Julia Brownley

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota, our ranking member, and the gentleman from Tennessee, our chairman, for their support of this bill and for their tireless advocacy on behalf of our Nation's veterans. I rise today in support of H.R. 95, the Veterans' Access to Child Care Act, which will break down a barrier to care many veterans with children face. This is especially problematic for women veterans, who are often the primary caretakers of young children and a rapidly growing segment of the veteran population. According to a 2015 VA study, 42 percent of women who use the VA said it is difficult to find childcare that would allow them to attend medical appointments, and for those who can, that care is often unaffordable. The average cost of childcare in my home State of California, for instance, is more than $13,000 a year. As the post-9/11 generation continue to start their families, more and more veterans will face the unacceptable choice between caring for their children and getting the healthcare they need. Without affordable childcare options, veterans can miss their appointments, including critical mental health appointments, that impact their long-term well-being. It is just common sense: better access to childcare will lead to better access to care, which will ultimately result in better outcomes for our Nation's veterans. The VA currently runs a successful childcare pilot program at several locations around the country that benefits female and male veterans of all eras. My legislation will make that program permanent and expand it nationwide, ensuring that no veteran will have to miss a VA health appointment because of a lack of access of childcare. I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Brian Higgins, for his steadfast support of this bill and all of my colleagues on the VA Committee who have backed this proposal every step of the way. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation and help ensure that veterans do not have to choose between caring for their children and getting the healthcare they need and deserve.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill to hold bad actors accountable and make the VA a stronger system for our Nation's veterans. Since the unacceptable wait time scandal came to light in 2014, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee has worked diligently to fix the long-term problems at the VA and to ensure we are serving our veterans as well as they have served us. From top to bottom, the number one priority for almost every VA employee is serving our veterans. But when an employee does not live up to this mission, engages in misconduct, or puts veterans at risk, we must ensure that the VA is able to hold them accountable. It is critically important that we acknowledge that the vast majority of the 350,000 VA employees, a third of whom are veterans themselves, are hardworking individuals who have dedicated themselves to serving our country and our Nation's veterans. By being able to hold accountable the few bad actors in the VA, we not only serve our veterans, but we make the job of the rest of the workforce easier to perform. Because we need a world-class, 21st century VA, this bill also provides the Secretary with direct hiring authority for senior management so that we can bring on the talent we need to properly serve our veterans. This is an important example of what we can get done when we work in a bipartisan manner. I want to thank Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz, both the chairman and ranking member of the Senate for working with our VSOs and the VA to find a compromise on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I support this compromise. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' This is a very good bill.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo on the occasion of their 50th anniversary as a remarkable afterschool institution servicing the youth and families of the City of Camarillo. Since 1967, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has had a profound impact on the community with an exemplary goal of educating our youth to become socially responsible citizens. The Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has become an extraordinary asset to our community as a whole. Holding true to its mission, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo cares for each and every student that comes through their doors regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. They develop each student's full potential to become productive, responsible, and caring individuals. For over five decades, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has accomplished this goal through dedicated staff and volunteers to whom we owe an insurmountable debt of gratitude. Since its founding, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has aimed to keep our young kids off the streets through supervised, quality afterschool programs and services. Today, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo serves approximately 400 kids every day and over 4,000 kids each year. These kids have the opportunity to participate in sports programs in its gymnasium, arts programs in its performance theatre, and academic programs in and outside its technology lab, giving kids a truly holistic development experience that will empower them and instill confidence. Furthermore, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has a youth employment program that connects its teens with job opportunities in the community. In doing so, they act as a collaborative relationship builder, mentoring teens and facilitating a connection with potential employers where they can utilize the skills and knowledge they have obtained through the organization. Every child deserves a great future, and the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has succeeded in creating a positive, fun, and safe environment for our community's youth to reach their fullest potential. For these reasons, it is my sincere pleasure to honor the Boys and Girls Club for its exceptional 50 years of service to our community's youth and developing our future leaders.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to offer my sympathy and condolences to Leah Lacayo and the entire Lacayo family on the passing of my friend and ally, Henry L. ``Hank'' Lacayo. Hank dedicated his life to bettering our community and country. Born in 1931 in Los Angeles, Hank grew up in the depths of the Great Depression, fighting through a time of great economic uncertainty and racial injustice. When World War II broke out, Hank was absolutely determined to serve his country. He tried to join the military at the age of 16, but was turned away. He finally was able to join the U.S. Army Air Corps after his high school graduation. Following his military service, Hank began his career in 1953 at North American Aviation and became involved with United Auto Workers of America (UAW) Local 887. Nine years later, he was elected President of the UAW Local, a position in which he represented the interests of over 30,000 workers and their families. Through his steadfast leadership, Hank was appointed National Director of the Political and Legislative Department of the UAW. While working in this capacity, Hank served as an advisor under Democratic Presidential Administrations from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton. In 1986, Hank retired from the UAW and subsequently formed H. L. & Associates, a consulting firm that enabled him to continue to be involved in labor relations issues, as well as other government, seniors, and international issues. After his retirement, Hank continued to give back to his community by serving as President of the Congress of California Seniors, where he dedicated his time to advocating for a better quality of life for others. Hank also worked hard in the community to help prepare the next generation of leaders, public servants, and community activists. Founded in 2010 at California State University Channel Islands, the Henry L. ``Hank'' Lacayo Institute for Workforce & Community Studies facilitates student internships, scholarly research, and the dissemination of policy information and recommendations. In the program, students learn the essential skill sets to change lives and positively impact communities. Hank spent his lifetime working for Ventura County and for our nation. His hard work and dedication--which has ranged from serving in the Army Air Corp, to actively fighting for working families and California's seniors, and passing down his knowledge and experience to students who will continue his influential work--has helped to create a better America. Last year, the United Way of Ventura County recognized Hank for his lifetime achievements. However, it is tremendously difficult to encapsulate everything that Hank did for his community and his country in only a few words. Hank was so much greater and bigger than the words that have often been used to describe him. He will be remembered for his wise counsel, sincere kindness, and unwavering commitment to service to others. Hank will truly be missed, but his legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of the many individuals that he touched, including my own, throughout his extraordinary and remarkable life.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota, our ranking member, for yielding me time and for his tireless advocacy on behalf of our Nation's veterans. As the ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, it has been my privilege to work with the ranking member and my fellow committee members to establish and conduct rigorous oversight of the Choice Program. We enacted the Choice Act in a time of crisis. Those of us who served on the committee during that time remember all too well the horrific stories that came to light that moved Congress to enact this law. Congress passed the Choice Act to ensure that all veterans receive timely access to quality care. It is clear, however, that, in the rush to set up the Choice Program, many veterans were still forced to wait too long and bureaucratic headaches continue to delay needed care. We need to get Choice 2.0 right and balance the obvious need for care in the community while protecting the top quality care that the VA provides. We must also make sure that Choice 2.0 protects the civil rights of veterans as well as VA employees, contractors, and community providers caring for our veterans. Today's bill will allow the VA to continue spending the remaining funds in the Veterans Choice Program fund. It will also allow the VA to reimburse community providers faster and improve the sharing of medical records. It gives us time to continue our bipartisan work to fix the Choice Program. Each Member of this body, on both sides of the aisle, agrees that our veterans have earned the very best care available. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation so that veterans can receive care now while Congress uses this opportunity to get this right.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Washington. Mr. Speaker, after 7 years of demanding repeal and replace, the very best that the GOP could do was to put forward a bill to eliminate health care for 24 million Americans. Under TrumpCare, over 44,000 residents in my district will lose health care completely. I want to talk about a different population that we don't address as often. Many of these residents are veterans and their families. Paralyzed Veterans of America today reminded me that today many vets rely on Medicaid for their health care. TrumpCare undermines the safety net for our veterans and their dependents and their caregivers. According to PVA, the total number of veterans without insurance dropped very sharply in recent years, yet TrumpCare cuts more than $800 billion from the Medicaid program, which many veterans and our military families turn to for care. Worse, in their rush to rip health insurance away from tens of millions of Americans, the manager's amendment to TrumpCare could deny tax credits to millions of military veterans. Mr. Speaker, veterans are among those that TrumpCare would hurt. There are thousands of veterans in my district and thousands of veterans in every district across our great country. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle should think long and hard before they take this critical, lifesaving care away from those who need it most: our veterans who have served our country so bravely and so patriotically and whom we have made a solemn promise to.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 1367. I thank my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, for introducing this bill to make important reforms to the VA's hiring and retention systems. My amendment makes a small, but important, change to clarify a provision in the bill. As long as I have served on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, we have seen and heard that retaining high-quality candidates has been a real challenge. I can speak from experience on this. In the greater Los Angeles region, which serves my constituents, there has been significant turnover of senior leadership at all of our local facilities, including our community clinic in Oxnard. These changes and uncertainty have, in my view, been harmful to the quality of care that our veterans receive. That is why I am so pleased the bill directs the Comptroller General to review succession planning at VA medical facilities. Effective succession planning, understanding what positions are mission critical, ensuring better training, and closing the skills gap will help the VA become a healthier organization, and help ensure that the VA accomplishes its mission--serving our Nation's veterans. My amendment clarifies that a medical facility includes all VHA facilities, including medical centers, outpatient clinics, community- based outpatient clinics, and vet centers. We must ensure each local facility has a strong workforce and a succession plan for the future. Because without strong leadership, we cannot provide the high-quality care that veterans have earned and deserve. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the Chair for accepting my amendment, and I look forward to our continued bipartisan work together to provide high-quality care for our veterans. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, last Saturday, a U.S. Army interpreter, who risked his life serving our country for over a decade in Mosul and Baghdad, was stopped at the airport and detained for 18 hours. His name was Hameed Khalid Darweesh. Why was he detained? Because he came from a country that was singled out by President Trump because of the religion of its people. He did so not to increase safety, but to instill fear. When people are afraid, they tend to let their President and their elected leaders do anything they think will protect them, and they ignore just about everything else. When the American people are afraid, they might ignore a President's promise that he would ``drain the swamp.'' When they are afraid, they might forget that a President has treated Vladimir Putin better than he has treated the heads of state of our allies and trading partners. They might ignore his attacks on women, on minorities, on our environment, on our health care, on our civil rights, on our public education system; and they might even ignore investigations into his vast conflicts of interest. They might be willing to overlook the very principles of our Constitution that, indeed, make us safe. One of these principles is freedom of religion, because our Founding Fathers knew that despots all over the world have used fear of another group's religion to do terrible, terrible things throughout the history of man. So when the President singles out who can come into this country and who cannot based on one's religion, he is insulting and turning his back on our Constitution--a Constitution that keeps us safe, a Constitution that, by its own example, helps to keep the world safe. Let's be clear. When Mr. Trump bars a man like Hameed, an interpreter who helped protect our troops from coming into our country, because of his religion, he is not protecting us; he is endangering us and he is endangering the world. We cannot let it stand. We must resist.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask this House to bring up the Lofgren bill, H.R. 724, which would rescind President Trump's refugee ban on Yazidi women from Iraq like Nada, who was not allowed to board a flight and remains separated from her husband, a former interpreter for the U.S. Army.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to share the story of Judith and her daughter KC. Like all mothers, Judith only wants the best for her children--to live a full and purposeful life, the ability to pursue their dreams and reach their utmost potential. However, at a very young age of 11, KC was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This health condition causes KC to have uncontrollable mood swings, to perceive reality differently, to see and hear things that aren't there, and to sometimes even become disconnected with reality altogether. It has taken an enormous emotional and physical toll on KC and her family. As a mom of two kids, I cannot imagine the difficulties that Judith has faced. Some nights, Judith had to hold her daughter tightly all night long to help her through her psychosis and her panic, not to mention the emergency hospitalizations. Living with this condition has been a lifelong struggle for KC and for her family. It requires a combination of daily medications, weekly psychiatric treatments, hospital visits, and constant support and medical care. And that is only half the story. Without this intensive treatment, KC would simply be unable to function. With it, she has the tools she needs to live a healthy and productive life. When KC was younger, she was covered by a family healthcare policy, but even then, Judith needed to pinch pennies and barely scrape by due to the high cost of insurance co-pays and deductibles, costing her $13- to $15,000 per month. To try to keep up with her never ending medical bills, Judith used all of her retirement savings. When KC reached adulthood, she was bumped off the family insurance plan. Fortunately, KC qualified for healthcare coverage through the ACA Medicaid expansion. Without it, she and her family would have had no viable alternative. The ACA provided KC with access to reliable, consistent medical care that has been vital to her well-being and has allowed her to thrive. I am very happy to share that KC finished her bachelor's degree in May and is now pursuing her master's in counseling psychology. With her own struggles as her inspiration, she decided to make psychology her life's work, and Judith says that KC is now the person whom everybody goes to anytime one has a problem or needs comfort. Without the healthcare coverage that KC obtained from the Affordable Care Act, she would never have been able to obtain private health insurance due to her preexisting conditions and rigorous health needs. With the Affordable Care Act, Judith was able to see her daughter realize her dreams. I know all of you who are parents want the same for your children; so, when I hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about eliminating KC's healthcare coverage, I get a pit at the bottom of my stomach. This is not about politics; this is about people's lives. This is about KC's life and Judith's life and the lives of 20 million Americans who have gained healthcare coverage because of the Affordable Care Act. Today, I rise to speak up for KC and for Judith and for the millions of other Americans whose lives would be put in jeopardy if we repeal the ACA without our having an adequate replacement. I urge my Republican colleagues to reconsider this reckless repeal that would throw our entire healthcare system into chaos and take lifesaving care away from those who need it the most.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of my friend and ally Henry L. ``Hank'' Lacayo, a lifelong leader and advocate, who is being honored for his selfless dedication and invaluable leadership to bettering our community and country. Born in 1931 in Los Angeles, Mr. Lacayo grew up in the depths of the Great Depression and the Second World War, fighting through a time of economic uncertainty and racial injustice. Determined to serve his country, Mr. Lacayo first attempted to join the military at the age of 16. Although he was originally turned away, he quickly joined upon graduating high school and served in the United States Army Air Corps. Following his military service, Mr. Lacayo began his career in 1953 at North American Aviation and became involved with United Auto Workers of America Local 887. Nine years later, he was elected President of the UAW Local, a position in which he represented the interests of over 30,000 workers and their families. Through his steadfast leadership, Mr. Lacayo was appointed National Director of the Political and Legislative Department of the UAW. While working in this capacity, Mr. Lacayo served as an advisor under Democratic Presidential Administrations from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton. In 1986, Mr. Lacayo retired from the UAW and subsequently formed H. L. & Associates, a consulting firm that enabled him to continue to be involved in labor relations issues, as well as other government, seniors, and international issues. Today, Mr. Lacayo continues to give back to his community by serving as President of the Congress of California Seniors, where he continues to dedicate his time to advocating for a better quality of life for others. Additionally, Mr. Lacayo is actively preparing the next generation of leaders, public servants, and community activists. Founded in 2010 at California State University Channel Islands, the Henry L. ``Hank'' Lacayo Institute for Workforce & Community Studies facilitates student internships, scholarly research, and the dissemination of policy information and recommendations. In the program, students learn the essential skill sets to change lives and positively impact communities. Mr. Lacayo has spent his lifetime working for Ventura County and our nation. His hard work and dedication--which has ranged from serving in the Army Air Corps, to actively fighting for working families and California's seniors, and now passing down his knowledge and experience to students who will continue his influential work--has helped to create a better America. For these reasons, it is with genuine appreciation that I am pleased to join United Way of Ventura County in recognizing Henry ``Hank'' Lacayo for his lifetime achievements.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Thousand Oaks Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Organized in 1966, AAUW Thousand Oaks was specifically designed to encourage and support educational opportunities for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. A leading voice for promoting equity and education for women and girls in our community, AAUW Thousand Oaks and its members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental educational, social, economic, and political issues that directly pertain to women and girls. As part of a national movement, AAUW Thousand Oaks is part of a nationwide network of more than 170,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 800 college and university institutional partners and has awarded millions of dollars in fellowships and grants to support women in their professional and academic careers. Additionally, AAUW Thousand Oaks boasts being one of the fastest growing divisions of the national organization. Locally, in an effort to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, AAUW Thousand Oaks bi-annually hosts the Brighter Horizons Math, Science and Technology Conference for students in fifth through ninth grades. Led by women in technology- related vocations, the conference is infused with technology information workshops that relate to currently important technological career options in an effort to promote young women going into the field of science. Every summer, AAUW Thousand Oaks' Tech Trek Committee works towards sending ten female students that have matriculated from the seventh grade in the Thousand Oaks area to a one-week STEM education camp at the University of California, Santa Barbara. AAUW Thousand Oaks also demonstrates its dedication to youth in our community through their Youth Cultural Summer Camp, Children's Theater, and local scholarships programs that help high school and community college students afford educational programs. In recognition of its progressive efforts towards women in our community, AAUW Thousand Oaks has also been recognized for its ``Outstanding Mission Based Programs'' at the state level of the organization by AAUW of California. On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, I would like to congratulate the American Association of University Women of Thousand Oaks for its outstanding leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing equity for women and girls in the Conejo Valley.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of my friend and former colleague California State Senator Fran Pavley, a dedicated and driven member of the California State Legislature, who is being honored for her outstanding leadership, steadfast advocacy, and invaluable dedication to public service. For over three decades, Senator Pavley has been a widely accomplished legislator. Throughout her career, she has authored groundbreaking and historic legislation to protect and realize a better future for the State of California. Senator Pavley has been one of the state's greatest environmental champions. Senator Pavley has played an instrumental role in landmark policies and initiatives to protect California's environment and its natural resources. She is the author of Assembly Bill 1493, which became the framework for vehicle emissions standards on the national level. She also wrote Assembly Bill 32, the nation's first cap on greenhouse gas pollution. These bills have served as a catalyst for innovation and job growth in clean and renewable energy as well as alternative fuels. Senator Pavley's work had a monumental impact on national emissions policies when President Obama implemented national clean car standards, modeled on Assembly Bill 1493, also known as the ``Pavley Law.'' Senator Pavley continued her dedicated campaign of environmental protection when she paved the way to end unregulated hydraulic fracturing and other oil-extraction practices in California. In 2013, she coauthored successful legislation to invest $2 billion in effective air-quality and clean vehicle and fuel technology programs. In a time of historic drought for California, Senator Pavley and her expansive knowledge and background has been an important figure in addressing this complex issue and its vast impact on the state. In 2014, Senator Pavley authored innovative and pioneering legislation for the state's management of groundwater. This bill helped to negotiate a bipartisan water bond that was approved by voters, which authorized $7.12 billion in general obligation bonds for state water supply infrastructure projects. Additionally, Senator Pavley has been an unwavering advocate for her constituents. Her career has been marked with legislative victories on an array of issues including stronger consumer protections, tougher child safety laws, and tighter reforms for campaign contributions. Senator Pavley has spent a lifetime working for her constituents Los Angeles and Ventura counties. For these reasons, it is with heartfelt appreciation that I am pleased to join the Ventura County Women's Political Council in recognizing Senator Fran Pavley.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Kathy Long upon her retirement from outstanding and invaluable public service to the residents of the Third District on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. For well over two decades, her steadfast leadership and immeasurable contributions to our community have been held in the highest regard throughout the region. Supervisor Long's commitment to the success of Ventura County is truly commendable. She has been relentless in her efforts to promote Ventura County's economic growth and vitality, protect and strengthen Naval Base Ventura County, prioritize public safety and support the social safety net, conserve our natural resources, preserve our agricultural sector, as well as address the needs of Ventura County's veterans. Moreover, she has ensured a better future for Ventura County and its residents through her remarkable advocacy and tenacity. Supervisor Long's service to Ventura County extends well beyond her role on the Board of Supervisors. She has continually sought and worked to be an agent of change in her community through other undertakings including active participation on the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County, as Co-Chair of the Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century, as Chair of the County of Ventura Medical Oversight Committee, as Commissioner of the First 5 Commission, and through her establishment of the Ventura County Women's Economic Roundtable. In addition, Supervisor Long has served as the Ventura County Board of Supervisor's representative to the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and served on the Executive Board as Chair of the Urban Counties Caucus. She has also served as Co-Chair of the Women's Leadership Forum, Poverty Working Group, and Coastal Counties Regional Association. In recognition of her tremendous and impactful work, Supervisor Long was recognized as ``Woman of the Year'' in 2015 by the California State Legislature, ``Legislator of the Year'' in 2013 by the Chamber of Commerce Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, awarded the ``Housing Hero Award'' in 2011 by the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, received the American Red Cross Clara Barton ``Public Servant of the Year'' award in 2005, and was acknowledged as the ``Public Servant of the Year'' for 2002-2003 by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. I humbly applaud Supervisor Kathy Long for her demonstrative dedication and tireless efforts to our community, and Ventura County as a whole. It has been my great honor to work with Supervisor Long throughout the years. I have been fortunate to call her a colleague, an ally, and a friend. Supervisor Long has established a wonderful legacy of hard work and good governance in the public sector, and she has shown that she has a huge heart for Ventura County. As she retires from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and enters a whole new chapter in her life, I am confident that this is not the end of her endeavors as an advocate on behalf of our community.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate Rotary International District 5240, which has dutifully carried out the mission of Rotary International to ``Serve Above Self.'' By providing services to countless others and advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders, Rotary International District 5240 strives to improve lives both locally and internationally. First established in 1918 with the founding club in Santa Barbara, District 5240 has grown along California's central coast, throughout the counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. District 5240 also bears the distinction as one of the oldest Rotary clubs nationally, founded only thirteen years after the original club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was established. With a membership of 3,500 members, from 74 clubs in four different counties, Rotary International District 5240 meets regularly to not only develop its own communities but communities around the world. As a member of one of the world's largest service organization, Rotary International District 5240 has established itself with remarkable charitable work ranging from leading polio eradication efforts since 1985 to a focus on promoting global peace, fighting disease, providing international aid for access to clean water and life-saving care to mothers and children, as well as supporting educational programs, and growing local economies. Most recently, Rotary International District 5240 has led relief efforts for Hurricane Matthew victims on behalf of our community. Locally, the organization has been a critical partner in economic and community development, and has donated over $250,000 to fund microfinance loans that have helped start or grow local businesses over the past four years. For these reasons, it is with great enthusiasm that I recognize Rotary International District 5240, which is celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Rotary Foundation, for the immeasurable ways the organization has contributed to our community as a whole.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Commander Monica McGrath, an outstanding and dedicated member of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, who is being honored as the recipient of Interface Children & Family Services' inaugural ``Domestic Violence Champion for Change'' Award. A staunch advocate, spokesperson, and community role model in the fight against domestic violence, Commander McGrath has played an instrumental role in establishing local law enforcement's unique and specialized response to domestic violence throughout the region. Commander McGrath has been a longtime pioneer for women as a member of Ventura County Sheriff's Office providing passionate advocacy to survivors of abuse and trauma since she joined the organization in 1987. Commander McGrath has served our community with the highest level of commitment to public safety. Her extraordinary efforts have positively impacted and transformed the lives of many individuals and families. In February 2015, Commander McGrath was selected as the new Chief of Police for the City of Camarillo. She has worked the majority of her career in Camarillo and is involved in several community-based organizations, including Interface Children & Family Services. Alongside Interface, she has been a true partner in supporting the comprehensive strategies to address, prevent, and ultimately end the cycle of domestic violence within families throughout Ventura County. Moreover, Commander McGrath has been an invaluable member of the Interface Leadership Advisory Council, which shows her compassionate and caring dedication to victims of domestic violence. She also actively participates on the newly developed Domestic Violence Task Force for Ventura County. Her extensive knowledge, background, and leadership on the issue of domestic violence greatly contribute to her ability to effectively raise awareness and create the necessary change to end this epidemic. For these reasons, I am pleased to join Interface Children & Family Services in recognizing Commander Monica McGrath for her countless contributions in combating domestic violence in Ventura County.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as the very proud representative of Naval Base Ventura County, the West Coast home of the Navy Seabees, I rise today in support of H.R. 6138, which would designate the United States Postal Office in Port Hueneme, California, as the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion ``Seabees'' Fallen Heroes Post Office Building. My bill is intended to honor the many brave men and women of the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, also known as the Seabees, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. In their more than 70-year history, the Seabees have diligently and honorably served our great Nation in times of war and peace with their renowned can-do spirit. They say: ``The difficult we do immediately. The impossible takes a little longer.'' First established in 1942 after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Seabees were created to meet the demand for capable builders who could also fight. Their motto is ``We build, we fight.'' During World War II, over 250,000 Seabees passed through the Naval Construction Battalion Center at Port Hueneme on their way to or from the Pacific theater. The Seabees also played vital roles in the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the Persian Gulf war, the Iraq war, and in Afghanistan, moving the immovable and taming the untamable to build bases, roadways, airstrips, and other critical infrastructure necessary for our troops to succeed in their missions. Although primarily known as builders, many Seabees fought tenaciously throughout these conflicts, side by side with other servicemembers. For instance, Construction Mechanic Third Class Marvin Glenn Shields, who trained at Port Hueneme, battled bravely alongside U.S. Special Forces in the Battle of Dong Xoai in Vietnam despite being badly wounded. Ignoring his wounds, Marvin helped return a wounded special forces second lieutenant back to safety while destroying a Viet Cong machine gun emplacement. His bravery and heroism cost him his life. For his conspicuous gallantry, Marvin was awarded the Medal of Honor after his death. My bill would honor the contributions of all of our fallen Seabees to our Nation. I am both honored and proud to lead this effort to recognize the heroism of many brave Seabees like Marvin Shields who have paid so dearly for our freedom. We are forever indebted to them for their immense service to our Nation. Finally, I would like to thank the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for supporting my bill, as well as my colleagues from California who are all cosponsors of the bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6138.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of S. 3283, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Pueblo, Colorado, as the PFC James Dunn VA Clinic. Marine Reservist PFC James Dunn, Jr., was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism in Guadalcanal in 1943. His award is the second highest award for valor that the Navy has. I am often told this about heroes: ordinary men do extraordinary things. Later in life, Jim Dunn was asked why he joined the Marines, and he simply responded: ``Uncle Sam needed me.'' Let me highlight from his citation for the Navy Cross: When the combat patrol with which he was serving came under heavy machine-gun shelling, Private First Class Dunn, along with 11 marines and their command officer, became separated from the remainder of the patrol and were pinned down by hostile fire. After the commanding officer and the second in command had been severely wounded, Private First Class Dunn, on his own initiative and with complete disregard for personal safety, promptly assumed command and led the men to jungle cover in the face of fierce mortar and machine-gun fire. Again trapped by Japanese, he reconnoitered and finally succeeded in leading his group, including the wounded, to their own lines. As you can see by this citation, PFC James Dunn put the safety of his colleagues above his own. For his courage in the face of grave danger, he was decorated with the Navy Cross. Following the war, James Dunn returned home to Pueblo, Colorado, where he lived with his family before passing away in 2000. Mr. Speaker, I salute this brave marine and support the passage of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I simply just want to say that I urge my colleagues to support passage of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1076, the bipartisan no fly, no buy legislation, to honor the memory of Officer Michael Krol, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of action on the House floor.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Roosevelt Burns, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor. God bless Mr. Burns.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Landon Dooley, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of action on this House floor. Enough is enough. Put this commonsense legislation forward today.

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Joanne Woods, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of action on this House floor.