Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the lifetime achievement of Silvana Salcido Esparza, a nationally celebrated chef, restaurateur, and civil rights leader.

Chef Silvana grew up in a multi-generational Mexican-American household in California's Central Valley. She learned to cook at her grandmother's side and founded her first food business--selling carnitas and tacos out of her parent's bakery--at just 15 years old, before attending culinary school. Chef Silvana traveled widely throughout Mexico as a young woman, sampling regional cuisine and speaking to chefs about recipes that had been passed down for generations. She settled in Arizona in 2002, where she opened her first restaurant, Barrio Cafe. Chef Silvana's elevated and inspired takes on regional Mexican cuisine quickly attracted notice. In 2004, just two years after Barrio Cafe opened its doors, she was inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. A seven-time James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Southwest and a 2023 semifinalist for Outstanding Chef, she has earned features in Latino and Esquire magazines, Diners Drive- Ins and Dives, and NBC's Today Show Barrio Cafe has hosted celebrities and U.S. presidents bringing all of Arizona closer together over its dining tables.

For Chef Silvana, cooking has always been an act of love for her community and her heritage. Through Barrio Cafe, she fostered a deeper appreciation and understanding of Mexican cuisine in Phoenix. From transporting key ingredients from Mexico to crafting flavorful dishes from family recipes, Chef Silvana created an ode who she most admires: Mexican women who cook. As a female chef in a male-dominated industry, she has mentored up-and-coming Phoenix chefs and continues to inspire young chefs across the country.

Moreover, her food has fueled community-driven activism. A proud member of the LGBTQ community, Chef Silvana has been outspoken against the waves of anti-LGBTQ sentiment. In the wake of Arizona's disastrous anti-immigrant law, SB1070, Chef Silvana brought paletas to counter- protestors and founded ``Calle 16: A Mural Project'', in which murals painted on the sides of Barrio Cafe and other Phoenix businesses highlighted the experiences of being Mexican American. During the Covid-I9 pandemic, as restaurants across the state shut their doors, she repurposed her kitchens to prepare packaged meals for people experiencing homelessness for health care workers, and anyone else who needed a hot meal.

There are few people in Phoenix history who have left a greater mark on our community. This summer, after 22 years, Barrio Cafe will close its doors--but I know we haven't seen the last of Chef Silvana. I wish her the best of luck in this new chapter.

Mr. Speaker, in the mid-20th century, the United States Government conducted nuclear weapons development tests in the Southwest, exposing thousands of Arizonans downwind of the test site to ionized radiation from the fallout.

Women, men, and children were diagnosed with terrible cancers from the radiation exposure, and many tragically lost their lives.

Nearly 25 years ago, Congress attempted to make amends by passing the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, but without congressional action, RECA is set to expire next month, denying Arizona families the compensation they need to pay for healthcare treatments.

The House has an opportunity to act right now to correct this injustice. More than 2 months ago, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan RECA Reauthorization Act, a 5-year extension of the program.

It mirrors my Downwinders Parity Act by expanding the scope of the RECA's coverage to Arizonans in lower Mohave County who were previously denied compensation.

For too long, these downwinders have been left behind and overlooked. I urge my colleagues to give these people the justice they deserve and put this bill to a vote.

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed five votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 115, Roy Amendment, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 116, Crenshaw Amendment, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 117, Waltz Amendment, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 118, Turner Amendment, and ``aye'' on rollcall No. 119, final passage of H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Arizonans, tonight, I am angry.

Today, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law, passed before Arizona was a State, before women could even vote, that bans abortion at every stage of pregnancy without exceptions for rape or incest. It puts women's lives at risk.

Recently, a constituent of mine shared a story of her close friend. She went into preterm labor at just 20 weeks, and her doctors had devastating news. Her baby wasn't viable. However, under Arizona's draconian abortion laws, she was told she would have to wait until her baby's heart stopped or she became seriously infected before her medical team would be allowed to intervene. She was in pain and scared, scared she could suffer future infertility or even die.

This is the devastating reality of a post-Roe America, politicians deciding who can receive healthcare and when, not families and their doctors. Additionally, extremists in this Congress continue to block a vote on the Women's Health Protection Act, which would restore the Federal right to an abortion.

It is unforgivable, and Arizonans will remember in November.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Robin S. Reed. Robin was a giant in the Arizona business community: a trusted mentor, a visionary leader and a staunch advocate for minority entrepreneurs and community development.

From a young age, Robin's mother instilled in him and his four siblings the belief that life's obstacles were simply opportunities in disguise. At age 11, Robin lent his voice to Franklin Armstrong in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, portraying the first Black character in the Peanuts. He embraced the opportunity with pride, recognizing the significance of breaking barriers and advocating for inclusivity. Robin discovered the rewards of hard work early--he managed golf courses in Northern California before he graduated high school and became a licensed stockbroker by the age of 19. He began his professional career in the financial sector--serving as a financial advisor at Charles Schwaab, stockbroker and detail shop owner. His experiences as a young man cultivated a life-long desire to help business owners thrive.

An entrepreneur at heart, Robin started, acquired, operated, and sold several companies over his 40-year career. But Robin is perhaps best known for his tireless work as President of the Black Chamber of Arizona, a position he held for nearly a decade. Under his leadership, Robin tirelessly advocated for equitable access to the tools and education necessary for entrepreneurial empowerment, striving to eliminate barriers hindering economic growth Robin demonstrated an exceptional ability to navigate the complexities of the business world while remaining steadfast in his commitment to uplifting others. Because of his work, entrepreneurs across the state have been equipped with the confidence and resources to achieve their highest aspirations.

Robin's generosity extended beyond his work with the Chamber. He was a passionate supporter of Treasure House, an organization aimed at empowering young adults with disabilities, ensuring they found support and opportunities for independence within the community as they transitioned to adulthood. He used his platform on the Social Television Network's Community Collaborative to highlight the actions of local businesses and leaders that promoted diversity, equity and inclusion. His recent collaboration with Impact AZ--a statewide initiative aimed at bridging the racial wealth gap for Black and minority-owned businesses--underscores his lifelong mission to foster intergenerational prosperity and opportunity for all Arizonans.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Robin, who we lost at the age of 62 on February 28. He is survived by his wife, Shawna, and beloved children. Godspeed, Robin.

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed three votes on the House Floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 89, Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 1085. ``no'' on rollcall No. 90, H. Res. 1085 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 91, H.R. 7520.

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed four votes on the House Floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 92, Motion to Recommit on H.R. 1121, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 93, H.R. 1121, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 94, Motion to Recommit on H.R. 6009, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 95, H.R. 6009.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed two votes on the House Floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 87, H.R. 4723 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 88, H. Res. 149.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Ed Mell, who we lost at the age of 81 on February 21, 2024. An inspiration to the Arizona arts community and the world, Ed will forever be remembered as the originator of some of the most iconic depictions of the desert landscape.

A Phoenix native, Ed was born in 1942 and at a very young age was drawn to the arts. He went on to graduate from Phoenix Junior College and the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. After a six-year stint in New York City where he pursued his interest in commercial advertising, Ed aspired to have greater creative freedom which he was only able to find back in his home state of Arizona. In 1970, Ed accepted a teaching position on the Hopi Reservation during which he rediscovered the charm and beauty of the desert. Ed then relocated to Phoenix and in the decades that followed, he became one of the most respected and venerated artists of Arizona, dedicated to capturing the Southwest desert landscape.

Throughout his long career, museums and galleries around the globe exhibited his work, while private collectors sought the chance to add one of his pieces to their possessions. Although recognized globally for artistic accolades, Ed will always be remembered as generous and kind. He was a devoted friend and a loving and proud husband and father. Beyond his personal relationships, Ed's impact can be seen in numerous city projects including the imposing bronze rider astride a bucking horse in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale and his U.S. Postal Service Centennial stamp.

Ed's depictions of the vibrant Arizona sunsets, sweeping vistas, and dramatic mountains will forever cement him as one of the greatest landscape artists of all time. Ed is survived by his wife, Rose Marie, and his son, Carson, along with a deeply admiring and extensive fan base.

I thank Ed for his years of inspiration and dedication. Godspeed.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen for putting this extension on the floor to give us more time to work towards a final FAA reauthorization.

Aviation is a $32 billion industry in my home State of Arizona, and growing every day. Our airports are economic engines supporting thousands of jobs. A lapse in the FAA's authorization would be devastating, and today's short-term extension is necessary.

But a long-term, 5-year extension--one that updates Federal policies to meet our current challenges--is essential to ensure the U.S. remains the gold standard in aviation safety.

The House did our job--more than 6 months ago.

On the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we worked in a bipartisan way to craft a strong, forward-looking FAA reauthorization that improves aircraft and runway safety and invests in our aviation infrastructure and workforce--especially our air traffic controllers.

Over the last year, there have been several near-miss incidents at Sky Harbor in Phoenix--one of the busiest airports in the world. I met with air traffic controllers there last week. They're over-worked and understaffed.

And Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, one of the fastest-growing commercial airports in the country, just opened a brand-new $28 million terminal to keep up with passenger demand. But staffing shortages at their air traffic control tower have forced the airport to reduce operations at the tower by four hours each day.

The House's FAA reauthorization improves recruitment and retention of controllers, and sets up a pilot program to convert towers staffed by private companies, like Gateway, to be staffed by FAA controllers.

The bill we passed also takes meaningful steps--many I was proud to lead on--to improve the flying experience for passengers with disabilities.

My ADAPT Act, WHEELChairs on Airplanes Act, and MOBILE Act were included in the House-passed bill, so that passengers with mobility issues can have proper accommodations . . . from boarding to seating and everything in between.

Now I'm glad to see movement in the Senate on a companion reauthorization bill. I know I speak for many of my colleagues when I say we're eager to send a final FAA reauthorization to the President's desk as soon as possible. Our economy, and the safety of the flying public, depends on that.

In the meantime, I encourage my colleagues to vote yes on a short- term FAA extension through May 10th--hopefully our last.

Mr. Speaker, this morning, we lost one of our greatest Americans, and today, I rise along with my colleagues representing all of Arizona, Republicans and Democrats alike, to honor the life and legacy of the most influential Arizonan in history, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who passed away this morning at the age of 93.

Justice O'Connor spent her life breaking down barriers in pursuit of a more just society. She blazed every trail she set foot on, defying the odds stacked against women in the legal profession to rise to become Arizona's assistant attorney general, our first female majority leader in the State senate, Maricopa County Superior Court judge, and, ultimately, the first female Justice on the United States Supreme Court.

She brought her Arizona brand of pragmatism and independence with her to the Supreme Court and was often the swing vote on deeply consequential decisions.

In the years since her retirement from the Supreme Court, I have admired her steadfast commitment to preserving our democracy through objective, fact-based, and collaborative civil discourse through her creation of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute and, of course, through the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Her work will inspire future generations to follow her example to become engaged and thoughtful civil participants.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in a moment of silence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of my deeply respected former colleague, Thelda Williams. A long-time Phoenix city councilwoman and three-time interim mayor, Thelda's service to her northwest community spanned more than thirty years. At the City, Thelda was a stalwart champion of neighborhoods, police and firefighters, and public transit. And she never failed to make time to offer guidance and support to her colleagues, myself included.

As Councilwoman, she chaired the City Council's Transportation Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee and was the chair of the Valley Metro Rail board. Under Thelda's guidance, the City invested in Sky Harbor International Airport and water infrastructure, and she played a crucial role in strengthening and expanding the City's transit system. Her vision for the City's infrastructure and planning was truly ahead of its time, and the newly-dedicated ``Thelda Williams Transit Center'' in North Phoenix is a testament to her advocacy.

Thelda was also deeply committed to improving the lives of incarcerated people by helping them see a positive future for themselves. During her tenure at the Maricopa County Sheriff's office, Thelda took charge of developing a drug rehabilitation program for inmates, establishing a juvenile high school, as well as initiating several other adult programs.

Thelda was also a passionate voice for animal welfare, leading several city policy changes to protect pets. At MCSO, she spearheaded a program to allow inmates to care for and rehabilitate abused animals and get them ready for adoption. Phoenicians and their four-legged friends still enjoy the ``Thelda Williams Paw-Pup Park,'' the first dog park in downtown Phoenix.

We lost Thelda at the age of 82 on November 14, 2023, but her legacy is reflected in the countless lives she touched with her compassionate leadership. Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Susan Glawe, who we lost at the age of 80 on August 14, 2023.

Sue moved to Phoenix in 1962, where she began her career at the Arizona State Legislature and the Chamber of Commerce before finding her true calling at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, where she remained until her retirement. It was through her work at BCBS that many of us came to know her--as Vice President of Community Relations, she redefined effective, compassionate corporate giving. The causes she championed were deeply impactful in Arizona, touching all corners of the state.

Sue was never one to do anything halfway. In addition to her deep professional involvement, she managed to chair, sit on the board, and hold membership in dozens of nonprofit organizations in her personal capacity. She was a deeply respected and trusted advisor and mentor to a generation of non-profit leaders--and quite a few political leaders as well. Sue understood government and civic space better than anyone. She held elected leaders to the same standard she held herself: to deliver results, but always to do so with integrity.

Sue lived by a motto to wake up every morning and do something good for someone else. But despite her remarkable accomplishments, she was always humble when it came to accepting praise. In fact, the most you would ever hear her talk about herself would be when she was talking about her family. She's survived by her beloved sons, Mike and Chris, and grandchildren Phoebe, John, and Thomas.

I thank Sue for her years of counsel and friendship. Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the life and legacy of a great Phoenician, Frank Barrios.

Frank was a giant among us, a champion for the Latino community, a renowned conservationist, and a historian who preserved the legacy of generations gone by.

A second-generation Arizonan, Frank spent his career working to preserve our most precious resource, water.

As a young hydrologist, he worked for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and later the Arizona Department of Water Resources. He played pivotal roles during key moments in Arizona's water history, from planning the Central Arizona Project to groundwater management. Even after retirement, Frank found many ways to serve.

He was appointed by Governor Janet Napolitano to the Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board of Directors, where he served with distinction, ensuring that even amidst the State's rapid growth, our water resources were well managed.

A man of deep faith, he spent his later years caring for our most vulnerable neighbors as president of the enormously impactful St. Vincent de Paul Society. Frank knew the healing power of St. Vincent de Paul.

His deep love for Phoenix was obvious to anyone who had the good fortune of crossing paths with him, particularly through his work chronicling and preserving the rich Mexican-American history in the valley. He fought to restore the historically Latino Sotelo-Heard Cemetery in south Phoenix, after years of neglect, to honor those who found eternal rest there.

He is perhaps best known for writing the book ``Mexicans in Phoenix,'' documenting more than a century of Mexican-American life, culture, and political activism in our valley. His meticulous research, gathered oral histories, and archival photographs were endowed to the Arizona Historical Society, a priceless gift for future generations.

There is no doubt that Frank Barrios lived a full and remarkable life. What stands out most was not just his achievements on paper but the way he achieved them--through his unwavering kindness, generosity, and humility.

We lost Frank at the age of 81 on September 11, 2023, but his profound legacy will always live on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my departing Chief of Staff, Seth Scott, for his years of service to the people of Arizona's Fourth Congressional District. It's a bittersweet day. Seth has worked with me for more than a decade--half of that here in the House. I often say hiring him was the best career decision I've ever made.

Few have as broad experience in government, law, media and politics. He cut his teeth in the Arizona Governor's office, Congress, and local government and ran several important political campaigns before returning to Arizona State University for law school. At the City of Phoenix and here in Congress, Seth has led my office with a steady hand. His acumen while serving as my Chief of Staff was always in clear view, and all the accomplishments we achieved would not have been possible without him at the helm.

His fierce intellect, sharp political instincts and deep policy expertise have made him an invaluable and sought-after adviser.

But it's his loyalty, integrity and a work ethic second to none that have endeared Seth to all who have worked with and under him. As deftly as he's handled complex legislative matters, he has also cultivated and mentored a generation of young staffers.

Seth has the talent and determination to succeed anywhere he chooses--but the people of Arizona are fortunate that he has chosen to devote his career to serving his community.

He has been a great friend and trusted confidant of mine, and he will continue to be well after he departs--though perhaps with a few less late-night and early morning phone calls. I wish him all the best as he takes on this new challenge.