Ami Bera

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer congratulations to the Sacramento Center for International Trade Development and the Los Rios Community College District for being awarded the ``E-Star'' award from the United States Department of Commerce, which recognizes excellence in export assistance. The Sacramento Center for International Trade Development is a prominent part of the drive to increase exports from the Sacramento region. The program, which is administered through the Los Rios Community College District, is a longstanding force for global competitiveness in our area. For more than two decades, the Center has provided export services and programs that serve to enhance the effectiveness and profitability of Northern California businesses. The Center's relationship with the Department of Commerce provides Sacramento area businesses with a unique edge, helping to contribute to the growing economy in our region. The Center provides critical support to our local businesses, and deserves this important recognition. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the Sacramento Center for International Trade Development and the Los Rios Community College District for their work to support Northern California. Please join me in congratulating them on this significant achievement.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an exceptional small business in my community: Rayner Equipment Systems. They have just been awarded the highest honor the United States Government can give to an American exporter. I had the pleasure of meeting Rich and Gordon Rayner and visiting the facility with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Sacramento business leaders earlier this year. Their hard work and competitiveness really highlight the innovation in America: the small businesses. It is why we have to open a fair playing field across this world. When we have that fair playing field, American companies win. I want to highlight Rich and Gordon Rayner and their innovation, their hard work, their tenacity, and their service to our country and our community.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleagues. I would also like to thank my colleague and fellow physician, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe), for partnering with me on the Dispose Responsibly of your Pills Act, the DROP Act. As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the devastation that misused prescription drugs can have on families. Deb Simpson, from Sacramento County, shared her family's story with me. Her son became addicted to prescription medications he found in the family's medicine cabinet. By the time Deb realized what was happening, he was already addicted. Thankfully, through help and rehabilitation facilities, her son recovered, but far too many families suffer the tragic loss of a child or a loved one. We can easily prevent this. Let's make it easier to dispose of medications by supporting this simple amendment.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained for one rollcall vote Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 182.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this measure. Let me thank Chairman Royce for his leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee and, also, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin) for bringing this bill forward. Violence in recent months has shown us that the threat of violent extremism isn't isolated to particular countries or regions. More and more we see the danger posed by terrorists and foreign fighters when they can cross borders unimpeded. So the United States, along with our allies and partners, need to do whatever we can to stop those dangerous individuals as they cross from country to country. This bill would help us move in that direction. Here at home, this legislation would ramp up coordination among government agencies dealing with this problem. I would call on the administration for a specific plan laying out how we are going to meet this challenge. Around the world, it would help governments by speeding the transfer of software and technology we can use to track people entering a country, to collect biometric data, and to figure out what sort of risks they might present. It would prioritize the sharing of specific border security systems with foreign partners. It would put a particular focus on countries where this danger is particularly acute. It would establish minimum standards for international border security and makes it clear that governments that don't take this problem seriously are putting their American foreign assistance at risk. This legislation provides commonsense steps to ensure our own security and that of our allies and partners. I again thank Mr. Zeldin for all his hard work. I am pleased to support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is simple. It would require the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan government watchdog, to complete a report on the impact this legislation would have on public health. I look at this from the perspective of a doctor and public health expert, and one of my guiding principles as a doctor is to make sure we protect the public health. Coal refuse plants not only increase the amount of pollution in our air, they also use a power source which is less efficient than normal coal and contains higher levels of mercury. Exposure to sulfur dioxide and other pollutants such as mercury have been known to increase risks of cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses, including aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and heart attacks. My amendment would require the GAO to investigate whether this legislation would increase emissions of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants. I strongly believe the EPA plays an important role in protecting the health of our families and our environment from dangerous pollutants. While we should be mindful about the impact of regulations on our economy, we have a responsibility to address urgent threats to the planet, such as climate change, and we have a responsibility to make sure legislation that is being passed protects our public health. This legislation before us today would hamper the EPA's ability to limit dangerous pollution and protect public health, and it will also slow down our transition to clean energy. That is why I introduced my amendment today, to ensure that we know the true impact this bill would have on public health and on our environment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. It is a no-nonsense amendment that will allow us to know the impact on public health. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant Colonel Paul T. O'Dowd, Jr. Colonel O'Dowd was a father, husband, teacher, and American hero whose life was dedicated to service. After graduating high school in San Francisco, he joined the Marine Corps, fighting for his country in the Pacific Theater of World War II as a tail gunner on B-52 aircraft. Upon his return, he attended the University of San Francisco and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. In 1949, Paul volunteered for active duty and was stationed in Washington. When fighting in Korea broke out, he was assigned as forward observer in the 2nd Infantry Division. In 1951, Paul was captured by North Korean forces. Declared killed in action, he was held and tortured for 938 days. After nearly three years, he was released. For his meritorious conduct in captivity, Paul was awarded the Bronze Star. His service in the Army did not end after his ordeal. Paul continued to work for his country throughout the Cold War. He was stationed in Germany for three years and advised the Republic of China and the Chinese National Army, earning the recognitions of ``Good Man of Good Deeds'' and the Medal of Army Brilliance. For his service to his country, Paul O'Dowd was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, the Air Medal, and the Legion of Merit. Paul was a dad, a teacher, a husband, and an inspiration to many. He was a man who served his country and his family faithfully and fearlessly, and he will be missed. ``American Hero, Former POW, Remembered'' [From the Seoul Times] For those who knew him he was Paul, ``Digger,'' ``The Old Man,'' ``Dad,'' and ``Friend'' but others have said ``he was an inspiration to keep the faith between brothers in arms.'' A True American Hero. Dateline: Arlington National Cemetery. Dec. 3, 3:00 p.m. Full Military Honors. An honor guard marches, the band plays, as the caisson passes with flagged draped coffin to grave side. Laid to rest and Flag folded, the volley fired, that let all present know that a hero has died, Taps plays the last time. He will receive the Medal of Army Brilliance, A Class from the Republic of China (Taiwan) for service to their defense. His life was one of service to his country and community. As an educator with two master's degrees,'' he said. ``He and Judy broke the norm with a marriage lasting 67 years.'' A Vets Veteran always helping others who had served. Making sure they received the benefits of their service both in the United States and overseas. Paul T. O'Dowd Jr. was born in San Francisco Oct. 18, 1924, the son of Paul O'Dowd Sr. and Charlotta Belle Boudreaux O'Dowd. Grew up there and graduated from Lowell High School. After graduation Paul enlisted in the Marine Corps for the duration, plus six months, during WWII and as a heavy machine gunner in the Marine Air Wing as tail gunner on B25's, he participated in four combat operations in the Pacific (Solomons, Leyte, Bismarck Archipelago, and Treasury Bougainville). After the war, he attended the University of San Francisco under the G.I. Bill. In June of 1948 he was commissioned as an Army Reserve Second Lieutenant in the Coast Artillery. When the Soviets denied Americans access to Berlin in early 1949, Paul volunteered for active duty and was assigned to the 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division (ID), at Fort Lewis, Washington. Shortly after the Korean War started, the 2nd Division was alerted for movement to Korea. Paul was transferred to ``C'' Battery, 15th Field Artillery as a forward observer. From Pusan parameter to the breakout and all the way north and back south again supporting the Division and the units they supported. In mid-February 1951 he was captured and held POW for 938 days. All the while the US Army had him declared KIA without a body. Over and over again he was isolated and beaten and put in solitary confinement for defying them. The last to cross the bridge of no return, officially repatriated on 6 September 1953 two days after they closed down the POW reception station from operation ``Big Switch.'' At 5'10" and only 89 lbs. he was truly at deaths door. Arrested, as he was not on any POW rosters, Paul was taken to Tokyo for interrogation, he proved himself and was recognized by Officers. He went to school with other POW's having stood up against the torture and indoctrination of the Red Chinese and North Korean communist propaganda. He was released, transferred stateside and spent more than six months at Letterman Army Hospital as a patient recuperating. He was then assigned as an assistant professor of military science in a ROTC program at the University of San Francisco. While in this position, 1st Lt. O'Dowd was decorated by Major General William F. Dean with the Bronze Star for his meritorious achievements and conduct while a prisoner of war. Very rarely are POWS decorated for their actions while a prisoner. On the Speakers Bureau; Paul would speak to groups about the brainwashing that occurred in the communists POW camps. During the Cold War Captain O'Dowd was stationed in Germany for three and a half years as a Nuclear Weapons Employment Officer, working in an Honest John Missile Battalion and later with a 280mm Gun Battalion. He also spent three years as an advisor to the Chinese National Army on the island of Taiwan. (MAAG) While in Taiwan in 1966, Major O'Dowd also received an award from the Republic of China for ``Good Man of Good Deeds,'' the highest honor in that country. He stopped and rescued victims trapped in a burning building without considering his own safety and assisted in putting out the fire. LTC O'Dowd received many medals and commendations for his military and civilian service; some are: two Bronze Stars with V device for Valor, a Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal (Korea), The Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and The Legion of Merit. Chinese: Good Man of Good Deeds. Teacher and educator, a scholar, a soldier, a good representative of the American way of life, and a family man; Paul was the real deal, a straight shooter and a True American Hero. Having lived a long life, most of it in service to our country, to his fellow service members, and veterans, Paul O'Dowd died July 27, 2015 in his home in California at the age of 90. The Defense Attache: RADM Yang from the Republic of China (Taiwan) will present Paul at the funeral the Medal of Army Brilliance, A Class, signed by their Minister of National Defense to honor LTC O'Dowd's contribution to their defense.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, next week is Diwali. The annual festival of lights is celebrated by more than 2 million Indian Americans and more than 1 billion people worldwide. Tomorrow more than a thousand Indian Americans will descend on Capitol Hill to celebrate Diwali. It is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the South Asian community, accomplishments in business, technology, health care, and academics. All across this Nation, in communities small and large, you will see those small-business owners, those academics, those doctors. It is a chance to give back to a country that has provided so much opportunity to immigrants over the generations, including the Indian American community. For a community that has benefited so much, it is great to see them participating in the political process, celebrating those accomplishments, and giving back to a country that means so much to us. Mr. Speaker, let's celebrate. Let's celebrate who we are as Americans. Let's celebrate a dynasty of immigrants, one successive generation after another, moving this country forward.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. I thank my colleague from Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to another bill restricting women's access to health care. The so-called Women's Public Health and Safety Act is not about public health, and it is certainly not about safety. This is a bill that takes away individual rights. It is a bill that would significantly restrict a woman's access to health care, where they want to go. This is fundamentally about individual rights and an individual's ability to choose where they want to get health care. It is another example of politicians coming into the exam room and making decisions. Now, my colleagues on the right, Madam Speaker, often will say they want to stand for individual rights. Well, Planned Parenthood has not broken any laws, to my knowledge. If an individual patient wants to go get their care at Planned Parenthood, that is their right. Planned Parenthood is providing access to care. They are doing exactly what their name says: planning and helping families decide when they are ready to start a family, planning parenthood. We should be protecting that fundamental individual right. As a doctor, I find it offensive when the government comes into my exam room and tells patients what they can and cannot do. Fundamentally to the practice of medicine, I have to answer my patients' questions, empower them to make the choices that they want to, and let them make those choices. Again, patients should be able to choose their provider. Congress should not be picking and choosing who people can go see. This is about individual rights and preserving that right. I am proud to stand with Planned Parenthood. I am proud to fight to preserve those individual rights. As a doctor, we have got to protect access to care.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, as a doctor, I find these bills troubling. The oath I took is to do what is best for my patients. One of these bills that is coming up today criminalizes the practice of medicine and questions doctors' judgments. It attempts to intimidate doctors from providing safe, evidence-based medicine and from doing our job, which is to sit with our patients, answer their questions, and give them the best medical advice and let them make the decisions that affect their lives. This is unprecedented. It sets a precedent where those without any medical training can dictate medical practice and make choices for patients. This definitely oversteps any legal bounds. These are choices that should be made between doctors and patients. Congressional interference into how we practice is overreach. It is a dramatic overreach, and it is dangerous because it sets a dangerous legislative precedent. What makes the healthcare delivery system in America so great is that it is accessible to folks and that we understand and protect the doctor-patient privilege. That is at the very foundation of the oath we take when we enter the profession of medicine. Now, the other bill that we are voting on today also dramatically restricts access. If you think about the number of women in America who get their care from Planned Parenthood, the preventive health services that Planned Parenthood provides is remarkable. One in five women in this country have used a Planned Parenthood facility. It is a remarkably effective way for women to get their health care--and it is not just women; many men also use Planned Parenthood. We should be having the exact opposite debate. We should be talking about how we can improve access to care, how we can make sure every American has access to all of their reproductive options. We should want to be talking about how we strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, how we take the government out of the exam room, how we leave some of the most intimate choices to the doctor and the patient. Again, the oath that I took when I entered the profession was to sit with my patients, answer their questions, but then empower them to make the choices that fit their life circumstances. That is what we should be fighting for. Those are our principles. That is who we are as Americans with those freedoms. Madam Speaker, let's talk about how we improve access to care. Let's talk about how we strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. This is about protecting people.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, in 6 legislative days, our government will shut down. This is a bad idea. Last time the government shut down, our economy lost more than $20 billion, $4 billion in tax refunds were delayed, 20,000 veterans disability claims per week were delayed, and $140 million in small business loan applications were not processed. If you look at the analysis, over those 2 weeks, 120,000 fewer jobs were created. This is a bad idea. In Sacramento County, my home community, thousands of employees of the VA, Department of the Interior, and other agencies were threatened. This hurts American families. It doesn't have to be this way, Mr. Speaker. We could come together, put together a budget, keep the government open, and get people back to work. That is what we are sent here to do. Let's work together, Democrats and Republicans. Let's avoid a government shutdown, and let's put America back to work.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on rollcall vote No. 497, ordering the previous question, because I was at the Pentagon Ceremony Recognizing the Heroism and Valor of Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Specialist Alek Skarlatos, and Mr. Anthony Sadler. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Communication from the Clerk of the House The SPEAKER laid before the House the following communication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives: Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, September 11, 2015. Hon. John Boehner, The Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Speaker: I have the honor to transmit herewith a facsimile copy of a letter received from Mr. Steven S. Sandvoss, Executive Director, State Board of Elections for the State of Illinois, indicating that, according to the preliminary results of the Special Election held September 10, 2015, the Honorable Darin LaHood was elected Representative to Congress for the Eighteenth Congressional District, State of Illinois. With best wishes, I am Sincerely, Karen L. Haas, Clerk. Enclosure. State Board of Elections, State of Illinois, Springfield, IL, September 11, 2015. Hon. Karen L. Haas, Clerk, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Ms. Haas: This is to advise you that the unofficial results of the Special Election held on Thursday, September 10, 2015, for Representative in Congress from the Eighteenth Congressional District of Illinois, show that Darin LaHood received 35,213 votes or 75% of the total number of votes cast for that office. It would appear from these unoffiaial results that Darin LaHood was elected as Representative in Congress from the Eighteenth Congressional District of Illinois. To the best of our knowledge and belief at this time, there is no contest to this election. As soon as the official results are certified to this office by all 19 jurisdictions involved, an official Certificate of Election will be prepared for transmittal as required by law. Sincerely, Steven S. Sandvoss, Executive Director. Swearing in of the Honorable Darin LaHood, of Illinois, as a Member of the House

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commend the bravery of three young men with ties to Sacramento County. While on a train to Paris, childhood friends Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, and Spencer Stone sprang into action to stop a man storming through their cabin carrying an automatic weapon and a box cutter. Their quick action saved the people onboard that train and their bravery has inspired our country. As we recognize their heroism, the incident is also a reminder that terrorist threats are everywhere. These three men took bold action to protect others from harm and I commend the sacrifice they were willing to make to protect those around them. The three met while attending Freedom Christian School in Fair Oaks. Sadler and Stone attended Del Campo High School and were active in their community. Skarlatos moved to Oregon, but the trio stayed in touch. They were on a European vacation when the gunman burst into their cabin. As an Oregon Army National Guardsman, Army Spc. Alek Skarlatos had recently returned from Afghanistan. He was first to sound the alarm, telling his friends, ``let's go'' as they moved to subdue the gunman. Anthony Sadler, a senior at Sacramento State University, said his first instinct was to help and he rushed toward the man. And Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone of the U.S. Air Force was the first to get to the gunman. He was slashed while trying to disarm the man. As a trained Emergency Medical Technician, his injury didn't stop him from administering care to some of the passengers who had been wounded. Stone has been nominated for the Airman's Medal, the Air Force's highest non-combat award. These men were faced with a dangerous threat and in that moment chose to act. It is a testament to their bravery and their service to their country. It is my pleasure to formally recognize the actions they took to save others. The parade in their honor will be held on September 11, 2015 in Sacramento. It's a fitting date to welcome them home and honor their heroism. The story of these three men is a reminder that everyone can be a hero. Thank you Alek, Anthony, and Spencer: you have made your hometown proud and inspired our country.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the three young men from Sacramento County who have deep roots in my district and whose quick thinking onboard a train to Paris saved lives and inspired our country. Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, and Spencer Stone sprang into action to stop a man wielding a gun and a box cutter onboard their train. The childhood friends were on vacation when the gunman burst into their cabin. As an Oregon Army National Guardsman, Army Specialist Alek Skarlatos had recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan. He was the first to sound the alarm, telling his friends, ``Let's go,'' as they moved to subdue the gunman. Anthony Sadler, a senior at Sacramento State University, and Airman First Class Spencer Stone of the United States Air Force acted without hesitation. Stone was slashed while trying to disarm the man, but the injury did not stop him. After subduing the gunman, the trained EMT went on to help treat other injured passengers. These men showed bravery as they put themselves in harm's way to save those around them. Today I commend them and recognize their great service. A parade in their honor will be held tomorrow in Sacramento. The date September 11 is fitting. They will be welcomed home and honored for their heroism. The story of these three men is a reminder that everyone can be a hero. Thank you, Alek, Anthony, and Spencer. You have made your hometown proud, and you have made the United States proud.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. BERA. I am opposed in its current form.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, this bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. Mr. Speaker, this amendment is simple. It ensures that we have safe drinking water for our constituents and enough water to fight wildfires. It has been hot and dry in California. We are now in the fourth straight year of drought conditions; and, in fact, 95 percent of our State has reached severe drought status. This is a problem. We are talking about families; we are talking about farmers, small- business owners who are feeling the pain of this prolonged drought every day. It is a crisis, and in a crisis, everyone has to come together, to work together to find solutions that work for all of us. However, the bill offered today, yet again, undermines the efforts that were taken in California to work together, and instead, it allows Washington, D.C., politicians to pick winners and losers and pit communities against each other. This bill creates no water. It does not solve this crisis, and that is a problem. Look at this picture. This is my home district, Folsom Lake. This is what it looked like last summer, and this summer, it is worse. In fact, Folsom Lake right now is at 42 percent of capacity. By August, it is expected to reach the lowest point in recorded history. Over half a million people depend on Folsom Lake for their drinking water. We owe it to the families of Folsom, Fair Oaks, Roseville, and all across the State to work together to better manage the water that we have. As currently written, this bill would jeopardize their access to safe water. As water supplies decrease, residential drinking water risks contamination from higher concentrations of nitrates, arsenic, industrial chemicals, and harmful algae. We owe it to the people in our State to make sure, when they turn on their taps, they have safe drinking water. Let's work together to find comprehensive solutions, long-term solutions to ensure their access to storage. We have got to work together as Democrats and Republicans, not pit northern California against southern California. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to give this motion their full support. I yield to the gentleman from southern California (Mr. Peters), my colleague.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, today, we are going to be asked to vote on another short-term funding patch for the highway trust fund. We have done this over 30 times, but what we need is a bipartisan plan and a long-term transportation goal that is fiscally responsible. It is what we have always done throughout our history. Think about it. President Lincoln built the transcontinental railroad, put thousands of people to work, and helped lead an economic boom. President Eisenhower invested in the interstate highway bill, which built our interstate commerce system and transport system and put thousands of people to work and led to an economic boom. Mr. Speaker, let's think big. That is what we do as Americans. Let's invest in ourselves. Let's come up with a long-term highway trust fund bill that invests in our infrastructure; puts thousands of Americans to work; and lets us lead an economic recovery not just in the United States, but in the world. That is what we do as Americans; we think big. Mr. Speaker, let's get this done.