Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I unfortunately was unable to be present for the motion to adjourn vote on December 14, 2023, which was called suddenly and closed early.

Had I been present, I would have voted: nay on rollcall No. 722.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the new California Division 4-AA football champions, the Soquel High Knights. This is the first team from Santa Cruz County to win a State football title.

Head Coach Dwight Lowery, a former defensive back for the San Diego Chargers, took the team over 6 years ago, and ever since he has been working with these young men day in and day out to get them better and better in order to dominate the Pacific Coast Athletic League.

This season, though, Soquel only lost two games with their last defeat on September 22. Since then they went undefeated, extending their five-game winning streak into the postseason and ultimately into the championship title at Pasadena City College defeating Jurupa Hills High School 28-7.

The Knights' superior defense was on full display as well as the passing game, and all the while 1,000 fans cheered them on.

We on the Central Coast are very proud of the Soquel Knights. As the United States Representative for California's 19th Congressional District and as someone who played high school football against Soquel, I am proud to celebrate the school's victory.

Congratulations. Go Knights.

Mr. Speaker, I honor the life and highlight the memory of Glen Schaller--a teacher, organizer, labor leader, political and policy strategist, and a friend of many in California's 19th Congressional District.

After high school, Glen traveled the country. He found his way to Santa Cruz, fell in love with that special place, and he felt it necessary to make it his home. He studied at Cabrillo College and UCSC and worked in early childhood education for 26 years.

Glen found that he loved helping vulnerable people as a teacher, as an activist, and as an ally for the LGBTQ community for which he was named Ally of the Year and Grand Marshal of the annual Pride parade.

Glen also played a key role in the local Democratic Central Committee and was a political coordinator for the Central Coast Labor Council.

In that position, I can tell you he made sure that local public servants truly understood what it takes to fight for workers and working families.

Another admirable quality of Glen was that he just didn't focus on politics, but also on policy. He was a director of a local workforce development board, and he fought to prevent closure of local public schools.

Mr. Speaker, I say to his son, Devon, please know that your father impacted so many people in so many ways. By finding Santa Cruz, Glen found his purpose in fighting for equality so that everybody has the same foundation for opportunity and success on the central coast of California.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Wasserman Schultz and I were in the Middle East on October 7 of this year. We were part of a congressional delegation trip led by Senator Joni Ernst, and we went there to talk about peace. Unfortunately, due to the bloodthirsty attack by Hamas, we left the region talking about war.

Despite the change in the tone of our trip, we became the first congressional delegation to visit Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 attack.

While we were in country, though, we met with family members of victims of that attack, including David and Noam Peri, a brother and sister whose 79-year-old father, Haim Peri, was kidnapped by Hamas from his home in the Kibbutz Nir Oz, a peaceful agricultural town whose name means meadow of strength in Hebrew, a town whose 400 citizens probably could be seen prior to the attack taking to the streets to peacefully protest the prime minister's rightwing government.

On the morning of October 7, that town was anything but peaceful as the Hamas attack left it smashed up and smoldering with one in four of its residents either murdered or kidnapped.

That day, Hamas lived up to its definition as a genocidal terrorist organization as it attacked Israel to kill Jews, to kill the Jewish society, and to kill peace.

As part of that goal, Hamas attacked Nir Oz and murdered 27 of its inhabitants and took 73 hostages to Gaza.

At the time of the attack, Haim was not only the leader in that community, he was also a long-time peace activist for the Israeli- Palestinian issues.

He is the type that would drive sick Palestinians from Gaza into Israel to be cared for at Israeli hospitals.

A father of five and grandfather of 13, Haim is now most likely isolated in the dungeons of the Gazan tunnels.

Although Noam Peri describes her father as strong and brave, she also admits that he is not young. A metalworker by trade, Haim has had two heart surgeries and now has been without his heart medication for 7 weeks.

I will never forget when we met them. All that Noam was concerned about was that he didn't have his medication to survive.

Mr. Speaker, it is going to be tough going forward. We hope that the hostages are released and that there are more pauses in the conflict.

We hope to pass and provide meaningful support and humanitarian assistance so that Israel can continue to defend itself from the existential and constant threat of Hamas.

Mr. Speaker, although things may never be the same for Nir Oz, for Haim, and for the family, we do know that because of its determination to survive and succeed, the same determination it has shown for over 75 years in its existence, Israel will continue to be that meadow of strength in the Middle East for peace, for prosperity, and for democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a pillar of my district's activist community, Gary Karnes.

Throughout his extraordinary life, Gary was the conscience of the local Democratic Party and a cornerstone for promoting, protecting, and perpetuating the values of our country.

Gary was born to be an activist. He walked with JFK in the 1950s; he protested the Vietnam war in the 1960s; he stood with farmworkers in the 1970s; and throughout his life, he always fought for peace, human rights, and dignity.

The thing about Gary, though, is he knew that American activism is not just about yelling and screaming or just being outraged. Gary understood that it is about doing the hard work, of walking precincts, banging on doors, and bringing out the votes. This included his work of supporting over 70 election campaigns throughout his life.

Mr. Speaker, it was not just his advocacy and principles that shaped our local Democratic Party, but Gary Karnes' work and personality added to the collective story of what we stand for as a community, and that is why Gary Karnes helped strengthen our democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the successful outcome of the first-ever U.S.-Central Asia Leader's Summit. On September 21, 2023, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, President Joseph R. Biden met with the Presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for the inaugural C5+1 Presidential Summit.

Since its inception in 2015, the C5+1 platform has increased U.S.- Central Asia dialogue and cooperation to advance an independent, prosperous, and secure Central Asia that addresses common concerns in partnership with the United States. The United States and the C5 stand united and committed to activities in the region that enhance security, improve economic resilience, support sustainable development, combat climate change, and promote peace.

Key aspects of the security arrangement discussed at the summit included cooperation on law enforcement through expanded information sharing, cooperation on border security and safe migration, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, and the sharing of best practices on countering terrorism and preventing radicalization. The Parties also agreed to promote the rule of law and improve democratic governance.

To that end, the U.S. and Central Asia are determined to accelerate regional cooperation and connectivity. This includes expanding trade routes such as the Trans-Caspian Trade Route (or the ``Middle Corridor''), advancing efforts to create a more favorable business environment for U.S. private sector trade and investment in Central Asia, and working toward establishing permanent normal trade relations (PNTR).

The Parties remain dedicated to integrating regional energy systems to diversify and expand new energy export routes and reliably supply global markets, integrating energy systems, increasing clean energy production, and developing and securing critical minerals supply chains The Parties are committed to redoubling efforts to increase clean energy production, mitigate methane emissions, develop sustainable hydropower capacity, and increase energy efficiency, particularly by mobilizing public and private financing for a green energy transition.

Through ongoing dialogue and collaborative efforts, the C5+1 can realize its vision for a more resilient, secure, and prosperous Central Asia, and foster closer people-to-people connections between the region and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I have the distinct honor and privilege of representing California's 19th Congressional District and on behalf of all the residents of the Central Coast, I would like to commend to my colleagues' attention to the 50th Anniversary of Monterey-Salinas Transit District (MST) for providing mobility services to the residents of Monterey County.

The Monterey Peninsula Public Transit System Joint Powers Agency was formed by the cities of Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, and Monterey County on October 1, 1972, and began providing service on September 26, 1973. As the predecessor of Monterey-Salinas Transit, it served the Monterey Peninsula area, and later expanded to provide service to the cities of Marina, Salinas, and Watsonville. With the formation of the Monterey-Salinas Transit District on July 1, 2010, MST has served as much as one-fifth of the coastline of California from San Jose in the north to Paso Robles in the south at 1,300 bus stops in 25 communities throughout Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Luis Obispo Counties.

Through the foresight of the MST board members and the ongoing support of the federal government, transit service in the Monterey Bay region is consistently at the forefront of technology and innovation, with annual ridership reaching as high as 5 million passengers on traditional fixed-route buses as well as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit minibus service for disabled customers, the popular MST Trolley system for visitors, ``MST OnCall'' demand response services in south Monterey County, and the JAZZ Bus Rapid Transit system. In 2014, with 73 percent voter support, MST became the first public agency in Monterey County to pass a countywide local funding initiative known as Measure Q to support the mobility needs of veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities. MST was also the first transit operator in the country to finance and construct a bus operations and maintenance facility utilizing the federal Build America Bureau--Rural Initiative program, and the first transit operator to implement an open-loop, contactless payment system that provides discounted fares to eligible customers.

Now for the second half of its first century of operation, MST is moving forward with a slate of new projects and initiatives to support their vision of connecting communities, creating opportunity and being kind to our planet. These include the implementation of the Better Bus Network, the outcome of a yearlong planning effort that will provide the residents of Monterey County with faster, more direct connections to work, school, shopping and medical appointments. The proposed MST SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit will extend the existing JAZZ BRT system 6.5 miles north from Sand City to Marina utilizing bus-only lanes and zero emission vehicles to improving access and opportunities for connections to jobs on the Monterey Peninsula, recreational activities and easy access to educational opportunities including nearby California State University, Monterey Bay. Finally, MST is putting rolling stock and infrastructure in place today that includes enroute inductive charging stations, designing micro-grid technologies, and procuring battery electric buses as it moves to transition to a fleet of 162 buses to planet-friendly 100 percent zero-emission buses powered from renewable sources.

In addition, MST is at the forefront of forging partnerships with local stakeholders to expand public transit options throughout the community. This past year, MST celebrated 30 years of partnership with the City of Monterey and Monterey Bay Aquarium in providing fast, fun, and free transit services to visitors and residents alike reducing visitor related traffic congestion, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing microplastics from vehicles traveling adjacent to the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. MST's partnerships also extend to local colleges, with a EcoSmart Pass program with California State University-Monterey Bay Hartnell Community College, and Monterey Peninsula Colleges, discount pass programs available to all Monterey County school districts.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to commend the Monterey-Salinas Transit District for providing 50 years of exemplary public service to the Central Coast and ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to wish them well on the next 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, as we marked the 14th annual ``International Day Against Nuclear Test'' on August 29, I rise to commend the Republic of Kazakhstan's role in nuclear disarmament and its work alongside the United States. I commend Kazakhstan's unwavering commitment to preserving international peace and stability.

Upon the dissolution of the former Soviet Union, the Republic of Kazakhstan inherited the fourth largest nuclear arsenal and the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site. In the 4 decades before the fall of the Soviet Union, 456 explosions were carried out at the Semipalatinsk test site, 1 of the largest sites of its kind. These tests caused irreparable damage to human health and the environment, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates among the local population.

Despite global pressure and potential political and strategic advantages that this arsenal would provide for Kazakhstan, the newly formed republic understood the potential political, security, and humanitarian issues that could arise if such a nuclear arsenal were maintained. On August 29, 1991, Kazakhstan made the historic decision to decommission the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site. Shortly after, the Nation voluntarily renounced its nuclear weapons arsenal.

Kazakhstan's decision demonstrated a clear commitment to the goals of nuclear security and nonproliferation, which became 1 of its landmark policies and was the first in a series of vital measures aimed at achieving a more peaceful international community. Since the site was closed, the United States has partnered with Kazakhstan to eliminate the Soviet legacy of nuclear test infrastructure from Kazakhstan's territory.

Kazakhstan and the United States implemented the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program--or the ``Nunn-Lugar'' program--which resulted in the dismantling of nuclear-weapon infrastructure. The states secured and removed residual weapons of mass destruction-related materials and technology from the former nuclear test site. These actions signaled a major shift in the existing global political paradigm and have led to the closure of other major test sites around the world. The Nunn-Lugar decision propelled a collective momentum for the global ban of nuclear testing, and it paved the way for the adoption of the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Today, when the risk of using nuclear weapons has come under increased scrutiny, it is important to remind the global community of the dangers that weapons of mass destruction pose to our safety and future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in reaffirming the United States' commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and working alongside Kazakhstan to strengthen the global regime for the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the achievement of a nuclear-weapon-free future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Michael Robbins for his bravery and service as a U.S. merchant mariner during World War II. Serving from July of 1943 to May of 1946, Mr. Robbins sailed with the U.S. Merchant Marine aboard the SS Olney, the SS Pendleton, the SS O. Henry, and the SS Hoke Smith.

During World War II, nearly 250,000 civilian merchant mariners were activated to serve as part of the U.S. military and to delivered troops and supplies by ship to foreign countries engulfed in the war. They faced treacherous conditions along their routes. Between 1939 and 1945, 9,521 U.S. merchant mariners gave their lives--a higher proportion than those killed than in any military branch--in defense of our nation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called their mission the most difficult and dangerous transportation job ever undertaken.

Hailing from Atlantic City, New Jersey, Mr. Robbins enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marine at only 15 years old. He began his wartime efforts as an ordinary seaman, chipping away rust and old paint from the ship.

While aboard SS O. Henry and transporting supplies in the Mediterranean Sea, his convoy was attacked by air. Mr. Robbins, still a teenager, acted to defend his ship by delivering 20mm ammunition to the ship's crew. Mr. Robbins would go on to serve in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific theaters.

Mr. Robbins received several decorations during his service, including 3 War Zone medals awarded to Merchant Marines for their service in the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean and Middle East. He also received the World War II Victory Medal for honorable service while on active duty, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Combat Bar, the Honorable Service Button, a Presidential Testimonial Letter, and the Battlin' Pete Patch.

Mr. Robbins and the U.S. merchant mariners of World War II who played crucial roles in the country's war effort were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2020, the highest honor Congress can bestow on civilians. It was an honor to present the medal to Mr, Robbins then, and it is an honor to recognize him here again today.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in honoring and celebrating the dedicated service of Mr. Michael Robbins for his valor and service in defending our country. May his legacy continue to inspire us for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the soldiers who served during World War II in the United States Army's 54th Coast Artillery Regiment. The 54th was the U.S. Army's only all-Black heavy artillery regiment and it shared the mission of defending the central coast of California from enemy attack.

This historic regiment defended the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Harbor, and Monterey Bay, in addition to the millions of tons of cargo and munitions coming out of the port. Further down the coastline, the 54th defended coastal oil terminals at Morro Bay and Port San Luis. The Monterey Bay was particularly vulnerable to Japanese invasion due to its gently inclining shoreline and ready access to a major coastal highway.

Activated at Camp Wallace, Texas on February 10, 1941, the 54th was comprised of Black soldiers from Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. Despite that these troops were armed and clothed with used weapons and secondhand uniforms dating to World War I, they did not complain and served with pride and distinction.

After completing their training at Fort Fisher in late February of 1942, the 1st Battalion and 3rd Battalion of the Regiment were ordered to Fort Cronkhite in San Francisco, California. Until April of 1944, these two battalions rotated along the Central Coast shoreline batteries and manned the coastal artillery weapons at Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grover shortly after Pearl Harbor Attack on December 7, 1941.

Additionally, many soldiers of the 54th were former Negro Baseball League players. While stationed in Pacific Grove, the soldiers formed a community baseball league. They named it the Twilight League because all the lights in the seaside town were turned off at sunset for increased security from the Japanese.

On April 19, 1944, the 1st Battalion and 3rd Battalion were relieved from duty on the Western Defense Command as the threat of Japanese attacks on the West Coast diminished.

Although they have since disbanded, the legacy and influence of the 54th Regiment lives on in the memory of our Central Coast communities. Many troops returned to the Central Coast after the Allied Powers emerged victorious and were active, integral members of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the U.S. Army's 54th Coast Artillery Regiment in honor of their lasting impact on the Central Coast and our Nation's history. We are forever grateful for their service and bravery in World War II and in the defense of our coastline. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the service and the legacy of the United States Army's 54th Coast Artillery Regiment that served during World War II.

As the Army's only all-Black heavy artillery regiment in World War II, they were given used weapons and secondhand uniforms from World War I. Despite that lack of fancy gear and guns, the men of the 54th stood firm and stood fast as they guarded the entire central coast of California, from San Francisco Bay to Port San Luis, from Morro Bay to Monterey Bay, and from Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz to Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove.

Through their service, but also through their social lives, the soldiers impacted and became entwined in our community. They formed a local baseball league during their assignment, and after their service some even returned to the Central Coast to serve our community.

Mr. Speaker, the history of the all-Black 54th Coast Artillery Regiment is not just important to the 19th Congressional District, but it is about the broader story of our military. Americans of all levels, all races, all genders, all creeds coming together to fulfill their responsibility of living in our democracy by defending our communities and serving our country.

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

Mr. Speaker, let me first thank Chairman Smith, not only for articulating the exact reasons as to why we must support the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act, but for sharing this opportunity to co-lead on such a commonsense measure that will benefit taxpayers, not just in my Congressional District, the 19th District in California, but so many people all across this country.

The bipartisan Paperwork Burden Reduction Act will ease confusion for taxpayers by reducing the paperwork that is necessary for filing taxes for small business employers and their employees.

Under current law, employers must send a 1095 tax form to employees to verify their health coverage for the previous year. However, for many employees, the IRS no longer requires this form for them to complete their taxes. So the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act would allow employers to provide a 1095-B or a 1095-C form upon request from employees, rather than mandating it and wasting time, wasting money, and wasting paper.

It is a bill that is popular, not just among taxpayers, but Democrats and

Republicans alike, as demonstrated by its passage out of the Ways and Means Committee without a single vote in opposition.

It is understandable why it is so popular because the one thing that we can all agree on is that we need to reduce unnecessary burdens on taxpayers and small businesses.

Now, although the Biden administration has already ordered this, I am proud to join Chairman Smith and put that order into statute, and I would urge my colleagues to vote for the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, it is not every day that we can come together on such a straightforward issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation, the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act.

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

Mr. Speaker, I unfortunately was unable to be present for the votes today due to commitments in my Congressional District. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 238, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 239, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 240.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize Ann Berry, who, for the past 44 years, affected the lives of students, teachers, and families in the Carmel Unified School District.

This month, Ms. Berry is retiring as Carmel High School's attendance secretary, where she ensured that students not only attended school but enjoyed school.

She started in 1979 as a parent who showed up to ensure that her daughter wasn't skipping class. She did such a good job in that role that Carmel High School hired her to keep other students in school.

It was a vocation for Ms. Berry that affected thousands of other Padres, including my two older brothers, myself, and now my two daughters, who attend Carmel High School.

Through her work, our community relied on Ms. Berry as a cop for keeping kids in class, as a comedian for keeping kids happy, as a counselor well aware of teen mental health concerns, as a coach for common sense, and as a supporter of Padre athletic and academic success.

For four decades, Ms. Berry was that dependable school administrator. She was that voice of reason for parents, and she is that trusted adult for teenagers.

As one of her students and now as her Congressman, I thank and congratulate Ms. Ann Berry for her service, for her support, and for being that solid cornerstone of the Carmel High community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the students and allies who marked the National Day of Silence. On this day, people around the country and in California's 19th Congressional District stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community by taking a vow of silence.

By doing this, students raise awareness on the challenges and the hurdles that continue to face our LGBTQ youth and their fellow classmates.

One inspiring young leader in my district is Latisha Vivian Chen Gladney from Santa Cruz High School. Latisha explained that it is still a struggle to get their voices heard in their fight for equal rights. Yet, it is through their act of silence that they can represent their community, recognize the people before us who fought for LGBTQ rights, and be reinvigorated to continue our fight to educate future generations.

So thanks to Latisha and others who, through their silence, are giving a voice to so many people and inspiring us in Congress to empower students in our communities, protect them from discrimination and harassment, and to provide the LGBTQ community with the support that they need to feel safe and secure in our classrooms, out in our community, and all across our country.