Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jack Ding, a renowned member of our community who has been chosen to receive the prestigious American Dream Award for California's Fourth Congressional District. This award honors immigrants who have excelled professionally, through entrepreneurship and innovation, in the arts and culture, or through community service. Mr. Ding's exceptional leadership and advocacy makes him a very deserving recipient of this recognition and award.

Mr. Ding was born in China, where he received a diploma for electrical engineering. He immigrated to the United States in 1993 to study at Dominican University, working his way through school to receive a Master's in Business Administration. He became a United States Citizen in 2008 and moved to the City of Sonoma, where he became a vital member of the community through his advocacy and entrepreneurship.

Mr. Ding began his career as a tax practitioner for the Internal Revenue Service in 2007. He then opened his small business, Unicom Tax Services, with a focus on tax representation. In 2010, he helped establish a free tax clinic at La Luz Center in Sonoma. He has served on the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission and is currently serving on the Sonoma City Council. Mr. Ding has been a champion for the interests of California taxpayers. Mr. Ding is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, and has been an outspoken advocate for taxpayers, traveling to the United States' Capitol on multiple occasions to advocate to amend the Tax Cut and Jobs Act and most recently to increase the IRS funding and tax reform.

Mr. Ding was elected as the Mayor of the City of Sonoma in 2022, becoming the first Asian American to hold this office. Mr. Ding regularly engages with immigrant groups, encouraging people to be active participants in local and national politics. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Ding's utilized the American Rescue Plan and fiscal policy to increase Sonoma's reserve funds by $3 million. In addition, he has led fundraising efforts for a pavilion to honor local Chinese laborers' contribution to the local wine industry. In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Ding hosted a press conference with the Ukrainian Counsel General to condemn the invasion and helped raise over $150,000 for Ukraine Sister City.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ding's advocacy, and service as an elected official have greatly enriched the Sonoma community. His readiness

to help others is evident in his impactful work in the district and on Capitol Hill. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today with the American Dream Award.

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

I rise in strong support of this legislation. I thank my colleague from Nebraska and my friend, Mr. Smith, for working with me on this important bill.

This legislation before us today simplifies the ACA reporting process for employers and businesses across our country. The bill allows employers to submit required information electronically and improves privacy protections by eliminating the unnecessary requirement that employers collect dependents' Social Security numbers.

In addition, the bill ensures that employers have a reasonable opportunity to respond to the IRS before being assessed penalties, while simultaneously ensuring the IRS has the time and tools it needs to assess penalties to bad actors.

I share my colleagues' disappointment that prospective reporting provisions of the bill were removed. I understand the challenges facing the Treasury Department, and I look forward to working with my colleagues toward a resolution on that front.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I reiterate my thanks to my partner on this bill, Mr. Smith from Nebraska. This is a bill that I have worked on for the last four Congresses. It will make life easier for businesses, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. Armed braces are used to convert assault pistols into short-barreled assault rifles that are more accurate, easier to conceal, and can fire rounds capable of penetrating body armor.

Unregistered arm-brace-equipped firearms have been used in a number of high-profile mass shootings: Dayton, Ohio, 9 killed and 17 injured outside of a bar; Boulder, Colorado, 10 killed at a

grocery store; Colorado Springs, 5 killed, 19 injured at a club; Nashville, Tennessee, 6 killed, including 3 9-year-old children at an elementary school.

The ATF final rule closes the loophole that helps arm-brace-equipped pistols circumvent firearm regulations, including the National Firearms Act, which has regulated short-barreled rifles under heightened scrutiny since 1934.

The resolution before us today will take an already menacing and lethal weapon and turn it into a more accurate killing machine. This is misguided and callous, and it will only lead to more death.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lake County Farm Bureau, which is celebrating one hundred years of advocacy for agriculture and providing youth education and career opportunities in Lake County.

The Lake County Farm Bureau serves both rural and urban individuals who are interested in the production of a plentiful and safe food

supply. They provide continued support for agriculture in Lake County which includes farmers, ranchers, and agriculture-based companies. The Bureau also helps young people pursue agricultural education and careers, as well as community education in local agriculture industry and practices. To best advocate for agricultural interests, the Bureau collaborates with local, state, and federal political leaders, government officials, news media, and other organizations.

The Lake County Farm Bureau serves on state and local advisory groups including the Lake County Cannabis Task Force for Ordinance, the Lake County Advisory Committee, the Big Valley GSPAC Committee for Sigma Compliance, the Clear Lake Blue Ribbon Committee, and the FWS Clear Lake Hitch Conservation Strategy Committee.

By effectively advocating for our agriculture community and furthering education on agricultural issues, the Lake County Farm Bureau has greatly strengthened our district. The Bureau aids locals by advising on business practices and teaching educational courses, Lake County Farm Bureau has consistently represented an important perspective on matters affecting the agriculture industry at local, regional, state, and federal levels.

Mr. Speaker, the Lake County Farm Bureau is deeply appreciated for their 100 years of service and commitment to our agriculture community. Their advocacy has helped California grow by supporting those feeding our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Angela Baltezore in honor of her retirement and contributions to our arts community.

Ms. Baltezore was born in Cedar Falls. Iowa and moved to Woodland, California in 1968. After graduating from Woodland High School in 1975, Ms. Baltezore attended Santa Clara University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre. She then attended San Diego State University where she earned her teaching credential. Following the completion of her education, Ms. Baltezore taught theatre arts at Woodland High School from 1999 until 2001.

Ms. Baltezore's participation in the Woodland Opera House began while she was in high school and performed Dames at Sea on the Opera House stage in 1975. Her work with the Opera House continued years later when she became education director, a position she held from 2002 until 2014. Then in 2014, she was promoted to her current position of executive director. In these positions, Ms. Baltezore built a comprehensive theatre and dance program, further developing theatre arts in Woodland.

When the Opera House's education program began to flourish, Ms. Baltezore assisted the expansion process of the Theatre by adding an additional location. Subsequently, the education program has grown immensely with Ms. Baltezore's guidance and enrolls approximately 350 students. In addition to her achievements with the Opera House's education program, Ms. Baltezore has made a marked impact on the Theatre itself. When Ms. Baltezore first performed at the Opera House as a high school student, the building was in disrepair with no air conditioning or seating. Now the Theatre has implemented many improvements including a state-of-the-art sound system, two museum rooms, and a new HVAC system to increase production quality and patron comfort.

Ms. Baltezore's goal of increasing production quality has encouraged participation of actors stretching several regions in Northern California. Focused on growth, she also expanded the production season to include Rising Stars Youth Theatre, allowing young actors to shine on the Opera House's historic stage.

Mr. Speaker, Angela Baltezore is deeply appreciated for her decades of service and commitment to theatre arts. Her efforts have helped the Woodland Opera House grow and improve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Melinda M. Mendelson for her dedication to serving the community of Napa County.

In 2006, Ms. Mendelson organized the Napa County community to address the lack of access to affordable health insurance and healthcare for children. Her enthusiasm for healthcare accessibility led to the establishment of the Community Health Initiative, formerly known as the Children's Health Initiative, which is a coordinated outreach and retention effort designated to improve families' participation in health coverage programs. Eighteen years and 28,000 Californians later. Community Health Initiative continues to navigate affordable health insurance and benefits in Napa, Solano, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles Counties.

Ms. Mendelson's advocacy goes beyond healthcare through her support for educational development. She worked for ten years as the Director of Development for private and public universities. Notably, the application of Ms. Mendelson's expertise led to a twenty percent increase in contributions for the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Ms. Mendelson was also a member of the English Center for International Women at Mills College in Oakland, CA. In addition to these persistent advocacy involvements, Ms. Mendelson further participated in the Napa community through the Napa Valley Vintners Auction, Napa Valley Art Council, and Napa Valley Opera House.

In 2014, Ms. Mendelson formally retired. However, Ms. Mendelson continues to display her commitment to public service and the local community through advocacy and support.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that Melinda M. Mendelson has contributed to the Napa Valley community and beyond.

Madam Speaker, we are on the brink of defaulting on our debt, and that would be apocalyptic. Millions of jobs would be lost. Mortgage and credit card rates would skyrocket. Retirement accounts would be devalued. A recession would be triggered. The crazy math being offered by the Republicans isn't adding up.

The Speaker says that the defense budget and taxes are off the negotiating table. That is 75 percent of the budget. Cutting the remaining budget would have an even greater devastating impact on every American.

What is worse is that the Republicans have left town while the Speaker allows us to be pushed toward a default that hurts everybody, including our veterans.

Veterans' VA appointments would be canceled. Veterans looking to buy a home would be hit by higher interest rates. Veterans who have credit card bills will face higher interest rates. If House Republicans cause a default, then more than 7 million veterans and their families will lose essential benefits that they have earned.

Stop this madness. Come back to work. Let's address this problem.

Mr, Speaker, I rise today to honor Ebon Richard ``Rick'' Jones as he is presented with the John Shafer Visionary Award, which recognizes his exemplary advocacy work in Napa Valley.

Mr. Jones was born in Illinois. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University and his Master of Business Administration degree from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Jones is a treasured member of the Napa community as he advocates for matters of health and youth education.

Mr. Jones has been active in the Napa community for decades. In 2013, he joined the operating board of OLE Health, a nonprofit health center serving vulnerable populations in and around Napa County. He then served as treasurer from 2014 to 2015 and board chair from 2017 to 2018. Currently, Mr. Jones has been reappointed treasurer of the OLE Health foundation board and remains a trusted advisor for OLE Health leadership.

Beyond his work at OLE Health, Mr. Jones sits on the boards of Napa Valley Education Foundation, St. Helena Hospital Foundation, the Napa Valley Community Foundation, the Napa Valley Vintners, and Napa Valley Firewise Foundation. He has previously served in leadership roles on the boards of the San Francisco Zoo, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Napa Learns, and Raising a Reader.

When he is not engaging in community organizations throughout Napa, Mr. Jones is a respected Napa Valley vintner. Having developed a passion for viticulture while living in France in the 1970s, he founded Jones Family Vineyards in 1996, which he now operates together with his two daughters Heather and Stephanie. Their family-run winery is certified by Napa Green, a certification program with an emphasis on climate action and regenerative farming.

Mr. Speaker, the John Shafer Visionary Award exists to honor the legacy of vintner John Shafer, who was among Napa Valley's strongest community leaders. There is no doubt that Mr. Jones has been a dedicated advocate for the Napa Valley community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with the members of the California delegation, to honor Mark Ghilarducci, the director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), for his 40 years of public safety service.

Born in San Mateo, California, Mr. Ghilarducci received his Bachelor of Science in Physiology from University of California, Davis. Afterwards, he joined Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government as a part of their fellowship program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

Mr. Ghilarducci started his career at the federal level working on homeland security, emergency preparedness, and disaster response. Mr. Ghilarducci was an executive member of the Advisory Board for the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System from 1990 to 2003. Here he led federal search and rescue operations after the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City. From 1997 to 2000, he also served as federal coordinating officer with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additionally, Mr. Ghilarducci was a critical advisor to the state of Louisiana and Governor Kathleen Blanco after Hurricane Katrina.

In California, Mr. Ghilarducci has occupied several integral public safety positions. He served as deputy state fire chief of special operations for California's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), where he led the development and creation of the state's internationally recognized fire and rescue mutual aid system. In 2014, he was appointed director of Cal OES by Governor Jerry Brown, and again by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019. Over the course of his tenure as director, he guided California through 130 federally declared disasters such as an enduring drought, five of California's largest wildfires, including the tragic Camp fire, and the COVID pandemic. He also serves in Governor Newsom's cabinet as his homeland security adviser, using his experience to advise on matters of terrorism and cybersecurity.

Mr. Ghilarducci has also been a member of numerous state bodies that have shaped California's emergency preparedness, response, and recovery approaches. From 2001 to 2003, he co-chaired both the Governor's Strategic Committee on Terrorism and the California Standardized Emergency Management System Technical Committee. Governor Newsom also appointed Mr. Ghilarducci as chair of the California Earthquake Authority Board of Directors and the California Wildfire Catastrophic Response Council, as well as the executive board member of the Governor's Homeland Security Advisory Council.

Some of Mr. Ghilarducci's most notable policy achievements include the modernization of California's 911 system, his facilitation of the State Threat Intelligence and Assessment System, the design and implementation of the nation's first Earthquake Early Warning System, and the design and operation of the California Cybersecuritv Integration Center. Furthermore, he was a vocal advocate for the California Disaster Assistance Act which authorized over $300 million in funding towards building a more resilient and safer California.

Mr. Ghilarducci is known for his motto ``one team, one fight'' as well as his honesty, integrity, and respectful nature. He spends his spare time with his wife Linda Ghilarducci and two children, RJ Ghilarducci and Alexandra Ghilarducci.

Mr. Speaker, Mark Ghilarducci has undoubtedly made our Nation and the state of California a safer place for our constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership in this policy area.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation. As I said when this legislation originally came to the floor, I share my colleagues' goal of ensuring that our trade laws are fairly enforced, and I certainly share our collective goal of promoting domestic manufacturing and jobs.

However, if this bill were to become law, if the President's veto were to be overridden, it would cost, not create, American jobs. In the long run, it would make it harder, not easier, for our country to become energy independent.

This bill would make it impossible to deploy solar energy quickly enough throughout the United States. It would undercut the climate change investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest investment in fighting climate change in the history of our country.

We all want solar products manufactured right here at home; but in the short run, our domestic industry can't increase production rapidly enough to meet demand or to meet our climate goals.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Herman J. Hernandez for receiving an honorary doctoral degree from Sonoma State University, in recognition of his 50 years of social justice advocacy in Sonoma County.

Born to immigrant parents in San Francisco's Mission District. Mr. Hernandez grew up in San Francisco, California and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. He moved to Guerneville, California in 1970, where he earned his real estate license. Here he began working with his father, who had started one of San Francisco's first Latino-owned real estate and insurance businesses in 1953. After his father's passing in 1978. Mr. Hernandez took over Hernandez Realty to continue his legacy from Sonoma County.

Mr. Hernandez quickly became an active local volunteer. In 1973, he was invited to join the Russian River Rotary Club. At just 23 years old, he became Guerneville Rotary Club's first Latino member. He became active in the Rotary Club's Government Relations Committee and began to engage in local public policy and community service. He has volunteered with Family Justice Center Sonoma County, Sonoma County Health Action, the Russian River Park and Recreation District, the Sonoma County Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, and the North Bay Association of Realtors.

Mr. Hernandez is well known in our district as the founder of Los Cien, the largest Latino advocacy group in the North Bay. Mr. Hernandez founded Los Cien in 2008 to address the lack of Latino representation in local politics and to give the Latino community a voice in Sonoma County's public policy. Los Cien prioritizes civic engagement and education for its members while working to build bridges between the Latino community and others in Sonoma County. What began as a small group of Latinos talking about civic issues in the back room of pizza shops and cafes, has become a leadership organization with more than 1,500 members. Los Cien provides valuable networking opportunities for Latino professionals to delve into local issues, including education, health care, law enforcement, and immigration. In addition, Los Cien puts on an annual State of the Latino Community Address at the Address at Sonoma State University which highlights the priorities and needs of the Latino community. Los Cien has also expanded their advocacy by connecting with the nonprofit Northern California Latino Leaders to inspire similar movements amongst Latino communities in Marin, Napa, and Mendocino counties.

Mr. Hernandez is known for being energetic, passionate, generous, and a good listener. He spends his spare time with his wife Guillermina and two children, who each continue in their father's footsteps. Mr. Hernandez's daughter, Daniella, is a third-generation realtor and his son, Herman, became the new executive director for Los Cien in 2023.

Mr. Speaker. I am honored to recognize my friend, Herman J. Hernandez, an exceptional community leader who has fought for Latino representation and participation in Sonoma County for decades. It is therefore fitting that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with with Congressman Jared Huffman, to recognize the work of Dr. Frank Chong, the president and superintendent of Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), upon his retirement.

Born in New York City, Dr. Chong received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare and Asian American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley before earning his Master in Public Administration degree from Harvard, and his Doctorate in Educational Administration, Leadership and Technology from Dowling College.

Dr. Chong has been committed to public service throughout his career. As special assistant to California Speaker Willie Brown, he developed legislation on higher education, mental health, small and minority business affairs, and local government issues. He later served in executive positions in multiple California colleges including president of Laney College in Oakland and Mission College in Santa Clara. Before his tenure at SRJC, he was appointed deputy assistant secretary for community colleges at the United States Department of Education. While there, Dr. Chong was responsible for shaping President Obama's community college agenda, working on the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act, and developing policies to support the President's college completion goals.

Dr. Chong has secured several key accomplishments at SRJC since the start of his tenure in 2012. He was a prominent leader of the 2014 campaign for Measure H, the largest voter-approved bond in Sonoma County's history. This $410 million investment in the college has fueled renovation efforts and the implementation of new technologies in SRJC's STEM education centers, sustainability projects, and athletic facilities. In 2020, he also helped drive the campaign for Measure O, a quarter-cent sales tax that has expanded mental health support for SRJC students and the greater population of Sonoma County. Now, under Dr. Chong's leadership, SRJC is nearing completion of its first on-campus student housing in decades which will have 352 new beds. Moreover, this project will reduce 7,575 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Currently, SRJC holds the highest acceptance rate among all California community colleges for transfer students applying to University of California campuses.

Dr. Chong is a champion for diversity at SRJC. He is the first Asian- American and first person of color to serve as president and superintendent of the college. Dr. Chong has spearheaded numerous diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and accessibility initiatives. In addition, he oversaw the creation of the new Ethnic Studies department, of more inclusive hiring practices and of the SRJC Intercultural Center. In February 2019, SRJC was listed as one of the nation's ``Top 50 Community Colleges for Hispanics'' in The Hispanic Outlook on Education magazine.

Dr. Chong is a valuable resource and mentor to many higher education professionals, alumni, and community members. He serves on boards including the North Bay Leadership Council, the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber, and the Chief Executive Officers Board of the California Community Colleges. In addition, Dr. Chong supports groups like Sonoma County Resilience Collaborative and the Bay Area Higher Education Leadership Council. Dr. Chong is known for his love of golf, food, and wine, as well as his honest, kind, and gregarious nature. He spends his spare time with his wife Lene Jannes and his 2 daughters Mia and Sophia.

Mr. Speaker, it's clear that Dr. Frank Chong has been an excellent steward of the Santa Rosa Junior College and a dedicated community member of Sonoma County. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cindy Pawlcyn and the 40th anniversary of her landmark wine-country restaurant, Mustards Grill. Her success as a restauranteur in wine country has brought great pride to Napa Valley and California's 4th Congressional District.

Ms. Pawlcyn was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to an accomplished culinary family, where she fostered an interest in the culinary field from a young age. At 13 years old, she was helping in her mother's kitchen and working at a local cooking and equipment store. She went on to run a catering business throughout high school, and later obtained her degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She then augmented her formal training with courses at Le Cordon Bleu and La Varenne in Paris. After her time in Paris, she worked at multiple esteemed restaurants in Chicago and Minneapolis, including Chicago's great restaurant the Pump Room.

After entering Napa Valley's culinary community as the opening chef at Meadowood in St. Helena, California, Ms. Pawlcyn launched her legendary restaurant Mustards Grill in 1983. Named after the mustard flowers that bloom in Napa's vineyards, Mustards Grill is a community favorite for unique dishes and world-class wine. Ms. Pawlcyn installed an organic garden at the restaurant which not only inspires a seasonal menu but also provides 20 percent of the restaurant's produce year- round.

Since opening Mustards Grill, Ms. Pawlcyn has been involved in the creation of many heralded restaurants in the greater San Francisco Bay Area including Fog City Diner, Bix, Roti, Betelnut, Buckeye Roadhouse, Cindy's

Backstreet Kitchen, Go Fish, Cindy's Waterfront at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Mustards Grill-SFO. She is a three-time finalist for the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Restaurateur Award. Ms. Pawlcyn is also the author of five cookbooks, including Mustards Grill Napa Valley Cookbook, which won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best American Cookbook. Moreover, she is a recipient of the Robert Mondavi Award for Culinary Excellence and the Fine Beverage & Food Federation's Career Achievement Award.

Despite a near fatal car accident and a fire that destroyed her home, Ms. Pawlcyn's list of achievements reflects her tenacity, perseverance, and passion for the culinary industry. She shares her success with managing partner Sean Knight, who has brilliant business skills and a love for hospitality, and Executive Chef Michael Forster who works incredibly hard to surpass the expectations of Mustards Grill's guests.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that Cindy Pawlcyn and Mustards Grill have made incredible contributions to Napa County's food culture over the past 40 years. It is therefore fitting that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Napa Valley Education Foundation as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary of providing educational opportunities to support Napa County's students.

With the mission of inspiring students to broaden their horizons and deepen their knowledge, the Napa Valley Education Foundation serves all 18,000 students and 1,000 educators in Napa County's public school system. For the past 40 years, the Foundation has championed music education, career readiness, youth mental health, classroom innovation, academic growth, and social development of students.

The Napa Valley Education Foundation's Music Connection program ensures equitable access to music education in the Napa Valley, providing thousands of musical instruments, music instruction support, camps, and clinics to more than 6,000 students per year.

Additionally, the Foundation promotes the well-being of students by providing support, funding, coordination, and advocacy to ensure all students have access to on-campus behavioral health services. Their work has helped build local capacity and coordination of services for students and families.

Since the creation of Napa Valley Education Foundation in 1983, teachers, students, and the community have benefitted from their mission to foster and support innovation within public schools. Their work with career readiness, teacher classroom grants, project-based learning, and STEM initiatives have led to improved educational outcomes for students.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the Napa County Education Foundation has contributed to Napa County's educational system over the past 40 years. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor it here today.

Mr. Speaker, every day 30 people are killed by someone using a gun. Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the United States. When will you be bringing a bill to the floor to help put an end to this carnage?

Mr. Speaker, our country is averaging 1.5 mass shootings every day. There are over 70 suicides and accidental shootings every day. When will you bring a bill to the floor to help put an end to this?

Mr. Speaker, every day our cops are on the street protecting Americans, and they are confronted by criminals who have access, easy access, to guns that they shouldn't have. When will the Republicans be bringing a bill to the floor to help put an end to this, Mr. Speaker?

It is sad. It is sad that there is not even no word but there is no action on this. When will the Republicans work with us Democrats to help put an end to gun violence?