Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a trusted advisor, Melissa Kiedrowicz Ellison, who has been an invaluable member of my team for more than a decade. Melissa first joined my staff as an intern in the 111th Congress and has served the people of the district I represent as a Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, and as my Deputy Chief of Staff. Melissa has always been a steady hand, helping me carry out my duties as a member of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus during the 115th Congress.

Melissa has been by my side through countless hours of markups and hearings on difficult issues before the Committee on Ways and Means. Her grace under pressure, expertise, and leadership have been extraordinary assets in guiding my legislative efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and help working families recover from the greatest challenge we have faced in generations. Melissa always strived to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the constituents we serve, and she ensured Team Sanchez worked with common purpose in the halls of Congress and in the 38th District to do so. Thanks to Melissa's tenacity, I was proud to secure passage of 13 bills through the U.S. House of Representatives on her watch.

Melissa is known for her witty sense of humor, unfailing loyalty, and an appreciation for all things Disney.

I am so proud that Melissa will be bringing that magic to the Ways and Means Committee as the new Director of Outreach and Member Services. Her rich knowledge of the Committee will be a boon to Chairman Neal and all of our members as we redouble our efforts to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild an economy that benefits all working families. Though Melissa is leaving my office, I am so glad she is remaining in the Ways and Means Committee family and she will forever be a valued family member of Team Sanchez. I cannot wait to see all her future accomplishments as her career unfolds.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the SECURE Act. I thank Chairman Richard Neal for his tireless efforts to get this legislation across the finish line.

I have been proud to support versions of this bill for many years, and I am pleased that one of my bills has been included. My piece of this package offers a simple yet impactful way for small businesses across the country to better afford retirement plans for their employees.

Too many Americans simply aren't putting enough money away to ensure a secure retirement. Today's bill takes important steps to strengthen access to retirement security for hardworking Americans, and I am proud to have contributed one piece to solving this puzzle.

But we still have a lot of work to do. I look forward to the passage of the SECURE Act today, and I am ready to keep working on the Ways and Means Committee to continue addressing our national retirement savings crisis.

Madam Speaker, I again thank Chairman Neal.

Madam Speaker, today marks the 100th anniversary of the House passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

It is hard to think that, 100 years later, for most of our Nation's history, including my grandmother's and great-grandmother's generations, women contributed to the building of our Nation but lacked this basic civil right.

In America, your vote is your voice; it is what makes all of us equal. We each have one vote. Voting is one of the most important things that you can do as a citizen.

When the 19th Amendment passed over 100 years ago, only one woman served in the United States House of Representatives. When I began my congressional career here in 2003, 60 women were serving in the House.

Today, I am proud to serve in the House with 127 women, including 14 other Latinas. That, my friends, is progress.

While we have made significant improvements to expand the representation of women in our political system, we still have a long way to go. So let

us honor this anniversary by committing ourselves to continuing the unfinished work toward achieving full equality for women in this country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the lifelong service and success of Teresa Dreyfuss, Superintendent/President of Rio Hondo College and resident of Whittier, California. Ms. Dreyfuss is retiring after 32 years of dedicated leadership that will guide Rio Hondo College and its students for years to come.

Ms. Dreyfuss began her journey with Rio Hondo in 1987 and has held various roles at the institution including Senior Accountant, Controller/Business Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President. In each of these positions, she has built an incredible legacy of service to the students and families of Los Angeles County. Ms. Dreyfuss has worked tirelessly to expand access and affordability to education while maintaining excellence at Rio Hondo.

Throughout her long history of working with students, she has always been a leader with incredible vision, and that foresight has built strong pathways guiding students for generations to come. Some of her many accomplishments include the modernization of the Rio Hondo campus, partnerships that have streamlined student employment, and the continuation of the Rio Promise which gave first time college students a second year of tuition free enrollment. She is also Vice Chair of the City of Whittier's Sister City Committee and member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

I cannot thank Ms. Dreyfuss enough for the sincere commitment to the Rio Hondo College community. Her passion for helping students and families have made her an influential leader whose accomplishments will continue benefiting students and faculty for generations to come. I wish Teresa a happy retirement, and I thank her again for her service.

Madam Speaker, on Roll Call Number 119, On motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1122, to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a housing choice voucher mobility demonstration to encourage families receiving such voucher assistance to move to lower-poverty areas to expand access to opportunity areas, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

I was also unavoidably detained for Roll Call Number 120, On motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 758, To provide a safe harbor for financial institutions that maintain a customer account or customer transaction at the request of a Federal or State law enforcement agency.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National School Counseling Week, and to honor a treasured member of my community and school counselor at Norwalk High School, Vanessa Iaquinta. Ms. Iaquinta has dedicated over 20 years to empowering students and serving as a role model, mentor, and advocate to students and their families in our community. She always goes above and beyond what is expected of her to serve the students at Norwalk High School.

In addition to her role as a counselor, she has taken on many leadership roles. Ms. Iaquinta leads the AVID program, which serves over 200 students and has been immensely successful under her guidance, achieving an inspiring 100 percent college acceptance rate. She also serves as the counselor for the Project Lead the Way, which offers students interested in the medical field the opportunity to take classes and field trips to help them achieve their college and career dreams.

Ms. Iaquinta developed class presentations to help students create four-year plans, discuss graduation and college requirements, and provide other resources to support students in planning for post- secondary school. She also organized the other counselors to provide evening appointments for parents who otherwise would not be able to meet with counselors to discuss their child's academic performance and progress. Ms. Iaquinta truly cares about students and wants them to succeed. She has contributed to Norwalk in many ways, and works hard to bring new ideas and programs to the school that will benefit the students.

Norwalk High School is a special place because of dedicated professionals like Ms. Iaquinta, and I couldn't be more proud to honor her today. If more people were like Ms. Iaquinta, the world would be a much nicer place. In honor of National School Counseling Week, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking all the school counselors who are making a positive impact in the lives of our students.

Madam Speaker, yesterday January 23, 2019 on Roll Call Numbers 46 through 51, H.J. Res 28, Making further continuing appropriations for FY 2019 and other purposes, H. Res 61, Providing for consideration of H.R. 648, H.R. 648, the Motion to Recommit the Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.R. 648, on passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.J. Res 31, the Motion to Recommit Making further continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security, and H.J. Res 31, on Passage, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted:

Roll Call 46. H.J. Res 28: YES;

Roll Call 47. H. Res 61: YES;

Roll Call 48. H.R. 648: NO;

Roll Call 49. H.R. 648: YES;

Roll Call 50. H.J. Res. 31: NO; and

Roll Call 51. H.J. Res 31: YES.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 on Roll Call Numbers 44 and 45, the NATO Support Act, H.R. 676, and the Hack Your State Department Act, H.R. 328, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted: H.R. 676: YES; and H.R. 328:

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today saddened, but, quite frankly, not shocked, at the irresponsibility of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I guess their giveaway to the ultrawealthy wasn't enough last time around, so they have come back for round two: a fake tax reform 2.0.

When the bill for this new gimmick eventually comes due, I am terrified Republicans will pay for it by gutting Social Security and Medicare, two earned benefit programs on which my constituents rely.

I have heard a lot of rhetoric about how today's bill will help the middle class, but the only thing that today's legislation guarantees is adding at least $3 trillion more to the deficit over just a period of 10 years.

And who picks up the tab? Middle-class Americans, that is who. They are working families who are being priced out of home ownership, saving for retirement, or trying to put their kids through school.

I urge my colleagues to vote down this terrible bill and let common sense reign.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the City of South El Monte, California, which I have the privilege of representing in California's 38th Congressional District. On July 30th, 2018, South El Monte will celebrate its 60th Anniversary. Located in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, South El Monte is a colorful, diverse, and thriving community.

Known to many as the ``City of Achievement'', South El Monte has come a long way since it was incorporated as a city with 3,000 residents in 1958. The city is now home to over 20,000 Californians and a robust business community. With easy access to major Southern California freeways, South El Monte hosts more than 2,400 businesses and serves as an important manufacturing base for the Los Angeles region, including in the space an aerospace industries.

Beyond its prosperous business sector, South El Monte is a tight-knit community. Since its inception, the city's mission has been to improve the quality of life of its residents. The Whittier Narrows Recreation Area and Legg Lake on the city's border, as well as the city's commitment to those who serve in our armed forces through its Active Military Banner Program, unite a diverse population with a rich history.

I am honored to represent this city and its residents, and look forward to what the next 60 years have in store.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the lifelong service and success of Bob Henderson, a leader and resident of Whittier, California in my Congressional District. Mr. Henderson is leaving the Whittier City Council after 36 years of service and it is my pleasure to recognize his many accomplishments.

Bob is an outstanding public servant and has dedicated his life to improve and protect the city of Whittier. Mr. Henderson has demonstrated his passion through his various leadership roles over his many years of service which include: serving as an active city council member, mayor pro tempore, and serving as city mayor.

In addition, Mr. Henderson's commitment to environmental conservation inspired him to become a leading advocate for wildlife. He made it a priority to protect the environment and used his love for the beautiful City of Whittier to motivate others to join him. Mr. Henderson also served as Chairman of the Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority and Chairman of the Wildlife Conservation Authority where he had a tremendous impact. While he had countless accomplishments in these roles, I'd like to highlight a couple. He spearheaded the effort to pass the Hillside Preservation Ordinance which led to the preservation of over 1,000 acres of land. Bob was instrumental in the founding the Hillside Open Space Education Committee which has been largely responsible for protecting local wildlife from harm.

Mr. Henderson was also instrumental in numerous community projects that have enhanced the lives of so many, such as the new YMCA, Pico State Park renovation, and the Shannon Center for Performing Arts at Whittier College. It is in that spirit that, on behalf of all the families' and communities who have benefitted from his service, I wish to honor and thank Bob Henderson.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service and success of Nancy Mendez. A dedicated resident of Whittier, California whose hard work and model leadership has made a significant impact in my Congressional District. Ms. Mendez is retiring from her position as Assistant City Manager this year, and it is with great pleasure that I recognize her accomplishments.

Ms. Mendez began her 38 year long career with the City of Whittier in 1980 as a community supervisor. She established herself as an active member of the community spearheading several programs and activities responsible for maintaining high levels engagement across all age groups. Following the Whittier earthquake in 1987, Ms. Mendez demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure when she organized and opened a mass shelter for displaced residents after having been on the job as the Assistant for Human Services for only one day.

Ms. Mendez also assisted the city in winning a number of grants to fund important city projects over the years. She has also served as the Director of Human Services and Assistant City manager. Ms. Mendez has always used her skills to provide tangible benefits to our community. As Assistant City Manager, she was integral to the design and funding for the Greenway Trail, improved cell phone service in Whittier, and other important economic development projects. While there are too many projects to list, I would be remiss if I did not also mention her work on the Walnut Senior Center, Palm Park Activity and Aquatics Center, and the city's police headquarters.

I cannot thank Ms. Mendez enough for all that she has contributed to the City of Whittier. Her passion for public service has made her an influential and effective leader whose accomplishments both from the past and present continue to benefit the people of Whittier today.

I wish Nancy Mendez a happy retirement and thank her again for her service.

Mr. Speaker, very shortly we will be losing a Member of the House of Representatives. Charlie Dent, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, will be leaving this body. I would be remiss if I didn't come to the floor and talk about his tremendous service to the House of Representatives.

I had the honor and the privilege of serving with Mr. Dent on the Ethics Committee. Not that serving on the Ethics Committee is a great honor or a great privilege, but serving with him truly was. He is a man of integrity, a man who kept his word, a man who worked hard to get through the business at hand, somebody whom I could trust, and somebody with a really great sense of humor, which, in this body, is becoming a rarer and rarer thing.

He is truly a likeable individual, somebody who took his job and his responsibilities seriously. And I want to wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors, and I want him to know that he will be sorely missed in this body.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call Numbers 162 through 166, On Amendments to H.R. 4, the Democratic Motion to Recommit, and Final Passage, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted: Roll Call 162, McClintock Amendment--No; Roll Call 163, Duncan Amendment--No; Roll Call 164, Motion to Recommit H.R. 4--Yes; Roll Call 165, Final Passage--Yes; and Roll Call 166, On Motion to Table H. Res. 856--No.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a champion for children, education, and the LGBTQ community from my Southern California district. Mrs. Gloria Duran passed away March 12, 2018 at the age of 80 after a lifetime of service to the local area. Gloria grew up in Silver City, New Mexico until moving to California. She ultimately made Santa Fe Springs, California per home. Ms. Duran began her career in education as a secretary at Los Nietos Middle School and committed her life to the betterment of the education system, serving as a member of the Los Nietos School Board for 16 years, with unending verve and dedication.

Ms. Duran was a dynamic, energetic woman who fought with passion for the children and seniors she served. Her activism and drive led her from den mother to Chair of the Santa Fe Springs senior citizens advisory committee and membership in the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults. She went to great heights, quite literally, to raise money for HIV/AIDS research by jumping out of a plane while in her sixties with her son John Duran. There was no mountain too high for Gloria to climb if it meant making her community a better place.

Gloria Duran was a shining example of what dedicated people can do for their community. While I know the pain of losing such a strong leader will run deep, I hope her family and friends will be comforted by the outpouring of love and fond memories of Gloria's lifetime of service. May her legacy live on and inspire others to serve.