education and service, beginning as a student worker at Chaney Dining Center and rising through the ranks to become Vice President for Advancement at SUNY Canton, where he spent three decades helping to shape the college's future. His work overseeing the Canton College Foundation, Alumni and Development, Admissions, and Athletics left a lasting impact, including leading the Centennial Campaign, the most successful fundraising effort in the college's history.

After completing his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Syracuse University, Dave fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming President of Lincoln College in Illinois, where he led the school through a period of growth and achievement. Even after Lincoln's closure during the pandemic, Dave's dedication to students and learning never wavered.

In retirement, Dave moved to Houston to be near his beloved grandchildren, Harrison and Ruby. He was affectionately known as ``Papa,'' attending every game, concert, and school play, and building a new community of friends in Texas.

Dave's legacy is one of leadership, mentorship, kindness, and unwavering commitment to family and community. His favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life, embodied the spirit with which he lived-- showing that ``no man is a failure who has friends.''

Dave is survived by his wife Lisa, his daughter Kayla, his son Josh, and his grandchildren Harrison and Ruby. May his memory continue to inspire all who knew and loved him.