Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish a happy 100th birthday to Mr. Howard Lee Davidson of Visalia, California, a veteran of World War II and a hero of our community.

Howard was born in Visalia, California on April 2, 1925. With the entry of the United States into World War II, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army as Private First-Class Howard Lee Davidson. Howard would soon brave the treacherous Atlantic Ocean aboard the RMS Queen Mary vessel to join the war in Europe. On June 12, 1944, six days after the Normandy landings on D-Day, Howard was assigned to the U.S. Third Army, commanded by legendary General George Patton. During this time, Howard served as an anti-aircraft gunner in which he was part of the offensive across France, Belgium, and all the way into Germany. While advancing through the Ardennes Forest centered around Belgium and Luxembourg, Howard found himself in the Battle of the Bulge. Often referred to as ``the greatest American battle of the war,'' Howard fought alongside British, French, and Canadian Allied forces to halt the final offensive of German reserves during a six-week winter onslaught. Without the bravery of Howard and others like him in the Third Army, the Allied offensive to liberate Europe would certainly have suffered deeply.

When he returned to the United States after serving in the war, Howard met his wife Stella Thrasher and the two were soon married. The couple had three children--Kenny, Danny, and Vicky, who is Howard's loving caretaker. Howard's grandson, also named Danny, followed his grandfather's dedication to patriotism and currently serves as Staff Sergeant at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. In our country's proud history, it is so often the legacy of service among families which keeps our Nation safe and our Armed Forces strong. I hope Howard looks back with pride on his years of service, not only for the great sacrifices and honor, but also the enduring legacy it fosters for our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation, I ask my colleagues here in Congress to join me in celebrating 100 years of Howard Lee Davidson's brave and patriotic life.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 74.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on Monday, March 24, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 73, and YEA on Roll Call No. 72.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 77, YEA on Roll Call No. 78, and YEA on Roll Call No. 83.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Lauren Paige Small, whose courage in the face of cancer will continue to inspire countless individuals.

Lauren Small was born on August 1, 1994, to her caring parents, Kevin and Tuesdy in

Bakersfield, California. She was an engaged student at both Olive Drive Elementary and Norris Middle School, with hobbies including music, horseback riding, tennis, swimming. wakeboarding, skiing, and eating her favorite food--mashed potatoes. Though many people fear riding or simply mounting a horse, Lauren fearlessly pranced and galloped on her cherished horse, Nickel Citation Nickie, winning Rookie of the Year, Champion Walk/Job, and placing in the top ten finalists at the 2005 Bakersfield Open Horse Show.

She won these awards and pursued these hobbies while she fought an intense battle with cancer, one to which she would unfortunately succumb on December 1, 2005. Though cancer had cruelly afflicted Lauren since 2003, she shocked her doctors, parents, and peers with her continued joy in life. Even as she endured the pains of chemotherapy and other health related challenges, she remained positive and continued to pursue her passion for horseback riding.

While Lauren is no longer with us, her drive and enthusiasm in her final years remain in the memories of all those who knew her. Lauren is survived by her parents, her brother, Kyle, great aunt, her grandparents, aunts, uncles, great uncles, and cousins, all of whom continue to deeply love and miss her.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me as we remember the undaunted life of Lauren Small and carry on her legacy of upholding strength.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my chief of staff, James Min. He will be departing Capitol Hill.

James and I met as congressional interns. Over the years, he has become a close friend, mentor, and trusted adviser. On the Hill since 1999, James has held the title ``chief of staff'' for over 20 years, serving as chief of staff to House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas; to Speaker Kevin McCarthy as the majority whip, majority leader, Republican leader, and Speaker; and became my chief of staff when I was elected last year.

James has not only dedicated his career to advising some of our top lawmakers but also devoted countless hours to mentoring the next generation of congressional staffers and public servants.

Mr. Speaker, I thank James for his constant support and loyalty. James helped develop and implement policies that made our country stronger. Words cannot describe the positive impact he has had on so many of us, and I am blessed to call him my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Florida (Mr. Haridopolos) for leading this Special Order today about the importance of America leading in aerospace and aviation.

My district in California encompasses a number of military, space, and aerospace facilities, including Naval Air Station Lemoore, Edwards Air Force Base, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, and the Mojave Air and Space Port.

We are known for our innovation and research and continuing to push the boundaries of space exploration and our rich legacy in this industry.

Dating back to almost a century ago, Chuck Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier in 1947 as a test pilot for what is now Edwards Air Force Base.

During World War II, the Mojave Air & Space Port was used as a training facility for the United States Marine Corps, and the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake was established for research, testing, and evaluation of military weapons.

In the 1950s, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center was the location where many of the technologies for Project Apollo were tested, including where the lunar landing research vehicle was flown in the 1960s in preparation for the historic American Moon landing.

With a deep, embedded history in the aerospace industry, my region continues to defy odds, make historic discoveries, and innovate for the future.

As we see our foreign adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran increasing their space technology efforts, it is critical that we stay ahead of the curve to ensure we stay at the cutting edge of technologies.

This is one of the reasons why I introduced the Making Advancement in Commercial Hypersonics Act, also known as the MACH Act. This legislation authorizes the establishment of the MACH program at NASA and allows NASA to support scientific experiments through high-speed flights.

In order to stay competitive in hypersonics technology, we must fully utilize public-private partnerships, like I have in my district, to advance this necessary technology. East Kern County is making great strides not only for our community but also for our Nation.

The MACH program builds on successes we have already seen in commercial spaceflight and lays the groundwork for urgent, necessary advancements to keep our competitive edge as a nation.

The MACH legislation was included in the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and passed the House last Congress. I look forward to this reintroduced legislation passing and getting signed into law this Congress so we can continue to innovate and grow in America.

In addition to national defense efforts, the aerospace industry continues to assist with our emergency responses in our Nation.

Earlier this year, we saw wildfires devastate my home State of California. Unfortunately, this is something that we know all too well in my community. Wildfires continue to ravage every part of California. Unfortunately, fire season is now all year long, and we must take advantage of the technologies available to try to fight these terrible tragedies.

The Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations Act, also known as the ACERO Act, which I introduced earlier this year, authorizes NASA to leverage the use of drones to fight wildfires. This project is especially helpful when there is low visibility, heavy smoke, or unsafe conditions for our firefighters to fly. This piece of legislation is lifesaving not only to help stop these wildfires, which have devastated communities, but also to assist our brave firefighters.

There are not enough thanks to give to our selfless firefighters and first responders in times of natural disaster. We should help them fight these fires by passing legislation to give them additional tools.

The aerospace industry does so much for our country, from assisting in national defense to helping in natural disasters to improving the way we travel. As we continue to innovate and grow, it is crucial to acknowledge the many advancements we continue to make.

Our work is just getting started in space as a Nation, and here in Congress we are committed to seeing strides of advancement to make our Nation dominant in new and advancing technology.

As we look to the future, I see my district continuing to make history in the aerospace industry with its innovation and exploration efforts.

Recently in my district, Boom Supersonic completed the first successful civil supersonic flight at Mojave Air and Space Port, making supersonic flight technology usable for all Americans.

In addition, in December, Stratolaunch made history with its first fully reusable hypersonic flight test of the Talon-A 2 vehicle off the coast of Vandenburg, which took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port, signifying a new era of hypersonic flight technology, where traveling at faster speeds may soon become a reality.

These important advancements for America show that my community will continue to be a national leader in the aerospace industry.

I again commemorate all of the great work being done in my community. The Nation thanks you. We have more advancements ahead being developed in California's aerospace valley. I look forward to a future of growth and innovation with California's 20th Congressional District in the forefront.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act.

Fentanyl is destroying lives across America, and my district is no exception. Traffickers have been cutting fentanyl with additional uncontrolled substances, such as xylazine-cut fentanyl, making overdoses even harder to reverse. We cannot allow drug traffickers to push deadlier mixtures that are poisoning our youth.

This bill is a critical part in combating the fentanyl crisis in America. It will ensure that these deadly substances are classified permanently so law enforcement has the ability to seize these lethal drugs.

Law enforcement is on the front lines, fighting this crisis every single day, as drugs flow across the southern border. It is our job in this Chamber to ensure that they have the tools they need to stay ahead of drug traffickers,

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to protect our communities by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 27.

Mr. Chair, I rise today as a cosponsor in support of the critically needed Fix Our Forests Act. As wildfires continue to threaten communities in southern California, including now a new fire near Castaic that borders my district, it is even more urgent that our Nation prioritizes preventing these catastrophic tragedies through proactive forest management.

In the past 5 years, my district has seen over 600,000 acres burned by wildfires. I have seen the devastation that it leaves behind. Our State has seen millions of acres burned and with preventive forest maintenance, these fires could have been extinguished much sooner and saved countless lives, homes, and businesses.

These out-of-control mega-fires need to be greatly mitigated before reaching the point of complete destruction. Expediting environmental reviews and prioritizing active management of our Nation's forested wildlands will be critical and essential to saving lives and communities.

Mr. Chair, I am grateful for the leadership from Chairman Westerman, who has traveled and visited the forests in my district. I am grateful to the Natural Resources Committee and the House by immediately enacting this bill into law.

Time is of the essence to prevent the next catastrophic wildfire.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of Pat Preston, a Bakersfield athletics and education leader who passed away on December 22, 2024, at the age of 76.

Coach Preston served our community as an athlete, coach, and educator throughout his life. After being awarded Bakersfield's All-City pick for Lineman of the Year in 1965, Coach Preston would go on to play linebacker for Stanford University from 1966 to 1970, where he served as co-captain. Following his graduation from Stanford University, Coach Preston returned to Bakersfield High School to be a defensive coach, then went on to serve as Head Coach at Hanford High School, where he served for four years. However, the Bakersfield community beckoned his return, inviting Coach Preston to be the Drillers Head Coach, and he accepted.

Some Drillers who were present for these golden seasons can still remember how his return to Bakersfield reawakened the team's camaraderie and belief in itself. Coach Preston is remembered for leading the Drillers through a 39-game winning streak, including three consecutive undefeated seasons in the Yosemite Division in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Under Coach Preston's leadership, the Drillers also garnered eight league and four section football championships. Keeping the team focused with both his humor and his intensity, Coach Preston cared equally for each person on his team--from the waterboy to the quarterback--and taught them how to be dynamic and energized in all that they did. In 1999, Coach Preston was hired as the Assistant Principal for Liberty High School where he continued to serve our community.

Coach Preston has been inducted into several local halls of fame--the Bob Elias Hall of Fame, Bakersfield High Alumni Association Hall of Fame, and the Drillers Football Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife Patti, and two sons Nathan and Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss of Pat Preston, a Kern County community leader and someone who has helped shape generations of young people in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Kelly Blanton, an educational visionary who dedicated his career to improving the education of his students and peers.

Born on January 12, 1937, near Savoy, Texas, Dr. Blanton moved west during the dust bowl and was raised in Kern County. Through the Great Depression and World War II, Dr. Blanton lived alongside his six siblings and parents at farm labor camps. While residing at Wasco Labor Camp, they supported the family by picking cotton. Discovering his early passion for education, Dr. Blanton would successfully pursue degrees from Bakersfield College, San Francisco State University, California State University, Fresno, and ultimately a Doctorate from the University of Southern California.

With humble beginnings, Dr. Blanton would commit to ensuring that education remained a transformative force in the lives of young people. Dr. Blanton's career in education began in

1959 as a teacher at Palm Avenue School in Wasco, California. He would achieve his first leadership role as Maple Elementary School District's Superintendent and later join the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office in 1971. As the 18th Superintendent of Schools for Kern County from 1986 to 1999, Dr. Blanton's leadership made our community's schools stronger, safer, and more modern.

During his life, Dr. Blanton introduced educational policies and programs that continue to benefit children and families in Kern County and across California. He was instrumental in creating alternative education programs which have achieved reduced dropout rates and continue to provide countless students with a second chance to succeed. Dr. Blanton also championed new programs to accommodate physically disabled students and provide internet connectivity to the many rural districts in Kern County. A leader who believed in giving his students and teachers every resource they would need to succeed, it is nearly impossible to find a school in Kern County that does not owe Dr. Blanton a great debt of gratitude. One of his most enduring contributions was the development of the Self-Insured Schools of California, which provides comprehensive insurance policies to schools across California and now the largest public school health pool in the United States. His foresight in establishing this initiative continues to provide affordable and comprehensive healthcare for thousands of educators and their families. He also helped revitalize the heart of the Kern community by both relocating the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office to downtown Bakersfield and also establishing Downtown Elementary School to serve the children of Bakersfield's downtown workers.

Dr. Blanton is preceded in death by his wife Yvonne, whom he was married to for sixty-four years and is survived by his daughter Shelley, son Timothy, and six grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me as I express our gratitude to Dr. Kelly Blanton for his lasting contributions to our community and state. His legacy will be upheld through the lives of the children he inspired, the educators he empowered, and the communities he enriched.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the pastoral life of Reverend Kevin Mouanoutoua of the Lao Evangelical Church of Fresno.

Reverend Kevin dedicated his life to serving the Central Valley of California, serving as Pastor of the Lao Evangelical Churches of Tulare, Porterville, and Fresno, where he taught about God's love and grace to many faithful congregations. He also spent decades as a social worker for the Fresno County Department of Social Services' Child Protective Services. Reverend Kevin has served as a strong leader to his congregations and someone who represents the compassion of Christ in both his words and actions.

On behalf of my constituents in the Central Valley of California, I would like to congratulate Reverend Kevin Mouanoutoua on his decades of devoted service to faith and to others. As he enters this exciting new chapter in his life, I thank him for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the outstanding interns who have dedicated their time and talents to serving the 20th District of California this fall. These bright and committed young people, working from both our Washington, D.C., and Clovis, California offices, have brought fresh perspectives, unwavering enthusiasm, and a shared passion for making a difference. At a time when many young people are questioning the role of public service, their dedication inspires confidence in the leaders of tomorrow.

As their fall internships come to a close, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Grace Lee Delgado, Elijah Lidgett, and Tristan Wertanzl for their contributions to our Washington, D.C., office and to Jake Dowell for his service in our Clovis, California office. Their hard work has been instrumental to our efforts, and I trust that the skills and educational experiences they have gained will guide them toward continued success in their future endeavors in public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert William ``Bill'' Tracy, a fourth-generation farmer from Buttonwillow, California. Bill passed away on November 7, 2024, at the age of 82. His loss is felt deeply not only by his family and friends but also by the agricultural community he served.

Born on October 16, 1942, Bill grew up on his family's ranch, attending the two-room Wildwood Grammar School and later Wasco High School, where he graduated in 1960. He pursued higher education at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo before dedicating his life to farming and public service.

In the 1960s, Bill was activated in the U.S. Army Reserves, serving his country and fostering a lifelong interest in American military history. His passion extended to the study of the U.S. Civil War and both World Wars, and he built an impressive collection of military artifacts. Bill's love of history complemented his deep respect for service and dedication, qualities he carried throughout his life.

Bill returned to the family ranch, where his tireless work ethic and advocacy for the agricultuial community soon earned him great respect. In recognition of this expertise and leadership in agriculture, he was appointed Undersecretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture in 1987. In this role, he championed the needs of California farmers, earning the admiration of colleagues who remember him as a kind and loyal leader who put passion into everything he did.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bill was a devoted husband to Susie, a loving father to their four children--Mark, Todd, Rob, and Stephanie--and a caring grandfather to eight grandchildren. His family will fondly remember his playful, friendly nature, and his unyielding dedication to his work.

Bill and Susie shared a love of travel, visiting all seven continents and creating special traditions, such as taking each grandchild on an ocean cruise for their 10th birthday. At home, Bill was a fixture in Buttonwillow, known for his cowboy hat and boots, his daily breakfasts at Willow Ranch, and his quiet pride in watching Susie line dance during their frequent dinners out.

Bill's passing leaves a void in the Buttonwillow community. Tributes from friends and colleagues reflect his commitment to agriculture, his enduring friendships, and the warm and inspiring impression he left on those who knew him.

Mr Speaker, today, we celebrate the life of Robert William ``Bill'' Tracy, a man whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of Californians. Amanda and I offer our deepest sympathies to the Tracy family, who proudly carry on Bill's legacy. I know the Central Valley will continue to honor his lasting contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of my friend and a community hero, John Enriquez. John's life and decades of service stand as a proud example of the immense influence an individual can have on an entire community.

Born the eldest of seven, John grew up in Bakersfield and attended East Bakersfield High School, where he found joy playing baseball for the Blades. Though one could easily tell from the cap he so often wore, John loved baseball and was a lifelong Tampa Bay Devil Rays fan. For years growing up, John worked at two family businesses--his grandmother's Mexican restaurant, Jiminez Cafe, and Enriquez Construction. Eventually John found his primary occupation with the City of Santa Clarita as a public works supervisor. For 21 years, he would commute over 100 miles each day for this job, but he would never leave Bakersfield.

In the early 2000s, John conceived ambitious plans to preserve the charm of Bakersfield, then striving to maintain its natural and manmade beauty. In 2001, John was a founding member of Keep Bakersfield Beautiful (KBB), a local affiliate of the Keep America Beautiful program.. During his leadership of KBB, he was known for his strong steady leadership, always conducting himself with kindness and respect toward others.

John will certainly be remembered for finding common ground between differing opinions in a friendly manner. In the days surrounding his death, John's colleagues remembered how he patiently developed collaboration between Keep Bakersfield Beautiful, Caltrans, and the City of Bakersfield to clean Bakersfield's highways in 2010. Initially a tense standoff over a lack of funding, John's gracious persistence led the group to a solution, which saw homeless workers from local shelters carry out the beautification work. It was this patient faith in the goodness of others that inspired his colleagues and community to unite to the common cause of preserving the beauty of their home.

A humble man, John's servant leadership was hard to miss, and recognized by his peers through several awards. In 2004, John received the President's Call to Service Award and the Keep America Beautiful Iron Eyes Cody Award for his success in raising community awareness and community involvement for KBB's beautification projects.

In October 2024, John received the key to the City of Bakersfield from Mayor Goh for his enduring legacy of service to our community. Given his service, many important buildings and vicinities like the Fox Theater or the Mechanics Bank Arena owe their restorations and current charm to John's leadership. It is difficult to imagine what Bakersfield's community service efforts would look like in the future without John Enriquez.

John is survived by his wife, Carola, and daughter, Lauren Enriquez, who both spoke of the unconditional love and support he always gave them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in offering our heartfelt condolences to John's family and the community that loved him. Whether friend or family, John was a true gift to our community.