Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize August as Chicano- Chicana Heritage Month and to celebrate the contributions of millions of Chicanos in Orange County and across this great Nation.

Mexican Americans have used this term, ``Chicano-Chicana,'' to address common historical, cultural, and economic struggles in this great country.

Today, Chicanos are the largest ethnic minority in this great country. We are doctors, lawyers, scientists, teachers, police officers, and soldiers. We have fought in all wars defending this great country, and many Chicano-Chicana veterans are among the most highly decorated soldiers in this great country. Many are part of the Greatest Generation, like my constituent Ventura Hernandez, a proud World War II veteran who fought in Patton's Army and came back and built this great Nation.

Today, with this resolution, we acknowledge and recognize Chicano- Chicana Heritage Month and their contributions to this great country. We encourage young people to learn more about American history.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to award the Medal of Honor

to Special Forces Command Sergeant Major Ramon Rodriguez of the Army for acts of valor during the Vietnam War.

At the age of 17, Ramon Rodriguez of Wilmington, California, began his military career when he enlisted in the Army during his junior year at Banning High School Ramon Rodriguez served as a Staff Sergeant in Vietnam for 32 months, becoming one of the most decorated combat soldiers to serve in the Vietnam War.

In recognition of his heroism and fearless actions even when wounded, Staff Sergeant Rodriguez received many medals and awards--including three Bronze Stars with V, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and five Purple Hearts.

There are many examples of Staff Sergeant Rodriguez's bravery, but I will highlight four of them. On August 16, 1967, he volunteered to guide a helicopter by flashlight to evacuate wounded platoon members. Despite being the target of enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Rodriguez remained exposed until the helicopter reached the pick-up zone. On November 8, 1967, he entered a tunnel complex despite the presence of enemy combatants and the risk of a cave-in. Staff Sergeant Rodriguez employed grenades to root out the enemy and prevent then escape. On January 24, 1968, his outpost came under a heavy ground assault. The platoon leader was mortally wounded so Staff Sergeant Rodriguez assumed command. He administered aid and brought the wounded to safety, despite being wounded himself--all while fending off attackers. Staff Sergeant Rodriguez then rallied the remaining men in the platoon and fought off the enemy onslaught. On February 26, 1968, his platoon was ambushed during a search and clear mission. Staff Sergeant Rodriguez assumed command after the platoon leader was wounded. He maneuvered the platoon to return fire and removed all wounded personnel from danger.

After the war, Staff Sergeant Rodriguez graduated from the U.S. Ranger School with distinguished honors, led the Special Forces scuba team at Fort Gulick, Panama, and in 1981, earned the rank of Command Sergeant Major at the United States Sergeant Mann Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas.

Command Sergeant Major Rodriguez officially retired from the Army in 1983 and was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame on June 11, 2008. Rodriguez currently serves as the Chairman of the Military and Veterans Affairs Commission for the County of Los Angeles, California.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this brave hero Command Sergeant Major Rodriguez's devotion to duty and personal courage are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Corner Post Reversal Act of 2024 with my good friend, Mr. Nadler, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee. This crucial piece of legislation restores longstanding judicial precedent that provided certainty to small businesses and everyday Americans by ensuring finality of agency rules.

The Supreme Court's decision in Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System abandons the accepted interpretation of the statute of limitations found in the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which required challenges to rules to be brought within the first six years after the promulgation of the final rule. Instead, the Court turned the meaning of the language inside out to empower entities to challenge federal agency rules within six years of the entity accruing harm, effectively subjecting all federal rules to continual challenge.

The Corner Post ruling undermines clear Congressional intent to restrict challenges to six years and introduces unprecedented uncertainty. Under this ruling, new entities can be continually created specifically to challenge established rules undermining critical stability. Even long-standing rules that businesses, states, and communities have incorporated into their planning may be upended at any point. Consumers and small businesses rely on clear and consistent rules, and they cannot afford to continually adjust to accommodate constant change. The Court now opened the flood gates for endless, costly legal challenges. Our court system will likely be overburdened as companies attack agency regulations.

The Corner Post Reversal Act of 2024 would protect well-developed and scientifically based agency actions from attacks, by giving finality to rules, thereby ensuring that common sense protections for consumers, hardworking Americans, healthcare, food safety, and our environment remain in place after the six-year challenge period.

Stability is important to the American economy. Consumers and small businesses rely on consistent rules developed by experts to protect them and do not want to keep adjusting to the roller coaster the Court just put them on. We are introducing this legislation to make

sure that Americans and our court system are not overburdened by an ever-changing regulatory framework.

I ask my colleagues to join Mr. Nadler and me in supporting this crucial legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Ventura Hernandez de la Torre, who passed away on July 8 after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Ventura served under General Patton in World War II and witnessed the destruction of the Nazi regime across Europe. He was there to liberate the survivors of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Later, he was wounded in France while fighting to liberate that great country.

Upon his return home, Ventura married his sweetheart and started a family in the city of Fullerton in my district. He spent the next several decades in service to others and was a staple across our communities.

Ventura is part of our Greatest Generation. He is survived by children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many adopted family members.

I thank Mr. Ventura for his service to our country and our community. We will miss him. God bless him.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the career of my very good friend, Chapman University President Dr. Daniele Struppa.

Managing a major university today is not easy. Some say it takes a mathematician, an Einstein type, so Chapman University set out on a quest to find the right person, and they got really lucky by hiring a Ph.D. in mathematics to do the job. He was not just an ordinary math whiz, but rather an Italian model, fast and slick, an import from Italy.

President Struppa has not disappointed us. Since 2016, he has overseen the tremendous growth at Chapman University and enhanced the university's reputation at a national level.

President Struppa's contributions go beyond the campus. He has created a partnership with the Nicholas Academy, which has increased local enrollment on campus by almost 20 percent and boosted the number of first-generation students on campus.

President Struppa also put Chapman University on the map nationally as a Hispanic-serving institution. Chapman University, because of his leadership, is now known nationally for its sciences and research, arts, social sciences, and school of law.

President Struppa is a man of intellect, and his drive will never be equaled. I wish him the best of luck in his retirement as he returns to his lifelong passion of teaching math to the next generation. I trust that he will continue to be my friend and close adviser, and I congratulate him on his well-earned retirement.

Go Panthers.

Celebrating Norma Lopez

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate Ms. Norma Lopez and her career fighting for southern California working men and women.

Ms. Lopez is organized labor. Her grandfather was a key figure in the efforts in California to organize farmworkers. Even as a child, Norma walked picket lines and demonstrated solidarity with workers in her community.

Later, she joined the Service Employees Union when she was in her twenties. She quickly rose through the ranks to eventually represent 800,000 members.

Thirty years later, Norma is leaving her role with the Teamsters but will continue to fight for working families in California.

In her new role as executive director at Labor Community Services, I know she will continue to fight to make life better for all families in southern California.

We are all proud of Ms. Lopez. I congratulate her on her new role and thank her very much for all she does and will do for our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of Elizabeth Barrie to California's 46th Congressional District. Elizabeth started her career on the Hill as an intern in my office during my first year in Congress and, like many congressional staffers before her, takes great pride in being a part of this Chamber and this institution. Members are able to better serve out constituents because of the tireless and invisible work and support that our staffers provide us. For Team Correa, it has been an honor to know and work alongside Elizabeth.

Elizabeth has dedicated herself to her role through countless late nights, through sprints in the Rayburn basement, and through many difficult conversations while advising me.

I've seen staffers come and go on to greener pastures, and I am always so fortunate to cross paths with an individual who still has so much potential. She's an incredibly bright staffer with an even brighter future ahead.

Though we are all sad to lose her, we know that she will bring the same work ethic to her new role as Federal Affairs and National Engagement Manager for the City of Los Angeles, where she'll be able to wear her Dodgers shirt without fear of shame.

I've had the honor of watching Elizabeth grow into her role, and I will still never let her forget that Orange County is the best county in California. I am so proud that Elizabeth will return to her roots and serve the constituents of LA. Elizabeth truly believes in the ideals of public service, and Los Angeles is lucky to have her service.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor the career of my very good friend, retiring Orange County superintendent Dr. Al Mijares.

Dr. Mijares was first appointed as Orange County superintendent of schools in 2012. Before that he was Santa Ana Unified School District's superintendent. Al is a man that truly cares about our children and their well-being.

Dr. Mijares' vision is to ensure that each one of our children is prepared to succeed in life.

I thank Dr. Mijares for his friendship and thank him for caring. I thank him for a lifelong career of caring for our children in our public school system.

We as a community are praying for his recovery, and we love him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of Gunnery Sergeant Steven M. Phong.

Gunnery Sergeant Steven M. Phong is a native of Long Beach, California. He graduated Recruit Training at San Diego, California on October 7, 2005 as a Private First Class.

After completion of Recruit Training, he attended Marine Combat Training School (MCT) at School of Infantry, Area 52, Camp Pendleton, California. Once completing MCT he attended Military Occupational School (MOS) at Camp Johnson, North Carolina for training at Supply School for the Enlisted Basic Supply Course.

In February of 2006, he reported to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Marine Corps Air Control Squadron 2, 2nd Marine Air Wing to serve as the Procurement and Fiscal Clerk.

In August of 2014, Corporal Phong reported to Anti-tank Training Company, Site Support Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and served as the Company Supply Administrations Chief, Embarkations Chief, and the Anti- Terrorism Assistant Officer.

Corporal Phong assisted in deploying and redeploying marines in support of Marine Expeditionary Unit 31's Unit Deployment Program and the Georgia Train and Equip Program. He also supervised logistics movements for training programs including Northern Strike, 29 Palms Integrated Training Exercise, Cold Weather training, African Lion and Red Flag Alaska.

In April of 2018 Sergeant Phong reported to 3d Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group in April 2018 to serve as the Battalion Supply Administrations Chief.

Sergeant Phong attended the Supply Chain Management Intermediate Course at Camp Futenma, Okinawa, Japan from August to September 2018.

In August 2019 Staff Sergeant Phong then assumed the billet of the Battalion Supply and Material Management Chief in 3d Supply Battalion in August 2019.

On August 13, 2021, Staff Sergeant Phong reported to Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific and assumed his duties as the Supply and Material Management Chief. There he worked in a joint branch environment and supported multiple warfare training courses.

Gunnery Sergeant Phong is currently serving as a Canvassing Recruiter in Recruiting Sub-station Orange County.

Gunnery Sergeant Phong's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating the achievements of Gunnery Sergeant Steven M. Phong.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of Anna Piercy, a devoted educator, community leader, mother, and personal friend.

Anna dedicated about 40 years of her life to serving Anaheim Union High School District. Her journey in education started in 1968 as a seventh grade teacher at Trident Junior High School, where she instilled a love for education in all of her students.

Anna went on to serve as a member of the Anaheim Union School Board, where she continued to advocate for students and educators. She also went to serve our community as a member of Cypress City Council and as Cypress mayor.

Anna leaves behind a lasting legacy, survived by her two daughters and six grandchildren. I join her family and our community in remembering her legacy. I thank her for her community involvement, and I thank her for all she has done for us. We will not forget her.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Martin Escalante Ortiz on his 100th birthday.

Martin is part of America's Greatest Generation. Born in 1924, Mr. Ortiz served in our Nation's United States Army during World War II. For his service, he received several medals for his service, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

After the war, Martin returned home and cared for his younger siblings before he married his wife, Maria, in 1955. Together, they raised 10 children and built a legacy that includes 21 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

In the late 1950s, Martin moved to Orange County and joined our community.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Martin a happy birthday, and I thank him for his service to our country and to our community.

Honoring Espiridion ``Speed'' Castillo

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Espiridion Castillo, known in our community as Speed.

Speed was an Air Force veteran, cherished father, dedicated educator, and esteemed community leader.

How did he get the nickname ``Speed''? He ran the 400-meter in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 50 seconds and covered 800 meters in 2 minutes.

Speed dedicated over 30 years of his life to Anaheim Union High School District as a teacher, counselor, truant officer, principal, and director of Federal projects. He also spent almost 50 years as a high school sports referee.

Speed often helped those in need, including students who couldn't afford the graduation expenses.

He leaves behind a lasting legacy and is survived by son, Michael; daughters, Michelle and Lisa; and three grandchildren.

I thank Speed for his service. We love him, and we will never forget him.

Recognizing Dr. Christopher Downing

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Anaheim Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Chris Downing.

Dr. Downing dedicated the last 6 years of his career to leading the largest elementary school district in California, where he oversaw tremendous progress in science, arts, math, and music education.

Notably, Dr. Downing expanded learning opportunities and created after-school programs for our children. He made sure that our community was a leader in dual language programs, launching Spanish, Korean, and Mandarin programs for all of our students.

During Dr. Downing's tenure, our elementary school district won many Statewide recognitions, including the California Department of Education's Pivotal Practice Award for effectiveness during the pandemic.

Dr. Downing's 35 years as an educator have demonstrated his commitment to the education of our children.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Dr. Downing a happy retirement, and I congratulate and thank him.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment, and I thank my fellow co-chair of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies Caucus, Mr. Bergman, for his good work on this measure.

We have seen our Nation's veterans continue to needlessly suffer suicides, mental health, and opioid overdoses. It is crucial that the VA do everything in its power to ensure that they have safe and scientifically sound and potentially lifesaving therapies as soon as they are available and approved in the United States.

Today, Mr. Chairman, these veterans go to other countries to receive these therapies. They are cured, and then they come back. Why in God's name do we not provide these therapies here in the United States? It doesn't make sense.

These amendments will give the Department of Veterans Affairs the opportunity to continue research they have been conducting and the potential to be able to offer MDMA-assisted therapies to our veterans should they receive FDA approval.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Our veterans fought for this country and sacrificed much for this country, and it is our duty to give them the best therapies available for the healing of those invisible wounds.

Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Bergman) has laid it out. We have veterans with invisible wounds that they have brought back from the battlefield.

One suicide is too many. We have MDMA therapy that is now being proven to be sometimes 90 percent effective in curing these invisible wounds. We owe it to our veterans, to our society, and to our friends and neighbors who have served to bring these therapies to them as quickly as possible.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Kid Works, a community-driven nonprofit organization that continuously empowers youth in the City of Santa Ana.

KidWorks' mission is to inspire purpose in youth, fuel their growth, and help youth be leaders in their communities. KidWorks is determined to unleash youth potential in overlooked neighborhoods through mentoring, leadership opportunities, and academic enrichment.

Since its establishment in 1993, KidWorks has been a trailblazer in nurturing under-resourced youth by establishing the Dan Donahue Center along with a fully licensed preschool, after-school programs, college preparation programs and adult health and parenting services, exemplifying the potential of individuals from within communities to advocate for youth leadership.

Today, leadership empowerment expands at the heart of KidWorks, where youth are supported through mentoring, personal development, leadership development, and college and career readiness.

I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 30th anniversary of KidWorks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7192 to designate Anaheim's post office as the Dr. Bill Kott Post Office.

You often hear that actions speak louder than words. Dr. Kott is a perfect example. He was a son of Prussian immigrants, and Dr. Kott chose to enlist in the military, the U.S. Army, after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

He showed bravery and guts as he walked across three countries--three countries to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. Then, he was one of the first responders to liberate the Buchenwald concentration camp.

After fighting World War II, he returned home to Orange County, where he married his wife, Eleanor. He decided to build a life with his wife in Anaheim, California.

Through the GI Bill, he received an associate's degree and bachelor's degree and was later accepted to the University of Southern California, where he earned his dental degree. Then, at the University of the Pacific College of Physicians, he earned his dental degree and master's of science degree.

I am not done yet. At the age of 60, Dr. Kott returned to school, where he earned his medical degree at the UCI School of Medicine. He went on to provide dental services to our community until the age of 89.

Dr. Kott, when not working or studying, was very active politically in Orange County. He served as chairman of the California Republican Assembly of Orange County. As a member of the Anaheim City Council, he also served as mayor pro tempore.

Dr. Kott's service to Anaheim, Orange County, and his country will be recognized, remembered, and celebrated for many decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support me in voting ``aye'' on

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the career of my good friend Jim Zehmer, who has dedicated 32 years of his life to keeping manufacturing jobs in Southern California.

Jim is retiring from his position as president of Toyota's first North American manufacturing facility in our community. Under his guidance, that manufacturing auto plant in Southern California is still there.

As a fellow Bruin, Jim started his career with the finance team in 1992. By working hard, he made his way up to management. His dedication and his efforts led to the manufacturing plant's success, and they recently celebrated 50 years of existence in Southern California.

Jim has also been a committed member of our community, serving on the boards of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the California Conference for Equality and Justice, and the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House.

I want to take this moment to thank Jim for his leadership, his dedication, and for always recognizing the backbone of America's manufacturing workers. Jim exemplifies the key values in our Southern California community.

I thank Jim very much and let me say to you: Week 5 will live forever.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my very good friend, Don Lee Blankenship.

Don was a husband, grandfather, and longtime Orange County resident, a lifelong law enforcement officer who proudly served the city of Santa Ana for 25 years. As president of the Police Officers Association, he represented those whom we refer to as the thin blue line that protects our communities.

Don was also passionate about honoring fallen officers and dedicated over 20 years to the California Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation, where we worked together to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Don was also a devout member of Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church. He loved to volunteer there, spend time with his family, and support Notre Dame football.

Today, I join Don's children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends in remembering his legacy. I thank Don for his dedication and protection of the Santa Ana community.

Honoring Sergeant Mike Gonzalez

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Sergeant Mike Gonzalez, who served our country and our Santa Ana community for 32 years.

Sergeant Gonzalez served in the U.S. Navy for 7 years. He was born and raised in North Carolina but soon came to love our Orange County community and served the residents of the city of Santa Ana for 32 years as a police officer.

Sergeant Gonzalez is a hero on and off duty. On duty, he received service medals for his valor as a police officer. Off duty, he sprang into action in 2017 during a mass shooting in Las Vegas, where he saved many lives.

I thank my good friend, Mike, for his service to our country and community. He represents the best Orange County has to offer.

Recognizing National Police Week

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Police Week and the brave men and women who serve and protect Orange County.

Beginning under President Kennedy in 1962, Police Week recognizes those who protect our neighborhoods. We also remember the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Back home in Orange County, our police officers are essential to keeping our community safe. I am proud to have brought back $3 million just this year to renovate and upgrade police headquarters in Fullerton and Stanton.

I thank all the police officers at home and across the country for keeping us and keeping our neighborhoods safe. We are proud to have their service.