Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Joseph Avila for his years of dedication as a community leader in the City of Pomona.

John Avila was a first generation Mexican-American, who understood the importance of representation, which fueled his pursuit of service, education, and public office. After graduation from high school, John served in the Marine Corps for 8 years. Upon his return home, John pursued a degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Greenly. In 1961, John and his wife, Dona, relocated to Pomona, California, where they began working for the Pomona Unified School District. As a middle school teacher, John's passion for expanding quality education for underserved communities was ignited. He organized with the Association of Mexican American Educators and successfully lobbied for funding to spread Pre-K through 12th grade bilingual education. John created curriculum to recruit, train and coordinate educators to meet the needs of their Spanish-speaking students and families.

Over the course of his life, John was a member of many organizations including the Catholic Newman Community, the Optimist Club, the United Farm Workers, La Raza Unida Party and the League of United Latin American Citizens. Using his experience as a middle school teacher and membership of these organizations, John ran for the Mayor of Pomona in 1995. He lost to the incumbent but

continued to seek opportunities to provide leadership in public service. Upon his official retirement as a teacher, John was elected as the School Board President for the Pomona Unified School District and served for over a decade.

Sadly, our community is now in mourning. On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, John peacefully passed away, surrounded by love and care from his family. He is survived by his wife, 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

For his outstanding accomplishments, it is my honor to recognize John Joseph Avila. His years of service and commitment to the people of Pomona are worthy of the highest commendation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Dev A. GnanaDev for his decades of service as a healthcare provider in the Inland Empire and to celebrate the naming of the Dr. Dev A. GnanaDev Trauma Center at the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

Dr. GnanaDev started his over 40-year career serving the Inland Empire as a member of the medical staff at the San Bernardino County Medical Center, which eventually was renamed the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. At Arrowhead Regional, he played a key role in the development of the trauma center as the Founding Director of Trauma Services until being appointed as the Medical Director of the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in June 2000. Under his 12-year leadership, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center took critical steps to expand its patient services and physician training programs. Today, Dr. GnanaDev serves as the Associate Director of Medicine and the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, a position he has held since 1989.

Dr GnanaDev has dedicated a lifetime to improving access to and the quality of health care in the Inland Empire. As the Founding President of the California University of Science and Medicine and as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at Western University of Health Sciences and the California University of Science and Medicine, Dr. GnanaDev has taken tremendous steps in addressing the physician shortage impacting our communities.

This week, our community is coming together to celebrate Dr. GnanaDev's commitment to a healthy Inland Empire. On Thursday, May 23rd, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center will officially be named the Dr. Dev A GnanaDev Trauma Center. This honor will ensure that Dr. GnanaDev's profound impact on our community's health and wellbeing will be remembered for generations to come.

For his outstanding accomplishments, it is my honor to recognize Dev A. GnanaDev, M.D., M.B.A, F.A.C.S. His years of service and commitment to the people of the Inland Empire are worthy of the highest commendation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week as the first 911 dispatcher in Congress.

During America's darkest moments, 911 dispatchers are the first responders, from talking people out of committing suicide to handling active-shooter situations.

Every single day, 911 dispatchers talk to people during the most difficult times in their lives. Despite their hard work, 911 dispatchers are classified as clerical workers, making them first on the chopping block for budget cuts, leading to staffing shortages for an already stressful job.

For this reason, I urge Congress to pass my 911 SAVES Act to honor 911 dispatchers with a well-deserved reclassification.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to demand the immediate release and safe return of the remaining hostages in Gaza who have now spent half a year in captivity.

The words of a mother: ``I love you. Stay strong. Survive.'' This is the mental message Rachel Goldberg-Polin sends her son Hersh every single day. He is an American who is among the 130 hostages still held captive by terrorist Hamas for 186 days. The 130 hostages are not mere numbers, they are people with stories and families who love them and desperately want to see them home.

Three of these hostages are American citizens. Hersh Goldberg is a vibrant 23-year-old California native who loves soccer, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He fought for unity and equality in Israel as a leader of an initiative to bring Israeli and Palestinian children together through soccer.

I spoke with his mother, his parents, who are with us tonight, in Israel last month. They are in a constant state of profound trauma not knowing whether their son is dead or alive, not knowing if their son will ever come home.

All they know about their child came from survivor accounts and from watching terrorist Hamas' GoPro footage of the October 7 massacre. Hersh was last seen on October 7 with his left arm blown off by terrorist Hamas' grenades, and his body was loaded into a truck heading into Gaza at gunpoint. His last messages to his parents read: ``I love you. I am sorry.''

Despite the horrifying images, Hersh's mother, Rachel, says that hope is mandatory.

Mr. Speaker, here in Congress, hope is not enough. I join my colleagues in calling for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas terrorists and I urge the administration to continue to do everything in its power to help free the hostages like Hersh and ensure their safe return.

I will not allow the hostages to be forgotten. They are not a terrorist group's political pawn, and I stand with their families in calling for an immediate return.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 100th birthday of Ophelia Martinez Silva.

Ophelia was born March 8, 1924, in Los Angeles, California. She lived and worked throughout Southern California for her entire life. She married Henry Albarran Silva on August 8, 1947 at St. Joseph's Church in the City of Fontana. They were married for 63 years. They moved from Los Angeles to El Monte in the 1950s, where she worked at the city's Sears for 25 years. In her personal time, she volunteered at Epiphany Catholic School and the local adult school.

On behalf of the 35th Congressional District, I congratulate Ophelia on this incredible milestone. It is my honor to represent incredible

people like her. I hope that she and her family enjoy an incredible celebration in April. I wish her much happiness in the coming year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Egan. He courageously served our country in the U.S. Navy; then he came home to serve our community as a dedicated volunteer.

Larry was born in 1943 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as the youngest of seven children. After moving to California, Larry enlisted with the U.S. Navy where he served a term as a hospital corpsman. Upon returning from service, Larry began his career in the sales industry. He held sales and leadership positions at Gallo Winery, Remy Martin, and other companies in the beverage industry. In the 1990s, Larry pivoted into business ventures, opening his own concession business, S&S Concessions.

In 2007, Larry began serving as the executive director of the Downtown Pomona Owner's Association. Throughout his 13-year tenure, Larry oversaw critical revitalization efforts for the City of Pomona, which include the return of the Pomona Christmas Parade and the Downtown Trolley. He retired in 2020, known as the ``Downtown Pops'' for all his revitalization efforts.

Sadly, our community is now in mourning. On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Larry passed away at home, in the company of his two

daughters. He is survived by his two older sisters, his two daughters, his two sons-in-law, and his four grandchildren. I offer my deepest condolences on their loss.

For his outstanding accomplishments, it is my honor to recognize Lawrence Dennis Egan. His years of military service and commitment to the city and the people of Pomona are worthy of the highest commendation. He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Larson for bringing us together.

Extremist Republicans are once again pushing to end Social Security as we know it, a critical program that supports 67 million people nationwide, 93,000 of them in my district.

Make no mistake, cutting Social Security will not help the average American, but instead, it will line the pockets of wealthy corporations while seniors and children suffer.

Americans work and pay their entire lives to access Social Security. It is their lifeline. Every single day, Mr. Speaker, I hear from Inland Empire residents asking to protect and expand Social Security.

Just in 2022, when we gave an 8.7 percent COLA increase--which was, by the way, the largest increase since the Reagan era--my constituents were delighted to have this increase.

This is what we must focus on, increasing benefits for the poor citizens that have paid into this program. They are not asking for a handout. They are asking for a program to be reaffirmed, and that is why I support the Social Security 2100 Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Florida for bringing us together to bring awareness and to never forget the folks who still need to be returned home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to demand the immediate release and safe return of the remaining hostages in Gaza held by Hamas terrorists.

I am grateful for President Biden's leadership that has led to the release of hostages. However, many remain captive, including 22-year- old Omer Neutra.

Omer was born in the United States and is the son of Ronen and Orna and now has spent over 50 days in captivity. He grew up in Long Island, where he was the regional president of the United Synagogue Youth and captain of many sports teams.

His friends and family describe Omer as a natural-born leader known for his compassion, seeing the best in people, and bringing communities together, a peaceful soul. His kindness and sense of duty led him to defer his future at Binghamton University to defend his grandparents' land with the hope of bringing communities together. Putting his future on hold to serve others, that is Omer.

His drive to lead and to serve now puts him last in line to be released from captivity. His family, who are with us here this evening, have been in agony for the past 7 weeks with no word if Omer is even alive. We will continue to pray for him.

As the mother of an Air Force veteran, I can only imagine their agony. This is something that no parent, no mother, no father, no grandparent could ever imagine would happen to their loved one.

I join my colleagues in calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas, and I urge the administration to continue to do everything in their power to help free hostages like Omer and ensure their safe return home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Brian E. Kennedy and Mrs. Hilda Kennedy for their 25 years of service and leadership with Mt. Zion Church of Ontario, California. Dr. Kennedy serves as the Senior Pastor, and Mrs. Kennedy serves as the First Lady of Mt. Zion Church. Founded in 1922. Mt. Zion is a historic anchor in Ontario, known as the first African American-led church in the city.

The Kennedys joined the church in 1988 and have faithfully served their community, church, and family for the last 25 years. Under their leadership, Mt. Zion has significantly grown in membership and service to the community. Today. the church is a diverse, multi-generational congregation and serves more than 1,700 members across several counties. The Kennedys lead Mt. Zion in various community outreach efforts including the annual Harvest Festival (a free, safe family- friendly event connecting with more than 1,000 residents). Go Sunday (an in-person program that evangelizes and provides food to unhoused individuals). Helping Hands (a ministry providing food and clothing each week to neighbors in need), and Resurrection Sunday in the Park (a public celebration held at Ontario City Town Square focusing on Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection).

For their outstanding accomplishments, it is my honor to recognize Dr. Brian E. Kennedy and Mrs. Hilda Kennedy. Their years of service and commitment to the city and the people of Ontario are worthy of the highest commendation.

Mr. Speaker, we are less than 34 hours from a Republican government shutdown. This is not the time for political theater or political grievances. We are spiraling toward a shutdown that would devastate thousands of working families that I represent throughout California's Inland Empire.

If extremist Republicans are allowed to continue their theatrics, over 4,000 Federal employees in my district--mothers, fathers, caretakers among them--could miss their next paycheck. TSA agents at Ontario International Airport will have to work without pay. Over 25,000 women and children who rely on Federal food assistance could miss their next meal.

It is beyond hypocritical that Republicans want to cut benefits for hardworking families while making it easier for billionaires to cheat on their taxes.

My Republican colleagues need to get serious about governing or get out of the way.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wes Simmons and his 28 years of public service and dedication to the City of Chino. The calling to be a police officer is an incredibly difficult and important vocation of public service. Those who risk their lives for the good of the community are worthy of the highest respect and appreciation of our district, State, and nation.

Chief Simmons joined the Chino Police Department in 1995 after graduating from the California State University at Fullerton. Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Simmons served as Police Officer, Field Training Officer, SWAT Team Operator, Corporal, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. He was appointed as the Chief of Police in July 2019.

Additionally, Chief Simmons graduated with the 255th Session of the FBI National Academy and Class 60 of California's POST Command College. He has a master's degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and completed the Harvard Kennedy School's Senior Executives in State and Local Government program.

This July, Chief Simmons is officially retiring. I hope that he gets to rest and enjoy time with his family. We are grateful for his service to our community.

For his outstanding accomplishments, it is my honor to recognize Chief of Police Wes Simmons. His years of civic service and commitment to the city and the people of Chino are worthy of the highest commendation.

Mr. Speaker, due to the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee on Appropriations Markup, I missed the vote on the Motion to Recommit to H.R. 3564. Roll Call No. 288. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 288.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to demand the release and safe return of Jamshid Sharmahd.

Mr. Sharmahd, a U.S. national and the father of one of my constituents, was unlawfully arrested and imprisoned in Iran 3 years ago in retaliation for simply doing his job as an independent journalist.

Following a sham trial that was condemned by international human rights groups, Mr. Sharmahd was sentenced to death. Mr. Sharmahd was convicted in an Iranian court of ``corruption on Earth,'' a nonsense charge designed only to imprison and execute political dissidents.

He deserves to be reunited with his daughter in Ontario, California.

Mr. Speaker, I call on the State Department and the White House to do

everything in their power to free Mr. Sharmahd and ensure his safe return.

Madam Speaker, I rise to demand justice for a family still in search of answers.

Over 3 years after his murder, Army Specialist Enrique Roman- Martinez' mother, Maria, and sister, Griselda, still don't know what happened to their beloved son and brother.

Before he was even old enough to vote, Enrique felt called to serve a purpose much greater than himself. His dedication to our Nation compelled him to enlist in the Army when he was only 17 years old.

While stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Specialist Roman- Martinez went camping in the Outer Banks with seven of his fellow soldiers. On May 22, 2020, he disappeared. Seven soldiers camping with him failed to report him missing. They failed to provide information that could lead to solving his murder. Instead, they claimed that he was suicidal.

However, a week later, when his head surfaced, Specialist Roman- Martinez was found washed ashore--only his head.

He was only 21 years old, just old enough to order a beer for himself. He had the rest of his life ahead of him, a life he chose to begin by selflessly serving his country.

His family deserves the truth. As the mother of an Air Force veteran, I will never forget that awful feeling of waking up every day and not knowing whether my son will ever come home.

Our military makes a sacred commitment to never leave a servicemember behind, and it is their moral obligation to inform families if their loved one is killed.

It is an impossible, unthinkable conversation, a conversation that I feared every single day during my son's deployment, but it is essential closure for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

It has been over 3 years, and the murder of Enrique Roman-Martinez remains unsolved. The Army's failure to provide his family with the answers they deserve is unacceptable.

Last year, I introduced The Enrique Roman-Martinez Military Cold Case Justice Act to reform how the military handles cold cases and ensure that a tragedy of uncertainty like this never happens again.

I am pleased that my legislation was included in our annual government funding law and that I recently had the opportunity to visit the new Army cold case unit to monitor the Army's improvements to their cold case review process.

However, the harsh truth remains: Enrique's family is still waiting for answers they may never find. They are also still waiting for the remains they may never find.

I call on anyone with information on Enrique Roman-Martinez's murder to come forward and shed light on what happened. As the Roman-Martinez family's voice in Congress, I will continue doing all I can to deliver justice for them.

Enrique was one of the Inland Empire's best and brightest, and we feel the pain of his loss every single day.

Maria and Griselda's lives will never be the same after the murder of their son and brother, and the very least that we can do is grant them closure.

Madam Speaker, I rise today outraged that extremist Republicans continue to play games, political theater, with Americans' livelihoods.

Extreme Republicans, the hostage takers, are threatening to crash our economy unless Congress guts critical programs that millions of people rely on.

Defaulting on our debt could delay Social Security and Medicare benefits for 6.9 million seniors in California alone.

Alicia, a constituent from Upland, recently reached out to my office concerned about her Social Security benefits.

Alicia, along with many other seniors, are the victims of extreme Republicans. Alicia paid into Social Security her entire life with the promise that she would be able to retire with dignity. She deserves better. The Inland Empire deserves better. Americans deserve better.

If there are any reasonable Members left in this Republican majority, it is time for them to do the right thing and pay our Nation's bills.