Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the MORE Act, and urge my colleagues--on both sides of the aisle--to support this important and comprehensive cannabis reform legislation. It tackles inequities and historic criminalization associated with cannabis.

The MORE Act will begin the long-overdue effort to undo the damage to families and communities across our nation that has been caused by misguided and ineffective federal drug polices related to cannabis. It will finally establish a safe and well-regulated interstate marketplace for cannabis.

It is vitally important that at the federal level we finally recognize and invite this economic engine of job creation into the mainstream of our economy and workforce development. The vast majority of Americans support this long overdue change, and voters in many states including my home state of California have already taken action to legalize cannabis at the state level. It is time that we end this senseless and impactful disconnect between state and federal law.

I also want to bring my colleagues' attention to one outstanding issue as this legislation moves forward. California's farmers are among the most productive and innovative in the world. Not surprisingly, that is the case with our cannabis farmers too, including those in my congressional district. Unfortunately, cannabis farmers are in the same legal limbo as everyone else in the industry because there are grey areas in the law that need to be resolved: they can't enroll in crop insurance programs, they can't receive an official ``organic'' designation, and they can't access USDA programs and support. Yet cannabis cultivation is not significantly different from farming strawberries, wine grapes, cut flowers, vegetables, and other crops grown in my district and state. I am hopeful that as we work with the Senate on comprehensive cannabis reform, we can provide clear statutory direction to bring USDA into this conversation as well and eliminate this remaining area of ambiguity for the farmers in my state.

Once again, I urge a yes vote on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support for H.R. 6865, this year's Coast Guard Authorization Act, which is named in honor of our departed colleague, Mr. Don Young, who tirelessly advocated for the Coast Guard and maritime issues in his many decades of public service.

With his legacy in mind, I wish to express my thanks for the leadership of Chairman DeFazio, Ranking Member Sam Graves, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Gibbs that created this bipartisan agreement.

H.R. 6865 will renew and enhance support for the critical missions of the United States Coast Guard. Every day Coasties work to protect our national security and enforce the laws in the maritime environment.

They maintain our Nation's waterways for the sake of commerce, save lives, and protect the oceans from pollution. These brave servicemembers have time and time again demonstrated their resourcefulness, but they need our support today.

The increased authorizations in today's bill signals our confidence in the excellence of the Coast Guard and starts down the road to providing the resources Coasties need to successfully complete their missions.

H.R. 6865 also tackles current challenges to our Nation's supply chain which have recently caused frustration in not only the transportation industry, but in the average families who are being confronted with shortages and increasing costs for basic household goods.

H.R. 6865 reauthorizes the Federal Maritime Commission, the entity in charge of promoting fairness and competition in ocean shipping.

And it includes the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 which would provide the Federal Maritime Commission with the authority to directly address international shipping's contribution to the inflation we are experiencing.

As chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I am proud that this bill also includes my legislation to amend an archaic 171-year-old maritime law that prevented victims and their families from seeking fair recourse against vessel owners who were found to be liable for maritime incidents. This provision was developed in response to the Conception dive boat fire in my district in 2019, which was the largest loss of life in a U.S. marine casualty in decades.

Finally, with this bill, we can make significant strides toward stamping out sexual assault and sexual harassment from the maritime industry. Provisions in H.R. 6865 strengthen transparency surrounding companies' sexual assault and sexual harassment policies, provide protections for mariners, and remove bad actors from the industry. Such criminal behavior and incidents have no place in the maritime industry.

I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on this important legislation, and I look forward to ensuring that it becomes law.

Madam Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Sister Theresa Harpin of San Luis Obispo, California.

With over 40 years as a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Sister Theresa looks at the world through the lens of

``everyone is our dear neighbor.'' While Cal Poly's Newman Catholic Center brought the gifted educator to the Central Coast, it is through her social and restorative justice work that she has truly made her mark.

On the heels of her energetic work with students and community parishes, and following medical leave for serious illness, she brought the ``Get on the Bus'' program to California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo County. A bus filled with the children and spouses of prisoners travels to the prison for a reunion party that offers hope for the families.

Sister Theresa has worked with the SLO County Sheriff, the California Department of Corrections, Parole and the Courts to make restorative justice a reality in San Luis Obispo County. This tireless, well respected community leader believes offenders were once victims whose own traumas were never addressed. She is devoted to healing those injuries so that once released, prisoners can move forward to productive lives.

Her fervent dedication to helping the incarcerated led to founding Restorative Partners, a program providing re-entry services to the incarcerated. Sister Theresa is a certified facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project, the Aggression Replacement Training and the Thinking for A Change Program. She has implemented and taught non-judgmental techniques and most importantly, restorative justice, which provides healing for all parties, both victim and offender.

Restorative Partners, founded over an In N Out Burger conversation with Sheriff Ian Parkinson, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. The successful program has brought together law enforcement, private business and faith-based organizations, under the shared mission to ``get to the source'' of individual's issues and move forward.

In just ten years, Restorative Partners has expanded mentorship to help returning citizens navigate reentry. With an eye on the high cost of living on the Central Coast, RP now provides re-entry homes for men and women, including Anna's Home for Women and Children, which reunites formerly incarcerated mothers with their children while offering a drug treatment program. The challenges of COVID created an entirely new set of needs, chief among them domestic violence treatment and expanded drug and alcohol treatment. With Sister Theresa's leadership, Restorative Partners continues to evolve and offer life-changing support. What began started as an in-custody service, the non-profit organization has grown to meet any need of families affected by incarceration and the challenges of re-entry. And it is working: the recidivism rate for those Sister Theresa works with is only 10 percent.

Sister Theresa is an incredible presence in our community. I am honored to recognize Sister Theresa for her continued commitment to residents of San Luis Obispo County. I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th Congressional District, Sister Theresa Harpin, for her incredible service to her community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sam Cohen on the occasion of his 60th birthday for his distinguished service over the years. Sam serves as the Legal and Government Affairs Officer of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians located in my district, where he has supported the Tribe's leadership and members for more than

a decade and a half. In doing so, Sam has become an exemplar of civic engagement throughout the Central Coast and in Washington, DC.

Sam's path to becoming a leader in our community and throughout Indian country is as unique as they come.

After graduating from the University of Arizona and University of Minnesota Law School, Sam began his career in the world of international corporate and finance law. This work took him around the world, including a two-year stint in Tokyo, Japan. Sam briefly returned to the states to pursue his LLM degree in tax at NYU before once again venturing off the beaten path, this time to the U.S. Territory of Guam. While in Guam, Sam found his calling in more ways than one. First, he came to understand and appreciate the vital role that economic development plays in providing opportunity and equity to marginalized communities. His four years working to support companies investing in Guam struck a chord, as such Sam has gone on to spend the next 25 years working on behalf of many communities that have historically been passed over and overlooked in the economic opportunities afforded to many other Americans over the generations.

Sam also met his late wife, Trina, while in Guam. They were soon married, and together raised three children, Abraham, Keanu, and Rebekah, who are all now making their own way in the world.

Shortly after leaving Guam, Sam transitioned to serving as counsel to Tribal governments, working in the states of Washington and Louisiana before moving to the Golden State.

Sam's first role in California was to serve as General Counsel to the Tule River Tribe in Porterville. His efforts there, shortly after California voters authorized gaming for Native American tribes, were critical in setting the Tule River Tribe on a path to economic success.

In 2006 Sam moved to Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara County, to take a position as Legal Officer for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. His impact was felt immediately, and he has been a trusted advisor for tribal leaders and members ever since.

I first got to know Sam during my time serving as a Supervisor in Santa Barbara County. Like many Tribal nations in California, the Chumash tribe had very little land over which to assert its sovereignty, provide a sense of community for its members, and grow as a nation. Sam's personal interactions with Supervisors, staff and other stakeholders on fee to trust issues earned him a reputation as an honest broker which led to a number of successful and important Tribal initiatives.

My relationship with Sam and the Chumash Tribe deepened after I made the transition to Congress. Sam took time to educate my staff and I on the significance of the federal government's trust responsibilities to Tribes and imprinted on me the importance of Congress fulfilling its constitutional obligation to engage with Tribes on a government to government basis. Due in part to this education, I now am a proud member of the Native American Caucus.

Sam's prolific efforts on behalf of the Chumash Tribe have not only been an asset to me as a Representative, but also to the entire Central Coast region. Sam is tireless, and his expertise seems to touch upon virtually every topic. He serves as a member of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Committee and on a subcommittee of the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee, providing recommendations to the IRS on ways that it can better implement its laws and regulations to support Tribes, nonprofits, and all Americans. He is the President of the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce, President of the Econ Alliance for Northern Santa Barbara County, and serves on boards of the local community services district for wastewater and the regional transportation agency. He is currently guiding the Tribe's engagement with NOAA's consideration of a new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, and just this month Sam was named to an advisory committee of the Federal Communication Commission.

Most importantly, Sam is an absolute joy to be around. It is always a pleasure to run in to Sam and his partner, Trea, at community events throughout the district, and when they visit Trea's daughter, Bria, here in Washington, DC. On this momentous occasion, I want to wish Sam a happy birthday and recognize his exceptional work over the years and his many efforts to support the Santa Ynez Chumash Tribe and the citizens of California's 24th Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I want to honor those who served diligently to combat the Honda Canyon Fire that occurred on Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on December 20, 1977 on its 44th Anniversary.

The Base, which at the time was known as Vandenberg Air Force Base, had strategic, scientific, and military significance to our military readiness and national security as the Western Space and Missile Center.

In persistently safeguarding the Base, four individuals lost their lives. These heroes include the Base Commander Col. Joseph G. Turner, the Base Fire Chief Billy J. Bell, the Base Assistant Fire Chief Eugene Cooper, and a heavy equipment operator, Clarence McCauley.

Furthermore, sixty-five active duty, government, civilian, and contract workers were injured when they were overrun by the Honda Canyon Fire.

Despite these losses, active duty, government, and contract workers-- augmented with local civilian fire fighting forces--continued to battle the flames to prevent the loss of vital military equipment, launch facilities, communications sites, and satellite test facilities.

These personnel encountered an additional seven fire overruns of their personnel and equipment. They rescued injured and burned personnel, then regrouped to modify their tactics and strategies before heroically continuing to fight until the fire was subdued.

Following this tragic fire, military commanders assessed their losses and their response to the fire, prepared a comprehensive mishap report, convened a planning group, and prepared an Operation Plan to address the findings of the mishap report. They enhanced training, firefighting capabilities, and support roles for all base operations groups to help manage similar events in the future.

Unfortunately, the efforts of all those who fought the Honda Canyon Fire--whether active duty or civilian--have never been recognized.

I want to acknowledge the loyalty, integrity, and resourcefulness of the active duty, government civilian, and contract workers who assisted in fighting this fire. I ask all members of the House of Representatives to recognize them for service to their country and specifically for their efforts to quell the historic Honda Canyon Fire and protect critical infrastructure at the Base, which is located in the California's 24th Congressional District and is an asset to the community and integral to our national security.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for the bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a bipartisan agreement that Representatives Garamendi and Johnson have reached. I thank my colleagues for working with me and Congressman DeFazio on this legislation.

As chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I have held hearings on the ongoing supply chain disruptions and met with countless stakeholders and constituents who are feeling the impacts of the disruptions, including those who suffered wrongdoing by ocean carriers. This legislation is a big step toward addressing this.

The increase in funding for the Federal Maritime Commission, FMC, in this 2-year authorization is indicative of this body's strong support for finding an effective solution to the pandemic supply chain crisis.

Now is the time to ensure that the Commission has the ability to enforce fairness in ocean carrier practices.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the bill contains a number of provisions aimed at addressing wrongfully issued detention and demurrage fees and complements President Biden's actions to address this issue. The bill also includes several reporting requirements on issues of maritime cargo flow at U.S. ports and anticompetitive business practices.

By addressing these challenges, Congress seeks to counter trade imbalances with foreign exporting countries, making reciprocal trade one of the FMC's missions.

I am proud of the committee's work on this important legislation, and I look forward to ensuring that this legislation, H.R. 4996, is signed into law.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the life of Mrs. Agatha Shorter-Lewis, a member of CA-24's NAACP Branch. Mrs. Shorter-Lewis has been described as ``a social justice, human and civil rights champion,'' because of her hard work fighting for equal rights throughout the Central Coast. Agatha Noel Shorter-Lewis was born in Los Angeles, California on September 7, 1950, to Leon and Martha Shorter. As a young woman, she studied at a community college in the Los Angeles area, transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1975.

In 1973, Mrs. Shorter-Lewis began volunteering with Santa Barbara County Probation Department, interned with them in 1974 and in 1975 at the age of 24, she took the test for Deputy Probation Officer II and scored 1#. On January 20, 1976, Mrs. Shorter-Lewis was sworn in as the first Black female Deputy Probation Officer hired by Santa Barbara County. Her first assignment was working with Juveniles.

In an April 2001, Santa Maria Times newspaper article, Mrs. Shorter- Lewis recounted her time at the Probation Department noting one case stands out: ``A boy, who just wouldn't go to school and was giving his parents, school administrators and teachers chaos. She told him, ``Listen, if you don't get up and go to school on time, I'm going to have to get there to your house and when you turn over, I'm going to be in bed with you, because I told you to get up and go to school.'' The young man thought she was playing with him and wasn't going to do it. Early one morning his mom called saying he wouldn't get out of bed. She told his mom ``I'm on my way'' and when she arrived at the house, she told the mom ``don't wake him up anymore, begging him to go to school'' and eased up in bed with him. When he turned over, he said ``Oh, Oh, Miss Shorter, Miss Shorter, I'm going to school, I'm going to school.'' She said, ``sure you are going to school because I'm going to wait right here until you get up.'' She drove the boy to school that day and his mother never had problems with him again.

While at Probation, Mrs. Shorter-Lewis helped countless youth and their families changing their lives through dedication and caring while providing structure to help them reach their full potential. Mrs. Shorter-Lewis served the last 8 years with the department in the Adult Investigation Unit, investigating felony offenses, and determining whether or not to grant probation. She represented Probation in Court once a week as a Hearing Officer in Judge Rogelio Flores courtroom.

Mrs. Shorter-Lewis served 27 years as Deputy Probation Officer, retiring on April 27, 2001, due to health issues.

Mrs. Shorter-Lewis married Rev. Henry Littleton Lewis, Jr. on January 16, 1993. Their wedding was the biggest wedding event in Santa Maria, with 25 bridesmaids many of whom were Judges, attorneys, and Probation Officers and more than 1,000 guests in attendance. One of her biggest joys was on September 12, 2013, when Rev. Lewis became Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and she became First Lady of the church, a position she absolutely treasured. She was an active church member, and in her own words she served in every office of the church but ``Pastor!'' In addition to First Lady, at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, she served in the capacity of Church Clerk, Sunday School Teacher, Women's Ministry President, Program Committee Chair, and Women's Choir. She was also active with Coast Counties District Association serving as local president, District President, Minister's Wives Chairperson, and on various activity planning committees. At the State Baptist level, she was Vice-President of the Women's Department, Chair of Advisory Council of past Presidents, Serendipity Speaker and Teacher. At the National Baptist level, she was a delegate representing California State Baptist many times, Queen candidate for the Women's Department under Women's President Sister Alma Tate. With Rev. Lewis untimely death on September 13, 2013, Mrs. Shorter-Lewis First Lady position ended; however, she remained an active leader and member of the church.

In addition to church, Mrs. Lewis was very active in the community. After being sworn in as a Deputy Probation Officer, Mrs. Shorter-Lewis moved to Santa Maria. Once in Santa Maria, she tried renting a home, but each time would be denied when she showed up and the owner saw she was African American. She did not let blatant racism deter her instead renting an apartment for two years and then becoming a homeowner before age 30. She was a lifetime/lifelong member of the National Association For the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and made history again as the Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch second President in 1981 at the age of 31. Under her presidency the Branch's annual professional fashion show was born, an event that allowed the community to come out, get dressed up, enjoy dinner and the latest fashions from all over the world while supporting the Branch and the Branch's Scholarship recipients. Since its inception, the annual Fashion Show has awarded hundreds of scholarships to underserved youth to attend college and it continues 37 years later. When Mrs. Shorter-Lewis's presidency ended in 1984, she continued her advocacy serving as first vice-president from 1985 to 1988, second vice president from 1989 to 1990, on the Executive Committee from 1991 to 2018, and as Executive Committee Emeritus from 2019 to her untimely death on October 5, 2021. In each role, she was always a Drum Major for Justice answering every call she was asked to do.

Continuing as a trailblazer, Mrs. Shorter-Lewis was a business owner of Almagathai Ladies' Hats & Suits, Men's Ties and Jewelry along with her best friend, Mrs. Alma Tate. Mrs. Shorter-Lewis loved cruises and vacations and celebrated many birthdays on cruise ships including her 30th, 50th and 60th. On one of those cruises, she was crowned the ship's queen. She and Rev. Lewis spent their 20th wedding anniversary in Hawaii.

Mrs. Shorter-Lewis was known by most people, well respected in the community, larger than life, outgoing, family and people oriented, with a bubbly personality, a disarming smile, was a dynamic public speaker, very assertive, compassionate, a good listener able to discern truth. She celebrated many family vacations and reunions, chaired extra-large celebrations for her family and friends including her sister Carolyn's 65th birthday, numerous retirement celebrations for her friends, 75/ 76th birthday celebration for her friend and arranged for the community to attend the play ``The Color Purple'' in Los Angeles on a chartered bus.

Over her lifetime, Mrs. Shorter-Lewis, received numerous community awards and recognitions including awards from the Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch, City of Santa Maria, and Vision of Hope, among others.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Councilmember Robert ``Red'' Davis of Morro Bay, California, who passed away peacefully on July 24th. We honor Red's exemplary commitment to our

country and his passion for being a positive and thoughtful force throughout his long and colorful life, including his work as a councilmember, his 33-year career with CalTrans, and his service in the United States Air Force. I join the people of Morro Bay in thanking Red Davis for his service to his community, his state, and his Nation.

Prior to being elected to the Morro Bay City Council, Red served on a variety of City ad hoc committees, including the General Plan Advisory Committee, and volunteered for numerous community organizations including the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Morro Bay Library and Bike SLO County. Red began his service as Councilmember in 2017 and won a second four-year term in November 2020. Councilmember Davis was instrumental, along with his Council colleagues, in moving forward the Water Reclamation Facility, stabilizing and improving the City's financial condition, offshore wind energy, and enhancing communication with the community. I know from personal experience how important local leaders are in our nation, and Red was instrumental in helping guide his community and region through our recent difficult times.

Red retired from CalTrans in 1996 as a project manager, after 33 years of service, and proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as Senior Master Sergeant.

Those who knew Red well have commented on how he worked tirelessly to advance and improve the quality of life for the entire Morro Bay community. Red's strong work ethic, his clear style of communication, and his genuine care for the environment and the people of Morro Bay's citizens, businesses, and environment allowed him to make a positive and lasting impact on the City. Many have commented on Red's kindness, compassion, and his generosity. It is clear Red will be missed as well as remembered for many years to come.

As passionate cyclists, Red and his wife Gail found the time and energy to share their enthusiasm with the community. Red served as president of the San Luis Obispo Bike Club for eight years, chaired the Morro Bay Citizens Bike Committee and the County Bicycle Advisory Committee, and was a founding member and vice president of Bike SLO County. In 2015 the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors honored Red for service to the local bicycling community by designating the Los Osos Valley Road bike lanes between Foothill Boulevard and South Bay Boulevard as the ``Red Davis Bikeway.''

Madam Speaker, I ask you, and our colleagues here in the U.S. House of Representatives, to join me in recognizing Red for his service to his community and our Nation, and in offering our condolences to Red's wife Gail, his daughter Catherine Sullivan, son-in-law Pat, and Red's granddaughters, and to all those in Morro Bay and beyond who know and love Red. I thank Red.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of buying American-grown flowers. Whether it is celebrating a wedding, a graduation, or sending condolences, flowers have been used to mark significant occasions for thousands of years. I have seen the value this industry adds to our economy and communities during my visits with our hardworking central coast growers.

The cut-flower industry generates thousands of jobs and produces significant economic activity each year through flower farmers, distributors, and florists.

California grows an astonishing 70 percent of American-grown flowers, and yet only a fraction of the flowers sold across the country were grown here. That must change.

Last week, Senator Feinstein and I introduced a resolution to designate July as American-Grown Flower and Foliage Month to encourage consumers to shop local and buy flowers with a certified American-grown label. By passing H. Res. 542, we will honor the beauty this industry brings to our homes year-round and help keep our American-grown flower industry prosperous.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in this effort.

Madam Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Silvia Uribe of Goleta, California.

Silvia is a language access advocate, who has devoted her business and community service providing language services and helping people connect. Born and raised in Mexico City, Silvia and her family moved to Santa Barbara 28 years ago where she immediately began serving the community. Her business, TransilPro provides translation and interpretation services to businesses, government, community organizations, and beyond. She has a knack for creating programs that overcome language barriers, including writing Spanish curricula for the Adoption Center of Santa Barbara. Silvia's work in the community goes beyond her everyday activities.

Her passion for communication extends to media, as a radio host, writer, Univision contributor, and speaker. Whether she is invited as a guest lecturer at Santa Barbara Community College, speaking to a church group, or in her former Univision segment, En confianza con Silvia, her objective is always to be of service by sharing information and bringing services and people together. Silvia gives her time and talents to a wide array of organizations. She started Latino Girl Scout troops in North and South Santa Barbara County and created Fun in the Sun in collaboration with the United Way. She expanded into the business world as a co-founder of Lideres Latinos in Leadership Santa Barbara County.

A longtime advocate for victims of crime in the Santa Barbara District attorney's office, Silvia also created STESA's Spanish curriculum on sexual assault and delivers volunteer training to Spanish speaking volunteers with STESA and Just Communities.

Silvia is also an active public servant. In addition to working for the DA's Victim Witness, Silvia has served as a County Human Services Commissioner and a Public Engagement Commissioner with the City of Goleta. The common thread across all these activities is Silvia's commitment to connecting members of our community--to each other and to services. She is a worthy candidate for this honor and a role model for community leaders of all kinds. I am honored to recognize Silvia for her continued commitment to community and the residents of Santa Barbara County.

I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th Congressional District, Silvia Uribe, for her incredible service to her community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of my friend and colleague, Representative Paul Mitchell, who retired after proudly serving his constituents from Michigan's 10th Congressional District.

Paul was recently diagnosed with stage IV renal cancer and after great medical treatment is on his way to a continued recovery. While my heart hurts for his family, I am optimistic Paul will pull through. He has shown us time and time again that he is not only a man of principle, but also a fighter.

I first met Paul when we came in the same class after being elected in 2016. We served together on the House Armed Services Committee and we shared the same hallway in the Cannon House Office Building. Serving on the House Armed Services Committee, we had the opportunity to travel and visit troops in Germany and the Middle East, and build our friendship. I continued to work with Paul as we also served together on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Throughout the years, I got to know Paul's humor and his dedication towards service.

While Paul and I did not always agree on policy, I always knew that I could have a candid discussion with my friend. Our conversations were cordial and with a shared goal of improving the lives of the American people and upholding our democracy.

In order to achieve these goals, Paul was not afraid to cross party lines. During his last term, Paul showed incredible courage in standing up for our democracy and supporting the 2020 election results.

It is with this same courage that I know Paul will use to fight this disease. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking former Representative Paul Mitchell for his leadership and service to our country and his constituents.

As Paul begins his treatment, I want to send him my best. I look forward to the day when we can celebrate Paul's remission.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

The gentleman is right, Madam Speaker, COVID really devastated my community, but, more importantly, SALT also landed a devastating punch.

This issue is about proud Californians who pay more than their fair share of Federal taxes. It is about equity for fellow Americans, like Californians, and other States like California.

California today is still the largest State in the United States in terms of population and economic activity. For years and years, California has been a net donor State to the United States. Let me repeat. For years and years, California has paid more Federal dollars than it gets back from the Federal Government.

We Californians work hard. We live in a State that generates tremendous economic activity, and we have a very high cost of living. And we pay more--we pay more than our fair share of taxes proudly. As Americans, we pay our Federal taxes proudly.

So I ask why? Why is the Federal Government not being fair to States like California?

So why do we randomly have a law that arbitrarily caps our State and local tax deductibility on our Federal taxes?

This SALT cap hurts. It hurts my friends and neighbors. It hurts middle-class families in California. In my State, the average price of a home, a used house, middle class, is now close to $800,000.

So why would we make it more difficult, more expensive for a middle- class family to buy a home?

I say to all of you, both sides of the aisle, let's be fair and let's be equitable to the middle class in this country. Join me in thanking States like California for paying more than their fair share of Federal taxes. Join me by eliminating the SALT cap, that is deductibility of local taxes on the Federal return.

And I say to you: No SALT deductible, no deal.

That is a starter home.

We pay more than our fair share of Federal taxes year after year.

Madam Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, of Santa Barbara, California.

It is community members like Sojourner that make Santa Barbara County special, and it is hard to put into words all of her contributions to our community. She is a poet, playwright, environmental educator, and cultural and peace activist. She is known for her work raising awareness of our diverse cultural history throughout the county and is heavily involved as a guiding elder for Juneteenth Santa Barbara and Healing Justice Santa Barbara organizations.

In 2015 Sojourner was named Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara and served a two-year term. As a selldefined ``public poet'', she is invited to compose and present poems for numerous special occasions. She is a two- time recipient of the California Arts Council's Artist-in-Residence program and for nearly 30 years has led poetry workshops throughout the West Coast. Since 1997, she has engaged young poets through her ``Song of Place Poetry Project'' and her work with City at Peace, Speak for the Creeks, California Poets in the Schools, Poetry OutLoud, and the MLK Poetry and Essay Contest.

She is the author of seven books of poetry and six plays, and her poetry is published in across social media. Her arts reviews and commentaries have also appeared in local and regional publications. Sojourner is a truthteller. She exhumes our past stories and brings them to life as a reminder of where we have been and where we can go.

A founding member of Santa Barbara's Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, Sojourner has also served with multiple Santa Barbara County organizations including the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, Santa Barbara NAACP, Santa Barbara Arts Council, the Fund for Santa Barbara Grantmaking Committee, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, and the UCSB Center for Black Studies Research.

Sojourner is the glue that connects community members. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice with emphasis in Juvenile Delinquency and a J.D., but she is a teacher at heart, always ready to teach and inspire the community at large. She is a worthy candidate for this honor and a role model for community leaders of all kinds. I am honored to recognize Sojourner for her continued commitment to improving our community and the residents of Santa Barbara County. I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th Congressional District, Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, for her incredible service to her community.

Mr. Speaker, going back to my days as the county supervisor, I fought to make sure the Central Coast was a leader in the clean energy economy. I helped get the first large-scale solar project in Santa Barbara County across the finish line and called it a win-win- win. That is because investing in renewables is one of the best investments we can make. It means a healthy planet, clean air, and good-paying jobs.

Since 2014, the Central Coast has emerged as a renewable energy powerhouse. We are now home to several major solar farms, and soon, we could be home to one of the largest battery storage plants in the world.

After years of negotiation, I helped secure an agreement to realize an offshore wind project and the jobs it will create for the Central Coast. According to a study conducted by a local organization called REACH, this project alone could create 650 good-paying jobs and generate $262 million in revenue each year.

Renewable energy is also a vital tool to address the climate crisis. Some claim renewable energy funding doesn't belong in an infrastructure package. I say modernizing our energy infrastructure and tackling the climate crisis go hand in hand.

Last year, the U.S. spent nearly $100 billion responding to extreme weather events and disasters fueled by climate change. Instead of rebuilding each time a disaster strikes, we need to be proactive to keep our communities safe from the realities of climate change. That means weatherizing millions of homes, retrofitting buildings, and shoring up our water infrastructure.

We also must curb emissions in the transportation sector, which is responsible for 29 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions. If we want to tackle climate change, the transportation sector must be part of the solution.

The measures included in President Biden's American Jobs Plan will modernize our transportation system to do just that. It will create millions of jobs in the auto industry building electric vehicles and expanding our network of electric vehicle charging stations.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable energy is also an environmental justice issue. Sadly, minority communities are disproportionately impacted by air pollution. For example, Latino Americans are exposed to 11 percent more fine particulate pollution compared to the average American.

Burning fossil fuels pollutes our air and destroys our planet. We cannot afford inaction any longer. We also cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to create millions of good-paying jobs that will propel our economy forward.

It is time for Congress to pass a bold infrastructure plan that protects our planet, air quality, and economy.

As we on the Central Coast know, investing in clean energy is a win- win-win.

Madam Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to recognize one outstanding Woman of the Year Award recipient, Courtney Haile of San Luis Obispo, California.

Courtney brings a bold and honest voice to community advocacy and her work on equity, justice, and belonging. As a student, Courtney explored media representation, race, and gender, and examined Black identity development in predominantly white communities. She dreams of a more equitable and inclusive world for people of color to live in, and she is measurably helping to create such a world on the Central Coast. In response to the death of Philando Castile and others, she co-founded R.A.C.E. Matters, a grassroots organization amplifying racial justice and centering Black voices through art and culture. As Executive Director, Courtney is a driving force for the organization's creative endeavors, cultural programs, and organization of local racial justice events. Courtney executes and stands by her vision with class, grace, and intelligence.

Courtney participates in a range of community activities and most enjoys collaborating with community partners to create bold, beautiful, and engaging experiences. In her mission to help people honor and better understand the needs and contributions of the Black members of our community, Courtney spearheads the visionary art series, BELONGING, and

produced two original documentary films, Restrictions Apply, about San Luis Obispo's history of housing discrimination and Kut To Be the Best: The Last Black Barbershop in San Luis Obispo, as a tribute to Black owned businesses and the importance of the cultural spaces created by them.

Courtney's work through R.A.C.E. Matters has opened the eyes of the community to the talents, contributions, and value of our Black citizens. Given that our county is but 2.2 percent Black, this is a tall order, but Courtney has been able to shine her light and lead the way toward this vision. San Luis Obispo County is better off because Courtney Haile lives here.

I am honored to recognize Courtney for her continued commitment to improving our community and the residents of San Luis Obispo County. I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th Congressional District, Courtney Haile, for her incredible service to her community.