Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the economies of every country around the world, resulting in great economic shutdown. However, our country, the United States, came out of the pandemic ahead of other nations because we expanded programs such as unemployment insurance.

Sadly, this bill seeks to target Americans who received overpayment from the government at no fault of their own instead of going after those who committed fraud.

During the bill's markup and later in the Rules Committee, I offered an amendment that would amend the criminal code to extend the statute of limitations to 10 years, as recommended by the Department of Labor Inspector General and legal experts so we could get the crooks.

However, the Republicans decided to go after public servants and retirees instead of the criminals. One of the other members said that criminals and cheats need to be brought to justice. They do. Extend the statute of limitations and we can do it. We can catch the bad guys. We can catch the crooks. We can get the taxpayer money back.

Mr. Speaker, since we were last together on the floor, gun violence has been unending. There were eight dead, seven injured at a shopping mall in Allen, Texas; one dead, four injured at a medical office in Atlanta, Georgia; six dead in Henryetta, Oklahoma; and five dead in Cleveland, Texas. These are just the high- visibility mass shootings.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers and is costing our country $280 billion a year. Kids shouldn't worry about being shot if their basketball rolls into a neighbor's yard or if they knock on a door. Teenagers shouldn't worry about being shot if they pull into the wrong driveway. Families shouldn't worry about being shot if they go shopping.

Republican leadership must listen to the majority of Americans, including Republicans and gun owners who support gun violence prevention laws.

Mr. Speaker, I am calling on my Republican colleagues in the majority to bring lifesaving gun violence prevention legislation to this House floor for a vote as soon as we can.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Garrett Buckland, the Napa Valley Grape Growers 2023 Grower of the Year, and recognize his incredible commitment to sustainable agriculture and viticulture in California's Fourth Congressional District.

Mr. Buckland was born in Napa Valley and grew up raising cattle, growing grapes, and eventually working for his father's vineyard management business. Mr. Buckland received a bachelor of science in viticulture and enology from the University of California, Davis. After graduating, Mr. Buckland became a partner of Premiere Viticultural Services where he has spent the last 20 years working with landowners all through the valley to develop their properties, advance their farming practices, and elevate their wine quality.

Mr. Buckland has a long and successful history of advocacy leadership within the Napa Valley community. He is a current board member of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) and has served in leadership positions on the board for the last 10 years. He has been the longtime chair of Vit Fair, the Napa Wine and Grape Expo, and Rootstock, all events that the NVG uses to spread awareness about science-based approaches to grape growing and agricultural stewardship in Napa Valley.

As someone with deep roots in Napa County, Mr. Buckland takes pride in sharing his expertise with others in the local and State wine community. Mr. Buckland is a founding member of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, which helps farm workers develop skills in adult literacy, vineyard operations and safety, leadership and management, mentorship, and family life. He also serves on the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Advisory Committee, which advises the county on sustainable management of Napa's groundwater. In the past, he has frequently represented Napa Valley and other grape growers on various local and State boards, including the Clean Plant Material Advisory Board. In addition, Mr. Buckland often writes articles for the Napa Valley Register as a representative of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and has made several appearances on TV, online, and radio platforms to discuss best practices in the wine and agricultural industry.

Mr. Speaker, Garrett Buckland has had a remarkable career as a business leader and a dedicated sustainability advocate in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Congregation Beth Shalom as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.

Congregation Beth Shalom was founded in 1951 by The Napa Jewish Group and was established as a synagogue in 1953. Over the years, Congregation Beth Shalom has grown and expanded, and today it is a thriving center of Jewish life in the Napa Valley area. The Congregation consists of over 200 households at present with a full- time Rabbi, Synagogue Director, and Educator and Music Director. Members of Congregation Beth Shalom hold elected positions on the Napa City Council.

The Congregation continues to serve not only the Jewish people of Napa, but also the larger Napa community. Congregation Beth Shalom has played an integral role in aiding others, including their participation with the Table, the Refugee Resettlement Fund, and Citizen's Legal Services. Notably, the Congregation's Rabbi actively participates in the Interfaith Council, which contributes towards the formation of a more inclusive community embracing all faiths, cultures, and orientations.

Congregation Beth Shalom provides Jewish educational programs to the youth community of Napa. A non-sectarian summer program, Camp Chaverim, is led by the Congregation and serves children from the community annually. This camping program brings together children of all faiths and backgrounds to create a meaningful and inclusive environment and experience. Congregation Beth Shalom also provides reading assistance at many primary schools. The Congregation maintains crucial involvement with and support for the young people of Napa Valley.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that Congregation Beth Shalom has contributed to the community of Napa Valley over the past 70 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Janelle Sellick, whom I have named the 2023 Climate Crisis Champion for Napa County because of the important work she has done to address the threat and impacts of the climate crisis on California's Fourth Congressional District.

Ms. Sellick was born in Westlake, California, and attended California State University, Chico, and California State University, Sacramento, where she obtained her master's degree in recreational administration.

Ms. Sellick has been an extremely active and devoted community member. She began her service in 2013 on the City of American Canyon Parks and Community Services Commission, on which she served until 2020. In 2015, she founded the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation.

In addition to holding these positions, Ms. Sellick has made many major environmental contributions such as leading the development of the Napa River Ecology Center Project which created an environmental legacy for Napa County. The Napa River Ecology Center at the American Canyon Wetlands will provide a home for important conversations on climate change and environmental action while developing the next generation of environmental stewards. Ms, Sellick worked with the City of American Canyon, partners, and donors to design, fund, and manage the capital project for the ecology center. Ms. Sellick has raised over $500,000 in seed funding for project development through the capital campaign for the ecology center.

Additionally, Ms. Sellick has led the development of the Watershed Explorers Environmental Education program, which now serves every fourth grader in American Canyon. As a result of this development, 305 students spend over 2,000 hours annually in environmental and watershed education. When Ms. Sellick is not fighting for climate justice, she enjoys hiking and camping with her family, gardening, reading, and traveling to national parks.

Mr. Speaker, Janelle Sellick is a dedicated leader in energy and environmental advocacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Karenina ``Karen'' Relucio for receiving the Napa Solano Medical Society's (NSMS) Professor Emeritus Award and for her service to the residents of Napa County and California's Fourth Congressional District.

The Napa Solano Medical Society's Professor Emeritus Award is not granted every year. This high recognition is reserved to a few individuals who have shown exemplary commitment to healing and teaching medicine to colleagues and other young physicians in the community.

In her role as Napa County public health officer, Dr. Relucio was a member of the Napa County Health and Human Services Executive Leadership Team. She led the department's public health and policy work by engaging and supporting a staff of 75 employees.

Dr. Relucio was also essential to Napa County's response to the COVID pandemic. She served as the incident commander for local pandemic response, where her community-centered, strategic approach to crisis management made her a vital resource to the district. During the pandemic, Dr. Relucio was also director-at-large of the NSMS Board of Directors and often hosted weekly meetings with NSMS members to dispense critical information pertaining to the pandemic. She further coordinated medical volunteers to deliver essential COVID testing kits and personal protective equipment to Napa County. Her ability to assess and address operational issues from a management and a physician's perspective was integral as part of ``Live Healthy Napa County,'' a multisector effort centered on generating collective improvements to health and wellness, the social determinants of health, and health equity.

Dr. Relucio's outstanding dedication to public health has been recognized with many other recent awards. In 2020, she was named the Napa Solano Medical Society Physician of the Year. She was also previously selected by Senator Bill Dodd to be honored by the Legislative Women's Caucus as a Woman of the Year in 2021. Similarly, Dr. Relucio was the Napa Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2022.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Karen Relucio has dedicated her life to ensuring the health and wellness of those in our Napa community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Napa County Historical Society as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary.

Napa County Historical Society was founded in May 1948 as an outgrowth of Napa County's Centennial Commission. The Historical Society has remained committed to discovering, preserving, and displaying the heritage and people of Napa County. The Historical Society's role in recognizing Napa Valley's place in California history and global platforms remains unchallenged.

The Goodman Library was secured by then Executive Director Jess Doud in the late 1970s. Over the years, the Historical Society has partnered with the City of Napa to maintain the historical Goodman Library. The building now serves as a location for the ever-

growing research library. By hosting exhibitions, presentations, and tours, as well as research and other educational activities, the library focuses on the local history of Napa County. Napa County Historical Society keeps its doors open to the public as a local exhibition space for exploration and education. At present, the Historical Society welcomes over 20,000 visitors annually.

As a non-profit organization, Napa County Historical Society's team includes the board of directors, an executive director, and a research librarian to maintain the logistical and operational aspects. Napa County Historical Society also continues to advocate for the recognition and education of Napa Valley's history by the younger generations. The Historical Society provides internships for both secondary and collegiate students, along with volunteer opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that Napa County Historical Society has contributed to the preservation and recognition of Napa Valley's history over the past 75 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Eugene Eisenburg for receiving the Napa Solano Medical Society's Lifetime Achievement Award and for his 72 years working as a physician in Napa County.

The Napa Solano Medical Society's Lifetime Achievement Award is not granted every year. This high recognition is awarded to a few individuals with extraordinary compassion for their patients and who have been a notable mentor and role model for other physicians.

Dr. Eisenburg has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the study of medicine and to quality medical care. He earned his bachelor of arts in medical science from the University of California (UC), Berkeley and his master of science in pharmacology from the UC School of Medicine in San Francisco. He has been employed at numerous hospitals throughout California over the past seven decades, most recently at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa County, where he served as medical director of the Diabetic Wellness Program. Dr. Eisenburg also served his country in the Air Force Medical Corps, earning the rank of major. In addition, Dr. Eisenburg has offered his endocrinology services via private practices and consulting. Throughout his career, he has treated thousands of people and even delivered 105 babies.

Dr. Eisenburg has been an exemplary model and mentor for others in the medical field. From 1957 through 1990, he worked as an instructor and professor of clinical medicine for the UC School of Medicine. He spent 18 years as a clinical professor at UC Berkeley

as well. Among other honorary groups, he is an emeritus member of the Endocrine Society and has been a member of the California Medical Association for the last 69 years.

Our district is grateful that Dr. Eisenburg dedicated the last 27 years to serving the people of Napa County. When he first began working in Napa in 1995, the city and county had very few endocrinologists. Between his research, clinical work, and professional treatment, Dr. Eisenburg has helped advance endocrinology and made it more accessible for the residents of California's Fourth Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Eugene Eisenburg has dedicated his life to ensuring the health and wellness of those in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership and yielding me the extra time to speak.

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

Mr. Speaker, I share my colleagues' goal of ensuring that our trade laws are fairly enforced. I certainly share our collective goal promoting domestic manufacturing and jobs.

Let's be honest. The idea that our President wants to ship jobs to China and make us dependent on China for our energy, this may sound good, this political hyperbole may sound good, but it is flatout nonsense.

If this legislation were to become law, 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 here in our country, here in the United States of America. It would undercut the climate change investments in the Inflation Reduction Act; the biggest investment in fighting climate change and creating green jobs in our history.

This is an investment that we need. We have already heard from numerous speakers on the impact that we have felt from climate change: fires, floods, drought, and an increase in agricultural pests. This is at a point where we need to deploy everything we can to make sure we address the issue of climate change.

We all want solar products manufactured right here at home. That will happen. But in the short run, our domestic industry can't increase production fast enough to meet our demand or meet our climate goals.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nicole Braddock, whom I have named the 2023 Climate Crisis Champion for Solano County because of the important work she has done to promote conservation and address the impacts of climate change on California's 4th Congressional District.

Nicole Braddock was born in Cedarville, California. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, and she holds an MBA from Capella University. In addition to these impressive educational achievements, Ms. Braddock has a strong commitment to bringing communities together and building common ground in conversations around climate change.

Through her role as the Executive Director of Solano Land Trust, Ms. Braddock has championed the protection of more than 8,000 acres of working farms and natural areas as well as the restoration of miles of creeks and streams. Solano Land Trust goes beyond land conservation to ensure the establishment of strong relationships between community members and the land.

Ms. Braddock has also advocated for the development of accessible trails and picnic areas to promote public resources available to all members of our community. Ms. Braddock's strong desire to give back to the community is exemplified through her development of partnerships, which allow for every individual in Solano County to benefit from protected natural areas. Additionally, Ms. Braddock supports land conservation efforts through her work on the National Land Trust Alliance Leadership Council. The Land Trust Alliance works with local land trusts to expand land conservation locally and nationally.

Outside of her participation with the Land Trust, Ms. Braddock volunteers with numerous nonprofit organizations and provides pro bono coaching to local leaders working in land conservation. Ms. Braddock also serves on the board of the Solano Economic Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to growing Solano County's economy through the creation of new jobs and competition among businesses.

Mr. Speaker, it is evident that Nicole Braddock is a leader dedicated to land conservation and environmental advocacy. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor her here today as Solano County's 2023 Climate Crisis Champion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Denise Rushing, whom I have named the 2023 Climate Crisis Champion for Lake County because of the important work she has done to address the threat and impacts of climate change on California's 4th Congressional District.

Ms. Rushing has prioritized energy, environmental, and climate issues throughout her career. Her degree in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University informed the environmental work she has done with private firms and business start-ups. Her executive experience includes her flagship work as Director of Energy Efficiency for PG&E, where she pushed the market to adopt networked meter data for more efficient energy readings.

As a public servant, Ms. Rushing implemented her ecologically inspired approach to community and cultural transformation with incredible success. Over her two terms representing the Lake County's Third District on the Board of Supervisors, she championed two of the largest public solar energy installations in the western United States. Ms. Rushing also initiated the formation of key wildfire safety plans, new wildlife preservation sites, and two county-wide working groups on Energy Sustainability and Food Security. Her leadership has paved the way for Lake County to be awarded two state-wide honors for renewable energy and cultural projects: the Green California Energy Innovator of the Year Award and the Green California Leadership Culture Award.

Since her tenure in public office, Ms. Rushing has continued to find ways to dedicate herself to environmental advocacy in our community. She served multiple terms on the Sierra Club Lake Group Executive Committee, most recently as the committee chair from 2018 to 2021. Ms. Rushing is also the cofounder of Rockhaven Ecozoic Center, an eco- spiritual nonprofit. Additionally, she volunteers as part of the Pachamama Alliance's Awakening the Dreamer and Climate Advocacy programs. She even offers her expertise to others in permaculture design certificate programs and regenerative land management courses for educators. She also provides free renewable energy education curriculum for the residents of Lake County.

Mr. Speaker, Denise Rushing is a dedicated leader in energy and environmental advocacy. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor her here today as Lake County's 2023 Climate Crisis Champion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Katie Jackson, whom I have named the 2023 Climate Crisis Champion for Sonoma County because of the important work she has done to address the threat and impacts of climate change on California's 4th Congressional District.

Ms. Jackson was born in San Francisco, California and attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

Ms. Jackson is an exemplary leader in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions. In 2016, she spearheaded an effort at Jackson Family Wines to become the largest onsite solar energy generating winery in the United States. Ms. Jackson also led the development and implementation of the company's Rooted for Good: Roadmap to 2030. This sustainability and climate action plan will transition Jackson Family Wines to completely regenerative farming practices and halve the company's carbon footprint over the next decade. Moreover, the plan will put her family's business on the path to becoming carbon-net- negative by 2050.

Ms. Jackson is committed to expanding sustainable practices not just in her business but in the entire wine community. She has been a leader in pushing for reforms in the international wine community that promote environmental stewardship. For example, as a cofounder of International Wineries for Climate Action, she works to mobilize wineries around the world to commit to fifty-percent absolute carbon reductions by 2030 and being carbon-net-negative by 2050. International Wineries for Climate Action was the first wine or agriculture organization to become a member of the United Nation's Race to Zero Campaign.

In addition to her work on reducing emissions, Ms. Jackson has done exceptional work on conservation. She has secured many Safe Harbor Agreements through her company to conserve habitats for endangered species including the California tiger salamander and the coho salmon. Moreover, she supported the reintroduction of thirty thousand coho salmon eggs into Yellowjacket Creek to support salmon population growth in the Russian River. Ms. Jackson has also led Jackson Family Wines to partner with the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians to undertake a major groundwater recharge project in the Alexander Valley.

Mr. Speaker, Katie Jackson is an exemplary leader in sustainable viniculture and endangered species conservation. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor her here today as Sonoma County's 2023 Climate Crisis Champion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Julia Jackson, whom I have named the 2023 Climate Crisis Champion for Sonoma County because of the important work she has done to address the threat and impacts of the climate crisis on California's 4th Congressional District.

Ms. Jackson was born in San Francisco, California and attended Scripps College in Claremont, California where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Ms. Jackson's work is fundamental to our state and nation's progress in implementing clean energy solutions. She sits on the California Department of Food and Agriculture State Board, where her expertise on sustainable farming plays a critical role in developing new agriculture policy. Ms. Jackson also founded the philanthropic organization Grounded, which funds clean energy projects, develops nature-based approaches to lowering atmospheric carbon levels, and provides legal advances on indigenous and environmental rights.

Additionally, in partnership with the Department of Energy, she launched the Clean Energy Freedom campaign to create a workforce pipeline to fill 900,000 new clean energy jobs. This effort was an instrumental component of President Biden's executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to accelerate our nation's production of key clean energy technologies.

Ms. Jackson has also responded to the climate crisis with international action. As a cofounder of the Keystone Species Alliance, she partnered with government officials in Mexico to introduce legislation protecting keystone species such as bees, mangrove trees, and salmon. In further collaboration with the Mexican government, Ms. Jackson created a coalition of nations who committed to protect biodiversity to lower the amount of carbon in our atmosphere.

Ms. Jackson sits on the board of many environmental organizations whose missions include exposing criminals committing offenses against wildlife, educating the public on Arctic and ocean protections, and generating innovative green policies that will advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, as Chair of US Allies to Stop Ecocide, she endeavors to make the systemic, severe destruction of our natural environment a crime against peace at the International Criminal Court.

Mr. Speaker, Julia Jackson is a dedicated leader in energy and environmental advocacy. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor her here today as Sonoma County's 2023 Climate Crisis Champion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Valeria Cantor Mendez, whom I have named the 2023 Climate Crisis Champion for Yolo County because of the important work she has done to address the threat and impacts of climate change on California's 4th Congressional District.

Ms. Mendez was born in Caracas, Venezuela and attended her first two years of high school at Mount View School in San Jose, Costa Rica. Before her senior year, she moved to Rocklin, California where she completed her final year of high school.

Ms. Mendez has prioritized environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty throughout her academic career. She studies at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and is working towards a bachelor's degree with a major in Community and Regional Development and a minor in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning. Ms. Mendez utilizes her personal experiences as a student along with her strong interest in environmental justice to raise awareness and generate support for climate action in the UC Davis community.

As the campaign vice-chair for Students Enacting Environmental Defense, Ms. Mendez advocates for environmental justice as an integral value of the University of California system. Ms. Mendez's dedication to climate response inspires others in the UC Davis community as she invites greater engagement on climate action for everyone from the students to the chancellor. Ms. Mendez explores the connections between environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty by building strong working relationships between faculty and climate-allied student organizations. She also served as a student research assistant with the UC Davis Center for Regional Change, a project that builds community resiliency through environmental sustainability.

Ms. Mendez has a strong interest in combatting the effects of the climate crisis and educating future generations on issues of environmentalism. In addition to her work at the UC Davis. Ms. Mendez educates high school students through the Youth, Plan, Learn, Act Now program about the historical context of environmental justice emphasizing the contributions of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. Ms. Mendez is also the hub co-coordinator for Sunrise Movement Davis, a youth empowerment movement with the goal of stopping climate change.

Mr. Speaker, Valeria Cantor Mendez is a dedicated leader in energy and environmental advocacy. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor her here today as Yolo County's 2023 Climate Crisis Champion.

Mr, Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College in recognition of their 50th anniversary.

Founded in 1972, the college was originally named the Lake County Center of Yuba College and offered academic and career technical courses at the Konocti Harbor Inn in Kelseyville. Two years later, it moved to Clearlake where it began to grow into the 12.7 acre facility it is today. The college was recognized as a center by the California Commission of Post-Secondary Education in 1990 and renamed ``Clear Lake Campus'' in 2003. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The college's most recent expansion came in 2012 when it added a new student services center, library, kitchen, dining room and additional classrooms. In July 2016, the college merged with the Woodland Community College and adopted its current name. Last year, the City of Clearlake announced that it would invest $55,000 in the Lake County Campus to implement a last dollar scholarship program.

In its 50-year history, the Lake County Campus has developed a reputation as one of California's premiere community colleges, offering acclaimed courses in business, early childhood education, biology, welding, chemical dependency counseling and various other subjects to thousands. It has also helped make college more affordable by offering two years of pre-transfer work for students interested in attending other institutions. The Lake County Campus prioritizes diversity of background and thought, providing interactive classrooms that encourage an open exchange of ideas.

In 2000, the college opened its culinary department which has since grown into one of its most popular programs. Under the leadership of Chef Robert Cabreros, the department includes the student-run Aroma's Restaurant and offers multiple certificates as well as a partnership with the United States Coast Guard.

Mr. Speaker, the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College has been a source of quality education for over half a century and made immeasurable contributions to its community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that it is honored here today.