Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, as we begin this new Congress, I am proud to introduce the Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act, with 78 of my colleagues. My bill would

reverse a longstanding Medicare prohibition on critical health services for our seniors.

Since its implementation in 1965, Medicare has excluded coverage for hearing aids and related audiology services, routine dental care, and routine eye exams and eyeglasses, despite the large number of older Americans who critically need these items and services.

The Commonwealth Fund reports that, among all Medicare beneficiaries who needed a hearing aid, only 75 percent did not have one. Of those who had trouble eating because of problems with their teeth, 70 percent had not seen a dentist in the past year. And of those who had trouble seeing, 43 percent had not had an eye exam in the past year. The reason for many seniors was affordability.

According to the latest statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than half of Medicare beneficiaries live on incomes below $26,200 per year. For them to pay out of pocket creates extreme hardship.

Sadly, reliable data shows that neglect of all health, and even the lack of routine dental exams and cleanings, can deteriorate overall physical health and exacerbate serious and complicated health problems that increase with age.

It is also increasingly well documented that untreated vision and hearing loss diminishes quality of life and increases the risk of costly health outcomes, such as falls and resulting disability, depression, and dementia.

My bill would remove the restrictions currently prohibiting Medicare coverage of these basic healthcare necessities such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dental care. Expanding Medicare coverage for these services is a cost-effective intervention that will prevent accidents, falls, cognitive impairments, and increases in chronic conditions and oral cancer.

Madam Speaker, if we do not address these gaps in health coverage now, the overall health of our aging population will continue to suffer and the need for costly and avoidable services will increase. But most importantly, giving our older adults the gift of hearing, vision, and oral health would go a long way toward helping our seniors enjoy their golden years free from depression and social isolation.

It is time to recognize that total healthcare for our seniors must include adequate access to vision, hearing, and dental services. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act, and ensure a healthier future for all our seniors.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats understand the critical responsibility we have to keep our government funded and to serve the needs of the American people. But House Republicans are driving our Nation to the brink of another disastrous government shutdown.

Republicans, who control the House, the Senate, and the White House, have the power to keep our government open. Yet, at a time of great economic uncertainty and right in the middle of the holiday season, Republicans are refusing to stand up to the President who made it clear he would be proud to shut down the government if he cannot force American taxpayers to spend billions of dollars on an immoral, ineffective, and expensive wall.

The fact is that serious homeland security vulnerabilities will not be addressed if the President is allowed to squander $5.7 billion on a border wall. This includes not being able to hire more law enforcement agents to focus on opioid, gang, trade, and child exploitation investigations; no funding to recapitalize the Coast Guard's air and sea fleets, including the procurement of our first heavy icebreaker since the 1970s. As Arctic ice recedes, Russia, China, and other countries are winning the race to lay claim to the vast resources of that region where, at times, there is no U.S. presence.

There will be no funding to hire additional Customs officers to intercept illicit drugs and other contraband, almost all of which comes into our country through the ports of entry.

Mr. Speaker, there will be no increased funding for first responder grants to help States and localities better prepare and respond to terrorism and disasters of every kind.

All of these funding needs have strong, bipartisan support, yet these critical national security needs simply cannot be met if we waste $5.7 billion on an overly expensive and unnecessary border wall.

On election day, the American people sent a message that they want a government that works for them. Unfortunately, House Republicans continue to ignore them and are steering our Nation into a Trump shutdown. The Senate passed a clean, bipartisan CR extension to keep our government open. It is time for House Republicans to do the same on behalf of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 25th anniversary of A Place Called Home, a nonprofit organization in South Los Angeles which provides a safe, nurturing environment for local youth and families.

Debrah Constance created A Place Called Home in 1993 to provide a safe haven for teens needing to escape gang violence on the streets of South Central L.A. From its humble beginnings in the basement of a church, the organization has grown into a beacon of hope and opportunity that has served more than 20,000 young people and their families.

Today, under the leadership of executive director Jonathan Zeichner and a committed board of directors and staff, A Place Called Home offers programs that prepare young people for employment or higher education. These young people also receive opportunities to access counseling, tutoring, college scholarships, vocational preparation, and internships. The organization offers classes for parents as well.

A Place Called Home is a focal point for many community activities. Its Marion Brucker Community Auditorium hosts a theater program, as well as cultural events, town hall meetings, and candidate debates. The organization also hosts events for the community throughout the year, including meals and distributions of food, beds, clothing, books, toys, and school supplies.

In addition, A Place Called Home teaches the importance of civic and community engagement, and provides opportunities for community service throughout the year. It also features three gardens where young people grow and harvest organic fruits, vegetables and flowers.

As A Place Called Home reaches 25 years of service, it remains fully committed to elevating the lives and futures of young people growing up in challenging circumstances, so they can become the leaders, healers, teachers, scientists, farmers, and builders our country needs. The organization embraces social and economic justice for all. It stands for the rights and well-being of all peoples, no matter who they are, where they come from, or how they worship.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of all the students, families, and communities helped by A Place Called Home, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating this distinguished organization on its 25th anniversary. I wish A Place Called Home the very best as it continues its mission of helping underserved

youth improve their economic conditions and lead healthy, fulfilling, and purposeful lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the YWCA Greater Los Angeles (YWCA GLA) as it celebrates its 125th anniversary.

In September 1894, the YWCA GLA opened its doors to serve the needs of women and their families. The organization's mission was to create pathways for growth, for eliminating racism, and for empowering women. Its educational offerings included classes in cooking, languages, stenography, and elocution. From those modest beginnings, the YWCA GLA has grown into a local colossus, and has provided an astonishing array of services to generations of Southern Californians.

From Downtown L.A. to Watts, from Boyle Heights to the San Fernando Valley, the YWCA GLA has given help and hope to local residents. It has been an active force for racial justice, HIV/AIDS education, infant learning, and the prevention of sexual assault and sex trafficking. Young people have been able to access affordable housing thanks to YWCA GLA residence buildings. Even amid the heartbreaking relocation of Japanese Americans by the U.S. government in World War II, the YWCA GLA was offering help to those in need, assisting Japanese American women and girls at ten relocation sites.

Today, the YWCA GLA continues to inspire us with its determination to better our communities. It impacts more than 100,000 individuals each year through services including affordable child care, after-school youth programs, economic empowerment, job training and housing, senior engagement, and sexual assault crisis services. In addition, the YWCA GLA engages in advocacy, working with community members to communicate loud, clear, effective messages on important legislation.

One of its largest programs, YWCA GLA Job Corps Services, provides a second chance in life to young students who are at risk, are previously homeless, or are emancipated foster children. Job Corps Services has been an amazing resource for helping these youth become self-sufficient and gainfully employed members of our society. The program, which has been co-ed since 1977, assists them with housing, medical costs, meals, life skills, and educational services including job training and online degrees.

The YWCA GLA's activities span many locations across the Los Angeles area, including its seven-story Urban Campus in Downtown L.A., which was funded in part by an $82 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. I was privileged to sign a beam of the building at its topping- off ceremony. Dedicated just six years ago, this campus features a state-of-the-art library, residential units, modernized health facilities, indoor lounges, classrooms, an amphitheater, and more. With locations like this Urban Campus, the YWCA GLA will stay at the forefront of the fight to make sure L.A. residents are safe, smart, and well-prepared for the wonders and challenges that the 21st century will continue to bring.

As the YWCA GLA celebrates its 125th anniversary, its accomplishments are far too numerous to list here. Its long list of successes is due, in no small part, to the fearless and stalwart leadership of CEO Faye Washington and the YWCA GLA staff. Faye and her team provide their clients with the best training and counseling possible, and constantly raise the bar to ensure their clients' success.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the YWCA- Greater Los Angeles for all it does for women, children and youth. Let us congratulate it on 125 years of fighting to better our communities and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Downey Symphony Orchestra and the Downey Symphonic Society on their six decades of broadening the cultural and educational horizons of the people of Downey, California, and beyond.

On October 20, 2018, the Downey Symphony Orchestra (DSO), directed and conducted by Sharon Lavery, commences its 60th season of concerts. The DSO has moved and inspired generations of Downey residents, and many from surrounding communities, who would otherwise not have access to live symphonic music. The orchestra has fulfilled the hopes of its founders, a group of civic-minded citizens supported by civic and government leaders, who created the DSO in 1957 to help make Downey a more desirable place to live and to do business.

Since 1958, the non-profit Downey Symphonic Society (DSS) has sponsored the DSO and its educational outreach programs. The society is governed by a volunteer board of directors, who organize and publicize the DSO concerts; seek support from foundations and government entities; solicit donations from individuals, businesses, and service organizations; and promote the symphony. The DSS also enjoys the support of a very enthusiastic and active guild of over 200 members.

Each year, the DSO presents three subscription concerts in the Downey Theatre in the fall, winter, and spring. The orchestra reaches a larger audience in the summer at its annual free ``Concert in the Park'' in Furman Park. The summer concert emphasizes selections from musical theatre and films.

DSO programs are designed to appeal to a broad audience in terms of age, musical sophistication and taste, and ethnic and cultural background. In addition to the standard repertoire, programs include works by Latino and Spanish composers and by contemporary composers. The symphony has premiered and commissioned major works, including Oscar Navarro's ``Downey Overture,'' which has been declared the city's ``Official Symphonic Music''; Bryan Curt Kostors' ``To Dust''; and Lars Clutterham's ``Downey Celebration Suite.''

The DSO and its members have also worked to promote music appreciation among our youth. In 1995, the previous DSO music director, Thomas Osborn, started the ``Music in the Schools'' program, which introduces students to all instruments and sections of the orchestra. Today, the program reaches almost 20,000 school children a year, including visits during winter and spring by a quintet of DSO musicians to the 13 public and four private elementary schools in Downey. Musicians present a sequential, multi-year curriculum on fundamentals of music, such as rhythm, melody, and style, and they perform specially arranged pieces. In addition, two full orchestral concerts are presented for school children at the Downey Theatre.

Major funding comes from the City of Downey, the Los Angeles County Performing Arts Commission, the Music Performance Trust Fund of the Musicians Union, the Downey Kiwanis Foundation, and the Downey Unified School District. In addition, the society's noble mission has been recognized in recent years with two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Thanks to the efforts of these supporters and others, the DSO is able to make its ticket prices more affordable and accessible for local residents.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in saluting the Downey Symphony Orchestra and the Downey Symphonic Society for providing 60 years of musical enjoyment to communities in my 40th Congressional District of California. Thanks to the continued work of these organizations, the people of Downey and beyond can look forward to many more music-filled years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 80th anniversary of Phoenix Bakery.

When the bakery was founded in 1938, Chinatown was truly the place where Chinese

immigrants came together. The bakery was intended as a gathering place for the community, producing traditional Chinese pastries and cookies not found locally.

Using generation-old recipes, the Chan family's first bakery highlighted its almond cookies, which it sold to Chinese restaurants and stores. Founders Fung Chow (F.C.) Chan and his wife Waihing were proud to offer the treats to everyone. Soon thereafter, F.C.'s brother, Lun, joined the bakery, and the bakery's offerings began to include what has become its trademark fresh strawberry whipped cream cake, consisting of two sponge layers with strawberries in between and covered with a fluffy, lightly sweetened whipped cream frosting.

It was not until the 1970s, however, that Phoenix Bakery became famous throughout Los Angeles for being a little Chinese bakery making this ``not so Chinese'' cake. In 1977, with business flourishing, the Chan family moved from Chinatown's Central Plaza to a custom-built bakery on North Broadway, where it remains today.

Catering both to the local population celebrating birthdays and to the thriving businesses operating downtown, Phoenix Bakery cakes began to become traditions. Lun's son, Youlen, eventually took over production, and Phoenix Bakery continued to thrive as he expanded the offerings of sweets and confections. The almond cookies, Sticky Sugar Butterflies, and Wintermelon cakes it sells have made traditional Chinese pastries household favorites. Its selection of pastries also includes a blend of eclairs, tarts, and specialty cake slices made daily.

Today, members of the Chan family's third generation can be found in various roles at the bakery, alongside loyal employees who have helped the Phoenix Bakery family grow through the years. According to a July 14, 2018 Los Angeles Times article by reporter Frank Shyong, many of the Chans ``have stepped up to help keep the bakery alive. Eric, a finance executive with Kaiser Permanente, serves on the bakery's managing board and launched a review of its finances. Melissa, Lun's granddaughter, runs the bakery's Facebook and Instagram accounts. Tiffany, Fung Chow's granddaughter, helped build the website and makes marketing suggestions. And Andrea Purcell, Fung Chow's oldest granddaughter, now brings her son and daughter to help at the bakery.''

Over the decades, Phoenix Bakery has brightened many birthdays, weddings, and celebrations. The bakery prides itself on maintaining a loyal following of customers, and it continues to welcome new friends with its quality, delicious products.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in celebrating the Phoenix Bakery's 80th anniversary, and wishing it many more years of providing, in its words, ``Sweets for the Sweet.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 6157, the Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Act for FY2019.

I commend Ranking Members Nita Lowey, Rosa DeLauro, and Pete Visclosky, as well as Chairmen Rodney Frelinghuysen and Tom Cole and Chairwoman Kay Granger and our Senate counterparts for coming together on this bill. And I would be remiss if I did not recognize the outstanding efforts of both the majority and minority LHHS subcommittee staff--Susan Ross, Jen Cama, Kathryn Salmon, Justin Gibbons, Lori Bias, Stephen Steigleder, and Robin Juliano--for their dedication, professionalism and responsiveness to staff on both sides of the aisle throughout the entire appropriations process.

While I wish the bills had come to the floor separately under regular order to give proper time to debate and discuss all the issues, I am pleased that the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill is getting a vote on the floor for the first time in more than 10 years.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. It rejects the draconian cuts the Trump administration proposed and strengthens our commitment to our constituents by funding critical programs. It also ensures our national defense remains strong in a dangerous world.

I am particularly pleased that HHS programs received such robust funding in this Conference agreement.

The bill increases funding for three of my top legislative priorities: fighting underage drinking, supporting newborn screening, and reducing maternal mortality. At a time when this country is experiencing the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases in history, this bill restores both the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and all Title X Family Planning dollars that help our teens gain critical access to reproductive health care and education. And as this country faces a growing demand for health care providers, the conference report reinstates the Health Careers Opportunity Program to increase workforce diversity and restores funding for the Community Health Centers and the Nursing Workforce Programs to their FY18 funding levels.

As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, I was particularly pleased that the bill includes amendments from our markup to protect unaccompanied migrant children, including allowing Members of Congress to access facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement for oversight visits. Finally, I am glad that we were able to maintain funding to help separated children deal with trauma.

Among Education and Labor programs, I am glad the maximum Pell award will get an increase, which I called for during our committee markup. I am also pleased we were able to work together to provide modest increases to Head Start and TRIO programs to serve students with the highest needs. Finally, the bill provides modest increases in funding for apprenticeships and maintains language that directs those funds to proven registered apprenticeships.

In the Defense section bill, I am pleased that we maintained the 2.6 percent military pay raise and that we express support for a civilian pay raise as well. The bill also ensures that families can receive death gratuities during government shutdowns. Finally, I am grateful that we were able to continue to show bipartisan support for assisting survivors of military sexual assault.

Mr. Speaker, this bill funds vital programs and ensures that our government will remain open through December. I am proud to vote in support of the bill, and I encourage my colleagues to join me so that we can safeguard the health and well-being of the most vulnerable in our country and keep our nation secure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues Congressmembers Maxine Waters, Grace Napolitano, Adam Schiff, Judy Chu, Karen Bass, and Jimmy Gomez to recognize the 100th anniversary of the chartering of the Los Angeles Host Lions Club. Not only was the Los Angeles Host Lions Club the first Lions Club chartered in Southern California, it is the oldest Lions Club in the entire state of California.

On January 13, 1913, Dr. Herman Beckwith met with his friend Philip Dodson for lunch at Marcus Godfrey's cafeteria on Spring Street near Fourth Street in downtown Los Angeles. He presented the idea of forming a luncheon club, and proposed the name Cirgonian, taken from the Latin words ``Circum'' and ``Ago''--sort of a ``round table'' idea. By February 20 of that year, there were twelve men who became charter members of the Cirgonian Club of Los Angeles. During the next few years, the club grew and prospered.

Early in 1916, the Cirgonian Club officers exchanged a series of letters with Melvin Jones of Chicago concerning the founding of an international service club organization. As a result, a meeting was held in Chicago on June 7, 1917, at which the Cirgonian Club was represented, and a date was set for the first convention in Dallas, Texas. At that convention, on October 8 through 10, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born.

Although the Cirgonian Club was not represented at this convention, less than a year later, its 85 members voted to affiliate with the International Association of Lions Clubs and became charter members of the Lions Club of Los Angeles. The Charter was presented on September 12, 1918, making it the first Lions Club in Southern California. In 1940, it was designated as the ``Host Club'' of Los Angeles County. Additional ``host'' clubs were added as the county grew.

Given that the L.A. Host Lions Club has directly sponsored 22 Lions Clubs over the years, beginning with the Pasadena Host Lions Club in 1920, it can be considered the parent and grandparent of nearly all Lions Clubs in Southern California.

For more than 50 years beginning in 1919, the L.A. Host Club was the principal sponsor of the Lark Ellen Home for Boys, a nonprofit corporation organized in 1895 for the benefit of orphan newsboys. The name Lark Ellen is attributable to a benefactor of the home, Ellen Beach Yaw, a noted opera singer of the day who some had said ``sang like a lark;'' hence, Lark Ellen. In 1950, the home relocated to more spacious facilities in Azusa (at a greater cost) where it operated for nearly another quarter of a century.

Due to an enormous increase in the costs of operation, the Boys Home was discontinued in 1973. Its assets were sold, and the proceeds formed the endowment fund known as the Lark Ellen Lions Charities. From that time until now, Lark Ellen has approved donations of approximately $1.5 million for the benefit of inner-city youth.

After many decades of meeting in the Biltmore Hotel, the Los Angeles Host Lions Club currently meets at Taix Restaurant in the Echo Park community, just north of downtown Los Angeles, where it now concentrates its service activities.

Today, the Los Angeles Host Lions Club participates in many projects, including:

Providing volunteers at health fairs to work the Lions Mobile Health Screening Unit, an RV vehicle outfitted so an eye professional can screen low-income patients for visual acuity and possible eye diseases such as glaucoma.

Sponsoring two Leo Clubs, teenage leadership development programs in conjunction with inner-city youth centers: The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center and El Centro del Pueblo in Echo Park. The sponsorship includes funding for travel and lodging for the Leos to attend regional leadership forums and other events.

Conducting community needs assessments to learn how the club can do the most good and serve more people.

Distributing food baskets/bags to families with children in inner- city schools.

Supporting district and multi-district projects such as Lions Camp at Teresita Pines, the Student Speakers Contest, Lions in Sight, and Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.

Participating in the celebration and recognition of Flag Day by distributing American flags with patriotic presentations at local elementary schools.

Sponsoring inner-city youth as participants in the California Youth Exchange Program, which provides them an opportunity to spend six weeks with participating Lion families in Japan and Europe. In exchange, the club hosts teenagers coming from other Lions clubs from Europe or Japan.

Helping to decorate the Lions float appearing in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

Participating with community partners on projects that focus on the environment.

The Los Angeles Host Lions Club has had a great 100-year tradition. The vitality of its members and their commitment to service assures us all that the motto of Lions, ``We Serve,'' will be upheld for many years to come. On Saturday, September 29, 2018, the L.A. Host Club will hold its Centennial Gala Celebration at the Crowne Plaza Hotel-Los Angeles in Commerce. More than 300 Lions and friends from throughout California will attend to commemorate this significant milestone.

Mr. Speaker, Congressmembers Waters, Napolitano, Schiff, Chu, Bass, Gomez, and I ask our colleagues to please join us in celebrating the Los Angeles Host Lions Club's 100th anniversary. We also thank the Lions for their service, and for improving the quality of life of those they have worked with and helped.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember Geraldine James Pettie, a longtime Washingtonian, a dedicated public servant, a devoted spouse, a loving mother, an attentive grandmother and great grandmother, a cherished sister, an adored friend and neighbor. Mrs. Pettie passed away quietly on July 18, 2018, at her home in Washington, DC at the age of 91.

I never had the honor of meeting Mrs. Pettie, but my chief of staff, Victor Castillo, has shared many wonderful stories and anecdotes with me about his wonderful, welcoming neighbor. In tribute to Mrs. Pettie's life efforts and to share with my colleagues and the nation the story of Geraldine Pettie, I would like to include in the Record the obituary memorializing her which was included in program for her funeral services at Mount Zion United Methodist Church today.

A Celebration of the Life of Geraldine James Pettie

May 5, 1927-July 18, 2018

Geraldine Audrey James Pettie was born May 5, 1927, in

Sandy Level, Virginia. She was the first child of the late

Morris E. and Veatrice Jackson James. Geraldine was united in

marriage to the late Lynwood E. Pettie on August 18, 1950,

and to that union two children were born.

Gerry, as she was affectionately known, attended the public

schools of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and received her

Bachelor's degree from Virginia State College in 1946. She

taught in the Pittsylvania County school system until moving

to Washington, DC, in 1951. It was then Gerry began her

career with the Department of Defense, retiring from the

National Security Agency in 1979 after 27 years of service.

Although Gerry could not share details about her

responsibilities at NSA, the pride she felt for the work she

did was obvious.

Upon moving to Washington, DC, Gerry joined Mount Zion

United Methodist Church and was an active member until the

untimely death of her husband in 1989. She also maintained

her affiliation with the Ridgeway United Methodist Church

back home.

After retiring, she was able to dedicate more time to her

greatest joys--her grandchildren, the Kappa Alpha Psi

Silhouettes, and antiquing. Gerry and Lynwood loved finding

and restoring antiques. They traveled extensively in pursuit

of their hobby and together opened a small antique store--LYN

& GERRY--in Maryland. Some of their antiquing trips were

combined with Kappa and Silhouette activities, often arriving

at conference hotels with a car packed full of their

``treasures''.

Gerry devoted herself to her family. Her daughters and

grandchildren were the pride of her life. Gerry was always

armed with a collection of her kids' business cards and

graduation photos which she proudly shared. In her final

years, her greatest happiness came from the years spent

living with her devoted sister, Lucille, in Gretna, Virginia.

Lucille's in-laws embraced Gerry and treated her as one of

their own. They became known as the ``Golden Girls'' and

everyone around town enjoyed witnessing their obvious love

for each other.

Gerry departed this life peacefully on Wednesday, July 18,

2018. She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted

daughters, Deborah Pritchett and Jan Whitley; four

grandchildren, Kimberly Pritchett, Derek Whitley, Dara

Whitley Champ, and Dana Whitley; one great-grandchild,

Anthony Champ, Jr.; one sister, Lucille J. Younger; one

brother, Morris E. James (Rosa) and one son-in-law, Michael

Pritchett; one grandson-in-law, Anthony Champ; two nephews,

Ronald Turner (Rita) and Lindell Younger; one niece, Lisa

Turner; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Pettie was laid to rest at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland alongside her beloved spouse Lynwood.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Francisco (Frank) ``Pancho'' Rios, an Angeleno, a veteran, an immigrant, and a man who lived a rich life full of love and service. With his passing on the evening of July 17, 2018, his loss is being mourned by family, friends, and others who knew him.

Francisco Rios was born in 1930 in the small town of Santa Barbara, Chihuahua, Mexico, and he resided in Mexico until 1952 when he left to attain his piece of the American Dream. He married his wife Paula Vega in 1954, and together they settled in Fresno, California, before ultimately making their home in Los Angeles.

Francisco decided to serve his adopted home, enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he served on active duty from 1955 to 1957, and received an honorable discharge on June 30, 1963. For three decades, he also dedicated himself to serving Los Angeles County residents, working to maintain roadways for the Department of Public Works.

Known affectionately as ``Nino'' and Uncle Frank, Francisco became an avid traveler, venturing to Africa, the Middle East, Western Europe, and his favorite destination, Las Vegas. He fondly recounted many of his travels, including his spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and to Vatican City. An Angeleno through and through, he was everyone's favorite tour guide of Los Angeles and its surrounding areas, regularly exposing out-of-town family visitors to the diversity of the region's sights and attractions.

While Francisco and his wife Paula did not have children together, they were an affectionate presence in the lives of their nieces and nephews, to whom they showed love, wisdom, kindness, and unwavering and unconditional support. The latest of these was Kaila Vega, daughter of Amador Vega.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in sending heartfelt condolences to the family of Francisco Rios. He leaves behind a rich legacy of love, patience, warmth, affection, strength, and wisdom that will be deeply missed by his loved ones. He is preceded in death by his parents Francisco and Soledad and his wife Paula, and he is survived by siblings, many nieces and nephews, and godchildren, who will deeply miss and cherish the memory of their ``Nino'' and Uncle Frank.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this cruel partisan effort that does nothing to stop family separation, address the crisis of children already separated from their parents, nor does it fairly address the plight of Dreamers.

Instead of uniting families, it eliminates the ability of U.S. citizens to sponsor parents, adult children, and siblings, and it abandons 3 million family members waiting to legally enter our country.

This bill limits access to asylum and eliminates provisions that protect children and their right to seek refuge in our country. It excludes thousands of Dreamers, has no guarantee of citizenship, and does nothing to remove the uncertainty and fear Dreamers have of deportation away from family and the only country they know as home.

This bill is a sham. It authorizes prolonged detentions, funds Trump's border wall, militarizes our borders, weakens child protection laws, and erodes our American tradition of united families. I urge my colleagues to vote against this irresponsible bill.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, May 15, I was unavoidably detained due to weather conditions and was not present for Roll Call votes 181, 182, and 183. Had I been present, I would have voted:

Yea on Roll Call 181, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 613, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self- Protection Act;

Yea on Roll Call 182, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4854, the Justice Served Act; and

Yea on Roll Call 183, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 285, expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that Congress and the President should empower the creation of police and community alliances designed to enhance and improve communication and collaboration between members of the law enforcement community and the public they serve.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 166. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on the motion to table H. Res. 856.

Mr. Speaker, on April 18, I was not present for Roll Call vote 147. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Aye'' on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2905, the Justice for Victims of IRS Scams and Identity Theft Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU), the nation's largest and oldest Community Development Corporation, on its 50th anniversary of making immeasurable contributions to traditionally disenfranchised communities, and the TELACU Education Foundation on its 35th annual ``Building the Dream'' Gala.

TELACU, which is based in my 40th Congressional District, was established as a pioneering institution in 1968, and was initially funded through federal legislation authored by Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob K. Javits to revitalize urban and underserved communities throughout the United States. Over the years, TELACU has built many community assets, including industrial parks, schools, shopping centers, and municipal facilities. It has created well-paying jobs for local residents, developed quality and affordable homes for first-time homeowners, constructed beautiful residential complexes for families and senior citizens, and established responsive financial institutions to create access to capital for small business owners and hardworking families.

In 1983, TELACU created the TELACU Education Foundation in response to crisis-level dropout rates for Latino students in college. When the foundation began, it served just fifteen first-generation college students. This year, as the Foundation marks its 35th anniversary, it has built a proud legacy of helping thousands of first-generation Latinos

from underserved communities shatter barriers to academic and professional success.

Each year, TELACU's Continuum of Education--comprised of the College Readiness and College Success Programs--helps more than 2,000 TELACU Scholars as they pursue their high school, college, and graduate studies. These programs offer scholars critical financial resources and a comprehensive support system to help them achieve their educational and career goals.

Historically, approximately 98 percent of high school TELACU Scholars graduate, and almost all of them pursue higher education. More than 99 percent of college TELACU Scholars earn at least a Bachelor's degree, with an increasing number going on to seek advanced degrees.

TELACU Scholars are predominantly Latinos from some of the most economically depressed communities in Los Angeles. Our communities, our state, and our nation are all strengthened when these scholars earn high school diplomas and college degrees. With TELACU's help, these graduates become independent, well-educated professionals and role models who inspire, empower, and invest in the next generation of Latino leaders.

Today, the TELACU Scholar Alumni network stretches all over the world. They are researchers and engineers, entrepreneurs and CEOs, educators and policy-makers. They are leaders who help to maintain the United States' promise as a place where immigrants can use their own talents to pursue their dreams.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the thousands of students, families, and communities that have been helped by TELACU, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating TELACU on its 50th anniversary and the TELACU Education Foundation on its 35th anniversary. Let us also celebrate the remarkable TELACU Scholars honored at the foundation's annual ``Building the Dream'' Gala. I wish TELACU and the TELACU Education Foundation the very best as it continues its mission of helping underserved communities pursue socioeconomic equity with the help of educational opportunities, community development, and economic empowerment.