Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express deep concern about the Japanese Government's handling of the case of Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, a U.S. Navy officer stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base.

In May 2021, Lieutenant Alkonis and his family were on their way home from hiking on Mount Fuji. Tragically, Lieutenant Alkonis lost control of his vehicle due to acute mountain sickness, causing him to lose consciousness. As a result, two bystanders tragically lost their lives.

Lieutenant Alkonis is remorseful for the medical incident that caused the

events of that day. He has offered $1.65 million in extrajudicial restitution to the victims' families, a gesture expected in Japan, but far beyond the family's means. Ultimately, Lieutenant Alkonis was sentenced this month by the Japanese high court to 3 years in prison.

I have been extremely upset to learn that the case was not conducted in a way that was fair to Lieutenant Alkonis, and that the Japanese Government violated the status of forces agreement, which governs the treatment of our servicemembers there.

I understand that our Embassy in Tokyo has been monitoring this case, and I strongly urge them to do more to support a servicemember in need.

My office has been working with the Department of the Navy and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to support Lieutenant Alkonis and his parents, Suzanne and Derek, throughout this case.

As I do, the Navy believes that this is the wrong sentence for Lieutenant Alkonis. I won't be giving up on Lieutenant Alkonis and the Department of Defense must not either.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express deep concern about the Japanese government's handling of the case of Lt. Ridge Alkonis, a U.S. Navy officer stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base.

Last Wednesday, the Tokyo High Court denied Lt. Alkonis' appeal to suspend a three-year prison sentence. I am deeply troubled with the treatment of Lt. Alkonis throughout the case.

Lt. Alkonis has served three tours of duty in Japan. Before he was in the Navy, he volunteered in Japan for two years. He has a deep appreciation for the country and its people.

In May 2021, Lt. Alkonis and his family were on their way home from hiking on Mount Fuji. Tragically, Lt. Alkonis lost control of his vehicle. We would later learn from a U.S. Navy physician that the unfortunate event was due to Acute Mountain Sickness causing Lt. Alkonis to lose consciousness, impacting his ability to drive. However, as a result, two bystanders heartbreakingly had their lives taken.

Lt. Alkonis is remorseful for the medical incident that caused the events of that day. He has offered $1.65 million in extrajudicial restitution to the victims' families, a gesture expected in Japan. This is beyond the family's means, but those who care about them have rallied together to make it possible.

I've been extremely upset to learn that the case was not conducted in a way that was fair to Lt. Alkonis.

The treatment of our servicemembers in Japan is governed by the Status of Forces Agreement between our government and the Japanese government. This agreement requires our servicemembers to be released to the U.S. military during trial unless they are a flight risk. Lt. Alkonis clearly was not. Instead of being released as he was supposed to be, he was held for the maximum time period allowed, 26 days, over the objections of our government.

During those 26 days, Lt. Alkonis was not treated properly, and Japanese investigators' actions had an impact on the outcome of the trial. According to Lt. Alkonis's family, he was kept under bright lights in his cell for the purpose of sleep deprivation, withheld adequate translation services, and denied a lawyer during key questioning. Critically, the Japanese police refused Lt. Alkonis medical care and a timely medical evaluation. By refusing to conduct this test, investigators ensured they would not have evidence that would explain Lt. Alkonis's sudden loss of consciousness.

I understand that our Embassy in Tokyo has been monitoring this case. I strongly urge them to do more to support a servicemember in need.

My office has been working with the Department of the Navy and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to support Lt. Alkonis and

his parents, Suzanne and Derek, throughout his case. We supported Lt. Alkonis's case with the Department of Defense and also helped his family get visas so they could be with him in Japan for the trial. As I do, the Navy believes that this is the wrong sentence for Lt. Alkonis. I will not be giving up on Lt. Alkonis and the Department of Defense must not either.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor today to recognize Dr. Ardem Patapoutian, a constituent, a neuroscientist, and a Nobel Laureate, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2021.

Dr. Ardem Patapoutian was born in Lebanon in 1967 to Armenian parents. The youngest of three children, Ardem lived in Beirut until 1986 when he emigrated to Los Angeles, California, to escape the Lebanese Civil War.

Upon arriving to the United States, Dr. Patapoutian worked as an editor for the English section of an Armenian newspaper and a pizza delivery driver before being accepted into the cell and developmental biology program at the University of California, Los Angeles, an admission that changed the course of his professional life.

Falling in love with research, he would go on to obtain a Ph.D. in Biology from the California Institute of Technology in 1996, and a postdoctoral appointment at the University of California, San Francisco. In 2000, he began the work at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, that awarded him the Nobel Prize 21 years later.

Before being honored with the Nobel Prize, Dr. Patapoutian achieved a distinguished career as a scientist and professor. He was a co- recipient of, among many other awards, the 2020 Kavli Prize in Neuroscience. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. and a fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has maintained a full professorship at Scripps Research since 2008 and is an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Dr. Patapoutian's work focuses on mechanosensation, the process by which mechanical stimuli convert into biological signals that influence the functions of our bodies. Specifically, Dr. Patapoutian was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discoveries of how our body feels and processes temperature and touch. His breakthrough research will not only further the understanding of how our bodies work, but it will help create better medications and therapies to treat neuropathic pain, hypertension, blood disorders, and other conditions, improving the lives of residents of California's 49th Congressional District, our country, and the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary life of Junior Seau, who tragically passed away on May 2, 2012, in Oceanside, California. In honor of the 10th Anniversary of his passing, I would like to pay tribute to this incredible man and reflect on the life he led and the impact he had on our Nation and community in the 49th District.

Junior Seau was a born leader who inspired everyone he encountered. He was a football icon who paved the way for future generations of Samoan youth and was a generous philanthropist and humanitarian. Junior is survived by his parents, wife, children, siblings, and extended family.

Junior Seau was born Tiaina Baul Seau, Jr. in San Diego, California on January 19, 1969. His parents, Tiaina Seau, Sr. and Luisa Mauga Seau, came to San Diego from American Samoa. Junior spent several years in America Samoa during his youth before returning to Oceanside.

He attended Oceanside High School where he developed his exceptional athletic abilities. While known for his contributions to the Oceanside High football program, Junior also lettered in basketball and track and field. As a starting linebacker and tight end for the varsity football team, he demonstrated his athletic prowess. During his senior year in 1987, Parade Magazine selected him for the high school All-American team. Junior is one of the greatest athletes our community has ever produced and in 2014, Oceanside High School honored Junior with an on- field tribute where they retired his number 11 jersey.

His academic and athletic achievements earned him admission to the University of Southern California where he played for the Trojans from 1987 to 1990 before being drafted to the National Football League. His USC career took off in 1989, and this season was one of the best in USC's distinguished defensive history, earning him the title of Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Junior's legacy lives on at USC, as wearing his No. 55 jersey is now an honor bestowed upon those who follow in his footsteps. Junior was inducted into the University's Hall of Fame in 2009.

The San Diego Chargers drafted Junior Seau in the first round of the NFL Draft, as the 5th overall pick in 1990. He quickly became the heart and soul of the Chargers' defense and led the Chargers to their first and only Super Bowl appearance four years later. He was voted the Chargers' Most Inspirational Player in 1997 and again in 2002. These recognitions exemplify Junior's ability to inspire and motivate his teammates and demonstrates the role he played on the team.

Junior went on to play 20 seasons in the NFL, 13 with the Chargers, three with the Miami Dolphins, and finished his career in New England with the Patriots. In all, he totaled 1,849 tackles, 56.5 sacks, and 18 interceptions. Junior was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 and 1998, the Chargers' Most Valuable Player six times, and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s. He is widely considered one of the best linebackers in NFL history.

While his contributions to sports history are numerous, Junior's leadership extended beyond the gridiron. Junior Seau was a passionate humanitarian who cared deeply about giving back to his community. He established the Junior Seau Foundation in 1992 to support San Diego youth, and the Foundation has since given more than $5 million to community organizations. In 2015, the Foundation donated $500,000 to Rady Children's North Coastal Center in Oceanside which enabled the expansion of pediatric urgent care and specialty services. In 2016, the organization gave $250,000 to UC San Diego to support brain injury research and education. The Junior Seau Foundation has also provided scholarships and gifts to underprivileged children throughout the region.

Madam Speaker, Junior Seau was an exceptional individual, and I am honored to share part of his story today. To his family, friends, and all who knew him, supported him, and cheered for him over the years, I share in the celebration of his life at the 10th Anniversary of his passing.

Junior was a light in our community, and we miss him. His legacy lives on and will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Carlsbad resident Kevin Lee as my June Constituent of the Month. Lee has dedicated countless hours to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and help

make our community a more inclusive and welcoming place. Through his work, Lee has inspired many others to join in his efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community.

Kevin Lee is the Chair and a Founding Member of the San Diego Queer Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Desi American (QAPIMEDA) Coalition. In this capacity, Lee works with his QAPIMEDA leadership team to build out programming and a sense of belonging for the LGBTQ+ API community in San Diego. Now more than ever it is important that all LGBTQ+ members of our community feel welcome and have the support they need, and I am grateful for Kevin's work to foster that in our region.

Kevin Lee also serves as Environmental Impact and Compliance Specialist at Dr. Bronner's, a local organic body care and food company. In this position, Lee works to advance green initiatives, monitors the company's environmental impact, manages environmental compliance, and co-chairs the Dr. Bronner's Green Team. As we work to combat the climate crisis, companies like Dr. Bronner's must lead the way in reducing their environmental footprint and help protect our planet for future generations, and I am proud of people like Kevin who are doing that work every day.

Through his work as an environmental rights and LGBTQ+ advocate, Kevin has dedicated countless hours to better our community and inspired many others to join in his efforts. During Pride Month, I am proud to celebrate the exceptional work of individuals like Kevin Lee who volunteer their time and contribute to our unique and beautiful district. I am so grateful for CA-49 residents who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our residents and community, and I am proud to honor Kevin Lee as my June Constituent of the Month.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6411) to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 6411, as amended.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6411, as amended, the Support The Resilience of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act, or STRONG Veterans Act.

Chairman Takano introduced this bill with Ranking Member Bost, and we are grateful to them and their staff for working together over many months to bring this vital package to the House floor. This represents a true bipartisan effort to address a pressing issue.

Although we all were glad to see the veteran suicide rate drop in the last year for which we have data, one death is one too many, and suicide is preventable. We must honor our veterans' service by getting them the care they have earned and deserve now.

Preventing veteran suicide and strengthening veterans' mental health and well-being remains a top priority not only of the Biden administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs but also of our committee. There are prevention approaches and treatments that work, and we must expand all veterans' access to these lifesaving and life- improving services.

Madam Speaker, while we are talking about access, I want to make sure everyone listening today has the Veterans Crisis Line phone number. If you or somebody you care about is in distress, call 1-800-273-TALK-- that is 1-800-273-8255--and press 1 for responders with military and veteran expertise. There is no reason to suffer alone.

Along with our colleagues in the Senate, we have advanced bipartisan bills over the past year that now make up the 22 sections of the STRONG Veterans Act.

I want to especially thank our colleagues both on and off the committee for their individual legislative contributions to this omnibus package.

Congresswoman Brownley, who chairs our Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee, introduced what we consider a cornerstone of STRONG--her American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health Act. This provision mandates that VA hire full-time minority veteran coordinators at every VA medical center to provide culturally competent mental health and suicide prevention outreach to our Tribal veterans.

Congresswoman Slotkin's Solid Start Act is included in STRONG and will ensure that VA continues to contact and check in with veterans following their transition from Active Duty during what we know is a very high-risk time for stress, mental health challenges, and even suicide.

The committee also was pleased to include the Veteran Peer Specialist Act from Congressman Scott Peters. This is an important provision directing VA to expand its peer specialist program which is extremely popular with veterans.

Although our colleague, former Congressman Delgado, recently left the House to become Lieutenant Governor of New York, I thank him for introducing the REACH for Veterans Act in the House. It is a critical component of STRONG and will strengthen VA's Veterans Crisis Line.

Finally, Chairman Takano's bill in STRONG, the VA Governor's Challenge Expansion Act, mandates, for the first time, VA-included Tribes in addition to States in the successful Governors' Challenge program to prevent veteran suicide. No sovereign nation should have to wait to be invited to a State Governor's Challenge team. Instead, Tribes selected for the program will work directly with VA to tailor innovative suicide prevention ideas to the needs of their own Native veterans.

Overall, STRONG will give VA important new authorities and resources to support veterans' mental health and well-being through increased training, outreach, mental health care delivery, and research in line with the committee's public health approach and President Biden's strategy to address veteran suicide.

It addresses gaps along the spectrum of prevention and care by expanding mental health outreach to traditionally underserved veterans, developing and delivering the most effective treatments, better equipping VA's workforce to provide care, and further strengthening VA's crisis response system.

With this legislation, we will help VA better meet veterans where they are--literally. STRONG directs VA to hire more mental health staff at vet centers close to where veterans live and work.

STRONG also directs VA to assess and improve how well it serves veterans on college campuses. It requires VA to more consistently and comprehensively reach out and provide mental health services to veterans who have been involved with the criminal justice system.

STRONG mandates that as the new three-digit crisis hotline number goes live across the country in July, VA further strengthen its Veterans Crisis Line to meet the predicted surge in demand for emergency care and followup.

STRONG lays out important guidance for VA's research program related to suicide, substance use challenges, and other mental health issues. While caring for veterans today, VA must always be investing in science and looking for tomorrow's innovative solutions to improve veterans' lives.

STRONG and its component bills are endorsed by too many veterans service organizations and health organizations to list, but, Madam Speaker, let me leave you with these words from Andrew Marshall, National Commander of Disabled American Veterans, ``There is simply no greater or more urgent challenge within the veteran community right now than addressing mental health concerns and ensuring our Nation's heroes have access to the support they need to both prevent and mitigate crisis.

``DAV is pleased to support the STRONG Veterans Act, and we urge its swift passage and signing into law.''

In closing, Madam Speaker, Chairman Takano and I support this important piece of legislation, and we urge our colleagues to support H.R. 6411, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 6411, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the substance use disorder crisis has touched almost every American in one way or another. Too many families have felt the extraordinary pain of burying a son or daughter, a father or a mother who struggled with the disease of addiction.

Tragically, many families have also experienced the heartbreak and deep frustration that comes after a loved one enters a residential recovery home that ultimately doesn't provide them with adequate care to get and stay on the path toward recovery.

We must ensure that residential recovery homes meet a high standard of care and provide those who are struggling with the support they need to recover.

We can and must do better. That is why I introduced the SOBER Homes Act, parts of which are included in H.R. 7666, the legislation we are voting on today. It includes $1.5 million for a Federal study of the effectiveness of recovery housing and to identify recommendations promoting the availability of high-quality recovery housing.

This legislation will help us better understand where these facilities are falling short and how we can improve them to ensure everyone in recovery housing receives the help they need and deserve.

Finally, I thank all the advocates who have been fighting so hard on this issue. The information from this effort will save lives, which is why I implore my colleagues to support this bill and vote ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Oceanside resident Rose Teding as my May Constituent of the Month. Rose has dedicated countless hours to various community service projects to help the Oceanside community and has inspired many others to join in her efforts.

As President of the Woman's Club of Oceanside, Rose Teding has been donating more than half of her time in a volunteer capacity to the Oceanside community for years. In her capacity as President, Rose oversees a large volunteer team that facilitates community service programs, engages in civic outreach, supports children and domestic and sexual assault victims, helps individuals experiencing homelessness, and more. Even during COVID-19, the Woman's Club of Oceanside still organized and found ways to safely serve our community members.

During Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I am proud to celebrate the exceptional work of individuals like Rose Teding who volunteer their time and contribute to our unique and beautiful district. I'm so grateful for CA-49 residents who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our residents and community, and I'm proud to honor Rose Teding as my May Constituent of the Month.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize San Juan Capistrano resident, Ryan Hickman, as my April Constituent of the Month. Ryan began recycling for his family at the early age of three, and since then he has grown his passion of helping people all over the world to recycle and be better stewards of the planet.

Growing up, Ryan pursued his passion of preventing bottles and cans from reaching the ocean, and he now leads cleanups all over the world. To this day, Ryan spends a part of

every week sorting through cans and bottles from his customers and getting them ready to take to the recycling center. I am proud he has combined his passion of recycling and protecting the environment with volunteerism to support our community and conserve its beauty.

During National Volunteer Month and on Earth Day, I am proud to celebrate the exceptional work of individuals like Ryan Hickman who volunteer their time and contribute to our unique and beautiful district. I'm so grateful for CA-49 residents who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our residents and planet, and I'm proud to honor Ryan Hickman as my April Constituent of the Month.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Carlsbad resident and Olympic athlete Kaillie Humphries as my Constituent of the Month for March. Kaillie has had a long and extraordinarily successful career as a bobsled athlete, including four Olympic medals and five championships in the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships, making her the most decorated woman in bobsled history. She had won two gold and one bronze medal for Team Canada in previous Olympic competitions, and this year, she won gold in the monobob event for Team USA. She is the only female athlete in Olympic history to have earned Olympic gold medals for two nations.

Kaillie had to overcome significant adversity during her journey to the 2022 Winter Olympics. After leaving the Canadian team due to abuse and harassment she endured, Kaillie began the arduous process of becoming a United States citizen with little time to spare before the games, all while continuing to train vigorously for the competition. As a Carlsbad resident and constituent of mine, Kaillie reached out to my office for help. With assistance from my staff, Kaillie became a United States citizen just two months before the Olympics began, allowing her to compete for Team USA. It is hard to overstate the stress and pressure Kaillie experienced, but she persevered and ultimately made our CA-49 community and our entire country very proud.

Kaillie is not only an extraordinary athlete, she is a person of integrity and upstanding character who is an excellent role model for all of us. It is my honor to recognize her as our Constituent of the Month, particularly during Women's History Month.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Cynthia and W.B. May, two veterans and owners of Cynthia's Artistic Expressions in Oceanside, California, as my Constituents of the Month for their invaluable contributions to our community.

After both serving in the Navy during the Gulf War, W.B. was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and Cynthia was diagnosed with anxiety. Once they separated from the military, they realized they needed a way to express themselves and manage their post- traumatic stress and anxiety. They opened Cynthia's Artistic Expressions in order to help veterans and others deal with mental or emotional health challenges, while also making art more accessible, and their establishment has become an integral piece of our Oceanside community. Since they opened their doors, they have seen countless veterans, servicemembers, and civilians benefit from therapeutic art healing. At a time when our nation is grappling with tragic rates of veteran suicide, I am very grateful that they provide this healing opportunity for our local military community.

Cynthia and W.B. strengthen our community far beyond the doors of their art studio, too. They are known for doing extensive outreach to the community of veterans and military families around Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, hosting food drives through their church, Shiloh Church of God in Christ in Oceanside, on the last Thursday of every month for servicemembers and their families who struggle with food insecurity. According to the San Diego Food Bank, nearly 39,000 veterans and active-duty military personnel and their dependents use their services every month, so the work that Cynthia and W.B. do to help feed military families is critically important. They have also worked with vet centers and retirement homes to lighten the facilities with fine art, and they have also donated their time to organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the North County African American Women's Association (NCAAWA).

I created a Constituent of the Month program to recognize local individuals who give back to our community in extraordinary ways, but who often don't receive the recognition they deserve. Cynthia and W.B. certainly meet that criteria, and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have contributed to make Oceanside a brighter, healthier place. It's also my honor to recognize them during Black History Month, when we celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout our Nation's history. On behalf of a proud and grateful community, it's my pleasure to recognize them as our Constituents of the Month.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Takano for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Honoring our PACT Act.

All too often, many veterans hear the words ``thank you for your service'' but don't see enough action behind those words.

Sadly, that has been true for millions of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service and are now suffering from related health conditions.

While they defended our country, they were exposed to burn pits, PFAS chemicals, and more, but we failed to hold up our end of the bargain to care for them when they returned home.

In the case of Vietnam veterans, many who were exposed to Agent Orange, were forced to wait more than 40 years before they saw proper benefits.

For too long, the burden of proof has been on the veteran to show that their illness is a result of toxic exposure they experienced during their service. For too long, veterans have been told that it is too expensive to cover the range of health issues that they have as a result of their toxic exposure. That is wrong, and we must do better for our veterans.

With the Honoring our PACT Act, we can do right by our veterans. This includes finally presuming that if they were exposed to toxic substances during their service and are now experiencing one of 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers, then that illness is as a result of their exposure, and they are owed proper access to benefits and care through the VA.

I also want to highlight what I hope will become a key piece of this bill, an amendment I offered to authorize Federal grants for county veterans service officers who help veterans and their families understand resources at their disposal, file benefit claims, and represent veterans in VA hearings.

County veterans service officers are often veterans' best allies in navigating red tape within the VA and securing the benefits that veterans have earned, which will be particularly important for the 3.5 million veterans who may be eligible for new benefits and care as a result of this legislation.

The amendment is similar to my Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, which I introduced with a bipartisan group last year. I hope to see it move forward as part of our Honoring our PACT Act today.

As I said, this legislation is our opportunity to put real action behind our words. Saying ``thank you for your service'' has never been enough. It is time to fulfill the promises we made to our troops and invest in the care and benefits they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize the Seeliger brothers, Jaiden, Keanu, and Milaan, for their creative and inspiring nonprofit, Tech-Angels, where they collect gently used cell phones, iPads and tablets to give to elderly people in nursing homes so they can stay connected with their loved ones.

The coronavirus pandemic brought unprecedented changes to our lives, especially to older generations who are most susceptible to the virus. Inspired after their 97-year-old great-grandmother broke her leg and had to move to a nursing home in New York, the boys realized how fortunate they were to be able to see and speak with her on FaceTime on a regular basis.

Knowing others may not have the same opportunity, they decided to find a way for others in similar circumstances to see their friends and family with the help of technology, creating their non-profit, Tech- Angels. The three brothers soon realized that although their great grandmother knew how to use her devices, many other seniors in nursing homes did not.

With Tech-Angels, participants not only receive a device to contact their loved ones, but also instructions on how to do it. The brothers also focused their efforts on the veteran community, feeling that veterans have done so much for our country and communities, that this access and service was the least they could do for them.

For their ingenuity, kindness, and big hearts, I'm proud to honor Jaiden, Keanu, and Milaan as my January Constituents of the Month. Having young people in the district so encouraged to help their neighbors and those in need are the perfect example of how California's 49th Congressional District is so incredibly special. I am grateful for their generosity and bright smiles that ensure our community grows stronger every day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Don Hansen, who passed away on January 5, 2022.

In 1938, as a young boy, Don and his family moved from Iowa to San Clemente, a beautiful beach town in my congressional district in Southern California. When Don turned twelve, he worked at the San Clemente Pier, hauling fish from arriving ships to the shore. Later, Don enlisted in the United States Coast Guard at the age of eighteen, serving four years--with two of those years stationed in Guam.

Don moved back to San Clemente after his honorable discharge, working at a sportfishing company that he would ultimately buy in 1966. Each season, Don took over 10,000 fishermen into the waters off the coast of Southern California. In 1970, he was honored as San Clemente's ``Citizen of the Year'' for his efforts.

A year later, Don moved his operation a few miles north of San Clemente to Dana Point Harbor, founding Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching, the harbor's first business. During that time, he helped jumpstart the whale watching industry and created the first and longest-running annual whale festival in the world, the Dana Point Festival of Whales. In March 2021, I was honored to celebrate the Festival's 50th anniversary with Don and his family.

Beyond his role as a business owner and leader of his community, Don was always a strong advocate for sustainable fishing. The Coastal Conservation Association of California awarded Don its highest honor, the Anthony Hsieh Conservation Award, for his decades of work to improve the accessibility of sportfishing. He maintained positions on the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Pacific Fisheries Management Council, and the Sportfishing Association of California. He is survived by his children, David, Michael, Jeff, Donna, Jane, and Jenifer, and his 15 grandchildren.

Don Hansen lived an incredible and full life. He was a central part of his community and his love of the ocean and his dedication to the conservation, understanding, and appreciation of whales changed Southern California for the better. We are grateful for his service and contributions to his community.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Carlsbad resident, educator, and fierce advocate for Indigenous peoples, Dr. Joely Proudfit, for my December Constituent of the Month. A Native Southern Californian and a Luiseno/Payomkawichum woman, Dr. Proudfit first tapped into her passion for activism in college as a way for her to stay connected to her Native ancestry and support Native peoples. As the first member of her family to complete a high school diploma, and now a renowned and tenured professor, Dr. Proudfit has dedicated her life's work to furthering the education and promotion of proper representation for Native Americans and Indigenous peoples in media and society.

Dr. Proudfit strives to serve as a role model to Native youth by encouraging all who enter her classroom that anyone can achieve success with self-determination and a desire for knowledge. Dr. Proudfit also uses her platform as an educator and highly visible advocate to shed light on the harmful stereotypes and false narratives perpetuated around American Indians and to change perceptions of tribal communities.

What makes California's 49th District so special is the rich blending of cultures, backgrounds, and walks of life throughout our communities. The voices and stories of Native Americans have fallen to the shadows far too often. I am so grateful to have leaders and role models like Dr. Proudfit who are the voices we need for these communities to be seen and heard. The contributions and voices of Native and Indigenous peoples are fundamental to our national story, and Dr. Proudfit's work to lift up tribal communities has made our community and our country stronger. I'm proud to recognize her as my December Constituent of the Month.