Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Nasser AbouKhalil.

Throughout his life, Nasser has shown his commitment to supporting patients and providing a space for advocacy and healing in the community. Nasser was born in Tyr, Lebanon and graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. He opened the Alamo Pharmacy in 1987. In 1997, he opened the Oak Grove Pharmacy in Concord, California where it remains a staple in our community.

Through his work, Nasser practices compassionate care and comprehensive support. He believes in not only ensuring that patients have the appropriate medications, but also offering individualized health care advice and cost-effective alternatives. Nasser also takes pride in mentoring aspiring health care professionals in the pharmacy. providing them real-world experience to prepare them as they enter the medical field and work to serve their communities.

In addition to his professional work, Nasser is also an advocate for the Lebanese community in the Bay Area where he volunteers with the Lebanese American Association.

Please join me in recognizing Nasser AbouKhalil for his leadership and invaluable contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Dr. Orin T. Allen.

Throughout his life, Dr. Allen was committed to advancing justice and serving his community. He worked for the Contra Costa County Probation Department in California for 35 years, serving as a counselor, probation officer, and director. He was especially passionate about supporting our youth, serving on the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Commission, East County Youth, and Family Services Board of Directors, East County Boys and Girls Club, and the Boy Scouts of East Delta District. The Byron Boys Ranch was even renamed the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Center in honor of his work. In 1999, Dr. Allen was named Contra Costa County's Humanitarian of the Year in recognition of his steadfast commitment to the county's youth.

As part of his humanitarian work, he worked tirelessly to provide quality education in the community and support students through his work as an elected member on the Pittsburg Unified School District, where he served for more than 20 years. For his work in this space, Dr. Allen received the Outstanding Friend of Education Award from the Association of California School Administrators.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Allen enjoyed spending time with family and friends and in the community. He had a passion for building and flying remote-controlled planes and travelling with his loved ones. He was also an active member of St. David's and St. Anna's Episcopal Church.

Sadly, Dr. Allen passed away on April 23, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Fredrica Allen, his daughter Shula Bernstine, his daughter Vicki Scali, his son Orin T. Allen Jr., his brother Jaja Allen, his sister Thomasina Moten, 8 grandchildren, 8 great- grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his compassionate nature and his many contributions to our community. Please join me in recognizing the life of Dr. Allen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bilva Vedamurthy and the organization he started, Arts Saving Hearts.

Bilva is a student at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, and the founder of Arts Saving Hearts. Inspired by his love of learning and discovery, Bilva started Arts Saving Hearts during the COVID-19 pandemic to help artists in our community learn new skills and to promote a self-sustaining lifestyle. Arts Saving Hearts works with local artists to showcase and sell their work, with 100 percent of proceeds going toward helping disadvantaged communities around the world. The organization has received art from students, teachers, and professional artists from all over the Bay Area. Thanks to the contributions of these local artists, Bilva has been able to raise money to support COVID-19 victims and others in need in our community.

The organization works with a variety of local nonprofits and businesses. Bilva has worked extensively with the Edgewood Center for Children and Families in San Francisco to help provide mental health services to children. Arts Saving Hearts also works with Plaza Chiropractor, Indian Red Cross Residential School for Hearing-impaired Kids, and other community partners to support underserved groups. Bilva's work has been instrumental in supporting our community's youth and in helping to connect young people with necessary mental health resources and treatment.

Please join me in honoring Bilva Vedamurthy and Arts Saving Hearts for their important work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Dr. Carol Weyland Conner.

Dr. Conner studied English literature at U.C. Berkeley and French literature at the Sorbonne in Paris. After watching her brother experience mental health issues, Dr. Conner was inspired to help others and earned her PhD in clinical psychology from Catholic University. After earning her degree, she practiced as a therapist in Walnut Creek, California, for 25 years. During this time, she also volunteered as a counselor at Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. Additionally, Dr. Conner acted as a spiritual director until her passing.

Throughout her life, Dr. Conner was devoted to serving her community and helping those in need. She started White Pony Express in 2013, and the organization has grown into one of California's largest food rescue programs. The White Pony Express distributes clothes, resources, and high-quality, fresh food throughout Contra Costa County. White Pony was also active in aiding victims of the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County, transporting clothes, food, and other necessities to the community. Dr. Conner received the 2019 Andrus Award from the California AARP for her leadership on that project. She has also received numerous accolades for her leadership at White Pony Express, including the Hometown Hero Award from the Contra Costa Times, the Jefferson Award from San Francisco KPIX, and the Soroptimist Ruby Award for Women Helping Women.

Sadly, Dr. Conner passed away at the age of 80 on April 22, 2023. She will be remembered for her compassionate nature and dedicated service. Please join me in recognizing

Dr. Conner for her many contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unable to vote today, as I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 238, H.R. 2792; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 239, H.R. 2795; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 240, H.R. 2796.

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

I thank my good friend, Representative Stauber, for his work on the bill.

I am really grateful to be here once again to support H.R. 346, the NOTAM Improvement Act, which we introduced together and worked on and will continue to work on together.

The Notice to Air Mission System is an essential part of our aviation infrastructure as it provides critical real-time flight safety information, including potential hazards to pilots, flight dispatchers, and other airspace users.

In 2017, an Air Canada plane at San Francisco International Airport preparing to land flew within 59 feet of four fully loaded planes, narrowly avoiding an unimaginable disaster. It would have been the greatest aviation disaster in American history. If it wasn't for the quick thinking of a couple of United Airlines pilots who saw him approaching inappropriately, we would have had that disaster. The National Transportation Safety Board investigation found that the outdated NOTAM system was a significant part of the problem.

The importance of this work was further emphasized when earlier this year in January, U.S. airspace came to a standstill when the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all airline domestic departures due to an outage of the system.

Although the FAA worked to quickly solve the problem and lift all of the domestic flight stops, airlines and passengers faced the cascading effects of mass delays and cancellations for hours.

The NOTAM outage also exposed significant vulnerabilities in the FAA's legacy IT infrastructure and underscored the need for Congress to take decisive action to quickly modernize these critical safety systems that flight crews and airline passengers depend on.

To help strengthen the integrity of the NOTAM system, this bipartisan bill directs the FAA to create a task force on NOTAM improvement to:

Identify best practices to make sure that critical flight information is disseminated to pilots in a way that optimizes review and retention; and

Develop recommendations to ensure the stability, resiliency, and cybersecurity of the NOTAM system.

This task force will consist of key aviation stakeholders including: airline pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft dispatchers, air carriers, and aviation safety and computer system experts.

It also requires the FAA to complete its NOTAM modernization efforts and do other IT system upgrades by the fall of 2024.

As the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee continues to work on the upcoming FAA reauthorization bill, we will build upon the 2018 law and implement any necessary improvements to safeguard U.S. airspace from cascading system outages.

The task force created under this bill will play an important role in the FAA's ongoing NOTAM modernization initiative to ensure pilots, flight crews, and other airspace users receive NOTAMs that are timely, relevant, and accurate.

I am very proud to have worked with Representative Stauber on the NOTAM Improvement Act to protect the safety of the flying public. At a time when there is much disagreement within our parties, I am glad that we worked together in a bipartisan manner to prioritize aviation safety.

I am also grateful that our Senate colleagues recognized the importance of this issue and worked quickly to pass this bipartisan bill.

Our unwavering bipartisan commitment to aviation safety continues to be a priority for Congress and the FAA.

As we enter what is expected to be a busy summer travel season, H.R. 346 will help put us on course to pursue best practices that bolster safety, prevent future disruptions, and allow for pilots, air traffic controllers, crews, and customers to be safe and feel confident in the technology and in the U.S. aviation system.

I am proud to support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again I will say how fulfilling this has been and how much work we still have to do, but I know we will work in partnership to make sure that we fulfill a long history in this country of aviation safety and make sure it gets even better.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other Members on my side to speak, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedicated service of Alan Smith as he retires from the Contra Costa Library Commission.

Throughout his career, Alan has faithfully served his community and has played a key role in supporting Contra Costa County's library system. When I was serving as a Contra Costa County Supervisor, I was proud to appoint Alan to the Library Commission and I am immensely proud of the work he has done to serve our community during his tenure. His career with the Library Commission began in May 1997 and he served as chair from 1998 to 2001, 2003 to 2005, and once again from 2015 to 2017. He has worked throughout the State of California conducting training sessions to various library boards and commissions. Additionally, he served as President of the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners (CALTAC) and represented Contra Costa County on the Bay Area Library Information System's (BALIS) Advisory Board. In 2006, Alan was awarded the California Library Association's President's Award in recognition of his leadership.

As part of his service, Alan has been a fierce advocate for legislative action to strengthen our nation's public libraries. He chaired the 2006 Proposition 81 library bond measure campaign in Contra Costa County, presenting critical information on this subject and obtaining over fifty endorsements for the proposition. Alan also served as a key advisor to other State and local campaigns.

Please join me in congratulating Alan Smith on his well-deserved retirement after 26 years of service with the Contra Costa Library Commission.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of the Contra Costa Special Districts Association (CCSDA) on its 30th anniversary.

Since 1993, CCSDA has provided a space for Contra Costa's independent special districts to exchange ideas and information in order to best serve our communities. The organization was founded when Chuck Beesley, former General Manager of the Contra Costa Mosquito Abatement District and Bob Berggren, General Manager of the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District, realized the need for a space in which Contra Costa's special districts could work together on various regional issues. CCSDA was founded in order to ensure that special districts receive tax revenue needed to provide essential services to the public and to increase awareness of the services special districts provide.

As part of its work, CCSDA plays a key role in disseminating important information from Contra Costa County's special districts to key stakeholders, the public, and local government agencies. This is critical as special districts provide an array of services to Contra Costa residents including fire protection, parks and recreation, flood control, natural resource conservation, wastewater management, and more. Further, CCSDA facilitates communication between the special districts and provides a space for the County's special districts to collaborate on a number of projects. Additionally, CCSDA works closely with the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) to promote good governance by offering professional development resources to the special districts. Their work has been instrumental in expanding local services and improving access to public services.

Please join me in recognizing the Contra Costa Special Districts Association's 30th anniversary and congratulating them on their success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Willie Mims.

Mr. Speaker, throughout Mr. Mims' life he has shown his commitment to educating, serving, and empowering residents of the community that I have represented for some time now in Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In 1963, Willie began engaging in local politics, advocating for the Rumford Fair Housing Act, which aimed to combat racial discrimination in housing in California. He went on to obtain his teaching credentials and had a long career in teaching with the Vallejo City Unified School District.

Willie is also an original member of Pittsburg's Black Political Association and part of the executive committee of the East Contra Costa County Branch of the NAACP. He was instrumental in the creation of the Antioch Unified School District's African American Male Achievement Initiative, which sought to address racial disparities in education. Willie received the Dr. Martin Luther King Freedom Fighter Award in 2008 in recognition of his many efforts to promote racial justice and equity.

Willie is a true leader and friend. We are grateful for the positive impact that his work has had across our community. Please join me in recognizing Willie for his many years of devoted service to his community.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose H.R. 1. H.R. 1 reverses our hard- fought progress for clean water, and it also severely undermines States' abilities to protect water quality under the Clean Water Act. Under this bill, States like California would have their hands tied in their efforts to maintain water quality for drinking, recreation, and protecting our natural environments.

California has always been a leader in clean water issues, and this bill is a direct assault on our efforts to counteract pollution and protect both public health and the health of the environment.

What is more, H.R. 1 will dangerously limit States from protecting their own natural resources and bodies of water. It will limit California's efforts to conserve water, which is especially important given the extreme drought that we were in and will continue to see in the face of changing climate.

Maintaining section 401 of the Clean Water Act is vital. My friends on the other side of the aisle claim the proposed changes in the bill will prevent States from hijacking the permitting process and preventing important energy projects. However, in the past 50 years, California State water agencies have processed thousands of section 401 permit requests without issue. Only a handful each year are denied. The States have utilized this section to rightfully protect against violations of their own State water quality standards.

We see this legislation for what it truly is: a giveaway to corporate polluters at the expense of our environment.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose this bill and the larger movement it stands for. We cannot and should not roll back these bedrock environmental laws.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Alfred ``Al'' Hoffmeister.

Throughout his life, Al had shown incredible dedication to his community and his country. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and later in life when he returned home to California, he worked as a metal trading manager at Kaiser Aluminum of Oakland, California.

Al worked for Kaiser for 25 years, retiring in 1989. In his retirement, he was a strong advocate for our community's youth, serving as a leader with the YMCA and the Concord American Little League board. He also worked with the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.

Al was dedicated to his faith and was an original member of the St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Concord where he served as an usher for many years.

Sadly, Al passed away recently, but he will be remembered for his humility, hardworking nature, and devotion to his family, his community, and this country.

Please join me in honoring Alfred Hoffmeister for his many contributions to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Alfred ``Al'' Hoffmeister.

Al was born in New York and was named after former governor of New York, Alfred Emanuel Smith. Throughout his life, Al has exemplified his dedication to his community and his country. Al was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps working with B-17 Flying Fortress--China/Burma/India Theater. Following his service, he studied business administration at St. John's University. He then began working as a metal trading manager with Kaiser Aluminum of Oakland, California where he met his future wife, Georgia Belle Davis.

Al and Georgia moved to Concord, California in 1962 to start their family and have lived there ever since. Al worked for Kaiser for 25 years, retiring from the organization in 1989. In his retirement, he remained active and engaged with the community. He was a strong advocate for our community's youth, serving as a leader with the YMCA, on the Concord American Little League Board, and working with the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. Al was also dedicated to his faith and was an original member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church where he served as an usher for many years.

Sadly, Al passed away on December 9, 2022 at the age of 98. He is survived by his wife Georgia, daughter Laura, sons Stephen, Thomas, and Philip, sister Dorothy, and nine grandchildren, Tessa, Hannah, Trent, Hope, Grace, Jacqueline, Johnathan, Matthew, and Erik. He will be remembered for his humility, hard-working nature, and devotion to his family. Please join me in honoring Alfred Hoffmeister for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

The Department of Labor's environmental, social, and governance rule is good for retirees, and it is good for the American economy.

Allowing ESG considerations can help financial professionals identify investments that will be sustainable in the long term and in the best interest of their clients.

The rule is not an ESG mandate. It simply clarifies that the professionals who make investment decisions for retirement plans do not violate their fiduciary duties by merely considering ESG factors.

Existing law already says that these professionals' primary purpose is to make the best financial choices for the plans, and this rule does not change that at all.

It merely is a recognition that if a company is inherently risky because of the business they do or their internal practices, its stock could suffer in the long run.

Just like American consumers can be motivated to disinvest from companies that pollute or mistreat their workers, now investors will have the same abilities.

As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, I have seen overwhelming support for this rule, especially from the financial industry.

Rolling it back would be a significant step backward. I strongly oppose H.J. Res. 30 and encourage all Members to do the same so they can leave retirement plan decisions to the retirees and the professionals they respect and they work with.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of former Mayor of Pleasant Hill Michael Harris as he retires after more than 30 years of service to Contra Costa County.

Throughout his career, Michael has shown his steadfast commitment to bettering the lives of Contra Costans and improving our community. He began his career in public service with the Moraga Planning Commission, later going on to serve 4 years on the Moraga Town Council. When Michael moved to Pleasant Hill with his family, he used his skills to serve his new hometown. He was appointed to the Pleasant Hill Planning Commission in 1999 and was a key player in the creation of downtown Pleasant Hill. Thanks to Michael's leadership, the city has grown significantly, allowing businesses to thrive, and fostering a greater sense of community in Pleasant Hill. Michael also spearheaded the city's Community Service Day, allowing residents to unite in an effort to better the community.

Further, Michael has worked tirelessly to support our community's youth, establishing the Pleasant Hill Education Initiative to expand educational opportunities in the city and regularly volunteering at local schools. He also served on the Contra Costa County Managed Care Commission, managing the county's healthcare system and advocating for a reliable and effective healthcare system for all Contra Costans. Michael's work has had a profound impact on both Pleasant Hill and the county at large.

Outside of his work in government, Michael is also an esteemed optometrist and devoted educator. He serves as Clinical Professor Emeritus and Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. Michael has been a part of UC Berkeley's faculty for over 50 years, training thousands of optometrists and preparing them to enter the field. He has also authored over 200 scientific papers and published 4 books on this subject. Through his professional experience, Michael is able to offer a unique perspective and provide a clear vision of leadership for our community.

Please join me in congratulating Michael Harris on his well-deserved retirement after more than 3 decades of outstanding public service to Contra Costa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, alongside Congressman John Garamendi, to recognize the life and service of former Mayor of El Cerrito, Janet Abelson.

Throughout her life, Janet was a fierce advocate for marginalized communities. Janet was a resident of El Cerrito beginning in 1970 and was first elected to the El Cerrito City Council in 1999. She served as mayor in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2017, a record five times, during her tenure with the city. Driven by a genuine passion for service, Janet spearheaded many efforts to advance transportation equity, disability rights, and to improve the lives of seniors within the city. She was a strong supporter of El Cerrito's Student Bus Pass Program, advocating for improved accessibility for all. Janet was also instrumental in modernizing El Cerrito's infrastructure and advocating for the interests of her fellow community members. Among her many achievements, Janet was especially proud of the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan, a plan she authored which would establish a clear vision for San Pablo Avenue and provide greater opportunities for work and community life in the city.

Janet was also a key member of a variety of regional groups, constantly seeking ways to serve Contra Costa families. She worked closely with the League of Women Voters, PTA of Harding and El Cerrito High School, Soroptimist International of El Cerrito, and served as chair of the West Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and the East Bay Division, League of California Cities. Her leadership has been critical in helping to improve quality of life for residents throughout the Bay Area.

Sadly, Janet passed away on January 26, 2023 at the age of 76. Janet leaves behind an indelible legacy and her work will continue to have a lasting impact on the West County Community. She will be remembered for her determination, compassion, and for her many contributions to our community. Please join me and Congressman Garamendi in honoring Janet Abelson for her outstanding 23 years of public service to the City of El Cerrito and the Bay Area.