Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2022 Women of the Year. The honorees represent some of the most outstanding and dedicated women in California's 3rd Congressional District. Nominated by their peers, these women are recognized for the integral and crucial roles they play in improving the lives of everyone in their communities. This year marks the 102nd anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed and protected women's constitutional right to vote. In securing the right to vote, suffragists broke through a seemingly impenetrable barrier to women's full and equal citizenship in our country, signaling a new era of equality. Yet, even today, women still face significant barriers to their rights and liberties from pay discrimination to criminalizing women's reproductive rights. I take heart that each of this year's honorees will be a vital part of the work left to be done to realize women's full equality and rights.

The 2022 Women of the Year are:

Tracy Lahr is a dedicated and passionate teacher who has touched the lives of countless students. Several of her students took the time to write letters nominating her as a Woman of the Year, :describing her as loving, thoughtful, kind, supportive, uplifting, encouraging, and so much more. Their stories describe a woman who goes above and beyond to engage each and every one of her students, providing a supportive presence in their life as well as an inspirational force pushing them to pursue their passions and excel in school and beyond. Tracy teaches Drama, Show Choir, and Leadership classes at Lower Lake High School where students say she never stops working hard on their behalf. She encourages students to become involved in the performing arts and to grow their leadership skills. Her work makes the school a more vibrant place for every student and helps many discover new talents and interests. Tracy truly cares about the health and well-being of each of her students and makes an effort to connect with every one of them, offering support whenever it is needed. Educators play such a critical role in our communities and the lives of every young person. Tracy is an exceptional teacher who is a shining example of what it means to be a positive force in a student's life. While her school is surely sorry to see her retire from teaching, it is well-earned through her years of dedication to her students.

Jill LeVake Abruzzini is an agricultural consultant and youth advocate who is an integral member of her community. She is a third- generation member of California Women for Agriculture and has served as a representative for the involvement of young women in agriculture in a variety of capacities. After graduating college, Jill went on to become one of the youngest women Pest Control Advisers in the state. As not only the youngest but one of only a handful of women in this male- dominated profession, one of her greatest accomplishments in the role has been mentoring other young women. She was invited to share her experiences as a panelist for the Grow by FarmHer event at the World Ag Expo and served as a member of the Cal Poly Crop Science Advisory Board. Over the past two decades, she has served in a variety of leadership positions and was recently promoted to Western Marketing Manager with Corteva AgriScience, overseeing operations in nine western states. She has dedicated her entire adult life to helping farmers with their crop protection needs and can frequently be found walking orchards, advising growers on how to manage pests and bring in a healthy crop. In addition to her professional accomplishments and active community involvement, she has three children who share her passions and are active in sports, 4-H and FFA. Her strong commitment to youth in the Yuba-Sutter area is demonstrated by her active involvement and leadership in 4-H and FFA programs. She serves on the Yuba Sutter Junior Livestock Auction Committee and has been a Governor appointee to the Yuba-Sutter Fair Board for six years. Jill is an integral member of the Yuba-Sutter agricultural community and an inspirational mentor for young women in agriculture.

Emily Lo is a dedicated first responder who has spent 31 years as a firefighter, excelling in a career that has not always welcomed women. She immigrated to the United States with her family in 1981 and after attending Solano Community College Fire Academy, was hired by the City of Fairfield Fire Department. A year and a half later, she joined the Davis Fire Department, where she has served ever since. Since then, she has earned an Associate of Science in Fire Technology from American River College, and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Service Management from California State University, Sacramento. She was promoted to Fire Captain in 2002, and in February 2022, after 31 years in the fire service, she became the first female and Asian-American Battalion Chief in Davis Fire Department history. The dedication and strength needed to serve for 31 years as a firefighter is impressive for anyone, but even more so for

a minority woman working in a field dominated by men. Throughout her decades-long fire service career, she has been an active member of her union, Davis Firefighters Local 3494, serving as its Treasurer. She also serves as Co-Chair and Commissioner to the California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee's Commission to recruit women for the fire service, helping to mentor and encourage young female firefighters. She also volunteers every year during the Davis Firefighter's ``Fill-the-Boot'' Thanksgiving Basket program and gives her time working with a local non-profit organization supporting breast cancer survivors. Through her unselfish service, integrity, strength, and humility, she is an inspiration to all who know her.

Olga Martin Steele is a strong and selfless leader. She is a member of Soroptimist International of Clear Lake where she has served twice as president, bringing new ideas and energy to the group as they serve women in need. She has also served on the Board of Directors as Public Relations Officer and has authored many publications honoring the members, events, and the club's purpose. Olga is a founding member of the Lake County Silver Foundation which was formed to help close funding gaps for senior programs facing budget shortfalls. She has served as the foundation's secretary since 2017 working to successfully serve seniors throughout Lake County. Olga is also a member of the all- volunteer Lake County Community Radio 98.1 FM to support freedom of speech platform and community radio where she is currently serving her 3rd term as President of the Board of Directors, responsible for budget setting, fund development, and policy making. Beyond this Olga also serves as a radio programmer of ``Voices of Lake County'' where she hosts and produces a list of weekly public affairs and public interest stories. Olga is a dedicated community servant who brings skilled leadership to all she does.

Christa McClure is a dedicated community servant who works tirelessly to improve the lives of people throughout her community. She is currently the Acting Executive Director of Tri-County Respite Care Service, Inc. where she oversees a staff of more than 100 respite care workers and administrative staff. Tri-County Respite Care Service is a non-profit organization serving Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Nevada, and Placer counties. Under her leadership, the organization provides critical support to caregivers of families with special needs and works to improve the lives of disabled individuals through increased self- reliance. Christa has also worked in non-profit housing and assisted in the development and implementation of the State Healthcare Exchanges in Montana and Colorado which were created under the Affordable Care Act. Since 2019, Christa has served in many capacities on the Casa De Esperanza Board of Directors where she has generously donated her time to ensure the health of this important organization. Christa has dedicated years to working with others to improve her community through advocacy, philanthropy, and public service work. She is also a loving wife, mother of 8 children, and grandmother of 5 grandsons, and is a wonderful role model to all who know her.

Dr. Frances McCullough is a lifelong educational professional committed to community enrichment and supporting literacy and learning in Solano County. Frances founded the Solano County Commission for Women and Girls to improve the economic status, health and social welfare, and overall quality of life for women and girls in Solano County. She is involved with the National Council of Negro Women, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is President of the Solano Community College Educational Foundation, and is a member of the Solano County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she is founding and coordinating a youth academy for Solano County. Frances is most well known for her work with the Solano County Library Foundation where she is a member of the Board of Directors. In her retirement, Frances has been an active and dedicated community servant, helping with the founding of childcare services, founding the Friends of the Library, organizing a civic and social club for African Americans, organizing an annual Black History Program, and leading a Food Bank to feed countless county residents. Her civic involvement and volunteer work have been honored many times over the years. She has been named Grand Marshal for the City of Fairfield's 4th of July Independence Day Parade, Wednesday Club Volunteer of the Month, Tri- City NAACP Medal of Freedom recipient, Honorary Commander at Travis Air Force Base, Special Ambassador for California Assemblymember Jim Frazier, Solano County Northern Democrat of the Year, and Woman of the Year for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Solano Valley Chapter. Frances treats volunteer work as her civic duty and serves her community with generosity and humility.

Danette Mitchell is an Opinion Columnist for The Vacaville Reporter and a fierce advocate on a variety of important social issues. She is passionate about elevating Black voices throughout Solano County, ensuring their perspective is heard and represented. Danette has faithfully served as the Tri-City NAACP Communications, Press, and Publicity Committee Chair since 2017 where she monitors local and national 'media for issues and concerns impacting the Black Community. In that role she works to counteract derogatory and erroneous statements in local news media about African Americans and other minority groups, issuing press releases and statements on behalf of the Tri-City NAACP. Danette also serves as an advocate for missing and exploited African Americans. She has partnered with other Solano County residents, hosting a Human Trafficking Awareness event in Vallejo, a city that reports the highest incidence of human trafficking in Solano County. In 2021, Danette interviewed the national Black and Missing Foundation founders featured in the ``Black and Missing'' documentary series hosted by journalist Soledad O'Brien. Danette also served as the planning committee co-chair and member for Vacaville's Inaugural Black History Celebration and subsequent Annual Black History Celebration. Danette is an important voice in our community helping to lift others up and celebrate an important community that does not always receive adequate representation.

Jessica Moser is a tremendous leader that touches many lives of those throughout our district and beyond. Jessica works as a Material Coordinator for Vertex Aerospace, delivering aircraft parts and equipment in support of the KC-JOA Extender aerial refueling tanker at Travis Air Force Base. Beyond her work, Jessica was the President of the Travis Spouse's Club and is the Lead Key Spouse for the 660 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Travis AFB. As President of the Travis Spouse's Club, she was able to network with base personnel, their dependents, and the local community to help care for all personnel and families assigned to Team Travis. She has mentored more than 146 dependents, 85 of whom were dealing with their first deployment overseas. Jessica captained the logistics for Operation Homefront, Operation Proud Farewell, Operation Cookie Drop, the Cost of Courage Foundation, Wreaths Across America, a Holiday Meals military food drive, and a JROTC uniform drive. Jessica also brought her leadership to a global effort when she led an ``End Polio'' community project. Her team coordinated four fundraisers that generated $24 thousand, securing 65 million vaccines, and directly contributing to the goal of worldwide eradication of polio. Jessica was also pivotal in supporting deployed members across the Department of Defense during the Afghanistan Non- combatant Evacuation Operation. She rallied the community and sponsors to help build care packages, easing the stress of service members during the largest rescue in history. Jessica is an active volunteer with a variety of national and local non-profits bringing resources to military families. Her dedication to service members and their families and her commitment to service before self have been recognized before when she was named the Air Force Nominee for the Department of Defense Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.

Amy Nore is an inspirational leader in her community who exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader throughout every aspect of her life. In her role as Community Engagement & Emergency Response Administrator for the Yuba County Office of Education, Amy is the face of the Yuba County Office of Education. She actively participates in every community event in both Yuba and Sutter counties, not only representing the Office of Education, but also volunteering her time alongside her husband, children, and her children's families. One of the most difficult roles she has taken on was helping to lead the Yuba County Office of Education through the unprecedented and turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic, but she led with bravery and grace. Amy is also involved in many community organizations, such as the Yuba Sutter Task Force, Blue Zones, Yuba Sutter Food Bank, SAYLove, Marysville Art Club, Yuba Sutter Colusa United Way, Yuba Sutter Chamber of Commerce, and South Yuba County Rotary. Amy is an active leader in her community, generously giving her time to countless events and organizations.

Doreen Osumi is a compassionate and dedicated leader in the public school system. She currently serves as the Yuba City Unified School District Superintendent where her work and mentorship have impacted countless individuals in the field of education. Her leadership has not only benefitted every student in the district but has played an important role in mentoring the next generation of public educators. Taking leadership of a community beset by wildfires, unsafe air quality, floods, and the global COVID-19 pandemic, Doreen has risen to meet the moment. She has

helped her community cope with the environmental challenge and compensate for the difficulties of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic all the while expressing her passion for public education.

Doriss Panduro is an outstanding leader and public servant in the Solano County community. A lifelong resident of Fairfield, she has become involved with a wide variety of community-based organizations, nonprofits, and grassroots advocacy groups to give back and be of service to the city that raised her. Doriss is a board member of APAPA Solano County Chapter and board member and past president of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Doriss has served in various public relations roles where she has connected individuals to resources locally and at the State level. She has also worked for three State legislators in the district and State capitol serving her community, She has been a huge advocate for small businesses and the Hispanic community throughout Solano County. This depth and breadth of experience have contributed to her success as a Fairfield City Councilwoman where she has had the opportunity to touch the lives of everyone in the City of Fairfield.

Courtney Payne is a compassionate community advocate who demonstrates selflessness in all that she does. She is a licensed insurance agent and focuses on helping people navigate Medicare and other healthcare options as well as creating, building, and protecting their retirement. Through her work, she has become a phenomenal advocate for seniors throughout her community. Prior to working in insurance, Courtney worked in the field of psychology, helping children on the autism spectrum. Motivated by her experiences as a single parent and the needs she saw in others, she began her passion project, Threads to Thrive, an organization that provides business attire to men and women who cannot otherwise afford professional attire needed for interviews and new employment. This assistance helps remove a barrier to employment and improves confidence for many community members. Courtney also gives her time volunteering with a wide variety of other community organizations and nonprofits where she is known for her hard work and generosity.

Darelyn Pazdel is a dedicated and passionate role model to everyone in her community. She is the current Director of Workforce Inclusion, Community Integration, and Transportation for PRIDE Industries, an organization that works to create employment for people with disabilities. Darelyn is a fierce advocate for people of all abilities, consistently demonstrating her belief that all people have talent, and that when people of all abilities know they are respected and have an opportunity to contribute, they can reach their full potential. Darelyn has also been a part of the Fairfield Suisun Chamber of Commerce for over a decade where she currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. Along with the 'amazing work she does in her professional capacity, she is an advocate for her community and gives back in any way she can. Darelyn is known as both a champion for small businesses as well as a strong advocate for individuals with disabilities in our community.

I congratulate each of them and commend them for their work. I am inspired by them and firmly believe when women succeed, America succeeds!

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2022 Women of the Year. The honorees represent some of the most outstanding and dedicated women in California's 3rd Congressional District. Nominated by their peers, these women are recognized for the integral and crucial roles they play in improving the lives of everyone in their communities. This year marks the 102nd anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed and protected women's constitutional right to vote. In securing the right to vote, suffragists broke through a seemingly impenetrable barrier to women's full and equal citizenship in our country, signaling a new era of equality. Yet, even today, women still face significant barriers to their rights and liberties from pay discrimination to criminalizing women's reproductive rights. I take heart that each of this year's honorees will be a vital part of the work left to be done to realize women's full equality and rights.

The 2022 Women of the Year are:

Claire Arano is a positive force in her community who has a passion for helping others. For the past 20 years, she has served on the Orland Planning Commission, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to her region. In her role, Claire successfully helped streamline the processes for business and license permits and helped promote economic growth by recruiting new businesses and industries to the Orland area. As a volunteer in the community, Claire works with one goal in mind: shaping the best possible environment for her community. She has served as President of the Orland Chamber of Commerce, the Orland Rotary Club, and the Glenn Chorale. In each of these positions, she stood out as a leader and role model. As a Rotarian, Claire championed scholarships for needy students, guided them to college, and helped many in securing their first jobs. As President of the Glenn Chorale, she established a college scholarship program for students who enrolled in a music course. Claire continually leads by example and puts the needs of others ahead of her own. She has a charitable heart and a compassionate disposition; she is a tremendous asset to the community.

Jerrylean Baker is a dedicated community leader, strong advocate, and shining example of a true public servant. She is a proud senior citizen and lifelong member of the NAACP who advocates for civic engagement, addressing health and education disparities, and monitoring equal opportunity. Envisioning a society where all individuals enjoy life, she serves her community with unmatched passion and dedication. She consistently displays compassion and grace when volunteering in her community and you will often find her organizing clothing and coat drives, packing sandwiches for the homeless, and preparing holiday meals. She is an incredible advocate on issues critical to seniors, fighting for better housing and reliable transportation. As a fierce advocate for education, Jerrylean devotes herself with unparalleled enthusiasm to students who have a desire to attend college. Through her work with the NAACP, she has been instrumental in raising funds for scholarships. Jerrylean's hard work and dedication have enriched the lives of countless residents throughout her community. Jerrylean is an inspiration to her family and her community, and she exemplifies the qualities of a tremendous woman of compassion, courage, and faith.

As co-founder of Sunrise Special Services Foundation, Annie Barnes has dedicated the past twenty years of her life to improving the quality of life for those in underserved communities. Her incredible journey began thirty years ago, having faced her own hardships while raising her young children, promising herself to one day give back by helping those in need. Pursuing her dream, she completed her college education and became an accomplished grant writer while developing programs for California Tribes and rural communities. Annie secured a position with the Office of Rural Health Policy as a Rural Fellow where she was recognized by UCLA as a national Healthcare Leader. Upon receiving her master's in clinical psychology from UCSF, she became an advocate for integrating western medical models with traditional healing practices for Tribal, Latino, and other communities of color. Annie's accomplishments include securing funding for the Inter-Tribal Council of California to train communities in violence prevention models and developing programs for the prevention of diabetes II complications for the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium. Annie's commitment to overcoming challenges, her positive impact on countless lives in her community, and her unwavering advocacy for those in need make her an inspiration to all who know her.

Diane Barney has made an extraordinary difference in her community through her extensive career in journalism and healthcare as well as her involvement in civic clubs and public service. She has had an outstanding career

first as a journalist and then as Editor of the Vacaville Reporter, serving the northern Solano Community from 1984-2009. During her tenure, she focused on every facet of the community, reporting on schools, health, government, and social events as well as working to balance the role of a local newspaper in informing the public and telling the stories of regular people living regular lives. She is now the editor of Wellspring, a free health education publication that is delivered to 70,000 Solano residents. Diane has also had direct involvement with a host of public initiatives, including publicizing free immunization clinics through news releases, contributing health columns to local publications, and as a founding member of the Solano Public Information Network, was instrumental in educating the public on the pandemic's progression. As a community advocate, Diane has been a tireless volunteer for Soroptimist International of Vacaville and has served on multiple committees promoting their accomplishments. She served on the Solano County Library Advisory Council and sits on the Board of Directors of the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee. Diane always finds a way to balance her work life, community service, and her role as a wife and mother. She has a heart for public service and advocacy and is a tremendous asset to her community.

Camille Benner is an exceptional leader and advocate for Yuba and Sutter Counties. Camille volunteers for SayLove, a group that mobilizes people and resources to promote positive impacts and change within the community. She is also a member of LEADership, where she works on fundraising to establish clothes closets in elementary schools and raise money for the local Shady Creek Foundation to send kids to camp. She is extremely engaged in her community and is always willing to lend a helping hand from MCing events to helping organize fundraisers around town. Camille currently works for Habitat for Humanity where her giving spirit and the endless energy she puts into projects serve as an inspiration to both her colleagues and the Yuba-Sutter community at large. Camille has an amazingly positive attitude, but she also does not shy away from discussing life's struggles, and by sharing her own stories and success in overcoming adversity, her authenticity and resilience inspire others to do the same. Camille treats everyone she meets with compassion and creates lasting connections with those she helps. Camille is the proud mother of three sons who have learned to share her same passion and dedication for community service.

Barbara Bulkley is an active member of the Dixon community whose positive impact has been felt by many. Barbara has been an integral member of the Soroptimist International of Dixon for 31 years. She is a woman who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly and successfully. She can be found cooking, handling event registration, setting or cleaning up events, and personally selling more than half of the Soroptimist raffle tickets herself. She is known throughout her community for her endless generosity, for years she has provided a Christmas tree lighting in the Dixon downtown area for the entire community. When the Dixon Soroptimists had exhausted their emergency budget in helping a community member pay rent while they cared for their terminally ill child, Barbara stepped in to assist the woman with an additional three months of rent. When fires ravaged her county, she stepped up and donated bottled water to assist the firefighters and displaced families. All of these generous contributions were made behind the scenes while being an active owner of Bulkley Ranch with her late husband Bob. All who know Barbara can attest to how much she loves her town and cares about helping others. There are countless women whose lives have been changed as a direct result of Barbara's generosity. Her service to others and her community is a shining example to everyone she meets.

Dr. Debapriya Chakraborty is a dedicated public servant who puts her expertise to work creating sustainable and equitable public policy in her community. Since earning her Ph.D. in Economics from UC Irvine, Debapriya has led the policy team at the Plug-In Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center at UC Davis. Her research focuses on policy issues related to electric vehicles, charging behavior, charging infrastructure integration, and the effects of transportation electrification policy on the energy market. Debapriya has an invaluable skill for bringing together aspects of her research into actionable outcomes for policymakers. Through her passion and expertise, she has been leading the fight against climate change by working to make transportation sustainable, affordable, and easily available to everyone. Inspired by her upbringing in a large Indian city with extensive transportation challenges, she strives to ensure that all communities have equitable access to electric vehicles. Debapriya also serves as a commissioner of the Davis Bicycling, Transportation, and Street Safety Commission and has advised the Davis City Council on transportation policy, road safety, and transportation infrastructure maintenance. Debapriya is also an active member of the Women's Transportation Seminar International, where she has been mentoring students on closing the gender workforce gap and promoting career opportunities for early-career professionals interested in pursuing a career in transportation. She has a passion for creating equity and sustainability through public policy and is committed to finding a solution to one of the world's most critical challenges.

Sally Christie has a demonstrated passion and commitment to preserving the culture, history, and agricultural lands of the rich Delta community she lives in. Sally is on the advisory committee of the Delta Education Vineyard, an educational readiness program that works to cultivate the next generation of community leaders and agricultural professionals and secure the legacy of the Sacramento Delta region. Taking on many leadership roles in her community, Sally is also a member of the Walnut Grove Community Church where she is known as a spiritual leader with a passion for providing parishioners with leadership in the areas of stewardship, worship, and mission outreach. Sally is known throughout the Delta region for her generosity and caring nature. The work she has done educating future leaders will leave a lasting legacy, preserving and enhancing the spirit of this Delta community.

Rose Conroy spent her career as a firefighter and has served as a role model for women beginning their careers as first responders and public servants. Rose first joined the Davis Fire Department in 1979, rising through the ranks to become Fire Chief in 1994. At the time of her appointment, Rose became the first woman to lead a professional municipal fire department in the State of California. She led the Davis Fire Department for the next 16 years, maintaining the highest standards of the profession and instituting innovations such as the customer service immediate feedback reporting system after each call. As a highly visible woman in an occupation still dominated by men, her drive and determination led her to break the glass ceiling almost 30 years ago. Although Rose retired in 2010, her legacy lives on in the recent elevation of another female Davis Fire Department firefighter who, in February, was promoted to the position of Battalion Chief. Rose's early trailblazing role and her 30 years of service are memorialized in the California Firefighters Memorial statue in Capital Park, Sacramento, where her likeness is the only woman among the four firefighters depicted. Rose continues her unselfish community service, serving as Board Vice President for Communicare Health Centers, providing health services to tens of thousands of low income Yolo County residents. She embraced her role as Fire Chief with passion and professionalism and continues to have a positive impact through her volunteer work.

Roberta D'Arcy has dedicated her life to caring for others through her career as a nurse, leading various county health programs, and through her involvement in the community. Her nursing career began in the 1960s when, at 23 years of age, she became Director of Nursing for Yuba County Hospital. She later spent seven years at Fremont Hospital in Labor and Delivery while running various prenatal classes for expecting parents. Roberta later became the Detox Program Manager in Marysville from 1975 to 1979 and in 1980 was presented with the opportunity to become jail nurse for the Yuba County Jail. It was there that she recognized the severity of addiction and how it affected entire families. Roberta was instrumental in developing the First Steps program in Yuba City, which provides intensive day treatment services to substance-abusing mothers. She was also instrumental in co-founding the Fathers First program in Yuba County, which remains a vital tool for fathers who are in recovery, newly out of incarceration, or simply in need of support in fathering skills. After retiring in 1999, Roberta began work at Harmony Health Family Resource Center in Marysville and in later years worked in Homeless Services. Her work of assisting her community's most vulnerable members has directly changed the lives of countless individuals and has made her an indispensable part of the community.

Anne Davis East has given her time volunteering for countless organizations in Yolo County and has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for those in her community and beyond. As an original member of the Board of Directors for Dinner on Main, Anne was instrumental in organizing the very first Farm to Fork dinner event in Woodland, highlighting the beauty, heritage, and agriculture of Yolo County. Additionally, Anne volunteers for the chamber of commerce where she's served as a judge for the Holiday Parade and provided pro bono consulting services to re-establish the Woodland Downtown Group. As an integral member of the community, she also participated in the Woodland Redistricting Advisory group. Anne has worked tirelessly to

bring community events to Woodland that engage families, helping organize the Big Day of Giving which benefited a local girls' fast pitch softball team, working with her church and the Woodland Public Library to provide books to children, and arranging to have blankets distributed during the church's Monday food program. Anne's selflessness is an inspiration to many within her community. She is a positive role model for children and adults alike, demonstrating what it means to be a generous, caring, and passionate member of the community.

Erin Donley Marineau is a passionate leader in our community having served five years as the Executive Director of Tree Davis. A devoted environmentalist, Erin has dedicated herself to growing Yolo County's urban forest and supporting the community. She largely accomplished her successes by engaging local volunteers, partnering with local municipalities, and securing the funding necessary to grow the urban forest throughout Yolo County. During her five years, Erin and her team of volunteers planted thousands of trees and logged in tens of thousands of hours of work. Some of her many accomplishments include spearheading the development of California's first climate-ready landscape tree planting effort. This effort included identifying and adopting a palette of climate-resilient species of trees. To help ensure the adoption's longevity, Erin collaborated with leadership to develop a new Climate-Ready Urban Forestry Education Program for high school students throughout Yolo County that would promote healthier and better-suited trees that could withstand the changing climate. When Erin found out this new program created a supply issue, she negotiated with horticultural nurseries throughout multiple western states to help ensure a steady supply of appropriate species and quantities for the coming planting season. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for the environment have made a lasting impact that will be felt in Yolo County and communities across the western United States for many years.

Debbie Egidio is the president and CEO of the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce and serves as chairman of the chamber's Educational Foundation. Her leadership has been responsible for developing and enhancing the success of the 450 businesses in Vacaville while attracting new business to the region. Debbie is also co-founder of DTS Egidio, a local marketing and public relations firm. Before starting her company, Debbie worked as Marketing Director at Triad Communities where she provided marketing and public outreach for several projects, including the Lagoon Valley Project and the rehabilitation of the historic Empress Theatre in downtown Vallejo, a $3 million redevelopment project that partnered Triad, the City of Vallejo, and the Vallejo Community Arts Foundation. Debbie is a graduate of UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Managerial Economics and has put her expertise to use in many community and industry organizations throughout her career. Her outstanding career accomplishments and dedication to serving her community are an inspiration to aspiring leaders.

I congratulate each of them and commend them for their work. I am inspired by them and firmly believe when women succeed, America succeeds.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2022 Women of the Year. The honorees represent some of the most outstanding and dedicated women in California's 3rd Congressional District. Nominated by their peers, these women are recognized for the integral and crucial roles they play in improving the lives of everyone in their communities. This year marks the 102nd anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed and protected women's constitutional right to vote. In securing the right to vote, suffragists broke through a seemingly impenetrable barrier to women's full and equal citizenship in our

country, signaling a new era of equality. Yet, even still today, women still face significant barriers to their rights and liberties from pay discrimination to criminalizing women's reproductive rights. I take heart that each of this year's honorees will be a vital part of the work left to be done to realize women's full equality and rights.

The 2022 Women of the Year are:

Robin Tully is an accomplished businesswoman and dedicated community leader. She is the President and Owner of the Tully Consulting Group, where she brings her civil engineering expertise to bear throughout Northern California. Robin offers valuable knowledge of storm water hydrology, LEED sustainable site design, and environmental protection planning. Robin also serves as the Chair of the Dixon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Her involvement in the community stretches wide, from hosting holiday food drives for Dixon Family Services to participating in Toys for Tots and providing an annual STEM scholarship. Robin is an advocate and supporter of youth extracurricular activities for the community, sponsoring multiple Dixon sporting teams and the Special Olympics event, and is herself a black belt in Karate. Robin is known throughout her community for her outstanding career accomplishments and dedication to serving the people of Dixon.

Linda Van Loben Sels is a lifelong resident of the Sacramento River Delta community of Walnut Grove, a place filled with history, cultural richness, and diversity. She is a passionate and dedicated member of the community who serves on several boards, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to preserving the essence of life on the Delta. Following in her mother's footsteps, Linda serves on the Board of Directors: for the Sacramento River Delta Historical Society, working to educate the public on the importance of the Sacramento River Delta's history. Linda also serves as Treasurer of the North Delta Conservancy, an organization dedicated to conserving, sustaining, and enhancing the cultural, agricultural, recreational, wildlife, and natural habitat resources of the region. She is a member of the Walnut Grove Community Church where she is known as a person of spiritual character, honest reputation, and sound judgment, and serves as a Deacon, providing leadership in areas of stewardship and mission outreach. Linda is known throughout the Delta region for the positive impacts she's made, and Walnut Grove wouldn't be the cherished community it is today without the contributions of her and her family.

Chief Master Sergeant Jennifer Wampler entered the Air Force in 1993 and now serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader at David Grant Medical Center on Travis Airforce Base. She has served on bases across the country and South Korea and deployed in support of Joint Task Force Bravo, Operation New Dawn, and contingency operations in response to Hurricane Maria. In her current position, she is the principal advisor to the commander on all matters impacting the more than 2,500 personnel assigned to David Grant Medical Center. She provides operational guidance to the squadrons delivering medical care and services to over 500,000 active-duty members, retirees, veterans, and their families. Her work is critical to ensuring David Grant provides safe and reliable care to 60th Air Mobility Wing personnel and their families. During the COVID-19 Omicron surge, her operational direction was critical to combating the crisis. She also played a pivotal role in coordinating Travis AFB's participation in the FEMA COVID-19 response, supporting seven hospitals in California and across the nation, treating hundreds of patients, and contributing to the national pandemic response. An exceptional leader, Chief Wampler strives to inspire others through mentorship and advocacy. She fosters a climate of empowerment through knowledge by hosting leadership discussions, providing guidance to enlisted leaders on mission concerns and career development opportunities, serving as a guest speaker for the First Tenn Airman's course, and leading the Senior Enlisted Leader Panel at the Non- Commissioned Officer Professional Enhancement Seminar. Chief Wampler serves her country with honor and distinction, and her major awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

Janice Wiseman is an active member of the Sacramento Delta region's vibrant community. She has served her community in several different capacities, including as a Member of the Board for the Dr. Paul Barnes Community Park and the Jean Harvie Community Center as well as a volunteer with Delta Home Tours and countless other local organizations. Janice also served for over 30 years as a council member for her local Parks and Recreation department. While raising three children, she became actively involved with the school PTA and Boosters Club and through her local Rotary Club, Janice opened her home to five foreign exchange students, providing them with tremendous opportunities to experience the culture of American life. Janice is a valued member of her community who continues to serve with dedication and enthusiasm.

Kelly Zimmerman is a community advocate who goes above and beyond what is asked of her. In 2019, Kelly introduced and facilitated the newly chartered Soroptimist International of South Yuba whose mission is to transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment, and enabling opportunities. Kelly also facilitates several drives for the Hope Program, which engages businesses to provide pajamas, socks, and shoes to families in need throughout Yuba County. She also uses her exceptional community organizing skills to bring about popular events such as the renaissance foundation, school fundraisers, the annual shred event, and many more. She also designs and runs the community calendar and puts together an annual Women in Real Estate event, bringing together over 100 women for a day of inspiration, awards, and relationship-building. This past year, when Kelly became aware of a community member whose home had a collapsing roof and unlivable conditions, she rallied people together to help their neighbor get back in good health and moved into a new apartment with furnishings donated by the community. This is just one example of the way Kelly combines her compassion and drive to bring about positive outcomes. Kelly continuously demonstrates an outstanding commitment to empowering women and serving those in need.

I congratulate each of them and commend them for their work. I am inspired by them and firmly believe when women succeed, America succeeds.

Madam Speaker, today I introduce the ``Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act,'' with Congressman John H. Rutherford (R-FL).

Under current law, maritime diesel fuel for commercial shipping or ocean-going passenger vessels is exempt from the federal fuel excise tax that supports the Highway Trust Fund. This same tax exemption applies to diesel fuel for other non-road vehicles such as train locomotives and off-highway vehicles like construction equipment or farm vehicles. Such ocean-going vessels are also exempt from the federal excise tax that supports the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.

Under current law, non-diesel fuels for ocean-going vessels and aircraft are also exempt from federal excise taxes on fuel. However, non-diesel maritime fuels are only exempt for ocean-going vessel engaged in commercial fishing, foreign trade, or interstate commerce between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States and its territories or possessions. For vessel operators with scheduled service between two Pacific ports or two Atlantic ports, the current tax treatment of non-diesel maritime fuels could disincentivize them from choosing cleaner alternative fuels.

As the ranking member of Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation from 2013 to 2018, I strongly support vessel operators' efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ocean-going vessels. Many operators are working to retrofit their vessels to reduce emissions or investing in new vessels powered by alternative fuels. Congress must support these critical investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector and minimize particulate pollution from vessels at our ports, which contribute to smog and is a major public health concern for communities near the waterfront.

Our ``Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act'' would amend the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that alternative fuels are afforded the same tax exemption as maritime diesel, even when used for voyages within a single ocean. I am encouraged by the investments underway by many ferry operators, the cruise industry, and other vessel operators in transitioning to cleaner fuels, particularly hydrogen, biofuels, and renewable natural gas. Our legislation would provide tax parity with maritime diesel to incentivize continued investment by industry.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all members of the House to join us in cosponsoring the bipartisan ``Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act.''

Madam Speaker, today I introduce the bipartisan ``Rebuilding the United States-Flag International Fleet Act,'' with Congressmen Gibbs (R-OH) and Lowenthal (D-CA).

Our comprehensive legislation would help to recapitalize the U.S.- flag international fleet of ocean-going, commercial vessels by guaranteeing government cargo during peacetime so that U.S.-flag vessels are available during wartime or emergencies. The United States has the world's most capable navy able to operate in all five oceans, and we need an equally impressive fleet of commercial cargo vessels crewed by American mariners.

For too long, Congress and both Democratic and Republican presidents have allowed the commercial fleet of U.S.-flagged, ocean-going vessels to dwindle. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the number of ocean-going U.S.-flagged vessels has declined more than 75 percent since 1985, following the 1982 treaty called the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The global supply chain crunch during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion and blockade of Ukraine, and the People's Republic of China's island building in the South China Sea and saber-rattling in the Taiwan Strait have shown that the United States cannot remain reliant on foreign vessels flying flags of convenience.

The ``Rebuilding the United States-Flag International Fleet Act'' offers Congress the chance to enact the first comprehensive reform of cargo preference laws in decades. Our legislation incorporates recommendations for the Maritime Administration from the Government Accountability Office's report published on September 14, 2022, entitled ``Actions Needed to Enhance Cargo Preference Oversight.''

Madam Speaker, I urge all members of the House to join us in cosponsoring this critical legislation to address this crisis facing the U.S.-flag international fleet.

Madam Speaker, today I introduce the ``Ferry Service Expansion Act'' with U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). I want to thank my House colleagues for their support as original cosponsors of this bipartisan legislation.

Ferries are among the most climate-resilient modes of public transportation, capable of reaching areas where it is infeasible or imprudent to build new bridges or causeways. Historically, Congress has underfunded public ferry service compared to other transit and roadway projects. Our ``Ferry Service Expansion Act'' would correct this by increasing funding for both the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) formula and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) competitive grant programs to the levels requested by the Public Ferry Coalition, which represents public ferry operators across the country.

In the Bay Area, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) is working to expand ferry service for commuters and visitors alike. WETA is also retrofitting its existing diesel-powered ferries to reduce emissions of particulates and greenhouse gases, WETA is pursuing new, zero-emissions ferries to eventually replace its entire vessel fleet. The ``Ferry Service Expansion Act'' would provide federal support for this important work, while also holding federal grantees to the high standards for ``Buy American'' requirements and prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act that already apply to other federal funding for ferries.

Under current law, States may use their federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) for public or private ferry projects. In December 2020, the Bay Area Council released a feasibility study for employing hovercraft to provide ferry service in the South Bay. Hovercrafts can provide ferry service in environmentally sensitive areas that cannot be dredged to sufficient depth for vessels. Section 4 of the ``Ferry Service Expansion Act'' would simply clarify that States could use their STBG for hovercraft ferries, provided the project is otherwise eligible under the program as providing ferry service to the public. On July 1, 2021, the House passed this same provision as my amendment to Chairman Peter A. DeFazio's (D-OR) ``Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act.''

Lastly, our bicameral, bipartisan legislation would also support private operators of passenger ferries by allowing them to register Capital Construction Funds with the Maritime Administration (MARAD). Capital Construction Funds allow vessel operators to forgo paying federal business taxes on such vessels provided all that forgone tax payment is reinvested in constructing new U.S.-flagged vessels in American shipyards. Under current law, only cargo vessels and commercial fishing boats are eligible for this special tax exemption. However, some car ferry operators successfully registered Capital Construction Funds with MARAD, arguing that the cars are ``cargo'' and therefore their vessels are a ``cargo vessel'' and not a ``ferry.'' The ``Ferry Service Expansion Act'' corrects this discrepancy by ensuring that passenger ferries are also clearly eligible. On March 29, 2022, the House passed this same provision from my H.R. 6882 as part of the ``Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022'' (H.R. 6865).

As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I continue working to secure additional federal funding to complement the state, county, and local investments to improve ferry service across the Bay Area. I plan to work with Senator Murray to make this legislation a priority. Madam Speaker, I encourage all members of the House to join us in cosponsoring the ``Ferry Service Expansion Act.''

Madam Speaker, on January 6, America witnessed the first and most serious attempt since the Civil War to stop our democracy. It was an insurrection engineered by the then-President, Donald Trump, so that he could put forth a coup and remain in power. It did not succeed.

We came here that night over blood-stained floors and smashed doors and windows, and we voted. We voted to put in place the will of the voters of America to transfer power. Fortunately, the attempt by the President was unsuccessful.

Nevertheless, in Hollywood, there is always a sequel, often to a very bad movie. We are headed for a new sequel in 2024. Unless we change the 1887 Electoral Count Act, we will see a sequel. We know, all across this Nation, that it is being set up.

There are candidates running for critical offices--secretaries of state, various county offices--with the intent to use the 1887 Electoral Count Act to put in place a sequel to the January 6, 2021, violent insurrection. It is in place now. It is an attempt happening now to have a new coup, to use the 1887 law.

We must pass this bill. We must change the law. It is ancient. It has already been proven by January 6 and the attempted coup then to use that law to install in the Presidency a person who was not legitimately elected by the people of America.

We have to do this. It is our task. It is our work, and this bill does it.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am excited to join my colleagues as we consider the first reauthorization of the Peace Corps in two decades and also celebrate the 61st anniversary of the establishment of this extraordinary American invention.

This week, we celebrate the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's signing of the Peace Corps Act into law on September 22, 1961. My wife, Patti, and I began our careers in public service when we joined the Peace Corps as young married graduates fresh out of UC Berkeley.

Our post was to a remote village in western Ethiopia. We taught the seventh and eighth grades and engaged in community development. Like so many Americans of every age and background, we answered JFK's call to service.

Over the 60 years since the first volunteers arrived in Liberia, more than 240,000 Americans have served in 143 countries. Their tasks were to assist in the economic and social development in those countries.

JFK gave the call to service: ``Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.'' By 1962, Peace Corps volunteers were in-country. They were bringing advanced agricultural production techniques. They were teaching and providing medical education and healthcare services. They were creating cooperatives. They were building roads. They were bringing every conceivable skill that every nation needed.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, Peace Corps volunteers were asked by 13 newly independent states to come and bring the best of America with them. Americans young and old with every skill arrived. Since 1992, 3,552 American Peace Corps volunteers have served in Ukraine.

Prior to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Peace Corps volunteers served in 61 countries. For 60 years, the benefits of these Peace Corps volunteers' work at home and abroad were undeniable.

Over the decades, many Members and former volunteers have had the honor of co-chairing the Congressional Peace Corps Caucus. I thank my co-chair, Garret Graves, as we lead congressional understanding and support for this essential element of America's international engagement and also the indelible impact that the Peace Corps service has had on the lives of so many around the world and in our own country.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down Peace Corps programs around the world. Today, the Peace Corps is diligently returning its volunteers to this essential work. The agency has set an ambitious goal of surpassing 10,000 volunteers annually serving abroad. Volunteers are now in 27 countries, and every month, another country is restarting its program.

My bill, the bipartisan Peace Corps Reauthorization Act, H.R. 1456, builds upon the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018 and the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011.

It does make many important reforms, which have already been discussed here on the floor. I would only add that it does guarantee additional health insurance coverage for returned volunteers immediately following their service and requires the Peace Corps to facilitate long-term public and private health insurance coverage opportunities for returning volunteers. As mentioned, the workers' compensation rate has increased.

This bill strengthens the protection of volunteers against reprisals or retaliation for reporting wrongdoing within the agency and overseas.

In total, this bill would provide the necessary Federal resources to support international programs, and current, returning, and former Peace Corps volunteers, by authorizing an annual appropriation of $430,500,000. This current, critical legislation will reinvigorate the Peace Corps and ensure that its essential work can continue to shape and inspire people around the world for years to come.

In 1961, President Kennedy understood that the Peace Corps would ``permit our people to exercise more fully their responsibilities in the great common cause of world development.''

He set out three goals. To paraphrase, first, unpack your bag and live with and help meet the needs in your new community. Second, in your new community, work to create a better understanding of America by being the real face of America. Third, bring an understanding of the world back home.

Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better way to honor JFK's vision than for this Congress to pass the bipartisan Peace Corps Reauthorization Act and advance the Peace Corps into the 21st century.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this important bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of Dindar Singh Bains. Passing away at the age of 84, Mr. Bains leaves behind an indelible legacy in the farming and business community in the Yuba-Sutter area.

In 1958, Mr. Bains came to the United States from India with eight dollars and the hope of achieving his American Dream. Farming became Mr. Bains' passion when he arrived in Yuba City as he appreciated the land's likeness to Punjab, India. Through his tireless efforts as a farmer, Mr. Bains, otherwise known as the `Peach King,' became the largest independent peach grower in the world and the second largest cranberry grower for Ocean Spray. As a board member of the California Canning Peach Association, Mr. Bains benefitted Californian growers and farmers through his tireless efforts and advocacy.

Mr. Bains was an integral part of the Yuba-Sutter community. Through his passion for farming, his advocacy for the city, and his instrumental efforts as a founding member of the Sikh Temple Gurdwara, Mr. Bains left a lasting impact on the community. His significant legacy will be commemorated with the construction of ``Dindar S. Bains Park'' in Yuba City on land Mr. Bains once farmed himself. This new public area will serve as a gathering place in honor of the community that Mr. Bains forged across the Yuba-Sutter area.

Mr. Bains is survived by his wife, three children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a community that will miss his tenacious spirit. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mr. Bains' loved ones. I know that they, along with the entire Yuba- Sutter community, join me in celebrating his life and legacy.

Madam Speaker, l rise today to honor an outstanding leader and warrior, Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Andrew J. Piehl on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Air Force Reserve. Chief Piehl is the 349th Air Mobility Wing Cyber Operations Superintendent at Travis Air Force Base in California, and has served his nation for more than 35 years of selfless duty.

Chief Piehl started his career as a vehicle operator in 1987, stationed in Texas and Italy. Just three years later, he deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, answering our country's call to face down tyranny in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Since then, this proud son of Vacaville, California, served with distinction at Air Force bases across the globe and devoted his life to the service of our great Nation.

In his final job before retirement, he was the principal enlisted advisor for cyber warfighters at the largest tenant wing in Air Force Reserve Command, ensuring airmen were mission-ready to provide dynamic and integrated network defense capabilities, systems management, technical support, and financial management. Chief Piehl was an exceptional senior enlisted leader living by the core values of ``Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.'' He always put his airmen and their needs first.

In addition to Chief Piehl's service, his wife Grace also selflessly served in the Air Force Reserve as a Senior Master Sergeant. She devoted her life to their two children, Shelby and AJ. In all that we do, may we reflect on the many sacrifices of our dual military families and their tireless devotion to duty. I cannot overstate the importance of the support that spouses and families provide to their service members in our Armed Forces. Service and sacrifice are not limited to just the service member, but often extend to the entire family. On behalf of the U.S. Congress and a grateful Nation, we thank Grace, Shelby, and AJ. Although the Air Force will say goodbye to Chief Master Sergeant Piehl, we know that the Piehl family's legacy and devotion to the service of this great Nation will continue for years to come.

I would like to help close out the final chapter of this inspiring Soldier and Joint Force leader's career with a heartfelt thank you from all the men and women of the U.S. Congress and Nation. Thank you, Chief Master Sergeant Piehl, for your 35 years of service to the Air Force and the Travis Air Force Base community, and congratulations on your retirement. We wish you well in your future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force and the positive contributions Beale Air Force Base has made to the Yuba Sutter Community since 1942.

Madam Speaker, for 75 years, American airmen have excelled as they execute the Air Force mission to fly, fight, and win--delivering airpower anytime, anywhere in defense of our Nation. Airmen are called to ``Innovate, Accelerate and Thrive'' as the U.S. Air Force approaches its 75th anniversary on September 18, 2022. Airmen will always be there to provide America with the airpower it needs to defend the Nation, deter or defeat our adversaries, reassure our partners and allies, and help diplomacy proceed from a position of strength. Airmen continue to push technological and cultural boundaries which make America the leader in airpower and spacepower. Innovation is an integral part of how we train and employ our squadrons, develop our capabilities, and continue to move toward an even more effective Air Force. From its inception 75 years ago, the United States Air Force has excelled at keeping pace with rapid changes in technology and in meeting the demands placed on the Air Force's five core missions: air superiority; global strike; rapid global mobility; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and command and control.

Camp Beale opened in October 1942 as a training site for the 13th Armored and the 81st and 96th Infantry Divisions. Today, Beale Air Force Base is home to the U-2 Dragon Lady, T-38 Talon and RQ-4 Global Hawk. The base, covering nearly 23,000 acres, is home to more than 4,500 military personnel. Beale AFB has a unique name and mission, a historic past, and a promising future. Beale Air Force Base is the very best our Nation has to offer. Its strategic importance stands as a beacon of hope to our allies and a stern reminder of American resolve to our enemies.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation and all the constituents of California's Third Congressional District, I would like to thank the men and women of Beale Air Force Base and express my sincere gratitude for their contributions to the Yuba Sutter community, and to the defense of this great Nation.

Madam Speaker, the historic Inflation Reduction Act lowers everyday costs Americans are struggling to afford by cutting the price of prescription drugs, by making the largest-ever investment in climate action, and by reducing inflation--all of this without raising taxes on middle-class Americans and also paying down the national debt.

For too long, the price of lifesaving prescription drugs has bankrupted

American families. No more. This bill caps out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 and allows Medicare finally to directly negotiate the price of drugs.

Similarly, we must address the increasing costs Americans are bearing at the hands of climate change. This bill's $369 billion investment in climate action will unleash a renaissance in clean energy technology, creating millions of new, high-paying manufacturing jobs, and build the next generation of American energy and transportation.

Madam Speaker, I support this legislation, and I call upon my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, to pass this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, this bill provides the necessary support and direction for our national security. It also provides the necessary support for our servicemembers' families, and I am particularly pleased with the work completed by the Subcommittee on Readiness.

A big thank you to Ranking Member Waltz and Lamborn for their partnership in the subcommittee and also to the staff and all the members of the subcommittee, and particularly to Jeanine Womble, who was the staff director in this effort.

The Readiness Subcommittee's broad scope means that we cover everything from sustainment of weapons systems and facilities, including the safety of the men and women, military construction, climate change, energy, and environmental policy. While the readiness- related provisions are extensive, I would like to take a few minutes to highlight just a few.

In line with the work over the last 2 years, we continue to address vulnerabilities in installation and energy resiliency, both in response to extreme weather events and to ensure the Department can continue to accomplish its missions in the event of power disruptions. This bill works also to mitigate the military's effect of climate change and supports clean energy innovation, some of which you heard about just a moment ago.

We also continue to focus on sustaining and modernizing the organic industrial base. We cannot continue the readiness risk that neglect of our ports, depots, shipyards, and arsenals create. This is essential to ensuring that our state-of-the-art weapons systems can meet the challenges of near-peer competitors, not only the first day they arrive in the hands of the military, but in the days and years thereafter.

The health and safety of our military and civilian personnel will continue to be a top priority. This means that we will continue to address military housing, the PFAS contamination and mitigation issues, and also safety.

I am proud to represent two of the key military bases, Travis and Beale Air Force Bases and the men and women who work there.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Schakowsky for this amendment. It is very important. This is about fairness in the workplace. This is about the opportunity for workers to have a say in their work life. This is about an opportunity for major companies that want a contract with the United States Government Department of Defense to stay neutral in any unionizing opportunity that a union may be putting forward.

The rights of workers who support our defense industry would be protected by this amendment, and the Department of Defense would continue to have the flexibility in the contracting programs that they have.

With billions of dollars that we are going to be spending as a result of this and previous bills, let's be fair to the workers. If they want to organize, fine. For the companies, it is time for them to be neutral and not do the kind of practices that we have seen from companies such as Amazon and a few others.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Rogers well said why we should pass this amendment.

We have played a bad game here. If it is so important, if General McConville thinks it is so important, why didn't he fight vigorously for it in the base budget?

Yes, the President does propose, but that proposal is a proposal that comes from the Department, from all the various parts of the Department, and it is put together at the White House. The President doesn't just dream this up himself. It is, in fact, the priorities of the Department, disciplined priorities.

The unfunded list is a game where we are being played. We are the pawns in the game that they have. It was very well stated in the previous opposition to this amendment.

Let's have some discipline here.

The unfunded priorities list is a way in which the Department's various parts play us against each other and play the President. Let's eliminate all of that.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted by the last discussion, and I hope that whatever eloquence I might have would be useful in this regard because we are now debating some of the most important and profound issues that will ever come before this Congress, as it has in the past Congresses and in the future Congresses, and that is the role of nuclear weapons in our lives.

Mr. Speaker, we are involved in a new nuclear arms race, and this one is extremely expensive. But much more importantly, it is extremely dangerous because this arms race is designed to provide weapons delivery systems that are not observable and observation systems that are totally unreliable in a conflict--basically the satellite systems.

So this amendment deals with one part of the triad, and that is the ground-based missiles, some 400 or so, that are in silos in the northern Midwest. Those are the Minuteman III missiles. They are armed, they are ready, and the President, should there be an incident that would cause him to make a decision about launching those missiles, has something less than 15 minutes--probably less than 12 minutes--to make a decision to literally end life on this planet as we know it.

Those are the use-it-or-lose-it missiles, the Minuteman III.

We have the proposal underway--a no-bid contract worth about $125 billion over the next decade or so--to replace the current Minuteman III missiles and, quite possibly, the nuclear weapons that are on those missiles. We don't need to do that now. The Minuteman III missiles are viable for the next decade, almost the next two decades, if they are maintained.

The Air Force made a decision some years ago--about 7 years ago--to decide not to maintain them but rather to build a new missile system that was then called the GBSD ground-based secure system--it is now called the Sentinel--at a cost of about $125 billion in the next decade.

This amendment simply pauses the development of that missile system, calls for the refurbishment and maintenance of the current Minuteman III missiles for the next decade, and at that time a decision will be made by this Congress and future Congresses about what to do. It is simple.

There has been a lot of talk in the last hour or two about unfunded priorities or we ought to fund this and ought to fund that, I would suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, that we probably have somewhere in the range of $12 to $20 billion in the next couple of years and $120 billion in the next decade that we could easily spend on unfunded priorities or funded priorities.

So with that, I will pause, as I would hope that the ICBM would pause, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to my remaining time.

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

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

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

Let's deal with two things here. First, with regard to the ability of the Minuteman III to be serviceable for the next 17 years, in fact, it has to be for the GBSD or the Sentinel to be put in place.

All the Sentinels will not arrive on day one. They will arrive year by year, Sentinel by Sentinel, over the next 17 years. The Minuteman IIIs will be maintained for that period of time, so it is not true that they cannot be maintained. They, in fact, will be.

Secondly, are we talking about deterrence, or are we talking about dominance? Do we have to have more to deter, or do we have a good deterrence in the next decade with the Minuteman III, the submarines, the aircraft, and the bombers of many different designs?

The fact of the matter is we have sufficient deterrence. The question is, do we want to dominate simply with numbers? We don't need to do that to deter, and we do have other priorities that we need to spend money on, much of which was discussed here.

The issue for us, it seems to me, is should we delay, for a decade, the development and placement of the Minuteman III replacement--that is, the Sentinel. The answer is we have other things to do. We have other priorities, and we will be quite safe enough. We will quite have enough deterrence.

With regard to the 87-1, that is being delayed because it cannot be developed in the near term.

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

Mr. Speaker, nobody has really said that we need 400. It has never been said we need 400. Maybe we need 399. Maybe we need even less than that.

The fact of the matter is that we have adequate deterrence without any of these particularly very dangerous missiles because they have to be used immediately upon threat. In 12 minutes, the President has to make a decision.

Here is the point. We have more than enough deterrence. Now, if we want to have more than they have, that doesn't increase the deterrence. That just increases the cost of the number.

Mr. Speaker, the combination of the late hour together with too much time to talk led to a really foolish discussion from my colleague on the right.

This issue is of paramount importance to the military. I am just going to cite three, four instances in which climate and resiliency have impacted the military.

Let's talk about Tyndall Air Force Base. It was literally wiped off the map by a hurricane. It would have been good to have some coordination.

How about Camp Lejeune, another $2 billion problem, excessive rain and flood.

Let's talk about China Lake, another $3 billion problem. We can go on and on.

The fact of the matter is that climate changes are dramatically affecting the military, and to have coordination from the White House with the entire economy and the entire community of America focusing on this issue is a direct problem that must be addressed, and the NDAA is the place to do it.

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

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

This amendment, 216, is cosponsored by Ms. Jacobs of California and Ms. Lofgren of California, it is part of my Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act.

I think all of us are aware we have plenty of fires and we often do not have enough firefighters. From time to time, the military can play a very significant, important, and vital role in fighting fires.

This amendment essentially waives the current requirements for FEMA and the Federal land management agencies--BLM, the Forest Service, and the National Parks--to reimburse the Department of Defense for costs incurred by the military during support for disaster response to major fires.

Right now, the Economy Act of 1933 forces one government agency requesting services from another government agency to essentially sign a blank check for an unknown amount of money before they know the full scope of services that may be required.

This reimbursement under the Economy Act does not cost the taxpayers any extra money, it is an accounting between one agency and another, trying to keep their books straight. And we have already heard enough about the inability of the Department of Defense to keep its books straight.

I want to make sure that Federal agencies are focusing on firefighting and using every available government resource to accomplish a successful fight and not have to worry about the needless pencil-pushing back and forth between agencies, and what might ultimately turn out to be a very significant amount of money, unknown at the outset when the service is requested.

It is pretty simple. We are trying to make sure that we have maximum services available. Presently, an agency that might need help from the military might not even ask for it for fear that they might wind up with a very, very serious account to be filled.

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

Mr. Speaker, enough has been said, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of Horton Alexander ``Cotton'' Rosser. Passing away at the age of 93, Mr. Rosser leaves behind an indelible legacy in the rodeo world as a champion saddle bronc rider and owner of Flying U Rodeo Company, the oldest rodeo livestock company in the United States.

In the 1950s, he made a name for himself in the rodeo world as a champion saddle bronc rider, including a prominent victory at the Reno Rodeo in 1950. Unfortunately, his competitive rodeo career abruptly ended in 1956 when a ranch accident left him with two broken legs.

However, Mr. Rosser remained an integral part of the rodeo world as the country's premier rodeo rancher. In 1956, he bought the Flying U Rodeo Company, supplying rodeo animals and livestock. Over several decades, Mr. Rosser and his family built Flying U, based in Marysville, California, into one of the most successful stock contracting firms in professional rodeo.

In addition to stock contracting, Flying U produced around 50 rodeos annually; Mr. Rosser and his company became known for their outstanding rodeo productions. The showmanship of his rodeo opening ceremonies presented at the National Finals Rodeo, the Houston Livestock Show, and the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco raised the profile of the sport.

Mr. Rosser was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1995 and honored with a half-sized bronze statue in front of the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center commissioned by past presidents of the Reno Rodeo Association. The statue remains a lasting tribute to Mr. Rosser's work as a longtime rodeo producer. In the same year, he became the first-ever Triple Crown winner at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The Western Fairs Association inducted Mr. Rosser into their Hall of Fame in 2014 for his incredible work supporting the fair industry. In 2015, Mr. Rosser received the PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement Award.

I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mr. Rosser's loved ones. I know that they, along with the rodeo community, join me in celebrating his life and legacy.