Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mayor Irma Anderson, a trailblazing leader within Contra Costa County.

Mayor Anderson, who passed away at the age of 93, leaves behind an indelible legacy as mayor, nurse, and community advocate.

After working for the Contra Costa County Health Department for 20 years, Mayor Anderson's commitment to service led her to make history as the first Black woman to serve as a Richmond City Councilmember and 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 voice to the underrepresented.

She developed a historic partnership with the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Mayor Anderson will be remembered for her decades of service to Contra Costa County and her genuine spirit of kindness and compassion.

I extend my deepest sympathies to Mayor Anderson's loved ones who are here in the room today. I know they and the people of Contra Costa County will join us in celebrating her life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of The Honorable Robert C. Coates, a critical leader in the California judicial system. Judge Coates leaves behind an indelible legacy of service, selflessness, and humanitarianism.

Born in Pacific Beach in 1937, Judge Coates spent his early years cultivating what would become a lifelong passion for protecting the environment and addressing the most pressing issues impacting his community. After graduating with his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Geology from San Diego State University, Judge Coates joined the Naval Reserve, where he faithfully served our country.

Driven by a commitment to justice, Judge Coates earned his Juris Doctor from the California Western School of Law, beginning what would become an almost six decades-long career in the legal system. As a trial lawyer for 12 years, Judge Coates undertook a wide range of civil and criminal defense cases at the state and federal levels and notably won a case before the California Supreme Court.

In 1982, Judge Coates was appointed to a position as a Judge, where he spearheaded efforts to establish the highly successful Serial Inebriate Program, aimed at treating chronic alcohol abuse. In addition, Judge Coates was a leader in changing how the court addresses homelessness and mental health issues, helping pave the way toward a more equitable judicial system in California and beyond.

Judge Coates' commitment to enacting positive change was not only expressed through his critical work as a lawyer and judge, but also through his mentorship of the next generation of lawyers. He served as an Adjunct Law Professor at the University of San Diego School of Law, where he developed the School's Environmental Law course and established and directed the Environmental and Natural Resources Forum. Judge Coates' critical role in legal education also extended to the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he created and taught the Poverty Law course.

In addition to his leadership and mentorship, Judge Coates exemplified the spirit of altruism in all areas of his life. He chaired the San

Diego's Homeless Women Task Force, providing critical support to women who lack access to public health and psychological care. He also authored multiple books addressing the homelessness crisis in America, including A Street is Not a Home, which served as a model for multiple Grand Juries in implementing equitable solutions to housing disputes.

Judge Coates' enduring spirit will live on in his wife of 19 years, daughter, son, and three grandchildren. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Judge Coates' loved ones. I know that they, along with the people of California, join me in celebrating his life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of Mrs. Marguerite Louise Kopper Chally. Mrs. Chally, who passed away at the age of 103, leaves behind an enduring legacy marked by service, love, and compassion.

Born in Aberdeen, Idaho in 1920, Mrs. Chally's life was dedicated to caring for those around her. After graduating from Aberdeen High School, Mrs. Chally attended nursing school at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton, Kansas, earning her Registered Nurse qualification in 1941. She first began her decades-long nursing career at the Children's Hospital of the East Bay in Oakland, California.

Fueled by her passion for service and sincere belief in the importance of bringing comfort to those around her, Mrs. Chally worked at numerous hospitals and medical clinics throughout her career. In the last twenty years of her healthcare career, Mrs. Chally served at the University of California, Davis Student Health Center, providing critical care to countless students.

Beyond her essential role as a nurse, Mrs. Chally embodied altruism and compassion in all areas of her life. Volunteering for Yolo County Hospice for over two decades and serving at the International House in Davis and Sutter Davis Hospital, her selflessness and kindness touched all she encountered, undeniably improving the lives of those around her.

Mrs. Chally will be remembered not only for her decades of service to California patients and their families, but also for her genuine commitment to her family, faith, and community. She was a dearly loved family matriarch and devoted her life to caring for others.

Mrs. Chally's enduring spirit lives on in her four children, 10 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. My deepest sympathies go out to Mrs. Chally's loved ones. I know that they, along with the people of Yolo County, join me in celebrating her life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to reintroduce the ``HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act,'' with Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH03).

I thank our original cosponsors for their support, as well as U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) for sponsoring the companion bill. This updated legislation would significantly increase federal funding available for affordable housing across the country to tackle the housing crisis in states like California.

With historically high housing costs, a minimum wage worker in California must work an 88-hour week on average to afford a modest one- bedroom rental at a fair market rate. No American working full-time should live in poverty or be forced into homelessness. Congress and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must support collaborative solutions to incentivize affordable housing production and rental assistance to address the drastic shortage of housing options in California and across the country.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is the largest federal affordable housing block grant and is HUD's flagship program to support private developers and nonprofits building new affordable housing. Since established by Congress in 1990, the HOME program has helped state and local housing agencies support a wide variety of housing needs, from financing new construction and home repairs to funding down payment and rental assistance. HOME funding is the primary federal tool available for state and local governments to build affordable rental and owner-occupied housing for low-income to extremely low-income families with private developers. Moreover, HOME is a great federal investment, leveraging $4.76 in non-federal public and private funds for every dollar in HOME funding.

Since 1992, the HOME program has supported more than 1.36 million units of affordable housing for renters, home buyers, and homeowners. In California, the HOME program has invested $5.27 billion into affordable housing across the state; built or preserved 121,727 homes; given rental assistance to 43,810 families; supported 277,318 jobs; and generated $19.2 billion in local economic development.

Despite these incredible investments, this essential program was last reauthorized in 1994 and needs critical updates to better address today's housing crisis. Our legislation would not only reauthorize the HOME program for the first time in three decades, but also make several much-needed improvements.

Specifically, our bicameral ``HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act'' would authorize $5 billion in HOME funding for fiscal year 2024 and boost the funding for the program by five percent annually through fiscal year 2028. This critical investment would reverse the chronic underfunding of the affordable housing investment program, which Congress appropriated only $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2023.

In addition, our bill would allow HUD to make loan guarantees under the HOME program, leveraging limited federal resources to allow state and local participating jurisdictions to tap more generous private financing to build new affordable housing. It would also improve HUD's ability to provide downpayment assistance to homebuyers and home repair assistance to homeowners under the HOME program. Moreover our bill would unlock HOME funds for nonprofits, community land trusts, and other shared equity homeownership partnerships to make more and better affordable housing available to those Americans most in need.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of Congress to cosponsor the ``HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act'' to bring this critical HUD program into the 21st century and provide state and local partners with the financing needed to construct and rehabilitate affordable rental housing and provide homeownership opportunities for working families. Lastly, I want to thank my former Legislative Assistant, Mr. Tigran Agdaian, for his critically important role in developing this legislation during the 116th Congress while on my staff.

Mr. Speaker, sometimes it is a mistake to listen to each other, and perhaps that is where we are right now.

I am hearing Mr. Larsen present the legislation, which actually would repeal the Make It In America provisions into the future. I hear Mr. Larsen talk about how the President's rule would actually waive the Buy America requirements that we put into the bipartisan infrastructure bill until July 1, 2024--5 months from now. That waiver is for 5 months going forward, at which time the Buy America rules that we put into the law are back in effect.

I hear my colleagues who are proposing this CR say something quite different, that somehow this CR would reestablish the Buy America provisions. Unfortunately, it doesn't. It is just the opposite. It would eliminate going on beyond July 1 the requirement to Buy America.

Maybe I am confused. I think not.

I do know that in our T&I Committee we spent a lot of time on Buy America, but the CR not only eliminates the current Federal regulation that delays until July 1 the implementation of the Buy America requirements; it goes beyond that. It also reinstates another provision, that is a 1983 waiver of the Buy America requirements.

So if indeed we want to help American industry, if we want to help American labor, and if we want to really build out the infrastructure necessary for electric vehicles, then we are going to need to have those charging stations. Those charging stations can be made in America if we stay with the current regulations that the administration has put forward, which only extends the Buy America waiver to July 1, 2024.

If I am wrong, I am wrong; it is not the first time in my life. Read carefully what we are doing here. It is not just taking on the Biden administration, which is great fun for some, it is really about are we going to have Make It In America requirements or not.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Sherri Sager for her critical accomplishments as Senior Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer at Stanford Medicine Children's Health and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Throughout Ms. Sager's 29 years of service, she demonstrated a sincere commitment to advocating for children and families and worked tirelessly to improve America's healthcare system for all.

Ms. Sager first joined Stanford Medicine Children's Health and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in 1994, as the Director of Government Relations. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Sager's vast knowledge of public policy and her indispensable leadership made her a critical advocate for Stanford Medicine Children's Health patients. She was pivotal in facilitating community partnerships and was committed to monitoring the impact that proposed laws and public policies could have on American patients.

Ms. Sager exemplifies the spirit of leadership and altruism in all areas of her life. She has served on numerous nonprofit and regional business association boards, including as Board Chair of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association, board member of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Working Council.

Ms. Sager's advocacy for patients and their families and her commitment to community service clearly demonstrate that her work to improve the lives of others expands beyond her position with Stanford Medicine. Ms. Sager's devotion to service has undeniably improved the healthcare landscape in Northern California and beyond.

While her presence in the Stanford Medicine community will surely be missed. Ms. Sager's 29 years of service have left a lasting legacy and significantly enhanced the lives of countless patients, families, and healthcare professionals. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Ms. Sager for her service and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing us this opportunity.

Is it really true, Mr. Speaker? Perhaps Mr. Larson has told me that the Republicans intend to put together some sort of a fiscal commission specifically designed to go after Social Security, to cut the benefits, and to really jeopardize the well-being of seniors now and future seniors? Could that possibly be correct?

Apparently it is. A secret fiscal commission. There is another way of doing it.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Larson has put together a proposal that would guarantee Social Security solvency for years to come. It would require that the super wealthy have to pay their fair share.

What is wrong with that? Nothing that I can think of.

We can also actually increase the annual COLA by going to the fair COLA bill which was introduced by--wow, my bill. Mr. Larson, you have that in your bill. Good for you. Good for the seniors. Good for the future of America.

We can do this correctly, Mr. Speaker, if Mr. Larson's bill, Social Security 2100, would actually become law.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today in favor of the Conference Report on the Fiscal Year 24 NDAA. This conference report is the result of bipartisan efforts to strengthen our national defense while supporting our military members, families, and communities. I would like to thank Senator Reed, Senator Wicker, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership throughout the entire process to produce this bipartisan bill.

I would also like to thank Chairman Waltz of the Readiness Subcommittee for his partnership, Jeanine Womble the Readiness PSM, my MLA Rob Hurd, and my Defense Fellow Taylor Brunstad. I am proud of the work we have done to protect the Readiness of our Armed forces. This bill continues our work, along with our Senate colleagues, to support military families by providing more childcare centers, protect basic healthcare rights for women service members, support energy resiliency on our bases, increase base pay to retain and recruit top talent, and demand DoD accountability and transparency on spending to prevent wasteful use of taxpayer dollars.

It is of vital importance to me to support our servicemembers and their families at bases like Travis Air force Base and ensure they have the housing, training, equipment, and the quality of life they need and deserve. I am proud to continue my work to serve the men and women in my district, and to serve the brave men and women volunteering to protect our freedom. While this bill is a strong bipartisan effort to support the military, there is still more to be done and I look forward to building on these efforts in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today in favor of the Conference Report on the Fiscal Year 24 NDAA. This conference report is the result of bipartisan efforts to strengthen our national defense while supporting our military members, families, and communities. I would like to thank Senator Reed, Senator Wicker, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership throughout the entire process to produce this bipartisan bill.

I would also like to thank Chairman Waltz of the Readiness Subcommittee for his partnership, Jeanine Womble the readiness PSM, my MLA Rob Hurd, and my Defense Fellow Taylor Brunstad. I am proud of the work we have done to protect the Readiness of our Armed forces. This bill continues our work, along with our Senate colleagues, to support military families by providing more childcare centers, protect basic healthcare rights for women service member, support energy resiliency on our bases, increase base pay to retain and recruit top talent, and demand DoD accountability and transparency on spending to prevent wasteful use of taxpayer dollars.

It is of vital importance to me to support our servicemembers and their families at bases like Travis Air force Base and ensure they have the housing, training, equipment, and quality of life they need and deserve. I am proud to continue my work to serve the men and women in my district, and to serve the brave men and women volunteering to protect our freedom. While this bill is a strong bipartisan effort to support the military, there is still more to be done and I look forward to building on these efforts in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce the ``Energizing American Shipbuilding Act'' with U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker (R-MS). I thank U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Congressmen Robert J. Wittman (R-VA) and Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) for their support as the original cosponsors.

Our bipartisan bill would help to recapitalize America's domestic shipbuilding and maritime industries by requiring that increasing percentages of exported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil be transported on U.S.-built, flagged, and crewed vessels. In total, our bill would require that 15 percent of total seaborne LNG exports by 2045 and 10 percent of total seaborne crude oil exports by 2037 be on U.S. vessels. This would result in the construction of more than 40 American ships: approximately 28 LNG carriers by 2045 and 12 oil tankers by 2037. This will support thousands of new, well-paying jobs in American shipyards, vessel component manufacturers, and across the U.S. maritime industry.

As President Vladimir Putin's unconscionable invasion of Ukraine has shown, continental Europe's overreliance on imported Russian oil and gas is both untenable and dangerous. While I support the global transition away from fossil fuels to fight the climate crisis, I also support increasing American energy exports to Europe to replace Russian imports in the near term. Unless Congress acts, all U.S. seaborne LNG and crude oil exports will be on foreign-flagged vessels, operated by foreign crews.

In 1995, Congress required that crude oil exported from Alaska's North Slope be transported on U.S.-flagged vessels to preserve the tanker fleet essential to our national defense. The ``Energizing American Shipbuilding Act'' would implement a similar requirement. The vessels built under our bill would be available to meet the U.S. military's sealift and supply needs around the globe.

I am deeply troubled that our military, namely the Defense Logistics Agency, relies on foreign-owned oil tankers including state-owned enterprises closely linked to the Chinese government. Our bipartisan bill also counters other export countries' similar requirements including the Russian-flagged vessel requirement for arctic oil and natural gas exports announced by the Kremlin in December 2018.

The United States was a net crude oil exporter in 2022 and is projected to become the top LNG exporting nation in the coming years. Exports of these two strategic national assets--LNG and crude oil-- should be on American vessels, which is exactly what our bill would require. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of the House to cosponsor the ``Energizing American Shipbuilding Act.''

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Marcy, for her leadership.

Madam Speaker, I have listened to this debate, and as it has gone on, I am becoming more and more depressed that we do not have the courage to continue to support Ukraine. Why? What is going on here?

I want us just to think for a moment about the blood that has been spilled by the Ukrainians trying to protect their democracy. For more than almost 2 years now, they have fought every way to protect themselves. The women and children and men of Ukraine are dying, and we are sitting here doing nothing.

This is a disgrace. There is no other way to describe it. Holding Ukraine hostage for an unnecessary change in the asylum laws is absolutely wrong. Yes, we do need to deal with immigration, but at what price to Ukraine, at what price to the women, the children, the incoming missiles from Russia?

Putin is having a glorious day, and we are a disgrace. There is no other way to describe that the most powerful Nation in the world is unwilling to stand up to continue to support Ukraine in its hour of need. Who are we that we are unwilling to do this? Did anybody in this House actually read H.R. 2, the asylum legislation? Eighty percent of it is downright foolish.

Is there a compromise available? Absolutely. Who is working on it in this House? Show me one Member of this House that is working on a compromise on that. I don't know who they are.

Speaker Johnson, where are you? Where are you hiding? Where is your leadership? Ukraine is at risk. Think about it. It will be 1\1/2\ months before any legislation will pass this House. If, in fact, we get our act together over the holidays, what will happen? The Ukrainian Government depends upon the American money to pay the police, the firemen, the first responders. They

won't have that money and the military, the flow of equipment, the flow of ammunition, it will diminish.

How do they get started? How are they going to replenish? It is time for us to stand. It is time for us to act. We have 1\1/2\ days to do it. Can we do it? You are damn right we can do it; if we find the courage to do it. If we find the very same courage that President Zelenskyy has exhibited over the last 2 years and, more importantly, the men and women of Ukraine that are fighting a desperate fight for their own future.

I wonder if we have the courage. I know I have to stand down. I know the people of Ukraine will never stand down. The question is whether we will stand with them.

Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to co-sponsor the ``Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act'' (H.R. 6681), with Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA01), Nikki Budzinski (D- IL13), and Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL28). This bipartisan bill would make maritime biofuel fully eligible under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Renewable Fuel Standard, which currently only applies to biofuels for motor vehicles, airplanes, locomotives and, in limited circumstances, recreational boating or vessels on inland waterways.

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58), Congress authorized the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which works to simultaneously reduce transportation-related emissions from fossil fuels and support domestic agriculture, forestry, and biofuels manufacturing. However, current law excludes otherwise eligible biofuels for ocean-going vessels. No rationale was ever provided for this exclusion in the Congressional hearing record or Committee reports for the 2005 and 2007 Energy Bills.

This arbitrary, counterproductive exclusion denies the burgeoning advanced biofuels and renewable natural gas industries in the United States important maritime customers. Our bipartisan bill would fix this problem by simply striking the exclusion, allowing domestic biofuels producers to obtain an RFS credit for selling to customers in the Jones Act and global maritime industries. The United States Navy has even sought to use renewable maritime fuels but has so far been stymied as domestic blenders simply do not make renewable maritime fuel because of this unnecessary exclusion.

To be clear, although modern engines for large vessels are increasingly capable of burning advanced biofuels instead of heavy bunker fossil fuels, our bipartisan bill would not require the use of renewable fuel in all ocean-going vessels. Instead, our bill would merely expand the potential market for biofuels and remove a statutory disincentive for developing renewable maritime fuels.

According to the USEPA's Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks from 1990 to 2021, the transportation sector accounted for approximately 29 percent of greenhouse gas emissions nationally, the largest of any economic sector. Tackling the climate crisis requires every industry to transition to cleaner, renewable fuels including the international ocean shipping and cruise industries. In July 2023, the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted new global standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commercial cargo vessels and cruise ships. Our bipartisan ``Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act'' (H.R. 6681) would support the global maritime industry's transition to alternative fuels like advanced biofuels and renewable natural gas from methane capture.

Mr. Speaker, the federal Renewable Fuel Standard's exclusion of fuel for ocean-going vessels, without any stated rationale, has created unnecessary regulatory complexity, hindered the advanced biofuel and renewable natural gas industries, and undermined the global effort to reduce maritime emissions. I encourage all Members of Congress to join me in removing this outdated restriction by cosponsoring our bipartisan the ``Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act'' (H.R. 6681).

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of Senator Schumer's address on anti-Semitism in the Senate.

I echo Senator Schumer's concerns. Anti-Semitism is on the rise in our country, and it is simply unacceptable.

As Americans, we have the responsibility to condemn bigotry and hate in all of its forms, including anti-Semitism.

To quote my friend and colleague in the Senate, ``We are stewards of the flames of liberty, tolerance, and equality that warm our American melting pot, and make it possible for Jewish Americans to prosper alongside Palestinian Americans, and every other immigrant group from all over the world.''

I thank Senator Schumer for his powerful words. As we watch the events abroad and here at home unfold, I urge Americans to remember that our shared humanity, commitment to equality, and tolerance are our greatest strengths.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record Senator Schumer's remarks. Https://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/majority- leader-schumer-delivers-major-address-on-antisemitism-on-the-senate- floor

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of Mr. Agonafer Shiferaw, a critical leader and steward of progress in the Bay Area community. Mr. Shiferaw leaves behind an indelible legacy of love, leadership, and service to his community and family.

Born in Ethiopia in 1952, Mr. Shiferaw's passion for knowledge led him to California, where he studied economics at San Francisco State University. After he earned his bachelor's degree, he remained in San Francisco where he opened Rasselas Restaurant and Jazz Club, an Ethiopian restaurant located in the Fillmore neighborhood in 1986.

For nearly 30 years, Rasselas was a gathering place for friends, family, and loved ones to come together in celebration. It was a cultural hub within the Bay Area, uniting the community and offering residents and visitors alike a space where they could join in shared appreciation of jazz music.

In addition to his crucial work as the founder of Rasselas, Mr. Shiferaw also demonstrated his sincere love for his community through his compassionate leadership and altruistic advocacy. He was committed to empowering and uplifting the Black community in the Bay Area and was truly passionate about serving others and giving a voice to the voiceless. His critical contributions made him a beacon of light within his community and undeniably improved the lives of those around him.

Mr. Shiferaw will be remembered not only for his decades of service to the Bay Area, but also for his genuine kindness and compassion. He impacted the lives of so many in his community and was known both for his leadership and the unfailing love he had for his family. His passion for service, valiant advocacy, and perseverance have left a legacy on the people of the Bay Area.

Mr. Shiferaw's enduring spirit will live on in his loving wife, daughter, nieces, nephews, and extended family. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mr. Shiferaw's loved ones. I know that they, along with the people of the Bay Area, join me in celebrating his life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of Mrs. Linda K. Mitrovich. A critical member of the environmental community, Mrs. Mitrovich leaves behind an indelible legacy of service and dedication to environmental conservation, both within her community and around the world.

For over 30 years, Mrs. Mitrovich fought to protect our environment and ensure our beautiful natural landscapes are preserved for future generations. For 25 years, she served as President and Co-Founder of Solution Strategies, a firm that helps public- and private-sector clients create solutions and resolve conflicts for businesses, governments, communities, and the environment. Through her leadership in Solution Strategies, Mrs. Mitrovich was renowned for her unique ability to unite stakeholders with conflicting interests to achieve a common goal. Her unparalleled skills in policy negotiation. strategy development, and coalition building allowed her to accomplish critical milestones for the environmental community.

In 2013, Mrs. Mitrovich co-founded Preservation Ranch, LLC, an organization focused on supporting and furthering the goals of conservation programs that support local economies. Preservation Ranch later established a partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, forming a groundbreaking pilot project that unites private and public lands under a conservation management program to directly benefit local communities.

In addition to Mrs. Mitrovich's work in the private sector, she was instrumental in the environmental regulation space at both the state and federal levels. Her experience in the environmental regulatory arena included work with some of our country's most essential environmental laws, including the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.

While exhibiting critical leadership in the environmental field, Mrs. Mitrovich also played a pivotal role in her local community. She served as City Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor of Poway, California, and served on numerous governmental boards and committees overseeing water in San Diego County and the state of California. She was also a Trustee of Whittier College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts, and her service to her community was recognized by the California State Government when she was honored as Woman of the Year by the State Senate and State Assembly.

Mrs. Mitrovich's enduring spirit will live on in her family and the legacy of her work to preserve our environment. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mrs. Mitrovich's loved ones. I know that they, along with the people of California's 8th Congressional District, join me in celebrating her life and legacy.