Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fernando Ruelas and congratulate him on a remarkable 25-year career at the Coachella Valley Water District. As he prepares to retire, it is my honor to recognize Fernando's dedication to his work and thank him for his service to the entire Coachella Valley community.

A proud Mexican American, Fernando graduated from Indio High School in 1990. It was during these formative years that Fernando worked as a palm tree worker and dishwasher, where he developed his admirable work ethic.

In 1995, Fernando began walking as a service worker for the Indio Water Authority. Through his hard work and dedication, along with the encouragement from his community, he sought out to further his career by acquiring six certifications to ensure a better future for himself and his family.

He began working for the Coachella Valley Water District in 1999. It was here that he climbed the ladder from meter repair trainee to Domestic Operations Manager. His leadership ensured our desert community received sufficient and treated water for residents and agricultural sites.

Fernando's journey of perseverance led him to a fulfilling chapter at the Coachella Valley Water District, where he founded and managed IRC Backflow, a thriving water backflow business. He balanced serving his community during the week and being an entrepreneur on the weekends, all while raising his three children--Fernando III, Silvia, and Maria-- with his wife Giselle.

Mr Speaker, in celebrating Fernando Ruelas, we celebrate the unwavering spirit of a true role model. He has set an example for young people aspiring for a brighter future within our community as entrepreneur, public servant, and father. His dedication and impact have paved a legacy that will continue to motivate and uplift for years to come.

On behalf of California's 25th District, I extend my gratitude to Fernando and his family for his service as we join in congratulating him on his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 400.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate NBC Palm Springs for their remarkable achievement of taking home an Emmy Award at the National Academy of Television Pacific Southwest Chapter.

Last month, the NBC Palm Springs team won the Emmy Award for Best Newscast in a Small Market for their coverage of tropical storm Hilary in August of 2023.

Our district communities were impacted by this rare, dangerous, and unprecedented tropical storm that hit the desert in inland southern California.

Thanks to the coverage of the storm by Tim, Olivia, Tiani, Carmela, Jerry, and News Director David Reese, countless lives were saved.

The courage and professionalism of the entire studio prevailed throughout their coverage of the storm.

It is my privilege to honor them and their well-deserved award and the invaluable service they provided to ensure our community was kept informed and safe.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate NBC Palm Springs. They have made us all incredibly proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the dedication and hard work of Stella Jimenez, my outstanding district director, as I bid her farewell as she moves on to the next step of her career.

Stella Jimenez brought a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to community service and a dedication to enact positive change.

Stella had a pivotal role in leading diverse initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of residents in Imperial and Riverside Counties.

Stella demonstrated a profound understanding of the community's needs and challenges. Her leadership, characterized by a unique combination of grace and effectiveness, garnered admiration and respect from colleagues and constituents alike.

Stella's dedication to community engagement was unparalleled. Whether it was championing the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument or ensuring full stakeholder engagement in Imperial County, she approached each initiative with unwavering determination.

Under her guidance, these events not only achieved success but also carried a deeply personal touch reflecting Stella's commitment to meaningful connection.

I am profoundly grateful for the privilege of working with Stella Jimenez, and I wish her the best in her next life adventure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the dedication and hard work of an outstanding employee, Stella Jimenez, as I bid her farewell as she moves on to the next step of her career.

Stella Jimenez brought a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to community service.

Stella's journey was characterized by her unwavering dedication to enact positive change.

In her capacity as District Director, Stella assumed a pivotal role in leading diverse initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of residents in Imperial and Riverside Counties.

Stella demonstrated a profound understanding of the community's needs and challenges. Her leadership, characterized by a unique combination of grace and effectiveness, garnered admiration and respect from colleagues and constituents alike.

Stella's dedication to community engagement was unparalleled. Whether it was championing the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument or ensuring full stakeholder engagement in Imperial County, she approached each initiative with unwavering determination and a genuine desire to make a difference.

Stella's influence extended to coordinating high-profile events, such as the Department of Homeland Security's visit to present the Outstanding Citizen by Choice Initiative Award by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Under her guidance, these events not only achieved success but also carried a deeply personal touch, reflecting Stella's commitment to meaningful engagement and connection.

Collaborating closely with the staff of White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu, Stella facilitated impactful visits to various sites.

Through her efforts, she fostered community dialogue and left a lasting impact, further solidifying her reputation as a dedicated and effective advocate for change.

Stella's colleagues referred to her as someone who was always reachable, willing to advocate for them, and someone who went above and beyond to go across the aisle and work with local and state partners to help a constituent in need.

She empowered others to navigate challenges with newfound assurance and strength.

The impact of Stella's mentorship on many is immeasurable. Her guidance not only shaped others' professional trajectories but left an indelible mark on their personal development as well.

I am profoundly grateful for the privilege of working with Stella Jimenez.

Through her tireless efforts and unwavering passion, Stella Jimenez stood as a beacon of inspiration, leaving an enduring and profound impact on the communities she served. Her legacy continues to inspire others to strive for positive change and to make a difference in the world around them.

I look forward to seeing what Stella Jimenez does next and know that she will continue to inspire those around her.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 338.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

The Honoring our PACT Act is the most significant expansion of healthcare access and benefits for veterans in generations.

Now, over 5 million veterans and family members will have the peace of mind that if they become ill due to their exposure to toxic burn pits or they are disabled and cannot work, or God forbid, they pass away, they will receive the benefits that they need to overcome an illness, the healthcare to be able to stay at home with their family because they are unable to work, and if they pass, they will have peace of mind that their family will get their benefits.

Look, for many years I have brought this issue up in committees, in the Veterans' Affairs Committee and the general public that veterans were dying of cancers, veterans were unable to breathe due to pulmonary illnesses, all of which were due to the toxic air that they breathe from the smoke from burn pits.

The initial excuses were the evidence does not show any correlation. As a scientist, I refuted that. They asked the wrong questions, and their methodologies were flawed.

Then the other excuse was that it was too expensive. Well, our values are to put the lives of our veterans first and foremost. We send them to war without consideration of the cost of war; therefore, it is our moral obligation to take care of veterans.

I fought this tooth and nail under the banner of the name of Jennifer Kepner, a veteran who served in Balad Air Base in Iraq who died of pancreatic cancer. Before she died, I met with her at home at her kitchen table. She made me promise that no other veteran should suffer what she went through in trying to get the care and the benefits for her family. We accomplished and fulfilled that promise when we introduced the presumptive benefits for warfighters exposed to burn pits and other toxins which was included in the Honoring our PACT Act, which was the heart and soul of the Honoring our PACT Act because it gave presumptive benefits to 23 illnesses and categories of illnesses which total over 300 illnesses--and that is continuing to grow.

The reason why we are here is because House Democrats continue to fight hard to ensure the implementation of the PACT Act.

Last year, I spoke very frequently about a pending deadline for veterans to file an intent to file a claim for the PACT Act, which if they did so within a year after they filed that intent to file, they would get presumptive benefits and backpay to the day that the law was enacted.

We are nearing the deadline of that intent to file, which means that veterans had a year to file their claim, to get that backpay until the day the law was signed, and if they haven't then they should do so before August 14 or before the year of when they filed that intent.

If they do so, then they will get their pay and their benefits to the date of when the law was signed. If they don't or if they miss that year after they filed that intent, they should not despair. It is not as if this is your last chance of getting the claims; the only difference will be that they will get their benefits backtracked to the date that they filed their claim from that point on.

It is very urgent that we inform our veterans that if they filed an intent to file that they file the claim before the end of the year to the date that they filed their intent to file. That is why it is very important that veterans go to VA.gov, the VA website, or call 1-800- 827-1000, call their Members of Congress, work with their county veteran service organizations representative or any of the VSOs and get the information that is needed so they don't miss out on the additional full benefits that the PACT Act gave our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank everybody who was involved. I thank President Biden and Secretary McDonough who were the game changers during this long fight that we have been having that culminated in such a victory for our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the birthday of Loretta Rinaldi who is deeply cherished by her community, her church, and family.

Born to English-immigrant parents on July 17, 1924, in Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Rinaldi dedicated her life to education, her community, and family. In 1942, she graduated as valedictorian of Catholic Girls' High School after which she took her vows to become a nun.

At Immaculate Heart, Mrs. Rinaldi taught science and found her passion for being an educator. She continued to educate and be a proactive figure in her community even after leaving the covenant.

Mrs. Rinaldi has truly lived a life of service and is a persistent advocate. In the 1960s, she was an activist in the Immaculate Heart Sisters movement which encouraged the church to embrace cultural shifts. She was one of 315 sisters who voted to give up their vows and leave their lives as nuns after the opposition they faced from the Catholic Church.

It wasn't long after she left the order that Mrs. Rinaldi fell in love and married a widower, Neal Rinaldi, who had five children from his previous marriage. Together, the couple moved to Banning, California where Mrs. Rinaldi was Mr. Rinaldi's caretaker until he passed away.

Mr. Speaker, in celebrating Loretta Rinaldi, we celebrate the empowerment found in knowledge, the precedent set by courageous advocates, and the strength of familial bonds.

On behalf of California's 25th District, I extend my warmest wishes to Mrs. Rinaldi and her family as we join in celebrating this major life milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate our very own Indio native Abi Carter for her remarkable achievement of winning season 22 of ``American Idol'' last month. Abi captured the hearts of millions of Americans, won the popular vote, and emerged as the champion.

My family and I cheered for her and have followed her incredible journey. We enjoyed witnessing the talent and passion Abi brings to her art and listening to her powerful and angelic voice.

Abi's story is one of humility, determination, passion, and resilience. As a Cal State University San Bernadino alumni and a George Washington Charter School alumni, Abi served as a role model and inspiration to young students in my district and across the Nation.

Abi was homeschooled during high school so that she could get a job and support her family. She grew up in a musical household, singing in church and talent shows and several local competitions.

Her dedication and passion are an inspiration to us all, reminding us to dream big because dreams really do come true.

We congratulate Abi. Cheers to her, her talent, and the promising future ahead. We are all immensely proud of her for her well-deserved achievement and we will continue to support her every step of the way. We have her back.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted Nay on Roll Call No. 283.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Hemet Police Chief Eddie Pust on his retirement after serving the city of Hemet for over 27 years.

Police officers spend their lives putting service before self, striving to make a positive change in their community, and Chief Pust embodies that through and through.

Chief Pust began his career with the city of Hemet Police Department in 1996. After the police academy, he started as a patrol officer. During his career, he worked a number of assignments including 16 years in SWAT, until eventually being appointed as the 18th police chief of Hemet Police Department.

In addition to his 4-year tenure as police chief, he also served for 10 months as the city of Hemet interim city manager.

After almost 30 years as a pillar of leadership in the Hemet community, Chief Pust has displayed accountability, strength, and compassion during his service.

In every rank and position Chief Pust held, he was incredibly committed to tackling the issues that improved the safety and quality of life for the residents he served.

On behalf of the people in Hemet, Jacinto Valley, and the entire district, we appreciate every moment Chief Pust dedicated to protecting and serving us. His service to the community is nothing short of exemplary.

I thank Chief Pust for tirelessly working to keep the people of Hemet safe for the past 27 years.

Recognizing Richard Ramirez

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Mr. Richard Moreno Ramirez, a pillar of the Coachella Valley and exceptional athlete.

Mr. Ramirez was an accomplished athlete, coach, athletic director, educator, loving husband, father, grandfather, and so much more.

Known as Mr. Green and Gold, the colors of his beloved Coachella Valley High School, Mr. Ramirez was a man of and for the community.

He was a beloved mentor for many and a leader in the community. He was my activities director and athletics director while I was a student athlete and ASB president at Coachella Valley High School.

His whole life he worked to foster a sense of school spirit and community pride that empowered students to create the change they wished to see in the world.

I learned three key lessons from Mr. Ramirez that I will always carry with me: first, your roots matter; second, school and community pride are important; and third, to always serve the community.

Mr. Ramirez was born on October 16, 1941, on a ranch in Thermal, California, to parents Ramon and Dolores Ramirez. Raised in the eastern Coachella Valley, he attended Coachella Valley High School where his love for sports took root playing for their baseball and football teams where he excelled at sports, winning three baseball and two football championships.

After graduation, he attended Riverside City College and then went on to California State University-Long Beach where he achieved great success in both academics and baseball, so much so he brought home the university's first baseball title in 1964 and was recently inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame.

After college, wanting to give back to his community, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He returned home to serve the community that raised him at Coachella Valley High School for the next 40 years.

While athletic director at CV High School, he always instilled a sense of school spirit and community pride in all students. Even throughout his retirement, Mr. Ramirez always put service above self, and he served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations. He was also dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders through the CV High School Alumni Association where he raised funds to provide scholarships for local students.

Each athlete, student, teacher, neighbor, and friend will undoubtedly recall Mr. Ramirez as a pillar of the community.

Together, as we mourn his passing with his wife, Dr. Diane Ramirez; his children, Ronan and Roderic Ramirez; grandchildren, Rossen and Sofia; and all his friends and loved ones, we honor his legacy as a man who returned home to his roots and gave his all to serve his community and others.

Madam Speaker, our men and women wearing the badge experience life-threatening risks every day.

As an emergency medicine physician, the increasing access to both physical and mental health resources have been a priority of mine, which is why I have successfully advocated to increase funding to the law enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program fivefold to $10 million and am advocating to increase it to $12 million. This funding will improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement.

In closing, I want to take a moment to recognize the names of the officers from my district who have made the ultimate sacrifice: Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris, Deputy Sheriff Anthony Joel Redondo, Police Officer Efren Coronel, Police Officer Jose Gilbert Vega, Police Officer Lesley Marie Zerebny, and K9 Sultan of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. I also recognize their families for their immense service and sacrifice.

As we close National Police Week, I urge my colleagues to follow words with action that will improve the lives of fallen first responders' families.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 211.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the union of my constituents and good friends, Aman Chandi and Udhay Kahlon, two individuals whose relationship began by chance and has grown into a commitment rooted in their shared traditions and love. With genuine happiness, I offer them my congratulations on their engagement and upcoming marriage.

At an airport surrounded by travelers, Aman and Udhay met by chance, and were encouraged to pursue one another by friends and

family. Their connection grew over dinner conversations, during which they discovered their common values, dreams, and goals.

Their relationship, developed through many hours of video calls and meaningful conversations, blossomed into love. This was formally recognized at a three-day Roka event, which ended with a proposal confirming their commitment. Aman and Udhay's experience shows that love can find us when we least expect it.

As we look forward to their wedding, we are reminded of the rich cultural heritage that their union celebrates. From the vibrant colors of the Mehndi event to the Sangeet ceremony, where music and laughter pave the way for unforgettable memories, their celebrations vividly represent tradition and modernity. The Haldi, Choora, and the sacred Anand Karaj ceremonies hold deep significance, marking the beginning of their life with blessings, happiness, and the promise of a bright future.

The marriage of Aman and Udhay signifies not just the union of two individuals, but the coming together of two families with shared values of hard work, community, and ambition. This union is set to expand upon these legacies, creating the foundation of a new chapter that promises to enrich their communities further and inspire future generations through a blend of tradition, integrity, and shared goals.

Mr. Speaker, as Aman and Udhay stand on the brink of their future, they do so with the support of their families, the blessings of their traditions, and the love that has brought them together. In celebrating Aman and Udhay, we celebrate the beauty of coming together, the strength of familial bonds, and the promise of a future filled with love, happiness, and prosperity.

On behalf of California's 25th District, I extend my warmest wishes to Aman, Udhay, and their families. May their union be blessed with love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness. As they begin their shared future, let us celebrate the love that has brought them together.

Congratulations to Aman and Udhay. May their story inspire all, and their lives together be filled with joy and fulfillment.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 120.