Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to what is happening in Hong Kong, especially to Joshua Wong. As a teenager, he led millions of people to the streets of Hong Kong to speak out for democracy and for freedom in Hong Kong and for the Chinese Government to honor its commitment to the Basic Law, which was the foundation of the transition in 1997 from Great Britain to the Chinese Government having control over Hong Kong.

Speaking out for freedom should not be against the law. Since the Basic Law, the Chinese have passed a security law, which is anything but security. It is a repression law. Under this law, Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to speaking out for freedom. He said: Yes, I have done that.

He can be sentenced to life for speaking out for freedom.

This House, this Congress, has always been bipartisan in joining together for freedom, whether it is in Hong Kong, whether in Tibet, or wherever in China, and for human rights in China. Let us not forget Joshua Wong at this time and not forget Jimmy Lai at the other end of life. Joshua Wong is a young teenager who is doing this now, or in his early twenties. Jimmy Lai is toward the end of his life in prison.

We must speak out for freedom. We must not let this be ignored. The most horrible form of torture that the Chinese have over these people is to tell them that nobody remembers you or why you are here.

We want to be sure that they know we remember them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Philip De Andrade, whose joyful spirit, generous heart and deep love of San Francisco enriched the lives of all who knew him, and to express my condolences to his family.

For decades, Philip was a treasured member of our extended Pelosi family. From my first campaign for Congress, his friendship, kindness, and dedication were gifts that we all deeply cherished. Philip served on my staff both in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., always bringing his warmth and generosity to our work on behalf of our constituents, who loved him dearly.

Through his beloved Goat Hill Pizza, Philip helped create a gathering place that became woven into the fabric of both Potrero Hill and our City. May it be a comfort to Philip's family and his many friends that so many join them in mourning during this sad time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with a degree of sadness because I was present at the birth of this legislation. For 30 years, I was either a Member of the Committee, ranking member on the committee, or the Gang of Eight, for 30 years. I bring extensive intelligence experience to this discussion.

Following 9/11, it was with great care that we worked in a bipartisan fashion to put together the legislation to advance what we are talking about today, this FISA initiative.

In that legislation, we established the Office of the DNI, the Director of National Intelligence. It had certain standards. The Director of National Intelligence, to be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Senate, the individual nominated shall have extensive national security experience. He shall serve as the head of the intelligence community, act as the principal adviser to the President, under the National Security Council, Homeland Security, and the rest.

Mr. Speaker, I have lists, from the legislation, of the criteria establishing the position.

What do we have from the President? Somebody who has no judgment on intelligence matters. What an insult to our brave intelligence community, who serve us so well to protect the American people, to put somebody in there.

If we are expected to vote for FISA, and Patel is at FBI and--what is his name?--Pulte as DNI--Pulte and Patel equals ``no'' on this FISA legislation. It can be done if there is an intention to do it right.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished once and future chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs for his steadfast leadership and determination for the people of Ukraine.

I rise today in strong support of the Ukraine Support Act and thank Leader Hoyer for his persistence and his determination to bring this legislation to the floor and, of course, Marcy, who has been our inspiration, Marcy Kaptur.

The Ukrainian people are not asking us to fight their war. That has been said. They are asking for tools to defend their sovereignty, their democracy, and their lives.

As President Zelenskyy wrote to Congress just days ago: ``We value every human life, and that is exactly why we are seeking a real peace.''

But supporting Ukraine is not only about Ukraine. It is about deterring aggression everywhere. It is about standing up to authoritarianism, and it is about reaffirming that the United States does not abandon those who fight for freedom.

Let us also not forget that well over 70 percent of U.S. funding allocated to Ukraine is spent in the United States, a direct investment in our economy, American workers and industries.

While some have been unwilling to stand up to Vladimir Putin, this Congress must. This bipartisan legislation sends a clear and unmistakable message: The American people stand with Ukraine, and we will stand against Russian aggression--Russian aggression which includes kidnapping of tens of thousands of little children, which includes raping of mothers in front of their children and in front of their parents. It is about killing families. Their assaults on civilians are sinful, in my view.

Let us pass this bill to strengthen Ukraine's hand to hasten a just and lasting peace, and to uphold the values that make America a beacon of hope to the world. ``Glory to Ukraine''; ``Slava Ukraini.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the UCSF Institute for Health & Aging (IHA) on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. Since its founding in 1985, IHA has stood as one of the most consequential health research institutions in our Nation--a beacon of scientific rigor, social justice, and community-centered inquiry rooted in the heart of San Francisco.

Forty years ago, visionary sociologist Dr. Carroll Estes established IHA as the first campus-wide organized research unit in the entire University of California system focused on health and aging. What began as a pioneering effort to understand the intersection of aging, health policy, and social equity has grown into a globally recognized research enterprise housed within the UCSF School of Nursing--and the health of all Americans has been improved because of Dr. Estes' research, advocacy, and the institution she founded.

Over four decades, IHA has been led by exceptional scholars who deepened and expanded its mission. Dr. Patrick Fox broadened IHA's focus to encompass the social determinants of health and interdisciplinary policy collaboration. Dr. Wendy Max established IHA as a national leader in health economics, shaping landmark policies on tobacco control and Alzheimer's care costs. Today, under Director Dr. Jenny Liu, IHA brings a global perspective to its mission--emphasizing behavioral economics, innovative delivery channels, and equitable access to healthcare across the full lifespan.

IHA's work is organized around seven vital focus areas: Women's Health; Aging and Life Course Health; Health and the Arts; Equity Sciences; Health Economics and Health Policy; Mental Health and Substance Use; and Health Workforce. This breadth reflects IHA's foundational commitment to addressing health not as an isolated biological phenomenon, but as a condition shaped by complex social, economic, and environmental forces.

IHA's current research portfolio exemplifies that commitment across multiple fronts. Under Dr. Elena Portacolone's leadership, IHA researchers have qualitatively coded more than 780 interviews in a landmark study on older adults living alone with cognitive impairment-- uncovering barriers to services, patterns of social isolation, and the unique vulnerabilities of the estimated 4.3 million Americans in this population, with findings being translated directly into public policy recommendations to enhance equity, accessibility, and quality of life for some of our most vulnerable seniors.

Internationally, Dr. Erica Sedlander's research identified that the belief that contraceptives cause infertility is a primary barrier to contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa--and her advocacy successfully added a question on this specific belief to the global Demographic Health Survey, influencing data collection and intervention strategies across multiple nations.

IHA is also investing in the next generation of researchers through the Future of Sexual and Reproductive Health Research (FOR) Kenya program, equipping young Kenyan women with qualitative research skills, mentorship, and pathways into health research careers. Across all of these domains, IHA's research has influenced policies ranging from Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security protections to tobacco regulations, nursing home care standards, and cancer screening improvements--with ripple effects felt not just in San Francisco and California. but in communities across the United States and around the world.

Mr. Speaker, as we face mounting challenges--rising costs, persistent disparities, an aging population, and the ongoing struggle to extend quality care to all--institutions like IHA are more essential than ever.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating IHA's faculty, researchers, staff, partners, and leadership on this extraordinary milestone, and in wishing them continued success in the decades ahead.

Mr. Speaker, sadly, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Rita Semel, whose passing yesterday at the age of 104 is a profound loss for San Francisco and for all who believe in the power of dialogue, understanding, and justice.

For decades, Rita was one of the great moral forces of our community, bringing people together of different faiths, backgrounds, and perspectives in pursuit of peace, dignity, and respect for all of God's children.

Through her extraordinary leadership of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, and working with Michael Pappas, who is the executive director she respected so much, and whose birthday is today--she left us yesterday; his birthday is today.

Across countless civic and charitable causes, Rita helped make our city more compassionate, more united, and more hopeful.

Paul and I and our entire family--especially our daughter Christine, who was very close to Rita--send our sympathies to Rita's daughter, Elizabeth, for enabling her mother to be a force in our community for over 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, we join so many in mourning Rita's passing and celebrating her remarkable life and legacy.

May Rita's memory be a blessing. May she rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman, Mr. Olszewski-- Johnny O. as we call him--for his leadership and his beautiful statement on what we are challenged with right now and how this legislation addresses that.

I always want to praise Mr. Smith for his leadership on human rights throughout the world. We have been working on these things for 30 years probably--he is not paying attention--but 30 years with Frank Wolf going and visiting people in prison and trying to make sure people knew.

They say that these autocrats--the President of China for one--the most horrible form of torture that they can put on a prisoner is to tell them nobody even remembers them or cares about them or even knows why they are in prison. That is why I thank you both for bringing this legislation to the floor so that we on the floor of the House of Representatives can make sure that they know they are not forgotten.

I rise today in strong support of this resolution calling on the President to prioritize the release of these courageous individuals who have been unjustly detained by the government of the People's Republic of China simply for exercising their fundamental human rights.

Jimmy Lai sits in prison because he dared to defend democracy and a free press in Hong Kong. Mr. Smith talked about Jimmy and his son, Sebastien, and his daughter, Claire. Now they have a grandbaby in the family, and Jimmy, of course, is not able to see the baby while they torture him in prison.

Then Dr. Gulshan Abbas has disappeared because of Beijing's repression of Uyghurs. She is there because of what her sister has testified to us, Mr. Smith mentioned, and that is engaging in transnational human rights suppression.

In addition to that, Christian pastors and their families are persecuted simply for worshiping freely.

Jin Mingri, we heard about him; Pastors Gao Quanfu and Pang Yu, we have heard about them. Pastor Gao Quanfu and Pang Yu, and Dr. Abbas--I talked about Dr. Gulshan Abbas.

I want to just say that this has always been bipartisan and bicameral, House and Senate. Democrats and Republicans always come together on these pieces of legislation. I want to call special attention to what our Speaker Johnson did a few months ago. He was invited to address the House of Commons in this our bicentennial year of our country. I asked him if he would mention Jimmy Lai in his speech, and he did. He told me it got a good response. We thank the Speaker for making that appeal to the House of Commons.

Here, this resolution makes sure that human rights cannot be separated from America's engagement with China. The release of these individuals must remain a priority at the highest level of diplomacy. While the President is on his visit there, he is bringing with him a long list of business leaders. I have to say if we do not speak out for human rights in China because of commercial interests, then we lose all moral authority to speak out for human rights anywhere in the world.

With this resolution, the House reaffirms that America will continue to stand for freedom, human rights, and the principles that no person should be imprisoned simply for what they believe. Let's make this a strong, as always, bipartisan vote. I thank the chairman, Mr. Smith. I thank Johnny O, and I urge a strong bipartisan vote in support of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for his courageous leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor.

We are the House of Representatives. Article I of the Constitution gives the power to declare war to the Congress of the United States. Why? Because we are the Representatives of the people of the United States, and it is important for the people of the United States to understand the reason why, the purpose, the strategy of it all, and also to approve of the use of force.

Of course, the President did not do that. For some reason, there are those in this body who are willing to abdicate the power of the House of Representatives and the Congress of the United States to declare war.

The greatest cost, of course, of this war is not just that the American people have not had the explanation, by way of the Congress having that explanation. The gravest cost is human. Thirteen brave American servicemembers have lost their lives, and hundreds more have been injured. More than a thousand civilians in the region have perished.

We all agree, of course, the cost is in the billions. The President said we can't do childcare because we have to spend money on war. We don't have to spend money on war.

Mr. Speaker, we all agree that they cannot have a nuclear weapon. President Obama did that diplomatically. The current President threw that out and decided to go to war without a plan, without a strategy, without an exit plan, and, really, without even explaining his purpose to the American people.

I urge our colleagues to respect who they are, Members of Congress with the power to declare war, and insist on voting on this motion put forth by the distinguished, soon-to-be-chairman-again of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Meeks.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his kind words but, more importantly, for his leadership in bringing us together today and for his great statement and that of our distinguished leader, Mr. Jeffries, that we heard earlier.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here as former leader, but also as one with 30 years of experience in intelligence. I think this is a very important debate for us to have. There are two debates going on here. One is the debate as to the Constitution of the United States. The other is whether Iran should have a nuclear weapon, which everyone agrees they should not, but that doesn't mean the Constitution of the United States should be a casualty of that because the administration wants to take a shortcut to the war.

I rise in mourning for the brave servicemembers who have given their lives in this conflict. I honor their ultimate sacrifice and pray for them, their families, and all who were injured in this so far.

I had some veterans in my office, Mr. Speaker, earlier today on two different occasions, and they talked about the fact that having six people killed so early at the beginning of a conflict, an initiation of hostilities is unacceptable. What is our plan? What do we have in mind for them?

Again, everyone agrees Iran should not have a nuclear weapon. To that end, that is why I am so proud about what President Obama did with this. He was masterful in diplomacy and in forging an agreement that verifiably prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

I have this book of statements from our colleagues who told the President: We need to see the substance of the agreement. We need to see the validation and proof of it all. We need the communication to the American people.

The President respected the Congress and came and gave reasons, and this was for an agreement. This President won't even come and give us the data for an action of war.

Let's be clear. This is not a debate about the merits of the war. That is another debate. It is a debate of the Constitution of the United States.

The beauty of the Constitution, central to it, is the separation of powers.

The separation of powers, Article I, and in that Article I is very importantly the power of the Congress to declare war.

Again, let us be serious about our oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution as we protect and defend the people of our country. That is our responsibility. That is what we will do.

I urge my colleagues to vote in support of the Constitution and then go on to the debate of whether we should go into Iran or how we go into Iran. I think there will be some mixed views on that, but that is a different subject.

I urge my colleagues to honor your oath of office, honor the vision of our Founders, and honor the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform who have gotten us here today.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes due to a previously scheduled speaking engagement in recognition of America250 at Loyola Marymount University. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 57, and YEA on Roll Call No. 58.

Mr. Speaker, as this year unfolds, the year of the 250th anniversary of our great country and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I had the privilege yesterday of speaking at Loyola Marymount University in California to start, from our standpoint and theirs, this celebration. It was such a joy to behold the enthusiasm of the young students for our country, its heritage, and its founding.

President Thomas Poon welcomed me there. I met with the administration as well as the teachers, but of course, all of us were there to celebrate the students and their enthusiasm about how they wanted to take the lead as we go forward, recognizing that so many of our Founders were very young people. Lafayette--not an American, but a Frenchman--was 19 years old when he first started helping in our revolution.

I bring this to the attention of my colleagues because this is something that is not just about the 250th anniversary and the vision that our Founders had for this great country. It was the first time in the history of the world that a country was founded on the equality of people, and again making pursuit of happiness part of that Declaration.

We have a Constitution that was so wise, it recognized that we couldn't do it all there, so it was made amendable. In the history of our country, over time, freedom became even more broadly enjoyed, whether it was the abolition of slavery, the voting rights for Black men, women having the right to vote, and then, of course, Roe v. Wade and marriage equality and the rest. For the first time, though, we acknowledge that now our freedoms are being limited, and that is part of the discussion that we have to have now.

It was a glorious occasion. I was saying to the students that there is nobody in the history of the world like them. They need to know the power they hold, and they should be ready, know why they would want to be involved in politics, in government, and the rest, because we really need them to be there. However, they should also appreciate the education they have at this Jesuit institution which is there for the glory of God as its value system. It is not just about the education, but about the values that are being conveyed and exchanged, listening to the students, learning from them, those that we strive to teach and mentor, but also hearing what they have to say.

I am grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to have this as one of my first events to observe publicly the anniversary of our Declaration of Independence and everything that flowed from that.

I thank President Poon and I thank the university. It was so impressive to see the enthusiasm that Loyola Marymount University has for our great country.

Super Bowl Halftime Performances

Mr. Speaker, on another note, though, the day before--and I call this to the attention of some who may not be aware--as the world knows and acclaims, we had the performance of Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl halftime.

I rise with pride in that because we take pride in the San Francisco Bay Area hosting. Even though we didn't have a team in the game, we had responsibility for hosting. Our mayor of San Francisco said his main responsibility was the weather, and the weather was beautiful. We were so happy to see all the patriotism and the songs that were sung throughout. We had the flag, and the military were present with the planes that flew over, and then the beautiful performance by Bad Bunny. At the end of it, he said: God bless America.

It is interesting to see the reaction to it when people said: Well, he is not American. Yes, he is. He is a Puerto Rican, and he is an American.

I was recalling to friends in 2002, when I was in New Orleans for the game between--at the time it was the St. Louis Rams versus the Patriots. The Patriots won, I think, their first Super Bowl, first in a long time anyway under Tom Brady and Belichick. Anyway, at that one, the half-time performance was Bono and U2. They are Irish. They are not Americans. They are Irish. It was received so beautifully by everyone.

The point I want to make, Mr. Speaker, is that during the performance of U2 and Bono in the stadium in New Orleans, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations was behind him. That spirit existed Sunday in our stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area when Bad Bunny performed. God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, today is a day of joy but also a day of some sadness that our great leader, Steny Hoyer, has announced his retirement from Congress.

He still has another year. He still has another year, and I know a lot will come.

I join the gentleman in saluting Elaine, Stefany, Susan, Anne, and Judy. Judy--we loved Judy when she was here, and now we rejoice in the gentleman's happiness with Elaine.

My colleagues, we all know that Steny Hoyer has been a pillar of strength in the House of Representatives and a champion for the people of Maryland for more than four decades. His patriotism, mastery of the legislative process, and steadfast commitment to America's working families have left an indelible, positive mark on our Nation.

Steny has been a steady presence in our Caucus and the Democratic leadership and a valued colleague. He has been a great leader in bipartisanship in this body. He spoke in his remarks of how it was when he came here. Many of us were here at that time. We didn't get along because we always agreed; we got along because we respected the differences that we brought in representing our districts. It was a very positive time, which he harkened us back to and challenged us to return to.

I thank Steny.

Mr. Speaker, his deep knowledge of the institution, respect for its traditions, and commitment to public service have earned him the admiration of colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Personally, Steny has not only been a trusted partner in leadership but a dear friend. He mentioned the Presidency of John F. Kennedy. When President Kennedy was President, Steny and I worked in the office of Danny Brewster of Maryland. That is when I got to know him. I was just out of school. He was in law school. Sadly, we saw the assassination of the President, and that was a horrible thing.

As he concludes his extraordinary leadership and service in the Congress, we celebrate his legacy of decency and devotion to our country. He has been just so remarkable. Our gratitude to him and his family is boundless, and we wish them every happiness in the years ahead.

Steny has been a leader to us and a mentor to many. He has really been an example of leadership and can be viewed as one of the most substantial, respected Members of Congress in the history of this body.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Hoyer for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to quote him when he said that this is a happy day. I thank Mr. Leader for making it so, and I thank the chairman for making it so and bringing it to the floor. My mouth will breathe an exclamation point to the gentleman's beautiful comments earlier and those of our distinguished leader, Mr. Jeffries.

Mr. Speaker, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., famously said: ``Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman,'' he said, because people can die.

The Affordable Care Act, proudly also known as ObamaCare, is a pillar of health and financial security for America's working families. Today, we vote on Leader Jeffries' clear, commonsense, and urgent bill to extend the ACA tax credits signed into law by President Biden so healthcare remains affordable and accessible for the American people.

Every Democrat supports this bill because we believe healthcare is a right for all and not a privilege for the few. No family should be pushed out of coverage, and we welcome our Republican colleagues who will be voting with us today. This makes it a happy day.

As we vote today, let us remember the stories of Americans we have heard across the country. Parents saying: My baby was born with a heart condition costing millions of dollars before the Affordable Care Act. Husbands saying: My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and we couldn't afford it. Families saying: Dad had a stroke, and we couldn't handle the cost.

That will not happen anymore because we are protecting these families in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and support this bill to protect healthcare and the dignity of America's working families.

Mr. Speaker, I salute Marcy Kaptur and the Ukrainian Caucus for inviting Members to come together to raise concerns, to speak frankly about the need for strong sanctions on Russia, and to insist that any peace must be just, durable, and centered on the Ukrainian people themselves.

Mr. Speaker, for nearly 4 years, the people of Ukraine have stood on the front lines for freedom, defending their democracy, their sovereignty, and their right to live in peace on their own land. In fighting for democracy, they are fighting democracy writ large.

Congresswoman Kaptur spoke beautifully, historically, geographically, and chronologically in every way about placing this conflict in time and place. I want to pick up on two parts of it in the time that I have.

In the conversation about peace, we hear people talk about Ukraine giving up land. What we are saying to Ukraine is that Russia came in, stole their children, as Congresswoman Kaptur mentioned, tens of thousands of their children. They took them into Russia. Mr. Speaker, imagine if that ever happened to your family.

Secondly, they raped the women. They raped the women. Sometimes they did it in front of the children and sometimes in front of their parents.

I said to some Russian friends: Isn't it sad how the Russian troops have become brutes and are raping women as a weapon of war to demoralize the people of the country?

They said: Make sure you understand one thing. Russian soldiers follow orders. They are doing that because that is what they are told to do.

In addition to that, we have seen evidence of their killing families in front of family members in such a brutal way. What a ridiculous request: Kidnap our children, rape our women, kill civilian families, and ask us to give you land in return.

The other thing we sometimes hear people say in our country is: Why should we pay all that money when, in fact, we have needs in our own country? I don't think people realize that 90 percent of the security that we send to Ukraine is spent--of the 100 percent, 90 percent is spent in the United States, creating jobs in our country.

Secondly, there are other forms of humanitarian assistance. Across the board at least 60 percent of all that we spend on Ukraine is spent in the United States of America, creating jobs.

Again, Congresswoman Kaptur spelled it out. I mean, some things bear repeating. She said it so beautifully. This is awful. Mr. Speaker, who do you trust? Who do you trust?

The Congresswoman spelled out very clearly the ridiculous notion that Ukraine should trust us--the Russians after the Budapest Agreement. Give up your nuclear weapons, and we will come to your aid, should you need that.

Forget about it now. Ukraine has been treated with great disrespect. Its people have just been subjected to such horror, and they have fought valiantly. The least we can do is the sanctions. What we should be doing in this House, which has overwhelming bipartisan support in support of the people of Ukraine, is to get some more people to sign the discharge petition.

I thank Congresswoman Kaptur for her relentless, persistent, dissatisfied advocacy for Ukraine and the fact is we know, those of us who have visited there: If Putin takes Ukraine, what country is next? That is what we hear, the fear we hear from people in the region.

Do they trust Putin? The only person who trusted Putin was President Trump. I don't know what that is about. I know I had a picture, coming out of one of his Cabinet meetings, I pointed to the President, and I said: I am leaving this meeting because, Mr. President, with you, all roads lead to Putin.

Mr. Speaker, this is awful. They say Putin is the richest man in the world. He is a villainous person and somebody who uses rape, kidnapping, and family killings in order to demoralize a country.

He hasn't succeeded, and he is a loser because he thought he was going to win the first week of this war. It is now 4 years later.

One more thing: Right before Christmas a few years ago, when President Zelenskyy came here and spoke, this body just rose up in support. We need more than applause, though. We need a discharge petition.

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to think of anyone more remarkable and excellent in every field and endeavor than those pursued by Rob and Michele Reiner.

Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. Michele, successful in her own right, was an indispensable partner, intellectual resource, and loving wife.

Personally, Rob and Michele were, first and foremost, very loving parents. Rob cared deeply about people and demonstrated it in the community beyond family by supporting the First 5 Initiative.

First 5 Initiative took money from the tobacco tax and applied it to the first 5 years of a child's birth. Children born in California, including my own grandchild, have a packet that they take home and teaches them how to care for an infant child.

Rob also fought against the discriminatory Proposition 8.

Civically, he was a champion for the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists. Professionally, he was an iconic figure in film and made us laugh, cry, and think--and think--with the movies he created.

Paul and I and our entire family mourn the loss of our dear friends and pray for their loved ones.

His children, Jake and Romy, put out a statement thanking everyone for their good wishes but asking for privacy. We respect that.

Mr. Speaker, I will provide a fuller statement for the record of the great life achievements and beautiful, beautiful love of community of Rob and Michele Reiner.

I just want to say three things.

Do you recognize this? It is the things that have been said in his movies:

``I'll have what she's having.''

``You can't handle the truth.''

``As you wish.''

``Go to 11.''

Do you know what that is?

Mr. Speaker, I rise to sadly pay tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner

Rob and Michele Reiner embodied creativity, generosity and moral courage in every chapter of their lives. The deadly assault on them in their home earlier this week was devastating and heartbreaking beyond words.

Rob was truly one of a kind--a gifted storyteller whose humor, humanity and brilliance enriched our culture and brought people together. From his memorable roles on television to his extraordinary achievements as a director, filmmaker and actor--whether When Harry Met Sally . . . , The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men, Stand By Me, This is Spinal Tap or `Meathead' in All in the Family, and so many others-- Rob's work gave us stories that made us laugh, cry and think, and reflected our shared humanity in profound ways. Who can ever forget: `You can't handle the truth,' `I'll have what she's having,' `As you wish,' or `Up to eleven.'

Michele was Rob's indispensable partner and a success in her own right--a formidable intellect, trusted counselor, and loving wife whose insight and strength shaped their work and their impact on the world.

Personally, Rob and Michele, first and foremost were devoted parents. They cared deeply about people and they demonstrated that every day in their community. They championed Proposition 10 for tobacco tax revenues to fund early childhood development through the transformational First 5 initiative which has benefited millions of California children. And they stood up for equality and dignity by fighting against the discriminatory

Proposition 8. Indeed, they lent their voices and resources to countless causes rooted in fairness and opportunity for all.

Civically, Rob and Michele were fierce champions of the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists, never wavering in their belief that freedom of expression is essential to a vibrant and just society. They understood that democracy depends on compassion, engagement and the courage to speak out.

Professionally, Rob was an iconic figure in film and television whose work will endure for generations. And Michele's own leadership--behind the camera and in support of artistic expression--were integral to the couple's success. Their partnership was a testament to the power of collaboration and the beauty of shared purpose--and their legacy lives on in the countless lives they touched through art and advocacy.

Paul and I, and our entire family, mourn the loss of our very dear friends Rob and Michele with profound sorrow. (And moved by the loving statement by Jake and Romy, we hold their loved ones close in our hearts and are praying for them, and all who are grieving during this unimaginable time of pain. May Rob and Michele's memory be a blessing, and may their lives continue to inspire kindness, courage and hope.)