Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the people and communities of California's San Joaquin Valley have been dealing with devastating drought conditions for years.

Water is life, as we say, agua es vida.

A reliable, sustainable water supply is absolutely essential to put America's food on our dinner table. It is a national security issue. Think about it. We can't live without food. Without water, we cannot grow food.

Farmers in my district are feeling the impact of the drought firsthand. Many have fallowed land, sadly. It is becoming more and more difficult to grow food and maintain farmland.

It is really simple. We say back home: Where water flows, food grows.

Small businesses are struggling to survive. Residents suffer from declining air quality, spurred by dust and wildfires that continue to spread across the West.

We must confront the devastating impacts of climate change. The Wildfire and Drought Resiliency Act will improve drought resiliency and protect the giant sequoia trees that are part of America's natural heritage.

Without a doubt, we cannot wait to confront this issue. We must act now.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1130) expressing support for the sovereign decision of Finland and Sweden to apply to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as well as calling on all members of NATO to ratify the protocols of accession swiftly, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 1130, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Chairman Keating's resolution expressing support for the sovereign decision of Finland and Sweden to apply for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also known as NATO, and calling on all members of NATO to swiftly ratify the protocols of accession.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February of this year, the world has changed. The world has watched as Vladimir Putin ordered his military to march through Ukraine, brutally attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure, making it exceptionally clear that his senseless imperial aspirations go far beyond the Donbas and even Ukraine in its entirety. As a matter of fact, he has stated such.

In response, our transatlantic allies and partners have had to completely rethink, as is clear, our security postures, tighten our ranks, and counter global challenges.

In response to the Russian Federation's unthinkable aggression in Ukraine, Sweden and Finland, both long-term security partners of the United States and NATO as a whole, have made the sovereign decision to apply for NATO membership. This did not come about easily or automatically.

Both Chairman Keating and I believe Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO presents a strong, unified message against Putin's aggression in Ukraine, and this would support peace and the values that we all adhere to in the NATO alliance. Finland and Sweden's militaries, already equipped with modern technology and weapons, some of which have already been delivered to Ukraine, are fully interoperable with NATO systems, which makes them a good fit.

Additionally, NATO's land border with Russia will now include significantly more territory, thereby acting as a greater deterrence to Russian threats and aggression. Their accession will also bolster NATO's capabilities in the Baltic Sea region, building on the capabilities of our Baltic partners, as well as Poland, who have each been steadfast in their commitments to countering Russian aggression and responding to this grave humanitarian crisis that is Russia's responsibility and Russia's responsibility solely on their part.

For this decision, as Finnish President Niinisto has rightly said, when Vladimir Putin looks in the mirror, he has only himself to blame. Putin's entire warfighting efforts--the bombings, the airstrikes, the ground movements--have been counterproductive. Instead, Putin and the military of the Russian Federation, as I and many others have said, have committed war crimes, forced Ukrainians from their homes into filtration camps and deported them to far-away Russian territories, and singlehandedly instigated the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II.

Despite his goals of dividing the transatlantic alliance, Putin has instead united us more resolutely than ever before against his attempt to spread hate and violence across the globe and to create more division. Clearly, that has been his goal, and it has been his goal for years. In addition, individuals from around Europe, most notably Central Europe, have welcomed those fleeing violence in Ukraine in their own homes in Poland, Romania, and many other European countries. It is really an incredible humanitarian effort that these central European countries have engaged in, and it has been heartening for the entire world to see.

Bearing the events of the last few months in mind, this resolution expresses support for Finland and Sweden's monumental decision to apply for NATO membership. Furthermore, this resolution echoes the leadership role that Congress and this administration have taken in uniting the transatlantic alliance and the world in support of Ukraine.

This did not happen overnight. President Biden last year began working closely with our NATO allies, sharing intelligence, working together to build on that alliance, including more recently Congress providing over $50 billion in support for Ukraine's warfighting effort and the immense humanitarian crisis that has resulted. These funds have been crucial in ensuring that Ukraine can continue their fight, and it has provided leadership for our other European allies to do the same. This is a fight for democracy, a fight for freedom, and it is a fight that Ukrainians must win. This is the test of our time, and President Zelenskyy has stood up, reminding all of us that the price of freedom is not free, and those brave Ukrainian people, how much they have done to show the entire world that they stand for their sovereignty.

However, this resolution would not have been possible without the bipartisan support of many of my colleagues, who have long supported the NATO alliance, like Congressman Turner and so many others. This includes the lead on this resolution, Chairman Keating, as well as the lead original cosponsors on this resolution, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment, and Cyber, Ranking Member Brian Fitzpatrick, as well as Representatives Eric Swalwell and Ann Wagner, and Representatives Connolly and Turner of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

In addition, I thank all of the chairs of the House Finland and Sweden Caucuses for signing on as original cosponsors of this legislation.

Finally, I also specifically thank Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who have been united in these efforts over the recent months.

I also express my gratitude to Leader Hoyer and Chairman Meeks for allowing this resolution to move to the floor so expeditiously.

Through this resolution, the House will loudly and clearly welcome Finland and Sweden into the NATO alliance, a clear sign of transatlantic unity in response to Vladimir Putin's brutal ambition.

I was in Brussels in February, 2 days before the invasion, and I have never seen NATO as united perhaps since the Cold War.

The fact is that we have a strong history, and we have the opportunity to be bolstered by the strength of their military alliance as well as the democratic resolve of their governments.

So in the spirit of unity and recognition of Finland and Sweden as long-term friends of the United States, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished majority leader of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

I thank Ranking Member Turner for his leadership and for his support of our common alliance and our defense in these critical and dangerous times that we are living in.

I want to reflect on why I think this resolution is so important, and it is an inflection point that Chairman Keating and so many of us feel with regard to global history. As I said, this is a test of our time as to whether or not

democracies will be willing to stand together for the common values we share, for the rule of law, for a rules-based economy, and for all the freedoms we cherish that we share in common.

Simply stated, this is a choice about good and evil. For the first time in eight decades, we have seen a full-scale land invasion in Europe instigated, resulting in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

Think about this. The alliances that we have created post-World War II, beginning with the Marshall Plan and then NATO and the European Union, and everything that has followed since that, have resulted in one of the largest peacetime periods in Europe in over 1,000 years. Think about that.

What we have also, obviously, learned the hard way is that these unconscionable crimes committed against the Ukrainian people, I think, constitute a form of genocide.

I said in a speech several months ago that, in my view, after Bucha, President Putin should be considered a war criminal along with all who have been involved in these horrific crimes that we have seen committed and see daily--hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, innocent children, and citizens being attacked.

The brave men and women of Ukraine and their leadership, President Zelenskyy, have reminded us once again that we who share the common values of democracies must stand together.

We are at the front lines in this fight for freedom, and Ukraine today is sadly paying the heavy price. But they have demonstrated an importance to all of us of unity in the face of Putin's catastrophic and violent attack. They have demonstrated why our support matters, and it does. Crucially, they have proven that without a doubt, as was said by my colleague and friend, Congressman Hoyer, democratic values will prevail over an authoritarian ideology. That is why we must ensure that Putin fails in his war of aggression.

Finland's and Sweden's historic and sovereign decisions to apply for NATO membership create an echo of transatlantic unity on this issue, and this resolution represents strong bipartisan support here in Congress for Ukraine.

I thank my colleagues on the other side. Chairman Keating leads this NATO resolution in response to the alliance, our transatlantic alliance, which has stood up to the aggression of Russia in the face of unprecedented, unprovoked aggression, and we have come together to do the right thing.

To my colleagues in the Senate, who will be taking up these articles of accession shortly, I urge you to demonstrate full support for Finland and Sweden to join the NATO alliance.

As to my colleagues in this Chamber, I urge your support, as well, for this resolution so that the United States Government can speak with one voice, one voice in the resolute support of our Nordic allies and unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom and their democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim Tate Hill, who dedicated his career to music, academics, and serving.

Jim Tate Hill started his career in 1970 when he decided to give his life to Christ. He began his training at St. Paul Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Bakersfield, California and continued his education. He attended college and received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Pacific's Conservatory of Music. Jim's passion in music influenced his service to the community and through the church.

He served as the choir director at Glad Tidings COGIC and in 1981, Jim soon grew in different roles. He was the Lead Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Minister of Music, and Assistant Pastor at Bethel Temple COGIC. Under Jim's leadership as pastor of Bethel Temple, there were many issues that Jim felt needed to be addressed, such as youth and early education, homelessness, and community revitalization. With his California-license in general contracting, Jim has assisted in building and remodeling over 20 churches between Madera and Bakersfield.

In 2006, Jim was entrusted to be in the leading role as Superintendent of the Central Valley District. That same year, he was recognized by his contributions to education as one of the inaugural recipients of the African-American Heritage Award. During those 41 years, he worked under three District Superintendents as the Minister of Music, Sunday School Superintendent, and as the Assistant District Superintendent. In 2019, Bethel Temple opened Early Readers Preschool, a full preschool and daycare center, the only one of its kind located at a church in southwest Fresno.

Jim's character and work ethic elevated him to various roles throughout his life. He was recognized for his hard work and for creating impacts in the community. He was one of four inaugural recipients to receive the Excellence of Service medal by Bishop Samuel Doyle at the 43rd Annual Jurisdictional Holy Convocation in 2013. In 2020, Jim was elevated by Bishop Doyle to 2nd Admin. Assistant of the California Valley Jurisdiction and Chair of the Southern Region.

Jim has a B.A. in Music Education from the University of Pacific's Conservatory of Music. He has introduced both kindergarteners and high school students, to music ranging from classical to gospel for nearly 40 years in southwest Fresno. His high school and middle school choirs and bands have performed in California Music Educators Association festivals and competitions.

Jim has been happily married to Missionary Carla Hill for 45 years. Together, they have three children: Tate II, Paul, and Candice, and nine grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the career of Jim Tate Hill and may we continue to be inspired by his many contributions in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Gilbert Coelho, long-time resident of Firebaugh, who passed away at age 80 on April 15, 2022. He was a strong man of faith and an excellent example of a man of great character.

Gilbert was born in San Leandro, California. He was one of four children born to Otto and Alice Coelho, and they were raised on the family dairy farm in Dos Palos. Gilbert was involved in 4H and FFA where he raised and showed animals with his brothers. He worked on the family farm until the 1960's and at Eagle Field and then on to custom farming with his father in the Hilmar area.

Eventually, Gilbert worked with Western Farm Service, TRI Farms, and Del Monte Fresh Produce. He became a melon growing and harvesting specialist, and a well-respected Pest Control Advisor. Gilbert retired in 2009 and continued with agricultural consulting part-time.

In the Dos Palos/Firebaugh area, Gilbert met Carol Cunha, the love of his life, and they married in November of 1973. Two years later, they made their home in Firebaugh, where they raised their children and attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Gilbert was an active member and served on the church finance council and the bereavement committee.

Gilbert gave back to his community and served on the City of Firebaugh/School District Community Recreation Commission and acted as President of the local Lions Club. He was also a member of the Firebaugh Service Club, Knights of Columbus and Firebaugh Rotary Club. He volunteered for countless local community activities and was always ready to assist. Another passion he displayed for over 37 years was his role as School Board Member and President of the Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District Board. He was also a delegate to the California School Boards Association and an Executive Board Member for the Fresno County Trustees association.

Gilbert helped to establish the Westside Institute of Technology which provided invaluable job training to local youth. He developed the Firebaugh High School Ag Department Almond Orchard, farming it with the staff and youth of the community. He could always be seen working the Orchard and serving his community.

Gilbert is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Carol; three children, five grandchildren, three siblings, five in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Gilbert Frank Coelho. May he be remembered as an inspiration for all who knew him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Darrell Fonseca who is retiring after 32 years as the City Manager of Dos Palos, California. Darrell Fonseca is currently the State of California's longest serving City Manager in a single city.

Born and raised in Dos Palos, Darrell Fonseca graduated from Dos Palos High School and attended Fresno State. After obtaining a minor in Philosophy and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Darrell Fonseca went on to University of California Berkely, and received a Management of Water certificate, and graduated from Cal's Goldman School of Public Policy in Strategic Management of Public Organizations.

Darrell was a part of successful political campaigns, including the ``Great Speakership War''. One of his employees was a college student who later became President Barack Obama. He served as a floor manager at the National Convention for Gary Hart and was a key player in Hart's California primary campaign for president. At 28 years old, he was elected as a Delegate from the 15th Congressional District. Darrell knows how to work in many governmental positions. He was an intern for State Senator George Zenovich, a Legislative Assistant to then Assemblyman and future Congressman Jim Costa, an Associate Consultant to the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, Chief Consultant to the Select Committee on Energy & Agriculture, Assistant to the Majority Whip, and Administrator to Congressman Richard Lehman. Fonseca also worked for the Fresno

County Board of Supervisors, was interim Executive Director of the Fresno County and City Chamber of Commerce.

After the passing of his first wife at the age of 24 due to cancer, Fonseca moved back to Dos Palos to care for his parents. During that time, he served on the Economic Development Commission, and met the future Mayor, Ron Skinner, who encouraged him to apply for city manager and a new chapter in his life began. This decision led him as the city's 7th City Manager, its 14th CEO, 14th Police Commissioner, and the 15th City Clerk. As City Manager, Darrell worked with 10 mayors and 32 councilmembers.

He attributes his success to having a hard working and knowledgeable staff and by listening to their advice. Darrell has helped with the emergency services for nearby schools, Measure V, transportation improvements, paying off debts, helped in building a new water plant, and more. During his free time, Darrell spends time with his wife Maria. Together, they have three children, 8 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandson, and hosted a foreign exchange student from Ukraine.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Darrell Fonseca in his retirement after 32 years as the City Manager of Dos Palos, California and among California's 482 cities, currently holds the title as the State of California's longest serving city manager in a single city.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Jim A. Yovino. This year will mark Jim's ninth year as Superintendent.

Jim was born and raised in Fresno and graduated from Fresno City College and Fresno State University with his BA and teaching credential. He later received his Master of Arts in Education from Fresno Pacific University clearly indicating his passion for education.

Over the next twenty years, Jim held positions in Fresno, Dinuba, Central, and Clovis Unified School districts ranging from coach, administrator, assistant superintendent, teacher, and principal. Jim was the Assistant Superintendent of the Human Resource Department over- seeing 1,400 employees and the direct supervision of the secondary schools. In 2006 Jim became Deputy Superintendent of Schools, an office he served in until 2013 when he was elected Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. Jim focuses on advocacy for career technical education, and addressing poverty, intervention, homelessness, civility, and early education. Jim led the Servant Leadership program, a mentoring service for at-risk youth. He opened the Kids Cafe and the Lighthouse for Children Center in downtown Fresno, two institutions which provide skills training, special education, and child development services.

Jim is a member of the California Partnership Board for the San Joaquin Valley, Cradle to Career Board, Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame Board, Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, Fresno Rotary, Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Halo Cafe Pet Food Pantry, El Concilio, Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fresno Kremen Noted Alumni, Fresno State Health and Human Services Dean's Council of Ambassadors, Bonner Center for Character Education and Citizenship, Maddy Institute, Fresno States President's Commission on Teacher Education, Central Valley Promise, Foundation for the Fresno County Office of Education, Fresno Area Compact, and California County Superintendents Educational Services Association.

For 25 years The Fresno Compact has recognized individuals and business partners for their support of local schools. The Fresno Compact awarded Jim Yovino their 2022 Harold Haak Award for Leadership and Establishing Partnerships. His work in the community and impacts he has made through education is evident. Jim manages over 1,500 employees and an organizational budget that serves around 205,500 Fresno County students across 32 school districts and over 345 schools.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his receipt of the 2022 Harold Haak Award. Jim A. Yovino's tremendous contributions to the culture, community, and education system of Fresno County deserve the highest praise and recognition as he continues to serve the Valley and its community.

Madam Speaker, gun violence, as we know, is plaguing our Nation. In 2022, this year, there have already been 200 mass shootings in the United States. Think about that. It is absolutely horrific.

We ask ourselves, when is enough enough?

Our constituents across the country ask us, how many more innocent people must die before any reasonable, commonsense gun reform legislation can pass and add more protection for the American public?

Let's pass the Protecting Our Kids Act, which raises the purchasing age for semiautomatic weapons from 18 to 21, a commonsense idea. Let's also deal with the subject of ghost gun purchases and background checks. Again, commonsense ideas, and cracks down on gun trafficking and straw purchases.

If the combination of the Protecting Our Kids Act is something that you might find objectionable in some instance, we have individual pieces of legislation, resources for victims of gun violence, bipartisan background checks, assault weapons ban, legislation that would also go further to provide protection in condemning the horrific shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, and dealing with hate, bigotry, and violence against Asian-American and Pacific-Islander communities.

We also have legislation that would designate June 4th National Gun Violence Awareness Day. There is legislation that deals with disarming of hate, and to try to provide extreme risk protection for Federal firearms sales to include those who are subject to extreme risk protection that we know red-flag legislation would help protect us against.

So, there are a lot of things we can do. Will we totally eliminate the threats to the public? Of course not.

But there are commonsense ideas we can do to improve and increase safety for our schools, for our churches, and for people who are just going to shop for groceries one afternoon. These are things we can do, and we should do.

As chair of the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, I am advocating for resources for survivors of gun violence to cope with their trauma, whether it be in Sacramento or Fresno or anywhere else around this country.

I support the Second Amendment for responsible gun ownership. Let that be clear. But America deserves better, and I call on all House Members to join me in this effort. Let's put partisanship aside and take action to address the gun epidemic once and for all.

Madam Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Madam Speaker, I rise today also to celebrate Dia de Portugal, which is a significant holiday for Portuguese people all over the world.

My grandparents came to the United States from the Azore Islands in the late 19th century and the turn of the 20th century, 1897 to 1904. Illiterate, non-English speaking, like immigrants past and immigrants present, coming to America to have a better life for themselves. But they never, ever left their pride of their home country, Portugal, or their sense of culture, which lives in me today.

Portugal is one of America's longest and strongest allies, as it was the first to recognize the United States as an independent Nation after the Revolutionary War.

I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the AMIGOS Act, introduced by our colleague and Congressman David Cicilline. It would create more American jobs and increase investment in the United States by strengthening our bonds with Portugal. As the co-chair of the Portuguese Caucus, I think it is important that we continue to build on this relationship and the trade that already exists today.

I urge the Senate to pass this bipartisan legislation and, again, we will continue to work with other colleagues of ours who are part of our Portuguese-American Caucus to continue to advocate for mutual interests, not only for Portugal but for the United States and the Portuguese-American community.

``Happy Portugal Day.'' ``Feliz Dia de Portugal.''

Let us celebrate and let us remember that America is a stronger country because of our welcoming of immigrants past and present, and this is a part of that recognition.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the increased cost of building materials, creating an affordability crisis for housing in America.

This is, in part, because the COVID-19 pandemic has played a significant role in harming our country's supply of lumber and building materials. In addition, tariffs with Canada, along with long-term reductions of domestic timber harvesting, have exacerbated the price increases.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, prices of materials to build houses, like oriented strand boards, are up more than 400 percent since last spring. The average price of lumber has quadrupled.

This supply cost has increased the price of a new house, a new single-family home, by nearly $40,000 per unit.

I urge Congress and the Biden administration to take action to address the lumber supply chain, such as increasing domestic harvesting of timber and negotiating new lumber agreements with Canada. This is a way we can effectively reduce the cost of housing. We need to build more housing.

Madam Speaker, we have all seen the horrific images coming out of the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and the surrounding areas, where hundreds of civilians have been killed, left lying in the street by Russian forces.

Bucha residents have recounted watching their family members being raped or shot right in front of them by the Russian forces, but we know this horrific brutality is occurring throughout Ukraine in every region where the Russian Army is positioned.

It is difficult to find words to express the unacceptable brutality that the photos and videos from Bucha have laid evidence of. Russian President Vladimir Putin has cemented himself in history as an evil war criminal.

I would like to use the remainder of my time for a brief moment of silence

to remember these victims and their families in Bucha and across Ukraine, realizing that historically, in this 21st century, this is the test of our time, and the world is watching.

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by taking a moment to remember one of my constituents who lived an extraordinary life, Major Nhia Long Vang, who recently passed away.

Major Vang was a longtime leader in the Fresno Hmong community and bravely served alongside American soldiers in Laos during the Vietnam war. This conflict also is known as the secret war in Laos. Major Vang was recruited at the age of 19 by the Central Intelligence Agency to serve in the Special Guerilla Unit, otherwise known as the SGU, during the secret war to help the U.S. fight against the North Vietnamese Communist Army and the Pathet Lao Communist troops.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Major Vang led intelligence missions on the Ho Chi Minh Trail to gather surveillance on the Communist forces. He also oversaw missions that rescued American pilots during the Vietnam war when their planes were shot down.

By 1980, Major Vang's family received asylum to come to the United States, where he would settle in Fresno in 1983. Once in the United States, Major Vang worked tirelessly to support the families of soldiers whom the secret war in Laos impacted.

Major Vang was a leader and advisor to organizations like the Lao Veterans of America and the Special Guerilla Units Veterans and Families. Major Vang was also instrumental and a partner in helping my efforts to secure burial rights in national cemeteries and other benefits for Special Guerilla Unit veterans who fought alongside with American soldiers.

It has been an honor in my career to get to know a hero like Major Vang and work with him as an advocate for the SGU veterans and get them the recognition they so deserve.

Women's History Month

Mr. Speaker, I want to turn now to recognize Women's History Month. While it is the end of March now, we so honor always the contributions that women make in our country and in our valley. Across the world they make a difference every day, as we know.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize just some of the so many talented and incredible women that I interact with and I get a chance to work with:

Dora Westerlund is president and CEO of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. Dora has changed the lives of more than 15,000 Hispanic and non-Hispanic-owned businesses to become economically self-sufficient and add to the vibrancy of our economy in the San Joaquin Valley.

Sara Bosse serves as the public health director for Madera County. During this pandemic she has been incredibly responsive and led the county's response to combat COVID-19 by expanding testing, vaccinations, and managing the outbreaks in Madera County.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize Gammelah Mohammed of Merced who founded the Merced County Freedom Coalition, which fosters collaboration between law enforcement, government agencies, and other community partners in the fight against human trafficking. As co-chair of the Victims Rights Caucus, I know her efforts are very important. She has provided essential resources to support survivors and victims of crime.

America's Supply Chain Issues

Mr. Speaker, I now want to turn to an important issue that is affecting our economy, and that is the supply chain issue. Congress can take effective action by cracking down on foreign-owned shipping companies that have monopolized the industry and that are creating inflationary pressures.

My bill, the Ocean Shipping Antitrust Enforcement Act, subjects foreign-owned ocean shipping carriers to American antitrust law, as they should be. This builds on provisions in the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that Representative Garamendi and I and others are supporting that has already passed the House.

Together, these pieces of legislation protect American exporters from unfair trade practices like container rate increases, sudden change in shipping schedules, unreasonable fees by shipping companies, and ships leaving ports with empty containers after they have offloaded their goods here in America.

Agricultural producers in California are suffering. A University of California study found that in the fall of 2021, an empty container leaving California ports hit almost 80 percent, pre-pandemic it was about 30 percent. This is an unfair trade practice.

President Biden said in this very Chamber during the State of the Union--on the topic of ocean shipping reform--that capitalism without competition is exploitation. It is. We must answer the President's call to get this meaningful ocean shipping reform legislation to his desk.

God Bless Ukraine

Mr. Speaker, let me close by saying, God bless the people of Ukraine and the suffering during this horrific war taken on by the pariah Putin, who is a war criminal and must be punished for it. God bless them.

Madam Speaker, as Vladimir Putin attempts to drape the Iron Curtain over Russia once again, I stress the importance of working together with our European allies to support Ukraine's sovereignty and democracies around the world. Make no mistake about it: This is the test of our time.

As the co-chair of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, I work closely with my European Co-Chair Radoslaw ``Radek'' Sikorski. Congress and the European Parliament have taken steps to deal with this pariah Putin.

Congress passed $13.6 billion last week for Ukraine, which provides support for humanitarian aid, military assistance, and economic resolve. American allies, such as Poland and other European countries, are doing a great deal to deal with the refugee problem.

President Biden separately provided an additional $800 million for Stinger missiles and other anti-aircraft, anti-armor weapons to help the valiant, brave Ukrainians. Members of the European Parliament have also done their part with another $500 million in assistance.

NATO, today, is stronger than at any time since the Cold War. But there is much more work ahead of us. We must continue to unite the front against Vladimir Putin with our European allies.

As President Zelenskyy reminded us: The cost of freedom is not free.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the thirty-fourth anniversary of the Sumgait pogroms, which is known as one of the most violent anti-Armenian massacres orchestrated by Azerbaijan.

In February of 1988, the Armenian people of Nagorno Karabakh, more commonly known by its people and descendants as Artsakh, rose in peaceful protest to demand their right to self-determination. On February 27, 1988, civilians were subjected to violent riots and massacres, which lasted for three days. Many innocent civilians were injured, killed, and tortured; some managed to escape and survive while coping with the catastrophe they survived.

Unfazed by their oppression, the Armenian community remained strong and dedicated to preserving their self-determination toward a free- democratic country, that would finally end their rule under the Soviet Union. The courage demonstrated by the people of Artsakh must never be forgotten.

Human rights violations cannot be ignored, and we must learn from our experiences to ensure basic human rights across the globe. In 2020, we saw the Azerbaijani government capture 25 Armenian soldiers and held them as prisoners of war. The fate of one prisoner remains unknown as of this date. The Azerbaijani government must be held accountable for its violent aggression against the Armenian people.

Today, the people of Artsakh continue to demonstrate strength and unity as they strive towards creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their sovereignty. As lawmakers, it's imperative that Congress continues to work with our counterparts to support a free, prosperous, and secure Armenia and hold Azerbaijan accountable.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the thousands of Armenian Americans living in my congressional district, I ask my colleagues to stand with the people of Artsakh in remembering the lives lost during this tragic event. May their memory serve as a reminder for each one of us to continue advocating for human rights and democracy around the globe.

Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on behalf of the America COMPETES Act of 2022, which makes a critical $45 billion investment in supply chain resiliency--critical.

Farmers in my district have suffered from a backlog seen in American ports and harbors. The California Farm Bureau estimates that in a 4- month period last year, California agriculture exports fell by $2 billion--important and significant.

Food, I believe, is a national security issue. This supply chain crisis hurts farmers and only increases food insecurity and prices for those in need; i.e., the American consumer.

That is why I am cosponsoring an amendment in the COMPETES Act that requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Assistant Secretary of supply chain resilience and crisis response to monitor food and agriculture supply chains and provide Congress with their findings so that we can protect and improve our critical supply chain in this country.

Our country must ensure that we have safeguards in place to keep our supply chains strong, which contributes to success on the global economic stage.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a champion for democracy, David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, who passed away earlier this week.

President Sassoli was a respected leader of conviction and principle; a distinguished Italian journalist-turned-public-servant dedicated to his service to helping vulnerable women, homelessness, individuals and the rights of refugees.

Sassoli was a symbol of balance and generosity to Europe. His leadership and commitment to social justice will not be forgotten. He will be remembered as a stalwart defender of the shared European and American values of human rights, the rule of law, and equality.

I send my deepest condolences, as I know Members of the House do, to the people of the European Union. And my thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I rise to discuss the surge in the coronavirus cases that Americans are struggling with. Part of that is the access to COVID tests. Many are waiting in long lines to get PCR tests and 2 to 3 days to receive their results. We should and can do better.

Households cannot find rapid tests in stores and wait weeks in line for online orders.

In Fresno County, which I represent, the demand for testing has increased 30 percent in the last several weeks.

We must expand testing. I call on the administration to prioritize our testing systems. Access to testing and timely results are critical to determine if someone is infected with COVID-19 and enables them to take steps to avoid spreading it to others. It is that simple.

It is vital that every American has access to the rapid test at no cost. It is critical for our economic recovery.

At this stage, no one should have to wait long hours or pay a single dime for same-day results. We can and we should do better.

We are not out of the woods yet. We can end this pandemic through robust testing and getting vaccinated. That is what we must do.