Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on November 19, 2012, the movement to improve direct care jobs lost a fearless and spirited leader when Leonila Vega passed away after battling cancer for fourteen months. As an advocate for direct care workers--the more than four million workers who assist elders and people living with disabilities--Leonila fought to improve wages, access to benefits, and respect for the profession. Born in rural Mexico, Leonila came to the United States as a teenager eager for the opportunity to pursue an education. She taught herself to speak and read English, worked her way through college, and went on to earn a law degree. As a disability rights attorney in Wisconsin, Ms. Vega developed a reputation as a ferocious advocate for the elderly and people living with disabilities. Her cases exposed her to the plight of direct care workers--many of whom are immigrant women--and she saw firsthand the challenges they faced, working long hours for little pay and no benefits, entrusted with the lives of their clients while suffering an alarming lack of respect. Her desire to improve life for these caregivers led her to become the Executive Director of Direct Care Alliance. At Direct Care Alliance, Ms. Vega worked to eliminate the exploitation of direct care workers and its harmful effects on care quality by empowering numerous direct care workers to see the valuable role they play in society. As she said, it was her American dream to help others realize their potential. I admire Ms. Vega's work on behalf of direct care workers, immigrants and people of color, and am saddened that we have lost such a vivacious and dynamic leader.

Among the issues that Ms. Vega championed was the extension of the Fair Labor Standards Act to cover home care workers. Sadly, this essential workforce is excluded from these basic protections. Such poor working conditions hinder recruitment and retention which, in turn, negatively affect the quality of care that millions of Americans receive. Troubled by this injustice, Ms. Vega ensured that the issue remained at the center of Direct Care Alliance's agenda. I was inspired by her passion to improve direct care jobs and introduced the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act in 2010 and reintroduced a similar bill--the Direct Care Job Quality Improvement Act in 2011. One year ago, President Obama announced the Department of Labor's proposed rule to extend minimum wage and overtime protections to home care workers. Sadly, Ms. Vega did not live to see the rule finalized, but we will continue to fight to make things right for direct care workers, just as she would have done. The values that Ms. Vega fought to advance-- respect and dignity for all people--are ones that everyone, regardless of political affiliation, shares and we must work together to move those efforts forward.

Mr. Speaker, today I come to the floor to honor Leonila Vega, a ferocious advocate for seniors and people with disabilities. In her role as the executive director of the Direct Care Alliance, I worked closely with her to improve the conditions of work for those who provide in-home care and, with it, the quality of care that they provide for others.

Although she lost her battle with cancer on November 19, the battle she waged for quality care and dignity for workers continues.

I cannot adequately describe all of her accomplishments in one short minute, so I'm submitting a longer statement for the Record. But I do hope that in honoring her today and talking about her passion, I hope that her passion for social justice is an inspiration to all of us.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and commemorate the life of Mexican American singer Jenni Rivera. Jenni used her powerful voice, soulful singing style, and honest lyrics to create a message that spoke to the resiliency of women.

That powerful voice was silenced forever when she and six others were killed in a plane crash on November 9. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, to immigrant parents from Mexico, Jenni Rivera started her career selling her CDs at flea markets. When she died at the age of 43, Jenni was a top-selling artist, an actress, television producer, and entrepreneur.

Tragically, she was on the cusp of multicultural stardom when she died. She had just finished filming her first film and was in talks with ABC to star in her own sitcom.

Her talent and authenticity shined brightly in a music genre dominated by men. Jenni's lyrics offered a new and refreshing woman's perspective.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of Jenni Rivera and the message of empowerment she gave to millions of women that she spoke for.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I announce the passing of Larry Van Nostran, who served the city of Lakewood for 37 years.

Larry was first elected to the Lakewood City Council in 1975. He is the longest serving council member in the city's history, and was serving his tenth term as a council member when he passed away Friday, November 9. During his 37 years on the council, he served as the Mayor of the city nine times.

Among Larry's most notable achievements was the founding of the Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and its continued success for the past 30 years. The Hall of Fame has honored thousands of Lakewood youth during that time, and has helped promote a vigorous sports and recreational culture in the city. This strong tradition was nationally recognized by Sports Illustrated magazine, who named Lakewood ``Sportstown USA'' in 2004.

Larry was instrumental in helping create a high quality of life in Lakewood's neighborhoods and finding solutions to keep Lakewood's crime rate low. Larry began his service in Lakewood city government as a member of the Traffic and Safety Commission, and was a longtime member of the Public Safety Committee as a member of the city council. He firmly believed that there's not a more important value than keeping a community safe. He was a strong supporter of the Lakewood Award of Valor event, where public safety personnel, volunteers and residents are honored annually for their dedication, hard work and courage.

Larry was prominent in the development and expansion of senior services, which were scant before he was elected to the city council. Larry saw the initiation of Lakewood's DASH senior transit system and exercise and fitness programs at the city's two senior centers. He was also a champion of growing Lakewood's business and commercial base, which included modernizing the second largest shopping center in Los Angeles County, Lakewood Center Mall.

Larry was born in Seville, Ohio in 1933 and moved to Lakewood in 1958, just four years after the city was incorporated. He was active in Lakewood civic life for over 40 years, including membership in the Elks Club, Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, Lakewood Pan American Association, and Masonic Lodge & Scottish Rite.

As you are aware Mr. Speaker, many of our colleagues in city government have a fundamental impact on the lives of our constituents and they rarely get the recognition that they deserve. The city of Lakewood will miss Larry, and I stand with many in our community in sending my thoughts and prayers to his family. Thank you Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence for Larry Van Nostran, a true public servant, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Maria Dadian and her 18 years of public service to the people of Southern California.

Maria's devotion to public service is long-standing. In 1975, Maria began her career in municipal government working for the City of South El Monte. She later accepted the position of Parks and Recreation Director with the City of Hawaiian Gardens, and after four years was promoted to Assistant to the City Administrator. Following her 11 years of continuous service to Hawaiian Gardens, she was named interim Executive Director of the Coalition for Youth Development, the city's newly established non-profit organization. During her municipal career she has been contracted by both public entities and private businesses to organize and implement public safety and recreation programs.

Since joining the City of Artesia management team in 1994, Maria has worked tirelessly to ensure Artesia remains safe for its residents and economically vibrant for its business community. During her time as Assistant City Manager, Maria oversaw the City's Public Safety programs, Capital Projects, Community Development projects, and grant program. On top of that, Maria also steered Artesia's Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments. On November 20, 2000, she was appointed City Manager, and redoubled her efforts to serve the citizens and businesses of Artesia.

Over the years, Maria never stopped working to improve Artesia through redevelopment, encouraging private sector investment, and diversifying and expanding Artesia's economic base. As a result, Artesia flourished under Maria's tenure. This includes an historic district renovation and restoration project, as well as numerous projects devoted to public infrastructure and facilities, downtown revitalization, and developmental and housing assistance. In short, Artesia has seen a renaissance with Maria as City Manager.

I commend Maria Dadian for her many years of outstanding public service and dedication to the City of Artesia and the community. We need more public servants like Maria Dadian. Artesia would not be the community it is today without her.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Greg Nordbak and his 18 years of public service to the people of Whittier, California. Greg and his wife Donna have called Whittier home since 1980, and they have been fixtures in Whittier civic life ever since.

Since beginning the first of his five terms on the Whittier City Council in 1994, Greg has worked tirelessly to ensure Whittier remains safe for its residents and economically vibrant for its business community. Under his tenure, Whittier has seen the creation of various city resources such as the Whittier Greenway Trail acquisition and development, the construction of the Parnel Park Community and Senior Center, a new Whittier Police Headquarters Building, Pio Pico State Historic Park Renovation, the Uptown Whittier Specific Plan, the Whittier Boulevard Specific Plan, and release of Fred C. Nelles property for development.

Over the years, Greg's civic involvement has grown exponentially to include proudly serving as Chairman of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA), as past president of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, as a former Board Member of the Whittier Rio Hondo AIDS Project (WRHAP), as well as volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club of Whittier, the Skills Foundation, and the Rio Hondo Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Over the past decade, Greg has always worked to ensure that Whittier operates on firm financial footing and never outside its fiscal means. While the broader economy has impacted many cities throughout Southern California, Whittier has managed to maintain funding for all city services and capital improvement projects. Greg Nordbak is a big reason why Whittier can continue to deliver for its residents.

From one public servant to another, I praise Greg Nordbak and commend him on his many years of outstanding public service and dedication to the City of Whittier and the community. Whittier would not be the community it is today without him.

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

I want to thank the chairman for his work in this matter. He has addressed in his opening comments some important aspects of this particular matter.

Representatives Charles Dent and John Yarmuth, who led the investigative subcommittee, will speak in greater detail about the facts of this matter and how and why the committee reached the recommendation for sanction that comes before the House today.

I would like to briefly remind our colleagues why we are discussing this matter on the floor today and the importance of the ethics process to the integrity of the House.

As noted before, the Ethics Committee is unique in that its membership is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. In that bipartisan spirit, I would like to cite the observations of two former chairmen of this committee about the role of the Ethics Committee and the role that it has in overseeing the House.

A former Republican chairman of the committee once said that the ethics process is not a ``trial.'' Instead, it is a ``peer review process.'' In that same vein, a former Democratic chair of the committee said, ``The purpose of the ethics process is not punishment but accountability and credibility: accountability for the respondent and credibility for the House, itself.''

The committee followed these important principles in assessing the conduct of our colleague, Representative Laura Richardson. The recommendation for sanction we present today will ensure that Representative Richardson is held accountable for her conduct. It will also reaffirm the credibility of the House by demonstrating our commitment to upholding and enforcing the ethics standards that apply to all of us equally. How the committee conducted the investigation in this matter reinforces the goals of accountability and credibility.

This matter was begun by the committee at its own initiative in the last Congress. The members of the subcommittee did not prejudge the outcome of this matter nor did the members of the full committee.

Out of fairness to all House Members and staff, it is important to point out that the mere fact that an individual is the subject of an investigation doesn't mean that a violation has actually occurred. The existence of an investigation doesn't reflect a judgment by the committee on the allegations. This is true whether the investigation has been publicly acknowledged by the committee or whether it remains confidential.

The committee conducted a thorough and fair investigation. Representative Richardson was represented by counsel throughout the committee's investigation. She was provided with copies of materials gathered by the subcommittee. Representative Richardson also chose to waive certain procedural rights and steps in the investigative process that were available to her. The subcommittee listened to her views and interpretations of the facts of the investigation as well as appropriate sanctions. The full committee also took into account her views.

Ultimately, a dozen Members of the House of both parties weighed the allegations regarding Representative Richardson, and based on the facts, concluded that her conduct did not meet the ethical standards that apply to all of us in a number of respects. That conclusion was bipartisan and it was unanimous. The misconduct in this matter was serious, and in accordance with House precedent it merits the serious sanction of reprimand. Representative Richardson has agreed to accept the sanction of reprimand for her conduct.

Usually, it is the committee's work in investigative matters like this one that receives public attention, but the committee's nonpartisan staff provides advice and education to Members and staff every day. The report issued by the committee in this matter serves both purposes.

If you have not already taken the opportunity to do so, I urge my colleagues and House staff to carefully read the committee's report.

As the report says, the boundaries between our official, political, and personal roles are sometimes clear, and sometimes they are complicated. This matter illustrates the consequences of failing to heed those boundaries.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge and thank my colleagues Representatives Charlie Dent, John Yarmuth, Rob Bishop, and Ben Ray Lujan for their hard work on the investigative subcommittee.

In addition, I want to thank all of our committee staff. Although we are a bipartisan committee, we have a professional nonpartisan staff. All of the members of the committee appreciate their continuing hard work and service to the House.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth), a member of the Ethics Committee.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

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

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

I just feel it is important to point out several important issues that were raised by Ms. Richardson in her comments on the floor today.

Much of what she has stated on the floor today was included in the views that she filed after reviewing the report that was issued. She raised these points in her views of the report. And I feel compelled to add that the committee took those views very seriously, and they responded and refuted those points in its response to her views, which is all included in the report which has been made publicly available.

Everything that has been stated on the floor today by any Member, but most especially Mr. Dent, are statements that are already included in the report to which Representative Richardson has responded. And again, many of the points that she raised we investigated, took very seriously, and included in response to those views.

I don't think that there is anything further to add other than she has been given an opportunity to voice her concerns at every step of the process, and we have scrupulously adhered to a process to try to take her views and her suggestions into account and we have arrived at the report which is unanimously agreed on by all of the committee members.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the House farm bill calls for draconian cuts that hurt our most vulnerable Americans. I'll be blunt and just get straight to the point. The House-proposed cuts are completely unacceptable.

The SNAP program puts healthy food on the table for 46 million Americans every month. In my home State of California, close to 6\1/2\ million people struggle to put food on the table. An even worse statistic--and one that really breaks my heart: almost 2\1/2\ million children each year in California have had to go to bed hungry, and it's simply because their families couldn't afford food.

These proposed cuts to SNAP would quite literally take food out of the mouths of children. In my district, SNAP helps provide food for seniors, kids, veterans, and working families. About 20 percent of my constituents report that at some point last year, they couldn't buy food for themselves or their family. I don't understand why in good conscience Congress would ask millions of struggling Americans to go hungry in order to subsidize big agribusiness.

As a country, we cannot afford to turn our backs on those who need us most now.

Madam Speakers, I rise in support of H.R. 4223, the Safe Doses Act. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in supporting this important legislation.

H.R. 4223 addresses a difficult issue in the pharmaceutical supply chain: the theft of medical products. While this body last week passed important legislation to protect consumers from counterfeit drugs, there remains a real risk from stolen medical goods.

This is a not a hypothetical exercise, it is a real problem. Criminal organizations who steal medical products are not concerned with storing these materials properly, or ensuring that they are only sold with a doctor's prescription.

Let me give one brief, but telling example: In 2009, 128,000 vials of insulin were stolen in North Carolina. Beyond the $11 million monetary cost of this theft, there was a human cost as well.

These vials were reintroduced into the supply chain after being improperly stored. The vials found their way to pharmacies in 17 different states, and at least two individuals suffered potentially fatal blood sugar levels before the FDA was able to alert the public to this danger.

H.R. 4223 is a simple and sensible way to give law enforcement and prosecutors a stronger set of tools to go after criminal organizations that are brazenly stealing vital medication and devices. I further note that, beyond the bipartisan support this measure has received, the Safe Doses Act passed both the House Judiciary and Senate Judiciary Committees unanimously.

I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation, clean up the pharmaceutical supply chain, and protect their constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3668, the Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act. I have worked with Representative Meehan, worked for quite a while on this issue and it's rewarding to see that bipartisan, practical ideas still have a place in this body.

H.R. 3668 will raise the penalties for counterfeit medicines, a unique consumer health and safety problem. This legislation is needed, bipartisan, and non-controversial.

Counterfeit drug enterprises jeopardize the public's safety and I believe perpetrators should be held accountable.

Unlike other consumer goods, counterfeit medicines pose a significant public health and safety threat to the innocent, sick patients who receive them.

H.R. 3668 will help protect seniors and children, who are uniquely vulnerable, as well as anyone who could be harmed by fraudulent medicines.

We must have tougher penalties for crimes that are a threat to public safety.

H.R. 3668 ensures this and I encourage my colleagues to support this straightforward, reasonable approach.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Ted Martinez, Jr. as the eighth Superintendent/President of Rio Hondo College. A Texas native, Dr. Martinez has dedicated himself to education and been a strong role model for Latinos in academia.

Dr. Martinez has worked throughout his career to insure that all students have access to quality higher education. In his capacity as Superintendent/President of Rio Hondo College he has been committed to maintaining fiscal stability while enabling student success, high-level learning outcomes, and the completion of the $245 million building program. His leadership provided a new platform for Rio Hondo College to utilize its resources in partnering with community and business leaders.

While at Rio Hondo College, he established a community advisory committee that includes local school and government officials, service agencies, religious groups, small businesses and veteran's groups. Our community is especially grateful for the strong and vibrant Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) program and outstanding Veterans Service Center that were established under his watch at Rio Hondo College. In 2010, Under Dr. Martinez' leadership, in 2010 Rio Hondo College launched the award-winning South Whittier Educational Center (SWEC) partnership that provides students from underserved areas with a historically low college attendance a real pipeline to college.

Dr. Martinez's commitment to education has not gone unnoticed. Among many other honors and awards, Ted has been distinctly honored with the Outstanding President Award from the California Community College Council for Staff Development, the District 6 Pacesetter of the Year Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, and the Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Key Award from the International Honorary Society for students in two-year colleges.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose this Republican bill that dangerously leaves victims of domestic violence worse off than they are under current law. To say that this legislation builds on current law is patently false.

Our Senate colleagues passed a strong version of the Violence Against Women Act with broad bipartisan support. Every Republican woman in the Senate voted in favor of it. Instead of crafting a bill of similar strength, my Republican friends in this body have insisted on taking back crucial protections for abused victims throughout our country. This Republican bill makes it more difficult for immigrant victims to work with law enforcement to report and help prosecute serious and violent criminals.

This Republican bill pretends the LGBT community doesn't exist and would allow victim service organizations to discriminate against LGBT victims when they seek help.

This Republican bill would further endanger the lives of Native American women who suffer abuse in epidemic proportions in this country. This Republican bill doesn't expand protections for women; it puts more women at risk by weakening current protections.

America's women deserve better. I encourage all of my colleagues to reject this Republican bill and support the Democratic alternative.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. XXX, expressing support for ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans' Day 2012.''

We do not have to walk far from the doors of this building to be reminded of the bravery that so many of our young men and women have shown in defense of this country over the last 236 years. Statues, monuments, and other symbols of American freedom color our horizon and tell the stories of the veterans who served, sacrificed, and gave so much for the country they loved.

As a nation, we honor those who defend us with memorials, holidays, and parades. But, as a people, we have not always fulfilled our duty to properly recognize those fellow citizens who put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe and protect our freedoms.

Unfortunately, we failed in this duty to our Vietnam veterans. They came home to a time of civil unrest and social turmoil--a time when opposition to the war too easily turned into opposition against those young men and women who served in that war.

Too many service members returned from the brutality of war, not recognized for their courage, their honor, and their sacrifice.

The harsh greeting that met too many veterans in addition to the life changing trials of war, made an already difficult transition to civilian life even harder.

The communities that could have supported those who were reeling from the trauma of loss were not always available. When these veterans needed someone to lend an ear, or a helping hand, too many found a cold shoulder.

By encouraging Americans to observe ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day,'' my resolution seeks to provide these heroes the welcome home that they always deserved, but too many never received.

``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' is the culmination of years of effort on the part of my constituent Jose Ramos, himself a Vietnam veteran.

As an Army Combat Medic in Vietnam, Jose Ramos was victim to the indifferent and often hostile public reaction when he returned home. It was his personal experiences, and those of his fellow GIs, that motivated him to work toward establishing a national day of recognition. His work inspired many, including me, to help give Vietnam veterans their long overdue ``welcome home.''

While today's resolution may seem like a small gesture--and when compared to what our soldiers and their families sacrificed, it certainly is--it will serve to remind us of their service to our country.

Although there may be differing opinions on foreign policies and the popularity of certain military actions may vary, all American voices should rise in unison when it comes time to thank those who risk everything for the defense of the American people.

I urge my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to join in honoring Vietnam veterans by participating in Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day events in their communities next year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of civil rights leader and labor organizer Cesar Chavez. On the anniversary of what would have been his 85th birthday, I stand before you to pay tribute to a man who sacrificed and dedicated his life to championing the rights of farm workers and all working families.

A true pioneer and hero, Cesar Chavez inspired a nation by organizing immigrant and minority farm workers to courageously fight for fair pay, fair benefits and fair working conditions. His legacy serves as a testament that every worker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

As a child, I too learned about the significance of the movement he began. When my brothers and sisters begged our mother for grapes, she refused. It was her way of standing in solidarity with Americans across the country who were supporting the grape pickers' strike led by Chavez' United Farm Workers Union.

Almost 50 years after the creation of the United Farm Workers Union, Chavez' contributions to our country live on. Thanks to him, thousands of Latinos and farm workers can now work with the dignity and respect they deserve. He inspired a generation of labor leaders to use non- violent protest to accomplish powerful things.

As a proud union member myself, I am honored to commemorate and celebrate the memory and work of Cesar Chavez.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend Sandy Thorstenson for her leadership and dedication as Superintendent to the Whittier Union High School District.

Born and raised in Whittier, CA, Sandy has served as Superintendent of the Whittier Union High School District for 10 years. She is a graduate of Whittier High School and Whittier College with her Master's Degree in Education from California State University, Fullerton. Sandy started her 34-year career in the Whittier Union High School District as a teacher and quickly ascended to Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and ultimately Superintendent.

Under her leadership, Sandy has spearheaded Whittier Union's transformation into a high-achieving district with five comprehensive high schools serving 13,400 students from socio-economically diverse backgrounds. Sandy's ``whatever it takes'' attitude has ensured student achievement for all students, resulting in state and national recognition. Whittier Union High School District has demonstrated remarkable gains in student achievement at every school, becoming one of the top school districts in Los Angeles County.

Sandy is an active advocate for quality and equity in public education at the local, state, and national level as a member of many professional and community organizations. She currently serves on the California State Superintendents' Council, the Pivot Learning Partners Board and is the current President of California City Superintendents Association. She is also a member of the Soroptimist International of Whittier, Whittier College Corporate

Council, and a past member of the Whittier Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Due to these outstanding achievements for the school district and beyond, Sandy has been selected as California's National Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.

Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in honoring this extraordinary woman whose love and dedication to our students is overwhelmingly obvious. Let us congratulate her on her many accomplishments to the Whittier Union High School District and our community.