Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Presiding Judge Steven R. Sanders for his legal career spanning 37 years as well as his nearly 34 years in public service. His professional accomplishments and leadership in the community of San Benito County have greatly improved the lives of those living on the central coast of California, and I congratulate him on his retirement.

Judge Sanders is a Salinas native and has always felt he had an affinity for advocacy. This affinity would motivate Judge Sanders to put himself through college, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications at the University of California, Davis. After graduation, he attended the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law while working as a clerk at a Sacramento law firm. Judge Sanders said that the law was a natural direction for him to take.

Upon returning to the Central Coast, Judge Sanders became a member of the San Benito County Counsel from 1987 to 2000, including six months as County Administrative Officer. He later became a Superior Court Judge from 2001 to 2021, which included 10 years as Presiding Judge. During his 20 years on the bench, Judge Sanders integrated a consolidated jury trial schedule to improve efficiency, founded a drug calendar for DEJP and Prop 36, created a library literacy program for the children of felony probationers to reduce recidivism, served as the Juvenile Dependency Court Judge for 14 years, and was a Professor of Law at Monterey College of Law for over 10 years where he taught Civil Procedure. Further, he established in-chambers discussion to manage increasing caseload, designed vertically integrated calendars, and formed collaborative courts including Drug Court, Behavioral Health Court, and Parental Responsibility and Truancy Court. In addition, Judge Sanders presided over the approval and construction of a new courthouse and the Veteran's Diversion and Mental Health Diversion calendars.

Judge Sanders recently stated, ``I am proud of the fact that the Superior Court has continued to increase the public's access to justice, while maintaining the highest standards of fairness and impartiality to all. I am honored to have served all the people of San Benito County.'' We, on the Central Coast, are grateful for Judge Sanders' dedication to justice and his service to San Benito County. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring and congratulating Presiding Judge Steven R. Sanders on his retirement.

Madam Speaker, a week ago was the culmination of carnage caused to our country by this President. Four years ago, he said he would stop such devastation. Instead, the President has continued to debase our democracy with assaults on our elections and incitement at the Ellipse and the battery at our Capitol.

American exceptionalism is not guaranteed; we must always work to grow it. That includes our work today to hold President Trump accountable. American carnage started with this President. A vote for impeachment will stop it for our posterity.

Mr. Speaker, on January 7 at 4 a.m., I was right outside those doors where, 14 hours earlier, a rioter was shot as she violently tried to enter this Chamber.

It was in that early morning and at that location that I had a brief conversation with Vice President Mike Pence right after we finished certifying the electoral college.

I was proud that we did our job that morning despite the violence we experienced earlier that day, but I knew that was not enough because of the seditious actions by President Trump before that riot and his inaction during that riot. So I said to the Vice President, ``It's up to you to keep us safe.''

Tonight, with the President still in office, I am beyond asking; I am legislating to compel the Vice President to convene the Cabinet, to conclude that the President is not just unable but, clearly, he is unwilling and unworthy to discharge his duties.

So, through this legislation, I ask my colleagues to call on the Vice President to invoke the 25th Amendment, yes, to keep us safe and keep this Nation secure.

Mr. Chair, today, I rise in support of an amendment to the underlying bill, the National Defense Authorization Act.

The NDAA is a bill that articulates our defense priorities and secures our national interests. I am very, very proud and thankful to Chairman Smith and committee staff to have incorporated a number of provisions into this bill. Of particular importance, I am honored to have included a provision that improves privatized military housing.

I think all of us can agree that it is imperative that the Department of Defense develop a holistic solution to remedy systemic privatized military housing issues and empower servicemembers and their families.

I saw this need firsthand in my district while engaging with servicemember constituents throughout this past year. That is why I offered legislation that was included in the NDAA that enhanced transparency, communication, and accountability standards.

The core elements of this bill, the Better Military Housing Act, included a tenant bill of rights, housing advocacy, and an improved work order system.

This amendment that I am speaking about today adds two additional important provisions.

First, it authorizes an additional $5 million for new military housing construction, utilizing the Army's high-performance and healthy living All-American Abode design.

Second, it requires the Department of Defense to provide an accounting for the legal services available to servicemembers harmed by health or environmental hazards while living in privatized military housing.

We must continue to prioritize the health and safety and the lifestyles of our servicemembers and their families. They serve us. Let's continue to serve them.

I thank Chairman Smith, the committee, the professional staff, and my colleagues for their support on my amendments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Aromas Water District as they celebrate their 60th anniversary. For 60 years, the Aromas Water District has dedicated itself to the enrichment of our community on the central coast of California by serving the water needs of the greater Aromas area.

The Aromas Water District was established on July 24, 1959 by a Resolution of the State of California, Office of the Secretary of State. It was formed as a County Water District and ultimately became a California Multi-County Special District. Originally there was one well, one storage tank and a small distribution system serving less than 150 parcels. In the past 60 years, the District has grown to serve our expanding community and now serves approximately 3,000 people on over 900 parcels, utilizing three wells, 35 miles of distribution system, and nine storage sites with over 1,200,000 gallons of water storage and fire protection.

The District is governed by an elected five-member, at large, board of directors. Community members serving on the Board of Directors of the Aromas Water District have helped successfully usher in the latest improvements in their treatment plants, like the removal of iron and manganese from the water source. The rigorous water testing is conducted under the oversight of the State Water Resources Control board and successfully meets all health and safety standards.

I am proud to say that the District is continually striving to educate our community on the benefits of water conservation and aquifer protection. One of the ways they accomplish this goal is by maintaining a drought-tolerant demonstration garden at the District's office. Visitors from the local community are shown how drip irrigation reduces water loss and permeable gravel paths encourage groundwater recharge and rain water catchment, all while achieving this without the use of herbicides or pesticides. This garden is in downtown Aromas and is open and easily accessible to the public year-round.

The District is proud to have consistently served high-quality water to customers in both Monterey and San Benito counties for the last 60 years, as well as moving forward into the future. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the Aromas Water District for their service to the Central Coast on the occasion of their 60th Anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Captain Greg Hansen, who has given over four decades of altruistic and indispensable service to the central coast of California. Working as a firefighter in Aptos, California from 1980, and acting as Fire Captain for Aptos since 1990, Mr. Hansen has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to public safety over the course of his prolific career, now ending with his retirement from Fire Captain position.

Since he began his career as a firefighter in 1977, Mr. Hansen has worked tirelessly to ensure public safety. Not only has Mr. Hansen continued to respond to the public's fire safety issues with bravery and urgency, he has also worked to better the community he serves through education and outreach, such as his provision of CPR training for middle school students. Through this ability to combine efficient public protection with significant public engagement, he has fostered an admirable commitment to public safety in his community and effectively utilized his position as Fire Captain to ensure the wellbeing of his neighbors.

Throughout his career, Mr. Hansen's outstanding contributions have earned him many accolades, including the VFW's Firefighter of the Year on three occasions, Man of the Year from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, California State Assembly, and California State Senate on four occasions, and the Congressional Award from the United States Congress. He was also honored with the National Gold Medal Award as EMT of the Year for directly saving the life of an injured young man.

Now, Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the dedication and incredible service of Greg Hansen. I ask my distinguished colleagues to join in me in thanking him and all that he has done for our community.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for this opportunity.

I rise today in support of the funding in this appropriations bill for flood and storm damage reduction in economically disadvantaged areas.

Included in this bill, thank goodness, is $15 million for Army Corps of Engineers projects in communities that have previously experienced devastating floods and where the per capita income is less than half of the State and national averages.

This type of funding, as we can tell, is critical for economically disadvantaged communities across our country to not only recover from, but prevent, destructive and deadly floods.

One of these areas is the Pajaro Valley in my district on the central coast of California, an area where flooding has consistently hit it for the past 25 years and caused millions of dollars of damage to the surrounding agriculture crops. But it has also displaced hundreds and hundreds of residents, many of whom work in those fields.

That is why this bill is very important, because it can provide important funding for projects that protect the people who need it the most, for businesses that need it the most, in my community and in communities all across this country.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this funding bill, and I thank Chairwoman Kaptur for this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Walter Tribley for his distinguished service as the President of Monterey Peninsula College (MPC). Dr. Tribley served as President of MPC from 2012 to 2019 and will assume the position of President of Northern Wyoming Community College District this Fall. Dr. Tribley has had a profound impact on MPC, its students and our community on the central coast of California, and I am grateful for his contributions.

Under Dr. Tribley's leadership as President, MPC became a model for other colleges and universities to emulate. His efforts have contributed to a diverse learning environment where all students have the opportunity to reach their educational goals. In the 2008-2009 academic year, Hispanic and Latino students made up less than 20 percent of MPC's total student body. Less than decade later, that number doubled to more accurately represent the population of the Central Coast. Furthermore, the number of total young people between the ages of 18 and 24 enrolling in higher education at MPC has risen significantly during Dr. Tribley's tenure.

Many positive changes to MPC are a result of Dr. Tribley's ability to articulate a strong vision and implement tangible and innovative policies. Examples of these forward-thinking approaches include the establishment of dual enrollment programs for local high school students and offering free tuition to first year students. Dr. Tribley was also instrumental in MPC's College Incentive Program and acquiring the Title V Developing Hispanic-Surviving Institutions Grant for a transfer and degree completion initiative titled ``Ready, Set, Transfer.'' Both programs aim to expand access to higher education and increase success rates among underserved students. Dr. Tribley also demonstrated his financial management skills by reducing unnecessary spending and being a responsible steward of public funds.

Dr. Tribley's service is not limited to MPC. He serves in a number of advisory rules, including his membership on the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium, the Monterey County Workforce Investment Board, the Monterey County Children's Council, and the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation. While our community will certainly miss Dr. Tribley's presence, I am confident that he will continue to find success and purpose in his future undertakings.

Dr. Walter Tribley embodies the meaning of a community leader and has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on community prosperity and education on the Central Coast. Madam Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues please join me in thanking Dr. Tribley for his significant contributions and wishing him success in his new position as President of Northern Wyoming Community College District.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Lofgren for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, but more importantly, for Dreamers and TPS recipients in my community and all across our country.

As the Representative for the central coast of California, this bill will affect not just the lives of Dreamers and TPS recipients, but the lives of people throughout our communities.

In my district, there are nearly 20,000 Dreamers and thousands and thousands of Salvadorian TPS recipients. These are men and women who don't just live in my district; they work there; they go to school there; they own homes there; they have families there. They are our loved ones; they are our friends; they are our neighbors; they are our employees. They are our community. They are our country.

As the grandson of immigrants who grew up in this Nation of immigrants, I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, the Dreamers and TPS recipients in my community are filled with the spirit of this country. They don't just want to stay here; they want to contribute here. They want to give back to this community and country that has given them so much. They understand, they value, they yearn to fulfill their obligations as Americans in this democracy.

Mr. Speaker, let's fulfill our obligation in Congress. Let's do our job for our communities by giving our Dreamers, our TPS recipients that opportunity for our country.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Woodall for his advocacy as well as his oratory skills.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I want to talk about the SECURE Act and obviously the work that we did in the Ways and Means Committee in regard to not only H.R. 1994 but, more particular, a certain part of that bipartisan legislation that helps home healthcare workers save for their retirement. That would include the over 375,000 home healthcare workers in my home State of California.

Madam Speaker, we know that home healthcare is usually less expensive. It is more convenient and, most times, just as effective as the care people receive in a hospital or in a skilled nursing facility.

Home healthcare workers not only provide critical services for seniors and those with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities, but they also ensure that our loved ones with special needs are able to live their lives in a dignified manner.

That dignity, that skill, and that care, I can tell you, is something that I experienced firsthand throughout my childhood when my grandmother suffered a debilitating stroke and had to live with us. We took her in realizing that the effects of her stroke were permanent. That is when my family decided to ensure that she had appropriate home healthcare, not just the family but with full-time home healthcare workers.

With both my parents working full-time, we were forced--but, yes, we were also fortunate--to hire home healthcare workers, people who actually came into our home, took care of my grandmother, and allowed her to live a life with dignity and with the care necessary to enjoy the latter years of her life.

However, and unfortunately, right now under the current Federal Internal Revenue Code, home healthcare providers like those who cared for my grandmother are not able to participate in a retirement plan or save in an IRA. If you are a home healthcare worker in California who works in and helps out families, then you would be ineligible to participate in the CalSavers retirement program due to the current Federal law.

That is why this bill is so important, because it would allow home healthcare workers to contribute to a defined contribution plan or IRA, giving home healthcare workers the ability to save and prepare for their own retirement.

These healthcare workers give our family members dignity. This is the least that we can do for home healthcare workers so that they can retire with dignity.

That is what this bill does. That is one of the reasons why, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I did vote for this bill. It is also why I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the retiring Chancellor of University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), George Blumenthal, for his 47 years of service to our community on the central coast of California. His leadership has touched the lives of many, and I am honored to acknowledge this legacy.

Chancellor Blumenthal's record in education has shown him to be a distinguished professor, researcher, and leader to all on the UCSC campus. He first joined the Astronomy and Astrophysics Department at UCSC in 1972 and was appointed as Chancellor of the university in 2007. Committed to expanding his involvement in public service, Chancellor Blumenthal has also served on multiple governing boards in California, including the California Association for Research in Astronomy, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership.

Throughout his academic career, Chancellor Blumenthal's work has led to numerous groundbreaking studies and discoveries in our understanding of galaxies and the interactions of celestial bodies. His work has transformed knowledge of concepts once seen only as science fiction, including the function and behavior of dark matter and how it plays a role in the shaping of the universe. His contributions cannot be overstated.

A natural leader, Chancellor Blumenthal has garnered praise from his associates, coworkers, and students. This past year, Santa Cruz Mayor, Martine Watkins, declared May 9th to be ``George Blumenthal Day'' in the city of Santa Cruz as an annual recognition of his scholarly and governing efforts. Chancellor Blumenthal's decades of service make him more than worthy of such an honor. As he celebrates his retirement, I am proud to commend Chancellor Blumenthal on his invaluable work as an academic leader for the past four decades. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Central Coast, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Chancellor Blumenthal for his contribution to our community and wishing him a long and healthy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chef Estevan Jimenez for his exemplary community service on the central coast of California. Chef Jimenez's important work with at-risk youth at Ranch Cielo has had a lasting impact on the community and continues to inspire young people to pursue careers in the culinary arts. Recently awarded the 2019 Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation's Monterey Bay Chapter, Chef Jimenez exemplifies the very best of the Central Coast.

Chef Jimenez attended the California School of Culinary Arts' Le Cordon Bleu program. He moved to Monterey shortly after graduating to work as a chef for Bon Appetit Management, handling the restaurants and events for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Always exuding professionalism and expertise, Chef Jimenez was promoted in 2007 and eventually moved on to the position of executive sous chef at the Ventana Inn in Big Sur. He then returned to the Monterey Peninsula to work for Aqua Terra Culinary and eventually Rancho Cielo's Drummond Culinary Academy. Over the years, Chef Jimenez has blazed a fiery trail in the culinary industry and has always promoted excellence and encouragement.

As executive chef of the Drummond Culinary Academy, Mr. Jimenez oversees all of the culinary education programs and acts as a mentor to underserved and disconnected youth to provide a path for a brighter future. Chef Jimenez has also volunteered his time for a variety of fundraising causes throughout Monterey County including the United Way, Salinas Rotary, Kinship Center, ASPCA, Meals on Wheels, Artichoke Festival, and Community Christmas Dinner of Monterey. Utilizing his culinary talents, Chef Jimenez has mentored and prepared our community throughout his career.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the incredible community service of the American Culinary Federation's Monterey Bay Chapter 2019 Chef of the Year, Chef Estevan Jimenez, for his tremendous contributions to California's 20th Congressional District. I ask my distinguished colleagues to join in me in thanking him for all that he has done for our community on the Central Coast and congratulating him on this prestigious award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. James Bogart for his decades of service to the central coast of California with the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. Through his decades of serving agricultural producers on the Central Coast, Mr. Bogart leaves an indelible legacy in our community.

Mr. Bogart joined the Grower-Shipper Vegetable Association on November 3, 1980 as a Staff Attorney. In 1998, began his leadership role by serving as President and General Counsel for what would later be re-named the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, where he has helped lead the Association and its members on many issues in the Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. He is the longest serving president of the Grower-Shipper Association and is a highly respected advocate for agriculture.

Mr. Bogart has been a prominent leader in agriculture and his community all of his professional life. His community activities include service on several boards of directors, including but not limited to the Community Foundation of Monterey County, Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce (Chairman of the Board), California Bar Association (Agribusiness Committee), Monterey County Bar Association (Labor Committee), Ag Against Hunger (Founding Director), Monterey County Agricultural Education (Founding Director), Grower-Shipper Association Foundation (Co-Founder and Incorporator), ``AgKnowledge'' Executive Leadership and Education Program (Past President and Founding Director), Hartnell College Ag Steering Committee (Founder and Past Chairman), Spreckels Union School District Board of Trustees, Monterey County Legal Services (Founding Director), Community Homeless Solutions (Past Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors), and the Salinas Valley Chapter of the American Cancer Society (Past President).

Mr. Bogart takes pride in the growth of the Grower-Shipper Association in both membership and in their leadership. Through the AgKnowledge program, he has focused efforts to educating community stakeholders in the importance of the produce industry. Mr. Bogart has been tenacious in working on issues that impact the produce industry, including labor relations, water, food safety, and crop protection tools. He has led by example and worked to build relationships with individuals on all sides of an issue by emphasizing work to identify common ground. He is well known for entertaining all with his good sense of humor.

Mr. James Bogart exemplifies what it means to be a conscientious and engaged citizen of the Central Coast. In retirement, Mr. Bogart will be cheering on his beloved alma mater, the University of Southern California, and enjoying life with his wife, Janis; two stepsons, David and Aaron; and his grandchildren. Madam Speaker, the agricultural community on the Central Coast will miss Mr. Bogart, and I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him a long and fulfilling retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Moncovich family for their commitment to philanthropy to empowering their community and bettering the lives of others through the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue. Mr. John Moncovich founded the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue in Watsonville, California 60 years ago, and his son, Mr. Bill Moncovich, has chaired the event since his father's passing in 1972. Since its inception, the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue has been a celebration of family, friends, and the fight against cancer on the central coast of California.

In May of 1959, John Moncovich held the very first Original Spring Lamb Barbecue. The Original Spring Lamb Barbecue started as a simple gathering among friends to collect donations for charity. Held annually, it has evolved into a beloved community event benefiting the American Cancer Society. Volunteers from a local produce company, California Giant Berry Farms, and agriculture industry members from the Pajaro Valley commit their time and energy each year to make the event a memorable one. Live music, family friendly activities, and a horseshoe tournament make this a community event for culture and fun, all while benefitting families who have been affected by cancer.

The Original Spring Lamb Barbecue is the oldest consecutively held fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in the United States and has been recognized as such by the charity. Ten years ago, the organization congratulated the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue for raising over $1 million worth of cumulative proceeds. This year, the event will celebrate its diamond anniversary for 60 years of outstanding community leadership and fundraising efforts for cancer research.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the dedication and commitment to cancer prevention and community service that John and Bill Moncovich and the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue have provided to the Central Coast. We are fortunate to have such a longstanding tradition of community fundraising organized every year by the Moncovich family and California Giant Berry Farms. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the Moncovich family and the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as they celebrate their 20th Snapshot Day. This annual event brings volunteers together at over 250 sampling sites on the central coast of California as they collect valuable data on the water quality of the watersheds that drain into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The first Snapshot Day was organized in 2000 when the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary collaborated with the Coastal Watershed Council and the Center for Marine Conservation to organize a volunteer effort to better understand land-based sources of ocean pollution in the sanctuary. With a better understanding of the sources of pollution from the 10 watersheds directly connected to the sanctuary, local agencies, stakeholders, and citizens can better protect the water quality along 276 miles of shoreline across four coastal counties that are home to more than 1.8 million residents. These protected waters support a wealth of biological diversity, coastal scenery, and recreational and business opportunities.

Snapshot Day depends on a small army of volunteers who measure bodies of water for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and turbidity and collect samples that

will be tested in a laboratory for nutrients and bacteria levels. These assessments test the overall health of the water as well as any threats to aquatic organisms, fish, and humans. Through this work, volunteers become environmental stewards and ambassadors for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and local watersheds. Since 2000, a total of 3,783 volunteers have donated 18,915 hours of their time to monitor any of the Snapshot Day sites.

Since its beginning in 2000, Snapshot Day has shown how engaged volunteers can make a critical impact in their community. Madam Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as they celebrate their 20th Snapshot Day.