Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend Peter DeMarco for his 25 years of service to the constituents of Orange County.

Most recently, Peter served in the Orange County Executive Office, where he was the county's top, principal advocate at the California Legislature and U.S. Congress.

Peter worked for Orange County residents to support funding for public safety, healthcare, housing, and veteran services.

Now, Peter begins a new chapter of public service with Mesa Water District.

On behalf of the people of California's 46th Congressional District and the people of Orange County, I congratulate Peter on his new position and wish him continued success in the future. I thank Peter.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor Major Antoinette Naddour, an Orange County resident, a veteran, and a person who spent her career serving the homeless and at-risk veterans.

Antoinette began her career after witnessing a surge of servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who were homeless. This motivated her to cofound a Veterans Legal Institute in Orange County where she focused on developing veteran-focused legal services.

This month, she is retiring from her role as executive director of the Veterans Legal Services, but she will continue to make a difference in the lives of veterans serving as an ambassador and supporting fundraising efforts to ensure that our veterans receive the legal help that they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Antoinette Naddour for the profound impact that she has made in the lives of our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of my very good friend, Federico Castelan Sayre, a lifelong activist and an accomplished trial attorney whose commitment to justice and public service is second to none.

From an early age, Federico dedicated his life to serving our community. He organized demonstrations against the Vietnam war and helped establish free clinics throughout California. Despite being arrested, beaten, and intimidated, his courage never wavered.

As a trial attorney, Federico carried that same courage into the courtroom, trying more than 200 cases to verdict. He also provided free legal services to United Farm Workers of California. He fought for victims of civil rights all over.

As a proud Mexican American, Federico devoted himself to advancing opportunities and improving conditions for all.

I thank Federico, my good friend, for his good work. He is not forgotten, and we will see him soon.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Vicky Torres on receiving her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Cal State Fullerton.

Vicky was born in the city of Orange and raised in Santa Ana, where she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 7. For over a decade, she fought through countless rounds of chemotherapy, surgeries, and rehab.

The support and kindness she got from the medical teams inspired Vicky to pursue a degree in nursing. She enrolled at Santa Ana College's associate's degree program in nursing before transferring to Cal State Fullerton.

Navigating college was hard enough, let alone doing it with multiple surgeries. Of course it was very hard, but her determination carried her through.

I ask you today to join me in commending Ms. Torres for her accomplishments and for her degree.

Recognizing Norma E. Martinez

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Ms. Norma Martinez, superintendent of Centralia Elementary School District where she has been the superintendent since July 1, 2015.

A graduate of my alma mater, Anaheim High School, Superintendent Martinez was named Superintendent of the Year by the 2026 Association of California School Administrators Region 17.

For the past decade, she has led Centralia Elementary School District with strength and commitment to student success.

I thank Superintendent Martinez for her support of her students, for her leadership, and for providing our children with an excellent education.

Honoring the Service of Manuel Castruita Licerio

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the late Manuel Castruita Licerio, a member of the Greatest Generation, a proud World War II veteran, whose service reflects courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to our Nation.

Manuel served in the U.S. Army during one of the most defining moments in our world history. Through his commitment and leadership, he rose to the rank of staff sergeant, earning the respect of those who served beside him.

For his service, he was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button.

Today, let's pause to express our deepest gratitude not only for what he did in uniform but for the freedoms his service helped secure for generations to come.

I thank Manuel for his service to our great Nation which will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and acknowledge their dedication to education, healthcare, and pastoral work, which has persisted through religious hardship and continued to sustain the values of consecrated life.

June 13, 2026, signified the 100th anniversary of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception's mission in providing homes, education, and healthcare across the globe. The Congregdtion continues to extend its mission, addressing the needs of the communities they serve.

We recognize the service of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and their ongoing contributions to the reparation of society. By following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi-- especially in their contribution to their mission in the face of religious persecution--the Congregation embodies the effort inspired by the Holy Spirit that drives the Congregation.

Their commitment to prayer, community, and service remains central to the Congregation and their work today.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and honor their mission in maintaining housing and social outreach to their communities on this significant occasion celebrating 100 years of mission.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my very good friend, Augustino Tran Cau, who passed away on June 7 in Anaheim, California, at the age of 80.

Mr. Tran was a combat medic during the Vietnam war. Following the fall of

South Vietnam in 1975, he was imprisoned in a political reeducation camp in Vietnam, but eventually escaped and later settled in Orange County, California, where he and his family built a new life and made southern California their home for almost 50 years.

As a pharmacist, Mr. Tran dedicated his life to serving others through healthcare. He was actively involved with the Vietnamese- American community, advocating for democracy, freedom, and human rights for Vietnam.

Augustino's legacy will live through his family. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic efforts of our first responders in Orange County. Ten days ago, a call came in to the Orange County Fire Authority from a local industrial plant saying the facility was about to explode. Immediately, we evacuated 45,000 people from the blast radius.

The Red Cross set up shelters. The city of Anaheim set up beds and food. The city of Stanton mobilized responders to evacuate the residents, and Garden Grove established a secure perimeter.

There are heroes everywhere in our community. Many of the people who sprang into action are civil servants or volunteers who worked around the clock to make sure that everybody was safe on Memorial Day.

I am grateful to all our emergency responders and for our friends and neighbors who helped out to make sure that not one life was lost.

I thank our first responders, our volunteers, and our community members.

Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleagues from the other side: Let's go after fraud, waste, and abuse. But this bill allows the administration to hold back funding for children and families under the guise of fraud. Earlier this year, the administration froze $10 billion in funding for families and children in blue States.

Let's talk about guardrails. A year ago, we gave ICE and CBP seven and three times their annual budgets, respectively. Where are those funds going? ICE just paid $130 million for a warehouse in Georgia that was bought for $30 million the year before. ICE just bought another property in Texas for $123 million that was valued at $11 million. Also, let's not forget Secretary Noem's $170 million luxury jet.

Instead of going after children and families, let's go after these wasteful, fraudulent contracts. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Harold ``Hal'' Yoak, a proud veteran, a dedicated educator, a loving husband, and a great member of our community who is celebrating his 101st birthday today, June 3.

Born in 1925, Hal answered the call to serve his country in World War II, serving in the United States Navy from

1944 to 1945. Like so many of the Greatest Generation, he demonstrated courage, patriotism, and a commitment to something greater than himself.

Then, on Christmas Eve of 1947, Hal married the love of his life, Eileen Whited. Together they shared an extraordinary marriage of 67 years.

Following his military service, Hal devoted the rest of his career to education, retiring from Pacifica High School, where he inspired students through his dedication and his passion.

Today, as we recognize Hal's life and birthday, we celebrate a century defined by service, family, and education.

On behalf of southern California's 46th Congressional District, I am honored to recognize his contributions and wish him a very happy 101st birthday.

Happy birthday, Hal. We love you.

Mr. Speaker, all gave some and many made the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day is a time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the members of our military. To our veterans and fallen soldiers, from Orange County and around the country, I thank them for their service. We are forever indebted to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation's freedom and who allowed us to build a better future for the next generation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all my colleagues join me today in honoring our servicemembers who laid down their lives for our country.

Thank you to our great patriots.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish Bishop Kevin Vann a happy 75th birthday.

Since 2012, Bishop Vann has led the Catholic Church in Orange County, guiding it through becoming one of the largest and most dynamic diocese in the Nation. He has also led the remarkable transformation of the former Crystal Cathedral, a protestant church, to Christ Cathedral, now a vibrant center of Catholic worship.

We are talking about relations, good relations, between Catholics and Protestants. Today, he serves nationally as the treasurer for the California Catholic Conference of Bishops as well as leading bishops nationwide through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

I wish Bishop Vann a happy 75th, and many more.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of my and General Jack Bergman's amendment No. 10 to restore funding for medical and prosthetic research at the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is being cut in this bill by $45 million.

As all of you know, 3 weeks ago President Trump signed an executive order to expedite psychedelic therapies research for depression and substance abuse disorder specifically for veterans.

The President's executive order also called for $50 million in matching funds for research as well in this area. As all of you know, Texas is also leading the way by also having allocated recently $50 million for psychedelic research.

Sadly, again, this bill cuts $45 million in funding from last year's funding level and is even $22 million less than what President Trump has requested this year.

I am grateful for General Jack Bergman for supporting me and working with me on this amendment.

Mr. Chair, this amendment is basically about taking care of those who have answered the call of duty to defend our country, those individuals who come back from combat with invisible wounds that still have not healed.

On a daily basis, 20 to 40 veterans take their lives, commit suicide, because of PTSD. As all of you may not know, psilocybin and other psychedelic treatments actually work and do cure veterans.

Last week, when I was back home, I heard a story. Two Orange firefighters took their own lives--two Orange County firefighters in their thirties, who were veterans, one of whom was waiting to receive psychedelic treatment in Mexico because it is not available in the United States.

Many veterans have taken this treatment and have essentially been cured of PTSD.

Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment. This is about treating our veterans, their invisible wounds, and making sure we reduce that 20 to 40 suicides that we have per day in this country of veterans who are suffering from those wounds that they brought back from the battlefield.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to restore funding for critical medical research for our Nation's heroes.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedicated service of Christopher Blasnek with over 40 years of law enforcement experience. He will be retiring as a Senior Safety Officer with the Rancho Santiago Community College District. He began with RSCCD around March 2022, and has overseen the safety of employees, students and my Congressional District Office.

Prior to the Rancho Santiago Community College District, Christopher served as Commander to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department South Patrol Division, comprising the Carson, Cerritos, Lakewood, Lomita, Norwalk, and Pico Rivera patrol stations beginning in 2019.

Christopher Blasnek was the Unit Commander of East Patrol Division, Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station. Prior to Crescenta Valley Station, Captain Blasnek was assigned to the Reserve Deputy Program as the operations lieutenant/unit commander. This assignment placed him at the helm for the Department's Reserve Deputy Program, Explorer Program, and Posse Program located in Monterey Park. Also, he worked in the East Patrol Division, working as the operations lieutenant of Walnut/Diamond Bar Station. This position placed him as the second in command of a large area, which included Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights, and Covina Hills.

In 1991, Captain Blasnek was instrumental in the formation of the Department's first full-time Motor Program. He participated in the pilot program under the training of the California Highway Patrol. Today, the Department has motor vehicles in many contract cities and contract transportation bureaus.

Christopher Blasnek earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California State University-Long Beach, where he also went on to obtain his Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration in 2008.

Christopher was the 2015 President of the San Gabriel Valley Peace Officers Association, a charity organization designed to network with other agencies throughout the San Gabriel Valley to share crime and intelligence information.

Christopher was promoted by Sheriff Jim McDonnell on March 16, 2017, and took over the position of unit commander at the Crescenta Valley Station on April 2, 2017.

Christopher Blasnek resides in Dana Point with his wife of 40 years. He enjoys golf, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the lasting legacy of Zoroastrianism and acknowledge its significant contributions to human thought, which encompass early concepts of moral responsibility, justice, and the ongoing conflict between good and evil.

July 4, 2026, signifies the 250th anniversary of the Zoroastrian legacy that has shaped the perspectives of the American Founding Fathers, the creators of the Declaration of Independence, and the architects of the United States Constitution in establishing principles for governing a society that is multi-religious, multiracial, multi- ethnic, and multilingual, fostering peace and prosperity.

We recognize the rich cultural and philosophical heritage of Zoroastrian communities globally and their ongoing contributions to diverse societies. The broader human pursuit of freedom, ethical governance, respect for human dignity, and women's equality--as well as legacies in trade, international commerce, and innovations such as early postal and passport systems--embody timeless Zoroastrian values that resonate throughout civilizations.

These principles are reflected in America's role as a symbol of freedom, democracy, commerce, equality, and justice to the world.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Zoroastrians around the globe and honor their vibrant traditions, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the progress of humanity, history, and civilization on this significant occasion, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Zoroastrian legacy in connection with American independence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of former California United States Senator and Anaheim Mayor John Seymour.

A proud marine, Mr. Seymour served our great Nation from 1955 to 1959 before returning home to pursue his education at UCLA.

Mr. Seymour began his public service in the 1970s, first as an Anaheim city councilman and later serving as our mayor from 1978 to 1982.

Later, Mr. Seymour continued his service as a United States Senator from 1991 to 1992, where he earned a reputation as a pragmatic leader who was willing to work across the aisle on issues such as education, public health, and responsible governance.

After elected office, Mr. Seymour continued his dedication to public service by advancing opportunities for working American families as a leader of the Southern California Housing Development Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the life and legacy of Senator John Seymour.

Go Bruins.