Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stefani Booroojian, a pioneer in local journalism and one of the icons of journalism in the San Joaquin Valley.

After 42 years at KSEE24, the Fresno NBC affiliate, Stefani is sadly, for me, retiring from the news desk.

After graduating from Fresno State in 1981, and a loyal Bulldog, Stefani started in radio before landing her first job as a reporter. She worked on every newscast reporting stories on medical missions to Armenia, and women battling cancer as a part of the BuddyCheck24 project, in addition to many other stories, including the continued coverage of the COVID crisis. She never, ever shirked her responsibilities.

I have had the honor to know Stefani and her husband, Marc. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a real sense of compassion to journalism that resonates with my constituents and the people of our Valley. She, in a word, conveys trust.

Her legacy in so many different ways will continue to inspire the next generation of journalists. Stefani is a proud granddaughter of the Armenian diaspora, and she has always put the people of our Valley first.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Stefani for all her years of service to our Valley and keep up the good work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Dia de Portugal. It is a national Portuguese holiday celebrating the anniversary of Portugal as a nation. It is the equivalent of their Fourth of July.

The story of the Portuguese Americans, I think, is also a part of the American story. Why? Because the American story is one of immigrants past and immigrants present. I think it is the secret sauce of America.

Every generation of immigrants coming to this country for over 200 years add value to our country. My district in California is home to generations of the Portuguese diaspora, the majority of them coming from the Azores Islands off the coast of Portugal out in the middle of the Atlantic.

As the co-chair of the Portuguese Caucus and a proud descendant of Portuguese immigrants, the traditions and values that my family took from the Azores have always been a part of who I am.

This year, it is particularly meaningful to celebrate Dia de Portugal because it is the 50th anniversary of what they call the Carnation Revolution. That is a revolution that occurred in Portugal in the mid- 70s when they transitioned from a dictatorship to a full-fledged democracy.

Now a contributing member of the European Union, Portugal is one of America's longest and strongest allies. It was one of the first to recognize the United States as an independent Nation after the Revolutionary War and it is also an original member of NATO.

Join me in celebrating this special occasion and the strong bond between Portugal and the United States and the Portuguese people and people from our country. ``Happy celebration of the day of Portugal,'' ``Feliz Dia de Portugal.''

Protect SNAP

Mr. Speaker, millions of families continue to struggle to put dinner on their table every night, and that is why I will speak about the American safety net known as SNAP, which is providing food for people who are insecure, 41 million Americans.

Fresno and Tulare Counties that I represent are among the top agricultural-producing counties in the country. It is a real dichotomy because we produce so much aplenty, over 300 commodities, 20 percent of America's milk production, almost half of the fruits and vegetables, 75 percent of the almonds in the world, and 50 percent of the pistachios. The list goes on and on.

However, in my district I have a significant amount of food insecurity. Mr. Speaker, 42 million Americans are food insecure, or 12.5 percent of our Nation's population rely throughout the year on SNAP, this food supplement.

In my district, out of 52 congressional districts in California, 28 percent rely on SNAP. They are food insecure, whether it be young or old or people with disabilities or working people. A lot of them are seasonal workers in our fields that live on $20,000 a year or maybe a little bit more but have a family of four or five that they have to feed every night.

When we think about the farm bill and the reauthorization, it is not only the safety net to American farmers, ranchers, dairymen and -women, but it is also the safety net to 42 million Americans who are food insecure.

What we need to understand is that four out of five SNAP households include a child, an elderly individual, or a person with a disability. I know because my district ranks among the highest in California and the sixth highest in the Nation.

SNAP is more than a lifeline. Why? Because it also benefits local economies and cuts hunger by 30 percent. Every dollar spent on SNAP generates economic activity and support for our farmers and small businesses and obviously puts food on those families' dinner tables.

Nothing is more challenging than to educate a child. For many of our children, the breakfast and lunch program in our schools is the best meal they get during the day. I don't look at this as a burden on taxpayers. I look at it as an investment in our Nation's health and well-being.

As we debate the importance of reauthorizing the farm bill, let's address the income inequality that makes people food insecure and let's sit together to try to find a bipartisan agreement to reauthorize the farm bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wynn Jacobson- Galan, a PhD graduate in Astrophysics of the University of California, Berkeley for exemplifying leadership in physics education and service to California's and the nation's scientific community.

Wynn is a great example of the strength and health of the University of California system to create tomorrow's future leaders of science. A graduate of Malibu High School and proud California resident, Wynn Jacobson-Galan began his undergraduate career in the community college system, before transferring to the University of California Santa Cruz. He then attended graduate school at the University of California Berkeley. Wynn dedicated his studies to furthering understanding the history of our solar system, and how it may shape our planet's future. At the University of California, Santa Cruz, he conducted research on thermonuclear transients of all varieties under the guidance of Professor Ryan Foley. At UC Berkeley, he conducted research under the mentorship of Professor Rafaella Margutti, studying the final moments of a star's life before death.

Wynn is graduating as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at UC Berkeley, working on supernova progenitor systems and transient astronomy. This research involved combining multi-wavelength observations of a variety of supernova types to create a complete picture of the final stages of stellar instability and mass loss before explosion. Following his graduation, Wynn will be conducting research at the California Institute of Technology.

His academic journey would not have been as successful if not for the unwavering support of his family. Their encouragement and support have been instrumental in shaping Wynn into the dedicated and accomplished leader he is today.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in extending our deepest congratulations and best wishes to Wynn Jacobson- Galan as he embarks on this new chapter of his life. His academic contributions will forever resonate within the halls of the institutions he attended, and in the hearts of those who have had the privilege of working alongside him. We hope he continues to advance our understanding of the universe and we wish him the best of luck in this next chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to honor the life of Jimmy Johnson, one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history.

A product of Kingsburg High School in my California district, Jimmy was a gifted athlete and rose quickly through the ranks. He was also a good student and graduated from UCLA. He played 16 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and was a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team in the 1970s.

He was known as the ``Lonesome Cornerback'' because his opponents rarely threw to his side of the field. Ask Bart Starr or Johnny Unitas. He was clearly a class act, a leader, and always respected by his teammates, yet he still intercepted those 47 passes and returned them for 615 yards.

In 1994, he was enshrined in the National Pro Football Hall of Fame with his brother as his presenter, the decathlon champion Rafer Johnson.

What a class act. What a team. For the 49er family and its fans, we mourn the loss of Jimmy Johnson, but his legacy will continue for the next generation of athletes and fans.

Jimmy Johnson was a class act.

Mr. Speaker, for decades, Head Start and Early Head Start programs have provided comprehensive childhood development services to millions of children across America.

Research is showing that participation in Head Start can lead to positive outcomes for our children. By providing children with a strong foundation in their early years, Head Start

helps level the playing field, especially for disadvantaged children, and gives them a better chance at academic success.

House Democrats have made it clear that investing in America's children will always be among our highest priorities. Thanks to investments we have fought for in the budget, we are working to ensure that Federal dollars reach every corner of the country.

In my district, I have secured $23 million for Fresno County and $22 million for Tulare County Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These funds will provide families with health and support services while growing the next generation of leaders in the San Joaquin Valley and in California.

Investing in education is investing in our children's future because when our children succeed, America succeeds.

Honoring Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day

Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to recognize what has been taking place this week in this country and around the world, and that is commemorating Yom HaShoah ending in 1945, recognizing the 6 million Jewish victims who were killed in the Holocaust.

Sadly, on October 7 last year, 79 years after the Holocaust, we witnessed a terrorist organization, Hamas, rape, execute, and take hostages. Over 1,400 Israelis, Americans, and other nationalities were killed, which was the largest killing of Jews since the Holocaust.

There is clear evidence of the rising threat of hate and anti- Semitism being spread here at home and across the world.

I commend President Biden and Speaker Johnson yesterday for bringing together a bipartisan gathering to speak against anti-Semitism and the challenges here in America. In the United States, anti-Semitic incidents have soared over 140 percent in 2023, breaking all previous records.

In America, we support free speech and peaceful protests, but disrupting academic education and attacking Jewish students and faculty have no place on college campuses or universities in America. It must be stopped.

We must unmask groups like the National Students for Justice in Palestine for what they are. They celebrated on October 8 the actions of Hamas that took 1,400 Israeli lives.

This is an extension of terrorist groups like Hamas. Hamas' mission statement is to eliminate the State of Israel and to kill Jews, as referenced in their slogan: ``From the River to Sea.'' The river is the Jordan River, and the sea is the Mediterranean. Their purpose is to eliminate the State of Israel and kill Jewish people.

We must work together to break this cycle of hate that is plaguing our society and putting lives at risk around the world. In an era of rising anti-Semitism coupled with fading memory of the Holocaust, we must fight conspiracy theories and ensure the lessons of the past are never ever forgotten.

Last month, I was in Israel, and I went to the Nova concert site to witness the makeshift memorial where 364 concertgoers, innocent people, were killed on October 7.

Last week, I participated in a bipartisan visit of Members to the Holocaust Museum for an exhibit that clearly raises the issues of anti- Semitism in America in the 1920s and 1930s, which was led in part by prominent Americans like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and others coming to Washington to go to see this comparative analogy of anti-Semitism from the 1920s and 1930s to what we are dealing with here today. For it is real, and we must do everything together to combat this plague of anti-Semitism, the politics of hate, and the politics of fear. For as the famous historian George Santayana once said: ``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.''

That is why it is important that we recognize this anniversary of the Holocaust and why we remember October 7 of last year. It is not a lingering, distant, fading memory. It is a reality that we have to deal with here today.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, I rise to address the House on the challenges we face in Ukraine, in the Middle East with Israel and Iran, and in Taiwan and Asia.

The world is watching and looking for American leadership. Iran has launched a telegraphed attack on Israel, sending over 350 drones and missiles last weekend. Seeing these missiles being intercepted above the Temple Mount emphasizes Iran's disregard for Muslim, Jewish, and Christian holy sites and its desire to take innocent lives.

Iran's actions continue to disrupt opportunities for peace in the Middle East. I was in Israel 2 weeks ago, one of over a dozen trips I have made to the Middle East in the last 30 years.

Before the attack on October 7, Saudi Arabia was on the brink of signing a peace agreement and joining the Abraham Accords. Formalizing Saudi-Israeli relations for both countries would achieve strategic and military goals, ranging from defense to food security and innovation, thus bringing hope for more peaceful opportunities with moderate Arab nations.

When the Ayatollah saw this, I believe he pulled the strings on proxy forces to stop these negotiations that resulted in Hamas' horrific attack on innocent Israeli citizens on October 7 that took over 1,200 lives and 200 hostages.

Iran is the number one state sponsor of terrorism in the world. For years, the Iranian regime has been funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis to spread international chaos. Iran has directly or through its proxies killed hundreds of Americans who have been in the region.

China is also threatening Taiwan and watching how the United States responds to other conflicts around the world. They are watching.

The new axis of evil--Iran, Russia, China, North Korea--presents an ever-growing threat to the United States and our allies. This is a seminal moment in American and world history, I believe. Therefore, we cannot abandon our allies in their darkest time of need. Ukraine needs our support.

For months, the Senate-passed supplemental aid package has been held hostage by many of my Republican colleagues, some of whom appear to be on the side of Russia. I don't get it. President Reagan and Senator McCain must be turning over in their graves.

It has been over 6 months since the attack on October 7, and what has the House done? Nothing, wasting time on baseless impeachments, threatening a motion to vacate, and close to shutting down government.

Yet again, House Democrats have stepped in to save the day. We have always been clear since day one. We are here to govern, putting people before politics. We have extended the hand of bipartisanship to work on behalf of the American people and the security of our country. We have demonstrated our words with actions: passing and extending the debt ceiling, avoiding government shutdowns three times, and, finally, passing our budget 6 months late.

Mr. Speaker, 193 Democrats have signed the discharge petition to bring the Senate-passed supplemental package to a vote.

The House must pass the national security package this week. It will provide additional equipment for Ukraine,

Israel, and Taiwan, with critical security and military needs to defend their freedom and, therefore, our freedom. It will provide humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, who have been horrifically punished and suffered in Gaza, and Armenians refugees removed from their historical home in Nagorno-Karabakh, along with investments in border security to help alleviate the challenges we have here.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues, would you stand with freedom-loving democracies and help bring this bill to the floor and support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, or will you stand with Putin and embolden his mafia of dictators to further attack our allies? That is the question.

Your actions will show not only the American people but history where you stood in protecting the future of democracies. The world is watching.

This is our Churchill-Chamberlain moment. Will we be like Churchill and continue to be the beacon of light for freedom around the world, or will we try to appease, as Chamberlain did with the Nazi dictator Hitler that resulted in the cause of over 100 million deaths during World War II? That is the question. This is the moment.

We must stand for freedom. We must pass this security package this week for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and freedom-loving people around the world.

Mr. Speaker, that is the challenge we face this week. I hope we are successful.

Mr. Speaker, it has been 112 days since Hamas' horrific attacks against Israel on October 7. It has also been 1 year and 11 months since Putin launched his brutal invasion against Ukraine.

The world is on fire with conflict, and democratic countries are under attack. For months, Ukraine and Israel aid has been held hostage by a significant number of my Republican colleagues who appear to have taken the side of Russia. Putin and Iran's Ayatollah are enjoying these political fights, which is only giving them an advantage.

These war criminals--I am talking about Putin and the Ayatollah--are seizing on opportunities regardless of the cost. Just as Iran has enabled their terrorist proxies, the Houthis are attacking our military.

Our actions today will determine the future success of democracies and free societies around the world. That is really what is at stake.

I have been to Ukraine twice in the last year. I have been to Israel many times. Democracy is critical in those parts of the world. They share our values and freedoms that we cherish.

I have been to Gaza where Hamas has oppressed the Palestinian people with poverty, violence, and a lack of opportunity. They have used them as human shields. We must help the Palestinian people out of this horrific situation starting with humanitarian aid. The Palestinians have a right to determine their own future under a two-state solution.

We need to pass a supplemental aid package to provide immediate assistance as we have before in a bipartisan effort. We need to equip Ukraine and Israel with critical security and military needs to defend their sovereignties. By the way, when we do this, we defend our democracy and democracies around the world. We do this in our own interests. We need humanitarian aid for the Palestinians and Armenian refugees removed from their historical home in Nagorno-Karabakh.

These are all part of what the supplemental package does. By the way, it provides assistance for Taiwan.

All this costs the United States less than 1 percent of our GDP without any U.S. troops on the ground. Let me repeat that: It costs less than 1 percent of our GDP. No U.S. troops are being impacted directly.

Ukraine has regained 50 percent of the land Russia originally took, and they have reopened the Black Sea to export grain.

These are the impacts on Russia: Russia has lost over 315,000 troops and two-thirds of their pre-invasion tanks. Mr. Speaker, this has been a very good deal for our adversary, Russia.

For us, the Ukrainian President has said in this Chamber 2 years ago that

this was an investment in global security and democracy.

We need to get the hostages released by Hamas. Israel has been working on that, and there are negotiations taking place right now.

We know that with the recent election in Taiwan, as a prime example, there is a new chapter in their future democracy. Be that as it may, we must send a strong message to Putin of Russia, to Xi of China, and the Ayatollah of Iran and its terrorist proxies, like Hezbollah and Hamas. These are adversaries of the United States, and, therefore, we must be together as a country and as Americans in a bipartisan fashion.

So House Republicans who are demanding border security in exchange for this package, it has been put on the table. We are negotiating it.

Nevertheless, if they are serious about border security, I think they would want to work and see the final language on the product that the Senate is working on before condemning it and criticizing it.

Democrats have put forth dozens of bipartisan bills, like the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farmworker Modernization Act, none of which have been brought forth for a vote, and many of them are bipartisan.

As the bipartisan group of Senators finalize their border deal, unfortunately, extreme MAGA Republicans and Donald Trump want to torpedo it; for what?

It is for political reasons.

The border is a problem. We agree; and we have a legislative solution before us.

It is the height of hypocrisy to say: No. We are not going to do anything right now. It really is a problem. It really is a problem, but we are going to wait 10 months.

What is wrong with us?

The American public gets this. President Biden is ready to sign this deal in its current form to address the surge of migrants, hire more Border Patrol agents, and combat the flow of fentanyl and human trafficking. He is willing to do that now. We ought to be working together and not waiting for an election after November.

Congress cannot lose sight of what is at stake. We can walk, talk, and chew gum at the same time. We can get assistance to Ukraine and Israel along with border security. That is our job. That is what we are supposed to do.

By the way, we can get a budget, too. This Congress is doing nothing, absolutely nothing. So let's stop with the politics. Our national security depends upon it. Let's get a deal done.

Mr. Speaker, I wish my constituents back home in the 21st Congressional District and Americans throughout the country a very happy new year. May it bring us good tidings and health, and may the Congress come together to solve some of the critical problems that we are facing in our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, nearly 83 years ago, the first Social Security check went out. Beginning as a promise for future generations of America, it was an attempt to create a safety net; and it has. Social Security is the major source of income for the majority of people over the age of 65; that accounts for over 70 million Americans.

In my 21st Congressional District, located in California's San Joaquin Valley, nearly 88,000 people depend upon this program for their basic needs: for food, for rent, for groceries. It is critical therefore that we address the issues involving Social Security.

A lot has changed in our country since it was first enacted in the 1930s during the Great Depression. Americans today, those who are receiving, and those who hope to receive Social Security, fear that the future of this vital program and their benefits are at risk, and they should be.

Why? Well, the long-term financial integrity of Social Security is not sustainable, and therefore, we have to fix it.

Instead of fixing Social Security, many of my extreme MAGA Republicans are focused on gutting the program and cutting vital benefits. That is wrong.

Under the leadership of my good friend Congressman John Larson, House Democrats have put forth a plan of action to secure and expand the benefits of Social Security. The Social Security Act of 2100: A Sacred Trust Act permanently improves Social Security's long-term health by extending the trust fund's solvency, which is critical, without any increase in taxes on the middle class. Let me repeat that: without any increase in taxes on the middle class.

It also repeals the bureaucratic rules, like the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset that prevents law enforcement officers, firefighters, and their families from receiving full benefits. They should receive full benefits.

Mr. Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of this bill because Congress must uphold its promise to all seniors so they can retire with respect and dignity.

What are we talking about? We are talking about America's safety net. American seniors and future generations deserve better. We owe it to them who have spent their entire lives contributing to make their country a better place to live and who are counting on Social Security in their golden years.

Our country needs a roadmap to protect Social Security for generations to come, and this bill will do just that. I remain committed to upholding the sacred trust that was made many years ago, working together with Republicans and Democrats for all Americans to fix the solvency of our Social Security system.

Securing Our Border

Mr. Speaker, much has been said about the challenges we face at the border and immigration in America. We must fix this broken immigration system. We had an opportunity in 2013, and Republicans and Democrats must come together to protect our border, to protect it from human trafficking and from the movement of illicit drugs.

With commonsense action, I believe we can come together to do this. I will continue to work with my colleagues so that we can fix our broken immigration system and secure our border. That is what needs to be done.

Mr. Speaker, in a moment of crisis, the people of Ukraine and around the world are looking to the United States for support and leadership.

After an 80-day hiatus, Russia launched a wave of cruise missile attacks on Ukraine on the Remembrance Day of the Holodomor, which is a reflection of when the Soviet Union imposed a famine and killed millions of Ukrainians in 1932 and 1933.

These attacks come just days after the Senate Republicans blocked funding for Ukraine and Israel. Putin is watching. He is enjoying these political fights, which is only giving him an advantage, he believes. His propaganda machine is celebrating the legislative blockade that is occurring as the first step to withdrawing total support for Ukraine. Believe it.

The United States must send a strong message to Putin that we stand strong and united with the people of Ukraine.

I have met with brave Ukrainian soldiers and their families who shared that our support has given them hope that Ukraine will win this fight. They will. Those who say Ukraine is losing the war are wrong. Putin's goal to conquer Ukraine has failed. Ukraine has regained 50 percent of the land Russia originally took and has reopened the Black Sea to allow them to export grain.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military has depleted the Russian army. From a total of over 480,000 soldiers, Russia has lost over 320,000 who have either been wounded or killed--think about that, over half their army-- forcing Putin to take coercive actions for new and inexperienced personnel, even people from prison, and has desperately turned to North Korea for supplies--all this at a cost for the United States of less than 1 percent of our GDP and all without U.S. troops on the ground. That is a very good deal.

Less than 10 percent of our annual defense budget has gone to assist Ukraine's military, and it has destroyed almost 50 percent of Russia's army. Compared to our allies in Europe, we rank 20th in giving to Ukraine, when you factor in GDP. We need to pass a supplemental aid package to provide immediate assistance, and we need to do it in an overwhelming bipartisan way as we have before.

We are living during a seminal moment in the history of America and the world we live in. Historians will look back years from now and determine whether or not we made more good decisions than poor decisions. This is an opportunity to make a good decision. We need to pass the supplemental package to provide immediate assistance that our ally Ukraine needs now.

We must provide humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians that have been afflicted by the war and for Armenian refugees who have been removed from their historical home in Nagorno-Karabakh.

We need to pass a package to let our European allies know that the United States is reliable and consistent in support of democracies around the world. The passage of this supplemental package also provides support for Taiwan and restores American military inventory that is so critical.

There is nothing more that Putin wants than to see this Congress and our country divided. The Congress in November and December seemed to have time for baseless impeachment inquiries but not the time to do the most important things like provide funding for national defense, the Federal Aviation Administration, and, most importantly, resolving our differences and passing a budget.

I ask my Republican colleagues: What have we done? What are we doing? When we gather around the holiday tables in the next 2 weeks and we ask for good tidings in the new year, as Members of Congress, I think we must ask ourselves: What have we done? What have we done to work together in a bipartisan fashion to pass these critical bills? The answer is nothing.

We must do more important things to provide for the American people and the world that we live in. This is a seminal moment, as I said before, in world history, and the world is watching. We cannot lose sight of what is at stake. If we do not stop these threats against freedom and democracy, we will fail. This, make no mistake about it, is the test of our time.

I also wish for one and for all a happy holiday season. May the new year bring us good tidings. Let us not forget about our responsibilities as the world's lone superpower. We have responsibilities. We are still, as President Reagan said, the beacon of light on that shining hill.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman and my classmate for yielding.

Mr. Chair, let me speak in favor of this important bipartisan legislation. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is an investment, I believe, in our children's health and future.

This proposed legislation, let's be clear, does not change the underlying law. For the 19 years that I have been on the House Agriculture Committee, the school lunch and breakfast program has been and should be a focus of attention by the House of Representatives and the Congress.

Why?

It is because we provide the support for the school lunch and breakfast programs.

And why else?

It is because we want our children to have the most nutrition possible from lunch and breakfast.

In addition, we want to deal with issues of obesity and issues of allergies. It is important for a healthy future.

Now, let me say that I know a little bit about this. My family and I have been involved in the dairy business in California for three generations, since the early 1920s. Dairy plays a critical role in the nutritional diet of children as a leading food source for nutrients that are critical for development and growth. We must provide healthy nutrient-packed options that children will actually choose to consume, ranging from nonfat to whole.

Milk provides 13 essential nutrients, as has been mentioned, including three of the four nutrients of public health concern that involve calcium, potassium, and vitamin D.

A few months ago I visited the Fresno Unified Nutrition Center. Fresno Unified is the third largest school district in California with 73,000 students. They prepare 45,000 lunches a day and 15,000 breakfasts at 85 school centers. It is a big undertaking for this nutritional program.

What we know is that for many of the kids, the breakfast or the lunch they get is sometimes the best meal they get in a day, so, therefore, we need to be focused on this. Our schools must be equipped with nutritional school milk options. We must be available and flexible to new scientific developments that are made.

Mr. Chair, our schools must be equipped with nutritional school milk options, and this is what this legislation attempts to try to do.

When kids like their school milk options that are flavorful and tasty, they

consume them in the levels that they should. When kids, I think, like their choices for lunch or breakfast, America succeeds.

Let me close by saying that every body needs milk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the beginning of Diwali. Diwali is an anniversary of lights for the Sikhs, Jains, and Hindus here in our country and around the world. It represents times for new beginnings, and what a joyous occasion it is for new beginnings. We certainly reflect upon that.

Families will light dozens of candles in their homes and streets to light up the dark night.

It reminds us that light always triumphs over darkness, as Dr. Martin Luther King was reminded as a follower of Gandhi. It is about good over evil.

I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing the historical and cultural significance of Diwali for all of those who celebrate it throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, may the festival of lights inspire us to lift up our communities, to live with hope instead of despair, and to stand up for what is right.

Happy Diwali.

Mr. Speaker, we are at a seminal moment in world history, comparable to times in the 20th century, like the Depression, World War II, and the 1960s.

The world is on fire with conflict. Democratic countries like Israel, Ukraine, and Armenia are under attack from terrorists and other authoritarian regimes that want to reshape the world order and take away basic freedoms and human rights.

These authoritarian regimes and these attacks from terrorists are anti-Semitic, they involve hate crimes that are sadly on the rise for other ethnic groups, as well.

Terrorist groups like Hamas and bad actors like President Putin of Russia and Xi of China are spreading misinformation to create discord. We see the impacts of that propaganda here at home.

Our actions today, therefore, will determine the future success of free societies throughout the world, and that is why it is important for us to stand firm in our support of democracies around the world.

We must stand against the attempts to undermine Israel's very existence. It is disturbing to see the chants of ``from the river to the sea.'' This is a phrase used by Hamas--a rallying cry of terrorists calling for the destruction of the Jewish state. It is anti-Semitic, and it is hateful.

Israel has the right to defend itself. It has an obligation to protect its citizens and secure its borders.

Let us not forget the families, the children, and the elderly who were slaughtered in their homes a month ago by the terrorists who carried out a planned, coordinated attack on innocent Israeli civilians on October 7.

We should also hold sorrow for the Palestinian people. Many of those who live in Gaza are equally victims of Hamas and their barbaric actions against humanity in using these Palestinians as human shields.

Hamas, therefore, is responsible for this terror and their suffering. Congress must help the Palestinian people out of this horrific situation, starting with humanitarian aid. The Palestinians have a right to determine their own future.

Congress also must send military and economic resources to Israel. It must work to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords, which are critical. We cannot allow Iran and its proxy terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to disrupt the accomplishments of this diplomacy.

Let's understand what is at stake here. Iran wants to have hegemony over the entire Middle East, and we must be mindful of that with their alliances with Russia and China.

Congress must also send additional aid to Ukraine. These Ukrainians, these brave people, are defending their sovereignty. We must give them everything they need to win their fight for freedom and defeat Putin, who I believe is a war criminal by the actions he has carried out in the last 18 to 19 months. Russia today, really, is a syndicate masquerading as a country, and its mob boss is Putin.

For some of my Republican colleagues who are having second thoughts on funding additional support for Ukraine, I remind you of President Reagan and Senator John McCain who always recognized the threats of Russia's Communism to our democracy. I believe in Putin's heart he is still a Communist.

It is important that we have this bipartisan package to support the President's proposal and the supplemental package that will provide funding for the next year for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, additional border security and humanitarian assistance. This could benefit Armenia and the over 120,000 Armenians who have been displaced from their historic homeland as a result of Azerbaijan.

These are all critical issues in the foreign affairs of America and the world security if we are to remain the beacon of light around the world.

These are critical times, to be sure, therefore, America must be together with our allies in Europe. We cannot lose sight of what is at stake if we do not stop these threats against freedom,

whether it is in the Middle East, whether it is in Asia, or elsewhere.

Mr. Speaker, this is the test of our time. It is the test of our generation, and historians will look back 10 to 20 years from now and they will determine: Did we make more good decisions than poor decisions in standing up for human rights and the freedoms we cherish?

I pray that we make more good decisions than poor decisions and that America remain united and the beacon of light for democracy around the world.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, I was unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner:

YEA on Roll Call No. 559 (Motion to Table H. Res. 807--Censuring Representative Rashida Tlaib);

YEA on Roll Call No. 560 (H. Res. 559--Declaring it is the policy of the United States that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable);

YEA on Roll Call No. 561 (H.R. 340--Hamas International Financing Prevent Action, as amended);

YEA on Roll Call No. 562 (Motion to Recommit H.R. 4364--Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2024);

NAY on Roll Call No. 563 (Passage of H.R. 4364--Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2024); and

PRES on Roll Call No. 564 (Adoption of H. Res. 773--Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the House of Representatives).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), and the chair for putting together this very strong resolution,

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three different individuals who made a difference during their lives who are no longer with us.

I first rise to pay tribute to the remarkable life of Steven Nicholas Gomes, otherwise known as Nick, a beloved son of Merced County whose legacy resonates with kindness, resilience, and an unwavering love.

Nick left an indelible mark on the hearts of his friends, family, and community, and he made a difference during his life, as short as it was. His dedication to making positive impacts on the lives of others was evident through the many roles that he had in life as a student athlete and a person who did so many different things. He was also my district representative in Merced County and helped people all the time.

During the pandemic, when folks were frustrated and angry, they would call the office. Nick's reassuring voice would always convey to my constituents that we were there, and we would help and would see them through this. His ability to engage with constituents exemplified his commitment to open dialogue and understanding.

His efforts extended beyond the office walls. His advocacy for community projects, such as securing grants for local water infrastructure improvements in communities like Dos Palos and Gustine, showed his ability to get things done.

His compassion extended to his family, where he showed his love through selfless actions, genuine connections, and a willingness to always go that extra mile.

To his mom and dad, my dear friends, and his sister, Melissa, I extend my deepest condolences. They are all missing him every day, but all were fortunate to share his journey in life. His parents will be celebrating an anniversary this month and will think fondly of Nick. He was a giant, literally and figuratively, among men in so many incredible ways. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Honoring the Life of Diana Marcum

Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to commemorate the life and legacy of Diana Marcum, a beacon of compassion and storytelling brilliance whose words touched the hearts and unveiled the essence of the human experience.

Her journey began as a journalist, an editorial assistant, and blossomed into a remarkable but, again, short career. Her narrative prowess was on full display in a Pulitzer Prize-winning series, ``Scenes from California's Dust Bowl,'' which chronicled the impact of the drought on the people of the San Joaquin Valley. She was a person who could, with words, express so many different challenges of life.

Through her elegant prose, Diana wove together stories of farmers, field workers, and others in the California Central Valley that really originated with the ``Grapes of Wrath,'' painting a vivid picture of their struggles, their hopes, and their triumphs.

Beyond her writing, her influence extended into her personal interactions and relationships. For me, a book that she completed called ``The Tenth Island'' chronicled the diaspora of the Azorean people who came to settle in the San Joaquin Valley, i.e., the tenth island. The fondness for those people and those shared experiences, were my experiences, so we bonded over that love and connection to the Azores islands.

Finally, in celebrating Diana's life, we also celebrate the timeless power of the narrative bridge that divides and illuminates the shared experience of life. She was a writer who could capture the essence of that, and her talent and her personality will be missed.

Honoring the Life of Ken Hart

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember and honor Kenneth Lee Hart, a friend, a man whose life was marked by dedication, wisdom, a passion for history and for politics. He was a history teacher at the community college.

A true patriot, Ken felt a profound sense of duty to his country. He volunteered to serve in the Army Signal Corps. He was stationed in Saigon, Vietnam, from 1962 to 1964 during that difficult war, but he never forgot his commitment to our country.

His involvement in Robert Kennedy's 1968 Presidential campaign marked his unwavering belief in the power of politics to shape a better future for America.

Ken and I shared the understanding that George Santayana once said: ``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' We had many memorable evenings with our friends, Congressman Rick Lehman and others talking about sports and the future of America.

We remember him for his wisdom, his dedication, and justice to an unwavering belief in the power of positive change. We will miss Ken.