Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this disastrous, debt-inflating budget resolution. Despite what the majority is saying today, it is a resolution that inflates our debt and deficit. It will hide the cost of tax cuts for billionaires, and it threatens our economy.

Mr. Speaker, it is a resolution that gives the majority a green light to selectively choose the score of a Republican tax cuts bill. It is a resolution that pretends that tax costs nothing. It is a resolution that would do damage to our Nation's finances and add $4.6 trillion to our Nation's debt.

Experts across this political spectrum have called this dishonest, fabricated scorekeeping, and it undermines the point of budget rules.

That is why I introduced an amendment to this resolution so that the Senate uses real estimates to determine its cost.

Instead, they are going to write themselves a blank check to be paid by the American people and to be paid by our children. That is why I oppose this and I ask my colleagues to oppose this resolution, as well.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 1491, the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act, authored and introduced by my friend, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Murphy).

I thank the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for doing an excellent job in summarizing not just the issue but the solution with this bipartisan legislation, for it is this type of legislation that would ensure that tax deadlines remain aligned in disaster zones and that those who have survived natural disasters are not penalized by confusing collection notices or a shortened tax lookback period.

Now, currently, taxpayers have a 3-year lookback period after a filing deadline to claim a refund or missed credits. However, when the IRS extends filing deadlines for those affected by natural disasters, the deadline for the lookback period is not extended. This leads taxpayers, as you can imagine, Mr. Speaker, in disaster areas to lose out on money that they are owed because their lookback period is shorter than expected.

This bill would fix that, by aligning the lookback period with the postponed tax deadline for disaster zones. Additionally, this bill solves the problem of misaligned deadlines and confusing collection notices after a natural disaster.

Since current law requires the IRS to send a notice and demand for payment of tax within 60 days of processing a tax filing, individuals in disaster zones who file early but wait to pay often get confusing notices and demands for payment. These notices are sent long before payment is due and also cause panic and confusion during the difficult task of disaster recovery.

This bill, again, would fix that issue by requiring the IRS to take into account tax deadlines postponed because of disasters when issuing collection notices. It can take years to financially recover from a natural disaster, as many of us in this House have experienced with our constituents. Ensuring

those who are recovering can claim what they are owed and do not have to worry about confusing collection notices is the absolute least that we can do.

This bill is an easy win, and it is the type of policy that makes government work and improves people's lives that we should be focused more on in Congress. This bill is an example of how government should help people. We are providing a plan based on a law that would help the government better serve people, especially in a time of need.

This is why we should come together and support the bipartisan Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act. I urge my colleagues to support this bill that would help our government be better in helping those constituents in times of need all across this country.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to say briefly in closing that, as you have heard, this legislation has tremendous bipartisan support and will remove burdensome processes at the IRS to make government work better for our constituents after a disaster.

I appreciate Mr. Murphy talking about his district in North Carolina and the devastation that his constituents have experienced. In the 19th Congressional District, I am at the edge of the continent as well, on the west side of the continent, all the way across the country from Mr. Murphy's district, but we, too, are at the tip of the spear when it comes to floods, fires, storms, and other natural disasters. That is why I think, as you heard from Mr. Murphy, and I agree, that this is not a partisan issue.

Never should disaster assistance be a partisan issue. This has full bipartisan support because full financial recovery after a natural disaster can take years. Aligning tax deadlines from the IRS is the absolute least that we can do for our constituents who are rebuilding their lives.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank my colleagues, Representative Murphy and Chairman Smith, for their work on this bill, and I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 1491, the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Seaside Police Department Chief Nick Borges and many others for their dedication and doggedness to solve the case called the ``American Nightmare.''

Aptly named, this case started back in 2015 in Vallejo, California, when Matthew Muller broke into the home of Denise and Aaron Quinn, drugged and bound them, and kidnapped Denise. Muller then took Denise to a cabin near Lake Tahoe where he sexually assaulted her and released her 3 days later down in southern California.

Of course, Aaron immediately called the authorities, but the Vallejo Police Department was unable to solve the crime. This is after they interrogated Aaron for hours upon hours, brushing aside his explanation, trying to get him to confess to killing Denise.

Ultimately, after Aaron wouldn't confess to something he didn't do, the detectives accused both Aaron and Denise of faking and lying about the whole thing. The detectives even went as far as putting out a formal statement, calling the whole thing a hoax and that, given the facts that had been presented thus far, this event appeared to be an orchestrated event, not a crime.

Madam Speaker, get this. Around the same time period, Muller committed several more home invasions. He eventually got caught and convicted for those similar crimes. The Vallejo detectives never connected Muller to the kidnapping of Denise.

It was such a sensational story about how the detectives acted and about how Aaron and Denise allegedly concocted a kidnapping that even Netflix came out with a documentary called the ``American Nightmare.'' Madam Speaker, it became one of the most watched docuseries on Netflix.

Fortunately, one of the people who watched that Netflix series was Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges. Chief Borges didn't have anything to do with that case, but after watching the documentary in 2024, he literally reached out to Denise and Aaron. He let them know that even he was disgusted with the way the Vallejo detectives conducted the interviews and that Denise and Aaron had the backing of law enforcement, despite how they were treated.

Chief Borges then decided to meet with the couple, along with Alameda County Detective Misty Carausu and El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson, all of whom felt that the investigation was mishandled. The group then started their own investigation and quickly found that Muller was in custody for similar crimes in the same areas.

Chief Borges then simply and literally reached out to Muller who was in custody on his other similar crimes, and he asked Muller if he would want to talk about the crimes against Aaron and Denise. Madam Speaker, if you can imagine this, Muller responded, and he admitted what he did do to Denise.

Further investigation by the group and getting the FBI involved led authorities to the Lake Tahoe cabin where they found further evidence to corroborate the crimes that Muller committed against Denise and Aaron. Eventually, Muller ended up pleading guilty to those crimes, as well as others that he had committed in the area.

Madam Speaker, as DA Pierson said: This was a very unusual, crazy set of facts. It unfortunately had detectives who didn't believe Aaron and Denise from the start, as well as those who used some outdated investigation and interrogation techniques, that led them down the wrong path.

Fortunately, though, police officers with common sense got involved to help solve this case. Moreover, Denise, Aaron, Chief Borges, and others are now working with law enforcement to change how interrogations are conducted and to ensure that what Aaron and Denise experienced never happens again.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Denise and Aaron for their fortitude, for their resilience, and for their belief in law enforcement. I recognize Seaside Police Chief Borges and the other law enforcement officers who used common sense and their humanity to not only solve this case with a sense of justice but to do what is right in our society.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and, of course, my good friend, Representative Vern Buchanan, an excellent member of the Ways and Means Committee for their work on this bill.

With his work, I rise today to support this legislation, the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act. This is bipartisan, commonsense legislation to allow predeductible health coverage for chronic disease patients with a high deductible health plan, otherwise known as HDHP.

This commonsense legislation, as you heard from the chairman, already passed Congress last session under the leadership of my friends and former colleagues, Brad Wenstrup and Earl Blumenauer. It is common sense mainly because, as you heard from the chairman, chronic disease is so common.

Mr. Speaker, 6 in 10 adult Americans have a chronic disease, which is the leading cause of disabilities in the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of our annual health spending goes to chronic disease and mental health management. While these chronic diseases are common, they are also manageable if we just do everything that we can to improve access to care.

In my 19th Congressional District on the central coast of California, the number one thing I hear about from constituents is access to healthcare or, I should say, the lack of access to healthcare. The one thing that is clear, though, is that insurance doesn't do you much good if you can't use it.

In 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 43 percent of people with employer-based coverage had an HDHP. Moreover, 56 percent of employers offer an HDHP. However, nearly 59 percent of Americans--that is nearly 6 in 10 people--lack $1,000 in savings to handle an emergency expense.

That is exactly why expanding HDHP coverage to offer critical care for some of our most medically vulnerable constituents isn't just the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do.

The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act codifies IRS guidance to expand the safe harbor for high deductible health plans offering predeductible care for chronic conditions. It lets employers offer first-dollar access to care for patients with diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and many more, as the chairman mentioned.

When this IRS guidance was originally issued in 2019, a survey found that 76 percent, or more than three-quarters, of employers expanded predeductible coverage for chronic diseases. Codifying this policy now will save countless lives by helping more patients manage their conditions and stay healthy.

That is why this bill is endorsed by so many, from chronic disease advocates to health benefit groups to small business associations. That is why I recommend my colleagues to vote for the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act.

Again, I thank Congressman Buchanan, and I thank the chairman for bringing this bill forward.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, as you have heard, this legislation has bipartisan support and support from a broad coalition of employers and health stakeholders. I appreciate my colleagues on the other side being so concerned and so focused on this. Let's just hope they have that same concern when it comes to Medicaid and Medicare going forward, especially with the reconciliation package.

They understand, and we understand, that it is critical that we start expanding access to preventative care and chronic care management to stem the tide of chronic disease.

Passing the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act will improve long- term health outcomes, let businesses offer superior health benefits, and strengthen healthcare for everyone.

Once again, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Steven Packer, whose dedication to healthcare has profoundly transformed the well-being of individuals and families across Monterey County. Dr. Packer has served as President and CEO of Montage Health since 1999, spearheading the growth and innovation of this integrated, nonprofit healthcare network. Under his stewardship, Montage Health has evolved from its origins as Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula to become a national model for community-centered healthcare.

Dr. Packer has expanded access to high-quality care for countless residents of California's Central Coast. Through the creation of urgent care clinics, wellness centers, physician practices, community health programs, and Monterey County's first Medicare Advantage program. He prioritized the growth of Monterey County's healthcare workforce, forging partnerships with Monterey Peninsula College and California State University, Monterey Bay, to create career pathways for nursing and physician assistant students. His efforts have resulted in Montage Health's position as the largest private employer in Monterey County and a leading healthcare resource for the region.

Beyond these achievements, Dr. Packer has dedicated his time and expertise to numerous boards and community initiatives. As former chair of the California Hospital Association and a board member of Stevenson School, Vizient West Coast, and NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to both local and industry-wide progress.

I want to commend Dr. Packer's legacy of leadership, innovation, and compassion, as he retires from his role as President and CEO of Montage Health. His contributions extend far beyond bricks and mortar; they embody a deep compassion and unwavering dedication to improving lives. From his early days as a pulmonologist and ICU medical director, to his role as a visionary CEO, Dr. Packer has exemplified excellence, service, and innovation in every facet of his work.

I know he will continue to be a voice for care, compassion, and community connection as he embarks on his next chapter of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize February 4 as Saka Nakodar Day. On that day in 1986, in the Punjab region of India, four unarmed Sikh students were shot and killed while peacefully protesting the desecration of the sacred scripture of the Sikhs.

The killing was abhorrent, but the investigation was deplorable. The victims' bodies were disposed of in secret. No perpetrator was ever brought to justice, and reports, commissions, and other inquiries on the massacre received absolutely no action.

February 4 remains a dark day for the Sikhs in Punjab, but also for Sikhs here in America. For 39 years, they have fought for truth, justice, and accountability. As United States Representatives, it is our responsibility to fight for our values at home and abroad and call out these tragedies for our partners around the globe.

That is why I recognize Saka Nakodar Day and that justice is still waiting to be served for Ravinder Singh, Baldhir Singh, Jhilman Singh, and Harminder Singh.

Mr. Chairman, in the past few weeks and in the past few years, communities all across America have witnessed the devastation, destruction, and death from wildfires. Much of this calamity and crisis is due to the many communities being in high-risk areas, known as the wildland urban interface. Over 99 million people live in these danger zones, not just in Los Angeles or California, but throughout the entire United States.

In my district in central California, numerous towns are located right next to national forests. Don't get me wrong. It is nice to have national forests as your backyard, but national forests have been neglected and mismanaged, and the risk of wildfires is much worse due to extreme weather and climate change.

Some say that we shouldn't do anything and just let forests manage themselves. Unfortunately, we all bear witness to what can happen when we do nothing.

Fortunately, the Fix Our Forests Act would do something by restoring the health to forests, bolstering the resiliency, and reducing the threat of wildfires. As wildfire seasons have turned to wildfire years, we must be proactive when it comes to our forests.

That is why, rather than just suppress fires, the Fix Our Forests Act would prevent fires, and that is how we protect our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank the chairman for bringing this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act.

This is a bipartisan bill that would address the issue of double taxation between Taiwan and the United States. That is an issue that has long impaired our mutual investment opportunities, including the ability of the United States to shore up the semiconductor supply chain and fully capitalize on the potential of our partnership with Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, I don't need to remind my colleagues of the security challenges that we faced during the pandemic, when we dealt with the overwhelming supply chain issues, especially for semiconductor chips.

That shortage led to sky-high prices for everyday items, and it impacted critical industries in healthcare, defense, and the technology sector.

What we quickly realized is that one of the ways that we can prevent such shortages is to partner with trusted producers like Taiwan and increase mutual investment that can lead to supply chain security.

However, that type of investment that is needed for this type of partnership is hard to do when there is double taxation. It simply won't happen when income is taxed in the country where it is earned and then taxed again when it is repatriated back to its home country.

That is just not a recipe for investment, for partnership, for success, and for our security. That is why we need to pass this legislation that allows us to enter into a treaty with Taiwan that limits that type of double taxation.

Mr. Speaker, as was just heard from my colleague from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), Taiwan is the seventh largest trading partner of the United States, yet it is also the largest trading partner without this type of tax agreement.

During both of my two visits to Taiwan last year, this issue came up with President Lai in that he said to our delegation: This is a way to improve our economies and our security.

He knows and we know that the Taiwanese companies that are investing in semiconductor facilities right here in America and are helping fulfill the objectives of the CHIPS and Science Act need the tax relief and regulation clarity now more than ever.

The bipartisan legislation that we are considering today would address this issue by setting a framework for such a treaty, reducing tax withholding rates, and providing clear guidelines for what is taxed, who is taxed, and when it is taxed.

Putting it simply, Mr. Speaker, it would establish clarity and certainty by ending double taxation, encouraging investment, and strengthening our economic partnership.

Mr. Speaker, despite the policy of strategic ambiguity when it comes to the defense of Taiwan, what is clear is that the United States supports the people of Taiwan and a strong economic partnership with Taiwan with this bipartisan legislation that ultimately bolsters our stability, our prosperity, and the security of both of our great nations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Zach Friend, the author and public servant, for his commitment to the people of Santa Cruz County. Mr. Friend served as a Santa Cruz County Supervisor representing the 2nd District for over a decade. His expertise and experience include serving in the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives, but his greatest impacts have been working in local government.

After moving on from national and state politics, Mr. Friend spent almost a decade working for the Santa Cruz Police Department as a Crime Analyst and Public Information Officer. In 2013 he was elected to serve as the Representative for the 2nd District on the County Board of Supervisors. While on the board he has worked to improve community access to local government, and has chaired and served several commissions including transportation, criminal justice reform, environment and land use, flood control, air quality and more.

As a County Supervisor Mr. Friend has also helped to open a new Aptos Public Safety Center that includes the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Probation and the Board's first permanent office--increasing access to public safety and County resources in the district. He also launched the County's first mobile app. My Santa Cruz County allows residents to do everything from reporting potholes to graffiti to abandoned vehicles and even learn about local parks all from their smartphones.

Mr. Friend is the author of On Message: How a Compelling Narrative Will Make Your Organization Succeed, an Amazon.com best seller in the Marketing category and winner of the Axiom Business Book Award and distinguished himself as a regular commentator on national television on public affairs.

In 2024 Mr. Friend announced he would not seek a fourth term to spend more time with his wife, Tina and their son Elliot. During his time as a County Supervisor, he was frequently tapped to engage with lawmakers and staff at the state and federal levels when the county needed an advocate. Santa Cruz County is thankful for Mr. Friend's commitment to the 2nd District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alan Haffa, a dedicated public servant to the people of Monterey. Dr. Haffa's commitment to public service began at a young age as an Eagle Scout, where he learned valuable skills like leadership and service. Through this organization he met his wife, Arlene, to whom he has been married for 26 years and shares two children. After graduating from Monterey High School, Dr. Haffa received a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and M.A.'s in Comparative Literature and Classics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following graduation, Dr. Haffa set out to work in the service of others.

In 2004, in response to divisions within, the the local school district, Monterey Peninsula Unified (MPUSD), Dr. Haffa rose to the occasion and became a board member, steering the board in a clearer direction. He was influential in questioning district consultants regarding the construction of 11 new schools. Dr. Haffa had serious concerns regarding the number of children these schools would have and where residents would work. Had the district sold bonds for the new schools, the district would still be in debt today, and schools in Monterey would have had to close. The leadership that Dr. Haffa displayed, questioning out-of-state consultants, protected students and citizens.

In addition to his community service, Dr. Haffa taught at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) and directed the Gentrain Program, an interdisciplinary, team-taught course in civilization. At MPC he has served on the Faculty Senate and for the past two years he has been co- chair of the College Council, which is the highest advisory board to the college president. Dr. Haffa has also fought for lifelong learning at the college, and in 2011 he was the MPC Teachers Association faculty union co-negotiator.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bruce McPherson for his tireless dedication to not only public service but to the people of California. Mr. McPherson was nominated to be the 30th Secretary of State for California and was previously an Assemblyman and a State Senator. However, his career did not begin with politics.

Mr. McPherson was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. He attended Santa Cruz High and then went on to study at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. After graduation he worked for the Santa Cruz Sentinel starting as a reporter and eventually rising to the position of editor, after being inspired by his father, Mr. McPherson began his career in public service.

Mr. McPherson was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1993, representing the Monterey Bay region, and later serving two terms in the California State Senate. In both the Assembly and the Senate Mr. McPherson was committed to bipartisanship, often working across the aisle with elected Democrats. In 2005 Mr. McPherson was nominated to replace the former Secretary of State. He was confirmed unanimously by both Democratic-controlled houses of the California State Legislature. As Secretary of State Mr. McPherson oversaw a 500-person department with five offices across the state which managed the state's election system.

Following his time as Secretary of State, Mr. McPherson returned home with the aim of replacing the Fifth Districts' County supervisor. In 2013 he began his 12-year stint as county supervisor. During this time California underwent the COVID-19 pandemic, the CZU fires, and atmospheric river disasters. His biggest achievement, in his opinion, was the establishment of Central Coast Community Energy, a clean-energy provider that now covers the five counties of the central coast of California.

His time as a public servant has been the highlight of his career. After stepping down from the dais for the final time Mr. McPherson plans to spend more time with his wife of 55 years, Mary, as well as his daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize this year's Carmel High School football team, which won the California 5-AA State football championship.

It was not just the first time that a team from the central coast won 15-0, but also an amazing 48-7 win over El Capitan High School from the San Diego area, a high school that is more than double the size of Carmel High's 800 students.

Despite that small number, the Padres came up big on the gridiron, averaging 50 points a game in five postseason wins and holding El Capitan to a season low of one touchdown.

Now, I could highlight that the Padres have a player who got a full scholarship to the University of Alabama next year and who actually grew up playing youth soccer with my daughter, who I am sure if you know my daughter, Mr. Speaker, whipped that lineman into shape, but if you look closely at the entire team of the Padres, only a couple will go on to play at a 4-year college.

Coach Golden Anderson and the entire staff are very proud of the Padres, but they will be the first to tell you that they are a seasonal football program where 95 percent of the team are multisport players.

Coach Anderson will also tell you, Mr. Speaker, that when they started the season, they weren't thinking about a State title. They just wanted to win.

As someone who played football at Carmel High for all 4 of his high school years, I understand that attitude, but I admit that we didn't even come close to winning a league title, let alone a State title.

So, I stand here, Mr. Speaker, not just as the proud Representative of California's 19th Congressional District, but I am also a proud Padre, a proud Padre parent, and absolutely honored to say congratulations to Carmel High, to their State champion football team, and to all the Carmel Padre community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 33rd Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan's Independence Day, celebrated on December 16, represents the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream: a sovereign nation charting its own course in the modern world. It is a day to honor the heroes who played instrumental roles in achieving independence and shaping a vision of freedom and self-determination for Kazakhstan for future generations.

On December 16, 1991, Kazakhstan declared its independence, officially breaking away from the Soviet Union. The United States, recognizing the significance of this achievement, was among the first nations to acknowledge Kazakhstan's sovereignty on December 25, 1991. Furthermore, the United States demonstrated its commitment by opening its embassy in January 1992 and has consistently emphasized its support for Kazakhstan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has emerged as a respected member of the international community. The nation has fostered diplomatic relations, contributed to global peace and security, and driven economic development. The relationship between Kazakhstan and the United States has grown robust and wide-ranging, further strengthened by the Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's dedication to political and societal reforms is particularly commendable. Despite external challenges, Kazakhstan has remained a peaceful and stabilizing force in Central Asia, demonstrating its commitment to democracy and civilizational orientation toward the West.

Kazakhstan remains one of the United States' most reliable and trusted partners, both regionally and globally, particularly as an active member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This long-standing partnership underscores the importance of advancing efforts to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR), serving as a pragmatic acknowledgment of the progress Kazakhstan has made and a necessary step to reinforce America's strategic relationship with Central Asia.

Looking ahead, the United States and Kazakhstan are ready to strengthen their partnership through ongoing dialogue, trade, and cooperation on mutual objectives. Together, we remain dedicated to promoting peace, security, and prosperity, both in Central Asia and across the globe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the extraordinary career and service of Mary L. Adams, who has tirelessly dedicated herself to the people of Monterey County. Today, at her last meeting of the Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council, and upon her well-earned retirement, it is fitting to honor her leadership and enduring contributions to our community.

Mary L. Adams has served with distinction as the Fifth District Supervisor for the County of Monterey, skillfully navigating numerous complex challenges with compassion and foresight. Her accomplishments exemplify a lifetime of hard work and community dedication.

Mary played a vital role in leading Monterey County through major emergencies, including multiple atmospheric river events and wildfires such as the Soberanes, River, Carmel, Dolan, and Palo Colorado fires. Her leadership in organizing efforts, like the Big Sur Helicopter Commodity Drop, provided critical support to isolated communities, ensuring the safety and resilience of residents during these crises.

She has been instrumental in addressing key local challenges, including coordination during the Pfeiffer Bridge repairs, implementing safety measures along Highway 1 near Point Lobos State Park and the Bixby Creek Bridge, and overseeing the Scenic Road Carmel Lagoon Environmental Impact Report. Each of these efforts has significantly contributed to the preservation of Monterey County's natural beauty and infrastructure.

Mary's leadership in infrastructure improvements has also been transformative. She spearheaded upgrades to Carmel Valley Road and played a key role as Chair of the Carmel Valley Road Advisory Committee, culminating in the finalization of the Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade Roundabout project.

A steadfast advocate for housing solutions, Mary worked tirelessly to update the Vacation Rental Ordinance, protect neighborhood character, and champion sustainable, long-term housing initiatives. Under her leadership, the County invested in the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Housing Trust Fund, unlocking millions in funding for affordable housing projects. She also supported innovative public- private partnerships and employer-sponsored housing initiatives, while prioritizing the community's best interests in updating the Housing Element.

During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mary provided steady and compassionate leadership, ensuring critical resources reached those in need. Her advocacy extended to sustainable water solutions, supporting the passage of Measure J for public water ownership and hosting Regional Water Forums to engage the community on pressing water challenges.

Throughout her tenure, Mary has exemplified transparency and accountability in governance. Her instrumental role in the hiring of key county officials, including the County Administrative Officer and County Counsel, has strengthened the foundation for Monterey County's future success.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the career and accomplishments of Mary L. Adams. Her legacy of leadership and dedication to the people of Monterey County will inspire generations to come. We thank her for her service and wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Mary Hammer, a beloved community leader. She was a steadfast advocate for families in the San Lorenzo Valley and founded the Mountain Community Resources, originally known as the Valley Resource Center. Originally from Almeda, Ms. Hammer embodied our community values of positivity and hard work.

Ms. Hammer attended UC Berkeley, and shortly after graduating, she traveled abroad to teach in Germany where she met her husband, Joe. In 1965 Mary and Joe settled in the San Lorenzo Valley, a place very dear to Mary. She began teaching in San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District leaving a lasting impact on those she taught. While raising her family, Ms. Hammer quickly began to become an active leader in her community.

Engaging in local political campaigns, her efforts not only safeguarded vital water resources but also played a key role in shaping Santa Cruz County. As an environmentalist, her leadership was vital for emergency responses when a devastating flood and storms barreled through the community in 1982 and 1983. Mary's dedicated advocacy pushed local leaders to prioritize emergency preparedness, setting the stage for the Neighborhood Survival Network and Volunteer Emergency Preparedness Project.

Her leadership at Valley Resource Center as the center's first Executive Director guided the community through multiple natural disasters and paved the way for the center to transform from a volunteer-led organization to a nonprofit. Ms. Hammer Received the Outstanding Public Service Award from FEMA in Washington, D.C., which was one of many achievements she would go on to receive.

As a founding leader of the Valley Women's Club of San Lorenzo Valley, Ms. Hammer championed efforts for natural resource preservation and disaster preparedness. Today, Mountain Community Resources provides essential services such as food, clothing, counseling, legal assistance, and parenting classes to residents in need.

Mary loved being with family and friends, teaching, reading, and exploring nature as an avid cyclist, camper, and hiker. Mary is survived by her children, Eric and Lisa, and her grandchildren, Ruby, Charlie, and Nicole. She now joins her beloved husband, Joe, whom she fondly called ``Joey.''