Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take some time today to honor one of my constituents, Mr. Victor de los Santos, for his immense dedication to serving Santa Ana's youth.

Mr. Santos is a music educator who was first hired as the Santa Ana High School Band Director in 2007. In his time there, Mr. Santos has worked tirelessly to expand the breadth of the program as well as increase enrollment from 80 to 170 students.

Mr. Santos has created a safe harbor for students who are from broken homes and high crime neighborhoods. He works to create a positive environment for his students and for some, he has been the only father figure they have known. Two years ago, he became foster father to a student who would have otherwise gone to a group home. Now that student has graduated from Santa Ana High School and is attending Santa Ana City College to one day become a teacher too.

I am pleased to say that Mr. Santos has been nominated, along with 24 other semifinalists from across the country, for the Grammy Music Educator Award, which will be presented next year.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Santos is an example to us of the value of investing in education of the arts. I am honored to congratulate Mr. Santos for his nomination, and thank him for the positive impact he has made on the Santa Ana community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take some time today to honor the memory of First Lieutenant John H. Liekhus of Anaheim, for his immense dedication to serving our country.

A member of Anaheim High's 1934 graduating class, First Lt. Liekhus was a flyer with the 323rd Bombardment Squadron, the 91st Bombardment Group and Eighth Air Force. On November 2, 1944, First Lt. Liekhus and his crew were on a bombing mission to Merseburg, Germany when their plane was hit by a flak. When he realized his plane was going down, First Lt. Liekhus ordered his nine-member crew to bail. Three survived and became prisoners of war, the navigator died, and First Lt. Liekhus and the others were declared missing in action. It was his great nephew, Dr. Michael Cushing, who led the search for answers about his great uncle's plane crash. First Lt. Liekhus was 29 years old at the time of his death, but his body was not recovered to be returned home until 73 years after his death. Dr. Cushing, and First Lt. Liekhus' last living sister, Trudy, were finally able to receive answers.

First Lt. John H. Liekhus embodied the selflessness and courage of servicemembers. He paid the ultimate price by putting the lives of his crew before his own, and his efforts towards the mission to bomb Merseburg oil refineries were instrumental in ending Hitler's reign.

Mr. Speaker, First Lt. Liekhus is an example to us all of us of the incredible sacrifice of our servicemembers. I am honored to recognize First Lt. Liekhus for going above and beyond for American freedom and thank him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, in January 2010, the Department of Homeland Security

(DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported that 289 firearms issued to DHS officers were lost between fiscal years 2006 and 2008. While some reported losses were due to circumstances beyond the control of DHS officers, the majority of the losses occurred because firearms were not properly secured. The OIG identified that the lack of Department-wide firearm policy was a major reason why firearms were not secured.

In October 2017, the OIG reported that despite DHS's efforts following the 2010 report to establish enhanced controls and monitoring, personnel still did not properly safeguard firearms and other sensitive assets. Specifically, DHS reported that between fiscal years 2014 and 2016 the Department lost a total of 228 firearms, 1,889 badges, and 25 immigration stamps. The OIG reported that 57 percent of the reports of lost firearms and sensitive assets that it reviewed involved officers who did not properly safeguard their sensitive asset and 23 percent of the reports did not include sufficient detail to determine whether the office properly safeguarded the asset. The October report detailed ongoing problems within DHS that contribute to failures to safeguard firearms and sensitive assets, including insufficient tracking and recording mechanisms, insufficient guidance over badges, and poor oversight and enforcement policies.

The Securing Department of Homeland Security Firearms Act of 2017 ensures that the Department establishes effective safeguards and controls over firearms and other sensitive assets that are issued to DHS officers. This legislation requires the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to develop a Department-wide directive for achieving adequate security over firearms and other sensitive assets across the Department. The directive must include requirements for securing Department-issued firearms and other sensitive assets and reporting and recordkeeping requirements for lost firearms or sensitive assets. Moreover, this bill mandates that heads of DHS components provide personnel with training and guidance on how to adhere to safeguarding requirements and, in the event a firearm is lost or stolen, how to properly report the loss or theft.

Mr. Speaker, currently, spouses and dependent children of active-duty servicemembers may be buried in a VA national cemetery if predeceased by the servicemember. However, if the spouse or dependent child passes away before the servicemember, current law does not explicitly authorize their burial.

Since becoming aware of this gap in their burial authority, the National Cemetery Administration has been processing requests for burial of spouses and eligible dependent children of active duty servicemembers in a VA national cemetery on case-by-case basis, using a designation of discretionary authority.

Today, I am introducing the Servicemember Family Burial Benefits Act to address the ability of the Department of Veterans' Affairs to bury an active-duty servicemember's loved ones if they pass away before the servicemember. My legislation will allow active duty servicemembers to bury their spouse or eligible dependent child, if they choose, in a VA national cemetery and authorize VA to provide headstones and markers for spouses and eligible dependent children. Finally, the language will allow state and tribal veterans cemeteries to provide this benefit in the same manner as VA national cemeteries. This legislation will allow active duty servicemembers the opportunity to choose to bury their loved one, lost while the servicemember is serving our nation, in a VA national cemetery. At their own time of need, servicemembers will have the option to be buried in a national cemetery with their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, women represent the fastest growing population in the veteran community. The Department of Veterans' Affairs reports that in 2016 women accounted for nearly 10 percent of the veteran population. This percentage will only increase in future years. It is vital that we ensure women veterans receive quality care in a safe and dignified environment, as well as in a timely manner.

According to the Government Accountability Office, the Veterans Health Administration does not have data and performance measures to determine women veterans' accessibility to gender-specific care delivered through certain community care programs. GAO also reports that VHA does not have accurate or complete data regarding VA medical centers' compliance with environment of care standards for women veterans. Medical centers must conduct regular inspections and report instances of noncompliance, but sometimes these cases are not reported to VHA.

Therefore, I am introducing the Improving Oversight of Women Veterans' Care Act. This legislation will enhance the monitoring needed for effective oversight of women veterans' healthcare in and out of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. To accomplish this goal, the bill will require VA to report to Congress on women veterans' accessibility to gender-specific healthcare in any community of care program and require VA medical facilities to report to the Secretary on their compliance and noncompliance with quality care standards.

Mr. Speaker, all gave some, and some made the ultimate sacrifice. This Saturday is Veterans Day, a day we pause to honor the brave men and women from our communities who have served our country. Veterans represent the best in America. Veterans embody loyalty and honor by always putting their fellow soldiers and country before themselves.

Veterans prove this determination in getting the mission done. This country has made a promise to every person who puts on that uniform. You stand for us, and we will stand for you. Their mission was protecting us. Our mission in Congress is to protect them.

To all of our vets, thank you for your service. Thank you for serving our country.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few moments today to honor Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, the Irvine City Council, FivePoint, and the Orange County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation for their contributions to the Orange County Veteran Community.

These organizations have paved the long and tiresome road to establish the Southern California Veterans Memorial Park in EL TORO, Irvine, California. Their combined efforts have produced an ideal final resting place for our Nation's Veterans that our Orange County residents can be proud of.

In 2014, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva introduced AB-1453, which marks the beginning of the journey to established a Veteran Cemetery in Orange County. Through Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva's efforts and relentless advocacy, the bill gained the support of various State legislators. AB-1453 was approved and signed by Governor Brown on September 27, 2014, just months after Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva introduced the bill.

The Irvine City Council pressed forward by diligently searching for a proper location for the veteran cemetery within the Old Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, which is of great significance to Vietnam-era Veterans. After much debate over the location, the council agreed on an ideal site, proposed by the FivePoint Company. The council's leadership and resolve would be instrumental in helping pass the necessary resolutions to move forward on the Veterans Cemetery.

The contributions made by FivePoint should also not go unknown. Fivepoint helped facilitate the selection of a pristine site for the veteran cemetery by proposing a land exchange deal with the Irvine City Council. Fivepoint's unyielding support for the veteran community and the county illustrates their belief of being a community based cooperation.

Finally, the Orange County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, comprised of Korean and Vietnam War Veterans, was instrumental throughout the early conception of a Veterans Cemetery in Orange County. The relentless advocacy, collaboration, and achievements by Bill Cook, Zeke Hernandez, Brian Chuchua, Peter Katz, and Robert Brower will be a testament to their commitment to one another and the veteran community.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the groups of individuals that have fought to establish a proper final resting place for our Nation's Veterans and the positive impact they have made on the Orange County Community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor a public servant in my community, Raul Quezada. Mr. Quezada is the first Latino to be named the Chief of Police in the city of Anaheim. Prior to transferring to Anaheim in 1996, Mr. Quezada worked at the Los Angeles Police Department for three years. Mr. Quezada, took over as the Acting Police Chief in May of 2013 and was then named Police Chief in December 2013. His appointment took place after a time of civil unrest and riots following a series of fatal police shootings in 2012. He served as the Police Chief of Anaheim for nearly four years.

While actively participating in community engagement, he prioritized maintaining safety standards and keeping law and order. He worked relentlessly to improve the way of life in Anaheim and to have a positive influence in the community of Anaheim. Mr. Quezada created a youth program named the Public Safety Career Pipeline. This was an elective class held at Sycamore Junior High, that encouraged youth to consider a career in law enforcement. Mr. Quezada met with different community members regularly. Working to assure all residents and communities that hate crimes would not be tolerated, Mr. Quezada encouraged residents to take a more active role in the community.

Mr. Quezada introduced new and innovative methods and the use of technology in the police department. In 2015, he made Anaheim one of the first cities anywhere to equip its entire police force with body cameras. He also took the initiative to establish a neighborhood advisory council.

Mr. Quezada has recently retired as the Anaheim Police Chief. The Mayor of Anaheim, Tom Tait, who strongly supports Mr. Quezada, said in a statement that Quezada had ``overseen critical cultural and operational changes that have brought the department closer to those it serves.'' As a community leader, he helped rebuild community trust and is committed to implementing positive approaches to the law for the betterment of the community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor one of my constituents, Mr. Stan Betz, for his immense dedication serving the community of Santa Ana.

Mr. Betz, who passed away on September 28, 2017 and whose life we will always remember was a well-known custom car builder and an Anaheim High School Hall of Famer who recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Mr. Betz grew up on an orange ranch on Lemon Street in Anaheim and was a member of the Anaheim High School Class of 1946. From an early age, Mr. Betz became interested in cars and they remained his passion throughout his entire life. His uncle, Dick Kraft, one of the original Hot Rodders who came up with many innovations during his career, was a great source of inspiration and encouragement for Mr. Betz. And his legendary skills as a master car builder and painter made him famous in the automotive world.

Moreover, Mr. Betz's shop was a popular local meeting spot for all car enthusiasts and aficionados in the 1950's. His commitment and passion with automobiles and his work in the industry creating masterpieces continued throughout the decades. When business slowed down, Mr. Betz added paint products to his establishment, and his shop soon gained the reputation for being the best place to find a precise paint color.

Mr. Betz fully embodied the value of community service in all aspects of his life. He was not only a pioneer in the automotive industry but also a skilled businessman. As an avid community advocate, he made valuable contributions to the local community, such as stopping by Anaheim High School to interact with students. Mr. Betz combined his passion for cars with his passion to uplift the community, and kept them both firmly rooted as a part of his life.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Betz is an example of the value found in community engagement. I am honored to recognize Mr. Betz for doing his part in bridging the gap, and thank him for the positive impact he has made on the Santa Ana and Orange County community.

Mr. Speaker, the data breach at Equifax, one of three major American credit-reporting companies in the United States, exposed the personal and financial information of up to 143 million Americans. The data breach gave hackers access to Americans' highly sensitive personal and financial information, including Social Security numbers, birth dates, home addresses, driver's license numbers, credit card numbers, and credit dispute claims.

The data breach occurred in May 2017, and, the agency became aware of the breach on July 29, 2017, but did not report it to the public until 40 days later. The delay in disclosing the breach is concerning because almost half of all Americans' sensitive information could be in the hands of cyber criminals, who are willing and ready to use that information for identity fraud and other crimes.

Cyber breaches like this one present a risk to privacy and individuals' personal financial welfare. In 2002, I helped pass California's data breach law requiring businesses and government agencies to notify residents of data breaches. This notification law was instrumental in ensuring the public was informed and could mitigate harm. It is imperative that breaches are reported in a timely manner for individuals to begin taking the appropriate steps in protecting their identities and financial information.

That is why, today, I am introducing the Cyber Breach Notification Act to establish federal standards modeled after California's data

notification law and HIPAA's data notification provisions, which is currently in place to notify individuals of data breaches. This legislation will require businesses to notify individuals affected by data breaches ``in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay.'' Additionally, this legislation establishes a federal standard for data breach notification laws, but does not preempt current state breach notification laws or preclude states from creating more robust laws. This will ensure that millions of Americans are given proper and timely notice after a data breach to begin to mitigate harm.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important figure in the Vietnamese martial arts community, Master Ha Huyen Thanh and his significant contributions to the General Association for the Development of World Martial Arts for over 20 years.

Master Ha Huyen Thanh was born as Ha Cong Huyen in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. He developed a passion for martial arts at an early age and pursued his passion through Shaolin, Judo, and self-defense martial arts when his family and he moved to the South of Vietnam in 1954.

Upon receiving his Black Belt, Master Thanh became a Judo instructor and continued his training to become a Master. During this time, he became the Finance Commissioner for the ``Vietnam Judo Association'' and joined the Republic of Vietnam Air Force.

Master Thanh was invited to instruct Judo at various places including Ngo Quyen training center, Tinh Nghiem Temple, and Bien Hoa Orphanage. His great talents granted him the opportunity to become the committee member for Mekong Judo Competition--a competition which was organized in Saigon, Vietnam and had eleven countries worldwide participate.

When Master Ha Huyen Thanh came to the United States, he became a journalist and worked for various broadcasting stations in Orange County, California.

In 1993, Master Ha Huyen Thanh's continuous passion for martial arts urged him to establish the General Association for the Development of World Martial Arts. The association has been hosting the World Martial Arts festival every two years to gather over 500 martial arts Masters, instructors, and students to showcase various types of martial arts. The association has also made great efforts to help their members open more training centers. Master Thanh is currently the General Secretary for the Association.

On September 1, 2017, Master Thanh passed away, but his dedication to preserve and promote martial arts, and his impact on the Vietnamese martial arts community will remain a legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Master Sergeant Sean Sargeant on the occasion of his retirement from the Marine Corps after 30 years of dedicated service to our country.

Master Sergeant Sargeant's time with the United States Marine Corps first began in 1988. As a trained infantryman, security guard and civil affairs specialist, he served in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was also part of the last crew to serve on the Battleship New Jersey from World War II.

In 1996, Master Sergeant Sargeant transitioned from active duty to the Marine Corps Reserve, where he began his career as a probation officer with the county. Working with a wide range of clients and families, Master Sergeant Sargeant's efforts with inter-agency coordination and focused mentoring has changed many lives by helping them re-integrate into the community.

Alongside his work with at risk adults and youth, Master Sergeant Sargeant continued to remain heavily involved with organizations that served veterans. Serving as an Operations Chief for Wounded Warriors, Master Sergeant Sargeant coordinated care for injured Marines and Sailors at Camp Pendleton and managed transitions for veteran families. He also served as a Civil Affairs Operations Chief with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, assisting with G9 operations. In his community, Master Sergeant Sargeant co-organized the very first Orange County Stand Down event, providing temporary relief to homeless veterans and offering medical and hygienic services.

MSgt Sargeant's sense of duty is truly commendable, and he is an example to us all of what it means to be a public servant.

Mr. Speaker and Members, please join me in congratulating Master Sergeant Sargeant on his retirement, and honoring him for his many contributions to the Marine Corps and to our nation. As he embarks on this new chapter, I wish Master Sergeant Sargeant all the best and thank him for his patriotism.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the notable contributions and meaningful progress made by the Waste Not OC Coalition (WNOC) towards ending hunger in Orange County.

Food insecurity is a serious public health issue. It is linked to malnutrition, obesity, and other negative health consequences. For children, inconsistent food access can adversely affect their mental and physical development. Unfortunately, more than 300,000 Orange County residents--including one in five children--experience food insecurity each month.

A conversation between Orange County Public Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler and Orange County Food Bank Director Mark Lowry concerning the disconnect between the food insecurity of residents and the food waste of local restaurants led to the creation of WNOC.

Established in November 2012, as a public-private partnership, WNOC offers a simple yet innovative model for food recovery. WNOC facilitates the donation of wholesome surplus food from local restaurants, groceries, and other food-producing establishments to local pantries while reducing the amount of food waste destined for area landfills.

WNOC does more than just redistribute food; the organization uses county health inspectors to educate operators about food donation during routine inspections and uses food industry partners to safely and efficiently connect recoverable food sources with distribution agencies throughout the county. WNOC has facilitated a dual city-wide effort between Anaheim and Orange to identify food sources, partnered with community hospitals and clinics to implement a food insecurity screening tool, united with the Anaheim City School District to implement food recovery programs, and worked with local universities to establish campus pantries.

WNOC partners are working with hundreds of Orange County facilities to address food insecurity. Through these collaborative efforts, the Coalition has successfully recovered over 3,700 tons of excess food this year alone, or the equivalent of more than 6 million meals, to provide much needed sustenance to numerous residents. WNOC performs a vital function within my district. In recognition of that significant work, the National Association of City and County Officials named WNOC as a Model Practices Program in 2016.

Sometimes hunger feels like too big of an issue to tackle, but WNOC is proving there is meaningful work we can all participate in. The organization's work is remarkable not only for the strides they have made in Orange County, but also for the resources they provide for the greater community such as their willingness to work with any community interested in replicating the Waste Not OC Coalition Model for food recovery to end hunger and reduce food waste.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Waste Not OC Coalition for the profound impact it has had in our community these past five years and I look forward to its future contributions to Orange County.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 3440, the DREAM Act, in honor of DREAMer Marine Corporal Jose Angel Garibay, the first from Orange County to be killed in combat in the Iraq Desert.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment No. 73 which is included in this en bloc package. My amendment would seek to allocate $10 million for additional K-9 teams for Customs and Border Protection.

Many legal drugs that come into our country enter through our Nation's port of entries. Last year, CBP seized 3.3 million pounds of narcotics. Trained canine teams were keys to these successes. Yet when it comes to canine teams, U.S. border authorities are severely understaffed.

I thank my colleagues for including my amendment in this package.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment, which seeks to allocate $100 million to procure additional ships for our Coast Guard to interdict drugs headed to the United States by sea.

Last year was a record-breaking year for the U.S. Coast Guard in its fight against drug trafficking. It seized 416,000 pounds of cocaine worth almost $6 billion. This was the result of more than 250 individual interdictions in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern Pacific Ocean.

Even with this record-breaking year, however, all of the cocaine that was seized represents less than 10 percent of all attempted shipments; and, of course, cocaine interdictions, cocaine shipments, are on the rise.

I do commend the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard for the great work they do to stop drug trafficking to our country, yet the Coast Guard lacks the resources to stop the known drug shipments into our mainland.

During a Homeland Security hearing this year, the U.S. Coast Guard commandant admiral, and I paraphrase him, said: Last year there were almost 600 events that we just did not have enough ships or enough planes to track or stop them in the seas. The admiral said: There were almost 600 shipments in the high seas. They knew these ships were carrying drugs, yet we did not have the ships or the assets to stop them.

Vice Admiral Charles Ray went further to say: We need more cutters on the water to help us do our job.

The Coast Guard, like many other government agencies, has endured tough budget situations over the years, and they need to replace and add new ships to fulfill their drug interdiction mission. This $100 million would allow the Coast Guard to procure two additional fast- response cutters.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I would say that, on the contrary, this money, this allocation of $100 million, represents additional support for our border security, our high seas.

Back in my district, like across the country, we have a major spike, an increase, in drug overdoses, deaths as a result of drug overdoses. Our children are being harmed by these drugs that are coming into our country. Our Coast Guard, our admirals of the Coast Guard, are saying this is where the chinks in the armor are in terms of our national defense of our country, of our borders, the high seas. This is not speculation; these are facts.

Ships are coming into our high seas loaded with drugs. We do not have the assets to stop them. Nothing could be further from the truth. On the contrary, this $100 million, an additional two ships for the Coast Guard, represents tons and tons of drugs to be intercepted in the years to come, billions and billions of dollars stopped before they reach our land.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, again I would say that those folks that are piloting those ships full of drugs coming into our country do not deserve the opportunity to reach our shores. We have to stop them in the high seas.

Just a few months ago, the Coast Guard was proposed for budget cuts. Now they are barely--barely--keeping balance, meaning no budget cuts. All I want to do with this amendment is give them additional resources to stop drug shipments, known drug shipments, on the high seas before they reach our shores.

Mr. Chair, I don't want to go back to California and say that I am not doing everything we can do to stop those drugs from reaching our children.

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

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.