Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5274) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide training for U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel on the use of containment devices to prevent secondary exposure to fentanyl and other potentially lethal substances, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5274, the Prevent Exposure to Narcotics and Toxics Act, as introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Joyce of Ohio. I see that he is here, so I will let him speak on his bill, and I will follow up shortly.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Homeland Security,

Washington, DC, June 17, 2022.

Hon. Richard E. Neal,

Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Neal: Thank you for your letter regarding

H.R. 5274, the ``PREVENT Act of 2021.'' I recognize that the

Committee on Ways and Means has a jurisdictional interest in

H.R. 5274, and I appreciate your effort to allow this bill to

be considered on the House floor.

I concur with you that forgoing action on the bill does not

in any way prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means with

respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or

similar legislation in the future, and I would support your

effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this

legislation.

I will include our letters on H.R. 5274 in the Committee

report on this measure and in the Congressional Record during

floor consideration of this bill. I look forward to working

with you on this legislation and other matters of great

importance to this Nation.

Sincerely,

Bennie G. Thompson,

Chairman,

Committee on Homeland Security.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague across the aisle, Mr. Joyce, a former prosecutor, someone who understands the importance of having the backs of law enforcement as they are on the frontlines in dealing with this deadly toxin. I, too, commend CBP for the hard work that they do every single day and the drugs that they are interdicting to protect our communities.

No doubt, fentanyl and other toxics have taken thousands of American lives. I can personally speak that in my family, we have seen a family member suffer through a fentanyl addiction. If I could wave a wand and get rid of all the fentanyl in the world, I would do it. Mr. Joyce's legislation makes sure that we are not exposing more people unnecessarily to it.

Madam Speaker, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that over 107,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in 2021, which is an increase of nearly 15 percent from 2020. And most of these originate overseas, primarily from China, who is not doing enough to stop the fentanyl leaving its borders.

But the heroes of U.S. Customs and Border Protection interdict and seize opioids and other illicit drugs at our borders before they make their way into American communities, and we know that their exposure is extremely dangerous and could be fatal.

When detecting or seizing opioids, frontline CBP personnel are at high risk of exposure to these substances through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. One way to prevent accidental

contact is through Mr. Joyce's legislation that would provide the use of containment devices. This legislation protects CBP officers and agents by ensuring that those at risk of exposure have access to containment devices and, most importantly, understand how to use them.

Last Congress, this body enacted Congresswoman Yvette Clarke's Synthetic Opioid Exposure Prevention and Training Act to protect CBP personnel from exposure to synthetic opioids. That law required CBP to implement a safety framework to protect its personnel from exposure to potential synthetic opioids.

We also enacted Congressman Clay Higgins' DHS Opioid Detection Resilience Act to ensure CBP implements a strategy to detect synthetic opioids at lower purity levels.

Together, these measures responded to concerns raised by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General about the risk of accidental narcotics exposure to frontline CBP personnel.

Madam Speaker, consideration of H.R. 5274 is particularly timely as CBP's fentanyl seizures continue to increase.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 5274, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Again, I thank Mr. Joyce. I thank the other side for their bipartisan interest in this legislation.

As I said, as the son of a police officer, a brother to a number of police officers--we are a law enforcement family--and I see every day and hear from my family about the exposure they face, particularly those on the southern border.

Madam Speaker, I seek swift passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Hayward Rotary Club, which will celebrate 100 years of serving the Hayward community on Thursday, June 23, 2022.

Hayward Rotary, of which I'm a proud member, was founded in the early 1920s when Hayward business owners regularly started to meet for lunch. Believing Hayward needed a service club, they petitioned their local Rotary District for sponsorship, and on June 23, 1922, Hayward Rotary was established.

Hayward Rotary's first official action as a club was to sponsor the local Boy Scouts troop. During the Great Depression, the club partnered with the Lions and 20 to 30 clubs to create an annual Halloween party at the Hayward Plunge to provide a safe place for children to have fun. They also initiated an annual Christmas party for underprivileged children. During World War II, the club sent clothing and goods to war- torn regions in Europe and helped finance and staff listening posts in the Hayward Hills.

In 1957, Hayward Rotary funded benches at Hayward bus stops, many of which are still in use today. At that same time, the club helped develop Interact Clubs at Hayward high schools to instill the importance of service into the next generation. They also created ``Let's Go Fishing,'' an annual picnic for disabled children in the community. Recognizing the importance of community spaces, they supported the construction of the Tea House in Hayward. Honoring their commitment to supporting international causes, the club oversaw the shipment of 75 tons of textbooks to schools in Pakistan in 1974 and began their Polio Plus Program in the 1980s.

In 1990, the club officially incorporated the Hayward Rotary Foundation to help fund community programs. From 1994 to 1995, the club supported the construction of The Silva Pediatric Clinic, a full- service pediatric facility, and later expanded to add a full-service dental clinic.

In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Hayward Rotary partnered with the Hayward Unified School District to create the Hayward Community Technology Center at the Hayward Adult Education School in 1994. In 1999 they created the Newmann Park in the heart of downtown to replace an empty lot left by a building fire. The club also carried out its ``Field of Dreams'' project to improve lighting, provide scoreboards, and update facilities at Hayward high schools. In 2003, the club started its annual ``Back-to-School Child Spree,'' where it helped 100 children get the supplies needed for the upcoming school year.

Hayward Rotary has remained one of the premier service clubs in Hayward. During its tenure, the club has contributed over $3 million and hundreds of thousands of service hours to civic improvements and community programs in Hayward and across the globe. It continues to grow its Club Foundation Endowment and the Rotary International Foundation to allow for the completion of more successful community service projects in the future.

For 100 years, Hayward Rotary has been pivotal in developing the robust community of Hayward. Hayward Rotary's accomplishments have truly exemplified its ``Service above Self'' motto. I join the club in celebrating its legacy and wish it many more productive years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise along with Representatives Khanna and Lofgren, to recognize the life of John A. Dutra, former member of the California State Legislature, Vice Mayor, and 10-year member of the Fremont City Council, who passed away on May 29, 2022.

A son of immigrants, John was raised in Oakland and began his career as an engineer in the private sector and then worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

While working at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, John began working part-time as a realtor at California Realty. In 1972, John moved to Fremont to begin his own company, John A. Dutra Realty, which expanded to a large presence in Pleasanton with over 95 agents. The company would later open offices in Castro Valley, Livermore, and Tracy, and became the Number One Real Estate Company in the East Bay. The company flourished as a real estate development and investment firm.

During this same period, John was appointed to the Fremont Planning Commission, where he served four years, followed by the Fremont City Council, where he served ten years. He vigilantly oversaw the city's fiscal status while pushing for new social services, including the construction of the city's first homeless shelter and one of the city's first affordable housing projects.

John was subsequently elected to the State Assembly, and during his six-year tenure was a member of numerous standing committees, including, Budget, Housing and Community Development, Judiciary, and Insurance. He also chaired the Transportation, Information Technology, and Veteran Affairs Committees. Among other accomplishments, he led the funding for the retrofitting of the east and west spans of the Bay Bridge and secured over $1,000,000 to retrofit the historic Mission Church in Mission San Jose.

Beyond his impressive public service and private sector career, nothing was more important to him than family. John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bernadine F. Dutra; his children, John, Cynthia, Anthony, Dominic, and Diana; his 13 grandchildren; and 9 great- grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Bernadette.

His dedication to his family and service to his community was always at the forefront of his mind and a trait that lives on in his family and every life he touched. John will be remembered by all those he impacted by his strength, brilliance, vision, and heart.

Madam Speaker, I rise along with Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Congresswoman Eshoo to recognize the life and service of Mike Evanhoe, who passed away last year.

Mike Evanhoe was as member of the Danville community for many years and spent his career working to improve California's transportation system to better serve the regional community and economy.

Mike began his career working for the California Department of Transportation and served as Assistant Secretary for Transportation in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency for Governor Brown.

He played an instrumental role in securing support for AB 402, which facilitated new, collaborative approaches to transportation project implementation. He later served as the first Executive Director of the California Transportation Commission, Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Task Force, and then as Executive Director of the new Santa Clara County Congestion Management Agency.

In these roles, he worked on several complex transportation issues, from the Sunol Grade project on I-680 to the construction of the interchange between State Routes 85 and 101. In fact, because of his service, the California Legislature named that particular section of our roadway in southern San Jose as the ``Michael Evanhoe interchange.''

Mike continued his service as the interim Executive Director for Stanislaus County Council of Governments where he played a pivotal role helping the Transbay Joint Powers Authority in San Francisco secure necessary approvals to transfer excess state property to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.

Mike was known for his exemplary leadership and development of strong relationships with staff as well as local, state, and regional agencies. He retired in 2014, after addressing California's transportation issues for nearly 50 years.

Mike is survived by his partner, David; sister, Pam; and his niece, Sherri. He was a friend and mentor to many and will be missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman Mike Doyle, to recognize the life of Ruth Marie Grant who passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2022, after a wonderful and trailblazing 90 years of life.

Ruth Marie O'Block was born on September 2, 1931, in Plum, Pennsylvania and spent her life growing and investing in her community through business and public service. This began after her graduation from Seton Hill University and marriage to Louis A. Grant. True to Pittsburgh style, together they began Louis A. Grant, Inc., a multi- million-dollar international competitor in the steel and aluminum industry. Ruth led the company for 54 years, spearheading women's leadership in an overwhelmingly male-dominated industry.

She also made significant headway in the financial industry, serving as the first female Board Member of People's Bank of Unity and remained active on the Board of S&T Bank following the two institutions' merger.

At her core, Ruth was a champion for public service, and inspiration for tomorrow's leaders. She was constantly seeking ways to improve access to education and serve her community. Her titles were numerous and spanned all levels of government. At the national level, Ruth served on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Committee on International Trade. In Pennsylvania, she served on the Governor's Education Committee where she contributed to the formulation of public policy, key personnel selections and decisions to reduce costs while enhancing the Commonwealth's education services. And in Plum specifically, she held numerous roles including with the Plum Water Authority, Plum Planning and Zoning commission and the Plum Library Board.

Ruth also left an indelible mark at Seton Hill University, where she served as a trustee for a total of 22 years and was the immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees.

We believe Ruth would agree, that despite a lifetime of service, her most important titles were mother and ``Granna.'' Ruth is pre-deceased by her husband Louis, but survived by her four children: Toni Grant Verstandig (Lee), Cindy Grant Pallatino, Ruth Ann Grant Wargofchik and Louis A. Grant, Jr., and seven grandchildren: John R. Wargofchik III, Andrew Wargofchik, Brady Wargofchik, Grant Verstandig, Brittany Grant, Louis Grant and Gaetano Grant.

May her legacy serve as an inspiration to new generations of public servants and entrepreneurs; and her memory serve as a blessing to her family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman John Sarbanes, to recognize Donald Tobin, who is stepping down after eight years of service as Dean at the Maryland Carey Law. Dean Tobin will be returning to full-time teaching as a member of the faculty.

Dean Tobin was instrumental in creating a culture where students could tackle tough issues from systematic racism to crime and poverty to privacy and technology. And I know that the Carey Law school credits Dean Tobin with uniting the law school community and expanding student opportunities for community engagement.

Following the tragic death of Freddie Gray, Dean Tobin strengthened the Carey Law School's community outreach efforts and provided opportunities for students to serve those in need. He also assisted with the opening of the Chacon Center for Immigrant Justice, which provides free legal services to clients facing issues of asylum; added a new Appellate Clinic to the Maryland Carey Law's Immigration Clinic; and helped to provide scholarships for students interested in studying immigration law.

In addition, under Dean Tobin's leadership, the Carey Law school expanded its Clinical Law Program, in which student attorneys provide free legal services to low-income residents. He also launched new clinics in criminal defense and justice for victims of crime, and oversaw the doubling of scholarship spending, which helped the law school attract diverse and impressive applicants.

Furthermore, Dean Tobin served his community by participating on the Maryland Access to Justice Commission, which unites state leaders to improve the civil justice system and served on the Maryland Court of Appeals committee to advise on the Uniform Bar Exam, which Maryland adopted in 2019.

As a law student of Dean Tobin, I will be forever thankful for his commitment to educating the next generation of lawyers and leaders. I rise today to recognize his service.

Madam Speaker, today I along with Congressman Jerry McNerney and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, ask our colleagues to join us to remember Jerry Thorne, who passed away on March 27, 2022.

Mr. Jerry Thorne spent his career serving the Pleasanton community, first as a councilman for more than seven years and then as the mayor for eight years. Throughout his tenure, Jerry oversaw Pleasanton's city park improvements, Highway 84 widening and safety projects between Livermore and Sunol, and strengthened the relationship among the five Tri-Valley municipalities to achieve regional goals.

Jerry was raised in Tennessee and earned a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Memphis, before serving in the U.S. Army. He then had an esteemed professional career, including nearly 30 years with Hewlett-Packard and its affiliated company Agilent Technologies.

Moving to Pleasanton in his 20s, Jerry first got involved in politics as a volunteer with the Pleasanton Seahawks advocating for swimming facilities. He then served on the Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Commission.

Jerry was a devoted public servant who improved the quality of life and city services in Pleasanton. He not only served in leadership for the city of Pleasanton, but also represented the Tri-Valley statewide and nationally through the League of California Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Kalee Thorne, daughter Keri Thorne Gough and two grandchildren. He will be missed by the entire Pleasanton community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her continued leadership in this area and the gentleman from Oregon for his support.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation plainly says and will plainly make so that the sun will never set on justice for victims of homicides and their families seeking closure.

I want to thank the chairman and ranking member for their unanimous support of my bill, H.R. 3359, the Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act of 2021. I really appreciate the majority leader and the Speaker for allowing this measure to be considered before the floor today.

I also want to thank my co-lead on this legislation, former Federal prosecutor, Congressman Mike McCaul from Texas, for his dedication to bringing justice to victims of unsolved homicides. His perspective, having served in the Federal courts, brought with him a wealth of knowledge on criminal investigations at both the State and Federal level.

I also want to acknowledge former Assistant United States Attorney from the District of Columbia, Glenn Kirschner, who worked with my office, after spending many years serving as a prosecutor in the District of Columbia to detail the pain and suffering that far too many families face when they see their loved ones' cases go unsolved. Mr. Kirschner's expertise has been invaluable as I drafted this legislation to ensure no victim is forgotten.

I also have relied upon my own experience as a prosecutor, knowing that no jury verdict, no criminal sentence can bring back to life a lost loved one. However, I have been in the courtroom when a guilty verdict is delivered in a murder case and I have seen the closure that the families experience when that occurs for them.

I have also met with a number of families where they have not yet seen their family member's killer brought to justice. There is a marked difference. This revitalizes the review and reinvestigation processes for cold case homicide files. Upon request by a loved one or a family member 3 years after a case goes cold, my legislation requires a complete reexamination of the file and accompanying evidence, new or renewed interviews with potential subjects and witnesses and other methods to identify possible missteps.

Improvements in technology, resources, and evidence-based techniques will also better equip law enforcement agencies with tools they need to review files under a novel lens, one that would assist in identifying new leads and witnesses to solve crimes and obtain justice that victims' families and loved ones so rightfully deserve.

It also assists investigators in homicide cases that serve important underserved communities such as Native Americans on Indian Reservations, Federal law enforcement officers killed in action, U.S. citizens who are murdered abroad, or homicides that take place on Federal land and the high seas.

It will also serve as a crucial model for the States to look at a Federal law that could inspire in their own States, the ability to adopt a local Homicide Victims Bill of Rights.

This law enforcement with additional disaggregated and detailed information about cold case homicides that will assist agencies across State lines to help triangulate homicide trends and investigate and identify new leads. Valuable information, combined with existing commitments toward finding justice for unsolved murders, has led to full endorsements of my bill by both advocacy groups and law enforcement associations alike.

The need for this bill is great. And every year, countless homicides leave mothers and fathers without children, spouses widowed, and sons and daughters without parents. The crimes spare no one, whether it is the unfortunate victim, or the family member who is left with lasting shock, turmoil, and grief. And after all, murder never discriminates, nor does it prioritize.

Special care is especially needed for cold case crimes. The FBI Uniform Crime Report estimates 250,000 homicides cases are unsolved. And as of today, we have more than 3,000 unsolved homicide cases right here in our own Nation's Capital. The number of unsolved homicides that eventually attain cold-case status increases each year by an average of 6,000.

That is why I am urging my friends on both sides of the aisle to swiftly pass H.R. 3359, and to join our colleagues on the Judiciary Committee who unanimously supported the passage of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the public service of Josh Richman, an invaluable member of my district team for the past six years, as he moves on to his next professional endeavor. Josh joined my office in January 2016 after working nearly 24 years as a reporter in Pennsylvania and the San Francisco Bay Area. Immediately prior to joining our office, he was the senior political reporter for the Bay Area News Group, which includes the Oakland Tribune and the East Bay Times. Josh began his work with our office as Communications Director and was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor.

I first met Josh when he covered local Tri-Valley politics and I served as a Dublin city councilmember. In September 2012, I announced a long-shot run for Congress against a 40-year incumbent from my own party. About 30 people (including family members) showed up for the announcement, and only one reporter, Josh. Though Josh told me throughout the campaign that I didn't have a chance, I admired how he fairly covered the race. And I personally resolved that if I could ever hire him, I would.

Josh made an impact on my office immediately. He brought a fresh perspective to issues and cultivated strong relationships with constituents and the media alike. His history in journalism helped tremendously when it came to working with the media and developing relationships with reporters, bills we introduced, or events we were holding back home. It is unusual for a communications director to be based in the district, but in our case, he was essential. Josh had an inherent understanding of the local media landscape, was a keen photographer, and could provide vital feedback.

I could always count on Josh for an honest, unfiltered, and well- reasoned opinion. Each one of us needs at least one trusted person that won't always say, ``yes.'' Those people make us grow and become better. Josh was one of those people and he's made it clear he will still play that role, even while outside the office.

Josh was also an invaluable mentor to many on our staff, particularly the many communications aides who worked under him. Many of those aides have gone on, with the benefit of Josh's experience, to become communications directors themselves. Josh also had an intimate understanding of the work his colleagues did and could recognize the moments that they felt overwhelmed. At those times he took it upon himself to infuse levity, joy, and acts of genuine appreciation for his colleagues into the work day. He saw the value in maintaining a workplace that was as happy as it was productive, and he did all he could to create that environment.

I'd like to thank Josh's wife, Natalie, and son, Jack, for allowing me to borrow so much time that they may have otherwise spent together. I also thank Josh for his time, his expertise, his counsel, and his friendship. I wish him good luck in this next endeavor and know that this isn't the last he'll hear from me.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of the Special Order.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of our Nation's most beloved and revered sports figures, John Madden. Since his passing in late December, words such as ``legendary'' and ``iconic'' have deservingly been used to describe John Madden.

Residents of Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley region I represent in California's 15th Congressional District had the privilege of knowing John as a devoted and down-to-earth husband to Virginia, father to Mike and Joe, and a fixture at his grandchildren's games and throughout the community.

John Madden was simultaneously a larger-than-life Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster but also someone you could hang with and have a cold Miller Lite with at the Outback Steakhouse in Dublin after his grandson's football game, bump into at Ace Hardware on a Saturday afternoon looking at power tools, or join for ham and eggs after mass on a Sunday morning at Vic's All Star Kitchen on Main Street in Pleasanton.

While our Nation mourns his passing at the age of 85, the loss is particularly felt in the Tri-Valley community we share.

Whether you were from an older generation of fans that simply knew him as ``coach''; my generation of fans that connected with him as ``John'' from his years in the broadcast booth, hosting SNL, and starring in commercials; or the younger generation who simply knew him as ``Madden'' from the video game, it can be stated that few if any individuals have had a greater impact on football and popular culture in the last 50 years.

It is rare to find someone who connected with so many generations over so many different mediums. In fact, New England Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick, recently marveled at his success at coaching, broadcasting, commercials, video game planning, and real estate, stating that while most of us make an impact with one successful professional career, John Madden had five of them.

It doesn't appear that Coach Belichick was aware of Madden's proficiency as a restaurant owner, grape grower, and almond farmer. For those scoring at home, that is actually--boom--eight successful careers that John Madden had.

Yet, in the end, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated, Madden ``was football.'' That was his passion. Simply put, John Madden made football and the NFL what it is today.

Hired by the Oakland Raiders in 1969 at the age of 32 as the league's youngest coach, Madden was on the sidelines during a transformational time in the NFL. He posted a 103-32-7 regular-season record, which is still the highest winning percentage for a coach with 100 or more games coached in NFL history.

Despite their reputation as free-spirited renegades, Madden's teams never had a losing season in his 10 years at the helm, and he led them to a Super Bowl victory in 1977. Beyond the numbers, many of Madden's games actually have names. Whether it was the ``Immaculate Reception,'' ``Ghost to the Post,'' ``Sea of Hands,'' or ``Holy Roller,'' never has one coach been involved with so many instant, iconic classics of a golden era of football. Madden never hid his emotions on the sidelines and is featured in many of the game's lasting images.

After retiring from football in 1978, Madden quickly became one of the greatest ambassadors the sport of football has ever known. He moved to the broadcast booth to become the most popular commentator in all of professional sports.

Madden would describe his teaming with his longtime broadcast partner Pat Summerall ``like the day that peanut butter met jelly.'' He won 16 Emmys sharing his insights, humor, and love for the game of football while working for every major network. He also lent his name to the popular football game ``Madden NFL,'' which ranked among the top- selling titles of all time.

During that time, it would be hard to argue that any person did more for the growth of the popularity of football. Players and fans knew that if Madden was calling their game, it was the biggest and best game of the week.

Madden's enthusiasm for football through the television set inspired passion, while his voice also literally taught the game of football to millions of kids through their video game controller.

Despite many of the other descriptors of John Madden, one that I like to use is ``teacher'' because I don't feel that anybody has taught the game of football to more people over the years in his capacity as coach, broadcaster, and video game producer than John Madden.

John Madden was that rare communicator who was both a teacher and entertainer. He innovated both the telestrator and the yellow ``line to

gain'' for first downs that is standard for every broadcast today.

Madden also educated audiences about the intricacies of football and communicated in a straightforward manner and plain language that everyone could easily understand. He never overcomplicated things, but his analysis touched the football novice as much as the die-hard fan just the same.

He was truly authentic. I can tell you, what you saw on TV is what you would see in real life.

Like any great teacher, Madden was in a never-ending quest to learn about his subject and to perfect his craft. Whether it was analyzing freshman football games that his son coached at Foothill High School, watching game film, attending his grandson's practices, talking to coaches, facilitating production meetings, his preparation was unparalleled. He had a lot of time to prepare as he traveled the country to and from games coast to coast, first on Amtrak trains and later the Madden Cruiser bus.

John Madden loved people, and the people loved John Madden. John Madden stopped throughout 48 of the continental United States at a number of diners, drive-ins, and dives before that was even a TV show, and he shared his story and countless meals with hundreds and thousands of Americans.

Speaking of meals, Madden became a part of every American families' Thanksgiving tradition as he would broadcast a game every year from 1980 to 2009. He literally termed the meal ``turducken,'' a combination of turkey stuffed with duck stuffed with chicken.

Even as his health declined in recent years, he would still raise money at home to support high school football programs throughout his hometown region of the Tri-Valley as well as various local charities through the annual Madden-Mariucci Bocce Tournament. He also continued to advocate for measures to increase safety in the game of football that he loved so much, with a focus on youth football.

Whether you talk about his coaching career, broadcasting career, video games, or various commercials, his greatest legacy to those who knew him was that he achieved national fame but remained one of us. He stated at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2006 that he never worked a day in his life and that he was one of the luckiest men alive.

But the lucky ones are all of us who had the privilege of laughing, learning, and sharing his passions for football and life.

The first time I met John Madden was about 10 years ago. We were at a barbecue in a friend's backyard. He said to me: Eric, things are pretty screwed up back there in Congress.

He didn't use the word ``screwed.'' I looked at him and said: Coach, I will try to do better.

He said: Do better. Just try to find the deals.

Things have been pretty tense around this place over the last 10 years, but I am happy that I am about to yield right now to my friend, Rodney Davis of Illinois, a Raiders fan.

Coach, I don't know how many deals we can find right now, but Rodney and I have a deal today that we think you are the greatest. We think you have inspired millions. The game of football and the country is better because you coached it, and you taught all of us.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis), my Republican friend.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Illinois for that very personal tribute. I grew up the only 49ers fan in an all-Raiders household, so there is a lot of influence there on me, and rightfully so.

I yield to the gentleman.

Yes, of course. And I was the only Giants fan in an all-A's household, the only 49ers fan in an all-Raiders household, and the only Democrat in an all-Republican household, so outnumbered in every way. But my mom and dad loved John Madden in the way you just described him because of what he taught all of us.

I thank the gentleman for coming down with his helmet, and I think we are all rooting for a Raiders win this weekend.

Madam Speaker, I yield to my colleague from the Central Valley of California, who I believe will tell us that Mr. Madden had almond orchards in his district.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney), who is my colleague from the bay area who represented

Coach Madden for many years before redistricting changed the districts in 2012. Jerry McNerney is my neighbor and friend.

Madam Speaker, it is very evident from the tribute today across the aisle, and across California, that we grieve Coach Madden's loss, but we have all tremendously benefited as a country because he so humbly coached, and because when he interacted with everyday Americans, he treated everyone with respect, and he treated everyone the same.

So to the Madden family, we grieve with you. And to Coach, rest in peace, to a great coach.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the work of Claire Nelson and Emily Stahl, two remarkable volunteers of Tri-Valley Haven, a domestic violence shelter that creates homes safe from abuse and contributes to a more peaceful community one family at a time.

Claire Nelson, one of the founders of Tri-Valley Haven, led an amazing group of formidable women. Claire was invested in working to help women and children after her years of professional experience in the day care field. She even went as far as to take survivors into her own home until Tri-Valley Haven was able to purchase a six-bedroom shelter. Claire took pride in building Tri-Valley Haven up from behind the scenes and served on the organization's board of directors, as their treasurer, and as president.

Emily Stahl was the shelter's children's counselor who approached each child as a unique young person with dreams and ideas of their own. She worked with parents, schools, civic groups and community partners to advocate for the kids at Shiloh Shelter. Her understanding of the work was incredibly broad and infused with kindness, genius, and good humor.

Tri-Valley Haven, like many organizations in recent years, experienced ups and downs with funding and staffing; through it all, Claire and Emily continued to ensure a safe place for survivors and their families. They're part of the reason I'm honored to represent California's 15th Congressional District.

I thank Claire and Emily for their vision and dedication to providing domestic survivors safe harbor when they need it most.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Kevin Fumito Nishita, a retired San Francisco Bay Area police officer who was murdered in a senseless act of gun violence while working as a security guard for a television crew in Oakland, CA.

Kevin's death has devastated not only his family and friends, but also the Bay Area's law enforcement and journalism communities, which had come to know him as an energetic, professional protector and a supportive friend. He died protecting practitioners of one of our nation's most sacred rights: the freedom of the press.

Kevin served as an officer with the Oakland Housing Authority Police Department and the Hayward Police Department before joining the San Jose Police Department in 2001. There, he worked as a Gang Investigations detective as well as working the Gaming/Vice Unit. In addition to his police assignments, Kevin also spent some time representing his peers as a director with the San Jose Police Officers Association.

He then joined the Colma Police Department in 2012, serving as a Detective, Field Training Officer, and Officer in Charge before being promoted to Sergeant in 2015 and retiring in 2018. Since early 2020, Kevin worked with the Star Protection Agency, often accompanying personnel from various Bay Area television stations into unsafe areas.

He was protecting a KRON4 news crew in downtown Oakland at midday on Nov. 24 when a group of men attempted to rob the crew of its camera. Kevin intervened and was shot; he succumbed to his injuries three days later.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Nishita; his mother, Mary Yukiko Nishita; his father, Dan Fumito Nishita; his stepson, Enrique Ramiro Serrano; his daughter-in-law, Elaine Hebron Edjan; his daughter, Maureen Campos; his son-in-law, Marlowe Campos; and his grandsons, Titus Mackoa Campos, Kahuna Cudi Campos, and Dash Wilfred Campos.

Colleagues remember Kevin by nicknames including ``Turbo'' and ``Stitch,'' after the animated character, for his high-energy, always- moving persona. His family says he was an extremely hard worker who never asked for anything in return, who opened his home to so many people who needed help, a man of deep compassion.

Kevin Nishita's death should be a wake-up call that gun violence is a scourge upon our communities that must be addressed and stopped, His life should be remembered as a celebration of public service and fellowship, a model for all who knew and loved him. I offer his family, friends, and colleagues my deepest condolences on this terrible loss.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the life and works of my dear friend Robert Lorenz ``Rob'' Warren of Castro Valley, CA, gone far too soon.

Rob was born the youngest of five sons to Annette Garin Warren and Richard Stafford ``Dick'' Warren. Both sides of his family have called the East Bay home since the 19th Century; Garin Regional Park, established on his mother's family ranch, was the site of many a gathering as Rob grew up. Grandfather E. Guy Warren with his wife, Adair, had founded the family's ranch in Castro Valley's beautiful Cull Canyon, where Rob and his brothers maintained ranches and together ran a cattle company.

Rob attended Hayward's All Saints Elementary School and Moreau High School, and then the University of California, Davis and the U.C. Hastings College of the Law. At age 16, he was selected into the House of Representatives Page Program--an experience that led Rob to what would be his two lifelong loves, his wife and his devotion to public service. It was via fellow pages in 1994 at the Pendleton Rodeo that he met the one and only love of his life, Colleen O'Brien. They were married four years later sharing a passion for San Francisco, hosting big parties, travel, a tremendously close circle of friends, and raising children in a country environment. Together they built a home in Cull Canyon and were blessed with Julia and Max--the lights of their lives. The four laughed, cooked, skied and went on wonderful adventures together.

Rob was an Alameda County Assistant District Attorney, serving as advisor to the Civil Grand Jury for much of his career. His good- natured, easy-going, and hard-working personality was perfect for the job. His colleagues were central to his life.

Rob lived his belief in civic engagement, selflessly serving on the Boards of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo, Alameda County 100 Club, Eden Hospital Medical Foundation and All Saints Masterplan. Rob was an Eagle Scout, served on the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee and was a Past President of the Hayward Area Historical Society. In 2017 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Law from Moreau High School.

As we grieve Rob's loss, I've come to realize that one of his legacies will be all the people he connected. These seemingly countless ``Friends of Rob'' will be ever grateful that he brought together so many of us and brightened our lives.

Rob Warren was the ultimate family man, loyal, smart, witty and a best friend to ever so many. Brittany and I are terribly sad that our new son, Hank Warren Swalwell, will never meet and learn from Rob, who left us the same day Hank arrived. But in time we will realize our lives will have more integrity, loyalty, and laughter because we knew Rob, for he changed us all for the better. Rest in peace, my dear friend.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Afghan Coalition for its outstanding service to the Afghan-American population in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly during the humanitarian and immigration crisis related to the end of the 20-year U.S. military mission in Afghanistan.

The City of Fremont, partially within the 15th Congressional District, is the heart of the Afghan diaspora in America, the center of the largest Afghan American community in the United States. Many local families have struggled to help their loved ones escape Afghanistan this year as the Taliban resurged.

Founded in 1996, the Afghan Coalition long has been the voice for various under-served groups in the Afghan American community, providing a range of programs including, youth counseling and education, food banking, mental health advocacy, and direct assistance to immigrants and refugees who settle here after fleeing violence and instability.

In recent months, the coalition has hosted a series of town hall events with local elected officials, immigration and mental health experts, and other community leaders in order to keep the Afghan American community informed, comforted, and tied in with community resources during these difficult times.

Through the tireless service of Executive Director Rona Popal, the coalition's board of directors, and its staff and volunteers, the Afghan Coalition has supported and championed countless families in their time of need while also providing important public information to keep the Afghan people's plight front and center in our civic discourse. Their advocacy comes from a place of strength and love, and inspires us all to do more to help those who helped our troops during America's longest war.

I thank the Afghan Coalition for its continued work to improve lives in the Bay Area and around the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Afghan-American immigration attorney Spojmie Nasiri for her tireless and impactful work in assisting Afghans before and during the crisis of the Taliban's resurgence.

Spojmie was born in Paktia, Afghanistan, in 1975 and emigrated with her family first to Germany in 1981 and then to the United States in 1982, refugees from the Soviet-Afghan war. After growing up in Concord, California, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis in 1998 and her Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University, School of Law in 2003.

Today, she is a member of the California State Bar admitted to practice before the California Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

She chose to practice immigration law because she is, as she puts it, ``acutely aware of the pain endured by immigrants separated from their families.'' She has used her personal experience to more fully understand the challenges her clients face, and to help them navigate the complex immigration process. She has done substantial pro bono work, and in 2019 she founded the nonprofit We Have Hope Foundation to support Pashto speaking youth in Afghanistan and around the world by creating accessibility to world-class learning materials in Pashto.

Her life's work took on new dimensions in recent months as she has worked diligently from her Pleasanton, California office to help bring clients out of Afghanistan. Working by phone and email, she strove to coordinate efforts with the State Department to help people navigate the terrifying circumstances in Kabul to reach the airport and escape the country.

At the same time, Spojmie has worked with groups including the Afghan Coalition and the Jewish Community Relations Council to inform the public about Afghan refugees' legal and practical needs for resettlement, and how best to help in the months and years to come.

``As an immigrant, you have a passion, a drive that's unlike any other,'' Spojmie once wrote. ``And you want to give back.''

I thank Spojmie for continuing to give back so much in a time of such great need. She is a credit to her heritage, family, profession, and the 15th Congressional District.