Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. for his proclamation pursuant to the Antiquities Act of 1906 expanding the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. I also thank Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D- CA), Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA04), and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation for their support in conserving this special place forever.

President Biden's proclamation expands the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include approximately 13,696 additional acres of federally owned public land in Lake and Colusa Counties, California, encompassing the entirety of the Molok Luyuk region within the Monument. Second, it directs the federal Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to improve tribal co-management of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Third, it renames the former Walker Ridge tract to ``Molok Luyuk,'' meaning Condor Ridge in the Patwin language of the Yocha Dehe and other Native American tribes indigenous to the area.

I am thrilled that President Biden issued this presidential proclamation to preserve the tribal wisdom, heritage, and cultural traditions that Molok Luyuk has been home to for over 11,000 years. This expansion follows years of advocacy by me, Congressman Thompson, Senator Padilla; federal, tribal, and local officials representing Northern California; and nongovernmental organizations, including environmental conservation, public access, outdoor recreation, and off- highway vehicle groups.

In July 2015, President Obama issued Presidential Proclamation 9298, establishing the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. This set the boundary as federal land surrounding the Lake Berryessa reservoir but omitted Molok Luyuk in Lake and Colusa Counties. My legislation (H.R.761/S.393) in the 114th Congress with then-U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressman Thompson to establish the National Monument would have included Molok Luyuk within the boundary.

In the 117th Congress, at the behest of Woodland, California-based Tuleyome, a nonprofit conservation advocacy organization co-founded by my former constituent Bob Schneider in 2002, I introduced the ``Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act'' (H.R.6366/ S.4080) with Senator Padilla and Congressman Thompson. I and other members of California's Congressional delegation then called on President Biden to use his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and provide opportunities for federally recognized tribes like the Yocha Dehe to engage in voluntary co-management with the relevant federal land management agencies. We also called on Secretary Deb Haaland to order the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to officially rename Walker Ridge to Molok Luyuk. On May 2, 2024, I joined the President in the Oval Office with Secretary Haaland for a signing ceremony granting our requests.

Conserving California's special places has been a lifelong passion throughout my tenure in the state legislature, as Deputy Secretary of the Interior during the Clinton Administration, and now as a Member of Congress. Molok Luyuk is one of those special places. It was a privilege to represent Lake and Colusa Counties as the U.S. Representative for California's Third Congressional District from 2013 to 2023, and I am honored to have played a leading role in expanding the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to preserve Molok Luyuk's ecological diversity and tribal heritage for future generations.

Lastly, I want to thank my former Legislative Assistant, Mr. Tigran Agdaian, and my former Knauss Fellows, Mr. Sean Mullin and Mr. Jeffrey Beauvais, for their important role in developing this legislation while on my staff.

President Biden's expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument honors the Patwin Tribes who walked this land long before our country was founded. On behalf of California's Congressional delegation, I thank the President.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Kris Corey, upon her retirement as Superintendent of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District after 38 years of

service as an educator. Ms. Corey's steadfast advocacy for Solano County students and critical leadership have undeniably improved the lives of the County's students and teachers for the better.

After earning her bachelor's degree from Sioux College, Ms. Corey began teaching elementary school in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District in 1986. Throughout her eleven-year tenure as a teacher, she demonstrated a genuine commitment to ensuring all students have the resources necessary to reach their full potential.

Inspired by her experience in the classroom, Ms. Corey began serving as an assistant principal and, ultimately, as Superintendent of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Over the course of her eleven years of service as Superintendent, Ms. Corey played a pivotal role in forming lasting partnerships with local community members and leaders throughout Solano County.

As Superintendent, Ms. Corey spearheaded efforts to break the cycle of poverty and ensure every student is career and college-ready upon graduation. She founded the Early College High School Program, expanded District Career Technical Education Programs, and introduced Fairfield- Suisun Unified School District Recruitment Fairs.

Ms. Corey's critical efforts to support the students and teachers of Solano County earned her widespread recognition. She is a recipient of the 2022 National Green Ribbon School Award and in 2023, the Association of California School Administrators named her ``Superintendent of the Year.''

While her leadership as Superintendent will surely be missed, Ms. Corey's decades of service to the students of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District have left an indelible legacy. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Ms. Corey and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John A. Coleman's leadership and service on the Board of the East Bay Municipal Utility District and as Executive Director of the Bay Planning Coalition. For his career of public service and leadership, Mr. Coleman is receiving the 2024 Lafayette Citizen of the Year Award.

A lifelong resident of Lafayette, California, Mr. Coleman demonstrated his commitment to his community at a young age. Even as a high school student, Mr. Coleman believed he could make a positive difference in the world. He spearheaded efforts to encourage civic participation among his fellow students and founded the Rossmoor Gardening Club, which continues to serve the Lafayette community today.

Mr. Coleman is the longest-serving board member at the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). For 33 years, Mr. Coleman served as an elected Director of EBMUD, representing Lafayette constituents and leading efforts to make the Lafayette Reservoir recreation area more accessible for the community. His policy guidance on EBMUD's water supply and critical leadership as President and Vice-President of the Board of Directors well positioned EBMUD to handle future drought and climate crisis challenges.

In addition to Mr. Coleman's vital work with EBMUD, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Bay Planning Coalition, a non-profit organization. For 13 years, Mr. Coleman advanced the essential mission of the Bay Planning Coalition to ensure that commerce, recreation, and the natural environment thrive in the San Francisco Bay-Delta region. He is also the only individual in the California water and wastewater communities to have served as President of both the Association of California Water Agencies and the California Association of Sanitation Agencies.

Mr. Coleman's extensive leadership and service to California ensure that he will thrive in his new role as Manager of Natural Resources with the Calaveras County Water District. His talent for coalition building and critical

knowledge of California's environmental resources will undoubtedly continue to enhance the lives of California residents.

While his presence on the Board of the East Bay Municipal Utility District will surely be missed, Mr. Coleman's decades of service reflect the very best of our community's leaders and will continue to improve the lives of citizens for many years to come. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for Mr. Coleman's dedication and commitment to public service. I wish him the best in his future role with the Calaveras County Water District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Richard Freedman, a community icon and tremendous writer in the city of Vallejo. Mr. Freedman, who passed away at the age of 67, leaves behind an indelible legacy of service to the City of Vallejo, the Vallejo Times-Herald, and the Solano County community.

Born and raised in Northern California, Mr. Freedman demonstrated his passion for writing from a young age. After earning his bachelor's degree from San Jose State University, Mr. Freedman started working at the Valley Times, beginning a lifelong career in writing and reporting.

For 27 years, Mr. Freedman worked for the Vallejo Times-Herald, capturing a cult following with his witty and captivating style of writing. While writing for the Vallejo Times-Herald he served as a reporter, wrote his own weekly column, and ultimately became the Herald's longtime community editor. In addition, Mr. Freedman oversaw the Vallejo Times-Herald's Community Christmas Card every year, helping raise nearly $500,000 to help feed members of our community.

Mr. Freedman's critical work as a journalist earned him wide-spread recognition and cemented his position as a legend in the California journalism community. In 2009, he was awarded Journalist of the Year by the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame, and in 2013 he was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year by Theta Pi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Vallejo. His critical contributions made him a beacon of light within his community and brought joy and laughter to those around him.

Mr. Freedman will be remembered for his decades of service to the City of Vallejo and for the impact his life and writing had on our community. His enduring spirit will live on in his family and the community he dedicated his life to serving. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mr. Freedman's loved ones. I know they and the people of California will join me in celebrating his life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Angelo K. Tsakopoulos upon receiving the American Hellenic Institution Hellenic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Tsakopoulos is the founder, CEO, and co-chairman of AKT Development and has devoted his career to improving California for all.

Born in Arcadia, Greece, Mr. Tsakopoulos first came to the United States at the age of 15. He worked diligently to send money home to his family in Greece and attended the University of Illinois and Sacramento State University, where he cultivated his passion for learning. In 1964, he founded AKT Development, beginning what would become a lifetime of leadership in California's residential and commercial development.

Through his work with AKT Development, Mr. Tsakopoulos built entire communities, universities, and homes, helping California and its residents thrive. Since its founding, AKT Development has built over 60,000 homes and today, it manages nearly 20,000 acres of farmland in Northern and Central California. Mr. Tsakopoulos' critical work is characterized by his commitment to balancing the need for natural spaces with real estate development. His philosophy is simple: plant as many trees as possible and preserve the existing ones whenever possible.

Mr. Tsakopoulos' passion for environmental stewardship led him to establish the Sacramento Tree Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting and growing the urban forest within Sacramento. His dedication to planting and preserving trees as both a developer and lifelong advocate will continue to benefit California for generations.

Mr. Tsakopoulos' leadership, generosity, and compassionate spirit have impacted the lives of countless members of his community and beyond. I join the American Hellenic Institution in honoring the critical contributions of Mr. Tsakopoulos.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in deep appreciation of Ms. Chloe Stemler for her service to the American people as a member of my staff.

Ms. Stemler joined my office in January of 2023 as an intern, having graduated from George Washington University. In June of 2023, she started her role of Press Assistant and, from day one, helped revitalize and significantly increase our online engagement. Many of my highest-performing social media posts occurred during her tenure, for which I am grateful. She raised the bar for my office's digital media and set an example I will hold my staff to for years to come.

During her tenure on my staff, Ms. Stemler demonstrated an unfaltering work ethic and a high level of creativity. Whether it was taking videos or writing captions, she approached every task with enthusiasm and humor. She cared deeply for her colleagues and was always willing to lend a helping hand. These same qualities will serve her well in her future endeavors.

Ms. Stemler will be starting a new role as a Communications Associate at the Pew Charitable Trusts. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on my team, and I am confident that she will excel in her new position.

While we will miss her deeply, we all look forward to Ms. Stemler's bright future. She will always remain a deeply valued member of Team Garamendi.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would allow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 47 States and U.S. territories with delegated authority under the Clean Water Act to issue permits for public works up to 10 years.

Under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, NPDES, Federal, State, and territory regulators can issue permits for 5 years, and that is it. That arbitrary permit duration no longer matches the construction timeline for public works, like modernizing wastewater treatment plants and building new water recycling facilities.

When the Clean Water Act was signed into law in 1972, publicly owned wastewater treatment plants were being constructed principally to provide primary or secondary treatment. Things have changed over the last five decades. Now, these plants are looking at tertiary and even higher standards, taking longer time for the engineering as well as the construction. Some of these plants are even installing fuel cells, such as in my district, Pittsburg, California.

Increasing the NPDES permit from 5 to 10 years ensures that the Federal permitting process accurately reflects the timeframes to construct a public water project, upholding the Clean Water Act protections.

U.S. EPA and many State Clean Water Act regulators, including the California State Water Resources Control Board, have a backlog of permits, some of these multiple, multiple years. That is why many, if not most, of these NPDES permits issued nationwide expire long before they can be renewed and remain in effect, sometimes for years.

Mr. Chair, this amendment, if adopted, would clear the backlog and provide the necessary time to plan, engineer, and build the facilities.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the bipartisan support for this amendment. It makes a lot of sense to expand up to 10 years. It may be that an entity would like to have a permit for less than 10 years, and this amendment would allow that, but more importantly, it does allow a permit to go for a full 10 years.

The bipartisan support is much appreciated, even though it was presented in opposition, which I understand needed to be done to meet the rules.

Mr. Chairman, nevertheless, with that in mind, I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of former California State Senator Alan G. Sieroty, a champion for disability rights and a leader in efforts to preserve California's coastline and natural beauty. Mr. Sieroty, who passed away at the age of 93, leaves behind an indelible legacy of devout public service and advocacy.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Mr. Sieroty demonstrated his hard-working spirit from a young age. After earning his bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University and graduating from the University of Southern California Gourd School of Law, Mr. Sieroty began a lifelong career in public service. He served as an Administrative Assistant and Executive Secretary to California Lieutenant Governor Glenn M. Anderson and went on to become the Deputy Director of the Chile-California Program.

In 1967, Mr. Sieroty became a California State Assemblymember and, after a decade of service, was elected to the California State Senate, where he served until his retirement in 1982. While serving in the State Assembly and Senate, Mr. Sieroty authored over 100 bills, many of which were critical pieces of environmental protection legislation. One of his most significant accomplishments was his leading role in creating the California Coastal Commission in 1972. Today, the Commission continues to play an integral part in protecting California's coastal waters and regulating environmentally sustainable development.

Mr. Sieroty's commitment to his community expanded beyond his extensive career in public service. He served on the board of several nonprofit organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and the Venice Family Clinic. In addition, Mr. Sieroty and his family partnered with the Los Angeles Family Housing nonprofit to transform a former motel into a temporary housing facility for unhoused seniors.

Mr. Sieroty will be remembered for his decades of service to California and his critical efforts to preserve our environment for future generations. His enduring spirit will live on in his family and the communities he dedicated his life to serving. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mr. Sieroty's loved ones. I know they and the people of California will join me in celebrating his life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the ``Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Removal Act of 2024,'' which builds upon legislation by the same title sponsored by the late Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) in 1997.

As detailed in a blue-ribbon report published by the State of California and other Pacific State's Oil Spill Task Force in 2020, the problem of abandoned and derelict vessels is a pervasive problem. Vessel owners abandon personal and commercial boats due to damage from severe storms, high maintenance and disposal costs, and many other factors. Abandoned and derelict vessels are a safety hazard, blight to our waterways, and eyesore. As these vessels decay, they pollute our waterways with debris, fiberglass from hulls, leftover gasoline, motor oil, battery fluids, and other harmful chemicals. This endangers people enjoying the water and harms the environment.

My new bill legislates the 2020 blue-ribbon report's recommendations, improving the intergovernmental response to abandoned and derelict vessels. Specifically, my bill would unlock up to $1.5 billion annually from the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to remove abandoned vessels at no expense to taxpayers. Under current law, federal responders can only tap the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the costs of stopping fuel leaks from vessels. My bill would also hold those dumping their derelict vessels in our waterways accountable. Every vessel removed is one step closer to keeping our working waterfronts and waterways safe and clean for all to enjoy.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working across the aisle to advance the proposed reforms in my bill. As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I plan to legislate key provisions from my bill in the coming ``Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024'' and the ``Water Resources Development Act of 2024.'' I encourage all Members of the House to join me in cosponsoring this commonsense bill.

Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce the ``Biomass for Transportation Fuel Act,'' formerly titled the ``Biomass and Biogas for Electric Vehicles Act'' last Congress. I thank U.S. Senators Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for sponsoring the companion bill and Congressman Jared F. Golden (D-ME) for cosponsoring my House bill.

In passing the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140), Congress made electricity from renewable biomass-- including biogas and waste-to-energy from feedstocks such as separated yard or food waste--eligible under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Despite years of Congressional urging, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has yet to approve a single biomass electricity facility under the program. Some applications for biomass electricity--known as ``pathway petitions'' under the RFS program--have been pending now for nearly 10 years.

Current law and USEPA regulations already define ``renewable biomass'' to include biogas, namely methane captured from livestock and agricultural byproducts, food waste, or residential yard waste. As such, our bicameral bill complements the significant investments California is making under the state's successful Dairy Digester Research and Development Program.

Currently, the USEPA requires facilities to prove with near-perfect traceability that the electricity generated is used as a transportation fuel to participate in the RFS program. Most renewable biomass facilities are selling electricity into the grid and, therefore, cannot prove definitively that each electron generated is used exclusively by electric vehicles.

The ``Biomass for Transportation Fuel Act'' would enable biomass facilities generating renewable electricity to finally participate in the RFS program. Instead of requiring that biomass facilities meet the impossible task of proving that the electricity generated and sold into the grid is used directly as a transportation fuel, our bill directs the USEPA to finalize the long-overdue federal regulations necessary for renewable biomass electricity producers to participate in the RFS program.

Our bill would also authorize USEPA to collect a reasonable fee from industry to cover the costs of reviewing any applications for renewable electricity submitted under the RFS program. In a 2016 ``advance notice of proposed rulemaking,'' the USEPA cited inadequate agency resources as a major impediment to approval of renewable electricity under the RFS program. The USEPA could waive these application fees for municipally or tribally owned biomass facilities under our bill. This fee-for-service model is based on the USEPA's regulatory regime under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003 (title V of Public Law 108-199), which is widely regarded as successful and enjoys broad- based support in Congress.

Lastly, our bill would make biomass from federal forestlands eligible under the RFS. Current law only allows biomass collected from non- federal lands, including privately-owned land, state- or locally-owned public lands, and tribal land held in trust by the federal government, to qualify as renewable biomass under the RFS. This restriction is arbitrary and hampers market-driven incentives to reduce the overload of hazardous fuels for wildfires on our National Forests and other federal forestlands. However, I want to be clear that our bill would not open federal forestland to timber harvests or commercial hazardous fuels removal where such activities are prohibited currently.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all members to cosponsor the ``Biomass for Transportation Fuel Act.'' As California and other western states face increasingly severe and year-round fire seasons due to the climate crisis, we must create a market for forest byproducts to incentivize commonsense hazardous fuels reduction. Renewable electricity from biomass also helps to reduce our nation's greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a clean energy economy. While these measures alone will not solve the climate crisis or prevent all catastrophic wildfires, they are undoubtedly part of the solution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the critical contributions of Mr. Mychal Threets to the Solano County community. As the Supervising Librarian at the Fairfield Civic Center Library and a social media content creator, Mr. Threets impacted the lives of countless youth in the Solano community and beyond.

As a homeschooled student in Solano County, Mr. Threets grew up taking advantage of the wide array of resources and services offered at his local library and received his first library card at just five years old. After earning his master's degree in library information science, Mr. Threets began working at the Fairfield Civic Center Library in 2013 and helped expand the library programs and resources that were fundamental to his education.

With the growing mental health crisis and declining literacy rates, Mr. Threets took to social media to discuss the vital emotional health resources and educational services that libraries provide. He wanted to ensure people knew that libraries are not just places with books but offer something for everyone. Through his social media posts, Mr. Threets shared stories about the vital role libraries play in people's lives and the ``library joy'' he sees in action every day. Mr. Threets used his viral social media presence to spread kindness and inspire American youth to fall in love with reading and libraries, just as he did.

For his advocacy and outspoken love of libraries, Mr. Threets was one of 10 librarians across the country to win the I Love My Librarian Award for Public Service. While Mr. Threets will be stepping away from his role in the Solano County Library, I know he will continue striving to improve the Solano community and increase literacy rates for young children. I look forward to seeing his work to expand access to educational resources and make our communities more inclusive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Robert Dittmer. Mr. Dittmer, who passed away at the age of 103, leaves behind an indelible legacy of service to his country and the Solano County Community.

Born in Oakland, California in 1920, Mr. Dittmer was a lifelong resident of Northern California. As America entered World War II, Mr. Dittmer's commitment to his country led him to join the United States Army Air Corps. He flew 35 successful combat missions over Germany, ultimately becoming a Second Lieutenant and earning an Air Medal for his service.

As the war ended, Mr. Dittmer's service to others continued. He joined the fire service and became the Assistant Chief of the Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base Fire Department. In 1956, Mr. Dittmer was awarded a commendation for entering the burning wreckage of a crashed aircraft and saving the life of the injured crew.

After retiring from the Fire Department, Mr. Dittmer continued to serve his community, advancing efforts to identify and address unmet needs in Solano County. He facilitated local real-estate ventures to bolster the local economy and was a critical leader within the downtown Fairfield business community.

Mr. Dittmer will be remembered not only for his decades of service to his country and the Solano County community but also for his genuine spirit of selflessness and innovation. He impacted the lives of countless members of his community, and his steadfast leadership undeniably enhanced the lives of his fellow Solano County residents.

Mr. Dittmer's enduring spirit will live on in his son, daughter, four grandchildren, and the community he dedicated his life to serving. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Mr. Dittmer's loved ones. I know they and the people of Solano County join me in celebrating his life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mary Louise Orta as her family gathers to remember her life and the many people she touched along the way.

Mary Louise Orta was the matriarch of the Orta Family. She was born in New Braunfels, Texas on November 13, 1931. She met and married Albert Orta in 1949 and began their life together in Texas before moving to California in 1973.

Mrs. Orta was a military spouse who exemplified the virtues of family, commitment, and service. She supported her husband Albert's career as he served our nation in the United States Air Force, then as an employee of the Department of Defense while traveling to several countries until his retirement in 1980. During this time, Mary remained home and continued her own life of service by supporting his career and raising their 12 children.

In 1981, at age 50, as her youngest child entered kindergarten, Mrs. Orta joined the workforce volunteering at the local school. Soon thereafter, she was hired by the Elk Grove Unified School District as a full-time employee at Valley High School in Sacramento County where she remained until her retirement in 2001. She was a tireless contributor to her school community, always first to volunteer and never wavered when asked to help. Throughout her twenty-year career, Mrs. Orta received several recognitions and was honored by the California State Senate and at districtwide ceremonies for her many contributions to staff, school administration, and students at Valley High School.

Mary Orta was a remarkable woman. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, finding joy in the company of family and close friends. She proudly walked with school administration at high school graduations, supported her children and grandchildren at events and family gatherings. Her unwavering love for those she cared for was her driving force and her faith, kindness and compassion will undoubtedly be a continuing source of strength for her family.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mary Louise Orta as her family gathers to honor her incredible life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, to honor the life and legacy of Mayor Irma Anderson, a trailblazing leader within Contra Costa County and devout public servant. Mayor Anderson, who passed away at the age of 93, leaves behind an indelible legacy as a mayor, nurse, and community advocate.

Born and raised in Boston, Mayor Anderson's passion for public service began at a young age. After serving as Student Body President and Valedictorian of her high school, she became one of the first Black students to attend and graduate from Cornell School of Nursing. In 1959, Mayor Anderson moved to Richmond, California with her husband, Reverend Booker T. Anderson, Jr., beginning a lifelong residency in the Contra Costa County community.

Fueled by her passion for service and sincere belief in caring for those around her, Mayor Anderson worked diligently for the Contra Costa County Health Department for 20 years. She eventually became the first Black Assistant Director and Director of Public Health Nursing in Contra Costa County, and her unwavering leadership undeniably improved her community.

Following her extensive career in public health, Mayor Anderson's commitment to service led her to run for Richmond City Council. In 1993, she became the first Black woman to serve as a Richmond City Council Member. After two successful terms on the Richmond City Council, Mayor Anderson made history yet again in 2001, when she became the first Black woman to be elected mayor of a major California city.

Mayor Anderson's career in public service was characterized by her spirit for advocacy and commitment to giving a voice to the unrepresented. She developed a historic partnership with the West Contra Costa Unified School District, founding Kids! First, which cultivates and expands after-school programs throughout Richmond. In addition, she held the ``Richmond Rises Above Violence Conference,'' which galvanized Richmond's public health approach to violence prevention. Subsequently, Richmond created an Office of Violence Prevention, later the Office of Neighborhood Safety, a nationally recognized violence intervention strategy.

Mayor Anderson's spirit of innovation was expressed both through her critical leadership and vital work as Metropolitan Transportation Committee Commissioner. She spearheaded efforts to advance multiple bridge rehabilitation and expansion projects, helping ensure Contra Costa County's roads were safe and secure. During her tenure as Mayor and Commissioner, Mayor Anderson presided over the transformation of downtown Richmond into a model of transit-oriented development.

Mayor Anderson will be remembered for her decades of service to Contra Costa County and her genuine spirit of kindness and compassion. She impacted the lives of countless community members and her steadfast leadership, constant smile, and patient mentorship brought comfort to all who knew her. Mayor Anderson's enduring spirit will live on in her son and the community she dedicated her life to serving. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mayor Anderson's loved ones. We know they and the people of Contra Costa County will join us in celebrating her life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition and appreciation of Dr. Jeffrey Beauvais, Ph.D. upon his completion of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. Dr. Beauvais served as a Knauss fellow in my Washington, D.C. office from February 2023 until February 2024.

As an integral member of my legislative staff, Dr. Beauvais assisted my work on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, particularly my work on the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment and the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. Over the past twelve months, he worked closely with the Committee and the rest of my personal office staff in developing several pieces of critical legislation.

Dr. Beauvais overhauled my ``FEMA Disaster Preparedness Improvement Act'' from the 116th Congress to include new, novel reforms to federal programs for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. He also developed new legislation, the ``Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Act of 2024,'' in response to a blue-ribbon report by the Pacific States' Oil Spill Task Force published on January 14, 2020. Among other key reforms, this new legislation would unlock more than $1.5 billion annually in dedicated federal funding under the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to remove abandoned and derelict vessels from federally regulated waterways. I expect to introduce both bills in the coming months, thanks in no small part to his work.

Dr. Beauvais received his doctorate in integrative conservation and ecology from the University of Georgia, Athens in 2022, and graduated with honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in biology in 2015. I expect Dr. Beauvais' fellowship in my office will inspire and inform his future endeavors with his passion for his native coastal Georgia a recurring theme throughout his career and life.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of California's eighth Congressional district, I extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Beauvais for his dedicated service as a Knauss fellow. He will always remain a deeply valued member of Team Garamendi.