Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleague, Congresswoman Judy Chu, to recognize the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), a nonprofit organization based in the Greater Los Angeles area. CAUSE has played a pivotal role in the promotion of civic engagement and leadership development within the local Asian Pacific American (APA) community for the last 25 years.

CAUSE began in 1993 as the Chinese Americans United for Self Empowerment. The organization has been chaired since its inception by Charlie Woo. In 2003, due to the APA community's diversifying population, CAUSE expanded its mission to serve the larger APA community, and changed its name accordingly to the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment.

CAUSE was created with the mission to advance the political and civic empowerment of the APA community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, education, and leadership development. By providing a greater understanding of APA issues, access to resources, and a large and thriving network, CAUSE has played a pivotal role in empowering the next generation to vote, participate, and lead.

CAUSE has created a pipeline of leadership development programs that cultivates leaders for the APA community. The oldest of these programs is the Leadership Academy, an undergraduate internship program, which has graduated 26 classes and has exposed students to decision makers, policy makers, and issues of the day. The program's young leaders have developed a deeper awareness of the political issues the APA community faces in California and in Washington, D.C.

CAUSE's Leadership Institute, a six-month fellowship, trains mid- career professionals to become greater advocates for the APA community. The fellowship is comprised of intimate policy roundtable discussions, civic leadership skill development, and access to political leaders who speak at leadership luncheons.

The CAUSE Leadership Council & Network is comprised of preeminent next-generation leaders, who are selected to participate by invitation only. Members move the APA community forward through education, networks, and advancement into leadership positions. They also look to ensure equal opportunities for leadership representation by building key connections and skills necessary to advance and empower emerging leaders.

Through these programs, CAUSE has developed a network of over 200 alumni. CAUSE is also especially dedicated to advocating for more women to rise to positions of power. The CAUSE Women in Power program serves over 400 women annually through leadership conferences to discuss issues women leaders face while exploring strategies to overcome them. This program inspires women to reach their full potential.

CAUSE has been a primary source of information for foreign and native-born APAs. CAUSE's Voter Outreach, Training & Education (VOTE) Initiatives provide voters with valuable access to voter education and registration workshops, candidate debates and forums, and community issue town halls. With over 200 volunteers, the VOTE Initiatives work to increase APA turnout and voter registration, the understanding of candidates and propositions, and discussion of politics and community issues.

Today, the APA community is the fastest growing community in the U.S. and is projected to be the largest immigrant group in the country by 2055. APA voters increased from more than 2 million voters across the country in 2000 to 3.9 million voters in 2012. In addition, there has been a growth of over 600,000 new APA voters nationwide within the last three election cycles. However, only about half of eligible voters were registered in 2016, and there is still a lack of representation in political leadership roles. The APA community is sure to see increased voter activity and voter engagement under CAUSE's stewardship.

Under the leadership of CAUSE's Executive Director, Kim Yamasaki, the organization's budget for programs and staff has increased by more than 50 percent. CAUSE is better positioned than ever to fully activate and engage the APA community in politics and the world around them.

On April 5, 2018, CAUSE celebrates its silver anniversary at an event in Downtown Los Angeles with several hundred supporters in attendance. Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to please join us in celebrating CAUSE's first 25 years of success. We look forward to its next 25 years with great anticipation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Jonathan dos Santos Ramirez for his many positive contributions to Los Angeles and beyond, both as a prominent soccer player and as an active member of the community.

Jonathan was born April 26, 1990, in Monterey, Mexico, as the youngest of three children born to Geraldo Francisco dos Santos and Liliana Ramirez. A member of FC Barcelona's famed youth academy system, La Masia, Jonathan made his eventual debut with the senior team as a 19-year-old during a match in Spain's Copa del Rey. He remained in Barcelona through 2014, making 29 appearances in all competitions, including matches played in the UEFA Champions' League, La Liga Super Copa, and the Copa del Rey.

In 2014, Jonathan transferred to Villarreal CF in La Liga, where he developed into one of Spain's standout midfielders. During his time with the club, he has made over 120 appearances in all competitions, while scoring seven times and adding eight assists. Internationally, he has made 29 appearances in all competitions as a member of the Mexican National Team, including matches in FIFA World Cup Qualifying and the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Jonathan's extraordinary soccer career, and his hard work to reach his goals, are an inspiration to young people around the world. As a new member of the Los Angeles Galaxy, he has become an incredible role model throughout Southern California.

Jonathan joined the Galaxy as the team's third Designated Player on July 28, 2017, and plays alongside his brother, Giovani dos Santos Ramirez. Since joining the Galaxy, Jonathan's passion for giving back has inspired his many philanthropic efforts in the LA community. In July 2017, he and Giovani hosted a community soccer clinic based on the values and techniques they have learned during their careers. The brothers wanted to contribute to the educational and athletic development of aspiring low-income young soccer players by shaping their skills, instilling virtues such as respect, humility, and teamwork, and setting them on a path to success.

On March 17,2018, Jonathan will once again support the community and appear for his fans in South Gate, California, to support the biggest Soccer Community Tournament in Los Angeles County history. The tournament is being hosted by the largest Latin regional record label, DEL Records, a company headquartered in Bell Gardens in my 40th Congressional District.

Jonathan Dos Santos Ramirez has shown exemplary commitment to the people of Los Angeles and beyond, and I am pleased to recognize his work as an athlete and philanthropist. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing his varied contributions and positive impact.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Giovani ``Gio'' dos Santos Ramirez on his athletic and philanthropic contributions to the Los Angeles community and beyond.

Giovani, who was born May 11, 1989, is a Mexican professional soccer player who currently plays for the Major League Soccer club the Los Angeles Galaxy, as well as the Mexico national team. He began his football career at a very young age, being recruited by Spanish club FC Barcelona and playing for their B team until age 18. Giovani made his way up the ranks, eventually debuting for the senior squad in 2007. That year, he was named by World Soccer Magazine as one of the ``Top 50 Most Exciting Teen Footballers.''

As a member of the Mexico under-17 team, Giovani won the 2005 U17 World Championship held in Peru. In 2007, he made his debut for the senior national team in a victory over Panama on September 9, and represented El Tri at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. With Mexico, he won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009, 2011 and 2015, scoring in the 2009 and 2011 finals and winning the 2009 MVP award. He was also a member of the Mexican team that won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Since joining the Los Angeles Galaxy, Giovani's passion for giving back has led him and his brother to host community soccer events in LA. In July 2017, Giovani and his brother Jonathan hosted a community soccer clinic based on the values and methods they have acquired over the course of their careers. The brothers contributed to the educational and athletic development of aspiring low-income young soccer players by helping shape their skills and guiding them on a path to becoming future stars. I commend them for this project, for their desire to give back to the community, and for their willingness to share their career lessons with young people. I understand the clinic was an unforgettable experience for the youth in attendance.

On March 17, 2018, Giovani will support the community once again by appearing for his fans in South Gate, California, to support the biggest Soccer Community Tournament in Los Angeles County history. The tournament will be hosted by the largest Latin regional record label, DEL Records, a company headquartered in Bell Gardens in my 40th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to salute Giovani dos Santos Ramirez for his achievements on the playing field and in the community. I ask my colleagues to please join me in applauding his outstanding contributions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Beth Zachary on her retirement from Adventist Health. Since 2011, she has led the Adventist Health Southern California Region (AHSCR), and for the past three years has served as its President and CEO, chairing the hospital boards at Adventist Health (AH) Bakersfield, Glendale, Simi Valley, and White Memorial. After a 37-year career of outstanding commitment and dedication at Adventist Health, Beth officially retired on January 31, 2018.

A successful health care services executive, Beth Zachary has spent over thirty years in health care services, business development, and marketing and communications. As President and CEO of the AHSCR, she was committed to coordinating care, eliminating redundancies, reducing costs, optimizing resources, and producing outstanding outcomes throughout the region, on behalf of a health care environment that increasingly rewards efficiency and coordination. The AHSCR is comprised of Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Simi Valley Hospital, San Joaquin Community Hospital, and White Memorial Medical Center.

Previously, as President and CEO of White Memorial Medical Center, a 353-bed not-for-profit teaching hospital in the densely populated community of Boyle Heights just east of downtown Los Angeles, Beth's positive influence, keen business sense, and community commitments were a significant driving force behind the hospital's growth into one of the most advanced medical centers in the greater Los Angeles region.

Under Beth's leadership, White Memorial completed a ten-year campus rebuilding project. The new hospital not only provides state-of-the-art technology and services, it also meets California's rigorous new seismic safety standards.

Beth guided the vision and strategic direction of White Memorial, and oversaw successful efforts to put the hospital at the forefront of clinical quality, service, and leadership among healthcare organizations. White Memorial has been identified as one of California's top performers in organizational excellence and quality, earning multiple awards and other recognition for exceptional performance and for dedication to continuous improvement.

Additionally, under Beth's leadership, White Memorial developed numerous community partnerships to meet critical local needs. These included a scholarship program with The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU) and Rio Hondo College that benefits youth and has helped ease the region's nursing shortage.

Beth participated on the boards of a number of state and regional organizations that focus on strengthening health care services, including the Private Essential Access Community Hospitals (PEACH). In addition, she participated on the boards of AH Physicians Network, AH Physicians Network-IPA, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, San Joaquin Community Hospital, Simi Valley Hospital, White Memorial Medical Center, and White Memorial Charitable Foundation.

Beth resides in Pasadena with her husband Jim and their daughter Alexandra, and she holds a master's degree in management from Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, California.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking and congratulating Beth Zachary for her many years of exemplary leadership and outstanding service to our community. Let us wish her many happy years of retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this so- called ``deal'' on a three-week continuing resolution (CR) because it does not get us any closer to a bipartisan budget agreement that will enable us to complete our work on the appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2018, and because it does not give us any meaningful certainty about a deal for the Dreamers.

Without a broad agreement on spending levels, we are yet again kicking the can down the road, for the fourth time in just this fiscal year alone. Governing by repeated CRs leaves federal agencies such as our Department of Defense unable to plan for the future or begin new initiatives. That undermines our national security and leaves our homeland more vulnerable. It is not how the appropriations process is supposed to work.

Before the end of FY 2017, Speaker Paul Ryan said that a continuing resolution to keep the government open after September 30th would be necessary because the Senate would not be able to process the appropriations bills as quickly as the House so, and I quote, ``we're going to need more time to complete our appropriations process, particularly in the Senate.'' So Democrats voted to keep the government open in September and they helped keep it open again on December 8 and December 22.

And here we are again. Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. Yet despite their full control of government, they are no closer to passing the spending bills that support programs and services important to American families and our military than they were four months ago. Once again they are saying trust us and give us even more time.

Some of my Senate colleagues have decided to vote for this bill because Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has promised to take up legislation by February 8 to keep our government running and to address the plight of Dreamers. But I am deeply skeptical. After all, Senator McConnell has made a lot of promises recently that he has failed to keep.

Senator McConnell promised Senator Collins that bills to stabilize the Affordable Care Act markets would be ``must-pass bills'' by the end of 2017 in exchange for her vote for the Republican tax bill. There has been no action.

Senator Flake announced that Senator McConnell promised him a vote on DACA in exchange for his support of the tax reform bill, but there has been no action on McConnell's promise.

And when a shutdown loomed before passage of the FY 2017 omnibus, Senator McConnell said that neither that bill nor the FY 2018 appropriations bills ``can be done by one party only. All of that will have to be done on a bipartisan basis.'' Yet there has only been partisan action on appropriations bills.

It is difficult to trust a promise from a Senator who has a history of breaking promises.

Also unsettling and adding to skepticism is the fact that there is no commitment from Speaker Ryan to bring up a Senate bill to fund the government and help Dreamers. There is also no commitment from the president that he would sign a Senate bill--and even if there was, there is no guarantee he won't again change his mind at a moment's notice.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, and as one of the original authors of the Dream Act, I believe we must act now. We can't keep kicking the can down the road on difficult decisions about government spending, and we can't leave Dreamers living in fear and uncertainty. I oppose this CR because we need to vote on permanent solutions on the urgent issues facing our nation including community health clinics, opioid addiction, Dream, and worker pensions, among others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this Continuing Resolution because we must stop kicking the can down the road, and that is all this Countinuing Resolution will do.

The Republican approach to governing has been to pass short term extensions of programs and Continuing Resolutions that merely delay the hard work of making decisions on the big issues facing our country.

This is now the fourth stop-gap Continuing Resolution for Fiscal 2018 that we are being asked to consider. Each time Republicans have said they need more time to deal with this crisis of their own making. And yet each time, they have failed to negotiate with Democrats to make any progress toward the bipartisan budget agreement that we need in order to develop responsible appropriations bills.

Instead, Republicans are again bringing a bill to the floor that fails to address the big challenges our nation faces. This CR does not help Americans recovering from the hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Florida, and Texas and the wildfires and mudslides that have ravaged California. It does not fund community health centers that people depend on for their healthcare or help those who need assistance battling opioid addiction. It does not protect those in danger of losing their pensions, and it will not stop our nation from hitting its debt limit.

Republicans have also failed to negotiate in good faith on a solution to the crisis that President Trump himself created for the millions of Dreamers living in this country.

Dreamers are American in every way but their citizenship, and due to the President's actions, more than 16 thousand of them have lost their DACA protections, an average of 122 per day. Tens of thousands more Dreamers will eventually lose their jobs and their protection against deportation if we do not take action.

As the author of the Dream Act in the House, I believe we must act NOW. It is inhumane to force Dreamers to live in fear and uncertainty. They can't afford to wait until the last minute for a solution, as Republicans have done so often while leading Congress.

Governing by repeated CRs is neither governing nor leading. It leaves federal agencies such as our Department of Defense unable to plan for the future or begin new initiatives, which undermines our national security and leaves our homeland more vulnerable. This is not how the appropriations process is supposed to work.

We cannot keep kicking the can down the road. I oppose this CR and urge my colleagues to vote no so we can get the job done now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this Continuing Resolution because we can't keep kicking the can down the road, and that is all this CR will do.

Since Republicans took control of the House in 2011, their approach to governing has been to pass short term extensions and Continuing Resolutions that merely delay the hard work of making decisions on the big issues facing our country.

Eventually, after not completing their work on time, Republicans regularly force through an extension in order to deal with another crisis of their own making. This has happened over . . . and over . . . and over.

And here we go again. We passed a CR in September and another one two weeks ago, and now we are being asked to give Republicans even more time to get the job done.

Governing by repeated CRs means federal agencies can't plan for the future or begin new initiatives. This undermines our national security; endangers our homeland security, restricts investments in groundbreaking research to treat and cure diseases, and threatens the accuracy of the next decennial Census.

This repeated inaction means we must now worry about keeping our government open at the same time we are trying to address several other large national challenges. For example, we are about to hit the nation's debt limit; Americans need help recovering from the hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Florida, and Texas and the wildfires that have ravaged California; people who depend on community health centers and the Children's Health Insurance Program are about to lose their healthcare; and we must protect the hundreds of thousands of Dreamers whose immigration status has been thrown into question.

President Trump himself created this particular crisis for the millions of Dreamers living in this country. These young men and women are American in every way but their citizenship, and due to the President's actions, nearly 13 thousand of them have lost their DACA protections, an average of 122 per day. Tens of thousands more Dreamers will eventually lose their jobs and their protection against deportation if we do not take action.

As the author of the Dream Act in the House, I believe it is inhumane to force Dreamers to live in fear and uncertainty for longer than absolutely necessary. We must act now. We can't afford to wait until the last minute for a solution, as Republicans have done so often while running Congress.

We cannot keep kicking the can down the road. I oppose this CR and urge my colleagues to vote no so we can get the job done now.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution will require all Members of Congress and all employees of the House, including fellows, detailees, and interns, to complete an anti-harassment and anti- discrimination training program each year. Harassment of any kind has no place within Congress, and passing this resolution will re-enforce that for Members and staff. By voting for this resolution, we will also ensure that all employees are made aware of their rights and the protections they have against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for exercising their rights. We must set an example for the nation by creating a professional workplace environment in which employees feel safe and in which workplace rights and responsibilities are respected. While this makes clear the House position against workplace sexual harassment or discrimination, it is only a first step. I look forward to simplifying and reforming the complaint process to bring greater transparency and accountability for reporting incidents of inappropriate workplace behavior. This new policy and our new national awareness are long overdue but necessary as we begin the long process to ensure the workplace is safe and welcoming for all employees.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of America's future generations who will be saddled with an unsurmountable debt created by H.R. 1, the Republican Tax plan, I must object to it. This rushed piece of legislation will not only add more than $1.7 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years, but it will also shift the burden of paying for that debt to our hard working families.

Despite our Republican colleagues' assertions that this tax plan will benefit the majority of Americans, numerous economists disagree. They note that nearly 45 percent of all households with children will see a tax increase, while 80 percent of our wealthiest citizens will receive a tax cut by 2027.

Even more egregious, this tax bill seeks to eliminate the long- standing State and Local Tax deduction, subjecting every wage earner's income to double taxation. This defeats the original framers' intent to avoid a system of double taxation.

The original tax code, drafted in 1913, consisted of three pages in its entirety and included the State and Local Tax deduction at the core of its responsible tax policy to ensure state and local governments could raise revenues for public schools, police, fire, and emergency services.

Plain and simple, this tax plan is a tremendous windfall for our wealthiest 1 percent and large corporations. It favors large businesses over small businesses, it favors sending jobs overseas rather than creating jobs at home, it favors the wealthy over hourly wage earners, and it pays for these tax cuts for the wealthy by raising taxes on our middle class families

to the detriment of Medicare, Medicaid, education, and other vital public services.

The fact is, Mr. Speaker, this bill is so skewed to benefit the wealthiest 1 percent in America that it could more accurately be named, ``H.R. 1 percent'' I urge my colleagues to support the 99 percent of Americans instead, and to oppose this plan. Vote no on H.R. 1.

Mr. Speaker, as we observe American Education Week, I rise today to recognize Leslie Diane Hiatt, a remarkable teacher and social activist in my 40th Congressional District of California. As a teacher at Bell Gardens Elementary in the Montebello Unified School District, Ms. Hiatt has inspired her students to act on injustices in their community and in the world overall.

Born in Whittier, California, on December 10, 1960, to James and Jean Hiatt, Ms. Hiatt was raised in a loving family that encouraged activism and equality. From a young age, her commitment to social justice and service to her community was apparent. In high school, where she organized the first girls' track team, she often spent her lunch break at the local elementary school organizing intramural sports for the younger students. She also spent her free time writing letters to politicians about air pollution and the Vietnam War, trying to right the wrongs of the world. In 1979, Leslie graduated from Monte Vista High School in Whittier, and went on to attend the University of Southern California, from which she graduated in 1983.

Subsequently, Leslie started her teaching career at Bell Gardens Elementary School In 1988, she pursued her Master of Arts at California State University, Fullerton. She also received a Math Authorization from Center X at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2001.

Throughout her 34-year career as an educator, Ms. Hiatt has worked with immigrant and Latino communities. This has positioned her perfectly to help inspire students to believe they cannot be bystanders, and that in order to bring change in the world, they must use their voice to speak up about injustices. To encourage these conversations, she has her students write letters to government representatives and emphasizes the importance of persistence and collaboration. These experiences have empowered her students. Here are some of their particularly important efforts over the years.

In 1989, one of Ms. Hiatt's classes refused to have grapes from the school cafeteria after learning about the United Farm Workers movement and the dangers that grape workers faced as they were being exposed to pesticides. As a result of the ongoing struggle of grape workers, her students wrote letters to their school board, and after a lengthy debate, the district honored the grape boycott. The students' actions later received attention from labor leader Cesar Chavez.

In 2015, as her students learned about the history of immigration in California and the unconstitutional ``Mexican Repatriation'' deportations of the 1930s, her students were dismayed at the complete absence of information on the deportations in their history textbooks. They were also astounded to know that there has never been a federal apology for those 1930s deportations, which expelled over 1.2 million United States citizens and over two million Mexican nationals who were legally living in the United States. After drafting a letter to President Obama asking for a federal apology for the Mexican Repatriation of the 1930s, the students entered State Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia's ``There Ought to Be a Law'' contest. Their goal was to have California recognize the history of the Mexican Repatriation and include it in California history textbooks. As winners of the contest, Ms. Hiatt's students traveled to Sacramento to testify in support of the bill, and in the fall of 2015, Governor Brown signed the bill, AB 146, into law.

Later that same year, Ms. Hiatt's students wrote to me asking for my help in obtaining a federal apology for the unconstitutional deportations. In 2016 and 2017, I introduced H.R. 6314 and H.R. 1412, respectively, which would establish a committee to officially study the Mexican Repatriation and to recommend appropriate remedies.

To this day, Ms. Hiatt's students continue to speak up and take action on pressing world events. They have focused on such subjects as the Lakota Tribe in North Dakota, Hurricane Harvey, and the earthquake in Mexico City.

When Ms. Hiatt isn't teaching her classes and working with her students to implement new legislation, she also co-teaches the STEM Club at Bell Gardens Elementary, and helps organize the school's annual science fair. She is also currently taking science education classes at California State University, Long Beach, to learn more about science content and pedagogy, and she is a member of the university's Elementary Science Learning Academy program.

Ms. Hiatt has the infinite love and support of her husband, Francisco Lopez, and her son, Joaquin Lopez, whose encouragement inspires her to continue her work as a passionate educator.

Ms. Hiatt has shown exemplary dedication to children and families in my 40th Congressional District, and I am pleased to recognize her work as an educator and leader. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing her tremendous activism, her commitment to social justice, and her determination to empower and develop a new generation of conscientious and compassionate activists.

Mr. Speaker, on November 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th, I was ill, so I was not present for the Roll Call votes held on those days. Had I been present, I would have voted:

``Aye'' on Roll Call 607, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3562, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for other purposes.

``Aye'' on Roll Call 608, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1066, the VA Management Alignment Act.

``No'' on Roll Call 609, on approving the journal.

``No'' on Roll Call 610, on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 607, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3043) Hydropower Policy Modernization Act and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3441) Save Local Business Act.

``No'' on Roll Call 611, on agreeing to H. Res. 607.

``No'' on Roll Call 612, on approving the journal.

``Yea'' on Roll Call 613, on the motion to recommit H.R. 3441, the Save Local Business Act.

``No'' on Roll Call 614, on passage of H.R. 3441. This bill would effectively eliminate joint employment from the National Labor Relations Act and Fair Labor Standards Act, blocking workers from holding a joint employer accountable for wage theft, equal pay violations, and other unfair labor practices. Today, many employers seek to avoid their legal obligations to ensure that workers receive the wages they are due and bargain in good faith, and H.R. 3441 would make it more difficult for workers to hold the joint employers who set many of the conditions of their work accountable.

``No'' on Roll Call 615, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3911, the Risk-Based Credit Examination Act. H.R. 3911 would weaken oversight of major credit rating agencies such as S&P and Moody's, which were at the center of the 2008 financial crisis, and create the possibility of credit rating agencies challenging the SEC in court if they felt the examinations were not ``appropriate''.

``No'' on Roll Call 616, on ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 609, providing for consideration of H.R. 2201, the Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act.

``No'' on Roll Call 617, on passage of H. Res. 609.

``Yea'' on Roll Call 618, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4173, the Veterans Crisis Line Study Act.

``Yea'' on Roll Call 619, the Rush Amendment to H.R. 3043.

``No'' on Roll Call 620, on passage of H.R. 3043, the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act. I recognize the need and importance of modernizing the licensing process for hydropower projects to both power companies and the workers who build, operate, and maintain them. However, I have concerns that H.R.

3043 ignores constructive suggestions that would improve the licensing process while still maintaining environmental protections and will usurp the authorities of states, tribes, and federal natural resource agencies.

``Yea'' on Roll Call 621, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3705, the Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act.

``No'' on Roll Call 622, the Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the City of Bell on its 90th anniversary. I am deeply honored to represent this city as part of California's 40th Congressional District, and I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Bell and its residents on the city's anniversary.

The foundation of the City of Bell can be traced back to the arrival of the first group of settlers in the mid-1870s. Among the settlers were the city founder James George Bell and his wife and children. They moved to a property on Gage Avenue that is now known as the Bell House. The house is now a historic landmark filled with antique furnishings, vintage clothing, and photographs, and is open for the public to visit.

In 1898, the town's name was officially changed from Rancho San Antonio to Bell, in honor of its pioneer founders. The City of Bell was incorporated in 1927 and is a small, vibrant community composed of young families, small businesses, and an industrial district.

Between 1920 and 1935, Bell experienced a growth spurt where schools, businesses, and community organizations were established, such as the Bell Chamber of Commerce and Bell High School.

Since its incorporation, the city has expanded its facilities, obtained land for public parks and recreational areas, and acquired basic amenities such as a city hall, parks, a fire department building, and a police department.

The city has recently enhanced transparency and accountability within the city government. In 2013, the city's website earned an A- from a non-profit organization that examines state and local government transparency. Through the city website, the public can now watch live streaming council meetings, look up city contracts, view warrant payments and public officials' salaries and compensations, and review budget information.

Over the years, Bell has become a vibrant city with an innovative approach to enhancing its services and infrastructure in order to support its growing community. Bell encourages programs that provide recreational activities and community services, preserve and improve the environment, and protect the safety of Bell residents.

In 2016, the Bell City Council adopted a five-year strategic plan, which outlines the top five targets for the city: economic development, community outreach, public image, developing and improving strong city management, and fiscal sustainability.

Currently, the City of Bell is mostly composed of a large Latino population and a growing Lebanese American community. Bell's commitment to community engagement can be seen through the various programs it offers to youth, adults, and seniors.

Over 700 children are participating in the city's soccer program and parents turn out in large numbers to support their kids. Some parents even become team coaches. The city has also developed new adult sports programs, and has been renovating parks by establishing maintenance procedures for the synthetic fields.

Ernest Debs Park, which is home to the youth soccer program, includes a synthetic soccer field with covered bleachers and a covered fitness zone that are available to residents every day of the week. The largest park in the city is Veterans Memorial Park, which commemorates the contributions of war veterans to our country and our freedom. Veterans Memorial Park includes a veterans monument, a rose garden, a baseball field with stadium seating, two large park pavilions, and batting cages.

Family events such as the city's annual street festival, the Summer Concert Series, and the Bell 5K Run/Walk have also been developed to promote community, health, and fitness in the city. The city's smartphone application has made it possible for its residents to report street improvements, pickup of bulky items, and graffiti removals through the touch of a button.

The new City of Bell Technology Center has provided a safe learning environment where both adults and youth can access computers. This Technology Center provides free afterschool computer skills training classes, which include introductions to computer equipment and operation, word processing techniques, e-mail correspondence, and fundamental skills required for safe web access.

As the City of Bell celebrates its 90th anniversary this month, the community will also be celebrating some of the following achievements: a ``Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting'' by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada; the establishment of a Planning Commission; the initiation of a ``Business of the Month'' effort to highlight local businesses; a partnership with the Bell Chamber of Commerce to establish the Bell Family Food Truck Night; and adoption of the city's Strategic Plan and the new city logo.

That new logo is shaped by a bell design, and includes the city's motto: ``Home . . . in the center of it all'' to inspire civic pride and civic engagement in the community.

The City of Bell has made huge strides in the past couple of years and does not show any sign of slowing down. I ask my colleagues to join me in sending our best wishes and congratulations to Bell on its 90th anniversary. This small, diverse, vibrant community makes residents proud and visitors feel at home. I expect more great things to come in Bell's future.

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee had a most remarkable hearing on Down syndrome, which moved us to a new understanding of this disability.

DS is a genetic disorder that affects over 300,000 men, women, and children in America. It is the most common chromosomal disorder and the most frequent genetic cause of learning disabilities in children.

Each year, approximately 6,000 babies in the United States are born with Down syndrome, a condition resulting from an extra 21st chromosome. Sixty years ago, people with DS had a life expectancy of less than 20 years, and most lived their lives in institutions. Today, due to early medical care and being raised in loving homes, these children can expect to live well into their sixties.

Last week's hearing was one of the most emotionally charged and inspirational hearings I can recall as a member of this subcommittee. The room was filled with children and adults with DS and their families, including my young constituent, Jose Cisneros. Amidst the tears, laughter, and applause, we heard inspiring stories about the amazing accomplishments of DS teens and young adults in sports, scouting, community activism, and film acting.

We learned that they are graduating from high schools, attending colleges, and working at jobs in their communities.

And, most importantly, we saw how these young Americans are teaching our country about the value of diversity and inclusion, while at the same time increasing the happiness quotients of those lucky enough to be in their very wide circle of friends.

We also learned some very surprising and amazing facts about Down syndrome. Researchers told us that individuals with DS are medically very special. On the one hand, they are highly predisposed to autoimmune disorders such as thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis; children with DS are 50 times more likely to develop

childhood leukemia, and virtually all adults with DS will develop the brain pathology of Alzheimer's by the age of 40.

But they also said that due to a small difference in their genetic makeup, persons with Down syndrome are naturally protected from heart disease, high blood pressure, and most solid-tissue cancers. Researchers said studying these unique genetics could help discover ways to prevent or cure diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.

With such promising potential, one would think the Federal Government would invest heavily in Down syndrome research. Unfortunately, what we learned was that over the last two decades, DS has been one of the least funded genetic conditions at the NIH.

This hearing left no doubt about the need for a significant and sustained investment in Down syndrome research. A trans-NIH DS initiative could help not only find answers and cures for DS, but discover its mysteries, which could answer questions about other serious and life-threatening diseases.

While the benefits of DS research are unquestionable, it will take time to realize its full potential. In the meantime, we must ensure those living with DS can access and afford high-quality, coordinated healthcare and the long-term services and support they need to live productive lives in their communities.

Medicaid long-term supports and Medicaid community-based services gives them that opportunity by enabling them to maintain gainful employment and stay in their homes and in their communities. Sadly, across our country, thousands of people with Down syndrome are on very long waiting lists for those services.

As lawmakers, we have an obligation to find a bipartisan way to protect and expand Medicaid services so all individuals with DS and other debilitating diseases have access to the lifelong interventions and support they need.

The time has come for this country to embrace the gift and potential that Down syndrome brings to our society. The 300,000-plus Americans living with DS today want and deserve the same opportunities available to all of us: to live a full life and to reach their true potential.

Mr. Speaker, I, along with Representative Sanchez, rise today to recognize the City of Bellflower on its 60th anniversary. We hope our colleagues will join us in paying tribute to the city and its residents.

The City of Bellflower was incorporated in 1957 after a measure to do so was endorsed by most of the civic organizations in town and supported by the local newspaper. Several of the supporting groups that played a critical role at the time still exist today, including the Bellflower Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Masonic Temple, and Bellflower Woman's Club. At the time of incorporation, Bellflower was already a 51-year-old community, fully matured in all areas but that of city government.

Over the years, Bellflower has become a vibrant city with an innovative approach to enhancing services and generating revenues to support its growing community. There has been a long tradition of implementing programs that uphold the mission of the city, which is ``to protect and enrich the quality of life, to make Bellflower an excellent place to live, work, and play.'' Bellflower places a high value on programs that attract new businesses, provide recreation activities and community services, preserve the environment, and protect the safety of city residents.

Through fiscal conservatism and the establishment of a redevelopment strategy, the city continues to grow and expand by attracting new businesses, improving business facades, and upgrading infrastructure. Since 2011, as a result of these strategies, Bellflower has seen more than $60 million of direct investment into its community. This includes the construction of Auto Zone, Biomat USA, and Kaiser Permanente offices, as well as unique restaurants like Golden Corral and Fronk's.

More recently, the city has placed a high priority on economic development and the revitalization of its downtown area. The new Bellflower Events Center and Los Angeles County Fire Museum will open in mid-November, and they are destined to become centerpieces of the resurgence and redevelopment of the city. The Events Center will provide an elegant indoor and outdoor venue for small groups, gatherings and larger parties, while the Fire Museum will house a tremendous display of Los Angeles County Fire Department history.

The city is also excited to welcome SteelCraft, with its rapidly growing reputation as a unique dining and social experience, into Downtown Bellflower. A lease was recently approved by Bellflower's City Council for SteelCraft to develop its third shipping container retail park on a 15,000 square foot city-owned lot located on Bellflower Boulevard and Oak Street. SteelCraft will perfectly complement Bellflower's unique retail stores and delicious home-grown restaurants.

Capital improvements have also been at the top of Bellflower's priorities. With the completion of the Bellflower Boulevard Pedestrian Enhancement Project in July of 2016, Bellflower's streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks have undergone immense improvements, adding to the beautification and safety of its downtown area.

We hope our colleagues will join us in sending their best wishes and congratulations to the City of Bellflower on its 60th anniversary. Let us salute its optimistic spirit, and its commitment to embracing the future through smart investments, innovation, and creativity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate All Peoples Community Center, a community-based organization in my 40th Congressional District, on the celebration of its 75th Anniversary.

The center was originally founded as All Peoples Christian Center in the 1920s, in the historic area of South Los Angeles. During World War II, the center was vacated due to the tragic relocation of its Japanese American members to internment camps.

In 1942, Pastor Dan Genung and his wife Frances moved from Chicago to Los Angeles with the primary goal of establishing a church, and founded the All Peoples Christian Church. Pastor Genung was hired to minister to the remaining Japanese American families and other community members who were African American, Latino, Armenian, and Chinese, and this multicultural community made an impact on Pastor Genung's vision to turn the church into a ``house of prayer for all peoples.'' Over time, Pastor Genung saw the need to minister to not only the spiritual needs of the people in the community, but to their social needs as well.

In the early history of the church, the minister served both as the pastor to the church and the executive director of the community center. Until 1964, the church and center worked as a single entity, which allowed both of them to pursue their separate but united goals.

Over its 75-year history, All Peoples has survived numerous changes in demography and culture while continuing to serve thousands of clients. The center is--and has always been--a safe haven, a beacon of hope and help, and a problem solving resource for the community of South Los Angeles.

In the 1960s, All Peoples responded to the civil rights movement by opening its doors to social activists for dialogue and discussion. Cesar Chavez and farm workers were hosted on-site during their campaign to defend immigrants' rights. During the 1965 Watts Riots, All Peoples remained open and distributed food to community members due to local markets being burned to the ground or closed.

As the community transitioned from African American to Latino in the 1970s, the center responded to its new neighbors by hiring staff who were bicultural, and who spoke both English and Spanish. In addition, multicultural activities were held at All Peoples to build a sense of community that was inclusive of the changing demographics in South Los Angeles.

All Peoples has become, and continues to be, one of Los Angeles' most senior and trusted place-based community organizations. It helps diverse, economically challenged residents measurably improve and transform their own lives by providing a comprehensive range of vital services, leadership, and hands-on care.

Through hard work, perseverance, and dedication to the community, Saundra Bryant has been the Executive Director of All Peoples for the past 34 years. Her first experience with All Peoples was as a two-year- old in the center's day care facility. She continued to participate in the center's programs throughout her adolescence, and served as a summer employee during college. Her commitment and passion for her community is demonstrated by her lifelong tenure of serving others.

In 2016, All Peoples was designated by the City of Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department to operate as the new FamilySource Center for the Southeast area of Los Angeles. The center's philosophy has an emphasis on education as the tool for successful community building. Thus, all of its programs have an educational component that integrates entire families and individuals. All Peoples is also committed to providing employment opportunities and leadership development to all community members.

All Peoples offers its neighbors a comprehensive after-school program, parenting and women's leadership classes, community micro- farming, financial literacy and health education workshops, case management, food distribution, a VITA Center, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). It also offers YouthSource, FamilySource, and WorkSource services that provide training to new employees, and retraining to those whose traditional skills have become obsolete; immigration services, which provide residency establishment, legal services, and education about basic rights and obligations; English as a Second Language classes; domestic violence support groups and counseling; and extended day care.

All Peoples Community Center is proudly celebrating its 75th Anniversary of continuous service to the community, and will hold its annual gala on October 19, 2017.

The 75th Anniversary gala will feature awards for three special honorees. First, actress, model, and recording star Meredith O'Connor will receive the Inspiration Award for her strong public advocacy on bullying and domestic violence issues. Ms. O'Connor is also a Celebrity Youth Ambassador for United Nations Project 50/50.

The Dan B. Genung Visionary Leadership Award will be given to Anne Tremblay, Director of the Los Angeles Mayor's Office Gang Reduction and Youth Development Program.

The Joe Ide Spirit of Community Award will be given to Ricardo Mendoza, Associate Vice President for Community Outreach and Business Development for Lee Andrews Group, a public relations firm.

I hope my colleagues will join me in sending best wishes and congratulations to All Peoples Community Center on its 75th Anniversary. The center has played a vital role in providing services to families in South Los Angeles over the past 75 years. I wish All Peoples Community Center continued success as it continues to enhance and empower our communities.