Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, because I was attending the President's cybersecurity summit in California, I was not present when the House voted on H.R. 636, the America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015.

I support many of the goals of the tax provisions in this bill and recognize the value of extending them permanently, but I am concerned that H.R. 636 does not pay for them. I am a strong supporter of helping small businesses succeed. Small businesses power the American economy, and some of the provisions in this bill will help these small companies remain healthy, but this one-sided approach of passing bills that offer tax reductions without increasing revenues is unsustainable.

H.R. 636 will add $79.2 billion to the deficit over 10 years and puts further pressure on the United States' domestic discretionary priorities. By bringing this and similar tax extender bills to the floor or votes, Republicans continue to demonstrate that they are not serious about deficit reduction. It is long past time for Congress to have a reasonable and informed debate on comprehensive tax reform. These piecemeal, unbalanced extender votes are not the way to approach real tax reform.

Mr. Speaker, because I was traveling to attend the President's cybersecurity summit in California, I was not present when the House voted on H.R. 644, the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2015.

While I support goals of the tax provisions in this bill and recognize the value of extending them permanently, I am concerned that H.R. 644 does not pay for them. I have long been a supporter of improving and streamlining charitable donations to make it easier for individuals to donate food, but this one-sided approach of passing bills that offer tax reductions without increasing revenues is unsustainable.

H.R. 644 will add $14.2 billion to the deficit over 10 years. By bringing this and similar tax extender bills to the floor for votes, Republicans continue to demonstrate that they are not serious about deficit reduction. It is long past time for Congress to have a reasonable and informed debate on comprehensive tax reform. These piecemeal, unbalanced extender votes are not the way to approach real tax reform.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In fact, Santa Clara County of my Silicon Valley district also proclaimed this month as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

In the fight against this modern-day slavery, I am proud to introduce the vital bipartisan legislation--Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act--alongside my colleagues, Congressman Ted Poe, Karen Bass, and Rodney Davis.

Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a disease upon our humanity, and it remains the world's fastest growing criminal enterprise. According to the International Labor Organization, trafficking is an estimated $150 billion industry worldwide, which exploits nearly 21 million victims around the world.

Sadly, my home state of California is near the top in reported trafficking cases. Furthermore, it is estimated that 40 percent of the human trafficking activity on the West Coast comes through the three Bay Area airports of San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.

My legislation will turn back the tide of human trafficking, as it allows those survivors who were impacted by this cruel system to

voice their experiences and educate policymakers. Specifically, this bill will create a survivors-led U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking to review federal government policy and programs on human trafficking. This council will advise, formulate assessments and recommendations, and submit reports to the Senior Policy Operating Group and the President's Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking Persons.

Directly hearing and learning from those who fell victim to this heinous crime is the best tool to eliminate human trafficking. Ultimately, this legislation values survivors, beyond just their stories. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this crucial bill, so that we may finally rid of human trafficking--once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, be it labor or sex trafficking, human trafficking is the worst kind of atrocity. Each day, this scourge continues to endanger, exploit, and enslave lives. Even as we bring further awareness to this crime this month of January, we must sustain the fight each and every day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gerald ``Jerry'' Lee. Jerry was born on August 15, 1952, in San Francisco, California, where he attended Washington Irving Elementary School, Francisco Junior High School, and Galileo High School. He went on to attend City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University.

Jerry's firsthand knowledge of San Francisco and dedication to improving public transit and the MUNI system provided him the experience necessary to excel as the United Parcel Service's (UPS) Community Affairs Manager. Jerry began working for UPS 43 years ago as a loader. Jerry was recognized for his work as the United Way Coordinator and Congressional Awareness Coordinator. As the Community Awareness Coordinator, Jerry worked one-on-one with California's non- profit organizations, he extended grants and sponsorship

opportunities, and coordinated volunteers to support the work of the community.

Jerry dedicated his life to serving the residents of his hometown. While working for UPS, Jerry also served as a special assistant to San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos in 1988. In this position, Jerry established the Department of Parking and Traffic. He also served as Chairman of Mayor Agnos' Taxi Committee where he wrote the taxi industry's manual and created a management structure for over three hundred parking control officers. In 2008 Jerry was appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom to join San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's (SFMTA) Board of Directors, and was later re-appointed by Mayor Ed Lee. Jerry served as SFMTA Vice Chairman until 2010 before becoming Chair of the Board's Policy and Governance Committee.

Jerry also served as a member of the city's Citizen's Advisory Committee as well as Self-Help for the Elderly's Board of Directors. He and his wife, Beverly, were actively involved in their community, working with the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, Chinatown Community Development Center, Community Youth Center of San Francisco, Cameron House, Wu Yee Children's Services, United Way of the Bay Area, Have a Ball Foundation, Salvation Army, APA Family Services, Glide Memorial Church, the San Francisco Junior Giants, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, On Lok, Boys & Girls Club, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, and the Asian Police Officers Association.

Jerry is survived by his wife Beverly; his children Kimberly, Corbett, and Bennett; his mother Sai Soo Lee; and his sisters Aimee, Vickie, Marie and Patricia; and his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Fon Yook Lee. To his fellow committee members and fellow organization members, Jerry will be missed and never forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor California State Senator Bob Wieckowski. On January 11, 2015, State Senator Wieckowski will be honored for his support of the arts in the Tri-City area during Come Embark on Noah's Ark, a benefit for the Fremont Opera. It is appropriate to extend him the gratitude of the Tri-City arts community and the public.

State Senator Wieckowski has been a generous and continuous supporter of the arts community. For many years, State Senator Wieckowski has, through his advice, service, advocacy, and performance, assisted many arts organizations in the Tri-City area, including the Fremont Cultural Arts Council, the Fremont Opera, the Fremont Symphony Orchestra, Music at the Mission, the StarStruck Theater, and Yoko's Academy of Dance & Performing Arts.

State Senator Wieckowski has even appeared on stage in essential roles in the Fremont Opera's productions of La Boheme, The Barber of Seville, and La Traviata, delighting audiences with his varied and ingenious characterizations. Every year since 2005, State Senator Wieckowski has appeared in Yoko's Academy of Dance & Performing Arts' production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. His work as the lead role of Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker ballet is an eagerly-anticipated annual treat for Tri-City audiences of all ages.

State Senator Bob Wieckowski's energy, enthusiasm, and dedicated work in support of the arts has deeply enriched the communities in which he serves.

Mr. Speaker, I commend State Senator Bob Wieckowski for all that he has done to champion the arts in the Tri-City area, and I am confident that his efforts will continue to support the arts for many more years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to say a fond farewell to our esteemed colleague, the Honorable Eni Faleomavaega.

Since 1989, Eni has honorably represented the people of American Samoa in this chamber with a no-nonsense attitude and approach to legislating.

He brought the issues that affect Asia and the Pacific regions here to Congress.

He led the first delegation of Asian American members of Congress to Asia. There he saw firsthand the devastating impact that the Vietnam War's unexploded ordnances had on Southeast Asia, especially Laos where about 2.5 million tons of bombs were dropped between 1964 and 1973.

As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, this experience led him to chair the first-ever hearing on UXOs.

As a Vietnam veteran himself, Eni takes pride in being a strong voice for his fellow Samoans who serve in our military.

This passion led his efforts to help establish the first VA clinic in Samoa.

American Samoa, the Asian Pacific Region, Congress, and all of America have been well served by Congressman Eni Faleomavaega. Today, I say ``thank you'' for your work, and your friendship. We will miss you. Tofa soifua.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the issue of gender imbalance in the computing industry.

Today, women make up over half of the American workforce but only a quarter of the professional computing occupations. We see a similar imbalance in the classrooms. Girls in high school take over half of all the advanced placement exams but only a fifth of computer science exams.

This imbalance deprives the computing industry of a great resource of human capital, and it limits its creativity. To address this imbalance, we need to encourage our female students to pursue computer science as early as possible.

In that spirit, I would like to recognize Computer Science Education Week and the Hour of Code. These programs have reached tens of millions of students worldwide. We need programs like these to ensure that the next generation of computer professionals is diverse so we have all the best talent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Josephine Lucey. As a school board member from the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) and the 2014 President of the California School Boards Association (CSBA), she has fought fervently to provide students in her community and throughout the state of California a high quality education.

Ms. Lucey is being honored for her immeasurable contributions to ensuring sound public education policies for her community and across the State of California. On December 13, 2014, Josephine's efforts will be recognized by her peers at the CSBA Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in San Francisco, California.

Ms. Josephine Lucey has championed bond and parcel tax measures to increase public education funding for both her local elementary and high schools. Her educational and community leadership roles include the Hoffmann Award Chair for the Santa Clara County School Boards Association, the Santa Clara Education Coalition, and the Santa Clara County Committee on School District Organization. Moreover, utilizing her experience in mechanical engineering and the aerospace industry, she contributed to the flight safety and mission success of the Space Shuttle flight STS-54, for which she was awarded the ``Silver Snoopy'' by the shuttle crew.

As President of the CSBA, Ms. Josephine Lucey has held various leadership positions on the CSBA's committees and councils. She chairs the CSBA's Business and Education Advisory Council and is a member of the Cities Counties Schools Partnership's Board of Directors. In addition, she represents the CSBA at education-related events throughout the state and country.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Ms. Josephine Lucey for her years of dedication and commitment to the California School Boards Association and to education. Her contributions have left a lasting legacy, which will benefit the lives of our students today, and in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Santa Clara City Councilmember Patricia Mahan for her decades of dedicated and faithful public service to her community.

Councilmember Patricia Mahan has long devoted herself to serving others. Among the significant driving forces behind her commitment has been her family. She witnessed firsthand the fulfilling impact of public service through her late father's work as an esteemed councilmember. In addition, her desire to protect her grandmother's home from a street widening plan led her to become a Historical & Landmarks Commissioner in 1993. She has also dedicated herself to helping the public as both an educator and a lawyer. With a teaching accreditation from San Jose State University, Patricia has taught subjects such as English and drama to secondary school students. She also earned her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University School of Law, and has been practicing as an attorney for over 30 years.

Patricia Mahan has worked tirelessly for many civic organizations. From 1983 to 1992, she served on the Board of Trustees at the West Valley-Mission Community College. She was a Legal Hearing Officer for the Santa Clara County Assessment Appeals Board from 1992 to 1994. She also assumed presidency over various organizations, such as the Lions Blind Center of Santa Clara Valley.

Councilmember Patricia Mahan was first elected to the Santa Clara City Council in 1994 and re-elected in 1998. She was elected Mayor of Santa Clara in 2002 and re-elected for a second term as Mayor in 2006. Throughout her two terms as Mayor, she demonstrated efficiency and innovation in governing her community. As Mayor, she supported the construction of the San Francisco 49ers Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. By encouraging this project, she dedicated herself to enriching her city both culturally and entrepreneurially. Demonstrating her commitment to service, Mahan was elected to another term on the City Council in 2010. Her determination to promote Santa Clara in every way possible speaks of her exemplary leadership abilities.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Councilmember Patricia Mahan for her unparalleled devotion to public service. Thanks to her many years of faithful and selfless work for Santa Clara, the community has become a much more vibrant and better place to live. Although her term is coming to a close, her vision and legacy will no doubt live on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge this Chamber to do its constitutional duty and debate a new authorization for use of military force.

Eight weeks ago, the House rushed through an amendment to the continuing resolution to authorize arming and training vetted Syrian rebels. But this is not something we should go into blindly. It is time that this Chamber has an informed, robust discussion and debate about the U.S. role in combating and dealing with ISIL and other extremists in Syria and Iraq.

Those 8 weeks that we went through, we have conducted nearly 800 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria and killed nearly 1,000 soldiers, terrorists, and civilians. We are quickly sliding back into combat in the Middle East. It may be necessary to send soldiers to the region to help repel the very real threats posed by ISIL and extremists.

But this is not something we should do and go into blindly. It is time for a robust debate.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 525, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 15-19, 2014 as the 9th annual National Health IT Week. This is an important opportunity to reflect upon the importance of health information technology in stimulating the U.S. economy and improving health care in our country. My own district, which includes Silicon Valley, is home to a growing number of innovative digital health startups and companies making an impact in health care. These companies are addressing some of health care's most pressing challenges with breakthrough technologies and services, all the while creating valuable jobs.

Health IT supports workforce development in the U.S. and exports opportunities abroad. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a need for thousands of new health IT jobs over the next decade. Health IT workforce development programs need visibility and connection to the Administration's programs for job creation. Congressional support is needed for funding to expand community college, university-based, and non-profit programs to train health IT workers. Policymakers need to work with non-profit associations and the business community to launch and support internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships that give students and transitioning professionals real-world experience. Federal agencies should work with U.S. companies, health care organizations, and non-profit associations to document lessons learned and best practices from the Meaningful Use Program and apply them to overseas markets.

In order to continue on this path, we need to provide incentives and frameworks to guide and reward these health care innovators. That is why I introduced H.R. 2363, the Health Care Innovation and Marketplace Technologies Act, which would create a new office of wireless health under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and offer incentives for health care innovators. This legislation would not only create jobs, but also provide a regulatory framework for innovators who seek to grow companies and develop products to transform health care. It is imperative that we support these innovators, as it is clear that health IT supports workforce development in the U.S. We must also continue to prepare students and our workforce for the 21st century demands of the technology industry. The growth of health IT undoubtedly has the potential to stimulate the economy and bring much-needed innovation to our nation's healthcare sector.

Health information technology is essential to the transformation of health care in America,

and so I am happy to commemorate National Health IT Week.

I thank the ranking member.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

The threat of ISIL is beyond anything in the last 13 years since the horror of 9/11. We see there are no limits to gross brutality. They are a terrorist threat to the region, to the United States, and to our allies.

This rushed amendment to arm and train vetted Syrian rebels is not the answer. This Chamber needs to have an informed, robust discussion and debate about the U.S. role in combating and dealing with ISIL and other extremists in Syria and Iraq.

It is a debate that should take place on its own. This issue and this amendment should not be attached to the continuing resolution or any other matter before the House.

This amendment authorizes the training and equipping of vetted Syrian opposition forces, but we still aren't clear on who these forces are and how these rebel groups will be chosen and vetted. How do we ensure that our weapons, training, and knowledge won't be used by ISIL or other terrorist organizations in the future?

Additionally, this amendment only highlights a piece of the President's plan for addressing ISIL, a plan that includes significant long-term bombing campaigns and military escalation in Iraq and Syria.

If the House leaves for the next 8 weeks without addressing the already expanding scope of U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria, I fear that we will return in November to find the U.S. sliding down a slippery slope toward full military engagement in those countries.

We have been there before. We have seen before how mission creep can expand a limited mission into a full-blown U.S. armed response. I will not let this happen or let this country be dragged into another conflict once again without an informed discussion.

Congress needs to debate a new authorization for the use of military force before any expansion of military operations. I support the President's call to dismantle ISIL through robust regional and international partnerships, support for local capacities on the ground, and expanded humanitarian assistance.

Arming and training Syrians and Iraqis and perhaps eventually supporting them with airstrikes may push back ISIL's gains, but it will not defeat extremism. There is no lasting military solution to extremism. The only lasting solution is a political solution, one in which the rights and concerns of all groups are respected.

The U.S. must focus on building partnerships in the region and around the world to encourage moderate Sunni groups in Iraq and Syria to move away from ISIL and towards an alternative and inclusive future. We also need to have a plan for the development of this region beyond our confrontation with ISIL.

I have deep reservations and important lingering questions that need to be debated on this floor. I am concerned about exposing our solders once

again to a protracted conflict with unclear objectives and no clear exit strategy.

I cannot support this rushed amendment that allows the U.S. to wade back into another conflict without a serious, informed discussion of the United States' military role in combating ISIL. We need to fully debate and discuss actions we as a Nation take against this vicious foe.

Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this bill, I rise in enthusiastic support of H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act. The public-private partnerships created by this bill will help rebuild our Nation's manufacturing capacity and grow private sector investments in manufacturing.

I hail from Silicon Valley, the Nation's epicenter of technology and innovation. Right now, Silicon Valley is experiencing a manufacturing resurgence. Companies see the benefit of locating their manufacturing in areas with R&D and a high-tech workforce. Nearly 18 percent of Silicon Valley jobs are in manufacturing, and these advanced manufacturing jobs are high paying.

This bill will replicate some of the important qualities of Silicon Valley across this Nation. It will build partnerships between government, academia, and industry to address targeted manufacturing challenges.

I applauded President Obama when he first proposed a network of manufacturing innovation institutes, and I thank the cochairs of the Manufacturing Caucus, Mr. Reed and Mr. Kennedy, for authoring this legislation to authorize such a network.

I have worked with my Silicon Valley constituents to help build strong bipartisan backing of this bill, and I am glad we are on the floor considering it tonight. Hopefully, once this bill is enacted, we can win one of these hubs for Silicon Valley to focus on important challenges like developing the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing tools.

This bill is an important step for countering the incentives that other countries are offering American innovators and manufacturers to relocate overseas. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2996 because it will help revitalize American manufacturing. It is a game-changer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in enthusiastic support of H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act. As a proud cosponsor of this bill, I am pleased that the House is considering it today.

The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act (RAMI) will help rebuild our nation's manufacturing capacity by creating public- private partnerships that will foster an environment in which the private sector is willing to invest in the strengths of our nation and American manufacturing will grow.

I applauded President Obama when he first proposed the creation of a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation to improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, stimulate research and development, and increase domestic production. I supported his call for additional centers beyond those he initially proposed, worked in the Appropriations Committee to find funding for some centers, and have suggested to the President that at least one institute should be located in my Silicon Valley district.

Silicon Valley is known as the epicenter of technology and innovation in the United States. What is not as widely recognized is the extent to which Silicon Valley is also experiencing a manufacturing resurgence. Nearly

18 percent of Silicon Valley's jobs are in manufacturing, and that number is growing--the local manufacturing sector is projected to grow by 5 percent by 2018. These advanced manufacturing jobs are offering higher pay than nonmanufacturing jobs. By being co-located with the research and development Silicon Valley is known for, these manufacturers are both boosting R&D investments and experiencing the benefits of more control of their manufacturing processes, quicker turnaround from research to product realization, higher quality, and greater intellectual property security.

The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act seeks to replicate some of the important lessons from Silicon Valley around the nation. RAMI will build public-private partnerships through Centers for Manufacturing Innovation between higher education institutions and community colleges, small and large manufacturers, and government to promote best practices and address targeted advanced manufacturing challenges. These advanced manufacturing hubs will also address the skills gap by producing a next generation talent pool of skilled production workers and engineers by focusing on education, workforce training, research and development, and commercialization.

Despite its manufacturing successes, Silicon Valley still continues to experience higher than average unemployment, partly a result of the past outsourcing of manufacturing jobs due to low wages overseas and incentives offered by foreign competitors. With the passage of the RAMI Act, we can we look forward to hosting an advanced manufacturing hub, potentially focused on enabling the transition to the next-generation 450 mm silicon wafer semiconductor manufacturing tools, which would enable Silicon Valley to take advantage of its R&D excellence and bolster its manufacturing sector in new ways, helping us to recover some of those jobs lost to past outsourcing.

Over the past few years, I've been proud to work with House Manufacturing Caucus Co-chairs Reps. Tom Reed and Joe Kennedy on this authorization effort, along with Silicon Valley tech leaders and university stakeholders. I appreciate the willingness of some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle who were key to building bipartisan support for this effort, particularly my Chairman on the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee Frank Wolf, to talk with us about this legislation and to join as cosponsors of this important bill.

Our competitors around the world are offering American innovators and manufacturers a wide range of incentives to relocate overseas. The RAMI Act will ensure that American innovation and technology development remain at the top of the manufacturing sector, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I, as chair emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 15, a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill to properly address the humanitarian crisis at the border.